The Watch List: Week 1
By Erik Morris, EA Expert
Any good fantasy football owner knows spotting the next big thing before their competition will give them a better chance of making it all the way to the championship year in and year out. Even as early as Week 1 you should be looking at some players on the FA/waiver wire who can crack your starting lineups later in the season. You never know when injuries or poor production can strike, but you can be prepared. Each week I'll identify players you should be adding to your watch lists and players who you should be thinking about benching, trading away or dropping to make room.
Preseason's Top Performers
Looking too deep at preseason numbers, in most cases, can be fairly futile but it doesn't mean there haven't been some top performances from players with the potential to be fantasy standouts when it counts.
DeAngelo Williams, Panthers (at San Diego) - No back rushed for more yards in the preseason. At 7.2 yards per attempt and 3 TDs in the first 3 preseason games, DeAngelo showed he's ready to go. I might be in the minority here, but Williams should be able to hold off "Daily Show" Jonathan Stewart for the majority of touches in Carolina. Prior to Kevin Smith last year, DeAngelo Williams was the last RB to approach Barry Sanders' single season record while he was at Memphis. The guy can run, and run well. If DeAngelo is going to be a successful pro, it's going to start this year.
Ben Utecht, Bengals (at Baltimore) - When it comes to tight ends, no one has caught more balls this summer than Ben Utecht. It used to be fun to see how often Peyton Manning would throw to 6th option Utecht the past couple of seasons (68 catches the last 2 years), but now the 6'-6" "bigger" Ben has landed in Cincy and Carson Palmer appears to have noticed. With questions and injury concerns at running back and wide receiver, "Utecht Support" is the only sure target for Carson Palmer coming into the season.
DeSean Jackson, Eagles (vs. St. Louis) - If for some reason Jackson is still available in your league, you should pick him up. It looks like the Eagles hit nothing but upside with this rookie. The former Cal standout should be on the field a lot this season. With injuries to the other Eagles receivers, along with his kick return duties, Jackson will likely see some action in some 2 wide sets as well as in the slot on passing downs. In recent fantasy football drafts Jackson is coming off the board in rounds 7-9, so fantasy football owners have taken notice too. Hop on board this bandwagon while you can.
Players I'll Be Watching
Quarterbacks
J.T. O'Sullivan, 49ers (vs. Arizona) - J.T. is Mad Mike Martz's guy. You may not have heard of him before, but by the end of the year he could be a household name in fantasy circles. Preseason may not count for much, but J.T.'s 91.9 QB rating and 60% completion rate point to San Fran being closer to their preseason 23.5 points per game average than last year's league worst 13.7.
Chad Pennington, Dolphins (vs. NY Jets) - If it were 2002, owners would be scrambling for the Dolphins starting backfield of Pennington and Sticky Ricky. Pennington Steele might not be able to throw the long ball, but he's still a solid QB with a 65.6% career completion percentage. Chad will be playing with something to prove against his former team and Madden cover boy Favre. If Parcells and Sparano's team comes out of the gate well, look for a resurgent, but still under .500, Dolphins team this year.
Running Backs
Ray Rice, Ravens (vs. Cincinnati) - As a USF Bulls alum, I'm happy to see Ray Rice out of a Rutgers uniform. The guys is a beast; ridiculously strong and equally as fast. Rookie Joe Flacco won the starting QB job by being the last guy standing and he may turn out well, but you can be sure teams will be loading the box against the Ravens early and often. Willis McGahee is the clear starter, but when the sure-to-be heavy load and injury history catch up to him, look for Rice to step in and run hard. If you see Rice splitting carries against the Bengals, pick him up.
Julius Jones/Maurice Morris, Seahawks (at Buffalo) - Once you get past Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle's skill positions are basically up for grabs. Seattle averaged between 2.5 to 2.75 TDs a game last year and once again this preseason, so you know someone will be scoring for the Seahawks. Whichever back is on the field in the red zone is someone to keep an eye on.
Andre Hall, Broncos (at Oakland) - Selvin Young is the starter for Denver, but the competition might be closer than some might think. Hall and Michael Pittman were getting a lot of touches in the preseason. With Pittman moving to the FB role, Young and Hall may be splitting carries in the backfield as soon as week 1. Denver might not run in the red zone against Oakland, but if Hall is on the field in scoring situations it's a sign he could become very useful backup RB for your team.
Wide Receivers
DeSean Jackson, Eagles (vs. St. Louis) - Seriously, pick this guy up. Jackson has looked great hauling in 16 catches while impressing everyone in the Eagles organization and fantasy land. Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis are banged up and when either or both miss time, look for Jackson to get the nod and not give the position back.
Bryant Johnson, 49ers (vs. Arizona) - Buried on the depth chart behind Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Bolden in Arizona, Johnson probably hasn't gotten the attention he deserves. Since 2004 he's started 31 games and caught 175 passes,that's almost 45 receptions per season. At 27, Bryant Johnson has the size, skills and experience to be considered the #1 WR in Mike Martz's new offense. Despite the fact he didn't play in the preseason due to an injury, he could be a big boost to any owner smart enough to take a flier on him.
Tight Ends
Kevin Boss, Giants (vs. Washington; Thurs.) - In the season's first game, fantasy owners should find out who's the Boss. Is he the blocking tight end who rarely goes out for a pass or is he going to emulate his Super Bowl performance of 4 receptions, 50 yards and a touchdown on a weekly basis? My guess is Boss will pick up the majority of Shockey's 50-60 touches in East Rutherford this year, and could be a great free agent pickup for an owner willing to take the chance.
Dustin Keller, Jets (at Miami) - In the preseason Keller emerged as a preferred target for the Jets. Be ready…Chris Baker and Bubba Franks may not be ahead of the rookie on the depth chart for long. The Jets have plenty of talent surrounding Favre, and that should open things up in the middle of the field for whoever the Tight End is this year. If you see Keller on the field in Week 1 it will likely be a sign of good things to come.
Players With Something To Prove
Quarterbacks
Vince Young, Titans (vs. Jacksonville) - Vince Young has looked like Vince Young this preseason and that's not a good thing. His completion percentage was an ugly 45.3 and he didn't contribute a single touchdown; running or passing. These numbers could be more of a trend than an aberration for Young who over his career has run or thrown for 31 TDs compared to 30 INTs. Keep a short leash on Vince and don't start him against Jacksonville this week. If Young isn't showing improvement after week 2 (at Cincy) and 3 (vs. Houston), don't be afraid to set him free.
Derek Anderson, Browns (vs. Dallas) - This is something I know from firsthand experience - concussions tend to linger. Cleveland hasn't look sharp in the preseason and that combined with a concussed QB could make for some troubled times in the Dawg Pound. If Anderson's head hasn't cleared up yet, don't be too surprised to see Romeo Crennel turn to Brady Quinn. Remember, football is a business. By the end of the season the Browns will need to determine which of these two QBs they want to run with for the next 5 years. Players tend to be more susceptible concussions after suffering one and that could be enough to turn the tide in Quinn's favor.
Brodie Croyle, Chiefs (at New England) - If you've got Brodie on your team, I hope you have a solid starter in front of him. Kansas City has not looked good in any aspect of the game this preseason. O-Line concerns seem to be affecting everyone in KC. If Herman Edwards can pull a rabbit out of the hat and turn the O-line into a solid unit, there's a chance for solid production from the Chiefs playmakers this season. If the Patriots blow them out in week 1, it could already be lights out.
Running Backs
Larry Johnson, Chiefs (at New England) - Grand-mama carried the ball 35 times in the preseason, so there's no question he'll once again be the work horse in KC. The question here is how effective is he going to be? All those carries resulted in 3.3 yards per carry, continuing a decline from last season's 3.5 average. The tread on the tires appears to be running thin. Unless Brodie Croyle turns the corner, it looks like another long season for LJ and his owners.
Deuce McAllister/Reggie Bush, Saints (vs. Tampa Bay) - The only person who could run in the preseason for the Saints was Aaron Stecker…an ominous sign. Bush put up a paltry 3.3 yards per carry over 3 games. McAllister was even worse at 2.7, including weak efforts against Cincinnati (1.5) and Miami (2.7). Granted those are preseason numbers, but New Orleans as a team only averaged 3.7 yards per rush, tied for 7th worst in the league last year. If McAllister stays healthy he should bounce back and be productive, but I'm starting to think last year's 3.7 yards per carry is as good as Reggie Bush gets.
Wide Receivers
Joey Galloway, Buccaneers (at New Orleans) - An injured groin forced Galloway to miss the entire preseason and remains a cause for concern. Galloway's meal ticket has been his speed and his hands. I don't think his hands have gone anywhere, but if you've got Joey G on your team, you need to really watch week 1 against a porous Saints secondary. If Galloway struggles against a team he traditionally owns, it might be time to take Old Yeller out back.
Tight Ends
Desmond Clark, Bears (at Indianapolis) - Two catches over two games this preseason and a knee injury point to a down year for Clark in '08. Greg Olsen has just as many catches as Devin Hester in the preseason and appears to be close to taking over the full time TE position. Last season Olsen caught 39 balls for 2 touchdowns compared to Clark's 44 and 4. Look for those numbers to switch owners this year.
Author's Bio - Erik Morris
Erik Morris joined EA Sports in 2003 and currently works as an Analyst for Tiburon's Central Technologies Group. You can probably find him at Ray Jay watching his beloved Bucs or alma mater USF roll through the competition. He's played Fantasy Football since 1998 and truly thinks the Bucs are better off with Jeff Garcia this year.
Comments or Questions? Email us at fantasy@ea.com
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| 10/22 - Midseason League Drafts Begin |
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| 11/27 - Trade Deadline |
| 12/06 - Waiver Deadline |
