Fantasy Football Search 2010 Sleeper: Matthew Stafford

Player: Matthew Stafford
Team: Detroit Lions
Position: QB

I admit this one may be a bit of a stretch, but if your league allows garbage points (all leagues do), I can see a healthy Stafford putting up 1200-1500 yards and 12 TDs in garbage time alone.  Stafford has allot of young talent around him like Calvin "Megatron" Johnson, highly touted rookie runningback Javid Best, Kevin Smith, and tight end Brandon Pettigrew.  There will still be growing pains with that group, but it should produce plenty of fantasy points. 

Also consider the horrible Lions defense.  If things go to plan, expect the Lions to be in allot of shootouts this season because there defense will always allow scoring. 

You can draft Stafford very late and store him on your bench.  He makes a great BYE week replacement for your starter, especially if your started is on the BYE the following weeks: 5, 6, 8, and 10.
2010 Projections: 2985 yards, 20 TDs, 3 Rushing TD.

Fantasy Preview: NFC East

Fantasy Preview: AFC East By Jay Ruggiero (email)

NY Jets


Undervalued: There are a few guys that fit this spot, but I’m going to go with Braylon Edwards. By all accounts, he has looked terrific in camp, making acrobatic catch after acrobatic catch. Sure, we’ve heard this before, but he is in a contract year. With Santonio Holmes facing a four game suspension and defenses having to stack the box to prevent the running game, Edwards is fantastic value in the seventh or eighth round, which is where he is going according to MockDraftCentral.com.

Sleeper: The Jets last season were the very definition of a smash mouth football team. Do you have ANY idea how many times the Jets ran the ball? Over 600 times. 607 times, to be exact. To put that in context, the next closest team had 525 rushes. Now, the Jets have added a ton of aerial weapons to help “The Sanchize,” but the strength of this team is its offensive line and running attack. Shonn Greene will get the bulk of the carries, but even if he gets 300, you figure there are another 250 at least to go. Enter LT. Tomlinson isn’t nearly the weapon he used to be, but with the shaky injury history of Greene, the running style of the team and the fact that Greene isn’t adept at catching passes, LT will get a lot of run. Currently, he is going in the 11th round and is a steal if you grab him in the 9th round.

Bust: Ugh… I hate to do it. Really, I do. I love the Jets, I love Rex Ryan and his brash mouth. And even though both HBO and the Jets are telling everyone Sanchez looks to have taken the next step, I just don’t buy it. First, as stated earlier, this team runs the ball. A LOT. Sanchez had 12 TDs and 20 interceptions last year. He carried the ball sloppy and should have fumbled even more then he did. Santonio Holmes is going to take time to develop chemistry. I hope I’m wrong, but Sanchez should not be drafted in anything but the DEEPEST of leagues.

Patriots

Undervalued: Even though he burns fantasy owners more the Chris Johnson burns defenses, Lawrence Maroney is extremely undervalued. At least for now, Maroney is the starting RB on a top offense, and yet he is going on average in the eleventh round. Getting a starting running back that late is unheard of. Now, I wouldn’t want to have to depend on him as a starting RB, but if you get him as a third or fourth RB on your roster, he is an ideal fill in for injury/bye week. Also, he’s playing for a contract. When you’re playing for a new deal, you tend to show up.

Sleeper: Brandon Tate has been a human highlight reel thus far in camp. A second year guy with good speed and size, there is a legit shot he wins the starting wide receiver spot on the opposite side of Randy Moss and the team cuts Tory Holt. Any receiver playing in a system that throws the ball as often as the Pats do has value. Tate is not getting selected in most drafts, and is an ideal late round flier. This is the type of player that could become the Miles Austin of this season. Instead of grabbing a backup defense or kicker, give Tate a chance. You’ll thank me later.

Bust: It’s difficult to find a guy to place here. Most of the Pats are going right around the spot they should. If I had to pick one, I would have to say Wes Welker. Look, if you’re in a point per catch league, Welker is a number one wide receiver. If you aren’t, this is a guy that racks up 1,000 yards but rarely scores touchdowns. Factoring in the injury concerns (even though he is practicing), the other weapons and the relatively high draft pick you need to use on “The Slot Machine,” I could see Welker being a major bust.

Dolphins

Undervalued: I love Ronnie Brown this year. Sure, he has the Lisfranc injury that he is still recovering from but he is practicing already at full speed, and every time he gets hurt he bounces back the next season. Brown is playing for a contract this year, and I have made my feelings known on guys who are playing for new deals. I can see the Dolphins relying heavily on Brown then letting him walk after the season. For a guy going late in round four, I think you get second round production out of him. IF he stays healthy.

Sleeper: The sexy pick here is Chad Henne. The sleeper that I like best, however, is Brian Hartline. A big guy that has deceptive speed, Hartline now has Brandon Marshall on the other side and Bess in the slot. Both Marshall and Bess are guys that catch short passes, and the Dolphins will need someone to stretch the field to keep the safeties honest. Reportedly Hartline has won the job, and I can foresee Hartline handling the deep passes and being an ideal compliment to Marshall.

Bust: Sticky Icky Williams gets the call here. I know Ricky had a big year last year, but the big numbers really started when Brown went down. Factoring in his age, his… shall we say… questionable history, and the fact that Brown is back as well as Brandon Marshall came into town, and I just think round five is too high for him. You’ve been warned.

Bills

Undervalued: Fred Jackson. Look, this is a guy that played great in limited opportunities two years ago, and really came into his own last year. What the Bills needed to push Jackson into stardom is offensive line help. So it makes total sense that they took CJ Spiller in round one, and didn’t add any line help until late in the draft. Please note, that was complete sarcasm. While Spiller is getting the headlines (and I love him on most other teams), Jackson is going to be the guy to handle the rock on the inside. Considering he is going three rounds later then Spiller, he’s a steal.

Sleeper: Two years ago, Marshawn Lynch was a first round pick. He was the second running back taken a couple spots behind Adrian Peterson. Now, he is buried on the depth charts. The reason I listed him here is there is a great chance he gets dealt once an injury occurs somewhere else in the NFL. Otherwise, this is a guy that is going undrafted that will still get some run, and could be useful. He is definitely worth a shot late in the draft.

Bust: This is the spot for the third head of the three headed monster. CJ Spiller is dynamic. He is the Bills version of Reggie Bush. If your league counts special teams yards, Spiller is a beast. Otherwise, please explain to me how this kid is going to run the ball. The line is bad. The quarterback is bad. The wide receivers are bad. The tight end? Bad. Reggie Bush has value because he has a great O-Line and an even greater quarterback to get him the ball when he splits out wide. But guess what? This ain’t New Orleans… Round four or five makes Spiller a huge bust.

Fantasy Preview: NFC East

Fantasy Preview: NFC East By Jay Ruggiero (email)

Dallas Cowboys
Let’s start with the team that draws more attention to anyone else. Whether you love them or hate them, you can’t argue the talent with the Cowboys. From every avenue there is fantasy goodness oozing out of this team. The quarterback came into his own last year (and got his fumbling under control) having his most productive season of his short career. The running backs are a three headed monster, with explosive speed (Felix Jones), brawn and muscle (Barber) and what some consider the most complete back, Choice. Miles Austin realized his talent on the field last year, exploding for a Pro Bowl season. You KNOW this team is loaded when Jason Witten had a “down” year, yet still had over 1,000 yards. To top it all off, the ‘Boys go out and draft Dez Bryant, who some have already put into the Hall of Fame. Hell, even the defense should be a fantasy monster!

Undervalued:

We can probably list a couple people here; it’s very difficult to narrow it down. Normally I am going to list only one, but some situations just dictate a rule change, and this team is it. Tony Romo had a great season, has a Pro Bowl wide receiver, another wide receiver that fans claim has Pro Bowl potential if he keeps his head in the game, three running backs that could be starters on most teams, and a tight end that is his “go-to guy.” On top of all this, the Jerry Jones, desperate to forget about passing on Randy Moss years ago, went out and traded up for Dez Bryant. But more important then all of these weapons was Romo’s growth as a quarterback. In 2008, Romo threw 14 interceptions and put the ball on the turf seven times. In 2009, he cut down those numbers to 9 and 4, respectively. This is a player that is growing still as a player, and has the weapons to put up Aaron Rodgers type numbers. Pass on the top four or five, and wait until round four to grab this guy. Next year, you might not be able to get him past the second round.

Now normally, I would only put one player on the undervalued list. However, with a team with this many fantasy stars, it’s difficult to narrow it down. Miles Austin, according to MockDraftCentral.com, is going as late as 27th overall. That may seem to be right for some people, but it’s simply too low. Austin is comparable in numbers to Andre Johnson, who is going anywhere from six to nine in drafts. Call me crazy all you want, but the numbers back me up. KC Joyner ran the numbers on ESPN.com, but Miles Austin bested Johnson in short passes (10 yards down field), deep passes (20-29), tied in bomb length passes (30 yards or more), and overall yards per attempt 11.2 yards per attempt to 9.9. Now sure, you might say he’s a one year wonder. However, I would ask you then why do you trust Ray Rice? What about Chris Johnson? Sure, his rookie year was good, but it wasn’t anything like last year. The fact is, sometimes you have to go off your gut. And my gut is telling me this kid is legit, and should be going early in round two. Anytime after pick 15 is a steal.

Sleeper:

I know the trendy pick here is a surly rookie wide receiver that refuses to carry the pads for the grizzled vet. But where I think the sleeper value on this team is actually comes from that grizzled vet, Roy Williams. Look, Williams will never develop to his pure potential, and he probably would benefit from being dealt to Chicago to play for Mike Martz (his coach during his most productive season). However, Williams missed a game, and only started 13 of the games, and yet his numbers may surprise. Williams contributed 38 catches, 596 yards and 7 touchdowns. Are these numbers that will win your league? I seriously doubt it. But a man playing for a new contract (he knows he is getting cut in this offseason) showed up in excellent shape and had a great preseason rapport with Romo. On average he is being picked 167, or 58th amongst wide receivers, among the Bernard Berrian and Nate Washington, and quite often he is undrafted. This is possible late round gold in your draft.

Bust:

I have a feeling that the person I put on this list will either make me look good, or make me look foolish, and I may even garner hate mail. The bust on the team (per his ADP) is Dez Bryant. Look, the kid is LOADED with talent. He showed up, worked hard, and wants to be a superstar. However, this is a kid who is learning a new system, has battled injuries and off the field issues in college, and already suffered a high ankle sprain that will take away valuable practice time spent learning with the first team offense. I know that Bryant can be a star, and one day will. In a keeper league, draft away and stash away. But in a one year league, where there is only one ball to go around, Bryant is going to slot in behind Miles Austin (not a one year wonder), Jason Witten, Roy Williams, Felix Jones, Marian Barber and Tashard Choice. That one ball has a HELL of a lot of mouths to feed. Also, the fact that Bryant is being used as a return man usually means that his role in the offense will be minimized. Temper your enthusiasm.
Philadelphia Eagles:

It’s a new regime in Philly. The Kevin Kolb era has officially begun, as has the Shady McCoy backfield. Gone are fantasy stalwarts Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook as the team looks to get younger, and many would argue, healthier. However, you know the old saying, “Be careful what you wish for…” Well Philly fans, as a Jets fan I can tell you that I would have killed for the success you had for the last decade. You better hope Kolb is the real deal…

Undervalued:

Andy Reid loves to throw that pigskin around. He believes that a four yard screen pass is equivalent to a first down run play. Enter Jeremy Maclin, stage left. Maclin is a big kid (6’, 198 lbs) who can RUN (4.48 40 yard dash). Unlike his counterpart (more on him in a minute), Maclin can get physical on short passes and has the breakaway speed to get plenty of RAC (run after catch). Going 65th overall, and the 24th wide receiver taken in drafts, Maclin has all the tools to be a third round pick as soon as next year. All he needs is to stay healthy (hey, don’t we all!) and to have the opportunity. Both of those come this year; drafting him after the fourth round is great value.

Sleeper:

I know a lot of people love LeSean McCoy this year, and truthfully he is going late enough that I don’t think he will bust. However, this team took carries away from McCoy in the red zone, and especially at the goal line, over and over last year. Reid has vowed not to use Leonard Weaver in more then a fullback role. Thus, the deep sleeper is Mike Bell. Once the super-sleeper in the Broncos backfield, Bell earned his owners great value last year as a member of the Saints. He stole countless TDs from Pierre Thomas, and will likely get the rock at the goal line again here. Why else would you bring in a TD specialist? As the 57th RB selected and being taken around 200 overall (if at all), he is a fantastic late round pick. Remember, it’s picks like these that win drafts, not taking Adrian Peterson in round one.

Bust:

I hate to do it, really I do, because I love watching him, but DeSean Jackson is going way too high. Currently being taken as the 8th wide receiver and 25th overall, Jackson accrued most of his value by way of deep passes, something Kevin Kolb doesn’t excel at. Kolb is an ideal west coast offense guy, while Jackson loved McNabb’s big arm. If you subtract those long passes, you wind up with Santana Moss. He will have a couple huge games, but Jackson has all the makings to be a major bust. I wouldn’t touch him until the fourth round. You’ve been warned.

Giants:

Living just outside of New York, I have plenty of chances to watch this team. This team tremendously disappointed last year, fought amongst themselves, and had the fans on talk radio ready to jump off the Brooklyn Bridge. However, amongst fantasy circles, the Giants had big surprise players and even bigger (or fatter, if you’re talking about Jacobs) disappointments.

Undervalued:

The Giants offensive line broke down last year as it continued to age. So the logical thing to do is to improve it in the offseason right? I mean, this is a team that has always been built on that bruising running, smashmouth football. So it made perfect sense to draft a project defensive end to add to an already deep defensive line. Wait, what? This O-Line will continue to age, making Eli run for his life. That’s where Hakeem Nicks comes in. Sure, I’m not going out on a limb here since everyone seems to love him. That said, I’m not as high on him as some of the experts. Nicks has battled injuries since college, and just last weekend suffered a hyper-extended knee in practice. Luckily, Nicks is fine but the worry is still there. Blessed with huge size, hands like Velcro, and breakaway speed, Nicks has all the tools to be a monster. If you can get him in round five, consider it a steal. Just don’t reach for him.

Sleeper:

The time has come for Ahmad Bradshaw to come into his own. A quick, shifty back with excellent hands, Bradshaw has the makings of a player that could be a major part of your team while costing you very little. Being taken as the 34th running back and falling to the eighth round, Bradshaw can give you numbers usually found in rounds three and four. And considering he is going after Reggie Bush and Darren McFadden, Bradshaw is a steal. Last season he had two broken feet for most of the season, and still played very well. The feet are healed, and he is ready to break out.

Bust:

Now we get to Bradshaw’s counterpart, the giant Giant, Brandon Jacobs. A couple of years back, Jacobs would be murder on short yardage or goal line carries. However, he forgot somewhere along the line how to do the things he used to do, namely run hard and run over defenders. As bad as Jacobs was last year, he broke off a 74 yard reception against the Cowboys. Subtract that from his stat line, and then see where you get. Hint, it ain’t pretty. Considering you have to draft this one team stud in the fifth round, it’s a complete waste. Jacobs did more dancing then Ocho Cinqo on Dancing With the Stars last year, and it showed in his stats. Keep away from this big fella unless he falls to the eighth round.

Washington Redskins:

I really wish there was something nice I could say about this team. I mean, they wanted to go about it and do it the right way. They wanted to build from the ground up, and develop a solid foundation to help for years to come. So, it makes total sense that you trade a high draft pick for an older quarterback on a one year deal. Sure, that makes sense… You now have McNabb with no one to really throw the ball too, and a bunch of running backs that don’t have much left in the tank. It’s going to be a long season in Washington.

Undervalued:

I hate to say it, because I know the issues that Shanahan is murder on fantasy owners, but I think Portis is undervalued. Going in round nine, and being selected as the 40th running back off the board, Portis knows the system and the blocking scheme better than anyone in Washington. Granted, the concussion issues could knock him out for the season, but a starting running back being selected this late is worth the gamble. Portis has been one of the running backs with the highest carry total in the past four years, and should continue so barring injury. If you can grab him in the seventh or eighth round, it’s the type of pick that could pay major dividends down the road.

Sleeper:

We all saw what McNabb did with DeSean Jackson last season. McNabb throws a great deep ball, and a wide receiver that can break off his route on a busted play is an ideal match. That brings us to Santana Moss. Now, do I believe that Moss can be DeSean Jackson? HELL no. But, do I think that Moss could be a very useful bye week fill in and produce a few huge games this season? Absolutely. Look, McNabb has to throw the ball to someone, and he doesn’t have a lot of options. Now factor in the tough defenses he is going to match up with, and Donovan is going to be running for his life. Someone is going to catch the balls though, as we know McNabb will throw for at least 2,400 yards this year. In round seven or later, you could do worse than selecting McNabb’s deep threat.

Bust:

With that, we come to McNabb. This is going to be quick and easy as a lot of it was just said. Bad offensive line. Bad wide receivers. Tough defenses. Injury prone. Running backs that are injury prone/slow/waste of roster spot. Someone is going to see the numbers from last year and feel like they are getting a great value. Don’t let that someone be you. Pass on him and take a flier on a running back or wide receiver. You won’t be missing anything.

Fantasy Football Search 2010 Bust: Matt Cassel

Player: Matt Cassel
Team: Kansas City Chiefs
Position: QB

At the beginning of last season I told everyone that Matt Cassel was a product of the system.  After being traded to the Chiefs and becoming a full-time starts, Cassel was strikingly disappointing.  In 15 games last season Cassel threw for 2914 yards, 16 TDs, and 16 INTs.  That was in stark contrast to his 2008 season of 3693, 21 TDs, and 11 INTs.  You expect improvement and instead Cassel regressed. 

Regression was not unexpected going to Chiefs, but with a great runningback core and wide receivers like Dwayne Bowe, Chris Chambers and up and coming Lance Long, he wasn't short of talent.  Part of Cassel's problem is his inability to avoid the sack.  Granted the Chiefs offensive line isn't the best and got him sacked 42 times last season, even in New England he was sacked 47 times.  That is bad for fantasy managers and football in general. 

The Chiefs will look to deploy a unbalanced running attack with Jamaal Charles and throw out more two tight end sets for that purpose and to protect Cassel.  Cassel will not achieve 20 TDs, nor will he get 3000 yards.  Expect him to develop into a ball control quarterback this season and only expect more than 25-30 passes in games where the Chiefs are getting lit up.

Fantasy Football Draft Advice

Fantasy Football Draft Advice By Jay Ruggiero (email)

To me, there is nothing better than fantasy football. The weather begins to change, the leaves begin to fall, and people begin to smash into each other with reckless abandonment all for the entertainment of us; people who sit on the couch, drinking beer and celebrating with friends. I’ve been playing fantasy football now for fifteen years and as much fun as I have with playing fantasy football, my main league, a 12 team keeper league, is more stress then fun. And yet, I continue to go back to it, because at the root of it all, there is NOTHING more fun… even if Jay Cutler picking last year’s week sixteen matchup against the first place Minnesota Vikings to cost me a title. The pressure of finding that late draft gem, combing the waiver wire to discover that break out performer or making the trade that could define your season are stressors that affect me on a daily basis, as I’m sure they do many of us. There is a simply remedy to this; draft better.

My philosophy when I head into a draft is simple, I have no plan. What I mean when I say that is not that I don’t prepare; quite the contrary. I read everything I possibly can. I listen to any podcast that makes mention of football, let alone fantasy football. Google search any team and put the word “blog” after it and you can find a detailed report of how the team is performing at training camp. When I say I have no plan, what I actually mean is that I have no SET plan, as in I don’t pigeonhole myself into taking only a RB in round one, or a WR in round two. When I draft, and I urge you to do the same, I search for best player available. I maintain that you cannot win the draft in the first round, but you can surely lose it. The biggest mistake a person makes is reaching for a guy simply because he likes him. This is where your research comes in; just because you might love Felix Jones, and feel that he is a breakout candidate and a top five running back doesn’t mean you should reach for him in round one. If you do a couple mock drafts, or go to MockDraftCentral.com, you will see that Jones is being taken on average right around pick 42. It’s much better off taking a player like Andre Johnson, following it up with Shonn Greene, then picking Jones around pick 35 to ensure you get him. You will build a much more complete team if you take the draft as it comes, picking the best player available at the time, and filling the rest in later. If that means that Aaron Rodgers is the best player, then that’s the direction you go. Unless your league doesn’t allow for trading, you will always have the ability to fill in a void on your team by making a trade.

This brings me to the next critical step; know your leagues rules. Study the scoring system. Find out if you get a point per catch. Does your league have waivers? Do you have a FAAB (Free Agent Acquisition Budget) account to add new guys? How many wide receivers start each week? These are just a couple critical points that will enable you to draft a better team. For example, if your league penalizes you for turnovers, Jay Cutler was an albatross around your neck last year. However, if it doesn’t, Cutler was worth fifty four points more (figuring -2 points per turnover), which is a major advantage. Now, Cutler is in a Mike Martz offense, one that has the quarterback running for his life while throwing the ball all over the field. Traditionally speaking, Martz’s quarterbacks turn the ball over a lot. If that doesn’t hurt you though, then Cutler is a stud. KNOW YOUR RULES!

What I believe is absolutely, positively, without a shadow of a doubt the MOST important part of your draft is the double digit rounds. I know what you’re thinking… “Jay, you’re telling me the round that I take a kicker is important?” Hell yes its important! But, it’s not important to draft a kicker, so forget that part. What IS important though is to use those picks wisely. I don’t care what anyone says, a kicker should not be taken until the final round. Whoever you get is fine. Do NOT take one earlier, because we cannot know who will be the best kicker, nor is there a great difference between kicker one and kicker ten. For that matter, don’t bother grabbing a kicker, a backup tight end or a backup defense. There are a lot of drafts where I will leave the draft without even having a kicker and I still wind up with one of the best. Instead, while others are picking a kicker or that tight end that is great at blocking, grab a team’s backup running back or third string wide receiver. Would you rather have been the one who nailed the David Akers pick or the one who drafted that backup WR from the Cowboys? What was his name again? Oh that’s right… Miles Austin. Will every pick be as great as that? Of course not. However, you can get the next Mike Sims-Walker, Miles Austin, Sidney Rice, Steve Smith (NYG), Robert Meachem, etc… And that doesn’t only hold true for wide receivers. The backup running back will often pay dividends, especially in today’s NFL where running back by committees rules. Jamal Charles, Ricky Williams, Cadillac Williams and Jerome Harrison are just a few guys who were available late or not drafted.

In the coming days, I’m going to be writing up capsules on each team in the league. I’m going to be doing the hard work for you, picking out a bust, an obvious player that is great value and a sleeper pick to take in the late rounds. My job is to make your job easier. However, no one here can draft a team for you, so it’s critical that you do some of the leg work. Go to all the big websites, go to team sites or team blogs, listen to the radio and watch ESPN or NFL Network. Do some homework for yourself, because it’s the person that just walks into a draft without doing any of their own that should be your new best friend. You know, the easy mark that you can dominate all season long.

Fantasy Football Search 2010 Bust: Jerricho Cotchery

Player: Jerricho Cotchery
Team: New York Jets
Position: WR

Where is the love for Jerricho Cotchery.  He was once the main wide receiver, catching 164 passes  for 2091 yards in 2006 and 2007.  However, his numbers have declined over the past two seasons where he accumulated only 128 catches for 1679 yards.  Now the Jets have brought in Santonio Holmes and that puts Jerricho Cotchery third in line to catch passes.  Expect the number of catches for Cotchery to not exceed 45 and his yards to hover around 600. 

He's clearly fallen out of favorite and with Braylon Edwards, Dustin Keller, and Santonio Holmes to compete with it won't be a good season for the once fan favorite Cotchery.

Fantasy Football Search 2010: Montario Hardesty

Player: Montario Hardesty
Team: Cleveland Browns
Position: RB

Montario Hardesty is one of the more exciting rookie runningbacks in 2010.  He is joining a revamped Cleveland offense that includes new QB Jake Delhomme.  There seems to be a new philosophy in Cleveland with new management and that is to win. 

Hardesty has competition for the spot.  Jerome Harrison came on strong last year and should assume the starting role, but drafting Hardesty shows that the Browns want more versatility at runningback.  Hardesty has some of the best hands of all runningbacks and will automatically be part of the passing game.  If he doesn't start out of the gates, he will certainly be a third down back and be in the game for passing situations.  He also can spread the field and has a burst of speed that can allow him to blow by most any safety. 

Montario Hardesty will likely be the starting runningback in Cleveland and he should have a big rookie season for a struggling team that will see plenty of garbage points.

2010 Projections: 1026 total yards, 44 receptions, 9 Total TDs.

Fantasy Football Search 2010 Sleeper: Jahvid Best

Player: Jahvid Best
Team: Detriot Lions
Position: RB

Jahvid Best was one of the more interesting 1st round draft picks.  After taking a defensive tackle with the second overall, the Lions with with a runningback, a position they are stacked at.  Best is a small, fast power runningback from Cal.  I think he's a great fit in the young offense of the Lions.  His speed is an asset, but more so is his ability  to make would be tacklers miss.  Best will be "best" served as a third down back or change of pace back, but you have to believe that the Lions have more plans for their #1 draft pick.  With Kevin Smith slowing down, De De Dorsey not breaking out, and the aging Maurice Morris, Best has a great chance to 150-200 carries.  He will also make a big impact on the passing game with 24-30 catches.

When Jahvid Best is on, he can take over a game with lighting speed and accelerated moves.  He will confuse defenses, create missed tackles, and ruin defenders game.  If utilized properly, Best could be one of the high impact rookie runningbacks in 2010.

2010 Projections: 975 total yards, 25 receptions, 8 Total TDs.

Fantasy Football Search 2010 Bust: Cedric Benson

Player: Cedric Benson
Team: Cinncinati Bengals
Position: RB

Cedric Benson had the best year of his career last season with 1251 yards and six TDs.  He has had a resurgent career since he went to Cincinnati, but those days are about to end.  First consider that with 1251 yards he only scored six TDs.  That is a red flag on it's own for a team that is far more focused on the passing game then the running game.  Then there is the looming threat of Bernard Scott, who is a better more physical runner then Benson and could take his job at any point in the season.

Cincinnati is a team made up of excuses, issues, and tissues.  With Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens, and Antonio Bryant there will be more off the field talk then on the field talk.  Is that even possible with those guys.   In my opinion this team lacks chemistry and it will be up to Carson Palmer to pull them together and that means a vicious passing attack.

Forget Benson this year.  He certainly won't break 1000 yards and will be lucky to get 800.  As for TDs, I'm looking at 4-5 at most.

Fantasy Football Search 2010 Sleeper: Matt Leinhart

Player: Matt Leinhart
Team: Arizona Cardinals
Position: QB

This is my fourth quarterback sleeper and one of the most interesting.  Matt Leinhart inherits Kurt Warner's team of fantasy studs and soon to be studs.  He takes over a system that he is very familiar with and players that will make him better.  At wide receiver, he has one of the best in Larry Fitzgerald.  Fitzgerald has worked well in the past with Leinhart and they should be a very effective tandem in 2010.  Gone is Anquan Boldin, but in is Steve Breaston, Early Doucet, and 3rd round pick Andre Roberts. 

If you are thinking that the Cardinals will be a all pass team, not so.  They will have a balanced attack under Leinhart with Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower and that will provide more open looks for Leinhart as the season progresses.  Everywhere Leinhart has gone he has been a winner and been successful.  He won't be Warner, but he be a very good fantasy quarterback.

2010 Projections: 3565 yards, 21 TDs, 2 Rushing TD.

Fantasy Football Search 2010 Sleeper: Jake Delhomme

Player: Jake Delhomme
Team: Cleveland Browns
Position: QB

Call me crazy, but I firmly believe that Jake Delhomme will have a career revival in Cleveland.  When at his best and with talented WRs, Delhomme not only was a great fantasy QB, but he went to the Superbowl.  Now he's moved to a new team up north and one that he can take full advantage of the tools Cleveland will offer.

Cleveland has always been an enigma to me.  There is no shortage of semi-talented to talented players on the team, but not veteran stud to pull them together.  I believe that Jake Delhomme can do that and I think the Browns front office agrees.  Delhomme will have plenty of targets in both the backfield and long distance.  Here are a few of the players that Delhomme will use to make himself better and improve their fantasy stats as well.

Jerome Harrison, RB

Montario Hardesty, RB

Joahua Cribbs, WR

Mohamad Massaquoi, WR

Chansi Stukey, WR

Benjamin Watson, TE

Cleveland added Watson and #1 draft pick Hardesty to help Delhomme make Cleveland a winner.  I don't know if he can make them winners, but expect plenty of fantasy points, especially in garbage time. You will likely be able to draft Jake Delhomme late in the draft and as a back up.  He will make a great asset for your team.

2010 Projections: 3330 yards, 22 TDs, 1 Rushing TD.