AFC East fantasy football capsule
By Tim Piotrowski
Edited by Cory J. Bonini
Positional battles
- Rookie wide receiver James Hardy and wide receiver Roscoe Parrish will battle for the starting wide receiver job opposite Lee Evans. The loser of the competition likely will be the team's No. 4 receiver.
- Tight ends Robert Royal and Derek Schouman are expected to compete for the starting job during training camp.
- Running backs Fred Jackson and Dewayne Wright are candidates for the No. 2 running back job.
Potential breakout performers
- After a very productive rookie season, there is reason to believe running back Marshawn Lynch will only get better and could become one of the elite fantasy running backs. In 13 games last season, he rushed for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns last season. With a Bills offense that is expected to still have some struggles with quarterback Trent Edwards, Lynch should see more carries this season.
Potential disappointing players
- The Bills are expecting immediate production from Hardy this season, but rookie wide receivers seldom put up great numbers in year one. If he does not win the starting job, we will have some value as a red zone threat but likely will not put the numbers some might hope for.
- It is always a guessing game with young quarterbacks and Edwards is no exception. He played well at the end of the season, but the big question is whether he will be able to improve on his performance last season and become a better fantasy quarterback this year.
Injury update
- From a fantasy perspective, the Bills are a very healthy team. While a few players appear to be on the path to an injury-prone label, the current health of each key offensive player is on the up and up.
Positional battles
Potential breakout performers
- While he has only six carries since 2005, running back Ricky Williams has the opportunity to impress the Dolphins' coaching staff while running back Ronnie Brown (knee) continues to rehab. Williams has the ability to be a productive back in the league and could be a good mid- to late-round pick with some potential.
- Wide receiver Ernest Wilford had several productive years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he appears to be the main possession wideout for the Dolphins entering the season. He has the potential of being the team's leading receiver and could see an increase in stats if the Dolphins have to throw this season to get back into games.
Potential disappointing players
- Martin set career highs in receptions (34) and receiving yards (303) last season, but that appears not to be good for the Dolphins' new regime. He is going to have to fight to keep his job and appears to be the underdog.
- Wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. put decent numbers for a rookie last season (420 yards, two touchdowns) but is staring in the face of the dreaded sophomore slump. As a deep threat, his touches may be limited.
- Brown was on his way to a career season in 2007 until a torn anterior cruciate ligament ended his season. Fantasy owners are generally overvaluing him, taking him, on average, in the third round of 12-team formats. Rarely does a running back rebound well in his first year back after the ACL tear.
Injury update
- Brown (knee) will be brought along slowly during training camp to try his healing process.
Positional battles
Potential breakout performers
- Gaffney has a chance to improve on his 449 yards receiving and six touchdowns from last season. If he wins the No. 2 receiver job, he could benefit from defenses being occupied with covering wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, which could open up big holes in the defense for Gaffney.
Potential disappointing players
- Tight end Benjamin Watson has battled injuries during his career but has put up decent numbers, including last year's 389 receiving yards and six touchdowns. However, he could see a drop in his numbers this season because of the injury factor as well as the quantity of offensive firepower on the team.
- The only possible disappointment that Brady and Moss could bring into the 2008 season is that they likely will not be able to duplicate their mind-boggling numbers from last season.
- Running back Laurence Maroney is regularly overvalued at 20th overall, and the chance of him living up to that draft position is very slim. He has never been a full-time back, and the Patriots have too many options in their backfield to indicate anything other than a committee approach.
Injury update
- Welker (undisclosed) has been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list with an undisclosed injury.
Positional battles
Potential breakout performers
- Running back Thomas Jones had a solid season with 1,119 yards rushing last season but scored only one rushing touchdown. With the addition of guard Alan Faneca to the offensive line, Jones should see a good increase in his touchdown total, making him a solid No. 3 fantasy running back capable of No. 2 stats. While he isn't a true breakout player, Jones should reestablish himself in the fantasy landscape after a disappointing 2007 season.
Potential disappointing players
- Keller has to beat out two veterans to secure a starting job, and even if he does, he is still a rookie tight end in the NFL. That typically adds up to fantasy disaster. Don't reach for him like the Jets did.
Injury update
- Baker (back) is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform list, and that may have been more of a move done with regard to his contract dispute than an injured back.
