Week
1 - Top 10 Non-Studs at Each Position
by Paul Eide
Fantasy Football Director
9/10/09
We all know
who the studs are, but what if you have to pick between the rest of the
field?
Who can you rely on? For quarterbacks, if I’m recommending a start I’m
saying
you can expect 200+ yards and at least one TD. For running backs, you
can
expect a minimum of 75 yards and a possible TD. For wide receivers, you
can
expect at least 75 yards and a possible TD. For tight ends, you can
expect at
least 50 yards and a possible TD, though I will only rank the top five.
I will
present each position by “Tiers” for quick reference on who the best
“Non
studs” are.
I’m not
going to rank defenses because everyone in your league already owns the
top 15
defenses, so there is no real insight there. I refuse to rank kickers;
get the
ones in the highest scoring offense and ride them all year. Let the
prognostication begin!
Quarterback
Tier 1
Carson Palmer, Bengals
vs. Broncos: The Broncos were the worst defense
in the NFL last season and the Bengals are as close to full strength as
they
have been in two years. The Broncos lack talent at all defensive
positions
except for cornerback, but even Champ Bailey can only cover one person
at a
time.
Matt
Hasselbeck, Seahawks vs. Rams: Historically Hasselbeck has owned
the Rams, especially at home. The Rams defense, that was almost
completely
devoid of any pass rush last season, put DT Adam Carriker on injured
reserve
earlier in the week, meaning Hasselbeck should have all day to find
open
receivers.
Tony Romo, Cowboys @ Tampa: Romo begins life post T.O. with a
good matchup against an aged and depleted Bucs defense. This is not the
same
Bucs defense we’ve seen for nearly 10 years and the “Boys are still
potent
without T.O.
Tier 2
Jay
Cutler,
Bears @ Packers
Joe Flacco,
Ravens vs. Chiefs
Chad Pennington, Dolphins @
Texans
David
Garrard, Jaguars @ Colts
Tier 3
Kyle
Orton,
Broncos @ Bengals
Shaun Hill,
49ers @ Cards
Brett
Favre, Vikings @ Browns
One Week Bust- Peyton Manning, Colts
One Week Sleeper- Matt Hasselbeck,
Seahawks
One Week Super Sleeper- David Garrard, Jaguars
Running Back
Tier 1
Joseph Addai, Colts vs.
Jags: I’m a big fan of Addai heading in
to 2009. As noted in my article Joseph
Addai Isnt Dead Yet he produces more when he has another RB
sharing the
workload. I think Addai gets at least one score inside the five this
week as the
Colts establish the run early.
Marion Barber, Cowboys @
Buccaneers: Ok, so worst case scenario for
Barber owners is that the running back situation devolves into a RBBC.
Barber
earned his rep as a goal line back, so at the very least he gets all
the
carries inside the 10. And, he can catch down there as well. I think
the “Boys
get out to an early lead and grind it out late in the game.
Ronnie
Brown, Dolphins @ Falcons: The Falcons finished in the
bottom
third of run defense last season and Brown has now had 2 years to
recover from
ACL surgery, the “Magic Number” as far as that injury is concerned.
Brown is
the focal point of the offense and shows it this week.
Tier 2
Cedric
Benson, Bengals vs. Broncos
Willie
Parker, Steelers vs. Titans
Fred
Jackson, Bills @ Patriots
Thomas
Jones, Jets @ Texans
Tier 3
Willis
McGahee, Ravens vs. Chiefs
Tim
Hightower, Cardinals vs. 49ers
Knowshon
Moreno, Broncos @ Bengals
One Week Bust- Maurice Jones-Drew,
Jaguars
One Week Sleeper- Leon Washington, Jets
One Week Super Sleeper- Julius Jones
Wide Receiver
Tier 1
Wes
Welker, Patriots vs. Bills: Brady is back to 100% so
why
wouldn’t Welker produce at a top ten level, especially in PPR leagues?
I don’t
think 10 recs and a TD are out of the question.
TJ Houshmandzadeh,
Seahawks vs. Rams: This guy has not been getting as
much as love as he deserves this entire offseason. Expect eight catches
and a
TD.
Eddie Royal, Broncos @
Bengals:
The Broncos will be behind most of
this game and Royal is the #1 wide out. Brandon Marshall will be on the
other
side, taking some pressure and coverage off of Royal. I like him a lot.
Tier 2
DeSean
Jackson, Eagles @ Panthers
Anthony
Gonzalez, Colts vs. Jaguars
Lance
Moore, Saints vs. Lions
Vincent
Jackson, Chargers @ Raiders
Tier 3
Chris
Henry, Bengals vs. Broncos
Torry Holt,
Jaguars @ Colts
Bernard
Berrian, Vikings @ Browns
One Week Bust- Marques Colston, Saints
One Week Sleeper- Donald Driver, Packers
One Week Super Sleeper- Deion Branch, Seahawks
Tight End
Tier 1
Chris
Cooley, Redskins @ Giants: this should be rather obvious but
for some reason this year, it isnt. Maybe its the one TD reception he
had last
year, but he had 80+ receptions and is the team’s best receiver.
Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers vs.
Cowboys: Again,
this may seem rather obvious but to some it isnt. He is essentially the
#1 wide
receiver on this team. And the Bucs will probably be playing from
behind.
Tier 2
Heath
Miller, Steelers vs Titans
Brent
Celek, Eagles @ Panthers
Anthony
Fasano, Dolphins @ Falcons
One Week Bust- Dustin Keller, Jets
One Week Sleeper- Kevin Boss, Giants
One Week Super Sleeper- Desmond Clark, Bears
