Peanut and Play Action
QB: Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
QB2: Jon Kitna, Lions
RB: Brian Westbrook, Eagles
RB2: Rudi Johnson, Bengals
WR: Andre Johnson, Texans
WR2: Steve Smith, Panthers
TE: Chris Cooley, Redskins
DEF/ST: Cowboys
FLEX: Santonio Holmes, Steelers
K:
BENCH:
RB Chester Taylor, Vikings
WR Donte Stallworth, Browns
TE Greg Olsen, Bears
Analysis:
I love this team’s starters, but hate their backups. Roethlisberger is looking as good as ever and has taken on a leadership role on the Steelers and while Kitna often puts up great fantasy numbers, he is on his last legs.
Brian Westbrook is a stud both on the ground and in the air, which explains him being the first overall pick, but Rudi Johnson’s job security is minimal right now and he doesn’t score touchdowns. Andre Johnson, if healthy, is possibly the best receiver in the league, but Steve Smith, who will be missing the first two games of the season was a huge reach.
The only position where I like their backup is at the Tight End spot where both of their players have great upside this season.
They have a decent bench, Santonio Holmes is risk/reward, Donte Stallworth could be huge with a change of scenery and more touches and if Adrian Peterson gets injured, which seems likely, Chester Taylor will pay dividends.
Grade: B
The Killer B’s (Bruder and Orville)
QB: Drew Brees, Saints
QB2: JaMarcus Russell, Raiders
RB: LaDanian Tomlinson, Chargers
RB2: Fred Taylor, Jaguars
WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
WR2: Calvin Johnson, Lions
TE: Jason Witten, Cowboys
DEF/ST: Steelers
FLEX: DeAngelo Williams, Panthers
K:
BENCH:
WR Donald Driver, Packers
WR Vincent Jackson, Chargers
RB Kevin Jones, Bears
Analysis: Bruder and Orville are back for another season of kicking ass and taking names. Having LaDanian Tomlinson fall to the second spot is pretty unprecedented. However, the running back spot outside of Tomlinson is shaky. Fred Taylor is on the wrong side of 30 and will lose touches to Maurice Jones-Drew and DeAngelo Williams will battle with Jonathan Stewart for the starting spot in Carolina.
This team has three up-and-coming receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, Calvin Johnson and Vincent Jackson, with Donald Driver as the seasoned veteran. None of these four are sure things and while Johnson could break out at any time, he could also hit the sophomore slump.
At the Tight End spot, Witten is expected to have double-digit touchdowns and was at the top of most draft boards at his position.
Grade: B
Pizzola and Pierre
QB: David Garrard, Jaguars
QB2: Marc Bulger, Rams
RB: Adrian Peterson, Vikings
RB2: Earnest Graham, Buccaneers
WR: Reggie Wayne, Colts
WR2: Lee Evans, Bills
TE: Antonio Gates, Chargers
DEF/ST: Patriots
FLEX: Selvin Young, Broncos
K:
BENCH:
WR Javon Walker, Raiders
TE Todd Heap, Ravens
RB Leon Washington, Jets
Analysis: This team had a solid strategy of stockpiling quality talent and running back, wide receiver and tight end and worried about the rest later. They know what they are getting in David Garrard, a few rushing touchdowns and great ball control, Marc Bulger is the wild card; you are looking at either another season riddled with injuries or huge numbers – keep in mind that Bulger was a second round pick in most fantasy drafts last year.
At running back, this team is set with Adrian Peterson, Earnest Graham, Selvin Young and Leon Washington. I expect a ton of touchdowns on the ground from this tandem – my only concern is receptions.
At the receiver spot, Reggie Wayne was a steal where they drafted him, but Lee Evans is hit-or-miss – he always benefitted from J.P. Losman’s long ball and may falter with Trent Edwards’s conservative brand of play.
At tight end, you have to love the duo of Antonio Gates and Todd Heap. Heap has been dropping on draft boards across the land due to injury concerns, but he is a rock when he plays and will be the top target in Baltimore when healthy.
Grade: B+
Brandon and Sacha
QB: Carson Palmer, Bengals
QB2: Jason Campbell, Redskins
RB: Steven Jackson, Rams
RB2: Willis McGahee, Ravens
WR: Jerricho Cotchery, Jets
WR2: Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs
TE: Vernon Davis, 49ers
DEF/ST: Giants Defense
FLEX: Chris Johnson, Titans
K: Rob Bironas, Titans
BENCH:
WR Santana Moss, Redskins
RB Chris Perry, Bengals
Analysis: This team is risk/reward all the way, which is tricky to grade. The only sure thing on this team is Carson Palmer continuing to put up huge numbers on a weekly basis. Jackson continues to get selected high in fantasy drafts despite lacking on-the-field preparedness due to his holdout and a season where he did not live up to expectations – but when he tries, you know how effective he can be. Even if he doesn’t dominate, Willis McGahee is a very safe bet as the second running back and is better than some teams primary running backs.
Their receivers are questions marks. Jerricho Cotchery had very few touchdowns last season, but will he step up with Brett Favre behind center? Dwayne Bowe is a fantastic up-and-comer who will get even more touches this year and is a draft sleeper. Santana Moss could go either way.
This is Vernon Davis’s last chance to prove that he warranted a first round selection. He has all of the tools and has shown what he can do if he is healthy, but without a contingency plan, this pick could bomb.
This team also has a lot of question marks, including the injured Rob Bironas, the Giants defense without Osi Umenyiora and two running backs in Chris Perry and Chris Johnson who may not start until late in the season or at all.
Grade: C-
Richard and Ben in B.C.
QB: Jake Delhomme, Panthers
QB2: Vince Young, Titans
RB: Joseph Addai, Colts
RB2: Darren McFadden, Raiders
WR: Braylon Edwards, Browns
WR2: Marques Colston, Saints
TE: Kellen Winslow Jr., Browns
DEF/ST: Vikings Defense
FLEX: Roddy White, Falcons
K:
BENCH:
RB Ray Rice, Ravens
RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants
RB Jerious Norwood, Falcons
Analysis: This team has been subject to criticism on this website and I don’t necessarily echo those sentiments. Joseph Addai will be huge on the ground and in the air and Darren McFadden is a huge wildcard.
Much of the criticism rests on the shoulders of Ray Rice, Ahmad Bradshaw and Jerious Norwood, all of whom are backup running backs who could have very limited touches. I agree with the criticism on this front.
However, this team has, in my opinion, the best receiving corps of any team in this league. Braylon Edwards is expected to put up even better numbers than last year, Marques Colston is the number one target for a throw-happy quarterback in New Orleans and Roddy White, who was dissed during the draft, is an incredible up-and-comer who will be the number one target for trigger-happy Matt Ryan.
Kellen Winslow Jr. is a top-3 tight end any way you slice it, but is in my opinion, the best tight end in the league when healthy and motivated.
The Vikings defense is probably the most valuable one in the league.
Grade: B-
Gentile and Damon
QB: Tom Brady, Patriots
QB2: Aaron Rodgers, Packers
RB: Willie Parker, Steelers
RB2: Jamal Lewis, Browns
WR: Plaxico Burress, Giants
WR2: Bernard Berrien, Vikings
TE: Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs
DEF/ST: Bears
FLEX: Edgerrin James, Cardinals
K: Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
BENCH:
WR Joey Galloway, Buccaneers
RB Felix Jones, Cowboys
Analysis: Aaron Rodgers and Felix Jones aside, this team is stacked with proven commodities that are known to get it done. Tom Brady was the best player in fantasy football last season and he was a no-brainer at the sixth overall pick. At first, I thought that Willie Parker was a reach, but given that Jamal Lewis was taken next, those are two high quality backs. Not to mention that their third back is another starter in Edgerrin James who lingered on the draft board longer than he should have.
At wide receiver, Plaxico Burress was a steal, especially with more touches available from Shockey being dealt. Berrien is only 25 and will be the primary receiver on the Vikings. I expect him to have another very good season.
You know what you are getting with Tony Gonzalez and he will likely be the primary target for the Chiefs if he isn’t hobbled by age.
The backups are high risk/reward with Aaron Rodgers and Felix Jones’s upside and Joey Galloway, who seems to age like a fine wine. With the amount of experience on this roster, the aforementioned players are certainly worth the risk.
Grade: A
Geoff and Bullock
QB: Tony Romo, Cowboys
QB2: Phillip Rivers, Chargers
RB: Laurence Maroney, Patriots
RB2: Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
WR: Randy Moss, Patriots
WR2: Greg Jennings, Packers
TE: Dallas Clark, Colts
DEF/ST: Chargers
FLEX: Matt Forte, Bears
K:
BENCH:
RB Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
WR Antwaan Randle-El, Redskins
RB Chris Brown, Texans
Analysis: You have to love the quarterback duo of Romo and Rivers. Rivers is a natural born leader and Romo is going to continue to get it done.
The biggest problem with this team are their running backs. Laurence Maroney is a terrible fantasy running back – he never gets touchdowns and rarely has big runs. Ronnie Brown was one of the top-5 running backs at the beginning of last year, but if Ricky Williams has been named the starter, his injury problems are likely recurring. Matt Forte and Rashard Mendenhall are big question marks as rookies.
Their receivers are solid with Randy Moss, Greg Jennings and Dallas Clark at the tight end spot, but they have very little depth and Randle-El likely would have gone undrafted.
Grade: C
Cam and Scott in Maryland
QB: Peyton Manning, Colts
QB2: Matt Ryan, Falcons
RB: Clinton Portis, Redskins
RB2: Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
WR: T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Bengals
WR2: Roy Williams, Lions
TE: L.J. Smith, Eagles
DEF/ST: Packers
FLEX: Julius Jones, Seahawks
K: Nick Folk, Cowboys
BENCH:
WR Derrick Mason, Ravens
WR Ted Ginn Jr., Dolphins
Analysis: Scott felt that he did a poor job as a GM at the draft, but from the look of his team, he certainly could have done a lot worse.
Peyton Manning is a consistent fantasy quarterback who will take almost every snap if his injury concerns are laid to rest. Matt Ryan has been named the Falcons starter and if you watched Boston College games last year, you’ll know that he loves to throw for big yards. I expect that he will be minimally utilized with Manning as the starter.
The running backs are good, but not great. Portis is an upper-tier back who will be consistent and get almost all of the touches in Washington. Jonathan Stewart is battling for the starting position in Carolina, but is expected to get touches regardless and Julius Jones is not a big touchdown scorer, but he will get a huge share of the offensive load with the Seahawks.
The wide receivers are more than solid with T.J. Houshmanzadeh and Roy Williams – you know what to expect from both of these guys and that is 100+ yard games week in and week out. Derrick Mason will cash in with the one point per reception system in place and Ted Ginn Jr. is expected to have a vastly expanded role for the Dolphins.
Nick Folk is the top-rated kicker on most people’s draft boards and is expected to make his share of deep field goals, but I’m not sure if the Packers defense was their best bet where they picked.
Grade: C+
Hayes and Rob in Milwaukee
QB: Jay Cutler, Broncos
QB2: Derek Anderson, Browns
RB: Frank Gore, 49ers
RB2: Ryan Grant, Packers
WR: Anquan Boldin, Cardinals
WR2: Chad Johnson, Bengals
TE: Ben Watson, Patriots
DEF/ST: Colts
FLEX: Brandon Marshall, Broncos
K:
BENCH:
WR Chris Chambers, Chargers
RB Justin Fargas, Raiders
WR Sidney Rice, Vikings
Analysis: The biggest problem that this team will have is deciding who to start at quarterback. The Browns look like they will be a well-oiled offensive machine and Cutler is once again expected to have a breakout year.
The best element of this team is the great duos at each position: Cutler and Anderson at quarterback, Anquan Boldin and Ocho Cinco at wide receiver and the running back tandem of Frank Gore and Ryan Grant, which may be the league’s best.
The biggest concern would have to be the tight end position. I expect Ben Watson to get his share of touches in the red zone, but he won’t be utilized as much as some of the other tight ends who were on the board.
The backups on this team are really solid and Sidney Rice was a huge steal at the end of this draft.
Grade: A-
Vegas Dave and Corey
QB: Donovan McNabb, Eagles
QB2: Matt Schaub, Texans
RB: Marshawn Lynch, Bills
RB2: Larry Johnson, Chiefs
WR: Marvin Harrison, Colts
WR2: Anthony Gonzalez, Colts
TE: Jeremy Shockey, Saints
DEF/ST:
FLEX: Thomas Jones, Jets
K:
BENCH:
RB LenDale White, Titans
RB Deuce McAllister, Saints
TE Alge Crumpler, Titans
RB Ricky Williams, Dolphins
Analysis: For two guys who host a fantasy sports show, they could have done a lot better than what they ended up with.
The quarterback duo of Donovan McNabb and Matt Schaub is very hit or miss. Both dealt with injury problems last season and McNabb is a huge risk/reward pick. When McNabb is at his finest, his numbers are off the chart, but there is a lot of baggage that comes along with selecting him.
The running back duo of Larry Johnson and Marshawn Lynch is stellar and with the four backups at the running back position, you have got to imagine that they are scouring the trade market for value.
Their tight end duo of Jeremy Shockey and Alge Crumpler is exceptional and it might be worth a shot to start Crumpler in week one as he will likely be Vince Young’s primary target.
They only have two wide receivers and they are both on the same team. That’s a no no.
Grade: C
Big E and Big E in S.C.
QB: Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks
QB2: Eli Manning, Giants
RB: Marion Barber, Cowboys
RB2: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
WR: Torry Holt, Rams
WR2: Hines Ward, Steelers
TE: Owen Daniels, Texans
DEF/ST:
FLEX: Brandon Jacobs, Giants
K: Adam Vinatieri, Colts
BENCH:
RB Kevin Smith, Lions
WR Patrick Crayton, Cowboys
WR Reggie Brown, Eagles
Analysis: The team formerly known as The Gridiron Dominators has an array of proven players outside of Kevin Smith. They may also have the best bench of any team in the league.
At quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck has always put up great numbers as a fantasy quarterback and is expected to continue doing so this season. Eli Manning is as good a backup as you’ll find and could get some starts when the Giants play teams with weak defenses.
Marion Barber will be a touchdown machine this year if he doesn’t wear down as the season goes on. Maurice Jones-Drew will split carries with Fred Taylor, but with the one point per reception addition, Jones-Drew will certainly benefit. Brandon Jacobs is another great backup and Kevin Smith is the starter in Detroit. To have four starting running backs of this caliber is quite the feat.
Their receivers are proven, but both Torry Holt and Hines Ward are entering the down slope of their career. This may not matter with quality receivers like Patrick Crayton and Reggie Brown on the bench. Owen Daniels is expected to have a breakout year – he was selected a little bit higher than normal, but not high enough to call it an error.
Grade: A
Sarah and Bottom Line J
QB: Brett Favre, Jets
QB2: Tarvaris Jackson, Vikings
RB: Reggie Bush, Saints
RB2: Michael Turner, Falcons
WR: Terrell Owens, Cowboys
WR2: Wes Welker, Patriots
TE: Heath Miller, Steelers
DEF/ST: Seahawks
FLEX: Laveranues Coles, Jets
K:
BENCH:
RB Ahman Green, Texans
WR Nate Burleson, Seahawks
RB LaMont Jordan, Patriots
Analysis: A lot of people are hating on this team, but if you look at it realistically, you will realize that it is not all that bad.
The biggest concern is at quarterback where Brett Favre will be the Jets starting quarterback and have to adapt to a new team on short notice. Tarvaris Jackson throws his share of interceptions and continuously has his passing skills called into question.
This team received staunch criticism for taking Reggie Bush in the first round, but with the one point per reception rule addition, this is not a bad pick at all. Bush will continue to get more touches in the Saints offense and is incredible in the open field. Michael Turner is a risk/reward pick, but from all indications, his performance is leaning towards the latter. Turner is a truck on offense and will be motivated by finally being the primary running back in a team’s offense. Ahman Green is beaten down, but he’s a starter in Houston and LaMont Jordan will likely lead the Patriots in rushing touchdowns.
This team also has a great platoon of wide receivers. Terrell Owens is a top-2 fantasy receiver and will want to prove to the world that he is not past his prime. Wes Welker proved his worth in the Patriots offense last year as Tom Brady’s second favorite target. Laveranues Coles will love having Brett Favre as his quarterback and will hope to be as effective as he was at the beginning of last season.
My favorite pick on this team is Heath Miller. Ben Roethlisberger asked management to sign a big receiver and they never did – that leaves Heath Miller. I would not be surprised if he leads the Steelers in receptions this year.
Grade: C+
Posted
Aug 24 2008, 01:43 PM
by
Dave Golokhov