JEFF ALLEN: FANTASY SLEEPERS and BUSTS
A little disclaimer first in that World Champion handicapper Jeff Allen does not dabble in Fantasy Football whatsover
preferring instead, to devote the majority of his time cashier tickets at the pay window. That is not to say that looking at
players from a fantasy standpoint could not discounted as a valuable handicapping tool in your arsenal depending on
what you do. Jeff is also cognizant that many of his clients enjoy fantasy football and play as an adjunct to their sports
betting and that many time significant money is involved. Every year Las Vegas sports books are able to offer more and
more betting possibilities that relate to fantasy and Allen will stay informed should this figure to be a profitable option.
With all that said and with no further adieu … Jeff Allen’s 2016 Fantasy Sleepers and Busts
SLEEPERS
Matt Forte, RB NY Jets: This guy was money for the Bears for eight year for some pretty bad Bear clubs with almost
13,000 yards of total offense and 64 touchdowns. He can run and as good a pass catching back as you’ll find in the
league and he’s durable having played in 120 games. He’ll get plenty of chances as the No.1 for the Flyboys and if he
can stay on the field, will have a big year.
Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Tennessee Titans: The sky is the limit for this guy. Big and physical with above average
hands, DGB is only going to get better as the Titans put an offensive line around Mariota. Just 32 catches last year
but at 17.2 ypc for a miserable Titan outfit. Look for ypc. to come down but catches and TDS (4) to double for a Nashville
outfit that will also be able to run the ball.
Stephen Smith Sr. WR, Baltimore Ravens: You can count this guy all you want. The 37 year-old borderline Hall Of Famer
was going to make last year his final year but tore his achilles before being able to go out on his farewell tour. He is
reportedly making good progress, will miss preseason and start the season on PUP but ….. he figures to return somewhere
between weeks 6-8 and will offer Flacco a veteran route runner and deep threat in the second half when the Ravens are
battling the Bengals and Steelers for division and wildcard spots. A nice late round pick if you can afford to do it.
Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns The thing about having a Cleveland Brown in your fantasy league is like betting the
Browns (or Indiana or Wake for that matter) in that you just hold your nose and keep your fingers crossed. That said, this
second year man out of Miami Fla is explosive and a playmaker. This guy had 61 receptions as a rookie last year and get
more touches rushing the football with only Isaiah Crowell (in the doghouse) to beat out and RG III running for his life.
BUSTS
Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles: Inflated his season numbers in the three games after Chip Kelly left but prior averaged
just three catch per for 35 yards a game. Ertz now plies his trade in a new system head by a new ultra-conservative slow down
head coach in Doug Pederson at the controls. This guy has been overpriced/overvalued for years and has been a perennial
disappointment. There are much better options.
Jeremy Langford, RB, Chicago Bears: Is a strictly north/south runner with no hands. It’s hard to imagine what the Bears were
thinking other than money when they released Matt Forte for this guy. He’s reportedly bulked up to be able to withstand the
punishment of carrying more of the load but he averaged just 3.6 yards per carry last year and will be running behind a makeshift
offensive line at best. There were questions about Langford two years ago in the drafty where he dropped off B2B 400 carry seasons
at Michigan State. Sadly, this guy might be a spent bullet at age 24.
Mathew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions: This guy just might be the luckiest guy in pro football. He’s got a hot wife and just got
paid AGAIN (third time) at just 28. He’s got a big arm and can throw the ball around but he is what he is and is going to throw
picks on a sub.500 team and continue to win 15% of his games vs. teams with winning records. Calvin Johnson is gone and
even with Megatron in the lineup, Stafford’s automatic 5000 yards has dipped to 4200+ the last two years and figures to drop
more as the Lions make a more concerted effort to run the ball.
Ted Ginn Jr., WR, Carolina Panthers: Had a “breakout” year last year scoring 10 times in 44 catches. The real Ted Ginn Jr.
caught all of 10 touchdowns in his previous 120 games in the league and that is more like the spots on this Panther. Ginn
rode Cam Newton’s bug year but is now over 30 and will have competition from the returning Kelvin Benjamin and the
emergence of Devin Funchess. The 10 year vet out of Ohio State also offers some value as a return guy but his contributions
this year as a wide out figure to be minimal.