Fantasy Tracker

Fantasy Tracker

Quoth the Ravens, nevermore

September 08, 2010 , ι By ANTHONY SULLA-HEFFINGER

The Baltimore Ravens have gone from having one of the most-feared defensive units in the NFL to potentially having one of the most-feared offensive attacks in the league.With the emergence of Ray... Read on

The Baltimore Ravens have gone from having one of the most-feared defensive units in the NFL to potentially having one of the most-feared offensive attacks in the league.
	 
With the emergence of Ray Rice as one of the game’s top running backs, the development of third-year quarterback Joe Flacco and the offseason additions of Anquan Boldin, Donte Stallworth and most recently, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, the Ravens offense will look to fly high this season.
	 
Here are a few fantasy-related items to consider when looking at the 2010 Baltimore Ravens:
	 
A Bold statement.¤.¤.
	 
The trade for Anquan Boldin gave the Ravens something they haven’t had in a long time, a legitimate number one receiver. While Boldin is one of the game's best receivers, I’m not as high on the Ravens’ top target as I was a few days ago.

AP

The acquisition of Houshmandzadeh may give Flacco another nice target to throw to, but he will also inevitably steal some balls from Boldin, who after years of being overshadowed by Larry Fitzgerald in Arizona, gets his chance to be “the guy” in Baltimore.
	 
Don’t get me wrong, the move to get Houshmandzadeh was great (especially considering he signed for the veteran minimum), but he benefits more from having Boldin than Boldin benefits from having him.
	 
Housh was a glorified No.2 who couldn’t beat the double coverage and high expectations he faced in Seattle, and once the Seahawks brass realized what the rest of the league did three years ago, he became a roster casualty.
	 
Housh had his best years when he was lined up opposite Chad Ochocinco (Johnson at the time), and he will benefit from having Boldin snagging passes with him, but I don’t see the benefit being reciprocated to the same degree.
	 
No longer your average Joe
	 
Joe Flacco will make the jump to elite status this season. Mark it down now.
	 
Flacco will have the most weapons he has ever had in his short career and he will utilize it to become one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in 2010.

REUTERS

With Rice, Boldin, Houshmandzadeh, Stallworth, Mason and Heap, it will be nearly impossible for Flacco to not throw 25+ TDs this season.
	 
For those of you who drafted him in the later rounds, you’ve gotten a steal. Anyone in last minute drafts, Flacco should be considered as a top 5-10 QB.
	 
Rice, Rice baby

AP

Rice will be able to run for days with the amount of attention that defenses will have to pay to the Ravens’ aerial attack. It’s not unrealistic to think that Rice could lead the league in rushing (outside of Chris Johnson).

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Fearless 2010 fantasy-free predictions

September 04, 2010 , ι DREW LOFTIS

Even die-hard fantasy geeks need a break from the Bottom Line, a chance to step away from the tedious projections and depth chart analysis. After all, the reason you love fantasy football is because you love real football.
	 
The Tracker is here to provide a dose of reality. Here’s our fantasy-free predictions of lies ahead in in the 2010 season.

AFC East
	 
The
	 Patriotsstill will score plenty, but will the defense allow opposing offenses to do the same. We think Bill Belichick has been called “genius” for a reason. And no, it’s not because he’s a real genius. But he is really smart, and he knows his football — particularly defense. So we think he finds a way/gameplan/scheme/video clue to keep his Patriots at the top of the division, but just barely.
	 
The
	 Dolphinsmade a surprising surge two years ago, then came back to earth last season. This year, we think they can scratch and claw their way back to the playoff, but it won’t be pretty. QB Chad Henne will make moderate improvements. The addition of WR Brandon Marshall will help. We expect the RB tandem of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams to be a half-step slower, but still effective. Just enough to help them edge out the Jets for a wild-card spot.
	 
Like the Dolphins the year before, the
	 Jetsstumbled upon some surprise success last season, or at least down the stretch. Some headline-grabbing offseason moves has many pundits penciling Gang Green into the Super Bowl. But the Tracker remembers the team that started 6-7 last season, the one that lost crucial home games to the Jags and Falcons, that got a gift win in Indianapolis that jumpstarted their playoff push. We also are skeptical that the running game will be as effective, with changes in the offensive line and at running back. We think QB Mark Sanchez will continue to be inconsistent, and we don’t like the receivers they will put on the field before Santonio Holmes makes his debut in Week 5. They will be capable of beating any team on a given week, but they could lose to anyone as well. Next year is their year, but this season, they narrowly miss the playoffs.
	 
And then there’s the
	 Bills. Injuries in the backfield will mean we get to see more of rookie RB C.J. Spiller, which will be exciting. But not much else in Buffalo excites us.

Finish
	 
ƒPatriots 11-5
	 
*Dolphins 10-6
	 
Jets 9-7
	 
Bills 4-12
	 
ƒ= division winner; * = wild card

AFC North
	 
The addition of receiver Anquan Boldin should be a big boost to what has been a one-dimensional
	 Ravensoffense with no feared receiving threat. Young QB Joe Flacco will have his best year. Ray Rice will be a top-five running back, if not top three. The defense, though not as menacing as season’s past, still is plenty strong enough to carry its weight and make this team a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
	 
The
	 Steelershave big quarterback problems until Ben Roethlisberger returns, likely at least four games. The defense last season looked like the Mets, collapsing at every turn over the span of a month in the second half of the season. But the Steelers never stay down for long. A generous schedule and weak division will help keep them in the playoff chase.
	 
The
	 Bengals’ 2009 uprising was quite a surprise. But like many surprise teams, we envision an ensuing slide back to mediocrity. The defense will be hard-pressed to duplicate last year’s stellar season. Wide receiver Terrell Owens will help the offense, but we’re not convinced running back Cedric Benson can repeat his career year, and Carson Palmer never has been the same since his knee injury in the playoffs following the 2005 season.
	 
And then there’s the
	 Browns. How do you put you hopes in a quarterback who has thrown nine touchdowns to 23 interceptions in his past 12 starts. And now he doesn’t have Steve Smith to bail him out of numerous bad throws. A bad defense to boot, and it doesn‘t look good.

Finish
	 
@Ravens 12-4
	 
Steelers 9-7
	 
Bengals 7-9
	 
Browns 5-11
	 
@ = first-round playoff bye

AFC South
	 
In the regular season, it’s hard to bet against the
	 Colts, who only lose when they sit their stars or when something important is on the line. Don’t expect a lot to change this season.
	 
Every year, a host of prognosticators, the Tracker included, find themselves on the
	 Texansbandwagon. And here we are again. The Law of Probability dictates we’ll get this right sooner or later, and we’re saying sooner. After posting its first winning season in franchise history, we expect Houston to cut out one or two of those three or four terrible losses they seem to fall victim to each season. With a potent offense and an improving defense, the Texans finally play into January.
	 
So who are the
	 Titans? Are they the virtually unbeatable team that started 10-0 two years ago, the floundering embarrassment that started 0-6 last year, the scrappy unit that won five straight after that terrible start, or the mediocre team that went 3-2 over the last five weeks? We’re going with mediocre. Quarterback Vince Young still cannot throw a consistent deep ball, he still has no reliable receiving targets, and running back Chris Johnson only can break so many 80-yard runs.
	 
And then there’s the
	 Jaguars. They have no receivers, QB David Garrard is better suited as a backup, running back Maurice Jones-Drew just had surgery on his knee, and the defense ranked in the bottom third of the league last season.

Finish
	 
#Colts 13-3
	 
*Texans 10-6
	 
Titans 8-8
	 
Jaguars 4-12
	 
# = home-field advantage; * = wild card

AFC West
	 
The
	 Chargersuse a pass-oriented offense, and their best pass-catcher (Antonio Gates) is a tight end. Their top receiver is suspended the first three games, and could be traded or hold out the season after that. Rookie running back Ryan Mathews should provide more punch than a gimpy LaDainian Tomlinson did last season, but this is a team with holes. They win the division only by default.
	 
RaidersQB Jason Campbell is not a world-beater, but you don’t have to be to improve the quarterback play in Oakland. He will make the opposition defend the passing game, opening up the run for powerful Michael Bush and shifty Darren McFadden. The pass defense is solid, but the run defense is a sieve. Nevertheless, this team will be dramatically improved. That improvement might yield only a couple additional wins, but the losses won’t be as ugly.
	 
The
	 Broncostwo best players from two seasons ago are now on different teams. As underrated as QB Kyle Orton is, he doesn’t have much to work with. In another example of Amazin-itis, after a 6-0 start last season, the Broncos went belly-up, particularly on defense.
	 
The
	 Chiefsare one of the mysteries heading into this season. Can Matt Cassel, after a year in a new offense, perform as he did filling in for Tom Brady with the Patriots two years ago? Is Jamaal Charles as good as he looked at the end of last season? The defense can’t be as bad as it was last year, could it?

Finish
	 
ƒChargers 9-7
	 
Raiders 7-9
	 
Broncos 6-10
	 
Chiefs 4-12
	 
ƒ= division winner

NFC East
	 
Maybe it’s because fans and media would like to see a team play a Super Bowl in its home stadium? Maybe it’s because they won the division last year? Maybe it’s because is safe to saddle up to the front-runner? Whatever the reason, there is a lot of love heading the
	 Cowboysway this year. But this team doesn’t look a whole lot different than last year’s. QB Tony Romo still can be rattled. Wide receiver Miles Austin has a track record of success that dates back a meager 14 games. Felix Jones is gifted, but he can’t stay on the field. Yeah, that’s right. We fooled you by listing the Cowboys first, because we don’t think they will win the division.
	 
One team no one is talking about is the
	 Giants. No, we don’t believe Eli Manning is among the league’s elite quarterbacks, but he is more than adequate. No, we don’t think running back Brandon Jacobs is an unstoppable battering ram, but we do like Ahmad Bradshaw. No, we don’t think this defense can rekindle the magic of 2007, but it will be a solid unit. And that’s enough in a shifting division.
	 
Rarely, if ever, do you see a team trade a player, let alone a star, let alone its franchise quarterback, to a division rival. So maybe there’s something about Kevin Kolb the
	 Eagleslike. They have big-play makers on offense. They attack on defense. They stick around in the playoff race until the bitter end.
	 
If we learned anything from Mike Shanahan’s time in Denver, we learned he could turn anyone into a 1,000-yard rusher — Terrell Davis, Olandis Gary, Mike Anderson, Clinton Portis, Reuben Droughns, Tatum Bell. Now, perhaps, he faces his biggest challenge with an aging stable of
	 Redskinsbacks. Reunited with Portis, who will team in the backfield with Larry Johnson and Will Parker (if he’s not traded) and inheriting Eagles outcast QB Donovan McNabb, Shanahan may have trouble. And we’re not even gonna get into the Albert Haynesworth debacle.

Finish
	 
@Giants 11-5
	 
*Cowboys 10-6
	 
Eagles 9-7
	 
Redskins 6-10
	 
@ = first-round playoff bye; * = wild card

NFC North
	 
With a defense that ranked second last season, the best young quarterback in the game in Aaron Rodgers, a solid fleet or wide receivers, a running game that demands attention .¤.¤. you get the picture. We think the
	 Packersare really good.
	 
OK, we’re the first to admit it. We were wrong about QB Brett Favre last season. We thought he would flounder, that we would see second-half-Jets Favre, or 2005-06 Favre. Well guess what? We back on the Bad Favre Bandwagon. The Unretireable hasn’t posed back-to-back good season since 2003-04. And with the
	 Vikings’ brutal first-half schedule, Captain Overrated won’t get a chance to throw a back-breaking playoff interception this year.
	 
What do you do when you have a quarterback prone to throwing too many interceptions? If you’re the
	 Bears, you hire a pass-happy offensive coordinator. Jay Cutler will lose as many games for the team as he wins. Matt Forte will look more like the 2008 phenom than the 2009 bust, but it won’t matter. The defense is no longer a menacing unit and the offense commits too many turnovers.
	 
How do you judge the
	 Lions? After all, 2-14 is so much better than 0-16, it is mathematically impossible to calculate a percentage of improvement. But we think Matthew Stafford still could turn into a fine quarterback. Calvin Johnson is the best receiver no one talks about. running back Javid Best could give the Lions a bona fide running game for the first time since Barry Sanders (apologies to James Stewart). And top draft pick Ndamukong Suh (pronounced: Nada-something-kong Sue) will be a beast for the defense. But, they’re still the Lions, so temper your expectations.

Finish
	 
#Packers 13-3
	 
Vikings 9-7
	 
Bears 7-9
	 
Lions 5-11
	 
# = home-field advantage

NFC South
	 
If history has taught anything, it has taught us that the NFC South does not produce repeat champs. It’s not that we don’t think the
	 Saintsare good. They certainly can score points. But we seriously doubt the defense can repeat its plus-11 turnover ratio and 26 interceptions, both of which ranked third in the league.
	 
The
	 Falcons, on the other hand, adhere to the Dolphins Theory — a team that had a surprising season, then slide back to the pack, and is set for another rise. RB Michael Turner is not coming off a 376-carry season. QB Matt Ryan is set for a breakout year, and the defense, well, at least the defense isn’t awful.
	 
The
	 Panthersvirtually have a brand new defensive line. So we don’t put a lot of stock in what has been an impressive preseason for the Cats’ defense, we think this unit will run into problems. And the offense isn’t equipped to win shootouts. They still will be able to run effectively against weaker defenses, and QB Matt Moore will be sufficient, but it won’t be enough. And if they struggle out of the gate and throw rookie Jimmy Clausen under center, that won’t be good for Clausen. Or the team, or the coaching staff.
	 
And then there’s the
	 Buccaneers. We’re not convinced Tampa Bay has a coaching staff that can lead the team to success. We’re not convinced they have the playmakers on offense to make an impact. We are convinced the defense is nothing to fear.

Finish
	 
¢Falcons 11-5
	 
* Saints 10-6
	 
Panthers 7-9
	 
Buccaneers 6-10
	 
¢ = division winner

NFC West
	 
QB Alex Smith is primed for his season. Wide receiver Michael Crabtree and tight end Vernon Davis don’t have to get along to catch passes. Frank Gore is perhaps the most underrated runner in the game. And they have an attacking defense that creates turnovers. In an impressively weak division, that will be enough for the
	 49ers.
	 
The most influential argument for Kurt Warner’s Hall of Fame bid may come in a season when he isn’t even on the field. With QB Matt Leinart now on the outs wit the
	 Cardinals, Derek Anderson is in line to inherit what recently has been a high-powered passing offense. The loss of Anquan Boldin doesn’t help. Anderson will look closer to his 2007 Pro Bowl than the journeyman-wannabe of late, but it won’t compare with Warner’s prowess.
	 
Coach Pete Carroll is about to find out the
	 Seahawksaren’t nearly as stocked as Carroll’s USC teams were. QB Matt Hasselbeck has seen better days. The wide receiver corps leave much to be desired. Justin Forsett will perform adequately, but he’s not a game-changer. And this is not a team that can hang its hat on the defense.
	 
And then there’s the
	 Rams. Let’s just hope QB Sam Bradford’s experience with the woebegone team works out better than Ryan Leaf’s did with the 1998 Chargers. Though we anticipate Bradford has more mental strength and will be able to endure some hard times, there will be some hard times — much of them this season. The Rams have Steven Jackson and .¤.¤. well, they have Steven Jackson.

Finish
	 
¢49ers 9-7
	 
Cardinals 7-9
	 
Seahawks 6-10
	 
Rams 3-13
	 
¢ = division winner

Playoffs 
	 
AFC 
	 
Wild card
	 
Texans over Chargers
	 
Patriots over Dolphins
	 
Divisional
	 
Colts over Texans
	 
Ravens over Patriots
	 
Championship
	 
Ravens over Colts

NFC 
	 
Wild card
	 
49ers over Cowboys
	 
Saints over Falcons
	 
Divisional
	 
Giants over 49ers
	 
Packers over Saints
	 
Championship
	 
Packers over Giants

Super Bowl
	 
Packers over Ravens
	 
dloftis@nypost.com

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Where to find sound sleepers at bottom of draft heap

September 04, 2010 , ι DREW LOFTIS

With the NFL season kicking off on Thursday, you need to have your fantasy draft plan in order, and the Fantasy Tracker is here to help. In the final of six draft editions, the Tracker targets... Read on

Everyone loves the feeling of find $20 laying on the sidewalk. Now imagine feeling that way every week for the entire football season?

That’s what it’s like when you land a productive late-round fantasy sleeper. You get to cash in every week.

You can’t win your fantasy league based on early draft picks, and only idiots lose the season there. But where you can get a leg up on the competition during the draft is with quality mid-round picks and finding a hidden gem or two late.

It’s like fishing. Don’t leave the populated waters while you’re still getting good bites. Only when the good catches are gone do you venture into uncharted waters.

STAY AWAKE

Always fortify your primary positions and a few quality backups before scoping for a sleeper. If someone else happens to grab Bears wide receiver
	 Devin Aromoshoduin the seventh round, don’t sweat it. That’s not a smart pick until Rounds 11-13.

Gauge the position depth. There’s no need to take Texans running back
	 Arian Fosterin the fourth round if LeSean McCoy, Pierre Thomas, Matt Forte and a slew of other backs still are on the board. Take a safer pick, and wait for Foster a couple of rounds later, where he likely still will be available.

MIDDLE MEN

The middle rounds (5-10) are essential to your draft. This is where a lot of overvalued players will be taken. Here you will find names like Dewayne Bowe, Brandon Jacobs, Hines Ward and a host of top tight ends. We don’t like the upside of most of these players. At this point, we may look to draft Giants wide receiver
	 Hakeem Nicks, assuming Patriots wideout Wes Welker is gone. We find it acceptable to skip ahead and snag Bills running back
	 C.J. Spillerin the sixth round, though he otherwise might slip until the eighth. Then again, he might not. And we would rather snag him early than end up with two players we don’t like.

Others we like in this area include Foster (Rounds 6-7), Seahawks running back
	 Justin Forsett(6-7) and Vikings receiver
	 Bernard Berrian(8).

We’ll take a four-game hit and pick Jets receiver
	 Santonio Holmesin the ninth or 10th round, assuming we have at least our two starting receivers locked up. Another receiver who will start the season suspended is San Diego’s Vincent Jackson, and a contract dispute could keep him out even longer.
	 Malcolm Floydwill reap the benefit and is a great grab in Rounds 9-10.

And for our favorite pick of the draft, look for Giants running back
	 Ahmad Bradshawin Rounds 6-7. But be aware, his value has been on the rise (two weeks ago you could have gotten him in the 11th or 12th).

DEEP THOUGHTS

You’ve got your four running backs and four wide receivers. You have addressed tight end and defense. Your QBs are in order. You have one or two extra roster spots before you grab a kicker in the final round. This is when you throw the deep ball.

Texans running back
	 Steve Slatonburned us last year, but Ben Tate’s injury will mean more carries behind Foster. And if he recaptures his ’08 form? . . . Bengals running back Cedric Benson was a great sleeper last year. But he played just 13 games. Expect
	 Bernard Scottto produce well if (when) Benson tires or is injured. The Titans likely will look to curtail the monstrous workload of running back Chris Johnson, which should benefit rookie
	 Javon Ringer. A similar scenario in Pittsburgh could land some carries for running back
	 Jonathan Dwyer. And expect to see Vikings rookie running back
	 Toby Gerhartin some third-down situations.

With Holmes out to start the season and Jets teammate Braylon Edwards inconsistent hands, expect
	 Jerricho Cotcheryto get some end zone looks from QB Mark Sanchez. With Jacoby Jones now inheriting some kick-return duties, he is less of a risk to steal looks from Texans receiver
	 Kevin Walter.The second choice to top receiver Andre Johnson is a potent offense, and Walter is a poor man’s Welker. And someone has to catch Kyle Orton’s passes. Look for a moderate rebound season from receiver
	 Eddie Royal.

The addition of QB Jason Campbell should provide a boost for tight end
	 Zach Miller. A healthy
	 Chris Cooleywill give new Redskins QB Donovan McNabb a check-down option. Dolphins QB Chad Henne likes to look for tight end
	 Anthony Fasanoin the red zone. And defenses may overlooked Bengals tight end
	 Jermaine Gresham.

Just remember, you want to fill your tackle box primarily with reliable options, and use the sleepers just to fill in the gaps. Good luck, and happy fishing.

dloftis@nypost.com

TIPS
	 
ON THE RISE

Cardinals QB
	 Derek Anderson, previously undrafted, will show up in Rounds 11-13 now that Matt Leinart is on the outs in Arizona. We warned you of this, weeks ago.

ON THE SLIDE

Cowboys RB
	 Marion Barberhas looked sluggish and provided no reason for Big D to ignore the physical gifts of
	 Felix Jones. And with
	 Tashard Choicearound for third-down snaps, we’ve adjusted Barber’s value to the ninth round.

Favorite late-round sleepers

QB (TM)+RND*

Ben Roethlisberger (Pit)+10

Matthew Stafford (Det)+13

Derek Anderson (Ari)+13

Matt Cassel (KC)+14

Matt Hasselbeck (Sea)+14

RB (TM)+SRD

Steve Slaton (Hou)+13

Bernard Scott (Cin)+14

Javon Ringer (Ten)+14

Jonathan Dwyer (Pit)+14

Toby Gerhart (Min)+14

WR (TM)+SRD

Santonio Holmes (NYJ)+10

Malcolm Floyd (SD)+10

Jerricho Cotchery (NYJ)+13

Kevin Walter (Hou)+13

Eddie Royal (Den)+13

TE (TM)+SRD

Chris Cooley (Was)+12

Zach Miller (Oak)+13

Anthony Fasano (Mia)+14

Jermaine Gresham (Cin)+14

Dustin Keller (NYJ)+14

* Round to target, based on 10-team, basic scoring league with 15-round draft

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Wait til late for low-impact positions

September 03, 2010 , ι DREW LOFTIS

With the NFL season fast approaching, its time to get prepared for your fantasy draft, and the Fantasy Tracker is here to help you assemble your team. In the fifth of six draft editions, the Tracker discusses the low-impact positions — tight ends, defense/special teams and kickers.

When choosing an elegant restaurant, chances are your decision isn’t based on the menu of side dishes. Likely, you are more interested in the steak or the lobster or the pasta. So why, when drafting a fantasy team, would you put high priority on low-impact positions?

Sure, there are some good tight ends who look good on your roster. Granted, certain defenses/special teams have better weekly averages and hype than others. But we would rather leave our options open to drafting some meat early, before those options get 86’d. We would rather have a quality backup at running back and receiver before we pick a tight end to garnish our roster.

TIGHT SQUEEZE

How much is 3-4 points a week worth to you? The Tracker doesn’t think it’s worth a fourth- and fifth-round pick, not when you can get approximate value much later.
	 Dallas Clark,
	 Vernon Davisand
	 Antonio Gatesconsistently are picked in Rounds 4-5. We would love to have them, but not that high in the draft, when we still are filling out starting spots at primary positions. We’re not going to take Gates in front of
	 Pierre Thomas, for example.

We want one QB, two RBs and two WRs before we start looking at other options, which puts us, at the earliest, the sixth round before potentially targeting a tight end.
	 Jason Witten,
	 Brent Celek,
	 Tony Gonzalezand
	 Jermichael Finleyare available in this range, but likely will be gone by eighth round. Instead, we feel more comfortable taking some primary backups first — such as
	 Ronnie Brown,
	 Wes Welker,
	 Marion Barber,
	 Hakeem Nicks,
	 C.J. Spiller, etc.
	 Owen Danielsin Rounds 7-9 is risky considering he is coming off a knee injury. And we don’t like
	 Kellen Winslow(Rounds 9-12).

By the time we start intently searching for a TE, our best option is
	 Visanthe Shiancoein Rounds 9-11. Schiancoe averaged 7.2 points per games last season, compared to
	 Vernon Davis’ TE-leading 10.5.
	 Zach Miller(5.7 last season) should get a nice bump in production thanks to the addition of QB Jason Campbell. In the final few rounds,
	 John Carlson,
	 Dustin Keller, Anthony Fasano and
	 Greg Olsonare worth a look.

We’ll run the risk with mid-to-late tight ends rather in order to build depth at RB and WR.

PRESSURE D

It always amazes us when defenses are taken early in drafts — like the
	 Jetsin Rounds 6-7 this season. That’s too early to take any defense, especially one that didn’t get a lot of sacks last season, did not create defensive touchdowns via turnovers and has lost its best special teams player (Leon Washington). And did we mention their best defensive player is holding out?

Darrelle Revis or not, no fantasy defense is worthy of consideration until about Rounds 9 or 10 — where you can find the
	 49ers, the unit that led the league in fantasy production last year — 10.4 per game to the Jets’ 10.1.When you reach a point in the second half of the draft when you are struggling to find a player worthy of that pick, then look to a defense — we like the value for the
	 Cowboys(Rounds 10-12),
	 Saints(13-15),
	 Bengals(13-15),
	 Giants(14-15) and
	 Texans(14-15).

If you get a unit you don’t like, or that disappoints early in the season, don’t be afraid of a mix-and-match approach — rotating defenses week to week, picking, among the available units, the one facing the worst offense that week. The next week, drop and repeat.

KICKED ASIDE

Come the final round, pick the kicker with the best potential for field goals — a guy on an offense that can move the ball but will struggle in the red zone. We like Denver’s
	 Matt Prateror Oakland's
	 Sebastian Janikowskiin this spot. But that’s like saying we like the broccoli better than the peas.

Next week: sleepers.

dloftis@nypost.com

TIPS

Trade in the shade

Tight ends and defenses have low trade value, so don’t expect to turn a top TE or defense into a top WR, RB or QB. If you spent a fourth-round pick on
	 Dallas Clark, you’re not going to be able to trade him for a fourth-round RB.

Back-up basics

Unless your league rules dictate otherwise, don’t plan on carrying a backup TE, defense or (especially) kicker. If you have a good one, drop your worst RB or WR for a week. You have a better shot finding a waiver-wire gem at an impact position than with a backup TE or defense, so stashing a back at these positions is of little value.

Top 10 TEs

1. V. Davis (SF)+4-5@

2. D. Clark (Ind)+4-5@

3. A. Gates (SD)+4-5@

4. B. Celek (Phi)+6-7

5. J. Finley (GB)+6-8

6. J. Witten (Dal)+6-8

7. V. Shiancoe (Min)+10-13*

8. Z. Miller (Oak)+12-14*

9. O. Daniels (Hou)+7-9

10. C. Cooley (Was)+11-14

Top 10 DEF/ST

1. 49ers (SF)+9-11

2. Jets (NYJ)+7-8@

3. Packers (GB)+9-12

4. Ravens (Bal)+9-11

5. Vikings (Min)+9-12

6. Eagles (Phi)+9-11

7. Cowboys (Dal)+10-13*

8. Bengals (Cin)+13-15*

9. Steelers (Pit)+9-13

10. Giants (NYG)+13-UD*

Top 10 kickers

1. N. Kaeding (SD)+8-12@

2. R. Bironas (Ten)+11-15

3. M. Crosby (GB)+10-15

4. S. Gostkowski (NE)+10-15

5. G. Hartley (NO)+13-15

6. R. Longwell (Min)+13-15

7. M. Prater (Den)+13-15

8. D. Akers (Phi)+12-15

9. L. Tynes (NYG)+13-UD

10. S. Janikowski (Oak)+15-UD
	 
 
	 
* = high-value pick
	 
@ = low-value pick

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Moving targets checker fanatsy WR options

September 03, 2010 , ι DREW LOFTIS

With the NFL season fast approaching, it’s time to get prepared for your fantasy draft, and the Fantasy Tracker is here to help you assemble your team. In the fourth of six draft editions, the... Read on

Sometimes it takes time for a quarterback and receiver to get “in sync.” Other times, put a wideout in a new environment, and he takes to it immediately — think: Randy Moss to the Patriots, Plaxico Burress to the Giants, Terrell Owens to the Eagles, Justin Timberlake to “Saturday Night Live.” Oops, wrong ’N Sync.
	 
These moves don’t always make for long-term results, but great hands can find immediate success with new teams. This season, a band of pass-catchers said bye, bye, bye to their old homes and will don new colors.
	 
We like the outlook for
	 Brandon Marshallin Miami. The Jets and Pats may get all the headlines, but don’t sleep on the Dolphins. Quarterback Chad Henne has continued to improve, and he should benefit greatly from the addition for the formerly disgruntled Bronco. With a stellar running game to boot, Marshall will have plenty of opportunities to pout all the way to the end zone. You can get him in the second round.
	 
We think
	 Anquan Boldinwill make a strong impact in Baltimore. Jay Flacco appears ready to take the next step in his evolution, and like the Dolphins, Baltimore boasts a strong running game that warrants a heavy dose of attention by opposing defenses. And we’re not worried about the Houshmandzadeh Syndrome (previously known as the Peerless Price Disorder), in which a No. 2 receiver departs for a No. 1 job and is exposed as a fraud. Remember, Boldin had a monster rookie season before Larry Fitzgerald landed in Arizona. Boldin consistently is picked in Round 4 or 5.
	 
And come week 5, the Jets and fantasy owners can reap the benefits of
	 Santonio Holmes, who is suspended to start the season. It’s ridiculous to think he can match his production with the Steelers — his QB is Mark Sanchez, not Ben Roethlisberger, and the Jets ran more than any team in football last season. But considering Holmes’ draft position (Round 9 or 10), he is the best bargain among relocating wideouts.
	 
Good grabs
	 
We normally don’t like to take receivers in the first round, but if the top five backs are gone (Big Four plus Frank Gore), then you should consider
	 Andre Johnson. If you land a running back in the first round, you can target
	 Randy Mossin the second. Though we prefer to get at least one RB in the first two rounds, if the picks fall in a way that allows you to get a top tier QB-WR combo (come combination of Brees-Aaron Rodgers and Johnson-Moss), go for it.
	 
Calvin Johnsonis a great find late in the second or early in the third round — we prefer him to
	 Miles Austinand
	 Roddy White. We still like
	 DeSean Jacksona few picks later, despite a quarterback change in Philadelphia.
	 
We are a little concerned about
	 Larry Fitzgerald’s knee injury, enough to bump him to the third round on our draft boards. We’re not quite as worried about
	 Steve Smith’s arm (that’s the Original Steve Smith, Panthers version), even less about the groin of the New
	 Steve Smith(Giants version).
	 
Brett Favre’s return helps
	 Sidney’s Rice’s value, too bad it doesn’t help Rice’s hip. Stay away, as he's out for a big chunk of the season, at the least. Be wary
	 Percy Harvin, who has been battling migraines. Let someone else snag him in Rounds 8-10, then you can try to swing a trade if it looks like he is going to be healthy.
	 
Tough catches
	 
Nothing excites us in rounds 5-7 — when you can find
	 Dwayne Bowe,
	 Donald Driver,
	 Hines Ward,
	 Mike Sims-Walker, etc. However, one name that excites us is
	 Wes Welker. A month or so ago, the uncertainty of his status, following last year’s knee injury, had him going as late as the 10th round. Now, expect him to go in Round 4 or 5, even if he is listed much lower on your site’s draft ranks.
	 
When you get to Round 7 or 8, hone in on
	 Hakeem Nicks. We think he has the skills to become Eli Manning’s favorite target. However, this is mitigated by Eli’s injury. The fewer reps the two get together, the less the chance Nicks has to supplant the New Steve Smith as option No. 1.
	 
Terrell Owensis another name rocketing up draft boards. Formally going in Rounds 12-14, now he likely is gone by the end of the eighth. This is also the area you can find Cowboys rookie
	 Dez Bryant, who is nursing an ankle sprain.
	 
Hail Marys
	 
Bears wideout
	 Johnny Knox, with Jay Cutler at QB in a Mike Martz offense, has strong upside for an 11th- or 12th-rounder. You can roll the dice on
	 Chaz Shilens, since someone in Oakland has to catch balls from new QB Jason Campbell.
	 
And our favorite late-round pick,
	 Malcolm Floyd, will be available until Rounds 10-12. The towering Chargers WR will fill in as the top target while
	 Vincent Jacksonis suspended and/or holding out.
	 
Next week: tight ends, kickers and defenses/special teams.
	 
dloftis@nypost.com

TIPS

T.O. tutorial
	 
Don’t expect the addition of
	 Terrell Owensto affect
	 Chad Ochocinco’s production dramatically. However, elevate QB
	 Carson Palmeron your boards. We have moved him up a few spots, to the fringe of the top 15, worthy of a pick in Rounds 11-13.

Cool Cat
	 
Don’t let the Panthers’ QB situation scare you off
	 Steve Smith. In 11 games last season with
	 Jake Delhommeat QB, Smith averaged 54.9 yards and had four total TDs. In four games with
	 Matt Mooreunder center, Smith averaged 94.5 and caught three TDs. We expect Moore (6-2 as a starter in his career) to start over rookie
	 Jimmy Clausen.

Top 30 wide receivers

1. A. Johnson (Hou)+1
	 
2. R. Moss (NE)+1-2
	 
3. C. Johnson (Det)+2-3*
	 
4. L. Fitzgerald (Ari)+2@
	 
5. R. Wayne (Ind)+2
	 
6. M. Austin (Dal)+3
	 
7. B. Marshall (Mia)+2-3
	 
8. R. White (Atl)+3
	 
9. D. Jackson (Phi)+3-4*
	 
10. G. Jennings (GB)+3-4
	 
11. A. Boldin (Bal)+4-5*
	 
12. S. Smith (Car)+4-5*
	 
13. W. Welker (NE)+6-8*
	 
14. M. Colston (NO)+3-4@
	 
15. M. Crabtree (SF)+6-7
	 
16. T. Owens (Cin)+7-9*
	 
17. D. Bowe (KC)+6-8
	 
18. S. Smith (NYG)+5-6@
	 
19. V. Jackson (SD)+6-8
	 
20. C. Ochocinco (Cin)+4-6@
	 
21. D. Driver (GB)+6-8
	 
22. H. Nicks (NYG)+7-8
	 
23. H. Ward (Pit)+6-7@
	 
24. M. Sims-Walker (Jac)+6-7@
	 
25. P. Garcon (Ind)+7-9
	 
26. M. Wallace (Pit)+7-10
	 
27. S. Holmes (NYJ)+9-12*
	 
28. S. Moss (Was)+8-11*
	 
29. J. Maclin (Phi)+7-9
	 
30. M. Floyd (SSD)+10-12*
	 
 
	 
* = high-value pick
	 
@ = low-value pick

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Middle ground: Find solid RBs later in draft

August 18, 2010 , ι Drew Loftis

With the NFL season fast approaching, its time to get prepared for your fantasy draft, and the Fantasy Tracker is here to help you assemble your team. In the third of six draft editions, the Tracker... Read on

Fantasy owners everywhere toss and turn and debate and quibble over which star player to take in the first round. But in reality, your draft position will determine who you take as much as any other factor. It’s who you draft later that makes the biggest difference.
	 
The running back position is the perfect example of this issue. Barring injury, you have a good idea what you’re going to get with top backs but the guys in the middle are bigger mysteries. So making smart picks in the middle and late rounds is crucial to your team’s success.
	 
FIRST STEP
	 
Rest assured, there’s nothing wrong with
	 Adrian Peterson, but the Tracker really likes
	 Chris Johnson. And with Brett Favre returning, in which case we Peterson gets less opportunities, we certainly like C.J. at No. 1 overall.
	 Maurice Jones-Drewand
	 Ray Ricevirtually are interchangeable with the next two picks, but we give a slight edge to Rice, the young back with fresher legs on the better team. And we say go with
	 Frank Goreat No. 5 overall, though that is the spot where the draft dives headfirst into unpredictability.
	 
IN THE RUNNING
	 
After
	 Michael Turnerand Steven Jackson, who will be gone by early in the second round, the ensuing options have similar potential, and warts.
	 Rashard Mendenhallhas work ethic concerns.
	 DeAngelo Williamswill share some carries with
	 Jonathan Stewart.
	 Shonn Greeneis an unproven commodity, and
	 LaDainian Tomlinson's role is a mystery.
	 Ryan Granthas burned us before.
	 Cedric Bensonhas one good season on his resume (it just happens to be last season). New Chargers RB 
	 Ryan Mathewsis a rookie on a pass-first team. Instead of gunning for one in particular from this bunch, take the one who slips a few picks and offers better draft value.
	 
ON THE MOVE
	 
Jamaal Charleshas rocketed up the draft boards recently, from the fifth round to the third. Granted, he looked great last season, but now he has
	 Thomas Jonesto steal carries. We love him in the fifth, we merely like him in the third but still rate him higher than
	 Beanie Wellsand
	 LeSean McCoy, all of whom likely are to be picked in the same area.
	 Knowshon Morenowas in this pack, but his right hamstring injury has him falling.
	 
Our favorite value pick in this bunch is
	 Pierre Thomasin the fourth or fifth round. He will continue to get the bulk of the carries over
	 Reggie Bush.
	 
CRUNCH TIME
	 
The next group of running backs is nondescript. We’re not high on Stewart, Jones,
	 Matt Forte,
	 Joseph Addai,
	 Ronnie Brown,
	 Ricky Williamsor most of the backs that will populate rounds 5-7. But be on the lookout for
	 Marion Barberin the late seventh or early eighth round.
	 Justin Forsettshould provide a strong return if he slips into the ninth round. In rounds 10-11, we like the potential of
	 Cadillac Williams. With
	 Fred Jacksonand
	 Marshawn Lynchinjured, rookie 
	 C.J. Spiller will get added opportunities early. this development actually makes him worthy of his draft position (Rounds 8-9), which previously was too high.
	 
One of our favorite picks of the draft is
	 Ahmad Bradshawin round 11 or 12. We easily could see him stealing a heavy load of carries from
	 Brandon Jacobs(a sixth-round pick with elevated value in TD-only leagues). Bradshaw offers potential rarely seen this late in drafts.
	 
BEST OF REST
	 
Late in the draft, target guys who have the potential for greater roles, even without benefit of an injury to the starter. Like
	 Donald Brownaround Round 12 — a younger and more bruising runner than Addai.
	 Chester Taylorcould get significant carries if Forte stumbles again this season.
	 Arian Foster(round 13-14) has the chance to rise to the top of the Texans backfield, especially after the season-endiong injury to
	 Ben Tateand
	 Steve Slaton's disappointing season last year.
	 Kevin Smithis healthy again and worth a look this late.
	 
But as always, you have to stay on top of injuries throughout the season. The right waiver wire picks can be the difference in a playoff berth and winning a title.
	 
Next week: wide receivers
	 
dloftis@nypost.com

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Don't pass on QBs early in draft

August 18, 2010 , ι Drew Loftis

With the NFL season fast approaching, its time to get prepared for your fantasy draft, and the Fantasy Tracker is here to help you assemble your team. In the second of six draft editions, the... Read on

With the NFL season fast approaching, its time to get prepared for your fantasy draft, and the Fantasy Tracker is here to help you assemble your team. In the second of six draft editions, the Tracker discusses quarterbacks.
	 
 
	 

	 

	 

	 

	 

	 
As much as fantasy gamers have tried, they just can’t keep quarterbacks down. Handicaps have been created to mitigate the value of QBs — from fewer points per touchdown pass to harder yardage bonuses to roster restrictions. But the top QBs will have none of it.
	 

	 
Unlike past season, when owners could wait until the middle of their drafts to select a starting QB, now you have to get one in the first four rounds if you want a reliable gunslinger.
	 

	 
The retire-unretire nonsense that is the
	 Brett Favresoap opera only emphasizes the need for an early quarterback.
	 

	 

	 

	 
TOP GUNS
	 

	 
For the first time in recent memory, taking a QB in a basic 50/50 league is acceptable.
	 Drew Breesalmost always is taken in the first round, often join by
	 Aaron Rodgers.
	 Peyton Manning is a late-second- to early-third-round pick, and
	 Tom Bradywill be off the board by the end of the third round.
	 Philip Rivers,
	 Matt Schauband
	 Tony Romoare unlikely to be available after the fourth round, or early fifth at best.
	 

	 
Then comes the cliff. The precipitous drop in productivity between Romo and the next QB taken makes it necessary to snag a QB early, even if you have to do so earlier than you have in the past.
	 

	 
We like getting Schaub in the fourth round, but if he doesn’t slip that far, don’t be afraid to grab Romo there, even if it seems a round too early. Whatever you do, make sure you land one of these top QBs, because after that, it’s troubled waters.
	 

	 

	 

	 
TROUBLE WATERS
	 

	 
If you are unable to land a top QB, be prepared to sweat it out a few rounds. The next best option would be Favre, who was going in rounds 6-7 before the latest retirement waffling began. But we just assume wait another round or two, because we believe that last season was an anomaly. We foresee a significant dip in production even if he does return.
	 

	 
The best remaining options are
	 Kevin Kolb, Donovan McNabb, Matt Ryan, Eli Manningand
	 Ben Roethlisberger. But none are worthy of a look until at least the eighth round, and there are concerns with each.
	 

	 
How will Kolb do in his first year as a starter, and will injuries to top targets DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin linger? How will McNabb fare in Washington with his new team? Can you win a title with Eli, because his production normally dips when the weather turns foul, right around fantasy playoff time? Can you really use Ryan as your every-week starter? And what do you do while Roethlisberger is out (probably at least the first five weeks)?
	 

	 
There also is
	 Joe Flacco, who we think will have his most productive fantasy season, thanks in large part to the addition of wide receiver Anquan Boldin. But apparently so do a lot of fantasy owners, pushing Flacco’s draft status into the middle of the eighth round, where we prefer the previous options.
	 

	 
Jay Cutleralso falls in this mix, but we don’t trust him.
	 

	 

	 

	 
HAIL MARYS
	 

	 
Let’s hope you’ve found your starter at this point, because the remaining choices are grizzly combinations of limited experience and potential or aging veterans with dwindling production.
	 

	 
Of these scraps, we prefer
	 Chad Henne. He looked capable last season and we expect continued improvement this year, in large part because of the addition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
	 Matthew Staffordisn't far behind.
	 Carson Palmer, though not nearly as productive as he once was, does have decent wide receiver options in Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. We don’t like his recent production levels, but we do think he will fare better than
	 David Garrard,
	 Vince Youngand the like.
	 

	 
Alex Smithcould take a step up this season, but we're not as confident about
	 Mark Sanchez.
	 Matt Casselshould be better his second season in Kansas City. We have limited expectations for
	 Matt Leinart(or
	 Derek Anderson, if he happens to steal the Arizona job), and the same can be said of
	 Tarvaris Jackson, if Favre actually decides to call it quits. We’re not optimistic about a
	 Matt Hasselbeckresurgence, and we’re way down on Rams rookie
	 Sam Bradford.
	 

	 
The sleeper here is
	 Jason Campbell. We don’t love him as a QB, but the Raiders will throw the ball downfield, and Campbell is much more capable to do so than Raiders QBs of recent past. If you still are looking for a backup late, late in the draft, Campbell is as a better option than the rest.
	 

	 
Next week: running backs.
	 

	 
dloftis@nypost.com
	 
 
	 

	 

	 

	 

	 

	 

	 

	 
TIPS
	 

	 

	 

	 
Forecast
	 

	 
It’s easier to guess which teams are in the market for a QB than other positions. With this in mind, you could pass up a QB at the end of one round knowing the teams between your picks won’t eat up the remaining options.
	 

	 

	 

	 

	 

	 
Get the points
	 

	 
If your league scores six points for passing TDs instead of four, or if it is a TD-only league, elevate QBs on your draft board.

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Top 2 only certainties in draft disarray

August 05, 2010 , ι Drew Loftis

With the NFL season fast approaching, it’s time to get prepared for your fantasy draft, and the Fantasy Tracker is here to help you assemble your team. In the first of six draft editions, the Tracker addresses overall draft strategy. Next week, we begin breaking down by position, starting with quarterbacks.
	 
Remember the good ol’ days, when it was a given that you draft a running back with the first two picks? How about those times not too long ago, when wide receivers began to provide a second option?
	 
Now? Fantasy football drafts have turned into a swirling cauldron of chaos. Running backs, wide receivers and even quarterbacks could go in the first round. Expect a half dozen tight ends to go in the first six rounds. And don’t be shocked when you see the Jets defense leave the board in the sixth.
	 
The reasons? A severe drop-off at QB early in the draft, a top-heavy wide receiver talent pool, less reliance league-wide on the running game (and questions of playing time for others).
	 
But there is a way to successfully navigate through the pandemonium. To borrow from the coach-speak handbook, just “stick to your gameplan and take what they give you.” This year more than in the past, players are jumping up and down the draft boards, so don’t get thrown off guard if your sleeper is taken three rounds too early.
	 
1-2 PUNCH
	 
If you have the No. 1 overall pick, which way do you go? Chris Johnson or Adrian Peterson? C.J. made a living last season on big plays, something that doesn’t often repeat the following year. Peterson’s production was down, and we expect Brett Favre back under center, meaning the Vikings will continue to throw the ball.
	 
We like Johnson, because his big plays largely can be attributed to his speed, and he still has that. But it’s close.
	 
NO RULES
	 
Because of the depth at multiple positions, don’t lock yourself into a plan. Be flexible, and get the best available talent. If you come out of the first four rounds without a second RB, it’s OK — provided you got a top QB.
	 
QB VALLEY
	 
Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees will go in the top 12, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in rounds 2-3, and Philip Rivers, Matt Schaub and Tony Romo likely will be taken be the fourth or fifth round. The gorge of talent afterward is deeper than the Delaware Water Gap.

Rather than panic, just wait until rounds 8-10. There still will be decent QBs available. And the sleeper depth runs deep, so you don’t have to worry about a backup until the later rounds.
	 
D-LAY
	 
When an owner takes the Jets defense/special teams in the sixth or seventh round, give him a smile and say thanks. That’s one extra position player on the draft board a little while longer.
	 
One of the great surprises is the Jets draft position — at 65-70, way too high for any defense. Call it the Troy Aikman factor. The fantasy production by the Super Bowl-winning QB seldom reached the heights of his on-field glory. But that didn’t stop owners from drafting him.
	 
The Jets are the darlings of prognosticators nationwide because of their stingy defense. But, based on last year’s numbers, a pick that high is showing an undeserved amount of love for a unit that produced few sacks, rarely turned turnovers into touchdowns and jettisoned its best special teams player (Leon Washington).
	 
LAST & LEAST
	 
The fantasy production for kickers varies significantly from season to season, so it’s difficult to gauge. And the variance in average points per week is so slim, it doesn’t make too much of a difference who you have filling this roster spot. So, whatever you do, do not draft a kicker before your final pick.
	 
If it makes you feel better to use some relevant strategy, when that final pick comes, target someone on a team that likely is to struggle in the red zone (think Eagles’ David Akers, Broncos’ Matt Prater, Titans’ Rob Bironas, etc.).
	 
Next week: quarterbacks
	 
dloftis@nypost.com

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More Favre follies

August 03, 2010 , ι

We heard this before, a number of times. But it appears Vikings QB Brett Favre is going to retire. From a fantasy perspective, assuming this retirement sticks, unlike his previous efforts to step... Read on

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The Brett Favre Effect

August 03, 2010 , ι By ANTHONY SULLA-HEFFINGER

With reports swirling that Brett Favre is finally calling it quits after 19 season in the NFL, the impact of the legendary QB’s retirement will be felt throughout not only the NFL, but in fantasy circles as well.
	 
Fantasy Tracker is going to take a look at how Favre’s retirement, if you actually believe it this time, will effect draft strategy and fantasy rankings this season.
	 
Lets start with the most obvious impact: Favre’s retirement means that there will be one less top-tier quarterback on the board come draft day.
	 
Favre put together arguably the best season of his storied career in 2009-10, throwing for 4,202 yards, 33 TDs and completing over 68 percent of his passes. In addition to his gaudy TD and yards totals, Favre also managed to avoid his one major pitfall from seasons’ past by throwing seven interceptions. To put those numbers into perspective, Favre’s 33 TDs and seven INTs were his best totals since his 1996-97 MVP season with the Packers.
	 
With Favre gone, this means either Tarvaris Jackson or Sage Rosenfels will be taking the reins of the Vikings offense, and neither are incredibly appealing fantasy options.

Getty Images

Rosenfels is probably the better fantasy option of the two, which isn’t saying much. He has a career 81.2 passer rating and in 32 games has thrown 30 TDs and 29 INTs. Compare that with Jackson’s 21 TDs and 18 INTs in 33 career games and you have a fantasy nightmare if you take a Vikings QB.
	 
The QB position isn’t the only one that will take a hit with Favre’s retirement, as the ripple effect will reach players such as Adrian Peterson, Visanthe Shiancoe and Sidney Rice.
	 
I am not as much concerned about Peterson as the other two, because he has proven he doesn’t need Favre in the pocket to shred defenses, but it is worth noting that opposing defenses will now be able to stack eight in the box against AP and make it much harder for him to find holes and openings in the running game.
	 
As for Rice and Shiancoe, both of who had career years with Favre hurling the ball in their direction, their production may take a significant hit this season.

AP

The jump in Rice’s production, from 141 yards and four TDs on 15 catches to 1,312 yards and eight TDs on 83 catches, is absolutely ridiculous and I have to believe that at least some of that can be attributed to having a future Hall-of-Fame QB throwing to him. I’d expect Rice to come crashing back to earth if either Jackson or Rosenfels is the starting QB come Week 1.
	 
Shiancoe was always a pretty solid option at TE, but he did manage to post career highs in TDs (11) and catches (56) with Favre throwing him the ball. The real effect that may be seen here is that the Vikings may be a bit hesitant to throw the ball in the redzone and in goal-line situations, places where Shiancoe thrived last season. The dropoff here isn’t going to be as drastic as the one I predict owners will see with Rice, but his TD total will be down enough to warrant concern.

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About the Authors

DREW LOFTIS Drew Loftis began covering fantasy sports for the Post in 2004. The UNC-Charlotte graduate won several North Carolina Press Association awards, including sports reporting and sports columns.

ANTHONY SULLA-HEFFINGER Anthony Sulla-Heffinger attends Fordham University and is an avid sports fan. Anthony is involved in nearly all fantasy sports, including football, baseball, hockey, and basketball. He is riding a four-year streak in which he has won three fantasy football titles and one fantasy hockey championship.