Drew Brees has been one of the most consistent players in the
fantasy realm for over a decade, yet there will be ample opportunity
to buy him at a reasonable price heading into the 2016 season.
On the surface, it is easy to write off the New Orleans veteran
quarterback due to his advancing age (37) and three-year decline
in total passing touchdowns and yardage. He also failed to finish
amongst the top three fantasy QBs for the first time since 2005.
Although it is hard to imagine Brees rebounding to elite status
at this point in his career his “regression” may be
getting overblown. This is not a case where a good quarterback
has entered decline, but one where an elite option has seen his
numbers fall back towards the pack. He finished 2015 as a top
three fantasy quarterback on a points-per-game basis by throwing
for more yards than anyone else while playing one fewer game than
his peers. The quarterback position is tougher to navigate in
today’s pass-happy NFL. Not only are the gaps between tiers
closer, but the number of options within each tier have grown
in the past year as well. Fantasy owners who choose to wait and
watch the more popular flashy names come off the board will likely
find themselves scooping up a boring old top six fantasy option.
Luke McCown is currently slated to open the season holding the
clip board for New Orleans. He could become a plug and play option
if forced to fill in on a short-term basis. However, the team
has been very pleased with the progress of 2015 third rounder
Garrett Grayson this off season. Grayson is raw and untested at
the NFL level but will be given every opportunity to overtake
McCown as the primary backup. He is on track to take over for
Brees as the team’s quarterback of the future and carries speculative
value in dynasty formats.
RB Mark
Ingram (2015 RB Rank – No.15, 12.8 FPts/G)
For a player who has notched YPC of 4.9, 4.3 and 4.6 over the
past three years, Mark Ingram has yet to be the fantasy beast
he resembles. The Saints tried to limit the pounding he took last
season by giving him more than 15 carries only five times (out
of twelve games played). To offset those touches, Sean Payton
utilized his top runner more in the passing game to a resounding
success. Ingram’s prowess as a pass catcher saw his reception
total hit 50 without playing a full season. The talent and opportunity
to produce RB1 numbers is undeniable, however his health woes
cannot be overlooked. He’s missed at least three games in all
but one of his five years as a pro and went over the 100-yard
rushing threshold only once in 2015. Nonetheless, even risk-averse
owners may want to take a chance on the enormous upside. Ingram
is now entering his prime and rates as a top ten fantasy running
back when healthy in all formats. He has virtually no competition
to take over his starting job and plays in an offense that loves
to rush the ball inside the red zone. His injury history will
push him down draft boards and smart Ingram investors will add
roster protection through the use of a handcuff or complementary
depth at the position.
RB Tim
Hightower (2015 RB Rank – No.54, 12.4 FPts/G)
Tim Hightower’s re-signing this off-season adds some intrigue
to deep fantasy leagues. Hightower will be worthy of handcuff
consideration after the team let Khiry Robinson depart via free
agency and a lack of commitment to C.J. Spiller. When given a
shot after Ingram went down late in the 2015 season, Hightower
not only ran well, but chipped in nicely in the passing game and
notched four scores in the process. If he can continue to produce
and earn the confidence in Sean Payton, he could be worked into
the rotation as a way to keep Mark Ingram healthy later into the
season.
RB C.J.
Spiller (2015 RB Rank – No.74, 3.6 FPts/G)
Flop. Dud. Bust. All can be used to describe the down turn of
C.J. Spiller’s career. He remains in the mix for New Orleans
but has not shown the explosiveness that made him an effective
runner at Clemson and in Buffalo. Without a clear path to regular
playing time, an inability to be effective in recent years and
added talent to the roster fantasy owners will want to keep their
distance from Spiller on draft day.
Travaris Cadet serves as depth in both the running and passing
attack. If the team loses all confidence in Spiller, Cadet could
see a few more opportunities. Daniel Lasco was added in seventh
round of the 2016 draft. The rookie out of Cal recovered from
a hip injury to post eye-popping numbers at the Scouting Combine.
He fits the typical explosive play-making outside-the-tackles
type of runner New Orleans has coveted over the Sean Payton era
but will be need to prove himself on special teams before climbing
the depth chart.
After a slow start to his sophomore campaign Brandin Cooks settled
into his role as the Saints’ top receiving threat. From
Week 7 on Cooks averaged 12.8 fantasy points-per-game, easily
placing him amongst the top fantasy receivers. He stands out when
compared to the other receivers being taken around his current
ADP of 3.08 considering his situation. Working in a pass-heavy
offense with an efficient quarterback at the helm; there is little
reason to doubt Cooks’ ability to repeat his success. The
quality of the depth chart under Cooks has improved yet he still
stands a fair chance at seeing his targets inch upwards as he
gains more confidence in his third year. Value him as a WR2 who
will moonlight as your team’s top receiver a handful of
times throughout the season.
Willie Snead quietly emerged as a consistent depth play for fantasy
owners in 2015. Although he only found the end zone three times
all year, he was nearly able to turn 100 targets into 1000 receiving
yards as a rookie - no small task. He lacks the ceiling of Cooks
or Coleman and faces more possession type competition on the roster
in the form of Coby Fleener and Michael Thomas. Nevertheless,
he remains a starter in an offense that passes the ball over 600
times and would assume a larger role if Cooks was sidelined for
any length of time. Considering his low acquisition cost, Snead
should once again provide a useful depth option for fantasy owners
to consider late on draft day.
Brandon Coleman notched a modest but unspectacular rookie season
in 2015. His 15.1 yards per catch provided fantasy owners a hint
at his potential fantasy upside with Brees leading the Saints
passing attack. Coleman has the size and talent to develop into
a perfect complement to Brandin Cooks but he will need to take
another step forward during the team’s preseason. He may
need another year before getting an opportunity to make a difference
on the fantasy scene but deep league owners will want to monitor
him closely.
The Saints used their second round pick on a player they hope
will replace the size they lost when Marques Colston retired.
He is slated for a unique slot role in the offense that will allow
him to use his six-foot three-inch frame to create mismatches.
There are some who feel he could push Coleman for playing time
out of gate so keep an eye on his progress throughout the preseason.
TE Coby
Fleener (2015 TE Rank – No.21, 4.2
FPts/G)
After years of frustrating fantasy owners in Indianapolis, Coby
Fleener has taken his act to the bayou by inking a five-year pact
with the Saints. He was never able to truly break out while sharing
time with Dwayne Allen but will be the leading man for the Saints
this season. A year ago, an old Ben Watson finished with the second
most receptions and touchdowns in this offense. The Stanford alum
provides New Orleans with more versatility and athleticism from
the position. The situation is ripe for him to post career bests
across the board. Consequently, fantasy owners will enter the
fantasy year with renewed optimism regarding Fleener as a TE1
and make him a popular mid-round pick. Josh Hill returns after
the team matched an offer sheet from the Chicago Bears. He will
have trouble finding targets now that he is returning to a situational
role in the offense.
