Here we are in August and fans across the country are gearing up for their fantasy football leagues. Fantasy football gives fans more options to cheer for, other than players on their favorite teams. Even though fantasy football gives fans the option to expand their love, there is also something special about having a player from your favorite team on your fantasy squad. Here is the best player from NFC conference team to have on your fantasy team.
NFC East
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Ezekiel Elliot, Runningback, Dallas Cowboys
This one is a no brainier. As a rookie Elliot set the league on fire were he rushed for 1600 yards and 15 touchdowns. Elliot isn’t much of a receiver having only caught 32 passes for 363, but he doesn’t need to be. At this moment Elliot could face a league suspension for an off-field incident, but he would still be the Cowboys best fantasy option, even if the suspension was up-to 6 games.
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Eli Manning, Quarterback, New York Giants
While you were expecting Odell Beckham jr. the additions of Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram will cut into Beckhams redzone looks. While Eli Manning on the other hand has two new weapons to carve defenses up with.
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Alshon Jeffery, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagle
Jeffery has been a force in the NFL as long as he can stay healthy. He now gets an upgrade at quarterback in the young Carson Wentz throwing his way. Another perk for picking Jeffery up will be he gets to play the depleted secondary of the Coyboys twice a year. The Cowboys are a team that can put up a lot of points, so Jeffery should see plenty of targets in those games as well.
Terrelle Pryor, Wide Receiver, Washington Redskins
In 2016 Pryor made the transition from quarterback to wide receiver. To the shock of many Pryor found success at the position change. While on the Browns roster Pryor caught passes from Robert Griffin, Josh McCown, and Cody Kessler. Now, Pryor will be catching passes from Kurt Cousins and his numbers should see a big boost.
NFC North
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Jordan Howard, Runningback, Chicago Bears
To many Howard was the shock of the 2016 season. Howard rushed for 1,313 yards and 6 touchdowns. Howard could have been the lone bright spot of the Bears 2016 season. Now, the Bears have added two new quarterbacks in Mike Glennon and Mitchell Trubisky looking to take more pressure off of Howard.
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Matthew Stafford, Quarterback, Detroit Lions
Stafford truly is the rock of the Detroit Lions. In 2016 Safford threw for over 4,000 yards and posted a 93.3 quarterback rating. The Lions clearly trust Stafford, and he is a quarterback with one of the highest ceilings when it comes to fantasy (although not consistently).
Aaron Rogers, Quarterback, Green Bay Packers
Rogers is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play football. In 2016 Rogers passed for 4,428 yards, 40 touchdowns, and a quarterback rating of 104.2. If you want Rogers you will have to spring for a quarterback early as he’s one of the top two off the board. Rogers can make all the throws and has the athleticism to earn his owners extra points by scrambling.
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Defense, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings sport one of the league’s most dominate defenses. The front seven is headlined by young outside-linebacker Anthony Barr and defensive end Everson Griffen. In the secondary the Vikings have a stud cornerback in Xavier Rhodes and one of the league’s best safeties in Harrison Smith, both being in their prime.
NFC South
Greg Olsen, Tight End, Carolina Panther
Olsen has been quarterback Cam Newton‘s most consistent target throughout the course of his career. In 2016 Olsen posted 80 catches for for over 1,000 yards. When it comes to fantasy Olsen is usually the 4th or 5th tight end off the board. After the top five tight ends are gone, the level of play and production drops off from there.
Devonta Freeman, Runningback, Atlanta Falcons
While some would expect one of the league’s most dynamic wide receivers in Julio Jones to fill this spot, running backs are flying off fantasy boards faster than they have in a decade. Considered by many to be the most versatile back in the entire NFL, Freeman just signed a new contract making him the highest paid runningback in the NFL. If your league is a PPR league this is good news for you.
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Mike Evans, Wide Receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
At 6’5 Mike Evans is a touchdown machine. Last season Evans led all wide receivers in touchdowns, posting 12. Even with the Buccaneers adding new weapons for Jameis Winston in Oj Howard and DeSean Jackson, Evans will still be Winston’s “go to” guy.
Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints
Brees may have lost a valuable weapon in Brandin Cooks over the off-season, but that shouldn’t affect the veteran quarterback’s play. Last season Brees passed for over 5,000 yards and tossed 37 touchdown passes. In 2017 Brees should have a running game to lean on, which will open up more options in the passing game.
NFC East
Todd Gurley, Runningback, LA Rams
If sophomore slumps are real, Gurley certainly hit one. As a first-round pick by many in fantasy drafts last season, Gurley laid an egg. In 2017 Gurley will look to get back on track. If Jared Goff can live up to his draft pedigree, running lanes should open up for Gurley.
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Pierre Garcon, Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers
Garcon has posted back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, but has trouble finding the endzone. Last season Garcon found the endzone only 3 times. He will now be the number option for quarterback Brian Hoyer on a rebuilding 49ers team. Garcon is best suited for PPR leagues, not standard.
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David Johnson, Runningback, Arizona Cardinals
If you want to land Johnson in your fantasy draft, you’re going to need to hold a top 2 pick. Johnson is a well-rounded back that rushed for 1,239 yards and a whopping 16 touchdowns. In the passing game Johnson Hauled in 80 passes for over 800 yards, and 4 more scores. Head coach Bruce Arians wants Johnson to touch the ball 30 times a game as well.
Defense, Seattle Seahawks
While Seattle’s defense is getting older, it still has its core-players in; Cliff Avril, Michael Bennett, Bobby Wagner, K.J. Wright, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas, and Richard Sherman. Another bonus for picking up the Seahawks defense is getting to play weak teams such as the San Francisco 49ers and LA Rams twice a year.
To read the best player for every AFC team, click here.