Much was made in April about the Arizona Cardinals spending elite draft capital on a position whose impact is a constant question, but fantasy football managers don’t care about franchise win equity.
We care about production, and this investment puts the former Golden Domer in a position to do damage the second his rookie season gets underway.
Fantasy Football Roster Construction Around Jeremiyah Love
Exactly where Love falls in drafts depends on the site where you’re drafting. A favorable projection on ESPN has him sitting in the middle of Round 2, whereas CBS has him coming off the board closer to pick No. 30.
Price matters. For everything.
The ESPN price is pretty straightforward: You grab a Tier 1 receiver in the first round and pair Love with him in Round 2. In this build, you’re getting a solid foundation at two different positions—something only a few managers will have the chance to do.
TRY NOW: Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
Amon-Ra St. Brown has cleared 105 receptions in four consecutive seasons, and the idea that you could add a 300-plus-touch RB with elite versatility to that mix is a blessing. You have a linchpin in an offense that is a real threat to lead the league in scoring. Even if we build in a bit of a learning curve for Love, nothing about the Jets, Saints, and Raiders in the fantasy playoffs scares me following a Week 13 bye.
On CBS, you really have a chance to build a dominant squad. A mid-round pick gives you the chance to add Love to a St. Brown team again, but this time with another premium player rostered. If you want to use that pick to grab Josh Allen, go for it.
Personally, I’d be more interested in adding another skill-position player. Going by their ADP, that means Derrick Henry, Justin Jefferson, or Drake London.
No draft is won in the first few rounds, but I have a hard time seeing that roster not being competitive if we assume reasonable construction after that.
STAY UPDATED: PFN’s Fantasy News Tracker
We chase volume and upside in the first handful of rounds, and Love has that in spades. There’s a real chance he returns Round 1 value, and there isn’t a site out there right now that has him being drafted as such.
Drafting a player with as many NFL reps as you have isn’t always comfortable, but those who are comfortable doing the uncomfortable are the ones who often open themselves up to great upside.
Soppe’s Top 30 Running Backs
1) Bijan Robinson | ATL
2) Jahmyr Gibbs | DET
3) James Cook III | BUF
4) Ashton Jeanty | LV
5) Jonathan Taylor | IND
6) Christian McCaffrey | SF
7) De’Von Achane | MIA
8) Saquon Barkley | PHI
9) Chase Brown | CIN
10) Jeremiyah Love | ARI
11) Derrick Henry | BAL
12) Javonte Williams | DAL
13) Omarion Hampton | LAC
14) Kenneth Walker III | KC
15) D’Andre Swift | CHI
16) Travis Etienne Jr. | NO
17) Breece Hall | NYJ
18) Kyren Williams | LAR
19) Josh Jacobs | GB
20) David Montgomery | HOU
21) Cam Skattebo | NYG
22) TreVeyon Henderson | NE
23) Bucky Irving | TB
24) Chuba Hubbard | CAR
25) Jaylen Warren | PIT
26) Jordan Mason | MIN
27) Jadarian Price | SEA
28) Quinshon Judkins | CLE
29) Kenny Gainwell | TB
30) Bhayshul Tuten | JAX
