Stars: Players that have solid value in both standard and PPR leagues but are perhaps even more valuable in PPR leagues. Note that guys like LeSean McCoy, Calvin Johnson, and other elite players are not included, simply because they are already drafted so high regardless of the type of league you play in.

Specialists: Players that normally do not carry a ton of standard scoring league appeal, but in a PPR league they become solid contributors and, in some cases, stars.

Sleepers: Players that are normally available late in drafts and could potentially become extremely valuable in a PPR scoring league.

Stars:

Giovani Bernard, CIN: Despite being used on a relatively limited basis last season (BenJarvus Green-Ellis accounted for over 220 touches), Giovani Bernard racked up 56 catches for 514 yards. A dynamic and explosive open-field runner, Bernard had many highlight reel plays and showed glimpses of becoming a full-time player. With a new offensive coordinator in place (Hue Jackson) who has a history of feeding his running backs, Bernard has been anointed the Bengals No. 1 backfield threat, and with that, the likelihood of his touches increasing dramatically goes way up. Add that to the fact that he has been practicing in the slot and lining up out wide, and he has the potential to be a PPR stud this season. While rookie Jeremy Hill should get some goal-line carries, limiting Bernard’s standard scoring league appeal, Bernard is a safe bet for 50-plus receptions and 1,100-plus total yards, making him an attractive option in PPR leagues. I would not hesitate to grab Bernard in the early second round of a 12-team PPR league draft.

250-plus touches is certainly within reach for Ellington.

Andre Ellington, ARI: Although Ellington totaled less than 175 total touches last year, I believe the “star” label is appropriate here for a PPR league, as he is fully expected to be the lead back (and pass catcher) in a pass-heavy Arizona offense that has little quality depth at running back. Ellington, much like Bernard, is an open-field dynamo with soft hands and the ability to take any play to the house. Since Ellington has a slighter build and never carried the ball more than 15 times a game last year, his standard league value is a bit limited. In a PPR league, however, Ellington should shine as a player capable of catching 4-plus passes per game and add a few long touchdowns throughout the year. With little competition around him and two high-quality receivers to take the pressure off the line of scrimmage, look for Ellington to be a top-15 back in PPR with the upside to be even a bit better. Catching 50-plus passes is well within Ellington’s reach.

Specialists:

Shane Vereen, NE: For PPR leagues, Vereen should certainly be in the “star” category, yet the competition in New England’s backfield and Bill Belichick’s unpredictable nature make Vereen more of a PPR specialist. Despite missing eight full games last season, Vereen caught 47 balls and scored three touchdowns. Acting more as a receiver out of the backfield, Vereen hauled in a game-high 12 passes versus the Browns in week 14, two weeks after back-to-back games of eight receptions. While his carries may fail to reach triple digits this year, and he may not score more than a handful of total touchdowns, he could easily lead all NFL running backs in receptions. For a guy going at the end of the third round, Vereen could prove a solid value as a running back that could see 80-plus points in receptions alone. For a RB2, you would be hard pressed to find a safer option this season in a PPR league.

Danny Woodhead, SD: Woodhead is a true specialist when it comes to PPR leagues, as he is a near perfect third-down back, but lacks real value in a standard league because of the lack of volume on the ground and near the goal line. What Woodhead lacks in size, however, is made up for through volume of passes caught. Last season Woodhead finished second in the league in receptions for a running back with 76, taking six of them for touchdowns. With the addition of Donald Brown this year, Woodhead may fail to reach 100 carries (as long as Ryan Mathews stays healthy) but should still easily catch 55-plus balls and add just enough on the ground to make him a steady and solid weekly flex play in PPR leagues. If Mathews was to miss time with an injury, Woodhead could even provide more value as a 12-15 touch per week player. While not a glamorous or exciting pick in most drafts, a guy like Woodhead may actually win you a few weeks in a PPR league, so don’t underestimate his value in this type of scoring format.

Sleeper:

Devonta Freeman, ATL: Quality running backs in PPR leagues are often at a premium because there are only so many that get enough work, both on the ground and through the air. While the premium players drafted in the first few rounds get all the headlines, a guy like Devonta Freeman could slip through the cracks and possibly save your season. While Freeman will start the season having little more value than as a Steven Jackson handcuff, I believe he is in a prime spot to be a PPR impact player. As an excellent receiver with improving blitz-pickup technique, Freeman should find himself getting immediate action on third downs, even if Jackson is totally healthy. With the Falcons being one of the more pass-heavy teams in the NFL and their defense being bad enough to let most games become shootouts, Freeman could easily see 10-plus touches a game with screen passes, dump-offs and draw plays on third down. This alone could put him in that quality RB3/flex range immediately. If Jackson were to get injured or show real signs of breaking down (both realistic possibilities), I believe Freeman would be more in the 18-plus range for touches, with four to five catches in most games. With an ADP in the mid-ninth round, Freeman can be picked as a bench stash but could produce like a breakout star.

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