Fantasy Football: “My Guy” Picks for 2018

One of the greatest annual traditions on the Fantasy Footballers Podcast — The “My Guys” Episode — has finally dropped in 2018! Listening to the podcast or watching the episode on YouTube is where you will get the full breakdown for each “My Guy” selection. Here are Andy, Mike, and Jason’s absolute must-have players for fantasy this season.

Andy – QB Tyrod Taylor, Cleveland Browns

“He’s actually good guys!”

When you appear on a list populated by Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady, you’re probably doing something right. Such is the case for Tyrod “The Toolman” Taylor, who is third in the NFL since 2015 in TD-INT ratio behind only those two stars. Quite simply, he protects the ball and scores fantasy points. With a new slew of game-breaking talent and a high rushing floor, Taylor will be a QB1 for as long he’s starting (i.e. a long time for Andy).

Mike – RB Royce Freeman, Denver Broncos

“Towards the end of the season, you could be talking about a full-on three-down running back.”

This is my personal favorite on the list, as Freeman is a collegiate machine stepping into a great opportunity in Denver. The Oregon product posted the 7th-most yards from scrimmage in college football history, with double-digit receptions every year to boot. He runs a 4.54 at 230 pounds, has a dastardly jump cut, and has looked great in the preseason. As soon as he officially supplants Booker on the depth chart, Freeman waltzes into RB2 territory.

Jason – RB Kerryon Johnson, Detroit Lions

“He is a SUPER running back …”

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This one should come as no surprise to listeners, who have listened to Jason waver all offseason between hyping Kerryon and attempting to forcefully reject his rise in ADP. The Lions traded up for Kerryon after years of failure at the position, and Jason believes he’s their best back since Barry Sanders. While he could get off to a slow start, Jason expects him to win the job and flash three-down capability very soon.

Andy – WR Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

“I’m going to take him in every draft I can get him in the 10th round.”

Following a lost rookie season, Mike Williams has a lot going for him. Philip Rivers and an established LAC offense have lost 153 targets, and Williams was not drafted high in the first round to be a peripheral player. He has looked like a monster in the preseason, driving his head coach to compare him to Terrell Owens, and Andy is projecting him for 10 touchdowns. At WR45 in drafts, that would be absolute theft.

Mike – RB Marshawn Lynch, Oakland Raiders

“A running back who can easily finish top 20, or even better.”

A beastly preseason run (called back on a holding penalty) has Marshawn Lynch’s ADP rising, but Mike is still all board. New head coach Jon Gruden clearly wants to pound the Raiders offense back into yesteryear, and Lynch is the perfect tool for the job. The team restructured his contract to fully invest in 2018, and he’s coming off a strong second half. Lynch could easily gallop to a high-end RB2 finish behind Pro Football Focus’s 7th best offensive line.

Jason – TE Trey Burton, Chicago Bears

“He is now my tight end No. 4.”

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On film, Burton has been exquisite, running good routes and flashing wide receiver hands as a pass-catcher. Now, he gets the opportunity to be Matt Nagy’s Travis Kelce in Chicago. He signed a huge $32 million contract and his primary competition, Adam Shaheen, is banged up, making Jason’s 100-target projection legitimately feasible. If he’s anywhere close to the 14 PPR points he averaged in Philly in Zach Ertz absences, Burton could quickly skyrocket to fourth at the position.

Andy – QB Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

“He runs because it’s in his soul … That’s why they call him Booty-Scootin’ Cam Newton!”

Andy is doubling down after a successful “My Guy” selection of Cam last season. The Carolina QB posted 777 rushing yards, 651 of which came without QB pressure (meaning the runs were designed). He has his best weapons in quite a while, if not ever, and the best draft price of any QB with No. 1 upside. Plus, per Brooks, he’s fun to use in Madden. Andy ordered you to draft Cam Newton, and I suggest you do it.

Mike – WR Chris Hogan, New England Patriots

“The WR1 for the New England Patriots.”

Before succumbing to injury last seasons, Hogan was the WR7 through eight games. He was out-targeting Brandin Cooks and saw 20% of New England’s overall red zone targets in particular. At 6’1″, 210 lbs., Hogan is an underrated touchdown threat — Mike thinks he could hit double-digits — and can also be the big play guy if needed. While his ADP is rising (into the back of the fourth round), Hogan could still be a value if he truly leads Tom Brady’s receiving corps.

Jason – RB Jordan Howard, Chicago Bears

“I actually believe that Jordan Howard is a phenomenal pick this year!”

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Jordan Howard’s 16-game pace in two seasons under (putrid) John Fox is 1,475 yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns. Now the beneficiary of a brand new offensive system under Matt Nagy, Howard is a near-lock for RB1 production after doing it twice in two years already. The Bears have the best run schedule in the league, and Howard is currently being drafted at his floor. If he adds even a little work in the receiving game, you could sneak a top-tier running back in the late-second round.