With the NFL season now firmly underway you can almost hear the lips of football fans moistening at the prospect of claiming the bragging rights in their fantasy league.
For season-long gamers, the road is long and arduous – for the rewards speak for themselves. And for fans of shorter-term contests, there is still plenty to get excited about on a week-by-week basis.
Of course, being able to pick the best dream team with players from different teams across the League, be it the AFC or the NFC, is not always easy when you have a salary cap to stay within, a points system to consider, home field advantage to factor in and some games which, on paper at least, look like they could go either way.
But to help you get started with your draft, here are five players we expect to reliable sources of points and prizes this NFL season.
Patrick Mahomes
Go hard or go Mahomes, said nobody ever.
But if you are planning on making a winning draft or two this season then you might as well build your fantasy team around the best. Patrick Mahomes is the reigning MVP as you probably know, but he has also kicked off the 2019 campaign in sublime fashion too – throwing 378 yards for three touchdowns.
Those are easy points, and while the 23-year-old will take up a sizable portion of your salary cap the key is that his reliable and consistent points output will still ensure he is a value performer for your draft.
Saquon Barkley
As you may know, there is always something of an arms race when it comes to running backs in NFL fantasy games, so make you get your tanks on the lawn by drafting one of the best in Saquon Barkley.
The 22-year-old topped the century mark for rushing yards in the season’s opening fixture – 120 all told – as the Giants went down to the Cowboys.
Now in his sophomore year at the New York franchise, Barkley broke all manner of rookie records in his maiden campaign, and so far he has shown no signs of ‘second season syndrome’ which can overwhelm breakout stars.
Odell Beckham Jr
Running backs and wide receivers tend to live or die on the service from their quarterback.
At the Browns, they have one of the finest in the game in Baker Mayfield, even if he was below-par in their heavy defeat to the Titans.
But he – and the Cleveland outfit – will bounce back, and you an be sure that Mayfield will be firing plenty of quality ball into the hands of Odell Beckham Jr this season.
The three-time Pro Bowl stud is looking to re-energize his career at the Browns, and he got off to a solid start with a safe hands performance yielding 71 receiving yards in the opening skirmish.
Expect the former Giants man on kick on from here.
Travis Kelce
Another recipient of Mahomes’ brilliance is Travis Kelce, the Chiefs’ tight end and four-time Pro Bowl representative.
He ran in 88 yards against the Jaguars in Gameweek 1, and his presence in a formidable attacking line for a Kansas side expected to make a deep run in the play-offs should reward fantasy gamers.
Don’t forget that the Chiefs’ other tight end, Tyreek Hill, picked up an injury in the opening round, so expect Kelce’s workload to increase as a consequence.
Josh Gordon
A somewhat under-the-radar sleeper pick, Josh Gordon can really thrive in the wake of Rob Gronkowski’s retirement.
His absence leaves Tom Brady with an interesting tactical decision on who to offload the ball to, and while Gronk’s immediate successor Ryan Izzo will see plenty of action it is Gordon who really shone in the Patriots trouncing of the Steelers in Gameweek 1.
Looking fit, healthy and strong following off-field problems, the 28-year-old dashed 73 yards in the seasonal opener and also notched a much-needed touchdown to confirm his rejuvenation as a starting wide receiver.
With the Patriots expected to be right there in the mix for the Super Bowl once more, gamers that draft Gordon could be the chief beneficiary.
