SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #16 Fletcher Cox

SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #16 Fletcher Cox

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16. Fletcher Cox

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Position: DT

Experience: 7 Years

With all of the rule changes in the NFL lately it isn’t often that we get to talk about a player like Fletcher Cox. A throwback to an era of football where physicality was championed above all, the 6’4, 310-pound defensive lineman has plenty of strength. His presence in the middle of the Philadelphia Eagles line has made their defense one of the stingiest units against the run and still remained effective rushing the passer too. Cox isn’t just on the field to take up space, he has shown the ability to disrupt the passing game too. Whether it’s batting down throws or getting to the quarterback, he does it all.

A Pro Bowl selection in each of the last four years, Cox’s dominance at the defensive tackle position is among the best in the game today. Few others share his abilities to be a menace no matter what the game situation is. Need a goal line stand? Fletcher Cox is your man. Need a third and short run stuffed? Fletcher Cox is your man. Need pressure on the quarterback between the guards? Fletcher Cox is your man. He is the keystone of the Eagles defensive line.

Last year, Cox set a career-high with 10.5 sacks. The uptick in knockdowns saw him make First-Team All-Pro for the first time a season ago. He has 44.5 total in seven seasons. But it isn’t all about sacks with Cox. He has played in six postseason games—winning Super Bowl LII in 2017–and in each of the four playoff games Philadelphia has won with him on the roster, Cox has recorded at least one QB hit during the game. For the Eagles, just having the monstrous DT just in their vicinity is enough to rattle opposing quarterbacks.

Big things are expected out of this team in this upcoming year. With Carson Wentz healthy and handsomely paid, the team believes that they have a shot of making it to another Super Bowl. On top of that, the belief is that if they did make it to Miami for Super Bowl LIV, they’d be entering as favorites and not underdogs. All the pieces are in place for a great season. Now the team just has to get on the field and measure up to expectations. One player who certainly won’t let them down is Coz. He’s played in 109 of a possible 112 games since being drafted in 2012.

The former Mississippi State Bulldog is also still in the prime of his career. He won’t turn 29 until after the midway point of this year, and he’s found his groove on the field as the consecutive Pro Bowl selections can attest to. Speedy edge rushers might be all the rage nowadays but there’s a reason that the Eagles selected Cox 12th overall in the 2012 NFL Draft. The move is paying dividends for the franchise now and it only seems like Cox is getting better with age. Philadelphia has its eyes on the prize this season and in order for them to take it home once more they’re going to need the best they can get from number 91.

Aug 19, 2019 No Comments
SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #17 Travis Kelce

SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #17 Travis Kelce

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17. Travis Kelce

Team: Kansas City Chiefs

Position: TE

Experience: 6 Years

 

Travis Kelce was drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs with the 63rd overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The third rounder was placed on IR before he got to play in a regular season game due to a bone bruise that required a microfracture procedure. Kelce missed his entire rookie year, but since has remained relatively injury-free throughout his 6 year tenure. 

In Kelce’s first real season as a Chief, he caught 67 balls for 862 yards and 5 TDs. He continued to improve his totals over the next three years as he became Alex Smith’s favorite target. He made his first Pro-Bowl in 2015 and he hasn’t missed one since. Kelce took Gronk’s spot as the league’s best TE in 2016, as Kelce received his first All-Pro recognition. 

Coming into 2018, the league was sleeping on Patrick Mahomes. Little did everyone know that the Mahomes-Kelce duo would become one of the best in the NFL. Kelce had a career year with Mahomes behind center, as he reached new career highs in almost every statistical category. His first 100 reception season, over 1300 yards, and double digit TDs with 10. Kelce has always had big play ability, it is just finally being displayed due to the abilities of Patrick Mahomes.

The connection between the two will only get stronger over time. During the offseason, video clips surfaced of Kelce and Mahomes establishing a bond off the field, as the two were seen drinking and dancing together at a wedding. The cameras also caught their sheer excitement when they first saw each other at the training camp. The bromance being formed is a scary sight for opposing teams, as the two have such a natural rapport that translates to the field. 

Kelce is easily the top TE in the game today and his rank on the SneakerReporter Top 30 justifies it. Expect another 100 reception, 1000 yard and 10 TD season from Kelce, and that’s just the floor of his capabilities. Kelce can really do it all on the field. He has elite athleticism and coordination for someone so powerful. Really his only knock is that his emotions get the best of him from time to time. 

Aug 18, 2019 No Comments
Derwin James Expected to Miss 3-4 Months

Derwin James Expected to Miss 3-4 Months

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During joint practices between the Los Angeles Chargers and New Orleans Saints, Pro Bowl safety, Derwin James was spotted wearing a walking boot on the sidelines.

There was no mention of James’ injury up to that point but according to NFL Media’s Mike Garafolo, the second-year pro will undergo surgery for a stress fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his right foot. The Chargers believe that he will miss three to four months of action, which would place his return near the end of the 2019 season.

An All-Pro selection as a rookie, James (the 17th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft) was a big part of the Chargers defense last season. He compiled 105 tackles, three interceptions, and 3.5 sacks a year ago.

Los Angeles was expected to be a contender in the AFC after finishing 12-4 and losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion, New England Patriots in the Divisional Round of the 2018 NFL Playoffs. Without James versatility the defense loses a big piece of what made it so special, especially during the second half of the season.

Surgery is going to be performed by renowned foot specialist Robert Anderson. The timeline could change depending on how the surgery goes, the earliest that James could return seems to be mid-November.

Aug 17, 2019 No Comments
SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #18 Cameron Jordan

SneakerReporter NFL Top 30: #18 Cameron Jordan

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18. Cameron Jordan

Team: New Orleans Saints

Position: DE

Experience: 8 Years

When the New Orleans Saints are brought up as potential Super Bowl contenders, immediately all of the attention goes to their offense. With Drew Brees at quarterback, Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas as two versatile weapons, and Sean Payton being an offensive-minded coach it’s easy to see why much of the focus is on that side of the ball. However, New Orleans has a special player on the other side as well. Defensive end, Cameron Jordan is one of the—if not the—best players at his position in the league today.

Jordan has spent all eight of his seasons in the NFL with the Saints. In that time he’s made four Pro Bowls (2013, 2015. 2017, and 2018) and was selected to the First-Team All-Pro once (2017). For his career he has 71.5 sacks, 25 of which have come in the last two years alone. Every season he’s recorded double-digit sacks he’s been selected to the Pro Bowl. He has played in every one of the 128 regular season games of his career, starting all but one of them. His presence has served as a steadying force for a Saints defense that has seen a lot of turnover and change during the course of his career.

In our discussion of previous defensive linemen on this list we mentioned how opponents would try to show them different looks with double teams, chip blocks, etc. The same holds true for Jordan, yet most times the extra attention doesn’t slow him down. Teams have sometimes put three blockers in his path and he’s found ways to still make plays. Jordan is both explosive and forceful coming off the line of scrimmage. He’s not a one-trick pony as he can rush from the inside and outside depending on the down and distance of the play.

For the Saints, having a player like Jordan that opposing teams must game plan and account for at all times helps open lanes for his teammates. As noted above, the defense in New Orleans hasn’t always been up to par with what the offense execution wise but as of late it’s been Jordan’s dominance that helped them come close to meeting those high standards. His ability to singlehandedly wreak havoc in opponent’s backfields is something this team treasures.

New Orleans believes it is Super Bowl or bust this season. We all saw the uncalled defensive pass interference in the NFC Championship game last year. They, rightfully, believe it should’ve been them taking on the New England Patriots. However, they have another shot this season to get to the big game. The offense once again looks like it should be one of the better units in the entire league. It will be on Jordan and the defense to hold up their end of the bargain once more. The 30-year-old pass rusher has showed no signs of slowing down and that’s welcomed news to the Saints. Another Pro Bowl-caliber season will be needed from him if New Orleans is to make another deep run in the postseason.

Aug 17, 2019 No Comments
NFC North Fantasy Outlook – 2019 – 2020

NFC North Fantasy Outlook – 2019 – 2020

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Chicago Bears:

QB: Mitch Trubisky

RB: David Montomgery, Tarik Cohen, Mike Davis

WR: Allen Robinson, Anthony Miller, Taylor Gabriel

TE: Trey Burton

D/ST: Position Rank = 1

The Bears had a marvelous year in 2018 as new Head Coach Matt Nagy inserted an offensive scheme that maximized Mitch Trubisky. The scheme is predicated around smoke and mirrors and creating illusions through RPO’s (Run-Pass Options). In terms of fantasy value, Mike Davis may start the year as the lead RB, but it won’t take long for rookie David Montgomery to touch the field. Montgomery is being drafted as the 2nd highest rookie in most leagues behind Raiders Josh Jacobs. Montgomery has great value anywhere after the 4th round. Their receiving corps was often led by RB Tarik Cohen last year, as he specializes on passing downs and screen plays. As Nagy is a master of getting his play makers in open space, Cohen should be in line for another great year catching the ball. Their WRs will each have their weeks to shine, but they don’t have one guy who will constantly lead the team in targets and yards. Trey Burton is a solid TE, but nothing more than a late round pick in a 12 man league. Overall, don’t reach on any of the Bears receivers! Tarik Cohen has the highest floor on the team due to his pass catching ability and the play calling. Montgomery and Cohen should without a doubt be the first two bears selected, anywhere from rounds 4-7.

Minnesota Vikings:

QB: Kirk Cousins

RB: Dalvin Cook, Alexander Mattison

WR: Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Laquon Treadwell

TE: Kyle Rudolph

D/ST: Position Rank = 5

Fans have been very critical of Kirk Cousins for his play in 2018, specifically his performance in prime-time games facing good opponents. Fair or not, Cousins signed a three year deal for $84M (all guaranteed) so they might have a point. Nevertheless, Cousins is still the conductor of a remotely high powered offense in Minnesota. Dalvin Cook’s current ADP is the 4th pick in the 2nd round, which is way too risky. Safety in the first 2-3 rounds is very important, as you need to solidify building blocks for your team. For a RB that has played in 15 games over his first two seasons, the 2nd round is too early. Cook still has tremendous value, just not at that ADP. Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen formed one of the best 1-2 WR duos in the league in 2018. They both topped 100 receptions, 1000 yards, and 9 TDs. With Cousins throwing the 4th most passes in 2018, both of these WRs are worth a selection anytime after round 2. Besides these three skill players, no one else on their roster is worthy of a draft pick quite yet.

Green Bay Packers:

QB: Aaron Rodgers

RB: Aaron Jones, Jamaal Williams

WR: Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison, Marquez Valdes-Scantling

TE: Jimmy Graham, Marcedes Lewis

D/ST: Position Rank = 24

Even after a low-spirited 2018, the Green Bay Packers still have one of the most prolific offenses in the NFL. With Superstar QB Aaron Rodgers and numerous weapons on the outside, GB will have a serious comeback season if new Head Coach Matt LaFleur can harmonize with Aaron Rodgers. With Mike McCarthy running the show in previous years, there were always multiple RBs involved in the offense, which created fantasy instability. Reports from camp are that Aaron Jones is by far the best back in GB, and it seems like he will get a bulk load of the work to start the year. Davante Adams is the biggest weapon in their offense, as he totaled 111 catches for 1300+ yards and 13 TDs last year. Adams will be a top 5 WR at the end of the year if he stays healthy. If you are dealt a late first round pick, Adams could be your guy. Instead of risking your season on a Joe Mixon or Melvin Gordon, take the smart pick in Davante Adams. Geronimo Allison and MVS are currently competing for the second receiver spot. Both of them are being drafted in rounds 8-12 as many believe one will have a breakout 2019. It looks as though MVS will play a lot in the slot as well. Overall, Adams and Jones are the only two locks as of now. If you can get Jones in the 3rd round, there is solid value there. 

Detroit Lions:

QB: Matthew Stafford

RB: Kerryon Johnson, C.J. Anderson, Zach Zenner

WR: Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola

TE: T.J. Hockenson, Jesse James

D/ST: Position Rank = 19

Even after an underwhelming 6-10 first season with new Head Coach Matt Patricia, there are still a handful of players that have solid value in this offense. The first is Kerryon Johnson, who is being drafted as RB15 towards the end of the 3rd round. With C.J. Anderson as his running mate, Johnson has the ability to become a true 3-down back this year. He showed flashes of greatness in his rookie year, but he was sidelined for the last few games with an injury. If Johnson slips to the 4th round in any draft, that is remarkable value for an RB2 with RB1 upside. The second player with clear value is Kenny Golladay. Golladay became the number 1 target of Matthew Stafford in 2018, as he posted his first 1000 yard receiving year in his sophomore season. Marvin Jones and Danny Amendola are not to be overlooked, but Jones is now 29 and looks like his best days are behind him and Amendola will remain in the slot which hurts his TD potential. This isn’t saying draft Golladay in the 3-4th round, but if you can get him anytime after round 4 there is absolutely value. Another late round value player is rookie TE T.J. Hockenson out of Iowa. Obviously do not take Hockenson before the top tier TEs are off the board, but don’t be surprised if Hockenson becomes a safety blanket for Stafford. 

Aug 17, 2019 No Comments