Preseason Pro: The top ranked players in the world each reveal their No. 1 sleeper, bust, breakout, comeback and stash & cash player of the year!
Dr. Roto | Bill Enright | Brad Kruse | Shawn Childs | Mark Deming | Kimra Schleicher | Darren Summer | Adam Ronis | Scott Atkins
Shawn Childs
- Over $250,000 Career Earnings
- 3 High-Stakes Top 10 Overall Finishes (3rd, 4th, and 7th)
SLEEPER
WR Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers: The Chargers need a scoring threat at WR in a big way after losing their previous options at TE (Antonio Gates and Hunter Henry). Mike Williams has the size (6’4’ and 220 lbs.) to fill that void in a big way. He made an impact in 2014 at Clemson (57/1030/6) before missing all but one game in 2015 due to a bad neck injury. Mike rebounded the next season (98/1361/11). His first season in the NFL was cut short due to back and knee injuries. Philip Rivers makes the players around him better. Williams has greatness within, which points to a special career in the NFL if he can stay healthy. He’ll be drafted as WR4 in most leagues while I believe he has a chance at an 80/1200 season with double-digit TDs. Don’t be afraid to overpay if you happen to cheat the WR position.
BUST
RB LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills: LeSean McCoy falls into my bust category. I know his draft value is falling due to his possible implication with a house invasion at his property in Georgia. I smell a rat, and I know everyone should be considered innocent until proven guilty. Something is going to give here. Even before this issue, I hated the direction of the Bills’ offense in 2018. Buffalo has weakness at WR and TE with a transition coming at QB. McCoy will be steady when on the field. I don’t trust his full-season value in 2018 thus I have him on my avoid list.
BREAKOUT
WR Corey Davis, Tennessee Titans: Corey Davis had a quiet rookie season (34/375) after three electric seasons in college (78/1408/15, 90/1436/12, and 97/1500/19). His slow start to his NFL career was due to injuries leading to a lack of opportunity. His best game of the season came in the second week of the playoffs when Corey beat the Patriots for two TDs and five catches for 63 yards. The Fantasy world seems poised on finding the 2018 version of Alvin Kamara or Kareem Hunt. My quest is finding the next generation of elite WRs to replace the lost Andre Johnson or Brandon Marshall. Davis has the tools to be a high volume WR with double-digit scoring ability. He’ll be drafted as a WR3 in most PPR leagues while owning the tools to be an impact WR1. His price point should lead to him being on many winning Fantasy teams in 2018.
COMEBACK
WR Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns: Most Fantasy owners will look for safer options as their comeback player. I’m going to ride Josh Gordon even with his negative news heading into August. The Browns are set up to be a great football story in 2018 with 49 states of non-believers. Gordon has the base skill set to be one of the best WRs in the game. He needs better QB play and a higher opportunity to showcase his talent. I like the 2018 options at QB, and I expect Cleveland to be one of the most improved offenses in the NFL this year. If Gordon keeps his head in the game, he is going to be a beast with difference maker upside.
STASH & CASH
QB Eli Manning, New York Giants: Eli Manning has a top three WR, pass-catching strength at WR2 and TE plus a new hotrod RB that will be a threat in the passing game. Even with a top core of receiving options, Eli can be found in the draft pool well at the back end of the QB2 inventory. Manning has an early ADP of 164 as the 24th off the board in late July. I’d love to cheat all the way back to him as my QB1, which would help me add plenty of depth at RB and WR, but I don’t want to get beat by a wise Fantasy owner who jumps him as a QB2. Great second Fantasy QB who may emerge as a week-to-week starter while offering impact upside in some games.
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