Did your fantasy football question not make this week's Mailbag? You can still get an answer! Submit it to Fantasy Genius and have your question seen by millions of fantasy fans just like you!
Marcas Grant: Oh boy! This is going to be one of the bigger fantasy football debates to rage during the offseason. I can imagine that in plenty of leagues, Beckham is going to be a first-round pick. That's higher than I'm willing to reach for him. Make no mistake, he's had a phenomenal year and I belive that he'll be pretty darn productive next season as well. But I also still have several receivers listed ahead of him in my way-too-early-still-in-my-head rankings for next season. Realistically, I see Beckham as a late second- or early third-round pick. I also don't see him still being on the board at that point in some of my leagues next year.
M.G.: I'm glad you asked that question. As of now, the guys I would definitely take over Beckham (in no particular order) are Antonio Brown, Dez Bryant, Demaryius Thomas and Jordy Nelson. Two guys I'd consider taking ahead of ODB would be T.Y. Hilton and Julio Jones. That's partially because I'm a bit of a fantasy skeptic who likes to see if players can repeat their success. It's also because I have no idea what will happen with Beckham and the Giants passing game when Victor Cruz is healthy again.
M.G.:Le'Veon Bell is the top running back in PPR leagues. Le'Veon Bell is the top running back in standard leagues. Le'Veon Bell is the top running back in formats we haven't even dreamed up yet. It's hard to imagine a scenario in which Le'Veon Bell isn't the top overall draft pick in the vast majority of fantasy football leagues next season. Unless you're a Ravens fan. But even then...
M.G.: Ugh. Tight ends. My head now hurts. The short answer to your question is: None. There just weren't any consistent playmakers at the position this year. But there are some players that are worth keeping an eye on as later round options for next season. Travis Kelce has shown that he can be productive. I like the connection that has sprouted between Derek Carr and Mychal Rivera. And on the advice of my man Adam Rank, I'm very intrigued by C.J. Fiedorowicz. By the way, it's no sure thing that Julius Thomas goes back to being a fantasy stud next year. With Peyton Manning on the decline, Thomas could see his production drop off as well.
M.G.: I'm dubious about Patterson making the leap that we all expected him to take in 2014. It's one thing if a guy is getting the ball and struggling to make plays. But things got so bad for Patterson that the Vikings began to ignore him almost completely from their offensive game plan. Watching Charles Johnson step up and make plays was a surprise. Seeing Greg Jennings rise from the fantasy graveyard to become a factor late in the season was downright unpredictable. It's possible that Patterson becomes a serviceable receiver next season, but I'd rather let him be someone else's headache.
M.G.: First of all ... humblebrag much? Secondly ... congrats on your championship. Right now, Lynch is still keeper worthy. He's a workhorse back in a league that is sorely lacking in that department. But his keeper status is on thin ice. It seems like his time in Seattle is running short. The bigger question is whether he'll return to the NFL at all. So much of his value is dependent upon what happens in the months following the season. And there's also the matter of his workload, which has been extreme (to say the least) over the past four season. Even Beasts break down eventually.
M.G.: There are only a couple of players I'd be willing to give up a first-round pick for right now -- Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown. Bell was a late first-round or early second round pick last season and (as I mentioned earlier) is likely to jump up to the No. 1 overall spot next season. Brown was another second- or third-round guy and after watching him play the last couple of years, he's coming into his prime. I expect him to remain among the ranks of elite receivers for another few years. Beyond that, the only guys I figure that will return you first-round value are players that are already slotted in the first round. Hard to see any real return on your traded pick.
M.G.:Carlos Hyde is a no-brainer. The 49ers are likely to part ways with Frank Gore at the end of this season which opens the door for Hyde to become the team's No. 1 option. As for your second pick, it's honestly a toss-up. Evans has been more productive than Watkins this season, but Watkins is the more explosive wideout. Both players have quarterback issues limiting their fantasy values for next season. But I'd side with Watkins just because his price tag is one round lower.
M.G.: Wow, questions about Week 17! This decision might be made for you if Mathews doesn't suit up this week. But even still, I'd probably side with Asiata. He's not the kind of back who does things or stays stuff or runs for a lot of yards. But he scores touchdowns in bunches, which is convenient because the Bears give up touchdowns in bunches -- especially in the last month. Even if Mathews is healthy, the Chiefs have tightened things up in the run game lately.
M.G.: This here is the biggest reason to not play fantasy football in Week 17. Could you imagine the Patriots getting to the Super Bowl and Roger Goodell telling Bill Belichick that he can't play Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski? That's essentially what's going on here. But to answer your question, I'd feel pretty confident rolling with Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray or any of your other front-line Cowboys. If Jason Garrett is to be trusted -- and he's never lied to me, personally -- then Dallas isn't going to rest their players. But if things get out of hand one way or another, all bets might be off.
Bonus question:
M.G.: This is why we're friends, Carrie. Happy Holidays, everybody!
Marcas Grant is a fantasy editor for NFL.com and a man who thinks winter is awesome ... from his couch in sunny Southern California. Amuse him with your tales of wintry shenanigans or tweet him fantasy football questions @MarcasG.
