FantasySharks.com Fantasy Football Rankings, Projections, Tools, Analysis and Community.
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 –
A lot of folks are expecting Peyton Manning to start his downfall this year. Don’t be one of them.
3 –
Everyone has been waiting to see what a healthy
Matt Schaub can do with this team.
2 –
Like Schaub, David Garrard has had some health issues. The Jags need him in order to regain their 2007 form.
1 –
Kerry Collins had a magical season last year for his age. but I expect the glass slipper to shatter this year.
Running Backs
4 –
Depending on PPR or non-PPR leagues,
Maurice Jones-Drew is the first or second overall pick, period.
3 –
Steve Slaton had an impressive rookie campaign for the Texans and is expected to produce even more this season.
2 –
With
Manning at QB,
Joseph Addai will still benefit from a high percentage of pass defenses.
1 –
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 –
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 –
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 –
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
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 –
Bo Scaife is decent; he could be picked up on a bye week when needed.
1 –
Don’t even bother with
Marcedes Lewis.
Defense
4 –
Not an elite defense fantasy-wise, just good enough to crack the Top 10.
3 –
Middle of the pack defense here; they shouldn’t even be picked up in a 12-team league.
2 –
Not much to speak of here; don’t even bother with this D.
1 –
Cross them off your list, now!
Kickers
4 –
Rob Bironas
3 –
Kris Brown
2 –
Josh Scobee
1 –
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 –
Drew Brees is the class of this division and an upper echelon QB on your draft day.
3 –
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 –
Time is catching up to Jake Delhomme and his arm is not what it once was.
1 –
I hear they are opening up QB tryouts to the public in camp this year.
Running Backs
4 –
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 –
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 –
Marques Colston is Top 10 WR on every list out there.
3 –
Roddy White is another Top 10 WR, and
Michael Jenkins is one to look at in the mid-to-late rounds.
2 –
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 –
The Falcons made a big splash picking up
Tony Gonzalez. He’s still got what it takes to be a top fantasy TE.
3 –
Finally, an area where the Bucs improved.
Kellen Winslow should produce regardless of who’s behind center.
2 –
Jeremy Shockey was a monumental bust with the Saints last year. I’ve lost all faith in him at this point.
1 –
J eff King and Dante Rosario split the duties here, and neither is worth looking at.
Defense
4 –
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 –
See
2 –
See
1 –
See
Kickers
4 –
Jason Elam
3 –
John Kasay
2 –
Garrett Hartley
1 –
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
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
Follow me on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/venomlace
Part 1: https://www.fantasysharks.com/artman2/publish/Divisional_Team_Fantasy_Rankings_Part_1.htm
