Fantasy Football Info For Serious Players
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Quarterback Add Immediately (Impact potential)
Johnson looked sharp during the preseason and he played well enough in the second half of last season to warrant a roster spot. Like Kitna, he was probably drafted in most leagues, but he is a proven guy who could – at the very worst – provide you with good depth. He’s more consistent than explosive.
Kitna completed 22-of-29 for 229 yards with no touchdowns, but also no turnovers in his Lions debut. Running Mike Martz offense, Kitna has the opportunity to produce. The Lions defense looked better than their defense in this game, but with Mike Martz calling the plays you can bet they’ll be passing frequently enough that Kitna will be a factor as long as he remains healthy. He’s no Kurt Warner, but if Kitna is lingering in your league, he could be a quality backup and borderline starter in deeper leagues.
Pennington isn’t available in most leagues with 12 or more teams, but he may be the top option in smaller leagues. He faced a Titans defense that struggled last year and didn’t fare much better here. Pennington shredded them for 319 yards and two touchdowns completing 24-of-33. His biggest mistake was a lost fumble. He won’t fare that well against tougher defenses, but the Jets young receivers look good and so did Pennington as he quickly connected with Laveranues Coles for a few big plays. As long as he stays healthy, Pennington is similar to Jon Kitna in terms of upside and value.
Not only does Smith look more comfortable in his second season, he has better players surrounding him. With Antonio Bryant at WR1, Vernon Davis at TE and the combined departure of Kevan Barlow and ascendance of Frank Gore give Smith much better targets. Smith completed 23-of-40 for 288 yards and a TD against the Cardinals. The 49ers defense is a little better, but still bad enough that it will likely help Smith gain more opportunities to produce fantasy points. Add him as a solid #2 option and a stellar #3 if you lack a strong starter and you have a greater need for a third QB. Add For Depth (Starter potential)
With less than two weeks under his belt, Collins didn’t have a long time to learn the Titans playbook and it showed in the Titans 23-16 home loss to the Jets. Collins was wildly inaccurate at times and he threw two interceptions while completing just 17-of-38 for 223 yards. He won’t play this badly each week, but if the Titans don’t get off to a decent start, they will have more to gain and less to lose if they decide to see what they have in Vince Young. The former Longhorn played a couple series this week, so Collins has a short leash and limited upside. He may be a decent #2 in the short-term, but he needs to get the Titans off to a good start to keep the job with Young waiting in the wings for a chance to play.
After a rocky preseason and fans calling for Brian Griese, Grossman didn’t look like a very stable option as a fantasy QB. Against Green Bay, Grossman struck early and got the Bears off to a quick lead connecting with Bernard Berrian on a 49-yard TD just three minutes into the game. He completed a solid 18-of-26 for 262 yards displaying good rapport with Muhsin Muhammad and he spread the ball around to TE Desmond Clark and FB Jason McKie frequently. Grossman’s biggest nemesis has always been his health. If he can avoid injury, he has a chance to be a top 15 or 20 fantasy QB.
The Bills almost pulled off a surprise in New England, but ultimately fell short despite a solid, but unspectacular effort from J.P. Losman. He completed 15-of-23 for 164 yards but he failed to get the Bills into the end zone – aside from one drive that Anthony Thomas capped with an 18-yard TD run. Losman needs to show more to become even a decent fantasy backup, but he could be worth a roster spot and produce a few solid games if you pick your spots well. Add for Later (Sleeper potential)
During the preseason, Griese looked like the better quarterback for the Bears. For now, the calls for Griese will fade as long as Grossman plays well and the Bears keep winning. That said, Griese probably still is the better quarterback, but he won’t get any opportunity unless Grossman gets hurt or he flops. The former might be more likely, so if Grossman goes down at any time, Griese’s value would immediately jump to the top of the waiver wire list.
Brad Johnson is a good veteran leader for the Vikings and if they hope to go anywhere this year, then they will need him to stay healthy and play well. That said, Jackson is one good hit away from being thrust into the starting role as a rookie. He looked surprisingly poised during the preseason. His intangibles are through the roof and he’s probably not available in any dynasty leagues. In re-draft leagues, he’s still a long shot, but he could be a productive fantasy QB if he ends up playing because of his ability to gain extra yards on the ground.
If the first game of the season is a reliable indicator of things to come then the Titans are in for another long season. With Young on board and Kerry Collins looking much like he did in Oakland, New York, Carolina and New Orleans – it may be just a matter of time before Young is given the keys to the offense. He played for two series and gave the crowd a few brief sparks before throwing an interception and killing a drive. Young could be an explosive player, but he will probably have plenty of lessons learned along the way. Add for Insurance (Injury or bye week replacement)
The Pittsburgh native played well filling in for the injured Ben Roethlisberger. Batch’s immediate value hinges on Big Ben’s availability next week at Jacksonville. Batch threw for 209 yards and three TDs and he added 17 yards on the ground against Miami. Otherwise, his value only comes as a handcuff for Roethlisberger.
Byron Leftwich has a strong grasp on the starting job, but many believe they are more explosive with Garrard behind center. Leftwich has had a difficult time staying healthy as a pro, so Garrard is definitely at the top of the list of NFL backup QBs with fantasy value. If Garrard starts at any point, he’s a capable top 10 fantasy QB even without Jimmy Smith.
Trent Green was knocked out of Sunday’s game forcing Damon Huard finish the game. The Chiefs fan base hopes Huard won’t have to start next week and Green will be ready to go. Huard completed 12-of-20 for 140 yards and he threw a 21-yard TD to Tony Gonzalez trying to bring the Chiefs back from a huge deficit. If Green weren’t able to go next week at Denver, Huard would obviously get the nod. He’s not a long-term solution and probably isn’t a good short-term solution either. You should look elsewhere for a starter if you can.
Leinart isn’t available in most leagues, but if you have Kurt Warner then he should be an automatic handcuff. The Cardinals offense should continue to be productive if Leinart were forced into action. Warner hasn’t played 16 games in several years, so Leinart will likely become a factor at some point this year.
In the preseason rumors surfaced that Romo could unseat Drew Bledsoe at some point this season. After Bledsoe’s poor performance against the Jaguars, look for the speculation to build once again. Bledsoe was intercepted three times as the Cowboys came away on the short end in Jacksonville. Romo could be a major sleeper if he becomes the starter at some point. If you own Bledsoe, then you might protect your backside by adding Romo to your roster. Add for Next Year (Dynasty potential)
Gradkowski got into the game this week after the Ravens owned Chris Simms and kept the Bucs off the scoreboard in their home opener. Gradkowski has a bright future and appears to be Gruden’s current project and future starter for the Bucs. If Simms play doesn’t improve in the next few weeks, that future could come a lot quicker. Simms managed only 133 yards and threw three interceptions against a tough Ravens D. Things should get better against lesser foes. If not, Gradkowski might get the call so be prepared if/when that happens.
Aaron Brooks held off Walter in training camp, but don’t expect Brooks to have a long leash if he begins to fall back into his careless, erratic play of the past couple of years. Walter is a big kid with a strong arm and less mobility. If he’s thrown into the fire, like Brooks, he would likely have as many turnovers as TDs, but Al Davis likes his arm and ability to throw the deep ball. With Randy Moss as a target, Walter could be an interesting player down the road.
Running Back Add Immediately (Impact potential)
Blaylock is starting the season as the Jets first-string tailback. He’s sharing the load with Kevan Barlow so his ceiling is limited. He ran for 36 yards on 19 carries against the Titans – averaging less than 2 yards per carry – and he caught two balls for 10 yards. He might be a decent 3rd or 4th back for flex lineups with PPR scoring, but it’s hard to envision Blaylock emerging as anything more than a top 25 to 40 fantasy RB given the opportunity and his past performances.
Henry is clearly the Titans goal line back. He handled all the touches near the goal line scoring two touchdowns, also converting a 2-pointer. Henry gained just 22 yards on nine carries, but he got the most valuable carries. He may be available in some leagues, but in a TD-heavy scoring system, Henry looks like a solid 2nd/3rd/flex option.
Lundy won the starting job over Vernand Morency in training camp, but both backs will likely get their opportunities during the season with Lundy having the best shot to be a productive fantasy back right now. He ran 11 times for 32 yards and caught two balls for -1 yards. Let’s hope his production improves going forward. He could be available in leagues that drafted earlier in the preseason, so grab him if he’s out there. He’s probably the best option available in those leagues.
Morency carried five times for 13 yards against the Eagles. Twelve of his yards came on one run. The Texans never developed much of running attack. Morency is clearly the 2nd guy in the rotation, but Ron Dayne was signed and he could work his way into a three-way rotation further depleting Morency and Lundy’s value respectively. Morency’s has plenty of upside and he could still emerge as the lead back here if Lundy struggles or doesn’t hold up.
The Falcons dealt T.J. Duckett for a reason and that is mostly because of Norwood’s emergence as a big play RB during the preseason. Norwood will have ample opportunities to spell Warrick Dunn and he gives the Falcons a strong No. 2 who can score from anywhere on the field with his speed and open field running ability. This week, Norwood handled the rock 10 times gaining 66 yards. If you have Dunn, then you definitely need to have Norwood for insurance. Add For Depth (Starter potential)
It’s hard to believe, but Buckhalter is back and he’s producing. He won the backup job to Westbrook with a strong preseason and he carried 8 times for 50 yards on Sunday spelling Westbrook. Knowing that Westbrook averages about 12 to 13 starts per year, Buckhalter could be a factor at some point. Ryan Moats would likely split carries with Buckhalter if Westbrook goes down, but Buckhalter is back and he’s once again proving he can be productive as long as he stays on the field.
Haynes is the Steelers No. 2 back for now, but with Najeh Davenport onboard and Duce Staley also on the roster, he may not get a chance to be a featured back even if Willie Parker gets hurt. On the flipside, he does do a log of things well. He’s a good third down and change-of-pace option behind Parker. He’s the right handcuff for Parker owners now, but keep an eye on Davenport because he is a threat to Haynes and he could eventually pass Haynes on the depth chart.
This Jaguars rookie could be a major surprise if Fred Taylor gets hurt. Most people think it’s only a matter of time, but Taylor has been more durable than some realize in the past few years. If Taylor does go down, Jones-Drew likely would split carries with LaBrandon Toefield. Drew is more of the 3-down type while Toefield would likely handle more of the carries in short yardage and near the goal line. In PPR leagues, Drew is a good player to stash as a RB4 or RB5 because he’s already getting on the field and his role should only increase as the season continues. Add for Later (Sleeper potential)
Cobbs was inactive in the first week of the season. If either of the Bells gets hurt, Cobbs could become a prime-time pickup. In many leagues, he may be the most attractive player available. Cobbs performed well in the preseason and his play in the last couple of games fueled speculation that he forced himself into a three-way competition for the starting job. Cobbs is the No. 3 guy for now, but that could change and just like almost any other back, he will be productive here if he given the chance.
Davenport signed with the Steelers this weekend immediately drawing the inevitable comparisons to Jerome Bettis and possibly giving the Steelers a bruising, big back who can move the chains and finish off drives near the goal line. Willie Parker ran well and he is getting the goal line love for now along with Verron Haynes, so Davenport’s not a slam-dunk to assume that role. Still, if he can ever stay healthy he could be a great fit on the Steelers.
Harrison unexpectedly lost the backup job to Jason Wright, but don’t be fooled. Wright is a solid back in his own right, but Harrison is going to play. He’s a better receiver. He’s faster and he makes more big plays, but he doesn’t block as well. That’s usually the drawback with rookie/young RBs. Harrison will make plays and he will probably emerge as the 2nd best back. If Droughns gets hurt, Harrison has great potential.
Moore is finally healthy and his timing is perfect. Moore’s value is at an all-time low since he temporarily fell to third on the depth chart behind Ciatrick Fason and starter Chester Taylor. If Moore could only stay healthy for the long haul, his value and potential become hard to ignore, especially if Taylor falters for any reason. Moore always gets his yards when he touches the ball. He’ll return punts and be a change-of-pact option behind Taylor to begin the season. He could still re-emerge as a starter via injury though and that makes him an intriguing option. Chester Taylor could be a top 10 back or he might not weather the load.
He’s on the PUP meaning he won’t play until week 6 at the earliest. If he’s healthy and activated, Perry has great value. Unfortunately, he’s not either of those things right now, but his value won't get any lower unless he suffers further setbacks in his recovery.
Smith was the best RB for the Ravens during the preseason. After two arduous seasons marred by injury, Smith emerged this summer with his strong running and ability to catch the ball. He’s carved himself a nice little role in the Ravens offense behind starter Jamal Lewis and backup Mike Anderson. Let’s not underestimate his value though. Lewis looks good, but he isn’t exactly the most trustworthy RB, and Smith looks great. He may not be anything other than a No. 3 back this year, but if he’s given the opportunity for any reason, he might not look back. In week one, Smith ran twice for six yards and he caught one ball for another four yards. Add for Insurance (Injury or bye week replacement)
Bennett’s primary value is simply because he is Larry Johnson’s backup. He is familiar with Scott Linehan’s offense from their days in Minnesota and he would give the Chiefs a back that – at the very least – has big play potential given his speed. If nothing else, he’s a strong handcuff for LJ owners.
Davis is the number two back for the Rams behind Steven Jackson, but he didn’t touch the rock in the Rams 18-10 win against Denver in week one. He could potentially end up stealing some goal line touches from Jackson, but barring an injury Davis’ role should remain limited.
Hicks is the primary backup to Frank Gore. He’s performed well in the past when given the opportunity. Gore is no stranger to injury and Hicks would certainly have a big role if Gore does go down. Michael Robinson will also have a significant role. Hicks is the better handcuff for the short-term but we expect Robinson to emerge here by mid-season so you need to balance your options with these two and you don’t want to burn three roster spots on the 49ers RB.
Thomas ran well enough during the preseason that he won the No. 2 job behind Willis McGahee prompting the team to cut Lionel Gates. Thomas enjoyed his best success as a pro playing under Dick Jauron in Chicago. So it’s no an accident that Thomas signed with Buffalo as a free agent. Thomas actually looked good in the first week. He looked lighter and (dare I say) even quicker. He scored from 18 yards and he finished with 45 combined yards on five touches. If McGahee gets hurt, Thomas would handle the lion’s share of the touches here with Shaud Williams probably getting some third down love.
Toefield will likely get some goal line looks with Greg Jones out for the year. Derrick Wimbush will also get some of those touches. Toefield’s greatest opportunity comes if Fred Taylor gets hurt. Until then, Toefield’s role will be limited to (at most) a handful of touches each week.
Let’s be honest. Turner shouldn’t be available in any league. Tomlinson owners should know better than to leave him unprotected, especially when Turner is the clear cut backup and he has proven to not only be capable, but downright explosive. Turner is an intriguing dynasty option because he has starter talent and could eventually end up doing so on another team in the future. Add for Next Year (Dynasty potential)
Calhoun is emerging as the team’s top backup quicker than some thought. Arlen Harris was waived last week and Calhoun got some action against Seattle in the first week carrying twice, but losing a yard. Jones ran strong and caught the ball well, but he’s struggled with consistency and injuries during his first two seasons, so Calhoun could be the team’s feature back in the event that Jones gets hurt. He’s a natural receiver out of the backfield, but he’s a little undersized as an every down back at this level and he lacks the leg strength and bulk of his classmate Maurice Jones-Drew.
Griffith is another reason why the Falcons felt comfortable enough to deal T.J. Duckett to the Redskins. He’s a versatile full back who can also run well and catch the ball. When the Falcons spread the field and go with a one-back set, Griffith will usually be that back. He could score 3 to 5 TDs and catch 20+ passes. He ran once for six yard and he caught a 16-yard pass in the opener.
Robinson won the No. 3 job with a strong camp as a rookie. Robinson played everything at Penn State, but he was the conference player of the year as a senior QB. He got a few touches in the season opener and he might be the team’s long-term solution if Frank Gore goes down. Maurice Hicks is No. 2 for now, but Robinson could surpass him this year. Knowing Gore’s knee history, Robinson will likely draw more attention as a free agent. If you own Gore, Robinson might be a better handcuff to Hicks, but they would probably both play a lot.
The Jets have a bit of a RBBC going this season, but Washington isn’t a major piece of the puzzle at this time. He’s returning punts for now, but he could emerge as a viable third down and change of pace option with some potential to do even more. Kevan Barlow doesn’t excite anyone but himself and it’s hard to envision Derrick Blaylock as a long-term solution. That’s not to say that Washington is either, but at some point the Jets may want to give Washington and Cedric Houston an opportunity to prove what they can do. Keep an eye on
It didn’t take long for Dayne to land in Houston (nor was it a surprise). Speculation already has Dayne serving as the Texan’s goal line back or earning a role along with Wali Lundy and Vernand Morency. Let’s be honest. He might do that, but chances are that at this point he’s simply a bust and would only have any real value except under the most gracious of circumstances. I’m not sure that this is that opportunity.
Herron is the team’s third back and he already is getting a few touches here and there. He can play some fullback and he catches the ball well. If Ahman Green were sidelined, Herron would likely split carries with Samkon Gado. He caught a 16-yard pass and he returned two kickoffs, but he lost a fumble in the first game. In deeper leagues, he might be worth a roster spot.
Shelton was close to being cut in training camp, but he responded positively and earned his spot. He’s the No. 3 back, at best, for now and he will probably never emerge as a feature back in Carolina because of DeAngelo Williams. Still, he’s probably available in many leagues and if Foster gets hurt then Shelton could conceivably be a solid short yardage option and a poor man’s Brandon Jacobs.
Last year, Watson was on the shelf and Chris Perry was very productive backing up Rudi Johnson, serving as the team’s third down back. This year, Perry is on the shelf and Watson is the productive one. Watson got into the end zone in the 2nd quarter on an 8-yard run. He also caught a 7-yard pass. Until Perry returns (assuming he is activated at some point after week 6) Watson will be a decent option and good handcuff for Johnson owners. He’ll have more value in PPR leagues because he’s great out of the backfield.
His main value is as the Jaguars goal line back. With Greg Jones out for the year, Wimbush will share those duties with LaBrandon Toefield. Wimbush also plays fullback and returns kicks. He’s more valuable as back of the rotation back and a roster spot in TD-only leagues.
Wide Receiver Add Immediately (Impact potential)
Colston said he wanted to show the world who he was before his first pro start and he did just that. The team traded Donte Stallworth to the Eagles a week before the season giving Colston an opportunity to start opposite Joe Horn and ahead of Devery Henderson. Colston caught a 12-yard TD in the third quarter and he finished with 49 yards on four catches – leading the Saints receivers in both categories.
Cotchery broke out of the gate fast with six catches, 65 yards and an 8-yard TD in week one. He made plays all over the field and he appears to be a favorite target of Chad Pennington. Cotchery may be the best option on there in many leagues. The team likes his potential and he won the starting job over veteran Justin McCareins with a strong offseason.
Gabriel was declared inactive in the first game, but he will probably jump right into the rotation and be one of the Patriots top three receivers along with Reche Caldwell and Troy Brown. Deion Branch is no closer to returning than he was a month ago and even if/when he does, Gabriel may still end up being higher in the rotation than Caldwell. Gabriel is a good target for Brady in the red zone and he could end up being the team’s best playmaker in the passing game next to Ben Watson.
Jackson could be read to blow up this year. He’s a unique player because of his smaller school background, great size and big hands. With his speed/size ratio he’s been on the dynasty radar since he was drafted in the second round. This year, Jackson will begin as the team’s No. 3 receiver, but most people wouldn’t be surprised if he ended up in a starting role. He may be great, he may be inconsistent and he may ultimately not be an impact player, but his potential is too hard to ignore and defenses will have way bigger worries than to game plan for him.
Johnson looked great in the first week of the season – as did all of the Cardinals receivers. Granted, it was only the 49ers defense, but it was still a nice starter nevertheless. Johnson is big, fast and physical for a receiver. With so many weapons on the Cardinals offense, he tends to create mismatches as the No. 3 receiver. Let’s see if he continues to make big plays in the weeks ahead. The first week was a great start, but we want to see how his targets look after four or five weeks and some tougher defenses. Obviously, if anything happens to Fitzgerald or Boldin, then Johnson becomes a high priority waiver wire option.
Joe Jurevicius will miss 4-to-6 weeks after breaking ribs against the Saints on Sunday. Northcutt will take his place in the starting lineup and unproven receivers Travis Wilson and Josh Cribbs will likely see more opportunities. Cribbs is a converted QB who played his collegiate ball locally at Kent State, while Wilson is a rookie. Northcutt is definitely the guy to have until proven otherwise. He’s a polished veteran who can get open and provide the team with a solid option opposite Braylon Edwards. Northcutt caught four balls for 37 yards against the Saints. Add For Depth (Starter potential)
When Battle is healthy, he’s capable of making big plays in the passing game and as a punt returner. The problem is that he can’t seem to stay on the field. Battle broke off a 60-yard punt return against the Cardinals and he caught two balls for 17 yards. Alex Smith looked good and if he can continue to produce, Battle just might have some value.
Bradford is available in some leagues and he’s starting for the Lions opposite Roy Williams. It’s a good opportunity for him, essentially playing the Isaac Bruce role. Bradford has always been a credible deep threat, but he’s never developed into anything else. This is arguably his best opportunity, so he’s worth a roster spot at the very least. He caught three balls for 36 yards against Seattle.
Old reliable is around and he’s still producing. Brown caught a 9-yard TD from Tom Brady that tied the score at 7-7 for the Patriots in the first quarter of Sunday’s game. He caught two balls for 18 yards, but the Patriots struggled all day to generate much offense through the air. Brady passed for only 163 yards. He’ll throw for more yards than that most days and Brown may have better days with more catches and yards, but he may only score a couple times the rest of the season.
Henry started this week in place of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but he didn’t provide the spark everyone was expecting. Henry proved to be a great weapon in the red zone as a rookie, but he was nearly shutout by the Chiefs catching just one pass for -5 yards. Houshmandzadeh may return next week and that might actually benefit Henry because he’s such a handful anyway, but he’s also likely to serve a 4-game suspension at some point in the season and he’s one strike away from a longer forced absence.
Jennings had an outstanding preseason and won the starting job opposite Donald Driver, but he didn’t fare well against the Bears in his first NFL start. It was the first time in Brett Favre’s tenure with the Packers that he was shut out. Jennings was almost shut out himself. He caught a 5-yard pass on the next to last play of the game in pure garbage time on the bad side of a 26-0 beating. Jennings will be fine, but remember that he is a rookie receiver so expect him to be inconsistent and less reliable, but he’s still a player with great upside.
Price won the starting job opposite Lee Evans and he caught three balls for 25 yards in week one. It’s hard to like Price a lot unless Losman suddenly develops into a top-flight passer. Price is still a fast receiver with the ability to make big plays, but he’s the third option at best for a Bills offense that is somewhere between weak and average.
Wade won the job as the team’s third receiver with a strong offseason and he came out of the gate strong with five catches for 76 yards on Sunday against the NY Jets. Wade also handled kickoff returns. His upside is limited, but in a PPR format, Wade could have some value and provide your roster with depth through the bye weeks. Otherwise, what you see is what you get with Wade. He’s a solid slot receiver who can move the chains on third down and give the Titans a decent outlet receiver underneath.
The first half of the NFL season opener was the Wesley Welker show. He caught four balls for 67 yards including one catch and run that went for 31 yards. He’s also the team’s primary returner. He reminds some people a little bit of Tim Dwight and for good reason.
Williams started the season strongly catching six balls for 47 yards including a 6-yard TD with 7 seconds remaining in the first half. The Jaguars have three young receivers that will all get their chances this year, but Williams has sort of been the after thought behind Matt Jones and Ernest Wilford. He’s playing well and the Jaguars will use a lot of three-receiver sets in their offense, so Williams is definitely worth a roster shot at this point. Maybe he becomes a consistent producer this year. He might not, but he got off on the right foot this week. Add for Later (Sleeper potential)
See Rashied Davis. Berrian will be the hot pickup this week because of his 49-yard TD catch on the Bears first drive of the season. Berrian only made that one catch, but he’s a guy who can get behind defense and stretch the field. Let’s wait to see if he can do it consistently, but he’s worth a gamble if you have the room.
Neither Curry nor Jerry Porter earned the start opposite Randy Moss for the Raiders season opener. Instead, Alvis Whitted got the nod. Curry returns from a season-ending Achilles injury a year ago. He seems like the best candidate amongst the Raiders outside of Jerry Porter, but Al Davis has long been enamored by Whitted’s speed. Keep an eye on how this unfolds because whoever plays opposite Moss will be in a good spot.
Davis reportedly beat Bernard Berrian and Mark Bradley for the starting job opposite Moose Muhammad, but in week one it was Berrian who made all the big plays. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if Davis, Berrian and Bradley are all inconsistent, but productive at times this year. HC Lovie Smith says that all of them will play.
Drummond is the Lion’s number three WR and primary returner. He will touch the ball anywhere from 5 to 10 times a game. If you get bonus points for return yards or touchdowns, then Drummond should be of interest. Otherwise, he’s a decent pickup with reasonable upside in PPR leagues.
Jackson remains sidelined right now, but he’s obviously got the talent to emerge during the season for the Patriots. The addition of Doug Gabriel hurts Jackson’s value in redraft leagues, but he’s still a decent sleeper if you’re looking for a guy who could come on in the second half of the season.
Stokley isn’t quite healthy yet, but when he gets back into the lineup in the next week or two, he could regain the form that made him a valuable asset in 2004. Last year, Dallas Clark played a bigger role and Stokley a lesser role, this year Stokley is expected to be in a bigger role again, but he probably won’t ever do as well as he did in ’04.
Washington caught the team’s first TD pass of the season – a 27 yarder from Charlie Batch on Thursday night. He ended up with two catches for 32 yards and he’s currently the team’s No 3 receiver. With Santonio Holmes looming, Washington may have a difficult time maintaining his spot on the depth chart. For the moment, he is taking advantage of the playing time and his current role. Add for Insurance (Injury or bye week replacement)
Carter is starting in place of the injured Steve Smith. In week one, he led the Panthers receivers with 62 yards and five catches. He also had an 11-yard run on a reverse. Carter has great speed and good size, but his value is short-term with Smith on the shelf. When Smith is healthy, Carter may still get a few big plays throughout the season, but he’s a great short term option as long as he’s starting and Smith is not playing.
Marshall won the third WR job in training camp, but he’s been banged up and he’s still not quite 100%, but very close. The Broncos love his upside. He’s big, fast and somewhat of a prototype in shorts. With Rod Smith expected to show his age at some point in the future, Marshall could move into the starting lineup as soon as next year, or whenever Rod actually retires. Javon Walker left Sunday’s game with a leg injury, so keep your eyes peeled on his status. If Walker is sidelined for any length of time, then Marshall becomes a strong waiver wire pickup even in redraft leagues. For now, he’s an excellent sleeper long-term, but not likely available in most dynasty formats. Add for Next Year (Dynasty potential)
Smith continues to ascend the Jets depth chart. He’s currently listed as the team’s third receiver and he worked into the offense a little in week one, behind starters Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. Smith is also the team’s emergency quarterback. He ran twice for 13 yards and caught a pass for 13 yards against Tennessee. Smith is already an excellent dynasty sleeper, but he’s also an intriguing player who could emerge later in the year if injuries strike.
Last week Cowboys HC Bill Parcells called Rector the “strongest player on the team pound for pound” when discussing the 2nd year receiver’s work ethic, dedication and improvement made following his rookie season. Parcells told Rector that he reminded him of former Redskins WR Gary Clark and if he dedicated himself that’s what he could become. Rector has a solid preseason and he’s currently the team’s No. 4 receiver, competing with Sam Hurd and Patrick Crayton for playing time. Rector could emerge this season if injuries strike the Cowboys, but he’s a “Parcells guy” and he might be worth rostering in deeper dynasty leagues.
Tight End Add Immediately (Impact potential)
The Raiders expect to use their tight ends more this year than in previous years. Anderson looked good in the preseason and he showed flashes of becoming a productive player last year. If he gets targeted more, expect better stats. He could be a top 15 to 20 tight end.
Productive tight ends are often difficult to find on the waiver wire, but sometimes players breakthrough seemingly coming from nowhere. Clark has been around the block a few times, but with Rex Grossman and Brian Griese the Bears finally have their most stable QB situation in the past several years. That should help Clark be more productive than in year’s past. If week one is a good indication of what lies ahead, then it might make sense to move on him now. He may not produce five catches and 77 yards again this season, but if you wait to find out – and he does continue to produce – you will miss the opportunity to strike while the iron is hot. Clark has been productive in the past, so his week one production may not be a fluke. If you are hurting at the position, he’s worth a gamble and you might end up getting a bargain.
Lewis isn’t 100% yet after suffering a high ankle sprain early on in the preseason. He’s a week or two away and when that time comes he may quickly emerge as a big red zone target for Byron Leftwich and a strong option on third downs. Lewis showed soft hands during the preseason and the team wants to have more production from the tight end position than what George Wrighster and Kyle Brady have provided. Add For Depth (Starter potential)
Conwell didn’t catch a ball in the first game, but he is the Saints starter and the best candidate to have any fantasy success at this point. If he’s available, he may warrant a roster spot, but only as a backup and probably only in 12-to-14 team leagues (or more).
Graham narrowly missed a touchdown catch in the first game of the season. He wound up with one catch for 22 yards, which is like the trademark start line for Graham. He will go a few games without a catch and then bust out for a 100-yard game or score a pair of TDs. That’s the rub with Graham and most of the Patriots receivers and tight ends. If you’re in a big league that requires TEs, Graham is the kind of guy you want to roll the dice with as a backup for your starter’s bye week.
Mili is the starting tight end for the Seahawks until Jerramy Stevens returns from his recent knee surgery. Mili caught four balls for 24 yards against the Lions and he could possibly be a top 15 option for the short-term.
Technically, Stephen Alexander is the team’s starter, but Scheffler is the player that has everyone excited. Scheffler caught a 9-yard pass in his first NFL game and he promises to get better as he gains experience. He’s not the blocker that Alexander is yet, but he’s definitely more productive as a receiver and down field target for Plummer.
As expected, the Ravens use both of their tight ends a lot in the first game of the season. Steve McNair has never been averse to using his tight ends. Wilcox produced 52 yards on three catches including 4-yard TD from McNair. Todd Heap caught five for 45 yards, by comparison. Wilcox could be this year’s Erron Kinney. Add for Later (Sleeper potential)
Daniels developed so quickly as a rookie that he was named as the team’s starter over Mark Bruener (the team’s best blocking TE), Jeb Putzier (better receiver) and Benny Joppru, who is another interesting fantasy prospect. Daniels gives the Texans the all-around package, but it’s hard to project him with a big role statistically. Rookie TEs usually struggle and David Carr is no Dan Marino or Carson Palmer.
Another rookie who won a starting job. Klopfenstein beat veteran Aaron Walker and fellow rookie Dominique Byrd for the job. He didn’t catch a pass in the first game, but HC Scott Linehan likes his potential and he will probably produce some solid games as a rookie.
Utecht caught three balls for 21 yards in the Colts Sunday night win over the Giants. Utecht shared duties with Dallas Clark as the Colts continue to use many double TE formations as they did last season. Of course, Brandon Stokley was inactive, so that had a lot to do with it. Utecht is a good talent, but his value will hinge mostly on his continued role in the offense. As long as Stokley is hurt, Utecht is a player of interest, but once Stokley returns expect the Colts to use more 3-WR sets and perhaps less double TE sets.
Kicker Add Immediately (Impact potential)
- Gostkowski should enjoy reasonable success as long as the Patriots offense doesn’t implode.
- Gould will be working with a short field a lot this year if the Bears defense continues to manhandle opponents the way they dominated the Packers. Gould will have plenty of opportunities, so he just needs to convert on them.
- Koenen missed a pair of 50-yard attempts, but he also made a couple of FGs and also handled the team’s kickoffs and punting duties. As long as he doesn’t get hurt or wear down from the triple duty, Koenen looks like a strong source for fantasy points and he plays plenty of games indoors, too.
Defense Add Immediately (Impact potential)
- The Bengals beat the Chiefs convincingly on the road. That’s a good barometer for where the Bengals defense is and where they could be heading this year. Led by Justin Smith’s three sacks, the Bengals had 7 sacks on the day and knocked the Chiefs Trent Green out of the game while forcing three turnovers and limiting Larry Johnson to 68 yards rushing. Not a bad start, who dey! The schedule isn’t ready made, but then again nobody thought the Chiefs would be a good spot for the Bengals defense on the road either. Add For Depth (Starter potential)
- The Jets sacked the Titans twice and forced three turnovers in upsetting Tennessee on the road 23-16 in the season opener. The Jets have some potentially good matchups on the schedule if they can sustain their play. You might be get some production from them against Buffalo (twice), Miami, Detroit, Cleveland, Chicago, Houston and Green Bay.
- The Lions defense played well against Seattle in the season opener. They held Shaun Alexander to 51 yards rushing on 19 attempts, sacked Matt Hasselbeck five times and forced one turnover in a tough 9-6 loss to the Seahawks. The Lions promise to be a better defensive team under the guidance of HC Rod Marinelli and DC Donnie Henderson. They also play a schedule that has some potentially good matchups like Chicago and Green Bay twice apiece, Buffalo and San Francisco.
- I’m not sure if the Rams defense is that good or the Broncos Jake Plummer played that badly. Plummer threw three interceptions and lost a fumble as the Rams defenses had 5 turnovers overall and four sacks. They pressured Plummer consistently throughout the game, but the 161 rushing yards allowed is still a cause for concern. The Rams upset the Broncos and they did it by making plays on defense and disrupting the Broncos from their offensive flow, but let’s see how this unit responds with potentially four solid matchups in a row against SF, Arizona, Detroit and Green Bay.
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