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Fantasy Football: First-Round Picks to Pass On

By Brendan Pignataro

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) laughs on the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) laughs on the sidelines against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium. Dallas won 41-14. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Winning your fantasy football championship can take a lot of luck, determination, and knowledge. One other big thing that can help is nailing your first round pick.

By now you probably have seen many fantasy football articles with the typical list of players that will be taken in the first round. For the most part, the predicted first round players have remained consistent throughout the preseason. With the lack of high quality depth at running back, and the rise in number of star receivers, this fantasy season has been lot different. There is’t as many locks in the first round as previous years, which is why it is imperative to not miss here.

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Let’s take a look at some players to pass on in the first, and better options that will be available a little later in the draft.

Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) walks off the field after the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) walks off the field after the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

WR A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals

I am a huge fan of Green’s talent, but I don’t love his first round ADP. First off, for the second straight season Green battled through injuries. He is a very tough player, which is great for Bengals fans, but fantasy owners have expected more. Second, I am concerned about the Bengals offense and ability to get to the red zone as much as they have in recent years. I don’t believe there’s any doubt that their wide receiver corps is worse, and the loss of Tyler Eifert early on will hurt as well.

The change in offensive coordinator is a little concerning as well. Hue Jackson had a huge influence on what the Bengals accomplished, and his value is being underrated. If you could get him in the middle of the second round, it would be much better value. Allen Robinson or Brandon Marshall would be better values a round later.

Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) on the field before the game against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant (88) on the field before the game against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

WR Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys

Bryant has looked healthy so far but has to prove again that he can stay healthy for a full season. I’m not willing to use my first round pick on that risk. Then you have to factor in the aging Tony Romo. If he loses any time again, Bryant’s value plummets. If the 34 year old quarterback misses any games, then you might as well bench your first round pick, which is a tough thing to do. Please also relax with the Dak Prescott hype, it’s just preseason.

Opposing secondaries will absolutely focus on not letting Bryant go nuts. The Cowboys depth at WR is bad, and Jason Witten isn’t going to be a major help to Bryant anymore. I believe Bryant will be very inconsisten this year. Again I would take Robinson and Marshall before Bryant, or even Keenan Allen and Amari Cooper.

Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) looks on during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) looks on during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

RB Ezekiel Elliot, Dallas Cowboys

Sorry Dallas fans, it wasn’t intentional to put two of your guys on this list. However, Elliot is being slightly overrated to be taken as high as a top five to 10 pick. Look, I’m not going to say Darren McFadden or Alfred Morris are great players or this will be a running back by committee. Nonetheless both players deserve to get some touches in this offense, maybe even more than everyone expects. McFadden is expected back by week one, and thru two preseason games Morris has impressed with a 6.0 YPC.

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His hamstring issue appears to be behind him as he will play Thursday night, but you never know when a hamstring issue can pop up again. There’s a chance that Elliot could have a monster year, but chances aren’t worth taking so early.

Bet on someone a little later in the draft like LeSean McCoy to have even better numbers than Elliot. Also, don’t hesitate to take Le’Veon Bell over him as well. Championships aren’t won in the first three weeks.

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