Fantasy: 2019 Projections - Who fills the Beckham-sized void for Giants?
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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
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 | LAC
NFC East
DAL | PHI | NYG
| Fantasy Points | 124 |
|---|---|
| Attempts | 357 |
| Completions | 229 |
| Pass Yards | 2440 |
| Pass TDs | 13 |
| INTs | 11 |
| Carries | 11 |
| Rush Yards | 24 |
| Rush TDs | 0 |
| Fumbles Lost | 4 |
| 2PT | 1 |
When a team drafts a quarterback inside the top 10, it's only a matter of time before that rookie passer is under center. The 38-year-old Manning has been on a steady decline over the last few seasons, and now - without Odell Beckham Jr. to help raise his performance - a cliff could be coming. This projection forecasts 10 starts for Manning in 2019, with rookie Daniel Jones taking over after the Giants' Week 11 bye.
Quarterback depth: Though neither quarterback is enticing for fantasy, Jones has a chance to be relevant given his underrated rushing ability. Several reports out of camp seem to imply Jones outplayed Manning in OTAs, which wouldn't be surprising, but this won't be an open competition in training camp and preseason, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. If that's true, then Jones will have to wait until later in the year when the Giants are out of the playoff mix.
Saquon Barkley, RB| Fantasy Points | 385.2 |
|---|---|
| Carries | 276 |
| Rush Yards | 1324 |
| Rush TDs | 10 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 |
| Targets | 125 |
| Receptions | 94 |
| Rec. Yards | 728 |
| Rec. TDs | 4 |
| 2PT | 1 |
Barkley has proven himself to be the league's most gifted running back after just one NFL season. As the new focal point of the Giants' attack, the Offensive Rookie of the Year will face a higher degree of difficulty in Year 2 with defenses no longer forced to account for Beckham on the outside. However, the arrival of guard Kevin Zeitler should help bolster the offensive line against those stacked boxes. Normally, fantasy managers would be concerned about the Giants' 2019 win total, which Vegas has set at six games, but Barkley's involvement as a pass-catcher makes him bulletproof.
Running back depth: With the volume that Barkley handles, identifying his immediate replacement could pay dividends later in the season. Paul Perkins was working as the No. 2 back in minicamp. He'll try to hold off last year's backup Wayne Gallman, former Cowboys running back Rod Smith, rookie Jon Hilliman, and fullback Elijhaa Penny. This group lacks a standout, so we'll have to monitor the camp battle throughout August.
Sterling Shepard, WR| Fantasy Points | 185.5 |
|---|---|
| Targets | 108 |
| Receptions | 65 |
| Rec. Yards | 936 |
| Rec. TDs | 4 |
| Carries | 3 |
| Rush Yards | 29 |
| Rush TDs | 0 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 |
| 2PT | 0 |
Shepard has flashed at various points in his three-year career and possesses the potential to emerge as a true top receiver, something the Giants are banking on after signing him to a new deal this offseason. The talented young wideout posted eight touchdowns during his rookie campaign in 2016 and set new personal bests with 66 receptions and 872 yards this past year. Shepard's fantasy outlook combines exactly what the fantasy community searches for - talent and opportunity. He'll crack the top 36 receivers, making him a weekly fantasy starter moving forward.
Golden Tate, WR| Fantasy Points | 177.3 |
|---|---|
| Targets | 121 |
| Receptions | 77 |
| Rec. Yards | 734 |
| Rec. TDs | 4 |
| Carries | 3 |
| Rush Yards | 26 |
| Rush TDs | 0 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 |
| 2PT | 0 |
Tate is five years older than Shepard and looking to rebound from his worst season since 2012. Tate struggled to find his groove in Philadelphia after being traded last season and will be hoping a full offseason with the Giants can give him a better chance at recapturing the success he enjoyed in Detroit. His skills mesh well with Manning's affinity for throwing short passes, but the knock on the veteran receiver's fantasy value sprouts from the quality of - and competition for - those targets. Tate is a low-upside WR4/flex play who would need significant volume to produce as he did with the Lions.
Receiver depth: The third-receiver spot is a wide-open training camp war between veteran Corey Coleman, Cody Latimer, Russell Shepard, Bennie Fowler, and rookie Darius Slayton. If you're combing for fantasy value here, don't bother.
Evan Engram, TE| Fantasy Points | 164.5 |
|---|---|
| Targets | 112 |
| Receptions | 64 |
| Rec. Yards | 739 |
| Rec. TDs | 4 |
| Carries | 2 |
| Rush Yards | 26 |
| Rush TDs | 0 |
| Fumbles Lost | 0 |
| 2PT | 0 |
The Tate signing offsets a potentially massive increase in volume for Engram, who excelled when Beckham was out of the lineup. With Barkley, Shepard, and Tate around, the third-year tight end is unlikely to lead the team in targets as he did during his rookie season. Engram is still a top-six fantasy option and one of the few tight ends with a shot to challenge the elite three of Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Zach Ertz.
Tight end depth: Rhett Ellison is a versatile weapon but not someone who you'll be considering for your fantasy lineup. An injury to Engramwouldn't create another usable fantasy asset, it would simply push more targets toward the receiving corps.
2019 Fantasy ProjectionsAFC 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 | LAC
NFC East
DAL | PHI | NYG
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