With the NFL season finished, we’re turning that sad reality into our way too early look at the 2016 fantasy football draft.
In this edition of looking ahead to 2016, we’re eyeing five wide receivers who finished first through fifth in fantasy points in 2015.
1. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh, 246.20 points
Hype train: All Aboard
The wide receiver position was about the only place for fantasy owners to see weekly consistency.
And there wasn’t anyone who was more consistent than Brown. With Ben Roethlisberger on the field, Brown was an automatic top-five option each week. He went for more than 20 points six times, and was in double digits 10 times.
He wasn’t injured during the regular season, which was an oddity for the Steelers’ offense. We’re bullish on Pittsburgh’s offense and we won’t be shy about it during next season’s fantasy draft.
If those weapons stay healthy, that’s a top-three offense heading into next season. Don’t worry about Brown having
to share touches. This offense is explosive enough to give each specialty player his due.
2. Julio Jones, Atlanta, 239.10 points
Hype train: All Aboard
Matt Ryan was not good this season and Jones still managed the second-most points among wide receivers.
He’s the go-to option for the Falcons and with running backs losing their ability to stay on the field, Jones and some other wide receivers should get more looks as top options next season for fantasy football owners.
Because of Ryan’s inability to throw touchdown passes, Jones’ only deficiency was a lack of touchdown catches, with only eight touchdown grabs, the least among the top-10 receivers in fantasy points.
He made up for his lack of scores with nine games with more than 100 yards receiving. Jones will make a case as the top pick in next year’s fantasy draft.
3. Brandon Marshall, New York Jets, 230.20 points
Hype train: Hop off
Marshall was one of the best value picks of 2015. His average draft position was 59th and was the 19th ranked wide receiver.
The only problem is that his value will likely skyrocket for next season and we don’t anticipate Marshall to have a similar season to 2015. It was his best year statistically in his 10 years of playing and while he was a feel-good story in 2015, he occasionally wears out his welcome with teams.
To make matters worse, we can’t imagine Ryan Fitzpatrick to have a year similar to 2015, so we’re backing off Marshall, especially if he’s listed as a top WR1. We like him more as a WR2.
4. Allen Robinson, Jacksonville, 224 points
Hype train: All Aboard
Robinson has the makings of a good second-round choice for many fantasy football owners who can put up big WR1 points.
The second-year wide receiver went over 100 yards receiving in six games and was a touchdown magnet. We can’ assume he’ll put up the same amount of touchdowns, with a league-leading 14 grabs, but he’s definitely the main weapon on an improving Jacksonville offense.
He will likely only get better and if the Jaguars continue to fall behind the opposition, Robinson will see plenty of action.
We wouldn’t necessarily take him in the first round, but he’s a quality second-rounder.
5. Odell Beckham, New York Giants, 223.30 points
Hype train: Just right
The hype train was too big for Beckham last season, with some fantasy football owners choosing him in the top-five of many fantasy football drafts.
That was too high for an unknown commodity.
However, with the information we received this year, we see Beckham as a player who will continue to churn out the fantasy points in an offense totally reliant on the passing game.
Beckham rattled off six consecutive games with more than 100 yards receiving at one point in the season and even missed a game, something the other top receivers did not do.
We could make an argument for him in the first round, but don’t reach too high for him. He should be sitting on many draft boards in the late first round, early second round period, which is the best spot.
His value should still be good at those junctures, given his ability to put up top-five fantasy point totals.
