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Rotoworld’s Evan Silva recently revealed his projected top 150 players in fantasy football for the 2018 NFL season. Here’s a look at the five Philadelphia Eagles players that made the cut.
Eagles players
33. Zach Ertz (TE3) – Model of consistency has topped 70 catches & 800 yards in 3 straight years.
Ertz ranks 70 spots higher than he did last year at this time. The Super Bowl game-winning pass catcher finally had that breakout season everyone was waiting for in 2017. He’s a reliable target who has great chemistry with his quarterback. Wouldn’t be a shock to see him repeat as the team’s leading receiver in 2018.
44. Alshon Jeffery (WR19) – Top-15 non-PPR fantasy WR in 3 of last 5 years. High TD upside.
Jeffery put up 57 receptions for 789 yards and nine touchdowns (plus three extra point conversions) during the 2017 regular season. He managed to do this despite playing through a torn rotator cuff the entire year. Jeffery has the potential to be even more effective this year now that he figures to be healthy. Having another year with Carson Wentz should also help since their connection was improving as the season went on.
47. Jay Ajayi (RB23) – Eagles expected to maintain RBBC of Ajayi, Corey Clement, Darren Sproles.
Ajayi could very well be the Eagles’ “lead back” in 2018 but, as Silva notes, Philly will likely continue to utilize a running back rotation. Including playoffs, Ajayi put up 592 yards on 112 carries last season. That’s a very efficient 5.3 average. Ajayi will likely lose third down work to the likes of Sprolse and/or Clement but he still provides some early down value running behind Philadelphia’s top offensive line.
81. Nelson Agholor (WR36) – Broke out as 3rd-year WR. Negative-TD regression likely after 8 scores.
It’s not crazy to think Agholor’s touchdown total could drop this year. He only had three in his first two seasons compared to the eight last year. With that said, Agholor has clearly turned a corner in his career. He still figures to be an effective weapon in the slot for this Eagles offense.
98. Carson Wentz (QB7) – Was overall QB2 in fantasy before tearing ACL & LCL on December 10.
Wentz finished at No. 150 overall on this list last year. He’d be higher this year if he didn’t end the season injured. It remains to be seen when Wentz will actually be ready to suit up. All indications have been positive so far. It’s hard to expect him to be as good as he was last year since he was so brilliant and he’s now coming off injury. But then again, Wentz isn’t a guy I’d feel comfortable betting against.
Former Eagles players
20. LeSean McCoy (RB10) – High bust risk in anemic Bills offense that lost 3 starting O-Linemen.
Down from being ranked No. 9 overall (RB4) heading into 2017. Shady averaged a career low 4.0 yards per carry last season. His situation isn’t doing him any favors.
52. Dion Lewis (RB25) – Superior versatility to Derrick Henry.
The former Eagle left the Patriots to join the Titans.
117. Trey Burton (TE12) – Bears paid him $8M/year to play slot TE in Matt Nagy’s spread-style O.
All the best to the Philly Special thrower in Chi-town. Burton’s contract with the Bears projects to land the Eagles a fourth-round compensatory pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
142. DeSean Jackson (WR54) – Faces stiff target competition in deep Tampa pass-catcher corps.
Down from his ranking of 53 overall last year. Jackson, who turns 32 this season, posted a career low in yards per reception in 2017.
Other notes
- Last year the Eagles only had four players in the top 150. This year they have five in the top 98.
- NFL.com also released some fantasy rankings. Here’s how they ranked Eagles players: 18) Jay Ajayi, 61) Alshon Jeffery, 94) Carson Wentz, 100) Corey Clement, 101) Zach Ertz, 103) Nelson Agholor, 111) Eagles defense.
- Dak Prescott dropped from No. 111 (QB7) last year to No. 149 (QB21) this year. Silva seems skeptical about a rebound: “2017 slump, poor weapons, tough schedule are reasons for pause.”
- Which Eagles players will you be drafting this year?