NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/3)
Alex Christenson
“Trapped” on a sunny beach in a temperate climate relishing University of Illinois basketball/football championships whilst surrounded by puppies, shirtless cardboard cutouts of David Montgomery and with access to a limitless tequila tap. This is my ultimate dream scenario. Whether dwelling on fantasy whimsies or those in a makeshift reality, we all have dreams and aspirations, no matter how unattainable. Escaping to an alternate dimension, below are my favorite round-by-round picks, excluding Round 1, based on ADPs in 2020 fantasy football drafts:
Also see: Favorite picks in Rounds 2-5 | Favorite picks in Rounds 6-9 | Favorite picks in Rounds 14+
Round 10: Austin Hooper, TE, Cleveland Browns
(ADP: TE11, 118.7)
Constantly cast aside for the likes of Rob Gronkowski, Mike Gesicki and his Atlanta replacement, Hayden Hurst, It seems few want to hang with Mr. Hooper. Maybe the hesitant should reassess. Yes, tight end is historically deep this season, but Baker Mayfield’s newest plaything is going to be a red-zone fixture. Reporters walking the Browns beat have repeatedly written about the budding chemistry between the QB and prized offseason acquisition.
Last fall, Hooper, operating as Matt Ryan’s bosom buddy near the goal line, caught 77.3% of his attempts, slotted at No. 2 in contested catch rate and ranked TE3 in fantasy points per game. He’ll experience a reduction from his 75-787-6 line, but it likely won’t be nearly as harsh as most anticipate. Minnesota featured two-TE sets 34% of the time under new Browns HC Kevin Stefanski. Vikes TEs Kyle Rudolph and Irv Smith registered 23 red-zone targets, 11 of which came in the end zone. Add it up, and Hooper is a likely top-10 finisher in his fresh digs.
Round 11: Boston Scott, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
(RB46, 122.6)
My affections toward the plucky and pint-sized undrafted rusher rival that of a chilled well-aged añejo paired perfectly with a heaping plate of chicken enchiladas. It’s that serious, folks. Look at what he accomplished, though over a limited sample late last year, and the infatuation is completely warranted. With Miles Sanders on the field Weeks 14-17, logging 20.1 touches per game no less, Scott hauled in 23 receptions over the span, racked 11.5 YAC per reception, powered his way to 3.97 YAC per attempt on the ground and was 3-for-3 on carries-for-TDs inside the 5. Elusive and versatile, he’s the spitting image of Darren Sproles.
Sanders’ week-to-week hamstring injury shrouds the rusher’s Week 1 availability against Washington in mystery. Philly’s rash of offensive line injuries only ratchets concerns. Still, unless Doug Pederson kicks the tires on Leonard Fournette, Scott is destined for a sizable early-season role. Even when the incumbent is back to full strength, Scott is likely a 10- to 12-touch-per-game second fiddle who’ll be leaned on heavily in the pass game. Pederson intimated recently he could expand Scott’s workload as a receiver. Regardless how many grips he receives, bank on the waterbug showcasing measurable flex appeal in PPR.
Round 12: Curtis Samuel, WR, Carolina Panthers
(WR56, 138.2)
Equipped with more gadgets than Batman, Carolina’s utility belt continues to strangely hang in the shadows. Detailed in “50 lines about 50 players,” the former Buckeye quietly logged upper echelon production, top-10, in total air yards and average depth of target last season. If not for Kyle Allen’s horrendous inaccuracy (QB23 in adjusted completion percentage), Samuel would’ve likely broken through as a WR3 mainstay in 12-team leagues. Instead, his 3.4 receptions per game, 39.2 yards per game and seven total TDs placed him on the outskirts (WR36 in 0.5 PPR).
Earlier this summer, OC Joe Brady called Samuel “critical” to the team’s success divulging his need to be “utilize all around the field.” Talking with beat writers from the area, the coach’s words weren’t hollow. Whether on jet sweeps, screens or nine routes downfield, the fourth-year wideout will be a featured player. With a more reliable passer, Teddy Bridgewater (QB3 in adjusted completion percentage in ‘19) under center and a very forgiving defense to elevate opportunities, he’s a superb value in the double-digit rounds.
Round 13: Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts
(RB52, 144.5)
Philip Rivers’ latest underneath safety valve may not pack the same sizzle as a bare-chested, or properly uniformed, Austin Ekeler, but he shouldn’t be overlooked. The professional shot-putter-turned-quarterback is a checkdown machine who consistently seeks the flat for a bailout. It’s why Chargers RBs ranked No. 11 or higher in total receptions the past three seasons. Jonathan Taylor and Marlon Mack will entice the occasional target, but it’s the evasive Hines who’ll command the most attention.
Back in May, HC Frank Reich boldly predicted a 10-catch game for the scatback. He backed up the claim weeks later, saying the rusher could be employed in some capacity on all three downs. If his 32.2% snap percentage spikes, he’s a viable 60-plus catch producer this season. TDs will be infrequent, but similar to a James White, Hines will have a laudable weekly floor in PPR leagues. In other words, he’s a quality bench back who’ll come in handy on multiple occasions.
