2009 Draft Prep: 10 burning questions
By Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer Follow DaveFollow CBS Fantasy Football
Editor's note: We recently asked our staff of Fantasy writers a wide variety of intriguing questions as we all continue to prep for our upcoming Fantasy drafts. Chances are you'll agree and disagree with something you read below.
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| 1. Who will be the No. 1 running back by the end of the season and why? | |
| Eric Mack | Adrian Peterson. No one combines his situation, supporting cast, offensive approach and talent. He has finally proven to be durable, which was his last hurdle. With or without Brett Favre, the Vikings have an explosive, championship-caliber offense that features Peterson "All Day." He led the league in non-QB, non-center touches last year. And he could be Priest Holmes, Marshall Faulk, LaDainian Tomlinson -good for years to come. |
| Scott White | I have to go with Adrian Peterson here. That's why you draft him first, right? He offers the best combination of safety and upside, and at his age, you have to think he'll hold a top spot in the rankings for years to come. Unless you need receptions, you can't make a convincing argument for anyone else. |
| Sergio Gonzalez | The safest bet is still Adrian Peterson. He is young and at a stage in his career where he can and will take on huge workloads. He won't give you a lot of receptions in PPR leagues, but yards and touchdowns are still what it is all about. Peterson is a lock to be among the league leaders in both. |
| Ian Melmood | Not Adrian Peterson. Just kidding. Peterson is hands down the best Fantasy running back with or without Brett Favre at the helm of the offense. He is expected to put on some weight in the offseason as well, which could help him get into the end zone more often. |
| Dave Richard | I think we'll see Adrian Peterson go wire-to-wire as the best back in Fantasy, meaning he'll be taken first in most drafts and end the year in first among rushers. A great O-line, a great schedule and an evolving offense should put him in position to thrive in his third season. |
| Jeff Lippman | The easy answer here is Adrian Peterson of Minnesota. That's why my answer is going to be Adrian Peterson of Minnesota. He's hands down the feature player in all of Fantasy Football and will absolutely shine, Brett Favre or not, for the Vikings this season. |
| Jamey Eisenberg | Maurice Jones-Drew has the opportunity to turn his part-time success into elite stardom now that Fred Taylor is in New England. The Jaguars are desperate for playmakers, and Jones-Drew will get the majority of carries and could also lead his team in receptions. He also knows how to find the end zone and will thrive. |
| Ross Devonport | This is really a no-brainer since Adrian Peterson is head and shoulders above the rest of the No. 1 guys. He finally has a legitimate quarterback, no matter if his name is Brett or Sage, and maybe he'll start catching a few more balls. |
| Peter Madden | Sure, I could say Adrian Peterson, but what would that accomplish? A guy who stands out to me going into the season is Matt Forte. The Bears finally have a legitimate quarterback that can stretch the field. Forte has little competition for touches and can catch the ball out of the backfield. |
| Michael Hurcomb | I'll live dangerously and pick Steven Jackson. First-year head coach Steve Spagnuolo is a defensive guy by nature, so you know he is going to preach ball control. Jackson looked very strong down the stretch in 2008 when he finally was healthy, totaling 105 carries for 424 yards and four touchdowns (three rushing) in four December games. |
| 2. Which projected first-round pick would you avoid this year and why? | |
| Eric Mack | I wouldn't avoid any first-round pick. They are ranked there because they are proven commodities. I would gladly take any of the projected first-rounders if they slip into the second round. If I had to pick one, I guess Drew Brees -- just because I don't pick quarterbacks in the first round (unless they are Tom Brady or Peyton Manning). Brees is a good player in a great system, but mediocre teams tend to go bust statistically more than the consistent giants of the NFL like the Pats and Colts. |
| Scott White | Steven Jackson. He's a near certainty to get hurt, and he plays for one of the worst teams in football -- one that'll surely spend the second half passing more often than not. I'd avoid Brian Westbrook and LaDainian Tomlinson too, but the continued hype on Jackson makes the least sense to me. |
| Sergio Gonzalez | Receivers are scary. They are easier to shut down on any given week than say a running back or a quarterback and can be so erratic that investing so much of a team's success on them can put a Fantasy squad in the hole out of the chute. I'd avoid Larry Fitzgerald and Andre Johnson in Round 1. |
| Ian Melmood | Chris Johnson has nicknamed himself "Every Coach's Dream" this offseason. If I'm a defensive lineman or linebacker, I'm taking this guy out. Johnson will be the main target of every defense he faces, which could open the door for a skinnier LenDale White to take away from Johnson's production even more this season. |
| Dave Richard | Chris Johnson had a monster first season in Tennessee, but I'm skipping him in 2009. Sharing the ball with a smoother, motivated LenDale White won't help his cause, nor will the Titans' improved passing game or their tougher schedule. |
| Jeff Lippman | I'd rather not draft New England's Tom Brady. Of course, he could have an amazing rebound year and be the top quarterback in Fantasy. Or he could struggle to find rhythm out of the gate and stumble. With even a tiny shred of uncertainty, I'll just go in another direction. |
| Jamey Eisenberg | Michael Turner was dominant last year and established himself as a star, but he did it against some mediocre run defenses in Detroit, Kansas City, Oakland, Denver and St. Louis. He also had a whopping 377 carries last year, which is a red flag of doom the following season. He will not live up to his draft status, especially with a tougher schedule. |
| Ross Devonport | DeAngelo Williams is undoubtedly a No. 1 running back, but the fact he splits carries with Jonathan Stewart and that Carolina has the second-toughest schedule in the league makes me a little nervous. I'd leave him until late in the first round. |
| Peter Madden | I would be a little hesitant to put my faith in either Michael Turner or Maurice Jones-Drew. Turner's workload last season trumped what he did in San Diego in four years combined, and MJD has never had more than 200 carries. Something just tells me wear and tear might be an issue for both. |
| Michael Hurcomb | I'm taking the easy way out and picking Brian Westbrook. I know he has overcome many injury problems in the past, but he is still slow to recover from offseason ankle surgery. And the whole reason Philly took LeSean McCoy in the second round of the NFL Draft was to help ease Westbrook's burden. |
| 3. Which player who is off most people's radar would you target as a late-round sleeper and why? | |
| Eric Mack | Joey Galloway. Whenever I need a sleeper -- usually it is at the wide receiver position, because of my tendency to need depth there in my drafting strategy - I look to the best offenses in the NFL. Usually they are centered around the best passers. Usually those quarterbacks have two great receiving options. Often, their No. 3 guy steps forward and surprise (See Steve Breaston last year). This year's best No. 3 option is old and past his prime, but I like Tom Brady's tendency to use all of his weapons. Give me the still-speedy Galloway late. |
| Scott White | Miles Austin. Sure, the Cowboys have Roy E. Williams, but he doesn't have quite the same presence Terrell Owens did. The Cowboys will have to spread the ball around more, and Patrick Crayton isn't the answer. Austin certainly has the size to become an impact player, and he also has the confidence of the coaching staff. Expect him to start by Week 5. |
| Sergio Gonzalez | Pierre Garcon. This unknown receiver has a chance at stepping into the third receiver slot in Indianapolis with Marvin Harrison gone, and everyone knows how fruitful a position that could be. Think of the years Brandon Stokley, Anthony Gonzalez and even Dallas Clark have had playing up the middle in that pass-heavy offense led by Peyton Manning. If he gets open and wins the job, Manning will find him -- and often. |
| Ian Melmood | Rashied Davis is currently listed second on the Bears' depth chart, and he could be in line for a big season in 2009 with Jay Cutler throwing the ball in Chicago. His stats from last season are less than impressive (35 catches, 445 yards, two touchdowns), but Kyle Orton is no longer throwing him the ball. |
| Dave Richard | You never like to project injuries or bad play, but the Browns are thin offensively and Jamal Lewis is no spring chicken. A bright spot in the team's run game this offseason has been the shifty Jerome Harrison, and it's not too silly to think that he could find extended playing time and produce better than a late-round pick. |
| Jeff Lippman | Chicago isn't known for wide receiver talent, but with Jay Cutler in the Windy City there should be Fantasy points to be had. Punt returner-turned-wideout Earl Bennett is expected to be a bigger part of the offense and has the hands and big-play ability to soar for the Bears. |
| Jamey Eisenberg | T.J. Duckett is someone who's starting to pique my interest because the Seahawks need someone to carry the ball, and Julius Jones always seems to struggle. I haven't seen Duckett being selected in many mock drafts this offseason, but he will be the one scoring touchdowns and could see an increase in carries if Jones falters. |
| Ross Devonport | Hakeem Nicks has the skills to be an impact player in his rookie season, will get the ball thrown to him by a decent quarterback and really has limited competition for targets among the very average Giants receiver corps. I'll be circling him on my draft board, for sure. |
| Peter Madden | Earl Bennett could be an instant hit with new quarterback Jay Cutler in Chicago. The two played together at Vanderbilt, and it's not like the Bears are loaded with go-to guys on the outside. If he can stay on the field and open some eyes in training camp, he could be one of the more popular additions off the waiver wire in September. |
| Michael Hurcomb | The Giants need someone to pick up the slack for 1,000-yard rusher Derrick Ward, and it looks as though third-year running back Ahmad Bradshaw is the guy. He will be more of a complementary back to Brandon Jacobs, but he has averaged 6.1 yards per carry in his career and has the breakaway speed Jacobs lacks. |
| 4. Which projected backup Fantasy quarterback will end up as a starting option and why? | |
| Eric Mack | Eli Manning's consistency is hard to pass up, even with the lack of talent at wide receiver for the Giants this year. The Giants held plenty of leads last year and were running the ball to kill the clock, which didn't give Manning the chance to showcase his passing skills. But when he needs to win a game with his arm, he will come through. I'd also go with Ben Roethlisberger in this category. |
| Scott White | Kyle Orton. With quarterbacks, it's all about the system for me, which is why I'll take somebody like Orton over Ben Roethlisberger. His head coach, Josh McDaniels, engineered maybe the best passing season in history with the Patriots in 2007 and later made a star out of a nobody in Matt Cassel. Orton already had some appeal at times with the Bears last season, so in McDaniels' system, who knows what he'll become. |
| Sergio Gonzalez | Ben Roethlisberger is generally thought of as a good leader and field general, but not necessarily one of the better quarterbacks in the league in terms of putting up numbers. That may be about to change. He's got solid young receivers around him who are ready to break out, a good running game and one of the best overall offenses in the AFC. |
| Ian Melmood | Terrell Owens always seems to have success in his first year playing for a new quarterback. That means Trent Edwards could be in for a big season in Buffalo. T.O. seems to be more interested in reality TV than football this offseason, but he could help Edwards emerge as a top threat in 2009. |
| Dave Richard | Kyle Orton is on my Fantasy wish list, so I'd recommend him here. The Broncos are expected to be a pass-heavy offense, and they have great targets in Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal to go along with a stout offensive line. Orton will benefit from all of that and should post career-best numbers under the Josh McDaniels regime. |
| Jeff Lippman | Matt Hasselbeck has historically been a top-notch Fantasy quarterback but last season was an absolute nightmare due to most of his receivers being injured. The team has healthy talent catching the football this season, and that should help rejuvenate the 10-year veteran. |
| Jamey Eisenberg | Trent Edwards and Matt Hasselbeck should both crack the Top 12, but I'll go with Hasselbeck here since he's been a starting Fantasy option before. He's healthy again from last year's back woes and should enjoy throwing to T.J. Houshmandzadeh and John Carlson. If Deion Branch and Nate Burleson provide anything, Hasselbeck will thrive. |
| Ross Devonport | The addition of Terrell Owens gives Trent Edwards a nice target to throw to, and he won't have to worry about J.P. Losman breathing down his neck any more. He'll need Marshawn Lynch to play like we know he's capable of, though. |
| Peter Madden | Everyone seems down on Brady Quinn, and I don't see why. Sure, he didn't light up the scoreboard when he finally got his chance last season before getting injured, but the talent is there. I think this is the year where he shows a great deal of growth and develops a rapport with Braylon Edwards. |
| Michael Hurcomb | Trent Edwards should be heavily impacted by the T.O. effect. Terrell Owens has made the likes of Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb and Tony Romo into top Fantasy options, and his presence should help Edwards' progression. Let's not forget Lee Evans is also on the other side of the field as a top target. |
| 5. Which team has the best running back tandem for Fantasy owners to target and why? | |
| Eric Mack | Carolina Panthers. DeAngelo Williams could have been the NFL MVP last year. I love it when talent finally seizes the day. Williams will continue to be a beast for a team built to showcase his talents. And, oh, Jonathan Stewart gives his teammate a run for his money. If Stewart wasn't around, Williams would be my No. 1 overall pick on Draft Day. If Williams wasn't around, Stewart would be a top 10 pick. All told, both of them could finish in the top 12 by season's end. |
| Scott White | I generally avoid tandems, but Carolina has the one most likely to generate two must-start Fantasy options. DeAngelo Williams probably won't repeat last year's numbers, but he's a slam-dunk first-rounder even at 80 percent of that performance. And Jonathan Stewart proved last year he doesn't need 1,000 yards to serve as a No. 3 Fantasy running back. |
| Sergio Gonzalez | The DeAngelo Williams-Jonathan Stewart combination is the top running back tandem to target for Fantasy purposes. When one considers that Stewart, the "lesser" of the two backs, scored 10 touchdowns with 836 rushing yards last season, it makes both players useful in all Fantasy formats. If one were to go down due to injury, the other player would be in line for a huge Fantasy boost. |
| Ian Melmood | DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for 2,351 rushing yards last season. They have six years experience in the league combined and should only get better in 2009. The tandem was particularly strong in the second half of the season, making them even scarier looking ahead to this year. |
| Dave Richard | The Panthers might have the best tandem, but the best Fantasy rushers to shoot for are in New York with Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and rookie Andre Brown. Not only should the Giants continue to run early, often and successfully, but getting all three backs won't cost owners much more than a second-round pick, a mid-round pick and a late-round flier. |
| Jeff Lippman | Let's face facts. Tampa Bay isn't going to be very good through the air. But with Earnest Graham and Derrick Ward on the roster, the Bucs could be a ground force to be reckoned with. Graham and Ward are both speedy, elusive runners who will give defenses fits next season. |
| Jamey Eisenberg | The emergence of Pierre Thomas and the return to health of Reggie Bush should make the tandem in New Orleans extremely helpful for Fantasy owners. They're not going to hurt each other's individual value, and you can almost start both in any format. Thomas will score more touchdowns, and Bush should get plenty of yards from scrimmage. |
| Ross Devonport | I really like the Titans combo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White, even if Johnson thinks he's above the 'smash and dash' nickname. There aren't too many duos I would consider starting at the same time in my Fantasy lineup, but I like the two dimensions these guys provide. |
| Peter Madden | No doubt it's Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. Either one could lead the league in rushing, and the two combined could carry your Fantasy team. You'd have to invest a lot to get your hands on both, but in my opinion, having both of these guys in your lineup each week would put you a leg up on almost every team you face. |
| Michael Hurcomb | The Tennessee duo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White was something else in 2008. They combined for 2,001 rushing yards and 25 touchdowns (24 rushing). There has been a bit of a feud brewing between the two in the offseason as to who is the better back, but that should only continue to fuel the fire in 2009. |
| 6. If you could only have one wide receiver from this group, which one would you draft (Terrell Owens, Brandon Marshall, Roy E. Williams, Dwayne Bowe and Steve Smith)? | |
| Eric Mack | People love those receivers, but that is really a motley crew. I probably won't end up with any of them because the juice isn't worth the squeeze at this point. Smith probably would be atop my rankings there. Bowe might be the most productive. But I will just wait on that group and just take whichever ones falls to me. If I get Williams, I could wind up with the best one ... at a fraction of the cost. That's why I usually end up with extra money to buy Christmas presents every December. |
| Scott White | Steve Smith gets the nod for me based purely on year-to-year consistency. Those other choices all have risk factors he doesn't, and his track record suggests he's a slam dunk for 1,200 yards -- and potentially more -- in a full 16 games. Even if the Panthers' running game makes him a boom-or-bust option from week to week, he'll be far more boom than bust. |
| Sergio Gonzalez | Barring injuries, Steve Smith has the least amount of question marks surrounding him out of this group. Dwayne Bowe stands out as a third-year receiver with a promising quarterback, but defenses may be able to key in on him with Tony Gonzalez gone. Roy E. Williams can be a beast but is coming off a disappointing season where he struggled to fit into the Dallas system. Brandon Marshall can't seem to stay away from being suspended and his quarterback is now Kyle Orton and not Jay Cutler. And T.O. is, well, T.O. Fantasy owners never know what to expect from him. Smith is as steady a Fantasy receiver as there is when he is healthy and is therefore the safest pick. |
| Ian Melmood | Smith has been Jake Delhomme's go-to guy for years now. All the rest of these options are catching passes from quarterbacks that they aren't necessarily comfortable with yet. Smith has a mouth on him, but it's impossible to argue with his results. He is a dynamic playmaker and should be in for another big year. |
| Dave Richard | Bowe is the youngest in this group and should outscore his peers in 2009. He's the go-to receiver in Kansas City's offense, which should put the ball in the air quite a bit. He's also been solid in his first two seasons and will be in his third year now (first year in Todd Haley's offense). Also, there are no injury concerns for Bowe, making him all the more appealing. |
| Jeff Lippman | Marshall tailed off last season after his historic 18-catch game. Still, the youngster's learning how to be a professional and has already shown the type of Terrell Owens-like talent that doesn't come around very often. You can't teach Marshall's size and speed. When he puts it all together, watch out. |
| Jamey Eisenberg | I'll take the guy with the best quarterback, and that's Williams. Tony Romo once made Terrell Owens cry, and he's going to rely on Williams to replace Owens. Marshall and Bowe have the most potential, Smith would be the best with a better quarterback and Owens will do fine in Buffalo, but Williams gets the slight nod here. |
| Ross Devonport | I would have to go Smith here, simply because he's the only one with a half-decent, proven starting NFL quarterback throwing him the ball. While Jake Delhomme isn't the guy he used to be, he just seems to always have that innate sense of where Smith is and when he's going to be open. |
| Peter Madden | I'll go with Bowe, only because I see flaws with each of the other guys. The Chiefs could quickly develop a dynamic offense under new coach Todd Haley, and new quarterback Matt Cassel will likely look to involve Bowe often. With Tony Gonzalez out of the picture, Bowe is the passing game for the Chiefs. |
| Michael Hurcomb | I just can't get past Smith's desire to win. He might be outspoken at times, but it is driven because he wants the ball in big-time situations. The 5-foot-9 Smith is one of the most dangerous players in the NFL when he touches the rock. His track record on the field is impeccable. |
| 7. LaDainian Tomlinson should not be drafted before ...? | |
| Eric Mack | I actually see sleeper potential in L.T. this season. He won't get drafted right after Peterson, Jones-Drew and Forte -- my personal top three -- but Tomlinson is healing from a banged up year and is capable of having one last big year, so take him at No. 4. The Chargers are a great offense and will have an improved defense with the return of Shawne Merriman. To me, I look at a running back's defense because that is what sets up the offense in scoring position. And L.T. is still a threat to score from any spot on the field. |
| Scott White | Tomlinson looks like a second-round pick to me. He just turned 30, and his injury problems will only increase as he gets older. Both the presence of Darren Sproles and the impact of natural regression limit Tomlinson's ceiling, and you can clearly find safer options than him late in the first round. I'd take Clinton Portis or Larry Fitzgerald before I took Tomlinson. |
| Sergio Gonzalez | The fifth pick. The former king of Fantasy Football has taken a step back but is still worthy of selecting in the first round of all formats. The top four running backs are set with Peterson, Turner, Jones-Drew and Forte. Outside of those running backs, Tomlinson belongs in the next tier with DeAngelo Williams, Frank Gore, Chris Johnson and Steve Slaton because of what he can offer on the ground and through the air and his ability to find the end zone. |
| Ian Melmood | Tomlinson is no longer a first-round pick. That means the earliest I would take him is No. 13 overall. I'd have a hard time telling someone that I know that I took Tomlinson as my first overall pick in any draft. He could be back in 2009, but his advanced age definitely makes him a question mark. |
| Dave Richard | Not before 13th. We've heard nothing but good news from Chargers camp this offseason about L.T. but I'm still a skeptic. He's 30, he's had over 2,500 career carries, eight-plus seasons of full-workload duty, he's been banged up over the last calendar year of games and he has to look over his shoulder at Darren Sproles. If I'm not getting the pre-2008 Tomlinson, I'm not taking him in the first round. |
| Jeff Lippman | Tomlinson shouldn't be drafted before the No. 5 pick. That might be a little early, but we're talking about the No. 1 pick from a season ago. Sure, he was disappointing due to injuries, and he's 30 now, but L.T. could easily have a bounce-back year and be a top Fantasy option. |
| Jamey Eisenberg | I'll take Tomlinson at No. 6 overall because even at 30 and coming off a down year, he still fits all the criteria you look for in an elite running back. Majority of carries? Check. Scores touchdowns? Check. Catches the ball? Check. Plays in an explosive offense with a good offensive line? Check. Plays in a weak division? Check. And now he's motivated, so I expect one more great season. |
| Ross Devonport | I would say the seventh pick. I can see him legitimately picked before Steven Jackson, but not DeAngelo Williams. Williams might be in for a down season after last year's gem, but there isn't the high possibility of him missing six games and being a bust like there is with LT. |
| Peter Madden | No owner should take L.T. before Forte, Jones-Drew, Peterson or Turner, but after those four, who could argue with taking Tomlinson? All signs point to him having a bounce-back season in 2009. He's healthy, in a prolific offense and motivated to show his critics he's got something left. |
| Michael Hurcomb | The fifth pick. A lot of folks are down on L.T. because he barely crossed the 1,000-yard threshold in 2008, lost carries to Darren Sproles, battled a nagging toe injury and is 30 years old. But he still has some pep in his step and seems driven for a bounce-back season. |
| 8. Will Tom Brady return as the No. 1 Fantasy quarterback and why? | |
| Eric Mack | Yes. Brady has the best deep threat in football in Randy Moss and the best possession receiver in Wes Welker. A team that was 11-5 and out of the playoffs after a 17-0 season - and now hungry. Brady has something to prove all over again. And we saw what happened the last time he had something to prove. Three championships, when they said the Pats won because of its defense. A record-setting season, when it could have been said Peyton Manning was the better statistical player. Philip Rivers had his best season coming off knee surgery. Brady won't have a career year, but half of his record-setting year could still lead Fantasy Football. |
| Scott White | I don't think so, but not because I lack confidence in him or his ability to bounce back from this injury. I just think 2007 was a magical, once-in-a-lifetime year, and now that it's over -- and it is, especially with the change at offensive coordinator -- Brady will have nothing that distinguishes him from the other 25-30 touchdown guys in the league. Give me Drew Brees or Peyton Manning over him. |
| Sergio Gonzalez | It is possible, sure. His knee injury may not be as much of an issue as some people would venture to guess, but the likelihood of him throwing for 50 touchdowns again like he did 2007 is not great, and it has nothing to do with the knee. That was a once-in-a-lifetime season that is unlikely to be repeated. But Brady can be in the same class as Peyton Manning and Drew Brees with a chance to be the top overall quarterback in Fantasy. Those guys make up the top tier of quarterbacks by themselves. |
| Ian Melmood | No. Drew Brees will repeat as the top Fantasy quarterback in 2009. Brady is going to need some time to shake the rust off, and I wouldn't be surprised if he had a few bad starts in the beginning of the season. Brees nearly broke the single season passing mark last year and all of his go-to options are coming back healthy. |
| Dave Richard | I'm not concerned about Brady's knee being an issue after a near-year of being on the shelf. I'm more concerned about him shaking the rust off in camp this summer. Assuming that happens, he'll have a shot to be the MVP in Fantasy. Remember, his arm, hands, eyes and brain have been just fine while he's rehabbed his knee. |
| Jeff Lippman | Brady will not return as the No. 1 Fantasy quarterback. He'll be up there, but not the top quarterback in all of Fantasy. Missing virtually an entire NFL season will throw off anyone's timing, and New England's golden boy is no different. He'll struggle at first and that will ultimately hurt him. |
| Jamey Eisenberg | Brady will regain his perch. The Patriots don't have a strong running game and they want to lean on their passing game with Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Quarterbacks coming off ACL injuries tend to have big years. Brady will edge out Drew Brees and Peyton Manning to be No. 1 again. |
| Ross Devonport | I think Brady will have a solid 2009 campaign, but I just can't see him putting up better numbers than Drew Brees with all the weapons at his disposal. I can also see Bill Belichick finding ways to take the pressure off Brady a little early in the season. You know teams will be blitzing him plenty to see if Brady still has that Week 1 hit in his mind from 2008. |
| Peter Madden | I think it's easy to suggest he'll get right back to where he was in 2007, but that seems unrealistic. It'll be a full year between regular season games, and his timing can't possibly be perfect right from the get go. He'll eventually get back to where he was, but he might start slowly, which would make it difficult to end the year atop the quarterback rankings. |
| Michael Hurcomb | No. I don't care if Brady was Superman. Coming back from a serious knee injury is going to affect his psyche. Throwing on the side is nothing like when a linebacker is blitzing off the corner. I still think Drew Brees and Peyton Manning are primed for better seasons. |
| 9. Who is the Fantasy rookie MVP this year and why? | |
| Eric Mack | Knowshon Moreno. You can criticize his poor combine time, his size, his situation, his supporting cast -- heck, criticize the spelling of his first name, if you want. What you can't do is count out a Broncos running back out of Georgia. Terrell Davis made a Hall of Fame-caliber career for himself and he was drafted five rounds later. |
| Scott White | Knowshon Moreno. Maybe he's a little small, but when's the last time "size issues" actually became an issue? Steve Slaton? Nope. Chris Johnson? Try again. Maurice Jones-Drew? Not even close. Moreno is big enough and coming off a record-setting career at a school known for its running backs. And he wasn't just the product of a loaded supporting cast. He leaped, juked and spun his way to a better highlight reel in two years than most NFL prospects have in four. That talent will win out in the end. |
| Sergio Gonzalez | Knowshon Moreno has a chance to make the biggest statistical impact if he can become the featured back for the Broncos. Denver has been a breeding ground for Fantasy running backs in the past, and Moreno was the top-rated running back in this year's draft and is ready to make an immediate mark. Rookie quarterbacks aren't always as successful as Matt Ryan was last year and receivers are hard to peg as they rely on too many factors they do not control. |
| Ian Melmood | Knowshon Moreno is competing with career backup Correll Buckhalter for the starting job in Denver, a team that will rely on Kyle Orton behind center. Moreno should win the starting job eventually in 2009, and the Broncos are going to run the ball a ton if Orton struggles. |
| Dave Richard | It's hard to pass on Beanie Wells. He might share reps with Tim Hightower, including at the goal line, but there is no chance he'll ever see more than seven defenders in the box against him with the Cardinals' towering receiving duo on the field. That's a dream for running backs, and Wells should churn enough yards to make him an asset. Hopefully he stays healthy. |
| Jeff Lippman | Georgia's Knowshon Moreno only has Correll Buckhalter standing between him and the starting job in Denver. The Georgia product is far more talented than the former Eagles backup and should rip the starting job away by mid-season. Once that happens, expect Moreno to be top Fantasy option for any league. |
| Jamey Eisenberg | Beanie Wells has the best opportunity of any rookie. Arizona will try to establish more of a ground game this year, and Wells will beat out Tim Hightower for the starting job. He also will be the one scoring touchdowns and will prove to be a better receiver than advertised. He has a better situation than any other rookie running back and the talent to be successful. |
| Ross Devonport | I correctly picked Matt Ryan to win Rookie of the Year in 2008, so the pressure is on here. I really like Beanie Wells in Arizona to take home the award in 2009. He should get a ton of snaps and has two stellar receivers that will help keep those safeties back. |
| Peter Madden | LeSean McCoy fell into the right situation to succeed right from the start. He's the perfect fit for Andy Reid's offense, will excel as a third-down/change-of-pace back and could be on the field plenty with Brian Westbrook's current ankle woes and injury history. The Eagles may have finally found the right type of player to backup Westbrook. |
| Michael Hurcomb | Had Beanie Wells not been slowed by injury in college, he would have been a Top 5 draft pick. The Cardinals got great value late in the first round, and Wells is now on a team that needs a power back. If Arizona gets near the goal-line, Arizona could turn to the 6-foot-1, 228-pounder to punch it in. |
| 10. What fallen star from 2008 will rebound in 2009? | |
| Eric Mack | I think a lot of the fallen stars will rebound and come back closer to their career levels, save for the 30-year-old running backs like Larry Johnson. With that said, I will make an exception for a Hall of Fame talent with LaDainian Tomlinson. He will be a productive player out of the second round, or even the late first. I also would count on Joseph Addai. He was banged up last year, but so was Peyton Manning and the Colts offense sputtered some altogether. I see a rebound year from that NFL behemoth. Manning and Addai will be major parts of it. |
| Scott White | Everything about Braylon Edwards' 2008 screams fluke to me. He dropped too many passes, had inexplicably bad play at quarterback and played for a coaching staff clearly on its way out the door. Eric Mangini got more out of less talented players with the Jets, and I trust him more than I did Romeo Crennel. If you get Edwards as your third receiver, it's a steal. |
| Sergio Gonzalez | Braylon Edwards is far too talented to have another bad year and at 26 years old, has the ability to turn things around. A fresh start with a new coaching staff should help, and Edwards is sure to be the primary target in Brian Daboll's offense. He'll be a huge target in the red zone, especially. |
| Ian Melmood | Braylon Edwards' success is going to rely heavily on the success of new Browns starting quarterback Brady Quinn. Edwards was a breakout stud in 2007 with 16 TDs then mustered only three in 2008. He is too talented to have another season like that, and Quinn will get the ball to Edwards if he wants to have success. |
| Dave Richard | Larry Johnson has been on my wish list this year because I think he rebounds strong. The Chiefs' new no-nonsense regime opted to keep him while not adding more talent to the running back corps. Subsequently, L.J. has pulled trade requests and kept his mouth shut for much of the offseason. Someone's going to have to carry the ball for the Chiefs, and Johnson is best suited for it. |
| Jeff Lippman | Reggie Bush definitely wasn't all he was cracked up to be last season, but 2009 could be a whole different story. With Pierre Thomas firmly affixed as the team's starting running back, a healthy Bush will be a very real home run threat every time he touches the football. |
| Jamey Eisenberg | Carson Palmer's 2008 season was ruined by an elbow injury, but he will bounce back this year now that he's healthy. Prior to getting hurt, he was a top 5 Fantasy option, and his No. 1 target, Chad Ochocinco, is also motivated for a rebound year. Along with Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry, the Bengals have a good receiving corps, and Palmer will get back to being a star. |
| Ross Devonport | Matt Hasselbeck will be looking to put an awful 2008 behind him, and with the addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh and his other wide receivers healthy again, he has a great chance to do just that in 2009. You just have to hope his back injury doesn't flare up again. |
| Peter Madden | Both Matt Hasselbeck and Carson Palmer I think are ready for big seasons. But if I had to pick one, it's Hasselbeck, who has one of Palmer's old targets in T.J. Houshmandzadeh and a good young tight end in John Carlson. The fact that he plays in a division with little defense helps. Best part is he's being drafted as a backup Fantasy option. |
| Michael Hurcomb | Antonio Gates is a player that had a down year in 2008 because of injury. Still, despite ankle and toe issues, Gates posted 60 catches for 704 yards and eight touchdowns. If healthy, he can definitely get back up over 900 yards and threaten as a double-digit touchdown maker. |
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