Gridiron Experts

10 Fantasy Football Sleepers In 2010 (in no particular order)

Jabar Gaffney (WR Broncos)
Gaffney has been bounced around the league through most of his career; his patience has landed him in Denver, which is starting to look like home.

Gaffney has a great understanding of the offense and the experience to be the player that can pick up the in-game wrinkle on the spot. He will be overlooked by nearly everyone at your fantasy draft for a shiny new rookie. Their loss is your sleeper steal.

Anthony Gonzalez (WR Colts)
Before Gonzalez’s injury early last season, fantasy experts had him very high on their boards. Now recovering and fighting for a starting job, Gonzalez is underrated and available at a late round bargain price.

Chester Taylor (RB Bears)
This RB might take a few weeks to catch on in Chicago, yet his ability is unquestionable. Taylor is the type of player Mike Martz loves and will be used in all phases of the game. Late round gem with tons of upside.

Clinton Portis (RB Redskins)
Mike Shanahan, do I need to say anymore? The system has produce greatness out of garbage. Portis has secured the starting job and will be the focal point despite all the McNabb media. …Continue reading 10 Fantasy Football Sleepers In 2010

Gridiron Experts Power Rankings AUG. 2nd

32. Buffalo Bills
CJ Spiller has all the tools to be a playmaker in this league, well except for an offensive line in front of him, a quarterback to take the pressure off, and well you see where I’m going with this. The Bills are going to need a franchise quarterback before they move on this list.
31.St. Louis Rams
The Rams, in theory, should be a better team this year, but it’s still up in the air and truly depends on how NFL ready Sam Bradford is by the start of the season. Steven Jackson has always been the Rams workhorse, and that won’t change this year, expect another grand out of him in 2010.
30. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are still rebuilding. This process can sometimes be long a frustrating, yet in the forseeable future they’ll find themselves on day on the outside looking in on any power rankings list. Every team must rebuild sooner or later but for this season ahead, the Buc’s will be leaning on too many young players and the inexperience will show.
29. Cleveland Browns
The Browns biggest flaw is their division, it’s just too hard to be competitive against perennial powerhouses like the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens. They did have a great draft and made some key off-season additions, with a revamped secondary expect them to move up this list in a year.
28. Detroit Lions
The Lions were the movers and shakers of the off-season, making some key additions. If only for the next few years, adding Jahvid Best to a backfield commandeered by Matt Stafford could be just what the Lions needed. Best will make plays and take some of the focus off of Calvin Johnson.
27. Oakland Raiders
For the first time in years, the Raiders impressed us all during the draft, adding a top-tier middle linebacker and shipping Kirk Morrison to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Not to mention ditching JaMarcus Russell in favor of Jason Campbell, an automatic upgrade. Although for now, they’re still on the outside looking in.
26.Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs have revamped their coaching staff and drafted (and paid) a play making safety in Eric Berry. Dexter McCluster will give add that x-factor to the offense and give Jamaal Charles some relief at the running back spot. Matt Cassell will get one more chance to show that he’s worth the money they’re paying him.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are a team that can never seem to get it together when it truly counts, their first rounder is considered a huge reach by the entire NFL community and if he doesn’t pan out, Jags fans can happily say goodbye to Jack Del Rio. Maurice Jones-Drew will set the pace for the offense once more. …Continue reading NFL Power Rankings

Last year’s gamble, this year’s keeper

In most Keeper leagues the name of the game, is value. Owners generally are allowed to keep a player, or players, but must sacrifice a draft pick in order to do so. Typically, an owner loses the corresponding pick that the selected keeper was chosen. If you spent a 2009 2nd rounder on Drew Brees, and want to keep him for 2010, you forgo your 2nd round pick in this season’s draft.

That’s why value is so important to Keeper league owners. If an owner uses his picks wisely, or can turn a late round gamble, or throw away pick into a fantasy stud, the value for the next season is outstanding. Often a player that would go in the top 10 in a standard draft can be “protected” for a nominal draft pick, allowing your early picks to be used on building great depth.

Let’s take a look at some players that were late round picks last year, that would make great keepers for the 2010 season. Using the 2009 ADP stats from Myfantasyleague.com these players make for outstanding keeper candidates.

• 10. Steve Smith (WR NYG)- ADP 134- Should still lead the Giants in catches. Actually got a team leading 23 redzone looks for 5 TD’s last year. Brings added value to PPR leagues. Early 2010 ADP has him going 38th.

• 9. Pierre Garcon (WR IND)- ADP 242- Though not a conventional keeper, Garcon could be a good choice in a PPR format simply based on the fact that it would only cost the average owner a 20th round pick. He will continue to get a lot of looks in Indianapolis.

• 8. Jermichael Finley (TE GB)ADP 175/ Vernon Davis (te SF)ADP 155- Most owners would never consider keeping a tight end, but the numbers dictate that there’s plenty of value in it. Tight ends get more and more numbers every year, and these low costs could allow a fantasy owner to concentrate on more valuable …Continue reading Last Year’s Fantasy Gamble, This Year’s Keeper

Every year we head into training camp with our eye on key positions and rookies who could add that extra push. Nobody cares who steps up, as long as the job gets done and the weak links are filled. Focusing on fantasy football, we are going to overlook some of the less important roster spots, and instead fire off questions and predictions for each team in the eyes of the fantasy football fan.

Arizona Cardinals
Spotlight Is On: Matt Leinart- A former first round pick who lost his job and found a comfortable spot on the bench is all of a sudden getting his second chance. The NFL usually chews you up and spits you out, so for Leinart a do-over is a real gift. Frankly, we see more attention spent on the running game this season to relieve some of the pressure. Regardless, this second chance could be the last chance for number 7. Can the shoes be filled? Or is Matt about to trip?
Camp Sleeper: Steve Breaston
Star-Brewing: Chris Wells

Atlanta Falcons
What’s the Deal with Michael Turner? A power running back who was a yard shy of 1700 yards two seasons ago just fell off the map in 2009. A high ankle sprain left fantasy owners angry and kicking furniture over, with his vanilla type numbers. Is he back? Can we move him up the fantasy boards? What’s the deal?
Camp Sleeper: Harry Douglas

Baltimore Ravens
Is there Bonding Going on Here? The Anquan Boldin and Joe Flacco combo is one we’re all not sure of. Flacco has needed a player who can stretch the field for some time, as Mason is more of tough possession wide receiver. The running game is counting on some sort of passing attack, and so are keeper league owners of the recently traded Cardinal.
Camp Sleeper:  TE Ed Dickson
Take a Seat: Todd Heap

Buffalo Bills
So You Have 3 Running Backs…Really? Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, and C.J. Spiller are apparently going to be used in a very creative offense that we can already predict to be a failure. There are a million questions with this team, but for now let’s just try to figure out who’s going to be the guy at RB. All the other fantasy options shouldn’t be a concern to you right now, or at all this season.
Camp Sleeper: Brain Brohm- our vote to win the $10 beauty contest.

Carolina Panthers
Moore or Clausen to lead? After booting Delhomme to the curb, Matt Moore stepped in and looked very much the part…or at least that’s what he thought. The Panthers found a fallen gem in the draft and couldn’t help themselves with one of this years highest ranked QB rookies. Jimmy Clausen should do his best to overthrow Moore’s spot.
Gimme the Ball- DeAngelo Williams is in a contract year and will be pressing.
WR Numero dos- Our early guess is Brandon LaFell from LSU.

Chicago Bears
Who’s Cutler Going to Ask to the Big Dance? With a slew of average at best wide receivers, and a master-mind commander calling the plays from the sidelines, Jay Cutler is going to pick and choose his targets carefully. Who will best suit this new offense in Chicago? We will have eyes in training camp all summer.
So Who Does What? -After a breakout rookie season, Matt Forte now has an on the field roommate to share his carries. Chester Taylor wasn’t brought in to get coffee, so the percentage of carries will be watched carefully as well.
Sleeper Brewing In Martz’s System- Johnny Knox …Continue reading NFL Training Camp Fantasy Questions (All 32 Teams)

In 2009, Peyton Manning experienced one of his more surprising and successful season’s as an NFL quarterback. He took a rebuilding offense and a limping defense to the Super Bowl, and actually had his team as a Vegas favorite going into the game against the Saints. No one was picking them at the start the 2009 season, but 14 straight wins and an impressive conference title game performance later, they Colts were the toast of the NFL. Conservatively, about 98% of all pundits predicted the Colts to win, because Peyton Manning is so good at passing a football he was going to inspire his defense to efficiently tackle.

Then came the second quarter of the game, and like so many years with the Colts and Manning in the playoffs, they came up short yet again, sustaining another heartbreaking post-season loss.

Unfortunately for the Colts — and for some reason we have yet to collectively grasp this concept in NFL prognostication — there are 21 other positions on the field that play an active hand from scrimmage. While Manning is currently (and arguably ever) the best player at the most important position, it’s tough to win a Super Bowl with a mediocre supporting cast, a hampered Dwight Freeney and a sidelined Bob Sanders.

Since this is all based on hindsight and it might seem easy for me to criticize now, not to self-aggrandize, …Continue reading Colts: Dynasty In The Making?

3rd Year Wide Receiver Break Out

A wide receiver that is coming into his third season has in the past been considered a breakout candidate for fantasy teams.   This year there are a number of wide receivers entering this three year mark.  I have created a list of third year receivers to keep your eye on entering your fantasy league draft.  Some of these players have yet to live up to expectations, others stepped up their games last season, while others unfortunately had let downs last season.  Overall, all of these players are expected to make solid contributions to their teams in 2010.

Early Doucet – Arizona – Doucet moves up the depth chart in 2010 after the departure of Anquan Boldin.  Doucet was the team’s fourth receiver last season, but will move into the third receiver role at the start of training camp and will have the opportunity to compete for the #2 receiver spot.

James Hardy – Buffalo – Hardy has yet to live up to the expectations Buffalo had for him when they drafted him in the 2nd round.  However, this could be the make or break year for Hardy.  With the departure of Terrell Owens, Hardy will be given the chance to earn a starting spot opposite Lee Evans.

Earl Bennett – Chicago – Bennett is in a crowded group of receivers.  The Bears have many young receivers and …Continue reading 3rd Year Wide Receiver Break Out

AFC South Fantasy Football Stock Market
This series of articles focuses on how the new breed of talent from the NFL draft plans to affect overall fantasy football player value. Continuing with our stock market report, Gridiron Experts takes a look at the AFC South.
Previous Articles: NFC EAST | AFC EAST | NFC SOUTH

*AFC South: Surprisingly the AFC South went heavy on defensive players. The only real fantasy rookie to come out of all 4 of these offensive teams was running back Ben Tate for the Houston Texans, he will be the focus of this article.

Houston Texans

Ben Tate RB 5’11″ , 220 lbs.

The Texans won’t admit it, but they called an audible on draft day. Houston was dubbed by many to be going after either running back C.J. Spiller or Ryan Matthews in the first round, but both were snatched up very early.

Plan B happened to be a good one; Houston selected cornerback Kareem Jackson (an excellent D. Robinson replacement) in the first round, followed by stealing Ben Tate in the second. Tate, who was overlooked on many draft radars, has the making of a perfect starting running back for the Texans. With 4.40 speed and good meat on his bones, this former Auburn stud will fit well into the Kubiak system right away. Tate’s training will consist of adding more lower body strength, as his role for the Texans may start out …Continue reading AFC South Fantasy Football Stock Market

Fantasy News & Updates

• Robert Mathis – DE, Indianapolis Colts
  Robert Mathis is staying away from the Colts ongoing OTAs because he wants a new contract, a source tells the Indianapolis Star.
• Marion Barber – RB, Dallas Cowboys
  Cowboy’s owner and GM Jerry Jones hinted Tuesday that Marion Barber could remain the team’s primary running back. Fantasy Outlook: People are eagerly waiting to hear who will get the nod in the Cowboys explosive offense this season. My bet is on a spilt rotation with Barber being used in more goal line situations.
• Eddie Royal – WR, Denver Broncos
  Eddie Royal is spending most of his time working out of the slot this offseason, as coach Josh McDaniels concentrates on increasing his offensive role. Fantasy Outlook: Royal was a victim of an ugly sophomore curse last year, but playing more in the slot could better suit this kid’s skill level and personal playing style.
• Ryan Clady – T, Denver Broncos
  Broncos LT Ryan Clady (torn patellar tendon), RT Ryan Harris (toe), and G/C Russ Hochstein (knee) are all expected to return to practice at some point before or during training camp. …Continue reading NFL Fantasy News & Updates