My Two Cents
By KFFL Staff on October 8, 2011
Welcome to "My Two Cents". A weekly column where I'll give my take on a few players, and what I think their prospectus' are in the near future. I welcome your questions/comments/suggestions/etc. Even the "not-so-positive" ones like that from KEEPYOURSOXON. Feel free to drop me a line at thefantasyfootballnut@yahoo.com. Here's hoping you have an awesome Week 5!
Quarterbacks:
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills - The "genius" of the NFL, Fitzpatrick has clearly demonstrated through four weeks that not only is he book-smart, he's also a fully capable and competent leader. Granted, his Week 4 line, (20 Cmp, 34 Att, 199 Yds, 0 TDs, 0 Int) is not what fantasy owners were hoping for. Nor was the outcome of the game the way the Bills and their fans had hoped it to be. Nevertheless, Fitzpatrick remains a high end QB2, and should produce even-keeled numbers more often than clunkers like the one last week. If you're a Fitzpatrick owner, I think you're fine! The Bills are going to do their best to prove the masses wrong, and that they're a far cry from a fluke! While Fitz's supporting cast outside of Fred Jackson is limited as far as big names is concerned, what we've seen so far from Stevie Johnson, David Nelson, Donald Jones, and Scott Chandler has been nothing short of impressive to say the least!
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers - For Carolina fans, definitely not what you want to see in the standings. For fantasy owners of Newton, you've got to be loving it! With the exception of Week 3's (for lack of a better term) "white out but with rain", Newton has been an absolute beast with his fantasy numbers. If he's not airing it out for 300+ yards, he's scrambling/rushing for TD's! Dude can do it all! Bottom line; if you're a Newton owner and the other cogs of your fantasy squad are fairly solid, you're probably doing just fine! Forget about rookie quarterback records. I'll just sum it up like this. Newton is only going to get better as his season and career goes on. Believe that! And whatever you do, don't be the bonehead to sell on Newton! Unless, of course, you're getting the farm! He's the real deal and a Top 5 fantasy QB come seasons end!
Running Backs:
Chris "Beanie" Wells, Arizona Cardinals - I might suffer some backlash on this one, but I truly believe that Wells has a legitimate shot to finish in the Top 3 for rushing scores by a back this season. With Hightower now in D.C., (and on the verge of losing his starting gig), Wells basically has the entire running game all to himself. Some concern/caution must be given to the health of Wells' hamstring, as he missed Week 3 against the Seahawks. But based on his 138 yard, 3 TD performance last Sunday, it appears there's no ill-effects from the hammy. And if such is the case, I expect Wells to put up solid low-end RB1 numbers moving forward. He gets all of the goal line carries, and it's apparent that Whiz isn't afraid to give him upwards of 30 totes per game! The only aspect of Beanie's game that is deficient is his lack of activity in passing situations. Shoot!! If he can find the end zone 2 times each game and put up 130+ yards on the ground, I'm sure owners will forgive him for his less-than-stellar ability as a receiver!
Wide Receivers:
Denarius Moore, Oakland Raiders - With the exception of a monster Week 2 performance, one of my favorite preseason sleepers has been relatively quiet. Yes, he has touchdowns in 3 out of 4 contests, but the numbers that accompany 2 of those touchdowns are not worth writing about. I anticipated, ("hoped for" would be more apropo) more solid/consistent numbers from Moore, considering he was the most impressive receiver in camp, and by many accounts, the best player on the field at times! Moore's inconsistency is expected, and I simply got a little over excited based on what I had seen in training camp. Naturally, Al Davis hopes to see if Jacoby Ford and Darrius Heyward-Bey can live up to their billing. And in DHB's case, live up to his price tag!! So Moore is the logical, if not "economical" choice to take a back seat. There's no arguing that Moore's got skills. I think he'll have a solid fantasy season as a nearly every-week WR3 play. If by chance he's still floating in your FA pool, I'd definitely give Moore roster consideration, and put him ahead of better known guys like Mohamed Massaquoi, Derrick Mason, and even Ochocinco. Come seasons end, my money is still on Moore ending up in the Top 3 for rookie wide receivers as far as production and (fantasy)numbers are concerned.
Eric Decker, Denver Broncos - My other preseason sleeper at wide receiver, Decker has produced solid numbers through the first four weeks, (20 Rec., 270 Yds., 4 TDs). Kyle Orton loves to spread the ball around, so any given Sunday may be any one receiver's time to shine. Least we forget; technically speaking, Decker is still the #3 WR, behind Brandon Lloyd and Eddie Royal. But that seems to be more of a technicality than a factor. Royal was initially hampered by a bum hip dating back to last season. With the hip injury/surgery now behind him, Royal came up lame in the Week 2 tilt against the Bengals with a groin injury, and is reported to be out until at least the Broncos Week 6 bye. Whatever the case may be, I project Decker to remain a low end WR2/high end WR3 for the remainder of the season. A big, strong, physical player, Decker is not afraid to go up and get it, and has the potential to be a difference maker for your fantasy squad(s).
