QB Drew Brees, NO
QB Colin Kaepernick, SF
RB Jamaal Charles, KC
RB Alfred Morris, WAS
RB Duke Johnson, CLE
RB Reggie Bush. SF
WR Alshon Jeffery, CHI
WR Amari Cooper, OAK
WR Nelson Agholor, PHI
WR Michael Floyd, ARI
WR Devin Funchess, CAR
TE Martellus Bennett, CHI
TE Charles Clay, BUF
K Mason Crosby, GB
DEF/SP St. Louis Rams, STL
Overview:
Old school!
We like your overall strength at the traditionally less important positions, but make no mistake about it: this team is about strength at the running back position. And we think it will be among the top teams in the league. Somewhere Terrell Davis is smiling.
Nonetheless, we'd be remiss if we didn't at least mention the relative lack of strength at quarterback and receiver. These are usually survivable weaknesses, but we'd feel better if we knew you were committed to zealously scouring the waiver wire for this year's emergent players at QB and WR. Getting a breakout player at one or both of those positions would take your already-good team to the next level.
Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 80 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 70 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 59 percent chance of making the playoffs.
QB Summary:
We have Drew Brees rated #9 among quarterbacks, which makes him a viable starter if not an exciting one. Colin Kaepernick, our #16 quarterback, should be solid as a backup, but we're not sure if he can hold down the fort as a starter if circumstances force him to be one.
RB Summary:
Nice work here. We like both your starting running backs, as our projections indicate that they give you a combined 2.3 point-per-game advantage over an average opponent in this league. Our projections have Jamaal Charles ranked at #2 and Alfred Morris ranked 13th.
We see Duke Johnson as an average third running back. Reggie Bush is also a fair-to-middlin' fourth running back.
WR Summary:
We see both your starters at receiver as below average. Alshon Jeffery is our 10th ranked WR, and we have Amari Cooper at #18.
Your bench looks good and should help offset the unexciting starting unit. We see Nelson Agholor as an average third receiver; he's a likely flex starter. Michael Floyd is an excellent WR4.
Devin Funchess is an excellent depth pick, though you may not end up using him much.
TE Summary:
Martellus Bennett should be above average as a starting tight end. We have him ranked fifth overall at the position. Charles Clay is an adequate second tight end.
Kicker Summary:
With Mason Crosby, you should be above average at the position.
Defense Summary:
The Rams are our #3 ranked defense, so you're in good shape here.
