Fantasy Sports Review

With the 2008 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s an exciting time for rookies who were lucky enough to land a job. On the flip side, it can be a nervous time for veterans, even established ones. Just last summer, Donovan McNabb dodged reports that his days were numbered after quarterback Kevin Kolb was drafted by the Eagles. McNabb, who was coming off an injury but yet was a proven performer, was all but run out of town by the media as trade rumors swirled. McNabb went on to put those doubters to rest as each week his performance improved along with his health. Moral to the story – if McNabb’s not safe after all he’s done for Philadelphia, than no one is sacred. The following players will be hearing footsteps this summer.

Willie Parker, Pittsburgh
The Steelers clearly missed The Bus last season, so even if Parker returns fully recovered from his leg injury, top pick Rashard Mendenhall should see plenty of action. The rookie clearly fits the Steelers smash-mouth approach to the game, as he should become more of the workhorse in this offense. Parker will get demoted to a situational, change-of-pace assignment. Fantasy impact: 5 (on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the highest)

Marion Barber, Dallas
You don’t take a running back with your top pick if you don’t think it’s a position need. Felix Jones is more than an ample replacement for the departed Julius Jones. His breakaway speed, as compared to Barber’s gritty, grind-out-the-yards style, should earn him lots of carries. If he becomes a home run threat, than there will be less goal line carries for the hard-chargin’ Barber. And with only one ball to go around, expect the fresh-legged Jones to get the bulk of the carries. Fastasy impact: 4

Justin Fargas, Oakland
Darren McFadden is a fast, powerful and exciting option that the Raiders haven’t had in quite some time in their backfield. Much like Jones in Dallas, McFadden offers too much potential to be brought along slowly. Expect to see Fargas in more obvious passing situations for his ability to pick up the blitz. Otherwise it should be McFadden left, McFadden right and McFadden up the middle. Fantasy impact: 4

Tatum Bell, Detroit Lions (Corey’s two cents)
Look out Tatum hear comes Kevin Smith. Who is Kevin Smith you say? Only the holder of the second highest rushing total for a season in NCAA history (2567 yards in 2007). If you are into karma - or just like to know useless sports facts - get this, who holds the all time single season rushing record? None other than Mr. Barry Sanders. Anyway, Mel Kiper has already gone on record as saying he thinks Kevin will be starting opening day AND some think Kevin’s style is perfect for the Lions zone blocking scheme. Fantasy Impact: 3.5

DeAngelo Williams, Carolina
For a team with obvious needs on defense to take a running back with its first round pick, it tells you the Panthers are serious about making changes in the backfield. So expect to see lots of Oregon running back Jonathan Stewart. Fantasy impact: 3

Hines Ward, Santonio Holmes and Nate Washington, Pittsburgh
I’m not sure who, but Limas Sweed should easily become one of Ben Roethlisberger’s favorite targets as the year progresses. So whether he supplants Ward, who might have lost a step, or one or both of Pittsburgh’s other young wide receivers, expect Sweed to play as big as his 6-foot-4 frame. Fantasy impact: 3

Kyle Boller, Baltimore
For a split second following the retirement of Steve McNair, it looked like Boller was going to get one more chance to prove he’s the man. Then came Joe Flacco, who Baltimore traded back and then up to get late in the first round. And it’s not just the drafting of a quarterback, but it’s the way they did it. Clearly the Ravens feel Flacco is their guy, so why delay the inevitable? Flacco should get thrown to the wolves because a good defense and a running game can take a young QB a long way. Fantasy impact: 2

Chris Baker, New York Jets
The New York Jets dismal offense should get a shot in the arm from speedy tight end Dustin Keller. The Purdue product should give either mediocre Jets quarterback a reliable target over the middle, and that might do wonders for this offensively challenged team. Fantasy impact: 2

Here are some waiver wire and sleeper picks for you to check out. There are a ton of guys on my list because I play in some deeper leagues. I need to look a little deeper than most.

I hope you guys grabbed a`few of the suggestions for the last few weeks. D.J. Hackett, Donald Lee, Chris Henry and Chester Taylor all had great games. Lets see what we can find this week.

May be available now…
**UPDATE** Nate Washington WR (PIT) - Santonio Holmes will miss some action this week and Washington could be a decent starter this Monday against Miami.

**UPDATE** Kolby Smith RB (KC) - Priest is calling it a career and LJ is still out. Best of all the Raider bad rush d is in town. Thanks for the heads up Joe.

**UPDATE** Vince Young QB (TEN) - Is it possible that he is laying around on your waiver wire? If so it may not be a bad idea to pick him up. He showed Monday night that he is beginning to step up his game with 300 yards and a TD passing and 74 yards and a TD rushing. If his receivers didn’t have all those drops, his night could’ve been even better. His schedule is solid too. His next three games are against weak passing defenses; Cincinnati, Houston and San Diego.

**UPDATE** Ahmad Bradshaw/Reuben Droughns RB (NYG) - Brandon Jacobs has a bad hammy and Derrick Ward has been battling injuries for a few weeks now. If they can’t go next week then Ahmad and Reuben are the next in line to take on the Vikes.

Santana Moss WR (WAS) - I put him on here because I saw him in free agent pool last week in a few leagues. Take a look at yours and see if he is there. He had a solid game with 9 for 121 and a touchdown against Dallas. Campbell seems to be coming into his own the last few weeks so if Moss can stay healthy he should be solid down the stretch. (more…)

Here are some waiver wire and sleeper picks for you to check out. There are a ton of guys on my list because I play in some deeper leagues. I need to look a little deeper than most.

May be available now…
**UPDATE** D.J. Hackett WR (SEA) - This is the last time you will see him on the list. If you don’t have him and he is available, grab him now. Last night 8 catches for 101 yards and a touchdown. In his first two weeks back from the high ankle sprain he has two touchdowns.

**UPDATE** Chester Taylor/Mewelde Moore RB (MIN) - Per Brad Childress, by way of the NFL on sirius, Adrian Peterson may miss some action with a LCL tear. Chester would be the main beneficiary but Moore might see some action too. The Vikes are home against the Raiders this Sunday and the Raiders aren’t very good at stopping the run.

Chris Henry WR (CIN) - He’s back and he didn’t waste any time getting back in the action. 4 catches for 99 yards.

L.J. Smith TE (PHI) - 4 for 49 and a touchdown against Washington. He could be a forgotten man on your leagues waiver wire and could be solid down the stretch if the Eagles get it going. Miami next week.

Marc Bulger QB (STL) - Is it possible that someone gave up on him in your league and just dumped him? If so, you could have a late season steal on your hands.

Isaac Bruce/Drew Bennett WR (STL) - Solid performances against the Saints. These guys could be laying around and might be worth some spot starts in the second half of the season. With Jackson back the Rams look like they have some offense again.

Chris Brown/Chris Henry RB (TEN) - LenDale hurt his knee but it doesn’t seem serious at the time I am writing this. Either way, keep an eye on his status and grab Brown or Henry if you have some roster space. Brown has been banged up but is close to returning and would be the favorite to assume the starting spot. Henry has showed some talent and could have some value but may be suspended for using a banned substance.

Leonard Pope TE (ARI) - His two touchdowns against Detroit were his third and fourth for the year and his third in three games. He also brought in 5 catches for 52. Could be a solid tight end if they continue to look his way. The Arizona offense has a few easy match-ups coming up; they will face both Cincinnati and Cleveland within their next three games.

Mark Clayton WR (BAL) - Solid game for Clayton with 8 for 107. If this offense could get it going, a healthy Clayton would have some value. Cleveland defense next week.

Donald Lee TE (GB) - Ever since Bubba Franks went down Donald Lee has stepped up. Yesterday he 4 catches one of which was a touchdown. The Packers offense is tight end friendly so he will continue to get a decent amount of looks until Franks returns.

James Thrash WR (WAS) - His 5 for 85 with 2 touchdown performance came out of nowhere. Not sure if he will consistently do this week in and week out. Also, I’m not sure what his role will be with a healthy Santana Moss but he was the first Redskin receiver to catch a touchdown this year.

Randy McMichael TE (STL) - If the Rams are clicking again Randy could be a nice contributer. 4 for 41 and a touchdown against the Saints.

Justin Gage WR (TEN) - More of a mention than a suggestion with 7 catches for 90 yards and a TD.

Brodie Croyle QB (KC) - Brodie came in after Huard was benched went 17/30 for 162. Deep league consideration only.

Rex Grossman QB (CHI) - Griese suffered some sort of shoulder injury and then Grossman came in to win the game for the Bears. Could be worth something in two quarterback leagues.

Keep an eye on…
**UPDATE**T.J. Duckett/Tatum Bell RB (DET) - This may be old news at this point but just in case. Evidently Kevin Jones had to leave the game a few time due to soreness in his surgically repaired foot. Hard to tell who benefits more out of this since Bell was sort of in the doghouse for asking to be traded earlier this year and has been inactive for a few games since KJ has been back.

**UPDATE** Ricky Williams RB (MIA) - He has been reinstated and he is en route to Miami. Not sure what his valuie is at this point but watch and listen. He isn’t eligible to play for a few weeks but after that we’ll know more. One theory floating around on the NFL on Sirius is that perhaps they will want to showcase him a bit to boost his offseason trade value.

**UPDATE**Byron Leftwich QB (ATL) - He has started to practice and the head coach has been mum on Harrington.

**UPDATE** Dwayne Wright/Anthony Thomas RB (BUF) - Marshawn Lynch had some ankle issues this week but insist he’ll play. Just watch the situation and be ready to move on one of these two back-ups. Anthony Thomas is listed as the back-up on many of the depth charts I looked at but a few weeks back I remember seeing Wright getting most of the carries a few weeks back when Marshawn left the game. Wright also has the second most carries on the team.

John Beck QB (MIA) - There are rumors surfacing that it might be time to get him some action. Do ya think? It may not mean a whole lot unless you are in a deep league starting more than one QB but it is something to watch none-the-less.

Trent Edwards QB (BUF) - Just a hunch but Trent is getting healthier and Losman didn’t do a whole lot against a bad defense.

Kyle Boller QB (BAL) - McNair was finally benched. Not sure at this time if it will stay that way but it is something to keep an eye on. Boller seems like the better option and with a healthy corp of receivers maybe he could get some offense going. Cleveland defense next week.

A few other resources you should check out are Fantasy Football Librarians waiver wire report and the Bruno Boys week nine waiver wire report.

Here are some waiver wire and sleeper picks that I didn’t see on the Bruno Boys week seven waiver wire report. I play in some deeper leagues so I need to look a little deeper than most. Some of these guys could help you out now or just provide you with some depth and/or upside on your bench. Check them out:

May be available now:

**UPDATE** Micheal Bennett RB (TB) - Micheal Bennett was traded from the Chiefs to the Tampa Bay Bucs yesterday. He should be an immediate upgrade over anyone on their roster. He would be worth a roster spot. Go grab him now.

D.J. Hackett WR (SEA) - He will return to practice this week and may play this weekend against the Rams. There were big hopes for this guy before the beginning of the season but his injury slowed him down. I just bet he might be laying around and forgotten in your league.

Kevin Faulk RB (NE) - Maroney is probably pretty close to returning but even if his does return, and Morris misses any time Faulk would have some value on this seemingly unstoppable attack.

Tim Rattay QB (ARI) -Depending on what happens with Warner’s elbow injury Rattay has some value with that offense. He didn’t play great but he only had a few days to learn the system and get acquainted with his receivers.

Donald Lee TE (GB) - He’s in a pass happy offense and his value just went up with an injury to Bubba Franks. Keep an eye on Bubbas status and remember the Pack are on a bye this week.

Reggie Williams WR (JAC) - 5 for 38 and a TD isn’t bad for a guy left for dead. Keep an eye on him because Jacksonville’s passing game seems to be slowly coming around.

Kyle Boller QB (BAL) - I heard a blurb on one of the pre-games shows that McNair may miss week seven as well. Even though he wasn’t great against a bad Rams defense, Boller is starting quarterback on decent team so he is worth a look in deeper two QB starter leagues or maybe even as a bye week replacement. Note that he plays Buffalo this week.

David Patten WR (NO) - 8 for 113 against the Seahawk Sunday night. If the Saints are back perhaps Mr. Patten will continue putting up numbers like this.

Donte’ Stallworth WR (NE) - Is there a chance that an owner or two forgot about him with the success of the other receivers? Maybe, maybe not. Might want to check just in case.

Keep an eye on:

Chris Perry RB (CIN) - The Bengals are turning into a train wreck but Perry is eligible to come of the PUP list this week. If he looks decent in practice he could be worth something down the stretch in PPR or deep leagues.

Also, I mentioned it earlier but if you missed it check out the Bruno Boys week six waiver wire report because it lists some of the more obvious picks that I didn’t feel the need to list twice.

There was a lot going on yesterday so there is a lot for you to choose from. Here are a bunch of not so obvious waiver wire and sleeper picks for you to consider:

Roddy White WR (ATL) - I think I mentioned him last week too but here’s a reminder. I don’t care what team your on or who your quarterback is, if you get 7 catches for 127 and a touchdown you should be on someones roster. Why not yours.

Mike Furrey WR (DET) - If Calvin Johnson is out for an extended period of time Furry should see an increase in action on this high powered passing attack.

Greg Jennings WR (GB) - He might be available if previous owners dumped and forgotten about him in the first few weeks. He had pretty darn good return with 4 for 82 and a TD and Favre is hot.

Samkon Gado RB (HOU) - You may not need to pick him up quite yet but keep your finger on the trigger by keeping a close eye on the status of the guys ahead of him on the depth charts. As of now I am not sure of Ahman Greens status but he hurt his knee and left the game. Also, Ron Dayne was out yesterday with bruised ribs.

Sammy Morris RB (NE) - Could be a decent bye week replacement if you are in a pinch. He gets the goal line opportunity’s and we all know that there are plenty of them now-a-days.

Reuben Droughns RB (NYG) - Speaking of goal line opportunities, Brandon Jacobs will be out for a few more weeks and Reuben had two TD’s yesterday on 3 carries. Can you say TD vulture? Not a huge pick-up but if you are scraping the bottom for someone to throw in, you could do a lot worse.

Tampa Bay D - They are starting to look similar to the Tampa defense of old. They are causing turnovers and holding opponents to low scores. Plus, next week they play at Carolina and may get a have a chance to get a few sacks against David “hold the ball to long” Carr.

Kyle Boller QB (BAL) - McNair’s groin injury is an ongoing issue and besides Boller hasn’t looked to bad. Might make for a nice bye week replacement down the road.

Brian Griese QB (CHI) - Keep an eye on the Bears quarterback situation. Grossman seems to be getting worse (if thats possible). How much longer can they let him lose games.

**Update** Brian Leonard RB (STL) - Whether you need him or not, go grab him. Stephen Jackson is going to miss at least one week with a partially torn groin muscle (sounds like something that could linger).

Also, check out the Bruno Boys week four waiver wire report because it lists some of the more obvious picks that I didn’t feel the need to list twice.