Fantasy Football Fix July 22nd 2010
Is Early Doucet the next Boldin?
There have been rumblings since last season that it was Doucet, and not Steve Breaston who was more suited to assume the Boldin role in the Arizona offense. Doucet is more rugged and physical much like Breaston and Breaston may actually be better suited to his former role.
Now this is not to say that Breaston wont have a fine 1000 yard receiving season (he has done this with Boldin still on team), just that scheme wise it may be Doucet who takes on Boldin’d old role which invariably will lead to a break out season.
Malcom Kelly may be cut? How far some fall from grace, a highly coveted receiver just a few years ago Kelly is now on the roster bubble according to reports. He may actually have a break out season if he can make a case to stay on the roster with Donovan McNabb as his QB.
Tim Tebow to see plenty of snaps in ‘Wild Horse’ formation? Dave Krieger of the Denver Post predicts that Tebow will see a ton of snaps in the Broncos wildcat variation and that Denver may be near or the tops in the league in breaking out this formation. The one thing to remember here is that Tebow will be given the staring job, and they want him to take over sooner than later in Denver…when he is ready or when Orton fails….whichever comes first. Now whether or not Tebow qualifies for wildcat is another story and the answer is probably ‘no’ as he is a real QB.
Short-Yardage job up for grabs in Pittsburgh. While specifically noting that Rashard Mendenhall was successful in goal-line situations last year the short-yardage job is up for grabs which is a boost for Jonathan Dwyer’s fantasy value. Already hailed as a deep sleeper, especially in dynasty leagues Dwyer’s stock take a slight uptick with confirmation that this job is up for grabs.
McKeeSport Daily News reports that the Steelers do not feel that they necessarily have to run the ball more this season, rather that they just must do so more effectively. This is not what Rashard Mendenhall supporters and owners wanted to hear especially after some believed at the very least Big Ben’s suspension meant they would be running the ball more.
Offensive coordinator Bruce Arians:
“We need to run the ball better,” Arians said, “not necessarily more.”
Some interesting tidbits from the article were that last campaign was the Steelers most productive offensive season ever with a: 4000 yard passer, two 1000 yard receivers and an 1000 yard rusher; they also pointed out that the 112 yards rushing per game the Steelers averaged is 7 more yards per game than they averaged during the 2008 Super Bowl campaign.
KFFL has come out with its WR Sleeper, Bust, Overvalued and Undervalued lists.
The Sleeper list includes Devin Thomas, Louis Murphy and Dexter McCluster. Thomas has a chance to breakout this season with the ever more competent and skilled Donovan McNabb behind center in Washington. Murphy now also has a ever more competent QB as well in Jason Campbell and should improve by leaps and bounds after a promising rookie season. McCluster will be a fine PPR flex play and may actually be a WR/RB hybrid in some fantasy leagues, and if Charles or Jones go down Dexter may provide some stellar fantasy games.
The WR Bust list includes Dwayne Bowe and Dez Bryant. We disagree with both as Bowe is likely to have a major bounce back campaign now that the team has a more credible and threatening run game and will likely be an excellent ADP value. Dez Bryant, while expectations have to be tempered as he will not be handed the starting job or starters snaps, is the most talented receiver on his team…and this includes the very highly ranked Miles Austin; he still has to climb the depth chart.
The WR Overvalued list includes Steve Smith, Percy Harvin and Steve Breaston, and we agree with all of them. Steve Smith of the Giants is not the most talented receiver on his team and outside of PPR leagues will struggle to match the fantasy value he provided last year, especially ion the TD category. Percy Harvin I expect to have a fine fantasy season, I am just not sure he is worth a 5th round pick despite being named offensive rookie of the year last campaign. Breaston will be a good ADP value but may not live up to some fantasy G.M’s expectations who think even with Leinart under center Breaston will automatically assume all of Boldin’s targets.
The WR Undervalued list includes Lee Evans and Eddie Royal and we agree with both. Lee Evans is the defacto #1 receiver in Buffalo again and should be back on the fantasy radar. Currently being drafted in round 9 Lee Evans will provide ADP value without much of a question. Evans is a fine WR4 or flex play. Royal is the most talented receiver on his team and will likely have a major bounce back campaign this season as he moves to assume the slot role in Josh McDaniels offense. He will be a better value in PPR leagues but is still a fine flex play/low-end WR3 in standard leagues.
