Fantasy Football: Pros And Cons For 3 Players

By Andrew Porter

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- You can make the case for or against any player, when it comes to fantasy football. Or at least, you should be able to.

That's what makes a vigorous and consistent fantasy player---someone who can rationalize all the information, positive and negative, to develop an unbiased opinion on each player.

Naturally, when we come across a player that has equally strong or weak cases for and against him, we can drive ourselves crazy. Here, I hash out the viewpoints of my brain---the angel and devil on my shoulder, if you will---for three polarizing players this year.

Carlos Hyde

Devil: 

• The San Francisco 49ers could very well finish the 2015-16 season as the NFL's worst team.
  • Vegas has their over/under win total set at 6.5.
  • They play in a tough NFC West division, with the Seahawks, Rams, and Cardinals.
  • They will likely be playing from behind, often, which means throw, throw, throw.

• Reggie Bush, now with the 49ers, is expected to be the passing down back for the Niners.

Angel:

• The 49ers were actually fourth in the NFL in rushing last year (2,176 total rushing yards, 136 rushing yards per game)

• Their offensive line is extremely solid, anchored by four-time Pro Bowler Joe Staley at left-tackle.
  • In fact, Pro Football Focus has three out of their five o-lineman graded "good," plus Staley as "elite."

• With Frank Gore in Indianapolis, Hyde will take over as the lead back in San Fran.
  • Finding lead backs are difficult in today's game.

• Hyde, as a rookie last season, averaged 4.0 yards per carry on just 83 attempts, but looked impressive.
  • Respected fantasy analyst Christopher Harris, who studies game film, says Hyde has elite-level talent.

Conclusion:

I expect the 49ers to be better than the public thinks. Yes, they've lost key players this offseason. However, with a solid offensive line, decent defense, and skill players like Hyde, Bush, Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis, and now Torrey Smith---they are certainly talented enough to win games. They'll go as far as QB Colin Kaepernick takes them.

As for Hyde, I believe in his talent. At 6'0", 220-pounds and just 23-year-old, the ascending second-year running back just feels like a star in the making. His fantasy value will ultimately reside in the success of his offense, which I am willing to gamble on.

According to CBSSports.com, Hyde's current average draft position (ADP) is about 35th overall (RB 15), behind guys like Melvin Gordon, Lamar Miller, and Frank Gore. Hyde has less concerns than all three of them and provides a ton of upside.

Joseph Randle

Devil: 

• Do you really trust Joseph Randle?
  • 6'0", just 200-pounds---he has never had more than 54 carries in either of his first two NFL seasons.
    • He doesn't seem like an every down running back.
    • The Cowboys did bring in Darren McFadden, as well.
  • Pro Football Focus rated Randle as a "below average" runner last season.

Angel:

• That offensive line, though
  • The Cowboys averaged 147.1 yards per game on the ground last season, second best in the NFL.
  • Their offensive line boasts four above-average players in Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, and Doug Free.

• Weak competition for carries
  • Unless the Cowboys add a Ray Rice or Pierre Thomas-type, McFadden and Dunbar shouldn't particularly scare Randle's fantasy owners. While they'll certainly be in the mix, Randle is probably the most promising of the three Dallas backs.

Conclusion:

I don't love Randle this year, who is going 43rd overall (RB 20) in CBSSports.com standard leagues. I certainly don't trust Randle as a featured back, I don't trust that offensive line to stay completely healthy and remain dominant for two straight years, and I don't trust Jerry Jones to not go out and add another high-profile name at running back.

Drew Brees

Devil: 

• Limited weapons
  • Bye bye Jimmy Graham
  • Bye bye Kenny Stills
  • Bye bye Robert Meachem
  • Bye bye Pierre Thomas

• Declining
  • This offense, team really, seems to be on the decline
    • Drew Brees is 36
    • Marques Colston is 32
    • Finished 7-9 last year

Angel:

• New weapons
  • Hello C.J. Spiller
  • Hello Pro Bowl center Max Unger
    • Public doesn't realize how valuable Unger is. Yes, the Saints traded Graham, but a two-time Pro Bowl 29-year-old center is arguably more crucial to an offense then even the game's best tight-end. 
  • Second-year WR Brandin Cooks (healthy and ascending)
    • Played just 10 games last year, but caught 55 balls for 550 yards.

• Declining?
  • Drew Brees finished as the No. 6 ranked fantasy QB last year (4,592 yards and 33 TD's), despite what people called a "down-year" for him.

• Weak division
  • They get to play the Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers two times each.

• Proven track record
  • Drew Brees has not thrown for less than 4,900 yards in his last four seasons.
    • In three of those seasons, he's thrown for 5,100-plus yards.
  • Since 2008, Brees has never thrown for less than 33 touchdowns.
    • From 2011-2013, he averaged over 42 touchdown passes per season.
  • The Saints have been a top-five ranked offense for four straight seasons.

Conclusion:

As QB 5 (44th overall) in CBSSports.com leagues, Brees offers tremendous value. Basically, you can get a QB with No. 1 upside and a top-eight ceiling, with your 4th round pick in a 12-team league. Go for it.

In:
• NFL
• Fantasy Football