Listed are the Top 25 TEs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
The Best Top 12:
1. Jimmy Graham vs MIA
Projection: 7 catches for 86 yards 2 TDs: 20.6 points
2. Rob Gronkowski @ATL
Projection: 7 catches for 114 yards 1 TD: 17.4 points
3. Jason Witten @SD
Projection: 6 catches for 78 yards 1 TD: 13.8 points
4. Tony Gonzalez vs NE
Projection: 4 catches for 54 yards 1 TD: 11.4 points
5. Julius Thomas vs PHI
Projection: 4 catches for 54 yards 1 TD: 11.4 points
6. Brandon Myers @KC
Projection: 8 catches for 113 yards 0 TDs: 11.3 points
7. Jordan Cameron vs CIN
Projection: 5 catches for 48 yards 1 TD: 10.8 points
8. Martellus Bennett @DET
Projection: 3 catches for 37 yards 1 TD: 9.7 points
9. Antonio Gates vs DAL
Projection: 6 catches for 88 yards 0 TDs: 8.8 points
10. Charles Clay @NO
Projection: 4 catches for 23 yards 1 TD: 1 carry for 1 yards: 8.4 points
11. Kyle Rudolph vs PIT
Projection: 3 catches for 21 yards 1 TD: 8.1 points
12. Colby Fleener @JAC
Projection: 6 catches for 79 yards 0 TDs : 7.9 points
Reserves & Unfriendly Plays:
13. Jared Cook vs SF
Projection: 3 catches for 8 yards 1 TD: 6.8 points
14. Owen Daniels vs SEA
Projection: 5 catches for 64 yards 0 TDs: 6.4 points
15. Vernon Davis @STL
Projection: 1 catch for 3 yards 1 TD: 6.3 points
16. Jermaine Gresham vs GB
Projection: 4 catches for 47 yards 0 TDs: 4.7 points
17. Scott Chandler vs BAL
Projection: 3 catches for 43 yards 0 TDs: 4.3 points
18. Dallas Clark @BUF
Projection: 4 catches for 41 yards 0 TDs: 4.1 points
19. Tyler Eifert @CLE
Projection: 3 catches for 38 yards 0 TDs: 3.8 points
20. Logan Paulsen @OAK
Projection: 4 catches for 36 yards 0 TDs: 3.6 points
21. Heath Miller @MIN
Projection: 3 catches for 34 yards 0 TDs: 3.4 points
22. Delanie Walker vs NYJ
Projection: 2 catches for 26 yards 0 TDs: 2.6 points
23. Jordan Reed @OAK
Projection: 3 caches for 23 yards 0 TDs: 2.3 points
24. Garrett Graham vs SEA
Projection: 1 catch for 18 yards 0 TDs: 1.8 points
25. Luke Wilson @HOU
Projection: 2 catches for 17 yards 0 TDs: 1.7 points
Check out all our Week 4 Rankings
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Sep 24, 2013
Week 4 Shuffle: WR
Listed are the Top 60 WRs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Obvious Start Top 12:
1. Calvin Johnson vs CHI
Projection: 11 catches for 132 yards 1 TDs: 25.2 points
2. Demaryius Thomas vs PHI
Projection: 13 catches for 156 yards 1 TD: 21.6 points
3. DeSean Jacksons @DEN
Projection: 6 catches for 116 yards 1 TD: 17.6 points
4. Julio Jones vs NE
Projection: 8 catches for 106 yards 1 TD: 16.6 points
5. A.J. Green @CLE
Projection: 11 catches for 159 yards 0 TDs: 15.9 points
6. Wes Welker vs PHI
Projection: 8 catches for 98 yards 1 TD: 15.8 points
7. Brandon Marshall @DET
Projection: 8 catches for 94 yards 1 TD: 15.4 points
8. Pierre Garcon @OAK
Projection: 4 catches for 88 yards 1 TD: 14.8 points
9. Eric Decker vs PHI
Projection: 8 catches for 86 yards 1 TD: 14.6 points
10. Vincent Jackson vs ARI
Projection: 10 catches for 141 yards 0 TDs: 14.1 points
11. Dez Bryant @SD
Projection: 4 catches for 68 yards 1 TD: 1 carry for 12 yards: 14.0 points
12. Reggie Wayne @JAC
Projection: 7 catches for 79 yards 1 TD: 13.9 points
Standard League Starters 13-25:
13. Victor Cruz @KC
Projection: 6 catches for 78 yards 1 TD: 13.8 points
14. Antonio Brown @MIN
Projection: 6 catches for 64 yards 1 TD: 1 carry for 6 yards: 13.0 points
15. Torrey Smith @BUF
Projection: 4 catches for 61 yards 1 TD: 12.1 points
16. Marques Colston vs MIA
Projection: 4 catches for 54 yards 1 TD: 11.4 points
17. Stevie Johnson vs BAL
Projection: 8 catches for 108 yards 0 TDs: 10.8 points
18. Brian Hartline @NO
Projection: 7 catches for 104 yards 0 TDs: 10.4 points
19. Larry Fitzgerald @TB
Projection: 6 catches for 89 yards 0 TDs: 8.9 points
20. Cecil Shorts vs IND
Projection: 5 catches for 85 yards 0 TDs: 8.5 points
21. Dwayne Bowe vs NYG
Projection: 3 catches for 23 yards 1 TD: 8.3 points
22. Hakeem Nicks @KC
Projection: 6 catches for 82 yards 0 TDs: 8.2 points
23. T.Y. Hilton @JAC
Projection: 4 catches for 78 yards 0 TDs: 1 carry for 3 yards: 8.1 points
24. Josh Gordon vs CIN
Projection: 3 catches for 79 yards 0 TDs: 1 carry for -5 yards: 7.4 points
Flex Play Wide Outs 25-36:
25. Anquan Boldin @STL
Projection: 6 catches for 72 yards 0 TDs: 7.2 points
26. Andre Johnson vs SEA
Projection: 4 catches for 69 yards 0 TDs: 6.9 points
27. Denarius Moore vs WAS
Projection: 4 catches for 66 yards 0 TDs: 6.6 points
28. Kenbrell Thompkins @ATL
Projection: 4 catches for 61 yards 0 TDs: 6.1 points
29. Emmanuel Sanders @MIN
Projection: 5 catches for 59 yards 0 TDs: 5.9 points
30. Mike Wallace @NO
Projection: 2 catches for 58 yards 0 TDs: 1 carry for -1 yards: 5.7 points
31. DeAndre Hopkins vs SEA
Projection: 6 catches for 56 yards 0 TDs: 5.6 points
32. Julian Edelman @ATL
Projection: 6 catches for 51 yards 0 TDs: 5.1 points
33. Eddie Royal vs DAL
Projection: 4 catches for 48 yards 0 TDs: 4.8 points
34. Miles Austin @SD
Projection: 6 catches for 44 yards 0 TDs: 4.4 points
35. Aaron Dobson @ATL
Projection: 3 catches for 44 yards 0 TDs: 4.4 points
36. Golden Tate @HOU
Projection: 5 catches for 43 yards 0 TDs: 4.3 points
Start me if you have to 37-48:
37. Kendall Wright vs NYJ
Projection: 4 catches for 43 yards 0 TDs: 4.3 points
38. Michael Floyd @TB
Projection: 4 catches for 42 yards 0 TDs: 4.2 points
39. Nate Washington vs NYJ
Projection: 5 catches for 41 yards 0 TDs: 4.1 points
40. Stephen Hill @TEN
Projection: 3 catches for 41 yards 0 TDs: 4.1 points
41. Tavon Austin vs SF
Projection: 5 catches for 42 yards 0 TDs: 1 carry for -2 yards: 4.0 points
42. Mike Williams vs ARI
Projection: 4 catches for 38 yards 0 TDs: 3.8 points
43. Santana Moss @OAK
Projection: 4 catches for 37 yards 0 TDs: 3.7 points
44. Rod Streater vs WAS
Projection: 3 catches for 36 yards 0 TDs: 3.6 points
45. Darrius Heyward-Bey @JAC
Projection: 3 catches for 36 yards 0 TDs: 3.6 points
46. Donnie Avery vs NYG
Projection: 6 catches for 35 yards 0 TDs: 3.5 points
47. Jason Avant @DEN
Projection: 4 catches for 35 yards 0 TDs: 3.5 points
48. Davone Bess vs CIN
Projection: 6 catches for 34 yards 0 TDs: 3.4 points
Deep League Fliers 49-60:
49. Greg Jennings vs PIT
Projection: 3 catches for 33 yards 0 TDs: 3.3 points
50. Sidney Rice @HOU
Projection: 2 catches for 32 yards 0 TDs: 3.2 points
51. Santonio Holmes @TEN
Projection: 3 catches for 30 yards 0 TDs: 3.0 points
52. Andre Roberts @TB
Projection: 3 catches for 29 yards 0 TDs: 2.9 points
53. Rueben Randle @KC
Projection: 2 catches for 28 yards 0 TDs: 2.8 points
54. Chris Givens vs SF
Projection: 1 catch for 27 yards 0 TDs: 2.7 points
55. Marlon Brown @BUF
Projection: 2 catches for 24 yards 0 TDs: 2.4 points
56. Roddy White vs NE
Projection: 3 catches for 21 yards 0 TDs: 2.1 points
57. Lance Moore vs MIA
Projection: 3 catches for 18 yards 0 TDs: 1.8 points
58. Brandon Gibson @NO
Projection: 3 catches for 18 yards 0 TDs: 1.8 points
59. Alshon Jeffrey @DET
Projection: 1 catch for 16 yards 0 TDs: 1.6 points
60. Jerricho Cotchery @MIN
Projection: 3 catches for 15 yards 0 TDs: 1.5 points
Check out all our Week 4 Rankings
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Obvious Start Top 12:
1. Calvin Johnson vs CHI
Projection: 11 catches for 132 yards 1 TDs: 25.2 points
2. Demaryius Thomas vs PHI
Projection: 13 catches for 156 yards 1 TD: 21.6 points
3. DeSean Jacksons @DEN
Projection: 6 catches for 116 yards 1 TD: 17.6 points
4. Julio Jones vs NE
Projection: 8 catches for 106 yards 1 TD: 16.6 points
5. A.J. Green @CLE
Projection: 11 catches for 159 yards 0 TDs: 15.9 points
6. Wes Welker vs PHI
Projection: 8 catches for 98 yards 1 TD: 15.8 points
7. Brandon Marshall @DET
Projection: 8 catches for 94 yards 1 TD: 15.4 points
8. Pierre Garcon @OAK
Projection: 4 catches for 88 yards 1 TD: 14.8 points
9. Eric Decker vs PHI
Projection: 8 catches for 86 yards 1 TD: 14.6 points
10. Vincent Jackson vs ARI
Projection: 10 catches for 141 yards 0 TDs: 14.1 points
11. Dez Bryant @SD
Projection: 4 catches for 68 yards 1 TD: 1 carry for 12 yards: 14.0 points
12. Reggie Wayne @JAC
Projection: 7 catches for 79 yards 1 TD: 13.9 points
Standard League Starters 13-25:
13. Victor Cruz @KC
Projection: 6 catches for 78 yards 1 TD: 13.8 points
14. Antonio Brown @MIN
Projection: 6 catches for 64 yards 1 TD: 1 carry for 6 yards: 13.0 points
15. Torrey Smith @BUF
Projection: 4 catches for 61 yards 1 TD: 12.1 points
16. Marques Colston vs MIA
Projection: 4 catches for 54 yards 1 TD: 11.4 points
17. Stevie Johnson vs BAL
Projection: 8 catches for 108 yards 0 TDs: 10.8 points
18. Brian Hartline @NO
Projection: 7 catches for 104 yards 0 TDs: 10.4 points
19. Larry Fitzgerald @TB
Projection: 6 catches for 89 yards 0 TDs: 8.9 points
20. Cecil Shorts vs IND
Projection: 5 catches for 85 yards 0 TDs: 8.5 points
21. Dwayne Bowe vs NYG
Projection: 3 catches for 23 yards 1 TD: 8.3 points
22. Hakeem Nicks @KC
Projection: 6 catches for 82 yards 0 TDs: 8.2 points
23. T.Y. Hilton @JAC
Projection: 4 catches for 78 yards 0 TDs: 1 carry for 3 yards: 8.1 points
24. Josh Gordon vs CIN
Projection: 3 catches for 79 yards 0 TDs: 1 carry for -5 yards: 7.4 points
Flex Play Wide Outs 25-36:
25. Anquan Boldin @STL
Projection: 6 catches for 72 yards 0 TDs: 7.2 points
26. Andre Johnson vs SEA
Projection: 4 catches for 69 yards 0 TDs: 6.9 points
27. Denarius Moore vs WAS
Projection: 4 catches for 66 yards 0 TDs: 6.6 points
28. Kenbrell Thompkins @ATL
Projection: 4 catches for 61 yards 0 TDs: 6.1 points
29. Emmanuel Sanders @MIN
Projection: 5 catches for 59 yards 0 TDs: 5.9 points
30. Mike Wallace @NO
Projection: 2 catches for 58 yards 0 TDs: 1 carry for -1 yards: 5.7 points
31. DeAndre Hopkins vs SEA
Projection: 6 catches for 56 yards 0 TDs: 5.6 points
32. Julian Edelman @ATL
Projection: 6 catches for 51 yards 0 TDs: 5.1 points
33. Eddie Royal vs DAL
Projection: 4 catches for 48 yards 0 TDs: 4.8 points
34. Miles Austin @SD
Projection: 6 catches for 44 yards 0 TDs: 4.4 points
35. Aaron Dobson @ATL
Projection: 3 catches for 44 yards 0 TDs: 4.4 points
36. Golden Tate @HOU
Projection: 5 catches for 43 yards 0 TDs: 4.3 points
Start me if you have to 37-48:
37. Kendall Wright vs NYJ
Projection: 4 catches for 43 yards 0 TDs: 4.3 points
38. Michael Floyd @TB
Projection: 4 catches for 42 yards 0 TDs: 4.2 points
39. Nate Washington vs NYJ
Projection: 5 catches for 41 yards 0 TDs: 4.1 points
40. Stephen Hill @TEN
Projection: 3 catches for 41 yards 0 TDs: 4.1 points
41. Tavon Austin vs SF
Projection: 5 catches for 42 yards 0 TDs: 1 carry for -2 yards: 4.0 points
42. Mike Williams vs ARI
Projection: 4 catches for 38 yards 0 TDs: 3.8 points
43. Santana Moss @OAK
Projection: 4 catches for 37 yards 0 TDs: 3.7 points
44. Rod Streater vs WAS
Projection: 3 catches for 36 yards 0 TDs: 3.6 points
45. Darrius Heyward-Bey @JAC
Projection: 3 catches for 36 yards 0 TDs: 3.6 points
46. Donnie Avery vs NYG
Projection: 6 catches for 35 yards 0 TDs: 3.5 points
47. Jason Avant @DEN
Projection: 4 catches for 35 yards 0 TDs: 3.5 points
48. Davone Bess vs CIN
Projection: 6 catches for 34 yards 0 TDs: 3.4 points
Deep League Fliers 49-60:
49. Greg Jennings vs PIT
Projection: 3 catches for 33 yards 0 TDs: 3.3 points
50. Sidney Rice @HOU
Projection: 2 catches for 32 yards 0 TDs: 3.2 points
51. Santonio Holmes @TEN
Projection: 3 catches for 30 yards 0 TDs: 3.0 points
52. Andre Roberts @TB
Projection: 3 catches for 29 yards 0 TDs: 2.9 points
53. Rueben Randle @KC
Projection: 2 catches for 28 yards 0 TDs: 2.8 points
54. Chris Givens vs SF
Projection: 1 catch for 27 yards 0 TDs: 2.7 points
55. Marlon Brown @BUF
Projection: 2 catches for 24 yards 0 TDs: 2.4 points
56. Roddy White vs NE
Projection: 3 catches for 21 yards 0 TDs: 2.1 points
57. Lance Moore vs MIA
Projection: 3 catches for 18 yards 0 TDs: 1.8 points
58. Brandon Gibson @NO
Projection: 3 catches for 18 yards 0 TDs: 1.8 points
59. Alshon Jeffrey @DET
Projection: 1 catch for 16 yards 0 TDs: 1.6 points
60. Jerricho Cotchery @MIN
Projection: 3 catches for 15 yards 0 TDs: 1.5 points
Check out all our Week 4 Rankings
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Week 4 Shuffle: RB
Listed are the Top 60 RBs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Must Start Top 12:
1. LeSean McCoy @DEN
Projection: 23 carries for 134 yards 1 TD: 5 catches for 68 yards 1 TD: 32.2 points
2. Matt Forte @DET
Projection: 19 carries for 91 yards 0 TDs: 8 catches for 88 yards 1 TD: 23.9
3. Jamaal Charles vs NYG
Projection: 20 carries for 119 yards 1 TD: 6 catchers for 54 yards: 23.3 points
4. Adrian Peterson vs PIT
Projection: 26 carries for 127 yards 1 TD: 3 catches for 22 yards: 20.9 points
5. Marshawn Lynch @HOU
Projection: 24 carries for 86 yards 2 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 20.6 points
6. Doug Martin vs ARI
Projection : 22 carries for 98 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 24 yards 1 TD: 18.2 points
7. Alfred Morris @OAK
Projection: 23 carries for 103 yards 1 TD: 1 catch for 8 yards: 17.1 points
8. Darren McFadden vs WAS
Projection: 16 carries for 76 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 34 yards 1 TD: 17.0 points
9. DeMarco Murray @SD
Projection: 24 carries for 146 yards 0 TDs: 3 catches for 19 yards: 16.5 points
10. Knowshon Moreno vs PHI
Projection: 13 carries for 66 yards 1 TD: 2 catches for 23 yard: 14.9 points
11. Bernard Pierce @BUF
Projection: 22 carries for 75 yards 1 TD: 2 catches for 8 yards: 14.3 points
12. Joique Bell vs CHI
Projection: 19 carries for 64 yards 0 TDs: 3 catches for 18 yards 1 TD: 14.2 points
Standard League Starters 13-25:
13. Arian Foster vs SEA
Projection: 19 carries for 66 yards 1 TD: 2 catches for 14 yards: 14.0 points
14. Ahmad Bradshaw @JAC
Projection: 13 carries for 91 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 41 yards: 13.2 points
15. Lamar Miller @NO
Projection: 13 carries for 64 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 12.4 points
16. Darren Sproles vs MIA
Projection: 6 carries for 23 yards 1 TD: 6 catches for 38 yards 12.1 points
17. Bilal Powell @TEN
Projection: 23 carries for 98 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 22 yards: 12.0 points
18. Giovani Bernard @CLE
Projection: 11 carries for 23 yards 1 TD: 5 catches for 36 yards: 11.9 points
19. Ryan Mathews vs DAL
Projection: 20 carries for 66 yards 0 TDs: 6 catches for 47 yards: 11.3 points
20. Maurice Jones-Drew vs IND
Projection: 18 carries for 44 yards 1 TD: 1 catch for 6 yards: 11.0 points
21. Chris Johnson vs NYJ
Projection: 28 carries for 86 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 23 yards: 10.9 points
22. Fred Jackson vs BAL
Projection: 14 carries 45 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 10.5 points
23. Frank Gore @STL
Projection: 14 carries for 101 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 3 yards: 10.4 points
24. Trent Richardson @JAC
Projection: 16 carries for 43 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 10.3 points
Flex Options 25-36:
25. Jason Snelling vs NE
Projection: 7 carries for 27 yards 1 TD: 3 catches for 16 yards: 10.3 points
26. C.J. Spiller vs BAL
Projection: 6 carries for 44 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 58 yards: 10.0 points
27. Rashad Mendenhall @TB
Projection: 16 carries for 38 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 9.8 points
28. Jacquizz Rodgers vs NE
Projection: 12 carries for 29 yards 0 TDs: 8 catches for 67 yards: 9.6 points
29. David Wilson @KC
Projection: 13 carries for 86 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 8 yards: 9.4 points
30. Reggie Bush vs CHI
Projection: 14 carries for 48 yards 0 TDs: 6 catches for 44 yards: 9.2 points
31. Ray Rice @BUF
Projection: 9 carries for 13 yards 1 TD: 4 catches for 12 yards: 8.5 points
32. Stevan Ridley @ATL
Projection: 8 carries for 24 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 8.4 points
33. Ronnie Hillman vs PHI
Projection: 14 carries for 65 yards 0 TDs: 2 catches for 18 yards: 8.3 points
34. Brandon Boldin @ATL
Projection: 9 carries for 45 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 35 yards: 8.0 points
35. BenJarvus Green-Ellis @CLE
Projection: 11 carries for 18 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 7.8 points
36. LeGarrette Blount @ATL
Projection: 14 carries for 64 yards 0 TDs: 2 catches for 11 yards: 7.3 points
Very Suspect Plays 37-49:
37. Daniel Thomas @NO
Projection: 4 carries 9 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 6.9 points
38. Le'Veon Bell @MIN
Projection: 8 carries for 31 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 36 yards: 6.7 points
39. Isaiah Pead vs SF
Projection: 14 carries for 23 yards 0 TDs: 6 catches for 43 yards: 6.6 points
40. Ben Tate vs SEA
Projection: 7 carries for 24 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 39 yards: 6.3 points
41. Pierre Thomas vs MIA
Projection: 6 carries for 25 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 34 yards: 5.9 points
42. Jonathan Dwyer @MIN
Projection: 9 carries for 46 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 12 yards: 5.8 points
43. Danny Woodhead vs DAL
Projection: 6 carries for 24 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 31 yards: 5.5 points
44. Montee Ball vs PHI
Projection: 12 carries for 51 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 5.1 points
45. Chris Ogbonnaya vs CIN
Projection: 7 carries for 19 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 28 yards: 4.7 points
46. Marcel Reece vs WAS
Projection: 1 carry for 0 yards 0 TDs: 3 catches for 46 yards: 4.6 points
47. Daryl Richardson vs SF
Projection: 9 carries for 45 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 4.5 points
48. Willis McGahee vs CIN
Projection: 11 carries for 44 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 4.4 points
Hopefully You're Not Starting Me 49-60:
49. Kendall Hunter @STL
Projection: 4 carries for 24 yards 0 TDs: 3 catches for 20 yards: 4.4 points
50. Andre Ellington @TB
Projection: 3 carries for 8 yards 0 TDs: 2 catches for 32 yards: 4.0 points
51. Donald Brown @JAC
Projection: 11 carries for 38 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 3.8 points
52. Bryce Brown @DEN
Projection: 6 carries for 12 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 25 yards: 3.7 points
53. Ronnie Brown vs DAL
Projection 2 carries for 3 yards 0 TDs: 3 catches for 27 yards: 3.0 points
54. Da'Rel Scott @KC
Projection: 4 carries for 16 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 10 yards: 2.6 points
55. Brandon Jacobs @KC
Projection: 5 carries for 19 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 6 yards: 2.5 points
56. Bobby Rainey vs CIN
Projection: 4 carries for 7 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 16 yards: 2.3 points
57. Mark Ingram vs MIA
Projection: 10 carries for 22 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 2.2 points
58. Robert Turbin @HOU
Projection: 4 carries for 19 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 1 yard: 2.0 points
59. Felix Jones @MIN
Projection: 4 carries for 9 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 9 yards: 1.8 points
60. Alfonso Smith @TB
Projection: 3 carries for 17 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 1.7 points
Check out all our Week 4 Rankings
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Must Start Top 12:
1. LeSean McCoy @DEN
Projection: 23 carries for 134 yards 1 TD: 5 catches for 68 yards 1 TD: 32.2 points
2. Matt Forte @DET
Projection: 19 carries for 91 yards 0 TDs: 8 catches for 88 yards 1 TD: 23.9
3. Jamaal Charles vs NYG
Projection: 20 carries for 119 yards 1 TD: 6 catchers for 54 yards: 23.3 points
4. Adrian Peterson vs PIT
Projection: 26 carries for 127 yards 1 TD: 3 catches for 22 yards: 20.9 points
5. Marshawn Lynch @HOU
Projection: 24 carries for 86 yards 2 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 20.6 points
6. Doug Martin vs ARI
Projection : 22 carries for 98 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 24 yards 1 TD: 18.2 points
7. Alfred Morris @OAK
Projection: 23 carries for 103 yards 1 TD: 1 catch for 8 yards: 17.1 points
8. Darren McFadden vs WAS
Projection: 16 carries for 76 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 34 yards 1 TD: 17.0 points
9. DeMarco Murray @SD
Projection: 24 carries for 146 yards 0 TDs: 3 catches for 19 yards: 16.5 points
10. Knowshon Moreno vs PHI
Projection: 13 carries for 66 yards 1 TD: 2 catches for 23 yard: 14.9 points
11. Bernard Pierce @BUF
Projection: 22 carries for 75 yards 1 TD: 2 catches for 8 yards: 14.3 points
12. Joique Bell vs CHI
Projection: 19 carries for 64 yards 0 TDs: 3 catches for 18 yards 1 TD: 14.2 points
Standard League Starters 13-25:
13. Arian Foster vs SEA
Projection: 19 carries for 66 yards 1 TD: 2 catches for 14 yards: 14.0 points
14. Ahmad Bradshaw @JAC
Projection: 13 carries for 91 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 41 yards: 13.2 points
15. Lamar Miller @NO
Projection: 13 carries for 64 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 12.4 points
16. Darren Sproles vs MIA
Projection: 6 carries for 23 yards 1 TD: 6 catches for 38 yards 12.1 points
17. Bilal Powell @TEN
Projection: 23 carries for 98 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 22 yards: 12.0 points
18. Giovani Bernard @CLE
Projection: 11 carries for 23 yards 1 TD: 5 catches for 36 yards: 11.9 points
19. Ryan Mathews vs DAL
Projection: 20 carries for 66 yards 0 TDs: 6 catches for 47 yards: 11.3 points
20. Maurice Jones-Drew vs IND
Projection: 18 carries for 44 yards 1 TD: 1 catch for 6 yards: 11.0 points
21. Chris Johnson vs NYJ
Projection: 28 carries for 86 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 23 yards: 10.9 points
22. Fred Jackson vs BAL
Projection: 14 carries 45 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 10.5 points
23. Frank Gore @STL
Projection: 14 carries for 101 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 3 yards: 10.4 points
24. Trent Richardson @JAC
Projection: 16 carries for 43 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 10.3 points
Flex Options 25-36:
25. Jason Snelling vs NE
Projection: 7 carries for 27 yards 1 TD: 3 catches for 16 yards: 10.3 points
26. C.J. Spiller vs BAL
Projection: 6 carries for 44 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 58 yards: 10.0 points
27. Rashad Mendenhall @TB
Projection: 16 carries for 38 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 9.8 points
28. Jacquizz Rodgers vs NE
Projection: 12 carries for 29 yards 0 TDs: 8 catches for 67 yards: 9.6 points
29. David Wilson @KC
Projection: 13 carries for 86 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 8 yards: 9.4 points
30. Reggie Bush vs CHI
Projection: 14 carries for 48 yards 0 TDs: 6 catches for 44 yards: 9.2 points
31. Ray Rice @BUF
Projection: 9 carries for 13 yards 1 TD: 4 catches for 12 yards: 8.5 points
32. Stevan Ridley @ATL
Projection: 8 carries for 24 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 8.4 points
33. Ronnie Hillman vs PHI
Projection: 14 carries for 65 yards 0 TDs: 2 catches for 18 yards: 8.3 points
34. Brandon Boldin @ATL
Projection: 9 carries for 45 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 35 yards: 8.0 points
35. BenJarvus Green-Ellis @CLE
Projection: 11 carries for 18 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 7.8 points
36. LeGarrette Blount @ATL
Projection: 14 carries for 64 yards 0 TDs: 2 catches for 11 yards: 7.3 points
Very Suspect Plays 37-49:
37. Daniel Thomas @NO
Projection: 4 carries 9 yards 1 TD: 0 catches for 0 yards: 6.9 points
38. Le'Veon Bell @MIN
Projection: 8 carries for 31 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 36 yards: 6.7 points
39. Isaiah Pead vs SF
Projection: 14 carries for 23 yards 0 TDs: 6 catches for 43 yards: 6.6 points
40. Ben Tate vs SEA
Projection: 7 carries for 24 yards 0 TDs: 5 catches for 39 yards: 6.3 points
41. Pierre Thomas vs MIA
Projection: 6 carries for 25 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 34 yards: 5.9 points
42. Jonathan Dwyer @MIN
Projection: 9 carries for 46 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 12 yards: 5.8 points
43. Danny Woodhead vs DAL
Projection: 6 carries for 24 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 31 yards: 5.5 points
44. Montee Ball vs PHI
Projection: 12 carries for 51 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 5.1 points
45. Chris Ogbonnaya vs CIN
Projection: 7 carries for 19 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 28 yards: 4.7 points
46. Marcel Reece vs WAS
Projection: 1 carry for 0 yards 0 TDs: 3 catches for 46 yards: 4.6 points
47. Daryl Richardson vs SF
Projection: 9 carries for 45 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 4.5 points
48. Willis McGahee vs CIN
Projection: 11 carries for 44 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 4.4 points
Hopefully You're Not Starting Me 49-60:
49. Kendall Hunter @STL
Projection: 4 carries for 24 yards 0 TDs: 3 catches for 20 yards: 4.4 points
50. Andre Ellington @TB
Projection: 3 carries for 8 yards 0 TDs: 2 catches for 32 yards: 4.0 points
51. Donald Brown @JAC
Projection: 11 carries for 38 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 3.8 points
52. Bryce Brown @DEN
Projection: 6 carries for 12 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 25 yards: 3.7 points
53. Ronnie Brown vs DAL
Projection 2 carries for 3 yards 0 TDs: 3 catches for 27 yards: 3.0 points
54. Da'Rel Scott @KC
Projection: 4 carries for 16 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 10 yards: 2.6 points
55. Brandon Jacobs @KC
Projection: 5 carries for 19 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 6 yards: 2.5 points
56. Bobby Rainey vs CIN
Projection: 4 carries for 7 yards 0 TDs: 4 catches for 16 yards: 2.3 points
57. Mark Ingram vs MIA
Projection: 10 carries for 22 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 2.2 points
58. Robert Turbin @HOU
Projection: 4 carries for 19 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 1 yard: 2.0 points
59. Felix Jones @MIN
Projection: 4 carries for 9 yards 0 TDs: 1 catch for 9 yards: 1.8 points
60. Alfonso Smith @TB
Projection: 3 carries for 17 yards 0 TDs: 0 catches for 0 yards: 1.7 points
Check out all our Week 4 Rankings
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Week 4 Shuffle: QB
Listed are the Top 25 QBs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Elite Top 12:
1. Peyton Manning vs PHI
Projection: 428 passing yards 5 TDs 0 INTs: 3 carries -3 yards: 36.8 points
2. Michael Vick @DEN
Projection: 313 passing yards 3 TDs 1 INT: 7 carries for 67 yards 1 TD: 1 fumble: 33.2 points
3. Andrew Luck @JAC
Projection: 378 passing yards 4 TDs 1 INT: 6 carries for 31 yards: 32.2 points
4. Robert Griffin III @OAK
Projection: 341 passing yards 3 TDs 2 INTs: 4 carries for 41 yard 1 TD: 31.8 points
5. Matt Ryan vs NE
Projection: 299 passing yards 4 TDs 0 INT: 1 carry for 6 yards: 28.5 points
6. Drew Brees vs MIA
Projection: 347 passing yards 3 TDs 1 INT: 1 carry for -1 yards: 25.8 points
7. Tony Romo @SD
Projection: 363 passing yards 3 TDs 2 INTs: 2 carries for 12 yards: 23.7 points
8. Matthew Stafford vs CHI
Projection: 355 passing yards 3 TDs 2 INTs: 1 carry for 2 yards: 23.3 points
9. Tom Brady @ATL
Projection: 413 passing yards 2 TDs 1 INT: 0 carries for 0 yards: 22.5 points
10. Russell Wilson @HOU
Projection: 245 passing yards 2 TDs 0 INTs: 5 carries for 45 yards: 22.3 points
11. Colin Kaepernick @STL
Projection: 181 passing yards 1 TD 1 INT: 11 carries for 82 yards 1 TD: 1 fumble: 21.4 points
12. Alex Smith vs NYG
Projection: 241 passing yards 2 TDs 0 INTs: 1 carry for 3 yards: 17.9 points
Spot Starters 13-25:
13. Philip Rivers vs DAL
Projection: 322 passing yards 2 TDs 1 INT: 0 carries for 0 yards: 1 fumble: 16.9 points
14. Ryan Tannehill @NO
Projection: 281 passing yards 2 TDs 2 INTs: 4 carries 16 yards: 16.8 points
15. Jay Cutler @DET
Projection: 266 passing yards 2 TDs 1 INT: 1 carry -1 yards: 16.5 points
16. Andy Dalton @CLE
Projection: 246 passing yards 2 TDs 1 INT: 0 carries for 0 yards: 15.9 points
17. Ben Roethlisberger @MIN
Projection: 354 passing yards: 1 TD 2 INTs: 3 carries for 17 yards: 15.7 points
18. Matt Flynn @WAS
Projection: 339 passing yards 2 TDs 3 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 15.6 points
19. E.J. Manuel vs BAL
Projection: 223 passing yards 1 TDs 2 INTs: 6 carries for 36 yards: 12.5 points
20. Joe Flacco @BUF
Projection: 294 passing yards: 0 TDs 0 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 11.8 points
21. Eli Manning @KC
Projection: 336 passing yards 1 TD 3 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 11.5 points
22. Carson Palmer @TB
Projection: 271 passing yards 2 TD 3 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 1 fumble: 10.9 points
23. Sam Bradford vs SF
Projection: 238 passing yards 1 TD 2 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 9.5 points
24. Jake Locker vs NYJ
Projection: 217 passing yards 0 TDs 0 INTs: 4 carries for 8 yards: 9.3 points
25. Brian Hoyer vs CIN
Projection: 306 passing yards 1 TD 3 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 1 fumble: 9.2 points
Check out all our Week 4 Rankings
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Elite Top 12:
1. Peyton Manning vs PHI
Projection: 428 passing yards 5 TDs 0 INTs: 3 carries -3 yards: 36.8 points
2. Michael Vick @DEN
Projection: 313 passing yards 3 TDs 1 INT: 7 carries for 67 yards 1 TD: 1 fumble: 33.2 points
3. Andrew Luck @JAC
Projection: 378 passing yards 4 TDs 1 INT: 6 carries for 31 yards: 32.2 points
4. Robert Griffin III @OAK
Projection: 341 passing yards 3 TDs 2 INTs: 4 carries for 41 yard 1 TD: 31.8 points
5. Matt Ryan vs NE
Projection: 299 passing yards 4 TDs 0 INT: 1 carry for 6 yards: 28.5 points
6. Drew Brees vs MIA
Projection: 347 passing yards 3 TDs 1 INT: 1 carry for -1 yards: 25.8 points
7. Tony Romo @SD
Projection: 363 passing yards 3 TDs 2 INTs: 2 carries for 12 yards: 23.7 points
8. Matthew Stafford vs CHI
Projection: 355 passing yards 3 TDs 2 INTs: 1 carry for 2 yards: 23.3 points
9. Tom Brady @ATL
Projection: 413 passing yards 2 TDs 1 INT: 0 carries for 0 yards: 22.5 points
10. Russell Wilson @HOU
Projection: 245 passing yards 2 TDs 0 INTs: 5 carries for 45 yards: 22.3 points
11. Colin Kaepernick @STL
Projection: 181 passing yards 1 TD 1 INT: 11 carries for 82 yards 1 TD: 1 fumble: 21.4 points
12. Alex Smith vs NYG
Projection: 241 passing yards 2 TDs 0 INTs: 1 carry for 3 yards: 17.9 points
Spot Starters 13-25:
13. Philip Rivers vs DAL
Projection: 322 passing yards 2 TDs 1 INT: 0 carries for 0 yards: 1 fumble: 16.9 points
14. Ryan Tannehill @NO
Projection: 281 passing yards 2 TDs 2 INTs: 4 carries 16 yards: 16.8 points
15. Jay Cutler @DET
Projection: 266 passing yards 2 TDs 1 INT: 1 carry -1 yards: 16.5 points
16. Andy Dalton @CLE
Projection: 246 passing yards 2 TDs 1 INT: 0 carries for 0 yards: 15.9 points
17. Ben Roethlisberger @MIN
Projection: 354 passing yards: 1 TD 2 INTs: 3 carries for 17 yards: 15.7 points
18. Matt Flynn @WAS
Projection: 339 passing yards 2 TDs 3 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 15.6 points
19. E.J. Manuel vs BAL
Projection: 223 passing yards 1 TDs 2 INTs: 6 carries for 36 yards: 12.5 points
20. Joe Flacco @BUF
Projection: 294 passing yards: 0 TDs 0 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 11.8 points
21. Eli Manning @KC
Projection: 336 passing yards 1 TD 3 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 11.5 points
22. Carson Palmer @TB
Projection: 271 passing yards 2 TD 3 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 1 fumble: 10.9 points
23. Sam Bradford vs SF
Projection: 238 passing yards 1 TD 2 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 9.5 points
24. Jake Locker vs NYJ
Projection: 217 passing yards 0 TDs 0 INTs: 4 carries for 8 yards: 9.3 points
25. Brian Hoyer vs CIN
Projection: 306 passing yards 1 TD 3 INTs: 0 carries for 0 yards: 1 fumble: 9.2 points
Check out all our Week 4 Rankings
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Sep 19, 2013
How We Trade Raped The Colts
With emotions running high, most people just assumed the Trent trade was a classic Cleveland blunder. Social media was set ablaze and once again Cleveland was in the national spot light looking like a fool with it's pants on the ground.
I saw hundreds of posts, replies, and rants via all sorts of social media last night and this morning. People not thinking, just assuming that Cleveland was at the "Taco" end of a trade (thats a The League reference for those who don't watch one of the best shows on TV).
If only all of what I saw on social media was directed at me, I could have shown these people how to use your head and this thing called logic. In my opinion, the Browns got tremendous value for Richardson. The following will be a rhetorical Q & A. Kind of like when I plan an entire argument out in my head against my girlfriend, which usually never works out.
Again, these are all things I saw over the past 18 hours.
Also, some may just be statements instead of questions, still goes with the flow in my head.
Q: What the fuck did we just do!? We just traded our best player and franchise back!
A: Whoa compadre, the Browns just did what they thought best for the future of the team. And if you think he was our best player than I can't help you. And wtf is a franchise back? Is Trent gonna read the D, make checks, throw the ball, and run the ball? Cause so far he's done none of those.
Q: Trent's a beast! The Browns just gave up. I'm done with this team!
A: Ok, I know thats just an egregious statement rather than a question but we'll let it slide. Is Trent a beast though? Or do people just think he's a beast because he did great at Alabama and was picked at 3? What has Trent done exactly to be considered a beast? Run some dude over last year that's now a penalty? Fullbacks do that all the time and still have a better YPC than Trent. Hillis did that all the time. Speaking of Hillis, check out these stats.
Player A: 270 rushes, 1177 yards, 61 catches, 477 yards
Player B: 298 rushes, 1095 yards, 58. catches, 418 yards
Player C: 302 rushes, 1401 yards, 61 catches, 444 yards
Player A: Peyton Hillis during his 2010 season with the Browns as a glorified fullback.
Player B: Trent's entire career with the Browns, as a 3rd overall pick deemed the next AP.
Player C: Jerome f'ing Harrison's career Browns stats as a 3rd down back.
Oh, and for those who said you're done with the team. I hope you are. But I know you'll be back in April. See you then.
Q: Well Trent's o-line has been terrible for him.
A: I'll admit it hasn't been great this year. But last year everyone said it was the only bright part of the team. And last year Trent's numbers were pedestrian. Good, not great. And he was out preformed by 3 other rookies. And how were our o-line's when Hillis and Harrison were rushing?
Q: We have no passing game, so teams load the box to stop him.
A: You're right. Thankfully Christian Ponder and that high octane passing attack in Minnesota keeps the defense off Peterson.
Q: Why do we keep comparing Trent to Peterson?
A: Um, how bout cause we traded up to 3 to get him, and no other running back was taken that high in the last 10 years besides Peterson. We traded up with the intention that he was the next Peterson. AP averaged 5.6 YPC his rookie year. He also made plays that Trent just hasn't shown us he can make. Yes Trent is good, he can truck stick a DB, and constantly gets an extra yard than he should, but he hasn't made AP plays. And his stats are still very, very average.
Q: Why didn't we give him more time?
A: Ahhh didn't Colt McCoy coin that question? Running backs don't get more time. A lot of people thought Trent had too many touches in college. Are we just supposed to feed him 350 plus touches a year until he shows us something? Running backs need to produce, or at least show you something as rookies, or they are sent packing. He's a 22 year old with a 25 year old's amount of touches. Running back's life expectancy in the NFL is crazy small. He needed to produce, and he didn't. Waiting makes no sense.
Q: We drafted him at three last year and we're gonna get a pick in the 20's!?
A: First off, the people who drafted him at 3 are no longer with the Browns. This FO had nothing to do with the past drafts, and have been publicly criticizing them ever since they came along. Secondly, take a basic economics class. Just cause he was drafted at 3, doesn't mean crap to his current value. To get a 1st round pick for a guy who has been out preformed by Hillis (a guy released then traded around), and Jerome Harrison (a guy traded for Mike Bell), is pretty good. As many national analysts said, there isn't one NFL RB other than AP they would've traded a 1st for.
Q: Why are we giving up on the season so early?/ Tanking already?
A: First off, I wouldn't say we're giving up on the season. I mean we're already 0-2. But, we could have easily been 2-0 or at least 1-1 with even an average offense. What exactly did Trent do to help us win those games? Nothing. So in my opinion, the Browns will be no better or no worse than they already have been. As for tanking, which I think we all realize they're doing, I support it 100%. How can the Colts do it and get praised? What about the Cavs who did it for the last 3 years? (btw, Dan Gilbert, I love you man, but don't ever lecture us on Twitter about tanking) The Browns are clearly lining up to get a franchise QB, plus more picks to help our offense. For a team that has fluctuated between 4 and 7 wins for the past decade, you'd think fans wouldn't mind tanking for a QB.
If we don't trade up for a QB that leaves us with most likely a top 5 pick with a deep QB class. Plus a pick in the 20's (WR/RB), a pick in the early 2nd round (RB/WR), and two more in the 3rd and 4th. With the defense the Browns currently have, we are just one good draft and a QB away from competing. Pitt and Baltimore are only getting older and they are clearly not that good. Cincy is the best in the AFC North, but I think we're only a decent offense away from competing with them.
The facts are there. You just have to get passed the preconceived notion that Trent is already/guaranteed to be great. Facts are he's been average at best so far.
There you have it.
Boom. Trade raped.
I saw hundreds of posts, replies, and rants via all sorts of social media last night and this morning. People not thinking, just assuming that Cleveland was at the "Taco" end of a trade (thats a The League reference for those who don't watch one of the best shows on TV).
If only all of what I saw on social media was directed at me, I could have shown these people how to use your head and this thing called logic. In my opinion, the Browns got tremendous value for Richardson. The following will be a rhetorical Q & A. Kind of like when I plan an entire argument out in my head against my girlfriend, which usually never works out.
Again, these are all things I saw over the past 18 hours.
Also, some may just be statements instead of questions, still goes with the flow in my head.
Q: What the fuck did we just do!? We just traded our best player and franchise back!
A: Whoa compadre, the Browns just did what they thought best for the future of the team. And if you think he was our best player than I can't help you. And wtf is a franchise back? Is Trent gonna read the D, make checks, throw the ball, and run the ball? Cause so far he's done none of those.
Q: Trent's a beast! The Browns just gave up. I'm done with this team!
A: Ok, I know thats just an egregious statement rather than a question but we'll let it slide. Is Trent a beast though? Or do people just think he's a beast because he did great at Alabama and was picked at 3? What has Trent done exactly to be considered a beast? Run some dude over last year that's now a penalty? Fullbacks do that all the time and still have a better YPC than Trent. Hillis did that all the time. Speaking of Hillis, check out these stats.
Player A: 270 rushes, 1177 yards, 61 catches, 477 yards
Player B: 298 rushes, 1095 yards, 58. catches, 418 yards
Player C: 302 rushes, 1401 yards, 61 catches, 444 yards
Player A: Peyton Hillis during his 2010 season with the Browns as a glorified fullback.
Player B: Trent's entire career with the Browns, as a 3rd overall pick deemed the next AP.
Player C: Jerome f'ing Harrison's career Browns stats as a 3rd down back.
Oh, and for those who said you're done with the team. I hope you are. But I know you'll be back in April. See you then.
Q: Well Trent's o-line has been terrible for him.
A: I'll admit it hasn't been great this year. But last year everyone said it was the only bright part of the team. And last year Trent's numbers were pedestrian. Good, not great. And he was out preformed by 3 other rookies. And how were our o-line's when Hillis and Harrison were rushing?
Q: We have no passing game, so teams load the box to stop him.
A: You're right. Thankfully Christian Ponder and that high octane passing attack in Minnesota keeps the defense off Peterson.
Q: Why do we keep comparing Trent to Peterson?
A: Um, how bout cause we traded up to 3 to get him, and no other running back was taken that high in the last 10 years besides Peterson. We traded up with the intention that he was the next Peterson. AP averaged 5.6 YPC his rookie year. He also made plays that Trent just hasn't shown us he can make. Yes Trent is good, he can truck stick a DB, and constantly gets an extra yard than he should, but he hasn't made AP plays. And his stats are still very, very average.
Q: Why didn't we give him more time?
A: Ahhh didn't Colt McCoy coin that question? Running backs don't get more time. A lot of people thought Trent had too many touches in college. Are we just supposed to feed him 350 plus touches a year until he shows us something? Running backs need to produce, or at least show you something as rookies, or they are sent packing. He's a 22 year old with a 25 year old's amount of touches. Running back's life expectancy in the NFL is crazy small. He needed to produce, and he didn't. Waiting makes no sense.
Q: We drafted him at three last year and we're gonna get a pick in the 20's!?
A: First off, the people who drafted him at 3 are no longer with the Browns. This FO had nothing to do with the past drafts, and have been publicly criticizing them ever since they came along. Secondly, take a basic economics class. Just cause he was drafted at 3, doesn't mean crap to his current value. To get a 1st round pick for a guy who has been out preformed by Hillis (a guy released then traded around), and Jerome Harrison (a guy traded for Mike Bell), is pretty good. As many national analysts said, there isn't one NFL RB other than AP they would've traded a 1st for.
Q: Why are we giving up on the season so early?/ Tanking already?
A: First off, I wouldn't say we're giving up on the season. I mean we're already 0-2. But, we could have easily been 2-0 or at least 1-1 with even an average offense. What exactly did Trent do to help us win those games? Nothing. So in my opinion, the Browns will be no better or no worse than they already have been. As for tanking, which I think we all realize they're doing, I support it 100%. How can the Colts do it and get praised? What about the Cavs who did it for the last 3 years? (btw, Dan Gilbert, I love you man, but don't ever lecture us on Twitter about tanking) The Browns are clearly lining up to get a franchise QB, plus more picks to help our offense. For a team that has fluctuated between 4 and 7 wins for the past decade, you'd think fans wouldn't mind tanking for a QB.
If we don't trade up for a QB that leaves us with most likely a top 5 pick with a deep QB class. Plus a pick in the 20's (WR/RB), a pick in the early 2nd round (RB/WR), and two more in the 3rd and 4th. With the defense the Browns currently have, we are just one good draft and a QB away from competing. Pitt and Baltimore are only getting older and they are clearly not that good. Cincy is the best in the AFC North, but I think we're only a decent offense away from competing with them.
The facts are there. You just have to get passed the preconceived notion that Trent is already/guaranteed to be great. Facts are he's been average at best so far.
There you have it.
Boom. Trade raped.
Trent & Why
Eventually the plan is going to work. Carmen Policy told us to be patient and let the expansion years play out. Phil Savage told us time was needed to right the wrongs of those who came before him. George Kokinis told us this would be the regime that finally put pieces together to win football games. Mike Holgren reminded us he built a winners in Green Bay and Seattle and knew the winning formula. Joe Banner has told us that the team is placing the best product it can on the field. Joe Banner has told us that the team is building for long term success. None of these statements have come true. None of these statements appear to be coming true soon. None of these statements makes anyone who gives a damn about Cleveland Browns football optimistic about any "regime" or "process" or "product" that the team is attempting. Everything about these statements tell us false hope is being sold. Everything about these statements tell us to not buy it. Everything tells us the past is destined to repeat itself. Everything tells us failure will always be.Eventually a regime of blowhards is going to put together a winning Browns team. Eventually the process is going to play out and positive results will follow. Eventually the product will be worth watching, even if it's all sheer luck. The law of averages says so. It tells us to keep believing. It tells us that things will eventually change for the better. It tells us that there is no connection from previous leaders to the next. It tells us everyone who comes to Cleveland is not destined to be a colossal failure. It tells us to believe. It tells us over and over again: Believe.
It is not easy to believe. There have been 19 starting quarterbacks. There have been 16 first round picks. There have been 4 seasons over five wins. There have been 3 thousand yard backs. Only Jamal Lewis has repeated, doing so 1 time. There have been 4 thousand yard receivers. None have ever repeated. There have been 3 passers throw over three thousand yards in a season. None have ever repeated. There have been two winning seasons. There has been one double digit win season. There has been one playoff game. There have been zero play off wins. There have been boycotts. There have been petitions. There have been Twitter blow ups. There have been those who swore the team off only to come right back. There have been ownership changes. But most of all, above everything else, there has been misery.Cleveland hasn't seen an offensive product worth watching since 2007. That was the year that Browns fans thought for a sliver of a second that we had an enviable quarterback situation. Derek Anderson was hot off a 29 TD season. Brady Quinn was the heir in waiting and there was actually a quarterback controversy to get excited about. Braylon Edwards hadn't yet embarrassed himself by thinking Cleveland had a vendetta for players who went to the University of Michigan and not instead players who lead the league in drops. Jamal Lewis amassed over 1,500 total yards and looked to still have good years left in the tank. Kellen Winslow looked like the elite athlete he was prior to doing his motorcycle stunts. Joe Thomas looked like he was the NFL's best tackle. The entire defense looked capable of stopping the opponent from scoring touchdowns on every drive.
All these pieces were in place in 2008, the year of hope was finally here. We went 4-12.
This is why we can't handle seeing Trent Richardson get traded in Week 2. There was no offseason full of buildup that management and player were no match made in heaven. There was no soundbite of Richardson frustrated with team's "direction". There was no clip of Richardson bashing his second head coach, offensive coordinator, or running backs coach in two years. There was no evidence that things were status quo. There was no evidence that Trent wasn't going to pile together 1,000 yards while the team marched its way to 6 wins, maybe 7 if we get lucky. This is what we had to look forward to. This was our season.
That's why this sucks. The best offensive player the New Browns have ever seen was traded because he "wasn't the right fit". The win total is what truly isn't "the right fit". It doesn't matter that Richardson had more attempts then Jerome Harrison when he was traded. It doesn't matter Richardson has less
total yards then Jerome Harrison when he was traded. It doesn't matter that Richardson had less 100+ yard games then Jerome Harrison. It doesn't matter that Richardson has a less catches then Jerome Harrison. It doesn't matter that Richardson had a lower Yard Per Carry and Yard Per Catch then Jerome Harrison. It doesn't matter that the first round pick we got in return is of far greater value then Mike Bell, the player we got in return for Jerome Harrison. It doesn't matter that Richardson really isn't the player the media, the fans, the pundits, the Twitters, the internet, the Alabama, the world has made him out to be. What matters is we are pissed.This is another sign that the team is not winning now. This is another example of the "rebuilding process". This is another example of "out with the old, in with the new". This is another example of two years to show yourself or you ware shown the door. This is another set of suits telling us what is right. Yet every suit has told us to sit back, accept the process and wait or the results that will come. Only those results have always been terrible. Those results have made things like 2007 the only glimmer of results in over a decade of false hopes. But we need to sit back and accept. We need to let regime bring in "their" players. We need to allow this to happen. Because eventually, through the law of averages, it is going to work. Eventually, somehow, someway, the Browns will be good.
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Sep 18, 2013
Week 3 Shuffle: Defense Special Teams
Listed are the Top 25 D/STs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Tier 1:
1. Seattle Seahawks vs JAC
2. New England Patriots vs TB
3. Denver Broncos vs OAK
4. Chicago Bears @PIT
5. San Francisco 49ers vs IND
6. Minnesota Vikings vs CLE
7. Houston Texans @BAL
8. Dallas Cowboys vs STL
9. Cleveland Browns @MIN
10. Atlanta Falcons @MIA
11. Baltimore Ravens vs HOU
12. Tennessee Titans vs SD
- After what the Seahawks did last week to the 49ers at home anything short of a 20 point performance is going to be seen against the Chad Henne led Jaguars. The back half of these rankings (Vikings, Cowboys, Browns, Falcons & Titans) are all commodities that should see their ownership rise as the week progresses. Everyone is a viable start against a weak opponent.
Tier 2:
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @NE
14. Buffalo Bills @NYJ
15. Pittsburgh Steelers vs CHI
16. St. Louis Rams @DAL
17. Miami Dolphins vs ATL
18. San Diego Chargers @TEN
19. New York Jets @BUF
20. Cincinnati Bengals vs GB
21. New Orleans Saints vs ARI
22. Arizona Cardinals @NO
23. Kansas City Chiefs @PHI
24. Philadelphia Eagles vs KC
25. Green Bay Packers @CIN
- Excluding the Bengals, everyone listed here should making a weekly home on the waiver wire. The Steelers & Packers are not the same two defenses that have been seeing the field the past few years and should be owned accordingly. Excluding leagues over 12 owners, no one else here should be owned heading into Week 3.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Tier 1:
1. Seattle Seahawks vs JAC
2. New England Patriots vs TB
3. Denver Broncos vs OAK
4. Chicago Bears @PIT
5. San Francisco 49ers vs IND
6. Minnesota Vikings vs CLE
7. Houston Texans @BAL
8. Dallas Cowboys vs STL
9. Cleveland Browns @MIN
10. Atlanta Falcons @MIA
11. Baltimore Ravens vs HOU
12. Tennessee Titans vs SD
- After what the Seahawks did last week to the 49ers at home anything short of a 20 point performance is going to be seen against the Chad Henne led Jaguars. The back half of these rankings (Vikings, Cowboys, Browns, Falcons & Titans) are all commodities that should see their ownership rise as the week progresses. Everyone is a viable start against a weak opponent.
Tier 2:
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers @NE
14. Buffalo Bills @NYJ
15. Pittsburgh Steelers vs CHI
16. St. Louis Rams @DAL
17. Miami Dolphins vs ATL
18. San Diego Chargers @TEN
19. New York Jets @BUF
20. Cincinnati Bengals vs GB
21. New Orleans Saints vs ARI
22. Arizona Cardinals @NO
23. Kansas City Chiefs @PHI
24. Philadelphia Eagles vs KC
25. Green Bay Packers @CIN
- Excluding the Bengals, everyone listed here should making a weekly home on the waiver wire. The Steelers & Packers are not the same two defenses that have been seeing the field the past few years and should be owned accordingly. Excluding leagues over 12 owners, no one else here should be owned heading into Week 3.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Week 3 Shuffle: Kicker
Listed are the Top 25 Ks for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Tier 1:
1. Blair Walsh vs CLE
2. Sebastian Janikowski @DEN
3. Josh Brown @CAR
4. Matt Prater vs OAK
5. Garrett Hartley vs ARI
6. Dan Bailey vs STL
7. Alex Henery vs KC
8. Stephen Gostkowski vs TB
9. Greg Zuerlein @DAL
10. Steven Hauschka vs JAC
11. David Akers @WAS
12. Matt Bryant @MIA
- These kickers have nice matchups. Henery is attached to the Chip Kelly offense and should see strong results the rest of the year. Zuerlein & Bailey should see a few FG opportunities each with Hauschka, Akers & Bryant looking to be extra point specialists this week.
Tier 2:
13. Caleb Sturgis vs ATL
14. Rob Bironas vs SD
15. Nick Novak @TEN
16. Ryan Succop @PHI
17. Nick Folk vs BUF
18. Mason Crosby @CIN
19. Jay Feely @NO
20. Mike Nugent vs GB
21. Robbie Gould @PIT
22. Justin Tucker vs HOU
23. Phil Dawson vs IND
24. Graham Gano vs NYG
25. Randy Bullock @BAL
- Unless you're in a league with over 12 members no one here should be rostered. Kickers are a commodity that you shouldn't be tied into for anything more then a week at a time. Tucker, Dawson & Bullock owners should move on.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Tier 1:
1. Blair Walsh vs CLE
2. Sebastian Janikowski @DEN
3. Josh Brown @CAR
4. Matt Prater vs OAK
5. Garrett Hartley vs ARI
6. Dan Bailey vs STL
7. Alex Henery vs KC
8. Stephen Gostkowski vs TB
9. Greg Zuerlein @DAL
10. Steven Hauschka vs JAC
11. David Akers @WAS
12. Matt Bryant @MIA
- These kickers have nice matchups. Henery is attached to the Chip Kelly offense and should see strong results the rest of the year. Zuerlein & Bailey should see a few FG opportunities each with Hauschka, Akers & Bryant looking to be extra point specialists this week.
Tier 2:
13. Caleb Sturgis vs ATL
14. Rob Bironas vs SD
15. Nick Novak @TEN
16. Ryan Succop @PHI
17. Nick Folk vs BUF
18. Mason Crosby @CIN
19. Jay Feely @NO
20. Mike Nugent vs GB
21. Robbie Gould @PIT
22. Justin Tucker vs HOU
23. Phil Dawson vs IND
24. Graham Gano vs NYG
25. Randy Bullock @BAL
- Unless you're in a league with over 12 members no one here should be rostered. Kickers are a commodity that you shouldn't be tied into for anything more then a week at a time. Tucker, Dawson & Bullock owners should move on.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Week 3 Shuffle: Defensive Back
Listed are the Top 40 DBs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Tier 1:
1. Harrison Smith vs CLE
2. DeAngelo Hall vs DET
3. Patrick Peterson @NO
4. LaRon Landry @SF
5. Charles Tillman @PIT
6. Earl Thomas vs JAC
7. Duke Ihenacho vs OAK
8. Kam Chancellor vs JAC
9. Eric Berry @PHI
10. Malcolm Jenkins vs ARI
11. Da'Norris Searcy @NYJ
12. Bacarri Rambo vs DET
- Smith has quickly found himself as an elite play each week. He should feast on Brian Hoyer & Co. this week. Landry has been a tackling machine this year and is already over a quarter of the way to 100 stops. Tillman & Hall remain elite options to create turnovers with Chancellor, Ihenacho, Jenkins & Rambo being tackling machines with strong matchups. Peterson's play on offense seems him jump into the elite category, with more upside then anyone else on the list.
Tier 2:
13. Eric Weddle @TEN
14. Mark Barron @NE
15. Antoine Bethea @SF
16. Sam Shields @CIN
17. Brandon Boykin vs KC
18. Tim Jennings @PIT
19. Ryan Clark vs CHI
20. Tyrann Mathieu @NO
21. Cary Williams vs KC
22. Leodis McKelvin @NYJ
23. Josh Wilson vs DET
24. Robert McClain @MIA
- Weddle disappointed last week as the number one overall option, but should rebound nicely against the unproven Jake Locker led Titans. Boykin & Williams should find a turnover or two along the way against Kansas City. Bethea, Shields, Mathieu, McKelvin, Wilson & McClain have all been tackling machines and should all run into turnover opportunities as the season progresses.
Tier 3:
25. Roman Harper vs ARI
26. Leon Hall vs GB
27. William Moore @MIA
28. Bernard Pollard vs SD
29. Aaron Williams @NYJ
30. Ryan Mundy @CAR
31. Barry Church vs STL
32. Steve Gregory vs TB
33. Patrick Chung vs KC
34. Reshad Jones vs ATL
35. Prince Amukamara @CAR
36. Nate Allen vs KC
37. Jamarca Sanford vs CLE
38. Major Wright @PIT
39. Kyle Arrington vs TB
40. Janoris Jenkins @DAL
- Pollard owners would like to see him outperform this rank, but I'm not as high on the San Diego matchup as others are. Aaron Williams has played his way onto our list by racking up tackles all over the field in the first two weeks. Moore, Church, Gregory, Chung, Jones, Allen, Sanford & Wright are all tacklers with a low turnover probability, so deploy accordingly. Jenkins & Arrington could see a turnover given their opposing QB's play, but neither are locks to give you a good performance in Week 3.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Tier 1:
1. Harrison Smith vs CLE
2. DeAngelo Hall vs DET
3. Patrick Peterson @NO
4. LaRon Landry @SF
5. Charles Tillman @PIT
6. Earl Thomas vs JAC
7. Duke Ihenacho vs OAK
8. Kam Chancellor vs JAC
9. Eric Berry @PHI
10. Malcolm Jenkins vs ARI
11. Da'Norris Searcy @NYJ
12. Bacarri Rambo vs DET
- Smith has quickly found himself as an elite play each week. He should feast on Brian Hoyer & Co. this week. Landry has been a tackling machine this year and is already over a quarter of the way to 100 stops. Tillman & Hall remain elite options to create turnovers with Chancellor, Ihenacho, Jenkins & Rambo being tackling machines with strong matchups. Peterson's play on offense seems him jump into the elite category, with more upside then anyone else on the list.
Tier 2:
13. Eric Weddle @TEN
14. Mark Barron @NE
15. Antoine Bethea @SF
16. Sam Shields @CIN
17. Brandon Boykin vs KC
18. Tim Jennings @PIT
19. Ryan Clark vs CHI
20. Tyrann Mathieu @NO
21. Cary Williams vs KC
22. Leodis McKelvin @NYJ
23. Josh Wilson vs DET
24. Robert McClain @MIA
- Weddle disappointed last week as the number one overall option, but should rebound nicely against the unproven Jake Locker led Titans. Boykin & Williams should find a turnover or two along the way against Kansas City. Bethea, Shields, Mathieu, McKelvin, Wilson & McClain have all been tackling machines and should all run into turnover opportunities as the season progresses.
Tier 3:
25. Roman Harper vs ARI
26. Leon Hall vs GB
27. William Moore @MIA
28. Bernard Pollard vs SD
29. Aaron Williams @NYJ
30. Ryan Mundy @CAR
31. Barry Church vs STL
32. Steve Gregory vs TB
33. Patrick Chung vs KC
34. Reshad Jones vs ATL
35. Prince Amukamara @CAR
36. Nate Allen vs KC
37. Jamarca Sanford vs CLE
38. Major Wright @PIT
39. Kyle Arrington vs TB
40. Janoris Jenkins @DAL
- Pollard owners would like to see him outperform this rank, but I'm not as high on the San Diego matchup as others are. Aaron Williams has played his way onto our list by racking up tackles all over the field in the first two weeks. Moore, Church, Gregory, Chung, Jones, Allen, Sanford & Wright are all tacklers with a low turnover probability, so deploy accordingly. Jenkins & Arrington could see a turnover given their opposing QB's play, but neither are locks to give you a good performance in Week 3.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Week 3 Shuffle: Defensive Line
Listed are the Top 40 DLs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Tier 1:
1. J.J. Watt @BAL
2. Rob Ninkovich vs TB
3. Jared Allen vs CLE
4. Justin Tuck @CAR
5. Chandler Jones vs TB
6. Trent Cole vs KC
7. Cameron Jordan vs ARI
8. Robert Quinn @DAL
9. Desmond Bryant @MIN
10. Charles Johnson vs NYG
11. DeMarcus Ware vs STL
12. Greg Hardy vs NYG
- No amazing matchup plays this week. Bryant has already jumped into the circle of trust after the first two weeks & seeing Christian Ponder on the field every down is only going to help him stay there. Our top 6 players have insanely high floors should absolutely be deployed every week. Johnson & Hardy project to get to Eli Manning more then Giants fans are comfortable with, along with racking up RB tackles from their below average committee.
Tier 2:
13. Derrick Morgan vs SD
14. Elvis Dumervil vs HOU
15. Calais Campbell @NO
16. Mario Williams @NYJ
17. Carlos Dunlap vs GB
18. Lamarr Houston @DEN
19. Cameron Wake vs ATL
20. Jason Pierre-Paul @CAR
21. Geno Atkins vs GB
22. Jason Hunter @DEN
23. Adrian Clayborn @NE
24. Justin Smith vs IND
- Williams insane performance last week doesn't project to repeat, but he still gets to rush Geno Smith on every down, so results will be there. Dunlap, Wake, JPP & Atkins are feast or famine rushers who are either going to rack up a sack or two or not be seen on much on the fantasy stat sheet. Houston, Hunter & Clayborn has impressive matchups and should be deployed in all leagues that start two DLs.
Tier 3:
25. Julius Peppers @PIT
26. Ray McDonald vs IND
27. Tommy Kelly vs TB
28. Dontari Poe @PHI
29. Jason Hatcher vs STL
30. Brian Robison vs CLE
31. Jabaal Sheard @MIN
32. Ndamukong Suh @WAS
33. Sheldon Richardson vs BUF
34. Whitney Mercilus @BAL
35. Chris Long @DAL
36. Osi Umenyiora @MIA
37. Brett Keisel vs CHI
38. Haloti Ngata vs HOU
39. Shea McClellin @PIT
40. Fletcher Cox vs KC
- Peppers has seen his stock crash recording only one tackle over the first two weeks. Teams are double teaming him and he hasn't been a factor, yet. Kelly, Poe, Hatcher, & Robison have good looking matchups against weak QBs and/or OLines. Umenyiora projected to take Kroy Biermann's stats with his placement on IR while everyone else is a speculative play at best.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Tier 1:
1. J.J. Watt @BAL
2. Rob Ninkovich vs TB
3. Jared Allen vs CLE
4. Justin Tuck @CAR
5. Chandler Jones vs TB
6. Trent Cole vs KC
7. Cameron Jordan vs ARI
8. Robert Quinn @DAL
9. Desmond Bryant @MIN
10. Charles Johnson vs NYG
11. DeMarcus Ware vs STL
12. Greg Hardy vs NYG
- No amazing matchup plays this week. Bryant has already jumped into the circle of trust after the first two weeks & seeing Christian Ponder on the field every down is only going to help him stay there. Our top 6 players have insanely high floors should absolutely be deployed every week. Johnson & Hardy project to get to Eli Manning more then Giants fans are comfortable with, along with racking up RB tackles from their below average committee.
Tier 2:
13. Derrick Morgan vs SD
14. Elvis Dumervil vs HOU
15. Calais Campbell @NO
16. Mario Williams @NYJ
17. Carlos Dunlap vs GB
18. Lamarr Houston @DEN
19. Cameron Wake vs ATL
20. Jason Pierre-Paul @CAR
21. Geno Atkins vs GB
22. Jason Hunter @DEN
23. Adrian Clayborn @NE
24. Justin Smith vs IND
- Williams insane performance last week doesn't project to repeat, but he still gets to rush Geno Smith on every down, so results will be there. Dunlap, Wake, JPP & Atkins are feast or famine rushers who are either going to rack up a sack or two or not be seen on much on the fantasy stat sheet. Houston, Hunter & Clayborn has impressive matchups and should be deployed in all leagues that start two DLs.
Tier 3:
25. Julius Peppers @PIT
26. Ray McDonald vs IND
27. Tommy Kelly vs TB
28. Dontari Poe @PHI
29. Jason Hatcher vs STL
30. Brian Robison vs CLE
31. Jabaal Sheard @MIN
32. Ndamukong Suh @WAS
33. Sheldon Richardson vs BUF
34. Whitney Mercilus @BAL
35. Chris Long @DAL
36. Osi Umenyiora @MIA
37. Brett Keisel vs CHI
38. Haloti Ngata vs HOU
39. Shea McClellin @PIT
40. Fletcher Cox vs KC
- Peppers has seen his stock crash recording only one tackle over the first two weeks. Teams are double teaming him and he hasn't been a factor, yet. Kelly, Poe, Hatcher, & Robison have good looking matchups against weak QBs and/or OLines. Umenyiora projected to take Kroy Biermann's stats with his placement on IR while everyone else is a speculative play at best.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Week 3 Shuffle: Linebacker
Listed are the Top 40 LBs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Tier 1:
1. Luke Kuechly vs NYG
2. Lavonte David @NE
3. Clay Matthews @CIN
4. Jerod Mayo vs TB
5. Wesley Woodyard vs OAK
6. Aldon Smith vs IND
7. Derrick Johnson @PHI
8. Navarro Bowman vs IND
9. Brian Cushing @BAL
10. Lance Briggs @PIT
11. D'Qwell Jackson @MIN
12. Kiko Alonso @NYJ
- With the exception of Alonso & possibly Woodyard, everyone listed here was drafted as a LB1 on draft day. Johnson has a great matchup against the fast paced Eagles and should benefit from sheer amount of plays being run. Smith & Bowman should feast on a still young Andrew Luck. Cushing, Briggs & D'Qwell should all be tackle machines and add some type of turnover along the way.
Tier 2:
13. Zach Brown vs SD
14. Paul Posluszny @SEA
15. Vontaze Burfict vs GB
16. London Fletcher vs DET
17. Chad Greenway vs CLE
18. Mychal Kendricks vs KC
19. DeAndre Levy @WAS
20. Karlos Dansby @NO
21. Jerrell Freeman @SF
22. DeMeco Ryans vs KC
23. Thomas Davis vs NYG
24. Donald Butler @TEN
- London Fletcher's value is in flux after an out of the ordinary 2 tackle performance again the Lions. Kendricks will benefit from the Chip Kelly offense all year by seeing more plays run against him. Levy has two endzone visits on the year, although one was taken away by Suh & his illegal blocking. Thomas Davis makes his way back into a starting spot after having more ACL explosions then anyone else on record.
Tier 3:
25. Ryan Kerrigan vs DET
26. Mason Foster @NE
27. Danny Trevathan vs OAK
28. Daryl Smith vs HOU
29. Perry Riley vs DET
30. Terrell Suggs vs HOU
31. Phillips Wheeler vs ATL
32. Patrick Willis vs IND
33. Alec Ogletree @DAL
34. Stephen Tulloch @WAS
35. Bruce Carter vs STL
36. Bobby Wagner vs JAC
37. Dannell Ellerbe vs ATL
38. Craig Robertson @MIN
39. David Harris vs BUF
40. Pat Angerer @SF
- No one in this ranking should be considered a must start, even in Patrick Willis was the #1 LB only 2 years ago. Kerrigan & Suggs rely on the sack in order to get their points, so adjust their ranking accordingly with your format. Foster, Trevathan, Smith, Wheeler, Ogletree & Ellerbe have all strong performances the first two weeks of the year but still remain relatively untrusted due to their age, starting experience, or new team setting. Angerer is a top tier LB when healthy, but I refuse to move him into elite status with just one matchup in the books. He's still a speculative play in my book.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Tier 1:
1. Luke Kuechly vs NYG
2. Lavonte David @NE
3. Clay Matthews @CIN
4. Jerod Mayo vs TB
5. Wesley Woodyard vs OAK
6. Aldon Smith vs IND
7. Derrick Johnson @PHI
8. Navarro Bowman vs IND
9. Brian Cushing @BAL
10. Lance Briggs @PIT
11. D'Qwell Jackson @MIN
12. Kiko Alonso @NYJ
- With the exception of Alonso & possibly Woodyard, everyone listed here was drafted as a LB1 on draft day. Johnson has a great matchup against the fast paced Eagles and should benefit from sheer amount of plays being run. Smith & Bowman should feast on a still young Andrew Luck. Cushing, Briggs & D'Qwell should all be tackle machines and add some type of turnover along the way.
Tier 2:
13. Zach Brown vs SD
14. Paul Posluszny @SEA
15. Vontaze Burfict vs GB
16. London Fletcher vs DET
17. Chad Greenway vs CLE
18. Mychal Kendricks vs KC
19. DeAndre Levy @WAS
20. Karlos Dansby @NO
21. Jerrell Freeman @SF
22. DeMeco Ryans vs KC
23. Thomas Davis vs NYG
24. Donald Butler @TEN
- London Fletcher's value is in flux after an out of the ordinary 2 tackle performance again the Lions. Kendricks will benefit from the Chip Kelly offense all year by seeing more plays run against him. Levy has two endzone visits on the year, although one was taken away by Suh & his illegal blocking. Thomas Davis makes his way back into a starting spot after having more ACL explosions then anyone else on record.
Tier 3:
25. Ryan Kerrigan vs DET
26. Mason Foster @NE
27. Danny Trevathan vs OAK
28. Daryl Smith vs HOU
29. Perry Riley vs DET
30. Terrell Suggs vs HOU
31. Phillips Wheeler vs ATL
32. Patrick Willis vs IND
33. Alec Ogletree @DAL
34. Stephen Tulloch @WAS
35. Bruce Carter vs STL
36. Bobby Wagner vs JAC
37. Dannell Ellerbe vs ATL
38. Craig Robertson @MIN
39. David Harris vs BUF
40. Pat Angerer @SF
- No one in this ranking should be considered a must start, even in Patrick Willis was the #1 LB only 2 years ago. Kerrigan & Suggs rely on the sack in order to get their points, so adjust their ranking accordingly with your format. Foster, Trevathan, Smith, Wheeler, Ogletree & Ellerbe have all strong performances the first two weeks of the year but still remain relatively untrusted due to their age, starting experience, or new team setting. Angerer is a top tier LB when healthy, but I refuse to move him into elite status with just one matchup in the books. He's still a speculative play in my book.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Week 3 Shuffle: Tight End
Listed are the Top 25 TEs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Tier 1:
1. Jimmy Graham vs ARI
2. Greg Olsen vs NYG
3. Jermichael Finley @CIN
4. Brandon Myers @CAR
5. Tony Gonzalez @MIA
6. Jason Witten vs STL
7. Owen Daniels @BAL
8. Julius Thomas vs OAK
9. Jordan Cameron @MIN
10. Antonio Gates vs TEN
11. Jared Cook @DAL
12. Martellus Bennett @PIT
- Last week Graham reminded the world why he was in a class by himself on draft day. Olsen & Finley are both dealing with friendly secondaries and should be deployed with safe floors in mind. Thomas, Cameron & Cook all the first tier tight ends with the lowest floor. No one quite sure where Julius fits into the Broncos offense long-term. Cameron is dealing with a QB change and the first road game of the year, which isn't the ideal fit for someone looking for a safe floor. Cook owners saw his floor last week with only 1 catch for 10 yards. Still, given the lack of overall depth at the position these guys should started in most formats.
Tier 2:
13. Rob Gronkowski vs TB
14. Kyle Rudolph vs CLE
15. Vernon Davis vs IND
16. Charles Clay vs ATL
17. Jermaine Gresham vs GB
18. Heath Miller vs CHI
19. Tyler Eifert vs GB
20. Jordan Reed vs DET
21. Garrett Graham @BAL
22. Brent Celek vs KC
23. Kellen Winslow vs BUF
24. Coby Fleener @SF
25. Zach Sudfeld vs TB
- Gronk's ranking is speculative of him playing the maximum possible snaps Belicheck will allow. Don't expect his initial deployment to be immediate fantasy rewards, they'll probably be a one week ease back into the offense with the Patriots not wanting a repeat of last year. Vernon Davis and his hamstring issues see him crash in the rankings. He was never a safe play last year and there is no reason to treat him like one this week. Eifert & Reed are two nice upside plays with good matchups, but starting rookie TEs is never the smart bet. Fleener should be a TE1 the rest of the season with Dwayne Allen done for the year, but he isn't being treated like one this week. Sudfeld is still a nice speculative play even if Gronk plays, but he needs to suit up too.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Tier 1:
1. Jimmy Graham vs ARI
2. Greg Olsen vs NYG
3. Jermichael Finley @CIN
4. Brandon Myers @CAR
5. Tony Gonzalez @MIA
6. Jason Witten vs STL
7. Owen Daniels @BAL
8. Julius Thomas vs OAK
9. Jordan Cameron @MIN
10. Antonio Gates vs TEN
11. Jared Cook @DAL
12. Martellus Bennett @PIT
- Last week Graham reminded the world why he was in a class by himself on draft day. Olsen & Finley are both dealing with friendly secondaries and should be deployed with safe floors in mind. Thomas, Cameron & Cook all the first tier tight ends with the lowest floor. No one quite sure where Julius fits into the Broncos offense long-term. Cameron is dealing with a QB change and the first road game of the year, which isn't the ideal fit for someone looking for a safe floor. Cook owners saw his floor last week with only 1 catch for 10 yards. Still, given the lack of overall depth at the position these guys should started in most formats.
Tier 2:
13. Rob Gronkowski vs TB
14. Kyle Rudolph vs CLE
15. Vernon Davis vs IND
16. Charles Clay vs ATL
17. Jermaine Gresham vs GB
18. Heath Miller vs CHI
19. Tyler Eifert vs GB
20. Jordan Reed vs DET
21. Garrett Graham @BAL
22. Brent Celek vs KC
23. Kellen Winslow vs BUF
24. Coby Fleener @SF
25. Zach Sudfeld vs TB
- Gronk's ranking is speculative of him playing the maximum possible snaps Belicheck will allow. Don't expect his initial deployment to be immediate fantasy rewards, they'll probably be a one week ease back into the offense with the Patriots not wanting a repeat of last year. Vernon Davis and his hamstring issues see him crash in the rankings. He was never a safe play last year and there is no reason to treat him like one this week. Eifert & Reed are two nice upside plays with good matchups, but starting rookie TEs is never the smart bet. Fleener should be a TE1 the rest of the season with Dwayne Allen done for the year, but he isn't being treated like one this week. Sudfeld is still a nice speculative play even if Gronk plays, but he needs to suit up too.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Week 3 Shuffle: Wide Reciever
Listed are the Top 60 WRs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Tier 1:
1. Calvin Johnson @WAS
2. A.J. Green vs GB
3. Brandon Marshall @PIT
4. Vincent Jackson @NE
5. Dwayne Bowe @PHI
6. Demaryius Thomas vs OAK
7. Randall Cobb @CIN
8. Jordy Nelson @CIN
9. Pierre Garcon vs DET
10. Victor Cruz @CAR
11. Dez Bryant vs STL
12. Larry Fitzgerald @NO
- Megatron finds himself back on elite ground after falling a bit last week. GB@CIN projects to be a bloodbath for opposing secondaries with three of the top 8 wide outs playing in Cincinnati this week. Dwayne Bowe finds himself in the top 5 with the friendly defense to a fantasy WR in Philadelphia. Despite injury concerns, Larry Fitzgerald & Dez Bryant still remain in the top 12 give their nice matchups & personal guarantees that they be on the field on Sunday.
Tier 2:
13. DeSean Jackson vs KC
14. Andre Johnson @BAL
15. Julio Jones @MIA
16. Marques Colston vs ARI
17. Steve Smith vs NYG
18. Wes Welker vs OAK
19. Hakeem Nicks @CAR
20. Stevie Johnson @NYJ
21. James Jones @CIN
22. Torrey Smith vs HOU
23. Eric Decker vs OAK
24. Mike Wallace vs ATL
- After lackluster Week 1 performances Eric Decker & James Jones reminded everyone why their fantasy values went up in the offseason putting up 9-87-0 and 11-178-0 performances respectively. If either wide out hit pay dirt their game one stats would be completely forgotten, but you can still get them at a reasonable price at the trade table. Stevie Johnson & E.J. Manuel have found a connection early in their career together which bodes well for gamers, since Buffalo is going to find themselves losing in most games. Treat this situation like Cam Newton-Steve Smith & reap the rewards. Andre Johnson is no longer questionable and should be a lock to do what he does best: get a ton of yards and get tackled at the 1 yard line.
Tier 3:
25. Brian Hartline vs ATL
26. Andre Roberts @NO
27. Julian Edelman vs TB
28. DeAndre Hopkins @BAL
29. Anquan Boldin vs IND
30. Tavon Austin @DAL
31. Antonio Brown vs CHI
32. Reggie Wayne @SF
33. Nate Burleson @WAS
34. Golden Tate vs JAC
35. Miles Austin vs STL
36. Mike Williams @NE
- For what it's worth, this week nearly every Flex WR has more starting appeal then Flex RBs. Edelman is conservatively ranked with Gronkowski projected to come back, while Wayne is very conservatively ranked playing on of the best defenses in football. Burleson should see double digit points against the worst secondary in football. Hartline, Roberts, Hopkins, Boldin, Brown & both Austins all appear to be locks for double digit performances as well.
Tier 4:
37. Greg Jennings vs CLE
38. Cecil Shorts @SEA
39. Kenbrell Thompkins vs TB
40. Lance Moore vs ARI
41. Michael Floyd @NO
42. Emmanuel Sanders vs CHI
43. Eddie Royal @TEN
44. Chris Givens @DAL
45. Stephen Hill vs BUF
46. Rod Streater @DEN
47. Santana Moss vs DET
48. T.Y. Hilton @SF
- There are plenty of questions with everyone in this grouping. Despite being tied to elite offenses, Thompkins & Moore haven't found many catches or yards for a multitude of reasons. Jennings, just like everyone catching passes from Christian Ponder, has no reason to be trusted week to week. Royal isn't going to maintain his unreal 40 TD pace and it is really a mystery what type of floor he holds at the moment. Streater & Moss are nice matchups on paper, but neither look like locks to record a catch so a floor like that doesn't move you high in the rankings. There is much respect around these parts for the 49ers pass D & Hilton's ranking shows it.
Tier 5:
49. Rueben Randle @CAR
50. Roddy White @MIA
51. Kendall Wright vs SD
52. Marlon Brown vs HOU
53. Josh Gordon @MIN
54. Robert Woods @NYJ
55. Doug Baldwin vs JAC
56. Aaron Dobson vs TB
57. Harry Douglas @MIA
58. Vincent Brown @TEN
59. Donnie Avery @PHI
60. Denarius Moore @DEN
- There is much more upside in these tier 5 WRs then their RB counterparts, but everyone here is still a last minute start. White shouldn't be trusted until he plays a game fully healthy. Randle, Wright & Brown all have plenty of positive factors going their way but the negatives (QBs, above average defenses) hold them back this week. Josh Gordon could be elite, but no one has ever taken the Brian Hoyer path to fantasy success. Dobson, Douglas, Donine & Denarius all are feast or famine plays and shouldn't be considered unless you're in dire need of a big game from your WR4.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Tier 1:
1. Calvin Johnson @WAS
2. A.J. Green vs GB
3. Brandon Marshall @PIT
4. Vincent Jackson @NE
5. Dwayne Bowe @PHI
6. Demaryius Thomas vs OAK
7. Randall Cobb @CIN
8. Jordy Nelson @CIN
9. Pierre Garcon vs DET
10. Victor Cruz @CAR
11. Dez Bryant vs STL
12. Larry Fitzgerald @NO
- Megatron finds himself back on elite ground after falling a bit last week. GB@CIN projects to be a bloodbath for opposing secondaries with three of the top 8 wide outs playing in Cincinnati this week. Dwayne Bowe finds himself in the top 5 with the friendly defense to a fantasy WR in Philadelphia. Despite injury concerns, Larry Fitzgerald & Dez Bryant still remain in the top 12 give their nice matchups & personal guarantees that they be on the field on Sunday.
Tier 2:
13. DeSean Jackson vs KC
14. Andre Johnson @BAL
15. Julio Jones @MIA
16. Marques Colston vs ARI
17. Steve Smith vs NYG
18. Wes Welker vs OAK
19. Hakeem Nicks @CAR
20. Stevie Johnson @NYJ
21. James Jones @CIN
22. Torrey Smith vs HOU
23. Eric Decker vs OAK
24. Mike Wallace vs ATL
- After lackluster Week 1 performances Eric Decker & James Jones reminded everyone why their fantasy values went up in the offseason putting up 9-87-0 and 11-178-0 performances respectively. If either wide out hit pay dirt their game one stats would be completely forgotten, but you can still get them at a reasonable price at the trade table. Stevie Johnson & E.J. Manuel have found a connection early in their career together which bodes well for gamers, since Buffalo is going to find themselves losing in most games. Treat this situation like Cam Newton-Steve Smith & reap the rewards. Andre Johnson is no longer questionable and should be a lock to do what he does best: get a ton of yards and get tackled at the 1 yard line.
Tier 3:
25. Brian Hartline vs ATL
26. Andre Roberts @NO
27. Julian Edelman vs TB
28. DeAndre Hopkins @BAL
29. Anquan Boldin vs IND
30. Tavon Austin @DAL
31. Antonio Brown vs CHI
32. Reggie Wayne @SF
33. Nate Burleson @WAS
34. Golden Tate vs JAC
35. Miles Austin vs STL
36. Mike Williams @NE
- For what it's worth, this week nearly every Flex WR has more starting appeal then Flex RBs. Edelman is conservatively ranked with Gronkowski projected to come back, while Wayne is very conservatively ranked playing on of the best defenses in football. Burleson should see double digit points against the worst secondary in football. Hartline, Roberts, Hopkins, Boldin, Brown & both Austins all appear to be locks for double digit performances as well.
Tier 4:
37. Greg Jennings vs CLE
38. Cecil Shorts @SEA
39. Kenbrell Thompkins vs TB
40. Lance Moore vs ARI
41. Michael Floyd @NO
42. Emmanuel Sanders vs CHI
43. Eddie Royal @TEN
44. Chris Givens @DAL
45. Stephen Hill vs BUF
46. Rod Streater @DEN
47. Santana Moss vs DET
48. T.Y. Hilton @SF
- There are plenty of questions with everyone in this grouping. Despite being tied to elite offenses, Thompkins & Moore haven't found many catches or yards for a multitude of reasons. Jennings, just like everyone catching passes from Christian Ponder, has no reason to be trusted week to week. Royal isn't going to maintain his unreal 40 TD pace and it is really a mystery what type of floor he holds at the moment. Streater & Moss are nice matchups on paper, but neither look like locks to record a catch so a floor like that doesn't move you high in the rankings. There is much respect around these parts for the 49ers pass D & Hilton's ranking shows it.
Tier 5:
49. Rueben Randle @CAR
50. Roddy White @MIA
51. Kendall Wright vs SD
52. Marlon Brown vs HOU
53. Josh Gordon @MIN
54. Robert Woods @NYJ
55. Doug Baldwin vs JAC
56. Aaron Dobson vs TB
57. Harry Douglas @MIA
58. Vincent Brown @TEN
59. Donnie Avery @PHI
60. Denarius Moore @DEN
- There is much more upside in these tier 5 WRs then their RB counterparts, but everyone here is still a last minute start. White shouldn't be trusted until he plays a game fully healthy. Randle, Wright & Brown all have plenty of positive factors going their way but the negatives (QBs, above average defenses) hold them back this week. Josh Gordon could be elite, but no one has ever taken the Brian Hoyer path to fantasy success. Dobson, Douglas, Donine & Denarius all are feast or famine plays and shouldn't be considered unless you're in dire need of a big game from your WR4.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Week 3 Shuffle: Running Back
Listed are the Top 60 RBs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Tier 1:
1. Jamaal Charles @PHI
2. Marshawn Lynch vs JAC
3. Alfred Morris vs DET
4. Doug Martin @NE
5. LeSean McCoy vs KC
6. Adrian Peterson vs CLE
7. Darren McFadden @DEN
8. Matt Forte @PIT
9. Knowshon Moreno vs OAK
10. Joique Bell @WAS
11. Darren Sproles vs ARI
12. Bernard Pierce vs HOU
- Joique Bell and Bernard Pierce are both making their first appearance in must-start RB territory. Their presence alone as stand-ins for their weekly starters should tell you this is a brutal week for running backs. Adrian Peterson finds himself "sliding" down the rankings to number #6 against a very underrated Cleveland front seven. Excluding his first carry of the year that went for 77 yards against Detroit AD has looked far more average then the fantasy world wants to admit. Maybe it's just a blip on the radar but another poor showing this week might cause me to consider selling high. Moreno finds himself in the top 10 after solidifying his starting job last week. That cushy run defense against Oakland should net owners at least 60 yards and a score. McFadden & Sproles have given their owners a strong ROI to start the year and barring injury should keep the nice returns going this week.
Tier 2:
13. Arian Foster @BAL
14. Chris Johnson vs SD
15. Lamar Miller vs ATL
16. C.J. Spiller @NYJ
17. DeAngelo Williams vs NYG
18. DeMarco Murray vs STL
19. Stevan Ridley vs TB
20. Frank Gore vs IND
21. Ryan Mathews @TEN
22. James Starks @CIN
23. Rashad Mendenhall @NO
24. David Wilson @CAR
- The second tier running backs are filled with countless questions this week. Will Stevan Ridley and David Wilson finally rebound from their awful starts to the year? Which DeMarco Murray will we see? Did I really draft C.J. Spiller in the first round? Is Ben Tate going to slowly take the starting job from Arian? Really, I'm starting James Starks? Mendenhall, Miller & DeAngelo all have intriguing matchups, but none of them have a guarantee to get the lions share of the carries this week. This is essentially a list of RBs owners will be starting this week wishing they had a better option.
Tier 3:
25. Giovani Bernard vs GB
26. Bilal Powell vs BUF
27. Reggie Bush @WAS
28. Daryl Richardson @DAL
29. BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs GB
30. Trent Richardson @SF
31. Fred Jackson @NYJ
32. Maurice Jones-Drew @SEA
33. Chris Ivory vs BUF
34. Pierre Thomas vs ARI
35. Ben Tate @BAL
36. Willis McGahee @MIN
- Typical fantasy rules say "If you don't start a RB at Flex you are an idiot". This year & especially this week, there are far too many reasons to go against this old school way of thinking. No one here is a safe bet to do anything of note. The Cincinnati backs still haven't figured out who the leading man is. Bush & MJD are both game time decisions and could easily put up a DNP-CD. Trent Richardson is entering a new playbook on a short week against a top tier defense. Powell & Ivory play for the Jets. Willis McGahee has been in street clothes for the first two weeks begging a team to take a chance on him, but you shouldn't. Lots of ugly questions with extremely low floors available here, it's really hard to strongly endorse anyone.
Tier 4:
37. Jacquizz Rodgers @MIA
38. Andre Ellington @NO
39. Robert Turbin vs JAC
40. Jason Snelling @MIA
41. Daniel Thomas vs ATL
42. Montee Ball vs OAK
43. Ahmad Bradshaw @SF
44. Felix Jones vs CHI
45. Chris Ogbonnaya @MIN
46. Mark Ingram vs ARI
47. Bobby Rainey @MIN
48. Brandon Jacobs @CAR
- Most experts believe Jacquizz will be getting the majority of touches against Miami this week, but I have a strong feeling Jason Snelling is going to split evenly with Rodgers. Ellington has the best upside if Mendenhall is listed as OUT, but everything here is pretty gross. Ball & Turbin could see some late game carries in garbage time. Felix Jones is the "starter" in Pittsburgh, but that situation might be the ugliest in the league. Ogbonnaya & Rainey project to split evenly with McGahee, so they'll touch the ball. Ingram is questionable and it seems like hasn't had over 50 yards in a single game for his career. Hopefully you have better options then starting any of these guys in Week 3.
Tier 5:
49. Jordan Todman @SEA
50. Kendall Hunter vs IND
51. Justin Forsett @SEA
52. Isaac Redman vs CHI
53. Brandon Boldin vs TB
54. Da'Rel Scott @CAR
55. Danny Woodhead @TEN
56. Bryce Brown vs KC
57. Mike Tolbert vs NYG
58. LeGarrette Blount vs TB
59. Alfonso Smith @NO
60. Isaiah Pead @DAL
- No one listed here should get a start, but if you happened to draft Ray Rice, Steven Jackson & Eddie Lacy this section is made just for you. We got a Thursday night preview of what this list looks like with Bryce Brown getting 3 touches for 7 yards. Everyone here should get their 2+ touches, but if you are seriously considering starting one of these backs, you are in trouble. That is, you should be in "time to tank for next year" mode. You are the Cleveland Browns.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Tier 1:
1. Jamaal Charles @PHI
2. Marshawn Lynch vs JAC
3. Alfred Morris vs DET
4. Doug Martin @NE
5. LeSean McCoy vs KC
6. Adrian Peterson vs CLE
7. Darren McFadden @DEN
8. Matt Forte @PIT
9. Knowshon Moreno vs OAK
10. Joique Bell @WAS
11. Darren Sproles vs ARI
12. Bernard Pierce vs HOU
- Joique Bell and Bernard Pierce are both making their first appearance in must-start RB territory. Their presence alone as stand-ins for their weekly starters should tell you this is a brutal week for running backs. Adrian Peterson finds himself "sliding" down the rankings to number #6 against a very underrated Cleveland front seven. Excluding his first carry of the year that went for 77 yards against Detroit AD has looked far more average then the fantasy world wants to admit. Maybe it's just a blip on the radar but another poor showing this week might cause me to consider selling high. Moreno finds himself in the top 10 after solidifying his starting job last week. That cushy run defense against Oakland should net owners at least 60 yards and a score. McFadden & Sproles have given their owners a strong ROI to start the year and barring injury should keep the nice returns going this week.
Tier 2:
13. Arian Foster @BAL
14. Chris Johnson vs SD
15. Lamar Miller vs ATL
16. C.J. Spiller @NYJ
17. DeAngelo Williams vs NYG
18. DeMarco Murray vs STL
19. Stevan Ridley vs TB
20. Frank Gore vs IND
21. Ryan Mathews @TEN
22. James Starks @CIN
23. Rashad Mendenhall @NO
24. David Wilson @CAR
- The second tier running backs are filled with countless questions this week. Will Stevan Ridley and David Wilson finally rebound from their awful starts to the year? Which DeMarco Murray will we see? Did I really draft C.J. Spiller in the first round? Is Ben Tate going to slowly take the starting job from Arian? Really, I'm starting James Starks? Mendenhall, Miller & DeAngelo all have intriguing matchups, but none of them have a guarantee to get the lions share of the carries this week. This is essentially a list of RBs owners will be starting this week wishing they had a better option.
Tier 3:
25. Giovani Bernard vs GB
26. Bilal Powell vs BUF
27. Reggie Bush @WAS
28. Daryl Richardson @DAL
29. BenJarvus Green-Ellis vs GB
30. Trent Richardson @SF
31. Fred Jackson @NYJ
32. Maurice Jones-Drew @SEA
33. Chris Ivory vs BUF
34. Pierre Thomas vs ARI
35. Ben Tate @BAL
36. Willis McGahee @MIN
- Typical fantasy rules say "If you don't start a RB at Flex you are an idiot". This year & especially this week, there are far too many reasons to go against this old school way of thinking. No one here is a safe bet to do anything of note. The Cincinnati backs still haven't figured out who the leading man is. Bush & MJD are both game time decisions and could easily put up a DNP-CD. Trent Richardson is entering a new playbook on a short week against a top tier defense. Powell & Ivory play for the Jets. Willis McGahee has been in street clothes for the first two weeks begging a team to take a chance on him, but you shouldn't. Lots of ugly questions with extremely low floors available here, it's really hard to strongly endorse anyone.
Tier 4:
37. Jacquizz Rodgers @MIA
38. Andre Ellington @NO
39. Robert Turbin vs JAC
40. Jason Snelling @MIA
41. Daniel Thomas vs ATL
42. Montee Ball vs OAK
43. Ahmad Bradshaw @SF
44. Felix Jones vs CHI
45. Chris Ogbonnaya @MIN
46. Mark Ingram vs ARI
47. Bobby Rainey @MIN
48. Brandon Jacobs @CAR
- Most experts believe Jacquizz will be getting the majority of touches against Miami this week, but I have a strong feeling Jason Snelling is going to split evenly with Rodgers. Ellington has the best upside if Mendenhall is listed as OUT, but everything here is pretty gross. Ball & Turbin could see some late game carries in garbage time. Felix Jones is the "starter" in Pittsburgh, but that situation might be the ugliest in the league. Ogbonnaya & Rainey project to split evenly with McGahee, so they'll touch the ball. Ingram is questionable and it seems like hasn't had over 50 yards in a single game for his career. Hopefully you have better options then starting any of these guys in Week 3.
Tier 5:
49. Jordan Todman @SEA
50. Kendall Hunter vs IND
51. Justin Forsett @SEA
52. Isaac Redman vs CHI
53. Brandon Boldin vs TB
54. Da'Rel Scott @CAR
55. Danny Woodhead @TEN
56. Bryce Brown vs KC
57. Mike Tolbert vs NYG
58. LeGarrette Blount vs TB
59. Alfonso Smith @NO
60. Isaiah Pead @DAL
- No one listed here should get a start, but if you happened to draft Ray Rice, Steven Jackson & Eddie Lacy this section is made just for you. We got a Thursday night preview of what this list looks like with Bryce Brown getting 3 touches for 7 yards. Everyone here should get their 2+ touches, but if you are seriously considering starting one of these backs, you are in trouble. That is, you should be in "time to tank for next year" mode. You are the Cleveland Browns.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Week 3 Shuffle: Quarterback
Listed are the Top 25 QBs for the upcoming week. Rankings are based on the projected mean performance without any specific team context on who you should start. Sometimes you need to start the lower of two players due to upside or a high floor, so things are fluid. As always, players can move up or down as we approach kickoff. So please indulge yourself & dissect our list from top to bottom. Let's Go!
Tier 1:
1. Aaron Rodgers @CIN
2. Peyton Manning vs OAK
3. Drew Brees vs ARI
4. Matt Stafford @WAS
5. Robert Griffin III vs DET
6. Michael Vick vs KC
7. Cam Newton vs NYG
8. Matt Ryan @MIA
9. Tom Brady vs TB
10. Colin Kaepernick vs IND
11. Russell Wilson vs JAC
12. Andy Dalton vs GB
- There aren't too many surprises in the top 12 this week. The consensus top three signal callers lead the way this week with no elite matchups getting exposed from the next tier. Andy Dalton sneaks his way into the top 12 in the last slot with a predictably pass happy game at home against Green Bay. Kaepernick & Wilson return to the top 12 after (rightfully) being left out of the top 15 last week. We really hope that you did the right thing and benched them last week, otherwise you probably got the bog ole "L" in the loss column.
Tier 2:
13. Terrelle Pryor @DEN
14. Alex Smith @PHI
15. Joe Flacco vs HOU
16. Tony Romo vs STL
17. Andrew Luck @SF
18. Eli Manning @CAR
19. Sam Bradford @DAL
20. Carson Palmer @NO
21. Matt Schaub @BAL
22. Jay Cutler @PIT
23. Philip Rivers @TEN
24. Ryan Tannehill vs ATL
25. E.J. Manuel @NYJ
- The second tier has a few high end QBs with spotty matchups. Andrew Luck and Tony Romo find themselves outside the top 15, although neither look to be death sentences if they're started. Philip Rivers begs us to trust him higher then a back-end QB2 but his first road game against the sneaky good Titans defense is not something you should trust. Eli Manning is the biggest wildcard of this bunch, but given his first two performances on the year he may have contracted whatever horrible disease Rivers has had the past few years. None of these guys should be spot added in a 12 man league unless you have liberal roster usage and deep benches. There isn't much of a reason to add Pryor, Smith or Flacco over Romo & Luck unless you're not cutting a higher upside asset a.k.a. a RB or WR.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Tier 1:
1. Aaron Rodgers @CIN
2. Peyton Manning vs OAK
3. Drew Brees vs ARI
4. Matt Stafford @WAS
5. Robert Griffin III vs DET
6. Michael Vick vs KC
7. Cam Newton vs NYG
8. Matt Ryan @MIA
9. Tom Brady vs TB
10. Colin Kaepernick vs IND
11. Russell Wilson vs JAC
12. Andy Dalton vs GB
- There aren't too many surprises in the top 12 this week. The consensus top three signal callers lead the way this week with no elite matchups getting exposed from the next tier. Andy Dalton sneaks his way into the top 12 in the last slot with a predictably pass happy game at home against Green Bay. Kaepernick & Wilson return to the top 12 after (rightfully) being left out of the top 15 last week. We really hope that you did the right thing and benched them last week, otherwise you probably got the bog ole "L" in the loss column.
Tier 2:
13. Terrelle Pryor @DEN
14. Alex Smith @PHI
15. Joe Flacco vs HOU
16. Tony Romo vs STL
17. Andrew Luck @SF
18. Eli Manning @CAR
19. Sam Bradford @DAL
20. Carson Palmer @NO
21. Matt Schaub @BAL
22. Jay Cutler @PIT
23. Philip Rivers @TEN
24. Ryan Tannehill vs ATL
25. E.J. Manuel @NYJ
- The second tier has a few high end QBs with spotty matchups. Andrew Luck and Tony Romo find themselves outside the top 15, although neither look to be death sentences if they're started. Philip Rivers begs us to trust him higher then a back-end QB2 but his first road game against the sneaky good Titans defense is not something you should trust. Eli Manning is the biggest wildcard of this bunch, but given his first two performances on the year he may have contracted whatever horrible disease Rivers has had the past few years. None of these guys should be spot added in a 12 man league unless you have liberal roster usage and deep benches. There isn't much of a reason to add Pryor, Smith or Flacco over Romo & Luck unless you're not cutting a higher upside asset a.k.a. a RB or WR.
Check out all our Week 2 Rankings: QB RB WR TE LB DL DB K D/ST
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter @ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below.
Sep 17, 2013
Waiver Wire Winners: Week 3
Each week Cleveland's Rocks will review top Free Agents owned in
under 50% of ESPN leagues. Worthy eligible players will get lumped into
three teams: "Full Season Endorsement" "Future & Upside" and "Plug
& Play"
All teams consist of a QB, two RB and WRs with a TE, K, DEF and FLEX. All "Plug & Play"s need to be rostered in less then 25% of leagues. For each FLEX, players can only be owned in 15% of ESPN leagues.
Read. React. Improve. Let's do this gamers.
Full Season Endorsement
QB Alex Smith (17.5%) - Unfortunately, there are way too many repeats on our list for full season endorsement. We start with Smith who is attached to Andy Reid's famous pass happy offense, an elite wide receiver in Dwayne Bowe & a dynamic pass catching running back name Jamaal Charles. The man who led the league in passer rating last year has continued being an excellent game manager with a 4-0 TD-INT ratio for the year. Once he leaves Reid's old stomping grounds in Philadelphia with 300+ yards at 3+ TDs owners are going to hop all over the Smith bandwagon. Beat everyone to the punch and stash him on the back of your roster now. This former #1 overall pick ranks 15th in our full season rankings & will be an elite bye week plug or maybe even more. Add him gamers.
RB Bilal Powell (38.0%) - Our second repeat performer on the list, Bilal Powell did exactly what owners want out of their flex back. 15 touches for 70 yards and a score is a perfect performance for your flex back. Mix in the fact Chris Ivory is already dinged up & this job will be Powell's to loose at the eventual point when Ivory misses some weeks due to injury. It makes no sense Chris is owned in 100% of leagues while Bilal can't crack the 50% mark. Add him and you'll have Knowshon Moreno 2.0 people. Thank me later.
RB Pierre Thomas (23.5%) - Thomas is the same back he was last week. Another repeater on the list, he had only 9 touches for 48 yards but this is his floor. Expect 70 or so a yards a week and maybe a score. That's a better output then Ronnie Hillman, Roy Helu, Shonn Greene, Vick Ballard, Bryce Bown, Isaiah Pead & Isaac Redman are all going to put out. These guys are all owned somehow in 50%+ of leagues, which should not happen. PT Bruiser is better then all of them.
WR Andre Roberts (36.0%) - Andre put up a boring 3-36-0 line against the Lion last week, but that's the risk that comes with a flex WR. There is so much upside here it's amazing he isn't own in more leagues. I don't know what Ryan Broyles or Denarius Moore posses that Andre doesn't, but take advantage of these idiot owners and beat them to the better WR. Roberts needs to be owner in at least two thirds of leagues & he's barely there.
WR Eddie Royal (18.4%) - This isn't a flashback to our 2009 rankings, Eddie Royal is really here. It's not that anyone believes he is going to keep up his insane 40 touchdown pace, it's more that he looks to be locked in with Philip Rivers & that should produce high floors. Even if you don't believe in Royal, someone in your league will so & sell him for whatever profit you can find. He is a WR3 at the moment and could maybe go up to WR2 status, but he should be an add & sell guy. Or the guy you replace Malcom Floyd with, since he looks to be out for a long time.
TE Jermaine Gresham (11.5%) - There is nothing special about Gresham. He is going to go out snag 5 balls for 50 yards and maybe sprinkle in a score. Essentially the TE version of Pierre Thomas, you can do a whole lot worse by starting Zach Sudfled or some other TE who has the "young, sexy upside" label. I'd rather own the sure points and Gresham. With bye weeks coming up, he's going to be coveted so put him on your roster & reap the rewards folks.
FLEX WR Marlon Brown (4.9%) - Brown is the first WR in Ravens history to score in his first two games. Despite going undrafted in April, there is plenty of upside now making him a reasonable fantasy play. Jacoby Jones is out at least another 3 weeks and there are zero other pass catches on this offense not named Torrey Smith. Brown should get his looks and produce, which is exactly what you want out of a WR4 on your bench. There are so many worst things you can do then roster Brown.
K Garrett Hartley (22.0%) - Finally, after a multiple years of being the sleeper kicker tied to a high power offense that disappointed, Hartley looks to have gotten what he needs. The Saints still look elite, but not as good as the past few years which means more field goal tries. Hartley is a top 10 kicker and shouldn't encounter any bad matchups the rest of the way. He's ranked inside the top 6 the rest of the way & should be universally owned. If you need to cut ties with Phil Dawson, this is the man to go add.
DEF Tennessee Titans (2.4%) - Again, we don't endorse any full season ownership for non-elite defenses, but the Titans have shown they are sneaky good through the first two weeks. Excluding a brutal final 2 minutes in Houston, those 16 points given up looked real good. Mix in 4 turnovers and 1 defensive TD already and there is a case to made for ownership. Somehow, they are in the bottom 5 in defensive ownership. That should increase soon & considering they still play Jacksonville twice there is a nice looking schedule to go with. If you want to do the long-term buy thing, Tennessee is who we are selling.
Future & Upside
QB Terrelle Pryor (22.4%) - Despite throwing for a weak 125 yards last week the modern equivalent to Tyler Thigpen is running wild in Oakland. Ten points don't cut it for a weekly play, but there is no one with the upside Pryor has. If he can figure out any part of the passing game, he is going to be a poor man's Michael Vick or in fantasy terms equal with Russell Wilson. Teams that can stash a QB on their roster should look at Pryor because all the signs for fantasy success are there.
RB Andre Brown (27.2%) - We said it last week and we'll say it again, this is a man you want to own. Yes he's out until Week 7 but the Giants RB situation is a disaster & he is a savior in waiting. Own Andre over Christine Michael and love yourself when the back half of the season rolls around. Please, add him.
RB James Starks (6.2%) - With the overwhelming possibility that Eddie Lacy will take this week off & the bye week to get his head straight (literally) Starks is getting his 80th chance to prove his worth in Green Bay. Being the first 100 yard rusher for the team since Ryan Grant last week was a good audition and if given another shot this week he shouldn't disappoint. Lacy may come back & take the majority of carries, but Starks needs to be owned based on the potential with this offense. He is probably a sell high candidate, but he still needs to be on rosters. Now.
WR Kenbrell Thompkins (39.4%) - Where has the hype gone with KT? Heading into the year there were projections all over the board for 1000 yard seasons. Amendola is out, Sudfeld is out, Gronk still might be out, but these projections are gone? It makes no sense that the Patriots offense is in turmoil so Thompkins is getting the axe? I still like Kenbrell to be the highest scoring WR in New England at year's end & would rather own him over everyone but Amendola & Gronkowski. Get him back on your rosters and wait for the big game. His is still seeing his targets & once he gets in sync with Brady the results will be there. Be patient gamers the kid still has 6 grabs for 99 yards in two games, Lance Moore owners aren't cutting him and he has less then half both those totals.
WR Justin Blackmon (15.6%) - We went through this last week. Add him please. There is no reason this man shouldn't be universally owned, yet somehow his ownership gets cut in half last week? Flat out unacceptable Blackmon isn't owned in more leagues, his value went UP last week when Chad Henne got the start. This make no sense. Add him. Now. For your sake, not mine.
TE Heath Miller (6.9%) - A top 5 TE last year, Miller has slipped through the cracks this year since he had a leg explosion (ACL & MCL) at the end of last year. Miller is one of those guys who goes out, gets you your fantasy points, then comes home and goes to bed. There is nothing flashy at all about what he does. If you need to stash a TE since Julius Thomas is still Julius Thomas, Miller should be on your roster, or at least more then 6.9% of rosters.
FLEX RB Robert Turbin (4.7%) - Another repeat, Turbin is the handcuff everyone needs to Marshawn Lynch. Criminally underowned, this man might rack up 10 points next week vs the horrible Jaguars. We said it last week & it bears repeating, high end handcuffs should be owned. Remember what happened to Joique Bell & Ben Tate? Turbin is in their league.
K Alex Henery (6.1%) - Kicker tied to Chip Kelly's offense. Points will be scored weekly, which is what you want with your kicker. Add this guy.
DEF Cleveland Browns (5.4%) - The Browns have given up 50 carriers for 110 yards & 2 TDs on the ground this year. They've also been losing in 100% of the minutes they've played this year. Sounds like if this team could ever get a lead, they'd have a great defense to help hold that lead. They should be owned in more leagues & you could do a whole lot worse then these guys.
Plug & Play
QB Carson Palmer (23.2%) @NO
RB Daniel Thomas (11.3%) vs ATL
RB Felix Jones (1.5%) vs CHI
WR Santana Moss (23.6%) vs DET
WR Nate Burleson (5.0%) @WAS
TE Charles Clay (0.8%) vs ATL FLEX WR Stephen Hill (1.9%) vs BUF
K Stephen Hauschka (17.7%) vs JAC
DEF Minnesota Vikings (8.1%) vs CLE
Honorable Mentions:
Andy Dalton (34.3%) E.J. Manuel (12.2%) Mike Tolbert (22.4%) Brandon Jacobs (6.1%) Jordan Todman (1.4%) Brandon Boldin (0.7%) Jason Snelling (0.4%) Andre Ellington (0.3%) Aaron Dobson (6.7%) Robert Woods (4.7%) Harry Douglas (3.7%) Doug Baldwin (3.5%) Rod Streater (3.5%) Donnie Avery (1.7%) Tyler Eifert (8.1%) Coby Fleener (7.9%) Caleb Sturgis (4.7%) Atlanta Falcons (12.5%)
All teams consist of a QB, two RB and WRs with a TE, K, DEF and FLEX. All "Plug & Play"s need to be rostered in less then 25% of leagues. For each FLEX, players can only be owned in 15% of ESPN leagues.
Read. React. Improve. Let's do this gamers.
Full Season Endorsement
QB Alex Smith (17.5%) - Unfortunately, there are way too many repeats on our list for full season endorsement. We start with Smith who is attached to Andy Reid's famous pass happy offense, an elite wide receiver in Dwayne Bowe & a dynamic pass catching running back name Jamaal Charles. The man who led the league in passer rating last year has continued being an excellent game manager with a 4-0 TD-INT ratio for the year. Once he leaves Reid's old stomping grounds in Philadelphia with 300+ yards at 3+ TDs owners are going to hop all over the Smith bandwagon. Beat everyone to the punch and stash him on the back of your roster now. This former #1 overall pick ranks 15th in our full season rankings & will be an elite bye week plug or maybe even more. Add him gamers.
RB Bilal Powell (38.0%) - Our second repeat performer on the list, Bilal Powell did exactly what owners want out of their flex back. 15 touches for 70 yards and a score is a perfect performance for your flex back. Mix in the fact Chris Ivory is already dinged up & this job will be Powell's to loose at the eventual point when Ivory misses some weeks due to injury. It makes no sense Chris is owned in 100% of leagues while Bilal can't crack the 50% mark. Add him and you'll have Knowshon Moreno 2.0 people. Thank me later.
RB Pierre Thomas (23.5%) - Thomas is the same back he was last week. Another repeater on the list, he had only 9 touches for 48 yards but this is his floor. Expect 70 or so a yards a week and maybe a score. That's a better output then Ronnie Hillman, Roy Helu, Shonn Greene, Vick Ballard, Bryce Bown, Isaiah Pead & Isaac Redman are all going to put out. These guys are all owned somehow in 50%+ of leagues, which should not happen. PT Bruiser is better then all of them.
WR Andre Roberts (36.0%) - Andre put up a boring 3-36-0 line against the Lion last week, but that's the risk that comes with a flex WR. There is so much upside here it's amazing he isn't own in more leagues. I don't know what Ryan Broyles or Denarius Moore posses that Andre doesn't, but take advantage of these idiot owners and beat them to the better WR. Roberts needs to be owner in at least two thirds of leagues & he's barely there.
WR Eddie Royal (18.4%) - This isn't a flashback to our 2009 rankings, Eddie Royal is really here. It's not that anyone believes he is going to keep up his insane 40 touchdown pace, it's more that he looks to be locked in with Philip Rivers & that should produce high floors. Even if you don't believe in Royal, someone in your league will so & sell him for whatever profit you can find. He is a WR3 at the moment and could maybe go up to WR2 status, but he should be an add & sell guy. Or the guy you replace Malcom Floyd with, since he looks to be out for a long time.
TE Jermaine Gresham (11.5%) - There is nothing special about Gresham. He is going to go out snag 5 balls for 50 yards and maybe sprinkle in a score. Essentially the TE version of Pierre Thomas, you can do a whole lot worse by starting Zach Sudfled or some other TE who has the "young, sexy upside" label. I'd rather own the sure points and Gresham. With bye weeks coming up, he's going to be coveted so put him on your roster & reap the rewards folks.
FLEX WR Marlon Brown (4.9%) - Brown is the first WR in Ravens history to score in his first two games. Despite going undrafted in April, there is plenty of upside now making him a reasonable fantasy play. Jacoby Jones is out at least another 3 weeks and there are zero other pass catches on this offense not named Torrey Smith. Brown should get his looks and produce, which is exactly what you want out of a WR4 on your bench. There are so many worst things you can do then roster Brown.
K Garrett Hartley (22.0%) - Finally, after a multiple years of being the sleeper kicker tied to a high power offense that disappointed, Hartley looks to have gotten what he needs. The Saints still look elite, but not as good as the past few years which means more field goal tries. Hartley is a top 10 kicker and shouldn't encounter any bad matchups the rest of the way. He's ranked inside the top 6 the rest of the way & should be universally owned. If you need to cut ties with Phil Dawson, this is the man to go add.
DEF Tennessee Titans (2.4%) - Again, we don't endorse any full season ownership for non-elite defenses, but the Titans have shown they are sneaky good through the first two weeks. Excluding a brutal final 2 minutes in Houston, those 16 points given up looked real good. Mix in 4 turnovers and 1 defensive TD already and there is a case to made for ownership. Somehow, they are in the bottom 5 in defensive ownership. That should increase soon & considering they still play Jacksonville twice there is a nice looking schedule to go with. If you want to do the long-term buy thing, Tennessee is who we are selling.
Future & Upside
QB Terrelle Pryor (22.4%) - Despite throwing for a weak 125 yards last week the modern equivalent to Tyler Thigpen is running wild in Oakland. Ten points don't cut it for a weekly play, but there is no one with the upside Pryor has. If he can figure out any part of the passing game, he is going to be a poor man's Michael Vick or in fantasy terms equal with Russell Wilson. Teams that can stash a QB on their roster should look at Pryor because all the signs for fantasy success are there.
RB Andre Brown (27.2%) - We said it last week and we'll say it again, this is a man you want to own. Yes he's out until Week 7 but the Giants RB situation is a disaster & he is a savior in waiting. Own Andre over Christine Michael and love yourself when the back half of the season rolls around. Please, add him.
RB James Starks (6.2%) - With the overwhelming possibility that Eddie Lacy will take this week off & the bye week to get his head straight (literally) Starks is getting his 80th chance to prove his worth in Green Bay. Being the first 100 yard rusher for the team since Ryan Grant last week was a good audition and if given another shot this week he shouldn't disappoint. Lacy may come back & take the majority of carries, but Starks needs to be owned based on the potential with this offense. He is probably a sell high candidate, but he still needs to be on rosters. Now.
WR Kenbrell Thompkins (39.4%) - Where has the hype gone with KT? Heading into the year there were projections all over the board for 1000 yard seasons. Amendola is out, Sudfeld is out, Gronk still might be out, but these projections are gone? It makes no sense that the Patriots offense is in turmoil so Thompkins is getting the axe? I still like Kenbrell to be the highest scoring WR in New England at year's end & would rather own him over everyone but Amendola & Gronkowski. Get him back on your rosters and wait for the big game. His is still seeing his targets & once he gets in sync with Brady the results will be there. Be patient gamers the kid still has 6 grabs for 99 yards in two games, Lance Moore owners aren't cutting him and he has less then half both those totals.
WR Justin Blackmon (15.6%) - We went through this last week. Add him please. There is no reason this man shouldn't be universally owned, yet somehow his ownership gets cut in half last week? Flat out unacceptable Blackmon isn't owned in more leagues, his value went UP last week when Chad Henne got the start. This make no sense. Add him. Now. For your sake, not mine.
TE Heath Miller (6.9%) - A top 5 TE last year, Miller has slipped through the cracks this year since he had a leg explosion (ACL & MCL) at the end of last year. Miller is one of those guys who goes out, gets you your fantasy points, then comes home and goes to bed. There is nothing flashy at all about what he does. If you need to stash a TE since Julius Thomas is still Julius Thomas, Miller should be on your roster, or at least more then 6.9% of rosters.
FLEX RB Robert Turbin (4.7%) - Another repeat, Turbin is the handcuff everyone needs to Marshawn Lynch. Criminally underowned, this man might rack up 10 points next week vs the horrible Jaguars. We said it last week & it bears repeating, high end handcuffs should be owned. Remember what happened to Joique Bell & Ben Tate? Turbin is in their league.
K Alex Henery (6.1%) - Kicker tied to Chip Kelly's offense. Points will be scored weekly, which is what you want with your kicker. Add this guy.
DEF Cleveland Browns (5.4%) - The Browns have given up 50 carriers for 110 yards & 2 TDs on the ground this year. They've also been losing in 100% of the minutes they've played this year. Sounds like if this team could ever get a lead, they'd have a great defense to help hold that lead. They should be owned in more leagues & you could do a whole lot worse then these guys.
Plug & Play
QB Carson Palmer (23.2%) @NO
RB Daniel Thomas (11.3%) vs ATL
RB Felix Jones (1.5%) vs CHI
WR Santana Moss (23.6%) vs DET
WR Nate Burleson (5.0%) @WAS
TE Charles Clay (0.8%) vs ATL FLEX WR Stephen Hill (1.9%) vs BUF
K Stephen Hauschka (17.7%) vs JAC
DEF Minnesota Vikings (8.1%) vs CLE
Honorable Mentions:
Andy Dalton (34.3%) E.J. Manuel (12.2%) Mike Tolbert (22.4%) Brandon Jacobs (6.1%) Jordan Todman (1.4%) Brandon Boldin (0.7%) Jason Snelling (0.4%) Andre Ellington (0.3%) Aaron Dobson (6.7%) Robert Woods (4.7%) Harry Douglas (3.7%) Doug Baldwin (3.5%) Rod Streater (3.5%) Donnie Avery (1.7%) Tyler Eifert (8.1%) Coby Fleener (7.9%) Caleb Sturgis (4.7%) Atlanta Falcons (12.5%)
Sep 16, 2013
Post Game Reaction: Ravens 14 Browns 6
It's been a few hours since I've left BDubs, so I've had some time for the alcohol to die down and my temper to do the same. But if you think I'm going to come away from this game with any hint of optimism you're wrong. Here are my unfiltered thoughts about today. Keep in mind I don't have time to sit here and break down film like some unemployed lunatic.
1) Greg Little Can Get Off My Team--No, Seriously
I WANT to like Greg Little. I've tried so hard. I supported him time and time again his rookie year. He pissed me off last year until he started to put it together the second half of the season. That's what makes it even worse this year. He looked like he was finally "getting it." You can say what you want about him being "all we have" until Gordon comes back. Or that he's the "best of the worst." I refuse to believe it. In the most fundamental sense of the game, recievers' jobs are to catch the football. Say what you want about route running, straight-line speed, blocking on the outside, etc.,
if you can't catch the football it all goes to shit. I can't sit here and watch Greg Little drop passes week after week (often times directly leading to interceptions (last week) or almost leading to interceptions (this week)) and accept the fact that he's "the best we have." A receiver that can't catch the football is a waste of a roster spot. Period.
2) The Secondary Needs Help--But We Knew That
I'll admit I was/have been pleasantly surprised by the secondary up to this point, today included. But, we've seen how stout the run defense is, the pass defense is the weak point of this defense. This isn't to say that the defense is in dire straights at all, but I think everyone will admit that a bonafide #2 CB is the next (dare I say final?) piece to the defensive puzzle.
3) The Offensive Line Played Better, But Cousins Still Blows
Last week Weeden didn't have time to do anything, let alone make clean throws. This week, while the
offensive line was still shaky, there was time to make plays. And while Weeden has to make them, I still put a lot of the blame on the receivers for not coming up with the ball. Regardless, this point is about the offensive line. Like I said, they played markedly better versus the Ravens. Hey, I only saw Oneil Cousins get steamrolled about half a dozen times this week! Also, what's the deal with Mitch Schwartz. The Bear Jew looks like he's hitting a big sophomore slump this year after what was an exceptional rookie campaign.
4) Maybe Trent Richardson Isn't As Good As We All Like To Think He Is
Through two games Norv Turner, appropriately described as one of the best play callers of all time, has run Trent 31 times. That's an average for 15.5 rushes a game, for all you math geniuses out there. And let's not get delusional like Turner doesn't know how to utilize good running back talent.
His running back resume:
1) Greg Little Can Get Off My Team--No, Seriously
 |
| Different number, same result |
if you can't catch the football it all goes to shit. I can't sit here and watch Greg Little drop passes week after week (often times directly leading to interceptions (last week) or almost leading to interceptions (this week)) and accept the fact that he's "the best we have." A receiver that can't catch the football is a waste of a roster spot. Period.
2) The Secondary Needs Help--But We Knew That
I'll admit I was/have been pleasantly surprised by the secondary up to this point, today included. But, we've seen how stout the run defense is, the pass defense is the weak point of this defense. This isn't to say that the defense is in dire straights at all, but I think everyone will admit that a bonafide #2 CB is the next (dare I say final?) piece to the defensive puzzle.
 |
| I guess not blocking anyone is better than being put on your ass. |
Last week Weeden didn't have time to do anything, let alone make clean throws. This week, while the
offensive line was still shaky, there was time to make plays. And while Weeden has to make them, I still put a lot of the blame on the receivers for not coming up with the ball. Regardless, this point is about the offensive line. Like I said, they played markedly better versus the Ravens. Hey, I only saw Oneil Cousins get steamrolled about half a dozen times this week! Also, what's the deal with Mitch Schwartz. The Bear Jew looks like he's hitting a big sophomore slump this year after what was an exceptional rookie campaign.
4) Maybe Trent Richardson Isn't As Good As We All Like To Think He Is
Through two games Norv Turner, appropriately described as one of the best play callers of all time, has run Trent 31 times. That's an average for 15.5 rushes a game, for all you math geniuses out there. And let's not get delusional like Turner doesn't know how to utilize good running back talent.
His running back resume:
- Put Emmitt Smith (Dallas) and Ladanian Tomlinson (San Diego) in the Hall of Fame
- Coached Ricky Williams (Miami) to over 1,800 yards in 2002 and 1,300 yards in 2003
- Got Lamont freaking Jordan (Oakland) to crack 1,000 yards in 2005
- Was the offensive coordinator when Frank Gore (San Francisco) broke out for 1,600 yards in 2006
I'll stop there, but you get the point. If anyone deserves the benefit of the doubt for the use of Trent Richardson, it's Norv Turner. And say what you want about teams stacking the box, yada yada yada. Teams stack the box against Adrian Peterson, too, and AD was the guy whom everyone compared Trent to coming out of Alabama. If you had to guess Trent's stats were right now, through two games and 31 carries, what would you say. If you answered something along the lines of 3.4 YPC and a long of TEN YARDS, you'd be right. Think about that. Ten Yards. I'll keep supporting Trent and hoping that I'm wrong, but it's hard to argue with mediocre numbers being put up at this point.
That's my rant about yesterday's game. It's Monday now, so I'll do my best and put it behind me. I'm sure by Saturday afternoon I'll be fully on board with a Browns win against Minnesota (since their run defense is top 5 and Christian Ponder isn't going to beat them). And they'll let me down again, no doubt.
(Hey, at least the Tribe is only .5 game back of the wildcard!!! Let's be real, Cleveland. It's football season.)
Sep 13, 2013
Ballard down; Bradshaw up?
Indianapolis fans woke up to somber news this morning when Colts officials announced RB Vick Ballard was placed on season ending IR. On Thursday, the former 5th round pick crumpled to the ground in a non-contract drill. The fears of the worst were accurate, as it was confirmed today that Ballard tore his right ACL. Not only does Ballard have a year's worth of rehab ahead, but he also will probably never be this close to a starting tailback position on an NFL roster again. These are the types of injuries that are career killers and it sucks that Ballard's opportunity was taken away from him.
Now, onto the fantasy implications. Typical protocol suggest that the next RB in line, Ahmad Bradshaw, will step in and take the majority of carries. This isn't going to happen on Sunday. Donald Brown will slide up the depth chart into Ballard's role with Kerwyn Williams taking Brown's. Bradshaw is still working is way back into peak NFL running back shape & an expected to playoff bound team like the Colts aren't going to rush him back. They will try and dissipate Ballard's touches equally, so expect only a 5 touch max increase for Bradshaw for Week 2. If you are looking for a plug this week (I hope you aren't, it 's only Week 2) then grab Brown and start him, but he still isn't cracking our top 50 RBs.
The long term outlook is much more appealing for Bradshaw owners. The Colts brought him in late in the offseason with the clear intention to get him the ball. Neither Indianapolis or Bradshaw himself are expecting to see only 8 touches a game. The uptick is coming & savvy owners out there are going to realize it. Making the move today is going to result in paying for the Ballard injury. Once Ahmad logs his 13 slated touches this week & we all see Donald Brown split carries equally, Bradshaw's value will drop to a low point. That's when it is time to buy gamers. Play the waiting game on this one, but be ready to cash in.
We all know Tom Coughlin would give this man 20 carriers this week, that's a guarantee.
As always, read & discuss. You can reach me on Twitter
@ClevRocks_James or comment your (dis)agreements below. Thanks for
reading.
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