Fantasy: 2019 Projections - Will Howard or Sanders lead Eagles' backfield?

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With training camps approaching, theScore's Justin Boone is releasing his offensive 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

2019 Fantasy Projections

AFC East
NE | BUF | NYJ | MIA
NFC West
LAR | SF | SEA | ARI
AFC North
BAL | CIN | PIT | CLE
NFC South
ATL | NO | CAR | TB
AFC West
DEN | KC | OAK
NFC East
DAL | PHI

Philadelphia EaglesCarson Wentz, QB

Fantasy Points	298.32
Attempts	582
Completions	389
Pass Yards	4483
Pass TDs	27
INTs	10
Carries	59
Rush Yards	230
Rush TDs	2
Fumbles Lost	4
2PT	2

Wentz threw 33 touchdowns in 2017 before tearing his ACL at the end of the season, and he was on pace for 30 scores again last year before a back injury sent him to the sidelines in Week 11. Though he carries increased injury risk going forward, the 26-year-old also has MVP upside and his surrounding cast is among the best in the NFL. Now two seasons removed from the knee injury, Wentz's rushing stats should return, lifting him back into the conversation as a top-five fantasy quarterback.

Quarterback depth: Nick Foles left in free agency, so the backup job is up for grabs with Nate Sudfeld entering camp as the favorite over Cody Kessler and rookie Clayton Thorson. As we saw with Foles, anyone starting at quarterback in this offensive system is worth consideration as a streamer.

Jordan Howard, RB

Fantasy Points	164.4
Carries	197
Rush Yards	809
Rush TDs	9
Fumbles Lost	1
Targets	25
Receptions	21
Rec. Yards	105
Rec. TDs	0
2PT	0

Howard got top billing in my recent article on running backs who will exceed expectations in 2019. That's based on public perception, as for some reason, the majority of the fantasy community sees Howard as an undesirable option. However, the former Bear has never finished outside the top 20 backs in any fantasy format during his three NFL seasons - in part due to his 25 career touchdowns - and he's now heading to a team that should feature one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league. Meanwhile, rookie rusher Miles Sanders was sidelined during OTAs with a hamstring injury and appears to be prepared for a committee. Even if Howard's in a timeshare - which he experienced last season in Chicago - he's more than capable of posting top-30 numbers. And yet, his ADP is the RB38 in the eighth round.

Miles Sanders, RB

Fantasy Points	140
Carries	145
Rush Yards	652
Rush TDs	3
Fumbles Lost	3
Targets	34
Receptions	27
Rec. Yards	218
Rec. TDs	2
2PT	1

Sanders was selected in the second round of April's draft and has the highest upside of any rusher in Philly's backfield. Unfortunately for him, coach Doug Pederson hasn't deployed a workhorse in recent seasons, and with Sanders getting off to a slow start due to injury, he'll have a hard time altering that approach. The most likely outcome is a split where Howard handles a big chunk of the early-down work and goal-line touches while Sanders serves as a more explosive change-of-pace and passing-down weapon. Both backs will be startable in fantasy, with Howard being the more touchdown-dependent of the two.

Running back depth: The return of Darren Sproles won't make a significant impact on the backfield, but the veteran should get a few touches per game, mostly as a pass-catcher. Corey Clement's roster spot also appears to be secure. Sproles and Clement give the team a safety net if Sanders struggles to catch up. The rest of the backs could have trouble making the roster, a group that includes Wendell Smallwood, Josh Adams, Boston Scott, and Donnel Pumphrey.

Alshon Jeffery, WR

Fantasy Points	205.1
Targets	119
Receptions	68
Rec. Yards	891
Rec. TDs	8
Carries	0
Rush Yards	0
Rush TDs	0
Fumbles Lost	0
2PT	0

Jeffery hasn't cracked 1,000 receiving yards since 2014 with the Bears, but he was on pace to do so last year after sitting out the first three games. However, his competition for targets has increased in Philly following the arrivals of DeSean Jackson and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, along with the potential emergence of tight end Dallas Goedert. Jeffery remains a low-end WR2 who needs to keep his touchdown totals up to maximize his value.

DeSean Jackson, WR

Fantasy Points	137.1
Targets	76
Receptions	42
Rec. Yards	709
Rec. TDs	4
Carries	3
Rush Yards	22
Rush TDs	0
Fumbles Lost	1
2PT	0

The 32-year-old's game-breaking talents were on display early last season with Tampa Bay when he put up three 100-yard games in the first month. It was a small sample size, but it's clear Jackson can still be a dangerous downfield threat. He had the second-most fantasy points among receivers during that stretch and held on as the WR17 in PPR leagues after the first eight weeks. Going forward, it helps that Wentz is an ideal pairing for Jackson, which Warren Sharp of SharpFootballAnalysis.com outlined after the acquisition. Though his value in best-ball and DFS formats is higher, D-Jax can offer a high ceiling as a big swing WR3/flex play.

J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, WR

Fantasy Points	66.2
Targets	39
Receptions	24
Rec. Yards	312
Rec. TDs	1
Carries	0
Rush Yards	0
Rush TDs	0
Fumbles Lost	0
2PT	0

Arcega-Whiteside could excel as a big slot receiver, though he might be a part-time player in Year 1 who shares reps with Nelson Agholor. JAW is a decent route-runner, but his lack of speed and his inconsistent hands will make his transition to the pros more challenging.

Receiver depth: After being rumored as a potential trade candidate, Agholor is set to return to the Eagles for a fifth season. It's still possible a trade occurs before Week 1, which would open up more targets for Arcega-Whiteside.

Zach Ertz, TE

Fantasy Points	234.7
Targets	136
Receptions	96
Rec. Yards	1027
Rec. TDs	6
Carries	0
Rush Yards	0
Rush TDs	0
Fumbles Lost	0
2PT	0

Ertz set the single-season record for receptions by a tight end with 116 grabs in 2018. But like Jeffery, the star tight end will be facing stiffer competition for targets this season, capping his elite production and potentially taking away red-zone opportunities. If you're focused on selecting a top-tier tight end, Travis Kelce and George Kittle have more upside in 2019. Of course, no one would be disappointed by 90-plus receptions and 1,000 yards from their tight end.

Dallas Goedert, TE

Fantasy Points	120.3
Targets	62
Receptions	47
Rec. Yards	493
Rec. TDs	4
Carries	0
Rush Yards	0
Rush TDs	0
Fumbles Lost	0
2PT	0

If Goedert were on another team, we'd be talking about him as a breakout player with a chance to become one of the top tight ends in the NFL. In his current situation, though, he's stuck behind Ertz on the depth chart and the Eagles' coaching staff will need to go out of their way to get him targets. This projection puts Goedert inside the top 15, and an injury to Ertz would move him into the top five.

Tight end depth: You want more than Ertz and Goedert on one team? The Eagles do have veterans like Richard Rodgers and Will Tye, but if both Ertz and Goedert go down, you'll be finding your fantasy tight end on another club.

2019 Fantasy Projections

AFC East
NE | BUF | NYJ | MIA
NFC West
LAR | SF | SEA | ARI
AFC North
BAL | CIN | PIT | CLE
NFC South
ATL | NO | CAR | TB
AFC West
DEN | KC | OAK
NFC East
DAL | PHI

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