In the final part of our NFL Fantasy Football three-part series, I’m going to give you the pick that’s going to win the league for you (provided you get a top 5 pick). It’s a lot of pressure drafting 1st overall. What if that player gets hurt? What if he’s a bust? You’re the laughing stock of the league after that. These five guys should be your picks if you’re drafting in the top 5. Remember, these rankings are based on non-PPR standard leagues.
5. Zeke Elliott – RB Dal:When he plays, Zeke has been a star since he came into the league for Dallas. Elliot has faced a lot of issues off the field and served suspensions for it. Hopefully for him, all of that is in the past. He’s one of the best pure runners in the league and has one of the league’s best offensive lines. The only thing that would even begin to worry me about Zeke is the fact NFL teams don’t believe Dak Prescott can beat them and will stack the box against him.
4. Antonio Brown – WR Pit:Brown has been the model for consistency. He’s been the best receiver for years now, and that doesn’t seem to be changing. He finally has someone on the other side who compliments him well in JuJu Smith-Schuster. That could lead to a few less targets, but I wouldn’t hesitate to take the receiver here. He’s made over 1,200 yards and 100 catches every year since 2013. In a PPR league, Brown could be the first overall pick.
3. David Johnson – RB Ari:Johnson is coming off a season-ending wrist surgery. The good news about this is, it’s not his knees. He had one of the best fantasy seasons in a long time in 2016 with 1,239 rushing yards and 879 receiving yards to go along with 20 TDs. The only bright spot in 2017 was he already had six catches in the one game he played. Johnson will bounce back and give the Cardinals a much-needed boost and they will rely on him often.
2. Todd Gurley – RB LAR:Last year, Gurley could single-handedly win games for fantasy owners. In one fantasy week, he racked up more than 50 points in my standard, non-PPR league. He finished with 1,305 yards rushing and 788 yards receiving. The only thing keeping him off the top spot this year is Le’Veon Bell is playing for a contract and Gurley isn’t. He received a four-year, $60 million extension this offseason.
1. Le’Veon Bell – RB Pit:As aforementioned, Bell is a man on a mission this year. He’s going to show the Steelers what they’re missing in not giving him a contract extension, then leave. He’s had more than 1,200 yards rushing and 600 receiving the last two years and that’s with him missing five games. He’s a fantasy stud and it won’t change this year. Take Bell 1st overall and win your league with him anchoring the running back position.
