Our Fantasy EPL 21/22 Draft Kit promises to be the most comprehensive set of pre-season Draft Premier League articles ever produced! A key component of our Draft Kit will be the Team Preview articles which analyze key assets to sit alongside our all-important Draft Rankings. This article delves into the Best Fantrax Fantasy EPL Players from Everton!
Check out our 21/22 Draft Kit for all the pre-season information you would ever need. Draft Rankings, Team Previews, Strategy, Draft 101. We've got it all!!!
Everton Best Fantasy Players
As noted above, these are the Best Everton Players for the Fantrax Fantasy EPL platform. We analyze the Toffees' top three prospects ahead of the new season, with an estimated draft pick for each player.
First, though, we need to have a discussion about Everton's prospects as a whole. To say that there are question marks surrounding this club may be one of the understatements of the summer. The arrival of Rafa Benitez triggers many considerations from Draft PL fantasy managers. First and foremost, a new manager usually means new signings as clubs try to appease their new gaffer. And subsequently, some existing players brought in by Ancelotti will be considered surplus to requirements. So as it stands, this article can serve as a snapshot of player valuation at this particular point in time. But remember to check back in the event of new Everton signings (or player sales), as this will be updated should anything change.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Position: Forward
20/21 Points: 413.5 (14th overall)
20/21 Points Per Start: 12.6
Recommended Draft Pick: 16-26 (12 Team League: Round 2 or 3)
Overview: Scored 16 goals with 6 assists last season for Everton, a season in which he showed much more consistency than previous years. He's undoubtedly a top 10 forward candidate and a fairly safe pick with few question marks.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (DCL) broke out last season. Previously, we would complain of his inconsistency and his reliance on attacking returns for fantasy production. In 20/21, however, he recorded 7.5 ghost points per 90 (gPP90), a stat which records fantasy points gained from categories other than goals, assists, and clean sheets. This indicates that his contributions on the pitch are becoming more widespread and is consistent with his emergence as a true FWD 1 (top 12 FWD). The beauty of picking DCL late in the 2nd round is his relative safety. You can't afford to gamble on your early picks. DCL has cemented his place in this squad, he's young, he's durable, and he's a valuable fantasy asset. Also, if you find him available in the 3rd round of your 10 or 12 team draft, click "draft" immediately and laugh all the way to the bank.
Lucas Digne
Position: Defender
20/21 Points: 344 (28 overall)
20/21 Points Per Start: 11.5
Recommended Draft Pick: 30-40 (12 Team League: Round 3 or 4)
Overview: One of the best wingbacks in the game, Digne is an elite level defender in formats that reward more than bare-bones point categories. Though somewhat fragile, when on the field he's been incredibly consistent, delivering fantasy points even when his team concede multiple goals.
Lucas Digne ranked 5th among defenders last year in overall points, but 3rd in Points Per Start (PPS). His peripheral stats (often referred to as ghost points) are off the charts with 46 key passes, 39 accurate crosses, and a whopping 92 aerials (12th among all defenders). He is an absolute stud with the only minor concern being his injury history. And his role should remain relatively stable under the new manager. Traditionally, Rafa Benitez has utilized more of a 4-2-3-1 formation rather than opting for a back 3 (with wingbacks). Thus, Digne will have more defensive duties as a fullback as opposed to a wingback, but that won't differ much from his role in the Ancelotti 4-4-2. So, actually, should Rafa decide to use two holding midfielders in front of the defense, this could bode well for Digne's opportunities on the wing.
Richarlison
Position: Forward
20/21 Points: 304 (48 overall)
20/21 Points Per Start: 9.2
Recommended Draft Pick: 45-55 (12 Team League: Round 4 or 5)
Overview: A very boom or bust forward who will reward fantasy managers who roster him as a 2nd FWD, but will severely disappoint anyone who takes him as their first in that position. Be conscious of roster construction if you're planning to draft Richarlison.
Last season, Richarlison was drafted before Dominic Calvert-Lewin in almost every draft. This year, you'd be crazy to repeat that mistake. While the Brazilian is still one of Everton's top fantasy assets, there are a number of factors that "ding" his fantasy value. As a start, we need to discuss his international play. First of all, he played nearly every match of the Copa America. Then, and this has been missed by many, Everton gave the player permission to accompany Brazil to the Olympics. This puts his first month (maybe more) of the season in severe doubt. Add to all of this the fact that Richarlison had a massively inconsistent year (as a fantasy asset and otherwise), and you're left with a bit of a gamble. It was much more common last year to find two matches in a row where Richarlison scored under 10 rather than over. But on name value alone, he will likely be taken too early in your draft and you should absolutely encourage that... just make sure it's not you who's drafting him early.
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