Not every player makes our list of targets or players to avoid. We still have clarity on the value of some of those players, but there are others that vex us and elude our understanding even when (especially when) we are pondering whether to take them when we are on the clock. If they hit, we'll say, “I should have seen it coming.” If they bust, we'll say, “I should have seen it coming.”
Big thanks to my Mon Valley Academic League rival, Joe Wright, for giving me the name “Rolaids” for these players. You could also call this the “I'm probably not taking them, but worried that I'm wrong” list. Sometimes, it's a relief when you see a player drafted ahead of you, and that's how they make the all-Rolaids team.
QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis
Richardson should rival Jalen Hurts and Josh Allen for rushing scores. His passing floor is Justin Fields, and Fields was a high-ceiling QB1 for fantasy with an ADP QB6/QB7 in 2023. Richardson is QB5 this year. Fields' injury record was better than Richardson's, and he was more experienced, but Richardson has the benefit of a good offensive line, play-caller, and young wide receiver core, much like Jordan Love has in Green Bay. Richardson could contend for QB1 overall, or he could miss a significant part of the season again in a very predictable development.
Anti-Indigestion Alternatives: Lamar Jackson one round earlier, Kyler Murray one round later, Xavier Worthy (WR-KC), Ken Walker III (RB-SEA), Chris Godwin (WR-TB), Rome Odunze (WR-CHI)
QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati
Burrow looked like a future fantasy superstar in 2021 once reunited with Ja'Marr Chase. He wasn't as dangerous passing downfield in 2022 but was actually even better for fantasy than he was the previous year, establishing himself as a strong QB1, just below the elite options. 2023 was an injury-riddled disaster, and now Burrow is being drafted as QB8 even though that is much closer to his floor than his ceiling - if healthy. Two of Burrow's four seasons have ended catastrophically.
Anti-Indigestion Alternatives: Jayden Daniels, Dak Prescott, Kyler Murray one round earlier, Rhamondre Stevenson (RB-NE), Raheem Mostert (RB-MIA), Jake Ferguson (TE-DAL)
RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit
Gibbs has the look of a player who can take any touch to the house, and he's in an offense that opens up runways cleared for takeoff. The team has the will to use him in the passing game enough to approach early-career Alvin Kamara numbers, and his ADP reflects that. He also already suffered a hamstring injury and had one last year. If he suffers another one during the season, we could be looking at a very frustrating year to have built your team around Gibbs. Selecting him may hinge on whether you have another palatable option in the early second.
Anti-Indigestion Alternatives: Jonathan Taylor (RB-IND), Saquon Barkley (RB-PHI), De'Von Achane (RB-MIA), Drake London (WR-ATL), Nico Collins (WR-HOU)
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