If James Conner never played a down in the NFL, he'd be a great story.
The Steelers' second-year back selected in the third round a year ago in an outstanding RB class by his hometown team overcame a torn MCL and Hodgkin's Lymphoma ... in the same year. He returned with a vengeance to the Panthers in 2016, amassing nearly 1,400 yards from scimmage and 20 touchdowns en route to being the 105th overall pick the following spring.
After a quiet rookie campaign backing up the NFL's busiest (and best?) back, Conner suddenly has been thrust into the Week 1 starting gig with Le'Veon Bell nowhere to be found. Some stories write themselves, but this one is almost too good to be true for Conner. Still, as fantasy football players, we must avoid the temptation to let Conner's story cloud our judgment.
His first-ever start comes against Cleveland, which was top 10 in Pro Football Outsiders' DVOA run 'D' a year ago and paced the NFL in points allowed this preseason. The Browns might not be good this season, but in going from 2017 turnover leader DeShone Kizer to risk-averse Tyrod Taylor, they aren't likely to regularly get blown out and offer weekly enticing game scripts for opposing backs.
Conner, in addition to being a tremendous story, is a back with unique size and strength, not unlike Bell. He showed vast improvement from his first to second preseason. But he isn't Bell. And he shouldn't be viewed as someone who'll plug in seamlessly — to the Steelers offense or your fantasy lineups. Root aggressively for Conner but set your fantasy expectations for him conservatively, at least for now.
1. Todd Gurley, Rams at Raiders
2. David Johnson, Cardinals vs. Washington
3. Melvin Gordon, Chargers vs. Chiefs
4. Alvin Kamara, Saints vs. Buccaneers
5. Leonard Fournette, Jaguars at Giants
6. Kareem Hunt, Chiefs at Chargers
7. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys at Panthers
8. Joe Mixon, Bengals at Colts
9. Christian McCaffrey, Panthers vs. Cowboys
10. Jordan Howard, Bears at Packers
11. Alex Collins, Ravens vs. Bills
12. Saquon Barkley, Giants vs. Jaguars
13. Jay Ajayi, Eagles vs. Falcons
14. Derrick Henry, Titans at Dolphins
15. Devonta Freeman, Falcons at Eagles
16. Rex Burkhead, Patriots vs. Texans
17. Lamar Miller, Texans at Patriots
18. Marshawn Lynch, Raiders vs. Rams
19. Dalvin Cook, Vikings vs. 49ers
20. Jamaal Williams, Packers vs. Bears
21. Kenyan Drake, Dolphins vs. Titans
22. Dion Lewis, Titans at Dolphins
23. LeSean McCoy, Bills at Ravens
24. Carlos Hyde, Browns at Steelers
25. James Conner, Steelers vs. Browns
26. Alfred Morris, 49ers at Vikings
27. James White, Patriots vs. Texans
28. Chris Thompson, Washington at Cardinals
29. Tevin Coleman, Falcons at Eagles
30. Royce Freeman, Broncos vs. Seahawks
31. Chris Carson, Seahawks at Broncos
32. Bilal Powell, Jets at Lions
33. Peyton Barber, Buccaneers at Saints
34. Latavius Murray, Vikings vs. 49ers
35. Adrian Peterson, Washington at Cardinals
36. Ty Montgomery, Packers vs. Bears
37. Duke Johnson, Browns at Steelers
38. Kerryon Johnson, Lions vs. Jets
39. Corey Clement, Eagles vs. Falcons
40. LeGarrette Blount, Lions vs. Jets
41. Christine Michael, Colts vs. Bengals
42. Austin Ekeler, Chargers vs. Chiefs
43. Jordan Wilkins, Colts vs. Bengals
44. Mike Gillislee, Saints vs. Buccaneers
45. Sony Michel, Patriots vs. Texans
46. Theo Riddick, Lions vs. Jets
47. Frank Gore, Dolphins vs. Titans
48. Javorious Allen, Ravens vs. Bills
49. Rashaad Penny, Seahawks at Broncos
50. Nyheim Hines, Colts vs. Bengals
