Don't have an account? Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!
Already have an account? Log In
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~40 Overall
ANALYSIS: San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell had a stunningly productive season as a rookie in 2021. As a sixth-round draft choice, few expected Mitchell to become a fantasy starter, yet he finished as the RB23 in standard leagues despite playing just 11 games. This came after Week 1 starter Raheem Mostert went down with a season-ending injury in the opener.
The 24-year-old is expected to miss the entire preseason due to a hamstring injury but is expected to return in time for Week 1. He had been limited during training camp while he recovers from knee surgery. With Mostert now in Miami, Mitchell seemingly has a clear path to remaining the top dog in San Francisco's backfield. However, there will be some competition for this role, and head coach Kyle Shanahan is notorious for his unpredictable handling of backfields. Teammate Trey Sermon was a third-round selection last season, yet his role was relatively small as a rookie.
Should Mitchell struggle early in the season, or if Sermon impresses in camp, Sermon may cut into Mitchell's volume. The 49ers also drafted Tyrion Davis-Price, an RB out of LSU, in the third round this spring. The team must have a plan for Davis-Price, which would likely come at the expense of Mitchell. That said, Mitchell is being drafted as merely the RB24 in fantasy drafts this offseason.
Considering he finished higher than this last year despite missing six games due to injury, this is a fair spot for him when factoring in these concerns regarding Sermon and Davis-Price.
Editor's Note: Trey Sermon has been waived by the 49ers and now the Niners' backfield has less competition for touches.
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~210 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~225 ANALYSIS: The Browns were one of my favorite defenses coming into last season, but they didn't quite pan out. They had an up-and-down season as a fantasy unit, but their actual defensive performance wasn't that bad. As I mentioned in my draft article, when I mentioned... Read More
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~185 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~200 ANALYSIS: The Ravens are ranked around 13th or 14th on the season, depending on the fantasy rankings system you use, but I believe they can get back to their elite ways in 2022, or at least close to it. The Ravens ranked 21st in my BOD rankings... Read More
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~181 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~211 ANALYSIS: After five seasons with the New York Giants, Engram now finds himself in Jacksonville after signing a one-year, fully guaranteed $9 million contract with the Jaguars. The last two seasons in New York have been a blur for all involved, and that includes Engram. He scored... Read More
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~215 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~269 ANALYSIS: The 2022 offseason has been good for Mo Alie-Cox's (MAC) fantasy value. Jack Doyle retired after nine seasons with the Colts and MAC was handed a generous three-year, $18 million contract extension with $8.2 million guaranteed. Indianapolis did spend a third-round pick on Jelani Woods... Read More
BALLER MOVE: Target Around ~180 Overall CURRENT ADP: ~210 ANALYSIS: Allen Lazard is the first Packer receiver off the board in fantasy drafts, but his seventh-round ADP is way too pricey for me. I expect Sammy Watkins to start on the outside and flourish with a change of scenery. How's this for a narrative? Aaron Rodgers... Read More