This Week’s Picks & Pokes

With the start of the regular season fast approaching, there are some players quickly emerging as sleepers.  You may find them available as free agents or great late round values, if you haven’t drafted yet.  We’ll start with the running  backs that were off the radar prior to the pre-season, but are now being recognized as possible key contributors. 

This Week’s Picks
BenJarvus Green-Ellis will be the Patriots leader in carries, yards and TDs this season.  He has averaged 6.2 yards per carry in the pre-season and is surging past veterans Sammy Morris, Fred Taylor and Laurence Maroney.  He is going undrafted in many leagues due to the crowded New England backfield or is being drafted very late in other leagues.  In 2008, he was on his way to a very nice rookie season until an injury derailed him, but it appeared that Bill Belichik was trusting him in key spots and near the goal line.   How can you not trust someone with four names?

Cleveland rookie James Davis is getting considerable buzz lately to possibly unseat Jamal Lewis as the starter.  Even if that doesn’t happen in week one, it’s worth grabbing the Browns’ 6th round draft pick to take over at some point, similar to how Steve Slaton overtook a washed-up Ahman Green early last season in Houston. 

Michael Bush will get the most carries in Oakland over Darren McFadden, who has more name recognition than actual production, and Justin Fargas.  Bush will lead the Raiders in rushing yards and TDs.

Take a shot at impressive rookie Glen Coffee in San Francisco.  Even though Frank Gore has a firm grasp on the majority of the touches there, do not forget about this talented back, whom the 49ers drafted in the 2nd round.  He is a must handcuff for Gore owners.

The Steelers have given Rashard Mendenhall ample chances inside the ten yard line this pre-season.  He will have more TDs than Willy Parker this season. 

The stock on Texans’ backup running back Chris Brown has quickly skyrocketed after coach Gary Kubiak mentioned that Brown will get goal line carries.  This has caused many Steve Slaton owners to wince, but history has shown that Brown cannot say stay healthy and in the end, his impact will be minimal.

With Pierre Thomas’ status for week one still in question, former Bronco Mike Bell should be able to play a prominent role to start the season, with Reggie Bush and Thomas not 100% healthy.  Bell should be mandatory insurance if you own either of those New Orleans rushers.

The other Adrian Peterson just became the must-have handcuff for Matt Forte owners, now with Kevin Jones out for the year. 

Moving over to the wide receivers, the Bengals Chris Henry has given up a life of mayhem to connect his immense physical talent with a desire to be a productive NFL player.  He is the primary deep ball threat for Carson Palmer and will become the Bengals leader in TD receptions.

Titans rookie speedster Kenny Britt will get substantial time to show his stuff with Nate Washington questionable to start the season.

Redskins second year wideout Malcolm Kelly will start opposite Santana Moss, but don’t expect much.  Chris Cooley will lead Washington in receptions and TDs this season.  

It looks like David Clowney has grabbed hold of the Jets wide receiver spot opposite Jerricho Cotchery, after coming on strong late in the pre-season.  Don’t discount Chansi Stuckey yet, but it appeared that QB Mark Sanchez developed a nice deep ball connection with Clowney.

Expect a nice bounce back year from Nate Burleson in Seattle.  He’s passed Deion Branch on the depth chart, and has the speed to be a deep threat, especially in three receiver sets with single coverage.  

Two tight ends who should be grabbing notice are Martellus Bennett of Dallas and Jermichael Finley of Green Bay.  The more I see Bennett, the more I think that picking Jason Witten early isn’t such a good idea.  He will be a significant weapon for Tony Romo.   Finley is a huge target and has pushed aside Donald Lee as Aaron Rodgers’ primary pass catching target from the tight end position. 

This Week’s Pokes
Lending more evidence to the theory that the NFL is a copycat league, two more offensive coordinators were fired in less than a week after the Chiefs started the trend.  Not sure what the long term fantasy impact will be, but it’s not a good sign if you own any Chiefs, Bucs or Bills right now.

Once again, another solid season of Hard Knocks on HBO.  Love seeing the inner workings of the film room, coaches discussion on who sucks and the messing up on the practice field.  We also got to see how truly annoying Chad Ochocinco really is.  Give credit to Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer for being able to humor his enormous ego.  Child, please!

Browns head coach Erik Mangini has yet to name his starting quarterback, taking his tiresome, say nothing media approach from New York to Cleveland.   Doesn’t he know that he has seriously inconvenienced fantasy owners everywhere?  This shroud of secrecy attitude will continue to annoy fans of the Browns and owners of any Browns player who may or may not have an injury, during this season.

By the way, despite attempts by the four major sports to stop legal betting in Delaware, you can now legally bet on NFL games in that tiny state, tucked away on the east coast.  Oh, but playing fantasy football isn’t gambling, according to the NFL… Yeah, right!

This post was written by TFSF