IDP: Fantasy Football Busts of Week 1
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September 4, 2008 @ 13:05:04
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By Bryce McRae
Edited by Herija C. Green
In this article KFFL breaks down fantasy football busts of the week. Some high-level players will be included, because you need to know when is time to sit a player even though it may not seem appropriate. Primarily, however, we will address the midrange to low-end fantasy options that you rack your brai over each week. Read on to learn which of these players that you wouldn't want in your lineup.
Fantasy football busts: Defensive linemen
Julius Peppers, Carolina Panthers at San Diego Chargers
Fantasy value: Borderline No. 2 or strong No. 3
- In a down year, Peppers managed just 2.9 tackles (2.2 solo) and 0.2 sacks per game in 2007.
- The Chargers allowed the third-fewest solo tackles in the league to opposing defensive linemen last year with 12.3 per game
- They also gave up just 15.4 total tackles and one sack per game to the position
Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Fantasy value: Midrange No. 3
- Ngata averaged 3.9 total tackles (2.7 solo) and 0.2 sacks per game last year.
- The Bengals saw opposing defensive linemen average 16.7 total tackles (12.7 solo) and 0.8 sacks per game in 2007.
Jarret Johnson, Baltimore Ravens vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Fantasy value: Borderline No. 3 or bench option
- Johnson, who operates primarily as a linebacker but switches to end on passing downs, wasn't far behind Ngata with an average of 3.6 total tackles (2.6 solo) and 0.1 sacks per game in 2007.
- The Bengals saw opposing defensive linemen average 16.7 total tackles (12.7 solo) and 0.8 sacks per game in 2007.
Fantasy football busts: Linebackers
E.J. Henderson, Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Fantasy value: Solid No. 2
- Henderson averaged 7.4 tackles (5.9 solo) and 0.3 sacks per game last year.
- The Packers allowed 20.6 total tackles (17.4 solo) and 0.3 sacks per contest to the position in 2007 - only five teams allowed fewer tackles to linebackers last season.
Matt Wilhelm, San Diego Chargers vs. Carolina Panthers
Fantasy value: Borderline No. 2 or strong No. 3
- Wilhelm led the team's linebackers with 6.9 total tackles (5.3 solo) per game last year, though he did not register a sack.
- Opposing linebackers managed 20.1 total tackles (16.8 solo) and 0.4 sacks per game against the Panthers last season.
D'Qwell Jackson, Cleveland Browns vs. Dallas Cowboys
Fantasy value: Borderline No. 2 or strong No. 3
- Jackson averaged a team-leading 7.2 total tackles (5.4 solo) per game as well as 0.1 sacks per game in 2007.
- The Cowboys gave up 21.1 total tackles (16.8 solo) and 0.2 sacks per game to the position last season.
Fantasy football busts: Defensive backs
Charles Woodson, Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Fantasy value: Weak No. 3
- Woodson averaged 4.5 tackles (3.7 solo) and 0.3 interceptions per game last year.
- The Vikings gave up just 22.8 total tackles (19.4 solo), 0.1 sacks and 0.8 interceptions per game to opposing defensive backs last year.
- The injury to Vikings quarterback Tarvaris Jackson (knee) could force the team to rely on running back Adrian Peterson even more in Week 1, which could have a detrimental effect on the corners.
Deon Grant, Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills
Fantasy value: Borderline No. 3 or bench play
- Grant managed 4.5 total tackles (3.8 solo) and 0.2 interceptions per game in 2007.
- The Bills' bottom-feeding offense gave up just 24.7 total tackles (20.1 solo), 0.1 sacks and 0.7 interceptions per game to enemy defensive backs this past season.
- More tackles could be available for opposing defensive backs in 2008 as Bills offensive coordinator Turk Schonert wants to throw the ball more.
Eric Green, Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Fantasy value: Borderline No. 3 or bench candidate
- Green was second among Cardinals defensive backs with 4.6 total tackles (4.3 solo) per game last year, but he did not manage an interception.
- The 49ers allowed just 20.6 total tackles (16.8 solo), 0.3 sacks and 0.8 interceptions to opposing defensive backs in 2007.
- The hiring of offensive coordinator Mike Martz should see an increased passing attack in San Francisco, which could improve the numbers slightly for Arizona's secondary.
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