2019 Draft Guide

In the Draft Guide we try to give you specific information and statistics that will be helpful for the 2019 draft. As more players are moved around and as we get a better idea of how new players may be utilized you should fully expect player rankings to move up and down. The general process is to throw out a draft and then iteratively fine tune it. We will be more confident with rankings and commentary the closer to the start of the season, but regardless we hope whatever draft we are it the information can help you in your own analysis.

Updated 11 July 2019

1st Round Draft Order | Top Players By Position | Top Players Transferred In | Top Promoted Players

1st Round Draft Order

* Positions listed come from multiple sources. For example, some sites allow a player to play as a Midfielder, some as a Forward, and some allow either. We list all the positions we've seen the player listed as. Check your own fantasy site to see where exactly he is allowed to play there.

Top Players By Position

View Full Player Stats for full lists.

Top Players Transferred In

1. Rodrigo – Midfielder – Manchester City (from Atlético Madrid)

   • Of course you should take notice of Rodri, the transfer season’s largest transfer so far, and Manchester City’s largest ever, for the 23 year old Spanish Midfielder.
   • A few thoughts that give us pause though. He only scored 3 goals last season. He may be a great defensive midfielder and an important player for Man City, but his skills may not translate well into fantasy points. Also, more than most teams, Man City’s wealth of talent sometimes means a starter on any other team is on the sideline for a few stretches of the season. Also, Pep Guardiola has a history of playing with his lineup at the start of a season. It may take a few matches before Rodri starts. With Rodri being such a huge signing these concerns may be totally unfounded, so they may be worries to give some thought to, or to totally ignore!

 

2. Christian Pulisic – Midfielder – Chelsea (from Dortmund)

   • Pulisic has made regular appearances for Borussia Dortmund in both league and cup matches for the last few years. Last season he scored 4 league goals and 3 cup goals. We have no idea how Chelsea will choose to use him, but if Chelsea’s transfer ban holds up it may be more likely than not that they play him regularly.
   • Still only 20 years old Pulisic has tremendous potential upside. It will be interesting to see how he progresses at Chelsea. We think picking him on a flyer is could pay off, in seasons to come we expect him to be a sure thing.

 

3. Pablo Fornals – Midfielder – West Ham United (from Villarreal)

   • The attacking midfielder made 35 appearances for Villarreal last season. As West Ham’s largest signing this transfer window they will be expecting him to make an impact. We expect him to be a solid fantasy contributor too.

 

4. Che Adams – Midfielder | Forward – Southampton (from Birmingham City)

   • Adams is listed as a Midfielder and a Forward, so some sites will let you play him in either role. If you can play him as a Midfielder so you get the extra points for goals. The flexibility is always nice to have anyways.
   • Last year he was Birmingham City’s top goal scorer with 22. He also made an appearance in all 46 league matches making him a consistent performer.

 

5. Wesley – Forward – Aston Villa (from Club Brugge)

   • The Brazilian striker looks to be Aston Villa’s likely replacement for Tammy Abraham. Abraham was Aston Villa’s top goal scorer last season (on loan from Chelsea), and if Wesley fills those shoes he should get a large share of Aston Villa’s fantasy points.
   • Wesley scored 17 goals last season with Club Brugge. He was also crowned “De Golden Shoen”, the award for the best young player in the Belgian league. Hopefully his potential comes to fruition.
   • Last we saw work permits and international clearances were still pending. Shouldn’t be an issue though.

 

6. Tanguy NDombele – Midfielder – Tottenham (from Lyon)

   • We see NDombele as a good late round pick up. We aren’t completely sure how he fits into the Spurs lineup yet, but with the price tag on his transfer there are certainly some expectations. He made 33 appearances for Lyon last season, so if he cracks the starting lineup we expect he will stay there.

Top Promoted Players

1. Teemu Pukki – Midfielder | Forward – Norwich

   • Pukki is the much desired Forward that in some leagues allow you to play him as a Midfielder. Check on your site which position or positions he’s listed under. He was Norwich’s top goal scorer with 29. Next was Vrancic with 10. This is a good indicator Pukki will get a lot of Norwich’s fantasy points, especially if he gets the Midfielder value for a goal scored.
   • With 43 starts and with the 2nd most minutes played by a Norwich player there shouldn’t be any surprise absences.

 

2. Mario Vrančić – Midfielder – Norwich

   • Vrančić produced 10 goals in 36 appearances for Norwich last season, a solid contribution from a Midfielder.

 

3. Jack Grealish – Midfielder – Aston Villa

   • An attacking midfielder with 6 goals and 7 assists. Best or 2nd best on almost every statistic for Aston Villa. From dribbles to passing percentage, etc. He should be a solid fantasy points earner.
   • Started 34 matches with the 5th most minutes by an Aston Villa player. An almost always starter who should bring in points most weeks.

 

4. Billy Sharp – Forward – Sheffield United

   • Sheffield United’s top goal scorer with 23. Although a lot of goals he shared the spotlight with McGoldrick who had 15. If Sheffield United can keep up their potent offense in the Premier League then both players should get their fair share of fantasy points.
   • Started 34 matches with 40 total appearances. That should be a pretty solid regular starter for you.

 

5. David McGoldrick – Midfielder | Forward – Sheffield United

   • Sheffield United’s 2nd highest goal scorer with 15. If the site you use alllow you to play him in the Midfield position then this should provide you with a good amount of fantasy points.
   • Started 36 matches with 45 total appearances. Being absent for only one match should leave you with little surprises if you choose to start him.

 

6. Marco Stiepermann – Midfielder – Norwich

   • A Midfielder with 9 goals and 6 assists should do very well in fantasy if he can repeat that in the Premier League.
   • Started 39 matches and appeared in 43 is about as reliable as you can get.

 

7. *HONORABLE MENTION* Tammy Abraham – Forward – Aston Villa (on loan from Chelsea)

   • We say honorable mention because we believe Abraham deserves the credit for last season’s performance. And if he was currently with a team that would consistently play him we firmly believe he has all the capability to be a really good fantasy player.
   • By far Aston Villa’s top goal scorer with 26. Next was Jonathan Kodjia with 9. IF Abraham goes on loan to another EPL team this is a good indicator he will get a lot of his team’s fantasy points. We think back to Aston Villa is unlikely with their signing of Wesley. If he stays with Chelsea this year then, unfortunately, avoid drafting him.
   • With 40 starts and with the 2nd most minutes played by an Aston Villa player there shouldn’t be any surprise absences IF he plays for a team that needs him.