All fantasy football players have their guys.Some people love David Johnson, while others are scared off by the small sample size during his breakout campaign a year ago. Some love Allen Robinson, while others are confident hes due for a regression.These choices are often subjectivetheres no definite right or wrong answer. Could Johnson and A-Rob keep dominating for the Arizona Cardinals and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively' Absolutely.But that preseason fire could also fizzle out once the real games start.Lets talk studs and duds below.Note: This is standard-format analysis. QuarterbackStud: Andrew LuckHes back.After playing just seven games last season, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck appears geared up for a monster 2016.The tools are all there. Lucks got the ever-dynamic T.Y. Hilton as his top pass-catcher. On Thursday, the quarterback called Hilton the best player at training camp.Heres some high praise Luck added, per Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star:It feels that way, and thats what an elite player is. I remember being a rookie with T.Y. and watching Reggie Wayne practice every day. He was probably the best player on the field every day, and he practiced like it. From the stories Ive heard, that was Marvin (Harrison) every day on the practice field making plays and doing it 100 percent and going all out.So I think T.Y. is carrying on the tradition of great, hard-working, practice wide receivers on this team. Hes special.Luck also has the rapidly improving Donte Moncrief as well as second-year speedster PhillipDorsett. In the backfield is Frank Gore, who is not the star he once was but is still serviceable.As a fantasy owner, dont be scared off by concerns that Lucks had an "uneven" camp, which was reported by Zak Keeferof theIndianapolis Star.Thats who Luck is.He takes chances. He throws picks. He makes what appear to be boneheaded plays more than his coaches would like.But many of those chances result in explosive plays and, in turn, fantasy points.Expect a healthy Luck to finish in the same conversation as top fantasy QBs like Cam Newton, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. Dud: Marcus MariotaMarcus Mariota showed flashes last year.Hes got game-breaking speed as a runner, but that wasnt always a factor in the Tennessee Titans game plan. Worsening his fantasy production was painful inconsistency. There were four different outings Super Mario tossed three-plus touchdowns, but there were five with zero.The 22-year-old is hit-or-miss. And given his limited weapons aside from DeMarco Murray and Delanie Walker, its tough to give Mariota a roster spot for more than single weeks at a time.Hes streamable in some matchups, but he's not someone youll want to draft and rely on. Running BackStud: David JohnsonIts easy to convince yourself not to draft Johnson. After all, snagging him likely means passing on first-round talent like A.J. Green or Devonta Freeman.Will D.J. simply be the next C.J. Andersona young star who emerges as a dominant force down the stretch of one year, only to disappoint in the next'Short answer: No.Long answer: The Cardinals seem genuinely all-in on the Northern Iowa product, who was recruited to college as a wide receiver. With just five starts, Johnson racked up 581 yards on the ground (eight touchdowns) and 457 through the air (36 catches, four scores).Head coach Bruce Arians often used the burly running back as a receiver in the red zone, which created all types of mismatches that quarterback Carson Palmer easily exploited.The presence of Chris Johnson is somewhat daunting for owners, too. Heres what Arians said on Friday to quell those concerns, per Jeffri Chadiha of NFL.com:I'm afraid to talk about [David Johnson] because I might get him hurt. But he can run it 25 times and he can catch it 15 times. The sky is the limit for his ability, because he can do so many things. I don't want to run him in the ground early, because we have Chris [Johnson] and Andre [Ellington]. We have a great group of running backs, so one guy doesn't have to get all the carries early in the season.Believe the hype. After the top three receivers (Antonio Brown, Odell Beckham Jr. and Julio Jones) are off the board, David Johnson should be in play as the first back selected. Dud: Isaiah CrowellSome are viewing Isaiah Crowells ADP (average draft position) of RB42 as a value.Its actually generous.Though billed a first- and second-down back, Crowell is in danger of losing carries to second-year teammate Duke Johnson.Crowell will still be involved, of course. With Hue Jackson now manning the Cleveland Browns sidelines, itd be shocking to see either Crowell or Johnson become a three-down, clear-cut workhorse. Keep in mind that this is the same coach who wielded the leagues best backfield combination in Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard with the Cincinnati Bengals.The common thought with Cleveland is that Crowell will fill Hills bruising role while Johnson acts as the passing-down back, like Gio. After all, the latter led all rookie running backs with 61 receptions. He was second among first-year players, trailing only Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper.According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, both Crowell and Johnson could be used on the field at the same time:Yes, I definitely think you will see Crowell and Johnson on the field at the same time, but not necessarily both in the backfield. There might be times where Johnson is split wide and Crow is in the backfield. But with Hue Jackson's offensive creativity, I'm sure you'll see both players lining up in multiple spots and being used in various ways. That bodes well for Johnson, who would be seeing the field even in situations Crowell would typically be in the backfield.In addition, Tommy Chalk of the Washington Post pointed out that Johnson is more than just a shifty pass-catcher:First of all, Johnson may end up being a better runner than Crowell. According to PFF, Johnson recorded the most missed tackles per touchamong running backs with at least 150 carries last season. In that same category, Crowell ranked 30th. Plus, Johnson rated as Clevelands best runner just last season, receiving a PFF grade of 74.7. Crowell only received a less-than-mediocre 71.9 grade. PFF classifies Johnsons grade as an average starter grade, while Crowells is below average.In PPR, Johnson is the obvious choice. But even in standard, Dukes ceiling is immensely higher. Hes a second-year breakout candidate. Wide ReceiverStud: Odell Beckham Jr.Odell Beckham Jr. scoffed at those sophomore slump believers last season.He finished third in receiving yards (1,450), eighth in receptions (96) and tied for fourth in receiving touchdowns (13). Dont forget OBJ did all this even while missing Week 16 due to suspensiona painful memory for many who were fighting for a fantasy championship.Beckham is elite; thats not changing.His connection with Eli Manning is unshakable, and now the Giants figure to actually have some help opposite Beckham this season. Rookie Sterling Shepard has drawn rave reviewsNo. 13 is among his vocal supportersand flashed that potential in NYGs first preseason game before leaving with a minor groin injury.Victor Cruz could also play for the first time since 2014. Factor in what should be an improved running game reliant on Rashad Jennings instead of a dysfunctional four-headed attack, and youve got the makings of an offensive boost in New York.At the forefront of that should be another monster effort from OBJ. Grab him in the top third of your draft with confidence. Dud: Kelvin BenjaminDont freak out.Kelvin Benjamin was a fantasy stud during his rookie season, totaling 73 grabs, 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns.Things werent perfect, thoughBenjamins catch rate was just 50.3 percent, meaning he was more a product of volume than anything else.Then, around this time last year, he tore his ACL.Then, Cam Newton put forth an MVP effort without his top target from the year prior.Now, its been assumed that upon his return, Benjamin will immediately reclaim his role as the undisputed No. 1.Is it that simple'Well, hes going to be a featured part of the passing attack. Hes a mammoth target at 65, 240 pounds. In the red zone, hes near-unguardable.But Carolinas world wont stop spinning just because Benjamin is back. Newton spread the wealth last season and didnt consistently lock in on any one target aside from tight end Greg Olsen, making choosing a Panthers receiver a nightmare for fantasy owners.In real life, though, it resulted in a trip to the Super Bowl.Expect a strong season from Benjamin, but think of him more of an explosive WR2 than a week-to-week WR1. Tight EndStud: Rob GronkowskiEven before his buddy Tom Brady returns from his four-game suspension, Rob Gronkowski is the uncontested top option at tight end. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will feed him often.And when Brady gets back' Oh, man.One of the most dominant forces in the NFL today, Gronk is still worthy of a first-round pick. Fire him up every week. Dud: Will Tye/Larry Donnell/Matt LaCosseFantasy players have learned to stay away from committee backfields when drafting running backs.The Giants appear to have a TEBC (tight end by committee) brewing.Theres Larry Donnell, Will Tye and Matt LaCosse in play here. As of August 5, tight ends coach Kevin Gilbride Jr. didnt seem sure whod emerge as the starter, per Michael Eisen of Giants.com:Each person in that room brings something different to the table. I feel like that all six of them are candidates for the 53-man roster. It's just a matter of who emerges. Who emerges and are they better than the other positions. Coach (Ben) McAdoo had mentioned that the best players will play. It's not a certain number of tight ends in the group, it's just a matter of who's the best football player.Snagging Donnell, who went for 63/623/6 in 2014, or Tye, a late-season bloomer in 2015, might seem appealing, but proceed with caution.There are late-round options available elsewhereEric Ebron (ADP: TE18) or Jason Witten (ADP: TE15) figures to be much more reliable. KickerStud: DomesKickers are fluky, but those who play in a dome face fewer weather-related obstacles.Heres a list of such teams, courtesy of Football Insiders Mark Gunnels:Atlanta FalconsNew Orleans SaintsDetroit LionsHouston TexansArizona CardinalsIndianapolis Colts Dud: None of noteAgain, its a fluky position. Unless your guy becomes a bona fide stud, theres no sense getting attached to one kicker. Pick up and drop as your schedule dictates.(Side note: It can be fun to draft your favorite team's kicker, so when it scores, you score. But if he shanks one, things are even more painful.) D/STStud: Arizona CardinalsHave you seen Amazons All or Nothing: A Season with the Arizona Cardinals yet'If not, it's worth watching.If you have, youll likely be clamoring for Arians defensive unit, which features one of the best secondaries in the NFL.After tearing his ACL in late December, star safety Tyrann Mathieu should be back early in the season. Week 1 appears to remain a possibility, per Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com:Even if the Honey Badger doesn't return right away, Arizona is still a solid D/ST to own. Last year, the Cardinals ranked second in total turnovers, and Patrick Peterson is always a threat to take one to the house. Dud: Any defense picked before Round 8Unless you have some wacky scoring settings in your league (maybe return yards are highly valuable, for example), its just not worth reaching for a defense.Be patient. ADP information was sourced from FantasyPros.com. NFL stats were used from Pro-Football-Reference.com.
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