Fantasy Football Fix August 5th 2010
Johnny Knox vs Devin Aromashadu: The Yahoo Sports team debated this topic and Brad Evans and Scott Pianowski sided with Aromashadu and Knox respectively. We also feel Knox is the superior value as Aromashadu’s ADP does not grant him true sleeper status and there is a good chance that Aromashadu is outplayed by not only Johnny Knox but also Devin Hester who will be forced into action. Johnny Knox is a lock, health permitting, for 1000+ receiving yards on the season. Both are fine players but I would feel a lot more comfortable with Knox as my WR3 or Flex play knowing that he was the first Bears receiver named a starter and is the receiver Cutler has been locking onto in practice.
Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter are going head-to-head for the 2nd wide receiver job in Houston. This is a battle the Texans hope Jones wins as Walter is more ideally suited for the slot and Jones has shown big-play potential. Jacoby Jones has been one of the most hyped sleepers of this off-season and this is a battle to watch when preparing your cheat sheets.
Deep sleeper alert: Stephen Williams of the Arizona Cardinals is impressing coaches. Williams is a 6’5 high jumper who ran a sub 4.5 40 and sounds like an intriguing prospect. There are already a litany of wide-out options in Arizona so don’t get too excited. But put this name on your radar for future reference.
Brandon LaFell worked with the first-team offense and his permanent ascension to the starting lineup cannot be far behind. Remember Steve Smith is sidelined so there is space among the first-team but this is a move that should stick. LaFell projects as a top-5 rookie receiver behind Bryant, Tate, Williams and Benn. He is nothing more than a bye week filler at this point in redraft leagues and is someone to target in dynasty league and keeper settings. Pat Yasinskas of ESPN thinks that the Panthers much like the entire fantasy community believe that LaFell is their best option at wide receiver.
Sammie Stroughter is currently ahead of Arrellious Benn at Tampa Bay’s training camp according to SI’s Peter King. This is a surprising revelation, but Benn will have to earn the job. We would not panic and expect Benn to land the number 2 job across from fellow rookie Mike Williams with Stroughter moving to the slot.
Are the Houston Texans running backs undervalued? ESPN Insider Eric Karabell thinks so. Now while I agree that Ben Tate has a chance to be something special in this backfield I do not feel fully comfortable drafting nay of the other two backs in any format where it wasn’t one of my last two picks. Arian Foster is oozing with potential in Houston’s offense but the presence of Tate kills his fantasy appeal. I am still targeting Tate in all formats as my 5th or 6th running back. Foster is a good auction value.
