Fantasy Football Rankings 2017, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 86-84
By Dan Thomas
Today’s list of the fantasy football top 101 PPR players of 2017 features players No. 86-84. Are any of these players ranked too low?
As we make our way closer to the No. 1 ranked PPR player of 2017, the list becomes more open for debate. Just a few years ago, one player on today’s list was a top-seven PPR running back or better in back-to-back years. Another was the 21st PPR wide receiver just last season. Are they slotted too low going into 2017 or are their rankings reasonable?
To be clear, the top 101 PPR players are for re-draft leagues only. Here’s a look at players ranked No. 86-84:
86. Rishard Matthews, WR – Tennessee Titans
After being selected in the seventh-round of the 2012 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins, Rishard Matthews only caught eight touchdowns over his first four seasons. Last year in his first year in Tennessee, Matthews caught nine touchdowns.
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Matthews was the Titans No. 1 wide receiver in 2016 and he ended up leading the team in targets (108), receiving yards (945), receiving touchdowns (9) while also tying for first in receptions (65). He finished the season as the 21st PPR wide receiver of 2016. So why is he ranked so low?
The reason for Matthews ranking has to do with the Titans selecting Western Michigan’s Corey Davis fifth overall in the 2017 NFL Draft. Personally, I believe Davis is the real deal and is a prototypical No. 1 wide receiver. I think he has the ability to step in right away and lead the Titans in most receiving categories.
Davis is still recovering from ankle surgery but should be ready for training camp. If for some reason he gets off to a slow start or has a setback, Matthews ranking will be sure to change. Until then, I’m on the Davis bandwagon at the expense of Matthews.
85. Eddie Lacy, RB – Seattle Seahawks
In his first two seasons in the NFL Eddie Lacy averaged 1,159 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns per season. It looked like he was going to be a surefire fantasy football RB1 for years to come. Since then, Lacy has only totaled 1,118 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns since 2015.
Lacy battled weight and injury issues during his final two seasons in Green Bay and they are still a concern even though he’s in Seattle. On top of those issues, Lacy also finds himself in a running back by committee situation with the Seahawks. Lacy will have first crack as the team’s early-down running back while second-year man C.J. Prosise will be the third-down/receiving back. Also, owners can’t forget about the Seahawks 2015 leading rusher, Thomas Rawls.
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As said before, Lacy will get first-crack as the team’s early-down running back. If he doesn’t control his weight, gets injured and/or doesn’t perform well, Rawls will be sure to get an opportunity to replace him. Regardless if that opportunity presents itself, Rawls should still see some playing time and touches.
Can Lacy be the player he was in 2013-14 or will he be the same running back we’ve seen since 2015? Either way, I’m not spending an early-to-mid draft pick to find out.
84. Donte Moncrief, WR – Indianapolis Colts
Every year there are players who are drafted relatively early even though they haven’t accomplished much in the NFL. Going into 2017, Donte Moncrief is one of those players. In three years in the NFL Moncrief has never had more than 64 receptions or 733 receiving yards in any of them. His best fantasy football finish was in 2015 when he was the 36th PPR wide receiver.
Yes, he’s on the Indianapolis Colts and their offense loves to throw a bunch. His quarterback is Andrew Luck who has made the Pro Bowl in three out his five years in the NFL. He’s also the team’s No. 2 wide receiver. Even with all of that working in his favor, I’m not ready to rank Moncrief as high as others.
Next: Fantasy Football Rankings, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 89-87
He hasn’t done much in three years and the Colts also went out and brought in Kamar Aiken during the offseason. In 2015, Aiken finished with 75 receptions, 944 receiving yards and five touchdowns with the Baltimore Ravens. Between TY Hilton, Aiken and 2015 first-round pick Philip Dorsett, Moncrief could end up having to fight for targets. Also, don’t forget about tight end Jack Doyle, who last season finished second on the team in targets (75), receptions (59) and receiving yards (584).