The NFL season is quickly approaching and all of us in fantasy football land should be preparing for our drafts so we can dominate all the poor suckers in our league again. We spend our afternoon work days with the trigger finger on the mouse while mock drafts run simultaneously in the background alongside our work. Anybody who plays fantasy football know how this time of year our minds are preoccupied with sleepers, keepers and busts. Let take a look at a couple of the trends we have noticed while mocking and where we think there is opportunity for great value.
WR Mike Wallace, PIT
ADP: 07.06
With Santonio Holmes now out of the picture and Hines Ward getting another year older, the Steelers will be looking for play makers on offense. Wallace has a great combination of size and blazing speed and showcased his talent last year averaging almost 20 yards a catch. He also added 6 touchdowns to that impressive yards per catch number and should be able to improve on the number of scores this year. Our only concern with Wallace going into the season will be the absence of Roethlisberger to start the season. Once Big Ben gets back, Wallace will be the deep threat once again that the team relies on and should turn into a very good WR option for your fantasy squad.
RB Carnell Williams, TB
ADP: 08.01
This guy is a tough one to keep down. Williams did not allow something as simple as tearing up both knees in recent years keep him from being productive in 2009. The time came for Williams to play an entire season and he made the most of it with over 1,000 yards of total offense and a career high 7 touchdowns in 2009. While he will not be the only back rushing the ball for the Bucs, he should remain the featured back as Derrick Ward was a disappointment last season. If he can stay healthy once again this year Williams will prove to be a very good third option for your fantasy squads and considering you can get him around late seventh round, the Caddy is worth the ride.
RB Matt Forte, CHI
ADP: 4.06
This is a tough one for me to recommended but for whatever reason I just have a gut feeling we will see the return of Matt Forte as a viable fantasy RB this year. I think ultimately the Bears wanted to be somebody they weren’t last season with the addition of Jay Cutler and that hurt both Forte and the Bears offense. Cutler throwing 26 INTs last year also really cut into some of Fortes opportunities to score last season. I think they will get back to trying to utilize the running game more this year and having Chester Taylor behind him might help with the motivation. I would feel pretty good with Forte as my number 2 back, so if you go WR early this year, grab Forte later and enjoy the turnaround from him this season.
TE Chris Cooley, WAS
ADP: 10.08
Okay, I know the TDs haven’t been there for the past 2 season but I have always considered Cooley as a great talent on a poor offensive team. While I’m still not expecting the Skins to be one of the premier offenses in the NFL, 2 major things have changed….enter Donovan McNabb and new head coach Mike Shanahan. Both the QB and the head coach have a proven track record of relying on their tight ends. The Skins wide receiver crew isn’t exactly a thing of beauty either, so there should be plenty of opportunity for Cooley this year. Add to the mix the Redskins have one of the most favorable schedules for TEs this year and all signs point to Cooley being a top tight end this year at a bargain basement price. The only concerns would be the health of McNabb obviously and the rise of Fred Davis last year. Ultimately if Cooley remains healthy this year, I expect him to get most of the looks at the TE position and be a great pickup if you miss on the big boys at this position.
WR Davone Bess, MIA
ADP: 14.01
Its hard to believe, but Bess very quietly caught 76 passes last season and that was on a Dolphin team focused on running the ball. But the bigger news for Bess this season is the addition of Brandon Marshall. Defenses will have to focus much of their attention on stopping Marshall, with the speed that Bess possess and favorable match-ups against the defense, I expect to see Bess improve on his numbers from last season. Lets also not forget that this will be his third year in the league and we all know about receivers breaking out during their third season. So when many of your league mates are picking up defenses and the likes of the Chris Chambers type wideout, do yourself a favor and get a steal on Bess late in the draft.
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