Dynasty Menu – Surprise, Surprise.

So I have been assigned to dynasty duties, and I couldn’t be any happier.  While I do encourage all of you to join or form a dynasty league, I do want to warn you that it’s not an easy concept to grasp right away.  This is where I come in with the Dynasty Menu, and on today’s menu are players that may surprise.  From the wily veterans to the self-absorbed rookies, I have surprises all over the board.   In this edition I will be focusing purely on offensive players.  

Here’s how it works: Each player will have an analysis followed by a scale rating of 1-5, (notated by the letter

S with 5 being the highest) of what their short and long-term values should be in dynasty formats.  An additional key of explanations is also provided below. 

KEY – Short-Term Values			KEY – Long-Term Values
S = Horrible			S = Little-No Potential
SS = Mediocre			SS = Some Potential
SSS = Modest			SSS = Above Average Potential
SSSS = Sound			SSSS = Extreme Potential
SSSSS = Superlative			SSSSS = All-Pro/Star Potential

Surprise Player #10

Tarvaris Jackson QB, MIN: 

Jackson has been a slow developer, but finally has the tools all around him to be a successful NFL and fantasy quarterback.  He’s been receiving rave reviews from every Vikings source this offseason, and in his last seven starts the Vikings quarterback achieved a completion percentage of 65.2%, which was 8% higher than his high of 57% through his first five starts.  With the addition of Bernard Berrian, the emergences of Sidney Rice and Adrian Peterson, and the stability of the offensive line Jackson is poised to surprise in ’08, and wouldn’t be a bad option as a number two or three quarterback on your dynasty team depth chart.

Short-Term Value:

SSS.

Long-Term Value:

SSSS.

Surprise Player #9

Julius Jones RB, SEA:  Flying under most fantasy radars (no pun intended) these days is Seahawks new running back, Julius Jones.  Now, I’ll admit that I’ve never been a big Jones fan, at least not this one, however I do believe Julius is finally in the right place and at the right time and he’s still pretty young.  He’s also rejuvenated, out to prove all the critics wrong, and has some solid pieces around him.  Here’s the best part: The Seahawks offense is built around the pass.  What does this mean?  This means that this Jones won’t be seeing eight in the box which should allow him to run wild through opposing secondaries; well let’s the idea anyways.  And if Jones does achieve what seems to be the impossible if you’re last name is not Watters, Warren or Alexander he’ll not only make Seahawks fans giddy, but dynasty owners as well. 

Short-Term Value:

SSSS.

Long-term Value:

SSS.

Surprise Player #8

Jordy Nelson WR, GBP:  Ah yes, the first rookie on the menu, and rightfully so.  Nelson is a star in the making and should make an impact rather quickly.  He has great hands, big play ability, is a dynamic route runner and may be pushing James Jones for the number three spot on the depth chart already.  At

Kansas

State last season he caught 122 balls for 1606 yards in just 12 games.  He’s a hard worker who has done nothing but blow away the Packers’ coaching staff thus far this offseason, and he’s only bound to get better.  He has great long-term value, but not much value in 2008 unless something happens to Donald Driver or Greg Jennings.   

Short-Term Value:

SS.

Long-Term Value:

SSSSS. 

Surprise Player #7

Jacob Hester RB/FB SDC:  The San Diego Chargers reached, in some experts’ and fan’s minds, for former LSU halfback/fullback Jacob Hester, but thus far he has shown that he may be just what the Chargers really need on offense.  Hester will see much of his time at fullback, but he’ll also see some time at halfback and has even been rumored to be lining up in the slot on passing downs.  And while Hester’s skills aren’t the greatest, including his 4.6 average 40 time, he’s a football player who should strive in the Chargers offense now and in the long future that seems to be ahead of him. 

Short-Term Value:

SSS

.  Long-Term Value:

SSS

.

Surprise Player #6

Steve Breaston WR ARI:  While Breaston’s chances remain slim on making a huge fantasy impact in 2008 he could capture the number three wide receiver spot in Arizona, which in years past has seen receivers put up some pretty good numbers.  With both Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald’s history of injuries Breaston could be a key ingredient to the Cardinals offense.  The former Cardinals slot receiver was current 49ers receiver Bryant Johnson, who over the course of the last two seasons has started in 16 games and has amassed over 1200 total yards.  Breaston could see similar production in ‘08 if the pieces fall in his favor, and could wind up being a starter in the future, especially if

Arizona can’t afford to keep both Fitzgerald and Boldin around.

Short-Term Value:

SSS.

Long-Term Value:

SSS. 

Surprise Player #5

Thomas Jones RB NYJ:  At first glance this may look wrong, but much like his brother Julius, who was highlighted above, Thomas is in the right situation at the right time.  At age 29 he still has a lot in the tank, and some nice blockers in front of him.  The Jets added Alan Faneca and Damien Woody in the offseason to a line that already has two young rising stars in center Nick Mangold, and tackle D’Brickasaw Ferguson, and while the verdict is still out on how fast this line can become cohesive the talent is there as evident by the fact that all four are former first round picks.  Add to that that the Jets have the seventh easiest schedule against the run this season and you have a recipe for another Jones success story.  And did I tell you that he’s missed just three games in the last four seasons? 

Short-Term Value:

SSSS. 

Long-Term Value:

SS. 

Surprise Player #4

Joe Flacco QB BAL:  Flacco is on this list for one reason and one reason only; potential.  Yes, I know this is the word that was used when describing Kyle Boller back in 2003 and all he’s done is thrown just about as many interceptions (44) as touchdowns (45).  Let’s be honest though, Flacco has better talent in his arm, and all around him, including a multi-tool running back who hasn’t worn an orange jump suit yet.  And while he’ll probably continue to impress during training camp, he still has a lot of developing to do and needs major game experience.  Overall, Flacco is a good developmental quarterback, but probably won’t make much noise in 2008.  Besides, how surprising would it be if this Ravens developmental quarterback becomes productive in his first three seasons, or eternity for that matter? 

Short-Term Value:

SS. 

Long-Term Value:

SSSS. 

Surprise Player #3

Adrian

Arrington WR NOS:  Those in deep dynasty leagues listen up!  Arrington seems to be making a name for himself in New Orleans, and although it’s too early to tell if he’ll win one of the starting jobs, those held by Marques Colston and David Patten, he’s performed so well in mini-camps that he’s making Devery Henderson seem like an afterthought.  Arrington is extremely fluid running routes and catching passes, and could make his way up the depth chart during training camp if he continues to show improvement.  And while other owners eye Robert Meachem, and rightfully so, grab Arrington late and wait him out, if you can afford to.  He’s a project, but just keep in mind who could be throwing him the ball in the coming years.

Short-Term Value:

S.

Long-Term Value:

SSS.

Surprise Player #2

Owen Daniels TE HOU: The Texans may have found a gem at tight end in the former Badger as Daniels is quickly developing in to a top notch player at his position.  This season will mark Daniels’ three year anniversary, an anniversary that’s all too familiar with Chiefs star Tony Gonzalez, who broke out in his third season (1999) as a pro catching 76 passes for 849 yards, and 11 touchdowns.  While Daniels may or may not post similar numbers as Gonzo this season, one thing’s for certain– he’s definitely one of Matt Schaub’s top receiving options.  54 of Daniels’ 63 receptions came in the first 12 games when Schaub was the quarterback; that’s 4.5 receptions per game.  In his other 4 games he averaged a measly 2.25.  If Schaub stays healthy and continues to frequently involve Daniels in the game plan like last season the Texans tight end may find himself among the elite by 2009.  He’s a steal outside the top twelve and is really the only other solid target in the Texans offense outside of Andre Johnson. 

Short-Term Value:

SSSS. 

Long-Term Value:

SSSS.

Surprise Player #1

Laurence Maroney RB NEP:  Let me set the record straight first— to be polite I’m not a Patriots fan— however; I do believe that the passing juggernaut that was the New England Patriots in 2007 will be naught in ‘08.  With defenses focusing more on halting Randy Moss and Wes Welker the running game will open up.  Add to that the fact that the Patriots have the easiest schedule against the run this season, a solid offensive line, and a healthy Jabar Gaffney, who will provide big blocks on the outside,

and you have a formula that should equate to a big season for Maroney.  And while his future remains uncertain, as the injury bug seems to have Velcro-ed itself on to the Patriots running back, he does have the talent to be a bona fide star; something that he has to prove this season in order for him to make the Patriots as an organization believe in him as their long-term solution at running back. 

Short-Term Value:

SSSSS. 

Long-Term Value:

SSS.

In the next edition of the Dynasty Menu rookie running backs will be featured on the menu, and I’m not just talking about McFadden, Mendenhall, and Stewart.  I’m talking about the rookies who you may or may not have insight on, so stay with Fantasysharks.com for that.  Until then I encourage you to keep researching and maybe you can find some of your own surprise players……. Or you can just take my advice. 

Thanks for reading!