Round One
Pick 1 (1) – Chris Johnson: CJ has an absurd mix of power and speed that makes him a threat to score every time he touches the ball.  A guy his size and speed should have trouble between the tackles, but as he proved last season he does not.

Pick 2 (2) – Adrian Peterson: The emergence of Chris Johnson is not why I rank Peterson at number two.  Peterson is in my opinion the most complete running back in the league, but has had some issues with fumbles and is seeing fewer touchdowns with Favre pulling the trigger.

Pick 3 (3) – Maurice Jones-Drew: MJD has a similar skill set to Johnson, but has a bit of trouble running up the middle.  He is a very capable goal line back due to his elusiveness, but does not have the supporting cast to have a breakout year.

Pick 4 (4) – Frank Gore: The Niners had an excellent draft, they appear to be lining up behind Alex Smith and opted to bolster their offensive line in a big way with Anthony Davis and Mike Iupati.  Iupati is one of the most athletic guards I have seen come out of college in a while and will do an excellent job pulling to seal the corner for Gore this year.  The Niners also appear to have rededicated themselves to a physical smash mouth style that matches their coach Mike Singletary.

Pick 5 (5) – Ray Rice: This guy came out of nowhere, and I do not expect him to be the next Matt Forte at all.  Until draft day Rice was my number four back.  After adding a deep threat and much needed talent at the WR position with Anquan Boldin, the Ravens ensured that they will still see consistent production from Rice.  It will be exceedingly difficult to stack eight in the box to stop this guy.

Pick 6 (6) – Michael Turner: Turner has dropped a fair few spots from last season, but it has little to do with him.  The emergence of the 49ers and Ravens on the offensive side of the ball are the primary reasons why Turner is not fourth on this list.  The injury at the end of last year certainly does not help, but I’m not going to downgrade him for it until he proves it was not an isolated incident.

Pick 7 (7) – Ronnie Brown: The Dolphins have a more balanced attack now with Marshall at wide receiver, but Henne is still unproven and the one-two punch of Brown Williams is still going to be the driving force of this offense.  Brown could see better productivity with a passing game to balance the defense.

Pick 8 (8) – Drew Brees: Yes, the Saints lost some talent on both sides of the ball, but regardless of the situation the only player that was always are the center of their success was Brees.  He repeatedly rallied the Saints whether it be the fourth quarter of a game, or after losing to the lowly Buccaneers, and then needing to make a playoff run.

Pick 9 (9) – Andre Johnson: The Texans have their issues, and it is impossible to know what Coach Kubiak is thinking when he puts Arian Foster or Ryan Moats on the field instead of Steve Slaton.  With that said they are a playoff caliber team with a very efficient passing game.  Johnson is the most consistent receiver in fantasy football.

Pick 10 (10) – DeAngelo Williams: With the question at quarter back and the best tandem of running backs in the league to lean on you can expect the Panthers to do just that.  Use the talent at the Running Back position to develop either Matt Moore or Jimmy Clausen into their Quarterback of the future.

Pick 11 (11) – Steven Jackson: He may be on the decline, but during a 1-15 season Jackson played through injury and was there for every game giving all the effort he had.  He can still be my  first round pick without a doubt.

Pick 12 (12) – Rashard Mendenhall: It is worth noting that the option of taking Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning was available, but you cannot snub the RB position like that with the last pick. Mendenhall is likely to see an increased workload during Big Ben’s suspension, and he will remain the feature back the rest of the season.

Round 2
Pick 13 (12) – Reggie Wayne: This is the only wide receiver on the best passing offense in the AFC that we know their spot on the depth chart.  Whether Gonzalez or Garcon gets the number two job is still unknown and very possibly subject to change.  Wayne has been with Manning for a long time and has developed into an elite receiver.

Pick 14 (11) – Aaron Rodgers: If you’re scratching your head, then you need to look at the stats from the last two seasons.  Rodgers is likely going to be the highest scoring fantasy QB this season, but Brees is likely to have more passing yards.

Pick 15 (10) – Peyton Manning: Comes down to Moss or Manning here, and with Brady and the Patriots on the decline, Manning is the safe pick and the right one here.

Pick 16 (9) – Ryan Grant: Not taking a running back in the first round means you have to take the best one available to you in the second.

Pick 17 (8) – Cedric Benson: Carson Palmer finally has the best receiving core of his career, and he can’t use it because his career is over.  Benson will see 30 carries a game this year just like last year, as long as he is healthy.

Pick 18 (7) – Randy Moss: Despite his teams fall from the elite, they are still a Playoff quality team with great coaching, and more than enough experience to make a deep playoff run.

Pick 19 (6) – Pierre Thomas: Bush will never be an every down back, and Bell is not there to vulture red zone touches.

Pick 20 (5) – Miles Austin: Austin’s productivity was among the best last season, and considering he did not even start until week 5.  I would hardly be surprised if Austin ended up the top fantasy WR by the end of the season.

Pick 21 (4) – Shonn Greene: The Jets showed that they trust and believe in this young guy the way they used him in the playoffs.  Since Rex Ryan has yet to make a decision that didn’t work out for him, I am going to trust him.

Pick 22 (3) – Tom Brady: Brady has not fallen off.  It took a little to recover from his season long injury, but he’s back.  The difference is the team around him is not as good as it has been.

Pick 23 (2) – Larry Fitzgerald: Larry is still the most talented wide receiver in the league, and it only takes one play for a receiver to have a good day for you.  Fitz will remain a red zone matchup nightmare.

Pick 24 (1) – Joseph Addai: Towards the end of his career, but not there yet.  He will not have quite the year he did last year but he should be close.

Round 3
Pick 25 (1) – Vincent Jackson
Pick 26 (2) – Phillip Rivers
Pick 27 (3) – Roddy White
Pick 28 (4) – Matt Schaub
Pick 29 (5) – Beanie Wells
Pick 30 (6) – Tony Romo
Pick 31 (7) – Jamaal Charles
Pick 32 (8) – Ryan Matthews
Pick 33 (9) – Clinton Portis
Pick 34 (10) – LeSean McCoy
Pick 35 (11) – Ricky Williams
Pick 36 (12) – Joe Flacco

No Comments »

1. Tom Brady
2. Matt Schaub
3. Ben Roethlisberger
4. Drew Brees
5. Jay Cutler
6. Alex Smith
7. Philip Rivers
8. Aaron Rodgers
9. Tony Romo
10. Joe Flacco
11. Donovan McNabb
12. Brett Favre
13. Matt Ryan
14. Kyle Orton
15. Matt Moore
16. Chad Henne
17. David Garrard
18. Vince Young
19. Peyton Manning
20. Mark Sanchez
21. Kurt Warner
22. Matt Hasselbeck
23. Eli Manning
24. Josh Freeman
25. Carson Palmer
26. Derek Anderson
27. Jason Campbell
28. Matt Cassel
29. Keith Null
30. Charlie Frye
31. Drew Stanton
32. Brian Brohm

No Comments »

1. Matt Schaub
2. Aaron Rodgers
3. Kurt Warner
4. Drew Brees
5. Philip Rivers
6. Tom Brady
7. Peyton Manning
8. Alex Smith
9. Tony Romo
10. Brett Favre
11. Ben Roethlisberger
12. Donovan McNabb
13. Carson Palmer
14. David Garrard
15. Kyle Orton
16. Eli Manning
17. Vince Young
18. Joe Flacco
19. Chad Henne
20. Jason Campbell
21. Jay Cutler
22. Mark Sanchez
23. Matt Ryan
24. Matt Moore
25. Matt Cassel
26. Matt Hasselbeck
27. Keith Null
28. Brian Brohm
29. Drew Stanton
30. Josh Freeman
31. Derek Anderson
32. Charlie Frye

No Comments »

1. Matt Schaub
2. Kurt Warner
3. Drew Brees
4. Aaron Rodgers
5. Philip Rivers
6. Tom Brady
7. Peyton Manning
8. Carson Palmer
9. Alex Smith
10. Brett Favre
11. Ben Roethlisberger
12. Donovan McNabb
13. David Garrard
14. Tony Romo
15. Kyle Orton
16. Chad Henne
17. Eli Manning
18. Vince Young
19. Joe Flacco
20. Jason Campbell
21. Jay Cutler
22. Mark Sanchez
23. Matt Ryan
24. Ryan Fitzpatrick
25. Matthew Stafford
26. Matt Moore
27. Matt Hasselbeck
28. Josh Freeman
29. Brady Quinn
30. Matt Cassel
31. Keith Null
32. Charlie Frye

No Comments »

Nick

Ok, here is the deal. I’m having a lot of mixed emotions on who I should start this week. I don’t think I can go wrong with my options, but it is the playoffs and I need all I can get. In our league, our roster looks like this. QB WR WR RB RB TE W/T W/R. I’m set at QB with Schaub and my #1 and #2 RB are AP and MJD. My starting TE is Dallas Clark. As of now I have Greg Jennings and Robert Meachem in my WR spots. This is where I don’t know who to play. I have 2 spots to fill (W/T and W/R). I have Antonio Bryant, who I really like this week. Dwayne Bowe who has a good match-up against the Browns. Heath Miller who may see some action with Woodson on Holmes and Ward being banged up. I also have Beanie Wells and Arian Foster who have great match-ups. Which 2 players should I play in my last 2 spots? And I forgot to mention it is a PPR league. PLEASE HELP!

I would put Bryant in as the WR2 and probably play Bowe and Wells this week.  Wells isn’t a PPR threat but he has a great match-up and they seemed to cut out Hightower really early after that fumble last week.

John

gore maroney moreno charles or jacobs which 3 do i start

Gore Moreno Charles for sure Maroney is going to share too much to have a big game

Kolby R

Baltimore vs Chicago or Arizona vs Detroit
I am currently planning on starting Baltimore. They will crush the pocket and force turnovers. What do you think?

Ravens are my number 1 defense this week, good luck bud!

Matthew

hi jim. i decided to bench sims-walker last night (ugh!), and now i’ve got to go with bowe or manningham this week. what do you think?

Manningham shouldn’t be on your roster anymore so its definitely Bowe!

Quiet Time

Defense: GREEN BAY vs Steelers or ARIZONA vs Lions this week?

WR PPR league: Calvin Johnson??? or Derrick Mason?

Manningham shouldn’t be on your roster anymore so its def Bowe.  And Cardinals Defense is my 3rd, so play them.

Weez

Do I have a better chance starting Boldin/Breaston against the Lions with a banged up Fitzgerald? Or should I start Meachem over Breaston? No way I’m sitting Boldin though. Even after he cost me a win last week….*grumbles*

I like the Boldin Breaston play, and it has nothing to do with Fitz =D

No Comments »

1. Kurt Warner
2. Matt Schaub
3. Drew Brees
4. Peyton Manning
5. Aaron Rodgers
6. Donovan McNabb
7. Phillip Rivers
8. Brett Favre
9. Tony Romo
10. Joe Flacco
11. Tom Brady
12. Ben Roethlisberger
13. Alex Smith
14. Carson Palmer
15. Eli Manning
16. David Garrard
17. Vince Young
18. Kyle Orton
19. Matt Hasselbeck
20. Brady Quinn
21. Jason Campbell
22. Mark Sanchez
23. Chad Henne
24. Jay Cutler
25. Matt Cassel
26. Matthew Stafford
27. Ryan Fitzpatrick
28. Josh Freeman
29. Bruce Gradkowski
30. Chris Redman
31. Matt Moore
32. Keith Null

No Comments »

LOVE

Thomas Jones – Bills are soft against opposing RBs given the injuries that have plagued their entire team.  Jones has been a model of consistency all season there is no reason it doesn’t happen again.

Matt Forte – I love all offensive players against the Rams unless they are Browns.

Cedric Benson – Benson was over rested to ensure his production deep into the playoffs.  He is aching to get back and they wont be afraid to use him in a great match up!

Brandon Marshall – The fact that the Chiefs have been on a tear as of late only makes it more likely that the passing game will be relevant deep into the game.

Jason Avant – Avant is a great pickup this week as Jackson’s absence is going to be missed against a weak Falcons secondary in week 13.  Avant is the lead candidate to fill the void Jackson will leave in the offense.

Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson – The game is in Jacksonville but the Jags are quite bad against the pass.  This duo is all set to have quite a great week for fantasy owners especially considering coach Kubiak is intent on ruining their running game.

Randy Moss – Bill Belichick is not pleased with the outing Monday night and is out for revenge against a team Ryan Fitzpatrick just torched!

Rashard Mendenhall – He’s been a bit quiet this past few weeks but with Ben Roethlisberger on the mend they will lean on the running game.

Pierre Thomas – Thomas looked good last week and the Saints wont need to pass against the leagues number one passing defense with Thomas ready to carry it as much as the Saints let him.

Ladainian Tomlinson – The Browns are really soft and if the Chargers can get to the goal line LT can still punch it in.

Vincent Jackson – Jackson has been a big disappointment over the past few weeks but the Browns have been much more disappointing for a lot longer.

Michael Crabtree – Seattle has the 25th ranked pass defense allowing an average of 231 yards per game.  Coach Singletary has this team believing in itself and they are still on the skirts of the wild card hunt.

Burleson and Houshmandzadeh – SF has the 28th ranked passing defense allowing 256.5 yards per game.  I do not think both can put up big numbers but one should have a big game and the other one should be respectable.  It’s up to Hasselbeck and the 49ers defense who gets the scores!

Donald Driver – Driver and Jennings have reversed their roles from what we thought they would be preseason and I have seen nothing to make me expect the roles to switch back.

Brett Favre and Sydney Rice – It’s near impossible to develop the kind of chemistry these two have over the single season time frame that these two have known each other.  I was skeptical but have recently hopped on board…

HATE

Terrell Owens – Guess whose turn it is to get shut down by Darrelle Revis!

Beanie Wells – Hightower got more work last week, and it appears that the Cards trust him more in the critical scenarios!

Calvin Johnson – Now that he has had some good production over the last fort night I’m afraid he has peaked, certainly I can’t expect much from the playoff bound Bengals.

Ryan Grant – I don’t foresee that much production from Grant Monday night against a stout Ravens run defense and struggling secondary.

No Comments »

Love ‘em

Matt Hasselbeck – Off of two straight 300 yard games Matt Hasselbeck is up against the NFL’s 23rd ranked pass defense.  The Seahawks will be down, and they will be able to throw against this mediocre at best passing defense.

Beanie Wells – Break out game last week.  This week… THE RAMS!? SIGN ME UP! Start him! Also all Cardinals are easy and smart starts this week! Except Hightower

Matt Schaub – 357 yards and 4TDs in the Texans’ last meeting with the Titans.

Any Pittsburgh Steeler!  Kansas City has shown the ability to provide some fantasy value this season, although not much.  The Chiefs are a very incomplete team in the middle of a rebuild, The Steelers on the other hand are an established team and are a complete team in all three phases of the game.  Polomalou’s absence will not mean any bad things for the defense, as they have the top rushing D in the league Charles will be neutralized.  All Steelers are good starts this week, namely Mendenhall and the Defense.

Calvin Johnson – As I said last week, you just gotta start a guy this talented.  One of these weeks he will have over a hundred yards and 2 TD’s… That’s what I said last week and this is the most likely week for that to happen.  Last weekend Johnson was quite involved in the passing game, and now they face the Browns!

Marques Colston – Saints receivers are inconsistent… frustrating isn’t it.  Bottom line is despite the two bad weeks Colston is too talented to be on the bench… ever.

Hate ‘em

Joseph Addai – Addai has been a bit of a surprise this year.  Many people though Donald Brown would have more of a role in the offense this season as Addai hasn’t produced like the Colts had hoped in the last few seasons.  Better late than never Addai… with that said the Ravens are tough against the run, and I fully expect Peyton to pick them apart this week in the air.

Miles Austin – Interesting to see a player’s fantasy production drop off once he isn’t a big surprise anymore!  I picked up Austin personally and LOVED having him.  Now unfortunately Roy Williams is developing in that offense and opposing defenses are able to keep Austin in check.  The Cowboy’s have a relatively easy match-up versus the Redskins this weekend, but the Skins are NUMBER ONE!!! vs the pass this season.  Expect a good showing from Marion the Barbarian, not from Austin or Williams.

Jamaal Charles – Good luck against that Steelers D!

Mike Sims-walker and David Garrard – The Bills have a very good secondary, and Jauron isn’t around to ruin that team any more.  The Deffensive Coordinator is the Head Coach in Buffalo now, so I would expect to see some more wrinkles in the Defense now that Fewell doesn’t have to filter his game-plan through Jauron.

Matt Ryan – Ryan hasn’t been playing good football this year.  He is without Michael Turner and against a Giants team desperate to right the ship after their bye week.  Giants win this game, by how much is up to Matty Ice!

Randy Moss – Moss has terrible numbers against the Jets…. why? Darrelle Revis!  Revis has had Moss’ number each time they have played.  The Jets were playing much better the last time these two teams met.  I am playing Moss (and Austin =/) but because I do not have any better options.  If you do, use them!

No Comments »