To differentiate the two let's call the Seattle Seahawks Mike Williams "USC Williams" the other Mike Williams of the Tampa Bay Bucs "'Cuse Williams." For USC Williams, I'd say he's come back from the dead, but he was never really alive in a fantasy sense. Someone needs to create a “a very special” Lifetime movie detailing his return to the NFL. Apparently he was watching a program counting down the ten biggest draft busts of all time. He was terrified that his name would be next, it never popped up, but apparently that (and a little Pete Carroll TLC) was all he needed.
'Cuse Williams was suspended from his college team in 2008 for cheating and quit the team in 2009 after some issues with curfew. Like Vinny Chase dating a pornstar; this could only end badly. It’s not clear what forced the change in ‘Cuse Williams, but his ascendancy to fantasy football darling has been no less miraculous. The questions, can the Williams become the next Steve Smiths? Let's examine their situations to see if their rise will continue or if this is merely a mirage that will fade like Lindsey Lohan's sobriety.
USC Williams came into the league at the end of a truly putrid stretch of draft choices by the Lions Matt Millen. Not only did he take receivers in 3 consecutive drafts (Calvin Rogers, Roy E. Williams and Mike Williams) he whiffed on all of them. Like Calvin Rogers before him, he became a fantasy punch-line and left football before he could even legally rent a car. Sadly (as a Niner fan) I watched the entire 49ers v. Seahawks game and he looked every bit the no. 1 receiver he was supposed to be. He ran crisp routes and burned the Niners’ defensive backs on multiple plays. Yes, the Niners were putrid, but he obviously has the trust of Matt Hasselbeck and put up good numbers (6 targets and 4 catches for 64 yards). It looks like we called the coroner a little quick for Hasselbeck’s career – when healthy he is a guy that can always hit the open receiver. Assuming a healthy season for both, they have the seeds of a rapport that should only expand during the season.
'Cuse Williams’ rap sheet is far more impressive than his college statistics. He was suspended for a year for cheating on a test and then suspended for violating curfew but instead of serving it, he quit. It’s not hard to see why this first round talent dropped to the fourth round. Apparently getting paid to play has rectified his bad attitude. During week one he received nine targets, which he turned into four catches for 30 yards and a touchdown. Yeah, the yardage is a bit low, but you have to like the nine targets. He looks like the clear-cut no. 1 receiver in Tampa… unfortunately there isn't much to take the pressure off of him. Cadillac Williams and Kellen Winslow are nice players, but both are injury prone and all three have the “immortal” Josh Freeman trying to get them the ball. Not a fantasy owners dream, but it looks like he’ll receive a lot of targets and have his opportunity to shine on a bad team that will need to throw the ball.
If I’m picking between the two, I’m going with USC Williams, he has the better QB, better offensive supporting cast, and he’s on a team that just shredded the trendy “it” team. That being said, USC Williams does have the taint of being effectively kicked out of the league because he wasn't good enough and that doubt could always creep back into his mind. Still the fact that he made it back to the NFL after being out for a few years says a lot about the man he has become. ‘Cuse Williams doesn’t have that potential doubt to worry about, but he does have to worry about trying to catch Josh Freeman’s wounded ducks.
We’ll have to wait till seasons end to see if they become the Steve Smiths 2.0 or if they are relegated to the fantasy flame-out graveyard.Written exclusively by Chris Summers for www.thefantasyfix.com. Chris is an attorney, who lives and breathes sports in sunny California. Look for more of his great insight weekly.
Will USC Williams or 'Cuse Williams finish the 2010 season as the better fantasy football wide receiver?
Leave us a comment or reply to us on Twitter @TheFantasyFix Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Advice, Mike Williams, Seattle Seahawks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NFL, Steve Smith, Pete Carroll, Syracuse, USC, Christopher Summers
 QB Start:
Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
"Matty Ice" threw the ball well against Pittsburgh (252 yards on 27/44), but the Falcons offense stalled in the red zone with little support from the run game. Expect that to change in the friendly confines of the Georgia Dome where Ryan sports a 94.5 QB rating and a 17:9 TD to interception rate. The Cardinals have a talented secondary, but their over-aggression can be exposed. Look for the Falcons to establish Turner early and open up the field for Ryan. WARNING: Atlanta needs a second wide receiver to step up. Roddy White saw 23 targets in week one and will be Arizona's lock down target.
 QB Sit:
Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks
Hasselbeck toyed with the 49ers in week one, completing 78% of his passes with three total touchdowns. This performance wreaks more of a mirage than of reinvigoration. Much like 09-10, he was still staring down receivers and throwing off his back foot. Fortunately for him, the San Francisco corners were inept, biting on every double move and pump fake. Hasselbeck will face a much sterner test on the road in Denver, a team that he's thrown one career TD against in four starts (5 INT). Outside of a 32 yard run by Justin Forsett, the Seahawks ran for 45 yards on 22 attempts. If they continue to operate a one-dimensional offense, Hasselbeck will be in for a long day.
 RB Start:
Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys
Public Service Announcement: Get Felix Jones the ball! Eight carries is simply not sufficient for a player with his game breaking speed and explosive potential. In 21 career games, Jones averages 6.5 yards per offensive touch. In addition, his rare receiving skills are all but wasted in the Cowboys offense. He's ready to take the next step as a player, but for whatever reason the team is apprehensive about granting him that opportunity. The Bears held Jahvid Best to 20 yards on 14 carries (2 scores) last week, but the Lions were often pinned back and forced into a conservative game plan. Dallas won't make it that easy. Jones erupts in week two.
 RB Sit:
Ahmad Bradshaw & Brandon Jacobs, NY Giants
Benching a productive running back tandem against a defense that just allowed 257 yards on the ground? On the surface this appears to be a questionable strategy, but warranted nonetheless. The Giants accumulated 118 rushing yards on 36 attempts versus Carolina, but 61 of those yards came on two carries late in the 4th quarter when the result was no longer in doubt. Six carries went for negative yardage. All in all, the offensive line looked out of sync, and 4/5 of the unit is carrying an injury. The Colts defense is a prideful bunch, and it would be surprising if they didn't meet the challenge at home in prime time, small front line or not.
 WR Start:
Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
Yes, another play against the Detroit secondary. The Lions allowed five passing plays over 20 yards against Chicago, a perfect recipe for the Eagles speedy wide outs. Maclin saw only six targets in week one, but that figure should rise exponentially. Three of those targets came in the fourth quarter as his repoire with Vick improved, including a TD reception. With DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek receiving the bulk of the defense's attention, Maclin should have plenty of room to operate one on one. Get ready to see some 4.3 speed in action.
 WR Sit:
Malcolm Floyd, San Diego Chargers
Some might view this as an overreaction to his underwhelming effort on Monday night. The truth is, Floyd has just been dramatically overvalued in fantasy circles. His success was a product of the Chargers machine like offense and the weapons around him. Without Vincent Jackson's presence to occupy two defenders, he's just another receiver with size and hops. His route running has improved but will never be a strength, and his speed is average by NFL standards. He is in no way, shape or form capable of being a number one receiver. The Jaguars secondary is no great shakes to say the least, but both corners have size to combat his greatest asset.
 TE Start:
Tony Scheffler, Detroit Lions
The 27-year old pass catcher should flourish with regular playing time. Scheffler caught six balls in the opener but was limited to 43 yards. Make no mistake, however, he's a playmaker not a safety blanket. His 13.5 yards per catch for his career speaks for itself. New starter Shaun Hill would be wise to target Scheffler frequently against the blitz happy Eagles. Philadelphia held Jermichael Finley to 47 receiving yards, but he was open on numerous occasions without reward.
 TE Sit:
Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are short at the wide receiver position without Sidney Rice, and it won't be long before opponents adjust. Shiancoe has developed into a legitimate threat in all areas of the field, a first down and touchdown magnet. Unless Bernard Berrian starts displaying his past form (one catch for three yards in opener), stopping Shiancoe will become a top priority. The Dolphins will no doubt make Favre beat them on the outside.
Will you be sitting Hasselbeck, Bradshaw, Jacobs, Floyd or Shiancoe?
Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on twitter @TheFantasyFixWritten by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Adam's NFL Sit 'Em, Start 'Em .
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Blog, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Sit 'Em Start 'Em, Week Two, Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons, Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks, Felix Jones, Dallas Cowboys, Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants, Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles, Malcolm Floyd, San Diego Chargers, Tony Scheffler, Detroit Lions, Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings
If you watched the Eagles/Packers game this week, you learned two things:
1. Fox loves commercials. In fact, I thought I was watching an advertising montage that was occasionally interrupted by a football game (although that Ray Lewis commercial is a treasure).2. Big men running around and colliding into each other means someone is going to get hurt.Clay Matthews, a dead-to-rights doppelganger to Conan the Barbarian and Fabio’s love child, buried Kevin Kolb’s head into the turf. Ryan Grant’s ankle went pretzel under the weight of a couple Eagles defenders. In the Lions game, the Bears’ Richard Seymour mashed Matthew Stafford’s throwing shoulder into the grass. All three players fell under the “this-guy-has-potential-to-be-a-sleeper” category, so chances are they served as a second-tier player in your lineup. However, I know there are a few fantasy owners out there who drafted heavy on running backs and wide receivers and waited until the middle rounds to draft Kolb. Here’s a breakdown of Band-Aid backups that can salvage your hurting starters.  Replacing Kevin Kolb and Matthew Stafford
Let’s face it. Injury or not, Kolb had a terrible game. He left the game in the second quarter and returned to play two series. Michael Vick played a tremendous game in Kolb’s absence, firing darts to his receivers and rushing for over 100 yards. Kolb wasn’t hurt badly enough to take off the pads and return in street clothes, but you have to wonder if Vick’s resurgence will further dent Kolb’s already-chinked armor. In a fickle city like Philadelphia, this could mean doom.
Stafford, like Kolb, was putting together a raggedy open act to the 2010 before Julius Pepper turned his throwing shoulder into applesauce. He’s visiting the renowned Dr. James Andrews this week to get a second opinion on his separated shoulder. Expect him to be out at least three weeks. Who will be the hero for you in this situation?
Enter Matt Hasselbeck, Derek Anderson, and Michael Vick.
According to Rotowire.com, Hasselbeck was the second to last quarterback selected in drafts this year. The last quarterback selected? That’s right…Michael Vick. Chances are Hasselbeck is floating around the waiver wire. He put in a strong showing this week against a supposedly-tough 49ers defense – and he did it without any sniff of a decent receiver. When you can throw for two scores with the likes of Deion Branch and Mike Williams (yes, THAT Mike Williams), you’ve earned your right to make it on someone’s roster.
Derek Anderson, on the other hand, wasn’t even on Rotowire.com’s average draft position tables. Ironically, when TJ Houshmandzadeh jumped ship to Baltimore last week I dropped Hasselbeck and replaced him with Derek Anderson. I like Anderson’s weapons, and I like that he showed glimpses of greatness a couple of years ago. This past week he threw for nearly three hundred yards and tossed a touchdown to Sir Larry Fitzgerald.
Although Mike Vick put in a strong performance, I’m hard-pressed to recommend him because I don’t think Andy Reid will deep six Kolb in favor of Vick. I see the two quarterbacks splitting time. Keep tabs on Kolb’s status for next week. If Kolb sits out the next game against the Lions, Vick will be a great play. I see him running for at least 60 yards and passing for 200+ and a touchdown. If Kolb does play against the Lions, 0pt for a full-time starter like the Bald Wonder or Mr. Cleveland.
 Replacing Ryan Grant
I don’t know what it is about Ryan Grant, but in my book he’s just an old-fashioned likeable guy. Plus he’s a battle axe. How many dudes hop their way to the locker room after sustaining a season-ending injury. That’s manly…I’m talking Ray Lewis-Riding-A-Crow manly. So who do you pick up in Grant’s absence?Brandon Jackson, Fred Taylor, and Fred Jackson. I know, I know. It’s a riddle waiting to happen. If you have two running backs with the name Fred, two running backs with the last name Jackson, and two running backs with different first names, how many running backs do you have?Brandon Jackson is a great play for the rest of the season. Coach Mike Sherman has full confidence that Jackson is an every day back. He’s got a great burst and can catch the ball. BJax will be a boon for all leagues, especially for teams in PPR leagues.Fred Taylor is another pickup that can steady your lineup for the next couple of weeks. The Pats traded Laurence Maroney to the Broncos, leaving Taylor to compete against the likes of Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk. Taylor should be good for at least 80 total yards every week and an occasional touchdown. He’s not the best option, but if you are hurting for a hero, he’ll do.Fred Jackson is another guy who can rescue you from the gaping fire pit of fantasy death left by Mr. Grant. Jackson’s value dropped after his hand injury and the sparkling preseason performance of C.J. Spiller. However, Spiller choked in his debut (what else would you expect from a Clemson grad) and the door is wide open for Jackson. The Bills are up against some good rush defenses, but if Jackson can get twenty touches a game he’ll pull in 100 total yards.Written by James Duren, exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
Who are you picking up?
Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on twitter @TheFantasyFixTags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Blog, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Injury Report, Roto, Kevin Kolb, Matthew Stafford, Ryan Grant, Matt Hasselbeck, Derek Anderson, Michael Vick, Brandon Jackson, Fred Taylor, Fred Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills
Week One was full of upsets and surprises. Did it make for an interesting weekend? Definitely. Did it knock out half the field in my survival pool? Absolutely. Are Seattle and Kansas City going to the face off in the Super Bowl down in Dallas? Not a chance.
I never want to put too much stock in Week One, but there were a few things of which you should definitely take note. Injured players and surprise performances are just a few of the factors to consider when scouring the waiver wires. Here are the most crucial waiver pickups of this young 2010 season:  Brandon Jackson, RB – GB (Owned in 22 percent of leagues)
Our first fantasy stud injury of the 2010 season is in the books with Ryan Grant suffering severe ligament damage in his ankle that may require surgery. As of today Grant has officially been declared lost for the season, so Brandon Jackson, the only other RB on the Packers’ roster, is going to have to pick up nearly the entire workload. Coach Mike McCarthy has given Jackson plenty of praise this preseason and that should continue as Green Bay has a soft schedule over the next three weeks (Buffalo, @ Chicago, Detroit). He is the top RB and player to target this week, so go get him!
 Michael Vick, QB – PHI (Owned in 19 percent of leagues)
Andy Reid has proven time and time again a loyal coach to his starting QB, but he’s never been in his current position. He just dumped his previous QB (Donovan McNabb) to division rival Washington, who then led his new team to a victory over offseason favorite Dallas. Meanwhile, his new man, Kevin Kolb, looked ineffective before being crushed and concussed by Packers linebacker Clay Matthews. Nothing is official as of now, but given the hailstorm of media coverage that accompanied the Eagles’ decision to let two concussed players return to the field on Sunday, I would be surprised to see Kolb back under center for Week Two. With the Eagles visiting Detroit this weekend, Michael Vick is suddenly a legitimate QB1, at least for one game. If Kolb misses any more time, Vick has shown flashes that he can still be a dynamic dual threat both between the lines and in fantasy.
 Peyton Hillis, RB – CLE (Owned in seven percent of leagues)
With Montario Hardesty out for the season, it looked like Hillis was in line for an increased workload in Cleveland, but I don’t think anyone expected a 50-50 split of carries between him and Jerome Harrison. As a bonus, Hillis got to put it in for the points after a long run by Harrison. Hillis has carried the load before when the Denver backfield imploded in 2008, so it isn’t a stretch to imagine him playing the bruiser to Harrison’s speed back. He’s available in almost all leagues and could be a nice consolation prize if you miss out on the aforementioned Mr. Jackson.
 Legedu Naane, WR – SD (Owned in 18 percent of leagues)
The Chargers offense is not as damaged as it appears since conditions in Kansas City were not conducive to their typical aerial assault. In the first quarter, before the rains set in, Rivers led a brilliant march down the field culminating in a Rivers-Gates TD. All the offseason hype, both out of Chargers camp and fantasy circles, surrounded Malcom Floyd but at first glance, Naane appears to be the better fantasy weapon. He was targeted “only” eight times (to Floyd’s 12), but reined in five passes (to Floyd’s three) and seemed to be the mark on most of the deep routes. Naane won’t post 100+ yards and a score every week, but looks to have found a solid role with Jackson on the sidelines.
 Mark Clayton, WR – STL (Owned in 17 percent of leagues)
That didn’t take long at all. Less than a week after the Rams signed Clayton he was targeted 16 times, pulling in 10 balls to lead the team with 119 yards. With Donnie Avery sidelined for the year, it appears that the Bradford has found his go-to receiver. The Rams are not a good team, and teams with semi-competent quarterbacks (read: not Derek Anderson) should put up points, so there’s a decent chance Bradford could best his 55 pass attempts from this weekend by season’s end. If Sunday was any indication, a significant number of those looks will be in Clayton’s direction.
A Blip on the Radar:Tony Moeaki, TE – KC (Owned in one percent of leagues)Tight End is a rich position this year, so unless the Kansas City Patriots 2.0 start putting up Patriots 1.0 numbers, Moeaki is nothing more than a bye week replacement. But he’s a name to remember as the season goes on, so keep an eye on him to see how offensive coordinator Charlie Weis uses him in the red zone (that play action at the goal line embarrassed the Chargers). He’s a nice bye week replacement right now but his week to week value is tied to the Chiefs offensive production.Note: Ownership percentages are from Yahoo!
Got any other Waiver Wire Gems?Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on Twitter@TheFantasyFix
Written by Chris Sheehan exclusively for the www.thefantasyfix.com. Chris is an avid football fan and has been playing fantasy football for over ten years. Check back for more great articles from him weekly.
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football Blog, Fantasy Sports Blog, Waiver Wire Pickups, Week 2, Michael Vick, Brandon Jackson, Peyton Hillis, Legedu Naane, Mark Clayton, Tony Moeaki, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers, St. Louis Rams, Kansas City Chiefs
Monday Night Football is FINALLY here! Let's take a quick look at the matchups and what to expect from our fantasy studs...
 San Diego Chargers vs. Kansas City Chiefs
While the other game tonight has more national significance, this game has a number of significant fantasy questions waiting to be answered. For the Chargers, Ryan Matthews has to fill Ladainian Tomlinson's Hall of Fame sized shoes. He looked good during the pre-season (but so did fellow rookie CJ Spiller and he laid an egg) and Norv Turner has promised plenty of work for the Fresno State Bulldog.
There are huge questions surrounding the Chargers passing game. Antonio Gates looks like a sure thing, but from there…? Philip Rivers is playing without his left tackle and best wide receiver. Malcolm Floyd and Legedu Naanee have shown flashes in the past, but that was with Vincent Jackson drawing all the attention. That being said, Vincent Jackson was no sure thing when he burst on the scene. Philip Rivers might be that special type of QB to make all his receivers better… unless that receiver is Craig “Buster” Davis.
I like the prospects for Jamaal Charles – that Chargers defense seems to leak talent every offseason without any significant additions.
The big question is this, how does Charlie Weis handle the Chiefs offense? Without a doubt Charles is their best player, but remember Charlie’s Patriots’ teams? Those running backs weren’t exactly fantasy gold. Throw in Thomas Jones and his 14 touchdowns lurking in the shadows and Charles is no sure thing.
The only other fantasy relevant Chief is the enigmatic Dwayne Bowe. He’ll get you 150 yards and two touchdowns in one game this season, but the difficulty is picking the right game.
On that passing game, Charlie Weis was a genius with Tom Brady, but Brady can read a defense like he can woo supermodels. Let’s see what Charlie can do with Matt Cassel.
Final Analysis: These aren’t great defenses, so expect solid fantasy numbers from your stars Charles, Gates and Rivers. The others could turn out to be fantasy monsters, but there are too many unknowns to count on them at this point.
 New York J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS vs. Baltimore Ravens If your fantasy hopes rest on a big game from someone in this showdown…start planning for next week. These defenses are both stout. The Jets broke a record for offseason hype, but I’d urge caution, the man running the show, Mark “Dirty” Shanchez had a 63 passer rating last year. His most talented receiver, Santonio Holmes will be serving a suspension for a few weeks, so he’s relying upon Braylon Edwards (who has everything you could want in a receiver, except for an ability to catch) and Jerricho Cotchery (younger version of Derrick Mason). Those receivers won’t scare the Ravens which could pressure the Jets running game. Shonn Greene has his shot to be the man behind the best offensive line in football, but you probably won’t get a great game out of him running into the wall that is Haloti Ngata. I’m also not buying LaDanian Tomlinson mostly because he ran like Betty White the last couple years and killed countless fantasy leagues (including mine). If he bounces back my remote will be hurled through the TV. Joe Flacco is the trendy pick to take the leap this year. However, there are a few problems: 1) They play the Jets and he’ll have to take a boat to Revis Island (although, if you are playing Revis, this is the week you would want as he’s still playing into football shape) 2) He’s got a lot of receivers (Anquan Boldin, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Derrick Mason and Donte’ Stallworth) but who is the deep threat? If I’m the Ravens, I stack the box, which will put a damper on Ray Rice and also clog the middle for all those possession receivers. Final Analysis: I don’t see big games from anyone in this game, these defenses are just too good and there are too many questions that need to be answered before you can trust anyone. Regardless, you are probably starting Shonn Greene, Ray Rice, and the defenses, but aside from that watch the game for next week.
Written exclusively by Chris Summers for www.thefantasyfix.com. Chris is an attorney, who lives and breathes sports in sunny California. Look for more of his great insight weekly.
Who are you picking as the big studs tonight?
Leave us a comment or reply to us on Twitter @TheFantasyFixTags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Blog, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, Monday Night Football, NFL, Tips, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, San Diego Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs
Just like the stock market, players can burn you, kick you to the curb, take your money, spit on you, call you dirty names, make you watch crappy girly movies and so much more. OR players can make you stinking dirty rich. The kind of rich where you wipe your butt with $100 bills. The kind of rich where you wear those 80's sunglasses and drive a corvette. The kind of rich that WINS YOU CHAMPIONSHIPS! Bull Market Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants First things first, Bradshaw is the Giant running back you want. Last year he saw 184 touches and ended up just shy of the 1,000 yard mark from scrimmage. He has breakaway speed, which most fantasy teams crave, and with seven TDs, he’s capable of punching them in from the goal line. Why you should BUYAs the starting back (Brandon Jacobs will still see a nice amount of playing time) Bradshaw is capable of 200-215 carries for 1,050-1,100 yards and eight TDs from the ground. If the Giants front five does its job, the scoring chances should increase, as Bradshaw can break one off on any carry. As for catching the ball, look for him to snag 30-35 balls in the air, for 370 yards and another two or three TDs. All of this from someone sharing the leather…not too shabby. Bear Market TJ Houshmandzadeh, WR, Baltimore Ravens I like this move for Houshmandzadeh, but not for fantasy owners. Housh has gone from a cellar dweller in a weak NFC West to a team with a talented young QB, a superbly skilled RB, and pass catching weapons all around him. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, the Ravens have stocked up on three of the same person at WR. Derek Mason, Anquan Boldin and TJ Houshmandzadeh are all elite possession WR, but none is what you would consider a deep threat. Keep in mind that despite the additions of Boldin and Houshmandzadeh, the run game still comes first. Why you should SELLWhat the Ravens really needed to become an elite offensive unit is a home run threat that can keep a defense from jamming everyone at the line, and stretch them vertically. None of these three fit that role. Boldin has the most talent of the three WRs and will benefit from being the number one guy on the team. Remember though that Boldin hasn’t averaged more than 12.2 per catch since 2006, and the Cardinals didn’t seem to upset to see him go in the end. Derek Mason is as consistent a receiver you’re likely to find in the game. He’s someone who sneakily ranks among the top 25 in receptions and yards each year, but at age 36 he’s due for a step back. With that said, he still has the best chemistry with Flacco and will likely serve as a security blanket for the still young QB. As for Houshmandzadeh, there’s nothing to like really. At 32 years old, he’s on his third team in three years. There was no training camp to develop timing with Flacco and we have to assume that with a limited understanding of the playbook, there will be a lot of sitting early in the season. Projections: Mason – 60 catches, 750 yards, six TDs. Mason is worth a flex spot in your starting lineup or a reserve with potential. Boldin – 80 catches – 900 yards, eight TDs. Consider Boldin a nice number two receiver, but if there starts to be a WR run, don’t reach on him. Let someone else pay number one money for him. Houshmandzadeh – 50 catches, 600 yards and two trips to the end zone. Did you pick up on that I really don’t like Houshmandzadeh at all this year? Written by Rick Marsh exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com.
“In the immortal words of Jean Paul Sartre, 'Au revoir, gopher'” – Bill Murray, Caddyshack
Think Ahmad will shine in 2010? Was Houshmandzadeh even needed?
Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on twitter @TheFantasyFix
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football Projections, 2010, NFL, Ahmad Bradshaw, Brandon Jacobs, TJ Houshmandzadeh, Anquan Boldin, New York Giants, Baltimore Raves
The dust has settled, your draft is over and now comes the painstakingly hard part of choosing who to actually start in week one. Jay Cutler and Percy Harvin look to be locks while fantasy sleepers like Justin Forsett and Mike Wallace may be better served on your bench. Lets take a look as to why...
 QB Start:
Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
His 26 interceptions in 2009 are not easily forgotten, but the gunslinger should abuse an ultra-thin Detroit secondary. The Lions finished 32nd against the pass last season and the talent level has not improved. Chris Houston as a number one cornerback? That's a scary thought.
Chicago scored 85 points in the two meetings in '09, with Cutler throwing for 417 yards, six touchdowns and zero picks. Offensive coordinator Mike Martz should have an air attack in store for week one.
 QB Sit:
Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins
The Bills defensive backfield possesses a combination of depth and speed that vaulted them to the second rated pass defense in 2009. Chad Henne is all too familiar, producing a 42.5 QB rating, three INT game in Buffalo last year.
Fortunately for him, and unfortunately for his owners, he has two workhorse running backs by his side against a notoriously poor Bills run defense (3-4 scheme or not). Despite his explosive potential, Henne had six games below 200 yards in '09. Wait for a better spot.
 RB Start:
Knowshon Moreno, Denver Broncos
There is legitimate reason to be concerned about Moreno:
1. An injury to his hamstring prevented him from seeing a single snap this preseason
2. Despite getting 14+ carries in 11 games during the 2009 season, he failed to crack the 100-yard plateau in any of them
3. The Broncos offensive line is filled with youth.
However, in spite of these reasons for worry, Moreno's innate running ability, power, quickness and year of experience under his belt are reasons for optimism.
He should find creases in a Jacksonville defense that allowed 197 and 214 yards on the ground in the final two weeks of '09. Not to mention the loss of run defense stalwart John Henderson to free agency.
Look for Moreno to be more efficiently utilized in the passing game in 2010 as well. That process began late last season as he compiled 12 receptions for 117 yards in the final four weeks.
 RB Sit:
Justin Forsett, Seattle Seahawks
Let's be honest, Forsett didn't have to beat out much to win the starting tailback job in Seattle. Competition from Leon Washington coming off a devastating injury and a washed up Julius Jones is not exactly stellar.
Forsett did solid work in 2009, racking up 5.4 yards per carry and catching 41 passes, but he was never the focus of an opponent's game plan.
Does the 5'8 Forsett have what it takes to be an every down back? He's never done it before (even at California). I'm taking a "show me" stance on this one. He's a definite sit against a top tier San Francisco defense, except in deeper PPR leagues.
 WR Start:
Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings
Migraine headaches disrupted Harvin's training camp and preseason, but he'll be ready to roll come game day. With Sidney Rice injured and Bernard Berrian disgruntled and on the decline, Harvin will be Brett Favre's main weapon.
Recent reports that he'll line up more as an outside receiver only bolster his big play potential. Saints top CB Jabari Greer will likely shadow Harvin, but he's unstoppable in open space. He caught nine balls for 102 yards in last year's NFC Championship game. Despite all the chaos, start him with confidence.
 WR Sit:
Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin claims there will be no implementation of a conservative game plan with Dennis Dixon running the team. That seems hard to believe. Dixon's decision making is extremely questionable, and simple reads/throws will likely be the norm until "Big Ben" returns from suspension.
This is not good news for Mike Wallace. The speed demon averaged over 19 yards per reception as a rookie and needs time for plays to develop. Unless Dixon uses his legs to escape the pocket, Wallace isn't likely to see significant targets. Improved pass defense (28th in '09) has been an off-season focus for Atlanta (adding CB Dunta Robinson to the fold) and they'd love nothing more than to 'pick' on Dixon's inexperience.
 TE Start:
Aaron Hernandez & Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
On the surface Hernandez and Gronkowski appear to cancel out each other’s value. However, against a Cincinnati defense that has trouble holding down the inside passing game, both can be productive. The Bengal linebackers are run stoppers and struggle to cover, so the tight ends will be presented with a constant mismatch.
These aren't just ordinary TE, both are terrific athletes that can run, more along the lines of oversized WR. If owned, either one is a worth shot this week.
 TE Sit:Chris Cooley, Washington RedskinsThe Redskins secondary offensive weapons, or lack thereof, will severely hinder Cooley's production in 2010. Santana Moss is not the deep threat he once was, meaning the 'Skins have nobody to stretch the field to open things up underneath. He might catch a few dump offs when McNabb is running for his life against the Cowboys pressure, but yardage will be minimal. Fred Davis is the speedier TE with greater downfield aptitude.
Written by Adam Ganeles exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Check back weekly for Adam's NFL Sit 'Em, Start 'Em .Will you be sitting Wallace, Forsett, Henne or Cooley ?
Leave a comment and let us know, or reply to us on twitter @TheFantasyFixTags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Blog, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Sit 'Em Start 'Em, Jay Cutler, Chad Henne, Knowshon Moreno, Justin Forsett, Percy Harvin, Mike Wallace, Aaron Hernandez, Rob Gronkowski, Chris Cooley, Chicago Bears, Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings, Pittsburgh Pirates, New England Patriots, Washington Redskins
 With the first week of the NFL season approaching, fantasy football geeks across the nation are gearing up to take on their opponents. Whether or not your league has drafted yet, here you will find insight and analysis of Detroit Lions’ quarterback, Matt Stafford, and the argument for why he should not be in your starting lineup… (with a few exceptions).This year, I am anti-Stafford. However, if you are in a deep league and need to start two quarterbacks, he might be worth starting. But, you better be sure to own a top five quarterback as well, such as Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Tony Romo. It’s not so much that I despise Stafford, it’s just that I like so many other quarterbacks more than him. It’s not you Stafford… it’s me. I fear Stafford’s fantasy ceiling is low and playing on an abysmal team doesn’t help. His 53.3 percent completion was ranked 30th last year, and he was tied for second most interceptions with 20 (in only 10 games). Stafford passed for 300+ yards in one game last year, and threw five of his 13 touchdowns in that same game.Detroit’s offensive line isn’t getting any better either. In 2009, the Lions’ O-Line was ninth for sacks allowed with 43 (Green Bay was first with 51). They were also ranked sixth for QB hits with 95 (Jacksonville was first with 126). Stafford’s supporting cast did improve though with the addition of Nate Burleson and Jahvid Best, but I still cannot see a fantasy-relevant season for Stafford in 2010-11. Unfortunately, CBS Fantasy Sports enthusiasts have been drafting him around 131st overall (ADP) and the 20th QB taken. Quarterbacks like Kyle Orton (150 ADP), David Garrard (153 ADP), Matt Moore (161 ADP), and Jason Campbell (152 ADP) all have a great chance and pieces in set to produce more than Stafford. Keep in mind, I do not think the before listed players are ideal top starters for your team, but in deeper leagues with two quarterback rosters, I’d rather own these guys than spoil my stats with Stafford. If you disagree with me, and you’re confident that Stafford is in line for a stupendous sophomore season, go and get him. That’s what makes fantasy football so unique and exciting, the urge to go against the grain; the passion to win each week, the drive to impress your friends. Enjoy the season, and regardless of owning Stafford or not… there’s always next year.
Written by Tyler Becker exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com. Look for Tyler’s
weekly insight into MLB, NFL, & NHL. You can follow Tyler on Twitter @FantasyProdigy
What do you think about Matthew Stafford this year?
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Blog, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Bust, Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Nate Burleson, Jahvid Best, Kyle Orton, David Garrard, Matt Moore, Jason Campbell
Gold Rush! With Kurt Warner’s retirement, it seems that the time is right for a new team to take over the NFC West, and what team has a better history of excellence than the San Francisco 49ers.
In the past when the 49ers have been good, they have been All-Time good. They have had All-Time greats at QB, WR, and DB. They've had Pro Bowlers at RB, DT and DE. Guess what? This is one of those teams. Maybe no All-Time greats anywhere, but certainly Pro Bowl caliber players up and down this roster. Don’t believe me? Let’s take a closer look.  QUARTERBACK
Alex Smith has been much maligned during his tenure in the Bay Area, and not without cause. He was a number one overall pick over local boy Aaron Rodgers (which is not exactly making the 49ers look good).
After losing the trust of the old coaching staff, and being benched for Shaun Hill by the new regime, Smith finally won back his job through hard work and on the field production.
Last year, playing 11 games he had his first season completing 60 percent of his passes. He also threw for 2,350 yards with 18 TDs and 12 INTs. Those aren’t eye-popping numbers, but played out over 16 games, its 3,408 yards with 26 TDs and 17 INTs. Those numbers maybe a bit high, but in a very mediocre NFC West, Smith can fatten up his stats against the Rams and Seahawks. Even when they were winning the NFC West, the Cardinals defense wasn’t exactly making people think of the ‘85 Bears.
He has three talented targets in Vernon Davis at TE, Michael Crabtree at WR and Frank Gore coming out of the backfield. Let’s not forget Josh Morgan, who is poised to make the third year WR leap. With all these weapons Smith has the potential to be a tasty match-up QB in several weeks.
Projections
Smith was a very good college QB because he was able to accurately hit his weapons and keep the ball away from the defense (seven INTs in two years as a starter). Now with the weapons and the trust of his coaches, Smith seems poised to finally shed the label of “Bust” and become an efficient if unspectacular QB.
If he stays healthy, 3,000 yards, 23 TDs and 12 INTs is well within his reach. Draft him as a backup and you can start him against Seattle twice, Kansas City, St. Louis twice, Tampa Bay and if he’s playing well for you, the Arizona games.
 RUNNING BACK
Since 2006 no running back has more yards from scrimmage than Frank Gore. That’s an important fact to think about. Every year at your draft, four or five running backs go off the board, and you’re left to think “Man, do I have to take Frank Gore here?” He’s the most underappreciated running back in the NFL and the reason is tangible.
You know he’s going to miss at least one game. It’s likely to be two, plus parts of two others. He has only had one double-digit TD seasons.
Since 2006, he’s not a lock to get you 100 yards rushing. He’s not even a lock to get you 80 yards rushing. In 14 games last year, Gore had five 100-yard games last year. He also had five games with fewer than 40 yards rushing. Per carries, he had five games with more than 20 carries and three games with single digit carries.
This is the curse of Frank Gore. He’s going to carry your team for two weeks, and he’s going to lose two games for you.
Brian Westbrook was signed recently to be Gore’s backup, which is like building a house out of sticks after the wolf blows down your house of straw.
Westbrook is effectively Frank Gore Version 1.0. He catches the ball well, can kill a defense in space, and is never going to play a 16-game NFL season. He’s never rushed for double digit TDs, and only rushed twice for over 1,000 yards in ‘06 and ‘07.
Anthony Dixon is the man who will benefit the most from the 49ers injury report. Drafted in the sixth round of the 2010 draft, Dixon is a bruising rusher who likely will get the majority of the goal line and short yardage carries.
Projections
It’s hard to state how the 49ers running backs will do with the delicate nature of their starting two runners. We do know Mike Singletary is committed to establishing the run, and behind a very good offensive line, the numbers could be impressive.
I think if Frank Gore plays 15 games this year (with a better passing attack to take the pressure off of him) gets 1200 yards on the ground and maybe another 400 through the air.
I still don’t think he will be punching it in the end zone unless he breaks ones from more than 15 yards. I expect eight rushing TDs and three more through the air.
Brian Westbrook fans, have less to be excited about. I expect 300 rushing yards with a TD or two. Through the air he probably won’t get more than 150 yards and two TDs max.
The guy I’m excited for is Anthony Dixon, who I feel will take the number two spot from Westbrook at some point during the season, and will be the featured goal line back. I think he is capable of 400 rushing yards and seven TDs, but don’t foresee him being a factor in the passing game.
 WIDE RECEIVER
Michael Crabtree was one of the most talked about draft picks in recent memory when the 49ers grabbed him in the 2009 NFL Draft, but a lengthy hold out had him missing the first five games of the season.
Even with that, Crabtree managed 48 grabs in 11 games for 625 yards and two TDs. Now with a full training camp, and ready to play 16 games, Crabtree could be primed to explode.
Lining up on the other side of him is Josh Morgan, a former sixth round pick, who has really become a reliable possession receiver in just two years. No longer burdened with the necessity to be a number one WR thanks to Crabtree, and arguably not even the second pass catching option with Vernon Davis at TE, Morgan should be able to improve on last years modest numbers.
Ted Ginn Jr. figures to be the number three WR, which is great for him, as it’s finally where he should have been his whole career. After three mostly forgettable years with Miami, where he failed to live up to expectations (not entirely his fault as he shouldn’t have been picked where he was), he looks to be the home run threat that the 49ers have lacked since Terrell Owens left town. That being said, Ginn has some of the worst hands in the NFL and won’t be more than the fifth option on most pass plays for the 49ers.
Jason Hill and Dominique Ziegler round out the receiving corps. Neither is expected to have any value this year.
Projections
Crabtree is a guy who has all the expectations in the world on him. He’s going to draw the best covers, and has the talent to beat them all. Expect a very solid season from the second year man, to the tune of 70 catches for 900 yards and seven TDs. He should make a fine number two WR on most fantasy teams.
Josh Morgan will continue to be the possession receiver on a team that doesn’t love to throw the ball. Look for him to get his hands on 50 passes, grab 585 yards and two visits to the end zone. He’s worth a roster spot, but don’t grab him expecting big numbers. They won’t be there.
Ted Ginn Jr. will be a factor on this team in the return game and as a deep threat. If you’re in a league that drafts individual KR/PR then Ginn has significantly more value than if your league doesn’t. In standard leagues, he is a gamble due to a conservative game plan and his bad hands. Still 30 catches for 470 yards and three long TDs sounds about right. Draft him in the deepest of deep leagues only or in leagues where return yards are counted.
Hill and Ziegler have zero fantasy relevance at this time.
 TIGHT END
Vernon Davis is good. You know it. I know it. The NFL knows it. Last year he finally put it all together to fulfill the promise the former sixth overall pick flashed early in his career. 78 catches, 965 yards, 13 TDs. Three 100 yard games, and most importantly for a TE, he got into the end zone in 10 of 16 games.
Is it fair to expect the same numbers from a guy who until last year, had severely underachieved throughout his career? Probably not, but you’re going to anyway, and I think you’re going to be surprised by the output. He’s the number one red zone receiving option for the Niners, and is also able to break things open with his agility and speed.
Projections
Davis will be one of the top TEs off the board, probably right after Gates and Clark. He is in their class. Look for 80 catches, 900 yards and 12 TDs. Anything less will be a severe letdown.
 DEFENSELast year, the Niners had one of the top defenses in the league, and did so in a fairly quiet fashion. Part of it is their schedule, as they were able to beat up on the Rams, Seahawks, Lions, Jags and Bears. But guess what? This year they get to beat up on the Rams, Seahawks, Derek Anderson led Cardinals, Bucs, Raiders, and Chiefs. Patrick Willis is one of the best ILB in the game and Takeo Spikes balances nicely in the run game. Nate Clements and Shawntae Spencer anchor a good pass defense, while Michael Lewis and Dashon Goldson are tackling machines in the defensive backfield. Jason Smith is slowing down at the DE spot, but can still get to the QB.ProjectionsExpect the Niners to be a good defense to grab. They have Ginn who gives them electrifying special teams play, a favorable schedule against some bad offenses, and an elite leader in Willis. There is nothing to stop them from being a top five defense. Don’t reach for them (or any defense), but target them, maybe right after a kicker run starts.
Written by Rick Marsh exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. "Everyone looks up to you. They listen to you. If you tell them to fight, they'll fight. But they need to be inspired. And let's face it "Superman"... the last time you really inspired anyone -- was when you were dead." - BatmanFeeling the Gold Rush in 2010? Think they will help your squad?
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football Projections, 2010, NFL, San Francisco 49ers, Niners, Defense, Vernon Davis, Alex Smith, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Anthony Dixon, Patrick Willis, Josh Morgan
 Jamaal Charles We all get a little nervous/excited about draft day, we want the best team, we want everyone else to fear the juggernaut we’ve created. But take a step back, yes, you want the best team possible, but if you’ve played before, you know that the league is rarely won or lost on draft day (even subpar seasons from first rounders like Michael Turner and Ladainian Tomlinson weren’t so traumatic that you couldn’t recover).
Inevitably it is the person that grabs Jamaal Charles, Jerome Harrison, Miles Austin or Brett Favre that ends up winning the league. So if things don’t go your way on draft day, take a deep breath and prepare for the right waiver wire moves and trades. That being said, here’s a roadmap to killing a draft:
A few rules.
First, figure out your draft number and determine where you will be drafting in all the rounds. This way you’ll have a rough idea of what will be out there in the later rounds (6, 7, etc.), so if you miss a running back in the 5th, you’ll know you can wait and grab someone you like later.
Second, know your draft platform. There are huge differences in the rankings between Yahoo, ESPN, etc. If you are online, it’s likely that the drafters will just basically follow those rankings; if you are using something different be prepared for a guy you view as a 6th round sleeper going in the 4th.
 Vernon Davis Third, this is just a personal preference, but I tend to wait on Tight Ends (unless it is a PPR league then a guy like Dallas Clark is basically a receiver). Look at last year who had Vernon Davis, Owen Daniels (before his injury), Brent Celek, and Visanthe Shiancoe having big years? You probably could’ve grabbed any of them off waivers.
Fourth, check for any recent injury news, you don’t want to be the guy that grabs Ben Tate and then has to promise his buddies beer for life for a mulligan.
Finally, and you’ve probably heard this before FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, NO KICKERS BEFORE THE LAST ROUND!!!! You don’t want to be mocked for picking Matt Stover in the FOURTH ROUND (cough, Pete, cough) and kickers are all the same.
 Andre Johnson Round One:
As mentioned in a previous article, the number one back is a dying breed – if you can grab one DO IT!. If not, your best option is Andre Johnson. But, if you are in a six point per TD pass league, Drew Brees and Aaron Rogers are solid selections.
Note: Be wary of MJD, he says he’s going to play game one, but the mysterious nature of his knee injury has to be taken into account.
Round Two:
Really, a best available player strategy here. For my money, I like the receivers more than the running backs (Reggie Wayne, Brandon Marshall, Roddy White, Larry Fitzgerald vs. Cedric Benson, Rashard Mendenhall, Shonn Greene, Ryan Grant, DeAngelo Williams).
I just see a lot of question marks with those backs and the wide receiver class is thin, so best to get what you can early. At this point in all my drafts I have a running back and wide receiver.
Round Three:
Depending on your league settings you can look for a QB (Peyton Manning or Tom Brady), but given the steep fall off in talent after the top 50 players, I'd advise waiting until the fourth round before looking at a QB. So in this third round grab the best available at RB or WR. Shonn Greene (if he falls), Ryan Grant (fell to me in the 3rd round of a recent draft), Jamaal Charles, DeSean Jackson (worried about how fragile he is and he reliance on big plays), Calvin Johnson or Greg Jennings.
Round Four:
This round and the next were the toughest for me. I look at this years’ draft as having a steep drop after the top seven QB's (Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Philip Rivers, Matt Schaub)
If one of these guys is here, it might be time to grab them because they might not be there in the 5th round (Please note, I’ve waited in two leagues and grabbed Romo and Schaub in the mid 40’s).
Quick tip, before you pick in the fourth round take a look at rosters of the teams picking behind you? If they all have a QB or if there are more quality QB’s on the board than people that need them you can wait.
I say all of this because there is a lot of potential talent in this round at RB and WR and you don’t want to miss out. If you don’t pick a QB, keep building depth; if you need a running back look for Pierre Thomas, Jamaal Charles or Jonathon Stewart, or Joseph Addai. If a WR: Greg Jennings, Marques Colston, Steve Smith (either) or Anquan Boldin. By this point I want to have two RB’s and two WR’s.
 Arian Foster 5th round:
If one of those top QB's has dropped, grab tem. If not, get ready for a surprising amount of depth in the RB’s (fifth and eigth rounds) and WR (sixth and seventh rounds) over the next few rounds and plan accordingly.
In the fifth you are probably looking at Matt Forte, Arian Foster, Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams (note, Brown and Williams have been dropping huge in drafts – last night I got Ricky Williams in the eigth. That’s a running team, I know they split carries, but as a third back, come on). WR: Mike Sims-Walker, Michael Crabtree.
6th Round:
If no QB at this point consider grabbing Joe Flacco. You are probably safe waiting until the seventh, but you have to gauge your draft. In the sixth at wide receiver: Dwayne Bowe, Donald Driver, Hines Ward, or Percy Harvin (high risk, high reward with him). RB: Justin Forsett, Felix Jones, Jerome Harrison (Hardesty blown ACL, welcome to the party Jerome).
7th Round:
If no QB, grab Flacco, he’ll give you tons of yards and if he improves on those TD’s he could be a next level guy. At running back look at Marion Barber and CJ Spiller (his stock is rising, so he probably won’t be here). If you need a wide receiver (Sneaky depth here): Jeremy Maclin, Wes Welker (he’ll probably be going earlier now), Hakeem Nicks, or Pierre Garcon. Definitely a round to target a wide receiver, so plan accordingly. .
8th round:
In this round you can look for any Tight Ends that have fallen (unlikely that you can get them), a Jermichael Finley, Brent Celek or Jason Witten are good values here, especially if you've killed it at the beginning.
At running back, Ahmad Bradshaw (Brandon Jacobs now runs like Hurley from lost) or Clinton Portis and Michael Bush (assuming his broken hand isn't that serious).
If you need a WR, Mike Wallace, Santana Moss, TJ Houshmandzadeh. Also, if' you've completely whiffed on the QB, don't panic you can still grab Eli Manning or Jay Cutler. Not the sexy picks you want, but if you are grabbing them you've hopefully developed good depth at other positions. But, if you are grabbing these guys you probably want a backup QB later in the draft to play matchups (Matt Ryan, Chad Henne, and if he slips Kevin Kolb).
 Brent Celek 9th Round:
Look for a TE that has dropped (Celek, Finley or Witten) or you can grab Kellen Winslow. I know, like Lindsay Lohan in rehab, he’s perpetually on the injury list, but he produces when on the field and who else are they going to throw to?
If you don’t like the TE options continue building depth, Thomas Jones, Steve Breaston, Bernard Berrian, Robert Meachem and Santonio Holmes (but be careful as he's suspended for a few games) all have value.
10th Round:
If no TE and Kellen Winslow is here, I'd grab him or you can wait till the next round to grab Zach Miller of the Raiders. If looking for more depth, there are some decent running back options; Donald Brown, Cadillac Williams (scary with his injury history, but he's going to start), Tim Hightower (Beanie Wells was injured on Thursday), Darren McFadden (rumors that Bush is out for four weeks).
Honestly, from this point on it’s time to take fliers, grab backups, etc. Feel free to grab that rookie that you think will be this year’s star sleeper (Mike Williams from Tampa or Mike Williams from the Seahawks, maybe they can be the new Steve Smith’s).
You can look for handcuffs like Brian Westbrook for Frank Gore (although Anthony Dixon is a beast and could see some legitimate time if Gore goes down); Bernard Scott for Cedric Benson; LT for Shonn Greene.
Some other guys I like later are Kenny Britt, Owen Daniels (he’s off the PUP list and was a top five TE before going down last year), Devin Aromashodu (he’s getting a lot of hype, I personally like Johnny Knox better), Jacoby Jones, with the mystery surrounding MJD, or Rashard Jennings.
If you didn’t get a top QB you can look at some guys like Chad Henne, Matt Ryan, and Ben Roethlisberger (suspension reduced to four games). But at this point in the draft, you are rolling the dice, so throw those dice and hopefully you hit some numbers before you crap out.
Remember what I said before, your draft won’t be perfect – Chris Johnson isn’t dropping to you in the third round. Do the best you can with what is presented to you and don’t panic, there will be time to fix MOST mistakes (as you can imagine, Pete wasn’t able to recover that year).
Written exclusively by Chris Summers for www.thefantasyfix.com. Chris is an attorney, who lives and breathes sports in sunny California. Look for more of his great insight weekly.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Blog, Fantasy Football Advice, Fantasy Football, NFL, Fantasy Football Draft Strategy, Manifesto, Tips
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