By Chet Gresham – @ChetGresham
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Each offseason brings change to NFL rosters, and those changes often have fantasy implications. Below, I lay out the changes at the skill positions and how those moves impact the fantasy status of the new roster.
2017
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QB: Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler
RB: C.J. Anderson, Devontae Booker, Jamaal Charles
WR: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Bennie Fowler
TE: A.J. Derby, Jeff Heurman
2018
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QB: Case Keenum, Paxton Lynch, Chad Kelly
RB: Royce Freeman, Devontae Booker, De’Angelo Henderson
WR: Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders, Courtland Sutton, DaeSean Hamilton, Bennie Fowler, Carlos Henderson
TE: Jake Butt, Austin Traylor
Pre-Draft Offseason:
The no-doubt biggest move here is Case Keenum as the new starter. Keenum had been replacement-level player, at best, before last year when he put together a strong season with the Vikings. He had good receivers, a good offensive line and a good defense to help him reach his career-best numbers, but he did show enough with Minnesota to be a considerable upgrade over the Broncos’ recent stable of futility. Keenum should help Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders up their numbers from last season, but I’m not going to go all-in on this team for fantasy with Keenum at the helm.
The running back situation is still very much in flux, as C.J. Anderson could be cut to save money and the team seems set on Devontae Booker as its No. 1 back. Booker hasn’t done enough for me to have much faith in his ability, but if he is the no-doubt lead back, you can’t overlook him, especially with this offense likely getting a bump with Keenum.
Right now, the only Denver tight end worth looking at for fantasy is Jake Butt, who was injured all last season. He has the skills of a strong prospect, but that’s all he is at this point. As long as he keeps the job, he’s worth a flier.
Post-Draft Update
I liked many of Denver’s picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, but I don’t think the organization should have passed on quarterback. But that’s what happened and, now, we move on. I don’t talk about defense much in my fantasy takes, but picking Bradley Chubb at 5th overall is keeping this defense at an elite level. It appears the Broncos have faith that Case Keenum and a great defense can get them to the Super Bowl again, which isn’t all that out of the question when you consider how well Peyton Manning was throwing the ball when they won in 2016.
The Broncos did go after offensive talent with their next two picks, selecting Courtland Sutton in Round 2 and Royce Freeman in Round 3. Both of these picks are good; Sutton is likely playing in three-wide receiver sets to start his career, and Freeman will likely starting as the lead back Week 1. Freeman is easily the best back on the team now that C.J. Anderson is gone, and the best early-down back to be sure. He could lose some passing-down work, but Denver will at least try to make him a competent every-down back. This is of course a big downer for Devontae Booker and De’Angelo Henderson’s fantasy value.
2018 Fantasy Outlook:
Stud: None
Solid: Royce Freeman, Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders
Sleeper: Chad Kelly
For more recommendations, check out WalterFootball.com’s Fantasy Football Rankings.
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Fantasy Football Rankings
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/5 (Walt)
Chet Gresham's Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings - 8/29 (Chet)
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2018 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 8/21 (Walt)
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Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 5/18 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 9/1 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/30 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/27 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/23 (Walt)
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Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/16 (Walt)
Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/9 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/2 (Walt)
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2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 250 PPR - 9/5 (Walt)
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2018 Fantasy Football: Dynasty Rankings - 9/5 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Spreadsheets - 9/5 (Walt)
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2018 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 9/5 (Walt)
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2018 Fantasy Football Mid-Round Values - 9/5 (Walt)
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2018 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Preseason Games - 8/31 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football Notes - 8/31 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Quarterback Preseason Targets Tracker - 8/30 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football D/ST Drafting - 8/28 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football ADP Values: Running Backs - 8/16 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy Guide - 8/15 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football ADP Values: Quarterbacks - 8/15 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Tight Ends to Target - 8/9 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football - PPR Draft Strategy: Rounds 1 and 2 - 7/27 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Doug Baldwin's Value - 7/25 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Chris Hogan's Value - 7/18 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football: Alvin Kamara's Value - 7/16 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Tight Ends - 7/11 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Wide Receivers - 7/6 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Running Backs - 7/5 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule: Quarterbacks - 7/4 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Tight Ends Better Than ADP - 6/29 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers Better Than ADP - 6/28 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Target Shares - 6/22 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Points Per Game - 6/13 (Chet)
2018 Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator - 6/2
2018 Fantasy Football Value Players - 5/25 (Chet)
2017 Fantasy Football Quarterback Look-Back - 1/28 (Walt)
2018 Fantasy Football: Running Backs with the Most Carries - 1/28 (Walt)
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