Fantasy Football Rankings 2017, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 47-45

On today’s list of fantasy football’s top 101 PPR players of 2017 we see a couple of the best No. 2 wide receivers in the NFL.

Sometimes it’s easy to overlook a wide receiver in fantasy football when he’s the No. 2 wide receiver on his team. After all, most of the attention goes to the No. 1 wide receiver and his outlook for the season.

Don’t forget, three of the top-12 fantasy wide receivers last season were the No. 2 wide receivers on their team.

To be clear, the top 101 PPR players are for re-draft leagues only. Here’s a look at players ranked No. 47-45:

Dec 11, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Ty Montgomery (88) celebrates a touchdown during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lambeau Field. Green Bay won 38-10. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

47. Ty Montgomery, RB – Green Bay Packers

As a rookie in 2015, Ty Montgomery did not contribute anything to the fantasy community. Montgomery, who was a wide receiver at the time, finished with 15 receptions, 136 yards and two touchdowns. Going into 2016, it looked like he was going to be just as irrelevant as he was in 2015. That was until injuries devastated the Packers backfield.

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Due to a shortage of running backs, Montgomery was converted into a running back. The former third-round pick out of Stanford showed well at his new position. Despite not seeing any real playing time until Week 6, he finished as the 33rd PPR running back. His 2016 highlights consisted of back-to-back games with 10 receptions and 162 rushing yards and two touchdowns in another.

Going into 2017, Montgomery is the Packers starting running back but he shouldn’t be expected to touch the ball 20 times a game. Fourth-round pick Jamaal Williams and fifth-round pick Aaron Jones should be involved in some capacity. With that said, Montgomery should have the opportunity to lead the backfield in touches. If he can establish himself has the clear-cut starter, he should put up low-end RB2 numbers.

Oct 24, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) celebrates a first down reception in the second half against the Houston Texans at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Texans 27-9. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

46. Emmanuel Sanders, WR – Denver Broncos

Since signing with the Broncos in 2014, Emmanuel Sanders has experienced three straight seasons with 76+ receptions and 1,000+ receiving yards. Last year he finished as the 21st PPR wide receiver. Going into this season, his outlook is stronger than it was last year.

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Sanders will still be catching passes from either Trevor Siemian or Paxton Lynch. Yet, last year was Siemian’s first year as a starter and Lynch’s first year in the league. In 2017, both should be improved. The addition of Mike McCoy as the team’s offensive coordinator should also benefit Sanders.

McCoy has a good history of establishing strong passing games with his offenses. He should help Denver improve from their 21st ranked passing offense a season ago. Going into 2017, Sanders should be treated as a WR2/3.

Dec 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) catches the ball for a touchdown against San Diego Chargers cornerback Craig Mager (29) during the fourth quarter at O.co Coliseum. The Oakland Raiders defeated the San Diego Chargers 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

45. Michael Crabtree, WR – Oakland Raiders

In back-to-back seasons with the Raiders, Michael Crabtree has posted at least 85 receptions and 8 touchdowns. In 2015 he was the 16th PPR wide receiver and last year finished as the 12th PPR wide receiver. Going into 2017, there’s no reason to believe he can’t have similar fantasy football success.

Todd Downing will be the team’s new offensive coordinator this year but he spent the last two seasons as the team’s quarterback’s coach. ESPN’s Paul Gutierrez reported Downing will be running the same offensive system as before and his changes will be “subtle”. For the third straight season Crabtree will be playing (basically) in the same offense, opposite of Amari Cooper and catching passes from Derek Carr. Other than an improved running game with Marshawn Lynch, everything is set up the same.

Next: Fantasy Football Rankings, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 50-48

Crabtree could lose a few a targets to free agent addition Jared Cook but I’m not all that concerned. Cook is a career underachiever who only averaged three receptions a game last season despite playing in the Packers seventh ranked passing offense.

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