by, James McPartlin, Vice President- Editor
Times are tight in the good old US of A. With the economy the way it is and how expensive gas is people are making a serious effort not to overspend. Well I’m here to help get you the most bang for your buck and you’re in luck there are a bunch of great deals going on in every fantasy draft.
David Garrard QB Jacksonville Jaguars – Garrard was extremely accurate last year throwing 18 TDs as opposed to his 3 interceptions. Garrard comes into his second full year as starter and should improve on last years numbers. The Jags will continue to run first run second then maybe throw third style of offense but I expect Garrard’s yardage and TD count to grow and although he protected the ball very well last year it is inevitable that he will throw more ints. I have Garrard ranked very high, after this preseason he has move all the way up to 6th among Quarterbacks however Garrard has been selected much later in drafts. As opposed to taking a Quarterback in the 6th round you could wait on Garrard who is going early 8th round and as late as the tenth. Garrard is a an excellent value pick for all you bargain drafters.
Steve Slaton RB Houston Texans- I cannot rave about this guy enough. Slaton is a no name rookie walking into a backfield full of washed up running backs. Get your stars in your lineup but make sure this guy is on your bench. He’s going in the last rounds of drafts or going undrafted and has the potential to be a top 20 back easily.
Thomas Jones RB New York Jets- Thomas Jones was foolishly taken as an RB2 last year in all standard drafts. Although Jones managed 1000 yards rushing he only reached twice and posted a miserable 3.6 yards a carry which is his lowest since he played for the Arizona Cardinals. Jones is the beneficiary of the Jets off season moves. Brett Favre makes this offense better and more efficient automatically. The Jets went out and got Alan Faneca and Tony Richardson to block for Jones (Richardson has led blocked for Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, Chester Taylor in his breakout year, and Adrian Peterson). Plus the Jets didn’t get any running back help at all so Jones will still get the lion share of the carries cause change of pace back Leon Washington poses no threat. If all of the best backs are gone come your pick in the second or third round get a top tier receiver or quarterback and wait on Thomas Jones in the 4th or 5th cause he will be an absolute steal.
Tim Hightower RB Arizona Cardinals- IF you don’t know who this guy is you will once he runs Edgerrin James out of town. Edge’s mileage is … well the same as a 1978 Pinto, its a shock that its still running. Now before I get criticized for ripping on a very talented running back when he was in a Colts uniform. James’s average hasn’t been over 4 yards a carry since he played in Indy in addition he is 30 now and has taken a beating in his 9 years in the league.
Lee Evans WR Buffalo Bills- Last year Evans probably ruined some fantasy teams by only accumulating 849 yards and 5 TDs. In all fairness the quarterback position for the Bills was awful last year and will be better this with incumbent Trent Edwards getting the go ahead from the start. Rookie James Hardy at 6-7 should help Evans with seeing less double teams so look for Evans to rebound this year and you can get him later because no one is high on him right now.
Chris Chambers WR San Diego Chargers- Chambers has not been a fantasy wide out since 2005 but now he has a chance to. The Chargers are the most complete team in football, offensively and defensively going into the 2008 season. Even with Shawn Merriman foolishly jeopardizing his carreer by playing with two ligament tears in his left knee, Jyles Tucker is an outside linebacker who can make a name for himself when Merriman does inevitably go on the Injured Reserve. Chambers scored 4 TDs and accumulated 555 yards after he was traded last year and Phillip Rivers enjoys looking his way. Chambers might surprise this year and at the coast of a mid round pick and being a WR3, where can you go wrong?
Roddy White WR Atlanta Falcons- This guy put up 1200 yards and 5 TDs last year with a quarterback by committee last season with Joey Harrington taking most of the snaps. The quarterback situation hasn’t gotten much better with Matt Ryan being a rookie and the Falcons looking to initiate him by fire however White put up good numbers last year and at the price of an 8th round selection you just can’t beat that value.
There are somethings that are necessities and they’re going to be expensive. Cars, houses, televisions, (if you’re me) and other appliances are good examples of this. Fantasy drafts are the same way. LaDanian Tomlinson is not falling the the 4th round. However if you can get early round value for a late round pick, you need to take advantage of it. Fantasy Drafts are going out of business sales, you can’t beat the prices and everything needs to go.
