By Robby Wellington – Staff Writer
After two weeks of NFL action, trends have developed and players’ stocks have changed drastically from their preseason and draft day values. Of note. . .
Running Backs
Denver, New England and New Orleans all look like even backfield time shares, with all six players having decent value as a third running back or flex play most weeks. Reggie Bush looks like an every week starter, especially in points per receptions leagues, while Laurence Maroney is a Corey Dillon injury away from becoming a dominant fantasy force. After no carries week one, DeAngelo Williams may have already unseated DeShaun Foster in Carolina. He certainly has more fantasy value right now. Frank Gore is legit and, despite playing for the 49ers, is a borderline top ten back. Speaking of which, Joseph Addai should continue to see more touches in Indianapolis and post some impressive numbers. If you can still get him for a reasonable price, go for it. LT is looking like the clear-cut number one fantasy player right now, followed closely by Michael Turner.
Quarterbacks
Poor Drew Bledsoe and Jake Plummer. After week one, everyone seemed almost sure that neither guy would keep their starting job throughout the season, which to me seems a bit preposterous considering they both play for playoff caliber teams with Super Bowl aspirations. Still, we were subjected to countless pundits debating whether or not they should get the hook while ESPN.com asked readers which one would be benched first (‘neither’ wasn’t an option). While Bledsoe was able to keep the critics at bay with a solid Sunday night performance, Plummer was booed in an ugly win. If Plummer can be had for dirt cheap, I say go for it, as he should keep his job and post a couple of good fantasy performances this season. Peyton Manning should be rewarding owners who grabbed him in the second round with big performances all season, as he approaches his ridiculous 2004 numbers. Donovan McNabb is looking like the third best fantasy QB right now, supplanting Tom Brady, while Michael Vick is back with a vengeance and a likely 1,000 rushing yards this season, barring injury of course. Aaron Brooks is done for, and Daunte Culpepper is a middling fantasy option this year, at best.
Wide Receivers
Wide Receivers haven’t seen a huge shift in value one way or another. The soon-to-be overcrowded Seattle situation should put a damper on Darrell Jackson and Deion Branch’s numbers, rendering them each passable WR2 options. Go ahead and drop Nate Burleson. Donte Stallworth is looking like the real deal and should remain a top-20 WR throughout the season. Terry Glenn and Joey Galloway were both classic ‘bust’ picks this year, but both looked good on Sunday and should be able to approach their surprising totals from last year. TO has BO and is probably a second tier guy at this point, as I would put him behind the Colts’ wideouts. That said, if you like your chances of making your league’s playoffs and can get the guy for a discount, go for it.
The Raiders
I almost forgot to mention that the offensive ineptitude of the Raiders has been staggering, and Lamont Jordan and Randy Moss have seen their values take huge hits. I can’t encourage anyone to ‘buy low’ or even to ‘sell low’ on these guys, but I’ll go ahead and say I have them ranked in the high teens at their respective positions. Buy or sell accordingly.
On a sad note, I got crushed by a completely inferior team in the fantasy baseball playoffs after watching my squad come through with an OPS in the low 600s. Does anyone else think head-to-head fantasy baseball is ridiculous? Me too.
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