We look ahead to 2016 Fantasy Football and debate the Top 10 players entering next season. Week 17 is boring, but 2016 looks crazy for fantasy. Dan Salem and Todd Salem debate in today’s NFL Sports Debate. Two brothers from New York yell, scream, and debate sports.
TODD:
Here we are in Week 17, AKA fantasy football players’ least favorite week of the year. If leagues do participate, games are so screwed up with teams sitting stars that it becomes unbearable to follow. With that, the vast majority of leagues don’t use Week 17 stats at all.
That means many fantasy leagues are finished for the season and have crowned their champions. So it’s time to look ahead to next season!
This year’s top 10 was a batch of crap if we’re being honest. Nearly all the first-round running backs flamed out. That doesn’t permanently dissuade me from grabbing RBs early again next year, but it does give me pause.
If we were creating a way-too-early top 10 for the 2016 season, here is what mine would look like:
1. Todd Gurley
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Rob Gronkowski
4. Antonio Brown
5. Le’Veon Bell
6. Marshawn Lynch
7. Devonta Freeman
8. Jamaal Charles
9. Odell Beckham
10. Julio Jones
The first two picks are easy for me. After that, it already gets murky. I don’t trust any quarterbacks to be worthy of a first-round selection next year; not after the debacles that were Aaron Rodgers‘ and Andrew Luck‘s 2015. But it’s hard to totally feel confident in these running backs returning from major injuries either.
I can’t make a logical argument for any pass-catchers outside of the four listed. There just isn’t enough separation after that. But sliding four non-RBs into the first round may be some sort of record anyway.
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I could be talked into number-one running backs later in the offseason once depth charts are clearer. Right now, I’d probably feel most comfortable just grabbing Beckham or Jones at the end of round one.
Where do you stand on the early outlook for 2016 fantasy football drafts?
Dec 20, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
DAN:
I know the separation at the quarterback position is small in terms of points scored, and that superstars burned us this past fantasy season. But I can’t honestly pick a running back coming off a season ending injury over a stud QB. Top fantasy quarterbacks score too many points, and do so consistently. At the very least one must sneak into the top ten for next year.
What really scares me on your list are the likes of Lynch, Bell, and Charles. I’d bet that two of the three bounce back like Peterson to have excellent seasons in their return from injury. But one of the three will likely bust, and if 2015 taught us anything, then two of them are going to make owners cry next season. How do you choose? Or do you?
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Here’s my way-too-early Top 10 for the 2016 Fantasy Football season.
1. Todd Gurley
2. Rob Gronkowski
3. Devonta Freeman
4. Adrian Peterson
5. Antonio Brown
6. Cam Newton
7. Odell Beckham Jr.
8. Jamaal Charles
9. Marshawn Lynch
10. Julio Jones
As you can tell, I bet on Lynch and Charles to bounce back successfully in 2016. I also like Gurley to take a big step forward, hence picking him over both Freeman and Peterson. But I wouldn’t hesitate to take Gronkowski at the number one spot either. He is so far and away better than any other player at his position, it’s almost like cheating.
I slotted Cam Newton in at the six spot because he was easily the best quarterback this season. The way he improved his entire game was impressive, and I don’t see his numbers dropping in the least. Newton easily beat out Tom Brady as the best fantasy quarterback, and Cam is a near lock for success, while the other guys behind him come with question marks.
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I’m also higher on my wide receivers than you. Since running backs proved themselves both interchangeable and unreliable this past season, its worth grabbing Brown, Beckham, and Jones in the top ten for 2016. I’m slightly worried about Julio Jones, since the Falcons and Matt Ryan took another step back this season. But fantasy numbers don’t care about wins and losses in real life. So he should be a solid first round pick.
Do you agree or disagree with our top 10 players in 2016? Did your favorite player make the cut? Let us know in the comments below, or on twitter.