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Fantasy Football: Adrian Peterson or Demaryius Thomas?

By Dan Salem

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Its time for 2015 Fantasy Football, but instead of easy fantasy decisions based on rankings and lists, we’re talking hypothetical trades. Two sets of fantasy football players; who would you rather have? Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL TD Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream and debate the NFL and sports.

TODD:

It is officially fantasy football season. The interwebbings will soon be flooded with rankings, drafts, sleepers and busts if they aren’t already.

But that stuff doesn’t get at the meat of fantasy decisions. Anyone can know to take Jamaal Charles before Frank Gore, and that the latter may bust. Everyone can figure the upside to taking Odell Beckham, and real sleepers aren’t sleepers at all if they’re being talked about!

So with that, let’s take a deeper dive. I am going to supply two sides of a hypothetical fantasy football trade and you tell me which side would win the deal. These deals are isolated from league settings or roster construction. They are strictly either-ors.

Would you rather have…

A: Adrian Peterson and DeAndre Hopkins
or
B: Demaryius Thomas and Mark Ingram

Peterson is easily the highest ranked player of the bunch, but do you really believe in him this season? He hates his own organization while it refuses to move him. He also just missed a season, whatever effect that will have on his sluggishness during the early weeks.

Hopkins too remains a bit of a question as a fantasy team’s number-one wide receiver, but this side of the trade certainly has the higher upside. Would you prefer that risk and reward or the safer selection of Thomas and Ingram?

Thomas is a stud and will remain so even with his departed Thomas “brother” out of Denver. And while Ingram has a low ceiling, his floor should be pretty high this season as New Orleans’ only every-down runner.

I’m leaning towards the second grouping, but is disgust with Peterson as a person clouding my judgement? Is this instead a no-brainer choice for the first group?

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) celebrates his touchdown reception with running back

C.J. Anderson

(22) during the first quarter of the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

DAN:

I don’t think this hypothetical is nearly as even as you seem to think it is. With fantasy football, touchdowns rule the day. There is no debate.

Adrian Peterson alone won me a fantasy football title way back when, as I’m sure he has for countless other owners over the years. But in his last full season in the NFL, the 2013 season, he managed 1266 yards with 10 touchdowns over 14 games. Those are good numbers for a running back, but rather pedestrian compared to Peterson’s statistical history.

You know what player was on par with Peterson’s 2013 numbers last season? The one and only Mark Ingram, who is certain to improve on his 964 yards and 9 touchdowns. I too agree that at the very least, Ingram’s touchdowns will go up with an improved Saints’ offense in 2015. It’s hard to imagine the team regressing further, so Ingram is in line to at least repeat his performance from a year ago.

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If you hadn’t guessed, I’m going with option B, the pairing of Mark Ingram and Demaryius Thomas. While Hopkins is a solid player, comparing him to Thomas is a tad insulting. Demaryius racked up 1619 yards and 11 touchdowns last season, all with the other Thomas on his team. Touchdowns rule fantasy football, and Hopkins just doesn’t compete. He put up a nice 1210 yards, with only 6 touchdowns.

I believe Peterson will have an excellent season. He will be out to prove himself, earn a new contract, and stick it to the NFL and his team. But none of that gets him into the endzone. The Vikings will be good, but so will the Saints and Mark Ingram.

This is not a pick against Peterson, but a pick for Demaryius Thomas. He will shine even brighter this season in Denver, continuing to score touchdowns in double digits. Denver’s passing game is too potent, and Thomas’ skills too great, to pass up.

Next: Can Aaron Rodgers get the Packers back atop the NFC?

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