AFC South Preview Aug 15, 2008 | More

AFC South Preview

Houston Texans

QB – Matt Schaub – Schaub and Andre Johnson played (essentially) four games together last year – the first two games of the season and then weeks 11 and 12 after Johnson returned and before Schaub went out for the year. In those four games, Schaub threw seven TD’s (four to Johnson). In the seven games in between, Schaub threw just two TD’s. If both of these guys can stay on the field together, they just might surprise some people this year.

RB – Ahman Green – The 31-year old Green will start, but will share the load with several other backs this year. He’ll make a decent pick in the middle-later rounds, but don’t count on him to add much to your team.

RB – Other – Sleve Slaton, Chris Brown – Brown and Slaton will help out Ahman Green while he tries to stay healthy. Until someone goes down or one of these guys somehow establishes himself as an every-down RB, stay clear.

WR – Andre Johnson – Johnson and Schaub were putting on a show last year until Johnson went down (week 3). Pick him up if he’s still available in the third round and hang on for the ride, but be ready to fill the spot if he goes down again.

WR – Other – Kevin Walter, Andre Davis, Jacoby Jones – Walter put up some decent numbers while Johnson was hurt last year. He might make a good late-round insurance pick if you picked up Johnson earlier. Same goes for Davis. Jones will get some looks, but don’t expect him to carry your team.

TE – Owen Daniels – Daniels is somewhat streaky but typically puts up decent numbers. Consider him a 2^nd-3^rd tier TE worth a look from the sixth round up.

K – Kris Brown – Brown was 25-29 (5-5 from 50+), with a long of 57 yards, and 40-40 XP in 2007, easily his best season yet. If the Texans offense keeps improving, his numbers will stay up there. If you still need a kicker in the last round, he’s worth a spot.

Indianapolis Colts

QB – Peyton Manning – His knee surgery on July 14^th might make him miss the beginning of the season, but don’t count on it. He doesn’t run anyway! Don’t let the surgery scare you off. Manning is poised to make another run in 2008.

QB – Other – Jim Sorgi, Quinn Gray – Sorgi has been taking the 1^st-string snaps throughout camp, but he’ll hand the ball back to Manning when the games start counting. On your team as well, Sorgi should resume his insurance role, if anything.    Gray was added in the offseason from Jacksonville, but he won’t see much time either.

RB – Joseph Addai –    Finished with 1,400+ combined yards with 15 TD’s in 2007.    Addai is expected to be a Top 5 pick in most leagues.

RB – Other – Dominic Rhodes, Kenton Keith – Rhodes went away for a year and is now back in Indy. However, at this point, he and Keith are insurance policies for owners who draft Addai.

WR – Marvin Harrison – Returned from left knee surgery late last year but had right knee surgery in the offseason. Harrison is 36 now and has many question marks surrounding him. No longer a 1^st round pick with the RB’s, so look for him to go in the middle rounds this year.

WR – Reggie Wayne – Wayne has replaced Harrison as the top receiver on most fantasy teams. Wayne topped 100 receptions and 1,500 yards in 2007 scoring 10 times. He’s a strong #1 receiver for your team in 2008.

WR – Other – Anthony Gonzalez – With only 37 receptions in 2007, Gonzalez didn’t put up the numbers a lot of people expected in his rookie year, especially with Harrison sidelined for most of it. The expectations will be similar for his second year, with Gonzalez posting healthier results this time around, especially if Harrison’s playing time is limited again.

TE – Dallas Clark – With Harrison out most of 2007, Clark posted career numbers – 58 receptions for 616 yards and 11 TD’s. Clark may not match those numbers this year, but even with Harrison back, Clark will get plenty of looks from Manning.

K – Adam Vinatieri – Vinatieri was only 23-29, with a long of 39 yards, and 49-51 XP in 2007. A long of 39 yards?! Vinatieri was 0-3 from 40+. The Colts score a lot of TD’s but let someone else waste their pick on him. You can do better.

Jacksonville Jaguars

QB – David Garrard – Garrard had his coming out party last year, finishing with 2,509 passing yards, 18 TD’s with only three picks, and a QB rating of 102.2 in 12 games. The Jags purchased some serious receiving talent in the offseason in the form of Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson. You’ll draft Garrard as a strong backup QB, but if those receivers can all stay on their feet, Garrard may just end up being your starter.

QB – Other – ??

RB – Maurice Jones-Drew – Taylor may still be the “starting RB” in Jacksonville, but Jones-Drew puts on the show. He’s tough to tackle and catches the ball too. Look for him to improve on last year’s numbers (768 rushing yards, 9 TD; 40 receptions, 487 yards, 0 TD) and be a solid #2 RB on your team.

RB – Fred Taylor – The 32-year-old Taylor started 15 games and rushed for just over 1,200 yards in 2007, but scored only five TD’s. Look for him to keep running the ball between the 20’s, but also expect him to watch Jones-Drew more and more this year. If you’re choosing between the two, take Jones-Drew.

RB – Other – Greg Jones – Between Jones-Drew and Taylor, there’s not much left for this Jones. He gets some goal-line action but not enough to warrant a place on your roster.

WR – Troy Williamson, Jerry Porter – Added during the offseason, these guys represent a significant upgrade to the Jacksonville receiving corps. Their careers are at opposite ends, but they’ll work together to put up some numbers in 2008 – Porter will get more looks, but Williamson is the deep threat.   Take your pick.

WR – Other – Dennis Northcutt, Matt Jones, Reggie Williams – With the addition of Porter and Williamson, none of these three are worth a spot unless injuries dictate a larger role in the offense. At that point, look for Northcutt to benefit the most.

TE – Marcedes Lewis, George Wrighster – Lewis started 16 games last year, to Wrighster’s six. Lewis’s numbers (37 receptions, 391 yards, two TD’s) essentially doubled Wrighster’s (17 receptions, 123 yards, one TD). Neither one lit it up. Wait and see if Lewis can finally establish himself as a reliable fantasy TE before adding him to your team.

K – Josh Scobee – Scobee was 12 of 13, with a long of 49 yards, and 26 of 27 XP in eight games in 2007. Was sidelined for half the season with a quad injury and should get back to his normal numbers (30+ attempts) in 2008.

Tennessee Titans

QB – Vince Young – Young experienced somewhat of a sophomore slump in 2007, throwing 17 picks and only nine TD’s. This has been his focus in the offseason and we’ll see the results first-hand. Could be a good sleeper pick this year as he finally gets comfortable enough to make better decisions.

QB – Other – Kerry Collins – He’s a solid backup for the Titans to have, but not so much for your fantasy team. Leave him on the wire.

RB – LenDale White – Finished 2007 with a respectable 1,110 rushing yards and seven TD’s, sprinkling 20 receptions for 100+ receiving yards around. White should make a reliable #2 RB for your team this year.

RB – Other – Chris Henry, Chris Johnson – First-round pick Johnson has been interesting to watch so far and could make things interesting for Henry and perhaps even White. Keep an eye on this guy.

WR – Justin Gage – Established himself as the Titans’ #1 receiver in 2007 with 55 receptions for 750 yards, but only two TD. Should still be #1 for the Titans but is probably a #3 at best for you, especially with the return of Justin McCareins. See if he’s still around in the late rounds.

WR – Other – Justin McCareins, Roydell Williams, Brandon Jones – The return of McCareins should solidify the Titans passing game, but watch for someone in this group to put up some numbers before considering adding them off the waiver wire.

TE – Alge Crumpler, Bo Scaife – Crumpler’s days of WR-like numbers may be behind him, especially in the Titans offense, but he could be a decent bye-week replacement. Scaife’s value drops from your radar with Crumpler around.

K – Rob Bironas - Bironas was 35-39, with a long of 56 yards, and 28-28 XP in 16 games in 2007. He’s a solid kicker who periodically hits one from way downtown; he's definitely worth a spot on your roster.