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Footballguy
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So the dust has settled… Trent Green is in Miami, Daunte Culpepper is looking for his release and the Chiefs have an uncertain quarterback situation. Sounds like a typical offseason story in NFL camp, doesn’t it? What’s new in the NFL? Wasn’t this expected months ago? In all seriousness, the expected move of Green to Miami has shook up the quarterback situation with both teams; if Culpepper indeed gets his release, where could he end up? When our initial PFS rankings came out, Culpepper was still a Dolphin and Green was taking snaps for Kansas City. The quarterback derby has changed a few fantasy values, so let’s explore these issues and particular values of some players has changed for the 2007 season.
Some of these fantasy value changes are obvious, but it’s important to note as fantasy drafts are beginning to kick off and we want to keep owners as updated as possible.
-- Quarterback --
Trent Green
This may be obvious, but Green’s value went up with the trade. In Kansas City, Green was likely to be the backup or just a part-time starter. With the veteran now the number one quarterback for the Dolphins, look for his fantasy value to fall somewhere in the mid 20s to high 30s. Let’s be honest here – Green isn’t the quarterback who threw for 4,000 yards for three consecutive years. Consider him a fringe starter at best.
Brodie Croyle/Damon Huard
As expected, the trade of Green benefits both of these quarterbacks. However, which one do you pick? The Chiefs seem relegated to let Croyle ride out the bumps; he’s a second year player, so there will be plenty of them. If Croyle starts, then immediately downgrade all Chiefs options at receiver and tight end. Huard can keep the offense respectable and although he was solid in a short stint last year, he hasn’t done enough to show us he’s ready for a full-time fantasy role. Either player is only worth a backup spot on your roster, but they will likely be a waiver wire pickup.
Daunte Culpepper
Only time will tell where Culpepper is headed, but if you listen to the reports, he probably has someone interested and is just waiting to be released to sign with them. Realistically, Culpepper is not a starter this season. Some rumors have placed him in Jacksonville, Baltimore and Atlanta – all three in backup roles. The key question may not be what does it hold this year, but how does it look in 2007? Culpepper is running out of time in his NFL career and his fantasy value at best is in the 40s this season.
-- Running Back --
Ronnie Brown
When the Dolphins struggled with quarterback issues last year, Brown’s production slipped; he’s one of the biggest benefactors of Green’s move to South Florida. Again, Green is no savior, but at least he’s an improvement over Culpepper – isn’t he? Look for Brown to see more receptions out of the backfield in 2007, as well as topping well over 1,000 yards. His stock went up with the Green trade; although he’s 16th in our preseason rankings, he could sniff the top ten.
Larry Johnson
It’s hard to argue with Johnson’s production and you really have to chalk this quarterback trade as an incomplete for the Chiefs workhorse. Johnson is one guy who can carry this offense on his back, which he will have to do with an uncertain quarterback situation. Don’t expect any loss in Johnson’s production, but the Chiefs have talked about giving him a few less carries this year. The bottom line is that we’ll have to wait and see on Johnson.
-- Wide Receiver --
Eddie Kennison
When the Chiefs spent a first round pick on Dwayne Bowe, Kennison’s value began to tumble just a tad and trading the best quarterback on the roster hurts as well. Kennison was ranked 38th in our first release of rankings and his value has slipped into the 40s with Damon Huard or Brodie Croyle taking over the starting nod.
Chris Chambers
Yes, Green may no longer be an elite option, but you have to think he will help Chambers’ value in 2007. Green is a polished veteran, knows to put the ball in the hands of his best receivers and what’s not to like about this guy? Chambers is coming off his worst season as a pro, but having Culpepper, Joey Harrington and Cleo Lemon throwing to you will hurt your statistics. I look for Green to have an impact on Chambers this season, but I wouldn’t expect his value to go much higher. We currently rank him at 29th and he could move close to the top 25 with quarterback improvement.
-- Tight End --
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City
This is where fantasy owners need to be especially careful. Yes, Gonzalez is a huge weapon in the passing game and the Chiefs offense isn’t exactly starting over at zero, but who’s going to throw to him and can they be consistent enough? Gonzalez has already watched his statistics slip the last three seasons and it’s a safe bet it should be four in a row. After Antonio Gates and Todd Heap, the tight ends get jumbled up. Gonzalez is currently our number three tight end, but if he there is a year where he will slip past five, this is it.
Steve Lassan is the senior writer for Pro Fantasy Sports. Email him at stevelassan@profantasysports.com
So the dust has settled… Trent Green is in Miami, Daunte Culpepper is looking for his release and the Chiefs have an uncertain quarterback situation. Sounds like a typical offseason story in NFL camp, doesn’t it? What’s new in the NFL? Wasn’t this expected months ago? In all seriousness, the expected move of Green to Miami has shook up the quarterback situation with both teams; if Culpepper indeed gets his release, where could he end up? When our initial PFS rankings came out, Culpepper was still a Dolphin and Green was taking snaps for Kansas City. The quarterback derby has changed a few fantasy values, so let’s explore these issues and particular values of some players has changed for the 2007 season.
Some of these fantasy value changes are obvious, but it’s important to note as fantasy drafts are beginning to kick off and we want to keep owners as updated as possible.
-- Quarterback --
Trent Green
This may be obvious, but Green’s value went up with the trade. In Kansas City, Green was likely to be the backup or just a part-time starter. With the veteran now the number one quarterback for the Dolphins, look for his fantasy value to fall somewhere in the mid 20s to high 30s. Let’s be honest here – Green isn’t the quarterback who threw for 4,000 yards for three consecutive years. Consider him a fringe starter at best.
Brodie Croyle/Damon Huard
As expected, the trade of Green benefits both of these quarterbacks. However, which one do you pick? The Chiefs seem relegated to let Croyle ride out the bumps; he’s a second year player, so there will be plenty of them. If Croyle starts, then immediately downgrade all Chiefs options at receiver and tight end. Huard can keep the offense respectable and although he was solid in a short stint last year, he hasn’t done enough to show us he’s ready for a full-time fantasy role. Either player is only worth a backup spot on your roster, but they will likely be a waiver wire pickup.
Daunte Culpepper
Only time will tell where Culpepper is headed, but if you listen to the reports, he probably has someone interested and is just waiting to be released to sign with them. Realistically, Culpepper is not a starter this season. Some rumors have placed him in Jacksonville, Baltimore and Atlanta – all three in backup roles. The key question may not be what does it hold this year, but how does it look in 2007? Culpepper is running out of time in his NFL career and his fantasy value at best is in the 40s this season.
-- Running Back --
Ronnie Brown
When the Dolphins struggled with quarterback issues last year, Brown’s production slipped; he’s one of the biggest benefactors of Green’s move to South Florida. Again, Green is no savior, but at least he’s an improvement over Culpepper – isn’t he? Look for Brown to see more receptions out of the backfield in 2007, as well as topping well over 1,000 yards. His stock went up with the Green trade; although he’s 16th in our preseason rankings, he could sniff the top ten.
Larry Johnson
It’s hard to argue with Johnson’s production and you really have to chalk this quarterback trade as an incomplete for the Chiefs workhorse. Johnson is one guy who can carry this offense on his back, which he will have to do with an uncertain quarterback situation. Don’t expect any loss in Johnson’s production, but the Chiefs have talked about giving him a few less carries this year. The bottom line is that we’ll have to wait and see on Johnson.
-- Wide Receiver --
Eddie Kennison
When the Chiefs spent a first round pick on Dwayne Bowe, Kennison’s value began to tumble just a tad and trading the best quarterback on the roster hurts as well. Kennison was ranked 38th in our first release of rankings and his value has slipped into the 40s with Damon Huard or Brodie Croyle taking over the starting nod.
Chris Chambers
Yes, Green may no longer be an elite option, but you have to think he will help Chambers’ value in 2007. Green is a polished veteran, knows to put the ball in the hands of his best receivers and what’s not to like about this guy? Chambers is coming off his worst season as a pro, but having Culpepper, Joey Harrington and Cleo Lemon throwing to you will hurt your statistics. I look for Green to have an impact on Chambers this season, but I wouldn’t expect his value to go much higher. We currently rank him at 29th and he could move close to the top 25 with quarterback improvement.
-- Tight End --
Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City
This is where fantasy owners need to be especially careful. Yes, Gonzalez is a huge weapon in the passing game and the Chiefs offense isn’t exactly starting over at zero, but who’s going to throw to him and can they be consistent enough? Gonzalez has already watched his statistics slip the last three seasons and it’s a safe bet it should be four in a row. After Antonio Gates and Todd Heap, the tight ends get jumbled up. Gonzalez is currently our number three tight end, but if he there is a year where he will slip past five, this is it.
Steve Lassan is the senior writer for Pro Fantasy Sports. Email him at stevelassan@profantasysports.com
