Stars – established players that have solid value in both standard and PPR leagues but are even more valuable in PPR leagues.

Specialists – players that normally do not have 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 that could potentially become extremely valuable players in a PPR scoring league.

Slackers – players that may be solid picks in standard scoring leagues but whose value takes a hit in PPR scoring leagues.

Note: Current ADP’s based on 12 team PPR scoring leagues

Stars:

Antonio Brown has 239 catches over the last 2 years.

Antonio Brown (ADP 1.04): I recently took Brown first overall in a PPR league and while I probably would not do it every time, I’m confident that he is one of the very safest, highest upside picks in the format. After registering a 110-catch season in 2013 Brown solidified his status as a PPR stud in 2014 with a remarkable 129 catches last season. While most people would tend to believe he has nowhere to go but down, I actually think Brown could duplicate his 2014 season and possibly slightly improve. The Steelers defense is going to be bad this year and they are going to be involved in a lot of shootouts. As the favorite target of Ben Roethlisberger, Brown will be targeted early and often. With the emergence of Martavis Bryant and the threat of Le’Veon Bell in the backfield, the Steelers have just enough weapons to take some defensive attention off Brown, but not too much for someone else to totally steal the show. If you are struggling as to which RB to take at or near the top of your PPR draft, make it easy on yourself and don’t take a RB at all, take Brown and rest easy you have a PPR monster on your team.

Jordan Matthews (ADP 4.01): I realize a guy being drafted in the 4th round who only caught 67 balls last year being called a PPR star might make some of you laugh, but hear me out. Matthews was a rookie last year and did not hit his stride until Week 10, where he was a top 12 wide receiver from that point on. With Jeremy Maclin (the Eagles No.1 WR last season) gone to Kansas City, Matthews should, and has (from all off-season reports) grabbed the lead role among receivers and should easily see an additional 40-plus targets this season. With positive reports coming out about Sam Bradford’s health, Matthews should have more consistent quarterback play, and we all know the Eagles offense is one of the most fantasy-friendly in the league. As an athletic possession type receiver in this system I look for Matthews to flirt with 100 catches this year, making him a fairly solid WR1 in PPR leagues, while being drafted as a WR2.

Specialists:

Julian Edelman (ADP 4.05): His size (or lack thereof), his role, and the presence of better red-zone options (namely Rob Gronkowski) severely limit Edelman as a touchdown threat, and therefore, also limit his standard scoring league appeal. Make no mistake though; Edelman is very valuable player in PPR leagues as a consistent 10-plus target a game player and back-to-back top 20 WR fantasy seasons on his resume in PPR leagues. As one of Tom Brady’s favorite targets, Edelman should also produce under Jimmy Garoppolo, (if needed) as a safety-valve in the short and intermediate part of the field. With solid quickness, great hands, and above-average route running prowess, Edelman is the definition of a PPR specialist in an offensive role that means lots of volume and steady production. He may not be a sexy pick but you could do much worse for your No.2 WR in PPR leagues.

Jarvis Landry (ADP 5.02): In a great year for rookie receivers Jarvis Landry was somewhat lost in the mix but actually finished second in catches among rookies. While Landry only scored 5 touchdowns all year and never recorded a 100-plus-yard game, he did secure 84 catches on 111 targets. Although the Dolphins drafted another rookie wideout this season (DeVante Parker), Landry should remain Ryan Tannehill’s favorite target as the slot receiver in an offense that likes to throw short and intermediate passes. Reports out of Dolphins camp have been very positive on Landry, as he looked to improve his speed and explosion during the offseason, hopefully increasing his yards per catch (9.0) which was fairly low last season. With better red-zone targets around him and lacking as a deep threat, Landry certainly has a cap on his upside and is not a sexy pick in standard leagues. In PPR though, I love having a guy like Landry that you can count on each week to put solid points on the board, allowing you to choose boom or bust options in other positions in your starting lineup. Landry makes for a very solid WR2 in PPR leagues and should be high on your draft board after the mid 4th round.

Sleepers:

Eddie Royal (ADP 12.07): Am I the only one that feels like Eddie Royal has been around forever? Royal has taken a strange road during his seven year career, recording his best season in his very first and then fading into the background until last season when he put up respectable numbers in San Diego, registering 62 catches and 7 touchdowns. Now reunited with his rookie-year quarterback (Jay Cutler) in Chicago, Royal looks to be the slot receiver in an offense guided by offensive coordinator Adam Gase, who most recently helped coordinate Peyton Manning in Denver. There has been some solid buzz around Bears camp, with Royal reportedly re-forming great chemistry with Cutler in practice. With Brandon Marshall now in New York and rookie Kevin White injured, Royal has the chance to be the Bears second-most targeted player behind Alshon Jeffery. With solid players around him (Jeffery, Matt Forte, Martellus Bennett) to draw defensive attention, Royal should find some nice holes in the defense and be able to rack his share of catches on an offense that should still throw a good amount. I look for Royal to easily catch 75+ balls with the potential for more. Royal is not going to outright win you your league but I can see him contributing solid numbers as an every-week WR3 in PPR leagues, which is extremely good value for a guy being drafted as a WR5 right now.

Michael Crabtree (ADP 12.02): Qhy hasn't Crabtree ever put it all together? Supremely talented coming out of Texas Tech, Crabtree had one nice season in 2012 but has been a disappointment most of his six year career, battling injuries and just being inconsistent. Could going to the Raiders actually revive his career? Hold your jokes till the end please, as I actually think the answer is yes! First, he’s playing on a one-year contract looking to score a big payday during the (at least age-wise) peak of his career. Second, he is now two years removed from a torn Achilles tendon that seemed to visibly slow him down last season. Third, his quarterback situation might be an improvement with second-year pro Derek Carr. Finally, with little else around him, Crabtree could easily be second on the team in targets (behind Amari Cooper), on a team that should be forced to throw more often than not. With very positive reports coming out of Raiders camp (the word “star” has been thrown around), Crabtree is in a now-or-never season and should not lack for motivation. I am predicting 80-plus catches for Crabtree this season, and while his yardage and scoring numbers might not be huge (850 and 5?), in a PPR league Crabtree presents great value as a WR3 who is (like Royal) being drafted like a WR5.

Slackers:

Martavis Bryant (ADP 5.08): Bryant has garnished a lot of hype this offseason after catching 8 touchdowns in limited action in 2014. Now going into his second year, Bryant is presumably in line for a much bigger role in an offense that should be high-powered. I like Bryant in standard leagues this year as a week-to-week boom or bust WR2/3 that can win a week for you by himself if he goes off for a couple big plays. In PPR leagues, I am much more cautious and prefer him as a low-end risky WR3 who is just as likely to score 2 or 3 points as he is 23. Bryant has the size and the speed to eventually become a major playmaker but he is not built for PPR success. With target-hog Antonio Brown already getting most of the looks in the passing game and Le’Veon Bell getting a ton of work as well, Bryant may go long stretches without getting his hands on the pigskin at all. Add this to the fact that Markus Wheaton is technically still ahead of Bryant on the depth chart, and you have yourself a PPR quandary where you are not going to be comfortable starting Bryant every week. As much as his upside is tempting, I would actually look to avoid Bryant in PPR leagues unless he really takes a free-fall in your draft.

Mike Evans (ADP 3.02): First, I’m not recommending avoiding Mike Evans in PPR drafts, so do not get worried. What I am cautioning however, is that Evans, while he should be a standard scoring stud, could be inconsistent in PPR leagues this season. With a rookie QB at the helm there is sure to be some bumps along the way, especially with Winston being a risk taker with the ball. Despite his upside as a touchdown-scoring machine, Evans takes a bit of a hit in PPR leagues, where he finished just 29th among receivers in receptions last season (he’s being drafted as the 12th WR in PPR leagues). With a possible resurgence of Doug Martin and the run game (if pre-season reports are accurate), a still effective Vincent Jackson, and a huge TE target in Austin Seferian-Jenkins, there are still other mouths to feed in this offense. While there is no doubt Evans is the No.1 WR on this team, it might not always be pretty for this unit. While I would have no problem drafting Evans in a PPR league, I would not reach for him in round 3 and I would surround him with other receivers who are more consistent week-to-week in PPR, like a Julian Edelman or a Jarvis Landry. Make no mistake, Evans is a fantasy stud, but in this scoring format expect a bit of a roller coaster ride this season.

Running Backs