About Fantasy Football

Everyone likes a Denver running back, but coming into this season, it’s a hodge-podge of players, and will probably be a gamble on who gets the lions share of touches until opening day. With that being said, I like Selvin Young’s prospects.

Young has been taking reps with the first team, Shanahan has spoken highly of his off-season conditioning and work to this point in the mini-camps, and he played well last season. He could well be the man in Denver, which would give him 1,000 yard potential. He could also get stuck in a running back by committee situation.

Keep an eye on how things round out in Denver. If you draft early, Young is probably the first Denver back to go off the board. If you have a pick you can gamble a bit with, Young is not a bad choice for that gamble. If you draft closer to opening day, keep your ears tuned to what is going on in Denver, although it is likely Shanahan does not appoint a starter until maybe even game time of opening day.

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Reggie Williams finished last season strong, and could be a decent sleeper option coming into the 2008 fantasy football season.

Williams ended last season with 10 touchdowns, but only had 38 catches. The Jaguars really need a wide receiver to step up, as evidenced by the signing of Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson. I don’t know that they have a true number one wide-out on the team at this point, which leaves the door open for Williams to expand on the second half of last season.

With pretty solid quarterback play, and a good rushing attack, there will be a Jaguar wide receiver worth drafting this season, question is, will it be Williams. He’s not a bad pickup, will have some upside potential, and worst case scenario he is someone you can spot start as a bye week replacement. He’ll have a couple big weeks this season, but whether or not he can bring consistent play to the table is going to dictate his value.

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Javon Walker was a player I thought had the potential to have a comeback year. With the recent turn of events, I’m not so certain now.

Walker was cut by the Broncos after injuries, and signed to a good sized deal by the Raiders. The Raiders are coming into this season seeking some offense. With last years number one pick taking over the quarterback duties, they were looking to get him some good options. Walker was to be the number one in Oakland this year, but that could be in doubt after his Las Vegas mugging.

Keep an eye on Walker, I don’t think the extent of his injuries are known yet, he could be 100% come the season, but then again, he could miss time. If Walker comes into camp healthy, and can stay healthy all season, he should put up decent numbers. I don’t know that he will put up all pro numbers, but he could be a decent bye week replacement or number three wide-out, with some upside potential.

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DeAngelo Williams has some potential to move way up the fantasy football rankings come the 2008 fantasy season. If he ends up with the bulk of the carries down in Carolina, he could have a breakout year.

The Panthers have been addressing their offensive line issues this off season. The offense is going to reap the fruits of this labor in the 2008 season, and Williams could stand to see a huge opportunity in the 2008 fantasy football season.

In addition to bolstering their offensive line, the Panthers also picked up a power running back in Jonathan Stewart. Coming in as a rookie, he will not be the number one in Carolina, but rather a change of pace type of back. If DeAngelo Williams plays well enough to keep Stewart in that back up role, he should put up good fantasy numbers come 2008.

Take a look at Williams in the later middle rounds. If you have a selection that you want to take a flyer with, Williams could be a good gamble. He has the potential to payoff handsomely, but until then, needs to be considered a backup or spot starting type of running back. Tough to say what his numbers are at the end of the season, could range all the way from mediocre to pro-bowl caliber. He’s a gamble, but the pieces are all there for him to succeed.

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Hines Ward will be 32 coming into the 2008 fantasy football season. In addition, he is coming off knee surgery and a 2007 campaign in which he missed 3 games.

With that being said, he still caught 70+ balls and had 7 touchdowns with just over 700 yards. Looking to this season, Ward should be a decent number two option at wide receiver, but with the emergence of Holmes as the Steelers number one receiver, and the questions starting to arise about his durability, the days of Ward putting up good numbers week in and week out are probably at an end.

If Ward stays healthy, he will catch his share of touchdowns this year, and will end the season with decent numbers, but expect his fantasy stats to fluctuate from week to week. Take a look his way if he’s around in the seventh round. He has the potential to be a very good number two option. My only real concern is his knee, and whether or not he can stay healthy. He has been a rock through his career to this point, but once you start having knee problems, the potential is always there for them to flair up again.

Ward is another player I will probably stay away from in the draft. I like the guy a lot, he’s a quality individual, and a great player, I just don’t like taking the risk on his knee. He does you no good if he’s not on the field Sundays. Keep an eye on him in training camp if you plan on picking him up, make sure his knee is not giving him problems.

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Roddy White is a player I expect to be too low on many 2008 fantasy football rankings. White ended the 2007 fantasy season with some huge games, can he carry that momentum over into the 2008 fantasy campaign?

White ended last year with 1200 receiving yards, 80+ catches and half a dozen touchdowns. Give him a solid quarterback, and White could play his way into number one receiver status.

That is the big question mark surrounding White right now. Who is going to be throwing him the ball? He has enough talent that he will put up some decent numbers no matter who is back there, but if they get a decent quarterback for him, he has some serious upside.

Look to draft White as a number two receiver, with plenty of upside. You should be able to wait until round 5 or later to pick him up, keep him on your radar. I like this guy a lot, and he has the opportunity to outplay his draft position in 2008.

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LenDale White could be a bit of a sleeper for the 2008 fantasy football season. He should be the number one back for the Titans, but will be overlooked in the draft.

White split carries to start the 2007 season, but by the end of the year, was the featured back for the Titans. He finished the year with 1100 yards and 7 touchdowns, and I expect him to improve on those numbers come 2008.

The Titans are a scrappy team, and should have a pretty good defense in 2008. They are not the type of team that is going to air it out, and White should get 25-30 touches every game. I really really like White in the 2008 fantasy draft, and think you could pick him up somewhere in the fifth round. He has the potential to be a number one back, and is a player I would consider grabbing a round early just to ensure landing him.

Keep an eye on him, I see a big year ahead. He may not qualify as the typical sleeper, but come 2009, he will be one of the top ten running backs taken. He will put up better numbers than some players taken in the first round this year. Which players, I can’t tell you right now, but pick up White, he’ll be a workhorse for you.

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Roy Williams was one of the top receivers taken in the 2007 draft, he should fall quite a bit in the 2008 fantasy draft.

He finished 2007 with 63 catches for 836 yards and only 5 touchdowns. The potential is there for a better season if he can stay healthy. Williams is a big play receiver, but with the exit of Martz as his offensive coordinator, the Lions may move away from a pass happy offense.

If he can start 16 games in 2008, I would pencil him in for about 80 catches for around 1000 yards and half a dozen or so touchdowns. He will be a solid number two receiver, and being in the final year of his contract, he has some additional upside.
Calvin Johnson still has a little ways to go before he takes over the number one role in Detroit, so Williams should put up bigger numbers, I just feel as if he is somewhat of a gamble this season.

I’ll probably take a look his way if he is around in the fifth round and I need a wide receiver with that selection, but he is not someone I would target in the draft. He could be a nice pickup if he falls, but I can see him going a bit earlier than I would feel comfortable taking him.

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Kellen Winslow is a stud fantasy football tight end. No doubt about it, he is a top five TE, with the potential to end the season as the number one at his position.

Winslow plays for the Browns, who I really like right now. They have a vertical offense, and should continue to stretch the field in 2008.

Winslow had 82 catches for 1106 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2007. He should put up very similar numbers, but I expect his touchdown total to increase. He will be a prime red zone target, and has great hands. Plays like a wide receiver, and puts up the numbers to support that style of play.

Expect Winslow to be the third TE taken this year, behind Witten and Gates. I don’t think there will be a large gap between the numbers these three put up, if you want a top level tight end, Winslow offers a decent value without having to spend a top 2 or 3 pick.

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Wes Welker should put up pretty similar numbers to those that he posted in 2007. If you are in a point per reception league, this makes him a low end number one receiver.

He caught 112 balls in 2007, with 8 touchdowns and over 1000 yards. I don’t expect any type of fall off with the Patriots offense, 100+ catches again with Brady throwing to him is very realistic. I anticipate his touchdown total coming up in 2008 as well. In a point per reception league, he is a top ten receiver.

Not only is he a top receiver, but he is one who may slip. He doesn’t have the big name like Moss or Owens, but he puts up very solid numbers. The other upside that makes me really like Welker is the steady points he brings. Week in and week out, you can count on 8 catches and 80 yards or so with a touchdown. Additionally, you will have some big games sprinkled in for good measure.

You should be able to pick Welker up in the fourth round, and he is a solid choice for the 2008 fantasy season..

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