Fantasy: 2019 Projections - Can Lamar Jackson lift Ravens' passing attack?
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With training camps approaching, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his player projections for all 32 teams, including his thoughts on every fantasy-relevant player.
Projections are based on the following point values in PPR leagues:
- Passing Yards: 1 point per 25 yards
- Passing TDs: 4 points
- Interceptions: -2 points
- Rushing Yards: 1 point per 10 yards
- Rushing TDs: 6 points
- Receptions: 1 point
- Receiving Yards: 1 point per 10 yards
- Receiving TDs: 6 points
- Fumbles Lost: -2 points
- Two-point Conversions: 2 points
AFC East
NE | BUF | NYJ | MIA
NFC West
LAR | SF | SEA | ARI
AFC North
BAL | CIN | PIT
NFC South
ATL | NO | CAR
| Fantasy Points | 267.04 |
|---|---|
| Attempts | 411 |
| Completions | 242 |
| Pass Yards | 2916 |
| Pass TDs | 15 |
| INTs | 11 |
| Carries | 175 |
| Rush Yards | 864 |
| Rush TDs | 7 |
| Fumbles Lost | 8 |
| 2PT | 0 |
Jackson was a revelation once he took over as Baltimore's starter following the team's Week 10 bye. He averaged more rushing attempts per game (17) than completions (13) as the Ravens shocked the league with six wins over their final seven games. Unfortunately, their run-dominant approach fell apart in the playoffs when they went down early and weren't equipped to mount a comeback through the air. While Jackson will remain one of the league's top rushing quarterbacks, he needs to develop as a passer. We're projecting a slight uptick in that area, which will help him challenge to be a low-end QB1 in 2019.
Quarterback depth: It wasn't so long ago that Robert Griffin III had a rookie season similar to the one we just saw from Jackson. Hopefully, Jackson can avoid the injury issues that derailed RG3's career and learn from his mistakes by not taking too many unnecessary hits as a ball carrier. Griffin may not be the player he once was, but he can offer a diminished version of Jackson's skill set if he's ever called into action.
Mark Ingram, RB| Fantasy Points | 208.7 |
|---|---|
| Carries | 242 |
| Rush Yards | 1184 |
| Rush TDs | 7 |
| Fumbles Lost | 2 |
| Targets | 31 |
| Receptions | 24 |
| Rec. Yards | 183 |
| Rec. TDs | 1 |
| 2PT | 2 |
It's surprising that Ingram isn't getting more love from the fantasy community given his resume and the offense he's joining. After Jackson took over under center, Gus Edwards was the RB18 in PPR formats and he only caught one reception. Ingram is a more talented back and an accomplished pass-catcher. Even with Justice Hill likely assuming Kenneth Dixon's sidekick role, there's plenty of volume left to make Ingram a top-15 fantasy back.
Justice Hill, RB| Fantasy Points | 131.3 |
|---|---|
| Carries | 134 |
| Rush Yards | 697 |
| Rush TDs | 5 |
| Fumbles Lost | 2 |
| Targets | 28 |
| Receptions | 22 |
| Rec. Yards | 136 |
| Rec. TDs | 0 |
| 2PT | 0 |
As a fourth-round pick, Hill isn't guaranteed a roster spot - let alone a role in the offense - but he has the smooth pass-catching skills and dangerous open-field shiftiness to win the No. 2 job. Playing behind Alex Collins and Gus Edwards, Dixon was on pace for 1,024 yards from scrimmage and five touchdowns as a complementary back. Hill is the favorite to handle those duties this season, giving him flex potential in fantasy.
Running back depth: Edwards is almost certainly a lock to make the team after his performance in the second half of 2018. He would be the power back in a timeshare with Hill if Ingram went down. Dixon could be looking for work after final cuts unless he can hold off the rookie.
Marquise Brown, WR| Fantasy Points | 123.6 |
|---|---|
| Targets | 78 |
| Receptions | 42 |
| Rec. Yards | 636 |
| Rec. TDs | 3 |
| Carries | 0 |
| Rush Yards | 0 |
| Rush TDs | 0 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 |
| 2PT | 0 |
Given the amount of touches dedicated to the run game, Ravens receivers will struggle to post consistent fantasy numbers, as was the case late in 2018. That's the first hurdle for Brown to overcome. The second is his recovery from Lisfranc surgery, which puts his availability for training camp in doubt. At worst, he could miss valuable offseason reps, increasing the degree of difficulty for his rookie season, so keep your expectations in check.
Willie Snead, WR| Fantasy Points | 92.5 |
|---|---|
| Targets | 62 |
| Receptions | 38 |
| Rec. Yards | 425 |
| Rec. TDs | 2 |
| Carries | 0 |
| Rush Yards | 0 |
| Rush TDs | 0 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 |
| 2PT | 0 |
Even if Snead was in a prolific passing offense, he'd still lack the upside fantasy managers are looking for. He'll continue to provide Jackson with a reliable set of hands in the middle of the field, but he's well off the fantasy radar.
Miles Boykin, WR| Fantasy Points | 63.7 |
|---|---|
| Targets | 39 |
| Receptions | 23 |
| Rec. Yards | 287 |
| Rec. TDs | 2 |
| Carries | 0 |
| Rush Yards | 0 |
| Rush TDs | 0 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 |
| 2PT | 0 |
Boykin was one of my favorite receiver prospects in this year's class, but his landing spot kicks dirt all over his short-term fantasy prospects. In a low-volume passing attack, his best chance at returning value in 2019 would be as a red-zone weapon.
Receiver depth: When an owner and a head coach praise a player during the offseason, it's worth taking notice. Both suggested Chris Moore is ready to become more involved in Baltimore's offense, and depending on how the rookies perform in training camp and the preseason, he could carve out a role. Until Jackson breaks out as a passer, however, this isn't a receiving corps to invest in.
Mark Andrews, TE| Fantasy Points | 111.6 |
|---|---|
| Targets | 57 |
| Receptions | 39 |
| Rec. Yards | 546 |
| Rec. TDs | 3 |
| Carries | 0 |
| Rush Yards | 0 |
| Rush TDs | 0 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 |
| 2PT | 0 |
Even with Jackson averaging just 22 pass attempts per game, Andrews posted at least 45 yards in four of the fantasy season's final six contests. He was one of the only pass-catchers who continued to produce with Jackson under center, despite seeing the field on fewer than 40 percent of the team's snaps. With a year of experience and more playing time, Andrews is one of the better late-round options at tight end.
Tight end depth: Drafted two rounds ahead of Andrews, Hayden Hurst has been plagued by injuries, stunting his development. Hurst would need Andrews to miss time in order to earn his way back into fantasy consideration.
2019 Fantasy ProjectionsAFC East
NE | BUF | NYJ | MIA
NFC West
LAR | SF | SEA | ARI
AFC North
BAL | CIN | PIT
NFC South
ATL | NO | CAR
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