What Fantasy Football Magazines Wont Tell You On Draft Day (Part II)

By Jack Decker - Fantasy Football Contributor

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Sep 3, 2010 -

1. T.O. in Cincy - Owens wasn't rated favorably in fantasy magazines this summer.  Then again, the mercurial wideout didn't have a place to call home yet.  Owens arrival in Cincinnati brings stability and respectability to Cincy's split end positon that was missing since the departure of T.J. Houshmandzadeh.  Owens arrival in the Queen City has been a preseason boon, as the offense looks to become less one-dimensional in 2010.  The presence of a physical, possession type receiver opposite Ocho Cinco will help the entire offense.  Carson Palmer is worth drafting as a comeback QB, capable of posting top-12 fantasy numbers.  Ocho Cinco remains a viable fantasy WR1a and should see less safety help with the physical Owens commanding attention.  Even Cedric Benson should benefit, as he will not have to shoulder so much of the offensive load.  With an opportunity to limit the number of touches to their featured back, Benson is not the 2010 injury risk he was before Owens arrival.  And don't worry about any shenanigans from the former walking distraction.  If T.O. had an incident free season with the Bills abysmal franchise last year, he won't be a problem on a winning team with Super aspirations.  Right?

2. Beanie Wells as Backup - Your fantasy football glossy is probably waxing poetic about the second half Wells enjoyed for the Cards in '09 and how he is primed for a breakout season in his sophomore campaign.  But while we wouldn't ignore his double digit carries in 7 of the teams last nine games or his 6 TD's in the last 8, we also wouldn't shun how underutilized he has been this preseason or how his fumbling has continued to be a problem for Wells.  Said beat writer Kent Somers "That's the answer to all those asking why [Wells] isn't starting." While Wells continues to be selected as a top-20 back taken in the fourth round, his counterpart, Tim Hightower is a great value, especially in PPR leagues with an ADP in the ninth round.  Conventional wisdom and Wells' superior running ability point to him overtaking Hightower as the starter by seasons end.  But if he continues to put the ball on the turf, Wells could remain in a secondary role all season long and makes for a risky selection in the early rounds of your draft.

3. Justin Forsett's Role in SEA - Did you read this summer that Justin Forsett could be in line for a top-20 finish in 2010?  Probably.  Did you read that Pete Carroll has been noncommittal in designating Forsett a starter for this season?  Not in your fantasy magazine, you didn't.  Has Carroll has been noncommittal and won't name a starter among the RB trio of Forsett, Leon Washington, and Julius Jones, saying:

I don't think we've had enough success running the football to really allow the guys to distinguish themselves.  

We think that Forsett's overall talent level will be hard to keep off the field when the real games begin making him a good bet to outperform his 6^th round ADP.  Leon Washington can currently be had in the 12^th round and his big-play, pass-catching prowess makes him a nice late round flier with some serious upside, especially in PPR formats.  Julius Jones isn't worth drafting unless injury befalls either Washington or Forsett.  And even then, his uninspired running lends itself better to someone else's fantasy bench. 

4. Star Holdouts -  Did your fantasy publication mention the holdouts of Vincent Jackson and Darelle Revis?  Probably.  What they couldn't know then is what we know now: both teams will start the regular season without their best weapon on their respective side of the ball.  In San Diego, Jackson's holdout has meant Malcom Floyd has become an every-week starter worth drafting in the sixth round and Legedu Naanee on fantasy radars worth a late round look in 12-man leagues.  Jackson has vowed that he will sit the season if necessary, and while he is currently carrying a hefty 4^th round asking price it would be wise to let another GM take the risk on draft day.

Meanwhile, the New York Jets defense takes a substantial hit as Darrelle Revis continues his holdout. The Jets, and particularly their defense, have received a ton of attention this offseason.  But savvy fantasy GM's know that no defense is worth drafting in the 8^th round, let alone one that just lost its best player.  Again, let someone else overpay for their services at the draft. 

Fantasy football magazines make for a nice supplement to a draft strategy.  But their days as your primary destination for research are long gone.  Fantasy GM's need to take advantage of information that is not only insightful, but up to the minute.  But go ahead and bring your fantasy football magazine to your draft this weekend.  They work best as a coaster to put a cold one on.

Read More: nfl training camp 2010, Justin Forsett (RB - SEA), Vincent Jackson (WR - SDC), Tim Hightower (RB - WAS), Leon Washington (RB - SEA), Legedu Naanee (WR - CAR), Beanie Wells (RB - ARI), Terrell Owens (WR - CIN), Carson Palmer (QB - OAK), Darrelle Revis (CB - NYJ), New York Jets

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