Hello all! Last week was the first run episode of Fantasy Focus, and the guys did alright. I took home the trophy, having the highest ranking picks for the week while Josh Arsenault, Ryan Kauffman, and Papa Weimer did pretty good work listing their Top 5 at each position. Josh and Ryan looked like they got together to do this in NFL Week 2 Fantasy Football, having very similar Top 5 lists, but I assure you they live quite far away from each other, and have much different hair colors. Like last week’s article, I also have 3 levels of nice plays for the week, and going along with those 15 upside picks, I also have five guys I wouldn’t want to see in my starting lineup this week. Hopefully I can keep up the good work! Hope you enjoy!
Elite Starters: Guys picked early that I love this week…
1. Michael Turner – Mike will get a lot of carries, and this week he’ll double last week’s yardage output.
2. Tom Brady – I know the Jets looked nice last week against Schaub and company, but Tom is a different beast.
3. Marques Colston – I think Marques has a big week against some DBs that struggle against big, tall receivers.
4. Steve Smith – Steve was targeted 13 times last week, I’d say he gets the same, but does a lot more with those looks.
5. Brian Westbrook – This is less risky than last week, Westy will be leaned on, especially if Donovan is out.
Solid Starters: Guys picked in middle rounds that should outplay their ranking/draft position this week…
1. Eddie Royal – I still believe in Eddie, despite last week’s low numbers. Good match-up against Cleveland.
2. Ronnie Brown – A disappointing Week 1 has him falling down the charts, but I’d take Ronnie against Indy.
3. Joe Flacco– Flacco will see yet another defense looking to stop his runners, that should once again open up his air attack.
4. Joseph Addai – Addai had a decent showing last week, but he’ll be a Top 10 back this week.
5. Leon Washington – I think Leon gets more action this week against the Patriots, I don’t think the Pats match up with him well.
Sleeper Starters: Guys ranked low, drafted low or not at all, but I still like them this week…
1. Michael Bush – Bush looked really good against San Diego, the Raiders will run the ball a lot against KC.
2. David Garrard – I like Garrard to be more accurate this week, finishing in the Top 15 amongst QBs.
3. LenDale White – Ignored as a starter, White will get a handful of goal line carries this week, and should cash in.
4. Mike Bell– Even as Pierre comes back, Mike is the power back Coach Dumb wanted, he’ll get enough carries against Detroit.
5. Nate Burleson – One more week as a sleeper for Nate, he’s still owned in not enough leagues.
Sit ‘Em Son: I don’t care where they were drafted, I don’t like these guys starting this week…
1. Jay Cutler – Another tough one for Chicago’s new franchise QB, the Steelers are tough on any QB.
2. Reggie Bush – The Saints will run a lot against the Eagles, and Bush is the 3rd best runner in that backfield.
3. Steven Jackson – Big Al makes life tough on choppy footed running backs. Sit on SteJack.
4. Julius Jones – Usually a softer defense, I think the 49ers will be tough against the run this year, JJ doesn’ t catch many passes.
5. Patrick Crayton – After a big Week 1, Patrick got picked up in many leagues, I would leave him out against the G-men.
PS – Don’t start injured or suspended players, it makes you look dumb.
Week 2 Fantasy Rankings
Josh Arsenault Ryan Kauffman Papa Weimer Lucky Lester QBs---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Drew Brees 1.Drew Brees 1.Drew Brees 1.Tom Brady 2.Peyton Manning 2.Peyton Manning 2.Tom Brady 2.Kurt Warner 3.Aaron Rodgers 3.Tom Brady 3.Tony Romo 3.Peyton Manning 4.Kurt Warner 4.Kurt Warner 4.Matt Hasselbeck 4.Joe Flacco 5.Matt Schaub 5.Aaron Rodgers 5.Kyle Orton 5.Drew Brees RBs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Adrian Peterson 1.Adrian Peterson 1.Adrian Peterson 1.Michael Turner 2.Maurice Jones Drew 2.Chris Johnson 2.Michael Turner 2.Brian Westbrook 3.Brian Westbrook 3.Maurice Jones Drew 3.Darren McFadden 3.Adrian Peterson 4.Ronnie Brown 4.Clinton Portis 4.Maurice Jones Drew 4.Frank Gore 5.Clinton Portis 5.Brian Westbrook 5.Thomas Jones 5.Chris Johnson WRs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Greg Jennings 1.Reggie Wayne 1.Larry Fitzgerald 1.Randy Moss 2.Larry Fitzgerald 2.Larry Fitzgerald 2.Reggie Wayne 2.Larry Fitzgerald 3.Reggie Wayne 3.Randy Moss 3.Steve Smith 3.Marques Colston 4.Andre Johnson 4.Roddy White 4.Jericho Cotchery 4.Andre Johnson 5.Steve Smith 5.Greg Jennings 5.Calvin Johnson 5.Steve Smith TEs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Jason Witten 1.Jason Witten 1.Tony Gonzalez 1.Dallas Clark 2.Chris Cooley 2.Dallas Clark 2.John Carlson 2.Jason Witten 3.Tony Gonzalez 3.John Carlson 3.Dallas Clark 3.Zach Miller 4.Jeremy Shockey 4.Tony Gonzalez 4.Owen Daniels 4.Kellen Winslow 5.Zach Miller 5.Owen Daniels 5.Jason Witten 5.Chris Cooley DSTs----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1.Steelers 1.Vikings 1.Vikings 1.Steelers 2.Ravens 2.Steelers 2.Steelers 2.Packers 3.Vikings 3.Redskins 3.Ravens 3.Falcons 4.Seahawks 4.Patriots 4.Packers 4.Redskins 5.Falcons 5.Packers 5.Cowboys 5.Vikings Kickers------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The three other guys would rather kick Lucky than rank kickers, so no dice on the K rankings!