Welcome to week 1. The graphs below summarize the projections for standard leagues from a variety of sources. This week’s summary includes projections from: CBS: CBS Average, Yahoo Sports, NFL and FantasySharks. The data for this article was collected on 09/05/16. For more details on WR gold mining and how to interpret the graphs above, see Chad’s post explaining gold mining.
In addition to our graphs, try out the searchable table at the bottom to help you find the best players to pick up off the waiver wire.
Standard Scoring Leagues Graphics
RB
Standard Scoring League Running Backs
From the graph below notice that:
- Devonta Freeman, Mark Ingram, Darren McFadden, Javorius Allen and Tim Hightower are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
- David Johnson, Rashad Jennings, C.J. Anderson, Frank Gore and Jeremy Hill are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
- On the other hand, Lamar Miller, Adrian Peterson, Darren McFadden, Bilal Powell and Devontae Booker are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.
WR
Standard Scoring League Wide Receiver
From the graph below notice that:
- Emmanuel Sanders, Willie Snead, Ted Ginn, Terrance Williams and Kenny Britt are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
- Dez Bryant, Tavon Austin, Kamar Aiken, Terrance Williams and DeVante Parker are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
- On the other hand, Odell Beckham, Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Donte Moncrief and Steve Smith are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.
QB
Standard Scoring League Quarterback
From the graph below notice that:
- Alex Smith, Sam Bradford, Teddy Bridgewater, Shaun Hill and Chase Daniel are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
- Derek Carr, Matt Cassel, EJ Manuel, Mike Glennon and Chad Henne are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
- On the other hand, Robert Griffin, Carson Wentz, Sam Bradford, Teddy Bridgewater and Shaun Hill are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.
TE
Standard Scoring League Tight-End
From the graph below notice that:
- Rob Gronkowski, Zach Ertz, Will Tye, Maxx Williams and Josh Hill are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
- Travis Kelce, Zach Miller, Larry Donnell, Marcedes Lewis and Niles Paul are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
- On the other hand, Rob Gronkowski, Coby Fleener, Clive Walford, Jesse James and Cameron Brate are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.
DST
Standard Scoring League Defense and Special Teams
From the graph below notice that:
- Panthers, Vikings, Giants, 49ers and Falcons are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
- Steelers, Giants, Jaguars, Saints and Bills are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
- On the other hand, Vikings, Rams, Texans, Cardinals and Chargers are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.
K
Standard Scoring League Kicker
From the graph below notice that:
- Stephen Gostkowski, Chandler Catanzaro, Sebastian Janikowski, Nick Novak and Connor Barth are the five players with the largest upside (as measured from their (pseudo)medians). For these players, some projections are placing much higher valuations than others. If you are projected to lose this week by quite a few points and are looking for a risky play that may tip the balance in your favor, these are players to consider.
- Shayne Graham, Josh Brown, Josh Scobee, Shaun Suisham and Jordan Gay are the players with the smallest downside, which suggests that while their median projection might not be great, there is less uncertainty concerning how poorly they may perform. So, if you are likely to win by a lot and want to reduce your downside risk, these players may deserve extra attention.
- On the other hand, Mason Crosby, Matt Bryant, Justin Tucker, Blair Walsh and Kai Forbath are the five players with the largest downside this week. If you are planning on starting them, it may be prudent to investigate why some projections have such low expectations for these players.
