FFT's Blog O' Fantasy Football

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.

Player Projections, Rankings & Cheatsheets
Change Log – 8/4

Quarterbacks

• Kyle Orton (+12) rises from the ashes as he runs well ahead of Tebow in camp. Trade to Miami, all but dead.
• Jason Campbell (-100 yds), A banged up Ford and losing his top target (Miller) can’t help.

Running Backs

• Beanie Wells (+4), gets first crack at starting job keeping him ahead of Ryan Williams.
• LaDainian Tomlinson (-8), reduced role and salary has L.T. on the slide.
• Shonn Greene (+75 yards), should get around 240-250 carries if he remains healthy.
• Tim Hightower (+3), Torain already banged up. Hightower is next in line for starting job.
• Thomas Jones (-5), could and should lose carries to Le’Ron McClain.
• Jalen Parmele (+29), backing up Rice until the Ravens sign a veteran RB.
• Ronnie Brown (-8), nice pickup for the Eagles, but not so nice for Brown’s fantasy value. Handcuff to McCoy.

Wide Receivers

• DeSean Jackson (-2), working out the kinks as I ponder Jackson’s and Jeremy Maclin’s (+3) value.
• Dez Bryant (+1) I keep bumping him up with up with every update. Kid’s got big upside.
• Mike Williams (SEA) (-14), first Rice, now a pass-catcing TE; Williams is falling into a fantasy wasteland.
• Patrick Crayton (+30), would start opposite Jackson if the Chargers played today.
• Emmanuel Sanders (-8) Everyone’s sleeper wideout can’t get his feet healthy.

Tight Ends

• Zach Miller (-16) Uggh. Moving to Seattle does nothing for Miller’s fantasy stock. Tarvaris Jackson and sharing targets with Carlson? No thanks.

Kickers

• Jeff Reed (#22) lands a job in Seattle.

Player Projections, Rankings & Cheatsheets
Change Log – 8/1

Quarterbacks

• Kevin Kolb (#20) comes to ARI as a QB2 with upside.
• Kyle Orton (-7) slides as starting spots across the league dwindle and rumored MIA deal fizzles.
• Vince Young (+15) lands in a good situation but has little fantasy value barring a Vick injury.

Running Backs

• Slight bump for Ryan Mathews (+5). Darren Sproles moving to NO.
• Willis McGahee (+14) should get more chances in Denver under John Foxes run-first offense.
• Marion Barber (+25) improves his fantasy stock. Handcuff for Forte.
• Chester Taylor (-20) on the chopping block?
• Beanie Wells (+5), Ryan Williams (+5) as Tim Hightower moves to WAS.

Wide Receivers

• Dez Bryant (+3) solidifies his starting role now that Roy Williams (+11) is in Chicago.
• Chad Ochocinco (+7) lands in a good situation. WR3 with upside.
• Deion Branch (-17) remains a starter but loses value.
• Slight bump for rookie A.J. Green (+8). Michael Jenkins out of the picture.
• Plaxico Burress (#38) should start opposite Santonio Holmes.

Tight Ends

• Todd Heap (+3) gets a slight boost. Could be second-leading receiver in Arizona.
• Ed Dickson (+15) gets a crack at the starting job in Baltimore.
• Kellen Davis (+14) gets a crack at the starting job in Chicago but still fantasy irrelevant.
• Greg Olsen (-6) will share targets with Jeremy Shockey in Carolina.

Kickers

• David Akers (#15) signs with San Francisco and vaults into the Rankings.
• Brandon Coutu has been signed in Seattle.