Week 2 Fantasy Football Rankings

There is one quick thing I wanted to say about this week's position rankings.  I am noticing that I consider the 21 to 30ish WRs as better flex plays than the RBs ranked in similar positions.  This might not be a season long trend, but it is an interesting contrast to past years.

 

Quarterbacks

1. Tom Brady home vs Ari - Arizona's defense is better than people think, but the Patriots offense has too many weapons to be slowed down at home.
2. Drew Brees @ Car - I expect the Saints to strike a better balance between the run and the pass.  This should help Brees get back on track.
3. Matt Ryan home vs Den - The offensive coordinator wasn't lying about passing aggressively this season. Ryan was the highest scoring QB in week one.  This could be the year he steps into the lime light.
4. Cam Newton home vs NO - Newton had a great game at home against the Saints, in week 5 of last season. Newton also struggled in the last game of the season against the saints.  I think he bounces back after a poor start and has similar numbers to week 5 of last year.
5. Peyton Manning @ Atl - We've all heard about how Manning plays better in domes.  I expect this to be a shoot out and Manning looked great running the no huddle last week.
6. Eli Manning home vs TB - Greg Schiano did some work on this defense in the off season, but Eli should play great in a must win game at home.
7. Tony Romo @ Sea - Seattle is one of the toughest venues to play at in the NFL, and there defense is no push over.  But, Romo has all of his receivers and a legit run game.
8. Robert Griffin III @ StL -  The Ram's pass defense looked much improved in week one.  Even if Griffin doesn't repeat last week's numbers, he will always put up good fantasy numbers when you factor in his rushing totals.
9. Mathew Stafford @ SF - Stafford will have a tough day throwing on the road against the best defense in football.  The Lion's have a plethora of weapons and Stafford will have to compensate for the running game with his arm.
10. Michael Vick home vs Bal - Last w week Vick was a dumpster fire at the QB position.  You can make the excuse that it was essentially his warm up game.  Vick should get back into top 10 form this week, with a more balanced attack on offense.
11. Joe Flacco @ Phi - It sure seems like there has been a shift in offensive philosophy in Baltimore.  Philadelphia has a great defense, but Flacco should be able to put up big numbers by getting the ball to his play makers in space.
12. Alex Smith home vs Det - Detroit is without 3 starters in the secondary; Louis Delmas, Chris Houston, and Bill Bentley.
13. Josh Freeman @ NYG - Freeman didn't put up great numbers in week one, but he looked great.  Freeman will show off his new weapons against a banged up Giants secondary.
14. Matt Schaub @ Jac - Schaub is a good QB, but he's on a runcentric team.
15. Ben Roethlisberger home vs NYJ - Ben didn't look great in Denver.  The Steelers might catch a break if Revis doesn't play this weekend.
16. Christian Ponder @ Ind - Ponder had a great second half in week one and the Colt's defense is turrrble.
17. Andrew Luck home vs Min - Luck's offensive line doesn't do him any favors, but he will be throwing from behind a lot this year.
18. Matt Cassel @ Buf - One thing Cassel doesn't have is elite talent.  He does have a slew of weapons that can make plays for him, though.
19. Ryan Fitzpatrick home vs KC - It looked bad on the big screen, but Fitzpatrick put up decent fantasy numbers last week.

 

Running Backs

1. Arian Foster @ Jac - Foster looked healthy and explosive week one.
2. Lesean McCoy home vs Bal - McCoy could have had 300+ rushing yards with some WR blocks and minus the offensive penalties.
3. Adrian Peterson home @ Ind - He still lacks break away speed, but he is more than capable of punishing a bad Colts defense.
4. Ray Rice @ Phi - Philadelphia has a top 5 run defense, but Rice will always get his, whether its running or catching the ball.
5. Darren McFadden @ Mia - McFadden had 18 targets week one!  He struggled running the ball, but that shows he will always be involved when healthy.
6. C.J. Spiller home vs KC - Finally, when Fred Jackson went down last year, Spiller proved he can be the explosive back we thought he would be coming out of college.
7. Jamaal Charles @ Buf - He didn't catch many passes last week, but looked healthy and productive.
8. Doug Martin @ NYG - Martin looks like hes going to be one of the rare work horse backs in the NFL this season.  The dream prophecy is coming true.
9. Frank Gore home vs Det - It looks like Gore will cede 10-14 touches a game to Kendall Hunter, but that might be a good thing for Gore.
10. BenJarvus Green-Ellis home vs Cle - The law firm was hitting the hole hard against a really good Ravens defense.  He is a borderline RB1.
11. Ahmad Bradshaw home vs TB - Bradshaw is always  a season long risk for injury, but I think I was too low on him this year.  He looks like he will get a healthy 25+ touches a week.
12. Maurice Jones-Drew home vs Hou - This ranking is not an indictment of MJD's skill.  Houston is an elite run defense, and it will tough for Gabbert and the Jaguars to finish drives.
13. Demarco Murray @ Sea - Murray can be a top 5 back in the NFL if he shake his injury problems that plagued him at OU and in his first season in the NFL.  Seattle is a tough run defense, but Murray should get good production out of his 20+ touches.
14. Steven Ridley home vs Ari - Is this the year that Belichick rides a workhorse RB?  Or, does Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead get thrown into the mix as well?
15. Steven Jackson home vs Wsh - Jackson averaged a paltry 2.5 yards per carry against the Lion's in week one.  I think better days are ahead for Jackson, and that YPC might be attributed to an improved Lion's run defense.
16. Reggie Bush home vs Oak - Reggie Bush is Miami's offense.  It's not a good offense, but he has a chance to break a long run or catch.
17. Alfred Morris @ StL - I still have doubts about Morris' long term value.  He looks to be getting the carries now, but at any time there could be a switch to Roy Helu, or any other RB on their roster.
18. Willis McGahee @ Atl - He doesn't play at all on 3rd downs, but there should be opportunities for McGahee to produce on his 15-20 carries.
19. Darren Sproles @ Car - The only Saint's RB you can trust.
20. Chris Johnson @ SD - It can only get better from here on out for Johnson.  I don't think he's completely done yet.  Michael Lombardi had some interesting things to say about Johnson on last week's BS Report podcast.
21. Michael Turner home vs Den - If Turner looks bad again this week, it could be the beginning of the end.  Will they go to Snelling or Rodgers more?
22. Donald Brown home vs Min - Brown looked good on the carries he got, but the Colt's might have to abandon the run a lot this year.
23. Trent Richardson @ Cin - The Brown's offensive line interior is god awful, and their offense will have trouble maintaining drives with the league's worst starting QB.  Richardson has talent, but it's going to take herculean efforts to put up RB2 numbers every week.
24. Peyton Hillis @ Buf -  The white buffalo let me down last week.  I'm not giving up on him yet.  I still think he can be a solid flex play and RB2 during some bye weeks.
25. Ryan Mathews home vs Ten - If Mathews plays I would start him as a flex, and nothing higher.
26. Shonn Greene @ Pit -  I still hate Shonn Greene, despite his good week one performance.
27. Kevin Smith @ SF - Smith could catch a decent number of passes, but I think the Lion's offense will struggle in Candlestick park.
28. Beanie Wells @ NE - It looks like there is an even split between the two Arizona RBs.
29. Ryan Williams @ NE - Williams could be good if Wells misses significant time.
30. Knowshon Moreno @ Atl - Moreno was on the field quite a bit, for all 3rd downs, in week one. 
31. David Wilson home vs TB - It remains to be seen if Wilson will get a significant number of touches week to week.
32. Dexter McCluster @ Buf - McCluster could move up the rankings if he proves to be a big part of the offense again this week.  I think he will be an inconsistent producer though.
33. Jonathan Stewart home vs NO - I hate the Carolina RB situation, but Stewart is the best option out of the 3 RBs they have.
34. Kendall Hunter home vs Det - Hunter could be a good flier for a flex spot this week.  If Gore ever goes down, Hunter will be a top 10 back.
35. Pierre Thomas @ Car - I think he is better than Ingram, and could be used more as the Saints strive for a balanced attack.

 

Wide Receivers

1. Calvin Johnson @ SF - Johnson might be the only Lion's offensive player to put up big numbers.  He is matchup proof.
2. Julio Jones home vs Den - Jones looked deserving of the Jackass 3 moniker I bestowed last week.
3. Andre Johnson @ Jac - Johnson should always be started and looked great.  I still don't trust his long term health.
4. A.J. Green home vs Cle - I don't expect Dalton to struggle like Vick did last week. No Joe Haden to worry about either.
5. Percy Harvin @ Ind - I love Harvin's big play potential and he gets a handful of rushing attempts every week.
6. Steve Smith (Car) home vs NO - Smith traditionally does well against the Saints.
7. Roddy White home vs Den - White will always get his targets, especially with Turner struggling.
8. Hakeem Nicks home vs TB - I think Eli is capable of exploiting TB's secondary better than Cam Newton did last week.
9. Victor Cruz home vs TB - Cruz just lost his grandmother this week.  This could cause him to lose focus, or be determined to have a big game in her honor.
10. Dez Bryant @ Sea - Bryant had the worst production of the Cowboy WRs in week one, but looked the best in week one.
11. Mike Wallace home vs NYJ - Wallace didn't seem to suffer from missing training camp and even got some red zone targets.
12. Brandon Lloyd home vs Ari - Lloyd had the most week one targets in New England.  I expect a big game.
13. Wes Welker home vs Ari - It is a little concerning that Welker was only on the field for about 60% of NE's offensive plays, but Tom Brady said it was more of a product of that particular week's gameplan.  He also said that Welker will get plenty of looks this year.
14. Antonio Brown home vs NYJ -  Brown should have a big game, and its great news that Revis didn't make the trip to Pittsburgh.
15. Demaryius Thomas @ Atl - Thomas showed why he is a world class athlete on that big catch and run last week.
16. Miles Austin @ Sea - Austin didn't look full speed week one.  Hopefully he gets healthier as the season goes on.
17. Larry Fitzgerald @ NE - I still don't like Fitzgerald, but I can see him making some plays while playing catch up in the second half.
18. Marques Colston @ Car - The most consistent Saints WR.
19. Steve Johnson home vs KC - Johnson caught a TD, despite not being 100%.  The Bills, and Johnson owners, hope his injuries don't linger all season.
20. Dwayne Bowe @ Buf - Bowe will have some games where he catches less than 60 yards, like last week.  He also has the upside to win you a week, with his speed and red zone prowess.
21. Torrey Smith @ Phi - Smith has the ability to take any catch to the house, and the Eagles CBs like to take chances and can be beat.
22. Vincent Jackson @ NYG - Jackson is a boom or bust player.  He is capable of making fantastic plays and putting up big fantasy numbers though.
23. Reggie Wayne home vs Min - Wayne was tied for second in the league in targets last week, at 15.  Like I said in week one, his fantasy football death has been greatly exaggerated.  Solid flex play.
24. DeSean Jackson home vs Bal - Jackson appears to be the healthier out of the two WRs in Philly.  Hopefull this hamstring soreness goes away with time.  Hamstring injuries affect speed players, like Jackson, more than any other position.
25. Michael Crabtree home vs Det - Crabtree is a reliable flex guy who should be a lock for 80-100 yards, with a possibility for a TD.
26. Jeremy Maclin home vs Bal - Maclin has guaranteed he will play, and he shares 2nd with Wayne for 15 targets in week one.
27. Malcom Floyd home vs Ten - I like Floyd a lot, if he is healthy.  I feel like Floyd and Gates are Philip Rivers only reliable receiving options.  I would be comfortable starting him at the flex.
28. Randy Moss home vs Det - Moss caught a TD on a defensive blunder, where he was inexplicably left uncovered in the end zone, in week one.  With Detroit's injured secondary, I would feel comfortable starting Moss as a flex play.
29. Anquan Boldin @ Phi - 31 year old Boldin looked surprisingly spry in week one, even getting his numbers called on an end around.  I feel like Flacco will continue to spread the ball around, leaving Boldin as an inconsistent fantasy option.
30. Lance Moore @ Car - Moore had a huge week one, but this week it could be Devery Henderson, or any other Saints receiving threat, with the big game.
31. Brandon Lafell home vs NO -  Lafell had a solid week one performance.  If he keeps it up, he can move into an every week flex play.
32. Mike Williams @ NYG -  Williams hard work in the off season resulted in a TD week one, but not many targets.  The Bucs seem to be runcentric, but Williams is a flier if you're desparate.
33. Justin Blackmon home vs Hou - Laurent Robinson had the better week one performance, but I like Blackmon's upside more in a game they should be playing catch up all game.
34. Mario Manningham home vs Det - Manningham has talent.  The only question surrounding him is opportunity.
35. Dexter McCluster @ Buf - McCluster had 10 targets week one,  but the offensive coordinator is talking abouut getting other pieces, like Jon Baldwin, more involved.  I view McCluster as an erratic fantasy producer.

Tight Ends

1. Jimmy Graham @ Car - He is the most important skill position player on the Saints' offense.
2. Rob Gronkowski home vs Ari - Gronkowski and Hernandez were on the field for all 67 offensive snaps in week one.
3. Aaron Hernandez home vs Ari - Hernandez is the second best deep threat on the roster, behind Brandon Lloyd.
4. Vernon Davis home vs Det - Davis should find the end zone again in week two.
5. Antonio Gates home vs Ten - Gates is questionable, but will play.  The Patriots' TE duo both had good games against the Titans in week one.
6. Fred Davis @ StL - Fred Davis could be the best receiving option for RG3, with Garcon hurting, or not even playing.
7. Tony Gonzalez home vs Den - Gonzalez showed he can still get it done, and dunk the crossbars better than the younger Vernon Davis, in week one.
8. Brandon Pettigrew @ SF - Pettigrew is an integral part of the Lion's passing attack, but he is going up against a tough defense, with two elite linebackers capable of covering him.
9. Jacob Tamme @ Atl - Tamme seemed to split targets with Stokely as Peyton's security option.  40 - 80 yards and the occasional TD,  is what you can expect from Tamme.
10. Coby Fleener home vs Min - Fleener's 10 targets in week one, were the most he has ever been targeted by Andrew Luck, going back to their days together at Stanford.  Is this a sign of things to come, or a statistical anomaly?  Either way, the Colt's should always be throwing from behind.
11. Jared Cook @ SD - Cook has the athletic skills of Jimmy Graham, but he doesn't have his QB Drew Brees.  Despite his lack of an elite QB, Cook has put up great numbers in his last 5 starts, going back to last year.
12. Jason Witten @ Sea - Witten didn't see many targets week one.  But, we all know he was injured for the season opener.  Things could return to normal for Witten this week.
13. Owen Daniels @ Jac - Daniels could work his way back into the upper tier of TEs this year.  He looked great catching 86 yards in week one.
14. Greg Olsen home vs NO - Olsen is the second best receiving option in Carolina IMO.
15. Kyle Rudolph @ Ind - Rudolph has Ponder's complete trust. 
16. Brent Celek home vs Bal -  Celek may capitalize on the injury situations at WR, and build on his 65 yard performance week one.
17. Martellus Bennett home vs TB - Bennett surprised me in the season opener.  He had ample opportunity to put up numbers in Dallas, but never did.  The giant's have made many stars out of their TEs
18. Dennis Pitta @ Phi - Pitta was the most targeted Raven in week one, but this week it could just as easily be Ed Dickson getting the love.
19. Jermaine Gresham home vs Cle - The first round pick Gresham has lots of athleticism, but hasn't put together a good run of production yet.
20. Kevin Boss @ Buf - Boss, now in Kansas city, quietly had a good week one performance.  Buffalo has traditionally been terrorized by the TE position.
21. Scott Chandler home vs KC - Chandler is clearly a TD maker.  But, he has no value if he doesn't catch a TD.
22. Marcedes Lewis home vs Hou - Lewis looked like the pro bowler of 2010 in week one, but he draws a tough match up in week two.
23. Ed Dickson @ Phi - The Ravens could go to a short passing game, to take advantage of an aggressive Eagle's defense.
24. Heath Miller home vs NYJ - Miller had a monster week one, but I don't think he produces these numbers week to week.

Defenses

1. San Francisco 49ers home vs Det - Should be the number one defense every week.  You saw what they did to the Packers!
2. Baltimore Ravens @ Phi - Imagine Ed Reed in the Brown's secondary in week one.  How many TDs do you think he could have scored?
3. New England Patriots home vs Ari - The Patriots looked like a whole new team in the front seven in their season opener.  They should abuse the turrrble Arizona offensive line.
4. Houston Texans @ Jac - The Texans defense is elite, even with super Mario Williams moving on to Buffalo.
5. Pittsburgh Steelers home vs NYJ - The Steeler's defense is aging, but I think they will fare much better than the Bills did.
6. Dallas Cowboys @ Sea - The Cowboys could have the second best defense in the league.  Their defense could send 7 players to the pro bowl.
7. Cincinnati Bengals home vs Cle - Brandon Weeden.
8. Oakland Raiders @ Mia - Ryan Tannehill.
9. New York Jets @ Pit - Pittsburgh offensive line was turrrble last season, and hasn't improved much.
10. New York Giants home vs TB - The Giants defense is always a lock for 3 to 4 sacks.
11. Philadelphia Eagles home vs Bal - They have a top 10 D line and play makers in the secondary.
12. Seattle Seahawks home vs Dal - Good defense.  Bad match up.
13. Washington Redskins @ StL - Washington's front seven has an aggressive front seven, and StL has a bad O line.
14. San Diego Chargers home vs Ten - The chargers had a good week one and Jake Locker is a little banged up.
15. Minnesota Vikings @ Ind - Jared Allen and the Vikings should be able to exploit a bad Colt's O line.
16. Detroit Lions @ SF - The secondary is missing 3 starters, but the Lion's defensive line should be able to generate some points.
17. Buffalo Bills home vs KC - The Bills were thought of as a much improved defense heading into week one.
18. Kansas City Chiefs @ Buf - The Bills looked really bad.
19. Denver Broncos @ Atl - The Broncos have elite pass rushers.
20. New Orleans Saints @ Car - The defense had a good warm up for Cam Newton in RG3.