Month: May 2012

Tim Jennings expected to remain a starter for the Bears

stevenlourie News

Tim Jennings was a starter at cornerback for the Bears last season opposite Charles Tillman, but the Bears brought in several cornerbacks this offseason, 2 in free agency in Kelvin Hayden and Jonathan Wilhite, and two through the draft in Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy. Nonetheless, it sounds like Jennings will keep his starting job. According to the Chicago Tribune, “all signs” point to him doing so.

Jennings, one of the league’s most underrated cornerbacks, was resigned for 6.6 million over 2 years earlier this offseason. Jennings doesn’t have elite physical skills and is undersized at 5-8 185, but he’s a perfect fit for the Bears scheme. He was one of two starting cornerbacks to not surrender a touchdown last season and graded out as ProFootballFocus’ 17th ranked cornerback. I see no reason why he should lose his starting job.

[switch_ad_hub]

Morris Claiborne will not be healthy for Cowboys’ June minicamps

stevenlourie News

In the 2012 NFL Draft, the Cowboys gave up a 2nd round pick to jump 8 spots to #6 and grab Morris Claiborne, in spite of the fact that he had wrist surgery. Earlier this week, reports said that Claiborne would probably be healthy for the Cowboys June minicamp, but now it sounds like that’s not going to happen. The Cowboys’ say their target for Claiborne is to have him back for Training Camp.

Claiborne figures to be a week 1 starter opposite Brandon Carr, but young cornerbacks can take a bit to develop and he’s misses valuable practice time. With solid depth in Mike Jenkins and Orlando Scandrick, there’s no rush for the Cowboys to start Claiborne week 1 if they feel he’s not ready, but more than likely he will be.

[switch_ad_hub]

Brandon Jackson leapfrogs Montario Hardesty on Browns depth chart?

stevenlourie News

Montario Hardesty was once a promising 2nd round pick of the Cleveland Browns. However, he got hurt as a rookie in 2010 and missed the entire season, losing his job to Peyton Hillis in the process. Then in 2011, when Hillis was hurt, he struggled to establish himself as the lead back, averaging just 3.0 YPC on 88 carries and suffering through injuries of his own.

With Peyton Hillis signing in Kansas City this offseason, the Browns showed no confidence in giving Hardesty the lead back job, trading up to use the 3rd overall pick on Trent Richardson to be their lead back. When that happened, it looked like Hardesty would be destined to just be a scarcely used backup this season, but now that might not even be the case. According to ESPN Cleveland’s Tony Grossi, it’s Brandon Jackson, not Hardesty, who will be #2 on Cleveland’s depth chart behind Richardson likely because he’s a more refined pass catcher and pass protector.

Grossi also reportedly earlier this offseason that Hardesty’s roster spot could even be in danger because the Browns like what Brandon Jackson and Chris Ogbonnaya can do on 3rd down and special teams. If he’s not healthy, I could definitely see that happening for Hardesty. Either way, it’s become very clear very quickly that Hardesty is as big of a bust as a 2nd round pick can be.

[switch_ad_hub]

Washington Redskins Fantasy Football Projections

stevenlourie 2012 Fantasy Football Preseason, 2012 Team Fantasy Football Previews, Commanders

QB Robert Griffin (Washington)

Cam Newton’s rookie season has fantasy players very excited about Robert Griffin and rightfully so. Griffin won’t rush for the 14 touchdowns Newton rushed for because, well no one does that. As I said under Cam Newton’s write up, the all-time leader in quarterback rushing touchdowns is Steve Young with 43. In his career. And he never had more than 7 in a single season.

He might not rush for as many yards either, but he’s a more refined passer at this stage of his career than Newton was so he could have better passing numbers, especially in Mike Shanahan’s passer friendly offense. They passed 591 times in 2011 with Rexohn Grossbeck. At the very least, I think Griffin will threw fewer interceptions than Newton’s 17. Griffin is a solid low-end QB1 at worst with good upside.

Projection: 3800 passing yards, 20 passing touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 440 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns (272 pts standard/312 pts in 6 pt TD leagues)

RB Roy Helu (Washington)

8/31/12: Helu would seem to be 3rd on the Redskins’ running back depth chart as of right now. Not only did he play in their final preseason game, but he didn’t see much action early in the game with the 2nd team. The Redskins have expressed their doubt in him as a lead back and see him more as a change of pace back, though for what it’s worth, he’s the best pass catching back remaining on the roster now that Hightower got cut. He could also get a few starts knowing Shanahan, but I’d rank him 3rd of the Washington running backs right now.

8/21/12: Helu is hurt and the coaching staff views him as just a change of pace back, for right now at least. He’s only worth a late round flier in deep leagues and only if you don’t mind dealing with the fact that Shanahan could give the starting job back to Royster or Hightower, once he’s given it to Helu, without warning.

I have fucking no clue what Mike Shanahan is going to do with his backs. Draft any of these guys at your own risk. However, if any of them are still available late, I’d grab him just in case. You never know.

Projection: 120 carries 540 rushing yards 3 total touchdowns 25 catches 200 receiving yards (92 pts standard/117 pts PPR)

RB Evan Royster (Washington)

8/31/12: Royster also gets a stock up with Hightower being released simply because there’s less cooks in the kitchen, but Royster did play in the finale with the 2nd and 3rd team, so it doesn’t look like he won’t be the week 1 starter, but he could easily get a bunch of starts this season. He’s worth a late round flier, if you don’t mind week to week uncertainty.

8/27/12: Mike Shanahan hates fantasy football. Alfred Morris could get the week 1 start. Don’t draft any Washington running back until late. He changes his mind with running backs on a weekly basis with no prior notice. I’m willing to bet that one running back not currently on the Redskins roster will get at least one start for them this season.

8/20/12: If you’re going to own one of Washington’s running backs, Royster is the one. Tim Hightower is still not 100% back from his torn ACL and might not be ready for the opener, while Roy Helu is also hurt and viewed as only a chance of pace back. Just note that Mike Shanahan is incredibly frustrating for fantasy owners. Hightower could easily take his job once he returns and he may decide to change his mind on Helu and make him the starter.

See above.

Projection: 130 carries 590 rushing yards 4 total touchdowns 19 catches 150 receiving yards (98 pts standard/117 pts PPR)

RB Alfred Morris (Washington)

8/31/12: Alfred Morris is the biggest beneficiary from the Hightower release. Morris was the only one of the Redskins’ 3 remaining running backs to be held out of the preseason finale this week. This is notable because Shanahan, like many other coaches, held out all of his starters. It looks like Morris was being preserved for a week 1 start. Of course, that doesn’t guarantee anything more than that with Mike Shanahan, but if you put a gun to my head and made me pick one of the Redskins’ 3 running backs, Morris would be the one.

8/27/12: Mike Shanahan hates fantasy football. Alfred Morris could get the week 1 start. Don’t draft any Washington running back until late. He changes his mind with running backs on a weekly basis with no prior notice. I’m willing to bet that one running back not currently on the Redskins roster will get at least one start for them this season.

See above.

Projection: 140 carries 620 rushing yards 5 total touchdowns 17 catches 120 receiving yards (104 pts standard/121 pts PPR)

WR Pierre Garcon (Washington)

Garcon was overpaid in free agency, but he did have 70 catches for 947 yards and 6 touchdowns last season with Curtis Painter throwing him the ball. I don’t know if he’s capable of producing at a high level without Reggie Wayne opposite him, but he should have his first 1000 yard season with Robert Griffin throwing him the ball.

Projection: 70 catches 1000 receiving yards 7 receiving touchdowns (142 pts standard/212 pts PPR)

WR Leonard Hankerson (Washington)

8/13/12: Hankerson looks like the favorite to start opposite Pierre Garcon in Washington, with Moss working out of the slot. The 2011 3rd round pick was a favorite of mine in the 2011 NFL Draft season and he showed his abilities by catching 8 passes for 106 yards in his only start last year, before getting hurt and missing the rest of the season. There’s always a chance that Pierre Garcon struggles to transition to a new team, as so many receivers do, so Hankerson has plenty of upside late.

Projection: 55 catches 800 receiving yards 7 receiving touchdowns (122 pts standard/177 pts PPR)

TE Fred Davis (Washington)

Davis is very underrated. He had 59 catches for 796 yards and 3 touchdowns in 12 games last year, good for 79 catches for 1061 yards and 4 touchdowns over 16 games. He also has an upgrade at quarterback, though he does have much better receiving talent around him. Still, he’s an underrated tight end who should score more this year on a better offense. The biggest concern is he’s a failed drug test away from a season long suspension, but I wouldn’t worry too much.

Projection: 72 catches 950 receiving yards 5 receiving touchdowns (125 pts standard/197 pts PPR)

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

New York Giants Fantasy Football Projections

stevenlourie 2012 Fantasy Football Preseason, 2012 Team Fantasy Football Previews, Giants

QB Eli Manning (NY Giants)

This might seem a little low for the Super Bowl MVP, but Eli has never been an elite fantasy quarterback. The Giants will probably pass less this year after they added a first round running back in David Wilson to compliment Ahmad Bradshaw. Also, I don’t expect Manning to maintain a completely uncharacteristic 8.4 YPA from last season. Before that, his career high was 7.9 and he’s only twice gone over 7.4. In fact, I don’t expect Eli to even approach the near 5000 yards he had last year. Before last year, his career high was 4021 yards. Expect a regression towards the norm for ELIte.

Projection: 4160 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, 17 interceptions, 50 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns (253 pts standard/311 pts in 6 pt TD leagues)

RB Ahmad Bradshaw (NY Giants)

The Giants spent a first round pick on a back this year, which shows they’re committed to getting back to the run in 2012. David Wilson is more talented than Brandon Jacobs, but he won’t steal all the goal line carries. Wilson is also only just a rookie, which, if you look at what rookie first round pick backs have done in history, suggests he won’t have a huge impact, at least as a rookie.

Bradshaw is still the guy at least this year. And you only have to look at Joseph Addai (2009), Chris Wells (2011), DeAngelo Williams (2008), Marion Barber (2008), Fred Jackson (2010) and so on to see how a team spending an early pick on a running back can have a positive effect on the incumbent starter. All 5 of those guys had arguably the best season of their careers in the season immediately after their team drafted a back early.

Projections: 230 carries 1010 rushing yards 9 total touchdowns 38 catches 300 receiving yards (185 pts standard/223 pts PPR)

RB David Wilson (NY Giants)

8/13/12: David Wilson is getting mixed reviews in camp. On one hand, he looks incredibly explosive as a runner, but he’s also struggling with his blitz pickup and the Giants, known for easing in rookies, won’t trust him in obvious pass downs. He’ll still get a good portion of the early down work behind Ahmad Bradshaw and he remains just an injury to one of the league’s most injuries prone backs away for being a legitimate RB2, but I’m moving him down slightly.

Rookie running backs tend to struggle anyway, but David Wilson isn’t even his team’s starter yet. He’ll get carries behind Ahmad Bradshaw as the Giants try to run the ball more this season, but he’ll have to wait his turn for a starting job. He’s some fantasy value, but minimal upside barring an injury to Bradshaw.

Projection: 140 carries 630 rushing yards 6 total touchdowns 22 catches 170 receiving yards (116 pts standard/138 pts PPR)

WR Hakeem Nicks (NY Giants)

8/13/12: I had Eli Manning’s projected numbers back more in line with his career averages, rather than his crazy numbers from last year, as the Giants seem committed to going back running the more ball more this season. However, my projections for Nicks and Cruz were both too high. In 2009 and 2010, the Giants’ top-2 receivers combined for about 2000 yards and 16 touchdowns per year.

Nicks and Cruz should exceed that slightly, but not by much. Nicks is the safer fantasy option and, like I projected earlier, should lead the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, just like he did in the playoffs last season. Cruz is still a one year wonder whose 18.9 yards per catch will be impossible to sustain.

8/7/12: I moved Nicks down a little bit when he got hurt, but he’s practicing already and looks fine. He won’t miss any time, so I moved him back up.

5/27/12: Nicks could be in a race to play week 1 with a broken foot. I won’t knock him down too much, but it’s worth noting.

I’ll take Hakeem Nicks over Victor Cruz. Nicks has a proven history of success as he has 79 catches for 1052 yards and 11 touchdowns and 76 catches for 1192 yards and 7 touchdowns in the last 2 seasons. He’s also bigger so he should have more touchdowns than Cruz, who had more touchdowns between the two last season. Hicks was also significantly better in the playoffs, 28/444/4, than Cruz, 21/269/1.

Projection: 80 catches 1070 receiving yards 10 receiving touchdowns (167 pts standard/247 pts PPR)

WR Victor Cruz (NY Giants)

8/13/12: I had Eli Manning’s projected numbers back more in line with his career averages, rather than his crazy numbers from last year, as the Giants seem committed to going back running the more ball more this season. However, my projections for Nicks and Cruz were both too high. In 2009 and 2010, the Giants’ top-2 receivers combined for about 2000 yards and 16 touchdowns per year.

Nicks and Cruz should exceed that slightly, but not by much. Nicks is the safer fantasy option and, like I projected earlier, should lead the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns, just like he did in the playoffs last season. Cruz is still a one year wonder whose 18.9 yards per catch will be impossible to sustain.

I’d be wary of buying high on Cruz. He did nothing before his breakout year last year and his 18.7 YPC is going to be hard to maintain. Nicks and Cruz had equal amounts of targets last year, Nicks with 133 and Cruz with 131. If that happens again this year, they’ll probably have more similar stats. I also like Nicks to have the edge in touchdowns.

Projection: 64 catches 1000 receiving yards 7 receiving touchdowns (142 pts standard/206 pts PPR)

WR Rueben Randle (NY Giants)

Randle will come in on 3-wide receiver sets and move Cruz to the slot and he’ll see a good amount of the field. The Giants have been very impressed with him in practice so far and they used a high pick on him. Mario Manningham managed 39 catches for 523 yards and 4 touchdowns in 12 games in a similar role last year. He has some fantasy value.

Projection: 45 catches 620 receiving yards 5 receiving touchdowns (92 pts standard/137 pts PPR)

TE Martellus Bennett (NY Giants)

Bennett was a great blocker in Dallas, but never did anything in the passing game behind Jason Witten. However, he did have 49 catches in his last season at Texas A&M and Eli Manning has made Kevin Boss and Jake Ballard look like better pass catchers than they actually were before. There’s some value with him in very deep leagues.

Projection: 40 catches 600 receiving yards 4 receiving touchdowns (84 pts standard/124 pts PPR)

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland comments on wide receivers

stevenlourie News

After trading Brandon Marshall this offseason, the Dolphins’ receiving corps instantly turned into one of the worst in the league. They didn’t spend any premium picks on the position through the draft, opting instead to address their other many needs, and as of right now, it’s very, very unclear how the depth chart order will shake out at wide receiver for the Dolphins.

Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland is not the man who will have the final decision on the matter, but he did assemble this group so his comments today were interesting. He called Brian Hartline and Davone Bess “players with tremendous experience,” said Legedu Naanee has “looked really good” in practice, and then talked up Marlon Moore and Robert Wallace.

It’s looking like a case of tremendous delusion in Miami. Even if Naanee does look really good in practice, there is no logical way to define Brian Hartline and Davone Bess as “players with tremendous experience.” The two have a combined 369 career catches over 7 career combined seasons. It’s actually kind of sad and telling that “experience” was the best thing he could come up with for those two, though I guess compared to the rest of the receiving corps, they are experienced.

Naanee, meanwhile, had 44 catches last season as a slot receiver in Carolina. He’s a decent, but unspectacular player who has only surpassed 24 catches once in 5 seasons. Moore and Wallace, meanwhile, are 2nd year players who have 6 catches each thus far in their careers. They’ll probably be non-factors once again this year behind Hartline, Bess, and Naanee.

It’s interesting to note that Ireland named 5 players before getting to Clyde Gates, BJ Cunningham, and Jeff Fuller. Gates was a 4th round pick of Ireland’s last year, but it doesn’t sound like the speedy one trick pony is progressing as Ireland would have hoped. Cunningham and Fuller are both rookies, Cunningham going in the 6th round and Fuller going undrafted, and it doesn’t appear that either will have a major impact this season if they even make the roster. Gates’ roster spot is reportedly in danger as well. All in all, the whoever the Dolphins’ quarterback is, he’s going to have a miserable time finding open receivers this season.

Yeremiah Bell expected to start for Jets

stevenlourie News

Yeremiah Bell signed a one year deal with the Jets earlier this week, picking them over the Eagles, who were also interested in the veteran safety. It’s now clear why. ESPN New York is reporting that the Jets signed Bell to be a starter, an opportunity that he wouldn’t have gotten elsewhere because he’s 34 years old and pretty washed up.

However, for the Jets, Bell actually does represent an upgrade over incumbent Eric Smith. Smith could still see the field a lot this season, however, because their other safety LaRon Landry is not healthy and might not be all season. It’s safe to say Bell and Smith would represent the worst safety tandem in the NFL. The Jets are really hoping that the oft injured, but gritty Jim Leonhard can be healthy for Training Camp and resign with the team. They also took fliers on two safeties late in the 2012 NFL Draft, Josh Bush and Antonio Allen.

[switch_ad_hub]

Raiders’ Terrelle Pryor “isn’t planning” on being a backup

stevenlourie News

The Raiders traded a 1st and a 2nd round pick to Cincinnati last year for Carson Palmer and then signed Matt Leinart to be his backup, but don’t try to tell Terrelle Pryor that. Pryor today was quoted as saying that he “isn’t planning” on being a backup. It’s unclear whether he’s just saying that to sound competitive or if he’s completely delusional, but he did acknowledge in that interview that Carson Palmer is the starter so maybe it’s the former.

Pryor will enter the season as the Raiders’ #3 quarterback. There has been some talk this offseason of him playing different positions like tight end, wide receiver, and/or wildcat. Barring major injuries at the quarterback position, his best bet to get onto the field this year is probably going to be at another position, if at all.

Pryor was highly thought of by Al Davis, who used a 3rd round compensatory pick on him last offseason, but when Davis passed away last October, Pryor lost his biggest and possibly only supporter. Most of the league did not share Davis’ assessment of Pryor, not an uncommon occurrence in Davis’ life, and it doesn’t look like the Raiders’ new regime believes Pryor can develop into the player Davis thought he could.

[switch_ad_hub]

Dallas Cowboys Fantasy Football Projections

stevenlourie 2012 Fantasy Football Preseason, 2012 Team Fantasy Football Previews, Cowboys

QB Tony Romo (Dallas)

He takes a lot of heat in real life, but Romo is a great fantasy quarterback, possibly underrated, in fact. With the exception of 2010 when he played just 6 games, he’s averaged 30 touchdowns and 13 interceptions and he’s gone over 4100 yards in his last three 16 game seasons.

Projection: 4320 passing yards, 29 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 80 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown (280 pts standard/338 pts in 6 pt TD leagues)

RB DeMarco Murray (Dallas)

DeMarco Murray is a very talented back and he should be the lead back because they only have the injury prone and disappointing Felix Jones behind him. There was even some talk that Jones would be traded or cut this offseason. However, Murray got hurt down the stretch last year, something that happened to him often at Oklahoma in college. It’s tough to project him among the league leaders in carries for that reason. It’s also worth noting that the Cowboys have only rushed for an average of 10 touchdowns per season in the last 3 years, including just 5 last year.

Projection: 240 carries 1080 rushing yards 7 total touchdowns 35 catches 250 receiving yards (175 pts standard/210 pts PPR)

RB Felix Jones (Dallas)

There’s really no point in owning Felix Jones unless DeMarco Murray gets hurt. Murray took over for Jones when he got hurt last year and didn’t look back. Even when Jones came back, Murray had 59 carries to Jones’ 11 in 3 games before Murray got hurt. Jones has had every chance to be the lead back and has never been able to hold down the job. Luckily, Murray is injury prone, but even then, Jones could split carries with Phillip Tanner or he might get hurt himself.

Projection: 80 carries 360 rushing yards 2 total touchdowns 27 catches 200 receiving yards (68 pts standard/95 pts PPR)

WR Dez Bryant (Dallas)

8/20/12: Austin is battling hamstring problems still and Witten is out indefinitely with a lacerated spleen. Bryant, who is having a strong offseason on the field, could be due for a huge season in his 3rd year in the league, typically a breakout year for receivers. He’s the clear #1 option in one of the best passing attacks in the league.

Dez Bryant caught 63 balls for 928 yards and 9 touchdowns in 15 games last year. He’s now in his 3rd year, a frequent breakout year for receivers, and should have his best year yet, especially if he plays 16 games for the first time in his career.

Projection: 72 catches 1100 receiving yards 10 receiving touchdowns (170 pts standard/242 pts PPR)

WR Miles Austin (Dallas)

8/20/12: Miles Austin has missed all of the Preseason with hamstring problems. He should be fine for week 1, but hamstring problems tend to linger and he missed 6 games and caught just 43 passes for 579 yards and 7 touchdowns last year because of hamstring problems. He’s got upside, but let him be someone else’s problem.

He’s an injury risk after only playing in 10 games last year, in which he caught 43 passes for 579 yards and 7 touchdowns. However, before last year in his previous 17 games with Tony Romo, Austin has 109 catches for 1725 yards and 12 touchdowns. Over 16 games, that’s 103 catches for 1624 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s clearly the #2 receiver to Dez Bryant now, but there’s definitely buy low value with him.

Projection: 63 catches 850 receiving yards 8 receiving touchdowns (133 pts standard/196 pts PPR)

TE Jason Witten (Dallas)

8/31/12: Jason Witten will reportedly be a game time decision for week 1 as he tries to come back from a lacerated spleen suffered a couple of weeks ago. This is much better news than his original prognosis, which was doubtful for week 1. At the very least, this news should mean that he’ll be in the starting lineup week 2.

An incredibly consistent producer, Witten has between 64 catches for 754 yards and 96 catches for 1145 yards in every season since 2004 and is averaging 5.16 catches for 59.07 yards and 0.31 touchdowns per game in that time period. Over 15 games, that’s 77 catches for 886 yards and 5 touchdowns. That’s not a bad year at all. You can safely draft him as your TE1 in fantasy. Even if he misses one game, tight end is a deep enough position that you can pick someone up off waivers for just one game and get decent production.

8/20/12: Witten is out indefinitely with a lacerated spleen. Unfortunately, the timetable for his return is very murky with this type of injury. He’ll have to remain idle for about a week and hope it heals and that he’ll avoid surgery. Reports says that’s the most likely scenario, but even if that scenario, he’d be questionable for week 1. Witten is incredibly tough and hasn’t missed a game since 2003, but I’m still cutting his original projected numbers to estimate that he plays 14 games instead of 16.

Jason Witten is as consistent as they come. He hasn’t missed a game since 2003 and he’s had between 79 and 96 catches and 942 yards and 1145 yards in each of the last 5 years. Believe it or not, he’s still only 30.

Projection: 77 catches 900 receiving yards 5 receiving touchdowns (120 pts standard/197 pts PPR)

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

Oakland Raiders Fantasy Football Projections

stevenlourie 2012 Fantasy Football Preseason, 2012 Team Fantasy Football Previews, Raiders

QB Carson Palmer (Oakland)

Excluding the Kansas City game, where he was still getting into the flow of things and wasn’t even supposed to play, Palmer played 9 games last year. He threw for 2637 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Over 16 games, that’s 4688 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions. Some think he could improve on those numbers as he has another year in the system, but I have a hard time believing he improves on his 8.4 YPA from last year, especially since his career high before that was 7.8 and his career average is 7.1. He also turns 33 in December. That TD/INT ratio could improve, but remember, he led the league in interceptions in 2010.

Projection: 4120 passing yards, 22 passing touchdowns, 21 interceptions, 40 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns (214 pts standard/258 pts in 6 pt TD leagues)

RB Darren McFadden (Oakland)

8/27/12: I’m still down on McFadden, but I’m moving him up because he’s looked really good this preseason. He’s not worth a 1st round pick though. He’s way too injury prone. He’s never played more than 13 games in a season or had more than 227 carries and has only once gone over 113 carries in 4 seasons. He’s their everything back, but he’s almost a sure bet to miss 3-4+ games, at least.

Darren McFadden has only once gone over 113 carries in 4 seasons. There’s upside here, but there’s also downside. He’s a talented back who averages 4.8 YPC over his career and he’ll have no competition for the lead back job if he’s healthy, I just don’t trust him to be healthy.

Projection: 200 carries 960 rushing yards 8 total touchdowns 41 catches 350 receiving yards (179 pts standard/220 pts PPR)

RB Taiwan Jones (Oakland)

8/27/12: Jones won the backup job after a strong preseason. McFadden is almost certain to miss 3-4+ games and Jones will probably get 15+ touches in those games. He’s incredibly fast and talented. If you do draft McFadden, make sure you take this talented handcuff late.

Like Mike Goodson, Jones is a name to know because of how injury prone McFadden is. Neither of them have much value until McFadden goes down, but he will and in that case, both will be ownable.

Projection: 120 carries 540 rushing yards 4 total touchdowns 20 catches 180 receiving yards (96 pts standard/116 pts PPR)

WR Denarius Moore (Oakland)

8/20/12: Moore has missed all of the Preseason and most of Training Camp with a hamstring problem, which he’s been dealing with for 2 months. Hamstring injuries tend to linger and Moore missed time with injuries last season too so he probably won’t play all 16 games this season. I’ve cut his projected stats to account for a decrease in projected games played from 16 to 14 and lowered his YPC because hamstring injuries can sap explosion.

In 6 games with Carson Palmer, not including the Kansas City game, Moore caught 19 passes for 406 yards and 3 touchdowns, good for 51 catches for 1083 yards and 8 touchdowns over 16 games. He’s having a great offseason and Carson Palmer loves throwing to him so in his 2nd season, Moore could have a huge year assuming he plays in all 16 games, or at least comes close.

Projection: 48 catches 860 receiving yards 7 receiving touchdowns (128 pts standard/176 pts PPR)

WR Darrius Heyward Bey (Oakland)

Darrius Heyward Bey proved he was more than fast last season, catching 64 passes for 975 yards and 4 touchdowns. His production was about the same with and without Carson Palmer so he should match those numbers this year.

Projection: 66 catches 960 receiving yards 6 receiving touchdowns (132 pts standard/198 pts PPR)

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]

[switch_ad_hub]