Over the final five weeks of the 2017 season, Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake racked up 88.40 fantasy points in PPR scoring (No. 16 overall). But is Drake ready to join the RB1 discussion in 2018? Let's discuss his skill set in Adam Gase's offense and hit on seven more players who could take a big step forward for fantasy managers next season.
RB Kenyan Drake, Miami Dolphins
With a jump in fantasy scoring and usage after the Dolphins traded Jay Ajayi, Drake has RB1 potential in 2018. You want speed? Drake busted four runs of more than 30 yards. The guy can go. Better have an angle there as a safety. But I also am focusing on Drake's ability to handle high-volume touches.
The Dolphins running back topped the 20-carry mark twice in the final five games and averaged 4.88 yards per carry. He can get downhill. He's physical. I'm talking about power schemes inside of the tackles. And there is some versatility here, too, with Drake catching 17 passes for 150 yards in that stretch of games.
Given that Damien Williams is a free agent, Drake is expected to head into camp as the No. 1 back for Miami. He rushed for 444 yards in the final five games of the season, with three scores. He should be on the radar for managers heading into 2018, especially in deeper leagues in which Drake could land as a low-end RB1.
QB Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
Garoppolo started only five games this season for the 49ers, so the sample is still relatively small with the quarterback. However, in those five games to close out the 2017 regular season, Garoppolo was dialed in, leading the NFL with a QBR of 80.0 while posting 82.78 fantasy points. That point total put Garoppolo at QB8 in the final five-week stretch.
With his lightning-quick release, accuracy and mobility, Garoppolo is an ideal fit for Kyle Shanahan's system. Garoppolo can attack tight windows, carve up the middle of the field or create explosive gains off play-action. He flourished in Shanahan's offense without a loaded group of weapons in San Francisco.
Looking ahead to next season, Pierre Garcon should return from injury. He can be a target monster for Garoppolo. Plus, we've already seen how Garoppolo can boost the production of wide receiver Marquise Goodwin and tight end George Kittle. With an entire offseason to mold this unit (and upgrade) around the quarterback, Garoppolo will be a QB1 in my ranks next season.
RB Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
Playing in 14 games, Mixon rushed for 626 yards and four touchdowns with another 237 yards in the passing game on 30 grabs (34 targets). Those are decent numbers for a rookie, but I expect Mixon to make a big jump in his second season because of his raw talent. He has the speed, power and vision to rack up yardage inside of the tackles, and there is plenty of juice to his game when he bounces the ball to the edge.
Running behind what I would call a subpar offensive line in Cincinnati and showing some hesitation with the ball in his hands early in the season, Mixon averaged only 1.79 yards before contact. That's a really low number. But as the season progressed, Mixon played much faster, attacking daylight and pushing that rock to the second level. If the Bengals address the offensive line this offseason and increase Mixon's usage as a receiver in the passing game, I see the Oklahoma product as a high-end RB2 with RB1 upside in 2018.
WR Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns
The upside for Gordon? It's off the charts. This guy has freakish talent: size, speed, ball skills, legit stuff. Think about it: Gordon played his first football since the 2014 season and averaged 18.61 yards per catch in five games. He did that with ultra-sporadic play at the quarterback position in Cleveland.
With the Browns yet again expected to draft another quarterback, fantasy managers should prep for some early roller coaster moments in 2018. However, given Gordon's skill set, even the slightest sign of consistency under center is going to lead to production via 50/50 throws on the fade, the seam route from a slot alignment or a simple crosser that gives Gordon room to run (6.56 yards after catch).
Remember, the Browns targeted Gordon 43 times in those five games. I would too. Just give him opportunities to make plays. He's a matchup weapon all over the field.
Now, Gordon will most likely start the season as a WR2 in my ranks, especially if the Browns go with a rookie signal-caller again. But there is no question that Gordon has the ability to produce WR1 numbers given his ability within the route tree.
QB Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
Similar to Garoppolo, the Rams quarterback gets to sling the ball in a modern system that creates open windows and scoring opportunities. Goff tossed 28 touchdown passes this season (tied for fifth in the NFL) along with 3,804 yards passing. While Goff is still developing in the pocket, this offense under Sean McVay facilitates the type of production that fantasy managers need out of their QB1s.
Just look at the formation variety in L.A., the movement pre-snap and the concepts that allow Goff to attack all three levels of the field. Then add the weapons Goff has in the passing game, including the scripted routes to running back Todd Gurley? Man, that's tough to prep for from a defensive perspective. After posting 255.26 fantasy points this season (QB12) and showing an accelerated path of growth at the position, I expect Goff to take another step forward in 2018.
In his rookie season, Cohen put together 703 total yards and three scores. But he never made that jump into a consistent flex option for fantasy managers due to the Bears' limited offense and poor game management under John Fox's coaching staff. With an electric skill set, Cohen is the ideal change-of-pace back with the explosive play talent and versatility to create matchups in the passing game.
With the Bears making another coaching change, I'm betting on a new staff that can script a game plan to maximize Cohen's ability in 2018. That means 12-15 touches per game every week. Get Cohen involved on edge runs, throw him the ball in the screen game, and use him as a matchup piece when flexed out from the formation as a receiver. Cohen should be the guy who can slide into your lineup as a solid flex play with PPR upside in 2018.
WR Robby Anderson, New York Jets
The Jets' offseason plan at the quarterback position is going to play a role in Anderson's projected growth in 2018, but I love what he brings to the field because of his big-play ability. In 2017, Anderson caught 63 passes for 941 yards (14.94 yards per reception) and seven touchdowns. He was instant offense for quarterback Josh McCown with the ball in the strike zone (20-35-yard line), and he showcased the speed and body control to finish plays at the point of attack.
Yes, Anderson's production slowed a bit at the end of the season when McCown went down with an injury, but the wide receiver went on a monster touchdown run from Weeks 7-12 (six touchdowns) and finished with 200 fantasy points in PPR scoring. If the Jets can solidify the QB position this offseason, Anderson is WR3/flex with WR2 upside due to his ability to rip off explosive plays over the top of the secondary.
TE O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After catching 26 passes for 432 yards -- including six touchdowns -- Howard is one of those high-ceiling players at the tight end position. No, the consistency wasn't there for Howard or the Bucs' offense in 2017. We all know that. But I saw the flashes on tape with Howard. It's the matchup ability in the middle of the field, the route running and the 4.5 speed. That's trouble for any linebacker or defensive back in coverage.
Anticipating that Howard takes on a larger role in '18, I'm going to lean on the upside here in an offense that still has a lot of potential. Throw the inside seam versus split-safety coverage, target the tight end off play-action in the red zone and get Howard the ball underneath in space. This isn't complicated stuff. If the targets are there, Howard has the ability to jump to become a top streamer at the position or a low-end TE1 in deeper leagues.