As we gear up to the start of the NFL season, Football Absurdity is going to bring you a comprehensive breakdown of every notable player that will be available in fantasy football drafts. When you don’t see us talking about Christine Michael or Mike Davis, don’t get mad at us for neglecting your favorite sleeper. Get mad at yourself for having bad taste in football players. We are only focusing on the top-rated players in standard scoring and points per game leagues.
With my player profiles, I’ve only decided to go back to look at their fantasy scoring for three years. I could show you lists from earlier, but most of the guys at the top are no longer in the league anymore. I’ve also added a chart for their usage over that time span. We will try to determine, based on those two factors, where the best wide receiver value lies.
Odell Beckham
Standard: 5th among WRs, 15th overall
PPR: 5th among WRs, 15th overall
Odell Beckham Average Auction Value (AAV) $200 Budget: $41
Stats:
FANTASY SCORING — STANDARD
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 16th | 153.4 | 6th | 1.3 |
| 2017 | 80th | 4.9 | 3rd | 12.3 |
| 2016 | 4th | 195.6 | 5th | 12.2 |
FANTASY SCORING — PPR
| Rank | Total Points | PPG Rank | PPG | |
| 2018 | 15th | 230.4 | 8th | 190.2 |
| 2017 | 83rd | 74.0 | 3rd | 18.5 |
| 2016 | 4th | 296.6 | 6th | 18.5 |
FANTASY USAGE
| Receptions | Receptions Per Game | Targets | Targets Per Game | |
| 2018 | 77 | 6.4 | 124 | 10.3 |
| 2017 | 25 | 6.3 | 41 | 10.3 |
| 2016 | 101 | 6.3 | 169 | 10.5 |
Overview: After a falling out with a flailing Giants offense, Beckham’s situation might have gotten better. With a host of weapons and a skilled quarterback, it is time to see if Beckham can return to form, or if his ceiling will be limited by being around too many mouths.
Strategy: Our Odell Beckham Auction Value ($200 Budget): $51
As a second-rounder, we think there’s ample room for Beckham to give owners a return in investment. Cleveland’s offense is poised to shoot to the top of the league, and there is just too much action for defenders to double-team Beckham. We like him anytime in the second round.
In auction, we’d even pay a first round value for him-
<record scratches, whole saloon looks up aghast>
It may sound unorthodox to have a different valuation in auction than in draft, but that’s what we’re all about. Don’t play the “shopping for value game” with first and second rounders at auction, just get the guys you like and make up the overspending with value on later picks when the owners have filled their spots. If you love Odell Beckham, you aren’t going to get him for the AAV of $41, all it takes is one other owner to love Odell Beckham (and there will be) to guarantee that he’s going to go for over AAV. So if you really want him, go all the way up to $51 then make up that $10 by value shopping second-and-third slot skill players.
Best Case Scenario: Beckham exceeds his previous bests due to an improvement at QB. He finishes as a top 3 WR.
Worst Case Scenario: There’s a crowded backfield and Baker Mayfield has some kinks, Beckham finishes as a low end top-12 WR. Pretty good floor.
