Well, its that time again fellas. Last week, I promised you fantasy-handicapped people my top five defenses you could get on the cheap. I also told you you'd be getting a few QB's that will put up some great numbers for you, without having to spring for them in the first few rounds. Yeah, I know everyone wants to get Brees or Rodgers. But you can pick up a solid passer four or five rounds later, and use those higher picks to get better players into your skilled positions. Why waste that 2nd or 3rd round pick on a quarterback when you could get a guy like Jamaal Charles or Roddy White? 16 QB's finished last season in the top 25 in total fantasy points. With that much depth at position, you can get a quality QB without blowing your draft.
Defenses
Now, I know everybody wants the Jets or Vikings, but finish filling most of your bench before getting to your defense. Try one of these teams a few rounds later
Denver:
Last season, The Broncos defense reigned supreme...for the first 6 weeks or so. After that they kind of crumbled, but so did the rest of the team. Another year, and now Head Coach Josh McDaniels can try to keep the trend going for a whole season.
Last seasons' finish- 8th in fantasy points
Carolina:
Another Defense that flew under most everyone's radar in '09, they played suprisingly well, racking up 22 INT's, 15 forced fumbles, and 31 sacks. Not my first pick of teams on this list, but still a solid D.
Last seasons' finish- 7th in fantasy points
New Orleans:
Not too much to say here...they did win a Super Bowl, right? "Who Dat" D had a lot to do with that, even with Drew Brees on the field the rest of the time.
Last seasons' finish- 4th in fantasy points(and a Lombardi trophy)
Buffalo:
I know, they're terrible. Or are they? Despite allowing 300 points to be scored on them last year, they still managed to end the season as a top-ten fantasy D. Just saying...
Last seasons' finish- 10th in fantasy points
Dallas:
The 'Boys Defense was incredible over the final few games of last season. They finished 7th in sacks with 42, and ended up just outside the top 10. Expect the defense you saw versus the Saints in week 15 for an entire season.
Last seasons' finish- 11th in fantasy points
Bargain Bin Quarterbacks
Now remember, this is a list of QB's you can get fairly late in your draft who will still put up strong numbers for you. I'm not saying don't get Rodgers or Brees if they fall in your lap, but if you'd rather have a great WR or RB, these guys can still get you a win.
Jay Cutler:
Last season was pretty bad for him, but he still finished as the 10th best QB in fantasy points last year. This year, he has better chemistry with his receivers, a new favorite target(Devin Aromashodu), and is now leading Mike Martz' "Greatest show on Turf". Just as a reference, Martz was the genius behind Kurt Warner's rise to potential Hall of Fame greatness, and even got a 4,000 yard season out of Jon Kitna. Jon Kitna! If you don't think he can propel Cutler to the greatest seasons of his career, you're an F'ing moron.
Last seasons' finish- 10th in fantasy points
Tony Romo:
What a difference a year makes. Tony Romo, was always pretty good, but inconsistent. In '09, he changed that. His his growth, and the emergence of Miles Austin, this guy was downright dangerous. And he'll be even better this year, continuing that growth, and getting Dez Bryant to replace butter-fingered Roy Williams opposite Austin. Somehow he's still been under most people's radars. Go figure.
Last seasons' finish- 6th in fantasy points
Carson Palmer:
Does nobody think this guy has it? Last season he threw for over 3,000 yards and 21 scores, plus running in three more himself. Cincinnati has made him even more dangerous with the free-agent signing of Antonio Bryant(who I believe will be back to '08 form), as well as the drafting of WR Jordan Shipley, and the always dangerous Jermaine Gresham. Palmer will be a top 10 QB this season, believe me.
Last seasons' finish- 16th in fantasy points
Joe Flacco:
Another guy in the same boat as Palmer. 3,600 yards through the air, 21 TD's. Those numbers will go up Now that he has Boldin to throw to. A solid QB with a high football I.Q. He'll get you there.
Last seasons' finish- 17th in fantasy points
Matt Ryan:
Michael who? Matty-ice is the man in Atlanta now, and this will be his year. Last season he missed three games and still finished with 2,916 yards and 22 TD's. Another year, healthy, to mature and learn, plus with targets like Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez, he's primed to take Atlanta(and you) the distance.
Last seasons' finish- 18th in fantasy points.
Now those are the guys I'm really high on, but some of my other low risk/high reward passers to watch this season include Matt Cassell, Chad Henne, Mark Sanchez, Matt Hasselbeck, and Vince Young. You can get these guys SUPER late in your drafts, and could potentially be great for your team. That's all I'm giving you this week. Keep paying attention, I'm giving you gold here(or cash, depending on what you play for). Peace, mofos.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Mock Drafts
So I know a lot of you have players that you really want. I mean really, really want, so much so that you're likely to take a mid-round talent in the 3rd or 4th just to make sure no one else takes them first. Just to try to help you idiots out, and to keep you from losing out on a great talent to take your guy, I'm going to let you all in on a great tool: Mock Drafts. These should help some of you get a better idea of when your player is coming off the boards, so your not taking a guy like Reggie Bush in the 4th round. Your first few mock drafts, DO NOT try to draft the player you want. Pay attention to where he is taken.You may find out that you can pick your guy up on a regular basis in the 13th or 14th round(at the end of the draft).
There you have it, junkies. If players your keeping an eye on got drafted, pay attention to where, and MAYBE take them the round before. Just try not to do anything stupid, like draft JaMarcus Russell.
There you have it, junkies. If players your keeping an eye on got drafted, pay attention to where, and MAYBE take them the round before. Just try not to do anything stupid, like draft JaMarcus Russell.
Friday, July 2, 2010
All about draft day
Well they have arrived, gentleman(and all six of you women who actually PLAY fantasy football, instead of drafting players according to how much your temperature goes up when you see them shirtless). Draft days have come, and even though I recommend waiting until the after the second preseason game to hold a draft, literally thousands of people have already locked in their lineup. If you haven't yet, however, wait. Seriously, wait until after preseason week two, dumb-dumb. You never know what could happen between now and then, with OTA's, training camp, and two preseason games(well, two quarters for starters). Hell, Steve Smith just broke his arm playing flag football at his children's camp, and Vincent Jackson got hit with a three game suspension for violating the NFL's banned substance policy. Not to mention the tiff between him and the Chargers over his contract. WAIT as long as possible! You really don't want to blow your season before it even starts, do you, secret self-saboteur? Well, if you insist on being an idiot and risking it anyway, here is the player advice I've prepared already( I didn't say don't start preparing tard, I said don't draft yet. Pfft)
And with the number one overall pick...
Too easy. Everyone has been debating whether to take Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson first, and Chris Johnson is listed on every fantasy game site(yeah you, Yahoo)as the number one overall player. Well listen closely everyone: THEY ARE WRONG!!! If you are picking anywhere in the top five positions and take CJ, punch yourself in the face. Yes, he had an amazing season last year, we get it. But NO running back in the history of the NFL has even topped 1,500 yards after a 2,000 yard season. Only Erick Dickerson managed to score double digit TD's the following year(12, compared to 14 the previous year), while Jamal Lewis scored 7(14 the year prior),and none of the others(OJ Simpson, Terrell Davis, and Barry Sanders) managed to score even 5 TD's after their historic seasons. Add that to the +300-carry curse, in which RB's tend to be injury prone or suffer a huge drop in production after a 300-carry season (CJ had 368 on '09),and throw in a contract dispute with the Titans, and he's doomed to be a bust if you draft him number one.
My two number ones...
Adrian Peterson OR MJD
I know AP was the obvious choice, but this was a close one. MJD almost got pushed down because of the 312 carries he had last year(see +300-carry curse, above),
but the fact that it was his first season as the premier back alleviated that worry. Add his almost 1,400 yard, 15 TD season with his versatility as a pass catcher, the Jaguars' upgrading of their defense with the signing of Kampmann(better D equals more Time of possession), and an improving O-line, Maurice has nowhere to go but up.
2010 Draft Busts: Players to stay away from
Chris Johnson: I know he's listed as the number one fantasy player, but did you read about him above? Look, I'm not saying don't draft him in the SECOND round, or even late in the first...just know that he may hold out into the season, and he's not coming anywhere remotely close to 2009 numbers.
Vincent Jackson: Another guy with contract issues. Only his are the size of King Kong, and standing between him and the field in 2010. He already got slapped with a three game suspension earlier today(although he may file an appeal and get it overturned) for violating league substance abuse policies. The more important note here is that he's already announced he is prepared to hold out until November. That's 10 games! Not to mention after a break like that, it's almost impossible that he could come back in shape and contribute the way he did last year. At best, take him in the 7th-8th rounds, after you've already drafted solid receivers.
Larry Fitzgerald: I know, I know! No injuries, no contract disputes, anything. This guy is one of the greatest talents in the league, without question. The problem is his Quarterback. He's not catching a ball thrown from the stone-cold, gloved hand of a Hall-of-Fame QB anymore. He'll be trying to catch balls from the shaky, unproven hand of Matt Leinart. He may come out and prove that the Cards made the right choice drafting him a few years ago. But do you really want to risk it? Go with another elite reciever...one with a proven ball-tosser
Guys whose stock should be higher(pay attention idiots!)
Miles Austin: Oh yeah. This guy changed a lot of owner's fortunes last year(including mine). I managed to pick him up in week 4, when Roy Williams' health became questionable, and started him against KC. Need I say more? This year, you won't have to wait week 5 to get some production out of him. This guy is someone you should consider at the end of the first round or early in the second.
Jay Cutler: Yes he threw a career-high 27 INT's last year. Sure, he did little to impress anyone. But remember '08? Ok then. This year, he has chemistry with his receivers. Devin Aramashodu came on in the last three games as JC's new favorite target. And now he has Mike Martz, producer of the "Greatest show on Turf". And you can get this guy super late in the draft. Believe me, this year Cutler's turning Chi-town on its head. In a good way.
Ray Rice: Hell Yes! R&R had a great year last year...but this year could be phenomenal. The addition of Anquan Boldin will scare defenses into playing the pass a little more often(as well as Flacco's continued improvement), and Rice-eroni(I'm trying to give every player I mention a nickname) will take advantage. Willis McGahee won't steal as many goal-line carries now that Ray has proven himself, so take this guy in the first round. He almost got my stamp of approval for the number one overall pick. If he's there for you in the first round,take him.
Sleepers to get on draft day
Justin Forsett: No doubt about it, this guy in a buy-low, deliver high guarantee. Last year when he stepped in for the injured Julius Jones, he was electrifying. Even when Jones came back and took the majority of the carries, Forsett was still out-producing him. But now Pete Carroll is calling the shots in Seattle, and Forsett will be the guy. Leon Washington will steal a few carries once he's healthy, but Forsett is the clear number one. Easily a strong RB2 option, so even if you draft him as a bench player, he'll be there when you need him, and he may just usurp one of your starters.
CJ Spiller: Yes, the Buffalo Bills RB depth chart is migraine-inducing. Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, both really good backs. But I know one thing for certain: The Bills wouldn't have moved up to take this guy in the first round, ignoring other glaring needs, if they didn't plan on making him THE man at some point in his rookie season. Hold off until the later rounds, but if you already have two starting RBs, snatch this guy up for a rainy day.
Dez Bryant: The Cowboys stole this guy in the NFL draft. He was a top 5 talent with speculation about his maturity, so he fell in their lap. And now the 'Boys plan on capitalizing. This guy will be taking Roy Williams' looks starting week 1. He'll be the number 2 WR on the roster very shortly, and has the potential opposite of Miles Austin to be a Fitzgerald/Boldin 1-2 punch, but better.
Now stop begging, you slow-minded fantasy owners. That's all I'm giving you this week. Check back next week for my top 5 CHEAP defenses, and QB's that can get you the win without having to blow a pick on them before the 4th round. E-mail any questions you want answered to a.wilkersonjr@yahoo.com, and I'll try to answer them next week. Peace, mo-fos.
And with the number one overall pick...
Too easy. Everyone has been debating whether to take Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson first, and Chris Johnson is listed on every fantasy game site(yeah you, Yahoo)as the number one overall player. Well listen closely everyone: THEY ARE WRONG!!! If you are picking anywhere in the top five positions and take CJ, punch yourself in the face. Yes, he had an amazing season last year, we get it. But NO running back in the history of the NFL has even topped 1,500 yards after a 2,000 yard season. Only Erick Dickerson managed to score double digit TD's the following year(12, compared to 14 the previous year), while Jamal Lewis scored 7(14 the year prior),and none of the others(OJ Simpson, Terrell Davis, and Barry Sanders) managed to score even 5 TD's after their historic seasons. Add that to the +300-carry curse, in which RB's tend to be injury prone or suffer a huge drop in production after a 300-carry season (CJ had 368 on '09),and throw in a contract dispute with the Titans, and he's doomed to be a bust if you draft him number one.
My two number ones...
Adrian Peterson OR MJD
I know AP was the obvious choice, but this was a close one. MJD almost got pushed down because of the 312 carries he had last year(see +300-carry curse, above),
but the fact that it was his first season as the premier back alleviated that worry. Add his almost 1,400 yard, 15 TD season with his versatility as a pass catcher, the Jaguars' upgrading of their defense with the signing of Kampmann(better D equals more Time of possession), and an improving O-line, Maurice has nowhere to go but up.
2010 Draft Busts: Players to stay away from
Chris Johnson: I know he's listed as the number one fantasy player, but did you read about him above? Look, I'm not saying don't draft him in the SECOND round, or even late in the first...just know that he may hold out into the season, and he's not coming anywhere remotely close to 2009 numbers.
Vincent Jackson: Another guy with contract issues. Only his are the size of King Kong, and standing between him and the field in 2010. He already got slapped with a three game suspension earlier today(although he may file an appeal and get it overturned) for violating league substance abuse policies. The more important note here is that he's already announced he is prepared to hold out until November. That's 10 games! Not to mention after a break like that, it's almost impossible that he could come back in shape and contribute the way he did last year. At best, take him in the 7th-8th rounds, after you've already drafted solid receivers.
Larry Fitzgerald: I know, I know! No injuries, no contract disputes, anything. This guy is one of the greatest talents in the league, without question. The problem is his Quarterback. He's not catching a ball thrown from the stone-cold, gloved hand of a Hall-of-Fame QB anymore. He'll be trying to catch balls from the shaky, unproven hand of Matt Leinart. He may come out and prove that the Cards made the right choice drafting him a few years ago. But do you really want to risk it? Go with another elite reciever...one with a proven ball-tosser
Guys whose stock should be higher(pay attention idiots!)
Miles Austin: Oh yeah. This guy changed a lot of owner's fortunes last year(including mine). I managed to pick him up in week 4, when Roy Williams' health became questionable, and started him against KC. Need I say more? This year, you won't have to wait week 5 to get some production out of him. This guy is someone you should consider at the end of the first round or early in the second.
Jay Cutler: Yes he threw a career-high 27 INT's last year. Sure, he did little to impress anyone. But remember '08? Ok then. This year, he has chemistry with his receivers. Devin Aramashodu came on in the last three games as JC's new favorite target. And now he has Mike Martz, producer of the "Greatest show on Turf". And you can get this guy super late in the draft. Believe me, this year Cutler's turning Chi-town on its head. In a good way.
Ray Rice: Hell Yes! R&R had a great year last year...but this year could be phenomenal. The addition of Anquan Boldin will scare defenses into playing the pass a little more often(as well as Flacco's continued improvement), and Rice-eroni(I'm trying to give every player I mention a nickname) will take advantage. Willis McGahee won't steal as many goal-line carries now that Ray has proven himself, so take this guy in the first round. He almost got my stamp of approval for the number one overall pick. If he's there for you in the first round,take him.
Sleepers to get on draft day
Justin Forsett: No doubt about it, this guy in a buy-low, deliver high guarantee. Last year when he stepped in for the injured Julius Jones, he was electrifying. Even when Jones came back and took the majority of the carries, Forsett was still out-producing him. But now Pete Carroll is calling the shots in Seattle, and Forsett will be the guy. Leon Washington will steal a few carries once he's healthy, but Forsett is the clear number one. Easily a strong RB2 option, so even if you draft him as a bench player, he'll be there when you need him, and he may just usurp one of your starters.
CJ Spiller: Yes, the Buffalo Bills RB depth chart is migraine-inducing. Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, both really good backs. But I know one thing for certain: The Bills wouldn't have moved up to take this guy in the first round, ignoring other glaring needs, if they didn't plan on making him THE man at some point in his rookie season. Hold off until the later rounds, but if you already have two starting RBs, snatch this guy up for a rainy day.
Dez Bryant: The Cowboys stole this guy in the NFL draft. He was a top 5 talent with speculation about his maturity, so he fell in their lap. And now the 'Boys plan on capitalizing. This guy will be taking Roy Williams' looks starting week 1. He'll be the number 2 WR on the roster very shortly, and has the potential opposite of Miles Austin to be a Fitzgerald/Boldin 1-2 punch, but better.
Now stop begging, you slow-minded fantasy owners. That's all I'm giving you this week. Check back next week for my top 5 CHEAP defenses, and QB's that can get you the win without having to blow a pick on them before the 4th round. E-mail any questions you want answered to a.wilkersonjr@yahoo.com, and I'll try to answer them next week. Peace, mo-fos.
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