Why is LF considered the consensus 1.01?

[freddog97]

In my PPR league last year, the top 4 scoring non-QB positions were (PPG):

DJ
Bell
McCoy
Zeke

Not a WR in the top 4. Zeke isn't even a catching back, and he crushed it in his first year. Recency bias, perhaps.

You give a compelling argument to consider other players at the 1.01 spot, but most people would rather draft a dominating player at their position than to take someone else on a hunch or educated guess.

RBs definitely killed it last year. I am just more curious of what everyone thinks and why. More so to start the discussion, and then perhaps after the draft re-tackling this topic and seeing if things change.

LF has the ability and potential to have an AP type of career. His upside is huge in my league (.25 per carry).

[saw061600]

In my PPR league last year, the top 4 scoring non-QB positions were (PPG):

DJ
Bell
McCoy
Zeke

Not a WR in the top 4. Zeke isn't even a catching back, and he crushed it in his first year. Recency bias, perhaps.

You give a compelling argument to consider other players at the 1.01 spot, but most people would rather draft a dominating player at their position than to take someone else on a hunch or educated guess.

Last year was a statistical outlier to an otherwise easily observed trend towards WRs as the safer and most productive option. However, LF has the look of another outlier, like those listed above. I don't think any of the WRs look to offer the positional advantage of an outlier like LF. When you can get a player that offers positional advantage, like Watt for a few years, it doesn't matter if he's a RB, DL, or TE, you get the player and ride the advantage.
EDIT: should point out that I don't view LF as the consensus #1 but was pointing out why he's considered the consensus #1 by so many. I do believe the #1 this year should be a RB.

[cvbuc]

I agree very much with the question of this post. Fournette would literally have to become AP in order for him to live up to the hype and billing in PPR leagues considering his lack of receiving thus far. That's a lot to wish for. Per usual, the top pick rarely becomes the top player for fantasy in the years ahead.

Personally, I think Cook, Mixon, and McCaffrey all have higher ceilings in PPR with relatively safe floors because of their receiving ability.

[onetwothree]

Fournette the most likely to get 20+ touches a game so that makes him a "safe" projection.

Since all the guys that could potentially be taken there have some sort of game breaking ability, it would make sense to take the guy with the most opportunities to do so...

[DBass218]

I think Len and Dalvin both have questions but each have an extremely high ceiling. Len as a true workhorse and Dalvin as a complete 3 down back.

I would typically include WRs because I think WRs win leagues, but I don't see a Calvin Johnson in this group that makes them a consensus #1.

[Tyrober]

Hes the consensus 1.01 because he is going to be a stud wherever he goes. Guys like Cook, McCaffrey, Davis, Williams and Mixon could certainly challenge him but they have to be on the right team in the right situation. After the draft things could get much closer but right now hes the guy.

[Kramer]

Fournette will end up going top 4 (worst case top 8) in the NFL draft. He'll be drafted to be the workhorse from day 1. His talent is unquestionable and he doesn't have many (any?) off the field concerns. Regardless of landing spot he'll have a high floor and elite upside. Can't say that for any of the other players. Cook and Mixon have a lot of off the field concerns. Corey Davis is good, but nothing special. WRs like him come out every year. Mccaffrey is very talented, but we don't know how a team would use him exactly. He could be a great passing down back and returner for a team, but not get the early down work as much, which would limit his upside. As others have said, LF is the safest choice and he has elite upside regardless of situation.

[thomasscheeks]

Davis comes from a small school, Williams has trouble creating separation, Cook fumbles a lot and has had multiple run ins with the law, and McCaffrey is likely to be a little scatback.

Then there's Mixon, who I personally think is going to be very very good, but we all know why he probably isn't going #1.

So that leaves the beast that is Fournette. He's going to be a TD monster, so I would still likely take him #1 even in PPR, assuming he doesn't go to a terrible situation. But even if so, he can be a beast on any team. He's just the safest bet and the most likely to be situation proof. Until we know landing spots, he's just the easiest to dub #1 overall. Of course, things could easily change though

[pokerplayer1000]

Davis comes from a small school, Williams has trouble creating separation, Cook fumbles a lot and has had multiple run ins with the law, and McCaffrey is likely to be a little scatback.

Then there's Mixon, who I personally think is going to be very very good, but we all know why he probably isn't going #1.

So that leaves the beast that is Fournette. He's going to be a TD monster, so I would still likely take him #1 even in PPR, assuming he doesn't go to a terrible situation. But even if so, he can be a beast on any team. He's just the safest bet and the most likely to be situation proof. Until we know landing spots, he's just the easiest to dub #1 overall. Of course, things could easily change though

This is something similar to what I see from most people. Everyone points out the flaws they see in every other player but mentions nothing about Fournette's flaws. People hammer Cook for his poor combine, but just ignore the fact that Fournette's athleticism is less that to be desired with his AMAZING 27 inch vert, the worst of any RB, and worst of any RB who has been drafted in round 1 since Mark Ingram, and opting out of every agility measuring drill. Are we all just enamored by his size/speed combo, which I get...I also see AP comparison's, but AP was much more athletic than Fournette is.

[koalabear]

Seen the rumours he might go 2 overall to San Francisco, with Hyde moved out?

Whatever it seems like his floor is the Jets at 6, if they stick to their BPA philosophy.

[pokerplayer1000]

Seen the rumours he might go 2 overall to San Francisco, with Hyde moved out?

Whatever it seems like his floor is the Jets at 6, if they stick to their BPA philosophy.

I do agree that he will be the first RB taken. it is curious to see what people think, and why.