Ian Allan answers your fantasy football questions. In this edition: Stacking up Jakobi against suspended Jameson Williams. Why is the Index so low on Tyjae Spears? And Hunter Henry? Up-and-coming Sam LaPorta. And more.
Question 1
12 team non-ppr redraft league. I drafted Jameson Williams thinking he will be a big part of the Lion's offense after his suspension. Jakobi Meyers is available and is ranked much higher in the latest Redrafter. How would these two players stack up if Williams was not currently suspended? Should I drop Williams and add Meyers?
Jason Minke (New London, MN)
If we’re looking apples-to-apples, I have Meyers slightly higher in PPR and Jameson a little higher in standard. Williams has more downfield potential, while Jakobi should catch more balls. He and Garoppolo had a nice rapport in Denver, connecting on 9 of 10 passes – short stuff around the line of scrimmage. I think he benefitted in that game from the Broncos having Patrick Surtain. Surtain is a great cover corner, which steered some balls away from Adams. Meyers had a better matchup.
Question 2
How do you see this Jonathan Taylor situation ending up? Is he getting traded to a decent spot or gonna be stuck in purgatory with Colts? I made a bold move a couple days ago and traded Khalil Herbert and a first-rounder next year for Taylor.
Rich Giandrea (Audubon, NJ)
I like the trade. He’s a difference maker, and he’ll get back to being a top-5 running back. That might not happen this year, but he’ll be situated to thrive heading into the 2024 season, outperforming whoever else you might have selected with that first-round pick. But I do think there’s a chance Taylor plays sparingly this year. The Colts aren’t going to give him a big contract, and I don’t envision another team being willing to both give Indianapolis a second-round pick (or maybe more) and also give Taylor a contract. It’s a tangled situation. The Ravens just lost J.K. Dobbins, but it wouldn’t be their style to make that kind of a deal. (Dobbins, by the way, was also miffed with his contract; that injury may reinforce Taylor’s thinking that he needs to be playing the long game, looking at his next contract rather than putting himself at risk.)
Question 3
Based on your re-drafter for 9/12, I’m curious as to why you don’t believe Henry Hunter isn’t among your 19 top TEs.
Richard Love (Salt Lake Cty, UT)
He caught 5 passes and a touchdown in the opener, but that was with Mac Jones attempting 54 passes and throwing for 316. In a lot of weeks, I think they’ll finish with 70 fewer yards. They’ve got another tight end (Sticky Gesicki) who also caught 3 passes on Sunday. About 19th at the position, I think, sounds about right.
Question 4
How come you're so unappreciative of Tyjae Spears? He'll finish 20 spots above where you have him (57th) without an injury to Henry. If Henry misses significant time, he's a must start, and depending upon how long Henry is out could climb into the top 20. Big IF, but 57th is not right for a guy that at worst will see 5-7 touches/game.
David Price (Stamford, CT)
He's a neat player, and they’re going to use him some. He was on the field for more plays than Henry in the opener. But I have concerns about that offensive line. How good, exactly, doesn’t Spears become if he’s given some run in the lineup? And factor in that Henry is arguably the league’s most durable running back. Spears is a better player than Zamir White, Samaje Perine and Zach Charbonnet, but those guys are far more likely to start some games.
Question 5
I joined a PPR league for the first time this year. We drafted TE's. I picked Chigoziem Okonkwo as my only TE. My team is stacked except for this position. LaPorta and Musgrave are available. Which one would you pick is choosing between the 2 rookies?
Patrick LaMendola (Penfield, NY)
PPR. I want some catches. LaPorta is your guy. Looks like he might catch more passes in Detroit than everyone except St. Brown. Musgrave should also finish with more receptions than Okonkwo, who’s more of a big-play guy than a featured pass catcher.
Question 6
This was my first year joining a very established dynasty league taking over for a friend who threw in the towel. I am in rough shape to start off but looking onto to the future. Who would you say are some players to stash now or even stash for 2 seasons, that may come into a better situation after a player ahead of them leaves in free agency for example?
Graham Ginn (Ocean View, NJ)
At wide receiver, Rashee Rice and Quentin Johnston to me look like guys who could become the No. 1 options on their teams. I think they’re going to hit. Jalin Hyatt, Puka Nacua definitely sould be rostered (and I imagine they are). To a lesser degree, Marvin Mims, Joshua Downs, Jayden Reed. I like backup running backs. Doesn’t take long for those guys to move up in the pecking order. Tyjae Spears, Zach Charbonnet, Tank Bigsby, Joshua Kelley, Roschon Johnson, Chuba Hubbard, Jaylen Warren, Sean Tucker, Kendre Miller. Even Chris Rodriguez (who’s currently the third back in Washington). Some of these guys will turn into starters.
Question 7
What is "best ball"?
JACK PULLMAN (Van Nuys, CA)
There was a Jack Pullman from California in the ‘80s and ‘90s who was one of the early figures in the fantasy industry. All Pro Publishing. I expect you’re him (and if so, “Howdy, long time no see.”). Regardless, “best ball” refers to the style of league that involves no roster moves or linups. You pick your 20 or 25 guys, and that’s your team. Each week, you get the best possible score. In best-ball drafts, some try to emphasize players who’ll be available in all 17 games. Others like elevating big-play receivers, who’ll help you in those few weeks that they hit on 70-yard touchdowns but won’t hurt you as much when they’re not a factor (with somebody else starting in those weeks).