Posts Tagged ‘Fantasy Football’

Browns Interested in Quarterback Brandon Weeden?

Every year around this time, NFL teams are getting their draft boards ready because with the NFL Draft only weeks away,  final boards are being put together, causing many players to rise or fall, as their Draft value  is solidified.

Due to the importance of the position, quarterbacks always seem to be on the rise as the Draft nears, as teams without franchise quarterbacks are desperately seeking to acquire one. Following the Redskins trade with the Rams to secure Robert Griffin III and the no.2 overall pick, Ryan Tannehill was the big mover, as he went from an expected mid-to-late first round pick, to a potential top-five selection, with the number of potential franchise quarterbacks dwindling fast.

Teams such as Cleveland, Miami, Arizona and Seattle could all use upgrades at the position. Yet, the Cardinals seem content to roll with either Kevin Kolb or John Skelton, while similarly, the Seahawks starter will likely emerge from the competition between incumbent starter Tavaris Jackson and free-agent signee Matt Flynn from Green Bay.

Right now, it seems the teams most interested in landing Tannehill are Cleveland and Miami. The Browns hold the no.4 pick, therefore, they want Tannehill at that spot, he should be there for them. He makes sense in Cleveland, cause the Browns utilize the west coast offense, which is what Tannehill ran in college at Texas A&M, where current Dolphins offensive coordinator Mike Sherman was his head coach.

Its hard to say if the Browns interest in Tannehill at no.4 is genuine or a smokescreen, but my take on the situation is the Browns are interested, just maybe not enough to use a top-five pick on him. With that in mind, I also don’t see Miami trading up into the top-five to acquire Tannehill. Essentially, the two teams are playing a game of chicken waiting for someone to blink. If the Browns want him at no.4 they can take him, if not, he should fall to Miami at no.8.

Scouts around the league are in agreement that Tannehill has the potential to be a starting quarterback, yet he has limited experience, starting only 19 games in college. He posted impressive numbers with the Aggies, throwing 42 touchdowns compared to 21 interceptions for his career and completed 61.6% of his passes this season, his only full-year as a starting quarterback.  He has good size and athleticism, above average arm strength and accuracy, plus still has room to develop.

Considering Tannehill’s potential, it would not be at all surprising if Cleveland pulled the trigger at no.4, they need a franchise guy and it’s unclear if Colt McCoy can be it. Drafting Tannehill would allow the Browns to keep McCoy on the field for now, giving them a better idea what kind of player he is, while Tannehill develops.

On the other hand, the Browns are desperately in need of some skill players, such as running back Trent Richardson and wide receiver Justin Blackmon. Fortunately, the Browns have plenty of flexibility because they hold the 22nd and 37th picks in the draft as well, so they could potentially pass on Tannehill, allowing Miami to select him at no.8, then pick Richardson, who would fill an immediate need and instantly add a playmaking threat to the offense. The Browns could then address quarterback with one of their next two selections.

While there is no consensus no.4 quarterback in this draft now, the candidates include Brandon Weeden, Nick Foles, Brock Osweiler and Kirk Cousins. Foles and Cousins are seen solidly in the second, Weeden and Osweiler both merit first-round consideration.

From my perspective, Osweiler is way too risky to pick in the first round, thus Weeden is clearly the fourth quarterback prospect and is comparable to Tannehill in the eyes of some. In two years as a starter at Oklahoma State, he threw 71 touchdowns compared to just 26 interceptions, while completing 69.7% of his passes.

Talent-wise, Weeden is worthy of being selected in the first round, what might hold him back is his age. He will enter the NFL next season as a 28-year old rookie, which is not ideal. However, quarterbacks such as Kurt Warner and Rich Gannon blossomed late and won MVP awards, so whose to say Weeden can’t follow in their footsteps.

When it’s all said and done, we may just see three quarterback taken in the first round, but when it comes down to it, quarterbacks drive success in this league, so one with first-round talent would be hard to pass up on, thus it would not  come as a shock to no one, if a guy like Brandon Weeden comes off the board a little earlier than expected.

Packers and McClellin are a perfect fit

Across the NFL it’s pretty widely known that the Green Bay Packers are looking for pass rushers. Last season, their pass rush, which was so dominant in 2009 and 2010, was one of the worst in the league and it might have cost the team a second Super Bowl title. As Always, General Manager Ted Thompson will look mostly to the draft to improve the club, therefore, the Packers will be taking a long, hard look at all the pass rushers available when they select with the no.28 overall selection in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft.

By nature, Thompson and the Packers are very conservative, particularly in the first round. With the amount of money and investment that goes into the first round pick, Ted normally plays it safe, meaning he prefers experienced players (seniors) with no character issues. Ironically, the only junior Thompson has drafted in the first round while in Green Bay, was Aaron Rodgers, but we all know that drafting quarterbacks is a completely different ballgame.

One complication for the Packers when pursuing pass rush help, is that the player not only needs talent but also has to fit into the 3-4 scheme, meaning many of the guys that played 4-3 defensive end in college, are going to have to shift to outside linebacker in the 3-4, or just play in nickel situations as an edge rusher. However if you’re picking a guy in the first round, it’s always been my belief that he should be a three-down player.

With that thought in mind, one player, Shea McClellin of Boise State, is a perfect fit for the Packers, not only because he can fill their need for a pass rusher, but he fits into their defensive scheme, their culture and he’s everything Thompson looks for in a first-round selection. McClellin was highly productive in college, registering 20.5 career sacks and 33 tackles for loss, as well as 130 tackles, five forced fumbles and four interceptions, he also scored one defensive touchdown in his four-year career with the Broncos. So he’s a finished product with tons of playing experience and a knack for making plays.

In today’s NFL, there are no truly dominant defenses. Take even the 49ers, the best defense in the league last season, and even they gave up 32 points to the Saints in the Divisional Playoff, showing that elite offenses can still score against even the best of defenses. The key is not being dominant; it’s about taking away the football. San Francisco did that better than anyone last year, which was a big reason for their success on that side of the ball.

Besides forcing turnovers, the other thing that makes defenses successful is a good pass rush, because often times turnovers are a direct result of the defense applying pressure on the quarterback.

Not only can McClellin get after the quarterback, he’s not too bad in coverage either, as his four career interceptions can attest to. He plays the run well and is very durable, missing only three games in four years due to a leg injury his freshmen season. Not only that but he’s also  the kind of high character guy, Thompson and Head Coach Mike McCarthy love.

So let’s review, McClellin can rush the passer, play on his feet, put his hand in the ground, play the run, cover, is durable, has off the charts intangibles and is experienced. He’s also relentless and has a motor to match that of current Green Bay outside linebacker Clay Matthews. Frankly, defensive coordinator Dom Capers should be jumping for joy, if he ends up with Matthews and McClellin as edge rusher, cause the possibilities would be endless.

McClellin had been projected as a second or third round selection when the draft process started, yet he’s been flying up draft boards recently and has positioned himself as a potential first-rounder. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr currently has him rated as the 36th best player. Yet, I don’t take much stock into rankings, cause it only takes one team believing he’s a first-round pick, to make it a reality.

Scouts absolutely love this kid and in my opinion if he’s available at no.28 for Green Bay, they should absolutely take him. He’s the complement to Matthews they’ve been searching for and he’s also the pass rusher/defensive playmaker the defense so desperately needs. So while some Packer fans want Thompson to take a risk and trade up, they should hope he plays it safe and picks McClellin, because sometimes the best moves are the ones you never make, and the safe play turns out to be the right one.

Ryan Torain Listed As The Backup To Portis

Redskins RB Ryan Torain was listed in the updated media charts as the backup to oft-injured RB Clinton Portis.  Torain is an interesting player for fantasy purposes.

If Portis goes down (which is very likely), Torain is a good stash in a deeper leagues if you have room on your bench.  It’s worth noting that Torain received the same amount of carries as starter Clinton Portis, and had 2 more yards than Portis. 

Former backup Larry Johnson was released by the Redskins last week, and Willie Parker was released several weeks ago.

Also worth noting is that coach Mike Shanahan has a reputation of getting career years out of most any RB in his offensive system.

Steven Jackson Has Groin Strain; Kenneth Darby An Option If Jackson Is Out

St Louis Rams RB Steven Jackson stained his groin in Sunday’s game against the Washington Redskins.  If Jackson misses any time, backup RB Kenneth Darby should be a good option if you are looking for a RB option  for week 4, especially with bye weeks starting.  Darby finished the game with 14 rushes for 49 yards and one TD,  and one catch for 8 yards in relief.  He did share carries with Keith Toston, but Darby was the one with the most carries of the two as well as the score.

Pierre Garcon Doesn’t Make Trip to Denver, Collie a Good Sub

ESPN’s Stephania Bell reports that Colts WR Pierre Garcon did not make the trip to Denver and is OUT against the Broncos.  WR Austin Collie should be started with confidence for week 3 if you have no better option.

Mid-week QB changes mean more fantasy lineup changes than just the QB’s

This week, Mike Vick was announced as the new starting QB for the Eagles over Kevin Kolb.  Today, is was announced that Bruce Gradkowski will be the new starter for the Oakland Raiders over Jason Campbell.  Obviously, if you planned to start Kolb or Campbell this week, this will change your plans but there are more fantasy lineup implications to this than just those two. 

Gradkowski loved throwing the ball to Louis Murphy last season.  Gradkowski played 4 full games after getting the nod over Jamarcus Russell and before going down with an injury in week 14.  In those 4 games, Gradkowski threw 6 TD passes.  3 of those 6 were to Murphy.  Murphy without Gradkowski?  1 TD. 

Yardage wasn’t that much for Murphy even with Gradkowski, so I wouldn’t make him a starter at WR if you have better options until you see more yardage production.  But if you are looking for a flex play in a 12 team league or some extra depth at WR, Murphy is a good pickup if you can get him.  Grab him now if you want him.

As for the Eagles; Kolb owners (especially those who took him early in drafts) are not happy today.  I hope you had the sense to draft a quality backup if you drafted Kolb without knowing how good he’d be.  If you didn’t, try to grab Vick if he’s still availabe.  If not, see if you can get Vince Young, Josh Freeman, Alex Smith, or Chad Henne off of the waiver wire.  If not, make a trade.  You might get a guy like Joe Flacco cheap right now and relish in it when he finds his rhythm.

Bump up DeSean Jackson in value, as well as Jeremy Maclin now that Vick is in.  Brent Celek may be valued lower, as Vick doesn’t usually go to the Tight End as much as Kolb or McNabb.  So grab a good backup TE if you don’t have one. 

As always, ask questions if you like, and I will answer them as I see them.  Look for Start ‘Em and Bench ‘Em for week 3 in the next couple of days.

Top 10 Fantasy D/ST’s

My top 10 D/ST’s’s for fantasy football.  In my opinion, this is how the season’s D/ST’s should shake out in terms of fantasy scoring.

1. New York Jets

2. Baltimore Ravens

3. Minnesota Vikings 

4. Philadelphia Eagles

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

6. New Orleans Saints

7. Cincinatti Bengals

8. Dallas Cowboys

9. New York Giants

10. San Francisco 49ers.

Top 10 Fantasy WR’s

My top 10 WR’s for fantasy football.  In my opinion, this is how the season’s WR’s should shake out in terms of fantasy scoring.

1. Andre Johnson – HOU

2. Miles Austin - DAL

3. Roddy White – ATL

4. Greg Jennings – GB

5. Randy Moss – NE

6. Steve Smith – CAR

7. Marques Colston – NO

8. Brandon Marshall – MIA

9. Reggie Wayne – IND

10. DeSean Jackson – PHI

Top 10 Fantasy QB’s

My top 10 QB’s for fantasy football.  In my opinion, this is how the season’s QB’s should shake out in terms of fantasy scoring.

1. Drew Brees -NO

2. Aaron Rodgers – GB

3. Peyton Manning – IND 

4. Matt Schaub- HOU

5. Tony Romo – DAL

6. Tom Brady – NE

7. Philip Rivers – SD

8. Kevin Kolb – PHI

9. Joe Flacco – BAL

10. Brett Favre – MIN

5 WHO ARE FALLING FAST!

As off-season camps start wrapping up and the pre-season just around the corner, fantasy drafts everywhere are getting ready to take place. I am here to offer 5 players who’s stock is falling in fantasy drafts. These are in no particular order, and I’m not saying not to draft these players, I’m saying be careful where you draft them.

1. Kenny Britt WR (Titans): Britt was in my 5 fantasy players on the rise just over a month ago, as his promise was evident late last season. Word from Titans camp that he has been dealing with numerous small injuries and is having a pretty bad camp, however lands him on this list today. I’d stay away from Britt until at least the 7th or 8th round.

2. Rashard Mendenhall RB (Steelers): T Willie Colon is out for the season with a torn achilles and that spells trouble for an already uncertain offensive line. The Steelers hope that rookie C/G Maurkice Pouncey can become the player they need him to be – and fast! With the O-Line’s best player out of the fold and an uncertainty in the passing game while Ben Roethlisberger is out, that means less and smaller holes for Mendenhall. The Steelers RB is going in rounds 2-3 in most mock drafts and I’m telling you that is much too high. Take a pass on him unless you get him at a great bargain.

3. LeSean McCoy RB (Eagles): Brian Westbrook he is not and he didn’t show much last year to suggest that he can handle the starter role. Perhaps more importantly is the Eagles’ penchant for using too many RB’s, especially near the goal line. This offseason, the Eagles signed RB Mike Bell who played with the Saints last year and vultured many a TD from Pierre Thomas.

He figures to do the same this season as reports are saying that Bell has the #2 RB spot locked up. He’ll steal touches and TD’s from McCoy, especially at the goal line, and the Eagles also employed FB Leonard Weaver last season at RB many times who also took some TD’s. With such a committee in the Eagles’ offensive system, McCoy will be lucky to have 800 yds and 6 TD’s. Respectable, but not what you’d want from a #1 or #2 RB in a 10 team league.

4. Kevin Walter WR (Texans): Not that he was going to be a top 100 guy anyway after doing nothing last year, but Walter is also being pressed hard for his #2 WR spot on the team thanks to Jacoby Jones showing flashes of being a very good receiver last season. Walter had a very good season in 2008, but those days are gone.

5. Kyle Orton QB (Broncos): WR Brandon Marshall is gone, leaving Orton with Eddie Royal, Jabbar Gaffney, or Demaryius Thomas as the #1 WR, and Brandon Stokely and Brandon Lloyd on the bench. Orton was a repectable QB last season for the Broncos, but the seemingly schizophrenic coach Josh McDaniels is coy when asked about his QB situation after drafting Tim Tebow in the 1st round and trading for Brady Quinn. McDaniels won’t even say who the starter will be when the season opens, and with this type of situation, even if Orton starts the first few weeks, if he performs in a manner that is less than stellar, McDaniels may yank him for one of his shiny new football throwing toys.