Fantasy Football Rankings 2017, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 26-24

As we continue our list of fantasy football’s top 101 PPR players of 2017 we have two players who were both top-11 wide receivers last season.

There’s no better feeling in fantasy than having a reliable player to plug into your lineup every week and not having to worry about his production. On today’s list, we feature two wide receivers who both fit that description.

In back-to-back seasons these players have both finished as a top-13 PPR wide receiver or better. Heading into 2017, I expect similar production from both of these pass-catchers.

To be clear, the top 101 PPR players are for re-draft leagues only. Here’s a look at players ranked No. 26-24:

Oct 16, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks (10) catches a touchdown over Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Shaq Green-Thompson (54) during the fourth quarter of a game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints defeated the Panthers 41-38. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

26. Brandin Cooks, WR – New England Patriots

Over the last two seasons Brandin Cooks has averaged 123 targets, 81 receptions, 1,156 yards and 8.5 touchdowns. Although Cooks is a talented speedster his situation going into 2017 is a little different than the last couple years. During the offseason the Saints traded Cooks to the New England Patriots.

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Cooks will be the No. 1 wide receiver on the Patriots depth chart just like he was with the Saints. However, there are more capable pass-catchers in New England than there were in New Orleans. Since 2013, Julian Edelman has averaged 6.5 receptions per game and has 92+ receptions in three out of four seasons. Rob Gronkowski has been a first-team All-Pro in four out of seven seasons and has double-digit touchdowns in five out of seven seasons. New England also have reliable hands coming out of the backfield with James White, Dion Lewis and Rex Burkhead.

Will Cooks get his in New England? Absolutely. Unless he suffers an injury, I don’t see anyway he doesn’t reach 100+ targets and 1,000 yards in his first year in New England. Fans will see a highlight on ESPN of Cooks catching a 50+ yard touchdown from Tom Brady multiple times in 2017. Just don’t think for a second Cooks will put up Randy Moss-like numbers when he was traded to New England in 2007.

January 16, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) catches a pass against Green Bay Packers during the second half in a NFC Divisional round playoff game at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

25. Larry Fitzgerald, WR – Arizona Cardinals

When it comes to fantasy football, I love me some Larry Fitzgerald. He is constantly overlooked and the word “old” consistency comes up when people discuss his outlook. Well, let the other owners sleep on him while you scoop him up.

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In Fantasy Football Calculator mock drafts, Fitzgerald’s ADP is WR28 and I find that laughable. In 2015 at the “old” age of 32 he had 109 receptions and was the No. 7 PPR wide receiver. At the “older” age of 33 in 2016, he caught 107 passes and was the No. 11 PPR wide receiver. Sorry, but I just don’t see Fitz going cliff diving in 2017 just because he’ll be 34 years old when the season starts.

Heading into this season the Cardinals will have the same head coach, offensive coordinator, quarterback and essentially the same offense minus Michael Floyd. Fitzgerald has 100+ receptions and 145+ targets in back-to-back seasons. He should flirt with similar numbers in 2017. With the Cardinals electing to not add a quarterback of the future this offseason, Fitzgerald’s chemistry with Carson Palmer should be on display for all 16 games even if the team falls out of playoff contention early.

May 26, 2017; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) works out during organized team activities at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /

24. Leonard Fournette, RB – Jacksonville Jaguars

After the 2016 season it’s clear the Jaguars have to do one thing if they want to improve their chances of winning: Take the ball out of Blake Bortles hands. For the third-straight year Bortles completed less than 59 percent of his passes and threw 16+ interceptions. So how do the Jaguars plan on making sure he doesn’t do it for the fourth-straight season? By running the ball until their legs fall off.

Enter the Jaguars first-round pick running back Leonard Fournette. At 6-0 and 240 pounds, Fournette ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine and looks like a player some 11-year old created in Madden. The team increased Fournette’s fantasy appeal by trading for Branden Albert and drafting Alabama’s Cam Robinson in the second-round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Fournette will be running behind an improved offensive line and is set up to be a volume monster.

Next: Fantasy Football Rankings, Top 101 PPR Players: No. 29-27

When a team spends the fourth-overall selection on a running back, he is expected to be featured early and often. Last year the Cowboys spent the fourth pick in the 2016 NFL draft on Ezekiel Elliott. Dallas had two capable running backs backing up Elliott who had multiple 1,000-yard seasons in their careers. Yet, Elliott still managed 354 touches in 15 games. The Jaguars have a less impressive duo behind Fournette with Chris Ivory and T.J. Yeldon. Look for Fournette to be the centerpiece of the Jaguars offense and to average 20 touches a game in 2017.

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