The top 100 Fantasy highlights
This is my first entry of the Top 100 Fantasy takeaways. Each entry will include a single Player selected from each group of 10. Beginning with my first selection from the 100-91 group.
Adrian Peterson
This will be his first season representing a team other then the Minnesota Vikings. At 32 years of age it seems like a strange time to be adjusting to a new system. A Sean Payton New Orleans system which has traditionally been a drop back and throw first game. Doesn’t sound like somewhere All Day Peterson could thrive does it. Now wait a minute. We are talking about Adrian Peterson here. The same guy that came back after what should have been a Career ending injury for anyone. Then just imposed his will to the tune of 1700+ all purpose yards with 11 touchdowns. Considering his average draft position that year, he probably single handedly carried his owners to their Fantasy league playoffs. Doubt this guy, and it could mean your Downfall.
Well you know what, I’m going to doubt him this year. Unless he sets himself apart during the preseason, I’m taking a hard pass on Peterson. It’s not that I don’t believe in his ability. On the contrary, I believe Adrian Peterson is still a powerful Running Back that deserves respect. What I don’t believe in is his situation. Sean Payton is still one of the most brilliant offensive minds in Football. He has had great success with a number of Running Backs. The issue is that the majority of these Running Backs succeeded because they were great pass catching Backs. Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Mark Ingram were all successful in part to their pass catching ability. Adrian Peterson is not a pass catching Back. You are seriously delusional if you think otherwise. The next issue is that Mark Ingram is still there, and has proven that he can be the lead back. 10 touchdowns last season (a 7-9 Season) illustrates the point. They also drafted Alvin Kamara in the third round. Have you seen the tape on this guy. He’s just too talented to not be utilized by Sean Payton. Another word of caution about Payton. He really likes to spread the ball around. Even if Adrian Peterson ends up as the number 1 Running Back on the depth chart. There’s no guarantee that he will receive more than 15 touches a game. For a Running Back that traditionally gets stronger as the game goes on the more touches he gets. That’s something that you should worry about. Then there is the question of age. Most Running Backs begin breaking down at the age of 30. As I mentioned before, Adrian Peterson is by no means like most Backs. Still a few injuries have caused concern, and if The Saints find themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot by mid Season. I wouldn’t be surprised if they further limit his touches in order to keep him fresh for the playoffs. Great if you are a New Orleans Saints fan. Terrible if you are relying on him to help you in your Fantasy league. The last issue, and by no means the least is the Saints brutally horrible Defence. Last year, and the year before that, and the year before that they couldn’t stop anyone from scoring. They were so bad in fact, that I’d play bench players over my starters if they were playing against the Saints. When playing from behind the clock becomes your enemy. The last thing you want to do is run the ball. Unless the Saints get their Defence figured out. Drew Brees will probably finish in the Top 3 in passing yards, and first in attempts again. Not a great situation for Adrian Peterson.
So am I telling you to totally avoid Adrian Peterson? No I’m not. Draft him as your RB3 if you want. You can start him in a pinch, or as your flex if he has a favourable matchup. Will I draft him as my RB3? Probably not. I’d rather try my luck on a young pass catching Back. Of course I play PPR (point per reception) leagues so Adrian Peterson’s value is further diminished.
Tomorrow I will highlight another Player from the Top 100 in the 90-81 group.