Ian Allan answers your fantasy football questions. In this edition: Favorite stash running backs. Taking the plunge with Joe Burrow. Can Bo Nix deliver starter-caliber numbers? And more.
Question 1
What are your top backup running backs to stash now that roster cuts are done?
Jordan Simons (Kohler, WI)
I’m a big fan of Jordan Mason. I don’t think Christian McCaffrey will last all 17 games, and Mason will be really good if he gets a chance at that role. Similarly: Trey Benson, Blake Corum, Ray Davis, Tyler Allgeier, Zach Charbonnet. All are an injury away from relevancy. When I go into a draft, I’m looking to pick up a couple of those guys in the later rounds, hoping they turn into something.
Question 2
Could you explain why the Index is so high on Joe Burrow? Four years into his career he's had two really good years sandwiched between two that were wrecked by injuries. His offense doesn't seem much improved, his star receiver is still holding out, yet you have him ranked as the #2 QB ahead of the likes of Allen, Hurts, Love, Stroud, Prescott who all decisively outplayed him last year. The magazine even makes it sound like he suddenly he has less injury risk than his peers. What makes him such a good prospect this season that he should outperform those others?
Drew Paterson (Ferndale, WA)
If we’re looking at the last few years, it would be fair to say Burrow is more of an injury risk than Allen and Hurts. But if we’re looking at how they play (with Allen and Hurts running around recklessly) I would say Burrow carries less risk. We’ll see. I like Burrow’s pass catchers, and I like the structure of the offense. In his last five full games last year, he averaged 296 passing yards, with 12 TD passes. I’m more worried about the Buffalo and Philadelphia offenses. After their coordinator change last year, the Bills really started emphasizing the run, with Allen averaging only 233 passing yards in his last nine games. He’ll be working with new, untested receivers. With the Eagles, they’re starting over with Kellen Moore. I’m not sure what we’ll get. If their intention is to have Hurts more often work from the pocket as a more conventional quarterback, I’m not sure how that will work. And I’m not sure if they’re still using their Tush Push play. Of the quarterbacks you mention, if you want to take the ones least likely to get hurt, I suggest you go with Love or Stroud.
Question 3
We had our draft tonight; we always have it the night before the season opener, and I used the rankings your algorithms came up with for my league for the entire draft. I didn't have a lot of time to prepare this year so, fingers crossed, it works out. The only week spot in my roster is QB. There were better RBs and WRs (and Kelce) available when I picked so I ended up with Nix as my QB. 20 team league so you get what you get. Do you think Nix can rise to the occasion?
David Hogshire (Plymouth, MN)
I’m a Nix fan of sorts. I think he can run Sean Payton’s offense. I think he’s a better fit than Russell Wilson for that kind of offense. And it’s a quarterback friendly scheme. Payton’s last two NFL teams (both with lesser QBs – we’re talking post-Brees) have finished with 29 and 28 touchdown passes. And Nix will finish with above-average rushing numbers. I think he could be sneaky good. In a 20-team league, some teams need to be starting guys like Nix, Watson and Darnold, hoping the cards fall right.
Question 4
The best I can tell, the last ranking/analysis done of the offensive lines was back in early July. Will you be updating those rankings this weekend (Aug 31-Sep 2) to account for training camp, preseason games, and injuries? Draft season is at its peak, and getting an updated o-line picture would be very helpful.
Chris George (Mc Donald, PA)
The Steelers would be the team that would move down the most, with three different injuries. That unit struggled early in its preseason games, with Russell Wilson and Justin Fields taking 7 sacks while attempting only 39 passes. Looks like it will take some time for them to get things figured out. For the Rams, they’ll be playing without left tackle Alaric Jackson for the first two weeks (suspended). Rob Havenstein and Jonah Jackson have been hurt, but both practiced on Wednesday, so looks like they’re playing. Seattle signed Connor Williams a few weeks back; assuming he holds up, he’ll solve their problems at center. But their right tackle, Abraham Lucas, is starting the season on the PUP list. For now, they’ll be plugging in 32-year-old George Fant. (If nothing else, Seahawks will lead the league in Fants.)
Question 5
OK, so I drank too much at my auction and forgot to draft a kicker. Other than paying too much for Chiefs QB, I like my team. Who should I drop to add say Browns team kicker/ST? M Nabors, Chiefs QB, S LaPorta, J Jacobs, Z Moss, J Mixon, N Collins, D Montgomery, R White, M Evans, E Engram, Z White, K Shakir, C Kirk, 49ers QB, C Sutton.
John Macho (Elko New Mrkt, MN)
It would be tough to release anyone off that roster. Must be a small league. I suppose you’ll be parting with Kirk or Sutton.
Question 6
With a lot of help from FI, I won my redraft auction league last year. Last night we drafted for the new season, and here's my squad. According to my custom values, I got about $283 worth of players for my $200 budget. Superflex. CMC, Z White, Ja Williams, C Brown, Dobbins, Mason, G Wilson, Olave, Waddle, Dell, JSN, McBride, Goedert. Yahoo says I won the draft, but that never happens to me, so it actually makes me nervous. Still, thanks to FI for all you guys do to me be a prospering cheater.
L.B. Graham (Chesterfield, MO)
I assume there are some quarterbacks that you forgot to mention. (I hope so, with it being a Superflex format.). The other field players look strong.
Question 7
You have Nucua and Kupp as top receivers. Would you be comfortable with both?
John Caldwell (Meridian, ID)
Yes. I expect both will be top-15 wide receivers. If one of them happens to miss time with an injury, it should supercharge the other. Nacua suffered a knee injury a few weeks back, but he’s practicing now – they’re both healthy heading into the season.