Fantasy Football Fix August 18th 2010

Fantasy Football Fix August 18th 2010

Can Josh Freeman really make Mike Williams fantasy relevant? With Kellen Winslow set to dominate the targets in Tampa Bay, Christopher Harris of ESPN suggests that Freeman’s development will likely be the deciding factor as to whether or not Mike Williams really makes the impact some may be expecting. Harris points out that only one rookie wide receiver surpassed 800 yards in his rookie season over the past two seasons and that was a Jay Cutler infused Eddie Royal. Mike Williams is a tantalizing dynasty and keeper league addition, but expectations should be tempered in redraft leagues with the understanding that Josh Freeman and Mike Williams ability to beat double-teams will have as much to do with his success as Mike Williams’ unquestionable talent.

Is Nate Burleson a fantasy football sleeper? Our friends at Fantasy Knuckleheads think so and we tend to agree. Burleson will undoubtedly be a major beneficiary of Calvin Johnson receiving double and triple teams. Burleson has 800+ yards and 6+ TD upside and can be drafted with confidence as a solid flex option or bye week filler with low-end WR3 upside.

LaDanian Tomlinson could and should be a bargain on draft day as a flex option with RB3 upside. LT is likely to top 200 touches this season and it is time we draft accordingly. Believe it or not, LT is one Shonn Greene injury away from reclaiming his status as a RB1, the Jets offensive line is just that good. Draft with confidence as a flex option.

Matt Forte is healthy and appears to have his burst back. His fantasy ceiling is limited by the presence of Chester Taylor but Forte should have a steady bounce-back season in 2010. Forte should run for 1000 yards and catch 40+ passes out of the backfield which clearly signifies he will be a RB2 at worst. It is time to bump Forte up our cheat sheets; draft Forte with confidence as an RB2, land him as an RB3 and you just might win your fantasy league.

Dwayne Bowe is a solid high end WR2 and fantasy owners should heed Christopher Harris of ESPN’s advice when he recommends Bowe and warns not to hold 2009 against him. Bowe should have a nice bounce back campaign and fulfill the promise we all saw in Bowe when Todd Haley joined the Chiefs. Draft with confidence as a WR2 with WR1 upside.

Kareem Huggins will run with the 1’s in the next preseason game and he is now officially a redraft sleeper as well as a dynasty stash. Huggins has blazing wheels and will likely secure the #2 job if he can respond well during his time with the 1’s. This once again proves that Derrick Ward has minimal fantasy value and Huggins is now a better sleeper than Ward. We should all remember that Cadillac Williams is not the most injury free running back and that if he goes down there is an RB2 waiting to happen from Caddy’s main handcuff. Draft Huggins as a late-round sleeper/flier.

Shonn Greene or Jamaal Charles in fantasy? This question was recently debated by ESPN and in my mind this is a no-brainer. I am avoiding Charles like the plague in all fantasy leagues and advise you to do the same, he has an extremely high RB1 upside but has a flex floor at a RB1-RB2 price. Shonn Greene presents minimal risk despite also sharing the backfield with a proven veteran who will steal some work. The main difference here is that Greene is the feature back and the goal-line back who is guaranteed 300+ carries, while Charles is a lead back in a time-share where he is not the goal-line back or the best at pass protection, and a RBBC is likely looming in Kansas City, throw-in Dexter McCluster and you can understand why we would choose Greene and avoid Jamaal Charles completely.

Michael Turner vs Frank Gore was recently debated by the ESPN fantasy football team and we think this discussion comes down to league type. Turner is the safer choice in standard leagues while Gore is the preferred choice in PPR leagues. The presence of Westbrook bumps Gore down right below Michael Turner on our RB rankings. Turner has been working on his hands this off-season and will be featured more in the passing game so that crutch is no longer available to Gore boosters. In the end Turner has higher upside due to more limited backfield competition and his 14+ rushing touchdown potential.