Tennessee Titans: Early Fantasy Rankings
By Les Bailey
After reading an article by ProFootballSpot Tennessee Titans writer, Marc Macaluso on the subject of how new Titans rookies are faring in the Fantasy Football world, I decided to browse around the internet, and get more opinions.
Mariota sounds like a Fantasy owners dream player.
The early numbers on quarterback, Marcus Mariota and wide receiver, Dorial Green-Beckham are impressive by ESPN’s Fantasy expert, Mathew Berry but with the Titans taking seven offensive players in the 2015 NFL Draft, it appears the entire team has gained some fantasy ground this year.
Marcus Mariota:
I was a little disappointed that Berry has the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner ranked at 28th out of 36 quarterbacks, but let’s face it, he has yet to take a snap in the NFL. He is ranked ahead of the New England Patriots week 1-4 starter, Jimmy Garopollo(30), Nick Foles(29), and New York Jets proclaimed starter(Geno Smith(36).
Mariota has a lot of positive points with respect to his Fantasy Ranking. In three years at the University of Oregon, he threw 105 touch downs with only 14 interceptions, ran for 29 touchdowns, and actually caught two touchdown passes.
Mariota sounds like a Fantasy owners dream player.
Marc Macaluso made a couple of nice points:
"Mariota throws very few interceptions, which is great for a fantasy QB because those -2 points per interception can really drain on your QB’s fantasy numbers. We have to temper our expectations a little bit because Mariota is a rookie playing the most important and demanding position on the team, but, with his skill set, Mariota still figures to be a top-15 QB fantasy option in 2015. He will be a solid QB2 in all formats."
All indications are that Marcus Mariota is a quick learner and if he can use his legs to avoid the pressure that will come, especially in a division that has J.J. Watt, and possibly Jadeveon Clowney, I can only see his stock rising throughout the season.
Dorial Green-Beckham:
We have no idea at this point how quickly DGB can get back in the football mode after taking a year off at Oklahoma, and we have no idea how long he can keep his nose clean, but with his size and speed, has the potential to be a game buster.
At 6’5″ and 237 pounds with 4.40 speed, he stands to be in the Calvin Johnson league when, and if he gets going. He’s drawn comparisons to Mega-tron and former West Virginia receiver, Randy Moss.
Matthew Berry has given the rookie some respect, ranking him at 53rd in a list of 80 wide outs. In fact, he has Green-Beckham ranked three spots ahead of Kendall Wright in his list.
Macaluso points out in his article:
"The kid has the potential to be great. When the Titans drafted Green-Beckham in the second round, they got a steal. The question is: where does he fit in the receiver group this year. Green-Beckham figures to be battling for the Titans No. 2 receiver role with former second-round pick Justin Hunter. Kendall Wright is the No. 1, and Harry Douglas should slide into his familiar slot-receiver role. That leaves the two freakishly talented athletes to battle it out for the No. 2 position on the outside. That also means whoever doesn’t win the job, could slide all the way down to the No. 4 WR role.If Green-Beckham can get acclimated quickly and develop some chemistry with Mariota, he’s a threat to overtake Kendall Wright as the No. 1 at some point in the season. Green-Beckham is worth a mid-to-late round pick in the fantasy draft and has a high ceiling. Green-Beckham should start the fantasy season as a WR4 and could rise to a WR2 before it’s all said and done."
I think the big question mark with the receivers on this team, is Harry Douglas, and how he is going to fit in. He was a solid target in Atlanta behind Roddy White, and Julio Jones, and has appeared to become the leader of this receiving corp.
It could be a real dogfight for playing time on this team, but we can all hope that DGB will find his way to the top of the pack.
David Cobb:
Matthew Berry has David Cobb ranked 46th on his list of 80 running backs, with second year back, Bishop Sankey ranked 41st. Shonn Green will more than likely be gone by week one, so will see who emerges as the third down, and goal-line safety valve.
Marc Macaluso thinks Cobb will become the go-to guy in the Red Zone, but I wouldn’t count Jalston Fowler stepping up. He has better hands, and should get a look at the short yardage guy with points on the line.
"Cobb’s goal-line ability significantly adds to his fantasy value, especially since Sankey only rushed for two touchdowns in his rookie season. Cobb was a workhorse at the University of Minnesota and can assume that duty with the Titans if absolutely necessary. Cobb only has average hands and will not give you any advantage in PPR leagues. Expect Cobb to be the Titans No. 2 back throughout the season and primary goal-line threat in the backfield. Cobb is a RB4/RB5 in fantasy."
It’s been a while since Tennessee Titans players become top Fantasy draft picks, but with the rest of the excitement the NFL draft has brought to Music City, why not the fantasy league as well!
Next: Is There A Quarterback Controversy Brewing?