Warrior
Footballguy
I'll skip all the fluff and get right to the important part: the 2012 Fantasy Warriors. These are the players that will win you your league. For the sake of argument, I'll use .5 PPR scoring as a happy medium.
QB: Matt Schaub - This guy is criminally under-valued in most rankings. He's not going to set the world on fire, but he can be a very servicible low-end QB1 for your team. He won't put up a high volume of passing yards, but he'll make the most out of the passing plays called for him. He's got arguably the 2nd best WR in the league to throw to and defenses will focus on the run. If you miss on the top-tier and can't get your hands on a Matty Ice because league goes nuts over QBs and over-drafts the position, don't fret. As long as your bench is deep enough, pair Schaub with two late-round, high-upside picks like Jake Locker, Josh Freeman and/or Russell Wilson. Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco and Jake Locker are also great value picks, but Schaub seems to be the most underrated.
Bonus: Russell Wilson - Nothing more to say about this guy. Get him in the late rounds if they hype train hasn't fully reached your league yet.
RB: Darren McFadden - Not much of a window to take this guy, so I won't spend much time on him. It's hard to call him a 'value' since he's a 1st-rounder, but if you have a mid-first round pick and the top 3 RBs are taken, grab McFadden. Period. WRs available in the 3rd and 4th rounds this season are too good to use this pick on Calvin Johnson (no disrespect to the #1 WR). I'd taken Run DMC 4th overall and he's likely available at 8th-10th overall in many drafts.
RB: Fred Jackson - One of the top fantasy RBs of 2011 until he went down with injury. People are GROSSLY overestimating the role that CJ Spiller will play in this offense. It's FJax's job and I see him getting the vast majority of touches at runningback this season. I can't believe how much this guy is flying under the radar. If you miss on Rice, McCoy, Foster and McFadden, you can grab your stud RB1 at RB2 value in the mid to late 3rd round. Perfect for those drafting QB or TE early (which I don't recommend). Pass on the big names like Steven Jackson and Adrian Peterson. Let Charles, Murray and Lynch go 15-20 picks earlier and grab the real value at RB.
RB: Doug Martin - He's been given the reins and will run with them this season, behind a mauling offensive line. Yes, he's a rookie, but he's in the perfect situation to succeed. He makes an extremely solid RB2.
RB: Kevin Smith - Smith is still flying under most radars, despite being the only decent, healthy RB on the Lions squad. Especially under-valued in PPR, he could put up RB2 numbers from the get-go. Of course there are duability concerns and his competition could be coming back soon, but he has a chance to solidify the starting RB spot on a high-powered offense and is well worth the gamble if you miss out on grabbing a couple stud RBs early. At his current ADP, this guy is all upside.
RB: David Wilson - He is climbing up draft boards, but still isn't ranked high enough. If and when Bradshaw loses his role as the Giants' RB1, get ready. There isn't a single RB ranked in Wilson's general ADP area that has more potential to be a stud RB in the second half of 2012.
RB: Robert Turbin - Perfect handcuff for Lynch owners and perfect late-round RB flyer if your league hasn't caught wind of his talent yet. Great boom or bust pick with little cost that has a small chance of exploding and providing huge value.
Bonus: Jacquizz Rodgers and Kevin Smith - Both of these guys have a ton of upside, but for different reasons. If you exit the first 6 rounds with a weak stable of RBs, don't be afraid to pounce on these guys as flex starters. Kevin Smith for at least the first-half of the season and Rodgers for his potential in the second-half.
WR: Andre Johnson - Currently ranked around the 6-7th WR in most draft website rankings, Andre isn't getting the respect he deserves. Yes, he's a bit of an injury risk. But anyone who has watched Houston's games knows that he is a warrior and plays through anything minor. A very solid WR1 with a bit of a risk/reward profile, I'd jump on him in the early 3rd if he somehow falls that far. If the Julio Jones train/bandwagon has already left the station in your league, AJ makes for a nice consolation WR1 a round or so later.
WR: Dez Bryant - Often drafted after Miles Austin, Eric Decker and Jeremy Maclin, managers are missing out on Braynt's potential. If he can show up in the second half of games this season, he'll be a stud. He has a few red flags, but like with Terrell Owens, I think they are overblown. Bryant as your WR2 gives your team some serious upside.
WR: Torrey Smith - New uptempo offense, first full season with time to work on his routes, chemistry with Flacco, I could go on. He's easily the #1 WR on the team and has tons of breakout potential. I'm seeing guys like Denarius Moore and Robert Meachem ranked around him on some websites, which is rediculous.
WR: Reggie Wayne - WR1 on a team that looks rejuvinated with Andrew Luck behind center. Solid, consistent WR3 with WR1 upside. While we're at it, Austin Collie is also criminally under-valued in PPR.
WR: Kenny Britt - Rushing up draft boards. Get him if you can...his 1 game suspension means he'll have a lot more value than most people are banking on. He was breaking out as a top WR prior to injury last season. There's a chance he will pick up where he left off if he can stay healthy.
WR: Sidney Rice - How soon they forget. Yes, he's brittle. Yes, he's on a bad passing offense. But he has a TON of talent and upside. Currently ranked behind Lance Moore and Santonio Holmes on some sites, you're paying almost nothing for a guy who could return huge dividends. Take him as a flier with serious potential.
WR: Danny Amendola - If you disagree here, go check his game log over the past few years when he's played. If you still disagree that he's insanely under-valued right now, especially in PPR leagues, then you need a new hobby.
WR: Brandon Lafell - Like Amendola, you can get this guy for a cheese sandwich right now. Don't pass on the upside late in your draft.
Bonus: Leonard Hankerson - Sneaky late late-round pick. Potential WR2 in a rejuvinated Washington offense. Cut him after a week or two if he doesn't emerge. Some real upside potential if he does.
TE: Greg Olsen - No more Shockey, second year in Carolina, and he showed a lot of potential a couple years back in Chicago. I think he's finally ready to emerge as a sort of post-hype sleeper. After 2 or 3 weeks, don't be surpsrised if Olsen emerges as a top-6 Tight End, especially in PPR.
QB: Matt Schaub - This guy is criminally under-valued in most rankings. He's not going to set the world on fire, but he can be a very servicible low-end QB1 for your team. He won't put up a high volume of passing yards, but he'll make the most out of the passing plays called for him. He's got arguably the 2nd best WR in the league to throw to and defenses will focus on the run. If you miss on the top-tier and can't get your hands on a Matty Ice because league goes nuts over QBs and over-drafts the position, don't fret. As long as your bench is deep enough, pair Schaub with two late-round, high-upside picks like Jake Locker, Josh Freeman and/or Russell Wilson. Jay Cutler, Joe Flacco and Jake Locker are also great value picks, but Schaub seems to be the most underrated.
Bonus: Russell Wilson - Nothing more to say about this guy. Get him in the late rounds if they hype train hasn't fully reached your league yet.
RB: Darren McFadden - Not much of a window to take this guy, so I won't spend much time on him. It's hard to call him a 'value' since he's a 1st-rounder, but if you have a mid-first round pick and the top 3 RBs are taken, grab McFadden. Period. WRs available in the 3rd and 4th rounds this season are too good to use this pick on Calvin Johnson (no disrespect to the #1 WR). I'd taken Run DMC 4th overall and he's likely available at 8th-10th overall in many drafts.
RB: Fred Jackson - One of the top fantasy RBs of 2011 until he went down with injury. People are GROSSLY overestimating the role that CJ Spiller will play in this offense. It's FJax's job and I see him getting the vast majority of touches at runningback this season. I can't believe how much this guy is flying under the radar. If you miss on Rice, McCoy, Foster and McFadden, you can grab your stud RB1 at RB2 value in the mid to late 3rd round. Perfect for those drafting QB or TE early (which I don't recommend). Pass on the big names like Steven Jackson and Adrian Peterson. Let Charles, Murray and Lynch go 15-20 picks earlier and grab the real value at RB.
RB: Doug Martin - He's been given the reins and will run with them this season, behind a mauling offensive line. Yes, he's a rookie, but he's in the perfect situation to succeed. He makes an extremely solid RB2.
RB: Kevin Smith - Smith is still flying under most radars, despite being the only decent, healthy RB on the Lions squad. Especially under-valued in PPR, he could put up RB2 numbers from the get-go. Of course there are duability concerns and his competition could be coming back soon, but he has a chance to solidify the starting RB spot on a high-powered offense and is well worth the gamble if you miss out on grabbing a couple stud RBs early. At his current ADP, this guy is all upside.
RB: David Wilson - He is climbing up draft boards, but still isn't ranked high enough. If and when Bradshaw loses his role as the Giants' RB1, get ready. There isn't a single RB ranked in Wilson's general ADP area that has more potential to be a stud RB in the second half of 2012.
RB: Robert Turbin - Perfect handcuff for Lynch owners and perfect late-round RB flyer if your league hasn't caught wind of his talent yet. Great boom or bust pick with little cost that has a small chance of exploding and providing huge value.
Bonus: Jacquizz Rodgers and Kevin Smith - Both of these guys have a ton of upside, but for different reasons. If you exit the first 6 rounds with a weak stable of RBs, don't be afraid to pounce on these guys as flex starters. Kevin Smith for at least the first-half of the season and Rodgers for his potential in the second-half.
WR: Andre Johnson - Currently ranked around the 6-7th WR in most draft website rankings, Andre isn't getting the respect he deserves. Yes, he's a bit of an injury risk. But anyone who has watched Houston's games knows that he is a warrior and plays through anything minor. A very solid WR1 with a bit of a risk/reward profile, I'd jump on him in the early 3rd if he somehow falls that far. If the Julio Jones train/bandwagon has already left the station in your league, AJ makes for a nice consolation WR1 a round or so later.
WR: Dez Bryant - Often drafted after Miles Austin, Eric Decker and Jeremy Maclin, managers are missing out on Braynt's potential. If he can show up in the second half of games this season, he'll be a stud. He has a few red flags, but like with Terrell Owens, I think they are overblown. Bryant as your WR2 gives your team some serious upside.
WR: Torrey Smith - New uptempo offense, first full season with time to work on his routes, chemistry with Flacco, I could go on. He's easily the #1 WR on the team and has tons of breakout potential. I'm seeing guys like Denarius Moore and Robert Meachem ranked around him on some websites, which is rediculous.
WR: Reggie Wayne - WR1 on a team that looks rejuvinated with Andrew Luck behind center. Solid, consistent WR3 with WR1 upside. While we're at it, Austin Collie is also criminally under-valued in PPR.
WR: Kenny Britt - Rushing up draft boards. Get him if you can...his 1 game suspension means he'll have a lot more value than most people are banking on. He was breaking out as a top WR prior to injury last season. There's a chance he will pick up where he left off if he can stay healthy.
WR: Sidney Rice - How soon they forget. Yes, he's brittle. Yes, he's on a bad passing offense. But he has a TON of talent and upside. Currently ranked behind Lance Moore and Santonio Holmes on some sites, you're paying almost nothing for a guy who could return huge dividends. Take him as a flier with serious potential.
WR: Danny Amendola - If you disagree here, go check his game log over the past few years when he's played. If you still disagree that he's insanely under-valued right now, especially in PPR leagues, then you need a new hobby.
WR: Brandon Lafell - Like Amendola, you can get this guy for a cheese sandwich right now. Don't pass on the upside late in your draft.
Bonus: Leonard Hankerson - Sneaky late late-round pick. Potential WR2 in a rejuvinated Washington offense. Cut him after a week or two if he doesn't emerge. Some real upside potential if he does.
TE: Greg Olsen - No more Shockey, second year in Carolina, and he showed a lot of potential a couple years back in Chicago. I think he's finally ready to emerge as a sort of post-hype sleeper. After 2 or 3 weeks, don't be surpsrised if Olsen emerges as a top-6 Tight End, especially in PPR.
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I agree with quite a few of these, especially Schaub. In a 10 team 10 player keeper league, I got him mid draft as my QB3 after Brees and RGIII.
