Fantasy Football Rankings 2017, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 65-63
By Dan Thomas
As we continue our list of the fantasy football top 101 PPR players of 2017, we are reminded rankings are constantly changing.
Yesterday we learned the New York Jets are either going to trade or release their No.1 wide receiver Eric Decker. A little less than a week ago Decker checked in at No. 81 on our list. In real life, whatever team Decker chooses to go to will be better than playing for the atrocious Jets. In fantasy football life, his new situation might be a downgrade.
Decker was the No. 1 wide receiver on a bad team. The Jets are going to be playing from behind in most games and Decker was going to see a ton of targets. He was easily going to see 100 targets in 2017 and could have pushed for 130-140. Now, he might not get as many opportunities on his new team (especially in garbage time). It’s just a reminder to owners, rankings are always done in pencil.
To be clear, the top 101 PPR players are for re-draft leagues only. Here’s a look at players ranked No. 65-63:
65. Kelvin Benjamin, WR – Carolina Panthers
After his rookie season in 2014 it looked as if Kelvin Benjamin was going to be a fantasy WR1/2 for the next decade. That year he finished with 73 receptions, 1,008 yards and and nine touchdowns on 145 targets. Fast forward three seasons later and Benjamin’s stock has plummeted to WR3 territory.
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Back in Benjamin’s rookie season he led the team in targets, receiving touchdowns and tied for the most receiving yards. He was easily the Panthers best receiver. It wasn’t because Benjamin was “so good”, but it was because the team’s other receivers were that bad. The Panthers top three wide receivers after Benjamin were Jerricho Cotchery, Corey Brown and Jason Avant. The three combined for 1,077 yards and four touchdowns that season.
Since then, the Panthers added Devin Funchess and Ted Ginn Jr. to go along with the always reliable Greg Olsen. Even though Carolina lost Ginn in free agency this offseason, they went out and added Curtis Samuel and offensive weapon Christian McCaffrey in the NFL Draft. Quarterback Cam Newton has a lot more weapons to throw to other than Benjamin which was not the case in 2014.
Last year Benjamin finished as the 28th PPR wide receiver and had six games with two receptions or less. Benjamin will always be a threat for a touchdown with 6-5 and 245-pound frame but he isn’t going to bail owners out with a ton of receptions or receiving yards.
64. Andrew Luck, QB – Indianapolis Colts
Since entering the league in 2012, Andrew Luck has finished as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in four out of five seasons. In three out of those five seasons he was a top-four quarterback or better. Going into 2017, he should be a top-five fantasy QB as long as he can stay healthy. Yet, staying healthy could be an issue for Luck.
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After not missing a regular season game in his first three seasons, Luck only played in seven games during the 2015 season. Luck only missed one game in 2016 with a concussion but had to get shoulder surgery after the season. The injured shoulder apparently stemmed from the 2015 season. According to CBS’s Mike Chappell, Luck still remains without a timetable for when he can start throwing.
At the moment, it does not appear Luck is any danger of missing significant time and should be under center for Week 1. If that’s the case and everything goes according to plan, Luck will once again flirt with elite fantasy numbers on a weekly basis. His training camp practice reports and preseason action will be something to keep an eye on in July and August.
63. Mike Gillislee, RB – New England Patriots
After spending his first four years in the NFL with three different teams, Mike Gillislee could breakout with his fourth NFL team. In April New England signed restricted free agent Gillislee to a two-year offer sheet. It was an offer sheet the Buffalo Bills declined to match making him a Patriot.
Many expect Gillislee to take over as the team’s early-down running back after the Patriots low-balled last year’s early-down running back LeGarrette Blount. Last season Blount finished with 299 carries, 1,161 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns. If Gillislee can cement himself in this role, he will carry a ton of upside in the Patriots offense. Then again, it’s far from certain he will own this role in 2017 like Blount did last season.
Next: Fantasy Football Rankings, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 68-66
Since 2013, Gillislee only has 865 career rushing yards and two starts. Although he looked good with his limited touches in Buffalo between 2015-16 he won’t be given this job. It’s not to say he can’t and won’t earn it but I’m not ready to anoint him the starter just yet. If/when he does earn it at some point during training camp, he should see his ranking move up.