Today we look at players 95-93 in our fantasy football rankings of the top 101 PPR players. Will there be any surprising names on the list?
With only six players revealed, we continue our list of the top 101 PPR players for 2017. Yesterday featured three players from the AFC and one of them set multiple Super Bowl records last season. Today's list features a couple of young bucks and a player who could be Canton-bound one day.
To be clear, the top 101 PPR players are for re-draft leagues only. Here's a look at players ranked 95-93:
Nov 22, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles (43) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
95. Darren Sproles, RB – Philadelphia Eagles
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Despite turning 34 years old in June, Darren Sproles continues to be a fantasy football asset. Last season Sproles finished as the 24th PPR running back and it was the sixth time in seven years he secured 50+ receptions.
Going into 2017, the Eagles backfield looks like a full-blown committee between Sproles, LeGarrette Blount, Wendell Smallwood and Donnel Pumphrey (No, I'm not counting Ryan Mathews because I fully expect him to get released once he's healthy). I'm not 100 percent sure how these touches will divvy up but I don't expect Sproles to carry the rock 90+ times despite carrying the ball for a career-high 94 times last season.
My guess would be Sproles will see around 75-80 carries and 50-55 receptions in 2017. Plus there's a small added value with him returning punts. He'll be a medium-floor and low-ceiling player who will average anywhere between 9-11 points per week.
Sep 18, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Breshad Perriman (18) makes a reception during the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Ravens defeated the Browns 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Scott R. Galvin-USA TODAY Sports
94. Breshad Perriman, WR – Baltimore Ravens
Breshad Perriman has the size and speed a team wants in their No. 1 wide receiver. The problem is his knees appear to be as shaky as that of a baby when she/he is first learning to walk.
Perriman missed his entire rookie season in 2015 after he failed to recover from a PCL injury in his right knee. In 2016, he partially tore the ACL in his left knee during OTAs. Perriman did manage to play in all 16 games despite the injury. However, his injuries over the last two seasons have forced him to miss a ton of reps and practice time. This is a big reason why he only finished with 33 receptions, 499 yards and three touchdowns in 2016.
Going into 2017 he as a great opportunity after the Ravens lost future Hall of Famer Steve Smith Sr. to retirement and Kamar Aiken in free agency. With these two no longer there, there are an extra 151 targets up for grabs. The athleticism, draft pedigree and opportunity is what makes Perriman such a high ceiling player going into 2017. His injuries and unreliable hands is also what makes him risky.
Kansas City Chiefs
May 6, 2017; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt (27) runs drills during the rookie mini camp at the University of Kansas Hospital Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
93. Kareem Hunt, RB – Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs rookie running back Kareem Hunt hasn't played a down in the NFL yet, but I expect him to make some noise in 2017. There are a couple of reasons why I believe this.
First, I don't think the Chiefs traded up in the third round of the NFL Draft just to have Hunt handle the ball only 5-6 times a game. Kansas City liked about the young man enough to do a three-for-one draft pick swap in order to move up and select Hunt.
Two, I don't think there's anything special about Spencer Ware. Sure, he did an above-average job with Jamaal Charles missing most of last season but he didn't do anything impressive. During the regular season, Ware only rushed for 100+ yards in one of 14 games. He also had more fumbles (4) than rushing touchdowns (3).
Ware should open the season as the starter but if he stumbles, fumbles and fails to produce like a starter, Hunt should get an opportunity to turn the backfield into a 50/50 committee at the least.
