Safety is underrated in fantasy football. There is so much temptation to reach for players with huge upside, but sometimes taking the guys who have year-in and year-out proven to be good fantasy players is the best decision. These are consistent performers, the guys who avoid injuries and are reliable, but that’s not all they are. They are league leaders, MVPs and even some future Hall-of-Fame players. Here are the safest picks in the first five rounds of NFL fantasy.
First Round: Antonio Brown
Wide Receiver, Pittsburgh Steelers
Over the last four years, Antonio Brown has been historically productive and an absolute stud in NFL fantasy. Since 2013, Brown has averaged 120 receptions, 1579 receiving yards and 10.8 receiving touchdowns. Another benefit of selecting Brown is his consistency. Brown caught five or more passes in 11 of his 15 games last season. Looking back a bit further, Brown went 20 straight games from 2013 to 2015 with at least five catches. Add in the fact Brown has not missed a game due to injury the last four seasons and this wide-out is arguably the safest pick in fantasy football this season.
Second Round: Aaron Rodgers
Quarterback – Green Bay Packers
While many will wait to draft a quarterback, whoever does draft Aaron Rodgers will be happy knowing they have one of the best fantasy players, regardless of position. Rodgers is a beast in fantasy, a dangerous mix of passing and running, that makes him the best fantasy quarterback per game since 2011.
There were some grumblings early last season that he had fallen off and the numbers did in fact support that. But keep in mind that he was playing without Jordy Nelson, the team didn’t have much of a running game and the offensive line was suspect. As the team adjusted to all three of those factors, Rodgers heated up once again. Guys like Marcus Mariota, Cam Newton and Philip Rivers can be boom or bust. We know what Rodgers will do.
If you can pair Rodgers with a top running back or Antonio Brown, then grabbing him later in the second is a safe pick.
Third Round: T.Y Hilton
Wide Receiver – Indianapolis Colts
After five years in the league of great production, one would think Hilton would get some more respect than he currently gets, but that is not the case for the diminutive wide receiver. Hilton has finished with over 1083 yards receiving the last four season and led the NFL in receiving yards last year. Although he does not score many touchdowns, averaging six per season over his five-year, he is still a top-12 receiver and one of the more consistent performers over the last few seasons. Grabbing him in the third round is a smart and safe move in any fantasy football league. Andrew Luck will be healthy at some point in September and the Colts still don’t have a running game. That means Hilton will get fed as many targets as he can handle.
Fourth Round: Drew Brees
Quarterback – New Orleans Saints
Even at 38 years old, Drew Brees is still one of the best fantasy football players. Brees has five-5000 yard passing seasons, has not thrown less than 32 touchdowns since 2007 and boosts his fantasy totals with 16 career-rushing touchdowns. Brees’ only drawback is he throws a lot of interception, throwing 15 last season and 15 or more four times since 2010 when he threw 22. Still, interceptions can easily be negated when a player is as productive as Brees. Until he shows signs of ageing, there is almost no risk associated with Brees.
Fifth Round: Greg Olsen
Tight End – Carolina Panthers
Since 2012, his second season with Carolina Panthers, Greg Olsen has developed into one of the best and most dependable tight ends in fantasy football. Over the last five seasons, Olsen has averaged 76.6 receptions, 969 yards receiving and five receiving touchdowns. Olsen will be looking for his fourth straight 1000-yard receiving season in 2017, and as Cam Newton’s favourite and most reliable target, there is a high chance he gets there. Olsen is a safe pick in the fifth and should once again be a top-five tight end.
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