Point Per Reception, or PPR leagues, are becoming more popular with
each passing year, and while the scoring change is relatively easy
to get used to, a change in strategy also has to be accounted for.
PPR owners should take note of certain RBs and WRs who can change
your draft strategy and target earlier than you would in a standard
scoring league. I have the players broken down into four categories;
stars, specialists, sleepers, and slackers.
Stars
– established players with solid value in all league
formats but are even more valuable in PPR leagues.
Specialists – players lacking
in standard scoring league appeal, but become solid contributors
in PPR leagues and in some cases, stars.
Sleepers – players normally
available late in your draft that with potential to become valuable
PPR options.
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
While Ingram was not much of a pass-catcher his first four seasons
in the NFL, he burst into PPR owners hearts last year with 50
receptions in just 12 games, good enough for eighth-best at the
position and one of just two running backs to register 150-plus
carries and 50-plus receptions. Already a solid pick in standard
leagues, Ingram gets a nice boost in PPR leagues as a solid low-end
RB1 that produces on the ground and through the air. With the
Saints RB depth chart largely remaining the same from last season,
their defense still being suspect, and their offense still being
pass-heavy, I expect another 50-plus reception season from Ingram.
Still just 26 years old and surrounded by talent, Ingram is in
the prime of his career and could very well have a monster season,
especially in PPR formats. At his draft position you have flexibility
in your strategy by drafting him in the late 2nd round as the
9th RB off the board, with a high probability of him returning
RB1 value in PPR leagues.
David Johnson is an RB1 in any format,
including PPR.
Johnson’s ADP doesn’t change much between standard and PPR leagues
but he has a real shot at being PPR’s No.1 running back this year.
Johnson didn't have a substantial role in the Cardinals offense
until Week 13 last season but still managed 36 receptions for
457 yards and 4 touchdowns. Coming out of college, Johnson was
one of the most polished pass-catching backs in the country and
his size and speed combination has led to as many big plays in
one season as many players have in a career. Last season Johnson
led all running backs in fantasy points per touch and was one
of just two players to score at least one touchdown on the ground,
through the air, and on a kick return. With more volume coming
his way Johnson is sure to shine in any scoring format but as
a real threat for 50-plus receptions making Johnson this year’s
top PPR RB.
In his rookie year Johnson played in all 16 games and only totaled
379 yards rushing so in standard leagues he didn’t exactly help
your cause, but PPR league owners know Johnson well. He caught
61 balls for 534 yards and added 2 receiving touchdowns while
displaying excellent hands and shifty open-field moves. Johnson
will retain his role as the Browns primary receiving back and
should also add to his carry total this season, as new Head Coach
Hue Jackson will focus on the run game. With the Browns defense
shaky at best, Cleveland may be throwing a ton in the second half
of many games, meaning Johnson will see his usage increase. In
PPR leagues Johnson is a high upside, high floor pick in the early
to mid-fifth round.
Riddick goes extremely late (ADP 12.03), or sometimes not at all
in standard league drafts but PPR owners need to have him on your
radar. Riddick’s role in the run game likely won’t increase from
last season when he only totaled 133 yards on 43 carries, but
his 80 receptions tied Danny
Woodhead for the most at the position including ten games
of 5 or more catches. This season Riddick should approach similar
numbers, as his role remains intact. While Riddick has a fairly
low ceiling, his contribution in PPR leagues is very valuable
as a flex player or even a starting RB for those who prefer the
Zero-RB draft strategy. While Riddick is not a sexy pick, getting
consistent production can be just as valuable as choosing high
risk/high reward players.
Powell managed nearly 11 touches per game last season on his way
to racking up just over 700 total yards in a backup role. With
Matt
Forte in town, many owners have dismissed Powell this season
but Forte (30) is certainly in the decline phase of his career
and is presently nursing a hamstring injury. In PPR leagues Powell
doesn't need to be the starter to have value, as he put up 12-plus
fantasy points in six games last season without being the lead
running back. With two top notch receivers to keep the defense
honest, Powell should benefit from dump off passes and screens
and offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has been known to work wonders
with running backs that can catch the football. If Forte would
succumb to an injury, Powell could conceivably earn an even larger
workload and be a sneaky top 12 back in juicier matchups. For
a late 9th round investment, Powell makes an excellent choice
with a relatively high floor.
Many fantasy owners simply look at McKinnon as a handcuff for
Adrian
Peterson owners (which he is), but I see serious value and
sleeper potential for all owners in PPR leagues. McKinnon’s usage
totals don’t wow anybody; with just over 200 total touches in
two seasons, this of course is why he is so cheap. A closer look
and a small leap of faith reveals some potential. McKinnon has
increased both his yards per carry (4.8 to 5.2) and his yards
per catch (5.0 to 8.2) in his first two seasons. While very raw
out of college, McKinnon is now entering his third season, where
it often “clicks” for less “refined” players and athletically
McKinnon is already one of the leagues’ most impressive players.
Of course the sky is the limit for McKinnon if Peterson would
go down with injury, as he could potentially be a complete three-down
back, but there is serious PPR potential even without that scenario.
This is shaping up to be the year the Vikings slowly transition
to being Teddy
Bridgewater’s team, rather than Peterson’s. With the discussion
of more passing, more shotgun sets, and better outside weapons
I could easily see a significant uptick in McKinnon’s usage, regardless
of Peterson’s health or performance. With big play potential and
an increased role I could see McKinnon as a viable flex option
with the potential for much more.
Anyone that read my Buy or Sell article knows I’m not a big Matt
Jones fan, but in PPR leagues I downright avoid him at all costs.
While Jones has decent hands for a big back and theoretically
has the workload to be a fantasy stud, I don’t see the consistency
or the talent to warrant a pick in the first five rounds of a
PPR draft. It should be clear to anyone that watched Redskins
games last year that Chris
Thompson was the more explosive player and should easily lead
this backfield in receptions this season. Jones did catch 19 balls
last year but about a third came in games Thompson missed. With
ball security issues, a low ypc average (3.4), and a lackluster
preseason, Jones is on a short leash and running back is an easily
replaceable position. With so many receiving backs available,
owners should take the advantages that PPR scoring gives and trust
better values like Theo Riddick and Charles
Sims rather than roll the dice with a potential bust like
Jones.
After an inconsistent season, Hill hasn’t generated much among
fantasy owners, possibly making him a solid value in standard
leagues, but in PPR I have him firmly in the slacker category
due to talent and Giovani
Bernard. Hill is a solid between the tackles runner and at
times has looked like a top ten back in the league, but his receiving
skills are average at best. After catching just 15 passes in 2015,
Hill is a TD-dependent fantasy talent which is just the opposite
kind of player you want in PPR leagues. Bernard on the other hand,
does not score a lot of touchdowns (17 total in three years) but
is averaging nearly 50 receptions per season and with a lack of
receiving talent outside of A.J. Green, 70 is not an unrealistic
number for him. You never feel safe starting Hill in PPR leagues
and value-wise you are simply not getting what you pay for.
