Yudkins Rankings (1 Viewer)

[NorrisB]

I always like looking at Yudkins rankings, because he puts alot of time into them and he dominates the survivor leagues

Interesting:

RB:

He's down on Willis McGahee. Larry Johnson and MJD

His WR rankings are always the most interesting

WR:

Terrell Owens @ 2

Houshmandzadeh @ 4

Driver @ 5

CJ @ 8

Fitzgerald @ 13

Boldin @ 16

Branch @ 20

Holmes @ 24

Your thoughts people?

 

[Power Monster]

I think that he is in the ballpark when it comes to the two Bengal WRs. Fitz? A bit low for some reason......

 

[David Yudkin]

I'll explain these in a minute.

 

[Mr. Peterson]

I always like looking at Yudkins rankings, because he puts alot of time into them and he dominates the survivor leagues

Interesting:

RB:

He's down on Willis McGahee. Larry Johnson and MJD

His WR rankings are always the most interesting

WR:

Terrell Owens @ 2

Houshmandzadeh @ 4

Driver @ 5

CJ @ 8

Fitzgerald @ 13

Boldin @ 16

Branch @ 20

Holmes @ 24

Your thoughts people?

Is that Chad or Calvin?

 

[Pittsburgh United]

Driver @ 5

 

[ImTheScientist]

I agree 100% with the RB's listed as being down on

RB:

He's down on Willis McGahee

Larry Johnson

MJD

His WR rankings are always the most interesting

WR:

Terrell Owens @ 2

Houshmandzadeh @ 4

Driver @ 5

CJ @ 8

Fitzgerald @ 13

Boldin @ 16

Branch @ 20

Holmes @ 24 :maybe:

Your thoughts people?

 

[Banger]

Driver @ 5

He finished 6th last year and has the same competition at WR, same QB, etc. I don't see 5th as a stretch at all considering he'll finish top 5 in targets (was #2 last year with 171) again this year.

 

[Banger]

I agree 100% with the RB's listed as being down onRB:He's down on Willis McGahee Larry Johnson MJD His WR rankings are always the most interestingWR: Terrell Owens @ 2Houshmandzadeh @ 4 Driver @ 5 CJ @ 8 Fitzgerald @ 13 Boldin @ 16Branch @ 20Holmes @ 24 :maybe:Your thoughts people?

I like McGahee this year but agree with LJ and MJD. I don't really have a problem with the WR rankings. I can see Housh being the beneficiary of the Chris Henry TD's. Re:Fitz/Boldin that's about where they finished last year (Fitz only played 13 games and would have probably finished around 12 or so if he played all 16) and I think there's a better chance that they will run the ball more and pass less this year.

 

[Pittsburgh United]

Driver @ 5

He finished 6th last year and has the same competition at WR, same QB, etc. I don't see 5th as a stretch at all considering he'll finish top 5 in targets (was #2 last year with 171) again this year.

OK - I hope he goes WR5 or 6 in my league. I can name 12 WRs I'd take ahead of him.

 

[David Yudkin]

Willis McGahee

I don't think he's a huge upgrade to Lewis and there were other factors that lead the Ravens' running game to be meh. Almost Top 10 in rushing attempts but Bottom 10 in all the other rushing categories = marginal results in my book. We'll see how it turns out.

Larry Johnson

I'm not all that down on LJ but just think he will not get the workload he did last year and should have fewer TD. A holdout into the season certainly would not held any.

MJD

As I see it, Taylor will play a much larger role than many people are anticipating. He just signed an extension for $5 million a year. Unless Jones-Drew gets a lot more touches IMO he will have a tough time repeating his TD output and he will struggle to retain h is high ypc.

Terrell Owens @ 2

Owens was #2 last year . . . not sure why this is noteworthy.

Houshmandzadeh @ 4

CJ @ 8

On a PPG metric Housh was better than CJ and was a Top 5 WR. Over roughly the last year and a half when he and CJ have both played Housh has averaged almost a full point better on a per game basis than Ocho Cinco.

Driver @ 5

Driver was also Top 5 last year and the Packers did not add anyone else and have ??? in the running game. With Favre throwing 600+ attempts the past few years, who else will be catching them?

Fitzgerald @ 13

Boldin @ 16

I have posted in a ton of threads that the year both of these guys were Top 10 the Cardinals threw 670 passes. With Whisenhunt in town I doubt they sniff that total. I am guessing about 500 passes and 500 rushes even though Whisenhunt has said he wants 550-600 rushing attempts. Fitz has been 25% less productive with any QB other than Warner.

Branch @ 20

I watched Branch almost every game in NE. IMO, he's a middle of the road NFL #1 WR. Against top corners and double teams he put up very pedestrian numbers. With the Pats, he had 30 games in New England where he had under 50 yards receiving and 18 of those were games of 30 yards or less (in 61 games).

Holmes @ 24

Holmes just missed 50 receptions and had 825 receiving yards and did very little the first month of the season. Word on the street is that the Steelers will have more of a vertical game than in season's past. Very under the radar this year.

 

[Banger]

Driver @ 5

He finished 6th last year and has the same competition at WR, same QB, etc. I don't see 5th as a stretch at all considering he'll finish top 5 in targets (was #2 last year with 171) again this year.

OK - I hope he goes WR5 or 6 in my league. I can name 12 WRs I'd take ahead of him.

that's why he has value because guys will draft 12 guys in front of him.

 

[ImTheScientist]

Driver @ 5

He finished 6th last year and has the same competition at WR, same QB, etc. I don't see 5th as a stretch at all considering he'll finish top 5 in targets (was #2 last year with 171) again this year.

OK - I hope he goes WR5 or 6 in my league. I can name 12 WRs I'd take ahead of him.

The reason I do well year in and year out

 

[ImTheScientist]

Holmes @ 24 Holmes just missed 50 receptions and had 825 receiving yards and did very little the first month of the season. Word on the street is that the Steelers will have more of a vertical game than in season's past. Very under the radar this year.

I hope he stays under the radar..........SHhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[NorrisB]

Willis McGaheeI don't think he's a huge upgrade to Lewis and there were other factors that lead the Ravens' running game to be meh. Almost Top 10 in rushing attempts but Bottom 10 in all the other rushing categories = marginal results in my book. We'll see how it turns out.Larry JohnsonI'm not all that down on LJ but just think he will not get the workload he did last year and should have fewer TD. A holdout into the season certainly would not held any.MJDAs I see it, Taylor will play a much larger role than many people are anticipating. He just signed an extension for $5 million a year. Unless Jones-Drew gets a lot more touches IMO he will have a tough time repeating his TD output and he will struggle to retain h is high ypc.Terrell Owens @ 2Owens was #2 last year . . . not sure why this is noteworthy.Houshmandzadeh @ 4 CJ @ 8 On a PPG metric Housh was better than CJ and was a Top 5 WR. Over roughly the last year and a half when he and CJ have both played Housh has averaged almost a full point better on a per game basis than Ocho Cinco.Driver @ 5 Driver was also Top 5 last year and the Packers did not add anyone else and have ??? in the running game. With Favre throwing 600+ attempts the past few years, who else will be catching them?Fitzgerald @ 13 Boldin @ 16I have posted in a ton of threads that the year both of these guys were Top 10 the Cardinals threw 670 passes. With Whisenhunt in town I doubt they sniff that total. I am guessing about 500 passes and 500 rushes even though Whisenhunt has said he wants 550-600 rushing attempts. Fitz has been 25% less productive with any QB other than Warner.Branch @ 20I watched Branch almost every game in NE. IMO, he's a middle of the road NFL #1 WR. Against top corners and double teams he put up very pedestrian numbers. With the Pats, he had 30 games in New England where he had under 50 yards receiving and 18 of those were games of 30 yards or less (in 61 games). Holmes @ 24 Holmes just missed 50 receptions and had 825 receiving yards and did very little the first month of the season. Word on the street is that the Steelers will have more of a vertical game than in season's past. Very under the radar this year.

Thanks David love the rankings

 

[Banger]

I always like looking at Yudkins rankings, because he puts alot of time into them and he dominates the survivor leaguesInteresting:RB:He's down on Willis McGahee. Larry Johnson and MJDHis WR rankings are always the most interestingWR: Terrell Owens @ 2Houshmandzadeh @ 4 Driver @ 5 CJ @ 8 Fitzgerald @ 13 Boldin @ 16Branch @ 20Holmes @ 24 Your thoughts people?

BTW..where can I find the rankings. I looked in the redraft rankings and his name wasn't listed...

 

[Ron_Mexico]

Willis McGaheeI don't think he's a huge upgrade to Lewis and there were other factors that lead the Ravens' running game to be meh. Almost Top 10 in rushing attempts but Bottom 10 in all the other rushing categories = marginal results in my book. We'll see how it turns out.

I actually think he is in another league than Jamal Lewis,speed, quickness to the hole and power all go to McGahee.Baltimore ran the ball 30% more with Lewis than Buffalo did with McGahee last year. If McGahee runs the ball 30% more this season in Baltimore, he could put up top 10 RB numbers very easily.

 

[ImTheScientist]

BTW..where can I find the rankings. I looked in the redraft rankings and his name wasn't listed...

Search based on the past 31 days

 

[Banger]

Willis McGaheeI don't think he's a huge upgrade to Lewis and there were other factors that lead the Ravens' running game to be meh. Almost Top 10 in rushing attempts but Bottom 10 in all the other rushing categories = marginal results in my book. We'll see how it turns out.

David -With regard to McGahee, his ranking/ADP is currently 14th and Jamal finished 16th in points last year. He may not be a huge upgrade but he is an upgrade. Jamal was a 2 down back and it's very likely that McGahee will be a 3 down back and he's got nobody on the roster to take carries from him. The Ravens also addressed their putrid line with a couple 1st day draft picks. He also looks to have a good run schedule. I think Willis offers good value where he's being drafted since it's essentially his downside (where Jamal was last year) and if he's used on 3rd downs, is a lot better than Jamal was, the line gets better, etc. there's a very good chance that he exceeds his position.

 

[AnonymousBob]

Yudkin's rankings are by far my favorite.

 

[Banger]

BTW..where can I find the rankings. I looked in the redraft rankings and his name wasn't listed...

Search based on the past 31 days

got it, thx.

 

[Hit-em]

Can someone provide a Link to David's rankings ??

Thx

 

[David Yudkin]

Can someone provide a Link to David's rankings ??

Thx

I bumnped my rankings, so if you go to any of the positional rankings mine should be near the front.LINK

 

[BRONG]

The contrarian.

 

[phthalatemagic]

You have Drew much lower than Addai and Maroney, so it's more than just a sophomore hangover? Taylor isn't very high, so I don't see where the yards/TDs are going.

You are giving Edge a good amount of respect too - do you think they will make that big of a difference in their OL player without altering their personnel significantly from last year? I'm skeptical. Edge got alot of touches last year and I think Shipp will see some time this year.

 

[David Yudkin]

You have Drew much lower than Addai and Maroney, so it's more than just a sophomore hangover? Taylor isn't very high, so I don't see where the yards/TDs are going. You are giving Edge a good amount of respect too - do you think they will make that big of a difference in their OL player without altering their personnel significantly from last year? I'm skeptical. Edge got alot of touches last year and I think Shipp will see some time this year.

Drew was off the chart in terms of ypc and TD% last year, neither of which I think he'll repeat. THe Jags rushing totals were nowhere near as high in the years preceding last year. Taylor is still around and will get a decent chunk of the workload. But to answer your question, some of the RB production just evaporates. The Jags had almost 600 rushing yards in two games against the Colts. Call me crazy, but I don't see that happening again.As for Edge, ARI brought in Whisenhunt and Grimm to work on improving the running attack. Edge won't get more carries, but he should be more productive and get more red zone looks. He has not historically been a great goal line back, but IMO he will get enough TD to jump up a few spots. I also am one of the few people to rank Shipp and see the Cardinals running the ball much more than in recent years and with moderate improvement while doing so. I do not see Shipp as competition to Edge . . . he should just get more attempts based on more team rushing attemtps.

 

[SSOG]

Can someone provide a Link to David's rankings ??

Thx

QBsRBs

WRs

TEs

PK

Def

Just to throw some more love Yudkin's way, I always love his methodology and focus on statistics. Probably my favorite FBG.

Edit: With that said, he's totally missing the boat on MJD.

 

[nygiants56]

Can someone provide a Link to David's rankings ??

Thx

I bumnped my rankings, so if you go to any of the positional rankings mine should be near the front.LINK

I disagree on a few players. Cutler - isn't he a bit too low? Byron Leftwhich, Eli, VY, ranked higher than Cutler? Eli will toss 20 ints without Barber, and Leftwhich might not even start OR finish the season as the team's #1 QB.

McNabb is way too high.whats he ever done ( except that MVP season) that makes him anything more than an average QB .. only TWICE in his nfl career, has he thrown for more than 21 TDs in a season, and he's failed to throw for more than just 18 tds four times in his career.. he's played a full 16-game season just once in the past 5 years. if he sneezes, he's hurt..this brings me to another disagreement: Brian Westbrook ranked higher than LJ? Westbrook is good, but not `better-than-LJ` good..When McNabb gets hurt, there is no Jeff Garcia to bail him out. Kolb will not carry this team. that will hurt the Westbrook's stats.

I'd put the chances of Mcnabb getting hurt again, at better than 70%..he's as fragile as they come..

you're a bit too high on Ahman Green and too low on Ronnie Brown, imo. I've never been a R. Brown fan, he might catch 70 balls this season, I mean, who else is there to catch the ball in Miami? We know Cam Cameron's style: heavy doses of the running game including many screen passes, and TE's seeing plenty of action.

Brown is going to get 100% of the goalline carries, and the Fish play an EASY schedule against some of the worst rush defenses from 2006. again, if ever he was going to step-up, its 2007..this could be his breakout season.

your WR rankings are great ..Driver at #5 is a gutsy call, but GB will be hard pressed to find any semblance of a running game this season. they're going to need to pass more than in previous years.

 

[David Yudkin]

Cutler - isn't he a bit too low? Byron Leftwich, Eli, VY, ranked higher than Cutler? Eli will toss 20 ints without Barber, and Leftwhich might not even start OR finish the season as the team's #1 QB.

Jags are trying to install a more pass oriented offense and Leftwich has always fared well in ppg (but has gotten hurt).The normal adjustment for teams losing a Top 10 RB is +15% passing yards and passing TD. Eli has ranked 4th and 11th the past two years. Having him at 11th may even be too low.Young will get plenty of traction on the strength of his running numbers. I'm not sure he'll do match passing the ball but he could still have close to 100 fantasy points just running.My concern for Cutler is that the team may revert to the ground game that they had for years. Cutler didn't click with Walker, Smith and Stokley are banged up, and I'm not sold on Marshall. I'm also skeptical of small sample sizes for rookie QBs, especially when they have a high amount of TD passes. I doubt Cutler will average almost 2 TDs a game.

McNabb is way too high.whats he ever done ( except that MVP season) that makes him anything more than an average QB .. only TWICE in his nfl career, has he thrown for more than 21 TDs in a season, and he's failed to throw for more than just 18 tds four times in his career.. he's played a full 16-game season just once in the past 5 years. if he sneezes, he's hurt..this brings me to another disagreement: Brian Westbrook ranked higher than LJ? Westbrook is good, but not `better-than-LJ` good..When McNabb gets hurt, there is no Jeff Garcia to bail him out. Kolb will not carry this team. that will hurt the Westbrook's stats. I'd put the chances of Mcnabb getting hurt again, at better than 70%..he's as fragile as they come..

McNabb ranked 13th last year and only played in slightly more than 9 games. Since 2000, he's accounted for 27, 27, 23, 19, 34, 17, and 21 TD. That's 168 TD in 92 games (1.76 TD per game). Yes, he's an injury risk but even though I'm not a fan he does put up very strong numbers.

you're a bit too high on Ahman Green and too low on Ronnie Brown, imo. I've never been a R. Brown fan, he might catch 70 balls this season, I mean, who else is there to catch the ball in Miami? We know Cam Cameron's style: heavy doses of the running game including many screen passes, and TE's seeing plenty of action.Brown is going to get 100% of the goalline carries, and the Fish play an EASY schedule against some of the worst rush defenses from 2006. again, if ever he was going to step-up, its 2007..this could be his breakout season.

The Dolphins receiving options are not that putrid. And Brown is not LT. My ranking of Brown is not all that different than the other staff guys.As for Ahman Green, add up the totals of the Texans backs last year and they combined put up very good numbers. The problem was that the workload got split 7 ways. Green should get a huge chunk of that. And how did DDavis do in HOU?

 

[Assani Fisher]

David,

I think you give very solid analysis and reasoning for all of your rankings here with the exception of McGahee. Overall, good job.

 

[Rushmore]

David, you seemed to have changed your tune in regards to Ahman Green. Back in the Ahman Green spotlight thread you seemed down on him. You seemed to have warmed on him considerably in your rankings. Great job btw...Yudkins are my favorite to see. Glad you started posting them last year.

 

[number 9]

Is there any chance you start getting into the dynasty rankings soon? I love the wide variety of opinions we get in the rankings for redraft, but that variety is often lacking in dynasty. From reading the preceeding posts, it appears that you put alot of research, reason, and effort into your rankings and would love to see your rankings for dynasty, along with some of the other FBG's.

 

[David Yudkin]

David, you seemed to have changed your tune in regards to Ahman Green. Back in the Ahman Green spotlight thread you seemed down on him. You seemed to have warmed on him considerably in your rankings. Great job btw...Yudkins are my favorite to see. Glad you started posting them last year.

I assume you are talking about the 2006 Player Spotlight on Green. At that time, I had serious concerns about his chances of recovery from his injury/surgery. As a Green owner, I was happy to have been wrong. Green ranked 15th last year (and still missed two game). He may become the equivalent of DDavis (also missing a few games).As for McGahee, I suppose I will revisit all the rankings ### we get closer to the season and he'll be a candidate to look more into.

 

[Rushmore]

David, you seemed to have changed your tune in regards to Ahman Green. Back in the Ahman Green spotlight thread you seemed down on him. You seemed to have warmed on him considerably in your rankings. Great job btw...Yudkins are my favorite to see. Glad you started posting them last year.

I assume you are talking about the 2006 Player Spotlight on Green. At that time, I had serious concerns about his chances of recovery from his injury/surgery. As a Green owner, I was happy to have been wrong. Green ranked 15th last year (and still missed two game). He may become the equivalent of DDavis (also missing a few games).As for McGahee, I suppose I will revisit all the rankings ### we get closer to the season and he'll be a candidate to look more into.

No, it was 2007's spotlight.

My theoretical question is why we should expect a 30-year-old RB that's been plagued with injuries (some minor, some more severe) to move to the Texans with an equally so-so OL, an unproven QB, and basically only one established receiving threat and expect Green to both play more and play better. Unless Schaub and the Texans show a lot more in the passing game, Green may face more guys in the box then he ever saw in GB when he had gunslinger Favre under center. Other than Andre Johnson, no other Texans player has had more than 40 receptions in a season before. (I see Ron Dayne coming in at the goal line.)

Not trying to call you out or anything, just wondering if you've changed your mind on him.

 

[David Yudkin]

David, you seemed to have changed your tune in regards to Ahman Green. Back in the Ahman Green spotlight thread you seemed down on him. You seemed to have warmed on him considerably in your rankings. Great job btw...Yudkins are my favorite to see. Glad you started posting them last year.

I assume you are talking about the 2006 Player Spotlight on Green. At that time, I had serious concerns about his chances of recovery from his injury/surgery. As a Green owner, I was happy to have been wrong. Green ranked 15th last year (and still missed two game). He may become the equivalent of DDavis (also missing a few games).As for McGahee, I suppose I will revisit all the rankings ### we get closer to the season and he'll be a candidate to look more into.

No, it was 2007's spotlight.

My theoretical question is why we should expect a 30-year-old RB that's been plagued with injuries (some minor, some more severe) to move to the Texans with an equally so-so OL, an unproven QB, and basically only one established receiving threat and expect Green to both play more and play better. Unless Schaub and the Texans show a lot more in the passing game, Green may face more guys in the box then he ever saw in GB when he had gunslinger Favre under center. Other than Andre Johnson, no other Texans player has had more than 40 receptions in a season before. (I see Ron Dayne coming in at the goal line.)

Not trying to call you out or anything, just wondering if you've changed your mind on him.

I think what changed is I looked at what the HOU RB corps did in more detail last year and concluded that as a whole they were way better than I expected. I also looked back at what DDavis did and say that even with limited receiving options he still did well.I still also say that what you just quoted may be true but I think the net results may be better than I originally anticipated. I think similar numbers from last year in GB are not out of the question and again would have him in the RB15 or so range. But not a lot of TDs.

 

[BassNBrew]

WR: Terrell Owens @ 2Houshmandzadeh @ 4 Driver @ 5 CJ @ 8 Fitzgerald @ 13 Boldin @ 16Branch @ 20Holmes @ 24 Your thoughts people?

Looks like he's been reading my material. Looks like we get the benefit of the masses not realizing that Housh is the better WR in Cinny.

 

[Rushmore]

David, you seemed to have changed your tune in regards to Ahman Green. Back in the Ahman Green spotlight thread you seemed down on him. You seemed to have warmed on him considerably in your rankings. Great job btw...Yudkins are my favorite to see. Glad you started posting them last year.

I assume you are talking about the 2006 Player Spotlight on Green. At that time, I had serious concerns about his chances of recovery from his injury/surgery. As a Green owner, I was happy to have been wrong. Green ranked 15th last year (and still missed two game). He may become the equivalent of DDavis (also missing a few games).As for McGahee, I suppose I will revisit all the rankings ### we get closer to the season and he'll be a candidate to look more into.

No, it was 2007's spotlight.

My theoretical question is why we should expect a 30-year-old RB that's been plagued with injuries (some minor, some more severe) to move to the Texans with an equally so-so OL, an unproven QB, and basically only one established receiving threat and expect Green to both play more and play better. Unless Schaub and the Texans show a lot more in the passing game, Green may face more guys in the box then he ever saw in GB when he had gunslinger Favre under center. Other than Andre Johnson, no other Texans player has had more than 40 receptions in a season before. (I see Ron Dayne coming in at the goal line.)

Not trying to call you out or anything, just wondering if you've changed your mind on him.

I think what changed is I looked at what the HOU RB corps did in more detail last year and concluded that as a whole they were way better than I expected. I also looked back at what DDavis did and say that even with limited receiving options he still did well.I still also say that what you just quoted may be true but I think the net results may be better than I originally anticipated. I think similar numbers from last year in GB are not out of the question and again would have him in the RB15 or so range. But not a lot of TDs.

Cool. Thanks. I think Green, as long as he can be up for it, will have the opportunity to get plenty of touches (rec. & rush), which gives a very legitimate opportunity for success.

 

[chris1969]

Willis McGaheeI don't think he's a huge upgrade to Lewis and there were other factors that lead the Ravens' running game to be meh. Almost Top 10 in rushing attempts but Bottom 10 in all the other rushing categories = marginal results in my book. We'll see how it turns out.Larry JohnsonI'm not all that down on LJ but just think he will not get the workload he did last year and should have fewer TD. A holdout into the season certainly would not held any.MJDAs I see it, Taylor will play a much larger role than many people are anticipating. He just signed an extension for $5 million a year. Unless Jones-Drew gets a lot more touches IMO he will have a tough time repeating his TD output and he will struggle to retain h is high ypc.Terrell Owens @ 2Owens was #2 last year . . . not sure why this is noteworthy.Houshmandzadeh @ 4 CJ @ 8 On a PPG metric Housh was better than CJ and was a Top 5 WR. Over roughly the last year and a half when he and CJ have both played Housh has averaged almost a full point better on a per game basis than Ocho Cinco.Driver @ 5 Driver was also Top 5 last year and the Packers did not add anyone else and have ??? in the running game. With Favre throwing 600+ attempts the past few years, who else will be catching them?Fitzgerald @ 13 Boldin @ 16I have posted in a ton of threads that the year both of these guys were Top 10 the Cardinals threw 670 passes. With Whisenhunt in town I doubt they sniff that total. I am guessing about 500 passes and 500 rushes even though Whisenhunt has said he wants 550-600 rushing attempts. Fitz has been 25% less productive with any QB other than Warner.Branch @ 20I watched Branch almost every game in NE. IMO, he's a middle of the road NFL #1 WR. Against top corners and double teams he put up very pedestrian numbers. With the Pats, he had 30 games in New England where he had under 50 yards receiving and 18 of those were games of 30 yards or less (in 61 games). Holmes @ 24 Holmes just missed 50 receptions and had 825 receiving yards and did very little the first month of the season. Word on the street is that the Steelers will have more of a vertical game than in season's past. Very under the radar this year.

I agree with everything that was just said. I'm now gonna pay alot more attention to Yudkins rankings.

 

[duaneok66]

Willis McGahee

I don't think he's a huge upgrade to Lewis and there were other factors that lead the Ravens' running game to be meh. Almost Top 10 in rushing attempts but Bottom 10 in all the other rushing categories = marginal results in my book. We'll see how it turns out.

Larry Johnson

I'm not all that down on LJ but just think he will not get the workload he did last year and should have fewer TD. A holdout into the season certainly would not held any.

MJD

As I see it, Taylor will play a much larger role than many people are anticipating. He just signed an extension for $5 million a year. Unless Jones-Drew gets a lot more touches IMO he will have a tough time repeating his TD output and he will struggle to retain h is high ypc.

Terrell Owens @ 2

Owens was #2 last year . . . not sure why this is noteworthy.

Houshmandzadeh @ 4

CJ @ 8

On a PPG metric Housh was better than CJ and was a Top 5 WR. Over roughly the last year and a half when he and CJ have both played Housh has averaged almost a full point better on a per game basis than Ocho Cinco.

Driver @ 5

Driver was also Top 5 last year and the Packers did not add anyone else and have ??? in the running game. With Favre throwing 600+ attempts the past few years, who else will be catching them?

Fitzgerald @ 13

Boldin @ 16

I have posted in a ton of threads that the year both of these guys were Top 10 the Cardinals threw 670 passes. With Whisenhunt in town I doubt they sniff that total. I am guessing about 500 passes and 500 rushes even though Whisenhunt has said he wants 550-600 rushing attempts. Fitz has been 25% less productive with any QB other than Warner.

Branch @ 20

I watched Branch almost every game in NE. IMO, he's a middle of the road NFL #1 WR. Against top corners and double teams he put up very pedestrian numbers. With the Pats, he had 30 games in New England where he had under 50 yards receiving and 18 of those were games of 30 yards or less (in 61 games).

Holmes @ 24

Holmes just missed 50 receptions and had 825 receiving yards and did very little the first month of the season. Word on the street is that the Steelers will have more of a vertical game than in season's past. Very under the radar this year.

Wow, didn't notice that . . . of course, when you get 171 targets (2nd in the NFL) good things happen . . . nice call . . .

 

[SSOG]

McNabb is way too high.whats he ever done ( except that MVP season) that makes him anything more than an average QB .. only TWICE in his nfl career, has he thrown for more than 21 TDs in a season, and he's failed to throw for more than just 18 tds four times in his career.. he's played a full 16-game season just once in the past 5 years. if he sneezes, he's hurt..this brings me to another disagreement: Brian Westbrook ranked higher than LJ? Westbrook is good, but not `better-than-LJ` good..When McNabb gets hurt, there is no Jeff Garcia to bail him out. Kolb will not carry this team. that will hurt the Westbrook's stats.I'd put the chances of Mcnabb getting hurt again, at better than 70%..he's as fragile as they come..

McNabb is a capital S, capital T, capital U, capital D of the highest degree. If he was guaranteed to play 16 games, I'd draft him in the first round (before Manning) without hesitating. Granted, he's not guaranteed to play 16 games, but even still, his PPG numbers are off the charts. QB24 last year averaged 14.8 points per game. If you take McNabb's 10-game totals, and then add 89.3 points to them (assuming that you started the worst backup QB in fantasy football during the weeks that McNabb missed), you would have gotten 326.9 points from your QB position. This would have been good enough for the #2 QB production in all of fantasy football... meaning McNabb, even with the worst fantasy backup in the league, would have outscored everyone but Manning, even with all the missed time.Even if McNabb only plays in 10 games, he'll more than justify his current ADP.

 

[Double_J]

Yud, since you're so low on LJ am I crazy for actually considering keeping Addai instead of LJ this year? Been thinking about this for a few months and really think Addai will outperform him in PPR leagues.

 

[David Yudkin]

Yud, since you're so low on LJ am I crazy for actually considering keeping Addai instead of LJ this year? Been thinking about this for a few months and really think Addai will outperform him in PPR leagues.

LJ will likely go up some when I update my rankings. He would have to drop a fair amount to get to where I have him listed and IMO he has a better chance of ranking higher than Addai does.There are several reasons to be concerned with Johnson but he would have to lose 400 yards and 7 TD to fall out of the Top 5. I think a dip in yardage is inevitable and it's how many TD he'll score that will answer the question as to where he'll rank.We don't really know how Addai will do being a primary back and a lot of his production last year came in a single game. I think LJ will end up with more TD opportunities so I would still rather have him than Addai. i don't hink you're crazy but I personally wouldn't take Addai over Johnson.

 

[BLOX]

When McNabb gets hurt, there is no Jeff Garcia to bail him out. Kolb will not carry this team.

This is correct, as Kolb will be the #3 QB in Philly this season.

your WR rankings are great ..Driver at #5 is a gutsy call, but GB will be hard pressed to find any semblance of a running game this season. they're going to need to pass more than in previous years.



This is incorrect, Driver will still get his, but the Packers will have a much improved running game in '07

 

[nygiants56]

McNabb is way too high.whats he ever done ( except that MVP season) that makes him anything more than an average QB .. only TWICE in his nfl career, has he thrown for more than 21 TDs in a season, and he's failed to throw for more than just 18 tds four times in his career.. he's played a full 16-game season just once in the past 5 years. if he sneezes, he's hurt..this brings me to another disagreement: Brian Westbrook ranked higher than LJ? Westbrook is good, but not `better-than-LJ` good..When McNabb gets hurt, there is no Jeff Garcia to bail him out. Kolb will not carry this team. that will hurt the Westbrook's stats.

I'd put the chances of Mcnabb getting hurt again, at better than 70%..he's as fragile as they come..

McNabb is a capital S, capital T, capital U, capital D of the highest degree. If he was guaranteed to play 16 games, I'd draft him in the first round (before Manning) without hesitating. Granted, he's not guaranteed to play 16 games, but even still, his PPG numbers are off the charts. QB24 last year averaged 14.8 points per game. If you take McNabb's 10-game totals, and then add 89.3 points to them (assuming that you started the worst backup QB in fantasy football during the weeks that McNabb missed), you would have gotten 326.9 points from your QB position. This would have been good enough for the #2 QB production in all of fantasy football... meaning McNabb, even with the worst fantasy backup in the league, would have outscored everyone but Manning, even with all the missed time.Even if McNabb only plays in 10 games, he'll more than justify his current ADP.

horseshoes and handgrenades, SSOG, horseshoes and handgrenades. woulda,coulda,shoulda..fact is, he HASN'T , doesn't, won't.says it all to me, really. McNabb is the best 'IF' player in fantasy football..

He's been banged up in each of the past 3 seasons. Part of

playing the game, is the ability to actually play every week, i.e., stay healthy. He's failed to do so 4 out of the past 5 seasons..I'm not putting any faith in a stud theory with McNabb. He is what he is, not what he 'could' be. He's a potato chip waiting to break. I wouldn't touch him, just like I wouldn't touch Fraud Taylor, or Chrissy Brown, or Leftwhich, or any player that has an injury-riddled past. I dealt with Rob't Smith years ago, and just when he led the NFC in rushing I was set to trade him to get max value in return.He promptly retired..lol. I got hosed.

I understand that McNabb is a good QB, in the top 15..but, only once in his career, has he completed over 60% of his passes.

his career avg is 58.2, conversely, David Carr's career comp % is 60.0..David Carr!

 

[nygiants56]

Cutler - isn't he a bit too low? Byron Leftwich, Eli, VY, ranked higher than Cutler? Eli will toss 20 ints without Barber, and Leftwhich might not even start OR finish the season as the team's #1 QB.

Jags are trying to install a more pass oriented offense and Leftwich has always fared well in ppg (but has gotten hurt).The normal adjustment for teams losing a Top 10 RB is +15% passing yards and passing TD. Eli has ranked 4th and 11th the past two years. Having him at 11th may even be too low.Young will get plenty of traction on the strength of his running numbers. I'm not sure he'll do match passing the ball but he could still have close to 100 fantasy points just running.My concern for Cutler is that the team may revert to the ground game that they had for years. Cutler didn't click with Walker, Smith and Stokley are banged up, and I'm not sold on Marshall. I'm also skeptical of small sample sizes for rookie QBs, especially when they have a high amount of TD passes. I doubt Cutler will average almost 2 TDs a game.

McNabb is way too high.whats he ever done ( except that MVP season) that makes him anything more than an average QB .. only TWICE in his nfl career, has he thrown for more than 21 TDs in a season, and he's failed to throw for more than just 18 tds four times in his career.. he's played a full 16-game season just once in the past 5 years. if he sneezes, he's hurt..this brings me to another disagreement: Brian Westbrook ranked higher than LJ? Westbrook is good, but not `better-than-LJ` good..When McNabb gets hurt, there is no Jeff Garcia to bail him out. Kolb will not carry this team. that will hurt the Westbrook's stats. I'd put the chances of Mcnabb getting hurt again, at better than 70%..he's as fragile as they come..

McNabb ranked 13th last year and only played in slightly more than 9 games. Since 2000, he's accounted for 27, 27, 23, 19, 34, 17, and 21 TD. That's 168 TD in 92 games (1.76 TD per game). Yes, he's an injury risk but even though I'm not a fan he does put up very strong numbers.

you're a bit too high on Ahman Green and too low on Ronnie Brown, imo. I've never been a R. Brown fan, he might catch 70 balls this season, I mean, who else is there to catch the ball in Miami? We know Cam Cameron's style: heavy doses of the running game including many screen passes, and TE's seeing plenty of action.Brown is going to get 100% of the goalline carries, and the Fish play an EASY schedule against some of the worst rush defenses from 2006. again, if ever he was going to step-up, its 2007..this could be his breakout season.

The Dolphins receiving options are not that putrid. And Brown is not LT. My ranking of Brown is not all that different than the other staff guys.As for Ahman Green, add up the totals of the Texans backs last year and they combined put up very good numbers. The problem was that the workload got split 7 ways. Green should get a huge chunk of that. And how did DDavis do in HOU?

Brown - will be given every chance to be LT, jr. He's probably one of,if not the best pass-catching RB in the NFL,outside of LT. he has terrific hands. IF you believe David Martin can stay healthy, he's going to be a potent receiver. I don't think he'll see the field much in 2007. Chambers is overrated/overhyped, and Cameron has seemingly abandoned the WR's in the past, to focus on TE's and RB ( LT).Now,that is because both Gates and LT are great athletes, but I see a similar situation developing in Miami - Lousy wr's but a good RB with great hands. Part of the solution to a porous o-line, is to call a lot of screen passes and RB dump-offs..Brown will definitely see an upswing in the amount of receptions he has this season. Like I said tho, there is no one else on that roster who will get goalline carries, other than Brown. This should easily be his best season as a pro.Green - the problem with Green is that Dayne is still hanging around, and Green is now on the wrong side of 30..Cutler - I'll buy into that..I think they run more with Henry there, but, that will also open up the passing lanes and will allow for more downfield plays as defenses focus on stopping the run.Eli ranked 4th and 11th, WITH Barber around, now they'll try to replace him with Jacobs and Droughns?! Giants also lost Finn, and Gilbride is calling plays.. ..Gilbride does like to pass, but with Eli's accuracy problems, that just measn more INT's. Also, who's going to catch the ball for Eli? Toomer is old and slow, Shockey is always hurt, Plax is up one week,down the next, and Moss + Smith are young and inexperienced. You'll see defenses stop the run,and force Eli to pass, and as a result, he'll be picked off about 20 times this season. He tossed 18 Ints last year, WITH Barber playing..he'll finish with approx. 22 tds, and 20 ints..yawn..that's `Jake Delhomme` good.. While I'm at it, I'll mention I love your TE rankings! you're the only guy I've seen,that thinks Witten is a top TE..most others have him ranked out of the top 10..

 

[AnonymousBob]

David, who do you feel Leftwich will throw the ball to? You have Reggie Williams as the highest ranked Jacksonville wr at 43 overall. Will this be the ultimate spread the ball about approach?

 

[David Yudkin]

David, who do you feel Leftwich will throw the ball to? You have Reggie Williams as the highest ranked Jacksonville wr at 43 overall. Will this be the ultimate spread the ball about approach?

I suspect that the Jags will try to pass more but the issue heading into July is no one knows who will do what or line up where in the WR corps.It could be a case of Jones, Williams, Wilford, and Northcutt all being in the mix (and medicore for fantasy purposes) with MJD and Taylor out of the backfield and the TEs mixed in. It could turn out to be a Patriots lite style approach. Reche Caldwell was NE's highest ranked receiver at #38 and Brady still ranked 7th at QB.As I may have mentioned in this thread (or maybe in others), the Jags had almost 600 rushing yards in two games against the Colts and IMO that will not happen again this season. It's odd that the Jags had a much better running game but their record dropped off by 4 wins. You would normally think the opposite would have been true.We may learn more about what the master plan is for the WRs in training camp, but at this point we are left with far more questions than answers.

 

[rascal]

Might want to change those predictions on Eli. Apparently he is really struggling with the new mechanics and the modified offense.

 

[Dancing Bear]

Hi David,

You have LJ ranked 5th behind Gore and Westbrook and you've stated that you are not "really down" on him. So ...

Can you give us an idea of how many points separate your top 5 RB's with regards to projection so that we can assess by how far apart your Top 5 really are?

Thanks in advance!

 

[AnonymousBob]

David, who do you feel Leftwich will throw the ball to? You have Reggie Williams as the highest ranked Jacksonville wr at 43 overall. Will this be the ultimate spread the ball about approach?

I suspect that the Jags will try to pass more but the issue heading into July is no one knows who will do what or line up where in the WR corps.It could be a case of Jones, Williams, Wilford, and Northcutt all being in the mix (and medicore for fantasy purposes) with MJD and Taylor out of the backfield and the TEs mixed in. It could turn out to be a Patriots lite style approach. Reche Caldwell was NE's highest ranked receiver at #38 and Brady still ranked 7th at QB.As I may have mentioned in this thread (or maybe in others), the Jags had almost 600 rushing yards in two games against the Colts and IMO that will not happen again this season. It's odd that the Jags had a much better running game but their record dropped off by 4 wins. You would normally think the opposite would have been true.We may learn more about what the master plan is for the WRs in training camp, but at this point we are left with far more questions than answers.

Fair enough. Guess we'll have to see how the team is looking once we get closer to the regular season.

 

[kensat30]

McNabb could single-handedly win you several games next year from the QB position. Not only that, but he is going to keep you in games, just like the other solid QB#1s will, and he has the potential to do so much more. I see one other QB who can potentially do the same thing as McNabb(Manning 50 TD year), but that guy is always taken several rounds earlier. To me, a guy like McNabb should be ranked highly because he has that rare stud potential. An above average fantasy football team will fight to get you to the playoffs, but the guy that grabs McNabb in the 5th(see 2004), has the potential to dominate the league from the QB position. The potential upside there for where he is picked is astronomical. Learn the difference between PPG versus aggeregate stats. Fantasy football is won one week at a time, And I don't think a lot of people realize that.

Really, McNabb's ranking should comes down to a pretty simple decision on your part.

This:

1 QB McNabb,Donovan PHI 10 316 180 2647 18 6 32 212 3 2 231.9 23.19

2 QB Manning,Peyton IND 16 557 362 4397 31 9 23 36 4 1 362.8 22.68

3 QB Brees,Drew NO 16 555 357 4424 26 11 42 32 0 3 317.8 19.86

or this:

1 QB Manning,Peyton IND 16 557 362 4397 31 9 23 36 4 1 362.8

2 QB Brees,Drew NO 16 555 357 4424 26 11 42 32 0 3 317.8

3 QB Bulger,Marc STL 16 588 370 4301 24 8 18 44 0 3 307.8