Sometimes in fantasy football, you get burned. You love a player and take him early in the draft, only to have him turn into a bust and kill your fantasy team. Next year, you do everything you can to avoid that player as you don’t want to be made a fool of twice. Sometimes though, it is best to let go of your ill will because you could be missing out a great fantasy player. Here are some of the best bounce back candidates for the 2017 NFL season.
Alshon Jeffery – Philadelphia Eagles
Wide Receiver
After dealing with injuries and a revolving door of quarterbacks in Chicago, Alshon Jeffrey is ready to be a top fantasy wide receiver once again. Jeffrey has only played 21 games over the last two seasons, but he has managed to average 77.5 receiving yards per game, which comes to 1240 yards over a full season. If he can remain healthy, he should be able to develop a strong report with Carson Wentz and once again be one of the NFL’s better wide receivers. Also keep in mind that the Eagles running game looks quite pathetic at the current moment. They might have to rely on the pass quite frequently in the early part of the season.
Todd Gurley – Los Angeles Rams
Running Back
Oh, what a disappointment 2016 was for Todd Gurley and everyone who picked Gurley in fantasy. Gurley struggled in 2016, averaging a paltry 3.2 years per attempt and failing to reach 1000 rushing yards on 278 carries. Gurley is not entirely to blame for his underwhelming season. The Rams were devoid of offensive talent outside of Gurley last season, making it easy for teams to stack the box. This season the Rams are due to get better. Between Goff improving, the addition of some playmakers at wide receiver and a better offensive line, Gurley should at least crack 1000 yards rushing if he sees the same volume of carries he did in 2016.
Danny Woodhead – Baltimore Ravens
Running Back
Limited to just two games in 2016, Danny Woodhead is primed to bounce back in 2017 as a member of the Baltimore Ravens. Woodhead has proven when healthy he can be a great fantasy running back, especially in PPR leagues. Woodhead is 32 years old, but has less than 800 career touches and does his primary damage as a receiving back, making it easy to get out of bound and avoid contact and injuries. Speaking of injuries, Woodhead missed part of the preseason with a hamstring injury. He’s not a lock to be ready for Week 1 but as of now, there is no indication that he won’t be. If he can be healthy in 2017, he could come close to being a top-12 back in PPR leagues.
Cam Newton – Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Ending the 2015 season as the reigning MVP, expectations for Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers were very high. Neither he nor the team came close to reaching those expectations. Now entering 2017, Newton could once again be a top-5 quarterback. Newton had career lows in many categories last season including completion percentage, rushing yards and yards per attempt. He also tied a career low in rushing touchdowns. The Panthers improved their offense coming into 2017 and Newton should return closer to his career averages, which means about five more passing touchdowns, 200 more rushing yards and a few more rushing touchdowns.
Allen Robinson – Jacksonville Jaguars
Wide Receiver
In 2015, Allen Robinson displayed a poise and tenacity that made him look to be one of the next great fantasy wide receiver. Then the 2016 NFL season came, and Allen Robinson disappointed just about everyone. He is not entirely to blame for his shocking drop off, as the Jaguars quarterback play was subpar at best and downright horrendous at worst. Jags current QB, Blake Bortles needs to improve this season, or he will end up on the bench. Either if he does or does not, Robinson should see more quality targets in 2017. Although he may not rebound to where he was in 2015, he should be able to find a happy middle ground between 2015 and 2016, somewhere around 1100 yards and nine receiving touchdowns.
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