(The Fantasy 5 is a quick-hit wrap-up of some of the biggest news topics of the day for fantasy football players, giving you advice you need to improve your team.)
It’s a boring time of the year in the NFL. That said, even in these doldrums, there’s still plenty of things going on around the league. Here are the five stories fantasy players need to know from this past weekend:
1. Who should fantasy drafters select out of the KC backfield?
Our answer to this question isn’t going to change this offseason, but the topic bears repeating after ESPN’s Chiefs beat reporter, Adam Teicher, said that rookie Kareem Hunt would lead the team in rushing and be their top receiving RB this year. This quote, which came on our good friend Mike Clay’s SiriusXM show, is in direct contrast to what Teicher said about Spencer Ware being the likely starter and feature back just two weeks ago.
The moral here is that we really shouldn’t read much into projections from beat writers. Sure, there’s some value to their insight, but they aren’t the end all be all. Instead, our insight here is relatively straight-forward. The Chiefs tipped their hand on draft weekend when they selected Hunt in the third round. A Day 2 running back pick is relatively high in today’s NFL, which would suggest Kansas City has plans for the former Toledo Rocket in the immediate future.
The fantasy drafting public hasn’t seemed to catch on to Hunt just yet. Ware remains an RB2 pick as the No. 16 running back off the board in early-consensus ADP. Hunt remains a late-round flier with an ADP in the early 12th round as the 47th running back being selected. Expect Hunt’s ADP to continue to rise over the summer.
2. Redskins WR Josh Doctson is ready to roll for OTAs.
Second-year Washington receiver Josh Doctson played just 31 snaps in his rookie season before an Achilles injury sidelined him. Doctson is reportedly looking good, however, and is a full-go for Redskins OTAs.
Washington added former Browns WR Terrelle Pryor during free agency, but there is opportunity for Doctson to play a big role with DeSean Jackson (signed with Buccaneers) and Pierre Garçon (signed with 49ers) out of the mix. Doctson possesses an explosive skill-set that meshes well with the Redskins' overall offensive philosophy. He currently offers appealing upside in the 12th rounds as the 55th wide receiver. Doctson could very easily outplay that ADP.
3. A new-and-improved Phillip Dorsett for 2017?
At least, that’s what the third-year Colts receiver is promising. In other words, it’s May, and there really isn’t anything else to talk about.
Dorsett has been a general disappointment after being selected in the first round of the 2015 draft. He’s played in 26 games over the last two years for Indianapolis, but has seen just 92 targets during that span. By comparison, 44 wide receivers saw at least 92 targets last season. While there’s still upside with Dorsett thanks to his sub-4.4 wheels, there isn’t any reason to think he’ll turn a corner in his third pro season. He isn’t worth consideration in 2017 fantasy drafts.
4. Rams could use rookie TE Gerald Everett like Jordan Reed.
There was a lot of buzz around second-year tight end Tyler Higbee entering the offseason, but the wind quickly came out of those sails when the Rams selected Everett in the second round of April’s draft. A move option with a basketball background, Everett projects to play a similar role to Jordan Reed in new Rams head coach Sean McVay’s offense.
Everett certainly has an exciting profile, but it’s wise to proceed with caution in redraft formats. It’s extremely rare for rookie tight ends to produce strong fantasy numbers, and that task is made especially difficult with quarterback Jared Goff under center. That being said, Everett is a solid dynasty pick in rookie drafts. He’s the first option who should come off the board after the Big 3 of O.J. Howard (Buccaneers), David Njoku (Browns), and Evan Ingram (Giants). However, unlike that trio, you won’t have to spend an early pick on Everett. He’ll likely cost you a third- or fourth-round pick in rookie drafts.
5. Denver is very high on tight end A.J. Derby.
The Broncos also drafted a tight end this year, selecting former Michigan Wolverine Jake Butt in the fifth round. However, the team is reportedly very enamored with what 2015 sixth-rounder A.J. Derby can do on the field. Derby started his 2016 season on the Patriots, but was traded for a fifth-round pick. He played six games for the Broncos, catching at least four balls in three of his last four games before missing the final two contests of the season with a concussion.
Butt is expected to have a role in the offense this year, but he’s still recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in December. However, Derby figures to play the move role in the offense, which is traditionally better for fantasy value than the in-line option. Derby isn’t worth consideration in standard-sized leagues, but he’s worth a look in deep formats and is someone to potentially target in dynasty formats.
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