Divisional Fantasy Rankings Part 2 Keith Michaels, Fantasy Football Guest Writer Aug 10, 2009 | More

Welcome to Part 2 of my Divisional Fantasy Rankings. If you missed Part 1, you’ll find the link at the bottom of this article. Part 1 explains the rating system so head there first to get the lowdown.

I received a few comments on Part 1, mostly complaints about why a team was ranked as low as I placed them. One such comment was, “Cowboys last in rushing with Barber and Jones? I think our running game is better than the Skins’ ... ” Remember, this is based on fantasy football. Do I think the Cowboys’ running game overall is better than the Redskins’? Yes. But in fantasy terms, I’ll take Clinton Portis over Marion Barber or Felix Jones. As for the tie issue in the NFC East, I’ve heard enough from the readers to state that the Eagles earn the overall crown. Let’s move on to Part 2, shall we?

AFC South

Quarterbacks

4 – Indianapolis Colts: A lot of folks are expecting Peyton Manning to start his downfall this year. Don’t be one of them.

3 – Houston Texans: Everyone has been waiting to see what a healthy Matt Schaub can do with this team.

2 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Like Schaub, David Garrard has had some health issues. The Jags need him in order to regain their 2007 form.

1 – Tennessee Titans: Kerry Collins had a magical season last year for his age. but I expect the glass slipper to shatter this year.

Running Backs

4 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Depending on PPR or non-PPR leagues, Maurice Jones-Drew is the first or second overall pick, period.

3 – Houston Texans: Steve Slaton had an impressive rookie campaign for the Texans and is expected to produce even more this season.

2 – Indianapolis Colts: With Manning at QB, Joseph Addai will still benefit from a high percentage of pass defenses.

1 – Tennessee Titans: The Titans are one of the better rushing teams in the NFL, but the way they split carries between LenDale White and  Chris Johnson makes them a fantasy nightmare.

Wide Receivers

4 – Houston Texans: Andre Johnson rules this division and is a Top 5 wideout regardless.

3 – Indianapolis Colts: With Marvin Harrison gone, this is now Reggie Wayne’s group and Anthony Gonzalez is a solid compliment on the other side. Manning behind center doesn’t hurt either.

2 – Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jags’ wideouts have changed dramatically over the past couple of years. They are now loaded with young speedsters and added that much-needed veteran presence with Torry Holt.

1 – Tennessee Titans: A ragtag group of unknowns here. The top two (Nate Washington and Justin Gage) are going each get around 600 yards and maybe five TDs each. They get combined what you would expect from a legit No. 1, a testament to Tennessee’s desire to run the ball.

Tight Ends

4 – Indianapolis Colts: Dallas Clark, third ranked TE on my list, and many others’, I’m sure.

3 – Houston Texans: Owen Daniels is a Top 10 TE this year, but so much disparity after Chris Cooley to really matter.

2 – Tennessee Titans: Bo Scaife is decent; he could be picked up on a bye week when needed.

1 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Don’t even bother with Marcedes Lewis.

Defense

4 – Tennessee Titans: Not an elite defense fantasy-wise, just good enough to crack the Top 10.

3 – Indianapolis Colts: Middle of the pack defense here; they shouldn’t even be picked up in a 12-team league.

2 – Houston Texans: Not much to speak of here; don’t even bother with this D.

1 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Cross them off your list, now!

Kickers

4 – Tennessee Titans: Rob Bironas

3 – Houston Texans: Kris Brown

2 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Josh Scobee

1 – Indianapolis Colts: Adam Vinatieri

Totals:

Houston Texans: 18

Indianapolis Colts: 17

Tennessee Titans: 13

Jacksonville Jaguars: 12

AFC South fantasy football division bragging rights goes to – the Houston Texans.

NFC South

Quarterbacks

4 – New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees is the class of this division and an upper echelon QB on your draft day.

3 – Atlanta Falcons: Do I smell a sophomore jinx? Not likely; expect big numbers out of Matt Ryan again this year. He’s got some solid players on offense across the board.

2 – Carolina Panthers: Time is catching up to Jake Delhomme and his arm is not what it once was.

1 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I hear they are opening up QB tryouts to the public in camp this year.

Running Backs

4 – Atlanta Falcons: Michael Turner took the fantasy football world on a wild ride last year, surprising everyone. He’s for real; he’s at the top of your running back lists.

3 – New Orleans Saints: Pierre Thomas had a touch of a breakout year late last season as he more than doubled his touches from the year before. Nine touchdowns with only 129 carries? Rather impressive, and Reggie Bush has officially moved more into a returner/wideout role.

2 – Carolina Panthers: Another situation where two backs split the load a bit too much. DeAngelo Williams is still more than worthy to take at the right time in your draft.

1 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Derrick Ward was brought in and should get most of the carries, but Carnell ‘Cadillac’ Williams is already reported as running at full speed in camp. You might want to stay away from this situation until the mid-to-late rounds.

Wide Receivers

4 – New Orleans Saints: Marques Colston is Top 10 WR on every list out there.

3 – Atlanta Falcons: Roddy White is another Top 10 WR, and Michael Jenkins is one to look at in the mid-to-late rounds.

2 – Carolina Panthers: Some guys with a bit of age here, but Steve Smith is yet another possible Top 10 WR. The QBs for the Falcons and Saints drive the Panthers’ WRs to this position.

1 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Antonio Bryant had a nice year last season, but with the QB position a question mark at this point, you can wait on him.

Tight Ends

4 – Atlanta Falcons: The Falcons made a big splash picking up Tony Gonzalez. He’s still got what it takes to be a top fantasy TE.

3 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Finally, an area where the Bucs improved. Kellen Winslow should produce regardless of who’s behind center.

2 – New Orleans Saints: Jeremy Shockey was a monumental bust with the Saints last year. I’ve lost all faith in him at this point.

1 – Carolina Panthers: J eff King and Dante Rosario split the duties here, and neither is worth looking at.

Defense

4 – Carolina Panthers: Don’t let the rankings here fool you; all four of these teams group together as the beginning of the bottom half of fantasy defenses.

3 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: See Carolina Panthers.

2 – New Orleans Saints: See Carolina Panthers.

1 – Atlanta Falcons: See Carolina Panthers.

Kickers

4 – Atlanta Falcons: Jason Elam

3 – Carolina Panthers: John Kasay

2 – New Orleans Saints: Garrett Hartley

1 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Matt Bryant or Mike Nugent. Which one will win the battle in camp?

Totals:

Atlanta Falcons: 19

New Orleans Saints: 17

Carolina Panthers: 14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 10

NFC South fantasy football division bragging rights goes to – the Atlanta Falcons.

Check back next week for Part 3 and, as always, feel free to e-mail me any remarks you may have and I’ll do my best to address them. Enjoy the training camps everyone; football season is here!

Email: keith.l.michaels@gmail.com

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Part 1: http://www.fantasysharks.com/artman2/publish/Divisional_Team_Fantasy_Rankings_Part_1.htm