Borrowed from an idea by countingcrow from our message board, the idea here is to go out on a limb with a prediction. We polled our staff and allowed them to call their shot at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end. Here are their shots.
Quarterback
From Sigmund Bloom:
Kyle Orton will be a more valuable fantasy QB than Jay Cutler this year. He has much better command of his pass offense, better decision-making, and a better offensive line. Cutler might have been year-end numbers, but his inconsistency will kill fantasy teams that rely on his as an every-week starting QB. Orton's wide receivers are also rounding into form and they might not be a significant downgrade from Chicago's talented but unproven group - maybe even an upgrade since they are more familiar with their offense.
From Mark Wimer:
This is the year that David Garrard finally challenges for a top-10 finish at QB. He's finally working with a set of young, talented wide receivers (rather than other teams' retreads/rejects) in Mike Sims-Walker and Mike Thomas, whom have been with the team for three and two training camps, respectively. TE Zach Miller will provide an "X" factor to the passing game that Marcedes Lewis has always teased us with but never delivered. Maurice-Jones Drew is an excellent receiver out of the backfield - all the elements for fantasy success are now within Garrard's grasp.
From Colin Dowling:
Matthew Stafford will finish in the top 5 of fantasy quarterbacks THIS season. The Lions have addressed the correct spots to help Stafford succeed and if he can minimize his turnovers, there is no reason to think he can't throw for 3,700 yards and 30 touchdowns as soon as this year.
From David Dodds:
Don't be surprised to see Kyle Orton put together a lot of 300 yard passing games this year. Both of their RBs can catch and I suspect this team will need a lot of passing offense to stay in games. I like what I have seen this preseason in Orton and expect him to gain confidence out of the gate with matchuos against Jacksonville and Seattle to open the season. He is flying so far below everyone's radar that it's becoming laughable.
From Jene Bramel:
Matthew Stafford will throw for 3800 yards and 30 scores, leapfrog fellow young guns Joe Flacco, Kevin Kolb and Matt Ryan to become a top six fantasy quarterback and the next rising star with Jahvid Best and Calvin Johnson leading a high scoring Detroit offense.
From Jeff Pasquino:
Matthew Stafford will finish as a Top 10 fantasy QB in Detroit. New weapons (Jahvid Best at RB, Tony Scheffler at TE) will be just what the doctor ordered for Stafford to step up his performance in 2010. Speaking of doctors, Stafford is all healed up from last year and he will do even better in Year 2 of his development. Wide receiver Calvin Johnson is a stud but he has always needed more help to attract the attention of defenses away from him, so Best, Scheffler and even new starting WR Nate Burleson will help in that regard. The Detroit defense is improving, but the secondary is still a weakness and the Lions play a tough schedule against teams that can really put up points (MIN x2, GB x2, Chicago x2, Philly, Dallas and the Giants). Look for Stafford to top 4,000 yards and 25 touchdowns this year.
From Jason Wood:
Kevin Kolb will be the worst fantasy QB in the NFC East. Everyone is ready to anoint Kolb because of the weapons at his disposal and management's willingness to jettison Donovan McNabb. Yet, Kolb has struggled in practice much of the preseason with his decision-making and the Eagles look to have questions on the offensive line. Fantasy owners who draft Kolb as their QB1 will be disappointed unless they backed him up with a great QB2. Meanwhile Tony Romo will be a top end QB1 while both Manning and McNabb deliver fringe QB1 or top end QB2 seasons.
From Maurile Tremblay:
From the point when Ben Roethlisberger re-joins the Steelers, he will be a top four fantasy QB the rest of the way. The Steelers will become a pass-oriented team, and Roethlisberger will put up per-game numbers comparable to those of Brees and Manning (though a touch below Rodgers').
From Will Grant:
Nate Davis will be the starting QB for the San Francisco 49ers before the end of the season. Alex Smith isn't really going to excite anyone, and we all know that David Carr is a chronic underachiever. At some point in the season, SF is going to struggle and they will give Davis a shot. He'll be the starter by next season.
From Matt Waldman:
Matt Hasselbeck's last hurrah. He's 35, he has back issues, and his team is re-tooling under a new coach, but there are some reasonable things that could happen to create a confluence of events where Hasselbeck returns to 3500-yard, 25-TD glory. Deion Branch is finally healthy and playing well, T.J. Houshmandzadeh should rebound, and Mike Williams has resuscitated his career. I believe Jim Mora Jr. is the kind of coach that had some premium parts, but couldn't envision how to use them together and then the parts got damaged. I believe in Pete Carroll's quick-fix skills.
Running Back
From Sigmund Bloom:
Marion Barber will return to the top 15 fantasy RBs with 1000-1200 total yards and 12-15 TDs. His lack of burst last year can be chalked up to the hole in his quad and he is square in his physical prime at age 27. Don't forget that he has also averaged over 40 catches a season since 2007. The Cowboys are poised to have the most explosive NFC offense this side of New Orleans and Barber will be their finisher.
From Mark Wimer:
Reggie Bush will vastly outperform his consensus ranking at Footballguys.com as of 8/30 (RB 28) and his current ADP (also RB 28). He's finally running with authority between the tackles. The competition for carries has declined dramatically with the season-ending injuries to Lynell Hamilton and P.J. Hill. Bush remains one of the best running backs in the league at getting around the edges of a defense. Bush is a fine receiver out of the backfield. In short, Bush finally looks like a complete back, and I think he'll earn enough touches down in New Orleans to challenge for a top-12 finish at RB.
From Colin Dowling:
Michael Turner will be the number one back in fantasy football. Turner seems to be overlooked a little bit due to last season's injury, but his per game numbers have been great since he joined the Falcons. When healthy, Turner has been good for about 100 yards and a touchdown every week the last two years, and that's with 8 guys in the box trying to stop him. If he's healthy, and if the passing game improves enough to buy him some space - look out.
From David Dodds:
Ryan Mathews will shred an easy schedule and challenge to be a top 5 RB by season's end. This same offensive line that looked awful for LaDainian Tomlinson will look above average while Mathews pounds the rock over and over. He will also catch a lot of passes despite being pulled on third downs in favor of Darren Sproles early in the year.
From Jene Bramel:
Arian Foster will stay healthy all season long behind an ever-improving Texans' offensive line, rack up 350 touches and double digit touchdowns on his way to a top ten fantasy finish, bettering formerly hyped names like Shonn Greene, Jamaal Charles and Beanie Wells.
From Jeff Pasquino:
Marion Barber finishes as a fantasy RB1 once again, eclipsing 10 touchdowns and 1,000 total yards like he once did back in 2007. Everyone is touting the passing attack with Tony Romo and all of his toys (TE Jason Witten, WR Miles Austin and the newest addition, WR Dez Bryant). Romo will get more than his fair share this year, but the Cowboys do their best when they go out and establish a lead and then let Marion the Barbarian pound the rock in the fourth quarter. Barber was efficient at this role in the past and he is also a Red Zone force down near the goal line. Felix Jones remains a threat to steal touches but Jones is a health risk and is likely to be resting more in the second half if the Cowboys have a lead. Barber is a great RB2/3 draft pick in most leagues as he will crack the Top 12 again in 2010.
From Jason Wood:
Reggie Bush will be a Top 10 fantasy RB in all league scoring systems. The cosmic fates will align for Bush in a season where most have all but given up on his ability to achieve superstar status. He appears truly healthy, and has been explosive and decisive as a runner, not just a receiver, throughout the preseason. The Saints are wrongfully perceived as a team that throws with reckless abandon, but this is an adaptable offense that tries to game plan against whatever opposing defenses can't stop.
From Maurile Tremblay:
RB: The entire Carolina Panthers' offense will tank this season, and both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will be huge busts compared to where they were drafted.
From Will Grant:
Jerome Harrison will hold off all other Cleveland RBS and finish as the #1 back from Cleveland. Granted, that won't be as significant of a fantasy impact as if he were in Carolina, but Harrison seems to be the one back that is ready to go.
From Matt Waldman:
Reggie Bush finally gets it. I think Bush can get 1800 total yards and at least 10 scores this year. He's finally healthy and not just healthy enough to play and he also displayed better decision-making between the tackles. With Jeremy Shockey on his last legs, Lynell Hamilton out, and Pierre Thomas not getting his big contract, I think Bush is in line for more red zone duty than most expect. If Bush averages 55 yards per game rushing and 60 yards per game receiving, he'll meet this lofty yardage expectation. The Saints won't be concerned about over use this year.
Wide Receiver
From Sigmund Bloom:
Dexter McCluster will be Kansas City's version of Reggie Bush, with 12-15 total touches including 3-5 catches a game on average. He'll be a safe WR3/flex play in PPR leagues with big play upside and pile up at least 1000 total yards with 3-5 long TDs thrown in for good measure. McCluster is one of those players who coaches have to use more once they get a little taste of what they can do. He'll also keep Jamaal Charles from having consistent weekly value because they will often share the backfield.
From Mark Wimer:
Greg Camarillo will be one of the top receivers in Minnesota. He's landed in a great spot - Sidney Rice out for the foreseeable future, Percy Harvin hampered by severe migraines, and Brett Favre looking for a receiver to pick up the pieces for Favre's final season. I'm one of two ranking him among the top 60 WRs (48th on my board), but he could easily blow past even that lowly ranking to end up among the second tier of wide receivers (13-24) by year's end - especially possible in PPR leagues. He led the team in receiving during the third preseason game (4/47/0) - a great start for the newcomer.
From Colin Dowling:
Chad Ochocinco will stay healthy all season and will finish outside the top-20 among receivers. I actually think he's probably in great shape, but between Gresham, Owens, and Shipley taking looks and Carson Palmer's arm still looking average (in my opinion), I think Ochocinco is going to disappoint.
From David Dodds:
Big Mike Williams will lead all Seattle WRs in catches, yards and TDs while finishing as a top 20 wide receiver. His big body will allow him to post up like a tight end and record 8+ TDs even when defenses suspect he will get the ball. This will be the comeback story of the year.
From Jene Bramel:
Michael Crabtree will assert himself as the next all-around stud fantasy wide receiver, topping 90 catches and scoring at least eight times in the first of many seasons in which he'll finish among the top ten WRs.
From Jeff Pasquino:
Santana Moss finally produces at the level we have seen him flash in spurts in the past and finishes in the Top 15 fantasy wide receivers this year. Donovan McNabb consistently puts up good numbers even without big name targets, and now he gets to throw to Moss all year long, clearly Moss's best ever QB in his career. The Redskins have an old running back crew (Clinton Portis, Larry Johnson) and minimal talents have shown up at WR2 so far for Washington. Look for Chris Cooley and Fred Davis to both contribute as good tight ends, but Moss will break 1,000 yards and find the end zone at least seven times this season. Last year 75-1000-7 would easily have been Top 20 numbers in a strong passing year and I expect those numbers to be eclipsed by Moss. Remember that Moss has topped 1,000 yards three times in his career and has been a Top 20 WR all three of those seasons, including a Top 3 finish in 2005.
From Jason Wood:
Brian Robiskie and Mike Thomas will be viable fantasy options in PPR leagues. Both 2nd year players have clear paths into the starting lineup and neither is surrounded by a wealth of other compelling skill players. Neither Mo Massaquoi nor Mike Sims-Walker are elite WR1s and neither team has a great option at TE. Add to that strong physical skills, impressive preseasons and low ADPs and you'll be thrilled if you roster either or both in PPR leagues.
From Maurile Tremblay:
WR: Hines Ward will have more receptions for more yards and more touchdowns than Calvin Johnson. With Santonio Holmes gone, and without stellar receiving options at RB or TE, the Steelers will make Ward the centerpiece of their passing game.
From Will Grant:
Jason Avant is a guy to target with a 'swing for the fence' type of pick late in your draft. Both DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin have been dinged up this pre-season. If that continues into the regular season, Avant will be a guy that will directly benefit.
From Matt Waldman:
Remember Emmanuel Sanders. The SMU rookie will find his way into the Steelers lineup and become a viable fantasy starter down the stretch. Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians says Sanders is ahead of where Mike Wallace was as a rookie with routes, which Sanders credits to his tenure with June Jones. The Steelers moved him to flanker after the third preseason game because he's a quick study and they want him to learn all of the positions. They also like his blocking. He's no Hines Ward, but he could be a faster Derrick Mason. I think Steelers fans can live with that.
Tight End
From Sigmund Bloom:
Todd Heap will be a regular red zone target for Joe Flacco and put up starting quality fantasy TE numbers for as long as he stays healthy. The middle of the field will be opened up now that the Ravens two legitimate WRs and Flacco should be more ready to throw into that danger zone without as making as many big mistakes in his 3rd season.
From Mark Wimer:
Jermaine Gresham will be a top-12 tight end this year. Carson Palmer's arm isn't what it used to be, and he has targeted Gresham heavily throughout pre-season (4 for 4/45/1 during week three; 4 for 3/34/0 week two; 3 for 3/37/0) - Palmer loves the talented rookie as a short-to-mid-range safety valve. If Gresham keeps up his blistering pace during regular season, he could challenge for a top-5 finish. He is vastly undervalued right now (24th TE in consensus rankings; TE 19 in ADP).
From Colin Dowling:
Jared Cook finishes as a top-12 tight end. Bo Scaife and Craig Stevens will still line up as tight ends for the Titans while Cook will find himself split out like a receiver. Fantasy sites and leagues are going to recognize him Cook as a tight end, even though he's really going to be playing receiver. And when he ends up with 800 yards and 8 touchdowns, you can feel good about selecting him late.
From David Dodds:
Michael Hoomanawanui will fill a huge need for the St.Louis Rams who are rather soft at the WR position. Riding strong performances in training camp and in the preseason games, Hoomanawanui takes over the starting TE job from an under-sized Daniel Fells and never gives it back. He finishes the year top 10 in TE targets, top 10 in TE receptions and top 15 in TE fantasy points. He bails out Bradford many times and that leads to his number being called often in critical situations.
From Jene Bramel:
Though all eyes will be on young studs like Vernon Davis and Jermichael Finley, it'll be Tony Gonzalez who surprises with a top three finish at tight end, as defenses focus on Roddy White and Michael Turner while Gonzalez has another 90 catch, 1000 yard season.
From Jeff Pasquino:
Zach Miller of the Oakland Raiders has a Top 5 fantasy season in 2010. Miller had a very quiet year last season with four quarterbacks that looked more “UFL” than “NFL” but still managed to collect 66 receptions and over 800 yards last season, good enough for a Top 12 finish last year. Well, that was nothing. Jason Campbell is now the QB for Oakland and he loves to target the tight end - and the Raiders do not have a ton of options otherwise. Darrius Heyward-Bey had to take four days off to rest in August and Chaz Schilens is hurt, so it is up to the running backs, Louis Murphy and Miller. Now do you see the clear path to a 80-1000-6 season? I do. Oakland has already stated that they need to target Miller more in the Red Zone, so six TDs might even be conservative.
From Jason Wood:
Antonio Gates will have the best fantasy season by a TE in NFL history. Healthy, and the clear centerpiece of an offense without any other proven difference makers, Gates is poised to push the record books. He's going to have a season that will have fantasy owners looking back and wondering how they let him fall into the 4th round.
From Maurile Tremblay:
TE: Jermichael Finley will be the top fantasy tight end this season, and would be top ten at his position even if he were considered a wide receiver. (In fact, the Packers will have him in a two-point stance often enough that maybe he should be considered a wide receiver.)
From Will Grant:
Tony Scheffler is going to be a top 15 fantasy TE in PPR leagues. Matt Stafford struggled last season because he couldn't find anyone outside of Calvin Johnson to catch the ball. With Scheffler taking the slot this year, he is going to be that nice warm blanket that Stafford needs when he's in trouble.
From Matt Waldman:
Aaron Hernandez breaks Ditka's rookie fantasy stats. Even if Wes Welker is bionic (which I'm still not ready to buy into), I think Hernandez has peaked the interest of the coaching staff with his skills to see eight targets per game. If he catches five of them, that's 80 receptions. Because he's more receiver-like in quickness and agility than tight end, I think he can average 13 yards per catch, which is 1040 yards. I also think he'll have multiple touchdown games, and average one per week. If this unlikely - but not as unreasonable as you think - scenario occurs, Hernandez's 80/1040/16 edges Ditka's 56/1076/12.
Wild Card
From Jason Wood:
Mike Holmgren will fire Eric Mangini in-season and take over the coaching duties. Mangini was given a 2nd season as Holmgren felt it was wrong to judge the guy on one year. But a rough start and lack of discipline will lead Holmgren to regret that decision and he'll pull the trigger because he's got an in house replacement, himself, all set and ready to roll. The team will go .500 from that point on setting up a lot of buzz about the Browns as a playoff contender in 2011.