Fantasy football: 5 players you'll want to avoid in 2018

Fantasy football: 5 players you’ll want to avoid in 2018

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 10: Christian McCaffrey #22 of the Carolina Panthers carries the ball while pursued by Solomon Thomas #94 of the San Francisco 49ers during the second quarter of their NFL football game at Levi's Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 24: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints in action against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on December 24, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /

No. 3: Drew Brees, Quarterback, New Orleans Saints (ADP: 5.07)

Drew Brees is still an elite quarterback, and I don’t expect that to change this season, but Brees’ fantasy football output was a reduced one last season and that isn’t likely to change.

Don’t let the reduced fantasy numbers make you think he’s done, he’s as good as he ever was, but the emergence of running back Alvin Kamara and an improved defense means that Brees didn’t have to carry the offense nearly as much last season.

The stats make it clear, Brees threw over eight less passes per game (42.1 to 33.5) and it showed in his stats.

Brees also threw for 4,334 yards (down from 5,208 yards) and 23 touchdowns (down from 37 and his second lowest touchdown total for a full 16 game season).

Unless you think Kamara is in for a bad sophomore slump, or you think the defense will falter, leave Brees for a quarterback who will throw more this season.