The NFL time is upon us, which also means fantasy football is upon us. Everyone wants to know the steals and deals of the draft. One easy way to do this is to find the big discrepancies between Yahoo and ESPN rankings, two of the most popular fantasy sites. These sites rankings will also be how the draft rankings will be set up, and lots of good players can slip through the cracks. Sometimes players will have differences of 50 spots or more in the two rankings. This is a list and some commentary on the biggest few in this years rankings. Don't forget that these rankings are subject to change. First run will be the top 50.
ESPN ratings taken from their projections on: https://fantasy.espn.com/football/players/projections
Yahoo Ratings taken from Fantasy Pros and using only Yahoo experts aggregate
Name | ESPN Ranking | Yahoo Ranking | Difference | Commentary
Michael Thomas | 9 | 15 | 6 | While a 6 spot difference doesn't seem like much, it is a round difference in either 10 or 12 team leagues. Getting Michael Thomas in the second round would be a steal in Yahoo.
Nick Chubb | 29 | 10 | 19 | A pretty huge difference here. Also the difference between RB 14 and RB 7. I'd be more inclined to believe in ESPN here. Chubb while he may have a fantastic second season may be tempered by the arrival of Kareem Hunt. Hunt will be back after 8 weeks, and Chubb will star in those 8 weeks, but a lesser role come playoff time could be a problem. I can't imagine the Browns not using Hunt, but you never know. I'd be wary of taking him first round in Yahoo.
Marlon Mack | 37 | 27 | 10 | This seems way too low for Mack. I'm not sure if Luck's availability it at risk and if it is, that does put a damper on things, but I think Mack has incredible upside. He's not at risk of being usurped, he will get a good amount of carries, scored double digit TD's. ESPN and Yahoo are saying he is too limited as a receiver. I don't buy this. So many times a running back is called a poor receiver and then does fine the next year. Catching a ball out of the back field is not that hard. He'll be fine. There's a big opportunity to get a steal in ESPN here I think. Getting him in the 4th could be league winning.
Alshon Jeffery | 42 | 55 | 13 | Finished 30th among wide receivers last year, and has only been above 1000 yards twice. This is often due to injury, but that's not great either. He does get a lot of targets, but doesn't get a ton of catches or TD's. The Eagles also have added two potentially solid weapons in Desean Jackson and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, and a 2nd year Dallas Goedert along with a new stable of running backs might also take touches away. There's a lot to like about Alshon as a player, but I personally don't think he will be a WR 1 or 2, which he would be for you if you are using a 4th round pick on him.
Damien Williams | 44 | 28 | 16 | This one is really hard. Williams had a good season once Hunt went down, but there are serious questions about Williams actual talent level. He had some pretty bad season in Miami. Hyde on the other hand, has been a pretty productive player on a number of poor teams. Williams has a good chance to be the starter considering he's been there longer, but there's still a chance Hyde takes over and Williams goes by the wayside. Given there's a chance he might give you nothing, I think 28th is too high for a player of that level.
James White | 48 | 67 | 29 | Biggest discrepancy so far. ESPN has him rated too high I think. He ranked 27th from week 10 on when Burkhead and Michel were back. He has a guaranteed workload as the clear receiving back, but a pure receiving back can't be one of your 4 most value players.
O.J. Howard | 66 | 50 | 16 | Honestly both of these seem way too high. At least Yahoo amended their absurd rankings from a week ago where Howard was TE2. Both sites think he is solidly TE 4. I think after the triumvirate of Ertz, Kelce and Kittle, no TE is worth drafting until very late. He played 11 games last year, but seems to have some chronic issues with his right foot. He did manage a 10.4 PPG last year, which was fifth for tight ends. But while Winston likes to throw the ball, and there will be garbage time opportunities, Winston is still only average, and Brate is still a part of this offense. He's got upside, and I think there's a solid chance he is TE 4. I just don't think TE 4 is worth a fifth rounder this year. Go with ESPN.
Deshuan Watson | 72 | 49 | 23 | There's a lot to like about Watson. But QB 2, which both sites have him as, seems a little premature. 26 touchdowns is nothing to write home about. The team is improving, and Will Fuller will be back who was really good for them before being injured. But asking him to jump into that upper echelon where Rodgers, Ryan, Brees and Mahomes resides and throw 10 or more extra touchdowns seems like a lot. Watson as QB is a tough sell, taking him 49 is even tougher.