Have you been paying attention this offseason? Quick, where will Rashard Mendenhall be running this year? How about Shonn Greene? Whose uniform will Greg Jennings be wearing? Who’s the new starting tight end in Tennessee? Who’s kicking in San Francisco?
Once again, the roster of fantasy-relevant players changing
zip codes this season is extensive. I
counted more than 60, and that doesn’t include guys like Michael Turner, Beanie
Wells and Brandon Lloyd, who are still looking for work.
And while this year’s merry-go-round spun no more quickly than
in recent years, the ride always ends the same: with precious few players boosting
their fantasy stock in new jerseys.
Last year, only Peyton Manning (coming off a season lost to
injury) and Brandon Marshall measurably improved their fortunes with new teams. BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Vincent Jackson got
modest bumps, and Danario Alexander emerged in mid-season after the Chargers
plucked him off the scrap heap. But
that’s it, sports fans.
Meanwhile, following the historic trend, the list of
team-swapping duds was exhaustive. Tim
Tebow, Brandon Jacobs, Peyton Hillis and Laurent Robinson vanished from the
fantasy landscape, and several other stars with great expectations mostly
labored in vain.
So, as we survey the NFL’s continuously shifting landscape,
we are justifiably pessimistic about most of the carpetbaggers’ prospects. Here’s a quick look at the most significant
offseason moves of 2013, broken down by the projected impact on each player’s
fantasy value.
MOVIN’ ON UP – Look for improved production from
these five.
Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Cardinals – There’s nowhere
to go but up for Mendy after last year’s season of discontent. But is he the solution to Arizona's perennial
rushing woes? Don’t bank on it.
Chris Ivory, RB, Jets – He’ll get his shot to start
for a team in desperate need of a reliable bell cow. The oft-injured former Saint has no
competition to speak of, but will the Jets ever penetrate the red zone?
Danny Amendola, WR, Patriots – Wes Welker Lite may
be Tom Brady’s only reliable receiver when the season begins. Amendola
will be featured on every (other) fantasy expert’s sleeper list; which means,
by definition, he’s no sleeper.
Jared Cook, TE, Rams – The underachieving former
Titan has developed an instant rapport with Sam Bradford in training camp. He’s worth a late-round flier.
Phil Dawson, K, 49ers – The sure-footed former
Brown will finally get a chance to mop up for a real offense.
COMIN’ BACK DOWN – These players will be
hard-pressed to match last year’s results.
Reggie Bush, RB, Lions – He had a good run in Miami, but he’s joining a
pass-first offense in Motown. I just
can’t see Bush cracking the Top 20 this season.
Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Colts – He’ll begin his tenure
in Indy nursing yet another foot injury.
The old Bradshaw was more talented than Vick Ballard and Donald Brown
put together, but injuries and shared carries may conspire against him.
Shonn Greene, RB, Titans -- Instead of
two-yards-and-a-cloud-of-dust in the Jets offense, he'll now underachieve as
Chris Johnson's backup.
Greg Jennings,
WR, Vikings – He walked out of Green Bay and, pfffttttt....just like that...his
elite status is history.
Percy Harvin, WR, Seahawks – Hip surgery will cost him most, if not all, of
his first season in Seattle.
Brandon Myers, TE, Giants – He benefitted from the
dearth of talent around him in Oakland; but he’ll be the third option, at best,
in New York.
CALL IT A WASH – For better or worse, these
players should post comparable results to last season.
Carson Palmer,
QB, Cardinals – Arizona’s offensive line is a sieve, and he’s years past his
prime. Even Larry Fitzgerald won’t be
enough to salvage his fantasy value.
Alex Smith, QB, Chiefs – Little more than a fantasy
backup as a 49er, Smith will be an afterthought in KC.
Matt Flynn, QB, Raiders – Even if he wins the
starting job, Flynn won’t be roster-worthy in most leagues.
Steven Jackson, RB, Falcons – Now on the wrong side
of 30, the hard-charging workhorse will celebrate more wins in Atlanta; but his
second-tier status will likely hold steady.
Danny Woodhead, RB, Chargers – Moves from one
crowded backfield to another.
Mike Wallace, WR, Dolphins – His production slipped last year in
Pittsburgh, and Ryan Tannehill is unlikely to propel him back to elite status.
Wes Welker,
WR, Broncos – If only he could find a decent quarterback to get him the ball,
Welker might make a name for himself.
Anquan Boldin, WR, 49ers – It’s been a while since
Boldin has been an every-week fantasy starter; but he’ll still have his moments
on the left coast.
Martellus Bennett, TE, Bears – He finally emerged
in 2012 and Jay Cutler will welcome a reliable safety valve.
Dustin Keller, TE, Dolphins – Mostly a bye-week
fantasy starter as a Jet, he’ll retain that status in Miami.
Delanie Walker, TE, Titans – Walker has upside now
that he’s out of Vernon Davis' shadow; but his ceiling is low in Tennessee.
David Akers,
K, Lions – Kicked to the curb after an erratic season in San Francisco, Akers
will be roster-worthy again in Detroit.
Josh Brown, K, Giants – Should have more
opportunities now that he’s in New York, but Brown is still far from elite.
Lawrence Tynes,
K, Buccaneers – With Connor Barth (ACL) sidelined for the season, Tynes will
remain a borderline fantasy starter.
OFF THE RADAR – These players are likely to be written about
only in the past tense from now on.
QBs: Jason Campbell (Browns), Matt Cassel (Vikings), Ryan Fitzpatrick (Titans), Matt Hasselbeck (Colts), Kevin Kolb (Bills), Colt McCoy (49ers)
RBs: LeGarrette
Blount (Patriots), Mike Goodson (Jets), Peyton Hillis (Bucs), Felix
Jones (Eagles), Willis McGahee
(FA), Michael
Turner (FA), Leon Washington (Patriots), Beanie Wells (FA)
WRs: Davone
Bess (Browns), Austin Collie
(49ers), Josh Cribbs (Raiders), Brandon Gibson (Dolphins), Devery Henderson
(Redskins), Darrius Heyward-Bey
(Colts), Domenik Hixon (Panthers),
Brandon Lloyd (FA), Laurent Robinson (FA), Kevin Walter (Titans), Titus Young
(FA)
TEs: Anthony
Fasano (Chiefs), Kellen Winslow, Jr. (Jets)
Ks: Billy
Cundiff (Jets), Shayne Graham (Browns)
August 12: A
look at the Rookie Class of 2013 and positional rankings posted
August 19: The
Sleepers
August 26: The
Perfect Draft
Posts
Ladd and Fools, I have the 12th pick in a 14 team ppr league. I think Forte, Morris, and s Jackson will be there so who do you like out of that group or is there someone else I should target at RB at #12?
ReplyDeleteIf Alfred Morris falls that far, jump all over him. I'd also be targeting an elite QB (Peyton, Brees, Rodgers) with that pick.
ReplyDelete