Fantasy Football: You Heard it Here First, Part 1 NFC
By Editorial Staff
NFC North
Bears: Roy Williams finishes the year with more points than Matt Forte!
That’s right, Roy Williams is going to reemerge as a fantasy relevant wide receiver. Not only that, he is going to surpass Matt Forte is fantasy points by week 17. Williams is now the primary target in a pass happy Mike Martz system. With a year of the Martz system under his belt, Cutler will likely improve and lets not forget Williams is a huge fan of Martz. Williams’ best years as a receiver came in Detroit under the Mike Martz system. Keep an eye out for Williams and take him as a sleeper in the later rounds.
Packers: Ryan Grant finishes the year as a top 15 RB!
Ryan Grant is back and rejoining the newly healthy Super Bowl Champions. The Packers offense is primed to pick up where they left off last season, especially with the return of Jermichael Finley. This passing attack is going to open up huge running lanes for Grant, and barring any injuries; we will see a double-digit touchdown season from him.
Vikings: Toby Gerhart finishes the year with fantasy relevance!
Now this may not be the boldest of predictions but many people have forgotten about Gerhart and the potential role he plays for the Vikings. Minnesota’s offense took a step back by letting Sidney Rice go, and they are going to lean on AP even more than usual. The increased work load, and lack of passing options will lead to more 8 men in the box defenses, and a bigger pounding for AP. The injuries will be there, and when they show up, be ready to throw Gerhart into your lineup.
Lions: Neither RB finishes in the top 20!
It doesn’t matter whether you’re on team Best or Leshoure, at the end of the season both sides will be unhappy. This duo will perform well in real life, but not in terms of fantasy. Their running styles will compliment each other well, but that is going to lead to an almost 50/50 running split, on a team that is looking to pass. Stay away from both of these RBs if you can, because it is going to be just as hard as figuring out the New England tight end situation, when it comes to setting your line up.
NFC West
Rams: Mike Sims-Walker finishes as a top 20 WR!
Sims-Walker is out of Jacksonville and now playing with the best up and coming quarterback in the league, Sam Bradford. Bradford is incredibly accurate and put up good numbers despite the lack of weapons around him. This year Sims-Walker will be Bradford’s number one target, and will see plenty of single coverage, with Donnie Avery and Danny Amendola on the field. Take Sims-Walker as a late round sleeper in your drafts.
Seahawks: Marshawn Lynch finishes as the only player with fantasy relevance!
The Seahawks brought in Sidney Rice, and brought Mike Williams back from the grave last year. However, they did the worst thing possible by letter Matt Hasselbeck leave. With Tarvaris Jackson leading the team, I am not touching any of the Seattle receivers or tight ends. That leaves this anemic to lean on Lynch who will find a way to put up some unimpressive, but relevant fantasy numbers.
Cardinals: Beanie Wells keeps the starting job!
With the departure of Tim Hightower and the drafting of Ryan Williams, most people are looking for Beanie Wells to make a quick exit from our fantasy minds. But not so fast, Wells has been getting the first team reps this off-season. Williams will likely be the 3rd down back, and barring injury; Wells will see 15-20 touches a game. I am not the biggest fan of Wells’ talent, but the opportunity is too good to just pass up. With Wells going undrafted in some rounds, take a flyer on this back and stash him on your bench.
49ers: Michael Crabtree is Undraftable!
I apologize to any 49er fans but your first round draft pick from 2 years ago is not delivering any time soon. Crabtree has been sidelined with another foot injury this offseason and the niners have moved ahead to sign Braylon Edwards. The 49ers are already a run first team and with the time Crabtree is going to spend on the sidelines, I am staying away from him all together this year. The numbers that he puts up this year (if any) will completely replacement level and can be found on any waiver wire. Don’t waste your time, much less a pick, on this diva.