With Fantasy Football season upon us, I will be exploring the best picks by position, who to avoid and who potential sleeper picks.
Quarterbacks:
1. Aaron Rodgers: Come on, would it ever be anyone else. This guy is consistent, he passes, he runs, he stays healthy. A stud for all fantasy leagues.
2. Tom Brady: Another consistent player, while he may not run he throws for tons of yards, year in and year out. This year should be no different, throwing to Gronkowski and Welker. Consistency is the key and Brady certainly provides that.
3. Drew Brees: The suspensions should not affect the Saints offense, so Brees is the way to go. He always throws for tons of yards, as the Saints never run the ball. A gold mine for fantasy players.
Quarterback bound for a big year:
Philip Rivers (1): Get Rivers, as he will be picked after these top guys, but offers tons of upside. He threw 20 interceptions in 2011, but expect that to be an aberration, as he threw 11, 9, and 13, from 2008-10.
Avoid:
Peyton Manning: Manning missed the entire 2011 season and is believed to still be rehabbing his neck. One hit could knock Manning out, so you don’t want to risk that.
1. Ray Rice: He is young, he stays healthy, he catches balls, and most of all rushes for a ton of yards. How can you go wrong?
2. Arian Foster: While he was a little bit injury-plagued in 2011, he is a young back, with huge upside. He has never had a bad season, he is just somewhat injury prone.
3. LeSean McCoy: Great rusher, receiving may vary, but certainly try to grab this guy.
Sleeper:
1. Adrian Peterson: I know it sounds crazy that Peterson could be considered a sleeper pick, but he is coming off major knee surgery, leaving many people hesitant to pick him. He is looking like he will be ready to start the season, so go ahead and grab him.
Avoid:
Maurice Jones-Drew: Don’t be the guy that takes a chance on a someone who has not showed up to camp, thus far. This contract dispute is bad, so don’t expect him to report. Don’t waste your pick.
Wide Receivers:
1. Calvin Johnson: Megatron is a sure bet for tons of catches, yards and touchdowns. He also played all 16 games last season, so enough said.
2. Larry Fitzgerald: Fitzgerald is a stud every year and perhaps the safest bet of the Wide Receivers.
3. Wes Welker: How many guys can you pencil in for 100 catches? Welker and no one else. Pick him.
Sleeper:
1. Jordy Nelson: He is not getting enough respect in many leagues, especially when you consider that he had his first breakout season last year and should be expected to continue that trend this season. Having Aaron Rodgers throwing to them never hurt anyone, either.
Avoid:
A.J. Green: Many quarterbacks take a step back in their second season, which could happen to Andy Dalton. If Dalton struggles, he will take Green down with him.
Tight Ends:
1. Rob Gronkowski: Caught a ton of touchdowns last year, along with 90 passes. Expect more of the same from Gronk.
2. Jimmy Graham: Graham is similar to Gronkowski, which should yield similar, outstanding results.
3. Aaron Hernandez: In spite of being the second tight end, behind Gronkowski, Hernandez is amazing and could catch 100 balls. Pick him.
Sleeper:
Brandon Pettigrew: Caught 83 balls last year (1), and with Matthew Stafford’s continued success, expect great things from Pettigrew.
Avoid:
Jason Witten: Witten is getting up there in age and his spleen injury is scary.
Kickers are a crap shoot, good luck with them. Defense is too touch to predict, also.
Enjoy your season.
sources: nfl.com
