FFT's Blog O' Fantasy Football

Player Projections, Rankings & Cheatsheets
Change Log – 9/4

Quarterbacks

• Charlie Batch (+25) will backup Ben Roethlisberger now that Byron Leftwich is on IR.

Running Backs

• Jamaal Charles (-2) … becoming more leery of the Chiefs’ chances of having a successful offense. Moeaki was a key blocker in the running game.
• Deji Karim (+42) becomes the backup to MJD in JAX. Rashad Jennings owners are crying in their soup.
• Montario Hardesty (+16) gets a nice bump after Brandon Jackson goes on IR.

Wide Receivers

• Golden Tate (-25) drops like a rock after completing a dismal preseason. Look for Ben Obomanu to be the third receiver in Seattle.

Tight Ends

• Tony Moeaki (dropped) is out for the season after tearing his ACL in the Chiefs final preseason game.

Kickers

• Garrett Hartley (-13) is out 6-8 weeks with a hip flexor.
• Dan Bailey (+21) will handle field goals and extra points for the Cowboys. David Buehler will handle kickoffs through the endzone.
• Matt Prater (+10) was named the starting kicker for the Broncos.

Player Projections, Rankings & Cheatsheets
Change Log – 9/1

Quarterbacks

• Matt Ryan (+1) prefer Ryan over Flacco.
• John Beck (+3) likely to be opening day starter.
• Kyle Boller (+20) should win the backup job behind Campbell.

Running Backs

• Arian Foster (-1) second hamstring tweak of the preseason is a concern.
• Chris Johnson (-2) holdout will likely get done this week but practice time missed is never good.
• Reggie Bush (+5) becoming more bullish on Bush. Injury risk keeps him out of the top-20.
• Ben Tate (+20) the most talented of the Foster backups.

Wide Receivers

• Johnny Knox (+12) is still outplaying Roy Williams in camp.
• Mike Sims-Walker (+5) will likely land a starting spot.
• Victor Cruz (+42) is the favorite to win the starting slot receiver position.

Tight Ends

• Chris Cooley (-3) is expected back to practice this week but his knee will likely cause him discomfort all season.
• Zach Miller (SEA)(+3) on the rise now that John Carlson is out for the year.

Player Projections, Rankings & Cheatsheets
Change Log – 8/25

Quarterbacks

• Peyton Manning (-3) The signing of Collins doesn’t bode well for Manning’s Week 1 status.
• Tim Tebow (-6) may not even be the #2 QB when the season starts.
• Kerry Collins (#37) has little value unless Manning’s injury is long-term.

Running Backs

• Matt Forte (-1) may lose more touches to Marion Barber than he did to Chester Taylor last year.
• Ahmad Bradshaw (-3) will likely split carries with Jacobs on an even basis this year.
• Cedric Benson (-7) could find tough sledding in an offense with a rookie QB.
• Reggie Bush (+5) being named the starter doesn’t hurt your fantasy value.

Wide Receivers

• Roy Williams (+2) has been handed a starting WR spot but isn’t making the most of the opportunity. He’s being out-played in camp by Knox.
• Mike Sims-Walker (+2) is running with the first team in St. Louis but this position still needs to shake itself out.

Tight Ends

• Greg Olsen (+8) will likely be the team’s 2nd leading receiver.

Player Projections, Rankings & Cheatsheets
Change Log – 8/18

Quarterbacks

• Matt Ryan (+2) Perhaps a little more passing than running for the Falcons in 2011.

Running Backs

• Michael Turner (-4) Perhaps a little more passing than running for the Falcons in 2011.
• Jahvid Best (+1) just some housecleaning. I prefer Best’s upside over Fred Jackson’s.
• LeGarrette Blount (+1) just some housecleaning. I prefer Blount’s upside over Fred Jackson’s.

Wide Receivers

• Roddy White (+2) moves up a couple spots within Tier 1. The Falcons are giving the impression their days of pounding the rock with Michael Turner are fading away.
• Donald Jones (+36) is expected to land a starting spot in Buffalo opposite Steve Johnson.
• Brandon Gibson (+7) is running with the first team in St. Louis but this position still needs to shake itself out.
• Denarius Moore (+29) has been the best receiver in Oakland’s camp to date.

Tight Ends

• Lance Kendricks (+2) is turning heads in camp. He’s close to landing the starting TE job as a rookie.

Player Projections, Rankings & Cheatsheets
Change Log – 8/15

Quarterbacks

• Matt Ryan (+1) may have the best wide receiver tandem in the league.

Running Backs

• Peyton Hillis (+3) moves up as Montario Hardesty (-5) can’t shake the injury bug. Brandon Jackson is the clear #2 RB.
• Tim Hightower (+13) has a grasp on the #1 running back spot but Shanahan is lurking.

Wide Receivers

• Dez Bryant (+4) gets pushed into the 1000-yard receiver club. Every time I update the Rankings, he’s moving higher. At this rate, he’ll be my #1 WR by September 1st.
• This undisclosed illness business with Jeremy Maclin (-3) is worrisome. His Week 1 status is in question.
• Lance Moore (+5) is becoming everybody’s sleeper, value play, and man-crush. I’m on board.
• Lee Evans’ (+1) move to Baltimore is only a marginal increase in his fantasy value… it likely benefits Boldin and Rice more than Evans himself.
• Legedu Naanee (+64) has a chance at a starting receiver role due to the ACL injury to David Gettis (dropped).

Tight Ends

• Antonio Gates (-100 yds) remains my #1 TE but ongoing talk of him being on a snap count is eroding my confidence in him.
• Greg Olsen (+6) is clearly going to be a main weapon in this offense, especially considering the lack of quality wide receivers.

Kickers

• Clint Stitser (dropped) goes bye-bye. Mike Nugent becomes the Bengals kicker you don’t want to draft.

Player Projections, Rankings & Cheatsheets
Change Log – 8/11

Quarterbacks

• Kyle Orton (+1) trades places with Kolb.

Running Backs

• Mark Ingram (+10) trades place with Pierre Thomas (-10). Ingram’s talent is showing in camp and likely to earn him the starting spot over Thomas.
• Montario Hardesty (-41) can’t seem to shake his ACL injury and has yet to practice. Brandon Jackson (+41) is the #2 RB right now.
• Jerome Harrison (+36) replaces Mikel Leshoure in the Lions backfield.
• Ben Tate (-22) continues be plagued by injuries. He’s currently missing practice with a hamstring problem and is running behind Derrick Ward (+3) and Steve Slaton.

Wide Receivers

• Marques Colston (-4) is recovering slowly from knee surgery. His injury risk is growing by the day.
• Johnny Knox (-44) has seen his fantasy value tumble, as he is not on the same page with the coaching staff. Roy Williams (+13) and Devin Hester (+31) are running first team with Earl Bennett (+27) in the slot.
• Jacoby Ford (+12) and Darrius Heyward-Bey (+5) are the current starters. Louis Murphy (-37) is #3.

Tight Ends

• Julius Thomas (#38) enters the rankings as he continues to impress in Denver’s camp. Daniel Fells (#36) is currently the starter.

Player Projections, Rankings & Cheatsheets
Change Log – 8/9

Running Backs

• Mikel Leshoure dropped from the list due to Achilles injury. Tough break for the rookie.
• Jahvid Best (+5) moves up but not as much as you might think. Can’t envision the Lions giving him more than 220 carries this year.
• Ricky Williams (+27) improves his fantasy stock after landing in Baltimore to back up Ray Rice.

Player Projections, Rankings & Cheatsheets
Change Log – 8/8

Quarterbacks

• Peyton Manning (-1) falls a spot below Brady due to neck concerns.

Running Backs

• Jamaal Charles’ (-2) schedule is weighing on my mind.
• Thomas Jones (+2) moves back up after Haley makes clear Le’Ron McClain (–8) is strictly a fullback.
• Rashad Jennings (+4) – continue to like his upside. Could be a big surprise in 2011.

Wide Receivers

• Dwayne Bowe (-2) slides a couple spots. More weapons this season in the Chiefs passing game.
• Johnny Knox (-3) is losing reps to Roy Williams (+20) in practice. Why doesn’t Martz play them at different positions?
• Derrick Mason (-30) signing is basically Plaxico (-2) insurance. Mason goes from a starter to option #3.
• Malcom Floyd (+12) resigns in SD and returns to a starting role.
• Michael Crabtree (-3) can’t stay healthy and Braylon Edwards’ (+3) arrival is an ominous sign.

Tight Ends

• Flip-flopped Rob Gronkowski (+6) and Aaron Hernandez (-6). It’s too bad these two have to share targets.
• Jared Cook (+10) becomes Hasselbecks pass-receiving option now that Bo Scaife (-4) has moved on.
• Travis Beckum (+21) takes a big leap as he becomes the starting tight end now that Kevin Boss (-5) has moved on to Oakland.
• Ed Dickson (-3) may be the starter but it appears the Ravens like Dennis Pitta (+7) enough that he will share in the pass-receiving responsibilities.