WMFL Fantasy Football Faux Bowl Selections

WMFL Fantasy Football Faux Bowl Selections

With the Pro Bowl selections now in the books Win My Fantasy League will give you its selections for the Fantasy Football Pro Bowl or ‘Faux Bowl’ if you would.

We will not be selecting any offensive lineman as they do not directly factor into the fantasy game that most of us play.

Players that did not start the whole season due to depth chart or injury will still be considered based on their body of work as a starter.

All numbers utilized are through week 16 which represents the finals for the majority of competitive leagues.

We will select from either conference the same amount of players named to the pro bowl, review their reason for selection and take a look at their 2014 prognosis.

Quarterbacks

Peyton Manning tied the NFL record with seven touchdowns in a game in week one and just set the single season touchdown record with 51 through 15 games and ended the regular season with 55. Manning was the unrivaled number one overall fantasy quarterback this year and will likely be the first QB off the board in fantasy drafts next year with his single season record in passing yards (5,477) making him a no-brainer for next years drafts. Manning also helped the Broncos set the NFL record for the most total points scored in a season.

Drew Brees has thrown for 4,781 yards and 35 touchdowns and is still a far second behind Peyton Manning this season. Brees remains one of the most reliable options at QB and will be one of the top three QB’s off the board during 2014 fantasy drafts.

Nick Foles has made all his doubters become believers. Foles controlled play was stark in contrast to Michael Vick’s more explosive yet turnover prone ways and has won him the fans in Philadelphia. Foles has exhibited top five fantasy potential and the importance of the extra snaps he gets in Chip Kelly’s system cannot be overstated. With that said having a weapon like LeSean McCoy will always limit Foles passing yardage upside for those in bonus leagues but for those in touchdown/interception heavy formats Nick Foles is a top tier player as his NFL record 13.5:1 TD:INT ratio can attest to. Foles will be a top seven option to open the 2014 draft season.

Cam Newton was terrific this year and finished the fantasy season with 22 touchdown passes and six rushing touchdowns. Newton rushing TD’s and rushing yards per game were both down this year but he has already posted a career high in touchdown passes as well as completion percentage. Newton finished the fantasy season as the third overall QB in ESPN standard leagues.

Matthew Stafford just narrowly beat out Andy Dalton for the final spot and after his epic collapse in the fantasy playoffs I cannot blame anyone for arguing that he does not belong on this list. Stafford was ranked as a top five weekly play for most of the season and finishes as the seventh overall ranked QB for 2013 with a mere three points separating Andy Dalton, Philip Rivers and Matthew Stafford in that order. Stafford will be a QB1 and borderline top five play in 2014 especially if and when the Lions add some legitimate receiver help.

Philip Rivers rejuvenated his career this year thanks in large part to a healthy Antonio Gates and the additions of new number one wideout in rookie Keenan Allen and explosive passing down running back Danny Woodhead. Rivers finished the fantasy season with 4,219 passing yards and 29 touchdowns which is good enough to make him the sixth ranked overall QB play for the 2013 season. Rivers will be a QB1 for 2014 with top ten potential.

Running Backs

Jamaal Charles finished the fantasy season as the number one overall running back by posting a salivating line of 1,287 rushing yards with 12 touchdowns and 70 receptions for 693 yards and seven touchdowns including a legendary semi-finals performance of five touchdowns despite being pulled from the game in the third quarter against the hapless Raiders. Charles is a lock to be the first overall pick in virtually every fantasy draft in 2014. Charles finished the season as the third overall player in ESPN standard leagues behind Peyton Manning and Drew Brees.

LeSean McCoy averaged close to 100 rushing yards per game this season on his way to 1,476 rushing yards with nine touchdowns and 51 receptions for 536 yards and one touchdown during the fantasy season and finished the regular season with 1,607 yards which is good for 100 rushing yards per game. The extra snaps McCoy gets in Chip Kelly’s offense will help him remain an elite play despite the loss of Michael Vick as his QB which helped open up a lot of additional room in running lanes. McCoy will be a top three overall pick in 2014 fantasy drafts.

Adrian Peterson came back to earth after his miraculous 2012 season but still posted a rock solid 1,266 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns and added 29 receptions for 171 yards and one touchdown. AP finished the fantasy season as the sixth overall running back and remains the most consistent top tier option among running backs on a year to year basis.

Eddie Lacy had a fantastic rookie of the year caliber 1,112 rushing yards with ten touchdowns and 33 receptions for 242 yards during the fantasy season. Lacy is being pushed by Keenan Allen for ROY honors but has been one of the most pleasant surprises of the fantasy campaign as the projected RB2 timeshare back who became a bellcow RB1. Lacy will be a RB1 for 2014 and will be a likely 1st round pick barring a QB run in a QB centric league. Lacy finished as the seventh overall running back this fantasy season.

Marshawn Lynch continues to beast mode and raked up 1,160 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns with 35 receptions for 312 yards and two touchdowns despite being rested when the Seahawks were blowing out opponents much to the chagrin of his fantasy owners. Lynch remains a top five option in standard leagues for the 2014 season but will be more of a 5-10 back in PPR formats next season.

DeMarco Murray set a career high with 1,073 rushing yards and nine touchdowns and also added 48 receptions for 311 yards and one touchdown in just 13 games. Murray averaged 5.4 yards per carry this year and will be in line for much more touches next year health permitting. Murray will be a top ten option in standard leagues next year and a potential top five running back potential value in PPR leagues.

Matt Forte flourished in Marc Trestman’s system to the tune of 1,229 rushing yards and seven touchdowns and he also added a whopping 70 receptions for 547 yards and two touchdowns. Forte should continue to pile up the yards from scrimmage as the Chicago Bears workhorse back. Forte finished the regular season second in the NFL in rushing with 1,339 yards as Jamaal Charles sat out week seventeen. Matt Forte will be a top ten option in all formats next season.

Wide Receivers

Calvin Johnson took a step back from his monster 2012 season but still posted an impressive 1,492 receiving yards and nine touchdowns off of 84 receptions during the fantasy season. Megatron has some legit competition from Josh Gordon to be the top receiver taken in 2014 drafts but Megatron will end up with the higher ADP when all is said and done.

Josh Gordon finished the fantasy season as the number one overall receiver despite missing two games due to a suspension and having to deal with a carousel of backup-calibre quarterbacks throwing him the ball. Gordon will be in the mix to be the second receiver off the board in 2014 drafts. Gordon length, strength, size and speed are a perfect fit for this offense and he may have an even better season next year if he can suit up for sixteen games and/or get a upgrade at the QB position. Gordon finished the regular season with 1,646 yards receiving.

Dez Bryant continues to ball despite Tony Romo’s ineptness and tendency to forget Dez Bryant for long stretches of the game and managed to put up 1,134 yards and 12 touchdowns with 85 receptions. Dez finished as the ninth overall receiver and has the upside to be a fixture top five overall play at wide receiver if Tony Romo makes a concerted effort to get his best playmaker involved consistently throughout games. Dez will be one of the top five receivers drafted in most leagues next season. Dez Bryant finished the regular season third in the NFL with 13 touchdowns.

Antonio Brown proved all of his doubters wrong and showed them that he is an elite receiver, Mike Wallace effect be damned. Brown was a PPR monster this year racking up 101 receptions and 1,412 yards for eight touchdowns. Brown should be a WR1 option for PPR leagues next year and a great value 2nd receiver for those in standard formats. Brown finished the fantasy season as the fifth overall ranked receiver in ESPN standard leagues. Brown became one of three players in NFL history to record at least five receptions in every game during a season making him one of the most trustworthy PPR options. Brown finished second in the NFL in receiving yards as Calvin Johnson sat out week seventeen.

A.J Green continues to be one of the most dominant receivers in the league and put up 1,365 receiving yards and ten touchdowns off of 94 receptions. Green will be a top three wideout option in 2014 fantasy drafts despite playing with just an average quarterback. If Marvin Lewis and company ever get him an upgrade, watch out because AJ Green will challenge Megatron for his mantle.

Demaryius Thomas continues to do his thing despite the additions of Wes Welker and Julius Thomas to the mix. Thomas remains a beast after the catch and put up and impressive 1,317 yards and 12 touchdowns off of 86 receptions. Thomas will continue to be a fantasy force for as long as Peyton Manning takes the field. Thomas will be a top ten wide receiver option for the 2014 fantasy football season. Thomas ranked first among wide receivers with 14 touchdowns during the regular season.

Alshon Jeffery exploded this season and became a household fantasy football name after posting two 200 yard receiving games this season. Jeffery finished the fantasy season fifth in the league with 1,341 receiving yards and put up seven touchdowns and 84 receptions. Jeffery’s strong hands ensure he will remain a focal point of the Bears offense regardless who is at the helm for them in 2014. Jeffery finished the season as the eighth overall fantasy receiver and will be in the WR1 mix for the 2014 season.

Brandon Marshall put up 94 receptions, 1,221 yards and 11 touchdowns this season and finished the fantasy season as the sixth overall ranked wide receiver this year. Marshall will continue to be a WR1 in fantasy despite the emergence of Alshon Jeffery.

Keenan Allen deserves a special mention here after posting one of the best rookie season for a wide receiver since AJ Green and this is with him being buried on the depth chart to open the season. Allen is truly a special talent and will be a WR2 with WR1 upside for the 2014 season. Allen became only the third rookie receiver since 2005 (Marques Colston, A.J Green) to record a 1,000 yard plus receiving season.

Tight End

Here we have the same four names going to Hawaii in Jimmy Graham the undisputed number one tight end in fantasy football.  Julius Thomas the new big thing in fantasy football who managed 60 receptions and 12 touchdowns through the fantasy season. Jordan Cameron who had his breakout season derailed by an injury to Brian Hoyer and the always trustworthy Vernon Davis who tied for second with Dez Bryant, Julius Thomas, Calvin Johnson and Demaryius Thomas with 12 touchdowns on the season. All four of these tight ends should reappear in the top five next year both on ADP and overall value at the end of the year.

Full Backs

These two selections much like the tight end position are the same ones selected to the real pro bowl with Marcel Reece and Mike Tolbert being the only two names really on our radar here. Tolbert put up five touchdowns this year and was a boom or bust weekly flex2 option in touchdown heavy standard formats while Marcel Reece managed four total touchdowns and added a 22 yard completion.

Linebackers

LaVonte David absolutely broke out this year to the tune of 137 total tackles with 101 solo’s, six sacks, five picks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and ten pass deflections making him one of the most active linebackers in stuffing the stat sheet. David finished as the number one overall linebacker in most formats.

Sean Lee is usually a consensus weekly top three play at the linebacker position when healthy and still managed to put 99 total tackles, four picks, a defensive touchdown and six pass deflections despite only playing in 11 games this season. Lee makes the Faux Bowl team because his pace would have put him around 150 total tackles with seven picks which would have made him the number one linebacker for this fantasy season.

Luke Kuechly is a marvel to watch. This high effort linebacker may not be the number one overall fantasy play at linebacker but he is a player you want on your team in the middle. Luke will run the entire field to make a tackle and never gives up on a play. Luke ended the fantasy season in third place with 146 total tackles with 88 solo’s. Luke added four picks, two sacks and seven pass deflections and remains an exciting LB1 going forward.

Navarro Bowman quietly posted 135 tackles, four sacks, one pick, three forced fumbles, eight pass deflections and a defensive touchdown recording one of his best fantasy outputs yet. Bowman cannot be ignored in fantasy drafts but should not come off the board in the top three like he did this season.

Paul Worrilow being on this list means some other players miss out but his 97 total tackles in just eight weeks is too studly to ignore. Over that eight week span he averaged an eye-popping 12.1 tackles per game. Worrilow fought his way into the LB1 conversation and while he may be relegated to the LB2 conversation in the season open rankings for next season he has proven his LB1 upside. We would like to see him get more involved with picks, sacks and deflections but when an eight game tear has you on pace for over 180 total tackles we take notice and so should you.

Karlos Dansby was one of the most dominant forces in fantasy this season racking up 109 solo tackles, 6.5 sacks, four picks, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a whopping 18 pass deflections. Dansby finished as a top three overall linebacker in most every format and will be in the LB1 conversation for next season.

Vontaze Burfict was a stud in college, went undrafted due to character concerns and a slow 40-time and has proceeded to make 31 general managers look like they are not worth their salt. Mr. Burfict as I affectionately call the Bengal led the NFL with 157 total tackles during the fantasy season with 105 of those being solo’s. Burfict tacked on three sacks, a pick, a forced fumble and eight pass deflections to go with a defensive touchdown and will be in the mix to be the first linebacker off the board in 2014 fantasy drafts. Burfict finished the regular season with 161 tackles which led the NFL.

Paul Posluszny has done it again and produced at an LB1 level. He finished second in the NFL with 152 total tackles including a league leading 115 solo tackles. Paul has now recorded 100 plus total tackles for six straight seasons and is the most trustworthy linebacker when it comes to fantasy. He added two picks, three sacks, a defensive touchdown and nine pass deflections to his already stellar tackle totals making him a top five linebacker in most scoring formats.

Kiko Alonso may have been the beneficiary of some home cooking when it came to his stats as he put up 88 tackles at home to only 57 on the road but the simple fact is he forced his way into the LB1 conversation very early in the season and never looked back. We had hoped for more than 81 solo tackles but 145 total tackles is downright impressive. Kiko will remain in the LB1 conversation for the 2014 season and beyond.

Alec Ogletree may be the biggest surprise here to most but he ended the fantasy season with a whopping 92 solo tackles in his rookie season and will be a LB1 candidate for 2014. Ogletree ranked number two overall with six forced fumbles and tied for seventh with nine pass deflections. Ogletree had a better fantasy season than James Laurinaitis and deserves recognition for that fact alone if nothing else.

Defensive Back

Alterraun Verner has been one of the best corners in all of football and was quite a fantasy force as well racking up 56 tackles, five picks, two fumble recoveries, a defensive touchdown and a league leading 22 pass deflections.

Patrick Peterson is one here more because of his involvement in this offense as well than just for his defensive stats as his 40 tackles, three picks and 15 defenses left him out of the top-25 cornerbacks in some fantasy leagues. Peterson will be a CB1 on draft day deservedly or not but we suggest passing on him in leagues that don’t differentiate between corners and safety’s as he will go too early for his production.

Richard Sherman somehow managed eight picks this season and we say somehow because we are not sure why QB’s even throw to his side of the field. Sherman is the top cornerback in the NFL and racked up 47 tackles, eight picks, a defensive touchdown and fifteen passes defended. Some offensive coordinators need to be fired.

Josh Wilson of Washington racked up an insane 85 total tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two recoveries and six pass deflections as a cornerback. Color us impressed.

Jonathan Cyprien ended the fantasy season number two in the league with 80 solo tackles to go with 17 assists, one sack, one pick, two forced fumbles and three passes defended. Every fantasy player should know his name already but in case you do not he is a surefire DB1 for the 2014 season.

Antoine Bethea racked up an insane 110 total tackles for the Colts and added a sack, a pick and a fumble recovery to his five pass deflections which made him a DB1 for the 2013 season and has been one of the most overlooked names at his position. Bethea could be a good value for 2014 if he can replicate his studly numbers.

Barry Church was the most impressive IDP player this year, from zero to hero Church exploded onto the fantasy scene with 100 solo tackles, a number most linebackers did not even reach to go with 27 assists, one pick, three forced fumbles, one recovery, six passes defended and one defensive touchdown. Church will open 2014 as the consensus top overall defensive back so we hope you all enjoyed having him on your team this year because he will be drafted before an IDP aficionado like yourself is willing to take him next year.

Eric Weddle is a fireball who always seems to be in the mix for the Chargers and racked up an impressive 101 tackles with 79 solos and also added a sack, two picks, a forced fumble, two recoveries and ten pass deflections, numbers that made him a top ten overall defensive back in most formats.

Earl Thomas balled out this year with 103 total tackles, five picks, two forced fumbles and eight pass deflections and finished the standard fantasy season as a top five overall play at the defensive back position. Thomas will be a DB1 for the 2014 season.

LaRon Landry looked to be in line for a Barry Church like year prior to his injury and still managed 81 tackles in 11 games despite not being fully recovered for at least two contests. Landry will be one of our favorite sleepers at the defensive back position for 2014 drafts.

Morgan Burnett did not live up to his draft day ADP largely due to injury but when 94 total tackles and five pass deflections in 12 games is considered a down season you bite on the floor. Burnett will be a top ten option at his position for the 2014 season.

TJ Ward racked up 104 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, two picks, a fumble recovery, two defensive touchdowns and seven pass deflections which led to a top five fantasy season at the defensive back position. Ward will be in the DB1 mix for 2014 and should be someone that can be had in the later rounds unless you play in an IDP expert league.

Harrison Smith posted seven tackles per game and was a top five per game option at the defensive back position this year. Smith added two picks and three pass deflections in six and a half games. Smith will be a top ten defensive back option for the 2014 fantasy football season.

Eric Berry went off this season with 76 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, three picks, two defensive touchdowns and ten pass deflections. Berry also made the pro bowl and will be a top ten defensive back option for the 2014 fantasy season.

Defensive End

Robert Quinn scorched the fantasy landscape with a league leading 18 sacks to go with 52 tackles, seven forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one pass deflection and a defensive touchdown. Quinn was by far the best defensive end in the league this year and will be one of the top three ends off the board in 2014 drafts.

JJ Watt took a step back this season failing to follow up his historic 2012 campaign but still posted an impressive 71 tackles, 9.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two recoveries and six pass deflections. And if that was not enough he also blocked two kicks. Watt will be a top three play for the 2014 season with only Robert Quinn giving him a run to be the top defensive end off of the board.

Chandler Jones continues to impress and racked up 75 tackles and 11.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one recovery, one blocked kick and a defensive touchdown to boot. Jones barely missed out on being the 2nd overall defensive end this year in fantasy but had more assists than JJ Watt lowering his overall fantasy point total.

Olivier Vernon was a revelation in 2013 racking up 55 tackles and 11.5 sacks and the second year pros numbers figure to be even more impressive in 2014. File his name away for your cheat sheets for next years draft.

Greg Hardy came up big during the finals and his 53 tackles and 11 sacks make him one of the top defensive ends in all of fantasy football. He did not do much in the other categories managing only one pass deflection and one pass defense but this young end is only getting better and should have more room to operate with Star Lotulelei having another year under his belt. Hardy finished third in the NFL with 15 sacks.

Muhammad Wilkerson had 62 tackles, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and three pass deflections and forms one of the most deadly 1-2 defensive line combos in football with Sheldon Richardson. Wilkerson should not be overlooked as a DL1 next season.

Lamarr Houston may not make some others lists but like mentioned before chasing sacks is an inexact science and Houston was one of the top weekly plays all year due to his tackle upside. While he finished with just five sacks he managed 62 total tackles to go with two forced fumbles and a recovery

Cameron Jordan barely made our list but his 12.5 sacks were too much to ignore when coupled with his 46 total tackles made him our selection over the 34 tackle, 13 sack year from Mario Williams who was impossible to trust week to week. Jordan added two forced fumbles, two recoveries and four pass deflections to buoy his overall fantasy numbers for the year.

Defensive Tackle

Kyle Williams went off this year for the Bills racking up an insane 65 tackles to go with his 10.5 sacks making him the most valuable defensive tackle in most formats. Williams will remain a DT1 for the 2014 season.

Sheldon Richardson racked up the tackles finishing the fantasy season with a bonkers 76 total tackles to go with his less impressive 3.5 sacks. Richardson is an elite DT play and will remain one for years to come. One loves to look at sacks for defensive lineman but projecting sacks is an inexact science on a week to week basis and Richardson’s five tackles per game made him a consistent fantasy force at his position. Richardson also rushed for two touchdowns this season.

Marcel Dareus balled out this year racking up 67 total tackles and 7.5 sacks making him one of the most valuable defensive tackle plays this year. Dareus will be a DT1 for those in leagues that separate defensive ends and defensive tackles.

Jurell Casey of the Titans racked up 10.5 sacks to go with his 55 total tackles and will be a DT1 for the 2014 season.