NFC South fantasy roundup: Where do Buccaneers rank?

New Orleans Saints

Surprisingly we are not starting this list with the future Hall of Famer in Drew Brees as he checked in at 111 overall. The first player for the Saints to check in is Alvin Kamara who is ranked as the number three overall player for the 2019 season. Kamara is headed into year three in the league but only year two as the starting back.

In his first year as a starter we saw Kamara rush for 883 yards and 14 touchdowns, while also catching 81 balls for 709 yards and four scores. Kamara is one of the top 4 fantasy players going in drafts and is a guy you start every week regardless of matchup.

The next guy on the list is someone every Alvin Kamara fantasy owner needs to target. Latavius is coming over to New Orleans after spending the last two seasons in Minnesota and will look to fill the void Mark Ingram left. Latavius was a starter early in his career in Oakland but more recently has served as a rotational back.

Murray checks in at number 77 on Berry’s list with an average ADP that sees him being selected in the middle of round seven. Many expect Murray to be as productive as Mark Ingram was in the Saints offense but that is not the case at all. Murray is talented but is not the same caliber of player as Mark Ingram.

If you selected Kamara though Murray is a must have player because he is one of the best handcuffs at the running back position. You will have to reach to make sure you get him but if anything happens to Kamara you will be happy to be prepared already.

Michael Thomas is the highest paid wide receiver in league history and checks in at number 12 overall. Thomas was somehow a second round pick back in 2016 and has more than returned on that selection for the Saints.

Thomas has topped 1,100 yards in each of his three seasons and had nine touchdowns in two of the three as well. Last season Thomas had a career high in catches (125), yards (1,405) and tied a career high in scores (9). Thomas is a late first to early second round pick and is primed for another WR1 season.

Thomas now being the highest paid receiver ever puts the pressure on him more than ever to perform even better than before. Can’t guard Mike is usually a very healthy guy you can rely on week in and week out. When making an early round one or two selection health is key. Draft Thomas with total confidence that he finishes as a WR1 and maybe even the best receiver in the league.

The last Saint to check in on Matthew Berry’s Top 100 players is the newly signed tight end coming from the Oakland Raiders, Jared Cook. The veteran tight end is coming off of a career year and that is why he checks in at number 89 overall.

Last season in Oakland, we saw Cook set career highs in targets (101), receptions (68), yards (896) and touchdowns (6). Cook’s numbers may be a bit inflated due to the absence of Amari Cooper after week six and Jordy Nelson having a pretty quiet season. Derek Carr targeted Cook often in games and the Raiders more often than not played from behind.

A large part of Cook’s 2018 success is due in part to a great game script having to always play from behind and the offense having no other weapons. Cook is new to the Saints and outside of Michael Thomas there are not many proven receivers that can contribute at a high level with the exception of the aging Ted Ginn Jr.

Cook is currently ranked as the TE8 overall and has an average draft position (ADP) in the middle of round seven. Taking Cook that early is a bit high but having Drew Brees instead of Derek Carr is a major upgrade.