BATSBY Sports offers up its annual PPR Draft Spectacular (longtime readers from SI.com, FOX Sports, Bleacher Report, etc. swear by this document), breaking down certain targets-driven initiatives for fantasy playmakers at wide receiver, tight end and running back.
DRAFT-PREP MATERIALS
QB-STARTER RANKINGS
TOP 60 PPR TAILBACKS
TOP 75 PPR WIDE RECEIVERS
TOP 35 PPR TIGHT ENDS
TOP 125 PPR PLAYMAKERS
THE ANNUAL PPR SPECTACULAR: How to dominate your August draft
SLEEPER CELLS: 10 preferred PPR gems to target for Round 8 or higher
FREE MONEY ALERT: BATSBY’s initial picks for ‘NFL Survivor Pools’
HURRY UP AND PICK! The results of three simultaneous mock drafts (No. 9 slot)
MOCK DRAFT SIMULATION: #4 SLOT
MOCK DRAFT SIMULATION: #11 SLOT
WIDE RECEIVERS
DID YOU KNOW …
Charting the last three seasons, Cards wideout DeAndre Hopkins has enjoyed four different runs of at least five straight games with double-digit targets (including the playoffs)?
Along those lines, Hopkins (three-year averages: 111 catches/158 targets/1,381 receiving yards/8 TDs) carries an ongoing streak of double-digit targets (five consecutive outings) into the Week 1 opener (@ Tennessee).
TOP 80 PPR WIDE RECEIVERS
- Davante Adams, Packers
- Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
- Calvin Ridley, Falcons
- Stefon Diggs, Bills
- DeAndre Hopkins, Cardinals
- Keenan Allen, Chargers
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings
- DK Metcalf, Seahawks
- A.J. Brown, Titans
- Diontae Johnson, Steelers
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers
- Terry McLaurin, Washington Football Team
- Allen Robinson, Bears
- Adam Thielen, Vikings
- Julio Jones, Titans
- Robert Woods, Rams
- Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers
- JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers
- Robby Anderson, Panthers
- Cooper Kupp, Rams
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys
- Tyler Lockett, Seahawks
- Chris Godwin, Buccaneers
- DJ Moore, Panthers
- Tee Higgins, Bengals
- Odell Beckham Jr., Browns
- Chase Claypool, Steelers
- Amari Cooper, Cowboys
- Kenny Golladay, Giants
- Marvin Jones, Jaguars
- Marquise Brown, Ravens
- Jarvis Landry, Browns
- Brandin Cooks, Texans
- Jerry Jeudy, Broncos
- Tyler Boyd, Bengals
- Cole Beasley, Bills
- Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos
- DJ Chark, Jaguars
- DeVante Parker, Dolphins
- Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
- Michael Thomas, Saints (will miss time on the PUP list)
- Corey Davis, Jets
- Deebo Samuel, 49ers
- Jalen Reagor, Eagles
- Tyrell Williams, Lions
- Michael Pittman Jr., Colts
- Jamison Crowder, Jets
- Marquez Callaway, Saints
- Nelson Agholor, Patriots
- Antonio Brown, Buccaneers
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles
- Mecole Hardman, Chiefs
- Russell Gage, Falcons
- Will Fuller, Dolphins (five-game suspension to start the season)
- Darnell Mooney, Bears
- Jakobi Meyers, Patriots
- Mike Williams, Chargers
- Laviska Shenault, Jaguars
- Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins
- Van Jefferson, Rams
- A.J. Green, Cardinals
- Randall Cobb, Packers
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions
- Michael Gallup, Cowboys
- Allen Lazard, Packers
- Tre’Quan Smith, Saints
- Sammy Watkins, Ravens
- Darius Slayton, Giants
- John Brown, Raiders
- Tim Patrick, Broncos
- Emmanuel Sanders, Bills
- Parris Campbell, Colts
- Denzel Mims, Jets
- T.Y. Hilton Colts
- Rondale Moore, Cardinals
- Sterling Shepard, Giants
- Jalen Guyton, Chargers
- Christian Kirk, Cardinals
- Quintez Cephus, Lions
TARGETS ACQUIRED
Here’s one method assessment for quantifying elite-level consistency with seasonal and daily PPR leagues.
These 20 wideouts notched at least eight games of eight-plus targets during the 2020 season. By comparison, 22 wideouts crossed the same threshold in 2019.
14 games — Stefon Diggs
13 games — DeAndre Hopkins
12 — Davante Adams
11 — Calvin Ridley, Allen Robinson, Keenan Allen
10 — DK Metcalf, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson, Robby Anderson
9 — Justin Jefferson, Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks
8 — JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyler Lockett, Amari Cooper, DJ Moore, Tyler Boyd, Chase Claypool, Tee Higgins
TIME FOR A CAVEAT
You won’t see Tyreek Hill on the above listing, since he posted just seven games of eight-plus targets during the 2020 regular season.
However, it’s also worth noting: Hill (87 catches, 135 targets, 1,276 yards, 17 total TDs last year) notched 10 outings of double-digit targets, when counting the playoffs; and for those games, the All-Pro performer enjoyed sterling averages of 8.6 catches, 11.9 targets, 110 yards and 0.9 touchdowns.
RED ZONE PROWESS: WIDE RECEIVERS
Here’s a cumulative, two-year perspective of the NFL’s most proficient wideouts inside the 20:
RED-ZONE TARGETS
Davante Adams — 46 RZ targets
Tyler Lockett — 39 RZ targets
Allen Robinson — 38
Keenan Allen — 35
Jarvis Landry — 35
Mike Evans — 34
DK Metcalf — 33
Michael Thomas — 32
Cooper Kupp — 30
JuJu Smith-Schuster — 28
Marvin Jones, Jr. — 28 (consecutive campaigns of 14)
Calvin Ridley — 27
DeVante Parker — 27
Russell Gage — 26
Adam Thielen — 25
Terry McLaurin — 25
Tyreek Hill — 24
Julio Jones — 24
Tyler Boyd — 24
Jamison Crowder — 23
Stefon Diggs — 21
A.J. Brown — 20
Kenny Golladay — 20
INSIDE-THE-20 RECEIVING TDs
Davante Adams — 17 red-zone scores
Adam Thielen — 16 red-zone scores
Tyler Lockett — 15
Mike Evans — 13
Marvin Jones Jr. — 12
Keenan Allen — 11
A.J. Brown — 11
Calvin Ridley — 10
Allen Robinson — 10
Chris Godwin — 10
Tyreek Hill — 9
DK Metcalf — 9
Marquise Brown — 8
Michael Thomas — 8
Curtis Samuel — 8
FUN FACT #1
Last year, Green Bay’s Davante Adams was the only NFL receiver to post top-4 finishes in catches (115), targets (149), receiving yards (1,374) and touchdowns (18).
DRAFT TIERS OF A CLOWN
HORIZONTAL TIER I: Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill
HORIZONTAL TIER II: Stefon Diggs, DeAndre Hopkins, Calvin Ridley, Justin Jefferson, Keenan Allen, DK Metcalf
HORIZONTAL TIER III: Allen Robinson, Terry McLaurin, Diontae Johnson, A.J. Brown, Mike Evans, Adam Thielen, Julio Jones, Robert Woods, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Brandon Aiyuk, Tyler Lockett, Chris Godwin, DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, CeeDee Lamb, Cooper Kupp, Amari Cooper
HORIZONTAL TIER IV: Odell Beckham Jr., Brandin Cooks, Kenny Golladay, Tee Higgins, Chase Claypool, Marvin Jones, Marquise Brown, Tyler Boyd, Ja’Marr Chase, Courtland Sutton, DJ Chark, Michael Thomas, Corey Davis, DeVante Parker, Cole Beasley, Curtis Samuel, Will Fuller
HORIZONTAL TIER V: Devonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Jerry Jeudy, Jamison Crowder, Deebo Samuel, Russell Gage, Nelson Agholor, Michael Pittman Jr., Mecole Hardman, Jalen Reagor, Mike Williams, A.J. Green, Tim Patrick, Darnell Mooney, Tyrell Williams, Randall Cobb, Michael Gallup, Sammy Watkins, John Brown, Jakobi Meyers, Darius Slayton, Kadarius Toney, Emmanuel Sanders, Amon-Ra St. Brown, T.Y. Hilton, Sterling Shepard, Jalen Guyton, Van Jefferson
THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES
Charting last season, 35 wideouts crossed the PPR-elite threshold of seven catches, 95 yards and/or one touchdown at least seven times:
14 games — Stefon Diggs
13 — None
12 — Davante Adams, Tyreek Hill, Calvin Ridley, JuJu Smith-Schuster
11 — DeAndre Hopkins, Keenan Allen, Mike Evans
10 — DK Metcalf, Amari Cooper, Robert Woods, Adam Thielen, A.J. Brown
9 — Justin Jefferson, Robby Anderson, Terry McLaurin, Marquise Brown
8 — Diontae Johnson, Allen Robinson, Nelson Agholor, Will Fuller
7 — Cooper Kupp, Brandin Cooks, Chase Claypool, DJ Moore, Brandon Aiyuk, Marvin Jones Jr., Tyler Boyd, CeeDee Lamb, Chris Godwin, Cole Beasley, DeVante Parker, Curtis Samuel, Corey Davis, Jamison Crowder
FUN FACT #2
Charting his final 11 games last season, Chiefs receiver Tyreek Hill notched five efforts of eight-plus catches, five instances of 100-plus receiving yards, nine outings of double-digit targets and 12 total touchdowns.
What’s more, since 2018, Hill has collected more total touchdowns (37) than any other NFL wideout.
TIGHT ENDS
TOP 35 PPR RANKINGS
- Travis Kelce, Chiefs
- Darren Waller, Raiders
- George Kittle, 49ers
- T.J. Hockenson, Lions
- Mark Andrews, Ravens
- Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team
- Kyle Pitts, Falcons
- Dallas Goedert, Eagles
- Robert Tonyan, Packers
- Noah Fant, Broncos
- Hunter Henry, Patriots
- Mike Gesicki, Dolphins
- Jared Cook, Chargers
- Rob Gronkowski, Buccaneers
- Hayden Hurst, Falcons
- Tyler Higbee, Rams
- Pat Freiermuth, Steelers
- Austin Hooper, Browns
- Evan Engram, Giants
- Zach Ertz, Eagles
- Chris Herndon IV, Vikings
- Blake Jarwin, Cowboys
- Gerald Everett, Seahawks
- Cole Kmet, Bears
- Eric Ebron, Steelers
- Jonnu Smith, Patriots
- Anthony Firkser, Titans
- Adam Trautman, Saints
- Dawson Knox, Bills
- Kyle Rudolph, Giants
- Jordan Akins, Texans
- Dalton Schultz, Cowboys
- Harrison Bryant, Browns
- Mo Alie-Cox, Colts
- Will Dissly, Seahawks
TARGETS ACQUIRED, PART II
These 14 tight ends tallied at least seven games of six-plus targets last season. By comparison, only 12 tight ends crossed the same threshold in 2019.
14 games — Darren Waller, Travis Kelce
13 games — None
12 — None
11 — Hunter Henry
10 — Noah Fant, Logan Thomas, Evan Engram
9 — T.J. Hockenson, Mark Andrews, Eric Ebron
8 — Hayden Hurst, Rob Gronkowski, Zach Ertz, Dallas Goedert
7 — Dalton Schultz
TIERS OF A CLOWN
HORIZONTAL TIER I: Travis Kelce, Darren Waller
HORIZONTAL TIER II: Mark Andrews, T.J. Hockenson, George Kittle, Kyle Pitts, Logan Thomas, Robert Tonyan, Hunter Henry
HORIZONTAL TIER III: Mike Gesicki, Noah Fant, Dallas Goedert, Irv Smith Jr., Eric Ebron, Rob Gronkowski, Jonnu Smith, Jared Cook, Austin Hooper, Tyler Higbee, Evan Engram, Zach Ertz, Hayden Hurst
HORIZONTAL TIER IV: Blake Jarwin, Anthony Firkser, Adam Trautman, Gerald Everett, Jimmy Graham, Cole Kmet, Mo Alie-Cox, Kyle Rudolph, Harrison Bryant, Will Dissly, Drew Sample, Darren Fells, Chris Herndon, Dawson Knox
THE CREAM ALWAYS RISES, PART II
Charting last season, these 11 tight ends crossed the PPR-elite threshold of six catches, 80 yards and/or one touchdown at least seven times:
13 games — Travis Kelce
12 games — Darren Waller
11 games — None
10 — None
9 — Logan Thomas, T.J. Hockenson, Robert Tonyan, Jared Cook
8 — Eric Ebron, Rob Gronkowski
7 — Mark Andrews, Hunter Henry, Hayden Hurst
RED ZONE PROWESS: TIGHT ENDS
Here’s a cumulative, two-year perspective of the NFL’s most proficient tight ends inside the 20:
INSIDE-THE-20 RECEIVING TDs
Travis Kelce — 11 red-zone scores
Mark Andrews — 11 red-zone scores
Jonnu Smith — 10
Jimmy Graham — 10
Austin Hooper — 10
Darren Waller — 9
Mike Gesicki — 9
Jared Cook — 9
T.J. Hockenson — 7
Logan Thomas — 7
Robert Tonyan — 7
Irv Smith Jr. — 7
Zach Ertz — 6
Kyle Rudolph — 6
Hayden Hurst — 5
Rob Gronkowski — 5
INSIDE-THE-20 TARGETS
Travis Kelce — 39 RZ targets
Darren Waller — 33 RZ targets
Mark Andrews — 30
Jimmy Graham — 29
Eric Ebron — 26
Mike Gesicki — 25
Evan Engram — 22
T.J. Hockenson — 22
Hayden Hurst — 21
RUNNING BACKS
TOP 60 PPR TAILBACKS
- Christian McCaffrey, Panthers
- Dalvin Cook, Vikings
- Derrick Henry, Titans
- Alvin Kamara, Saints
- Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts
- Aaron Jones, Packers
- Austin Ekeler, Chargers
- Saquon Barkley, Giants
- Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
- Nick Chubb, Browns
- David Montgomery, Bears
- Joe Mixon, Bengals
- Najee Harris, Steelers
- Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs
- James Robinson, Jaguars
- Miles Sanders, Eagles
- Myles Gaskin, Dolphins
- Mike Davis, Falcons
- Chris Carson, Seahawks
- D’Andre Swift, Lions
- Raheem Mostert, 49ers
- Darrell Henderson, Rams
- Josh Jacobs, Raiders
- Kareem Hunt, Browns
- Javonte Williams, Broncos
- Ronald Jones, Buccaneers
- Damien Harris, Patriots
- Gus Edwards, Ravens
- Kenyan Drake, Raiders
- Jamaal Williams, Lions
- J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team
- Chase Edmonds, Cardinals
- Trey Sermon, 49ers
- Melvin Gordon, Broncos
- Phillip Lindsay, Texans
- Devin Singletary, Bills
- Michael Carter, Jets
- Sony Michel, Rams
- Zack Moss, Bills
- James Conner, Cardinals
- Leonard Fournette, Buccaneers
- Nyheim Hines, Colts
- Devontae Booker, Giants
- Marlon Mack, Colts
- Tevin Coleman, Jets
- David Johnson, Texans
- James White, Patriots
- AJ Dillon, Packers
- Ty’Son Williams, Ravens
- Mark Ingram, Texans
- Tony Pollard, Cowboys
- Latavius Murray, Saints
- Tarik Cohen, Bears
- Alexander Mattison, Vikings
- Joshua Kelley, Chargers
- Jeff Wilson Jr,. 49ers
- Justin Jackson, Chargers
- Boston Scott, Eagles
- Chuba Hubbard, Panthers
- Rex Burkhead, Texans
- Salvon Ahmed, Dolphins
- Xavier Jones, Rams
FUN FACT #3
Charting his last 19 games, Panthers tailback Christian McCaffrey owns absurd averages of 146 total yards and 1.3 touchdowns; and let us not forget, CMC notched multiple TDs in all three outings last year (missed 13 games to injury).
DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER
A fantasy friend didn’t care for Austin Ekeler’s top-8 ranking among running backs, essentially labeling the Chargers playmaker as too small and too injury-prone.
This prompted a gentle, yet firm reminder to the general fantasy public (novices and experts alike) of Ekeler’s PPR excellence — from just two years ago.
****Of the nine times Ekeler (92 catches, 108 targets, 1,550 total yards, 11 TDs in 2019) tallied six-plus targets, the Western State alum enjoyed a supreme catch-to-target rate of 85 percent … while finding the end zone five different times.
****For that season, Ekeler crossed the elite-level threshold of 120 total yards and/or one touchdown on nine separate occasions.
****Ekeler rolled for 1,550 total yards (sharing time with Melvin Gordon) … while only collecting more than 20 touches twice all season.
FUN FACT #4
Last year, Cowboys tailback Ezekiel Elliott cleared the elite-level threshold of 100 total yards and/or one touchdown in all five games started by Dak Prescott.
Also during that span, Elliott enjoyed a robust catch-to-target rate of 73 percent.
Digging deeper … charting his 31 starts with Prescott as a backfield mate, Elliott notched 100 total yards and/or one touchdown 29 times.
50-AND-OVER CLUB
Here’s a look at the 18 running backs who collected a minimum of 50 receiving targets last season:
J.D. McKissic — 110
Alvin Kamara — 107
Nyheim Hines — 77
Ezekiel Elliott — 73
Mike Davis — 70
Chase Edmonds — 68
David Montgomery — 68
Austin Ekeler — 65
Aaron Jones — 63
James White — 62
James Robinson — 60
Giovani Bernard — 59
D’Andre Swift — 57
Clyde Edwards-Helaire — 55
Dalvin Cook — 54
Miles Sanders — 52
Devin Singletary — 52
Kareem Hunt — 51
OTHER NOTABLES
**Myles Gaskin, Dolphins (averaged 4.7 targets over 10 games)
**Joe Mixon, Bengals (collected 14 total targets over back-to-back outings, shortly before going down with a season-ending injury)
MOCK DRAFT A: THE ‘ZERO BACK’ STRATEGY (#2 SLOT)
For this mock draft (conducted on Aug. 3), we had the explicit goal of grabbing four wide receivers and an elite-level tight end (either Travis Kelce or Darren Waller) in the first five picks … and then building out the running backs, starting in Round 5.
And in hindsight, we’re rather pleased with the results of this exercise, while operating out of the No. 2 draft slot.
ROUND 1 — TE Travis Kelce, Chiefs
ROUND 2 — WR Justin Jefferson, Vikings
ROUND 3 — WR Keenan Allen, Chargers
ROUND 4 — WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, Steelers
ROUND 5 — WR Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals
ROUND 6 — RB Javonte Williams, Broncos
ROUND 7 — RB Raheem Mostert, 49ers
ROUND 8 — RB David Johnson, Texans
ROUND 9 — RB Ronald Jones II, Buccaneers
ROUND 10 — RB Jamaal Williams, Lions
ROUND 11 — D/ST Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ROUND 12 — QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
ROUND 13 — TE Austin Hooper, Browns
ROUND 14 — PK Justin Tucker, Ravens
ROUND 15 — QB Baker Mayfield, Browns
ROUND 16 — WR Tyrell Williams, Lions
MOCK DRAFT B: THE ‘ZERO BACK STRATEGY’ (#11 SLOT)
We’ll now attempt the same mock exercise, philosophically speaking, from the bottom of Round 1.
We’re still hyper-focused on landing a dominant tight end (Travis Kelce or Darren Waller), four top-flight receivers somewhere in Rounds 1-5, and then churning out the tailbacks, en masse, from Rounds 6-10.
ROUND 1 — WR Tyreek Hill, Chiefs
ROUND 2 — TE Darren Waller, Raiders
ROUND 3 — WR Mike Evans, Buccaneers
ROUND 4 — WR Diontae Johnson, Steelers
ROUND 5 — WR Robby Anderson, Panthers
ROUND 6 — RB Travis Etienne, Jaguars
ROUND 7 — RB Raheem Mostert, 49ers
ROUND 8 — RB David Johnson, Texans
ROUND 9 — RB Ronald Jones, Buccaneers
ROUND 10 — RB Jamaal Williams, Lions
ROUND 11 — D/ST Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ROUND 12 — QB Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
ROUND 13 — QB Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars
ROUND 14 — PK Harrison Butker, Chiefs
ROUND 15 — TE Tyler Higbee, Rams
ROUND 16 — WR Tyrell Williams, Lions