AllThingsFantasyFootball

The Best Fantasy rb in the AFC is……

…Darren Mcfadden, and unfortunately for any Chris Johnson owners, it is not even close. Run DMC is currently averaging close to a little over 131 yards a game on the ground and has 4 total touchdowns.  

Mcfadden has all of the tools to be a superstar in the NFL; gamebreaking speed, good hands, above average pass blocking (could be a little better and only one of two bad knocks on this stud, the other being injury prone), and has a lethal stiff arm that helps him rack up those yards after contact.  

All of the tools that will send him to the his first pro bowl this year, are the same ones that will guarantee his spot as one of the top running backs in both the NFL and Fantasy Football for years to come.  If anyone is valuing this guy below other top tier running backs like Chris Johnson, Rashard Mendenhall, or Arian Foster (I hate calling him a top tier back, but based on last years value he is still has top tier value) it would be wise to submit a trade proposal for this 24 year old workhorse for the run-heavy Oakland Raiders.

Aside for Adrian Peterson in Minnesota, I do not know another running back in the NFL that combines the speed and power that Mcfadden does.

Move over Arian Foster, Ben Tate is the new sheriff in Texas, atleast for week 3 that is…

I have said it before and I will say it again, Arian Foster is OVERRATED.  If you put Jodie Foster behind the Texans o-line and gave her the same holes as Arian saw in 2010, she would have been a top 5 fantasy running back last season too.  

Hamstring injuries have slowed down last years rushing champion and frustrated every fantasy owner thus far that decided to roll the dice and pick him over the consensus top pick Adrian Peterson.

In steps Ben Tate.  A year removed from a season ending injury that stripped him from any chance of fantasy glory last year, Ben Tate is now a name worth knowing in fantasy circles.  If you have him this week, you start him. If you are in a league where he is available (not likely) you PICK HIM UP.  If your in a league where a Ben Tate owner has no idea who he is or why he is on their team, you trade for him.

Tate has the potential to be a fantasy superstar this year.  He is more talented than Arian Foster, can stay on the field on third down because he can pass block and catch out of the backfield and for the time being, he is healthier than Arian Foster (hamstrings can linger ALL SEASON LONG hint hint).

frankisadarkboy asked: If you could start 3 WR for Week 2: Brandon Lloyd, Robert Meachem, Devery Henderson, Johnny Knox, Early Doucet

Brandon Lloyd is a big question mark this week so Id monitor his health situation. I’d go with Meachem, Early Doucet, and Johnny Knox in that order. If Lloyd plays I’d keep knox off the roster this week.

Sell High!! Buy Low!!

Greed is not always good.  You saw what greed did to good ol’ Gordon in the fictitious world of Wall Street(not so bad for him in Wall Street 2 Money Never Sleeps but we will ignore that fairy tale ending), in fantasy football however, different principles may apply; it is more about knowing when to be greedy and when to cash your chips in. 

Sell High

If you have CAM NEWTON and your considering letting him START against the Packers I propose this to you, DONT.  That little tidbit has absolutely nothing to do with this post but I just want to throw it out there incase you dont get a chance to read my Week 2 Start em’ Sit em’ post that should be following this one.

Cam torched an under prepared, banged up Cardinals secondary that was at the whim of some blitz-happy play calling, incase your wondering why Steve Smith looked like he was practically uncovered in every highlight reel that has been airing on television since the rookies 422 yard coming out party.  Dom Capers (the Packers defensive coordinator) will keep pressure on the rookie and throw many schemes and zone blitzes that will bring Newton’s numbers back down to earth and his value tumbling right on back down with it (Not everything that goes up in the fantasy football world must come down but in this case im sorry Mr. Newton). If you have some one itching to take Cam off of your team I’d pull the trigger if the value was right.  I am not saying that the young Qb will not be a stud this year, I am just cautioning that if he happens to lay an egg against the defending champs all of those trade proposals you’ve been losing sleep over may be gone.

 Buy Low

Percy Harvin

Simply put, with the exception of Adrian Peterson and a 100 plus yard kick return by Percy Harvin the Vikings offense was dreadful, and that may be putting it lightly.  Percy Harvin is the unquestioned top target in a Minnesotta offense that I see being much better than they were in San Diego the rest of the season and he is in that lucky third-year for wide receivers when the light switch mysteriously turns on all of a sudden and they become fantasy gold.

It is only week 1 so this list is going to be pretty short at this point, as the weeks begin to accumulate I wil have more fantasy stock watch and trade advice.

week one notables and waiver wire pick ups

What ive learned through the first half of the day so far, Cam Newton is good…or atleast has the potential to be.  422 yards with 2 passing tds and 1 rushing td, for a rookie debut on the road, that is not a bad outing; actually, tied for the single game rookie record in passing yards. He is STILL available in 67 % of yahoo sports leagues.

The Lions are FOR REAL.  Matthew Stafford is good and Calvin “Megatron” Johnson is going to be spectacular this year (was one horrible Stafford throw away from having three td’s on the day).

Brandon Pettigrew had 6 targets on the day and nearly had a score.  he is clearly the dominant tight end in a very underrated Lions offense and is a break out candidate if Matthew Stafford can stay healthy.

Ryan Fitzpatrick torched the Chiefs in KC.  I was a big Ryan Fitzpatrick skeptic prior to the start of the season, after seeing him throw four touchdowns on an improved KC defense im a believer. 

Mike Tolbert gets too many touches in San Diego to be ignored.  Let’s get this straight, I hate hate HATE running back committees, but it is clear hear that Tolbert is the better blocking back is on the field for the crucial third down blocking/passing plays and is the Charger’s goal-line vulture.  Matthews may be the more talented back and the future of the San Diego Chargers, but Tolbert is going to score points this year.

Trade Kevin Kolb.  His numbers were good today; but very misleading.  Both of his touchdowns came on blown third down plays by the Panther’s Defense and he looked shaky behind the inconsistent Cardinal’s offensive line.  He is still a solid fantasy qb, but if you have a trade partner that is high on Kolb, pull the trigger.  Kolb is not in my top ten of fantasy qbs this year, the only reason that he is close is because of how weak the Cardinals schedule is this season.

BUYER BEWARE!! Arian Foster will not be a top 5 Fantasy Running Back in 2011

Fantasy columnists have this man listed as the #1 or #2 fantasy running back. I am here to tell you that there will be no fantasy player responsible for more fantasy buyer’s remorse than Texans running back Arian Foster.

For those of you who have already drafted Arian Foster…I am sorry that I did not write this post sooner, for those of you lucky enough to have your draft day still coming up on the calendar, I guess this post is for you. It is officially time for me to share my hatred for this man which started last preseason with an ankle injury to rookie Ben Tate and explain why this slightly above-average running back is SEVERELY overrated and highly unlikely to repeat last years break out performance.

I have more than a few reasons not to like this man or touch him in any of my up coming fantasy drafts and this list has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he bows after every touchdown or the fact that he recently shunned the fantasy community…from the words of Arian Foster himself “4 those sincerely concerned, I’m doing ok & plan 2 B back by opening day. 4 those worried abt your fantasy team, u ppl are sick” (dont worry sick people I am one of you, probably the sickest by Arian’s standards).

The slightly pulled or torn hammy (depending on whose speculation you are buying into) that has all the major fantasy football websites buzzing is the most recent of Arian Foster’s red flags, but certainly not the last.  The hamstring is a running back and wide receiver’s nightmare.  It is an injury that can be easily re-aggravated or worsen without complete rest and effects an athletes explosiveness (Arian Foster ran a 4.73 and 4.69 at the combine, not exactly a speed demon).

BEN TATE—His name is in CAPS FOR A REASON, IF YOU HAVENT PICKED HIM UP IN FANTASY YET, STOP READING THIS AMAZING POST, LOG-IN TO WHICHEVER FANTASY FOOTBALL SITE YOU ARE PLAYING WITH AND PICK HIM UP. Tate is probably the second most physically talented Auburn Running back ever, Bo Jackson, unquestionably being the first. While Arian Foster was considered a nobody out of college, Ben Tate was listed as a fantasy sleeper before breaking his ankle last pre-season and being placed on IR, leaving the competition for the Texans starting running back job up for grabs between fumble happy Steve Slaton and then 2nd year unknown running back out of Tennessee Arian Foster.  This preseason Tate has already shown flashes of brilliance, if Tate can beat out Derrick Ward he will be the clear cut #2 running back behind ailing Arian Foster and heir to the Texan’s running back throne behind the same amazing offensive line that made Arian Foster look like he was OJ Simpson.

Subjectively speaking I personally dislike Arian Foster for what he does off of the field, objectively speaking, Arian Foster is a good running back that just happened to fall into a GREAT situation for any running back. He is on a Texans Team that boasts one of the leagues best offensive lines, not to mention Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson make defenses respect the pass as much or more so than they have to respect the run. He is not the flashiest running back but thrives in a Texans offense that plays against an AFC South division that ranked among the leagues worst in stopping the run.

If you have a top 5 pick and decide to chose a running back this year, here is a list of people that will help anchor your team to fantasy glory…

Adrian Peterson (Has been a top 5 rb since his rookie season).

Chris Johnson (CJ may be holding out right now, but the Titans will be pulling out that checkbook in plenty of time for him to show his contract worth @ jacksonville week 1).

Jamaal Charles (finally a starter, averaged 6.4 yards a carry wasting half of the season splitting carries with Thomas Jones).

Ray Rice (now getting goal line carries and a catch machine, could be the most underrated of the top backs in fantasy).

LeSean Mccoy (I am not 100 percent sold on the “dream team” but Vick loves to check down to Mccoy an this rb is good at making people miss in the open field).

The Peyton Manning Effect

Arguably the most consistent fantasy quarterback since his rookie season in 1998, Peyton Manning has given colts fans and fantasy owners alike absolutely NOTHING to worry about over the last 13 seasons (throwing atleast 26 tds and 208 consecutive starts).  Well Indianapolis we have a problem.  As if signing Kerry Collins wasnt reason enough to raise the threat level to DEFCON 1, Peyton Manning himself looks like a quarterback who has already conceded to missing week 1 against division rivals Houston.  

With Peyton’s neck injury leaves a dark cloud of uncertainty over the state of Indiana, it also leaves a BIG question mark on the fantasy values of teammates Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and Joseph Addai/Delone Carter (is Joseph Addai still alive?).  The most likely to survive without Peyton is tight end catch machine Dallas Clark.  Least likely to come away from this unscathed has got to be Reggie Wayne, and if you listen to his rant here: http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/6891243/indianapolis-colts-add-kerry-collins-sources-doubt-peyton-manning-ready, it is clear as day that he knows it.

If your draft is coming up and you have ANY colts that your itching to draft on your big board, DONT. If you like to roll the dice id draft them late where they can be a value pick.  I am not a medical doctor but it does not take a licensed practitioner to tell you that neck injuries are never good, just ask Sterling Sharpe.  At the end of the day Peyton Manning is Peyton Manning and it is impossible to rule him out for any week…that being said being stubborn and drafting Peyton, Wayne, Clark, or Addai as if Peyton were under center is foolish…if you take any of these players early then you deserve the gaping hole that they may leave in your fantasy lineup…like life, fantasy is full of options, choose wisely!

Julio Jones—your fantasy rookie of the year

His combine numbers (4.39 in the 40 and 38.5” vertical jump)  are not what impress me the most about this freak of football nature, its the fact that he landed in Atlanta opposite Roddy White and Quasi-elite QB Matt Ryan.  After getting outgunned in a sorry excuse for a divisional round matchup, Atlanta left Georgia Dome with their tales between their legs and an obvious need for some resemblance of a wide receiver opposite Roddy White (Michael Jenkins this post is for you).

It has been a long time in fantasy football since a highly talented rookie wide receiver has played in such a promising situation..the name Randy Moss in 98’ is the only situation that comes to mind.  Though Randy he is NOT, Julio has a chance to not only produce as a fantasy rookie, but to shine in Atlanta’s new look pass happy offense. While All Pro Roddy White will be facing most of the teams number one corner backs, Julio Jones will be out running, overpowering and out jumping the opposing teams number 2 corner all season long. 

Ryan Williams out fo the season, Mikel LeShoure out for the season, Daniel thomas (crowded backfield), Mark Ingram (see Daniel Thomas). AJ Green, uber-talented but in a depressingly awful situation with Rookie stalwart Andy Dalton.  Julio is the clear cut choice, this one is not even close…almost a waste of a post…but prediction nonetheless! Im going to keep them rolling….I feel some hatred for Arian Foster oozing into the next post…

Dont Expect Last Year’s Michael Vick

BEWARE THE CHARMS OF THIS MAN.  Last years statistical output by this reformed fantasy superstar was not a fluke, Michael Vick is back. Thanks to Kevin Kolb’s inability to take advantage of a good situation, the fantasy world was forced to watch this waiver wire miracle cut thru defense after defense like some gamer playing Madden on rookie for most of the 2010 season.  For the skeptics… Michael Vick put his stamp on his return to the fantasy world on an electric Monday night in Washington where he ripped my fantasy team to shreds scoring like ten thousand points and doing everything but turn water to wine as the Redskins looked like a jv team being coached by the team mascot.

All praise aside, that was last year.  If you paid attention to the end of the season, defensive coordinators saw a chink in Mike’s armor. Coming back from prison #7 managed to become more than just an erratic passer who was fast enough to make up for his lack of pure passing skills.  This blew coaches away for the first 10 weeks of the season until teams caught on. Blitzing schemes and continued quarterback pressure caused Vick to look human the last 5 weeks of the season (5 consecutive weeks with an int, 6 if you count his loss in at home to the Packers in the playoffs).

Now with a full offseason of preparation plus the Eagles offensive line woes I see Vick finishing high among fantasy qb’s but nowhere near the level of fantasy greatness that all of the analysts are projecting him to have.  

WHO ID DRAFT OVER HIM: Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson (he is getting paid, and cant wait to prove his contract worth), Aaron Rodgers, Jamaal Charles. 

Notice I left out Arian Foster….We will get to that

And the number 1 Wide Receiver in Fantasy Football this year will be…..

Calvin “MEGATRON” Johnson. Without a doubt. I know what you are thinking…Calvin has NEVER led the league in catches. Calvin has NEVER led the league in touchdowns, Calvin has NEVER led the league in receiving yards. Calvin is a Detroit Lion. There are plenty of reasons to reject my idea of Megatron being the number 1 wide receiver in fantasy but I dont care.  Calvin has also NEVER had a solid quarterback for an entire football season or been in a situation to lead the league in the laundry list of categories I listed earlier and he has still come close..

Last season Calvin Johnson tied for 2nd in receiving td’s with 12 (standing alone in 2nd with 13 if you count that awful call at Chicago week 1). If Mr. Glass aka Matthew Stafford can manage a full season Calvin will finally show the fantasy world why he was drafted second overal in the 2007 NFL Draft. Calvin will set career highs in all of the receiving categories and be the unquestioned trendy pick in the fantasy draft next season.  THIS season is you want to take your league by storm let the people ahead of you take Andre Johnson or Roddy White off of the board. Megatron would be a steal as the third wide receiver taken.

Heard it hear first.  More bold predictions to come…