Sunday, March 25, 2007

Top Ten Fantasy: Issue 3

Though there aren't a ton of major changes (in bold) on the fantasy front, I'd like to keep this updated regularly.

Quarterback
1. Peyton Manning - I honestly don't see Manning succumbing to Superbowl Hangover. Buyer beware here if he lands on Madden '08.
2. Drew Brees - Brees became a storm last season. This is the guy who will come out of nowhere with a 35 point game one week.
3. Carson Palmer - Cincy has done some work on their O-line. As a Steelers fan, I hate that, but as a potential Palmer owner, I can't help but feel better.
4. Tom Brady (Previously 5) - You would think that Brady signed up to do a MTV show entitled 'Pimp my Receiving Corps': Stallworth, Washington, and Welker will be scoring (as opposed to dropping) touchdowns all year long.
5. Michael Vick (Previously 4) - Petrino has given Vick a very pronounced nod of confidence by trading Schaub. But can Vick take advantage of all his new responsibilities?
6. Donovan McNabb (Previously 7) - Bulger's loss is McNabb's gain: Kevin Curtis will be catching long bombs with a pair of wings on his helmet.
7. Marc Bulger (Previously 6) - Only moved down because of buzz around McNabb; Bulger should technically be #6b.
8. Matt Leinhart - The Cards defense is getting better, so Linehart won't play from behind nearly as much this season. This sounds like bad news in fantasy terms, but will actually decrease his INT numbers when he won't try and force as many passes.
9. Vince Young - I am screaming at the top of my lungs for the Titans to pick up at least one reciever in free agency. However, the Tennessee brass seems to be pretty good at drafting rookies who are ready to play. Meachem, Ginn, Jarrett in the first round?
10. Ben Roethlisberger - I almost put Tony Romo or Eli Manning here. Then my bias kicked in. Big Ben is barely holding on to number ten, because of coaching switches. There's a risk factor here.

Mid Round Flier Special: Matt Schaub - Yes, Schaub is playing behind the dreaded Houston O-line, but people love this kid. Draft him as a QB2, and you may have a starter or massive trade bait on your hands.

Running Back
1. LaDanian Tomlinson - Come to think of it, you should probably skip #1 whenever you look at the RB section. Everyone knows who it'll be.
2. Larry Johnson - With Huard at the Helm, the offense shouldn't stall like it did in the Wild Card game against Indy. Here's hoping KC drafts a recieving threat downfield to take the heat off LJ.
3. Steven Jackson - Faulk is out of the picture, and SJ is poised to become #2b on my draft board.
4. Frank Gore - Gore was relatively injury-free last year. You can't pass up on him at this point, as he is a dying breed; Each season, less and less workhorse backs stay that way.
5. Brian Westbrook - I love the Kevin Curtis signing. It takes a lot less pressure off of Westy.
6. Rudi Johnson - The man is a consistency king. He is the safest buy other than LDT.
7. Willie Parker - He's a workhorse back, but O-line questions need to be answered in Pittsburgh. Otherwise, we might have another Edge James on our hands.
8. Shaun Alexander - Alexander's fate is linked to that of Hasslebeck. He could slip down the rankings.
9. Willis McGahee - McGahee could move up if the Ravens get another downfield threat, and if Ogden stays on board.
10. Maurice Jones-Drew - Here's to hoping Fragile Freddy starts to sit early in the season.

Mid Round Flier Special - Carnell Williams - Caddy burned alot of us last year, as he was previously ranked as a first round pick. Well, the Tampa O-line is being restructured, and Gruden seems to have more quarterbacks than he needs this season. If Calvin Johnson suits up for the Bucs this season, Williams should have a bounceback year.

Wide Reciever
1. Marvin Harrison - Harrison may get a few touchdowns less than T.O., and recieve a few yards short of C.J., but this guy is a guaranteed WR1 every year. You can't pass up on him.
2. Chad Johnson - Ocho-Cinco loves to get the ball. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, and Johnson's tendency to demand looks is an invaluable quality in terms of fantasy football.
3. Larry Fitzgerald - The Cardinals are a team on the rise, which can only mean good things for LFtiz's stats.
4. Steve Smith - Carolina is giving Delhomme a nod of confidence. If that isn't a good sign for Smith's #s, I don't know what is.
5. Reggie Wayne - If you have Harrison and Wayne as your WR1 and WR2, you are set (with the exception of their bye week) for the season.
6. Terrell Owens - Hate the guy, love his production. To some owners, he is worth the headache.
7. Javon Walker - Walker will clearly be the best recieving threat on the field with Rod Smith taking a smaller role in the offense.
8. Roy Williams - Kevin Curtis signed with Philly, and as long as Millen doesnt take Calvin Johnson with the #2, Williams' production should only increase.
9. Anquan Boldin - Boldin is likely to slip down the draft board with his failure to meet standards last season. Bargain alert.
10. T.J. Houshmanzadeh - Is it wrong to hope Chris Henry keeps getting arrested? Only if you're not a Houshmanzadeh owner.

Mid Round Flier Special - Kevin Curtis - Curtis has all the variables in place to blow people away this season. Anyone can look good catching passes from McNabb, so look for him to at least emerge as a strong WR2.

No comments: