Robbie Brady, MID

It’s been over a year since Robbie Brady scored to give Ireland a memorable win over Italy in Euro 2016. His well-taken goal that Summer was in many ways, his world introduction to the story of a man named Brady. As Brady begins his first full season at Burnley, having signed last Winter from Norwich in a return to Premiere League Football, fantasy managers should expect more magic from the Irishman. Call it much more than a hunch.

Having played 90 minutes in the opener, a 3-2 win against Champions Chelsea, Brady’s creative play from midfield should allay fears that had fomented during preseason that he would have to settle for a spot as left back. To the contrary, Brady was in a more advanced role, and heavily involved in Sam Vokes’  (14%) first goal to start the upset madness. Later on, Brady was unlucky to see his freekick cannon back off Thibaut Courtois’ upright, but it was telling that the other would-be freekick takers standing over the ball quickly melted away, leaving no doubt as to who would be given the chance.

Brady continues to show his precision from set pieces, and Draft Fantasy managers would love to see him finish an opportunity in his next outing at home vs. West Brom. We mustn’t be too excited after a 1 point return in GW1 standard scoring (no clean sheet, yellow card), but the optimistic and forward thinking managers among us will look past this poor showing on paper and see an opportunity to claim a player off waivers before he becomes a hot pickup. He’s less than 1% owned and thus is the ultimate fallback option.

Since Andre Gray (29%) has left for Watford, it seems that the aforementioned Vokes will lead the Claret line with Brady’s fellow Irishman Jon Walters (2%) available off the bench; strong aerial play should further favor Brady’s delivery and fantasy outlook. In fact, the Irish connection at Burnley (which also includes Jeff Hendrick (6%) and Stephen Ward (16%)) must keep the Clarets unified. Before the Chelsea win, one might have thought Burnley would do well to avoid relegation this year, but don’t let that scare you off of a young, talented player who should be given creative license. There is still value here even if the team struggles.

If all goes well, Brady will finish the season a bunch of goals: 5-10 and at least as many assists. I’d put his fantasy ceiling at or near other recently promoted playmakers like Aaron Mooy (4%), Anthony Knockaert (11%) , and Matt Ritchie (10%). The the teams they play for are not going to push for the title, fantasy returns will flow through these cogs. This group, which I’ll dub “The Brady Bunch,” should all be much, much higher owned.