Posted by Sean in Fantasy Advice,Free Draft Kit on Aug 29th 2011 and last modified on Aug 31st 2011. (Print This)
Carolina's Two-Headed Monster May Be Losing A Head
This week the brokers from the Brotherhood focus on what stock options are available heading into the 2011 season. Selling before the crash and buying on the cheap can lead to fantasy cash flow. We’ll provide free quotes and offer up-to-date stock analysis on today’s market trends. FFB is committed to making sure you get proper return on your fantasy investments.
Stock Falling:
Jonathan Stewart – CAR – RB
The Panthers had the most dangerous two-headed monster in the league, but DeAngelo Williams’ contract may have cut the head off of one. Carolina is paying DWill RB1 money and they will expect him to produce like one. Stewart is looking more and more like a glorified handcuff than a RB2. There are far more attractive options in the running back market.
Maurice Jones-Drew – JAC – RB
Heading into the draft, MJD remains one of the biggest first round question marks? Jones-Drew is a fantasy junkie and cares about providing his owners with stats. That being said, he plays for the dreadful Jaguars – a team clearly in transition. With questions at the quarterback and wide receiver positions, opposing defenses will attempt to stack the box and stop the team’s greatest asset. Could he return to his top-5 self? Absolutely – but that’s a risk we’d be willing to let someone else take. Rashard Jennings and Deji Karim have displayed flashes in limited play. Jennings is already expecting to get a bump in touches in efforts to keep MJD healthy.
Reggie Wayne – IND – WR
Wayne is 32 years old, has started showing signs of slowing, and may be without Peyton Manning to start the season – NOT GOOD! Wayne still makes our Top-10 WR Ranks, but is experiencing a stock drop despite coming off his highest reception total of his career. His value is tied to who lines up under-center Week 1.
Ryan Mathews – SDC – RB
Mathews ADP has not suffered as much as we have anticipated. Mike Tolbert is not going anywhere. Matter of fact, he may out-produce the injury prone second-year supposed “stud”. Tolbert has a firm grasp on blitz coverages, will be the Bolts 3rd down back, and should resume goal-line duties. That leaves what open for Mathews?
Failure to Separate
Fred Jackson – BUF – RB
Fred Jackson has the table set to be the bell-cow for the Bills. It appeared that all he had to do was sit-down and eat. But his ineffectiveness has allowed C.J. Spiller back into the competition. The good thing for Jackson is that Spiller failed to impress as well.
Sidney Rice – SEA – WR
Rice’s move to Seattle was the most disappointing signing of the off-season. Rice will crash and burn at the hands of Tavaris Jackson. He has all the makings of a stud receiver. He should be praying that the Hawks contact Brett Favre – I’m not kidding.
Peyton Manning – IND – QB
Let’s just say Peyton Manning hypothetically returns Week 3. That’s two games in the tank, plus another couple of slow starts to kick of the rust. You find yourself heading into Week 5 with an “average” QB play. On top of that, every time the guy gets hit – you cringe. Get the Tums and the Tylenol ready, for those who own Peyton – indigestion and headaches may be a common complaint on Sundays.
Tony Gonzalez – ATL – TE
Gonzalez with fall to third in-line for targets behind Roddy White and Julio Jones. The competition may loosen up some coverages, but it’ll also dilute targets. Father Time may finally have his way with one of the greatest TEs of all time.
Big Ego - Small Production
Michael Crabtree – SFO – WR
Injured yet again. Crabtree is very close to inheriting the “bust” label. The Niner offense has struggled this preseason. Despite the additions to the offensive line, Alex Smith is having very little time in the pocket. Josh Morgan and Braylon Edwards will push him for playing time.
Daniel Thomas – MIA – RB
Thomas walked into the starting job in Miami. The mass exodus of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams left the door wide-open for Thomas to walk through, but his preseason play has been quite unimpressive. Reggie Bush is an injury waiting to happen, but he’s doing all in his power to land more touches. Thomas has failed to seize the opportunity in front of him.
Jon Baldwin – KAN – WR
Baldwin is the definition of a diva. After a locker room brawl with teammate Thomas Jones, Baldwin has been sidelined with a hand/wrist injury. Todd Haley has little tolerance for stupidity – just ask Dwayne Bowe. We had high hopes for this rook, but Steve Breaston should land the starting gig playing opposite Bowe to start the season. Haley’s dog house is hard to climb out of. The youngster is on ice for now.
Emmanuel Sanders – PIT – WR
Sanders was one of our favorite sleeper candidates, but the preseason play of Antonio Brown may result in Sanders’ loss of the WR3 spot in Pitt. He’s a burner with plenty of room to mature, but his growth may be stunted by the explosion of his teammate. Brown appears to be the more attractive target.
Stock Rising:
Antonio Brown – PIT – WR
Brown began to show flashes last season in the playoffs. Emmanuel Sanders appeared to be in-line to take the WR3 spot, but injuries have resulted in the opportunity for Brown to shine. He’s shown explosive play-making ability as a receiver and on special teams. He could be a stud in return-heavy formats, even with the adjustments made to kick-offs. His sex appeal is increasing by the week. He’s a great late round flier pick.
Tony Romo – DAL – QB
Romo has looked solid thus far this preseason. The Cowboys’ additions to the offensive line will provide the come-back candidate with more time to pick apart opposing defenses. With Dez, Austin, and Witten at his disposal – the ingredients appear in place for a monster season. He’s a solid tier-2 option.
Vincent Jackson – SDC – WR
If you find yourself questioning whether or not you should draft a sub-par RB2 after the top-5 wide-outs have been selected (Andre, Roddy, Calvin, Nicks, Fitz – in that order), VJack should be the next one off the board. His injury/holdout in 2010 has his stock bellow-premium price. The WR crop thins out after the top-8 are taken. Jackson is playing under the franchise tag – meaning this is another contract year. VJack has “stud” written all over him.
Stock is Soaring!
Felix Jones – DAL – RB
With Tashard Choice and rookie DeMarco Murray suffering camp injuries, Felix Jones has been able to grab the starting spot with a choke hold. Jones has looked incredibly impressive both between the tackles and as a receiver. He’s a clear injury risk, but it’s one worth taking. He’s an absolute steal as a RB2.
Johnny Knox – CHI – WR
Knox’s value has sloped since being demoted to back-up duties. We’re not worried. He’s clearly the most talented pass-catcher the Bears have on their roster. Once the Roy Williams experiment fails… and it will, Knox will slide right back in to his burner role. Hester continues to struggle with drops. Earl Bennett and Knox will be the starters sooner rather than later.
Brandon Jacobs – NYG – RB
Jacobs appears to be back to his former self. Ahmad Bradshaw appeared to be a high-end RB2, but Jacobs performance this preseason has him pushing even touches. Jacobs very quietly posted 9 scores last season and is only 3 years removed from his 15 TD campaign in 08. We see him as being quite underrated thus far in drafts. He could provide you RB2 stats for an RB4 price….. “Discount!” (Sorry – I hate her too).
Ryan Who? Things will be different for Wells in 2011
Beanie Wells – ARI – RB
Ryan Williams was on everybody’s rookie radar, but even when healthy, Beanie never had relinquished the starting role. With Williams on the IR, Wells will become the bell-cow by default. The acquisitions of Todd Heap and Kevin Kolb should open up the offense and provide Wells with more room to run. His stock is slowly climbing, but can still be had at a bargain price.
Lee Evans – BAL – WR
Evans has been a fantasy headache his entire career, but his transplantation into the Baltimore offense appears to be the perfect fit. Evans’ speed is the perfect compliment to Joe Flacco’s arm. With Ray Rice demanding safety help and Anquan Boldin working the middle – Evans will step into the role he is most comfortable with – stretching the field. He’s looked solid this preseason and has experienced very little transitional difficulties.
Mark Ingram – NOR – RB
Ingram will push to be the leagues leading TD scorer in 2011. The Saints have the offense to continuously put him in scoring position, and Pierre Thomas will spare him to keep him healthy. We don’t see him competing for the rushing title, but he’ll be a rock-solid RB2, and will be a star in TD-only formatted leagues.
Not a bad consolation prize if you miss out on the elite
Owen Daniels – HOU – TE
Daniels appears back to full health after a lost 2010. Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter have failed to solidify themselves as Matt Schaub’s second option. Daniels should be second in all receiving categories for the Texans, behind Andre Johnson. After the top-5 TEs are gone (Gates, Witten, Finely, Clark, Davis – in that order), Daniels should be considered at the 6 spot.
Tim Hightower – WAS – RB
Mike Shanahan has turned Tim Hightower into a fantasy riser in a matter of 3 weeks. The former Cardinal looks like a whole new back in Washington’s blocking scheme. He’s shown toughness and burst that was lacking in Zona.
Jerome Harrison – DET – RB
With Mikel LeShoure going down for the season, Jerome Harrison takes the hand-cuff role to the often injured Jahvid Best. We see Harrison making legitimate contributions this season, with the opportunity to vulture goal-line work and even start some games. He’s more than a simple handcuff and should impress when given the chance.
Nate Burleson – DET – WR
The Lions drafted rookie Titus Young to provide Calvin Johnson with some opposite-side assistance. His preseason injury allowed veteran Nate Burleson to impress. Burleson has scored 4 times in 3 preseason games. He’s as high an injury risk as any, but if this preseason is any indication of how things will be – he’s a legit WR3 target.
Matthew Stafford – DET – QB
If Stafford can stay healthy, he could throw for 30-plus scores. We understand that, that’s a BIG “if”, but half of fantasy football is taking the risk. No one is going to pat you on the back for drafting Aaron Rogers. But if you roll the dice on Stafford and it pays off – that’s bragging rights.
Orton Gets No Love - We don't understand why.
Kyle Orton – DEN – QB
Orton could quite possibly be the most underrated quarterback heading into this fantasy season. He’s always had the Hood Endorsement. This season we have him ranked higher than any other site (and that was before he was declared the starter). He’s a solid back-up who will give you starter’s number when called upon.
Jimmy Graham – NOR – TE
Jimmy Graham is another basketball convert with immense athletic ability. With Colston’s health being an issue, and Lance Moore and Meachem lacking the size and stature to be effective in the red-zone, Graham should become Drew Brees’ favorite goal-line target. He has top-5 potential, but can be had at a top-10 price – buy!
Jermichael Finley – GRE – TE
Finley has looked incredible this preseason. He needs to prove that he can stay healthy, but if you selected him as the first TE off the board – we wouldn’t say you’re reaching.
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