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As we continue our list of fantasy football"s top 101 PPR players of 2017 we have three players who have recently finished in the top-15 at their positions.
In fantasy football there will always be players who have an unexpected drop or rise from one year to the next. One player on today's list was a top-six wide receiver in 2015. The next year, he wasn't even a top-20 wide receiver.
The same can be said about a running back on today's list who was a top-five running back in 2015. Last year, he wasn't even a top-18 running back. Who are these players and what should we expect from them in 2017?
To be clear, the top 101 PPR players are for re-draft leagues only. Here's a look at players ranked No. 38-36:
Jan 16, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) runs onto the field before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round playoff game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
38. Julian Edelman, WR – New England Patriots
Last season Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman finished fourth in the NFL in receptions with 98. He also set a career-high in receiving yards with 1,106. In the end, Edelman finished 2016 as the 15th PPR wide receiver. Unfortunately for Edelman, I see a regression coming his way in 2017.
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The 2016 season was only the second time in Edelman's eight-year career he played in all 16 games in a season. The other time came back in 2013. Going into 2017, the odds are against the 31-year old receiver to play in all 16 games in back-to-back years for the first time in his career. Even if he somehow manages to stay healthy for all 16 games, he's sure to lose targets and receptions.
Last year Patriots star tight end Rob Gronkowski had a career-low 25 receptions. Gronk was never 100 percent during the 2016 season and only appeared in eight games. Going into 2017, he will be back to full strength. Also, the Patriots traded their 2017 first-round pick for Saints wide receiver Brandin Cooks. The former Oregon State Beaver will be the team's new No.1 wide receiver.
Jan 7, 2017; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) scores a touchdown during the first half in the AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Oakland Raiders at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
37. Lamar Miller, RB – Houston Texans
In Lamar Miller's first year with the Houston Texans, he set a career-high with 299 touches. However, it didn't translate into much success. Miller missed multiple regular season games for the first time since 2012 and tied a career-low with 4.0 yards per carry. He finished 2016 as the 19th PPR running back after finishing as the fifth PPR running back in 2015.
Miller's workload is expected to decrease in 2017 and some of that work will go to the Texan's third-round pick D'Onta Foreman. The former Texas Longhorn ran for 2,028 yards last season. At 233 pounds, the rookie could be the preferred option for the Texans near the goal line.
Despite the addition of Foreman, If Miller can stay healthy for all 16 games he should see around 275 touches this year. Anytime a running back sees that many touches, he should finish somewhere in the top 12-18 at his position.
Oct 25, 2015; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Allen Robinson (15) carries the ball against the Buffalo Bills during NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
36. Allen Robinson, WR – Jacksonville Jaguars
How things can change in only one year in fantasy football. In 2015 Allen Robinson tied for the most touchdown receptions in the NFL with 14. He also set a career-high in receiving yards with 1,400. Robinson finished the season as the sixth PPR wide receiver. In 2016, Robinson finished with eight fewer touchdowns and 517 fewer receiving yards. He was the 24th PPR wide receiver.
A big reason for Robinson's struggles was the incompetent play of quarterback Blake Bortles. The Jaguars 2014 first-round pick only managed 23 touchdown passes after throwing 35 in 2015. He also threw three pick-sixes. He has thrown three or more pick-sixes in three-straight seasons. Going into 2017, it's clear the Jaguars want to take the ball out of Bortles hands.
The Jaguars drafted LSU running back Leonard Fournette with the fourth overall selection. At 6-0 and 240 pounds, Fournette is built like a tank and the Jaguars are going to use him like a workhorse. Establishing a solid running game while playing great defense is what the Jaguars intend to do this year. Bortles seems destined to set a career-low in passing attempts per-game. Despite what a great talent Robinson is, he will see a regression in targets after averaging 152 over the last two seasons.
