NLF

NFC East fantasy questions: Pollard, D. Jones and more

umarkamran June 23, 2024

0 6 5 minutes read

Liz Loza, ESPNJun 23, 2023, 06:46 AM ET

Prepping for the upcoming fantasy football season requires asking robust questions.

Which NFL groups are arrange for fulfillment? Which groups are set to battle? The place can fantasy managers mine for latent fantasy expertise? Which brand-name stars might really disappoint?

All through June, I will sift by means of each division and spotlight essentially the most urgent fantasy query dealing with every workforce. Subsequent up, the NFC East.

Urgent fantasy questions by division:
AFC East | AFC North | AFC South
NFC East | NFC North | NFC South

Must you consider in Tony Pollard as a top-10 fantasy RB?

Fantasy managers have been attempting to manifest Pollard’s RB1 second for years. Coming off a damaged leg and a excessive ankle sprain (which required TightRope surgical procedure), nonetheless, there’s concern about Pollard’s capability to resist an elevated workload. Given Ezekiel Elliott’s departure and the workforce’s present roster, Pollard will see an uptick in alternatives. However noting his dimension and ability set, it is unlikely he’ll be deployed in the identical approach (or to the identical extent) Zeke was.

Pollard is a flexible again with unbelievable burst and receiving capability. He usually rips off runs of 15-plus yards (8.8% breakaway run charge in 2022, fourth amongst RBs) and thrives as a pass-catcher (9.5 YPR in 2022, second amongst backs). Whereas he can run between the tackles, he isn’t an influence runner. That is additionally why he does not essentially want 18 dashing makes an attempt per contest to place up numbers. Pollard averaged 15.5 fantasy factors per sport (RB8) regardless of carrying the rock 12.1 occasions (twenty third amongst RBs) final season. So, even when Pollard’s quantity stays static (which I doubt it’s going to) he is nonetheless in possession of top-12 potential.

Mike McCarthy has proved time and time once more that he prefers a floor strategy. Dallas’ dashing makes an attempt have climbed over the workforce’s previous pair of seasons (as Kellen Moore’s imaginative and prescient and management of the offense pale) from 473 in 2021 to 531 in 2022 (sixth most). Moreover, the Boys ran the ball 52.2% of the time in goal-to-go conditions final season. Subsequently, it is cheap to imagine that Pollard will see a rise of roughly three to 5 carries per sport. It is also cheap to imagine that an extra 50-65 totes will not result in his undoing.

Takeaway: Coming off late-season accidents and entering into a number one function elevates the dangers related to rostering Pollard. Nonetheless, his effectivity and subsequent upside present him with top-10 fantasy enchantment.

Will daniel jones put up top-10 fantasy QB numbers once more in 2023?

Regardless of averaging fewer than 30 go makes an attempt per sport and concentrating on an underwhelming steady of pass-catchers that posted the fourth-highest drop charge within the league, Jones completed as fantasy’s QB9 final season. That is as a result of the key to his fantasy sauce is not in his arm … it is in his legs.

Giants followers have watched Jones scramble since he landed in New York in 2019. The QB’s mobility wasn’t deliberately exploited, nonetheless, till Brian Daboll joined the group. Daboll schemed up 54 designed runs for Jones final season, which was simply two fewer than the QB had within the 25 video games he performed over his two prior campaigns. Moreover, 56% of Jones’ profession pink zone runs (which resulted in 5 dashing TDs) got here in 2022.

Whereas a slight regression in dashing makes an attempt might be anticipated, Jones’ mobility figures to stay a trademark of the offense. The potential lapse in floor manufacturing needs to be made up through the air. Darren Waller was introduced in to steer and stabilize the G-Males’s receiving corps. The previous Raiders’ presence solely provides to Jones’ enchantment, which has proved worthy of low-end QB1 consideration.

Takeaway: Jones’ projected dashing quantity (6-7 makes an attempt per sport) mixed with Waller’s big-play capability gives the Giants’ signal-caller with top-10 fantasy enchantment.

Which Eagles RB ought to fantasy managers goal?

D’Andre Swift and Rashad Penny have complementary ability units, which implies they will share the backfield touches in an equitable method. However the scoring for every of them figures to stay unpredictable given Jalen Hurts’ elite knack for aim line poaching. That knocks them each out of fantasy RB2 territory.

In the end, Swift’s capability as a pass-catcher offers him an edge over Penny. The previous Lion has averaged almost 4 catches per contest throughout his profession. He additionally managed 4 video games of greater than 35 yards receiving final season alone. Penny, however, has recorded just one sport of 35 yards throughout his total profession (and it was in 2018 as a rookie). Moreover, each backs are thought-about damage susceptible, however Swift has proved extra sturdy, as he has recorded 156 extra touches in three seasons than Penny has in 5 skilled campaigns.

Takeaway: Swift and Penny are environment friendly backs working in a run-friendly offense. Swift’s versatility as a receiver, nonetheless, gives him with the next ceiling, significantly in PPR leagues.

Which Commanders participant is poised for a fantasy breakout in 2023?

Brian Robinson Jr. is a favourite post-hype sleeper candidate … and for good cause. The 24-year-old was utilized in an elite trend down the stretch final season, rating third in carries per sport (19.7) from Weeks 10 by means of 18. He is additionally working in a run-friendly offense that ranked eighth in rush charge final season and does not seem to have the expertise beneath middle to vary that strategy. Given Antonio Gibson’s waning effectivity, Robinson ought to lead the Commanders’ backfield. Nevertheless it’s laborious to get excited a few working again on a squad with a projected win complete of seven.

I would relatively spend money on Jahan Dotson‘s ceiling. Nobody is anticipating effectivity from Sam Howellbut when Washington figures to be trailing then the amount needs to be there for Dotson. And it does not harm that the Penn State product’s greatest attribute is a pair of splendidly sticky mitts. Regardless of going over 4 receptions in solely two video games as a rookie, Dotson nonetheless managed to put up seven TDs. Solely 4 different first-round wideouts drafted over the previous 5 years recorded at the least seven TDs of their premier campaigns (Ja’Marr Chase, Calvin Ridley, Justin Jefferson and Marquise Brown). That is candy upside for a WR being drafted exterior of the highest 40 on the place.

Takeaway: Dotson figures to work as Washington’s No. 2 WR reverse Terry McLaurin. His capability to achieve separation and win in contested conditions whereas usually drawing appears offers him WR4 worth and potential WR2 upside.