As you all noticed, there has been a major redesign of some elements. We took the current layout we had and blended it with our old one (button styles, rounded tables, colors, etc). If you got the feeling of dejá-vu then you were right.
The result is a simple but effective user interface improvement that won't stop here.
Here's a list of the current new changes (for those who missed them):
Collapse the User Bar There are times when you want to simply hide your balance. It could be because you're surrounded by curious people or simply because you want to take a screenshot without your account's data, for example.
To collapse the user bar, click on the arrow located at the left of the user bar. To restore the user bar click the arrow that's now pointing left. Here's some screenshots:
Normal:
Collapsed:
Fixed User Bar Now you can keep the User Bar always on top by clicking the circle at the left of the User Bar. A filled circle means it's fixed and an empty circle means it's not.
Example:
As you can see there's a small glow to make it stand out when it's above other page elements.
Fixed account menu Every time you scroll down in any page located of your account you'll notice that the left menu will follow you. When it does, you'll notice an arrow below the menu. That arrow is the simplest way to go back to the top of page at any time.
Example:
Intuitive switches and buttons Now it's even easier and fun to change your personal settings. The new option selection methodology is basically based on switches to make it simpler for you. Also many options are/will be a single click away instead of the old and boring selection process.
Example:
Internet Explorer integration All of these features have been added to Internet Explorer (newer versions only) and we've also made an integration of the ones that were only available for other browsers. One of the old ones that has been redesigned to work with IE was the aAverage bar in the referrals listing. Several small others can be found as well. We're taking this IE integration as a beta so please let us know how it works for you.
Final thoughts This is still a redesign in progress. Not only the junction of our two iconic layouts is still being tweaked but also new features are being added. Have fun finding them. Important or imperceptible ones will be either added here on this list or a new topic will be created.
Tennessee kicker Rob Bironas was named Mr. Irrelevant of my first 2011 fantasy football draft.
The picks, commentary and shenanigans that preceded the 180th pick were far from it.
MOCK DRAFT 2.0
Now that free agency has slowed down, the FOX fantasy department slapped a new coat of paint on their mock draft. Check out the draft results.
Take, for instance, where this draft took place.
For four and a half hours on Sunday afternoon, I channeled my inner-Frank Ricard and returned to a University of Toledo fraternity house practically on campus.
Upon entry, after avoiding a parking nightmare by snagging one of a handful of spots in the driveway, I had an option to travel up a flight of stairs or journey down into the basement.
I choose down.
I choose poorly.
It only took five steps to walk right into the abyss where my first thought was to wonder if the movie Hostile was filmed here. I immediately pushed that presumption to the back burner to question if this was one of the stash houses in The Wire.
Before Sloth could break out of his shackles and adopt me as his new Chunk, I ran up the stairs praying the ATF wouldn’t knock me out as they broke down the door.
Thanks to the kindness of fellow league member Greg (who I will shred to pieces later), I found my way to the fantasy war room. On the main table, a respectable spread of pizza, bread sticks and pop waited to nourish the exhausted (hungover?) owners.
After loading up my plate with a few slices of ‘za, I entered the living room where the view screamed frat house. Around the perimeter rested every type of seating imaginable – none of which matched the other. In one corner was a leather recliner, then a couch, then an oversized bean bag chair (do NOT shine a black light on this), then a couch, an end table and finally a second chair.
I loved this, but the arrangement came second to the wall decoration of the millennium.
Sure, it’s a college house where neon lights promoting barley and hops outnumber an 80-watt under a shade. That’s a given. But hanging over the big screen (non-HD) television was a painting of Noah’s Ark. At the bottom read “Two By Two.” Immediately, I thought this image and its message screamed brotherhood, deep thought and was a known fraternity motto.
“My mom gave it to me,” Tex, one of the league owners, frat brothers and tenant, said.
Epic.
Of the 12 guys in the league, nine of them were in attendance. The other three drafted via phone (Jake – Green Bay), Skype (Dooley – Orlando – Air Force training – thank you for your service) and Facebook messenger (Brent – Indiana on business - 2-time champ).
Jake receives an annual verbal bashing from Nick G. who, by default, takes one for the league and dials the cheese head up to relay his picks and keep him updated on who is off the board.
Normally, the exchange between Nick in Toledo and Jake in Green Bay reigns supreme as the most entertaining sideshow of the draft, but this year Dooley’s Skype session was awarded gold and silver.
FOWLER'S FANTASY STARTERS
QB - Eli Manning (Round 5)
RB 1 - LeSean McCoy (Round 1)
RB 2 - Steven Jackson (Round 2)
WR 1 - Jeremy Maclin (Round 6)
WR 2 - Julio Jones (Round 7)
TE - Antonio Gates (Round 4)
FLEX - LeGarrette Blount (Round 3)
DEF - NY Giants (Round 14)
K - Josh Brown (Round 15)
With obviously no background in videography 101, he set up a webcam pointing towards an open window. So, all you could see was a black silhouette of the guy. This led to a couple of classic of one-liners:
“He looks like Noob Saibot from Mortal Kombat.” – Umin
“He looks like the banker from “Deal or No Deal.” - Umin
Collectively our observations would evolve to the point where we wondered if somebody broke the window behind Dooley, beat him up, robbed him and escaped, would we be able to provide authorities with a description of who did it?
Even Louis C.K. would think our analysis was hilarious.
And to think the previously mentioned memories and scenarios regurgitated from the top of my head have little-to-nothing to do with the actual fantasy draft.
Not to worry Greg, I haven’t forgotten about you.
THE DRAFT
Sticking with the theme and image of a high-end frat house, our big board was four oversized pieces of poster board duct taped to a wall.
As we pulled names out of hat to determine draft order, owners were presented their logo from Adam, the commissioner. Now, because I’d like to keep my job beyond the two-month threshold I’m closing in on, I will refrain from sharing team mascots, but will tell you I’m the proud owner of the Bombay Sapphire Sale.
Keeping with tradition, my name gets pulled early and I’m saddled with the immediate stress of drafting ninth.
Leave it to Jake, the guy on the phone in Green Bay, to be rewarded with the first overall pick.
Nick berated him immediately.
With the draft order set, Adam allowed all owners 10 minutes to study and plan any last minute strategy.
It was during this study hall where Nick compared me, as a fantasy editor existing and participating in this league, to “a baseball player taking steroids in MLB.”
Wow, talk about hyperbole. But I’ll take the compliment … and then I’ll take the trophy.
FANTASY COUNTDOWNS
Ks 24-1
DEFs 32-1
TEs 30-1
WRs 45-1
WRs 90-46
QBs 32-17
QBs 16-1
RBs 75-26
RBs 25-1
Free-agent frenzy
Mock draft 2.0
FANTASY LEAGUE HOT POINTS
• 12 TEAMS
• NON-PPR
• START QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 FLEX (RB/WR), DEF and K
• SCORING (every yard counts – i.e. you could finish with 12.3 points)
• PASSING – point every 20 yards
• RECEIVING/RUSHING – point every 10 yards
• TRANSACTIONS – free
• DEFENDING CHAMP - Brent
• PRIZE – trophy and financial compensation
After Jake dismissed his loyalty to the Packers and drafted Adrian Peterson with the first pick, Greg threw the proverbial wrench in how this fantasy draft would play out by taking Aaron Rodgers. The group would later learn that this selection foreshadowed a series of questionable picks from the man whose team name is censored here, but can be located on the web’s urban dictionary.
Greg took Rodgers in round one, Frank Gore in round two (he slipped to an all-time low), Mike Wallace in round three, and, drum roll please, Marcedes Lewis in round four.
Holy Toledo!
Once the name was jotted down on the big board and silence of shock broke, a few under-the-breath shots were muttered from fellow owners, to nobody in particular, in hopes the comment would gain traction and erupt into a verbal beating oozing in sarcasm. But, to be honest, I think we all felt bad for Greg and, without saying a word, called for a ceasefire.
In a way, I’m to blame. Earlier in the round I drafted Antonio Gates. A few picks later, Jermichael Finley and Jason Witten came off the board. So, I think Greg panicked, looked at his fantasy football magazine composed in May and felt confident in his pick.
How that same magazine didn’t list Dallas Clark or Vernon Davis ahead of Lewis is beyond me. My guess is it did and Greg went rogue.
And he wasn’t done. Oh, noooooo. The Lewis pick was an appetizer for his 11th round “did he just pick a kicker?” moment.
Greg took the first kicker four-to-five rounds early by drafting Nate Kaeding right after Nate Burleson and before feasible fantasy talent like Lance Moore, Hines Ward and Ryan Torain.
I’ll say this; Greg announced the pick with conviction. As for what he said, imagine what you would need to say to all your friends if you had the cojones to draft a kicker in the 11th round and knew you were about to get ripped.
• Four QBs taken in the first 13 picks
• Nine QBs taken in the first 24 picks
• Eight RBs taken in the first 12 picks
• 12 RBs taken in the first 24 picks
• One WR taken in the first 12 picks
• Three WRs taken in the first 24 picks
• Four TEs drafted in the 4th Round
• Finley, Witten and Lewis drafted before Davis and Clark
• First defense (Pittsburgh) drafted in 7th Round
• First kicker (Kaeding) drafted in 11th Round
• Best Value – Torain and M. Williams (SEA) in Round 12
• Time of Draft: – approx. 3 hours and 30 minutes
Following handshakes and man hugs, the group of us scattered back to our neutral corners in Toledo, Michigan, Cleveland and Cincinnati.
Before I turned in for the night, I decided to take one quick peek at our league’s transaction wire to see if the inaugural add/drop had been completed.
It had.
Sean dropped Jerricho Cotchery for Stevan Ridley.
His retort: "I didn’t know Cotchery was with Pittsburgh."
It's okay, Sean.
At least you didn't take Marcedes Lewis in the fourth round.
As a society, we love our lists. An article highlighting the fattest cities in America? Click. How about a feature on the hottest bachelors over 40? Don’t mind if I do. A countdown of the fifteen worst haircuts in sports? I mean, I’m not NOT going to read it.
Cognizant of this cultural affinity, here are ten predictions for the upcoming fantasy football campaign:
LeGarrette Blount: top-five running back
In his last 11 games in 2010, Blount totaled 977 yards on the ground on a modest 191 carries. Not bad for a guy who was cut by the Tennessee Titans before the onset of the season. Blount’s appearance may convey that of a bruising back, one that makes his living bowling over opponents. While Blount has certainly showcased this penchant from time to time, the Oregon product is surprisingly mobile for a man of his stature. This dynamic duo of strength and speed has drawn comparisons to Adrian Peterson and Brandon Jacobs, two backs who have flourished in fantasy.
With no discernable backup in the Buccaneer backfield, Blount’s opportunities should increase in 2011. Moreover, Tampa possesses a proficient passing attack, meaning opposing defenses will be unable to solely focus on Blount and the running game. Blount will have to improve on picking up the blitz, as well as becoming a factor in the Buccaneers’ aerial attack. Still, despite currently falling into the late third round as the 15th running back, Blount has the potential to be a fantasy force this season.
Michael Vick starts on fire...only to fade away
Although Philadelphia starts the season on the road with tough tests in St. Louis and Atlanta, Vick and the Eagles should wreak havoc on the destitute defenses of the Giants (who at this rate may be unable to field a team), 49ers, Bills and Redskins. These squads should provide a platform for Vick to light the fantasy world on fire once again.
But will be able to maintain this momentum? As noted in the Buyer Beware piece, Vick wore down at the end of last season, as the human body is not conducive to that style of play. Additionally, it appeared that defensive coordinators had solved the Vick equation, leading to the Philly field general tossing five picks in his last four games compared to just two interceptions in his previous nine. Factor in the extra hype surrounding the Eagles thanks to their free-agent frenzy and I don’t like the vibe emitting from Vick.
THROUGH THE YEARS
Kerry Collins' 16-year career was up and down. Now will he be back to help the Colts?
Braylon Edwards revives career
With only one 1,000-yard campaign under his belt and multiple off-the-field incidents, the former first-rounder is viewed as a disappointment in most NFL circles. There’s no denying Edwards has brought much of this abhorrence upon himself, yet he isn’t totally at fault for this downfall. Working with a litany of mediocre quarterbacks in Trent Dilfer, Charlie Frye, Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, Ken Dorsey and a fledgling Mark Sanchez certainly will take its toll on a receiver. Not helping matters was Edwards’ time in New York. In what should have been his prime, Edwards’ development was arrested in the Meadowlands behind a run-first offense and a quarterback still getting his feet wet in the league. Even with this obstacle, Edwards managed to post 904 yards and seven scores in 2010.
Now in San Francisco, Edwards has the chance to revert into an elite receiver with Michael Crabtree on the sidelines. Vernon Davis remains the primary target in the 49er passing game, but Jim Harbaugh’s West Coast offense will facilitate plenty of looks in Edwards’ direction.
Josh McDaniels turns Sam Bradford into a fantasy god
Terrible coach? Yes. Awful talent evaluator? Unquestionably, as just four of McDaniels’ 10 selections from the 2009 Draft remain in Denver. But McDaniels and his offensive scheme does fantasy wonders for quarterbacks under his tutelage, showcased by the performances of Tom Brady, Matt Cassel, and Kyle Orton.
Whereas Orton arrived in Denver with little fanfare, Bradford enters the season after an impressive rookie showing, throwing for 3,512 yards and 18 touchdowns. If McDaniels was able to turn a sixth-round pick in Brady, a game manager in Orton and a backup in Cassel all into formidable fantasy candidates, there’s no telling what he will manufacture out of a former first overall selection in Bradford. Speaking of Brady...
Tom Brady kills the collective soul of Patriots WR owners
The good news: with a loaded arsenal at his disposal, it’s not inconceivable that Brady could surpass last season’s MVP output. Not only did New England add a deep threat in Chad Ochocinco, but Wes Welker is back to full strength, the tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez have a year under their belts and second-year receiver Taylor Price has raised some eyebrows in camp. And that’s not counting the contributions of Deion Branch, Danny Woodhead and Julian Edelman, or the assistance from an explosive backfield highlighted by BenJarvus Green-Ellis.
BACK TO WORK
Catch up on all of the training camp news as the NFL gears up for the season.
The bad news: reread that previous paragraph. Quite the contingent of names. Unfortunately, there’s one ball to go around. With an absurd amount of competition for Brady’s attention, it will be an arduous task to consistently submit suitable fantasy numbers by a New England receiver. I’m envisioning performances like five catches, 94 yards and two touchdowns from Branch one week, followed by a two receptions for 28 yards the next on a regular basis. Don’t be duped into this trap.
Josh Freeman is good. But not great.
Freeman was one of the breakout starts of 2010, amassing 3,451 yards through the air and playing remarkably efficient, with 25 touchdowns compared to just six picks. Although he failed to find the end zone on the ground, Freeman was second among quarterbacks in rushing with 364 yards. These stats have correlated to comparisons to Ben Roethlisberger, and in some drafts Freeman is going before the two-time Super Bowl champ. It’s this trend that signals fantasy owners need to tap the breaks on Freeman’s 2011 forecast.
The day may come when Freeman finds himself among the upper echelon of fantasy QBs, but it will not be this day. Freeman’s 25 aerial scores were noteworthy, but five touchdowns came against a suspect Seattle secondary in Week 16. Freeman has weapons in Mike Williams and Kellen Winslow, and he certainly has the ability to come close to last season’s production. But a slightly tougher schedule will impede Freeman from obtaining elite fantasy status.
Jordan Shipley = Wes Welker Lite
Does preseason futility guarantee trouble in the fall? Not necessarily, but judging from their first two games, the Bengals are going to be bad. Epically bad. Even for a rookie, Andy Dalton looks lost and overmatched. Of course, the fact that the offensive line has more holes than the plot of Armageddon isn’t helping the redheaded rookie in this assimilation process. First-round draft pick A.J. Green has displayed a dropping propensity, a small issues since, you know, he’s a wide receiver. Manny Lawson, Thomas Howard and Nate Clements are slotted as starters on defense, which would be great if it was 2007. Call me crazy, but I don’t think the ’72 Dolphins are lying awake at night worried about Cincinnati challenging their record.
FANTASY BUZZ
For the latest MLB and NFL fantasy news and notes keep up with the Fantasy Buzz Blog.
So how does this equate to Shipley success? It’s not a stretch to believe the Bengals will be behind in a majority, nay, all of their games, forcing Dalton and the Cincinnati offense to the air. Thanks to the listlessness of the line, Dalton will be obliged to hurriedly rid himself of the ball, meaning a multitude of short slant passes, signifying a heavy dosage of Shipley. This inclination has already manifested itself in the preseason in seven receptions for 57 yards for Colt McCoy’s former security blanket. Add in the implementation of the West Coast offense in Cincinnati and don’t be shocked if Shipley ends the season with 90 catches.
Peyton Manning: Fantasy Force, RIP
The Colts signed Kerry Collins earlier this off-season. Enough said.
The fall of Chris Johnson
Owners who already selected Johnson in their drafts shouldn’t be worried; they should be in full-fledged panic, after the Titans running back held out until the week before the start of the regular season.
I’m not so much worried about Javon Ringer stealing opportunities from the three-time Pro Bowler. Rather, with the holdout coinciding with the summer lockout, will Johnson return in football-ready shape for the season? The league has already seen a rash of knee injuries due to this lack of pigskin-related repetitions. Johnson’s prolonged absence surely won’t help his odds against this epidemic. Furthermore, the Titans are still trying to integrate Matt Hasselbeck into their offense. Johnson’s sabbatical is only delaying this endeavor.
Johnson still should be a solid fantasy choice. That said, don’t trust him with a first pick in your draft. Early selections are all about minimizing risk. At this juncture, Johnson lies on the other side of the spectrum on that sentiment.
FANTASY IMPACT
Need help with your fantasy draft? Our experts provide a helpful guide of dos and don’ts for your upcoming draft.
Julio Jones outshines Roddy White
Hear me out. By no means is this condemnation on White, who’s submitted four straight 1,000-yard campaigns for the Falcons. However, White has been able to complete this feat due to a lack of viable receiving options on the Atlanta roster. Granted, the deficiency of a complimentary wideout led to a heightened focus on White in the passing game, but it also admitted more targets in his direction. So while the presence of Jones will alleviate some of the emphasis on White from opponents, the upshot will be a decline in throws in his direction.
For his part, Jones has reportedly transitioned well into the Atlanta offense, picking up the schemes at a torrid pace for a rookie. Generally, I tend to shy away from highly-touted draft picks as historically they underperform in their first season (Ryan Mathews, anyone?). But Jones’ stature and speed will translate well into the NFL game, already illustrated in his first two preseason games (four catches, 73 yards; one carry, 12 yards). With White lining up on the other side of the field, Jones will be given some room to roam in the secondary, making him a must-have in fantasy this season.
Editor's Note: This list was compiled in early July, well before the NFL free agency period began. For a better sense of who is going where, be sure to check out our Mock Draft 2.0.
Because four heads are always better than one (we think), each member of FOXSports.com’s fantasy department created their own 2011 Top 200 Fantasy Football Rankings. The four individual player rankings were added together, divided and produced overall composite scores.
The rankings are geared towards owners competing in 10-12 team, head-to-head leagues and use FOXSports.com’s Fantasy Football default scoring system. (Note: kickers are not listed with the assumption they would be drafted in the final round and thus would not crack the Top 200.)
Before we get to it, each fantasy contributor was allotted a couple hundred words to defend, justify and explain their rankings.
FOX FANTASY FOOTBALL
Create your FOX Fantasy Football league today for free. Live scoring, mock drafts, customizable leagues and more.
Fowler –
Dear Michael Vick,
Stay healthy, please!
If Philadelphia’s quarterback can remain upright for 16 games this season, I will sleep well at night knowing I ranked him fifth overall. With Vick’s ability to run and pass, the chances he accounts for two to three touchdowns a game (12-18 fantasy points) is nearly a lock in my mind. This is obviously in addition to the points he earns owners via passing and rushing yards.
I chose to upgrade dual-threat running backs this season. Thus, guys like LeSean McCoy and Ray Rice rank higher than Maurice Jones-Drew and Michael Turner.
With most of the fantasy attention on Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Vick at quarterback, I chose to boost Philip Rivers up to my 12th pick overall. He’s averaged 270 passing yards per game, 31 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions over the last three seasons.
This is the first year I bumped Roddy White over Andre Johnson as my top wide receiver. Atlanta’s decision to draft Julio Jones means Matt Ryan is about to air it out on a regular basis in 2011. White could be lucky enough to see softer coverage with Jones keeping defensive backs and safeties honest. Also, I’d be remised if I didn’t mention that no matter your feelings towards the man, think about drafting Derrick Mason.
Now we play the waiting game.
NFL SIM-MATCHUP
Love NFL history? Simulate any NFL game for FREE! Check out Whatifsports.com's NFL SimMatchup.
Beall -
In regards to the top selection, one can’t go wrong with the quartet of Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster and Jamaal Charles. I have Johnson slightly above Peterson, despite Johnson’s contract dispute, as the Tennessee running back is more prominent in the passing game.
At quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers are in an echelon above the rest. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees still have the ability to be fantasy cornerstones, but Manning’s neck surgery and Brees’ interception total from 2010 are causes for concern. For sleepers, Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick and Denver’s Tim Tebow are players that can score in the air and on the ground.
Andre Johnson, Roddy White and Calvin Johnson are the only wideouts in the top 20, and with good reason. In my experience, you can obtain a reliable receiver in the middle of the draft, whereas solid signal-callers and running backs vanish in the opening rounds. Need evidence? Brandon Lloyd, Dwayne Bowe, Santana Moss, Steve Johnson, Hakeem Nicks and Tampa’s Mike Williams were all elite contributors in 2010, yet none were highly sought during the preseason.
One final note: the majority of rookies were downgraded at their respective positions. Freshmen don’t tend to correlate to fantasy fruition, as anyone who owned Ryan Mathews last season will attest. Mark Ingram and Daniel Thomas may post phenomenal campaigns; however, don’t waste a relatively high pick on a rookie. More times than not, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
FANTASY BUZZ
For the latest MLB and NFL fantasy news and notes keep up with the Fantasy Buzz Blog.
Harmon -
The first iteration of the overall ranking sheet is always a daunting task. I’ve stared at individual player histories and schedules and I have completed numerous side-by-side comparisons. The overall list is a different animal, and the dexterous hands working a keyboard give way to a monstrous white board.
My 2011 list began as these lists do every year. Running backs dominated the top of the sheet, with 11 of the first 13 players carrying the “RB” designation. Simply put, the backfield workhorses rose to the top of the heap in this vast expanse of committee situations. A total of sixty running backs appear in my top 200 (25 in the top 50).
I should note that top wide receivers and quarterbacks occupied nine of the first 25 slots, a marked change from years past. I have already logged a few asterisks next to potential movers as I revisit this list through the preseason. My hope is that changes are not caused by a rash of injuries to hamstrings, knee and ankles as the exhibition seasons continues.
Halpin -
Michael Turner ran for 1,699 yards and scored 17 touchdowns in 2008. Chris Johnson racked up 2,509 yards from scrimmage and 16 TDs in 2009. Arian Foster had a huge breakout in 2010, with 2,220 yards from scrimmage and 18 scores. That’s a terrific trio of backs, but I’ll still take Adrian Peterson, who averaged 1,781 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns over those three seasons. Peterson is money in the bank, and without Brett Favre around throwing all the time, he should get the ball 350 times in 2011. Purple Jesus is a fantasy superstar, as well as a low-risk top overall pick.
My first round doesn’t look very different from a lot of others’, but if you want some favorites, I’m really intrigued by Shonn Greene at No. 18, and Jonathan Stewart at No. 29. Both could break out in their new feature roles.
Does anyone scare me? Yes – Michael Vick at No. 17, and not just because I own a dog. Vick’s style of play is electrifying, and almost begs for some time off due to injury. He’s a first-rounder on many boards, but I’d hate to put all my eggs in his basket.
Rank
Name
Pos
Fowler
Beall
Halpin
Harmon
Composite
1
Adrian Peterson
RB 1
1
2
1
1
1.25
2
Chris Johnson
RB 2
2
1
2
3
2.00
3
Arian Foster
RB 3
4
3
3
2
3.00
4
Jamaal Charles
RB 4
3
4
4
4
3.75
5
Maurice Jones-Drew
RB 5
13
5
5
5
7.00
6
LeSean McCoy
RB 6
6
7
9
9
7.75
7
Aaron Rodgers
QB 1
7
11
7
8
8.25
8
Ray Rice
RB 7
9
6
6
13
8.50
9
Rashard Mendenhall
RB 8
10
13
12
10
11.25
10
Michael Turner
RB 9
17
8
15
7
11.75
Surprise! Nine running backs and one quarterback crack the top ten list. LeSean McCoy is the intriguing back of the bunch. Will Michael Vick’s ability to run decrease the running back’s value or will his pass-catching skills increase it?
Rank
Name
Pos
Fowler
Beall
Halpin
Harmon
Composite
11
Andre Johnson
WR 1
23
9
8
15
13.75
12
Darren McFadden
RB 10
8
16
19
12
13.75
13
Roddy White
WR 2
19
15
10
11
13.75
14
Frank Gore
RB 11
18
21
11
6
14.00
15
Michael Vick
QB 2
5
17
17
21
15.00
16
Steven Jackson
RB 12
21
12
13
17
15.75
17
Drew Brees
QB 3
16
22
14
14
16.50
18
Peyton Manning
QB 4
11
20
22
18
17.75
19
Matt Forte
RB 13
20
10
23
19
18.00
20
Calvin Johnson
WR 3
22
19
16
16
18.25
San Francisco’s Frank Gore falls out of the top ten after fracturing his hip in 2010. Three wide receivers (A. Johnson, White and C. Johnson) and quarterbacks (Vick, Brees and Manning (neck?) remain top tier options for owners.
Rank
Name
Pos
Fowler
Beall
Halpin
Harmon
Composite
21
Tom Brady
QB 5
15
14
28
20
19.25
22
Philip Rivers
QB 6
12
18
25
34
22.25
23
Peyton Hillis
RB 14
14
23
30
24
22.75
24
Hakeem Nicks
WR 4
30
25
21
22
24.50
25
Ryan Matthews
RB 15
33
24
20
27
26.00
26
LeGarrette Blount
RB 16
24
28
26
28
26.50
27
Knowshon Moreno
RB 17
28
30
24
25
26.75
28
Greg Jennings
WR 5
26
27
27
29
27.25
29
Reggie Wayne
WR 6
29
26
33
26
28.50
30
Jonathan Stewart
RB 18
39
33
29
31
33.00
Breakthrough running backs Peyton Hillis, Ryan Matthews and LeGarrette Blount jump up the rankings in 2011. Down in Carolina, Jonathan Stewart leaps DeAngelo Williams and Mike Goodson as the Panthers’ number one option for Jimmy Clausen and/or Cam Netwon.
Six wide receivers dominate this ranking tier. Owners gave up on Dwyane Bowe after his slow start in 2010. Will they make the same mistake in 2011? Jeremy Maclin is right on the heels of DeSean Jackson as the top wide-out for the Eagles. Vick has shown he will throw it deep to DJ, but more often to Maclin.
Rank Name Pos Fowler Beall Halpin Harmon Composite
41 Tony Romo QB 7 48 45 39 37 42.25
42 Vincent Jackson WR 13 31 43 42 55 42.75
43 Mike Williams (TB) WR 14 46 58 41 42 46.75
44 Dallas Clark TE 2 38 53 45 52 47.00
45 Marques Colston WR 15 51 51 49 45 49.00
46 Matt Schaub QB 8 43 38 62 56 49.75
47 Stevie Johnson WR 16 49 52 48 53 50.50
48 Jason Witten TE 3 56 39 50 57 50.50
49 Matt Ryan QB 9 42 65 59 40 51.50
50 Wes Welker WR 17 44 44 57 63 52.00
Despite returning from injury, the fantasy department has faith Tony Romo can pick up where he left off, ranking him as the seventh best quarterback. Tampa Bay’s Mike Williams will be fun to watch as he tries to build on a successful rookie campaign where he hauled in 11 touchdowns.
Rank Name Pos Fowler Beall Halpin Harmon Composite
51 Ryan Grant RB 22 53 49 58 50 52.50
52 Santonio Holmes WR 18 45 56 51 62 53.50
53 Daniel Thomas RB 23 52 62 64 41 54.75
54 Ben Roethlisberger QB 10 47 54 71 48 55.00
55 DeAngelo Williams RB 24 66 76 36 44 55.50
56 BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB 25 55 60 40 68 55.75
57 Felix Jones RB 26 57 54 57 58 55.75
58 Fred Jackson RB 27 57 75 46 46 56.00
59 Jahvid Best RB 28 65 78 47 51 60.25
60 Vernon Davis TE 4 61 48 82 59 62.50
61 Dez Bryant WR 19 63 69 56 65 63.25
62 Brandon Lloyd WR 20 90 46 63 60 64.75
63 Josh Freeman QB 11 72 36 88 72 67.00
64 Joseph Addai RB 29 68 71 53 78 67.50
65 Jermichael Finley TE 5 84 70 55 64 68.25
66 Anquan Boldin WR 21 62 59 83 69 68.25
67 Marshawn Lynch RB 30 67 64 70 75 69.00
68 Percy Harvin WR 22 58 66 72 81 69.25
69 Joe Flacco QB 12 59 86 78 54 69.25
70 Eli Manning QB 13 60 84 77 61 70.50
71 Sidney Rice WR 23 69 77 67 70 70.75
72 Santana Moss WR 24 70 73 69 79 72.75
73 Mark Ingram RB 31 91 67 76 66 75.00
74 Jay Cutler QB 14 73 79 91 73 79.00
75 Matthew Stafford QB 15 89 90 85 67 82.75
76 Ryan Torain RB 32 74 89 100 71 83.50
77 Johnny Knox WR 25 82 76 75 101 83.50
78 Sam Bradford QB 16 71 68 98 99 84.00
79 Mike Tolbert RB 33 64 101 79 95 84.75
80 Steve Smith (PHI) WR 26 97 80 66 104 86.75
81 Mike Williams (SEA) WR 27 74 72 96 106 87.00
82 Brandon Marshall WR 28 199 37 65 47 87.00
83 Steve Smith (CAR) WR 29 88 97 74 94 88.25
84 Brandon Jacobs RB 34 76 92 104 83 88.75
85 Malcom Floyd WR 30 79 100 61 115 88.75
86 Mario Manningham WR 31 81 110 80 90 90.25
87 Chris Cooley TE 6 86 83 93 100 90.50
88 Pierre Thomas RB 35 77 107 95 92 92.75
89 Ronnie Brown RB 36 78 99 113 82 93.00
90 James Starks RB 37 106 82 89 98 93.75
91 Matt Cassel QB 17 89 96 105 86 94.00
92 Zach Miller TE 7 87 116 87 93 95.75
93 Brandon Pettigrew TE 8 94 105 112 80 97.75
94 Braylon Edwards WR 32 83 91 102 126 100.50
95 Tony Gonzalez TE 9 108 129 90 76 100.75
96 Marcedes Lewis TE 10 125 88 109 84 101.50
97 LaDainian Tomlinson RB 38 104 111 121 74 102.50
98 Mikel Leshoure (will miss 2011) RB 39 105 120 101 85 102.75
99 C.J. Spiller RB 40 107 108 97 103 103.75
100 Michael Bush RB 41 99 114 107 97 104.25
The sexy rookie pick is Miami’s Daniel Thomas. We will have to wait and see if Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are part of the Dolphins’ puzzle, but all signs point to the former Kansas State stud contributing immediately. Fantasy pundits are high on Matthew Stafford’s return following a season where he missed all but three games with a separated shoulder. He ranks out as the 15th best quarterback available.
Consider this group “Fantasy Football Impact Players: The New Class.” Guys like Cincinnati’s A.J. Green, Green Bay’s Jordy Nelson, Washington’s Roy Helu, and New Orleans’ Jimmy Graham are names to keep in the back of your mind when drafting. They may not win you a championship, but could sure bolster your roster.
Harmon and Fowler believe if Plaxico Burress can find a team, he’s worth taking a flier on late in your draft. Three of the four fantasy team members agree Cam Newton is worth a look late, too. Jabar Gaffney, with or without Kyle Orton as his quarterback, snags the grand distinction of Mr. Irrelevant in these fantasy football rankings. Can Tim Tebow be his savior?
Thanks to the worry of a suspended NFL season, the typical elation that encompasses fantasy football took a backseat this summer to the league’s labor issues. But with the nightmare of the lockout finally over, fantasy has vaulted back to the forefront now that, you know, games will actually be played.
With leagues beginning to commence, it seemed apropos to compile a guide for those seeking advice for their upcoming drafts. Below is a collection of strategies and tips that have proven advantageous in my personal pursuit of fantasy glory, and hopefully they will provide the same fortune for you.
Pick two RBs with first three picks
Only 17 players passed the 1,000-yard plateau last season. Just eight scored 10 or more touchdowns. Even fewer (six) amassed over 300 carries. In short: the reliable running back is a dying breed. As most leagues have ten or more participants, finding a serviceable back after the third round will be an arduous task. Granted, Arian Foster, Peyton Hillis, BenJarvus Green-Ellis and LeGarrette Blount were all overlooked or undrafted players that made a fantasy impact in 2010, but only Foster and Hillis ranked inside the top 10 at season’s end. Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson, Jamaal Charles and Foster are in the upper echelon at the position, but LeSean McCoy, Ray Rice, Maurice Jones-Drew, Darren McFadden and Rashard Mendenhall are all viable first-round selections. Even backs like Matt Forte (who quietly had a bounce-back campaign after a disappointing 2009) and Steven Jackson, two players ranked in the teens, have the endowment to serve as the heart of a fantasy squad.
However, after that list, the variety of trustworthy runners becomes slightly murky. While Shonn Greene, DeAngelo Williams and Felix Jones own the aptitude to become elite backs, none would be classified as a steadfast. As most league scoring formats facilitate running backs as the chief component in fantasy, make sure you leave your draft with a solid backfield corps.
Don’t be bullied into picking a QB
Covered more extensively in last week’s article, you can find a proficient passer later than you believe. Occasionally in drafts, when names like Brady, Brees and Manning start flying off the board, one will get pressured into taking a quarterback so as not to be left out in the cold. Depending on your league rules, Brady, Brees and a select few are worthy of a high selection. However, odds are you will be able to draft Joe Flacco or Matt Cassel in later rounds, players who will be extremely productive at a discounted rate. It’s easy to fall in love with quarterbacks thanks to their absurd stat lines, as well as their peripheral endeavors outside of football (such as Manning’s commercials, Brees’ involvement in charity undertakings and Brady’s attempt to grace the cover of every men’s fashion magazine on the planet). Don’t get sucked into the hoopla over fantasy field generals and rest assured ample arms will be available in the middle rounds. That being said...
Take Aaron Rodgers
Confession: I’m in love with a man (superficially that is), and that man’s name is Aaron Rodgers. This affection derives from two sources. Primarily, I always abhorred Brett Favre after he threw Javon Walker under the bus during the wideout’s contract dispute and felt that he purposefully neglected his tutelage of Rodgers; and two, the Packer passer has been the driving force of my fantasy juggernaut in one of my college-based leagues. (In a related note, congrats to my Ohio Bobcats for finally capturing their long-deserved distinction as the top-rated party school in the nation. Never has an alumni group been so jubilant at the devaluation of their degrees.) Besides thriving in a pass-happy offensive attack (3,922 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2010), Rodgers possesses the gift of mobility that’s rare behind center, running for 356 yards and four scores last season. The Cal product’s performance should improve this season with the returns of Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley to the offense. I’m a little worried about the post-Super Bowl hype, but Rodgers seems like a cool enough customer to not be effected by the glorification.
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Reliable receivers are bountiful
In the same breath as quarterbacks are discussed, there’s a plethora of talented wideouts on the market, as over 31 receivers amassed 800 or more yards in 2010. As mentioned in FOXSports.com’s Top 200 player rankings, historical evidence has proven that valuable receivers can be obtained in the middle-to-late rounds of the draft. Need evidence? Brandon Lloyd, Dwayne Bowe, Santana Moss, Stevie Johnson, Hakeem Nicks and Tampa Bay’s Mike Williams were all influential contributors last year, yet none were highly sought during the preseason.
Andre Johnson, Greg Jennings, Calvin Johnson and Roddy White may warrant an early selection, but dependable receivers will be available, so don’t pull the trigger too early on this position.
Stay away from crowded backfields
You may claim Mike Shanahan’s primary objective as coach is to win ballgames; I would counter his sole purpose on this earth is to kill the collective will of every fantasy owner who holds one of his halfbacks on their team. The sardonic aspect is that owning a Shanahan running back used to be an asset, as for years Denver would transform anonymous runners (Olandis Gary, Reuben Droughns, Mike Anderson) into 1,000-yard backs. Yet somewhere along the line, Shanahan realized the potential of employing a committee to handle the running opportunities in his offense, with the theory that a reduction in touches would keep his halfbacks healthy and equate to more production. The upshot of this concept eradicated the value of any back under the once fantasy-fertile Shanahan reign. (And one could make the argument that it hurt the coach’s career, as Shanahan was 101-59 with the Broncos before the carry-by-committee approach compared to a 43-37 mark since implementing the system in Denver and Washington.)
Unfortunately Shanahan’s sentiment toward sharing has spread across the league. BenJarvus Green-Ellis accumulated 13 touchdowns and 1,008 yards last season, but New England’s draft picks of Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley, along with fan favorite Danny Woodhead, make the Law Firm a gamble in 2011. Carolina’s duo of Williams and Jonathan Stewart fall outside the top 25, as their individual presence devalues the other’s worth. Ahmad Bradshaw will compile the yards, but Brandon Jacobs will be the one finding the end zone for the G-Men. Same with Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert in San Diego. And God knows who will emerge from Shanahan’s collection of Ryan Torain, Tim Hightower, Roy Helu, Keiland Williams and Evan Royster in Washington.
Curse you Shanahan for exterminating the fantasy back. Curse you!
Beware of rookies
That murmur you hear is the nodding of owners who selected Ryan Mathews in 2010. Replacing the supposedly dilapidated LaDainian Tomlinson, Mathews was expected to breathe new life into a stagnant San Diego rushing game whose 3.3 yards per carry was a league-low in 2009. This promise correlated to a predicted first-round fantasy pick. Six hundred seventy-eight yards and thousands of destroyed fantasy squads later, it’s safe to say Mathews’ prospects didn’t come to fruition. LeGarrette Blount did submit a 1,000-yard campaign as a rookie in Tampa Bay last season, but Blount was cut by the Tennessee Titans after training camp and wasn’t a prominent part in the Buccaneers’ backfield until Week 7. Sure, Minnesota’s Peterson and Chicago’s Forte excelled as neophytes, but for every promising prospect that has emerged there are dozens of C.J. Spillers, Beanie Wells, and Darren McFaddens who failed to fulfill their lofty first-year forecasts.
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This season’s crop of anticipated impactful youngsters includes New Orleans’ Mark Ingram and Miami’s Daniel Thomas. While both of their games should translate well to the professional level and will get an opportunities to be the featured back, don’t waste a high-round pick on either of the rookies. Same applies to Ryan Williams with Arizona, Mikel Leshoure in Detroit and Helu in Washington.
Be proactive with TEs
This advice lies on the other side of the spectrum from selecting a quarterback, as the discrepancy between the elite and ordinary is extreme. Oddly enough, the fantasy depth at tight end is the strongest it’s been in years, but the upper echelon of the position still hover above the rest. Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, Vernon Davis and Dallas Clark are practically receivers, and aside from a lack of scores, Chris Cooley’s merits are just as worthy as those aforementioned. Although he succumbed to injuries, Jermichael Finley posted phenomenal numbers in his abbreviated appearance in 2010.
After those select six, the drop-off begins. Brandon Pettigrew has a high ceiling, but his play is contingent on the health of Matthew Stafford. Dustin Keller would be slated higher if not featured in a run-first offense. Jimmy Graham certainly has promise, yet Brees has a penchant of spreading the ball around in the aerial attack. Owen Daniels remains a health concern. And if you could somehow combine the stats of Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez, you would have a fantasy tight end godsend; alas, they remain two separate entities. As these options are less than enticing, make sure to be preemptive when selecting a tight end in your draft.
Don’t overstock at one position
This is one of the more heated discussions in the fantasy forum: do you draft on need or availability? To me, this inquiry is simple: with many leagues hamstringing teams with position maximums and only so many roster spots available, draft on need. Utilizing the “best available” premise is only useful if one of your starters disappoints and/or is injured, or if you plan on parlaying that pick in a future trade. The former is an understandable consideration, although if you’re worried about a possible injury or letdown, you probably shouldn’t pick that player in the first place. As for the trade chip philosophy, that’s making the bold assumption that your player is not only desirable to others, but that you will receive fair value in return. Play it safe by drafting for need.
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Sleepers are Sleepers for a reason
Small rant: I have always been amused at the notion of “sleepers,” as the process of listing someone who may experience unexpected success is an oxymoron.
Anyway, many people confuse “sleepers” for “sure-things.” To clarify, a player is bestowed sleeper-status designation thanks to the lack of communal belief in their abilities to consistently contribute to a fantasy squad. Yet numerous owners will begin to stockpile sleepers after their perceived starting lineup is set in drafts. This is a formula for disaster, as your bench will still be a key factor in the outcome of your season.
If you want to take a flyer on a few sleepers, have at it. But wait until your last picks before you proceed in this venture, that way your losses are manageable if the sleeper doesn’t bare fruitful results.
Don’t bet on the comeback
In baseball, owners will often take a chance on a former superstar who’s fallen from prominence, hoping to squeeze out one more dynamic season (think Lance Berkman’s rejuvenation in St. Louis this season). This same logic doesn’t necessarily apply to football, as once a player’s performance begins to declines, it does so at a rapid rate. Favre’s 2009 season in Minnesota and last year’s submission from Tomlinson in the Meadowlands proves this is not necessarily the rule, but the sad truth is football does not facilitate a graceful aging process for players on the way out of the league. In reference to this upcoming campaign, be wary of Donovan McNabb, Tomlinson, Chad Ochocinco and Tony Gonzalez.
Don’t outsmart yourself
Or as I like to refer to it, “the Phil Mickelson principle.” You don’t get any points for being a hero. Take a couple risks, but daring moves tend to backfire in fantasy football. Play it smart in your draft day strategy, and your dividends should be prosperous.
