First and foremost I have one thing to say about the Skins...STAY AWAY FROM THEIR RUNNING BACKS. If it comes down to you looking at either; Clinton Portis, Willie Parker, or Larry Johnson for yours #2 back, you can probably just pack it in for this year and start scouting sleepers for next years draft.
Not only would it scare me to take any of these three if they were the feature back of the Redskins, but with all of them there it hurts each one's fantasy value significantly. Larry Johnson showed a bit of a burst with the Bengals last year but it is questionable how he will be used and how much he has left in the tank at 31. I am not even going to post projections but I will say Portis leads in rushing yards, Johnson should get the most TDs and Parker, well who the hell knows with him, after being a non-factor for the Steelers.
Then there is Donovan McNabb. I would put him right in the middle as far fantasy production will go for the 2010 season. He is not very attractive for a keeper league unless you think he has good year left and you'll cut ties after the season. His past few seasons with the Birds were pretty similar and Mike Shanahan will probably commit to the run more than Andy Reid did. Could help McNabb's stats could hurt them, hard to say since there was never much balance for him in his time with the Eagles. Has a burner in Moss, but he is no DeSean Jackson down field. Look for a good year and not a bad option if you wait on a QB or even to have as a backup if you get him late.
-Projections: 3,400 yards, 22 TDs, 11 INTs; 150 rushing yards, 1 TD
Santana Moss is still a WR who can do some damage but inconsistent QB play has hampered his stats the past few years. McNabb should be able to bump up his production and he could get close to 1,000 yards again. Even though he seems to have lost a step, he still has great speed and that is perfect for the arm McNabb possesses.
-Projections: 65-75 catches, 950 yards, 6 TDs
Chris Cooley is a great option for a fantasy TE but Fred Davis is waiting in the wings and Davis's production down the stretch last year will make it hard to keep him off the field. However, I see Cooley bouncing back from injury last year and could remain one of the top 15 TEs in overall points. Not a bad late round pick but don't overdraft him, let him come to you.
-Projections: 60-70 catches, 750 yards, 5 TDs
For IDPs, London Fletcher is far and away the best one on the Skins. He doesn't come off the field and he is a tackling machine. He is getting up there in age but still manages to play every game while consistently totaling well over 100 total tackles.
-Projection: 135 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles, 6 passes defended
LaRon Landry is a good safety option as well. Aside from those 2 the options are not too many, maybe a late round pick of Rocky Macintosh if your in desperate need of a LB. Otherwise Fletcher and Landry should prove to be solid picks.
Spot on analysis across the board. Don't expect much out of Portis but he does have the strongest upside of any of the Redskins backs. Barring injury, he should benefit from the reunion with Mike Shanahan and the zone-blocking scheme. Lest we not forget, it was with Shanahan that Portis was valued high enough to be half of the 1-for-1 trade for shutdown corner of the century, Champ Bailey.
ReplyDeleteI wish you included receiver Devin Thomas, however. I think he has the strongest upside of any of their wideouts. He showed flashes of brilliance last year, but he needs to be more consistent with his route-running. He's a popular pick for a breakout season, so don't be afraid to take a shot on him if he's available late in your draft. Remember how much the Giants' Steve Smith benefited from entering the "magical third season."
Thus far I haven't seen anything impressive out of Thomas but like you said he could emerge with McNabb. Only reason I didn't include him is because there are enough WRs I like ahead of him instead of taking a chance.
ReplyDeleteI think Thomas will be the favorite to get majority of targets from McNabb. Moss has never been the same since that one monster year but he was prob juicing his balls off. I agree I wouldnt touch any of their running backs, but you know some retard is going to take Portis in the third or fourth. Besides they are prob going to add Westbrook to.
ReplyDeleteThis was a great analysis and a great read.
ReplyDeleteA+
Anonymous? My bet is Henry. But I'm not sure.