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Ask the Commish.Com 2018 Draft Kit
Despite ranking second in receiving yards (1,444) and seventh in fantasy points among wide receivers last season, Jones was considered, by many, to be a disappointment. The reason? As usual, touchdowns. Jones found paydirt only three times and has failed to eclipse six touchdowns in four of the past five seasons. Although a lack of opportunity was an issue in recent years, it wasn't in 2017. Jones ranked seventh in end zone targets (16) and fourth in OTD (8.6). Jones has finished as a top-seven fantasy WR each of the past four campaigns, and logic suggests he'll score more touchdowns in 2018. He remains an elite fantasy asset.
After missing 23 games due to injury in the 2015 and 2016 seasons, Allen finally put together his first 16-game campaign in 2017. The 2013 third-round pick was nothing short of dominant, ranking in the top five at the position in targets (153), receptions (102) and receiving yards (1,393). Allen was limited to six touchdowns, though his 7.8 OTD, as well as his 6-foot-2 frame, suggest there's an opportunity for more in that department. Allen is still only 26 years old and Philip Rivers' top target in an offense that always scores most of its touchdowns through the air. He's a solid WR1.
Green always seems to be overshadowed by other top wideouts, but he has finished as a top-10 fantasy WR in four of the past six seasons, ranking in the top 12 in fantasy points per snap during the two campaigns in which he missed a combined nine games. Last season, despite the Bengals' offensive woes, Green ranked top-12 in all of the important receiving counting stats, including targets (139), receptions (75), receiving yards (1,078), touchdowns (8) and end zone targets (14). Green has averaged 9.6 targets per game during his seven-season career, and there's no sign that he's slowing down as he enters his age-30 season. Target him in the second round.
What else is there to say about Brown? He has finished as the top-scoring fantasy wide receiver each of the past four seasons and was top-five the prior two campaigns. In 2017, Brown missed two games and half of another but still ranked in the top five at the position in targets, receptions and receiving yards for the fourth consecutive season. Brown turns 30 this year, but he has shown no signs of slowing down. Brown should be selected early in the first round of your draft and, despite the resurgence of the running back position.
Hopkins' roller-coaster fantasy production continued last season, as he posted his second top-five campaign in three years after finishing 27th in 2016. Hopkins paced all wide receivers in targets (172), touchdown receptions (13) and OTD (9.6) while finishing only a half-point behind Antonio Brown for the most fantasy points at the position last season. Hopkins is averaging a massive 10.1 targets per game the past four seasons. He gets a boost via the return of Deshaun Watson; Hopkins posted a 38-551-6 line and was fantasy's top-scoring wideout by 16 points during Watson's six starts as a rookie. Hopkins should be off the board before the end of the first round.
Beckham might be one of the league's most polarizing players, but he's nothing short of dominant when he's on the field. Beckham was a top-seven fantasy WR each of his first three NFL seasons and ranked fourth during the four games for which he was active in 2017. Beckham has scored 38 touchdowns in 47 games, ranking in the top five at the position in his first three pro seasons. Durability has become somewhat of a concern, as Beckham has now missed at least one game in three of his four seasons, including 12 games due to multiple ankle injuries last season. Eli Manning's struggles are a concern, but the 25-year-old Beckham is now healthy and one of the game's best players. He's a fringe top-five fantasy WR with elite overall upside.
Over the past two NFL seasons, no one has caught more touchdowns than Adams. The 2014 second-round pick managed only four scores during his first two NFL seasons, but he has exploded for 22 in the past two campaigns. Adams has yet to finish a season among the top-20 wide receivers in yardage, but playing in an Aaron Rodgers-led offense has led to inflated touchdown totals and a pair of top-10 fantasy campaigns. With Rodgers back healthy and Jordy Nelson out of the mix, Adams is the team's clear No. 1 receiver and a strong candidate to lead the NFL in touchdown catches again. He's a solid WR1 target and has even more value in non-PPR.
Believe it or not, Antonio Brown is the only wide receiver with more fantasy points than Thomas since the Ohio State product was selected in the second round of the 2016 draft. Thomas ranked in the top 10 at the position in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns both seasons. His 28 percent target share was a massive and rare figure for a receiver in a Drew Brees-led offense. After scoring nine touchdowns as a rookie (5.2 OTD), Thomas was limited to five scores in 2017 (5.2 OTD). The lack of usage near the goal line is of slight concern (especially in non-PPR), but with Brees in the house, Thomas' high volume and efficiency will continue to allow him high-end fantasy production.