Ian Allan answers your fantasy football questions. In this edition: Rookie running backs who could pop in 2025. Is Bryce Young worth keeping? The future of San Francisco's backfield. And more.
Question 1
Last year you nailed it with Chase Brown when asked who would be a player in a good position or good stash for a dynasty league. Any other players come to mind for next year?
Graham Ginn (Ocean View, NJ)
There seems to be more Brown-type running backs than usual this year. There are four, I think, who were drafted and have shown some potential, but just hasn’t had much of a chance to play. Blake Corum (pictured), Jaylen Wright, Braelon Allen and Trey Benson, I would say, have done enough to conclude that they’ll become top-20 running backs at some point in their careers (and I’m not saying they can’t be top-10 backs). It’s just a matter of waiting for the opportunity. In the case of Benson, he’s backing up James Conner, who’s an older back who’s missed time every year of his career (until now). Wright has shown the least, but he had a couple of nice runs in the preseason. I would include Ray Davis and Isaac Guerendo in this group, but they’ve done enough that I consider them to be low-hanging fruit. Guerendo is starting right now. Davis had that game with about 150 combined yards against the Jets; I’m wonder if he’ll step up in these remaining games if the weather is nasty – he’s thicker than James Cook. Audric Estime just misses the cut, but there are still three games left, including the Thursday nighter against the Chargers. I will put “incomplete” grades on Jonathon Brooks and MarShawn Lloyd. They’ve both been hurt. If we’re drafting dynasty teams today, I would slot those guys behind the six who’ve flashed as rookies.
Question 2
My four PPR leagues carry over about 14 keepers each year, and every year I receive your help with this question. I'm always looking to pick up a player at the end of the year that may make the cut of 14 going into next year. This week I added J.McMillan of TB and J.Wright of Mia. Should I add B.Young of Car? Can you suggest any more that might be free right now but will have a substantial fantasy career?
JOHN BENNETT (Chino, CA)
I don’t think there’s much chance of Young heading into next season as a top-20 quarterback prospect (and this is not to imply there’s a great chance of him being in the top 25). Is the 23rd-best quarterback being selected in the 14th round of your draft? I will guess no, and instead use that spot on somebody else with a little more upside. McMillan’s college teammate, Ja’Lynn Polk, is a similar prospect; is he available? Roman Wilson didn’t play much at all for the Steelers (even in the preseason), so I’m not giving up on him yet. I assume Ricky Pearsall is rostered. And on the off chance Kendre Miller is available, I would take him before any of the other guys I’ve mentioned.
Question 3
This is a bit of a next season, but also a Dynasty question. Guerendo has always looked good to me, especially against the Trojans in a bowl game. He looks better than Jordan Mason. I’m thinking CMC should just retire, but he’s probably coming back for a retirement tour. I know it’s too early to call next season’s draft, but are you as sold as I am about Guerendo’s Dynasty future? He just looks the part of an every down back, and he has great hands.
Robert Cummings (Los Angeles, CA)
Agreed. Guerendo (while he’s not going to play this week) looks like a guy who’ll be starting in the league. I am a big Jordan Mason fan, but I see him as more of an Alfred Morris type guy. He’s very effective as a downhill runner in that scheme, but he’s not blessed with the same kind of God-given talent. He doesn’t have the kind of speed, and he doesn’t offer much in the passing game. As well as Mason has played, I believe Guerendo has a brighter future. I think he’ll be the guy who’ll be replacing McCaffrey. I’m not sure whether that happens during the offseason, or if the 49ers bring him back for another run at it (with Guerendo then having to wait a little longer).
Question 4
Do you have any Intel on the upcoming Sunday night games? We have two lame ones upcoming in Bucs at Cowboys in Week 16 and Dolphins at Browns in Week 17. How they even scheduled the Browns into that slot is a complete mystery. And the Cowboys have played their way out of deserving that spotlight.
Josh Obusek (Pittsburgh, PA)
The Browns are in a tough division, but they went 11-6 last year. The thinkings was that the defense would continue to play well and Deshaun Watson would give them solid play at quarterback. Kevin Stefanski won the Coach of the Year award in both 2020 and 2023. Regardless, that game has been pulled. It will be Falcons at Washington in Week 17, likely featuring a matchup between two quarterbacks selected with top-10 picks.
Question 5
Made it to the semifinals thank to your advice. Basic scoring 6 pts. for all TD's. 3 pt bonus for 250 yards passing. 3 point bonus for 100 yards receiving or passing. TE's need 50 yards to get 3 point bonus.. 1 point for every 25 yards after reaching thresholds. QB Baker or A. Richardson, TE M. Andrews or C. Otton, WR's Nacua, C. Sutton, X. Worthy, Q. Johnston,. need 2 RB's & 2 WR's and 1 flex. Playing Achane & J. Taylor at RB. Thanks ! Who do you recommend for this week? Thanks in advance.
Manuel Madrid (San Tan Valley, AZ)
I don’t have anything too out of the ordinary on these guys. Otton has cooled off. He had that neat stretch where he caught 8-plus passes three games in a row when they had receiver injuries, but that’s over. He’s back to being a mid-level tight end now – 10 catches and no touchdowns in his last four games, even though Mayfield has been playing well. So while Baltimore is playing that Pittsburgh defense that has held it under 20 points eight games in a row, I am starting Andrews over Otton. (I think that the Ravens are sick of hearing about how they can’t move the ball on the Steelers and are going to finally kick that door in on Saturday.)