Last-minute fantasy football advice for all 32 NFL teams

Indianapolis Colts fantasy advice

Philip Rivers fits nicely in Indianapolis, but you won’t see me drafting him, maybe ever again. Where’s the upside? Does anyone expect him to throw 40 times a game?

Jonathan Taylor has that upside. He’s a great runner with a great offensive line. But get two solid RBs before you draft Taylor; he may not be relevant early with Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines slotted for significant playing time.

If Taylor takes the starting job, he is almost guaranteed to be a top-ten fantasy running back this season. It’s just a matter of when because there’s a good chance he doesn’t see the ball enough for a few weeks. Are you willing to risk that for a few weeks? If so, then Taylor is a fantastic choice. Besides, he’s way more talented than Mack, who is also underrated.

Michael Pittman Jr. is a nice late-round rookie who fits the Mike Williams mold of the offense. And Rivers loved chucking it deep to Williams last year. T.Y. Hilton is one of my annual “Don’t-Drafts” due to health/inconsistency. As WR25, there’s players with higher floors and ceilings around Hilton.

Jack Doyle and Zach Pascal led the team in targets, but I can only see Doyle outproducing his 72 looks from a year ago. Despite impressive usage in Frank Reich’s offense, Doyle doesn’t come with much upside, though.

Jacksonville Jaguars fantasy advice

Honestly, there’s not much I expect from Jacksonville in fantasy. Bad teams rarely produce good fantasy options, though Gardner Minshew should be the exception. Minshew is one of the best values in fantasy football. For more detail about why I love Minshew this year, check out my article from earlier this month. Get him late.

Leonard Fournette was always a big no with: Chris Thompson in town, heavy negative game scripts, tension with coaches/owners and legit trade rumors. His sudden departure leaves Thompson to be featured heavily in the passing game, though health is a concern with him. Nothing suggests that he won’t continue to be a constant source of receptions, especially with Jay Gruden following him to Duval County.

Ryquell Armstead looks like the favorite to take over, though Devine Ozigbo and Josh Robinson are worth monitoring. This whole situation warrants some caution because rarely do non-receiving running backs produce on terrible teams. And even if the Jaguars decide to not have a running back committee, who’s to say that player even gets the ball enough?

The Jaguars may be playing from behind a lot, which does not bode well for non-receiving running backs. I like DJ Chark; I’d only prefer McLaurin in that range. Laviska Shenault does have Dynasty value. Keep an eye on him, too. Dede Westbrook is an afterthought at this point, despite a couple of weeks of fantasy production here and there.

Houston Texans fantasy advice

Deshaun Watson is good and all, but he falls victim to the Wait-For-a-QB strategy. As QB3, I’d only consider taking him if he falls outside the top-five quarterbacks and out of the first six rounds.

After selling the farm for David Johnson, Bill O’Brien has to make Johnson work. Expect him to see the ball a ton. Durability concerns are legit, but remember that Johnson was on pace to be RB5 last year before his injury. If Carlos Hyde can reach 1,000 yards, imagine what a dual-threat player like Johnson can do. As for the other Johnson, Duke Johnson is a poor man’s David Johnson. The same analysis applies, minus the durability concerns. Duke is a solid target for your bench.

Listen, one of the Texans’ new receivers has to benefit from a team that vacated 14.3 targets a game. I can’t stand Will Fuller; he’s the ultimate boom-or-bust player with major injury concerns. By drafting him, you’re betting he can do something he’s never done: Play a full season. Honestly, this whole offense could use some bubble wrap.

I prefer Brandin Cooks to Fuller because Cook has only missed two games in the last five seasons. If not for repeated concussions, Cooks could’ve notched his fifth-straight 1,000-yard season. Neither player should be your starter, yet. That’s especially true for Randall Cobb. Another year, another empty plea for a Houston tight end to breakout.

Tennessee Titans fantasy advice

Ryan. Tannehill. I raved about him in my sleepers article, and I explained why he’s underrated in an article back in July. Basically, there’s almost no way Tannehill isn’t a top-10 quarterback. He was QB2 once he took over the starting job, trailing only Lamar Jackson. Even if Tannehill throws and runs less, he could still finish in starter territory. He’s QB21. Snatch him up.

Derrick Henry has reportedly improved as a passer, which would help raise his PPR value. Alvin Kamara, Dalvin Cook and Clyde Edwards-Helaire have higher upside, though. If you have to rely on Darrynton Evans for depth, you should’ve prioritized running backs earlier. Only a handful of running backs are guaranteed over 16 carries and five targets a game. You can always find reliable quarterbacks and wide receivers later; it’s rare to find reliable running backs late.

I think A.J. Brown is a really good receiver and I’d definitely consider taking him at his ADP. As WR17, the only guys I’d take over him in that range are Allen Robinson, Kenny Golladay, Calvin Ridley, Adam Thielen and Cooper Kupp. That sounds like a lot, but there’s a whole group of receivers right around Brown.

Expect some regression from Brown’s receiving yards, though he should be a fine second receiver for your roster. Do people still draft Corey Davis? Jonnu Smith is a perfect sleeper tight end now that Delanie Walker is gone.