A couple of weeks ago, I compared the Expert Consensus Rankings (ECR) with CBS Sports ADP. This time, I’m throwing in a twist and looking at the ECR against ESPN’s ADP in PPR scoring formats instead looking at standard scoring ADP. Before diving into the analysis below, one quick observation is that the ECR is much more in line with the ESPN PPR ADP than it was with CBS’s ADP in the previous piece. As a result, I’ve decreased the +/- range from the previous piece at a few positions below.

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Quarterback (+/- 4)

ECR likes him more

ESPN ADP likes him more

 
Mariota and Prescott are repeat visitors from the previous ECR vs. ADP piece looking at CBS ADP. My concerns with both remain the same, namely that they won’t be allowed to air the ball out enough to hit their lofty ECR and ESPN PPR ADP, respectively. It also looks increasingly likely that Ezekiel Elliott’s suspension will be overturned or a temporary injunction will allow him to play until the court resolves the case. If Elliott avoids missing any games due to suspension this year, then I see little reason to expect Prescott to see an uptick in work. I’ll side with the ESPN PPR ADP with Mariota and the ECR with Prescott with both looking like low-end QB1 or high-end QB2 options due to less volume passing than the other top options at the position.

Carr and Flacco are the new faces. Even if there were zero concerns about Flacco’s health — and that’s not the case — I wouldn’t draft him inside the top 20 at quarterback. He’s a non-threat with his legs, and even with the Ravens leading the NFL in pass attempts last year, he ranked seventh in passing yards (4,317) and tied for 18th in touchdown passes (20) while tying for the seventh most interceptions (15). It took by far a career-high number of pass attempts for Flacco to surpass 4,000 yards passing for he first time in his career. Furthermore, he’s tossed 25 or more touchdowns just two times in his career. Head coach John Harbaugh has guaranteed that Flacco will be ready to start Week 1 against the Bengals, but the fact that what was initially deemed a minor back problem has resulted in Flacco missing nearly five weeks of practice is disconcerting.

Closing the quarterbacks on a positive note, I am siding with one of the higher marks. In this case, that’s Carr’s ESPN PPR ADP. The Raiders traded for Marshawn Lynch in the offseason, and while that might create a bit more balance, it’s not as if the Raiders avoided the run last year ranking 11th in run attempts. They cracked the top 10 in pass attempts as Carr took another step forward in his third season in the NFL. He set new highs in completion percentage (63.8%), passing yards per game (262.5), Quarterback Rating (96.7), QBR (62.1), Net Yards Per Attempt (6.70 NY/A), and Adjusted Net Yards Per Attempt (7.20 ANY/A). Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree offer him one of the best one-two receiver combos in the NFL, and the Raiders added field-stretching tight end, Jared Cook, to give him another weapon. Carr’s a top-10 fantasy signal caller in my book.

Running Back (+/- 6)

ECR likes him more

ESPN ADP likes him more

 
My initial feeling looking at both tables is that the ECR does a much better job of accounting for the difference in scoring between PPR and standard scoring than ESPN drafters do. Also, those drafting at ESPN seem to be hung up on brand-name backs. The first table is littered with pass-catching backs as well as suspended Doug Martin. Martin’s solid preseason showing bodes well for him reclaiming his starting gig in the backfield after he serves his suspension. I’ll side with the ECR of 30 since Martin’s a well-rounded back who’s tied to an offense on the rise.

The ECR on Johnson and Sproles are fair. Neither back has bell-cow upside, but both have safe roles in their respective offenses thanks to their pass-catching prowess. Also, I’m not completely buying Isaiah Crowell building on last year’s breakout and believe Johnson could steal a few more touches this season. Sproles was kept off the field in the preseason in order to preserve him for the regular season, and off-season addition LeGarrette Blount has played himself into the rumor mill as a possible cut candidate. Suffice to say Sproles should maintain a sizable role in the backfield mix after accumulating 865 yards from scrimmage last year and reeling in 52 receptions while adding four scores (two rushing and two receiving). I’d split the small differences in ECR and ESPN PPR ADP on both backs and call Johnson a top-35 back and Sproles a top-40 back. I’ll quickly add that I remain high on Rex Burkhead and love him as a top-50 dart throw in a crowded backfield. His versatility could aid him in seeing the field more in wake of Julian Edelman’s season-ending injury.

Moving on to the second table, Lacy remains a player I’m avoiding entirely. Peterson has never been a receiving threat, and he’ll probably share early-down work with Mark Ingram. His limitations make him largely touchdown dependent, and that makes him ludicrously over-drafted as RB23 in ESPN PPR leagues. Speaking of backs with limitation, Fat Rob hauled in only 12 passes on 18 targets last year for 82 yards. He was okay as a runner rushing for 704 yards (4.2 yards per attempt) and six scores, but the Redskins added Samaje Perine with a fourth-round pick and have Chris Thompson in the fold to serve as the receiving back. Kelley’s low ceiling, inability to add points as a receiver and low floor with Perrine potentially usurping the job during the year make him a poor investment at RB30. I’m even lower on him than his ECR, too, and don’t view him as a top-40 running back.

Beast Mode is the last running back in the second table I’ll elaborate on. I have him ranked firmly between the ESPN PPR ADP and ECR at RB16. After taking last season off following an injury-marred and down year in 2015, Lynch and his more than 2,500 touches in his career (including the postseason) carries plenty of risk. However, he also has a great deal of upside tied to a high-scoring offense and behind a talented offensive line.

Wide Receiver (+/- 6)

ECR likes him more

ESPN ADP likes him more

 
A healthy Brown should easily finish as a top-50 receiver, but Brown’s sickle-cell trait hampered him last year, and he’s already spent the preseason dealing with a quad injury. He’s simply not going to fall to the point where I’d feel comfortable drafting him, which is after his ECR and his ESPN PPR ADP.

I love Stefon Diggs skill-set, but I’m not as in love with him playing outside. Adam Thielen has been getting work in the slot, per Andrew Krammer of the Star Tribune. Sam Bradford’s unwillingness to throw the deep ball should play into the hands of the wide out who gets the most work in the slot, which appears to be Thielen at this time. Diggs still makes for a solid target at receiver, but he’s more of a middle-tier WR3 than a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3.

I’ve previously discussed that I won’t touch Cam Newton in DRAFT leagues, and I also mentioned I won’t touch him in standard leagues, either. My distrust for Newton bouncing back from a dreadful season that was followed by shoulder surgery leaves me cold on his no. 1 WR, Kelvin Benjamin, and any pass catchers on the Panthers who aren’t his safety blanket tight end.

I’ve spent most of the offseason hyping Chris Hogan, and now Edelman is out for the season. His stock is soaring, but I remain bullish on him even at his higher ESPN PPR ADP than his ECR. I’m not nearly as intrigued by teammate Danny Amendola. This will be Amendola’s fifth season with the Patriots, and in 54 games for New England, he’s averaged 3.1 receptions per game and 31.9 yards receiving per game with 10.2 yards per reception and 10 touchdown grabs. If you’re not already turned off by Amendola’s ho-hum numbers, add in that he’s no stranger to missing games — and that’s despite having a modest role in New England’s offense — and the ECR has it right barely sneaking him into the top-70 receivers. ESPN drafters are crazy making him a top-50 receiver.

Tight End (+/- 4)

ECR likes him more

ESPN ADP likes him more

 
The tight end tables look a heck of a lot like those in the CBS ADP piece. With news of Willie Snead opening the season with a three-game suspension breaking recently, Fleener is more interesting. His ECR of TE15 is still too rich for my blood, but TE18-TE20 feels about right. Antonio Gates is the only fresh face from the previously linked article. Hunter Henry is the tight end to own from the Chargers, and while Gates will have some bye week stream appeal as a touchdown-catch prayer (he reeled in seven last year and five in 11 games the year before bringing his total to 12 in 25 games played the last two seasons), he’s no longer a top-20 fantasy option at the position.

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Josh Shepardson is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Josh, check out his archive and follow him @BChad50.