PAGE 16 | THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT | 08.23.

15 | Sunday Sports |

strategy tips
Know your leagues scoring
system. Whether its a pointper-reception league or not
could make a big difference
in what wide receivers and
running backs you should
target. With quarterbacks,
know how many points they
get for touchdown passes and
how many points are deducted
for interceptions. In leagues
where TD passes are only four
points, running quarterbacks
like Seattles Russell Wilson
have more value. Also know
the roster breakdown and how
many starters you need at each
position. Leagues that have
three wide receivers instead
of two in the starting lineup,
for example, could definitely
impact your early selections.

2015 GUIDE

running backs

THE NEXT BEST

Jeremy Hill, Cincinnati: Rushed
for 1,124 yards and nine TDs in his
rookie season, including 929 yards
and six TDs in his final nine games.
Matt Forte, Chicago: Had 1,846
total yards and 10 touchdowns last
year. Hes especially potent in PPR
leagues because he caught 102
passes an NFL record for running
backs for 808 yards.
C.J. Anderson, Denver: Didnt
become the Broncos primary back
until Week 10 last season, yet he
finished 11th in fantasy scoring
among RBs with 767 yards and
eight TDs in his final eight games.
DeMarco Murray, Philadelphia:
His 1,845 rushing yards easily led
the league, and he added 57-416
receiving numbers to go with 13
TDs. The concerns are his workload
(his 393 carries last year were the
seventh-most ever in the NFL),
his history of injuries and his
competition in new backfield (Ryan
Mathews and Darren Sproles).

POTENTIAL SLEEPERS
Frank Gore, Indianapolis: The
32-year-old had only five TDs last
season, but he goes to a much
more explosive offense and should
get a lot more scoring chances.
Latavius Murray, Oakland: He
showed big-play ability when he
finally got a chance last season,
running for 112 yards and two
TDs in his first start. Now hes
the teams clear No. 1, with Trent
Richardson as his backup.

ROOKIES TO WATCH
Todd Gurley, St. Louis
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Detroit
Melvin Gordon, San Diego
T.J. Yeldon, Jacksonville

BY JOE KACIK, THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

wide receivers

AS GOOD

THE ELITE
LeVeon Bell, Pittsburgh: If
it werent for his two-game
suspension, he would be the closest
thing to a consensus No. 1 overall
pick in fantasy drafts. As it is, hes
still going No. 1 in a lot of drafts. He
finished second to DeMarco Murray
in all-purpose yards (2,215) last
year even though he had nearly 100
fewer carries than Murray.
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota: If
youre worried about him shaking
off the rust from missing all but one
game last season, remember this:
After the only significant time hes
missed as a pro (when he tore his
ACL in 2011), he returned in nine
months and posted the secondhighest rushing total in NFL history
(2,097 yards). This time, hes not
coming off an injury.
Eddie Lacy, Green Bay: Hes been
a top-six fantasy back in each of his
first two seasons, and he plays for
one of the most potent offenses in
the league. Hes also a three-down
back whose receiving totals showed
improvement from Year 1 to Year 2
(from 35-257-0 to 42-427-4).
Jamaal Charles, Kansas City: He
had foot, knee and ankle issues last
season, yet still played in 15 games
and scored 14 touchdowns (10
rushing). He managed a 1,000-yard
rushing season as well despite only
206 carries 53 fewer than 2013 and
79 fewer than 2012.
Marshawn Lynch, Seattle: For the
past two years, many experts have
predicted regression for Lynch. He
continues to prove his critics wrong,
despite four straight seasons of
more than 280 carries. Last year, he
carried the Seahawks with a leaguehigh 17 TDs (13 rushing) and his
fourth straight 1,000-yard season
(1,306 yards).

THE ELITE

1,361 yards
rushing (2nd)

Bell

Steelers
Killer Bs
Brown

Pittsburgh became the

first team since the 1970
merger to have three
players finish No. 1 or 2 in
the NFL in passing, rushing
and receiving yards last
season. All three will be
coveted fantasy players
this season.

1,698 yards
receiving
(1st)

Big
Ben

4,952 yards
passing
(T-1st)

AS GOLD
quarterbacks

tight ends

THE ELITE

THE ELITE

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay: Hes

surpassed 4,000 yards every time
hes played a full season, he has
the highest-ranked wide receiver
tandem in the league in Jordy
Nelson and Randall Cobb and hes
thrown single-digit interceptions
each of his past four seasons.
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis: He
led the NFL in TD passes (40) last
year, was third in passing yards
(4,761) and should get a boost with
the addition of WR Andre Johnson
and RB Frank Gore.

Rob Gronkowski, New England:

Hes in a class all by himself at
the position. He outscored every
other tight end by at least 30
fantasy points in standard leagues
last season and even more in
PPR leagues. Hes scored 50 TDs
in his past 55 games. Yes, hes
injury-prone, but he missed only
one game last season and he
surpassed 90 yards and/or scored
a TD in 15 of his 18 games.

THE NEXT BEST

Greg Olsen, Carolina: Had careerhigh catches (84) and yards (1,008)
along with six TDs last year. He
could elevate to Cam Newtons
No. 1 target now that WR Kelvin
Benjamin has suffered a seasonending knee injury.
Jimmy Graham, Seattle: Drops
from the elite level because he
goes from a pass-happy Saints
offense to a run-heavy Seahawks
attack. He admits he expects to be
blocking a lot more.
Travis Kelce, Kansas City:
Was the No. 8 fantasy tight end
last year despite never being
fully healthy after offseason
microfracture surgery. He ranked
fourth among TEs in the final five
weeks of the season.

THE NEXT BEST

Peyton Manning, Denver:
Struggled late last season and lost
a key target in TE Julius Thomas.
Also, a low-ranked offensive line
drops him from the elite level.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh:
Fifth in QB fantasy points last
season with career-high numbers.
Two of the NFLs best playmakers
are around him in RB LeVeon Bell
and WR Antonio Brown.
Russell Wilson, Seattle: Third
in QB fantasy points last season,
even though he was 19th in pass
attempts. NFL-leading 849 QB
rushing yards and six rush TDs.
Has new big target in TE Jimmy
Graham.
Drew Brees, New Orleans: Lost
two of his top three targets in
Graham and WR Kenny Stills.
Saints have a good O-line, so theyll
probably try to run the ball more.
That likely means less production
from Brees.

POTENTIAL SLEEPERS

Ryan Tannehill, Miami: People

forget he finished ninth in fantasy
last year, and he has more weapons
now in WRs Greg Jennings, DeVante
Parker and Stills and TE Jordan
Cameron.
Sam Bradford, Philadelphia:

Hes suffered two ACL injuries, so
theres always a health concern,
but he has an elite arm and the
best supporting cast hes ever had
with the Eagles.

Tyler Eifert, Cincinnati: Hes

healthy after missing all but one
game last season to an elbow
injury, and he wont be sharing
duties with Jermaine Gresham,
who moved on to Arizona. Could
emerge as a No. 2 target in Cincy.
Jordan Cameron, Miami:
Concussion issues have been a
problem, but he goes to a much
better offense and will get more
red-zone opportunities.
Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa
Bay: Is healthy after missing seven
games with injuries in his rookie
season. The Bucs say they have
big plans for him, and offensive
coordinator Dirk Koetter compares
him to Tony Gonzalez.

ROOKIES TO WATCH

ROOKIE TO WATCH

POTENTIAL SLEEPERS

Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay

Marcus Mariota, Tennessee

Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh: He

was the top fantasy wide receiver
last season, leading the NFL in
receptions (129) and receiving
yards (1,698). He also had 13
touchdowns. He has 33 straight
games with at least five catches
and 50 yards.
Dez Bryant, Dallas: He led the
league with 16 TD catches and
was eighth in receiving yards with
1,320 last season. Hes clearly the
Cowboys biggest weapon now that
RB DeMarco Murray has moved on
to Philadelphia.
Demaryius Thomas, Denver: Hes
been a top-four fantasy receiver in
three years with Peyton Manning
as his QB. He finished No. 2 last
year with 1,619 yards and 11 TDs.
His 111 catches were second only
to Antonio Brown.
Julio Jones, Atlanta: He posted
career-bests in catches (104) and
yards (1,593), but scored only six
TDs last season. It was still good
enough for eighth in fantasy points
among wideouts.
Odell Beckham, New York Giants:
He missed the first month of his
rookie season with a hamstring
injury, yet remarkably finished fifth
in fantasy points among WRs with
91 catches for 1,305 yards and 12
TDs. The big question is can he
still put up numbers like that with
Victor Cruz back from an injury.

THE NEXT BEST

Calvin Johnson, Detroit: Health
has become a slight concern
because he missed three games
last season and two in 2013 due to
injuries. When healthy, he still has
top-tier talent, but he does turn 30
in late September.
Jordy Nelson, Green Bay: Had
offseason hip surgery and has
turned 30, but he has been
declared healthy. He posted
career-highs in receptions (98,
sixth among WRs) and yards (1,519,
fourth) last year. It also helps that
he has perhaps the best QB in the
league throwing him the ball.
A.J. Green, Cincinnati: Despite
missing three games and playing
others at less than 100 percent,
he still posted his fourth straight
1,000-yard season. His TD total did
drop to a career-low six, though.
Alshon Jeffery, Chicago: Becomes
Bears clear No. 1 WR with Brandon
Marshall moving on to the New
York Jets. Hes coming off back-toback 1,000-yard seasons and had
10 TDs last year.

POTENTIAL SLEEPERS
Jordan Matthews, Philadelphia:
Coming off an impressive rookie
season (67-872-8), he looks to take
the lead wideout role now that
Jeremy Maclin has moved on to
Kansas City.
John Brown, Arizona: Hes the
Cardinals best deep threat and
could be their most productive
WR too. Larry Fitzgerald posted
his worst stats last year since his
rookie season and Michael Floyd is
coming off three dislocated fingers.
Allen Robinson, Jacksonville:
Hamstring and foot injuries forced
him to miss six games during his
rookie season, but he was on pace
for nearly 1,000 yards (86-946-4)
with a rookie QB. Hes clearly the
Jags best wideout.

ROOKIES TO WATCH
Amari Cooper, Oakland
Nelson Agholor, Philadelphia
DeVante Parker, Miami
Breshad Perriman, Baltimore

Maxx Williams, Baltimore

Make your own rankings

list (cheat sheet) or find a
websites list you like and
print it out to have with you at
your draft. Dont just rely on
the rankings of your draft site
because youll end up using it
too much. That draft board list
may not be the best reference
for your leagues scoring
system.

Dont worry about bye weeks

when drafting players. Even if
all your players are on a bye
in the same week, that just
means your team will be at full
strength the rest of the season.
The only position you really
dont want to have players
with the same bye week is
quarterback.

Speaking of quarterbacks,
you can wait on them. Yes, it
will be tempting to take Aaron
Rodgers or Andrew Luck with
one of your first picks, but
youll find that you can still get
a decent QB in a round where
the good running backs and
wide receivers are long gone.
The difference between the
No. 4 quarterback and the No.
16 QB was about three fantasy
points per game last season.

Draft a kicker with your

last pick. Theres not a big
difference between the No. 1
kicker and the No. 10 kicker in
fantasy. In fact, the difference
last season was less than two
points a game. And its difficult
to predict who will be No. 1 or
No. 10.

On that same thought,

wait until late in the draft
to take a defense. Theyre
too unpredictable in terms
of fantasy scoring and you
can usually find a decent one
on the waiver wire during
the season. The difference
between the No. 1 and No. 10
defense in fantasy last season
was three points a game.
As your pick approaches,

always have a backup pick
(or two) in mind. Inevitably,
the owner or owners picking
before you will grab a player or
players you covet at least once,
if not several times. If youre
in a standard snake draft, that
clock moves fast when youre
undecided on a player.

Use the player queue on your

draft site board to place the
players you want in the order
you would pick them. Even if
you dont think youll need the
queue, it protects you in case
you get bumped offline or you
run out of time on the clock.

If you draft a running back

with an injury history, try
to handcuff him by drafting
his backup. That way, youre
protected if that first back
does go down. Even if your
top running backs havent
had injury issues, its not a
bad idea to go after their
backup. Of course, there
will be exceptions. If you get
Cincinnatis Jeremy Hill, for
example, youd have to use
another high pick to get his
backup, Giovani Bernard,
whos been going in the fifth
or sixth round of most drafts.
Handcuffs like that could be
too costly.

When the season starts, look

at the waiver wire every week.
Whether you make a move or
not, its worth the time. Even if
your team is undefeated, you
can often find a player that
improves your roster and builds
depth.

online

Peterson

Charles

Rodgers

Luck

Gronkowski

Bryant

Thomas

Check out Joe

Kaciks blog
throughout
the season
for the latest
fantasy news,
analysis and projections at
hamptonroads.com/blogs/
joe-kacik. Also, follow him on
Twitter @JKacik for player
news every day as well as
injury and game updates on
NFL Sundays.