Three NFL players who saw their stock improve this offseason
The picks are in and so are a vast majority of the free agent signings as NFL teams have now turned their attention to summer workouts and minicamps.
Offseason moves tell all you need to know about how a team feels about its players or position groups. Hit a certain position hard and that points to trouble for the returning players at that spot. Pass up options in the draft and free agency, and the returning players have to like where they stand.
Our partners at Scout Fantasy took a look at some players who escaped the offseason in a good position to thrive in 2018 -- both in reality and fantasy:
Alex Collins, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Another veteran back on the rise is Alex Collins, who impressed Baltimore enough in 2017 to prevent them from investing any draft capital in the running back position. Collins put up impressive numbers as a rusher last season, and while Kenneth Dixon and Javorius Allen will push for third-down work, Collins should dominate on first- and second-down and near the goal line.
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Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans
The immensely talented wideout was clearly hampered by injuries in his rookie season, which has helped push his ADP down quite a bit heading into year two. The Titans don't appear to be too worried about Davis going forward, as they didn't invest a pick into an Eric Decker replacement. Decker played 78% of the team's offensive snaps, while accounting for a 16.8% target market share. Expect a large chunk of that volume to go to Davis, who could even supplant Rishard Matthews as Marcus Mariota's number one receiver.
Ronald Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A quick look at Jones' rookie draft ADP shows that he is a clear winner, as he has climbed into the top-five discussion in most dynasty rookie drafts. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise given his situation.
The Buccaneers were one of the most running back-needy teams in the league and hand-picked Jones as their back of the future at the top of round two. He will have to beat out Peyton Barber to earn a starting role, but that is a much easier assignment than most rookie backs were given. Keep an eye on the news out of Bucs camp this offseason, as Jones has the ability to be a big-time fantasy contributor in his rookie season if he can win the starting job.
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