Jason and Justin Sablich are here to help you with your fantasy football draft. The Sablich brothers will provide fantasy football advice throughout the season on this blog and on Twitter (@5thDownFantasy).
Sure, it’s only preseason. But one can still glean clues about what to expect in Week 1. Based on two weeks of preseason, here are the latest fantasy football implications.
Ups
Quarterback
Mark Sanchez, NYJ – It was good to see Sanchez connect on some big plays against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday night (12-for-20, 173 yards, two TDs) after a mediocre Week 1 outing. You can give some credit to better pass protection and the absence of running back Shonn Greene. Don’t expect him to jump to QB1 territory any time soon, but given his new weapons, we’d rather have him backing up our starting quarterback than guys like Ryan Fitzpatrick, Donovan McNabb or Matt Cassel.
Running Back
Felix Jones
, DAL –- Jones’s renewed quickness and determination has been the talk of Cowboys camp, and for the second consecutive week he backed it up with 7 carries for 56 yards against the San Diego Chargers’ formidable defense. Early fears of a heavy rotation in the Dallas backfield seem like a distant memory at this point, but you still need to be concerned whether the injury-prone Jones can hold up for a full year as the featured back.
Reggie Bush, MIA -– We know that Bush lacks the durability and size of a featured back, but apparently the Miami coaches and even Bush himself have come down with a strong case of amnesia. Bush certainly looked like the starter with his explosive play last Friday against the Carolina Panthers (8 carries, 48 yards, 2 rec., 33 yards) and has the clear edge over the struggling rookie running back Daniel Thomas. But how long will Bush be able to stay on the field having missed 20 games over the last two seasons? That should be enough to keep him in the bargain bin in the majority of drafts. We like him as a productive RB3 for at least 8-10 games.
Brandon Jacobs, NYG – The push for more carries is in full effect. Jacobs looked fast and powerful Monday night against the Chicago Bears (6 carries, 48 yards), including an explosive 18-yard TD run in the second quarter. Coach Tom Coughlin has already stated this offseason that he sees a bigger role for Jacobs this year, and rightfully so. Jacobs averaged nearly 6 yards per carry on 147 attempts last season and looks to be picking up where he left off. Ahmad Bradshaw remains a fantasy RB, but expect more of a timeshare this season.
Wide Receiver
Plaxico Burress, NYJ – So much for early-season rust. A diving Burress hauled in a 26-yard touchdown pass from his new quarterback in the rain-soaked Meadowlands Sunday night, which was the last thing you’d expect from a guy who has missed the last two years of football, let alone a lot of camp time with a bum ankle. Then again, Burress was never one for practicing much in his days with the Giants. After his outstanding debut, we’ll bump him up to a WR3.
Lee Evans, BAL – While Joe Flacco struggled to hit what’s left of his familiar targets against the Kansas City Chiefs Friday night, it was the new guy Evans with whom he seemed most content. Lee tallied 3 catches for 68 yards, which included a nifty touch pass for 43 yards. Evans has the tools to be a WR3 in his new home, and he certainly gives the Ravens a much-needed weapon who can stretch the field.
Downs
Quarterback
Ryan Fitzpatrick, BUF -– We were down on Fitzpatrick early this offseason, and Week 2’s dismal outing against Denver (6-for-16, 44 yards, INT) only strengthens our dislike for this QB2 pick. It was not entirely his fault as he was under siege most of the game, but don’t expect that to change much during the regular season, given Buffalo’s issues on the offensive line. The loss of wide receiver Donald Jones, Evans’s replacement, for the remainder of the preseason doesn’t help matters either.
Running Back
Fred Jackson, BUF –- Given Jackson’s abilities, it’s surprising that the Bills are trying to force C.J Spiller into the starting role. Taking on the Denver Broncos, Spiller totaled just 10 yards with 6 carries as the starter behind Buffalo’s struggling offensive line, while Jackson managed a healthy 34 yards on 4 carries. Whether or not Spiller emerges as the starter, Jackson’s workload is likely to take a significant hit this season.
Jahvid Best, DET – Although Best sustained what was described as only a minor concussion last Friday, it conjured up unsettling thoughts of the devastating concussion he suffered in college. It was also an early reminder of his fragility and he will remain a risky RB2 pick once again heading into the season.
Daniel Thomas, MIA – Naturally, an arrow up for Bush is an arrow down for Thomas. The rookie has looked mediocre so far, averaging less than 4 yards a carry in two preseason games. With Bush expected to garner at least 15 touches per game as the featured back, Thomas is nothing more than an RB4 with starter-injury upside.
Wide Receiver
Sidney Rice, SEA – As expected, the lack of talent at quarterback in Seattle is going to hurt Rice’s numbers. With five targets from Tarvaris Jackson against his former team, Rice could only manage to come down with 2 of them for 11 yards, including two missed opportunities in the end zone.
Robert Meachem, NO – A touted breakout candidate early this offseason, Meachem has seen 2 targets to Lance Moore’s 4 in two weeks of preseason action and has been quiet outside of one 43-yard reception. Sure, it’s only the preseason, but you’d expect a bit more from him seeing how Marques Colston has yet to see the field. Moore is definitely looking like the better pick right now.
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