Fantasy football: Top 5 finishers at each position in PPR format in 2018

SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 12, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams rushes against the San Francisco 49ers during their NFL game at Levi's Stadium on September 12, 2016 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

The 2018 NFL season promises to provide plenty of intrigue for fantasy football players. Top five finishers at each position in PPR format will include familiar faces as well as underrated players this year.

There are few things better than drafting a player in the late rounds and having them breakout big time. Similarly, there are few things worse than using a first-round draft pick on a bust.

A lot of rankings and predictions tend to list the same players at the top for 2018.

Not here.

Sure, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers makes the list, but he’s not No. 1. Same with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown.

There are some big-time names that will not appear on this list of top-five players by position. Feel free to doubt what you are about to read. That is what fantasy football is all about!

SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans cheers as DeAndre Hopkins #10 scores a 72 yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA – OCTOBER 29: Quarterback Deshaun Watson #4 of the Houston Texans cheers as DeAndre Hopkins #10 scores a 72 yard touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks in the fourth quarter at CenturyLink Field on October 29, 2017 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson continues to show the world why he should’ve been the first quarterback drafted in 2017.

  1. Jimmy Garoppolo
  2. Deshaun Watson
  3. Kirk Cousins
  4. Aaron Rodgers
  5. Jameis Winston

Your eyes are not playing tricks on you. New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees are not on this list.

There is something weird going on in New England. Period.

The addition of running back Rashaad Penny in the first round of the draft indicates the Seahawks intend to run the football a lot more.

And Drew Brees has less reasons to put up 5,000 passing yards these days with running back Alvin Kamara and a stout defense.

The Houston Texans’ Deshaun Watson, on the other hand, is a special player and will continue his meteoric rise to become one of the best quarterbacks in the league. It also helps to have wide receivers like DeAndre Hopkins and Will Fuller to throw to.

Some may doubt him because his 2017 ACL injury could limit his ability to escape the pocket and score points running the football.

Do not be fooled. He can sling it!

CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears carries the football in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 03: Jordan Howard #24 of the Chicago Bears carries the football in the first quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at Soldier Field on December 3, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Don’t sleep on Chicago Bears running back Jordan Howard in his third campaign.

  1. Todd Gurley
  2. Joe Mixon
  3. Saquon Barkley
  4. Jordan Howard
  5. Melvin Gordon

Here we go again. Where on earth is Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell? He is not on this list that’s for sure. Or in Steelers camp, for that matter.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings leaps to catch the ball in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Diggs scored a 61-yard touchdown to win the game 29-24. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JANUARY 14: Stefon Diggs #14 of the Minnesota Vikings leaps to catch the ball in the fourth quarter of the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New Orleans Saints on January 14, 2018 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Diggs scored a 61-yard touchdown to win the game 29-24. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs stays healthy in 2018 and his numbers reflect it.

  1. DeAndre Hopkins
  2. Keenan Allen
  3. Mike Evans
  4. Antonio Brown
  5. Stefon Diggs
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the football after a reception against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – DECEMBER 30: Tight end Mike Gesicki #88 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the football after a reception against the Washington Huskies during the first half of the Playstation Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium on December 30, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. The Nittany Lions defeated the Huskies 35-28. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Miami Dolphins rookie tight end Mike Gesicki replaces the volume left behind from new Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry’s departure.

  1. Evan Engram
  2. Travis Kelce
  3. Kyle Rudolph
  4. Delanie Walker
  5. Mike Gesicki
CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 01: Brandon Mebane #92, Kyle Emanuel #51, Corey Liuget #94 and Joey Bosa #99 of the Los Angeles Chargers look on after a Philadelphia Eagles touchdown during the second half of a game at StubHub Center on October 1, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – OCTOBER 01: Brandon Mebane #92, Kyle Emanuel #51, Corey Liuget #94 and Joey Bosa #99 of the Los Angeles Chargers look on after a Philadelphia Eagles touchdown during the second half of a game at StubHub Center on October 1, 2017 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Chargers defense will get after the quarterback and force a boatload of turnovers.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars
  2. Los Angeles Chargers
  3. Cleveland Browns
  4. New Orleans Saints
  5. Minnesota Vikings
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Kicker Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a field goal during the first quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – OCTOBER 01: Kicker Robbie Gould #9 of the San Francisco 49ers kicks a field goal during the first quarter of the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

San Francisco 49ers kicker Robbie Gould continues to benefit from significantly improved offensive play.

  1. Will Lutz
  2. Justin Tucker
  3. Robbie Gould
  4. Jake Elliott
  5. Stephen Gostkowski

Yes, kickers are people too. And many a veteran fantasy football owner can tell you a point-getting kicker can be the difference between winning a championship and missing the playoffs altogether.

Think you’ve got a different idea on how 2018’s fantasy finishers will pan out? We’re all ears! Chime in on the comments section and let us know who you think the top names will be once this season is finished.

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