Earlier in the fantasy offseason, RotoWire's first column dedicated to dynasty formats was published, where users and I discussed the top keeper candidates heading into 2015. That column was dedicated to standard, 12-team formats, and was written largely under the assumption that teams in the league retain 2-3 keepers (typically with a draft pick attached).
There are countless ways to play fantasy football, however, and the same applies to keeper leagues. In formats with 14 or 16 owners, the keeper pool gets deeper, and decisions on who to retain become significantly more difficult. Often, owners need to place a greater emphasis on youth, focusing on the notion that they'll keep players for 4-5 more seasons. In these cases, the top keepers for the upcoming season may have seen minimal playing time in the previous one (if they're even in the league yet). We'll focus on rookies another day, but for now, let's look at some deep keeper candidates who are set to see expanded roles in 2015.
Like the last column, feel free to discuss these picks and ask keeper league questions in the comments section.
Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings
Although Bridgewater was passed in favor of Blake Bortles and Johnny Manziel in the 2014 NFL Draft, he arguably was one of the most poised quarterbacks in the rookie class. Despite playing three fewer games than the Raiders' Derek Carr, he fell just less than 20 fantasy points short of surpassing him for the league lead in
Earlier in the fantasy offseason, RotoWire's first column dedicated to dynasty formats was published, where users and I discussed the top keeper candidates heading into 2015. That column was dedicated to standard, 12-team formats, and was written largely under the assumption that teams in the league retain 2-3 keepers (typically with a draft pick attached).
There are countless ways to play fantasy football, however, and the same applies to keeper leagues. In formats with 14 or 16 owners, the keeper pool gets deeper, and decisions on who to retain become significantly more difficult. Often, owners need to place a greater emphasis on youth, focusing on the notion that they'll keep players for 4-5 more seasons. In these cases, the top keepers for the upcoming season may have seen minimal playing time in the previous one (if they're even in the league yet). We'll focus on rookies another day, but for now, let's look at some deep keeper candidates who are set to see expanded roles in 2015.
Like the last column, feel free to discuss these picks and ask keeper league questions in the comments section.
Quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings
Although Bridgewater was passed in favor of Blake Bortles and Johnny Manziel in the 2014 NFL Draft, he arguably was one of the most poised quarterbacks in the rookie class. Despite playing three fewer games than the Raiders' Derek Carr, he fell just less than 20 fantasy points short of surpassing him for the league lead in fantasy production by a rookie quarterback (in standard formats). This is due to both his added threat as a runner, as well as his ability to limit turnovers -- he averaged less than one giveaway per game. The Vikings have a stable crop of young receivers for him to target, and even if they part ways with Adrian Peterson this offseason, they have enough runners of various styles to adequately mix up the rushing attack. He may not be a Week 1 fantasy starter in 2015, but with what looks to be a favorable schedule, Bridgewater is shaping up to be a reasonable plug-and-play option in 2015.
Jimmy Garoppolo, New England Patriots/Brock Osweiler, Denver Broncos
Which all-time great retires first? Tom Brady just won his fourth Super Bowl at age 37, while the 38-year-old Peyton Manning likely will decide his NFL future following an early-March physical. All indications seem to suggest that the latter will hang it up first, but will Osweiler even be in the neighborhood of the numbers that made Manning a fantasy stud for years? Both New England and Denver have the raw talent on offense to be perennial contenders, so I break the tie based on the team with a proven system. If picking a fantasy quarterback now for 2-3 years down the road, I give the nod to the guy who's learned under Bill Belichick. Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston might have the slight upper hand, but we'll save those picks for a later column.
Running Back
Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers
Frank Gore collected his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard rushing campaign in 2014, but with an expiring contract, it's tough to imagine the 49ers hanging onto the veteran for his age-32 season. Maybe they'll re-sign him and he'll prove to be an anomaly who can avoid injury and be productive well into his 30s -- but it's not wise to expect that. Fortunately for San Francisco, Carlos Hyde is a more than serviceable option. The Ohio State product posted a respectable 4.0 YPC in his rookie campaign and would immediately be a top-20 back if handed the full-time job. Fantasy owners likely snagged Hyde in drafts for a handcuff price, leaving plenty of room for profit.
Latavius Murray, Oakland Raiders
The Raiders brought in Maurice Jones-Drew to complement Darren McFadden in the backfield last season, but it was Latavius Murray who stole the show. The 25-year-old carried 68 times in the final four games of the season and caught at least two passes in each of those contests as well. Unlike McFadden, Murray brings big-play potential, recording four carries of at least 20 yards (McFadden had just one on more than twice as many carries). There's little reason to expect Murray won't open the season as Oakland's top back, so for the cost of what was likely a free-agent pickup in 2014, he should be retained if possible, especially in PPR formats.
Devonta Freeman, Atlanta Falcons
Just as in San Francisco and Oakland, a changing of the guard appears on the horizon in Atlanta, and another young player waits to take advantage. Steven Jackson failed to rush for 1,000 yards for the second straight year and recorded his lowest receptions total (20) since his rookie campaign. The 11-year veteran is under contract though next season, but look for a transition to begin. Devonta Freeman carried just 65 times last season, but two of those runs went for at least 20 yards, flashing his ability to get to the second level. This might not be the year Freeman fully breaks out, but given the expiring contracts of Antoine Smith and Jacquizz Rodgers, prospective dynasty owners should at least get a longer look at the Florida State product in 2015.
Christine Michael, Seattle Seahawks
Michael's situation is certainly worth revisiting when OTAs roll around, as no player on this list is as dependent on another player's fate. Outside of a 71-yard performance in Week 10, Michael was quiet in his sophomore campaign, overshadowed by the punishing running style of Beast Mode. Marshawn Lynch, that is, remains one of the most physically intimidating backs in the league, and even entering his age-29 season, has shown hardly any signs of slowing. Seattle can't seem to make up its mind regarding this polarizing player, as everything from an extension to early retirement or release has been thrown around regarding Lynch. Backup Robert Turbin is still around, but if Lynch goes, Michael will fly up draft boards. Keep him at a low price while you can.
James White, New England Patriots
A fantasy owner even considering this move will have to be in an incredibly deep league, as White remained delegated to the inactive list for the majority of 2014. Nonetheless, the Patriots seem to cycle in a carousel of running backs each season, so why not White? He may not bring the same unremitting style as a back like LeGarrette Blount, but a Shane Vereen comparison isn't too much of a stretch. White worked in a two-back system for the majority of his time at Wisconsin, and even became comfortable lining up in the slot, catching 39 passes for 300 yards in his final year with the program. It's unclear what the Pats plan to do with Vereen after the 2015 season, but White is at least a logical choice to step into his shoes.
Wide Receivers
Kelvin Benjamin, Carolina Panthers
Benjamin very well could have been placed in our last dynasty column, but the emergence of so many receivers in 2014 who drastically outperformed their ADP left him just short. The Florida State product should be considered in all formats, however, as Benjamin more than proved capable of serving as the No. 1 receiver on a NFL squad. The 6-foot-5 wideout produced 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014, and receivers with similar outlooks, such as Mike Evans or Sammy Watkins, will surely come at a much higher price. The NFC South offers some horrific pass defenses, and fantasy owners can expect Benjamin and quarterback Cam Newton to feast on them for years to come.
Davante Adams, Green Bay Packers
The future of Randall Cobb in Green Bay is a bit cloudy, and if Cobb skips town in favor of an enticing free-agency offer, Davonte Adams would step into the No. 2 role (behind Jordy Nelson). Adams had a slow start to his rookie campaign, but appeared to take Jarrett Boykin's job as the No. 3 guy as early as Week 2. The Fresno State product had little impact on the offense until a six-catch, 121-yard performance on national television against the eventual Super Bowl champions, which showed fans and fantasy owners alike a glimpse of his true potential. Adams then built on that progress with a 117-yard showing in the NFC divisional playoffs against Dallas, and one has to believe his chemistry with Aaron Rodgers will only improve after a full offseason together. Cobb re-signing with the Packers could change this situation, but even the No. 3 option in the high-powered Green Bay offense should see his fair share of looks, leaving Adams with plenty of upside heading into his sophomore season.
Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia Eagles
Just as in daily fantasy basketball, a fast-paced team means more possessions, and effectively, more opportunities to score fantasy points. This never really applied in the NFL, or at least it didn't until Chip Kelly and his spread offense took the league by storm. If a system can make Nick Foles and Mark Sanchez fantasy relevant, imagine what it could do for a young skilled receiver. Jordan Matthews is a potential example of this, and his strong finish to 2014 gives him plenty to build on for his sophomore season. The quarterback situation is a bit shaky, but Matthews should see plenty of looks in the upcoming year, especially if Jeremy Maclin departs via free agency.
Martavis Bryant, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bryant sat on the inactive list the first six weeks of the season but proceeded to score six total touchdowns in the first four games of this NFL career. The speedy, 6-4 wideout proved a reliable red-zone target, though his touchdown dependency does diminish his value a bit in PPR formats. Antonio Brown likely will draw most of the coverage in Pittsburgh, leaving Bryant to hunt down man coverage and attempt to exploit it with deep routes. He and Big Ben connected on five plays of at least 40 yards last season, a pattern they'll likely continue in 2015. At just 23, Bryant could fill a Mike Wallace-type role for years to come.
Cody Latimer, Denver Broncos
Latimer was targeted just four times in 2014, so this is another candidate to consider in only the deepest formats, as most owners can grab him on the waiver wire when the time comes. This may be sooner than expected, however, as the futures of both Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas in Denver are uncertain. Even if both depart, Latimer will still be behind Emmanuel Sanders and Julius Thomas in the pecking order for targets. His value clearly declines if Peyton Manning isn't throwing him the ball, but Latimer's hands, speed and strength make the 2014 second-round pick a viable target, regardless of the offensive signal caller.
Tight Ends
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Seferian-Jenkins dealt with nagging back issues in 2014 that forced him to miss seven games, but the 2014 second-round pick seems poised for a bounceback season entering his sophomore year. Quarterback play may be his biggest question, as early reports suggest Tampa Bay plans to use its first pick this year on a quarterback - likely Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota. Regardless, the Bucs have both Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans to draw attention to the outside, leaving Seferian-Jenkins with plenty of opportunities to make plays on shorter routes that are friendlier to young quarterbacks. The Mackey Award winner doesn't have any tight-end receiving threats on the roster, and at just 22, could be a fantasy relevant for a number of years.
Eric Ebron, Detroit Lions
Ebron didn't quite have the 2014 fantasy season many expected from the No. 10 overall pick, but that surely isn't uncommon for first-year tight ends adjusting to the pace of the game. He largely outperformed Brandon Pettigrew, however, who should once again be used primarily as a blocker entering his age-30 season. The North Carolina product has potential to step up in his sophomore campaign, and 2015 could be the first of many years his potential is matched by fantasy production. He has above-average speed (4.56 40 at the combine), and at 6-4, Ebron can develop into a go-to red-zone option for Detroit. With opposing defenses occupied by Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate, there should be plenty of chances for Ebron to sneak underneath and flirt with double-digit scoring in 2015.
Feel free to check out our NFL Keeper Cheat Sheets as an additional resource when deciding on keepers. For keeper questions, please leave a comment below, or reach out on Twitter (@JakeSki52).
