Our list of the top 101 PPR players of 2017 continues with players No. 83-81. Should a fourth-round rookie be ranked this high?
Sometimes it's hard to predict how successful a rookie will perform during his first year in the NFL. More often than not, a player who is drafted in the first or second-round is expected to contribute right away. A player who is selected in the fourth-round on the other hand often begins his career on special teams. What he isn't doing is helping fantasy owners win championships.
With that said, the second-leading rusher in the NFL and No. 10 fantasy football running back last year, Jordan Howard, was a fourth-round rookie. Could a rookie with the same draft status as Howard help out owners in 2017?
To be clear, the top 101 PPR players are for re-draft leagues only. Here's a look at players ranked No. 83-81:
May 24, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Redskins running back Samaje Perine (32) participates in drills as part of Redskins OTAs at Redskins Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
83. Samaje Perine, RB – Washington Redskins
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Last season rookie undrafted free agent Rob Kelley led the Washington Redskins in rushing attempts (168), rushing yards (704) and rushing touchdowns (6). This season, an incoming rookie could steal most of his playing time.
Almost a month ago the Redskins spent a fourth-round pick on Oklahoma's all-time leading rusher Samaje Perine. He is similar to Kelley in running style as they both rely on their size and strength to run over defenders instead of running away from them. In my opinion, Perine can do everything Kelley can do but better. This is why I fully expect him to be the team's No.1 running back when the season begins while Chris Thompson continues his role as the third-down/receiving running back.
If/when Perine is anointed the team's starting running back he should have 175-200 touches in store for him.
Sep 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Detroit Lions running back Ameer Abdullah (21) looks on before the game against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
82. Ameer Abdullah, RB – Detroit Lions
During the 2015 NFL Draft, the Lions could have selected David Johnson, Tevin Coleman or Duke Johnson with their second-round pick. Instead, they went with Nebraska's running back Ameer Abdullah.
Over his first two seasons in the NFL Abdullah has only accumulated 881 offensive yards and four touchdowns. Even with his underwhelming start, the Lions elected not to draft a running back or add one in free agency (You're out of your flipping mind if you think I'm going to count Matt Asiata as a significant free agent addition). That means Abdullah should open the season as the team's starting running back just like he did in 2016.
Abdullah won't be asked to be a three-down running back because Theo Riddick will be the team's receiving/third-down running back. What makes Abdullah different than most two-down running backs like Adrian Peterson and Eddie Lacy is he has the ability to be a weapon in the receiving game.
If he can stay healthy (unlike last season), he could finish 2017 with 40+ receptions. Keep in mind unlike Peterson and Lacy, Abdullah has no chance of being the team's goal line running back at 5-9 and 205 pounds so owners have to understand there will be some missed opportunities in that department.
Nov 8, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) celebrates during the first half of the NFL game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
81. Eric Decker, WR – New York Jets
In 2015 Eric Decker was a touchdown machine as he caught a touchdown pass in 12 out of 15 games. In 2016 it looked like he was ready to pick up where he left off after catching a touchdown in two out of his first three games. Unfortunately, his third game of the 2016 was his last. Decker was placed on injured reserved in mid-October with a torn rotator cuff and finished the season with only nine receptions, 194 yards and two touchdowns.
Going into 2017, Decker is the Jets No. 1 wide receiver after the team released Brandon Marshall in March. With Marshall gone, Decker will easily see 100 targets and could even push for targets in the 130-140 range.
I'll be the first to tell you Decker isn't the fastest, biggest or most reliable wide receiver in the NFL but he is on the upswing. He's a good NFL receiver with an even better opportunity in front of him. The biggest concern for Decker right now is his health. If he can enter training camp full-go with no restrictions, I'll be sure to bump him up from the 81st slot when I revisit my rankings in July.
