NFL Fantasy News 2012

[HacheMan]

Backfield intrigue

Injuries shake up RB ranks; expectations for Flacco, Rivers, Jets


By Christopher Harris | ESPN.com

Fans of this column know it's a place where I usually put my observations based on film study and try to apply it to forthcoming games. There's no actual meaningful film yet, so this week I'll hit some hot topics and a few spots where my opinions might vary from the pack.

Five in depth



1. The looming RB mess in Pittsburgh. Sorry, Pittsburgh Steelers, I'm not buying that Rashard Mendenhall is ready to be your Week 1 backfield starter. He didn't play a single preseason snap; he's eight months removed from a torn ACL; and I have a hard time believing he has taken much, if any, contact from tacklers. It does sound as if Mendy has a chance to contribute in the season's first month, but I'm as skeptical about him as I am about Adrian Peterson. Although not all ACL tears are the same, the history of such late-season procedures isn't good for next-year production. For Sunday night in Denver, let's remove Mendenhall from the equation and talk about Isaac Redman, Jonathan Dwyer and Chris Rainey.


In April, heading into our initial ESPN group ranking session, I put Redman 30th among fantasy running backs. Considering Mendy's knee was a mess, Dwyer hadn't done much because of a broken foot, and the team hadn't yet drafted Rainey, you could argue that the rank was low. After all, look at the rushing touchdowns the Steelers have produced the past three seasons:


<table><thead><tr><th> Player </th><th> 2011 </th><th> 2010 </th><th> 2009 </th></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="last"><td> Rashard Mendenhall </td><td> 9 </td><td> 13 </td><td> 7 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> Isaac Redman </td><td> 3 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> John Clay </td><td> 1 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> Ben Roethlisberger </td><td> 0 </td><td> 2 </td><td> 2 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> Dennis Dixon </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 1 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> Total </td><td> 13 </td><td> 15 </td><td> 10 </td></tr></tbody></table>



Say what you want about an offensive line that seems regularly in flux, this team likes to bang it into the end zone via the ground. Twenty-three of Mendenhall's 29 rushing TDs in that span came from inside an opponent's 5. If Redman was the inheritor of this job, why didn't I like him more?


Two reasons. First, I was never sure he was actually destined to get the starting job. Did I suspect he would battle hip and ankle injuries this summer, creating doubt about his ability to even start Week 1? Of course not. Nor did I expect Dwyer's light switch to go on, but apparently that's what happened. This preseason, while Redman was averaging 2.2 yards per carry (38 yards on 17 totes), Dwyer produced 147 yards on 28 carries (5.2 ypc). Granted, 74 of those yards came on three carries -- a 33-yarder versus the Philadelphia Eagles, a 23-yarder against the Indianapolis Colts and an 18-yarder versus the Buffalo Bills -- but it was those explosive runs from a 235-pound player that opened eyes.


Second, I'm not sure what it is about Redman's past that is supposed to convince us that he's ready to handle this job alone. No doubt he's a big dude (230 pounds), but he is significantly slower than Dwyer. If you didn't know that Dwyer came out of college having played in the triple option at Georgia Tech and needing at least a couple of years of pro seasoning, you would consider him the better potential fill-in. With Rainey around to play the old Mewelde Moore role, it's hard to see Dwyer or Redman playing many third downs.


The upshot? For the purposes of our weekly rankings, I assumed Redman would play but ranked him 32nd, and I put Dwyer 37th. There's no guarantee Redman's ankle will allow him to go, and this game against the Denver Broncos is on Sunday night. For me, Dwyer is a must add because there's a solid chance he'll start and excel against a Broncos D that, according to my metrics, was a fairly OK matchup for opposing running backs in 2011. If I could avoid starting Redman, I'd do it.


2. I Heart Joe Flacco? For as much smack as I talk about Cam Cameron as the Baltimore Ravens' offensive coordinator, I sure did rank Flacco high this week. I put him ninth on my QB list, well within starting range and at least six spots higher than my fantasy ranking compatriots did. Am I buying all these stories about how up-tempo and no-huddle the Ravens are going to get? Even if I do, do I think Flacco is the kind of guy who can make such an attack hum?


Well, no. Flacco's skills are almost prototypically opposite of a run 'n' shoot. He has a huge arm but limited mobility, and he has never appeared to be a guy who processes information at laser speeds. In the preseason, Cameron launched a pass-heavy, hurry-up attack that seemed willing to throw in the red zone, but my gut worries that, when push comes to shove, John Harbaugh will want to play it closer to the vest, especially against defenses he fears.


I'm intrigued about the possibility of a new-style Ravens attack truly taking root -- and I'll be watching the film closely to see how aggressive it stays and how it might affect Ray Rice -- but this week's ranking isn't so much about that as it is the Cincinnati Bengals' secondary. When healthy, Leon Hall is one of the NFL's best corners, but he's returning from a torn Achilles. Nate Clements was borderline awful in coverage last season, but he'll start because hyped rookie Dre Kirkpatrick had a setback recovering from his fractured knee. Given that the safeties are former busts Reggie Nelson and Taylor Mays, this looks like a potential dream matchup for Flacco to unfurl his freak flag.


It would be a change if Flacco and Cameron suddenly produced a consistently effective downfield passing attack. The Ravens quarterback was tied for third in the NFL in attempts that traveled more than 20 yards in the air last season, but he completed just 23.6 percent of those throws:


<table><thead><tr><th> Player </th><th> Att </th><th> Comp </th><th> Comp. Pct. </th></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="last"><td> Eli Manning </td><td> 96 </td><td> 35 </td><td> 36.5% </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> Cam Newton </td><td> 84 </td><td> 30 </td><td> 35.7% </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> Philip Rivers </td><td> 72 </td><td> 24 </td><td> 33.3% </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> Joe Flacco </td><td> 72 </td><td> 17 </td><td> 23.6% </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> Matthew Stafford </td><td> 65 </td><td> 24 </td><td> 36.9% </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> Drew Brees </td><td> 59 </td><td> 28 </td><td> 47.5% </td></tr><tr class="last"><td colSpan="4">(Source: Stats LLC)</td></tr></tbody></table>



The bottom line is that I anticipate the Bengals as a great matchup for Flacco because of their defensive secondary personnel, but I'm not going to be sold that a new era of Ravens downfield dominance is upon us until I see it happen more than once.


3. Who is Mark Ingram? The Heisman winner was much-ballyhooed before the 2011 draft, and his fall to the back end of the first round was a major storyline. The fact that he landed with the New Orleans Saints, who already had Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory and had just signed Darren Sproles, injected noise into the equation. There were still some folks who endorsed Ingram as an Emmitt Smith clone who would fight his way into a valued fantasy role through sheer talent. Whoops. Ingram's rookie campaign, which was shortened by a turf toe injury that cost him the season's final month, was a borderline disaster. He finished outside the top 40 fantasy running backs and averaged a meager 51.6 yards from scrimmage per game, scoring just five times.


Now we're left to sift through the rubble. There were times last season when Ingram showed the combination of power and in-the-box quickness that were his best features at Alabama. I felt that was especially so toward the end of his season (before toe surgery), but there were many other times when he didn't look like a particularly special player. He had 12 carries inside an opponent's 10 last year and scored on just one of them. By contrast, Thomas had nine such carries and scored on four. Those stats back up the anecdotal feeling I have that Ingram was inconsistent from game to game, and sometimes from run to run. Thomas is a more versatile player, and I don't think there's much question that he was the better rusher in 2011:


<table><thead><tr><th> Player </th><th> G </th><th> Att. </th><th> Yds. </th><th> YPC </th><th> Negative Runs </th><th> Gains of 10+ </th></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="last"><td> Ingram </td><td> 10 </td><td> 122 </td><td> 474 </td><td> 3.9 </td><td> 25 </td><td> 9 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td> Thomas </td><td> 16 </td><td> 110 </td><td> 562 </td><td> 5.1 </td><td> 8 </td><td> 14 </td></tr></tbody></table>



And this is to say nothing of Sproles, who led the team in rushing and managed 1,313 yards from scrimmage. Not only should Ingram continue to be trapped in a three-headed platoon but, if he really is the guy we saw last season, he could verge on bust territory.


For the moment, however, that's not who I think he is. As with the Miami Dolphins' Daniel Thomas, I'm proceeding under the assumption that Ingram's occasional rookie ineffectiveness was in large part because of lingering injuries. In admittedly limited preseason action, Ingram looked better to me -- more powerful and a more consistent punisher. Of all the skills I ascribed to him as a collegian, his short-yardage ability seemed least in question. If he lucks out and the Saints see a bunch of goal-line chances, he'll be significantly better there in 2012. Is he fast? Not particularly. Has he shown great instincts? Nope. But, entering the season, I still view him as a 10-team-league borderline flex and a deep-league starter. With better health, double-digit touchdowns are in play.


4. Looking for Jimmy Graham. You know Graham's story. He was a hoops player at the University of Miami who had barely played football, but the Saints took him in the third round of the 2010 draft, essentially redshirted him for much of his rookie season, harnessed his ridiculous athletic skills and reaped the rewards of a 99-catch, 1,310-yard season in 2011. NFL teams are finding fewer and fewer NFL-ready tight ends from a collegiate game that values the spread offense, and they are turning over rocks to find raw athletes they can sculpt into deadly weapons. (This has been going on for a long time; see: Tony Gonzalez, Marcus Pollard, Antonio Gates et al.) The past two seasons, we've seen teams draft several size/speed freaks, some of whom have played a bunch of football, some not, but not one was a major-college star. Where do they stand? Let's survey:

Jordan Cameron, Cleveland Browns. I made Cameron one of my Super-Deep Sleepers this summer, so I think a breakout is possible. The Browns shed Evan Moore, and now only aging Ben Watson is in the way of Cameron's converting his hoops skills into gold. Measurables: 6-foot-5, 245 pounds, 4.59 40.


Rob Housler, Arizona Cardinals. Housler had a nice career at Florida Atlantic but was unknown in most circles until he ran a fast time at the 2011 combine and wound up as a third-round pick. He is a talented kid who has Todd Heap ahead of him on the depth chart, and Heap doesn't usually stay healthy these days. I'm not saying Housler is likely to be a star with John Skelton winging it to him, but he can go vertical. Measurables: 6-5, 250 pounds, 4.55 40.


Julius Thomas, Denver Broncos. Thomas caught one pass in his rookie season and needed surgery to repair torn ankle ligaments, from which he has been slow to recover. With Jacob Tamme and Joel Dreessen in Denver, Thomas likely will have to wait at least another year for deep-sleeper status. Measurables: 6-5, 255 pounds, 4.68 40.


Virgil Green, Broncos. Because Thomas has those ankle problems, Green will be third on the Broncos' depth chart after he returns from a four-game PED suspension. He caught three passes in his rookie season and is buried behind Tamme and Dreessen, but I have to believe that eventually one of these Denver kids might break out. Measurables: 6-5, 252 pounds, 4.64 40.


Adrien Robinson, New York Giants. Martellus Bennett caught a touchdown on opening night, but he also showed why the Dallas Cowboys were consistently frustrated with him by running incomplete routes and complaining to officials. Giants GM Jerry Reese called Robinson the Jason Pierre-Paul of tight ends this spring. Although you might not get much out of the raw rookie this season, he could bust out big next year. Measurables: 6-5, 269 pounds, 4.51 40.


Ladarius Green, San Diego Chargers. A rookie out of Louisiana-Lafayette, Green caught 148 collegiate passes, and he can move. He needs to put on more weight, but he has some dude named Antonio Gates to learn from. Dynasty leaguers take note. Measurables: 6-6, 241 pounds, 4.53 40.


Evan Rodriguez, Chicago Bears. E-Rod is likely to be Chicago's third tight end and play special teams in his rookie campaign, but the Bears envision him as a future downfield threat and H-back. Measurables: 6-2, 239 pounds, 4.58 40.


5. Beware pronouncing the New York Jets dead. There could scarcely be less optimism among Jets fans right now. I walk around the ESPN campus, talk to my Jets-fan friends, and am beset by a combination of frustration, resignation and self-loathing. The fact that neither Mark Sanchez nor Tim Tebow led the offense to a preseason touchdown stands in for all the existential angst these folks can muster. Although I questioned the Tebow acquisition and don't have the Jets in my playoff projection, I'm leery of getting so negative about a team with this much talent.

I don't think I need to convince you that the defense is very good. Darrelle Revis cures many ills in the pass defense, and, provided nose tackle Sione Pouha gets healthy quickly, I still like the run defense fairly well. You can call the pass rush somewhat below average, but at least 15 cities would gladly swap their defense for the Jets'.


No, the drama obviously comes on offense, where never has so much blame been placed on a right tackle. Wayne Hunter had the big-time yips in pass protection last season and this summer, and the furor basically got him run out of Gotham. Otherwise, the other four members of the O-line graded out as above average -- and some well above average -- on ProFootballFocus.com.


Is Sanchez a terrible player? I won't say terrible, but he's certainly not great. His throwing accuracy is bad, as he has never managed higher than a 56.7 percent completion rate in a season, which is pretty awful for a guy who was tied for 29th in yards per attempt last season. There's no trustworthy second wideout alongside Santonio Holmes, which will lead the team to start green rookie Stephen Hill. Shonn Greene is a pedestrian running back who, according to Pro Football Focus, was tied for 50th among qualified running backs in yards after contact per attempt (2.3) last season.


But here's the thing: This is the same cast of characters who averaged nearly 24 points per game last season and exceeded 27 points seven times. Were the Jets a juggernaut? No, in fact they got their offensive coordinator, Brian Schottenheimer, fired. But were they one of the 10 worst offenses in the league? I'd argue not. Sanchez threw for 26 touchdowns (albeit with 18 interceptions), ninth most in the NFL. It was a strong red zone attack, with 21 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing touchdowns coming from inside an opponent's 20. Was it elite? No. Was it a Dumpster fire? No.


The notion that we saw the best new coordinator Tony Sparano can offer in the preseason is laughable. I'd be lying if I said I watched every snap, but, whenever I saw Tebow, he was playing the traditional quarterback role the Jets hope he never has to play this season. They're going to use him in the Wildcat. They're going to get creative with him. Would I be overly psyched to consider starting any Jets offensive player in a 10-team fantasy league? No. But do I think guys such as Holmes and Greene have big upside and value if things break right for them? I do.


Five in brief



6. Philip Rivers' blind side. I named Rivers one of my flag-planted players for 2012. He didn't play particularly well last season, but his numbers still didn't stink. However, for Monday night's game versus the Oakland Raiders, I'm skittish about Rivers and rated him 10th among quarterbacks, three spots lower than any other ESPN.com ranker. This isn't really about the Raiders' defense, which last season by my metrics was second-most friendly to opposing fantasy quarterbacks. No, I'm specifically worried about the brewing mess at left tackle. Jared Gaither is ruled out for this game because of an injured back, which means the team will go with undrafted rookie Mike Harris, a collegiate right tackle at UCLA. This might not go well. Norv Turner will help the kid wherever possible, but sometimes it isn't possible. DE/OLB Matt Shaughnessy must be licking his chops. Does anyone else remember the first time these squads played last season, a game in which Rivers was sacked six times? A primary reason he wasn't sacked at all the second time around was that, by then, the team had signed Gaither. There's not much to love about the Oakland secondary, but increased pressure on Rivers -- and the mistakes that sometimes result -- is a reason to consider the Raiders' D this week.

7. Breakout for Stevan Ridley? To my knowledge, Shane Vereen hasn't practiced in September because of a foot injury. That takes the steam out of a supposed platoon in the New England Patriots backfield, doesn't it? Danny Woodhead will get involved on third downs and in other situations, but this looks like Ridley's gig to run away with. We can't trust Bill Belichick to be consistent with his running backs, and, if Ridley fumbles Week 1, the Pats might bury him so far down on the depth chart that it'll take a miner's helmet to find him. But, if all goes well, Ridley could take a giant leap forward. As I wrote when I gave Ridley a nod as a flag player this summer, this is a bigger, more dynamic version of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, and the Law Firm got a whopping 50 carries from inside an opponent's 10 in the past two seasons combined, converting 19 of them into short touchdown runs. At some point, that many attempts in close quarters is less a matter of luck and more a matter of an offense that simply produces an inordinate number of scoring drives. Put Ridley in the mix for that kind of high-impact work and he is easily a No. 2 running back for fantasy. I ranked him No. 17 among running backs against the Tennessee Titans this week.


8. The Land of Damaged RBs, Part I. As of this writing, it wasn't official that Adrian Peterson would suit up for Week 1, but I assume it'll happen. The Minnesota Vikings' PR machine has been in full swing about his superhuman healing qualities for months, and it would be a crusher to have him sit now. I made not drafting Peterson a major pillar of my draft strategies this summer, but, if you ignored me, now you have to decide when to use him. I say not this week. All Day still hasn't taken hits to his legs in practice, and I can't figure out what incentive the Vikes have to put their $96 million running back in serious harm's way eight months after his ACL tear. If Peterson sees more than 10 touches Sunday versus the Jacksonville Jaguars, I'll be shocked. Toby Gerhart will take a large percentage of the work and, as a result, will be an acceptable No. 2 running back in what shouldn't be a super-favorable matchup, as the Jags were the sixth-toughest defense for opposing rushers to score fantasy points against last season, according to my metrics. I think we're going to have to miss a good game from Peterson before we can feel safe starting him. It stinks, but there it is.

9. The Land of Damaged RBs, Part II. Trent Richardson's dual knee surgeries this year were of a far less invasive variety than Peterson's, but the fact that T-Rich missed the entire preseason bodes poorly for early-season fantasy value. Let's first acknowledge that NFL enthusiasts tend to fall in love with new shiny objects, so, when a top running back draft pick such as Richardson arrives on the scene, we're ready to give our hearts away. But even the most optimistic Cleveland Browns fan had to acknowledge that, with a rookie quarterback (Brandon Weeden) under center and returning pretty much the same interior O-line that struggled so badly last season, Richardson's impact likely would come through sheer volume. He would be a workhorse right away, and, in a world of platoon backs, that's worth a lot. Now that scenario is as poked through with holes as T-Rich's knee. Even if they play him Sunday -- and most indications are that he'll go -- the Browns simply can't afford to give Richardson a heavy workload. We'll see Brandon Jackson and Montario Hardesty a bunch. T-Rich is barely inside my top 30 running backs for the week, and, if I could stay away from using him, I would.


10. The Land of Damaged RBs, Part III. Marshawn Lynch has told reporters he expects to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, but, as of this writing, he has been limited in practice by the same back spasms that unexpectedly cost him a midseason game last year. Lynch can say whatever he wants, but if he tries to get warm and can't stand up, he won't play. Heck, he could feel fine to start the game, take a single hit and pack it in for the afternoon. Adding to the fantasy misery, this game has a late-afternoon start time, so many of your running back alternatives likely will have begun their Week 1 action before we get definitive word on Lynch. This is one of those cases when you might just have to roll with Lynch, making sure you have Robert Turbin on the off chance that King Skittles winds up inactive. Then again, given a choice between starting Turbin or, say, Ronnie Brown, who is likely to go Monday night in place of Ryan Mathews, I might just try Brown. If Lynch is active, however, you drafted him high enough that you probably should take your lumps and play him.

 

[HacheMan]

Love the game, hate 'that guy'

By Matthew Berry | ESPN.com

Game Day.

Finally here, kids. Merry Chistmakah. Not sure why opening kickoff to the NFL season isn't a national holiday, but it should be. Could we at least get a stamp? Maybe we vote on one? Like between fat Rex Ryan and skinny Rex Ryan? Props if you get the reference.


Among the reasons for the excitement, of course, is that the start of the NFL season is also the start of the fantasy football season. And if my Twitter and Facebook> accounts are any indication, more people than ever before are playing fantasy this year. Which is, you know, awesome.


But as in any new situation, people playing for the first time may not know all the rules of etiquette. That's where I come in. Whether you are a newbie or a longtime player, it never hurts to get a refresher course. So as you enter into this fantasy football season, I wish you luck with your sleepers. I pray your players avoid injury. But mostly, I desperately hope you're not ... "that guy."


"That guy" shows up to your draft with an out-of-date magazine. And then wants a do-over when he finds out the guy he just drafted is out for the year. Or worse, tries to bum your cheat sheet. Get your own sleepers, hoss.


Or "that guy" shows up with 10 magazines and tons of printouts. And then has the clock run out when he can't figure out which guy he wants.


Or "that guy" says to the clueless guy drafting right before you, "Oh, you need a tight end? Take Jared Cook. Matthew needs a tight end, so he'll probably pick him next unless you get him." Worry about your own team and don't mention players that haven't been drafted, OK?


"That guy" pretends to draft T.J. Houshmandzadeh, mangles his name and then says "Championship." It was funny six years ago, dude.


"That guy" talks all sorts of smack at the draft about how bad everyone else's picks are. And has never won. Or he talks about how loaded his team is. In the third round. Or has a critique after every pick. If I wanted play-by-play, I'd have brought Mike Tirico. Settle down, sailor.

"That guy" has a terrible team name. I'm all for adult humor as long as it's clever, but if it would make an 8-year-old laugh, it's not only hacky, its lazy and unoriginal. I'm talking to you, people who named a team after Isaiah Pead.


"That guy" makes terrible trade offers. No, I do not want to trade my second-round pick, Jamaal Charles, for your 10th-rounder, Tony Gonzalez. That is an actual trade offer I got this week. If you wouldn't do it in reverse, don't offer it.


"That guy" won't respond to trade emails. Hey, you don't want to do the deal, fine, just say a quick "no thanks." Are you in this league or not? Oh, you are? Then you respond to an inquiry like a civilized human being.


"That guy," however, won't take no for an answer. If you do get a response of "no," you're allowed to send a follow-up email saying, "Well, is there anything you'd consider for so-and-so?" But after that? Walk away, brother. The only person who likes begging less than a woman is a fantasy league owner.


"That guy" takes the full time on his draft pick. With the very first pick. Or the last kicker pick.


"That guy" cheers for injuries of players. It's a violent game and injuries provide opportunity for other fantasy players, but come on. It's a human being and their health, livelihood, and family's livelihood is at stake.


By that same token, "that guy" is the sort of person who took to Twitter last year to yell at Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster or Jamaal Charles about how they are ruining his fantasy team, which happened a lot to all three men. In fact, "that guy" is anyone who directs anger at someone on Twitter or Facebook about fantasy football. It's a game played with an oblong-shaped leather ball. Stuff happens and it's a game we play for fun. Calm the hell down.


"That guy" doesn't pay attention during the draft, calls out guys who have already been taken, and is late meeting any league requirements. If you can't follow through, don't play. And if you can, don't make me chase you down. Seriously.


"That guy" is a sexist. Won't let a woman in his league or thinks it's the end of the world when he loses to a woman. Some of the smartest sports people I know and best fantasy players I've seen are women. And I've yet to meet one who was "that guy," which is why this column isn't asking you not to be "that person." Everyone plays. Get used to it and get better.


Having said that, don't be "that guy" who brings his non-playing girlfriend or wife to the draft. If you're not in the league, you're not invited.


"That guy" brags about his auto-picked team. Or worse, complains about it. Hey, you can't make the draft, that's on you. Or how about "that guy" who has known about the draft for weeks and then just doesn't show up, with no warning, and doesn't answer calls or texts?


"That guy" gets mad at you for drafting "his" player. Yeah, you're right. No one else wanted Doug Martin this year. Just you. Or worse, brags weeks into the season about his "sleeper" panning out. Yep, dude, no one else saw a big year coming from Brandon Marshall.


"That guy" needs to tell you about his team. Look, I'm paid to care about your team. Tell me. Everyone else? They care about your team as much as you care about theirs. Your fantasy team is the new golfing story or vacation pictures.


"That guy" is a rankings slave. I do rankings for a living and I'm the first to admit it's a loose guideline to help with market evaluation. Think for yourself. And if you can't, then why are you even playing?


"That guy" vetoes a trade because it doesn't involve him or her. Hate the veto guy. Win on the virtual field, not in legal loopholes. Trade negotiation is part of fantasy skill. As long as both trade partners think they are improving their team, the trade should stand. Doesn't matter if you don't agree. Not your team, genius. You're not the judge. Unless there is collusion, no trade should ever be overturned.


"That guy" says words like "never" or "no way that will happen." The kind of guy who probably said last year, "What are you doing taking Cam Newton? Rookie quarterbacks never pan out."

"That guy" complains about what would have been. "If only I'd started (a scrub who went off) instead of (a star who underperformed), I'd have won!" Yeah, but you didn't, did you? Because no one in their right mind would have started said scrub over said star. It happens. Get over it.


"That guy" is an Internet tough guy. If you wouldn't say it in real life, don't say it behind a screen name. And unless it's lifelong friends, keep the smack about the team and keep the personal insults to yourself. And if you dish it out, you better be able to take it. Often the biggest whiner is the guy who sends out the most.

"That guy" loses interest after his team falls out of it, doesn't set players during a bye or replace injured players. You made a commitment. Even if the league doesn't matter to you, it matters to us, so try your best or don't play at all.


"That guy" abuses the waiver wire, picking up players and immediately waiving them, and does this over and over to try to pollute the pool and make it so people can't grab free agents. That's not strategy, that means you have no life. Again, win on the field, not in some sort of technology loophole. (Don't bother trying it in an ESPN.com league, either. We have safeguards against those kinds of shenanigans.)


But mostly, "that guy" ruins your enjoyment of the greatest game ever invented. Don't be "that guy."

What did I miss? When I talked about "that guy" last year, a lot of you had some great comments to make about it, so have at it. What drives you crazy in a league when "that guy" is in it? While you answer that, we meander slowly to the first Love/Hate of the year. Get used to the meandering slowly through the column before we get to the fantasy info. Also, understand that this is not a pure start/sit column. Want to know whom to start and whom to sit? Read my ranks, updated throughout the week, and find the two players you are wondering about. Whomever I have ranked higher is whom I would start.


This column is basically a rankings reaction or explanation of players who I am higher or lower on than my fellow ESPN rankers. Use your brain. Just because Wes Welker (ranked 18th by me this week) is a "hate" and Nate Washington (ranked No. 22) is a "Love" doesn't mean I would start Nate over Wes. No, I have Wes ranked higher than Nate, so that is whom I would start. But my rank for Nate is much higher than others have him ranked, and my rank for Wes is lower than others' ranks, so that's why they make the cut; you'll read my explanation about why below.

Finally, just a reminder that "Fantasy Football Now," our Emmy-award winning fantasy show, expands to two hours this year. Every Sunday morning, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET, on ESPN2 and WatchESPN. Tune in before kickoff!


And away we go.


Quarterbacks I love



Matthew Stafford, Lions: A super-obvious name, I'm including him here just because I have a cool stat that I want to show off. What? Hey! Simmer down, there. You got a choice. Either I get to show off my nerdy stat or it's more self-involved stories about me ... that's what I thought.


The nerdy stat: Last year, Matthew Stafford faced four or fewer pass-rushers on 75.4 percent of his drop backs, second-highest in the NFL. Only Aaron Rodgers (plus-25) had a better touchdown-to-interception differential than Stafford (plus-24) against such rushes.


Not bad, right? But then check this: From 2008 to 2010, coach Jeff Fisher's Titans rushed four or fewer pass-rushers on 76.3 percent of plays, the second-highest rate over that span.


Booyah! That's right. Just took 118 words to tell you that Matthew Stafford is good and you want to start him against the Rams. Who says I'm all substance? What? No one says that? Ah. Very well then. Let's get to fantasy kryptonite, post-haste.


Michael Vick, Eagles: We all have him at seven, but he's here for this simple reason: I've gotten a lot of questions about Vick's hands, ribs, lack of preseason practice, the Browns' second-best pass defense last year, blah blah blah ... do we start Vick in Week 1? It's really simple. If you own Vick, you're a believer. You bought in, so no backing out now. This is the kind of matchup you want. The Browns' No. 2 pass defense last year was a joke; it's only because teams ran all over them. If you own him, you're starting Vick.


Jay Cutler, Bears Show-offy nerd stat alert: Jay Cutler was sacked or under duress (forced to move or alter a throw due to pressure) on 34.2 percent of his drop-backs last season, the second-highest rate in the NFL. (Tim Tebow had more. Of course he did.) But! Cutler completed 47.8 percent of his passes under duress, the fourth-best rate in the NFL. With Brandon Marshall in town, I'm feeling that Cutler wants to take his new toy for a spin, and who better to do it against the Colts, who were tied for allowing the sixth-most pass plays of 20-plus yards last season and were last in interceptions, which is always Cutler's bugaboo. Did I drop a "bugaboo" three players in? You're damn right I did. It's Week 1! All bets are off!

Russell Wilson, Seahawks: Last year, a rookie quarterback started in Week 1 against the Cardinals and that worked out pretty well. I like what I've seen of Wilson so far in the preseason, and with Marshawn Lynch less than 100 percent, the Seahawks will need to throw. With a rookie back there, the Cards may bring more pressure, but I'm OK with that. Wilson is mobile, and the ability to get rushing yards will help. Only five teams had fewer interceptions last year than the Cardinals.


If you're desperate (in a deeper league, start two quarterbacks, are scrambling for a replacement for whatever reason): I realize Carson Palmer has struggled this preseason, but Palmer's turnover issues come from when he gets pressure. When the Chargers brought pressure last year, they allowed the highest QBR of any opposing quarterback. And in five career starts versus San Diego, Palmer has 13 scores, just three picks and over 1,700 passing yards. ... Also, Sam Bradford has looked good this preseason, and do you think a game with Detroit might turn into a shootout? Me too.



Quarterbacks I Hate




Peyton Manning, Broncos: It's the first game in over a year for Peyton, there's still gonna be some rust, and while the Steelers won't have Ryan Clark, they still had the No. 1 passing defense and No. 1 scoring defense last year. And what the hell, let's get our nerd on and go Next Level here: The Steelers rushed five or more at the fifth-highest rate in 2011 (41.3 percent). Prior to his injury (2010), Manning's Total QBR against such pressure ranked just 15th.


Joe Flacco, Ravens: Yes, I like Torrey Smith here, but otherwise, this game is all Mr. Ray Rice. Last year, Flacco averaged just 12 fantasy points a game against the Bengals, and while the Ravens were all high-flying in the preseason, they were in last year's preseason too. Against the Bengals' top-10 pass defense from last season (even one that's banged up), Flacco is no better than "QB2" this week.



Running backs I love




Matt Forte, Bears: I'm in a league where you can start any player you want, but you can use him only once a season. This week, one of my running backs is Matt Forte. Say it with me, kids: We believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of running backs facing the Colts.


DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers: Only if Jonathan Stewart doesn't play. He's missed two straight days of practice as of this writing.


Doug Martin, Buccaneers: Rookie running back, new offense playing a different-looking defense with some new players and guys back from injury ... no idea what's going to go down here. So this is a total gut call. I just like Doug Martin, OK? How much? More than you, OK? There. You forced me to say it. It's not that you're not special, you are, but yes, since you must know, I like him more. There. You happy? (And thus concludes the portion of today's column where I treat my readers like my crazy jealous high school girlfriend).


Isaac Redman or Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Steelers: I'm not believing any of this Rashard Mendenhall talk for Week 1, and whoever gets the start here, I like. Feel it will be Redman, but if his hip sidelines him, go Dwyer. I'm guessing Pittsburgh will want to control the clock on the road and keep Manning on the sideline, especially with Mike Wallace still getting back up to speed. The Broncos allowed more than 126 rushing yards a game last season, and as our Scouts Inc. team notes, "Maybe the biggest weakness of the Denver defense is its interior triangle, and D.J. Williams (suspension) will not be eligible for this contest."


Kevin Smith, Lions: Not hurt yet! And pssst -- he'll get the majority of work against a team that gave up 152 yards per game on the ground last season.


Ronnie Brown, Chargers: Do I have to love every player? Can't I just admit it's last call at the fantasy nightclub and that, after drinking all night and looking around at my options, decide that if I squint my eyes, I can sorta, maybe, kinda talk myself into liking Ronnie Brown until the next morning? I can? Because they don't all have to be beauty queens, kids. Or kings. You ladies out there know what I am talking about. Are you doing the walk of shame on Tuesday morning after using Ronnie Brown? Yes. But the fact remains that I think there's no way the Chargers will risk Ryan Mathews in this game. Brown will get the majority of work, and last season, Oakland's 27th-ranked run defense allowed 24 rushes to go for 20 yards, second-most in the NFL. Hmm. Wonder if all the nerdy stats I'm dropping is also why I'm looking at 1:45 a.m.?


Michael Bush, Bears: See Forte, Matt. Gonna be enough work for Bush as a flex option in Tice's offense.


If you're desperate: Playing a Redskins running back is the truest definition of desperate (so you're not allowed to complain when it doesn't work out; you know what you're getting into here) -- but if you feel like rolling the dice on one, Evan Royster should get a lot of work as the Redskins will want to go ball control on the road to take pressure off Robert Griffin III and take the Saints' offense off the field. ... It's supposed to pour Wednesday night in East Rutherford, N.J., so I could see more running than usual, and the Giants' David Wilson looked good during the preseason, son. Real good.



Running backs I hate




Trent Richardson, Browns: I just don't know how much work he's going to get and I expect the Browns to be down quickly in this game. Just too many question marks for me to trust starting him this week.

Reggie Bush, Dolphins: Pretty sure the Texans and their fourth-ranked run defense from last season are looking at Miami and Reggie and saying, yeah, we'll take our chances with Ryan Tannehill beating us. But we're shutting down this guy. And shut him down they will.


Steven Ridley, Patriots: Only five teams in the NFL allowed fewer rushing touchdowns last season than the Titans. But here's the thing. It's not that Ridley couldn't do well here. Of course he could. Anyone on the Patriots can go off any week. It's just trying to figure out which week that'll happen, especially with their run game, that's the pain. It's the inconsistency, not the talent, that is the bugaboo here. You're damn right I went double bugaboo out of the gate. I'm playing for keeps, homeys. Homeys. That's right, I'm also taking us back to 1991. Anyway, if we know Shane Vereen is definitely out this week, I'll move Ridley up in my ranks, but right now I have him as a flex play, not as a top-20 starter the way two of my fellow rankers do.


Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars and Adrian Peterson, Vikings: Don't get cute. Not until we see it and know what we are dealing with in terms of playing time (MJD) and health (AP). Don't. Get. Cute.



Wide receivers I love




Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings: Don't say I don't put my money where my mouth is. If you read or heard me at all during the preseason, you probably heard one of my favorite stats I found: Once Christian Ponder took over, Harvin led NFL wide receivers in offensive touches with 100. Second-highest was Wes Welker ... with 76. And with Adrian Peterson banged up, I expect more of the same. I expect them to line Harvin up all over the field trying to find different ways to get him the ball, including in the slot.


Which brings us to this nerdy stat: The Jaguars allowed opposing quarterbacks a 68.8 completion percentage when QBs targeted slot receivers last year, the fourth-worst rate in the NFL. Jacksonville's 5.7 yards after catch per reception by slot receivers ranked seventh-worst in the league last season, while Harvin's 5.7 yards after catch per reception when lined up in the slot ranked seventh-best among 31 receivers with at least 30 targets in the slot. Bonus nerd stat: Harvin was also the only receiver of the 31 with at least 30 slot targets without a drop when lined up in the slot.


Brandon Marshall, Bears: Well, let's see ... I already like Cutler, Forte and Bush a lot in this matchup ...


Dez Bryant, Cowboys: Five total touchdowns in four career games against the Giants, and I don't want to brag or anything, but I'm pretty sure I'm starting in the secondary for New York tonight. At least, it'll look like I am.


Torrey Smith, Ravens: More stuff from the preseason. When I wasn't talking about Harvin or Brandon Marshall, I was usually discussing Torrey Smith. I get it, you may not have been able to hear me over all the slobber, but trust me, it was Torrey Smith I was getting all passionate about. And usually when I talked about Smith, I discussed his improved route running and Flacco's tendency to throw to him deep. Like, this is a typical stat I'd mention, from the wacky kids over at ESPN Stats & Information, who like to get all Next Level on you: Joe Flacco attempted a career-high 70 passes of more than 20 air yards last season, but also completed a career-low 24.3 percent of such throws. Torrey Smith was the targeted receiver on 32 of those attempts, the most by Flacco to any one receiver in a single season.


Historically, Flacco has been much better on deep balls, and I expect him to land a lot more this year on roughly the same number of deep targets to Smith. Meanwhile, last time the Ravens hosted the Bengals, Smith had six for 165 and a score. Yee-haw, Torrey Smith. Yee-damn-haw.


Eric Decker, Broncos: Another gut call, but remember how Demaryius Thomas burned Ike Taylor last year for the fightin' Tebows, er, Broncos to upset the Steelers in overtime? Well, I bet Ike Taylor does, too. And I'm guessing he'll desperately want Thomas, not Decker, in this matchup. Already think Decker will be Manning's favorite target; this just helps the cause.


Nate Washington, Titans: No one realizes this, but Nate Washington had 1,000-plus yards and seven scores last year. He was Jake Locker's favorite target when Locker played; once again, there is no Kenny Britt in this game; and you think the Titans might need to score some points in this game? Yeah, me too. I don't expect the Patriots' secondary to be as bad as last season, when they gave up almost 300 passing yards a game, but I don't expect them to be lights-out in Week 1 either. I have Nate at 22 this week, all the other rankers have him in the 30s.


If you're desperate: You never like going to Revis Island, but if you have to, Steve Johnson is probably the guy to do it with. Three for 84 and eight for 75 and a score when he faced Darrelle Revis last season; Johnson is a tough matchup for Revis. ... In 14 career games against the Packers, Randy Moss has 13 touchdowns. We've talked about this on the podcast. Nate and I have a sneaky suspicion that the Niners have been playing possum with Moss in the preseason. And if they have been, this is as good a place as any to unleash him. ... Trendy Preseason Sleeper Last Season Danny Amendola (his full legal name) has consistently been Bradford's No. 1 target this preseason, and the Rams are gonna need to throw against the Lions. ... As much as I like Nate Washington, I also like Kendall Wright and could see him doing well in a game where Tennessee needs to throw.



Wide receivers I hate

Wes Welker, Patriots: I probably shouldn't even list him here. If you have Welker, you're starting him, OK? But, as I mentioned earlier, he's here because everyone else has him as a top-10 play and I have him at 18, so this is more to explain his ranking than anything. Let's get to another nerdy stat: In 2011, the Titans' defense also allowed an average of 3.0 yards after catch per reception by a wide receiver, the least of any NFL defense. Feel Welker will continue to be a great PPR play, but don't see a lot of yards-after-the-catch stuff from him, and anything deep is going to Lloyd or Hernandez. Could see a six-for-67 yards kind of day for Wes.


Mike Wallace, Steelers: Given the Steelers' offensive line issues, expect the Broncos to bring pressure, which means short outlet passes to Antonio Brown, not deep shots to Mike Wallace. Especially given Wallace reporting late and his lack of familiarity with Todd Haley's offense, I just don't love this matchup for Wallace.


Robert Meachem, Chargers: Among my favorite stats that I never got to use that much in the preseason was this one: Last year, Robert Meachem had two red zone targets. Two. Think about that: The Saints had 94 red zone targets last season. They threw for over 5,300 yards, had 46 touchdowns, and Robert Meachem had two red zone targets. Among other Saints with two red zone targets? Jed Collins and John Gilmore. Yes, they spread it around, yes, there's a lot of talent on the Saints, but you're telling me if Meachem was open he wasn't getting the ball thrown his way? At least more than twice? Maybe Drew Brees hated him. Maybe there were just too many hands and only the one ball. Or maybe, just maybe, Robert Meachem isn't very good. Which gets my vote until proven otherwise.


Demaryius Thomas, Broncos: See Decker, Eric. Think Ike Taylor is all over DT and gets his revenge.



Tight ends I love




Aaron Hernandez, Patriots: Time for another ... nerdy stat! The Titans' defense allowed 52 completions to tight ends inside the numbers last season, tied for sixth-most in the NFL, despite facing only one of the top four tight ends in that metric last season (Jimmy Graham). Aaron Hernandez (61 catches) and Rob Gronkowski (57) finished second and third, respectively, in receptions inside the numbers among tight ends. Read it now, believe it later, kids. Gronk is and will be a stud, but the year of Aaron Hernandez starts now.


Greg Olsen, Panthers: Have him as a top-10 guy this week, and as my No. 11 guy for the year based, in part, on this stat: Last year, only four quarterbacks attempted more passes to a tight end than Cam Newton. With no Jeremy Shockey, and the jury is still out on the Buccaneers' linebackers ... me likey.


Jared Cook, Titans: I may have mentioned before that the Titans need to throw in this game.


If you're desperate: Dustin Keller had 120-plus yards and two scores in two games last year against the Bills, who allowed the most fantasy points to opposing tight ends last season. ... Speaking of points allowed to opposing tight ends, the Bears and their Cover 2 allowed the sixth-most last year, and in Andrew Luck's first start, I could see Coby Fleener getting some extra love. ... Martellus Bennett seems super-motivated, especially against his former team. I could easily see Eli Manning trying to get Bennett a score against the Cowboys. ... The Dolphins are going to have to throw it to somebody. Why not Anthony Fasano?


Tight end I hate



Jacob Tamme, Broncos: In case you missed it, I'm down on the Broncos this week.



Defense/Special teams I love

Seattle Seahawks: I have them at No. 3 this week. And I'm tied for the lowest on them. All aboard, kids. The bandwagon is leaving the station.


Minnesota Vikings: Spoiler alert: With my first-round pick of the Grantland.com Bad Quarterback League, I took Blaine Gabbert. A not-horrific preseason and the addition of Justin Blackmon and Laurent Robinson do not a stud quarterback make. He'll be better, but it'll take time, and given the Vikings' ability to bring pressure (led the NFL in sacks last year) and the Jags' ability to take a sack (tied for seventh-most allowed last year), and very limited Maurice Jones-Drew? I like the Vikings at home if you don't have one of the normal stud defenses.


Buffalo Bills: Much-improved defensive line, same old Mark Sanchez.


If you're desperate: San Diego Chargers D/ST may be worth a look as Carson Palmer is still adjusting to Greg Knapp's new offense, and with limited time (read: none) in the preseason with his wideouts, I could see a pick. Or three.



Defense/Special teams I hate




San Francisco 49ers: On the road against the Packers, my guess is if you own them, you're thinking about benching them. Which I get. I'd do it too, if I owned them in any league. But you also probably spent an eighth-round pick on them, according to our average draft results, bypassing guys like Torrey Smith, Jason Witten, Cedric Benson and RG3. Which is why you don't draft a defense early. You're already gonna bench them. San Fran's defense averaged 14 fantasy points a game at home last year and just seven a game on the road.


And there you have it. Week 1's Love/Hate officially in the book. Good luck this season. Hope you win, but more importantly, hope you're not "that guy."

 

[HacheMan]

Flex rankings: Let the games begin!

Eric Karabell

Welcome to the first fantasy flex rankings of the 2012 NFL season! If you're a regular reader of this blog, you know what this list is all about. If you're new, welcome, and here's the deal: We combine the top running backs, wide receiver and tight ends -- they are eligible for your flex position in ESPN standard leagues this season! -- into one tidy list to help you compare players across positions. By no means should this decide your actual lineups, but like all the information available to you on ESPN.com, use it as a guide.




In general, the staff rankings, of which you can sort individually by expert, and these rankings should answer most of the questions you're wondering about, and you also can ask us in chats or on Twitter (I am @karabellespn). So take a look, and hopefully we save you time! By the way, I'm scheduled to chat every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET. Here is today's link.


<offer>Good luck in Week 1!</offer>
<offer></offer>
<offer>1. Arian Foster, RB, Texans: Still the best, but secure his backup for future weeks, if you can.
2. LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles
3. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens
4. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: Yep, he's going to bounce back nicely. The only concern this week, and it's a mild one, is that it could be a shootout, with the quarterbacks doing most of the work.
5. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders: Concerns about his health are basically for every week after this one.
6. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
7. Matt Forte, RB, Bears
8. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals: I have to admit I like him better with John Skelton at quarterback, but it really wouldn't have mattered much.
9. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: Like McFadden, it's after this week when durability factors in.
10. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams
11. DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys: If you're reading this Thursday, just remove all the Cowboys and Giants who played Wednesday.
12. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
13. Victor Cruz, WR, Giants
14. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs: As long as he gets double-digit carries, he can make a lot happen.
15. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers: Not too worried about a crowded backfield. He's still the leading man.
16. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: I think we'll find that reports of his falling off the proverbial cliff this year were premature.
17. Brandon Marshall, WR, Bears: Nice matchup, but he'll be ranked well every week.
18. Reggie Bush, RB, Dolphins
19. Roddy White, WR, Falcons: Bargain!
20. Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys
21. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants
22. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots: I'm not particularly concerned about his falling short of 100 receptions.
23. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants
24. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks: Has tortured fantasy owners in the past on game day, so be prepared in case he does not suit up.
25. Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers
26. Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints
27. Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers: I'm not saying the Bucs win half their games, but I could see this team vastly improved offensively.
28. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
29. A.J. Green, WR, Bengals
30. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers: Gets this high a ranking because his time-share partner is dealing with a sprained ankle and might not play.
31. Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings: Is going to have a big season and should be active regardless of weekly matchups.
32. Fred Jackson, RB, Bills
33. Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers: It's not surprising he's ranked ahead of his colleague, but in Week 2 that likely will change.
34. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers: Not the best matchup for the Packers offense.
35. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: He totaled five fantasy points in two games against the lowly Buccaneers last year, though that really has little bearing on this rank.
36. Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers
37. Trent Richardson, RB, Browns: Expect him to play, but be prepared in case he doesn't.
38. Marques Colston, WR, Saints
39. Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers: He's a terrific player and really shouldn't be discounted much this first week. He's ready to play.
40. Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots: He inherits starting duties from the next fellow, and I like him better.
41. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Bengals
42. Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens: Breakout season ahead, and this is a secondary he can do damage against.
43. Brandon Lloyd, WR, Patriots: Hey, if you think he's going to lead all wide receivers in fantasy scoring again, go for it. In 2010, he didn't have Welker and Gronk as teammates.
44. Rashad Jennings, RB, Jaguars: Being overrated a bit, and I bet it's more of a time share this week than anyone expects.
45. Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys
46. Toby Gerhart, RB, Vikings: Move him up into nice starting flex range if his more famous colleague sits.
47. Eric Decker, WR, Broncos
48. Shonn Greene, RB, Jets: Finally, a Jet! Don't even look at the preseason numbers; Greene will get his numbers.
49. Steve Johnson, WR, Bills
50. Darren Sproles, RB, Saints: A little banged up with a knee issue.
51. Kevin Smith, RB, Lions: Always a little banged up with some issue. Do yourself a favor and get Mikel Leshoure before Week 3.
52. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles
53. Donald Brown, RB, Colts
54. Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets
55. Cedric Benson, RB, Packers: A starting running back who few seem to relish.
56. Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals: A starting running back who makes it difficult to relish.
57. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
</offer><offer>58. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts: Has a legit quarterback again, and he probably has more left in the tank than it appears.
59. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles: It's presumed that he's motivated, so hopefully that doesn't change. He's capable of big things again.
60. Willis McGahee, RB, Broncos
61. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos: If you can get him at a discount because people think Decker is preferred, go for it.
62. Peyton Hillis, RB, Chiefs
63. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs
64. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars: By next week, he'll be back in the top 10. Seriously.
65. Robert Meachem, WR, Chargers
66. Nate Washington, WR, Titans: A pretty good week to have him active, before Kenny Britt is playing.
67. Pierre Garcon, WR, Redskins
68. Ronnie Brown, RB, Chargers: Earns this rank on volume of touches, not ability.
69. Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers
70. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers
71. Kendall Wright, WR, Titans: His season value is dependent on Britt as well.
72. C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills: Could be a really good player if given the touches.
73. Isaac Redman, RB, Steelers: Messy situation in this backfield, especially if Rashard Mendenhall plays.
74. Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers
75. Denarius Moore, WR, Raiders
76. Aaron Hernandez, TE, Patriots: What if he's the Patriots tight end who reaches double digits in touchdowns this year?
77. Lance Moore, WR, Saints: Pretty good touchdown guy himself.
78. Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints
79. Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens
80. Ben Tate, RB, Texans: If they're up a few scores at halftime, he'll get more looks afterward.
81. Fred Davis, TE, Redskins
82. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons: Ageless.
83. Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers: Certainly some potential for a shootout, but this rank doesn't speak to his helping much in that regard.
84. Michael Bush, RB, Bears
85. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers: Probably not going to play, but if the news is good Sunday morning, he should matter.
86. Justin Blackmon, WR, Jaguars: This passing offense has to improve, right?
87. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: The biggest wild card of the week, but be careful here.
88. Greg Little, WR, Browns
89. Mark Ingram, RB, Saints
90. Titus Young, WR, Lions: Time for this sleeper to put up big numbers.
91. Roy Helu, RB, Redskins: When anyone figures out what Mike Shanahan will do with his backfield, please let the rest of us know.
92. David Wilson, RB, Giants
93. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Raiders
94. Danny Amendola, WR, Rams: Move him way up in PPR formats.
95. Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys
96. Jared Cook, TE, Titans
97. Sidney Rice, WR, Seahawks
98. Davone Bess, WR, Dolphins
99. Evan Royster, RB, Redskins
100. Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers
Others to watch, in order: Daniel Thomas, RB, Dolphins; Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions; Brandon LaFell, WR, Panthers; Shane Vereen, RB, Patriots; LeGarrette Blount, RB, Buccaneers; Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Steelers; Ryan Williams, RB, Cardinals; Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Falcons; Alshon Jeffery, WR, Bears; Mario Manningham, WR, 49ers.
</offer>

 

[HacheMan]

Matchups: Steelers - Broncos
Pittsburgh @ Denver



I don't expect Rashard Mendenhall (knee) to play despite Mike Tomlin's early-week optimism, but I wouldn't invest in Pittsburgh's backfield Sunday night regardless. Isaac Redman is a poor man's Tim Hightower now trying to play through groin, ankle and hip injuries. Passing-down work will be divvied up amongst Redman, Baron Batch, and rookie scatback Chris Rainey. Early downs figure to be shared by Redman and Jonathan Dwyer. Fantasy owners love to complain about Redskins running backs, but this backfield is arguably more muddled and will become more so once Mendenhall returns. Although he's merely a low-end flex option, my pick would be Dwyer if you're desperate to start a Steelers back in this game. I wouldn't be surprised if Redman owners end up dropping him in a week or two. ... Heath Miller started three preseason games in Todd Haley's new offense and was targeted twice, securing both for 15 yards. Haley has overseen five offenses in his coaching career, and the best line produced by a tight end during that span was Tony Moeaki's 47/556/3 in 2010. Moeaki finished as the No. 20 fantasy tight end. I'm not optimistic about Miller this season.



If the Broncos defend Mike Wallace as they did in January's playoffs, he will match up early and often with shutdown CB Champ Bailey. Wallace found the end zone in that game on a fluky one-yard rushing score, but was limited to three catches for 26 yards on a whopping 10 targets. If you want to wait a week to start Wallace after his month-long holdout, now is the time. ... Antonio Brown outproduced Wallace down last season's stretch because he saw friendlier coverage looks, got open more regularly due to superior versatility, and is plenty talented in his own right. Having already mastered Haley's system -- 11 preseason grabs for 204 yards and three TDs -- Brown is the heavy favorite to lead Pittsburgh in receiving Sunday night. I think he's a borderline WR1. ... Ben Roethlisberger was picked as a QB2 in most fantasy drafts and is best viewed in that same light for Week 1. I think he offers more upside than meets the eye over the course of the season, though, particularly if Haley opens things up. Big Ben can be as productive as the playcalling lets him be. ... Emmanuel Sanders would require a Wallace or Brown injury to become a consistent fantasy producer, but he's another factor working in Roethlisberger's fantasy favor. Sanders, in fact, led the Steelers with 81 yards on six catches in the aforementioned playoff game at Denver.



I should have gotten this out of the way before: I think the Steelers will go to Mile High and whip the Broncos in prime time. Pittsburgh will control this game offensively and defensively. Denver lacks up-front protection to repel LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons and James Harrison's rush, and nobody runs on a Dick LeBeau defense. A low-scoring projection for Denver's offense can be used effectively as a tiebreaker for fantasy football lineup decisions. ... Willis McGahee has faced the Steelers' 3-4 four times over the past two seasons and managed a pathetic 111 yards with one touchdown on 44 carries (2.52 YPC). I will like McGahee when he plays the San Diego and Oaklands of the AFC West. I'm not starting him against a defense that will eliminate him.



I'm not starting Peyton Manning, either. His final ADP was QB9, suggesting most fantasy owners view him as a back-end QB1. Back-end QB1s are generally bench material versus elite defenses, and that's precisely what Manning will face on Sunday night. I want to see a 36-year-old coming off four neck surgeries play well in a tough matchup before I declare him start-worthy in tough matchups. ... Eric Decker is Denver's top fantasy bet after showing the best preseason chemistry with Manning among Broncos pass catchers. ... Manning attempted 42 passes in August. His target distribution: Decker 7, Lance Ball 7, Demaryius Thomas 7, Brandon Stokley 7, Jacob Tamme 7, Joel Dreessen 6, McGahee 1. ... Ball's heavy first-team involvement is a reminder that he's well out in front of rookie Ronnie Hillman in the battle for snaps behind McGahee. Hillman is also behind Knowshon Moreno. ... I'm a huge believer in Thomas' big-play ability. He is a beast after the catch. I don't think he'll start as fast as Decker, but I'd play Thomas confidently as a WR2/3. ... Stokley and Dreessen's August targets suggest Tamme may have to share the right to be Manning's third passing-game option, behind Thomas and Decker. I wouldn't feel good about Tamme as a TE1 beyond perhaps PPR leagues.



Score Prediction: Steelers 24, Broncos 13

 

[HacheMan]

Head Games Austin Collie is a tougher man than me.

If I had sustained three concussions in roughly two seasons, you can be sure the fourth one would put me down for awhile -- perhaps even cause me to hang up the cleats. Especially when one of those concussions (Nov. 7, 2010 vs. Eagles) left me motionless and unconscious. At the very least, I’d be wary of going over the middle.

So when Collie sustained his fourth concussion in 22 months on Aug. 19, logic followed that he’d be out weeks, months or the season. But Collie and the Colts seemingly had other ideas.

“It's part of the game,” he said Thursday. “That's the sacrifice I think we all knew we were going to make coming into the NFL. When we do get older, there are going to be some aches and some pains.”

Collie stunningly returned to a full practice Monday and was pronounced a “full go” by coach Chuck Pagano. On Wednesday, Pagano was asked if Collie was really going to play Week 1 and he said, “Still yep.” That was enough for a lot of us, leading to a potential WR3 tag for Sunday’s game against the Bears.

After all, Collie was shaping up as an every-down receiver in a potentially pass-happy and productive offense. He showed great chemistry with Andrew Luck early on. There was a lot to like.

But on Thursday, Collie tapped the brakes. He said he actually hasn’t been cleared by doctors to play in a game. He was downgraded from a “full” participant in practice to a “limited” participant.

“It’s just a day-to-day thing,” he said. “There’s no definite timetable. Whatever the doctors say, whatever the coaches say, I’m going to obey.”

So now we have a whole bunch of mixed signals and uncertainty, something we’re used to with concussions (see Best, Jahvid). Collie sounds confident about his chances of getting cleared, so there’s no reason for owners to cut bait. But he’s back to a stash rather than a starting option. And maybe that’s a good thing for him.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
It was pretty obvious that David Wilson was going to have a major role on Wednesday night. His first-quarter fumble quickly killed that idea.

“This is not the preseason, you know?” coach Tom Coughlin said Thursday. "It doesn't matter whether it's loosy-goosy, high and tight, whatever. You got to hang onto the ball."

The concern is that Wilson’s fumble problems are nothing new. He fumbled seven times at Virginia Tech last season, losing four of them. He’s going to have to earn the staff’s trust back slowly now.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
Trying to get a read on Marshawn Lynch’s (back) status ahead of Sunday? That’s going to be hard, because the Seahawks don’t even know what the deal is with Beast Mode.

“We really won't know until the end of the week unless something changes," coach Pete Carroll said. "The process that he's gone through, he's aerobically in good shape, we need to get him back his football legs and get him enough reps to do that. We'll continue to progress throughout the week. … I can't call it for you now."

Lynch returned to a limited practice Thursday, setting himself up for a game-time call. If owners are going to roll the dice, they need to have other late-game or Monday night options at the ready.

NEWS OF THE DAY #4
Ryan Mathews (collarbone) has the right attitude about his injury. He’s working as hard as he possibly can and badly wants to play in Week 1. It’s just not going to happen.

Mathews still hasn’t been cleared for contact, meaning he can’t get any full-team work in. It sounds like coach Norv Turner is ready to roll without his top back.

"I don't have a schedule," Turner said. "He'd have to get the reps necessary to prepare for a game, and he's not at that point yet."

Turner has previously hinted at a workhorse role for Ronnie Brown if/when Mathews can’t go.


DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS
Josh Gordon will be the No. 3 wideout behind Greg Little and Mohamed Massaquoi in Week 1. … Redskins OC Kyle Shanahan suggested he will use a hot-hand approach at running back. Shocker. … Bucs OC Mike Sullivan confirmed that LeGarrette Blount is a “complimentary back.” It’s Doug Martin’s show. … There are no limitations on Jamaal Charles’ snap count for Week 1. … Kevin Walter remains locked in as the starter opposite Andre Johnson. If your league rewards points for blocking, buy up.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: RUNNING BACKS AND TIGHT ENDS
As discussed in Monday’s Dose, Rashard Mendenhall (knee) is ahead of schedule but won’t play Sunday night. Jonathan Dwyer and Isaac Redman will share the load. … Brandon Jacobs (knee) is looking doubtful. Good news for Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter. … If he’s active Sunday, Adrian Peterson is looking at 5-10 carries. … Dustin Keller (hamstring) should be fine, but is a weak play at less than 100 percent. … Jonathan Stewart (ankle) missed yet another practice. Give DeAngelo Williams another boost. … Arian Foster popped up with a sore knee, but should be fine for Sunday. Will this mean Ben Tate gets an extra series or two to himself? Perhaps. … Trent Richardson (knee) will start Sunday, but how much he plays is a question.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: WIDE RECEIVERS AND QUARTERBACKS
Denarius Moore (hamstring) is headed for a game-time call. If he can’t go, Rod Streater will start. … Stevie Johnson’s groin woes appear to be bordering on chronic now, but he’s expected to gut it out. … Steve Smith (foot) has practiced in full all week. … Justin Blackmon (ankle) returned to practice. Owners can breathe a sigh of relief. … Marques Colston (foot) got in a limited practice. He’s on track.

 

[HacheMan]

Matchups: Ridley Me This 1:00PM ET Games

Indianapolis @ Chicago

When pitting Bears personnel against the Colts' on an offense-versus-defense basis, the one major mismatch that stands out is Chicago's powerful, versatile run game, which should ram the ball down Indy's throat. The Colts lost NT Brandon McKinney (ACL), NT Josh Chapman (knee), and top ILB Pat Angerer (foot) for extended periods in the preseason, and all three were slated to be key cogs in new coach Chuck Pagano's run defense. Keep an eye on Michael Bush's usage while this game is still in doubt, but Matt Forte is an easy top-ten running back play in Week 1. Bush will be Chicago's primary goal-line back, but he's not a flex option until we see him getting a significant piece of the open-field playing-time pie. ... Kellen Davis, Earl Bennett, Devin Hester, and rookie Alshon Jeffery are players to monitor in Week 1, but not start in fantasy leagues. We need to learn more about their roles in the passing game. Jeffery, of course, is the most intriguing prospect in the group after a productive preseason. We just don't even know whether he'll start.

A lot of folks have written off the Colts as a pushover opponent. They're going to surprise some people this year. An immediate strength defensively should be Indy's play against the pass. RCB Jerraud Powers and new LCB Vontae Davis form a dynamic corner duo, and OLB Robert Mathis along with RE/OLB Dwight Freeney can still apply pressure to quarterbacks. I think the Bears will struggle if they get too cute and let Jay Cutler try to win this game with his arm. Brandon Marshall is an every-week fantasy starter, but Cutler is a QB2 and his protection issues aren't going away.

Andrew Luck's preseason statistics don't tell the whole story. His movement inside the pocket, persistence keeping his eyes downfield, and overall awareness are already on par with some of the league's elite signal callers. Luck is going to be a really good rookie starter, and strong QB2. From a fantasy perspective, this bodes especially well for Colts pass catchers. Although he's morphing into a late-career possession receiver, Reggie Wayne still runs precise enough routes with crisp enough footwork to get open for 6-8 catches a game. Austin Collie seems like a "risk" coming off his fourth concussion in 21 months, but he will be an every-week fantasy starter once he resumes a full-time role. Based on game tape, I think there's reason to believe Collie is Indy's best wideout whenever he's playing. The Bears field too stingy a pass defense for Luck to be a top-12 quarterback play in Week 1, but Wayne should be started with confidence in PPR leagues. Give Collie a "wait and see" week, then play him next Sunday against the Vikings if he's active.

Friday Evening Update: Collie was limited in practice Friday and is listed as questionable on the injury report. The Colts say he'll be a game-day decision, but it appears he's yet to receive medical clearance. Wayne is the only start-able Colts pass catcher this week.

Donald Brown was a popular mid-round alleged "value" pick, but Brown drafters are likely to end up disappointed. Rookie Vick Ballard's role will grow by the week, and trusted Bruce Arians third-down back Mewelde Moore will cut sizably into Brown's passing-game role. Chicago fielded a top-five run defense in 2011 and returns all front-seven starters. Brown is a low-end flex against the Bears. Be sure to bail on Brown quick if he somehow delivers a strong performance. Brown's own talent limitations and Indianapolis' impending three-back rotation will be drains on his year-long outlook. ... Luck attempted 62 preseason passes. The target breakdown: Wayne 16, T.Y. Hilton 10, Coby Fleener 8, Donnie Avery 7, Collie 6 (in under three quarters), LaVon Brazill 5, Brown 4, Dwayne Allen 3. ... Colts pass catchers behind Wayne and Collie will likely render each other inconsistent and ultimately fantasy insignificant until one emerges. Keep an eye on the pecking order, but there are no Week 1 fantasy starters here beyond the top two.

Score Prediction: Bears 23, Colts 17

Atlanta @ Kansas City

If you read Rotoworld, you've heard a lot about our belief that Atlanta's passing game will join the league's elite this season. Perhaps the Arrowhead Effect will have something to say about it, but the Chiefs' on-paper pass defense looks like a nice place to start. Kansas City's best defender, OLB Tamba Hali, is out on suspension. Top CB Brandon Flowers (heel) missed all of camp and figures to be a bit rusty out of the gate. FS Kendrick Lewis (shoulder) definitely won't play, and top tackler Derrick Johnson (ankle) is less than 100 percent. Matt Ryan's pocket should be clean as the Falcons' offense starts fast. ... The Chiefs have always "played sides" at cornerback during Romeo Crennel's two years as defensive overseer. Flowers plays all of his snaps at left corner, and Stanford Routt is now on the right. Julio Jones runs the majority of routes on Routt's side and has a more favorable matchup than Roddy White. Routt allowed the second most touchdown passes of any cornerback in the NFL last year. Look for a big game from Julio.

White's game has changed since he entered the league. He's gone from one-route burner at 25 to possession receiver turning 31 in November. I still think White can be an every-week WR2, but expect there to be a changing of the guard in Atlanta's receiver pecking order. Jones will be new OC Dirk Koetter's clear No. 1. ... I've gotten a lot of questions about whether Harry Douglas will "break out" in 2012. People have been saying he might for four years. It never happened, and I doubt it will this season. ... Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner finished 2011 with respectable final fantasy stats, but they are fading veterans who will put you at weekly disadvantages if you count on them to start. Turner will lose significant playing time to Jacquizz Rodgers, who is a better fit for Koetter's offense. Turner will kill your week if he doesn't get a goal-line touchdown. Gonzo has been on fumes for two years. An incredibly pass-heavy offense could keep his production afloat somewhat, but at the same time it wouldn't be surprising if Gonzalez lost snaps in the open field.

I liked the design of Kansas City's run game entering camp, and I liked the on-field product even more in August. Jamaal Charles has been setback free and lost no burst or cutting ability after last September's ACL tear. Peyton Hillis' legs are fresh and he may actually see more field time than Charles early in the season as a superior pass blocker and power-running specialist. Charles and Hillis get Week 1 matchup boosts from the absence of Falcons DT Corey Peters (foot), who will be replaced by 2009 first-round bust Peria Jerry. Kansas City may run the football as often as any team in the game, allowing Hillis and Charles both to pile up substantial week-to-week workloads. A borderline RB1, expect Charles to flirt with 14-16 carries against Atlanta and catch 2-4 passes. I'd look for 10-14 rushing attempts from Hillis, with 3-5 receptions. I like Charles as a borderline RB1 and Hillis as a potentially high-scoring flex. The Chiefs are loaded with talent on the offensive line and in the backfield. They have a ground attack capable of legitimately taking over games.

We'll know more about OC Brian Daboll's offensive mindset after Week 1, but I expect the Chiefs to essentially use the pass as a change-of-pace play this year. I think they're copycatting the 2011 Texans, installing a full-blown zone-run scheme with Charles as a lesser version of Arian Foster, Hillis as a rich man's Ben Tate, and Dwayne Bowe as Andre Johnson. Tony Moeaki can be Owen Daniels, and Kevin Boss the Joel Dreessen. While there aren't enough pass attempts to support more than one fantasy-viable receiver in an offense like this, it certainly can benefit a guy like Bowe. Charles, Hillis, and the O-Line command eight defenders in the box, freeing Bowe from double teams and allowing him to beat defensive backs one-on-one with physicality at the catch point, then RAC ability once the ball is secured. Moeaki, Boss, Jon Baldwin, Steve Breaston, and Dexter McCluster will be complementary players vying for scraps in an offense featuring Charles, Hillis, and Bowe.

Score Prediction: Falcons 28, Chiefs 24

Philadelphia @ Cleveland

Break down this matchup from top to bottom, and the only factor working in Cleveland's favor is the location of the game. No defense was hit harder by offseason and training camp injuries than the Browns, who will be without NT Phil Taylor (pectoral), WLB Chris Gocong (Achilles'), and promising rookie LB James-Michael Johnson (oblique). Replacing Gocong and Johnson, respectively, will be undrafted free agent L.J. Fort and career special teamer Kaluka Maiava. LeSean McCoy should tag this defense for big-time stats. He might be the best fantasy running back play in the NFL this week. ... The Browns' defensive strength is secondary play, but not to the extent that they can stop one of the league's most lethal passing attacks. Michael Vick and Jeremy Maclin should have their way with 33-year-old RCB Sheldon Brown down the left sideline Sunday, using play-action fakes to McCoy to set up vertical connections. Look for DeSean Jackson to spend most of this game in LCB Joe Haden's man coverage, while Jason Avant tries to fight off Dimitri Patterson in the slot.

I like Maclin to lead Philly in receiving by a healthy margin Sunday. He has the best matchup among Eagles pass catchers and is also Vick's most well-rounded receiver. ... Brent Celek was the subject of offseason hype after last year's fast finish, but he's an in-line tight end who does not run consistent pass routes and falls in line fourth or fifth on Philadelphia's passing-game totem pole. Maclin and D-Jax are clearly Nos. 1 and 2. McCoy and Avant each have fair arguments for No. 3. Celek is a better real-life than fantasy player. He's a mid-range TE2, and someone you definitely don't want as your starter. With Jason Peters done for the season and Demetress Bell not panning out, Celek may get stuck helping left tackle King Dunlap block more often than not.

I won't write extensively about the Cleveland passing offense because I wouldn't start any of its members in a fantasy league this week. I do want to discuss the Eagles' fantasy defense. The Browns' first-team offensive line struggled mightily with both interior and edge pressure in the preseason. Rookie RT Mitchell Schwartz and second-year LG Jason Pinkston were the primary culprits, and Brandon Weeden's first instinct was to drift backwards rather than stand tall in the pocket and make a quick decision. Weeden fumbled three times, losing two, in three exhibition games, and committed another turnover on an interception forced into coverage. Weeden's tendency to "drift" away from the pocket is most alarming long term, and something the Eagles surely noticed in the third preseason game, when these same teams squared off. Weeden took three sacks and fumbled twice in less than two quarters. Start Philadelphia's defense in Week 1.

Philly's 9-Technique system in the front four sacrifices running lanes in exchange for lining up defensive ends at advantageous pass-rush angles. It translates to a lot of sacks, but doesn't help in run defense. Unfortunately, we have no clarity in the Browns' Week 1 running game. Rookie Trent Richardson (knee) will likely be active, but rotate with Montario Hardesty on early downs. Look for Brandon Jackson to handle most, if not all of the passing downs. I think Cleveland stands little chance of keeping this game close, and a blowout deficit might lead to Jackson playing the most backfield snaps because the Browns will be in so many obvious passing situations. It's a fantasy headache. As much as I love Richardson's talent and think this is a favorable run-game matchup, I want to see him earn a role in the passing game before I start him as more than a dicey flex.

Score Prediction: Eagles 27, Browns 3
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Washington @ New Orleans

Vegas has tabbed Redskins-Saints with the highest over-under of any Week 1 game (50). I love starting fantasy players in projected shootouts because they tend to lead to more up-tempo, aggressive offense and increased box-score production. That's precisely what we're looking for in fantasy football. ... Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Jimmy Graham, and Darren Sproles should be locked into lineups. I think Graham will pace all tight ends in fantasy scoring this season. Colston finished as the No. 11 fantasy receiver in 2011 despite missing two games. Secondary play is Washington's defensive weakness, particularly nickel back Cedric Griffin, who is being employed at left cornerback in all sub-packages while DeAngelo Hall drops deep to play free safety. Brees should have all kinds of success throwing Griffin's way. Sproles won't hit double-digit carries every week, but he compensates with heavy usage in the pass game, where per-touch yardage averages are higher anyway. He's an every-week RB2 in all fantasy settings.

Mark Ingram was a 2011 fantasy disappointment, but he operated as the primary red-zone back when New Orleans-first team offense was on the field this preseason. Ingram also returns as the backfield's favorite for rushing attempts. There won't be many weeks when Ingram isn't a worthwhile flex play. He has double-digit touchdown potential. ... Pierre Thomas is a rock-solid NFL player and key cog in New Orleans' three-man backfield, but he's third on the totem pole from a fantasy perspective because Ingram hogs scoring opportunities and Sproles gets most of the catches. Thomas would need an Ingram or Sproles injury to be a fantasy starter. He's more of an RB4 right now. ... Devery Henderson, Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet, and Joseph Morgan are not worth roster spots in 12-team leagues. ... Lance Moore is an intriguing WR4/5 because his field time may rise this season with Robert Meachem gone. He's still the fourth option in the passing game behind Graham, Colston, and Sproles, meaning Moore is likely destined for inconsistency.

Saints DC Steve Spagnuolo's defensive scheme depends heavily on front-four pressure, which worked great with the Eagles and Giants, and not so well with the Rams. I think it plays right into the Redskins' hands. With RE Will Smith on suspension and the rest of Spags' unit displaying limited pass-rush ability, an otherwise suspect Washington offensive line should be able to keep Robert Griffin III's pocket clean for reasonable stretches in Sunday's opener. In the back end, top Saints CB Jabari Greer missed virtually all of camp after August 2 sports hernia surgery and is just now getting back into the swing of things. I wouldn't go nuts starting RG3 in his NFL debut at an amped-up Superdome, but I'd feel good about Griffin in two-quarterback leagues and Pierre Garcon as a borderline WR2. This game's shootout potential enhances Garcon's fantasy appeal.

Friday Evening Update: In a stunning development, the NFL lost the right to impose suspensions for the Saints' 2009-2011 Bounty Scandal, and Smith will be active against Washington. Keep in mind Smith didn't get in a single practice this week and may start slow, but he's going to play. I might downgrade Griffin's fantasy outlook slightly with this news.

I think there is legitimate reason to worry about Fred Davis' quiet preseason (three games, two targets) because the Redskins have wide receivers this year. They didn't during Davis' breakout 2011 season. The revised offense looks more perimeter and rushing-attack oriented, featuring Garcon outside the numbers while the zone-boot game keeps defenses off balance by way of a dual-threat quarterback. Davis is a back-end TE1 against the Saints, but I think you'll be disappointed if he's your starter all year. I could be wrong. ... Redskins receivers beyond Garcon are fantasy bench material until proven otherwise. Santana Moss has been reduced to part-timer, while Leonard Hankerson and Josh Morgan figure to open the season rotating at the "Z" position. I'm not sure any of them are worth 12-team league roster spots. ... Roy Helu is the best running back the Redskins have, but he's currently listed as a second-stringer between hard-charging plodders Evan Royster (No. 1) and Alfred Morris (3). Royster is the best Week 1 fantasy bet of the bunch. He also presents significant risk with usage governed by the whims of Shanahan & Son.

Score Prediction: Saints 31, Redskins 23

St. Louis @ Detroit

If you want a safe Week 1 winner in your Eliminator League, the Lions are an awfully good choice. At home against a Rams team already short on talent and transitioning systems both offensively and defensively, the Lions ought to grab an early lead and run away with this game. That kind of scenario would bode particularly well for tailback Kevin Smith, who has recovered from his August ankle tweak and is practicing without restrictions. He wasn't even listed on this week's injury report. As long as Smith stays healthy, he should be a comfortable bet for 18-24 weekly touches. ... In 15 career games at Ford Field, Matthew Stafford has accounted for 36 touchdowns. He was especially sharp at home last year, completing over 66 percent of his passes with a 20:7 TD-to-INT ratio. I think Stafford is the premier quarterback play in fantasy football this week. ... Despite playing a "deep" position, Calvin Johnson was the only wide receiver worth a first-round pick in fantasy drafts because he's head-and-shoulders above the field. He gives you a huge week-by-week advantage. Johnson's last 17 games inside a dome: 93 catches, 1,505 yards (1,544 all-purpose), and 16 touchdowns. Yeah, Megatron is pretty good.

Also working in Smith's favor is the absence of Rams 325-pound run plugger Michael Brockers due to a high ankle sprain. St. Louis' thin defense had hoped to turn to a rotation of undrafted rookie Matt Conrath and waiver pickup Kellen Heard next to Kendall Langford. Conrath (knee), however, will miss this game as well. Smith is primed for success. ... Titus Young has a fine Week 1 matchup and offers breakout potential over the course of the season, but I'd like to see him locked into a full-time receiver role before counting on Young as more than a dicey WR3. He played under 65 percent of Detroit's 2011 offensive snaps and was held under 60 yards in 12-of-17 games. ... I do like Young better than pedestrian slot man Nate Burleson and slow-footed tight end Brandon Pettigrew. Pettigrew is a worthwhile back-end TE1 in PPR leagues because he plays in an offense that throws so often, but he's never ranked higher than 11th among standard league tight ends. Burleson's role will diminish in favor of Young and rookie Ryan Broyles, beginning perhaps as soon as this week. We'll know more about the usages behind Megatron after Week 1.

We'll keep the Rams breakdown to one paragraph because there is so little fantasy talent on St. Louis' roster. The guys to take seriously are Steven Jackson, who looked terrific all August, and slot-turned-full-time receiver Danny Amendola. Falling behind early could cost S-Jax some open-field attempts, but he's still a good bet for 20-plus touches and will rarely come off the field. Isaiah Pead's preseason struggles (3.08 YPC average) were quietly a plus for Jackson's fantasy value. He really has no competition for carries. ... In the past, Amendola has been strictly a slot guy who enters the game on passing downs. The new coaching staff is using him as an every-down player. In the third preseason game, Amendola played all but one snap with St. Louis' first-team offense, lining up at X and slot receiver while Steve Smith, Brandon Gibson, and tight end Lance Kendricks rotated as the other pass catchers. Amendola is just a WR5 in standard leagues, but offers WR3 appeal in PPR as the heavy favorite to pace his team in receptions. He could easily catch seven or eight balls at Detroit, particularly if the Rams get down big. ... I'm holding out little hope for Sam Bradford as a QB2 this season in a run-heavy offense without a supporting cast. Individually, Bradford's play has been discouraging as well.

Score Prediction: Lions 37, Rams 13

New England @ Tennessee

I chose Stevan Ridley's picture to lead off this column because I think he'll be the breakout star of Week 1. A bruising power back with better speed than you think, Ridley established himself as the lead dog in New England's backfield with a fumble-free preseason, also rushing 34 times for 152 yards (4.47 YPC) and a score. Shane Vereen (foot) will be inactive in Nashville, leaving Ridley to dominate early-down work against a soft Tennessee defense. The Titans ranked 24th against the run last season and remain light in the front seven without a single defensive line starter over 300 pounds. They'll also be missing starting DT Sen'Derrick Marks (knee). I think Ridley can rip this unit for 100 yards and a couple of touchdowns. I'd lock him into my fantasy lineup. ... The Titans' defensive strength is against the pass, but they are breaking in a new nickel back this year, and there may be bumps in the road. Tommie Campbell, who plays right cornerback in all sub-packages, got toasted by Braylon Edwards in the preseason and will contend with Brandon Lloyd for the majority of Sunday's game. Despite a quiet August, Lloyd should start fast in a favorable matchup. I expect Lloyd to have a big season.

The Titans' top cover men are RCB/slot cornerback Alterraun Verner and LCB Jason McCourty. Verner figures to square off with Wes Welker plenty, although he's in his first season covering the slot, replacing Cortland Finnegan. Welker may give Verner a rude welcome inside the numbers. ... Ultra-reliable Boston Globe reporter Greg Bedard went on the record this week to predict Aaron Hernandez will pass Rob Gronkowski as Tom Brady's go-to guy in 2012. Gronk should remain a high-scoring red-zone beast, but Hernandez may catch more balls and gain more yards. The Patriots' passing offense is voluminous and efficient enough that all of these guys can get "theirs." In terms of points scored, New England has been a top-10 NFL team in eight straight seasons. They've finished third and first in the last two, respectively. ... Oh yeah. Start Tom Brady.

The 2012 preseason reminded us of the accuracy issues that caused Jake Locker to be a lightning rod before the 2011 draft. He has an alarming tendency to miss open receivers high, which also happened to be an early-career flaw of Eli Manning's. While ball placement is a red flag on Locker's long-term outlook, it's less concerning in fantasy leagues, where we don't typically get points for completion rate. Locker can drive the ball downfield and rack up valuable rushing yards with his legs. I think he's a definite two-QB league starter in this potential shootout, and someone to consider over back-end QB1s in tougher matchups like Peyton Manning, and perhaps even Philip Rivers and Jay Cutler. Locker has two stud offensive tackles (Michael Roos, David Stewart) to keep his pocket clean, and a playmaking supporting cast even without Kenny Britt for the opener. ... Britt is suspended this week and may be eased into the Week 2 lineup, but I expect him to emerge as an every-week starter no later than Week 5 at Minnesota. The Titans face off with San Diego in Week 2, Detroit in Week 3, and Johnathan Joseph's Texans in Week 4.

Chet Gresham's Target Watch column became a favorite of mine last year, and he led off with a humdinger on Wednesday. Per Chet, Locker's preseason target distribution: Kendall Wright 14, Jared Cook 9, Nate Washington 7, Javon Ringer 4, Craig Stevens 4, Damian Williams 3, Lavelle Hawkins 2, Jamie Harper 1, Chris Johnson 1. ... Johnson's low target count is a reminder that he won't play much in passing situations this season. He's lost the third-down job outright to Ringer due to pathetic pass blocking, which could cost Johnson significant field time when the Titans fall behind. Whereas CJ?K had 28 preseason carries, he didn't have a single catch. Don't be surprised if true matchup guru Bill Belichick attempts to take away Tennessee's running game, daring Locker to beat the Patriots with his erratic arm. ... Wright looks like Locker's go-to receiver and brings to the table more dynamic tools than Washington or slot receiver Williams. The latter two are WR4/5s. Wright is a WR3 option with upside against a New England secondary with much to prove after a miserable 2011 season. ... Cook is a Jermichael Finley-type talent who can really run at 6-foot-5, 248, but I'm in wait-and-see mode on his fantasy value after he let me down last season. Cook needs to raise his snap count by blocking better. He was a part-time tight end last season, playing fewer snaps than blocking specialist Stevens.

Score Prediction: Patriots 34, Titans 24

Jacksonville @ Minnesota

Jags-Vikes has the second lowest over-under of any Week 1 matchup (39.5), which makes it a reasonable game to avoid when seeking tiebreakers for lineup decisions. Percy Harvin is a locked-and-loaded WR1/2, but no other Vikings pass catchers are surefire fantasy starters. It was clear from the Jaguars' preseason that Justin Blackmon will be the featured player in OC Bob Bratkowski's pass game, but even the impressive rookie isn't more than a WR3. ... Jags defensive coordinator Mel Tucker runs a Tampa 2 system that legitimately shut down vertical passing attacks last season. Jacksonville quietly ranked eighth in the league against the pass. The Vikings can formidably counter Tucker's scheme with a horizontal offense, peppering Harvin with targets in the slot and getting the football to "move" tight end Kyle Rudolph. Christian Ponder probably isn't in line for a big passing day, but Harvin should run circles around Jaguars slot cornerback Aaron Ross and Rudolph is a respectable low-end TE1 fantasy option. The rest of the Vikings should be avoided.

Jaguars top CB Derek Cox will be inactive with a hamstring injury. Cox's absence may improve Minnesota's chances of generating ball movement, but doesn't help any particular Vikings pass catcher because Cox plays outside the numbers. The Vikings' only outside-the-numbers threat is Jerome Simpson, and he's suspended. ... Adrian Peterson (knee) might be active for emergency back duty, but coach Leslie Frazier has vowed to give Peterson only "limited exposure," assuming he sees the field at all. It's hard to imagine starting Peterson in a fantasy league until we know for sure he's at least getting double-digit carries. Look for Toby Gerhart to handle the vast majority of the running back load Sunday. The Jaguars' run defense is above average, but Gerhart should approach 20 touches and get any goal-line opportunities. I like Gerhart as a low-end RB2 or flex. Stud Jaguars SLB Daryl Smith's unavailability due to a groin injury can only help Gerhart's cause.

Indications from the Jaguars' preseason were that "Brat" and Mike Mularkey have gotten Blaine Gabbert to make strides. Gabbert played afraid at Mizzou and as an NFL rookie, crumbling in the face of pressure. Implementing a quick-hitting pass offense that doesn't ask Gabbert to hold onto the ball as blitzers approach, the Jaguars have turned to Blackmon as their go-to guy at Z and slot receiver. Draftniks questioned Blackmon's downfield separation skills coming out of Oklahoma State, but he is a sure-handed monster after the catch. Blackmon is essentially an early-career Anquan Boldin with more speed. And the new offensive design in Jacksonville suits Blackmon's strengths. Blackmon has a tough Opening Day matchup against Vikings RCB Chris Cook and slot CB Antoine Winfield, but there shouldn't be many weeks when he doesn't catch six or more balls. If Gabbert can keep it together, Blackmon could be an absolute PPR stud.

Roddy White was Mularkey's Z receiver in Atlanta, with Michael Jenkins at X. Filling the X role, Laurent Robinson would do well just to mirror Jenkins' career-best line from 2008 (50/777/3). You don't want that on your fantasy team. ... Marcedes Lewis is dead to me as a fantasy player until I see some sustained production. He's stunk in five of his six NFL seasons and was good only in a contract year. ... Mularkey is openly projecting Maurice Jones-Drew as a Week 1 "third-down back." While I suspect MJD will get a few more carries than your run-of-the-mill passing-down specialist, it might not be by much. 10-12 touches against a defense that has ranked top-11 against the run in six straight seasons wouldn't make Jones-Drew very enticing. I'd pretty much write him off as a Week 1 fantasy option. ...Rashad Jennings should receive closer to a full workload, but the fact that he will leave the field in passing situations diminishes his appeal significantly. Jennings may end up running into a brick wall 16-18 times. He's a low-upside flex.

Score Prediction: Vikings 20, Jaguars 17
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Buffalo @ NY Jets

The Jets' defense had long had Ryan Fitzpatrick's number until the clubs met late in November of last year. In a hard-fought 28-24 loss, Fitzpatrick sparkled to the tune of 26-for-39 (66.7%), 264 yards, three touchdowns, and no picks. The Bills would have won if not for Stevie Johnson's late-game drop of a 40-yard would-be scoring bomb. Like this one, that game was played on the Jets' home turf. While I don't think Fitz will be quite as productive this time around, the Bills' Pistol Spread can be difficult to contain when the quarterback and Johnson find a rhythm. Buffalo floods the field with five receivers constantly, preventing double teams and clearing out running lanes. I was surprised to see Vegas favor the Jets in this game. A low-scoring affair seems likely, but I like the Bills to score more points. ... Look for Fred Jackson to be the offensive focal point as Buffalo upsets Rex Ryan's team. The Jets will likely be without run-plugging NT Sione Pouha (back), and Jackson has clearly retaken his feature back role from C.J. Spiller, if preseason first-team action was any indication. It's easy to forget that F-Jax racked up at least 100 total yards in eight of the Bills' first nine games last season, before succumbing to a fractured fibula. Jackson is healthy now and a top-end RB2.

Spiller hurt his chances of playing a big early-season role with a lost fumble in the third preseason game, and appears to be well behind Jackson in this mythical competition for carries. It's a myth because Jackson is the man. Spiller will need F-Jax to get injured again in order to be a fantasy starter. ... Nicknamed "Revis Beater" for his growing track record of success against the NFL's top corner, Johnson touched up Darrelle Revis for stat lines of 8/75/1 and 3/84/0 last year. Johnson gets open against Revis because Chan Gailey lets him freelance routes and Johnson has some of the NFL's quickest feet. The fact that Johnson is still going against Revis drops him from a WR2 to WR3, but he's certainly start-able. I'm not worried about Johnson's mild groin injury after he produced through it all last season. ... Intense fantasy owners can keep tabs on David Nelson, Donald Jones, Scott Chandler, and T.J. Graham, but all of the Bills' skill guys behind Johnson and F-Jax are role players. Nelson has the best shot at fantasy relevance, and it's still not a good one.

Santonio Holmes has gone 25 consecutive games without 100 yards and has been held to 50 yards or fewer 16 times during that span. It'd be easy to say that Holmes' elite skill level gives him weekly upside, but he hasn't shown it in seemingly forever. He's a WR4/5. ... Shonn Greene's historical success against the Bills can be dismissed now that Buffalo lines up Mario Williams next to interior cloggers Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, forming one of the league's most imposing front fours. Running behind an O-Line that looked worse than ever in preseason action, Greene has a lot to prove to be fantasy viable. I'd balk at starting Greene until he gives me reason to. He never played in the passing game and could lose goal-line work to Tim Tebow. ... Stephen Hill came down with a calf injury in practice this week after playing like a lost rookie all preseason. The second-round pick possesses big-time tools, but is third in line for targets behind Holmes and Dustin Keller and not worth a 12-team league roster spot. ... Keller is dealing with a hamstring injury of his own. He'll play against Buffalo, but the injury may curtail his on-field effectiveness. Avoid. ... I prefer the Bills' defense as a fantasy play over Mark Sanchez, even in two-QB leagues. Sanchez's pass catchers are banged up, and his pass protection is nonexistent.

Score Prediction: Bills 17, Jets 6

Miami @ Houston

The Dolphins played some of the fiercest run defense in football last season and bring back all of their key cogs, including massive NT Paul Soliai and LE Jared Odrick. Their pass defense may struggle mightily, however. GM Jeff Ireland sold off top corner Vontae Davis without a viable in-house replacement (Richard Marshall is a fine nickel, but doesn't qualify) and the Dolphins have just one consistent pass-rush threat (RE Cameron Wake). Opposing quarterbacks should have clean pockets and open receivers when they face Miami this season. Look for Andre Johnson to start fast in Week 1. ... Unfortunately, the remaining elements of Houston's passing attack are severely restricted by the league's run-heaviest offensive mindset. Matt Schaub is a glorified game manager, while Kevin Walter, Lestar Jean, and rookie Keshawn Martin will offer little or no box-score consistency. Rising third-year TE Garrett Graham and fullback/tight end hybrid James Casey, the Texans' version of Aaron Hernandez, will both cut into Owen Daniels' receiving looks.

Keep an eye on Arian Foster's knee after he exited Thursday's practice early with soreness. It's worth recalling that Foster played all of the 2010 season through a torn meniscus and underwent surgery the following February. He's had knee issues before. It seems Foster will be just fine, but check the Rotoworld News Page for updates Friday and Saturday. ... Foster is a matchup-proof fantasy workhorse, but so could be Ben Tate if the starter didn't play. Tate peeled off 135 yards on 27 touches in last year's Week 2 road game against the Dolphins, so there is a track record of individual success in this specific matchup. Other than moving from a 3-4 to 4-3 under new DC Kevin Coyle, the Fins' front seven hasn't changed much from last year. The personnel are basically all the same. If Foster sits out, you just plug Tate into your fantasy lineup, and don't think twice.

Friday Evening Update: Foster failed to practice on Friday and will be a game-time decision Sunday versus Miami. I hope Foster drafters handcuffed him with Tate as they were instructed to. It's possible the Texans will decide they can defeat the starved-for-offense Dolphins without their $43.5 million bellcow back. Foster owners must prepare for their first-round fantasy pick to miss this game. Check Rotoworld on Sunday.

Rarely can we confidently say a team became noticeably less talented in one offseason. We can definitely say it for the Dolphins' passing game. The Legedu Naanee-Davone Bess-Brian Hartline triumvirate is an embarrassment to a passing league, and the right side of the Fins' offensive line threatens to be dominated by opponents on a weekly basis early in the year. The Texans trot out LE J.J. Watt, and pass-rushing menaces Brooks Reed and Whitney Mercilus as head-to-head foes for shaky rookie RT Jonathan Martin and whomever first-year coach Joe Philbin elects to trot out at right guard. Ryan Tannehill is a long-term keeper, but no Dolphins pass-catching hopeful is worth a fantasy league roster spot, let alone a Week 1 start. ... Miami's inevitable inability to move the ball through the air also bodes poorly for a running game that may skew more toward committee than Reggie Bush drafters hope. 2011 second-round pick Daniel Thomas appeared to be coming around as the preseason wrapped up. The Texans ranked fourth in run defense last season and third against the pass. They return 10-of-11 defensive starters while adding Mercilus to the mix.

Score Prediction: Texans 27, Dolphins 3

4:25PM ET Games

Seattle @ Arizona

I know, I know. He's a rookie. He was a third-round pick. He's under 5-foot-11. I am really intrigued by Russell Wilson's fantasy football prospects, not because of a bunch of factors we'd find impossible to prove relevant to the discussion. Wilson is a positive-yards scrambling threat. He spins the football with accuracy and velocity. And he is a natural-born playmaker. I also quietly like his receivers: Braylon Edwards has never struggled to create separation in the vertical passing game, Sidney Rice is healthy, and Doug Baldwin displayed big-play ability and big-time speed in the slot last season. I think Wilson will be a top-12 fantasy quarterback, and I'm starting him in one of my leagues (standard scoring) this week against a Cardinals pass defense that instills no fear aside from CB Patrick Peterson, who struggled at times in coverage as a rookie. ... Rice is a shaky WR3 in his likely matchup with Peterson, but he's right back in the fantasy mix. As a health risk with a rookie quarterback, I might take a wait-and-see approach on his first two games (@ AZ, vs. DAL). If he plays well, I'd trot out Rice the next four straight weeks (vs. GB, @ STL, @ CAR, vs. NE).

Drops and soft play have long been Edwards' biggest drawbacks, but you don't get penalized for either in fantasy football. He's worth a WR5 spot to see what happens. Seattle's offense has exciting potential, and their studly young defense will keep getting them the ball back. Golden Tate will not play Sunday due to a knee injury, so Edwards should be an every-down receiver. ... I think Wilson's first big impact will show up in the running game. Seahawks OL coach Tom Cable's zone-blocking scheme already demonstrated the ability to dominate games in Marshawn Lynch's career year, despite musical chairs all throughout the offensive line. The ZBS will be even more effective with a dual-threat quarterback whose bootleg ability forces front-seven members to stay in containment rather than play aggressively. Outside zone runs and stretch plays to the perimeter are going to be more dangerous than ever in Seattle this season. If Marshawn Lynch's back clears up, I think he's capable of improving on last year's career-best stats. If Robert Turbin starts against the Cardinals, I think you lock him in as an RB2/flex and don't look back.

Friday Evening Update: Lynch was a limited participant in Friday's practice and remains a game-time decision for Week 1. Hopefully Lynch owners were savvy enough to grab Turbin when news of his back spasms broke, because we won't know the starter's availability until about 3PM ET on Sunday. ESPN's John Clayton, who is based in Seattle and reports on the Seahawks best, does expect Lynch to play. If Lynch is active, you start him as an RB1. Check back Sunday afternoon.

The Cardinals' front five cannot pass protect, and it's a reality the coaching staff will simply have to work around. They need to formulate an offensive design that leans heavily on the run game and features Larry Fitzgerald as John Skelton's first read on upwards of 70 percent of pass plays. A formula at all similar to this would render secondary targets Andre Roberts, Early Doucet, and Rob Housler fantasy non-factors, at least until one emerges as a consistent, reliable "No. 2" to Fitz's clear No. 1. I don't think Roberts, Doucet, or Housler is worth a 12-team league roster spot until we see on-field evidence to the contrary. Michael Floyd is being brought along incredibly slowly, playing only in four-receiver packages. Floyd is not on pace for any early-season impact.

While a run-dominated Arizona offense could prop up Ryan Williams and Beanie Wells when they face cupcakes, Seattle's shutdown run defense makes both undesirable Week 1 flex options. The Seahawks ranked fourth in the NFL in yards-per-carry allowed (3.79) last season and return six of their front-seven starters. The Cards plan to use a hot-hand rotation, and both Wells and Williams looked relatively sharp this preseason despite returning from knee injuries. They are timeshare backs in a really difficult matchup. No thanks. ... Arizona understandably struggled mightily to run the ball in its two 2011 matchups with Seattle, so it resorted to targeting Fitzgerald relentlessly. Fitz piled up 26 targets, securing 14 for 213 yards and a touchdown. In the Week 17 meeting, Skelton was the quarterback and connected with Fitzgerald nine times for 149 yards. Fitzgerald quietly averaged 94.1 yards a game when Skelton played more snaps than Kevin Kolb in 2011. Skelton has shaky accuracy and no mobility, but excels at making one read and powering throws to his best receiver.

Friday Evening Update: Wells was added to the injury report Friday with a hamstring ailment, ostensibly suffered on the practice field. While Wells vows to play Sunday, this is more reason to write him off as a Week 1 fantasy option. He's got a ton of factors working against him, and now Beanie may not be 100 percent.

Score Prediction: Seahawks 24, Cardinals 10

San Francisco @ Green Bay

Little-known stat on Aaron Rodgers: He did not face a single top-ten defense during his MVP 2011 season. When Rodgers finally played a top-11 unit in Week 15, he completed 17-of-35 throws for 235 yards and one touchdown as Green Bay fell to Kansas City 19-14. Rodgers is too good to bet against, but Week 1 fantasy expectations should probably be conservative. The 49ers field the most physical defense in the league. They lack weaknesses on Vic Fangio's side of the ball. ... Cedric Benson showed fresh legs in preseason, but he'll be running into a brick wall against the Niners. San Francisco is good enough up front that it can drop five or six guys into coverage and still shut down a run game. If you're starting Benson, you're gambling on a goal-line score. He won't have much open-field success. ... As good as Benson looked, I still think Alex Green will be the Packers back to own by midseason. He's just such a better fit for what Green Bay does on offense.

Packers receivers move around the formation so much that it's difficult to say which corners Jordy Nelson, Greg Jennings, James Jones, and Donald Driver will face the most in Week 1. I think you simply start Nelson, Jennings, and Jermichael Finley with confidence. Nelson and Jennings are too good not to, and Finley possesses talent to undress a defense if his head is on straight. ... Randall Cobb's time is coming, but he's a WR5 in fantasy leagues at the moment. Cobb is expected to open the season competing for Green Bay's No. 4 receiver job with Driver while returning kickoffs.

Rotoworld was adamant about avoiding Frank Gore in 2012 fantasy drafts, in large part because his pass-game role is evaporating and he'll eventually lose goal-line work to 260-pound hammer back Brandon Jacobs. If you still drafted Gore, now is the time to start him. Jacobs (knee) will miss Week 1, and Gore is squaring off with a Green Bay defense that went soft in 2011 and is now trying to work around an ankle injury to NT B.J. Raji. Gore's schedule is favorable in Weeks 1 (at Lambeau) and 2 (versus Lions), then gets awfully tough quickly. It wouldn't be a bad idea to ride him the first two games, then sell Gore high if he starts fast. Kendall Hunter is capable of emerging as the best back in San Francisco by midyear. ... Coach Jim Harbaugh has made it clear that the 49ers do not intend to pass more in 2012, despite offseason additions of Randy Moss, Mario Manningham, and A.J. Jenkins. The 49ers want to pass more efficiently. Jenkins figures to be an early-season game-day scratch after a quiet August, while Moss and Manningham will rotate in a run-based offense. Green Bay's pass defense is hardly a shutdown unit, but Niners receivers beyond Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree are Week 1 bench material.

Whereas Manningham and Moss' fantasy outlooks are adversely affected by usage, Crabtree's is impacted by a difficult matchup. As a Z receiver in base packages and slot receiver on passing downs, Crabtree will take on LCB Tramon Williams and SS/slot CB Charles Woodson for a heavy majority of Sunday's snaps. Crabtree runs crisp slant routes and can get in front of the Packers' top DBs for 5-6 catches and 60-70 yards, but it's not going to be easy. He's a low-end WR3. ... Almost by process of elimination, I like Davis to pace San Francisco in Week 1 receiving, and perhaps explode for a monster game. Davis admitted this offseason that he didn't understand Harbaugh's offense for much of last season. Davis finally caught on in December, and promptly reeled off 28 catches for 536 yards and five touchdowns in the final five games. Davis will push Jimmy Graham and Rob Gronkowski for No. 1 fantasy tight end if he keeps that pace in 2012.

Score Prediction: Packers 17, 49ers 14
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Carolina @ Tampa Bay

I stated in the St. Louis-Detroit rundown that Matthew Stafford is the best quarterback play in the league this week. Cam Newton might have something to say about that. Newton chewed up the Bucs and spit them out last year, in two games accounting for a whopping eight touchdowns (four pass, four rush) and 9.87 yards-per-attempt average. Aside from two promising draft picks and a coaching staff change, I don't see many reasons to believe the Bucs' defense will be able to stop Cam in 2012. Greg Schiano has already admitted they're just hoping to contain him. ... The Bucs under Raheem Morris used Aqib Talib to shadow No. 1 receivers, and he often held his own against Steve Smith. But Tampa Bay paid new RCB Eric Wright enough money (five years, $38 million) this offseason that Schiano's staff may cease the approach. Smith has always run the majority of his perimeter pass patterns against right cornerbacks, and that's Wright's side of the field. Smith could single-handedly take this game over if he matches up with burnable Wright.

Brandon LaFell offers breakout appeal as a newly-anointed every-down receiver in an explosive, vertical passing attack. I thought he looked like a fairly average talent during my offseason game study, though, and am not quite bullish on the third-year wideout. In this particular matchup, LaFell still makes for an adequate WR3. ... Coach Ron Rivera talked up Greg Olsen as being on par with the Grahams and Gronkowskis of the NFL during one training-camp interview. Olsen has never and will never be as red-zone dominant as Gronk, and doesn't create nearly as many mismatch issues as Graham. I like Olsen as a TE2 with mid-range to low-end TE1 upside, but doubt he'll push for elite fantasy production. Look for Olsen to match up often with rookies Mark Barron and Lavonte David in this game. ... We'll know more about Jonathan Stewart's ankle after Friday's practice, but as of this writing he appears unlikely to play. The Bucs have ranked 28th or worse against the run three straight years, and appear poised to again field one of the NFL's most porous defenses up front. DeAngelo Williams will be a shoo-in top-15 running back option if Stewart sits out this game.

Friday Evening Update: Stewart missed a third straight practice Friday. Although he's plenty versed in the offense, players that get in zero practice time rarely play on game day. Look for Mike Tolbert to step in as a powerful change-of-pace option while Williams assumes true feature back duties. The matchup is right and Carolina should score enough points that Williams is now a borderline RB1. Expect no fewer than 17 touches.

Coming off a season in which he took major steps backward, Josh Freeman did nothing to allay fears about his going-forward effectiveness with a thoroughly inefficient August. He completed under 53 percent of his preseason throws and averaged a pathetic 4.8 yards per pass attempt, showing chemistry only with Vincent Jackson in an otherwise uninspiring pass-catching corps. Freeman's inaccuracy was a major 2011 issue, and it looked worse this summer. Tampa beat writers expect Freeman to start slow. It's a safe bet as Schiano leans on a run-first approach. ... The Bucs' offense figures to feature Jackson and Doug Martin while Mike Williams, Dallas Clark, and LeGarrette Blount play complementary, support-type roles. Martin earned the every-down back job by running circles around Blount in camp practices and preseason games. He's a strong RB2 against Carolina's annually weak run defense. Defenses will probably scheme to take away V-Jax this year, but he should be open plenty against a defense similarly vulnerable to the pass.

Score Prediction: Panthers 28, Bucs 17

Sunday Night Football

Pittsburgh @ Denver

I don't expect Rashard Mendenhall (knee) to play despite Mike Tomlin's early-week optimism, but I wouldn't invest in Pittsburgh's backfield Sunday night regardless. Isaac Redman is a poor man's Tim Hightower now trying to play through groin, ankle, and hip injuries. Passing-down work will be divvied up amongst Redman, Baron Batch, and rookie scatback Chris Rainey. Early downs figure to be shared by Redman and Jonathan Dwyer. Fantasy owners love to complain about Redskins running backs, but this backfield is arguably more muddled and will become more so once Mendenhall returns. Although he's merely a low-end flex option, my pick would be Dwyer if you're desperate to start a Steelers back in this game. I wouldn't be surprised if Redman owners end up dropping him in a week or two. ... Heath Miller started three preseason games in Todd Haley's new offense and was targeted twice, securing both for 15 yards. Haley has overseen five offenses in his coaching career, and the best line produced by a tight end during that span was Tony Moeaki's 47/556/3 in 2010. Moeaki finished as the No. 20 fantasy tight end. I'm not optimistic about Miller this season.

If the Broncos defend Mike Wallace as they did in January's playoffs, he will match up early and often with shutdown CB Champ Bailey. Wallace found the end zone in that game on a fluky one-yard rushing score, but was limited to three catches for 26 yards on a whopping ten targets. If you want to wait a week to start Wallace after his month-long holdout, now is the time. ... Antonio Brown outproduced Wallace down last season's stretch because he saw friendlier coverage looks, got open more regularly due to superior versatility, and is plenty talented in his own right. Having already mastered Haley's system -- 11 preseason grabs for 204 yards and three TDs -- Brown is the heavy favorite to lead Pittsburgh in receiving Sunday night. I think he's a borderline WR1. ... Ben Roethlisberger was picked as a QB2 in most fantasy drafts and is best viewed in that same light for Week 1. I think he offers more upside than meets the eye over the course of the season, though, particularly if Haley opens things up. Big Ben can be as productive as the playcalling lets him be. ... Emmanuel Sanders would require a Wallace or Brown injury to become a consistent fantasy producer, but he's another factor working in Roethlisberger's fantasy favor. Sanders, in fact, led the Steelers with 81 yards on six catches in the aforementioned playoff game at Denver.

I should have gotten this out of the way before: I think the Steelers will go to Mile High and whip the Broncos in prime time. Pittsburgh will control this game offensively and defensively. Denver lacks up-front protection to repel LaMarr Woodley, Lawrence Timmons, and Brett Keisel's rush, and nobody runs on a Dick LeBeau defense. A low-scoring projection for Denver's offense can be used effectively as a tiebreaker for fantasy football lineup decisions. ... Willis McGahee has faced the Steelers' 3-4 four times over the past two seasons and managed a pathetic 111 yards with one touchdown on 44 carries (2.52 YPC). I will like McGahee when he plays the San Diego and Oaklands of the AFC West. I'm not starting him against a defense that will eliminate him.

I'm not starting Peyton Manning, either. His final ADP was QB9, suggesting most fantasy owners view him as a back-end QB1. Back-end QB1s are generally bench material versus elite defenses, and that's precisely what Manning will face on Sunday night. I want to see a 36-year-old coming off four neck surgeries play well in a tough matchup before I declare him start-worthy in tough matchups. ... Eric Decker is Denver's top fantasy bet after showing the best preseason chemistry with Manning among Broncos pass catchers. ... Manning attempted 42 passes in August. His target distribution: Decker 7, Lance Ball 7, Demaryius Thomas 7, Brandon Stokley 7, Jacob Tamme 7, Joel Dreessen 6, McGahee 1. ... Ball's heavy first-team involvement is a reminder that he's well out in front of rookie Ronnie Hillman in the battle for snaps behind McGahee. Hillman is also behind Knowshon Moreno. ... I'm a huge believer in Thomas' big-play ability. He is a beast after the catch. I don't think he'll start as fast as Decker, but I'd play Thomas confidently as a WR2/3. ... Stokley and Dreessen's August targets suggest Tamme may have to share the right to be Manning's third passing-game option, behind Thomas and Decker. I wouldn't feel good about Tamme as a TE1 beyond perhaps PPR leagues.

Score Prediction: Steelers 24, Broncos 13

Monday Night Football

Cincinnati @ Baltimore

If preseason games were any indication -- and in-the-know Baltimore people say they were -- the Ravens are turning to the no-huddle as their base offense. Joe Flacco was terrific in the up-tempo attack this August, completing 71.7 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and one pick. "Defenses have gotten so complicated," Flacco told SI.com's Peter King. "When you slow it down and get into a huddle before every play, you're playing into their hands, allowing them to dictate the tempo of the game. This way, we take control of the game." Flacco loves the revised offense, and he is capable of starting fast in a favorable Monday night matchup. Cincinnati's defense looks brutal in the back end, with first-rounder Dre Kirkpatrick out after two knee injuries and coverage liability Taylor Mays starting at strong safety. Washed-up veterans Nate Clements and Terence Newman are being counted on for major roles. The Bengals' best defensive back is Leon Hall, and he is coming off a ruptured Achilles'. Expect the Ravens to have lots of passing success in Week 1.

Although the new offense could eventually breathe life into TEs Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson, neither is start-able in Week 1 after Pitta missed most of camp with a broken hand, and Dickson a subluxed shoulder. ... Look Torrey Smith's way for Monday night passing-game points. He showed greatly improved intermediate route-running chops in August, creating separation at every level of the defense and along the sideline. In less than three preseason quarters, Smith dressed down the Falcons and Jaguars' first-team defenses for 11 catches and 146 yards. Hall sticks to one side of the field, and the Bengals' other corners lack foot speed to run with Baltimore's emerging No. 1 receiver. ... Anquan Boldin's third straight late-season fade may begin earlier this year going on age 32, but he still has fresh legs in late summer and early fall and is a solid bet for a red-zone touchdown on Monday night. ... Ray Rice has faced the Bengals eight times in his career. He's rung up 681 yards on 139 carries (4.90 YPC) and seven touchdowns while averaging nearly 120 all-purpose yards per game. There's every reason to think Rice is set up for another big effort.

I saw some offseason hype on the 2012 Bengals after last year's team played above its head, at least for the first few games. Let's hit that with a fire extinguisher. Cincinnati started 6-2 against the league's softest first-half schedule before playing like the bad team everyone expected in the final eight weeks. In the last nine, Andy Dalton managed just seven touchdowns and turned the ball over a dozen times, as his talent limitations were exposed facing halfway decent defenses. The Bengals are going to be worse on offense this year. They lost two starting linemen (LG Travelle Wharton, C Kyle Cook) to injured reserve during the preseason, and first-round RG Kevin Zeitler was up and down. BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a downgrade from Cedric Benson, lacking any hint of elusiveness or big-play ability. They're also downgrading at No. 2 receiver, going from Jerome Simpson to a rotation of Brandon Tate and Armon Binns. Rookie Mohamed Sanu is buried on the depth chart.

Although Baltimore's defense can't possibly be as good minus difference-making RE/OLB Terrell Suggs (Achilles'), this unit is still capable of shutting down running games and making life difficult against the pass. The only Bengals skill-position player worth a Week 1 fantasy start is A.J. Green, who figures to be a target monster because Cincinnati basically has no one else. Jermaine Gresham missed much of camp with a knee injury, and the issues up front can be easily exposed by Haloti Ngata, Terrence Cody, Arthur Jones, Pernell McPhee, and Paul Kruger. I like the Ravens to manhandle the Bengals in this game. I'm not sure Cincinnati can even make it close.

Score Prediction: Ravens 21, Bengals 10

San Diego @ Oakland

Philip Rivers has an impressive statistical track record over six seasons as an NFL starter, but I wondered aloud this offseason whether we might have seen the best of him, and I continue to worry that may be the case. The indefinite absence of LT Jared Gaither is a major concern, and clearly not one the Chargers prepared for seeing as their fallback plan is undrafted rookie Mike Harris. Norv Turner's offense is vertical in nature, requiring some semblance of sustained pass protection to execute. Recall that Gaither started the final five games of last season after being claimed off waivers in late November. Rivers' stats with Gaither on his blindside: 110-of-163 (67.5 percent) for 1,413 yards (8.67 YPA), 11 touchdowns, and three picks. Rivers' stats pre-Gaither: 256-of-419 (61.1 percent) for 3,211 yards (7.66 YPA), 16:17 TD-to-INT ratio. I'm very concerned about this passing offense. ... Until defenses decide to begin eliminating him with bracket coverage, Antonio Gates should be the one constant in Rivers' 2012 pass-catching corps. Gates has a touchdown in three of his past four meetings with the Raiders. In Week 17 last year, Gates ripped Oakland for 106 yards and a score on five catches. I expect a big game on Monday night.

Robert Meachem showed little chemistry with Rivers in camp and preseason games, finishing August with one catch for seven yards. While Oakland won't field an intimidating pass defense this year, I want to see Meachem put something acceptable in a box score before starting him. ... Malcom Floyd is the stronger bet Monday night if you're dying to start a Chargers wideout. Floyd should spend most of this game in burnable RCB Shawntae Spencer's coverage, and has no "rapport" concerns with his quarterback. ... Ronnie Brown is expected to be San Diego's lead back until Ryan Mathews returns from his fractured collarbone, which figures to happen in Week 2 or 3. San Diego played its starters in the preseason finale, so I went back and watched that game to take notes for this column. The Chargers' first-team offense played 15 snaps, and Brown was in on 14 of them. Jackie Battle -- not Curtis Brinkley -- looked like the No. 2. Brown showed very little as a rusher and receiver, but he should be on the field quite a bit against Oakland and is a legit threat for 20 touches. He's worth flex consideration. ... Eddie Royal annually garners offseason buzz from media types, but he hasn't been a fantasy asset in four seasons. Now the No. 4 option at best in a sputtering passing offense, it's hard to imagine Royal recapturing rookie-year form.

One aspect of Oakland's new offense that Darren McFadden owners will quickly come to enjoy is playcaller Greg Knapp's passion for running the football relentlessly. Among this generation's run-heaviest minds, Knapp's offenses have finished in the league's top five in rushing attempts seven times in his nine years as a coordinator. He worked on Houston's staff last season, and they tied for the NFL lead in carries. San Diego's front seven has improved, but it may not matter when perhaps the league's most gifted runner south of Minnesota is handling the rock 30 times a game. McFadden is the best fantasy bet in both Monday night matchups. ... Aside from Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland's pass game is best left avoided in Week 1. Carson Palmer struggled all preseason in Knapp's new offense. Rod Streater's outlook is dependent on Denarius Moore's (hamstring) availability, and Moore looks like a true game-time decision. Jacoby Ford (foot) almost certainly won't play. Heyward-Bey is the only intriguing receiver gamble. He racked up 130 yards and a touchdown on nine catches against a similar-looking Chargers secondary in Week 17 last year.

Friday Evening Update: Moore put on a show during Friday's practice and now appears set to play Monday night, barring a setback over the next two days. I like this news for the Week 1 outlook of Oakland's offense, as well as my final-score prediction. I'd still play it cautiously with Moore and put him on a "prove-it" week. If he has a big night, great. We'll know to start him next week.

Score Prediction: Raiders 23, Chargers 20

 

[HacheMan]

Week 1 Injury Questions One would think that Week 1 would mean fewer injuries, fewer game-time calls, fewer headaches for fantasy owners. Think again.

There are more key fantasy players banged up for Week 1 than any time in recent memory. It's a reminder that so much of fantasy football revolves around injuries and preparing for them. We don't whine and cry when injuries hit our team because we're ready for them. That means handcuffing, depth and being active on the waiver wire.

As we get set for Week 1, we'll keep you in the loop. The Rotoworld News Page will be humming all Sunday long to bring you the latest. We've got rankings from Chris Wesseling/Mike Clay here and Evan Silva's ridiculously mind-blowing Matchup Column here. Inside the Season Pass, you'll find flex rankings and exact projections for every player.

If you want to draft a new team just for this week, check SnapDraft. And if you don't have it already, you need the Rotoworld App for your iPhone/iPad. Badly.

OK, let's get to the hurt folks:

1PM GAMES
COLTS at BEARS
* Austin Collie (concussions) is headed for a game-time call. He's still needs clearance from doctors. The safe/smart play is to see Collie on the field for a week before putting him in starting lineups.

JAGUARS at VIKINGS
* Justin Blackmon rolled his ankle in Wednesday's practice but worked in full on Thursday and Friday. He's a full go.
* Adrian Peterson (knee) is being called a game-time decision. Even if he plays, we can't expect more than 5-10 carries as a change-of-pace option behind Toby Gerhart.

BILLS at JETS
* Stevie Johnson's groin issue is bothering him again, but he's on track to play through a questionable tag.
* Dustin Keller (hamstring) is expected to play, but will be at less than 100 percent. Owners can do better.

DOLPHINS at TEXANS
*Arian Foster popped up out of nowhere with a sore knee this week. He didn't practice on Friday, giving highly talented backup Ben Tate all the first-team reps. Foster says he'll be fine, but we have to consider him a true game-time call. Hopefully you practiced proper handcuffing strategy -- Tate was my No. 1 'cuff heading into the year.
* Brian Hartline (calf) finally got back in practice this week. He's still off the radar while playing behind Davone Bess and Legedu Naanee.

PATRIOTS at TITANS
* Shane Vereen (foot) is out. Danny Woodhead will handle passing-down duties behind enticing starter Stevan Ridley.

RAMS at LIONS
N/A

REDSKINS at SAINTS
* Marques Colston (foot) is questionable, but should be fine. He seems to play well through minor injuries.

EAGLES at BROWNS
* Trent Richardson (knee) practiced every day this week. He probably won't be unleashed for a full workload, but 15-18 touches are within reach.
* Dion Lewis (hamstring) is suddenly questionable. It looks like Bryce Brown will function as LeSean McCoy's backup for now.

FALCONS at CHIEFS
* Jason Snelling (leg) is finally back, but he's third behind Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers.
* Top Chiefs CB Brandon Flowers (heel) is a game-time call. Hello, Julio Jones.

4PM GAMES
49ERS at PACKERS
* Brandon Jacobs (knee) is not expected to play. Frank Gore will sustain a goal-line role for now.
* Ted Ginn (ankle) is also looking doubtful. Look for Kyle Williams to handle returns.
* James Starks (turf toe) is out. It's the Cedric Benson show anyway on early downs.

SEAHAWKS at CARDINALS
* Marshawn Lynch (back) is feeling better. But since back spasms are a tricky injury that come and go, he's officially a game-time call. Owners need to have Robert Turbin or other options available.
* Golden Tate (knee) is out. Braylon Edwards figures to see most of the split end snaps.
* Beanie Wells was a late addition to the injury report with a hamstring injury. Considering the bad matchup, Ryan Williams' presence and his history of playing at less than 100 percent, benching him is the play.

PANTHERS at BUCS
* Jonathan Stewart (ankle) is going to be a true game-time call, but you get the sense that the Panthers are going to lean on DeAngelo Williams/Mike Tolbert anyway. Why push Stewart, who didn't practice all week?
* Steve Smith (foot infection) is a full go.

SUNDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
STEELERS at BRONCOS
* Rashard Mendenhall (knee) isn't going to play. Isaac Redman and Jonathan Dwyer will share the load.

MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL
RAVENS at BENGALS
* Bernard Scott (hand) is out. BenJarvus Green-Ellis gets more work and Brian Leonard is the clear third-down option.
* Jermaine Gresham (knee) has been practicing in full all week.

CHARGERS at RAIDERS
* Ryan Mathews (collarbone) is targeting Week 2 for his return. Ronnie Brown is expected to dominate the backfield touches.
* Denarius Moore (hamstring) is trending in the right direction. It's just scary to play him considering he missed an entire month before returning to practice this week.


MY TOUGHEST DECISION OF THE WEEK
In a non-PPR league, my tight end spot came down to Jacob Tamme or Kyle Rudolph. I decided to roll with Rudolph.

Tamme's usage in the preseason was mildly concerning. Brandon Stokley was the primary slot receiver and Joel Dreessen was the red-zone tight end. That left precious few opportunities for Tamme to see the ball and even fewer for him to score.

Meanwhile, Rudolph was the star of Vikings' camp and John Carlson is playing through a knee injury. As Evan Silva pointed out in Matchups, the Jags play a Tampa-2 style defense that forces throws underneath. Rudolph has the potential to eat them up.

SURVIVOR PICK OF THE WEEK
A lot of early-season Survivor strategy has to do with the depth of your league.

For example, my league has 4,761 entrants. I know that in order to win, I'm going to have to make it for all 17 weeks. Therefore, I try to save some good teams.

If I was in a thin league, I would look at the Texans (home vs. Dolphins). But I'd like to save those Texans for home games later in the season with the Jaguars, Colts and Vikings.

So, I'm using the Lions this week. They will be without two starters in the secondary (Louis Delmas, Chris Houston), but the Rams aren't a threat in the passing game anyway. Look for them to run up the score in Ford Field.

 

[HacheMan]

Instant Impressions: Week 1

Adrian Peterson shines in return from ACL injury; top quarterbacks struggle a bit

By Christopher Harris | ESPN.com

• That Adrian Peterson guy is pretty good. I'm looking forward to watching the film, but AP certainly produced on the stat sheet, vexing the experts and causing Toby Gerhart to take an unexpected back seat in the Minnesota Vikings' game plan. I barely ranked Peterson this week, but I assure you I'll not make that mistake again; 17 carries for 84 yards and two bunny TDs will do that. I own him in one dynasty league because I didn't have much choice (he still has two seasons left on his very expensive contract), but I didn't draft him anywhere else. That's not looking like a very good decision at the moment. But as I eat my requisite amount of crow, I will say that I still anticipate the possibility that minor leg injuries could bug Peterson later. However, if I made the gutsy move of taking him early in a redraft league, am I trading him away right now? Uh, nope.

• So much for the top five fantasy quarterbacks distancing themselves from the field. Week 1 was a mess at the top of the QB ranks. Aaron Rodgers didn't play particularly well, only amassing serious points once the San Francisco 49ers started dropping extra defensive backs, though at least he wound up with a respectable 22 fantasy points (30-of-44, 303 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT). Drew Brees played even worse (24-of-52, 339 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs), suffering under more defensive pressure than he's seen in years, though garbage time also was good to him and he produced 21 fantasy points. Tom Brady played fine, but the New England Patriots got a lead, then put it into run-heavy mode, and Brady wound up with "only" 236 yards and two scores. Matthew Stafford was a walking disaster area (32-of-48 for 355 yards, 1 TD and 3 INTs) despite pulling the Detroit Lions' fat out of the fire with a winning drive late, and Cam Newton produced five yards on four carries (with no TDs) while assembling 303 yards, one TD and two picks. For one week at least, taking any of these guys in the first round of a fantasy draft looks like it was unwise. But it's a long season.


• Let's not go overboard about Robert Griffin III. It was a tremendous win for the Washington Redskins, and RG3 did nothing to hurt the unexpected effort. But he also had only 26 pass attempts, and if we remove his 88-yard score to Pierre Garcon (a lovely fall-away result on an overthrown crossing pattern he probably shouldn't have chucked in the first place), he would've had 232 pass yards. However, his 10 carries resulted in 42 yards rushing, which is encouraging. In early-game moments, the Redskins went from dink-and-dunk to taking shots, and RG3 looked quick and dynamic. But will he regularly be playing from so far ahead? This wasn't Newton circa one year ago, in his debut. I'm not saying RG3 wasn't fine, because he was. I'm just saying he's not going to be in my top 10 QBs next week.


• Compared to Sunday's other rookie starters, however, Griffin was Johnny Unitas, Joe Montana and Dan Marino rolled into one. You'll hear people say Andrew Luck (23-of-45, 309 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs and a lost fumble) was decent in his debut, but he wasn't. Thanks in large part to shoddy protection, Luck was hurried by the Chicago Bears' defense and made, well, several "rookie mistakes." Before it was 34-14, Luck was 10-of-21 for 138 yards. It'll get better, but it's obvious why we at ESPN considered RG3 a better fantasy prospect as a rookie, if only because his surrounding cast looks so much stronger. As for Ryan Tannehill, Russell Wilson and Brandon Weeden, the less said the better. Only Wilson even vaguely gave his team a chance to win, and he threw for 153 yards.


• Speaking of rookies, it was a little bit of good and a whole lot of bad for mega-hyped RB Trent Richardson. The good? He dominated snaps in the Cleveland Browns' backfield, only coming off for the occasional third down, and losing exactly two touches to Brandon Jackson and Montario Hardesty combined. The bad? T-Rich touched it 20 times and racked up 44 yards. Yikes. Don't blame the knee. From what I saw, Richardson had absolutely nowhere to run. As Weeden was busy illustrating that maybe Colt McCoy isn't so bad after all, the Philadelphia Eagles stuck eight in the box and hit T-Rich in his backfield all day. You can't divorce yourself of the kid now; things will get better for him. But this throws even more cold water on all of that rampant rookie enthusiasm from a couple of months ago.

• In the same game, Michael Vick was a human Superfund site. The Browns hit him again and again; they only sacked him twice but Vick looked gun-shy and deer-in-the-headlights time after time, throwing ill-advised picks and failing to move through his progressions. Seriously, he was awful. Somehow he still managed 15 fantasy points, meaning even a dreadful real-world performance for Vick usually leads to an average fantasy one. But this is the guy I remember from his days in Atlanta, totally unprepared to play at a high cerebral level. The Eagles' season depends on this being a one-game glitch, because Philly won't win contests against real teams with Vick playing like this.


• Matt Ryan was so good in Week 1, he's now on pace for 4,784 yards and 48 TDs. I'll go out on a limb and say he won't reach either of those numbers (just as he won't have 16 rushing scores), but the Atlanta Falcons sure did look dangerous. Julio Jones actually should have scored three TDs; he was wide open on a red-zone toss but Ryan strangely overthrew the short distance by perhaps 10 feet. But Jones' owners will take the two TDs. Roddy White was just as involved (he had eight targets to Jones' nine), and there probably will be some weeks where White outpaces Jones. But I'll tell you this: Next week, Jones is going higher on my WR list.


• Stop me if you've seen this movie before: Fred Jackson had to leave with a leg injury, and C.J. Spiller took over to boffo effect. This time, it's not a broken leg for Jackson, but rather reportedly a sprained ligament in his knee. As of this writing, the Buffalo Bills haven't provided an injury timetable, and Spiller didn't exactly put together his big numbers (14 carries for 169 yards and a TD, 2 receptions for 25 yards) in a competitive game. Still, there's no denying the kid has big-play skills. He broke a 56-yard score in the second quarter, and later had a 49-yard scamper. He's dangerous. If Jackson misses time, Spiller joins the ranks of starting fantasy backs for sure.


• Stevan Ridley didn't fumble Sunday, and thus avoided the Bill Belichick doghouse that reduced him to spectator status during last season's playoff run. With Shane Vereen inactive and Danny Woodhead playing in long-yardage situations, Ridley was a true Week 1 feature back and he produced 152 yards from scrimmage and a TD on 23 touches. The Pats went up big in the second half and took the air out of the ball, leading to one sequence where Ridley got four carries in a five-play span, the last of which was a very Law-Firm-esque one-yard run. Never assume the RB picture can't change on a dime in New England, but for now you'd have to say Ridley is looking like a no-doubt fantasy starter every week.


• Speaking of coaches who like to mess with their RBs, how about that Mike Shanahan? He kept Alfred Morris as his pure early-down back Sunday, giving him a whopping 28 carries (for a pedestrian 96 yards), and letting him bang in two scores from inside the three. Roy Helu played almost exclusively on third downs and had five touches for 27 yards, while Evan Royster had two carries for 10 yards. So it's all resolved, right? Morris is a clear fantasy starter, right? Well, he at least should be owned in all leagues. I'll give him that much. But Shanny will watch the tape and probably find some reason to tinker.

• The Rashad Jennings Experiment lasted almost one full half of regular-season football game. Then Jennings reportedly sprained his knee, and Maurice Jones-Drew took over. MJD had a couple 11-yard runs but nothing longer, held in check by a Vikings defense that wanted to make Blaine Gabbert beat it. In essentially 2½ quarters of work, Jones-Drew had 22 touches for 95 yards, barreling into defenders while making few people miss. One run I saw in particular, MJD didn't seem to have his legs fully under him, and basically tackled himself trying to make a cut. That said, he's still a powerful little dude. By contrast, after a long first-quarter drive, on a third-and-goal from the Vikings 1, Jennings got completely stuffed at the goal line, leading to a dispiriting field goal. It was a play that the NFL's best short-yardage rusher (yes, I'm giving that title to MJD) probably should have handled. Going forward, I think he will, even if Jennings' knee is OK. We may not see a bunch of breakaway runs from Jones-Drew right away, but if he's announced as the starter for Week 2, he'll belong at least in the RB top 15.


• One good call of mine from late last week: Jonathan Dwyer was a much better rusher than Isaac Redman on Sunday night. The numbers certainly tell that tale -- Dwyer had 11 touches for 54 yards, while Redman had 13 for 27 -- but the naked eye revealed even more. Redman has no wiggle whatsoever, while Dwyer made a couple of defenders miss in the open field, and he barreled over people, too. He came within a few inches of a scintillating third-quarter TD (on review, his knee was down) and proved his pedigree is worth something. Rashard Mendenhall may not be terribly far away, but until he's back, I'll be ranking Dwyer higher (and that rhymes). He should be added in all leagues.


• Wideout goofiness in brief: Randy Moss caught a TD for the 49ers because the Green Bay Packers decided not to cover him. As most Niners beat writers projected, Moss played very limited snaps, though he was usually on the field in the red zone. ... Greg Little had a Weeden pass bounce off his mitts in the red zone, leaving to an interception and leading to rookie Travis Benjamin getting more run the rest of the game. You'll recall Little had terrible hands problems last year, too. ... Braylon Edwards saw a potential game-winning slant zip directly between his hands on the Seattle Seahawks' final offensive snap of Week 1. Same old Braylon. ... Titus Young will have to keep his ridiculous temper in check before he can follow through on his potential. On Sunday, he head-butted St. Louis Rams corner Janoris Jenkins, drawing a first-half personal foul penalty and earning himself a place on the bench for most of the Lions' comeback.

 

[HacheMan]

Four Downs: Are RG3, Morris for real?

Eric Karabell

The comparisons between Washington Redskins rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III and Carolina Panthers sophomore star Cam Newton are obvious, and after Sunday's performance, in which Griffin took his team into New Orleans and produced 40 team points and 24 individual standard fantasy points, expectations will go sky high. Often the conservative fantasy owner in me would apply the "it's only one game" philosophy, but in this case, Griffin really impressed me.




<offer>Fantasy owners are generally angry and/or bitter when it comes to Redskins coach Mike Shanahan and how he handles his personnel -- more on that later -- but it's tough to argue with the offensive game plan presented for his new quarterback. Griffin didn't look raw or, for that matter, like the other four rookie quarterbacks who struggled Sunday. Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weeden combined for 18 fantasy points, with two touchdown passes and 11 interceptions. Sure, we can debate the future of the Saints defense Griffin torched, but like Newton a year ago when he exploded on the scene, Griffin just does not look like a raw rookie. He made it look easy.</offer>
<offer></offer>
<offer>The Redskins called safe plays for Griffin on the opening drive and smart, controlled plays later, receivers like Pierre Garcon and Aldrick Robinson made plays, and as ESPN.com NFC East blogger Dan Graziano noted, the team's strategy matched Griffin's strengths. The Heisman Trophy winner is a terrific athlete, and while we shouldn't expect close to the rushing laurels Newton provided, especially with the touchdowns, there was certainly little trace of inexperience on Griffin's part Sunday.


Of course, this is already a player owned in 100 percent of ESPN standard leagues, and yes, it's premature to put him in Newton territory for future weeks or the season. Griffin is currently the No. 13 quarterback being chosen in ESPN average live drafts, and those planning to choose teams this week will likely be a bit more excited about him, which is fine, and wise.


Then again, Matt Ryan of the Atlanta Falcons is the No. 11 quarterback in ADP, and he's the only player with more standard fantasy points in Week 1 (Ryan scored 31). Would you take Griffin over Ryan? What about Philadelphia Eagles interception machine Michael Vick, who at least escaped Cleveland upright and with a victory? Griffin looked awesome and his stock certainly rose, but he was a fantasy backup to most. Which obvious top-10 quarterback do you sit now? Like Newton a year ago, when he was a popular free-agent addition after Week 1, owning Griffin does a few things, like keeping him away from your opponents and giving you options for trades. Plus, there's always the chance that like Newton, he turns out better than Vick, Ryan, the Manning brothers, etc. For now, until we see more from RGIII, enjoy it!


If you're unfamiliar with the Sunday night Four Downs blog entry, we have three more sections to go. That was first down. And now …


Second down: In a weekend with numerous big-name running backs being deemed anything but sure things (Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Marshawn Lynch, all of whom who played plenty), the most stunning performance might have come from Griffin's teammate, rookie Alfred Morris. Shanahan loves to confuse everyone when it comes to his running backs, but giving Morris 28 rushing attempts, which he turned into 96 yards and two touchdowns (only 3.4 yards per tote), ranks up there. That said, while I'm aboard the Griffin train, it's a wise time to sell high on Morris. After all, the Shanahan effect shouldn't be ignored. While Roy Helu and Evan Royster combined for four carries Sunday, this hardly indicates they'll be similarly bypassed in the future. In other words, Morris' job security is not at all like Griffin's. Do not assume the real-life sixth-rounder and relative fantasy afterthought (he's owned in roughly 13 percent of leagues) is the next Arian Foster. He is a must waiver addition, though.


Third down: In a perfect world, all the news would be positive, right? Well, injuries are always a factor, and they were Sunday for those relying on Buffalo Bills running back Fred Jackson; he provided one fantasy point when he went down with a sprained knee, opening the door for C.J. Spiller to explode for 22 fantasy points and 169 rushing yards, each Week 1 bests for running backs. It's not known yet whether Jackson will suit up for Week 2, but certainly Spiller, owned in nearly every league, will be very much discussed. Same with Tennessee Titans running back Chris Johnson and Carolina Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams, but for different reasons. Johnson, a consensus first-round pick who convinced fantasy owners his rough 2011 was an aberration, managed four rushing yards on 11 carries Sunday. Williams didn't have to deal with injured time-share colleague Jonathan Stewart, yet he underachieved to the tune of six carries for minus-one yard. I'll again rely on Johnson in Week 2 -- he's too talented, and the Titans won't replace him -- but Williams' performance resonates so much I'd feel better about Stewart, who could return from his ankle injury this week.


Fourth down: In terms of wide receiver performance Sunday, nobody matched what Kevin Ogletree of the Dallas Cowboys accomplished Wednesday (24 points), though Julio Jones and Stephen Hill came close. No wide receiver totaled more catches, receiving yards or targets than Indianapolis Colts veteran Reggie Wayne, who hogged most of Luck's attention. The Colts were brutal defensively and that's one reason I like Luck to pass for 4,000 yards, but he turned the football over four times against the Chicago Bears and missed several open receivers. He should have more weapons in future weeks, like Austin Collie, but expect Luck to improve and Wayne to continue to be productive. There were 30 wide receivers active in more ESPN leagues than Wayne (27 percent) on Sunday, which isn't likely to continue in Week 2.
Good luck in your leagues with four teams in action Monday night!
</offer>

 

[HacheMan]

Week 1 Injuries: MRI for F-Jax
It’s the unfortunate offshoot of every football Sunday that many of us have to spend part of our Monday (and often our Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday) concerned about injuries to key players from our fantasy squads. The good news is that Week 1 was relatively quiet on the injury front. Here’s the early word from the infirmary:

Fred Jackson left Sunday’s game in the second quarter with a knee injury. The Bills were calling this a sprain as of Sunday night, but “sprains” sometimes end up being more significant injuries, and the Buffalo RB1 is headed for an MRI on Monday. Should Jackson miss more time, C.J. Spiller (14 rush, 169 yds; 2 rec, 25 yds) would be the clear beneficiary. Spiller averaged 105.5 rushing/receiving yards with Jackson sidelined for Weeks 12-17 last year.

Pierre Garcon was electric early (4 rec, 109 yds, TD in the first quarter), but missed the rest of Robert Griffin III’s big debut with a foot injury. Garcon has already said he plans to play next week, but his inability to finish Sunday’s game makes him a question mark until we see him back on the practice field.

John Skelton was carted off in the fourth quarter with a possible high ankle sprain. The Arizona QB doesn’t have much fantasy value even in two-QB leagues, but a multi-week absence would mean a downgrade for Larry Fitzgerald, who recorded his top-three yardage totals last season catching passes from Skelton: 7-146-2 in Week 10, 7-149-1 in Week 14 and 9-149 in Week 17. Skelton is very far from a special quarterback, but Kevin Kolb hasn't shown the same ability to consistently get the ball to Fitzgerald downfield.

Follow me on Twitter: @MattStroup

Jake Locker left Sunday’s blowout loss with a left (non-throwing) shoulder separation, but early indications are that the Titans expect him to play in Week 2. Matt Hasselbeck would be worth a look in two-QB leagues if Locker is unable to go.

Rashad Jennings left Week 1 with a knee injury. The injury didn’t initially appear to be serious, but with Maurice Jones-Drew (19 rush, 77 yds) showing the ability to carry a substantial workload right away, Jennings seems likely to return to a backup/handcuff role when healthy.

Editor’s note: For a complete look at all the key happenings from Sunday, check out Chet Gresham’s The Morning After column on Monday. And on Tuesday, don’t miss Chris Wesseling’s Waiver Wired column, plus Evan Silva’s Season Pass Live Chat.

Other Injury Notes: Devery Henderson left with a possible concussion. If he remains sidelined, the hit-or-miss Lance Moore (6-120-1 on Sunday) should see more targets … Daniel Thomas left Sunday’s game with a concussion … Austin Collie (concussion) didn’t play, but “looked great” during pre-game warm-ups, per ESPN’s Bob Holtzman … Bills’ slot receiver David Nelson left Sunday’s game with what’s believed to be a torn ACL … Darrelle Revis left Sunday’s win with a head injury, but did not sustain a concussion, according to the New York Post. Revis has a potential matchup with Mike Wallace in Week 2.

 

[HacheMan]

Ryan Keeping Up With The Jones Week one of last season promised a glut of passing yards and touchdowns when Tom Brady threw for over 500 yards, Cam Newton, Drew Brees, and Chad Henne over 400 yards, and then ten other quarterbacks topped 300 yards.

So far this week, no quarterbacks have come that close to 400 yards and only nine have topped 300. Does this mean anything? Maybe, maybe not, but even though we know for a fact the NFL is now a “passing league,” we also know that defenses adapt quickly and we can’t expect quarterbacks to put up gaudy numbers each week.

This week, the best fantasy quarterback threw for under 300 yards, but ran for a touchdown and threw for three others, oh and we all expected him to do just that.

Matt Ryan has been hyped as much as humanly possible this preseason and for good reason. We all saw how much he improved toward the end of last year with the addition of Julio Jones, the other hype machine cog. The Falcons’ coaches told us they’d play more up-tempo and then in preseason, they actually did. Ryan to Jones was as easy as hand into glove. But how often does the regular season come around and suddenly, THUD!?

Hype rarely fulfills itself.

So when Matt Ryan and Julio Jones took their show to Kansas City on Sunday and knocked it out of the park, I was actually surprised and relieved and happy all at the same time. Watching players live up to their potential is fulfilling.

Will Ryan continue to put up elite numbers with Jones, Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Jacquizz Rodgers? Can he make that step into the elite? In a league where we measure passing yards in the five thousands now, I don’t think he needs to put up those kinds of numbers. Aaron Rodgers was the MVP last year because he was economical with his passing yards. He converted them into touchdowns and that’s what Matt Ryan did in week one. Even though he didn’t quite hit 300 yards passing, he still had more fantasy points than he had in any one game all last season, and he topped 300 yards six times.

He fulfilled his promise this week and then some and I don’t see him, or the Falcons’ offense slowing down anytime soon.


Game Balls


Robert Griffin III - The expectations for RGIII have been off the charts, so much so, it seemed inevitable that he wouldn’t be able to live up to them. Well, so far, so good. He started off connecting on his first eight passes and finishing with an extremely efficient 19 of 26 for 320 yards, 2 touchdowns, zero interceptions and 10 rushing attempts for 42 yards, while upsetting the Saints 40-32.

He connected with his favorite preseason target Pierre Garcon on four receptions for 109 yards, including an 81 yard touchdown. And that was just in the first quarter. Unfortunately Garcon hurt his right foot and sat out the rest of the game. But losing his best receiver didn’t stop Griffin from leading the Redskins to 40 points, 12 more than they scored in any game last season.

After Cam Newton’s breakout week one performance last season, it was a lot to expect of Griffin to compete with, but according to Elias, he was the first quarterback to ever pass for over 300 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions in his first NFL start.

And even more impressive was just how cool under pressure Griffin was inside the Superdome. According to ESPN’s Stats and Info blog, Griffin completed “8-of-9 attempts for 188 yards and two touchdowns when they sent five or more pass rushers.” And since 2008, no quarterback has ever played that well against the Saints blitzing five or more defenders.

He will face tougher defenses than the Saints this season, but his skill set is nearly fantasy-slump proof and looks to be pretty real-life slump-proof as well.

Peyton Manning – We already knew that Manning was back enough to at least look good in live-action preseason scrums, but to face one of the league’s better defenses and move the ball with ease at times, puts him firmly back into fantasy relevancy.

Adrian Peterson - When Adrian Peterson’s knee was torn asunder last Christmas, Peterson was the only person that would have predicted he’d run for 84 yards and two touchdowns, just 37 weeks later.

I can’t pretend to say I wasn’t worried about him returning so quickly, but he did and he picked up right where he left off. If you sat him, you might be upset, but I’d go ahead and be elated that he’s back, and you got him in the third round.

Mark Sanchez - Talk about the preseason not being an indicator of the regular season! Ok, if you insist. The Jets didn’t score a touchdown during the preseason while Sanchez was under center. On Sunday they scored four against what was supposed to be an improved Bills defense.

His 19 of 27 for 266 yards, three touchdowns and one interception led him to his highest QBR rating ever and shut the likes of me up quick! Of course Sanchez has had big games before and shown flashes of elite ability, but always comes back to earth. Is this the tipping point? I’m not on board until he shows some consistency and strings a few of these games together.

Kevin Smith - The Lions looked a lot like lambs as they took on the Rams, but the oft-injured Kevin Smith showed up and did his job, totaling 91 yards, catching four passes and crossing the goal line, with the ball mind you!, twice.

He led all running backs in PPR scoring and should continue to be around the goal line and receiving targets as long as he’s healthy.

Stevan Ridley - It was difficult watching BenJarvus Green-Ellis play over Ridley last season. Ridley almost always showed himself to be a better fantasy prospect. Thankfully this season Ridley is getting his shot and took advantage against the Titans.

His 125 yards rushing were the most on opening day for the Patriots since Curtis Martin in 1995 and his 6 yards per carry and 152 total yards were higher than Green-Ellis had in any game last season.

C.J. Spiller - Fred Jackson looks to have sprained his LCL, which gave Mr. Spiller the chance to go crazy to the tune of 194 total yards and a touchdown. These were garbage yards for the most part with the Jets putting a beating down, but as you well know, one person’s garbage is another fantasy football player’s treasure.

Spiller will fill in nicely for Jackson, just like he did last season.

Julio Jones - I already talked about him in the open, but why not talk about him some more?! Matt Ryan is the leader, but Jones is already ahead of him, as far as ability at his own position. He’s already moved himself into the ranks of Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson, which is amazing for a 23 year old.

Am I jumping the gun? Of course I could be, but there’s nothing to point to that says I am. Everything about him screams elite.

His six receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns was a nice start to the season, especially when you realize he didn’t score his first touchdown until week nine last year.

Brandon Marshall - The Marshall/Cutler Project would be a horrible reality show (as they all are), but on the field, they showed us that all the chemistry talk was right on. Of course having 11 targets at halftime helps, but there’s no reason to think Cutler won’t continue to target him in the double-digits, which makes it nearly impossible to keep him from having a productive fantasy game.

Reggie Wayne - The old man still has it. He made amazing catch after amazing catch on Sunday, while the rest of the Colts receivers, were, well, named Donnie Avery, Kris Adams, and Lavon Brazill.

Wayne saw a league high 18 targets from Andrew Luck (who actually looked better than his stats), catching nine for 135 yards. This is something you are going to see often this year. The Colts will get behind and Luck is going to throw it to the veteran, over and over again.

Jimmy Graham - The Saints got their posteriors handed to them, but you can’t stop Brees from throwing over 300 yards or Jimmy Graham from being a top fantasy tight end for the week. Graham had 6 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown, pretty ho-hum for him.

LeSean McCoy - On a day when Michael Vick threw four interceptions and almost gave away a game to the Browns who were “led” by rookie Brandon Weeden with a stat line of 12 for 35 for 118 yards and four interceptions, McCoy was his steady self.

He didn’t get into the end zone, but did rush for 110 yards on 20 carries and had six receptions for 26 yards, which put him in the top-10 for PPR running backs.

Arian Foster - If Foster isn’t ruled out for the game, start him. His questionable status, the availability of Ben Tate, and a weak opponent, scared away some fantasy players, but Foster is just a fantasy stud like the studs of olden times. Would you sit LaDainian Tomlinson or Marshall Faulk?

Alex Smith - This is more of a real football game ball, rather than a fake football one. Smith looked good in leading the 49ers to a win in Lambeau. He was an extremely efficient 20 for 26 for 211 yards and two touchdowns. The addition of Randy Moss helped open up the underneath work for Michael Crabtree and Mario Manningham.

The Packers pass defense isn’t top-notch, but the new receiving weapons for Smith seem to fit this team well and the sky is the limit for this team.

<!--RW-->Sell High

Alfred Morris - The addition of Robert Griffin III has instantly made the Redskins an infinitely better offense, which also boosts up all their starters in the fantasy world, so why sell Alfred Morris who just had a stat line of 26 carries, 96 yards and two touchdowns?

That 3.4 yards per carry, no receptions or targets, is not going to help you out when you don’t get 26 carries and goal line attempts. I do believe an average back can do well on the Redskins, but I don’t believe Morris is that back, with Roy Helu as the 3rd down back on a team that won’t be out to big leads all the time.

Shonn Greene - Much like Alf, Greene did his damage because he had an inordinate amount of opportunities. His 27 carries were more than he had in any single game last season. His 3.5 yards per carry though, that was more in line with his normal production.

Frank Gore - Gore had a great game, rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown on just 16 carries. But the 16 carries and just one receiving target is the worrisome part. Kendall Hunter finished with nine carries and saw the ball in some pivotal spots. It looks like we’ll see a similar 2 to 1 split in carries this season and a continued reduction in the passing game.

James Jones - The fourth or fifth option in the Packers’ passing offense is always tempting. Last year it was some guy named James Jones who would put up a big game and then get two targets the next week. Unless Greg Jennings or Jordy Nelson is injured, Jones is going to be too hit and miss to rely on this season. Take his 81 yards and a touchdown and parlay it into a two-for-one deal.

Stephen Hill - If I believed Mark Sanchez had truly turned a corner, I could see getting on board the Hill express, but his near-future is much cloudier and fraught with peril, than the other receivers who put up big numbers on Sunday.

I still like him as a long-term prospect, but I’d much rather get a consistent player in return.



Buy Low

Wes Welker - I was down on Welker coming into this season since targets were a bit of a commodity in New England with the addition of Brandon Lloyd, but Welker isn’t going to fade nearly like this. If his owner believes this is the phasing out of Welker, do what you do.

Trent Richardson - Coming off a preseason in which he didn’t practice much due to his knee scope, it was good to see Richardson get 19 carries and three receiving targets. It wasn’t quite as good to see him total 44 yards though.

But, you can use that to your advantage. Richardson is gong to be the workhorse back and those guys are rare. Oh, and he’s still a pretty good player. Find him. Trade for him.

Jacquizz Rodgers - Well, the tales of Michael Turner’s demise have not been exaggerated. Quizz fits the Falcons offense so much better that it’s almost laughable watching Turner lumber around. Will Rodgers win the starting job? I think at some point, yes. It just makes way too much sense.

Roy Helu - I may be a masochist, but Helu is still the best pure runner on the team, and Alfred Morris is not. Helu is the third down back right now, and when the Redskins trail, we will see Helu in there much more than we saw today, and he still had three receptions for 25 yards.

Greg Jennings / Jordy Nelson - Both of these guys will be top-10 fantasy receivers this year even though the 49ers held them to zero touchdowns and a combined 101 yards.

Victor Cruz / Hakeem Nicks - This game happened back in the days of yore, but just like the Packers, the Giants’ passing offense isn’t going away. The Cowboys held Cruz and Nicks to 96 yards and no touchdowns. That will be a rare occurrence this season. I actually doubt it will happen again.



Early Waiver Look

QB: Mark Sanchez, Alex Smith

RB: Alfred Morris, Dexter McCluster, Jonathan Dwyer, Jacquizz Rodgers, Kendall Hunter

WR: Stephen Hill, Randall Cobb, Kevin Ogletree, James Jones, Alshon Jeffery

TE: Marcedes Lewis, Martellus Bennett, Scott Chandler

D/ST: New England Patriots, Cincinnati Bengals

<!--RW-->Committee Time

Redskins - Touches + Targets – Alfred Morris (28), Roy Helu (5), Evan Royster (2), Darrel Young (2)

Morris was the clear winner in the Redskins committee in week one. The early lead that Washington built helped give him plenty of touches. I don’t trust that he’ll see 28 touches again, ever.

Steelers - Touches + Targets – Isaac Redman (13), Jonathan Dwyer (13), Chris Rainey (3)

The numbers split identically for the top two Steelers backs, but Dwyer had a much better game, rushing for 43 yards on nine carries, while Redman rushed for 21 yards on 11 carries. I will be extremely surprised if Dwyer isn’t starting next week.

Bears - Touches + Targets – Matt Forte (24), Michael Bush (12)

Both Forte and Bush got into the end zone, but Bush “vultured” two touchdowns at the goal line. But actually, over the last three seasons, Forte has had 33 carries inside the five yard line and only got into the end zone three times. We can complain that Forte is getting robbed, but he is really bad at it.

Chiefs - Touches + Targets – Jamaal Charles (16), Peyton Hillis (10), Shaun Draughn (6)

The breakdown here is skewed somewhat by the Chiefs being blown out by the Falcons, but it is interesting to note that Charles saw no receiving targets, while Hillis had three. That is something Charles owners might want to watch next week. When the Chiefs are in closer contests, expect both players to see an uptick in touches.

Draughn was just in during garbage time.

Cardinals - Touches + Targets – Ryan Williams (11), Beanie Wells (7), LaRod Stephens-Howling (3)

These three running backs totaled 17 carries for 27 yards, three receptions for 21 yards and one touchdown. Oh, and that touchdown was scored by Stephens-Howling, who nobody owns or should own.

The only bright side here is for Ryan Williams owners, because he saw plenty of work and had three receiving targets, while Beanie Wells had no targets.


Falcons - Touches + Targets – Michael Turner (11), Jacquizz Rodgers (9), Jason Snelling (2)

Turner and Rodgers pretty much split looks and Rodgers had three more total yards and two receptions. Turner is going to start fading away.


Awards

Fantasy MVP of Week 1: Matt Ryan, Falcons – He led all quarterbacks in fantasy points and set his all time high in fantasy points. That’s a lot of fantasy points!

Fantasy Breakout Player of Week 1: Stevan Ridley, Patriots – I’ve been waiting for Ridley to get his shot to breakout, so he has to be my breakout player. Go ahead and slot him in as a RB2 this season.

Fantasy Rookie of Week 1: Robert Griffin III, Redskins – Yeah, too easy.

Fantasy Disappointment of Week 1: DeAngelo Williams, Panthers – No Jonathan Stewart, worst rush defense in the league last season, um, six carries for negative one yard!? The Buccaneers meant business.

Fantasy Fluke of Week 1: Alfred Morris, Redskins – Can he do it again? Sure, if they play the Saints and get up big again.


Odds and Ends

David Akers' bank shot 63-yard field goal ties the NFL record.

Randy Moss’ last touchdown reception was week seven of 2010 against Green Bay.

Randy Moss has 14 touchdowns in 15 games against Green Bay.

Marcedes Lewis had 85 targets, 39 receptions and zero touchdowns last season. This season, he’s had five targets, five receptions and one touchdown.

Adrian Peterson now holds the record for most rushing yards by a Viking, passing Robert Smith of The Cure.

Tom Brady is the fastest quarterback to 125 wins.

Two of Mark Sanchez’s touchdown passes came after Tim Tebow had been behind center the play before.

Peyton Manning’s first NFL game – 21/37, 302 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions
Andrew Luck’s first NFL game – 23/45, 309 yards, 1 touchdown, 3 interceptions

The Panthers rushed for 10 yards against the Buccaneers. In 2011 the Buccaneers gave up an average of 156 yards rushing per game, dead last in the NFL.

The Redskins are 7-1 at the Superdome.

Dick Lebeau is 1-7 against Peyton Manning.

Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown 12 interceptions in his last 5 starts.

 

[HacheMan]

Matchups: MNF Double Header Monday Night Football

Cincinnati @ Baltimore

If preseason games were any indication -- and in-the-know Baltimore people say they were -- the Ravens are turning to the no-huddle as their base offense. Joe Flacco was terrific in the up-tempo attack this August, completing 71.7 percent of his throws with three touchdowns and one pick. "Defenses have gotten so complicated," Flacco told SI.com's Peter King last week. "When you slow it down and get into a huddle before every play, you're playing into their hands, allowing them to dictate the tempo of the game. This way, we take control of the game." Flacco absolutely loves the revised offense, and he is capable of starting fast in a favorable Monday night matchup. Cincinnati's defense looks brutal in the back end, with first-rounder Dre Kirkpatrick out after two knee injuries and coverage liability Taylor Mays starting at strong safety. Washed-up veterans Nate Clements, 32, and Terence Newman, 34, are being counted on for major roles. The Bengals' best defensive back is Leon Hall, and he is coming off a ruptured Achilles' tendon. Expect the Ravens to have more passing success than usual in the Monday night opener.

Although the new offense could eventually breathe life into TEs Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson, neither is start-able after Pitta missed most of camp with a broken hand, and Dickson a subluxed shoulder. ... Look Torrey Smith's way for Monday night passing-game points. He showed greatly improved intermediate route-running chops in August, creating separation at every level of the defense and along the sideline. In less than three preseason quarters, Smith dressed down the Falcons and Jaguars' first-team defenses for 11 catches and 146 yards. Hall sticks to one side of the field, and the Bengals' other corners lack foot speed to run with Baltimore's emerging No. 1 receiver. ... Anquan Boldin's third straight late-season fade may begin earlier this year going on age 32, but he still had fresh legs in late summer and early fall and is a solid bet for a red-zone touchdown on Monday night. ... Ray Rice has faced the Bengals eight times in his career. He's rung up 681 yards on 139 carries (4.90 YPC) and seven touchdowns while averaging nearly 120 all-purpose yards per game. There's every reason to think Rice is set up for another big effort.

I saw some offseason hype on the 2012 Bengals after last year's team played above its head, at least for the first few games. Let's hit that with a fire extinguisher. Cincinnati started 6-2 against the league's softest first-half schedule before playing like the bad team everyone expected in the final eight weeks. In the last nine, Andy Dalton managed just seven touchdowns and turned the ball over a dozen times, as his talent limitations were exposed facing halfway decent defenses. The Bengals are going to be a lot worse this year. They lost two starting linemen (LG Travelle Wharton, C Kyle Cook) to injured reserve in preseason, and first-round RG Kevin Zeitler was up and down. BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a downgrade from Cedric Benson, lacking any hint of big-play ability or elusiveness. They're also downgrading at No. 2 receiver, going from Jerome Simpson to a rotation of Brandon Tate and Armon Binns. Rookie Mohamed Sanu is buried on the depth chart.

Although Baltimore's defense can't possibly be as good minus difference-making RE/OLB Terrell Suggs (Achilles'), this unit is still capable of shutting down running games and making life very difficult against the pass. The only Bengals skill-position player worth a Week 1 fantasy start is A.J. Green, who figures to be a target monster because Cincinnati basically has no one else. Jermaine Gresham missed much of camp with a knee injury, and the issues up front can be easily exposed by Haloti Ngata, Terrence Cody, Arthur Jones, Pernell McPhee, and Paul Kruger. I like the Ravens to manhandle the Bengals in this game. I'm not sure Cincinnati even makes it close.

Score Prediction: Ravens 21, Bengals 10

San Diego @ Oakland

Philip Rivers has an impressive statistical track record over six seasons as an NFL starter, but I wondered aloud this offseason whether we might have seen the best of him, and I continue to worry that may be the case. The indefinite absence of LT Jared Gaither (back) is a major concern, and clearly not one the Chargers prepared for seeing as their fallback plan is undrafted rookie Mike Harris. Norv Turner's offense is vertical in nature, requiring some semblance of sustained pass protection to execute. Recall that Gaither started the final five games of last season after being claimed off waivers in late November. Rivers' stats with Gaither on his blindside: 110-of-163 (67.5 percent) for 1,413 yards (8.67 YPA), 11 touchdowns, and three picks. Rivers' stats pre-Gaither: 256-of-419 (61.1 percent) for 3,211 yards (7.66 YPA), 16:17 TD-to-INT ratio. I'm very concerned about this passing offense. ... Until defenses decide to begin eliminating him with bracket coverage, Antonio Gates should be the one constant in Rivers' 2012 pass-catching corps. Gates has a touchdown in three of his past four meetings with the Raiders. In Week 17 last year, Gates ripped Oakland for 106 yards and a score on five catches. I expect a big game on Monday night.

Robert Meachem showed little chemistry with Rivers in camp and preseason games, finishing August with one catch for seven yards. While Oakland won't field an intimidating pass defense this year, I want to see Meachem put something acceptable in a box score before starting him. ... Malcom Floyd is the stronger bet Monday night if you're dying to start a Chargers wideout. Floyd should spend most of this game in burnable RCB Shawntae Spencer's coverage, and has no "rapport" concerns with his quarterback. ... Ronnie Brown is expected to be San Diego's lead back until Ryan Mathews returns from his fractured collarbone, which figures to happen in Week 2 or 3. San Diego played its starters in the preseason finale, so I went back and watched that game to take notes for this column. The Chargers' first-team offense played 15 snaps, and Brown was in on 14 of them. Jackie Battle -- not Curtis Brinkley -- looked like the No. 2. Brown showed very little as a rusher and receiver, but he should be on the field quite a bit against Oakland and is a legit threat for 20 touches. He's worth flex consideration. ... Eddie Royal annually garners offseason buzz from media types, but he hasn't been a fantasy asset in four seasons. Now the No. 4 option at best in a sputtering passing offense, it's hard to imagine Royal recapturing rookie-year form.

One aspect of Oakland's new offense that Darren McFadden owners will quickly come to enjoy is playcaller Greg Knapp's passion for running the football relentlessly. Among this generation's run-heaviest minds, Knapp's offenses have finished in the league's top five in rushing attempts seven times in his nine years as a coordinator. Knapp worked on Houston's staff last season, and they tied for the NFL lead in carries. San Diego's front seven has improved, but it may not matter when perhaps the league's most gifted runner south of Minnesota is handling the rock 30 times a game. McFadden is the best fantasy bet in both Monday night matchups. ... Aside from Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland's pass game is best left avoided in Week 1. Carson Palmer struggled all preseason in Knapp's new offense. Rod Streater's outlook is dependent on Denarius Moore's (hamstring) availability, and Moore is tentatively expected to play after a solid week of practice. Jacoby Ford (foot) has been ruled out. Heyward-Bey is the only intriguing receiver gamble. He racked up 130 yards and a touchdown on nine catches against a similar-looking Chargers secondary in Week 17 last year. ... I'm a big fan of Moore as a WR3 candidate with upside in standard scoring settings, but I'd put him on a "prove-it" week after he had so many setbacks with the hamstring. Moore has barely practiced in the new offense. If he has a big night, great. We'll know to start him next week.

Score Prediction: Raiders 23, Chargers 20

 

[HacheMan]

Flacco In Full
I, for one, welcome our new Joe Flacco overlord.

After a summer chock full of “this isn’t your slightly older brother’s Joe Flacco” puff pieces, there was the new Joe in living color on Monday. He connected with Torrey Smith for a 52-yard bomb on the game’s opening play, and rolled up 299 yards and 34 points before the fourth quarter.

This new-age Flacco was so improved he was pulled out of mercy two series into the fourth. But there’s your first question. Was this some sort of new-age trick? Perhaps one enhanced by the Bengals’ injury ravaged secondary?

There are skeptics.

This writer isn’t one of them. It’s extremely difficult to cut through offseason coachspeak, particularly when it’s funneled through bored beat writers who need to turn in a 1,200 word story two days after the Fourth of July. But from Day 1 this summer, the Ravens and their associated media made one thing clear: the reins will be coming off Flacco in 2012.

Hype made its first turn toward reality in the preseason, where Flacco operated extensively — sometimes exclusively — out of the no-huddle. The end result was an exhibition slate where he completed 43-of-60 passes for 433 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

Flacco’s 101.6 QB rating and 71.7 completion percentage would have both been new career highs by significant margins. But still, yeah whatever, preseason.

That chorus rings hollower after Monday, where Flacco’s 128.4 QB rating was his fourth highest in 65 career games, and his 10.3 yards per attempt his third highest.

(Note: I’m fully aware QB rating can be a highly misleading and often worthless stat, but work with me here.)

Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron has seen the light on offense, finally realizing why so many teams are adopting breakneck styles, and dumping the old-guard “break necks” style.

Flacco has the arm, smarts and personnel (lethal deep threat, shifty pass-catching back, two competent tight ends and a savvy, sure-handed and tough-minded veteran pass catcher) to make it work. At worst, the new approach should transform Flacco into one of the best fill-in fantasy quarterbacks in the league. At best — and most likely — it will certify him as a QB1 after years in the QB2 wilderness.

Raided

If Flacco was an offensive epiphany come to life on Monday, Carson Palmer was a setting phoenix. The former Heisman Trophy winner, No. 1 overall pick and two-time Pro Bowler appeared to be having a miserable time in the Raiders’ new arch-conservative offense, dumping it off to Darren McFadden so many times even “Checkdown” Charlie Whitehurst was watching in awe from the opposing sideline.

Granted, Palmer was missing two of his top three wideouts in Denarius Moore and Jacoby Ford, and the show finally started to pick up as Oakland went into comeback mode. But if this first impression of Palmer and new OC Greg Knapp’s marriage was at all representative of what’s to come, the Raiders are going to be running a stunningly undynamic offense one season after deposed coach Hue Jackson did all he could to wring what was left out of Palmer’s noodle arm.

Palmer can’t be fairly evaluated until he gets a game or two with Moore and Ford under his belt, but he’s looking like a below-average QB2.

Catch and Run DMC

The upshot of the Raiders’ plan to never throw the ball more than three yards beyond the line of scrimmage was a staggering 13 receptions for Darren McFadden, who had previously never hauled in more than seven catches in a game.

It was a boon for owners in PPR leagues, but a puzzlement for those counting on McFadden to be a horse in standard formats. Not that those owners didn’t their points, too, but if the Raiders stick with this approach going forward, McFadden is going to be facing boxes so loaded he’ll never get out of the backfield.

An increased role in the passing game? That would be quite nice. An all-inclusive one? Probably “careful what you wish for,” for the Raiders and fantasy owners alike.

Bad Day To Be A Bill

The Bills didn’t need two poisonous cherries on top of the 48-28 dismantling they suffered at the hands of the Jets on Sunday, but that’s what they got.

First came word that Fred Jackson has a sprained right LCL, and will miss four weeks in a “best-case scenario.”

But that was nothing compared to the gut punch that followed just minutes later: a torn ACL for slot receiver David Nelson. Again, a team that got blown away by the laughingstock of the preseason lost two of its offensive linchpins in the process.

The plan to replace Jackson will be simple: feed C.J. Spiller. The plan to replace Nelson will be more complicated, and involves heavy snaps for third-round rookie T.J. Graham. It’s gut check time for a team that took more Week 1 body blows than any other club in the league.

As for fantasy owners? Consider yourself lucky if Jackson doesn’t get Wally Pipped by the No. 9 pick of the 2010 draft in his absence.

NFC Quick Slants: Greg Jennings’ status for Thursday’s game against the Bears is “unclear” after he suffered a groin injury in Sunday’s loss. He’ll almost certainly be a game-time decision. … The Rams lost C Scott Wells (foot) for the season. The lone upgrade to an offensive line that was the league’s worst in 2011, Wells’ loss is a devastating blow for a club embarking on yet another rebuild. … The Redskins offered a non-update on Pierre Garcon’s (foot) status. He’s very much questionable for Sunday against the Rams, but it would ultimately be surprising if he didn’t suit up. … Coach Mike Shanahan did officially endorse Alfred Morris as his starting running back, however. Take Shanny endorsements on a week-to-week basis. … The Falcons lost CB Brent Grimes (Achilles) for the season. So much for Atlanta’s secondary being an obvious strength. … Adrian Peterson experienced no unusual soreness or swelling in his surgically-repaired knee following Sunday’s win. He could flirt with 20 carries in Week 2. … John Skelton (ankle) may end up missing only a few games. … Jeremy Maclin (hip) is “pretty sore.” Typically “pretty sore,” Maclin will likely end up playing in Week 2.

AFC Quick Slants: Joe Haden lost his appeal of his four-game suspension, and will be banned for Weeks 2-5. He’ll be missed dearly as the Browns take on the Bengals, Bills, Ravens and Giants. … Jake Locker (shoulder) is expected to start vs. the Chargers. He could be officially cleared as early as this afternoon. … Ed Reed tweaked his hamstring in Baltimore’s win. It’s doubtful he’ll practice this week, but he should be ready for Sunday. … Javon Ringer has an elbow infection. … Kenny Britt (knee) will “have a role” in Week 2. … Austin Collie (concussions) will be re-evaluated this afternoon. … Browns coach Pat Shurmur gave a vote of confidence to rookie starter Brandon Weeden. … Darrelle Revis was diagnosed with a “mild” concussion. He’s in a race against time to be cleared for Sunday.

 

[HacheMan]

Percy Lite? Back in mid-June, I advised Dynasty leaguers to bombard their league's Randall Cobb owners with trade offers as their summer homework. As I pointed out in a pre-camp article outling players to target in preseason deals, Cobb is a Percy Harvin-like talent with dangerous run-after-catch skills. In fact, the unstoppable Julio Jones was the only full-time receiver with a greater YAC per reception average last season.

It's not unusual for an elite fantasy receiver to begin his career as a dynamic return specialist. Harvin, Steve Smith, Henry Ellard, Derrick Mason and borderline Hall of Famer Tim Brown are just a handful of the many examples. Although Cobb played just half of the offensive snaps in a heavy no-huddle attack with the Packers down early to the 49ers, his 19 backfield snaps are highly intriguing from a fantasy perspective.

Asked by the FOX game announcers about the difference in this year's offense, Aaron Rodgers pointed to the coaching staff's plans for Cobb as a satellite player. Those plans were evident as Cobb took swing passes and short screens, motioned out of the backfield and ran quick slant routes in an effort to get the ball in his hands in space. Cobb reeled in all of his team-high nine targets while showing his electric playmaking ability on a 75-yard punt-return touchdown.

Much like Harvin early last season, the major question surrounding Cobb's fantasy value revolves around his snap count. The Packers clearly want the ball in his hands, and he's a superior talent to No. 3 receiver James Jones. Even if Cobb's snaps don't increase, he can produce WR3 numbers with WR2 upside while riding side-saddle in the backfield with Rodgers on obvious passing downs.

With Greg Jennings' (groin) status up in the air for Thursday night's game versus the Bears, both Cobb and Jones should be at or near the top of waiver wire lists this week.

Owners looking for a short-term fix should target Alfred Morris as a RB2 option for Week 2. Although Morris appears to have a stranglehold on the starting job, it's long been established that Mike Shanahan has a wandering backfield eye. In four preseason and regular season games, Morris has topped 3.6 yards per carry just once. The rookie doesn't have the skill-set to play all three downs, and the Roy Helu/Evan Royster tandem will be heard from sooner rather than later. For season-long upside, I prefer Cobb as the top waiver pickup over Morris this week.

On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players at each position as we head into Week 2. Full writeups of each player are below.

Editor’s Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass.

Quarterbacks
Jake Locker
Christian Ponder
Matt Cassel
Blaine Gabbert
Kevin Kolb

Running Backs
Alfred Morris
Mikel Leshoure
Jacquizz Rodgers
Jonathan Dwyer
Kendall Hunter
Bernard Scott
Vick Ballard
Bernard Pierce

Wide Receivers
Randall Cobb
Dexter McCluster
James Jones
Kevin Ogletree
Stephen Hill
Alshon Jeffery
Donald Jones
Brian Hartline

Tight Ends
Coby Fleener
Dennis Pitta
Martellus Bennett
Heath Miller
Scott Chandler

Defense/Special Teams
Redskins
Bengals
Raiders
Cowboys

Quarterbacks

Jake Locker, Titans - Locker’s timing couldn’t have been worse in Week 1. The early fourth quarter shoulder injury robbed him of a prime opportunity for garbage-time success in the fantasy friendly come-from-behind mode. Coach Mike Munchak assured after the game that Locker would start Week 2 at San Diego. Although he’s owned in just under half of Yahoo leagues, Locker remains a high-upside QB2 option.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Christian Ponder, Vikings - It’s hard to fault fantasy owners for keeping Ponder unowned in nearly 80 percent of Yahoo and CBS leagues after he was kept out of the end zone in Week 1. Although Ponder didn’t enjoy much fantasy success versus the Jaguars, the 74.1 percent completions and 10.0 YPA are promising indicators of future value. This offense has more fantasy potential than commonly believed.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Matt Cassel, Chiefs - The season opener was a tale of two halves, as Cassel played as well as he ever has in the opening frame. Behind one of the league’s strongest offensive lines, Cassel took advantage of a deep corps of receivers and tight ends to post a top-10 QB rating. Falcons defensive boss Mile Nolan won the half-time adjustments battle, harassing Cassel throughout the second half. Glass half-full types can roll the dice on his first half performance.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars - Don’t ever expect to start Gabbert outside of the bye-week crunch, but he’s now followed up an encouraging preseason with a strong performance in the opener. Justin Blackmon, Laurent Robinson and Cecil Shorts are major upgrades in Bob Bradkowski’s quick-passing offense, giving Gabbert a chance to sustain a modicum of success in his second season.

Recommendation: Should be owned in two-quarterback leagues.

Kevin Kolb, Cardinals - Kolb was impressive with quick reads and catchable balls in the game-winning drive, but it’s a small sample size. While it’s not a bad idea to give him a spin for 2-4 weeks in two-quarterback leagues with John Skelton sidelined, there’s still a high risk of implosion for a habitually hesitant passer behind a porous offensive line.

Recommendation: Worth a look in two-quarterback leagues.

Watch List: Matt Flynn

It’s only one game, but Russell Wilson certainly didn’t live up the hype in the opener. Keep Flynn in the back of your mind in case Wilson struggles to top 4.5 YPA again in Week 2.

Hold Off: Mark Sanchez, Matt Hasselbeck

I loved the Jets as a pick to cover the spread versus the media darling Bills in the opener because Rex Ryan’s coaching ability should never be underappreciated. But I have zero faith that the Jets offense will repeat that feat without the element of surprise. It’s a talent issue -- for Sanchez as well as his receivers. … Jake Locker is expected to start for the Titans in Week 2.

Cut Bait: Sam Bradford, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden

Already operating behind one of the NFL’s most under-manned offensive lines, Bradford lost his left tackle and center in the opener. … According to Pro Football Focus, Tannehill threw 29 of his 36 passes between 0 and 9 yards in the opener. … Weeden is a bust.


<!--RW-->Running Backs

Alfred Morris, Redskins - The bizarro Chris Johnson, Morris makes up for a lack of high-end speed with decisive cuts and a forward lean. The sixth-round rookie scored more fantasy points than any back save C.J. Spiller in Week 1. Although Mike Shanahan’s endorsement has been the “kiss of death” in the past, Morris’ 28 carries at New Orleans suggest he’s earned the coaching staff’s trust -- for now. Keep long-term expectations low, as Morris has managed to clear 3.6 yards per carry in just one of four combined preseason and regular-season games. For those owners looking for an immediate payoff, however, Morris will be a top-20 fantasy option versus the Rams in Week 2.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Mikel Leshoure, Lions - Leshoure’s ownership is sporadic, as he’s rostered in 80 percent of CBS leagues but just a third of Yahoo leagues. As we saw in Week 1, Kevin Smith posted RB1 production due more to the Lions offense than his own talent level. Given Smith’s injury history, it’s a solid bet that Leshoure will be thrust into the starting lineup at some point this season. He returns from suspension in Week 3.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Jacquizz Rodgers, Falcons - Don’t go crazy here. Banging into bodies with no burst whatsoever, Michael Turner couldn’t be more ill-suited to the Falcons up-tempo offense. We fully expect Quizz’s role to grow at Turner’s expense over the course of 16 games, but he remains a niche player. Roster Rodgers as a potential flex option in PPR formats; just realize his fantasy upside is limited with Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez hogging the production in Atlanta’s offense.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all PPR leagues.

Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers - Dwyer’s best run at Denver was called back on a questionable penalty and came one knee short of a touchdown. Clearly a stronger runner than Isaac Redman, he won the snap-count battle 42-24 in the opener. Don’t assume that Rashard Mendenhall will be plugged back into the feature back role once he returns to game action. Dwyer has earned a slice of this backfield pie.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Kendall Hunter, 49ers - The demise of Frank Gore may have been greatly exaggerated, but Hunter was on the field early and often in Green Bay. One of the league’s strongest No. 2 backs, Hunter will be a good bet for 8-12 touches per week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Bernard Scott, Bengals - Scott’s surgically-repaired hand is healed, and he should be back in football shape for Week 2. BenJarvus Green-Ellis put his stamp on the feature back job with a strong performance at Baltimore, but his lack of playmaking ability will come back to bite him in the end.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Vick Ballard, Colts - Go behind the box score in Donald Brown’s 5.3 YPC performance versus the Bears. Brown dropped two passes, including a pivotal screen play, and was exploited in pass protection once again. With limited lateral agility, Brown is not going to sustain a rushing attack in Indy. We expect Ballard’s role to grow at Brown’s expense over the long haul.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Bernard Pierce, Ravens - The Ravens dumped preseason star Bobby Rainey just before Monday night’s inactives were released. Pierce is locked in as the backup to Ray Rice in what finally has the look of a high-scoring offense.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Watch List: Bryce Brown, Mike Goodson

Although Brown saw just eight snaps in Week 1, there are whispers that his role could grow as a change-of-pace to LeSean McCoy. … Darren McFadden is still without a clear handcuff. Keep an eye on the Goodson vs. Taiwan Jones breakdown next week.

Hold Off: Tashard Choice, Knowshon Moreno, Javon Ringer, Shane Draughn

Choice hasn’t been productive in three years. … Moreno won’t touch the ball more than 5-7 times per game; don’t chase that touchdown. … Ringer won’t be eating into Chris Johnson’s workload. He’s been hospitalized with an elbow infection. … Draughn’s snaps came in garbage time.

Cut Bait: Isaac Redman, Ronnie Brown, Montario Hardesty, Brandon Jackson, Isaiah Pead, Ronnie Hillman, Joe McKnight, Danny Woodhead, Bobby Rainey, Alex Green, Mike Tolbert

It’s time to cut your losses on Redman, who has been running in quicksand since training camp opened. Find a player with more upside on this week’s waiver wire. … It turns out Brown was still running with a fork in his back after all. … The Browns gave Trent Richardson 19 carries in his first action since knee surgery. There’s no reason to own Hardesty or Jackson. … Pead remains behind Daryl Richardson. … Hillman was a healthy scratch. … Rainey and Green were barely utilized as third-down backs.

<!--RW-->Wide Receivers

Randall Cobb, Packers - If your sights are set on short-term fix, grab Alfred Morris or even teammate James Jones as a potential Greg Jennings replacement this week. If you’re looking for the best chance of a breakout season, though, Cobb is your man. We’ve been comparing Cobb to Percy Harvin since early last season, and the Packers finally began using their versatile weapon in a similar fashion as the team leader in receptions versus the 49ers.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues.

Dexter McCluster, Chiefs - We should have seen McCluster’s team-leading 10 targets coming. Chet Gresham’s handy column on preseason targets from starting quarterbacks showed McCluster as one of the five most targeted receivers in the NFL throughout August. Ex-scout Daniel Jeremiah predicted hours before Sunday’s game time that McCluster would catch 80 passes this season as a perfect slot fit in Brian Daboll’s scheme. McCluster can’t touch Randall Cobb’s playmaking ability, but he’s going to be an asset in PPR formats all season long.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all PPR leagues.

James Jones, Packers - Waiver pickers chasing Jones’ points have been burned more often than not in the past, but there are two reasons to believe that could change this week. Jones played all but 11 snaps as the No. 3 receiver in the opener, and Greg Jennings’ (groin) status is up in the air on a short practice week. Keep an eye on Tuesday’s practice report. If Jennings sits out, I would choose Jones over Kevin Ogletree this week. Jones would be a top-30 fantasy option versus the Bears if he ends up starting for Jennings.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Kevin Ogletree, Cowboys - Ogletree renewed his football focus after an offseason wakeup call, but nobody could have seen his 8/114/2 performance coming. Ogletree’s 23 Week 1 standard-scoring fantasy points were two more than he had produced in his first three seasons combined. Research from 4for4.com’s John Paulsen on surprise Week 1 receiver studs suggests WR4/5 production should be the expectation over the course of the season. Ex-scout Bryan Broaddus, one of Ogletree’s biggest critics (justifiably) over the past couple of years, concedes the Cowboys’ new No. 3 receiver has shown toughness and a play making ability over the past month “that I was sure did not exist.” Ogletree’s football epiphany leaves him as the natural successor to Laurent Robinson, but he’s not going to match the latter’s 11 touchdowns from last season. Expect to hear much more from Dez Bryant and Miles Austin than Ogletree going forward. The Cowboys won’t be facing street-free agent types at third cornerback eveyr week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Stephen Hill, Jets - If we could trust the Jets’ aerial attack, Hill’s upside would be Torrey Smith’s rookie season. With a similarly freakish size/speed package and a limited route tree, Hill’s production will be hit-or-miss depending on his ability to get behind overwhelmed cornerbacks. Although his strong blocking prowess will keep him on the field, Hill will not be a reliable fantasy starter from week to week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Alshon Jeffery, Bears - The Bears coaches insist every offseason that Devin Hester is an integral part of their offense, only to abandon that plan by midseason. They’ve already thrown in the towel this year, thanks to their impressive second-round rookie. Jeffery played 10 more snaps and ran four more pass routes than Hester in the season opener. Don’t put too much stock in Jeffery’s 3/80/1 line, however. His 42-yard touchdown came in garbage time. Jeffery is still more of a roster stash than a weekly starter.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Donald Jones, Bills - After holding off all competitors for the No. 2 receiver job with a strong August, Jones posted a 5/41/1 line on seven targets in the opener. With David Nelson out for the season, Jones should be locked in as the second option in the passing game. There’s WR4/5 value here in deeper leagues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Brian Hartline, Dolphins - A trendy offseason “sleeper” pick before missing all of August with an appendectomy and a lingering calf injury, Hartline returned as Ryan Tannehill’s top target in the opener. Hartline is never a good bet to top 100 yards, and the Dolphins anemic passing attack further deflates his potential. He’s purely a deep-league option.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Watch List: Rod Streater, Jerome Simpson, Cecil Shorts, Aldrick Robinson, Andrew Hawkins, T.J. Graham, Emmanuel Sanders

Streater played five more snaps than Darrius Heyward-Bey in the opener, but Denarius Moore’s return leaves his future role cloudy. … Simpson returns from suspension in Week 4. … Shorts significantly out-produced No. 3 receiver Michael Thomas despite playing 28 fewer snaps. … Robinson saw a team-high six targets in replacing “X” receiver Pierre Garcon in the first half. … Hawkins and Sanders are worth a look in deeper PPR leagues. … Graham figures to pick up playing time with David Nelson out for the season.

Hold Off: Andre Roberts, Donnie Avery, Damian Williams, Domenik Hixon, Devin Aromashodu, Michael Jenkins, Jeremy Kerley

Williams picked up extra snaps because Kenny Britt was suspended.

Cut Bait: Jon Baldwin, Braylon Edwards, Michael Floyd, Steve Breaston, Brian Quick, Steve Smith, Devery Henderson, Devin Hester, Earl Bennett, Legedu Naanee, Brandon Tate

Baldwin played 21 snaps in the opener compared to Dwayne Bowe’s 62, Dexter McCluster’s 57 and Steve Breaston’s 51. … Edwards will split snaps with Golden Tate going forward. … Floyd play just 20-of-64 offensive snaps as the fourth receiver. … Brandon Gibson started ahead of Smith; Quick didn’t even see the field. … Hester and Bennett are no better than the fourth option in the passing attack. … Both of Naanee’s Week 1 targets went for interceptions.

<!--RW-->Tight Ends

Coby Fleener, Colts - Andrew Luck’s college tight end is still unowned in roughly half of Yahoo leagues. Although Fleener’s production was boosted by the halftime two-minute drill versus a Cover-2 defense, it’s worth noting that he was targeted 10 times to zero for fellow rookie Dwayne Allen.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues.

Dennis Pitta, Ravens - Joe Flacco is spreading the wealth in the Ravens’ new up-tempo offense, but Pitta took a commanding targets lead with nine in the opener. Nicknamed “American Express” by Terrell Suggs because he’s “everywhere you want him to be,” Pitta became an integral part of the 2011 stretch-run game plan. Going back to Week 14 of last season, Pitta has 24 receptions for 259 yards and four TDs compared to Ed Dickson’s 13/148/2 line. Pitta has been targeted at least seven times in three of his last four games.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Martellus Bennett, Giants - The Giants beat writers as well as NFL Films guru Greg Cosell believe Bennett will have a bigger role going forward after impressing in the opener. Eli Manning habitually looks to his tight ends, from Kevin Boss to Jake Ballard. Bennett is just as big and more athletic than either of those players.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues.

Heath Miller, Steelers - As Ben Roethlisberger’s security blanket on third downs and in the red zone, Miller fell one target short of the team lead with seven targets at Denver. The concern, as always, is that Miller will have to stay in to block after the Steelers had two more offensive lineman forced from the field in the opener. The good news is those injuries don’t appear to be of the long-term variety.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues.

Scott Chandler, Bills - After a strong offseason and training camp, Chandler posted a 4/38/1 line on six targets versus the Jets. Already one of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s favorite red-zone targets, Chandler’s role figures to grow with David Nelson out for the season.

Recommendation: Worth a look in touchdown-heavy leagues.

Watch List: Zach Miller, Marcedes Lewis

The two veterans caught all eight of their combined targets. Although they’ve proven capable of producing in the past, Miller and Lewis were afterthoughts last season. We need to see more consistent targets.

Hold Off: Tony Scheffler, Brandon Myers

Scheffler pops onto the radar occasionally with an 8-target game, but he can’t be counted on week-to-week as the sixth or seventh man on the totem pole. … Myers is a blocking specialist coming off a career performance. It’s not repeatable.

Cut Bait: Dallas Clark, Lance Kendricks, Dwayne Allen, Kellen Davis

Clark played on 32-of-67 offensive snaps, 17 fewer than Luke Stocker. … I’m ready to throw in the towel on Kendricks, who simply fades when the bright lights come on. … Allen played 36 snaps to Coby Fleener’s 54; Allen didn’t see a single target. … Ignore the Bears tight ends; Jay Cutler does too.

Defense/Special Teams

Bengals - Brandon Weeden’s 5.1 Week 1 passer rating was the lowest by any rookie making his debut since 1960. In fact, it was even lower than his career ERA of 5.20 across five minor league seasons. We noticed in preseason action that Weeden not only struggles in a muddy pocket, but also carries the ball too low. He’s highly susceptible to fumbles and interceptions.

Redskins - The Rams entered the season rivaling the Cardinals for the most overwhelmed offensive line in the league. They have now lost $24 million center Scott Wells and left tackle Rodger Saffold, leaving four exploitable weak spots up front.

Raiders - Oakland certainly didn’t lose on Monday Night Football due to shoddy defense. They stifled the Chargers’ ground game and held Philip Rivers to one touchdown even with good field position. The Raiders travel to Miami to face an offense that surrendered three interceptions, three sacks and three forced fumbles in Week 1.

Cowboys - Rob Ryan’s improved defense stifled Eli Manning and the Giants in the NFL opener. They travel to Seattle this week to face rookie Russell Wilson, who was harassed by the Cardinals’ front seven behind a questionable offensive line. Wilson managed a paltry 4.5 yards per attempt at Arizona.

​

 

[HacheMan]

Free-agent finds: Week 2

By Christopher Harris | ESPN.com

It appears we made it through Week 1 without any major fantasy player suffering a catastrophic injury. Fred Jackson seems likely to miss a month with a sprained ligament in his knee. Greg Jennings could miss Thursday night's game with an injured groin. John Skelton and Jake Locker are both questionable for Week 2 but presumably weren't a major part of your fantasy lineup. Nevertheless, heading into Week 1 we had the least knowledge about NFL 2012 than we'll have all season, so now that we've seen one round of games, there's ample opportunity for roster upgrades. Let's take a look:


Standard ESPN league finds



Alfred Morris, RB, Washington Redskins (owned in 18.2 percent of ESPN.com leagues): There are two reasons to be skeptical about Morris, a sixth-round rookie out of Florida Atlantic: one obvious and one less so. Obviously, Mike Shanahan enjoys tinkering with his backfield, so the fact that Morris got 28 of Washington's 34 running back carries Sunday (for 96 yards and two scores) is tough to rely on going forward. Less obviously, having watched the film, I can say that Morris is a powerful rusher who's almost completely uninspiring in his talent. I counted exactly one play against the New Orleans Saints where Morris actually put his foot hard into the ground and cut to make someone miss. His best play came on his second touchdown, when he blew up David Hawthorne on the goal line in a one-on-one confrontation. Morris does get what's blocked, but he doesn't get any more than that. In the first half, he had nine carries for 19 yards, and 22 of his 28 totes went for 3 yards or less. Still, you don't find too many guys leading the NFL in carries on the waiver wire.

Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (18.2 percent): The best thing Isaac Redman could've done to maintain his mystique as a potential fantasy starter would've been to stay injured. Once he got out there Sunday night against the Denver Broncos, Redman showed exactly what he is: a plodder who'll occasionally dole out some punishment but make nobody miss. (Redman wound up with 13 touches for 27 yards.) By contrast, Dwyer, a slightly bigger player, injected an element of speed and wiggle, producing 54 yards on 11 touches. Rashard Mendenhall may return in the season's first month, but until he does, Dwyer belongs at the head of this committee. He's addable in all leagues, because the Steelers certainly saw what was plain to all of America: He's a better player than Redman.


Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers (13.4 percent): According to ESPN Milwaukee, Cobb lined up in the backfield for 19 plays against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday. (He was never actually handed the ball, but still.) No doubt, part of that occurred because the Packers were losing for much of the game, but the fact remains that Cobb was nine-for-nine in catching targets and wound up with 77 yards. He also returned a punt for a touchdown (though the play should've been called back for an illegal block). Even if Jennings is fine going forward, Cobb is starting to look like a Percy Harvin clone who can help you in all leagues, especially PPR ones. He's not quite a burner, but he's extremely quick in space, and when Aaron Rodgers gets into pass-heavy mode, Cobb appears to be his choice in checkdowns.


Kevin Ogletree, WR, Dallas Cowboys (49.8 percent): Clearly, Ogletree is owned in half of ESPN leagues now because those leagues allow teams to add free agents immediately (or because those leagues drafted during or after the Cowboys' Wednesday night game); headed into Week 1, Ogletree was owned in 0.4 percent of leagues. The reason to suspect Ogletree could be a legit fantasy threat is that Laurent Robinson followed nearly the same career path leading up to his 2011 breakout: a journeyman with potential who finally put it together as the Cowboys' third wideout. Robinson famously scored 11 TDs on 54 catches last season, and Ogletree lit up the New York Giants last Wednesday with two scores, eight grabs and 114 yards. The reason to suspect Ogletree is a one-hit wonder is that the Giants' secondary could have been more injured only had a blimp crash-landed on the field. However, if Dez Bryant and Miles Austin stay healthy and merit defensive attention, Ogletree could have more moments in '12.


Dexter McCluster, RB/WR, Kansas City Chiefs (3.9 percent): McCluster led the Chiefs with 10 targets Sunday, catching six of them for 82 yards (he had zero carries). He's now a slot receiver, rendering Steve Breaston and Jon Baldwin fantasy afterthoughts. And don't chalk this up to a bunch of looks resulting from a blowout; McCluster's first five targets came while the game was very much in reach for the Chiefs. If there's one thing a Brian Daboll-coached offense knows how to do, it's check down, and that makes McCluster a sneaky fantasy starter in PPR leagues. In standard-sized leagues, it might be tough to rely on him week in and week out, but if you've got a spare roster spot, it might not be a terrible investment to stash him to see how his role in K.C. pans out.


Brandon LaFell, WR, Carolina Panthers (19.2 percent): LaFell was one of my Flag Players this summer, so I was pleased to see him score a Week 1 touchdown. Of course, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers declined to actually cover LaFell on the play in question, so I'll hold off my celebration. LaFell also made an awful play where a ball bounced off his hands up into the air for an easy Bucs pick. However, this wasn't a typical game for Cam Newton and the Panthers; they got dominated in time of possession, and Newton's rhythm was mostly off. As I wrote this preseason, Newton isn't quite the mad bomber some would have you believe: He threw mostly short looks Sunday (in the first half, I counted three throws that traveled more than 10 yards in the air), and LaFell specializes in those. He's ownable in all leagues.

Stephen Hill, WR, New York Jets (7.4 percent): Hill is raw. Hill is going to make mistakes. But he's also a freaky size/speed guy, and the Jets don't have other good options to play outside opposite Santonio Holmes, so apparently Hill is going to get some looks. In Sunday's blowout of the Buffalo Bills, he had five grabs on six targets for 89 yards and two scores. Things won't always be so easy. But I'll admit, after watching preseason passes bounce of Hill's hands, I wondered if the Jets might be leery of involving him too heavily right away. Mark Sanchez took shots to the kid. His second-quarter TD was deep down the left sideline, underthrown, and Hill made a terrific adjustment. He'll be up-and-down, but he's worth a high-upside look.


Coby Fleener, TE, Indianapolis Colts (23.3 percent) and Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings (9.9 percent): There are so many quality tight ends in the NFL, it's difficult for me to tell you to dump the guy you've got now and pick up Fleener or Rudolph. But each guy figures to have some good weeks in '12. Fleener was a major part of Indy's hurry-up attack and wound up with eight catches for 82 yards. Rudolph got involved immediately on Sunday and made a circus catch late in the third quarter to set up a field goal. Interestingly, these guys play each other in Week 2, and it's easy to imagine each of them producing a top-10-TE week. Unfortunately, it's also easy to imagine the same thing for about 15 other guys.


Deeper-league finds



James Jones, WR, Green Bay Packers (13.2 percent): This one might actually be partly about Jennings' injury, as Jones figures to pick up snaps on the outside if 85 isn't in there. Jones had four grabs for 81 yards and a score against the Niners on Sunday, although he's rarely the guy Rodgers looks for first (at least when Jennings is healthy). The short week could work in Jones' favor.


Alshon Jeffery, WR, Chicago Bears (11.5 percent): Jeffery had only three first-half targets versus the Colts on Sunday and produced his big plays (a 23-yard reception, followed up with a 42-yard bomb for a touchdown) once the game was out of reach. But that doesn't mean the rookie can't gain Jay Cutler's confidence and continue to grow. He's mostly out there in three- and four-WR sets for now, but I can see that changing as the season progresses.

Christian Ponder, QB, Minnesota Vikings (3.6 percent): Ponder looks like a better NFL player than he was in college. His arm is bigger, and the injury concerns that plagued him at Florida State haven't flared up yet. Things will get better for him once Jerome Simpson comes off suspension; for now, he's left hitting Percy Harvin and Rudolph with shorter stuff. Remember that Ponder ran for 219 yards in 11 games last season, so he should produce more on the ground than the single yard he had in Week 1. In a two-QB league, you could do far worse (plus he faces the Colts next week).


Jeremy Kerley, WR, New York Jets (0.8 percent): Kerley made my list of Super-Deep Sleepers this summer and paid dividends right away, returning a punt for a TD and grabbing four catches for 45 yards and the Jets' first TD on Sunday. Expecting things to ever be thus is probably silly, but Kerley fits the mold of a smart, quick slot player who can get lost in a defense. He's best-suited as a PPR deep-leaguer.


Martellus Bennett, TE, New York Giants (36.7 percent) and Dennis Pitta, TE, Baltimore Ravens (2.5 percent): Let's face it, I could easily have put Bennett and Pitta in the same group as Fleener and Rudolph above. Tight end is just replete with talent. Unfortunately, much of it isn't "week-to-week" talent, as in: I'm not sure you can count on it week-to-week. Pitta has Ed Dickson to deal with, although on Monday night Pitta had nine targets to Dickson's three. And while Bennett continues to intrigue with his talent (and he did score a Week 1 touchdown), he still runs inconsistent routes.


Mikel Leshoure, RB, Detroit Lions (17.8 percent): Kevin Smith scored twice in Week 1 and produced 91 yards from scrimmage while staying healthy. That makes him the favorite to stay in the RB driver's seat even when LeShoure returns from suspension in Week 3. However, next week the Lions face the rabid 49ers run defense, which means Smith looks likely to struggle. Plus, we know how injury-prone he is, and he'll get hit hard in San Francisco. It's still uncertain whether Leshoure is fully recovered from his torn Achilles, so this is certainly a speculative add. But in a deeper league, it's one I'd probably make.

 

[HacheMan]

2012 ranks: Sanchez, Spiller on the rise

Eric Karabell

Now that Week 1 is over, we turn to the end-of-season rankings. Yes, we here at ESPN Fantasy are also looking at Week 2, but this is Tuesday, and for those who recall what we did on this day last season, this space was used to rank each and every position as if you were drafting today.


There aren't many changes so far, because overrating what happens in the opening week is a dangerous practice. However, drafts remain ongoing, and there is much relevance in terms of trading and free-agent purposes. Basically, if you're looking for Alfred Morris and Kevin Ogletree in the top 10 at their respective positions, you're in the wrong place.


<offer>A friendly reminder: These are not the Week 2 rankings. You'll see those on the ESPN Fantasy pages each Wednesday.</offer>


Now let's get going position by position, with comments to the left of the rankings explaining things. As always, we look forward to your comments and support, and feel free to follow up with questions in my weekly Wednesday chat session.


Quick click by position, for easy reference:
Top 40 Quarterbacks | Top 60 Running Backs | Top 60 Wide Receivers
Top 25 Tight Ends | Top 32 Defense/Special Teams | Top 100 Overall

Top 40 Quarterbacks




<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style><table style="margin: 0px; width: 100%;"><thead><tr><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Rank </center></th><th style="width: 200px; vertical-align: bottom;"> Player </th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Team </center></th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Prev. </center></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Aaron Rodgers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tom Brady </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Drew Brees </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matthew Stafford </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Cam Newton </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Eli Manning </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Peyton Manning </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tony Romo </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Ryan </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Michael Vick </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Philip Rivers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;">Robert Griffin III </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ben Roethlisberger </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Pit </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jay Cutler </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Joe Flacco </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Schaub </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Josh Freeman </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Alex Smith </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Carson Palmer </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Oak </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Andy Dalton </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Sam Bradford </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> StL </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Andrew Luck </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ind </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jake Locker </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mark Sanchez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ryan Fitzpatrick </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Cassel </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tim Tebow </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Russell Wilson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Sea </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Blaine Gabbert </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Jac </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 32 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Christian Ponder </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kevin Kolb </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 37 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ryan Tannehill </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Mia </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 33 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brandon Weeden </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 31 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 34 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Nick Foles </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Hasselbeck </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 35 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Flynn </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Sea </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 34 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> John Skelton </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Moore </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Mia </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 38 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Colt McCoy </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 40 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tarvaris Jackson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr></tbody></table>




While a few of the top five quarterbacks didn't have their best games Sunday, it's premature to panic when it comes to Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Matthew Stafford and others. While Rodgers and Brees lost, they didn't single-handedly make their fantasy owners lose. Rodgers, for example, still ended up with a solid 22 fantasy points. That could be his worst fantasy performance of the season now that he is done with the San Francisco 49ers defense.


The only noteworthy change in the top 10 is that "other" Manning brother, the one that missed all of the 2011 season, has moved up a bit. He sure looked good Sunday night, although I still had him ranked a respectable ninth to begin the season.


The big mover among the fantasy-backup quarterbacks (i.e., those who didn't make the top 10) is Washington Redskins rookie Robert Griffin III. As noted in this week's Four Downs blog entry, Griffin looked terrific Sunday, but there's a limit to how many proven reliable passers he should vault over. As it is, he gets the nod over three such entities in Ben Roethlisberger, Jay Cutler and Matt Schaub, none of whom struggled Sunday. I like Griffin, and certainly we saw Joe Flacco put on a Monday night show. In theory, they should continue to thrive and be worthy of top-10 status, but it seems no fewer than 15 quarterbacks could make a similar claim.


There's a change in the New York Jets' hierarchy, as Mark Sanchez played well and Tim Tebow barely played. Look, the Jets played a Buffalo Bills team that looked dreadful. I'm guessing Sanchez won't have as much fun against the Pittsburgh Steelers this week. If you have Tebow on your bench, don't drop him, because he still possesses top-10 upside, if and when he gets opportunities. Then again, Sanchez finished in the top 10 a year ago.


As for the back end of the top 40, with the way Ryan Fitzpatrick played against the Jets, it's reasonable to wonder whether he is even a reliable fantasy backup. We shouldn't overrate one week, but you can probably do better. That doesn't mean you should run out and get Buffalo backup Tarvaris Jackson, though. The only reasonable quarterback handcuff situation at this point looks like it's in Philadelphia, as Michael Vick looked terrible in Week 1. Rookie Nick Foles is his backup, and he gets ranked. It's reasonable to wonder how Vick is going to make it out of the Week 2 game against the Ravens in one piece.



Top 60 Running Backs





<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style><table style="margin: 0px; width: 100%;"><thead><tr><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Rank </center></th><th style="width: 200px; vertical-align: bottom;"> Player </th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Team </center></th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Prev. </center></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Arian Foster </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ray Rice </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> LeSean McCoy </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Maurice Jones-Drew </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Jac </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Forte </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Adrian Peterson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Chris Johnson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Marshawn Lynch </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Sea </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> DeMarco Murray </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jamaal Charles </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Darren McFadden </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Oak </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Steven Jackson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> StL </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Frank Gore </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ryan Mathews </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Darren Sproles </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Stevan Ridley </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ahmad Bradshaw </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Trent Richardson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Michael Turner </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> C.J. Spiller </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 33 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Doug Martin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Willis McGahee </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> BenJarvus Green-Ellis </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Shonn Greene </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Reggie Bush </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Mia </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ben Tate </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Michael Bush </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 32 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jonathan Stewart </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kevin Smith </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 34 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Cedric Benson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Alfred Morris </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 57 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Beanie Wells </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Roy Helu </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 34 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Peyton Hillis </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 35 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Donald Brown </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ind </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 39 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> DeAngelo Williams </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 31 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mark Ingram </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 37 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Fred Jackson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Isaac Redman </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Pit </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 36 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Toby Gerhart </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 38 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 41 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ryan Williams </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 41 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> David Wilson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 42 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 43 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mikel Leshoure </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 59 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Shane Vereen </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 40 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jonathan Dwyer </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Pit </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 51 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Felix Jones </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 43 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 47 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Pierre Thomas </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 46 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 48 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> LeGarrette Blount </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 47 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 49 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Rashard Mendenhall </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Pit </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 50 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Rashad Jennings </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Jac </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 48 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 51 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Daniel Thomas </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Mia </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 44 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 52 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Robert Turbin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Sea </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 53 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Knowshon Moreno </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mike Tolbert </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 49 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ronnie Brown </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 54 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 56 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Evan Royster </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 56 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 57 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kendall Hunter </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 58 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Bernard Scott </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 45 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 59 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Dexter McCluster </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jacquizz Rodgers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr></tbody></table>




The top three remain the top three, with no real concerns, though I admit I considered moving Arian Foster down to No. 3. Foster was a game-time decision Sunday because of a knee problem, and while he scored two touchdowns, he has a terrific backup looming in Ben Tate. Plus, the Texans certainly appear to be the class of the AFC South, which could affect how Foster is handled in December. For now, he is still No. 1, but nobody would laugh if you're drafting this week and choose Ray Rice or LeSean McCoy ahead of him.


As for No. 4, Chris Johnson tortured fantasy owners much of the 2011 season, when he reported to camp late following a holdout and noticeably out of shape. By all accounts, he is in fine shape and is motivated to have a big year. He's even talking about a 2,000-yard rushing season. Well, he has only 1,996 yards to go after he gained all of four yards on 11 carries Sunday. Awful. Still, fantasy owners shouldn't panic. The skills are there. I hope this is his worst game. I'm convinced Maurice Jones-Drew will be terrific, and Adrian Peterson showed he's healthy, so they pass him, but Johnson owners shouldn't be so quick to sell him this week.


It's understandable that Alfred Morris likely will be the most popular running back pickup of the week, because as we all know, Redskins coach Mike Shanahan has never, ever changed his mind when it comes to personnel decisions. (Ahem, yes, that's sarcasm.) Morris could be in for a fine season, or he could be inactive by Week 5. He moves way up my rankings, but don't exalt him to top-20 status yet. You'll see him ranked one spot after a considerably older fellow in Green Bay coming off an 18-yard outing. But Cedric Benson has more job security.


Trent Richardson and Michael Turner looked bad Sunday, but I'm not ready to dump these guys yet and don't see how anybody would be. It's one week. Turner was fantasy's No. 5 running back a year ago, and while we expect regression, it's premature to unload the guy. Richardson could sure use a threat at quarterback, eh? He and Turner drop a bit, but they remain in the top 20 and are joined by Stevan Ridley and C.J. Spiller. Yep, Spiller is Buffalo's starter for the next month, perhaps more. On Sunday, Fred Jackson's knee bent in a way it shouldn't, but he shouldn't be dropped yet either.



Top 60 Wide Receivers





<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style><table style="margin: 0px; width: 100%;"><thead><tr><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Rank </center></th><th style="width: 200px; vertical-align: bottom;"> Player </th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Team </center></th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Prev. </center></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Calvin Johnson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Andre Johnson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Larry Fitzgerald </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Julio Jones </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brandon Marshall </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Roddy White </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mike Wallace </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Pit </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> A.J. Green </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Wes Welker </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Greg Jennings </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Hakeem Nicks </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Victor Cruz </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jordy Nelson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Steve Smith </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Percy Harvin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Marques Colston </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Dez Bryant </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Vincent Jackson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jeremy Maclin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Demaryius Thomas </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Dwayne Bowe </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brandon Lloyd </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Steve Johnson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Antonio Brown </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Pit </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Miles Austin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Eric Decker </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> DeSean Jackson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Pierre Garcon </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Torrey Smith </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Reggie Wayne </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ind </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 39 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Lance Moore </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 35 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Robert Meachem </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kenny Britt </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 31 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 34 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Malcom Floyd </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 33 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Santonio Holmes </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 34 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Anquan Boldin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 36 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Nate Washington </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 38 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kevin Ogletree </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Michael Crabtree </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 37 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Sidney Rice </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Sea </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 40 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 41 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Denarius Moore </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Oak </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 32 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Titus Young </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 42 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 43 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mario Manningham </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 43 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Darrius Heyward-Bey </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Oak </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 41 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Justin Blackmon </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Jac </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 44 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Leonard Hankerson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 45 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 47 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brandon LaFell </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 53 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 48 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Laurent Robinson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Jac </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 47 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 49 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Randy Moss </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 50 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mike Williams </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 48 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 51 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> James Jones </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 55 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 52 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Nate Burleson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 49 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 53 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jonathan Baldwin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 51 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Randall Cobb </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 59 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kendall Wright </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 54 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 56 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Alshon Jeffery </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 57 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Rueben Randle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 46 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 58 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Stephen Hill </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 59 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Danny Amendola </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> StL </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Rod Streater </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Oak </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr></tbody></table>




Atlanta Falcons sophomore Julio Jones put on a nice show Sunday, and he moves into the top five, where he ought to stay for, oh, the next decade. He has the ability, but there will be some weeks in which he actually -- wait for it -- does not score a touchdown and Roddy White does. Yes, White can remain productive as well. Jones and Brandon Marshall move up, while no top 20 wide receivers take a major hit. Percy Harvin, who adds to his value with occasional rushes, moves up a bit as well. Harvin had five carries Sunday, which matched the total rushing attempts for the rest of the top 40 wide receivers.


Edging his way into the top 20 is Peyton Manning target Demaryius Thomas. As with the top Falcons, Packers, Giants, Cowboys and other teams with multiple top wide receiver options, Thomas won't outscore Eric Decker every week, but Week 1 was a reminder that just because Decker played better in August, that bears little meaning in September. Each Bronco is worth owning and considering as WR2 or flex possibilities.


The biggest riser at wide receiver was the aforementioned Kevin Ogletree of the Dallas Cowboys, fresh off his 23 standard-fantasy-point effort. Ogletree isn't necessarily a strong Week 2 play, since the Cowboys figure to have both Dez Bryant and Miles Austin healthy, but like Laurent Robinson a year ago, opportunity could continue to knock. There aren't many No. 3 wide receivers with Ogletree's upside.


Plenty of wide receivers had productive games last weekend and did not move up much in the rankings, which speaks more to the depth at the position than anything else. For example, Pierre Garcon had a big game. Torrey Smith and Reggie Wayne looked great as well. Whom exactly do they pass in the rankings? Like at quarterback, where we can probably nominate 15 or 16 passers as deserving of top-10 status, there are more than 30 wide receivers that could be in the top 20. If only we could say this at running back!


At the back end of the wide receiver rankings, keep an eye on the rookies. A few have infiltrated these rankings, such as Alshon Jeffery, Stephen Hill and even Rod Streater. This doesn't mean they are to be trusted or they'll continue the success in Week 2, but in each case, they, and others with little experience, are interesting in fantasy.


Top 25 Tight Ends





<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style><table style="margin: 0px; width: 100%;"><thead><tr><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Rank </center></th><th style="width: 200px; vertical-align: bottom;"> Player </th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Team </center></th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Prev. </center></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jimmy Graham </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Rob Gronkowski </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Antonio Gates </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Vernon Davis </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jermichael Finley </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Aaron Hernandez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tony Gonzalez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jason Witten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brandon Pettigrew </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jared Cook </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Fred Davis </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jacob Tamme </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Owen Daniels </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brent Celek </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Dustin Keller </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Martellus Bennett </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Dennis Pitta </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jermaine Gresham </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Coby Fleener </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ind </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Greg Olsen </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kyle Rudolph </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ed Dickson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Marcedes Lewis </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Jac </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Joel Dreessen </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Heath Miller </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Pit </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td></tr></tbody></table>




Who is Dennis Pitta, and why does he matter? Well, if you like Flacco and think a big year is coming, it stands to reason Baltimore Ravens tight end Pitta could be a nice factor. Pitta racked up 73 receiving yards and a touchdown Monday night, and he breaks into the top 20.


Like quarterback and wide receiver, it's tough to move upstarts higher when so few players deserve to drop. This was the highest-scoring Week 1 in the NFL since the merger in 1970. A lot of players performed well -- though obviously not a lot of defenses. For instance, 14 tight ends scored touchdowns in Week 1.


As for the top 10 at tight end, not a whole lot changes. Fred Davis drops a few spots, but I wouldn't read too much into that. Jason Witten does not drop yet, because he should still be plenty productive this season. As things stand now, you shouldn't feel bad about using a tight end in your flex position, as there are clearly more than 10 relevant options, perhaps Pitta, Martellus Bennett and Greg Olsen included.



Top 32 Defense/Special Teams






<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style><table style="margin: 0px; width: 100%;"><thead><tr><th style="width: 40px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Rank </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"> Player </th><th style="width: 40px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Prev. </center></th><th style="width: 5px; vertical-align: bottom; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><center> </center></th><th style="width: 40px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Rank </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"> Player </th><th style="width: 40px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Prev. </center></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> San Francisco 49ers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> St. Louis Rams </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Houston Texans </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Oakland Raiders </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Chicago Bears </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Cleveland Browns </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Baltimore Ravens </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Miami Dolphins </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Philadelphia Eagles </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jacksonville Jaguars </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Seattle Seahawks </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tampa Bay Buccaneers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> New York Jets </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tennessee Titans </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Pittsburgh Steelers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> San Diego Chargers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Atlanta Falcons </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Carolina Panthers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 31 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Detroit Lions </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Washington Redskins </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Dallas Cowboys </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kansas City Chiefs </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> New England Patriots </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Minnesota Vikings </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Green Bay Packers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Buffalo Bills </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Arizona Cardinals </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Cincinnati Bengals </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Denver Broncos </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> New Orleans Saints </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> New York Giants </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Indianapolis Colts </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 32 </td></tr></tbody></table>





Top 100 Overall






<style type="text/css">.mod-inline td img {margin: 0px;}</style><table style="margin: 0px; width: 100%;"><thead><tr><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Ovr.
Rank </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"> Player </th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Team </center></th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Pos.
Rank </center></th><th style="vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Next 3
Weeks </center></th><th style="width: 50px; vertical-align: bottom;"><center> Prev.
Rank </center></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Arian Foster </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Jac, @Den, Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 1 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ray Rice </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Phi, NE, Cle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 2 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> LeSean McCoy </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal, @Ari, NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 3 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Maurice Jones-Drew </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Jac </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Hou, @Ind, Cin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Calvin Johnson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @SF, @Ten, Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Aaron Rodgers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi, @Sea, NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 4 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Forte </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @GB, StL, @Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tom Brady </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari, @Bal, @Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 6 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Adrian Peterson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Ind, SF, @Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Drew Brees </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Car, KC, @GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 8 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Andre Johnson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Jac, @Den, Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 11 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Larry Fitzgerald </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @NE, Phi, Mia </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 10 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Julio Jones </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den, @SD, Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 33 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Chris Johnson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @SD, Det, @Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 5 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brandon Marshall </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @GB, StL, @Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 35 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Marshawn Lynch </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Sea </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal, GB, @StL </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 12 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matthew Stafford </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @SF, @Ten, Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 13 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Roddy White </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den, @SD, Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 14 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mike Wallace </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Pit </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ, @Oak, Bye </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 19 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jimmy Graham </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TE1 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Car, KC, @GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Rob Gronkowski </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TE2 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari, @Bal, @Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 16 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> DeMarco Murray </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Sea, TB, Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 18 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Cam Newton </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO, NYG, @Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 23 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jamaal Charles </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Buf, @NO, SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 22 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> A.J. Green </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cle, @Wsh, @Jac </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Wes Welker </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari, @Bal, @Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 20 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Darren McFadden </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Oak </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Mia, Pit, @Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Greg Jennings </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi, @Sea, NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 15 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Steven Jackson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> StL </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh, @Chi, Sea </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 31 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Frank Gore </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det, @Min, @NYJ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 38 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Eli Manning </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB, @Car, @Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 27 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Peyton Manning </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Atl, Hou, Oak </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 49 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Hakeem Nicks </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB, @Car, @Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 25 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 34 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ryan Mathews </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten, Atl, @KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 30 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Victor Cruz </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB, @Car, @Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 29 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Darren Sproles </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Car, KC, @GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 42 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Stevan Ridley </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari, @Bal, @Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 54 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jordy Nelson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi, @Sea, NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 39 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 39 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ahmad Bradshaw </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB, @Car, @Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 43 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 40 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Steve Smith </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO, NYG, @Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 40 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 41 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Percy Harvin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Ind, SF, @Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 53 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 42 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Trent Richardson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Cin, Buf, @Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 36 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 43 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Michael Turner </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den, @SD, Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 37 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 44 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> C.J. Spiller </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC, @Cle, NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 78 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 45 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tony Romo </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Sea, TB, Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 45 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 46 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Marques Colston </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR16 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Car, KC, @GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 46 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 47 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Doug Martin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @NYG, @Dal, Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 65 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 48 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Willis McGahee </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Atl, Hou, Oak </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 44 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 49 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Dez Bryant </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR17 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Sea, TB, Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 41 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 50 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Vincent Jackson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR18 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @NYG, @Dal, Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 48 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 51 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Matt Ryan </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den, @SD, Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 73 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 52 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> BenJarvus Green-Ellis </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Cle, @Wsh, @Jac </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 51 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 53 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jeremy Maclin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR19 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal, @Ari, NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 57 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 54 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Shonn Greene </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Pit, @Mia, SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 58 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 55 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Demaryius Thomas </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR20 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Atl, Hou, Oak </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 63 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 56 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Antonio Gates </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TE3 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten, Atl, @KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 56 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 57 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Dwayne Bowe </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR21 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Buf, @NO, SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 55 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 58 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Reggie Bush </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Mia </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Oak, NYJ, @Ari </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 50 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 59 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brandon Lloyd </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR22 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari, @Bal, @Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 47 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 60 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Steve Johnson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR23 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC, @Cle, NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 59 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 61 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Vernon Davis </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TE4 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det, @Min, @NYJ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 61 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 62 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ben Tate </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Jac, @Den, Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 62 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 63 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Antonio Brown </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Pit </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR24 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ, @Oak, Bye </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 66 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 64 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Michael Vick </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB10 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal, @Ari, NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 32 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 65 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Michael Bush </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @GB, StL, @Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 76 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 66 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Miles Austin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR25 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Sea, TB, Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 60 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 67 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jonathan Stewart </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO, NYG, @Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 52 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 68 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Eric Decker </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR26 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Atl, Hou, Oak </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 68 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 69 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jermichael Finley </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TE5 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi, @Sea, NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 69 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 70 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kevin Smith </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @SF, @Ten, Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 81 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 71 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> DeSean Jackson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Phi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR27 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal, @Ari, NYG </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 71 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 72 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Cedric Benson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi, @Sea, NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 70 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 73 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Alfred Morris </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @StL, Cin, @TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 74 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Philip Rivers </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB11 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten, Atl, @KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 64 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 75 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Pierre Garcon </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR28 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @StL, Cin, @TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 77 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 76 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Beanie Wells </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @NE, Phi, Mia </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 72 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 77 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Torrey Smith </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR29 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Phi, NE, Cle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 80 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 78 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Roy Helu </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @StL, Cin, @TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 67 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 79 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Robert Griffin III </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Wsh </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB12 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @StL, Cin, @TB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 100 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 80 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Reggie Wayne </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ind </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR30 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Min, Jac, Bye </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 81 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Peyton Hillis </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB34 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Buf, @NO, SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 83 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 82 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Lance Moore </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR31 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Car, KC, @GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 91 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 83 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Donald Brown </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ind </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Min, Jac, Bye </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 95 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 84 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Robert Meachem </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR32 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten, Atl, @KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 74 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 85 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kenny Britt </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR33 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @SD, Det, @Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 82 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 86 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Ben Roethlisberger </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Pit </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB13 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ, @Oak, Bye </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 79 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 87 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Aaron Hernandez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TE6 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ari, @Bal, @Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 87 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 88 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> DeAngelo Williams </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO, NYG, @Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 75 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 89 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Malcom Floyd </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> SD </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR34 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten, Atl, @KC </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 85 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 90 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Mark Ingram </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NO </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Car, KC, @GB </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 90 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 91 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Santonio Holmes </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NYJ </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR35 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Pit, @Mia, SF </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 89 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 92 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Fred Jackson </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Buf </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> RB38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> KC, @Cle, NE </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 34 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 93 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Tony Gonzalez </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Atl </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TE7 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Den, @SD, Car </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 93 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 94 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Anquan Boldin </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR36 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Phi, NE, Cle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 94 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 95 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jason Witten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TE8 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Sea, TB, Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 96 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Nate Washington </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Ten </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR37 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @SD, Det, @Hou </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 98 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 97 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Brandon Pettigrew </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Det </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> TE9 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @SF, @Ten, Min </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 98 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Kevin Ogletree </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> WR38 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Sea, TB, Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 99 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Jay Cutler </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Chi </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB14 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @GB, StL, @Dal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 99 </td></tr><tr class="last"><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> 100 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;"> Joe Flacco </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> Bal </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> QB15 </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> @Phi, NE, Cle </td><td style="vertical-align: middle;" align="center"> NR</td></tr></tbody></table>

 

[HacheMan]

Jackson, Maclin among key Week 1 injuries

Stephania Bell

Week 1 is in the books! And yes, unfortunately, there are injuries to report. Here's what we know so far:


Running backs

Fred Jackson, Buffalo Bills (knee): What a shame for Jackson, coming off a season that ended prematurely because of a broken right fibula, to be forced out in Week 1 with a serious injury to the same leg. Jackson is going to miss some time, the question now is how much. The Bills report that Jackson has a lateral collateral ligament injury and is expected to miss at least the next three weeks. The lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is one of the four primary stabilizing ligaments of the knee, reinforcing the outer (lateral) aspect of the knee joint. It is injured less frequently than its counterpart on the inner knee, the medial collateral ligament (MCL), primarily because the typical mechanism of injury for an LCL (blow to the inside of the knee) is less common. The LCL can also be injured during a hyperextension or rotational injury. This appears to have been the case with Jackson as he was actually hit on his left leg by New York Jets safety LaRon Landry, yet his right knee sustained the injury. Jackson told the Buffalo News he was immediately worried when his knee "popped." The biggest concern with these injuries is damage to any surrounding structures on the lateral and particularly the posterolateral aspect of the knee. Structures in this area which lie close to the LCL help control stability in the back corner of the knee, an area which is subject to high biomechanical forces during normal movement. Any instability can be threatening to the overall health of the knee.


Thus far reports out of Buffalo have only referenced the LCL itself. If it is an isolated sprain of minor to moderate degree, there is a good chance it can heal with restricted motion (via bracing) and rest to protect the ligament. Even minor damage to other surrounding tissues can respond well to early treatment. This explains the report that the Bills will see how Jackson responds over the next 7 to 10 days. If his knee is improving over that time and showing good stability, the chances of him returning in several weeks are encouraging. If he still has marked pain, swelling and instability, the time frame could be extended. Everyone, including Jackson and the Bills, is in a wait-and-see mode right now.


Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville Jaguars (knee): Jennings got the start on Sunday but he didn't last long. Jennings exited the game in the first half with what was later reported to be a knee injury. There have been no more specifics released as to the nature of the ailment but the Florida Times-Union reports coach Mike Mularkey said of Jennings' injury, "I don't think it's serious." Still, this opens the door for more of Maurice Jones-Drew, perhaps sooner than expected.


Daniel Thomas, Miami Dolphins (head): Thomas suffered a concussion in Sunday's game and will be monitored closely throughout the week. There has been no official word as to his status for Week 2 but it would not be surprising if he is out.


Wide receivers



Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers (groin): Jennings suffered a groin injury late in Sunday's game and was sore afterward, according to coach Mike McCarthy. Jennings was not in practice Tuesday during the portion that is open to the media. The concern here is that the Packers have a Thursday night game. Jennings' status should become clearer Wednesday.

Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles (hip): Maclin had a good day Sunday (96 yards, 1 TD) but it came at a price. Maclin injured his right hip, although the exact nature of the injury remains a bit unclear. ESPN's Adam Shefter reported Maclin had a hip pointer injury per coach Andy Reid. Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer referred to the injury as a hip flexor. There are differences. The hip flexor is a muscle that sits deep in the pelvis and, as the name implies, is responsible for flexing the hip as well as contributing to overall stability and power at the hip. Not only is a strain of the muscle painful, it diminishes the ability to drive the leg forward while running. A hip pointer refers to a deep bruising of the pelvis, typically not far from where several muscles attach. If the bruising impacts muscles which contribute to moving the hip, then the function of those muscles can be affected.


No matter which injury it is, the end result may not vary much. Maclin is undoubtedly sore and moving slowly as a result. He will receive treatment to reduce any associated swelling or bruising and may be limited in or even removed from practice early in the week, depending on the severity. It is too soon to say whether he will be available in Week 2, as it may well depend on his progress over the next few days. Teammate and fellow receiver Riley Cooper is still recovering from a fractured clavicle and will not be available in Week 2.


Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans (leg): Washington took a hard hit in Sunday's game and left with what the team later called a leg contusion (bruise). There was some question as to whether Washington had also suffered a head injury, but Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean later reported there was no concussion. Wyatt also said Washington should be available to play this week.


Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins (foot): And he was off to such a great start! Garcon was forced out of Sunday's game with a foot injury, but X-rays were reported to be negative. Garcon later told Grant Paulsen of 106.7 The Fan DC he felt good and expected to play in Week 2. Coach Mike Shanahan offered an explanation which really provided no clarity as to the nature of Garcon's injury. "It's kind of like when you have turf toe but it's not the toe," Shanahan told reporters Monday. According to the Washington Post, the team will know more after Garcon tests the foot in Wednesday's practice.


Devery Henderson, New Orleans Saints (head): Henderson left in the second quarter with what was later announced to be a head injury. Presume the protocol of close evaluation and monitoring as the week progresses.


Quarterbacks

Jake Locker, Tennessee Titans (shoulder): Locker injured his left (non-throwing) arm while trying to make a tackle after throwing an interception (note to Locker: no more tackling). Reported by The Tennessean as a shoulder separation, Locker underwent an MRI on Monday. According to news reports, Locker is expected to return to practice in some capacity by midweek but likely will wear a brace. As long as he can perform the functions of quarterback, he will play. The Titans sound at this point as if they do not expect him to miss any time but as coach Mike Munchak said after Sunday's game, "We'd rather him not go in there and tackle anybody." Right.


John Skelton, Arizona Cardinals (ankle): When Skelton was carted off the field Sunday, the natural assumption was that he had a serious enough injury to force him out for multiple weeks. Maybe not. X-rays of Skelton's ankle reportedly came back negative and initial fears of a high ankle sprain were alleviated. Coach Ken Whisenhunt says Skelton's ankle sprain is of the "low" variety and he has not yet been ruled out for Week 2, according to the Cardinals' official website. It's worth reminding that even lateral ankle sprains can be problematic, making it difficult to bear weight normally, much less move around in the pocket or scramble when necessary. It seems highly unlikely Skelton will be ready to play in Week 2, but between health and performance, the quarterback situation could remain fluid in Arizona.


Tight ends



Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers, (ribs): Gates looked to be in pain while being evaluated on the sideline for sore ribs during Monday night's game. He even left the game briefly in the third quarter to be further examined in the locker room. Tough player that he is, Gates returned to the game, although he clearly appeared to be in some discomfort throughout the remainder of the night. His return to the game is a good early sign with regard to Week 2.


And we're keeping an eye onRyan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers (shoulder): Mathews sat out Week 1 as his healing collarbone has not yet allowed him to be cleared for contact. The big question now is whether he will be available for Week 2. No word on that front yet; this is purely a matter of the doctors giving him clearance. Mathews has been maintaining his cardiovascular fitness and working in individual drills in anticipation of being ready to go as soon as he's given a green light.


Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans (knee): Britt is coming off three surgeries since last season, two on his right knee and one on his left. He was forced to sit out Week 1, serving his one-game, league-imposed suspension. Britt is expected to return to team practice Wednesday, and the Titans expect him to be available Sunday, barring a setback. It's worth remembering he was just activated from the PUP list on Aug. 28 and has had very limited work with the team. (Translation: His knees, one of which is post-ACL reconstruction, have hardly been tested.) All of this makes his being "available" very vague in terms of what type of contribution he can actually make on the field in his first appearance. Still, the threat of Britt is a nice thing for the Titans to have in their arsenal.

 

[HacheMan]

Welker's Last Stand
The Patriots are one of the most tight-lipped organizations in all of sports. In order to parse together what’s going on in coaches meetings, practices and the training room, we often have to look at clues.

So when it comes to the Wes Welker, our monocle is out and we’re hunting. Here’s what we know:

1. Last year, Welker played on 89.2 percent of the offensive snaps and was targeted 10.7 times per game.
2. In Week 1, Welker played on 64.1 percent of the offensive snaps and was targeted five times.
3. Welker is playing on a one-year franchise tag. The Patriots have not appeared motivated to sign him to a long-term deal.
4. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels is a vertical kind of play-caller. Welker is a horizontal kind of route-runner.
5. Over his last 14 games, Welker has four touchdown catches. Brandon Lloyd, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez are all better red-zone targets.

On Tuesday, McDaniels was asked about Welker’s reduced role. Here’s what he had to say:

“Wes’ role is the same as we’ve always gone. We’ll go each week and try to do what we think is best to help us win. Sometimes that may include playing more multiple tight ends. Sometimes it might be playing a lot more receivers. We kind of try to feel that out as we go through our preparation and then make the decisions that go along with it.”

In other words, McDaniels says matchups dictated offensive focal points. OK.

However, that doesn’t explain why backup slot man Julian Edelman rotated in for 23 snaps. Top beat writer Mike Reiss says it “makes one wonder if it’s the potential beginning of a less Welker-centric attack.” The contract situation (point 3 above) certainly lends some credence to that theory.

The bottom line is that the Patriots are always dictating game-plans based on matchups and other factors. But previously, those plans always included Welker playing on almost every down as a featured player. It’s only one week -- and selling low is an awful idea -- but owners need to be prepared for a regression here.

Editor's note: For Week 2 rankings, an exclusive chat with Evan Silva, IDP thoughts, weekly projections, top-200 going forward lists and much more, check out the Season Pass!

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
The Packers were forced to release an injury report on Monday night because they play on Thursday this week. That’s when we first found out about Greg Jennings’ groin issue.

Jennings was held out of practice on Tuesday and the Packers are unsure how he will respond to rehab. Considering the short week and the emergence of James Jones/Randall Cobb, don’t be surprised if Jennings is held out. In that case, Jones would be a must-start in most formats.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
It’s not really news, but the Bills obviously confirmed that C.J. Spiller is going to be the feature back while Fred Jackson (knee) is out. I just wanted to throw some numbers at you here.

Over his last 17 games, Spiller has averaged 6.03 yards per carry. When Jackson missed the final six games of last season, Spiller averaged 105.5 total yards per game and scored five touchdowns. Against the Jets on Sunday, Spiller forced eight missed tackles on 16 touches. No other player in the league forced more than six missed tackles.

Simply put, Spiller is a unique, explosive talent. Perhaps he should have been starting ahead of Jackson anyway.


DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS
Coach Mike Tomlin confirmed that Jonathan Dwyer has earned a bigger role. He’s better than Isaac Redman and Rashard Mendenhall (knee) isn’t ready yet. Deep leaguers should buy up. … T.J. Graham, a healthy scratch last week, will be active for Week 2 thanks to David Nelson’s ACL tear. … Taiwan Jones is in the doghouse after muffing a pitch Monday night. Darren McFadden has no clear handcuff.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: QUARTERBACKS AND WIDE RECEIVERS
Jacoby Ford needs foot surgery. He’s out indefinitely. … Jake Locker (shoulder) is set to practice with a brace on his left side. He should be fine for Sunday. … Denarius Moore (hamstring) was “very close” to playing on Monday. It’s a good sign he’ll suit up come Week 2. … John Skelton (ankle) will reportedly miss 2-4 weeks. It’s the Kevin Kolb show. … Golden Tate (knee) hasn’t been ruled out for Week 2. If active, he’d rotate with Braylon Edwards.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: RUNNING BACKS AND TIGHT ENDS
Ryan Mathews (clavicle) hasn’t been cleared for contract just yet. The Chargers are taking it day by day. … Bernard Scott (hand) appears on track to be ready for Week 2. … Jonathan Stewart (ankle) remains questionable. The Panthers are desperate to get him back after their backs combined for one yard on seven carries last week.

WAIVERS
DEFENSIVE SPOTS STARTS
Adding a different D/ST each week based on matchups is a fine strategy. Here are three units that might be on waivers to consider for streaming purposes:

* For more waiver thoughts at all positions, check out Chris Wesseling’s latest here.

1. BENGALS vs. Browns - In Week 1, Brandon Weeden played the quarterback position as bad as you can play it and Trent Richardson (knee) couldn’t make anyone miss. Now they have to go on the road to face a Bengals team that is angry after getting embarrassed on Monday Night Football.

2. REDSKINS at Rams - For the record, this is a prime letdown spot for the ‘Skins. But St. Louis’ offensive line is already in tatters and we know their passing game doesn’t threaten anyone. Expect a low-scoring game.

3. RAIDERS at Dolphins - Much like the Redskins, the Raiders are in a tough spot. They dropped an emotional home opener on Monday night and now have to go across the country on a short week. Still, the Dolphins are a turnover waiting to happen.

 

[HacheMan]

Thursday Matchup: CHI @ GB Thursday Night Football

Chicago @ Green Bay

Aaron Rodgers has faced Chicago eight times in the regular season. He's posted a 6-2 record with a 69.7 completion rate, 1,976 passing yards (7.57 YPA), and a 15:5 TD-to-INT ratio while rushing for a 16th score. You're going to start Rodgers in your fantasy league. The historical success just reinforces confidence. ... As expected, Packers movable chess piece Randall Cobb has made himself too difficult for Mike McCarthy to keep off the field. McCarthy went so far as to use Cobb at tailback on 20 snaps in the opener. Cobb responded with a near-flawless game, securing all nine of his targets and returning a fourth-quarter Andy Lee punt 75 yards for a touchdown. Cobb isn't quite as good as Percy Harvin, but he's awfully close and poised for a similar role in a better offense. Particularly if Greg Jennings (groin) is inactive on Thursday night, give Cobb a long look as a WR3. ... Cobb and Jermichael Finley are Cover-2 killers because they work the middle of the field and can find soft spots in Lovie Smith's zone defense. In Finley's last three games against the Bears, he has 19 catches for 220 yards and four touchdowns. There aren't many better tight end plays in Week 2.

Cedric Benson looked better than expected in August, but his schematic fit in the passing-based offense remains suspect, and the Packers are facing a returning top-five run defense for the second straight week. Benson might luck into a goal-line score Thursday, but he's best left on fantasy benches until we see evidence that McCarthy is willing to give the two-down back a significant workload. ... Jennings has 97-plus yards and/or a touchdown in seven of his last eight meetings with the Bears. Jordy Nelson had a relatively slow opener (5-64), but he'll step into the top receiver role if Jennings sits this one out. Nelson remains an every-week starter. ... James Jones' fantasy viability is largely dependent on Jennings' status. If Jennings is inactive, Jones becomes a high-upside WR3 option. If Jennings plays, Jones is immediately reduced to WR4/5. Jones played a ton of snaps in Week 1, but only due to game plan. The Packers can't be counted on to wholly abandon the run game again. Cobb is a better Week 2 play than Jones regardless.

The Packers fielded the NFL's No. 1 run defense in 2009, and it's gone south ever since. The unit ranked 18th in 2010 before surrendering a crisp 4.67 yards-per-carry average last season. Dom Capers' defense looked softer than ever in Week 1, getting dominated in the trenches by San Francisco's powerful man-blocking line. Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter combined to rip off 153 yards and a touchdown on 25 carries (6.12 YPC) as the Packers were consistently blown off the ball. Matt Forte has 393 total yards over his past three meetings with Green Bay. He'll build on that Thursday night. ... Jay Cutler has faced the Packers six times as a Bear. Cutler's combined stats: 104-of-189 (55 percent) for 1,257 yards (6.65 YPA), six touchdowns, and ten interceptions. His record is 1-5. Cutler finished fast after a slow start to Week 1, but not until Dwight Freeney exited with a game-ending ankle injury toward the end of the first quarter. Cutler will have Clay Mathews breathing down his neck in this one. He's more high-end QB2 than legit fantasy starter.

Cutler's Week 1 target distribution: Brandon Marshall 15, Forte 6, Alshon Jeffery 5, Earl Bennett 4, Devin Hester 2, Kellen Davis 1. ... Marshall led the NFL in targets in each of his two seasons in Denver with Cutler as the starter. Across the league, only Darren McFadden and Reggie Wayne were targeted more than Marshall in the first week, so he looks well on his way toward another monster PPR year. ... Jeffery is the only other Bears pass catcher worth a fantasy look after a 3/80/1 line in the opener against Indianapolis. Billed as lacking separation skills coming out of college, Jeffery beat the Colts' defense deep and over the top for a 42-yard scoring bomb in the fourth quarter. Jeffery will be a fantasy asset in due time. He's just a bit iffy right now playing off the bench in a rotation with Bennett and Hester. ... Michael Bush scored twice on carries deep in the red zone against Indianapolis, but didn't handle the rock much when the game was still in doubt. Operating as a change-up back only, four of Bush's dozen carries came late in the fourth quarter with Chicago up by two and three touchdowns. Bush is more of a TD-only league option.

Score Prediction: Packers 24, Bears 17

 

[HacheMan]

Week 2 Target Watch – NFC For this season I’ll be bringing you Target Watch in two parts, NFC on Wednesdays and AFC on Thursdays. Have at it!


Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald: (11), Andre Roberts: (9), Todd Heap: (4), Jeff King: (3), Ryan Williams: (3), Early Doucet: (3), La'Rod Stephens-Howling: (1), Anthony Sherman: (1), Michael Floyd: (1)

What can you say about the Cardinals without getting a little sick to your stomach? Well, not much, but I’ll power through.

If you are one of the best receivers in the league, a receiver who can jump out of the stadium while contorting his body to make spectacular receptions, and you get eleven targets, but only catch four of them, you have a problem at quarterback.

Each week last season I started the Cardinals section, “well, the good news is that Fitzgerald saw plenty of targets.” I’m not going to say that this season. He should see the majority of targets and they should be more productive targets. Until that happens, just hold your breath and hope he gets in the end zone and don’t worry about any of their other receivers.

Ryan Williams and Beanie Wells didn’t show much, but we at least know that Williams is the receiving back and worth watching in PPR leagues.


Atlanta Falcons

Julio Jones: (9), Roddy White: (8), Tony Gonzalez: (6), Harry Douglas: (4), Jacquizz Rodgers: (2), Michael Palmer: (1)

The superhero duo of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones hooked up for two touchdowns and 100+ yards receiving while Roddy White played second fiddle. But don’t go throwing White into the old used up receiver bin just yet. He finished with the same amount of receptions, six, as Jones and he, like Jones, had three red zone targets. Jones is the better player at this point, but White is still getting his opportunities.

The old man and the Quizz Show duo isn’t quite as dynamic, well, the old man part at least. Michael Turner had no targets of course, but also split snaps almost evenly with Rodgers, 26 for Turner and 25 for Rodgers. Turner is still clearly the goal line back with five carries inside the red zone compared to none for Quizz, but as you can tell by his zero touchdowns and 2.9 yards per carry, he wasn’t too successful. The NFL grim reaper is hovering around Mr. Turner.


Carolina Panthers

Steve Smith: (11), Greg Olsen: (7), Louis Murphy: (5), Brandon LaFell: (5), Mike Tolbert: (3), DeAngelo Williams: (1), Kealoha Pilares: (1)

The Panther’s offense had little rhythm against a surprisingly stout Buccaneers run defense, but we did get to see how Newton spread the ball around. Of course old reliable Steve Smith was the target leader, while Greg Olsen came in second. The two receivers we want to watch as far as playing time and targets are Murphy and LaFell. Both finished with five targets, but LaFell was in on all 52 snaps compared to Murphy who was in on 39. Both are received enough work to be relevant, but LaFell was the one to haul in a touchdown and is currently the one to own.

DeAngelo Williams had a disastrous game with Jonathan Stewart out with an ankle sprain, so we most likely will see the running back numbers change dramatically when he returns to his passing down role.


Chicago Bears

Brandon Marshall: (15), Matt Forte: (6), Alshon Jeffery: (5), Earl Bennett: (4), Devin Hester: (2), Evan Rodriguez: (1), Kellen Davis: (1)

Cutler to Marshall was the connection of the day and most likely the year. His 15 targets were the third most in week one. He actually had an amazing 11 targets at half time. He will easily be in the top five for targets this season barring injury.

Rookie Alshon Jeffery had a nice game, catching three of his five targets for 80 yards and a touchdown. Jeffery also saw the second most snaps next to Marshall, with 43 compared to 33 for Devin Hester and 18 for Earl Bennett. He’s very much worth adding to your bench, especially since Hester should continue to see less snaps if there is any justice in the world.

Matt Forte continues to get his work in the passing game and even carries in the red zone, but Michael Bush will continue to get goal line work because he’s much better at the job than Forte. I have beat this stat into the ground, but it bears repeating! Over the last three years Forte has had 33 carries inside the five yard line and scored a total of three touchdowns. Just this last Sunday, Michael Bush had three attempts inside the five and scored two touchdowns. The math wins!


Dallas Cowboys

Kevin Ogletree: (11), Dez Bryant: (5), Miles Austin: (4), Jason Witten: (3), DeMarco Murray: (2), Felix Jones: (2), John Phillips: (1), James Hanna: (1)

Kevin Ogletree abused the Giants’ weak depth in their secondary and Romo once again showed his ability to go through his progressions. Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and the spleen machine Jason Witten all played this game with hardly any preseason games or practice, so these numbers are a bit skewed. But Romo is good enough to give an array of receivers productive targets, as we saw last season with Laurent Robinson.

Ogletree amazingly was only on the field for 33 snaps compared to 58 and 57 for Bryant and Austin, but his matchups were better and he saw all three of the red zone targets.

Felix Jones was only on the field for 12 plays while DeMarco Murray was in there for 52. Murray is the no doubt man.


Detroit Lions

Brandon Pettigrew: (10), Nate Burleson: (8), Tony Scheffler: (8), Calvin Johnson: (7), Kevin Smith: (6), Titus Young: (3), Will Heller: (2), Keiland Williams: (1), Stefan Logan: (1)

Brandon Pettigrew continues to be a target hog, which is great for PPR leagues. He also had two red zone targets, which is also good. Now if he could just get into the end zone.

The battle between Titus Young and Nate Burleson was won by Burleson this time around, but Young is the more talented receiver. Does that mean he will take over at any second? No, he still needs to prove himself, but if I’m taking a risk on either, it’s Young

Kevin Smith saw six targets which should keep him in the fantasy picture even after Mikel LeShoure returns.


Green Bay Packers

Jermichael Finley: (11), Greg Jennings: (9), Randall Cobb: (9), Jordy Nelson: (7), James Jones: (6)

The 49ers did a great job of limiting Aaron Rodgers to short to mid-range throws, which is one of the tougher things to do. That boosted up Finley’s and Cobb’s targets and receptions quite a bit.

Usually Rodgers is much more efficient. Last season he only topped 40 pass attempts once and in this game he had 44. Other teams may learn from this, but it will be difficult to execute. These target numbers will drop.

James Jones saw roughly the same amount of snaps as Nelson, Jennings and Finley and two red zone targets compared to one for Finley and none for the other receivers. If Greg Jennings can’t go on a short week, Jones may be the guy asked to step up.

<!--RW-->Minnesota Vikings

Percy Harvin: (8), Kyle Rudolph: (7), Michael Jenkins: (5), Devin Aromashodu: (3), Adrian Peterson: (1), Matt Asiata: (1), John Carlson: (1), Toby Gerhart: (1)

Adrian Peterson was on the field for 32 plays and Toby Gerhart was in on 20. Next week the gap will widen even more. And of course Peterson received all of the red zone carries. He’s back.

Percy Harvin had eight targets and five rushing attempts, with three of those looks coming inside the red zone. Let’s keep that up Mr. Frazier!

Kyle Rudolph is the #2 receiver right now. It will be interesting to see how the targets break down once Jerome Simpson returns, but I’m not too worried.


New Orleans Saints

Marques Colston: (11), Jimmy Graham: (10), Lance Moore: (10), Darren Sproles: (8), David Thomas: (2), Devery Henderson: (2), Jed Collins: (2), Joseph Morgan: (2), Pierre Thomas: (1), Mark Ingram: (1)

Drew Brees’ arm may fall off this season if the Saints defense can’t stop the other team from putting up 40 points on them. Three players saw double digit targets! That’s some crazy talk. If there was more time in the day, I’d look into how often that has happened, but my wife may disown me.

Colston and Graham are your usual target suspects, but lance Moore is the Keyser Söze of this group. Moore didn’t see double digit targets once last season. Of course most of his targets came in desperation mode, but it’s not like the Saints ever think they are out of a game, because they aren’t.

And even more good news for Moore (if only his name was Evan Moore) is that he ran the second most receiving routes on the team with 52 compared to 54 for Colston and 47 for Graham. I like these numbers for Lance (don’t even call me Evan) Moore.

Darren Sproles didn’t rush the ball once, but did have five receptions on eight targets, with a touchdown. The best news is that four of those targets came in the red zone.


New York Giants

Victor Cruz: (11), Martellus Bennett: (6), Hakeem Nicks: (6), Domenik Hixon: (5), Ahmad Bradshaw: (2), Bear Pascoe: (1), Henry Hynoski: (1)

When you look at the snap count data, there is little doubt who the main receivers are, as Cruz, Nicks and Bennett were all on the field for 50+ snaps while Hixon was the next closest with 27.

Victor Cruz went on a pass dropping binge and Nicks still had a sore foot. This shall pass. But the Black Unicorn galloped his way to six targets, four receptions and a touchdown, which is probably around his ceiling (plus a few yards). He will most likely need to score a touchdown to be fantasy worthy, much like tight ends of yore.


Philadelphia Eagles

Jeremy Maclin: (14), DeSean Jackson: (11), LeSean McCoy: (9), Brent Celek: (8), Clay Harbor: (6), Jason Avant: (5), Damaris Johnson: (3)

Michael Vick “targets” a lot of receivers, but the other team came up with four inter-receptions and had chances at a couple more. So not all of these targets were worth writing home about, but they were targets I suppose. And as far as fantasy goes, these are the guys you want targeted early and often for the Eagles.

Maclin was Vick’s favorite target for the day and also in the red zone where he threw it his way three times. Maclin and McCoy should be fantasy slump proof this season.


San Francisco 49ers

Michael Crabtree: (9), Vernon Davis: (5), Mario Manningham: (4), Randy Moss: (4), Delanie Walker: (2), Frank Gore: (1)

Michael Crabtree was Alex Smith’s main target on the day, but when they got in the red zone, Smith looked Randy Moss’ way twice, compared to once for Vernon Davis and zero times for Crabs McTree.

It will be interesting to see how Moss is used going forward. In this first game he only ran 10 pass routes, but was targeted four times and two of those in the red zone. It’s going to be hard to keep him off the field.


Seattle Seahawks

Braylon Edwards: (9), Sidney Rice: (9), Doug Baldwin: (6), Zach Miller: (3), Marshawn Lynch: (2), Robert Turbin: (1), Ben Obomanu: (1), Anthony McCoy: (1)

Sid Rice and Bray Bray Edwards were on the field much more than any of the other receivers and their target numbers bear that out. The Cardinals pass defense is nothing to scoff at, so the poor numbers may not be completely indicative of how this season will go for Seattle’s passing offense.

Marshawn Lynch was on the field for 63 plays compared to eight for Robert Turbin. I guess his back is feeling okay.


St. Louis Rams

Danny Amendola: (9), Brandon Gibson: (5), Steven Jackson: (4), Steve Smith: (3), Lance Kendricks: (2), Mike McNeill: (1), Chris Givens: (1)

The Rams two starting wide receivers are Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson. They saw the lion’s share of the receiving work against um, Detroit. Those aren’t the guys that will lead you to too many dubyahs.

Amendola is a worthwhile PPR player, but the list of Rams receivers who are vying for Gibson’s job is long. I’m staying away from all Rams receivers in standard leagues and throwing Danny in PPR and hoping Steven Jackson can stand up to the Fisher induced pounding.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Vincent Jackson: (10), Doug Martin: (4), Mike Williams: (3), Preston Parker: (1), LeGarrette Blount: (1), Dallas Clark: (1)

Mike Williams was on the field a whole bunch for only seeing three targets, but fortunately, one of those came in the end zone and resulted in a touchdown, thank you very much.

It does seem pretty evident that Josh Freeman feels like Vincent Jackson is his best shot at a productive passing game, while Doug “Muscle Hamster” Martin is the motor propelling the Buccaneers ship into the defenses port.

Martin had four receiving targets, 24 carries, with six of those carries coming inside the red zone. He just missed getting into the end zone, but it will come soon enough.


Washington Redskins

Aldrick Robinson: (6), Santana Moss: (5), Fred Davis: (4), Pierre Garcon: (4), Roy Helu: (3), Josh Morgan: (2), Logan Paulsen: (1), Brandon Banks: (1)

Pierre Garcon ran five pass routes, had four targets, and caught all four targets for 109 yards and a touchdown. Holy wha? If you extrapolate that out for a whole game he would have broken all of Jerry Rice’s career marks by halftime.

As long as Garcon is back this weekend these numbers are a little misleading, but it’s good to know that Aldrick Robinson is next in line and that even with Garcon out, Fred Davis wasn’t the guy RGIII targeted.

The running back numbers were dominated by Alfred Morris while Roy Helu served as the third down back. Morris had a bit of good fortune getting to 28 carries against a Saints team that almost never gives up 20 carries to an opposing back. He will need a large workload to come close to those numbers again and since he isn’t the third down back, those may not be the norm.

Check out the AFC Target Watch soon (Thursday) and for the rest of your life!

Snap count data comes from our friends at Pro Football Focus and red zone data from our other friends at The Football Guys.