Since many rankings around the internet use non-PPR scoring, it can be hard to find out which players should benefit the most from a PPR system.
Obviously all WRs get a bump, but it's clear to me, some will benefit more than others, specifically- possesion WRs VS. redzone-types. Clearly the best of the best (the Edwards, Fitzgerald, Steve Smith) will get high catch totals as will players from pass-happy offenses (Chad, T.J., Wayne, Moss). There are several under-the-radar guys who are undervalued in PPR leagues because for one reason or another they may not have huge yardage or TD totals- but they will come up big in the PPR category in 2008 (and beyond). So here's a short list I came up with, including RBs and TEs...
1. Wes Welker- Sure everyone knows the guy is a viable WR2 after his breakout year last season, btu what some may not know is that he's a virtual lock for 90+ catches as long as he's in a Pats uniform. Most see him with limited upside, which may be true in terms of a non-PPR league. But with only an againg Moss, a hobbling Watson, a mediocre Gaffney, and a soon-to-be bust Chad Jackson competing for catches, he should be Brady's favorite target for years to come.
2. Brandon Marshall- Another guy everyone pretty much agrees is a fantasy stud. Guy has proven his worth as a reliable pass-catcher and a huge run-after-the-catch threat, and will be the unquestioned favorite target of Cutler's in all areas of the field. Sure Scheffler will steal some catches as an underrated TE, but Stokley is past his prime and has trouble staying healthy, and, well, Darrell Jackson is just a running joke at this point. Eddie Royal is a nice sleeper down the road, but he won't be expected to do anything but contribute in the return game and the occasional 4-wide set. Expect over 100 catches for Marshall in the next couple seasons, making him a potential top 5 PPR WR.
3. T.J. Houshmanzadeh- Okay okay, I promise- last obvious name. Potentially the only productive veteran WR Cincy may have this year. May holdout, but I think it's more likely he plays out his final year and gets paid by the Bengals to stay. 120 catches is not out of the question without Chad. Even still, he'll be close to, if not over 100.
4. Jerricho Cotchery- Guy who makes his living going over the middle in a conservative offense could catch close to 90 balls this year. Coles isn't getting any younger and Cotchery is entering his prime. He won't wow anyone, but he should be a solid under-the-radar target in PPR for the next several years no matter where he plays.
5. Bush, LT2, Westbrook, MJD- The premier pass catchers among RBs.
6. Anthony Gonzalez- Should be a lock for 60+ catches this year and beyond. Upside is huge when Harrison is gone given the talent around him.
7. Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle- Okay, I'm hedging bets a little bit here. We all know what Martz is capable of. Most recently he turned unknown Mike Furrey into a league-leading pass-catcher. Unbelievable potential here, but who will see the most action? Johnson may be given the chance to be a #1, but he hasn't been more than a #3 in his career. Battle is an EXCELLENT posession WR, which makes me think he'll be in line for an underrated PPR season regardless. Bruce, if he can remain healthy, has the most to gain as he has experience with Martz in STL and caught close to 100 catches I believe no less than 2 years ago.
8. Bobby Engram/Deion Branch- Engram was an unheralded fantasy MVP last year given how cheap he could have been had preseason. He may be the #1 target of Hasselbeck again with Branch's health in question. When healthy, Branch is a beast who has 100+ catch potential. Problem is I don't believe he's ever played 16 games in a season and we already know he won't in 2008. Grab both if you want a serious handcuff at WR.
9. Mark Clayton- Most know that Mason has piled up ridiculous catch totals in his career- particularly last year in this offense. Sure they'll open things up more once Flacco learns how to attack downfield consistently. In the meantime, Clayton could be his favorite target- capable of catching 80 passes.
10. Tony Gonzalez- A little underrated given his penchant to catch close to 100 passes every year. Obviously the top TEs Witten, Gates, Winslow will also catch the most passes.
Some rookies to watch: Early Doucet, Dustin Keller, Chris Johnson, Bubba Caldwell, Jordy Nelson
Anyone else?
Obviously all WRs get a bump, but it's clear to me, some will benefit more than others, specifically- possesion WRs VS. redzone-types. Clearly the best of the best (the Edwards, Fitzgerald, Steve Smith) will get high catch totals as will players from pass-happy offenses (Chad, T.J., Wayne, Moss). There are several under-the-radar guys who are undervalued in PPR leagues because for one reason or another they may not have huge yardage or TD totals- but they will come up big in the PPR category in 2008 (and beyond). So here's a short list I came up with, including RBs and TEs...
1. Wes Welker- Sure everyone knows the guy is a viable WR2 after his breakout year last season, btu what some may not know is that he's a virtual lock for 90+ catches as long as he's in a Pats uniform. Most see him with limited upside, which may be true in terms of a non-PPR league. But with only an againg Moss, a hobbling Watson, a mediocre Gaffney, and a soon-to-be bust Chad Jackson competing for catches, he should be Brady's favorite target for years to come.
2. Brandon Marshall- Another guy everyone pretty much agrees is a fantasy stud. Guy has proven his worth as a reliable pass-catcher and a huge run-after-the-catch threat, and will be the unquestioned favorite target of Cutler's in all areas of the field. Sure Scheffler will steal some catches as an underrated TE, but Stokley is past his prime and has trouble staying healthy, and, well, Darrell Jackson is just a running joke at this point. Eddie Royal is a nice sleeper down the road, but he won't be expected to do anything but contribute in the return game and the occasional 4-wide set. Expect over 100 catches for Marshall in the next couple seasons, making him a potential top 5 PPR WR.
3. T.J. Houshmanzadeh- Okay okay, I promise- last obvious name. Potentially the only productive veteran WR Cincy may have this year. May holdout, but I think it's more likely he plays out his final year and gets paid by the Bengals to stay. 120 catches is not out of the question without Chad. Even still, he'll be close to, if not over 100.
4. Jerricho Cotchery- Guy who makes his living going over the middle in a conservative offense could catch close to 90 balls this year. Coles isn't getting any younger and Cotchery is entering his prime. He won't wow anyone, but he should be a solid under-the-radar target in PPR for the next several years no matter where he plays.
5. Bush, LT2, Westbrook, MJD- The premier pass catchers among RBs.
6. Anthony Gonzalez- Should be a lock for 60+ catches this year and beyond. Upside is huge when Harrison is gone given the talent around him.
7. Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle- Okay, I'm hedging bets a little bit here. We all know what Martz is capable of. Most recently he turned unknown Mike Furrey into a league-leading pass-catcher. Unbelievable potential here, but who will see the most action? Johnson may be given the chance to be a #1, but he hasn't been more than a #3 in his career. Battle is an EXCELLENT posession WR, which makes me think he'll be in line for an underrated PPR season regardless. Bruce, if he can remain healthy, has the most to gain as he has experience with Martz in STL and caught close to 100 catches I believe no less than 2 years ago.
8. Bobby Engram/Deion Branch- Engram was an unheralded fantasy MVP last year given how cheap he could have been had preseason. He may be the #1 target of Hasselbeck again with Branch's health in question. When healthy, Branch is a beast who has 100+ catch potential. Problem is I don't believe he's ever played 16 games in a season and we already know he won't in 2008. Grab both if you want a serious handcuff at WR.
9. Mark Clayton- Most know that Mason has piled up ridiculous catch totals in his career- particularly last year in this offense. Sure they'll open things up more once Flacco learns how to attack downfield consistently. In the meantime, Clayton could be his favorite target- capable of catching 80 passes.
10. Tony Gonzalez- A little underrated given his penchant to catch close to 100 passes every year. Obviously the top TEs Witten, Gates, Winslow will also catch the most passes.
Some rookies to watch: Early Doucet, Dustin Keller, Chris Johnson, Bubba Caldwell, Jordy Nelson
Anyone else?
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