Top-10 Fantasy Friendly Systems
by Scott Pagel
The concept of fantasy football is not always like “real-life” football. In real football, you’d probably want a guy like Tom Brady to quarterback your team – a proven winner three times over. In fantasy football, Brady isn’t your best option. In fact, it’s the garbage-time quarterback who will often prove to be a bigger asset to your fantasy team.
So with your draft just about a month away, it’s important to know which teams to look at when it comes time to make your selections, and, what systems work best for getting you the most points.
1. Indianapolis Colts – It’s hard to find an offensive player who won’t get you points on this team. Of course, it all starts with Peyton Manning, who should be a top pick in the first round in your draft. While Marvin Harrison’s points slipped a little in 2004-05, he’s still a top-three receiver on many draft boards. Look for him to get back to form. Last year, Reggie Wayne became a major threat and Brandon Stokley out-performed many teams’ number two receivers. Wayne is listed as a top-10 receiver and Stokely, like last year, will benefit against certain matchups. Don’t forget, there is still a running game in Indy, which isn’t always a priority in the Colts system. But, Edgerrin James will still put up good numbers week-to-week because defenses have to expect the pass.
2. Kansas City Chiefs – The Chiefs offense, like a few teams on this list, benefits from a pretty bad defense. In the fantasy world, that’s a good thing. KC’s problem last year was it had to play keep-up with opponents, which meant lots of points for owners of Trent Green, Priest Holmes and tight end Tony Gonzalez. This team manages to put up the numbers without a brand name receiver, too. Eddie Kennison is the number one, but Samie Parker and Freddie Mitchell should get their share of chances. However, it’s Green, Holmes and Gonzalez who will make your fantasy team click. This offense is still based around Holmes and due to a lack of a big-time receiver, Holmes can often get you just as many points catching the ball as running the ball. But, another year and more injuries make Holmes a little more risky than the past couple.
3. Philadelphia Eagles – In a perfect world, Terrell Owens will show up to training camp and life will go on for the Birds. If that happens, look for another huge year for many players on this team. Owens helped Donovan McNabb become a major fantasy point-getter last year and the two became a lethal combination piling up the points. Look for more of the same this season if the Owens holdout ends. In fact, you can argue that Owens is the top receiver on the board this draft. Brian Westbrook is a threat running and catching the ball and can really rack up yardage points in those kinds of leagues, similar to what Holmes can do in KC. Tight end L.J. Smith, Todd Pinkston and Greg Lewis will also get their share of chances if TO isn’t around. But remember, without Owens in the lineup, the Eagles play the way their offense was designed – spreading the ball around. When Owens plays, he’s clearly the go-to target.
4. St. Louis Rams – The .500 Rams are yet another team that proves you don’t need “winners” on your fantasy football team. Marc Bulger will always get you close to 300 yards a game, if not more, thanks to targets Isaac Bruce and Torry Holt. No matter what, this team seems to enjoy putting up points on the scoreboard, especially through the air. Head coach Mike Martz has always been stubborn about using his running game. Despite that, running back Stephen Jackson is ready to take the next step and still should be a very sought after player at his position in the draft. This is the first time you can mention the Rams WITHOUT saying “Marshall Faulk” in the same sentence. While Faulk isn’t what he used to be, he’s worth a later round pick just based on his name alone. Knowing Martz, Faulk will still play some sort of role on this wide-open style team.
5. Oakland Raiders – Needless to say the Raiders certainly have climbed the ranks in the past few months. Acquiring Randy Moss, though, will do that. All of a sudden, Kerry Collins is very highly-rated quarterback on a lot of preseason lists, even top-five in most instances. Not only will Collins have Moss as a target, he’ll also have Jerry Porter, who would be a number-one receiver on a lot of other teams. Collins isn’t known for throwing the deep ball but with Moss and Porter, it shouldn’t matter. The acquisition of running back Lamont Jordon, though, could even be a bigger addition than Moss. Jordan always put up good numbers in limited action with the Jets, and now he finally gets his chance to be the man in Oakland. Expect a lot of shootouts for the Raiders and a lot of gaudy numbers for their offense. Hopefully, all the campers will stay happy sharing the football.
6. Minnesota Vikings – A lot remains to be seen how the Vikings will do without Moss. The men in purple still have a lot going for them, including superstar Dante Culpepper at quarterback. Culpepper will have some worthy targets at wide receiver in Marcus Robinson and Nate Burleson. This could be Burleson’s year to shine and should become Culpepper’s new number-one target.
I also like Jermaine Wiggins at tight end, when he’s healthy. When Moss missed time, Wiggins became a favorite target of Culpepper. Minnesota’s running back situation always seems to be a mess - never the same guy from week-to-week. Regardless, whoever is in there usually seems to get the job done. The suspension of Onterio Smith only means it’s one less player to worry about. Coming into this season, Michael Bennett and Mewelde Moore seem to be the guys who will run the ball. But, Minnesota has been a passing offense, so expect little to change unless the improved defense can keep teams off the board. Then, Bennett or Moore will prove more valuable.
7. Cincinnati Bengals – Usually having the Bengals and Lions (#8) on the same list meant the words “disappointment” or “high draft pick” would soon follow. But, not this year, the Bengals have their share of talent. Wide receiver Chad Johnson is the star here. His value has been seen as high as number-three on the WR board. Carson Palmer should be even better at quarterback with another year under his belt. T.J. Houshmandzadeh showed all the signs last year of being a solid number-two receiver, and is ahead of Peter Warrick on the depth chart. Tight end Matt Schobel could be a sneaky pickup.
Running back Rudi Johnson got off to a slow start but really came on later in the season, proving he can fill the shoes of Corey Dillon. Johnson isn’t among the elite backs but would make a good number-two guy on your fantasy team. Cincy puts a little more emphasis on running the ball compared to teams like Indy, Philly and Minnesota. But still, Chad is the Johnson you want from this team.
8. Detroit Lions – This team could be the pleasant surprise of 2005-06. Clearly, the offensive weapons are there, but so is the pressure on quarterback Joey Harrington. Harrington has a lot going for him, especially at wide receiver. Hopefully there are enough balls for receivers Charles Rogers, Mike Williams and Roy Williams. Roy is the number-one and should be high on your receiver list. With the injuries to Rogers the last two years, he’s still unproven and a gamble, but remains the number-two option.
At running back, Kevin Jones seems ready to explode as a major fantasy back and should play more of a role in the offense. Don’t forget about Marcus Pollard at tight end, who could become a favorite target of Harrington. Definitely keep an eye on this team throughout the preseason because it could produce a goldmine of talent if everything works out.
9. San Diego Chargers – The Chargers opened a lot of eyes last year, and while I hesitated to put them on this list, there seems to be too much developing talent not to. This team is set up similar to Kansas City in that it doesn’t have a star wideout. But, what both teams have is a stud running back and tight end, LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates being the San Diego versions. Like Holmes, Tomlinson is a threat to not only run but also catch the ball out of the backfield and should be considered the number-one overall pick. Also like Holmes, the offense goes through Tomlinson. Gates really came on last year at tight end, and some even consider him to be better than Tony Gonzalez. Having either Gates or Gonzalez, though, can really set you apart at a position that’s always a big question mark. While Keenan McCardell is the number-one receiver, Reche Caldwell was very good last season before getting hurt. I’m still not sold on Drew Brees, but he was smart enough to realize he needed to get the ball in the hands of Tomlinson and Gates. If he continues to do that, he’ll be around the middle of the pack in QB ratings and worth a shot.
10. Green Bay Packers – After winning first place in two fantasy football leagues two years ago, last season I was in three leagues and all three teams finished under .500. I blame that entirely on Ahman Green, who I either protected or took twice with the third overall pick. But I’ll give him credit, Green was the one who led me to the bank two years prior. So which Green will show up this year? That remains to be seen. But in most cases, his ranking has slipped out of the top-10. I haven’t learned my lesson, I’d pick him again. What we do know is Bret Favre is back for another season and that’s where the offense begins for the Packers. We also know Javon Walker’s situation is similar to Owens’. If there’s a happy ending, the Packers sure have what it takes on offense to rack up points. Unfortunately last year, Favre began showing signs of slowing down. In his defense, he had his share of off-the-field problems. However, he said a big reason for coming back this year is to have fun again. That’s a good sign and you can’t go wrong with Favre as your QB. Donald Driver is a good number-two option and Bubba Franks, who completes the arsenal at tight end, and has always been a favorite goal line target of Favre.
OTHERS TO WATCH
New Orleans Saints – It baffles me how this team doesn’t win more games. Deuce McAllister is a stud back who should have a bounce-back season and Joe Horn is ranked high at wide receiver … f you can only guess which Aaron Brooks will come out to quarterback. Something isn’t right down there, but that’s not your problem. McAllister and Horn will still be valuable.
Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks could be one of teams that prove me wrong in this list. Two years ago, Matt Hasselbeck looked like he was ready to be among the elite quarterbacks. Darrell Jackson has the tools but suffers from the dropsies and Shaun Alexander will be the first or second pick of your draft. If Hasselbeck returns to form, look for some big numbers out west. With Koren Robinson released, Bobby Engram becomes the number-two guy and should at least be able to catch the ball.
New England Patriots – Okay, I had to put the Patriots on here somewhere. But this team still wins with defense and that doesn’t do you a lot of good in the fantasy world. Corey Dillon should have a great year and is probably the most valuable fantasy player on this team (just ahead of kicker Adam Vinatieri). In the end the Pats just share the ball too much and are too happy playing as a ‘team’. Kind of makes me sick to my stomach…
Copyright © 2001-2005 FantasyTailgate.com All rights reserved
FantasyTailgate.com is not in any way affiliated with, endorsed or licensed by the National Football League, any NFL team or NFLPA member.
