I wanted to highlight a handful of players who are outperforming their expected pre-season performance.
Breakout Players
QB Joe Flacco – the #4 overall QB scorer (thru 5 weeks), Flacco is developing into the winning, strong armed QB Jay Cutler can only dream of becoming. If Flacco had better receiving weapons he would be a top 5 QB scorer for all ’09. Instead he has to hope Ozzie Newsome steps up and gets a playmaker at WR this offseason.
QB Kyle Orton – #9 overall QB scorer, Orton and the Broncos in have been the biggest surprise of the NFL thru five weeks. While Orton will never be a top 5 type of guy, he’s a winner (17-2 over this last 19 starts) and will be fantasy productive in Josh McDaniels wide open offensive system.
QB Kevin Kolb – in two starts this guy has been a world beater, literally, averaging top 5 QB numbers. Many thought he wasn’t starting material after his collapse last year vs. Baltimore but so far that’s looked pre-mature.
RB Willis McGahee
– the #8 overall RB scorer, McGahee has scored at least once each week (until
week 5) and he’s looking fresh as a change of pace option behind Ray Rice. Too bad he wasn’t 3-yeared at $47 L
RB Julius Jones – the #10 overall RB scorer, he’s exceeded his PAFFL salary expectation and certainly put to rest any concerns fantasy owners had about Edgerrin James impact on his production. While he may not be able to keep it up for the full season, I’m betting he has his career season in ’09 w/ 1400+ total yards & 10 TD’s.
RB Cedric Benson – the #5 overall RB scorer, I’ve been a HUGE Benson hater and still don’t think he’s for real long-term, but he’s been highly productive in a rejuvenated Cincinnati offense.
RB Joseph Addai – Nobody wanted to touch Addai but he’s the #11 overall RB scorer and has been widely consistent putting up 9+ points in every game except week 2. Rookie Donald Brown looks more explosive but for ’09 Addai is the better fantasy option and likely will end up with 10+ TD’s and 1200+ total yards.
WR Steve Smith – the NYGiants & former USC Trojan is throwing the whole fantasy world for a loop with a #2 WR fantasy production spot while keeping the more volatile namesake in Carolina below him.
WR Mario Manningham – the starting WR opposite Steve Smith is the 8th overall WR scorer and been a total surprise, out performing his expected production level by several dozen spots.
WR DeSean Jackson – The #4 overall WR scorer (thru only 4 weeks of play), nobody should be surprised b/c he showed he was dynamic last year but he’s on pace for a prolific season that’s benefitting his QB’s in a major way.
WR Mike Sims-Walker – the #12 overall WR scorer (with only 3 weeks of production), the question with him has always been can he stay healthy and mature, both are still out there but in the meantime he’s finally producing.
TE Brent Celek – the #5 overall TE scorer is keeping the pace with his playoff output and likely has ascended to an every week start in all fantasy leagues.
Ahmad Bradshaw is 6th in the league in rushing with only limited carries!
Posted by: Team Kitty | October 15, 2009 at 09:48 AM
Manningham is DS'd at $5 and has two more years after this!!!
Posted by: Team Kitty | October 15, 2009 at 09:50 AM