John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Sean Payton‘s return should mean a boon for fantasy value throughout the New Orleans Saints offense. While sheer attempts really helped boost Drew Brees‘ numbers in 2012 the return of his coach means a more efficient offense and this is good news for all skill positions.
(The following analysis is based on FantasyPros.com aggregate average draft position drawn from major websites. The first number in parenthesis is ADP overall in a non-PPR redraft format; the second is ADP by position. I am not saying these players will be terrible or amazing, just that I see them significantly outperforming or underperforming their fantasy value at the current ADP.)
Related: Overrated and Underrated Tennessee Titans Players Heading Into Fantasy Drafts
Underrated: Darren Sproles (46, 23), Pierre Thomas (158, 50)
New Orleans made a concerted effort to throw Sproles the ball near the goal-line last year and his quickness paid off with seven receiving touchdowns. Now healthy, his rushing and receiving yards combined should well surpass the 1,000-mark and his TDs could very well top near double-digits again. Thomas is another New Orleans back that should pick up a lot through air but is getting far less respect than Sproles or Mark Ingram. Yet, he keeps getting around a 1,000 total yards and a few touchdowns almost every year, deserving of a bench spot.
Overrated: Mark Ingram (94, 36), Lance Moore (97, 37)
Ingram has looks decent running the ball this preseason and continued to get goal line work. The jury is still out for me considering his paltry career rushing average of 3.9 YPC behind a strong offensive line, and a backfield that remains crowded. Moore’s ADP is currently looking like a bottom-end No.3 in 12-team leagues but his lack of upside — averaging under 900 yards receiving over the past years despite being the No. 2 WR target — leaves me thinking of his a bench/fill-in guy at most.
Thomas Emerick is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ThomasEmerick, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
