The fantasy football season is almost upon us, and like every year, there are several topics that can get heated in some fantasy circles. Even here at Rant Sports, writers have disagreements, and we thought with the looming elections, this would be the perfect time to host our own fantasy football debates. Below is our seventh 2012 fantasy football debate between two highly debated Atlanta Falcons receivers, Roddy White and Julio Jones:
Candidate Jeric Griffin – Roddy White
Did you move Atlanta Falcons receiver Julio Jones up your draft board from No. 12 to No. 2 after his first 2012 preseason game? If you did, hold your horses and get out your notepad because Jones’ teammate, Roddy White, is about to take you to school.
If you’re in a league that awards a point per reception (PPR), then just go ahead and move Jones back down to around No. 8 on your draft board and put White back at No. 4. The only other player to eclipse 100 receptions in 2011 besides White was New England Patriots PPR specialist Wes Welker. Here are Jones’ and White’s numbers from last season:
White: 100 receptions, 1,296 yards and 8 touchdowns
Jones: 54 receptions, 959 yards and 8 touchdowns
Here’s how their numbers will look this year:
White: 103 receptions, 1,125 yards and 8 touchdowns
Jones: 73 receptions, 1,050 yards and 11 touchdowns
Add those points up in a PPR league and who’s on top? White. Sure, Jones will have four or five long touchdown catches, which gives him more value in standard scoring leagues, but White is tried, true and the more consistent option.
If you’re in a standard league, you still better think twice about drafting Jones ahead of White. The projections above technically have Jones edging White in total points, but what if 60 percent of his production comes in nine games, which is extremely likely? You better not be counting on Jones in those other seven games, not counting the Falcons’ bye. In other words, he’ll have 30 points in some games and 10 in others. White will have 20 or more every week. If you want to roll the dice with Jones, go right ahead but don’t come crying when your hair is grey or gone by the end of the year
Candidate Michael Igyarto – Julio Jones
The NFL season is finally underway, but that doesn’t mean we can’t keep the ongoing debate of Roddy White vs. Julio Jones going. If most don’t know by now, I’m a big fan of Julio Jones this season. Nothing against the four-time pro bowler, Roddy White. The man will be eating on Sunday’s, right alongside Julio, but White’s production is about to take a dip.
Roddy White has publicly stated that he expects Julio to become Matt Ryan’s favorite target this season and he expects a decrease in receptions. That’s coming from the #1 Falcons option for the past 5+ years, and that’s enough for me to know that Julio is about to explode onto the NFL scene.
Roddy caught 100 balls and eight touchdowns in 2011. Compared to Julio’s 54 receptions with the same exact amount of touchdowns, eight. The big difference here though, Roddy had 29 red zone targets compared to Julio’s 8 targets. Those 29 red zone looks to White were also an NFL high for any TE or WR. Only Rob Gronkowski , of the New England Patriots, came close to Roddy, with 26 red zone targets. That’s a big disparity, and even more alarming when you think what will actually happen once those targets from “Matty Ice” start balancing in Julio’s favor.
The greatest reality in fantasy worlds would have been to get both of these guys on your roster. The Atlanta Falcons receivers face the 10th easiest strength of schedule in 2012. For a team which finished seventh in scoring last season, and eighth in passing, look for these two to be in the top ten category. Jones will be closer to the five spot if everything pans out the way I see it. I can sense it, I smell it. The breakout is about to begin for the young man from Alabama. Again, nothing wrong with owning White on your fantasy team, but Jones is the better option. He is the younger player, and a freakish athlete that has much greater upside.
Michael J. Igyarto is a featured fantasy football columnist at Rant Sports
Follow Michael on twitter: @windycityiggy
Who do you think won this fantasy football debate? To answer, leave comments in the box below.
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