Fantasy Football: NFC East division preview

August 2, 2010 @ 16:00:00

By Cory J. Bonini
Edited by Tim Heaney

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

Fantasy situations to watch

• Chemistry between wideout Roy Williams and quarterback Tony Romo has been an issue since Williams' arrival. With Dez Bryant (ankle) out for training camp and likely the preseason, Williams will have every chance to capitalize on the rookie's absence.
• The running back split is intriguing, with Marion Barber III running with the ones. We're still expecting Felix Jones to be the better fantasy option, but his production will have to come on lesser touches than most anticipated before training camp.

• Barber III-headed monster

  Left tackle Doug Free has held up well this offseason, gaining praise from linebacker DeMarcus Ware, whose 31.0 sacks in the past 32 regular-season games is one shy of the entire Kansas City Chiefs' team total in the same timeframe. Backup tackle Alex Barron has been sharp this offseason, too, so he could push for playing time.

Fantasy football sleepers

• Williams is the guy to watch. He scored seven times on just 38 receptions last year, so deciding when to play him could be frustrating. Draft him as a No. 5 receiver with No. 2 talent.

Offensive line analysis: Depending how well Free plays, the line could be very b. If Free struggles, look for Barron to get his chance. This uncertainty warrants mild concern since Romo is keen at getting out of trouble with his feet.

New York Giants

Fantasy situations to watch

• Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks will likely win the No. 2 job, but given quarterback Eli Manning's affinity for wideout Steve E. Smith, Nicks may have to continue his big-play ways to give fantasy owners anything to work with.
• Injuries in New York's backfield led to a pass-first system, which is not Tom Coughlin or Kevin Gilbride football. Expect a balanced approach this year, just as long as the backfield allows for it.
• Running back split: Will Ahmad Bradshaw (feet) overtake Brandon Jacobs (knee) at some point?
• New York's offensive line is well-aged, and their depth is largely untested.

Fantasy football sleepers

• Ramses Barden, the second-year wideout, has fantastic size (6-foot-6, 227 pounds) and could be a lethal red zone threat. He isn't worth drafting in standard formats, but you should keep an eye on his development throughout the remaining offseason.

Offensive line analysis: As mentioned above, age isn't on their side (four starters will be at least 30 by mid-September). If healthy, they have enough collective talent for one more dominant year.

Philadelphia Eagles

Fantasy situations to watch

• We're slightly concerned that quarterback Kevin Kolb's short-passing style will negatively affect DeSean Jackson's big-play ability. Unless Jackson can make up for it with yardage after the catch, he could be in for a letdown season.
• How will the Eagles use Michael Vick? Will he see token touches each week, or can Philly find a way to blend him into the game plan that doesn't ultimately throw off Kolb's rhythm?

Fantasy football sleepers

• Running back Mike Bell could be a goal line vulture and may have a sizeable role if starter LeSean McCoy struggles. Bell is a late-round flier in fantasy leagues.

Will D-Jax miss McNabb?

Offensive line analysis: Philadelphia's line has a lot of question marks on the injury front. Right guard Stacy Andrews (back) has been dealing with a sore back, and left guard Todd Herremans (foot) is on the PUP. He is joined by starting center Jamaal Jackson (knee). Philly's depth along the line is just OK.

Washington Redskins

Fantasy situations to watch

• A 38-year-old Joey Galloway is running with the starting receivers, but Devin Thomas is having a good offseason and should eventually overtake him.
• We're curious to see how healthy right tackle Jammal Brown (hip) will be after missing the 2009 season.
• Clinton Portis missed eight games last year due to a concussion, but the veteran running back figures to be the top dog in this overly ripe backfield.
• The Redskins' defense is switching to a 3-4 alignment, which generally takes time to become comfortable in. Will the defense put the offense in bad situations, forcing catch-up drives most weeks? That may not be bad for quarterback Donovan McNabb owners, but whenever an offense is out of their element it doesn't bode well for the entire process.

Fantasy football sleepers

• Thomas is a great choice for a breakout season, but he needs to maintain focus during the offseason - for the record, that hasn't been a problem yet.
• Portis, if healthy, could have one final monster season in him. While it may sound ridiculous, 1,300 yards and 11 touchdowns are within his reach.

Offensive line analysis: Can Brown stay on the field? First-round pick Trent Williams will play left tackle, and Derrick Dockery returns to man the left guard spot after a few years in Buffalo. Questions along this line's reserves could create a problem down the road, but their starting group is well above average.

Also see:

AFC: East | North | South | West

NFC: East | North | South | West

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

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