A Guide to Fantasy Football: Quarterbacks, Running Backs and Wide Receivers
Football has become the favorite American sport and more and more sports fans across the nation are engaged in fantasy football leagues. Football is coming and so are fantasy football drafts so why wait. Lets get started.
The best player in football statistics wise and who should be drafted first in every league in Peyton Manning. Manning throws a ton of Touchdowns and throws for a ton of yards with his favorite receiver Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. Although the Colts offense will decline without running back Edgarrin James, that only means that Peyton will throw more and have more yards and touchdowns. The second quaterback to come off the board in a fantasy draft is Donovan McNabb. McNabb usually produces good season provided that he is healthy for a full season. Ever since Terrel Owens has left the Eagles, McNabb’s production has suffered because he has no #1 receiver to throw the ball.
An interesting quarterback whose stock has risen in fantasy football leagues is Eli Manning. Last year Manning had a solid season and most quarterbacks in their third fullseason as a quarterback put up even better numbers. With the addition of a third wide receiver from the draft in Sinorice Moss, plus Amani Toomer and Plaxico Buress and a great running back with Tiki Barber, Eli Manning should have a very good season.
Carson Palmer has a lot of question marks attached to him and a word of caution to anyone who drafts him: have a good backup ready. Palmer suffered from a playoff ending ankle tear and he has been rehabbing furiously in the offseason. Although he says he will be ready for the regular season start, he could reinjure his ankle.
Other quarterbacks you might consider drafting are Tom Brady who had a great season last year in passing and Ben Rothesberger. Brady put up MVP type numbers last season and will go pretty high in the draft. Rothesberger doesn’t put as gaudy numbers because the Steelers focus a lot on their running attack.
Drew Bledsoe is a quarterback whose stock is on the rise with the addition of Wide Receiver Terrel Owens. Owens will catch close to 100 balls which means that Bledsoe’s numbers will go up as well. Still I would pick Bledsoe somewhere in the middle of the draft since he is slightly above an average quarterback and will have his fair share of interceptions.
A lot of people who pick in fantasy drafts are tempted to take rookie quarterbacks. I hesitate to draft any rookies, especially quarbacks and wide receivers. Wide recievers almost never have good rookie seasons while quarterbacks have make or break rookie seasons. Eli Manning had an average first season and so have past rookie quarterbacks. Look for Vince Young to put up big rushing numbers like Mike Vick but a low amount of passing yards. Matt Leinart might put up good numbers and in fantasy drafts I’d much rather pick Leinart over Young. Leinart has good young receiver in Arizona like Boldin who can catch the ball as well as a good running back in Edgarrin James. Young on the other hand, has no receivers to throw the ball to and he has no running back.
As for the running back class, the field is pretty deep and talented. LT on the Chargers in the best running back in football and is usually chosen 2nd overall in fantasy football drafts. The second running back is a toss up. I love Tiki Barber of the Giants who can run and catch the ball both very well. Last year he was second to Sean Alexander in rushing yards in the league. I would probably pick Alexander 2nd and then Tiki 3rd for running backs. Before I forget, the running back who should be taken either first or second off the board for running backs in Kansas City Running Back Larry Johnson who had a monster season last year. With a full season he will definitely have 1500 yards rushing and might even approach 2000 yards if he is at last year’s pace.
Another hot topic is where to select Edgarrin James in the draft. James’ production will suffer a little since he doesn’t have the great passing attack of Peyton Manning. On the other hand he will get more touches because he will be dealing with a rookie quarterback.
The Steelers Willie Parker will have over 1000 yards rushing but not a huge year since he splits carries with Duce Staley. Saints Running Back Deuce McCallister’s production will decline with the addition of electrifying running back Reggie Bush. Now I know that so many people are going to want to draft Reggie Bush but if you want to win your fantasy league do not select him early in the draft. No matter how you look at it, Reggie Bush is going to split running back duties with Deuce McCallister who signed a huge contract in the offseason. Bush might still get close to 1000 yards rushing and a couple hundred yards receiving but will not be a top 5 running back in terms of statistics.
The Patriots Running back Corey Dillon will have a good but not great year as will Colt running back Joseph Addai who is a running back but will benefit from a great passing attack on that offense. A final running back who is a top 5 back is Clinton Portis on the Redskins. Portis gets a ton of carries and performs very well each year.
The wide receivers are led by Marvin Harrison who has Peyton Manning. He is one of the most consistent wide receivers in the league and you know exactly what to expect out of him. He is also a Hall of Famer. Wide Receiver Bruce from the Rams is on the decline. Hines Ward from the Steelers should have another big year and approach 1500 yards receiving. Anquin Boldin on the Cardinals will have a better season as more passes will be thrown his way. He seems to get better every year.
Last year Pro Bowler Steve Smith emerged as an amazing wide receiver and he should go either 1st or 2nd off the board for wide receivers. The addition of Keyshawn Johnson might decrease the amount of balls he catches but it might also help him by preventing double teams by the defense in coverage. Santana Moss is another top receiver whose speed allows him to catch the deep ball. Last year he had a breakout season. Look for him to duplicate those numbers once again. Finally there is Chad Johnson who talks trash but backs it up with his great production. If Carson Palmer stays healthy, he will have another big year.
