LaDainian Tomlinson, RB Brian Westbrook, RB Adrian Peterson, RB Clinton Portis, RB Joseph Addai, RB Peyton Manning, QB Tom Brady, QB Willis McGahee, RB Marion Barber, RB Larry Johnson, RB Randy Moss, WR Tony Romo, QB Ryan Grant, RB Stephen Jackson, RB Brandon Jacobs, RB Michael Turner, RB Frank Gore, RB Terrell Owens, WR Reggie Wayne, WR Marshawn Lynch, RB Maurice Jones-Drew, RB Larry Fitzgerald, WR Carson Palmer, QB Steve Smith, WR Braylon Edwards, WR Willie Parker, RB TJ Houshmandzadeh, WR Darren McFadden, RB Laurence Maroney, RB Andre Johnson, WR Jamal Lewis, RB Ernest Graham, RB Plaxico Burress, WR Antonio Gates, TE Matt Hasselbeck, QB Chad Johnson, WR Edgerrin James, RB Anquan Boldin, WR Drew Brees, QB Ben Roethlisberger, QB Reggie Bush, RB Torry Holt, WR Ronnie Brown, RB Jason Witten, TE LenDale White, RB Hines Ward, WR Marvin Harrison, WR Jonathan Stewart, RB Marc Bulger, QB Greg Jennings, WR
| | Quarterbacks: Bottom Line: Quarterbacks are late-2nd to 4th round picks. Only a few QBs even deserve a thought before then – those being Manning and Brady, and perhaps Palmer and Romo. Numbers Don't Lie: Matt Hasselbeck, despite being Seattle's favorite whipping boy, consistently puts up good yardage and solid TD numbers. He may not get the recognition of a Tony Romo or Carson Palmer, or even an Eli Manning for that matter, but his stats show he deserves to be one of the first five QBs you consider. Return of the Bulger: In 2006, Marc Bulger, Stephen Jackson and Torry Holt made for one of the fiercest fantasy trios ever assembled on one team. Last year, they fell off and were not helped by an injury to Bulger mid-season. This year, however, I'd recommend giving Bulger a good look once we're outside the top five QBs – certainly before a gamble on Derek Anderson's sophomore effort. Running Backs: Know One Thing: Running backs are still the kings of fantasy football. They score most often, they amass yards, and most importantly, the drop-off from one level of RBs to the next is enormous. One-Yard Phenoms: I'm talking about you, Jamal Lewis. Last year more than half of Lewis' 9 TDs came on runs from inside the 2 yard line. The positive? Obviously the Browns like to feed him near the goalline. Negative? That success doesn't always translate year to year. Maurice Jones-Drew: Diminutive as he may be, he has always been a fantasy-favorite of mine. This year, again, I'm giving him a little more respect than he may deserve... but so long as the Jags continue to be a run-heavy team (they are), and as long as Fred Taylor is getting older every year like the rest of us (he is), I think Jones-Drew is going to continue to produce. Back-up Front: Michael Turner will finally have the spotlight all to himself after several years as the #2 in San Diego behind LT. Except, of course, that the spotlight will be all over him in Atlanta, not San Diego. I, and most, still have faith in Turner's ability to lead a fantasy team. Don't let the meager 2007 numbers fool you. Wide Receivers / Tight Ends Breakdown: I've never been the biggest fan of WRs in fantasy football (or the real game for that matter), but there has been a growing change in past seasons and it was finally realized last year. Look at the numbers of guys like Randy Moss, Terrell Owens and Braylon Edwards. Any player with 10+ TDs deserves credit. Getting your hands on a game-changing WR is almost as important as having a quality pair of runner's in today's fantasy game. (2006: 5 WRs had over 10 TDs, with the most being 13. 2007: 10 WRs had over 10 TDs, with 3 having more than 13) Stick to the Old Favorites: Moss, Owens, Holt, Wayne, Harrison, Johnson, Houshmandzadeh, Edwards, Williams, Burress, Ward, Smith, Fitzgerald, Boldin. Pick guys that are on the field and that QBs throw to. Save your gambles and 'feelings' for your last pick or two. Tight Ends: Only a handful are worth worrying about – Witten, Gonzaelz, Gates, Clark. If you can get one, great. If not, play the waiver wire and look for the hot pick-up. I might even consider a solid kicker before a 2nd-rate tight-end, because odds are you'll be looking for points on the waiver wire anyway.
Defenses Breakdown: In simple English, never be afraid to trade out your D. Fantasy defense is primarily about one stat and one stat only: turnovers. Last season the Ravens' D went from the league's leader in forced turnovers to below average. Allowing points or not, reputation or not, 23 total turnovers is hardly going to cut it.
Kickers Breakdown: I like Neil Rackers. |
