Three Fantasy Football Players You Need To Get And Three You Need To Avoid
Fantasy Football Is Tricky.
As fantasy football season approaches, leagues will begin drafting. With that comes every team manager scrambling to find the guy who will help them win their championship or the one to avoid that will cost them the season. So, to help you out, here are three players for both sides of the aisle, players you'll want and players to avoid.
Jahan Dotson, WR, Commanders: GET!
Dotson was drafted out of Penn State in the first round a season ago and quickly showed why. He got off to a hot start with four touchdowns in four weeks before going down with an injury. While he was touchdown reliant, he consistently got over 13 points in games where he had one and was a valuable WR 2. With Sam Howell at the helm, Eric Bieniemy calling the plays, and Terry McLaurin distracting the defense, be sure to get Dotson late if you can.
Mike Williams, WR, Chargers: AVOID!
Williams was good last year, finishing as the WR 32 overall in fantasy. However, he can be liable if you play PPR (The superior way to play). He was knocked out for nearly five full games toward the end of the season, and to hit the benchmark of where he was being drafted, he needed to score more touchdowns. With the addition of Quentin Johnston, a mini version of Williams who is cheaper and far healthier, look for them to work him in a lot more and steal targets from Williams.
Dameon Pierce, RB, Texans: GET!
Pierce burst onto the scenes for the Texans last year and was everything you could have asked for. A bell-cow back who you can give the ball to 25-30 times a game and have him be consistent and truck some guys. But teams keyed in quickly, and Pierce sustained an injury to end his season. However, with a new layer of offense added with rookie CJ Stroud at the helm, expect Pierce to be even better this year. More receiving work and fewer teams being able to focus on him solely, Pierce should prosper for the Texans this year. If you can get him past the fifth round, which in most leagues you can, grab him ASAP.
D'andre Swift, RB, Eagles: AVOID!
Swift was expected to be one of the top guys and make a leap last year in all fantasy football. However, last year Jamaal Williams was stealing nearly all his touchdowns at the goal line. Now he is on an entirely new team in 2023. Kenneth Gainwell, Rashaad Penny, and Jalen Hurts all take carries with this new team. While the Eagles have been allegedly using him in the slot during practice, still expect to see a lot of the receiving work go to the much younger Gainwell out of the backfield, and the three actual threats the Eagles have in Devonta Smith, A.J. Brown, and Dallas Goedert. While he would be solid in rounds 7,8,9, he shouldn't be picked over clear guys like Pierce or Alexander Mattison.
Michael Pittman, WR, Colts: GET!
Pittman has had the talent to be outstanding in fantasy for a long time. However, we haven't seen Pittman at his full abilities due to such awful quarterback pay from aging vets in Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, and Matt Ryan. Anthony Richardson is the man in Indianapolis now, and while he has struggled a bit in accuracy, he has a cannon for an arm and can get the ball to Pittman down the field. Added to the recent drama with running back Jonathan Taylor, putting his future into question, who knows his workload? Expect to see a lot of passes go Pittman's way this year.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons: AVOID!
I have never fallen into this trap, but for the sake of your fantasy team, please don't fall into it, either. Pitts has let down year after year and cannot find the end zone. Plus, adding Bijan Robinson and retaining Cordarrelle Patterson and Tyler Allgeier at the running back position doesn't bode well. Arthur Smith is a coach who runs the ball down the opponent's throat, and Kyle Pitts doesn't run the ball.
The other big question mark is how good Desmond Ridder will be and if Drake London will keep improving, this is not a good investment. Kelce is far and away the tight end this year in drafts, but after that, plenty of solid and serviceable guys outside of Pitts are far safer. Don't make this mistake.
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