Three Denver Broncos general managers must avoid in fantasy drafts
Aug 26, 2021, 6:28 AM
It’s fantasy football season! Many out there are either preparing for their fantasy football drafts or have wrapped up their drafts. Even if one draft is done, the average fantasy player plays in four leagues and the drafts aren’t done!
T
he Denver Broncos have quite a bit of talent on both sides of the ball. Fantasy GMs across the country may be overlooking the Broncos, but they should not. Instead, fantasy GMs need to be considering certain Broncos at their current Average Draft Position (ADP). However, there are a handful of players fantasy GMs shouldn’t want any part of in 2021.
Here are three Broncos players you must avoid in your fantasy drafts.
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3. Courtland Sutton
I hate to say it, but I’m not taking Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton in my fantasy drafts this year. I believe he was the steal of the draft a few years ago when the Broncos added him in the second round. He was supposed to have a breakout season in 2020, but instead spent most of the season on Injured Reserve with a knee injury.
Sutton’s game is all about going vertical and winning “above the rim” near the end zone. He’s been on the road to recovery for about a year and now must wear a bulky knee brace. While I’ve seen Sutton run and cut with no issue, I’ve yet to see him really dominate in the skies like he used to.
He’s got a current Average Draft Position (ADP) of WR35 (8.01) in 12-team PPR leagues. That means Sutton is seen as a mid-range WR3 by fantasy GMs and you can get him with the first pick in the eighth round. That’s not bad value for Sutton, but I look at the other players usually available at that time and I choose the likes of Deebo Samuel (8.05) or Corey Davis (9.09) instead.
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2. Melvin Gordon
The Broncos are going to be a run-heavy team in 2021, and Melvin Gordon is their lead back. That usually means a lot of goodness for fantasy GMs, but I’m avoiding Gordon in my drafts. He’s going to be splitting time with rookie second-round pick Javonte Williams, and it wouldn’t surprise me if Williams ends up as the better back as season’s end.
I do like the way Gordon has looked during training camp. His upper body seems stronger while his lower body seems leaner. Gordon has his speed back and looks incredibly dangerous in space. I think he’s going back to be the speed back he used to be in college instead of the banger he’s tried to be in the NFL. Gordon is not a tackle-breaking back. Instead, he’s big and can put the lean on a defense – falling forward for extra yards. However, in college at Wisconsin, we saw Gordon use his speed to eat up yards in chunks. That’s the Gordon we may see this year, with Williams working as the banger.
Gordon has a current ADP of RB32 (7.05) in 12-team PPR leagues. That means he’s a flex play for fantasy GMs and with the RBBC I don’t see him being a flex I can trust. Let some other Broncos fan take Gordon in your drafts and grab Williams later if you want.
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1. Teddy Bridgewater or Drew Lock
Nobody should be surprised that the Broncos quarterback situation is one to avoid for fantasy. Teddy Bridgewater was announced as the starter on Wednesday, but I believe both he and Drew Lock will be playing this season.
Both options are below average options for fantasy GMs. Today’s NFL is all about filling the air with footballs, and the Broncos offense just isn’t going to do that. Even when a young passer is limited, a scrambling quarterback (like Jalen Hurts) can be a QB1 for fantasy GMs. Neither Bridgewater or Lock are the type of guy who can attack with his legs if a play breaks down. That really limits both in terms of fantasy potential.
Neither quarterback is getting drafted in most every league at this time. Things will be different in Denver, especially if you play with a huge Broncos (or Lock) fan. However, let someone else get these “Pepto picks” and grab another QB2 (like Justin Fields) late in your draft instead.
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To see more of my fantasy football work, check out Footballguys.com.
