Buffalo Bills

Sneakily, the Bills had a pretty solid 2016 fantasy season, as they trotted out a top-five running back in LeSean McCoy, a backup running back who finished with over 500 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, and one of the most underrated fantasy quarterbacks in the league – Tyrod Taylor. Sure Sammy Watkins was hit by the injury bug once again, but overall the collective upward trajectory of this offense gives good hope towards an even more productive 2017.

Fantasy MVP: LeSean McCoy

As was previously stated, Shady had one hell of a season in 2016, as he tallied 14 total touchdowns and over 1,600 total yards. His 50 receptions also made him a true weapon in PPR formats, ultimately giving him one of his most effective and well-rounded fantasy seasons of his career – and that’s saying something. With Mike Gillislee now out of town, there is far less competition for McCoy going forward, which may end up allowing him an even more productive 2017. Even if he were to take a step back however, the fantasy reality is that McCoy is by far the most productive player on this Bills roster. He will be their fantasy MVP… Barring injury of course.

Fantasy Rookie of the Year: Zay Jones

While this should be universally true, Zay Jones has an even bigger chance at fantasy impact in PPR formats, as his collegiate reputation as one of the most dangerous high-volume targets is the exact type of weapon that this Bills offense has been missing for years. With the always-unreliable health of Sammy Watkins permitting, Jones has a chance to be the number two target in this offense at worst. Translation: Jones will make an immediate fantasy impact, especially in PPR formats.

Most Improved Fantasy Player: Tyrod Taylor

While his passing statistics have remained rather underwhelming throughout his now two seasons as a starting quarterback, it should be noted that Tyrod Taylor A) doesn’t turn the ball over, and B) offers a dual-threat skillset that few other QB’s in the league can. Over the last two seasons, Taylor has put together a stretch of rushing statistics that would qualify as solid for most NFL running backs, as he has tallied nearly 1,200 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. Combining that consistent aspect of his game with an ever-evolving passing skillset; Taylor may have the makings of a breakout 2017. I particularly like his chances to improve his already solid fantasy standing this upcoming season because of the addition of the aforementioned rookie wideout Zay Jones. Jones’ presence will finally offer Taylor the reliable underneath option that he has needed desperately for the last two seasons, ultimately allowing Taylor the opportunity to up his passing yards and completion percentage.

Biggest Fantasy Disappointment: Charles Clay

Sure, Clay’s value dips this season in my eyes partially because of his underwhelming body of work, but in reality mainly it stems from my belief in the already oft-mentioned rookie Zay Jones. Jones’ high-volume skillset should be able to replace much of what NFL tight ends can offer underneath and over the middle of the field (See: emergence of Cole Beasley and decline of Jason Witten), which should only diminish Clay’s value to the Bills offense. If Sammy Watkins can remain healthy, his presence also will detract from the targets that Clay will see in the red zone going forward. The loss of targets in the middle of the field and the red zone is a combination that Clay’s fantasy value cannot handle. He is a guy who I’m staying away from in 2017.

Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins really surprised us in 2016, as they not only emerged as a playoff team, but they also developed some fantasy stars in the process. Jay “J-Train” Ajayi rumbled his way to being one of the most dangerous backs in the league, while Kenny Stills’ nearly double-digit touchdown season made him a consistently handy, yet cheap, DFS option. It will be tough to expect them to repeat those breakout seasons, but with better health from Ryan Tannehill and an improved offensive line, there is a chance that the Dolphins remain fantasy relevant in 2017.

Fantasy MVP: Jay Ajayi

As I mentioned above, the Dolphins did their best to improve their low graded offensive line from last season, and when put that way, the arrow should only be pointing upward for last season’s breakout back Jay Ajayi. Running behind a questionable offensive line in 2016, J-Train tallied nearly 1,300 yards and eight touchdowns in only 12 starts. Running behind an improved offensive line in 2017 – where he will be the unquestioned starter – Ajayi should manage even better numbers; especially I expect that he will break the double-digit touchdown barrier. Considering this and with few other significant playmakers on the offense, Ajayi was an easy selection for team fantasy MVP.

Fantasy Rookie of the Year: Isaiah Ford

Don’t mistake this selection as a ringing fantasy endorsement for the rookie wideout, as the fact of the matter is that there weren’t really many other options on this Dolphins roster. Ford had a nice career at VT, where he served as a legitimate deep threat against top competition, and while I like his talent, he will still take some time to develop into a legitimate fantasy option. Nonetheless, Ford should end up being the most productive rookie fantasy player on this Dolphins roster, and while that isn’t saying much, take it for what you will.

Most Improved Fantasy Player: DeVante Parker

The former first round pick finally started to show what he’s capable of down the stretch of 2016, as three of his four receiving touchdowns came after week 8. After taking some time to break into the starting lineup, the expectation for 2017 is that Parker will be the number one target on the outside for Ryan Tannehill, which should bode well for both of their fantasy prospects going forward. Seemingly ready to enter his prime – now in his third NFL season – Parker will be well served to utilize his towering 6-foot-3, 200+ lbs. frame more often around the goal line. Double-digit touchdowns aren’t out of the question for this former top-15 selection…

Biggest Fantasy Disappointment: Kenny Stills

… Which brings me to my next victim – Kenny Stills. If Parker is set to increase his touchdown production, it is only logical that Stills will have to regress. The slighter framed wideout nearly doubled his career high with nine touchdowns in 2016, which understandably is a number that I don’t think he will come close to again in 2017. He’s a low volume; low catch percentage option, who specializes only in the deep ball. Think of a poor man’s DeSean Jackson and you’ve got Stills. Fantasy owners should not be encouraged by that comparison – last season was an outlier, trust me.

New England Patriots

Despite the four-game suspension of Tom Brady to start the season, the Patriots still managed a 14-2 record and a Super Bowl victory in 2016. Also despite Brady’s four-game suspension, the Pats still finished with one of the most prolific fantasy offenses in the league. After nearly 20 years of dominance, I hardly expect the machine to slow down any time soon, regardless of Brady’s age or the changing of offensive weapons surrounding him. In fact, many are arguing that this season the Patriots have their most dynamic offensive weapons yet, which should be scary for the rest of the league, considering the stranglehold New England has had on the NFL for the better part of the last two decades.

Fantasy MVP: Tom Brady

Surprise, surprise, Brady enters his age 40 season as not only the Patriots de facto team MVP, but also as one of the few front runners for the league wide award. Even when missing the first four games of 2016, the then 39-year-old tallied over 3,500 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, and a mere two interceptions. Slated for a full schedule in 2017, with an even more dangerous repertoire of offensive weapons, Brady should near the 40-touchdown mark and 4,500 passing yards easily.

Fantasy Rookie of the Year: Austin Carr

Like with the Dolphins, the Pats don’t have many offensive rookies that are set to make a huge impact this season, but to take a slight shot in the dark here, I think Austin Carr has a chance to emerge as a name to remember going forward. He’s built in the mold of the classic Patriots slot receivers – a small, shifty, high-volume target, who proved highly productive in college. With Danny Amendola in a contract year, there is a chance that Carr can emerge as Julian Edelman’s new understudy, operating out of the slot for years to come.

Most Improved Fantasy Player: Rob Gronkowski

This is based off of a matter of last season’s circumstance, as if he remains healthy, there is no chance that Gronk won’t improve on his injury riddled 2016 production (or lack there of). I will spare you further analysis because we all know what Gronk is capable of even when he is only 70-percent healthy. After a Wrestlemania appearance this spring and a full participation in all offseason workouts and practices, Gronk appears to be back at full health. A monster 2017 should be in store for him and his fantasy owners.

Biggest Fantasy Disappointment: Brandin Cooks

Look, I like Cooks a lot, but leaving an offense like the Saints can only do you harm in terms of fantasy production. I know that the Pats like to throw the ball around a lot too, but the fact of the matter is that Brady has historically never shown favoritism, especially to deep threat specialists. Now don’t get it twisted here, Cooks should eclipse 75 receptions, 1,000 yards, and seven touchdowns, but there is little chance that he produces better than he did in New Orleans, which will classify as a disappointment for most casual fantasy players.

New York Jets

The Jets were a dumpster fire last season and still appear to be one headed into 2017, but that doesn’t meant that they don’t have fantasy production laying around their offensive roster.

Fantasy MVP: Bilal Powell

This selection is probably a surprise to some, but I’m really high on Powell this season, especially in PPR formats. You may be thinking, isn’t Matt Forte the starter, and isn’t too his specialty as a receiver out of the backfield? And the answer is yes for both, but if the end of last season is any indication, Powell will take over this lead back job much sooner rather than later. Over his last four games in 2016, Powell averaged 103 rushing yards per contest, well over 5.00 yards per carry, over five catches per game, and just about one total touchdown per game. That is some serious production fleshed out over a full season. Essentially in Powell, you have a fresher and more explosive version of Forte as a receiver, and a more dynamic and reliable runner of the football. Being that the Jets are more or less devoid of playmakers, Powell is as good a pick as anyone to be the team fantasy MVP this season.

Fantasy Rookie of the Year: Jordan Leggett

The Jets have not had a reliable tight end since, well… ever. Leggett is not the next coming of Gronk, but his collegiate career was more than what most would consider reliable. He possesses the build of today’s NFL hybrid TE in that he’s long and lean, with a combo skillset in speed, route running, and physicality. He will give whoever is quarterbacking this team a reliable option over the middle and down the seam, which may end up opening up this offense like it hasn’t been in the last few years. Expect the rookie out of Clemson operating as a wing, inline as a classic TE, as an H-back, and also in the slot. Already considered the team’s starting tight end, Leggett should create more than a few mismatches throughout his rookie season, making him a good sleeper pick towards the end of your drafts in 2017.

Most Improved Fantasy Player: Bilal Powell

I already explained Powell’s potential 2017 impact in length above, so I’ll spare you here. He produced over 700 rushing yards, and nearly 400 receiving yards in 2016 and I expect an even bigger year from him this season. Draft this guy.

Biggest Fantasy Disappointment: Matt Forte

For all of the reasons that I explained above, I see natural regression from Forte coming in 2017. He’s older and beat up now, and is no longer the best back on this team. Forte still holds goal line value, but his touches everywhere else will be fewer and far between as this season begins to take shape. Fade Forte if possible, unless you are handcuffing Powell.