Well as we approach the midway point of the fantasy season, we reflect on the surprises, both good and bad. At the quarterback position, the numbers as expected are down a bit. Rodgers and Brees are on track for huge seasons respectively. Matt Ryan, arguably the first half MVP, has exceeded even the highest of predictors. Peyton Manning is starting to look like the Peyton of old. RG3 has been better than advertised, on pace for over 3,000 passing and 1,000 on the ground. Cam who? Brady, while leading all QB’s in passing yards, has only 10 TD’s in 6 games, the direct result of a new found running attack in NE. Matt Stafford has been a huge disappointment and is letting down owners who invested the high pick on him.
A few surprises at the running back position. Lynch, Gore and Charles leading the way on the ground. I’m guessing you like me, didn’t have those 3 leading the pack.
Ray Rice has seen his touches decrease, which is keeping him from the huge production expected from him. Alfed Morris and Stevan Ridley have been nice story in the early going.
AJ Green has joined the elite status of WR’s, showing the off season workouts with Megatron have paid off so far. Reggie Wayne has found the fountain of youth, while Andre Johnson has shown that father time may be catching up to him. Roddy White isn’t quite ready to hand over the #1 spot to Julio Jones just yet. Wes Welker has rebounded nicely from a slow start. Until last week, Jordy Nelson has been a disappointment, while injured teammate Greg Jennings has given Randall Cobb the opportunity to shine.
Ageless wonder Tony Gonzalez leads the way for the tight end position. Brent Celek and Owen Daniels round out the top 3. Gronk’s production as predicted has fallen off quite a bit, but remains a must start. Gates showed last week he still has some fantasy relevance just before owners could write him off.
Week 7 Picks:
Quarterback:
Upside Play: Jay Cutler
Monday night could proof to be a high scoring affair. Cutler should take advantage of Detroit’s propensity to give it up in the passing game. I look for 300 and 2 scores.
Upside Play: Andrew Luck
Look for Luck rebound nicely against a Browns team that has been getting torched through the air. I look for yet another 300 yard game with 2-3 TD’s.
Sleeper Play: Brandon Weeden
The 29 year old continues to surprise fantasy owners with his production. He has built up a nice rapport with the young Brown receivers. Look for him to benefit from playing catch up in the RCA Dome. He should approach 300 yards and 2 scores and makes a nice bye week replacement.
Bust: Cam Newton
Look for Newton to continue to struggle against a tough Dallas passing defense. I look for 180 yards passing and 35 yards on the ground with 1 score.
Running Backs:
Upside: Chris Johnson
Add CJ1K to the long list of running backs who torch the Bills. I look for him to bust out several long runs which will help his total approach 150 yards and 1-2 scores.
Upside: Darren MacFadden:
Run DMC should have his best day of the season against a suspect Jaguar defense. MacFadden should easily top the century mark and find the end zone as well.
Bust: Mickel Leshoure
Look for Leshoure to struggle against the Bears defense. I see Joique Bell being heavily involved in the passing game thus taking some touched away from Leshoure 60 total yards and no scores
Wide Receivers:
Upside: Mike Wallace
In a high scoring affair, expect Wallace to be targeted a number of times by Big Ben and the new Steeler passing offense, with the running backs banged up, Wallace should exceed 100 yards and find pay dirt.
Sleeper: Kenny Britt
Britt has been getting more and more reps and enjoyed a nice game last week. Look for him to build on that and get over 100 yards for the first time this season.
Sleeper: Brandon Gibson
Look for BGib to run up the targets and what looks to be a blowout. Rams playing catchup could give him 100 yards and a late score.
Bust: Wes Welker
It’s hard to call Welker a bust any week, and he may make some plays, but I think the Jets have to stick Antonio Cromartie on him exclusively much like the Jets did a few weeks ago with Andre Johnson and last week on Reggie Wayne. 70 total yards
Tight Ends:
Upside: Rob Gronkowski/ Aaron Hernandez
Look for Gronk and Hernandez to be the beneficiaries of a matchup advantage over the Jets LB’s they should see a combined 150 yards and 2 scores.
Sleeper: Lance Kendricks
Sir Lancelot will benefit from some of the underneath passes once meant for Danny Amendola. He could approach 75 yards and a score.
