FINALLY, the Eagles have come back to Fantasy Football...
by Pete Butcher | August 25th 2011
The English Eagles are my own little fantasy football team that 'competes' in a local Sheffield Fantasy Football League named the MFL. Last year i took a year out from fantasy football to try and concentrate on the finer points of the NFL without 'supporting' certain players just because they are in my fantasy squad. Seriously, i am a Seattle Seahawks fan, that is until one of my fantasy players is lining up against them. At this point i want the Seahawks to get trounced. Luckily for me this happens on a regular basis anyway.
So this season is the return of the English Eagles to fantasy football, and tonight is my first draft night in two years. As a result id like to share with you my ideas as to are the top draft picks this year in the NFL. In a yahoo big board style id like to point out this is not advice (wouldnt want to contradict my own article below), but a tool that you can use if you so wish. This is the English Eagles draft sheet for 2011/12.
THE THIRDANDLONG 2011 BIG BOARD...
1. ADRIAN PETERSON RB
Last year ranked 11th in total fantasy points scored, finishing 2nd in the running back line up behind the surprising Arian Foster. He was a massive 81 points behind Foster, so why isnt Foster number 1. Simple, Peterson has done it year in and year out, Foster could easily be a 1 year wonder - Steve Slaton anybody? Petersons o-line is aging but a lack of quality at QB suggests another workhorse season for Peterson.
2. ARIAN FOSTER RB
Despite the Steve Slaton analogy above, no-one actual expects him to go the same way. Foster will probably see a drop in his productivity, but even if he scores 50 points less than last season he will still be worth a first round pick.
3. CHRIS JOHNSON RB
An amazing player in a horrible team. His o-line is weak, and Johnson will need every inch of that legendary speed this season. However he is hugely capable of breaking an 80 yard touchdown run in almost any game, and BOSH, he just added 14 points onto your teams score in one play.
4. MICHAEL VICK QB
I truly believe drafting first has no advantages this year. Gone are the days of Ladanian Tomlinson who would almost carry you to the playoffs at least on his own. Now, with that first pick you get your choice of stud RBs and then what, all the high scoring QBs are gone gone gone! Now this is sticking your neck out and starting your draft with a totally different mind set, but Michael Vick could answer a lot of problems. 2nd fantasy scorer last season will be relied upon heavily again this year. As long as he stays fit he has a chance of leading you to the promised land. He who dares wins?
5. AARON RODGERS QB
The reason im putting QBs so high is that these guys almost guarantee you points. A plump of Jamaal Charles in the first round could bode well but is he guaranteed a big season. Only time will tell.
6. JAMAAL CHARLES RB
Charles would have acheived so much more for his owners without the pesky Thomas Jones stealing carries and touchdowns. It shouldnt be as much as a problem this time round but the Chiefs head coach has hinted he still wont see 300 carries this season. That will affect your points haul.
7. RAY RICE RB
The 2010 season will have hurt fantasy owners confidence in this Baltimore Raven. He started awfully and we all expected more. This season i expect more, Rice could be that later first round pick that steals the season for 1 lucky team.
8. MAURICE JONES DREW RB
I have been stung badly by this guy way too often. On his day he is a monster, he has the potential to have a huge season. But then again so do most of these guys. He has had numerous seasons to realise this potential but his form fluctuates far to much.
9. LESEAN MCCOY RB
The big play guy... Running Back, Pass Blocker, Receiver, this guy does it all, but with all the attention on Vick, McCoy will see some big plays. The downside? He wont see half the carries the other stud RBs do.
10. RASHARD MENDENHALL RB
The Steelers were 4th in overall running plays last season, and used Mendenhall on the goal-line helping him to 2nd place in touchdowns scored amongst running backs. Only 3 100 yard + games though in 2010 is a worrying fact for owners.
11. TOM BRADY QB
Brady to Ocho Cinco. It could be what dreams are made of. Have we not seen this before. A wide receiver of undoubted quality but who had failed to hit his potential hieghts over the last few seasons, comes to New England to revitalise that career....? What happened that time can somebody remind me?
12. FRANK GORE RB
This is why you hate drafting 12. Gore has disappointed for so long, why will this season be any different?
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13. DREW BREES QB
This is why you love drafting 12, two picks in a row and an almost guaranteed awesome QB, and they dont come much more awesome than Brees.
14. PHILLIP RIVERS QB
Year in year out he produces a top 5 QB score (ok 6th last season but whose counting). ESPN have this guy at the bottom of the round 2 picks. I hope he still there in my draft that late.
15. MICHAEL TURNER RB
Guy is getting old! Quote "Turner has visibly lost his burst" - ESPN suggests this guy cannot carry your fantasy team anymore. Great 2nd RB.
16. DARREN MCFADDEN RB
Run DMC will almost certainly be picked up by DEEs Ranmoor Raiders in the MFL 2011 draft. Despite letting his heart rule his head, on this occaision the heart could be right, if McFadden stays 100% healthy - and thats a big if, he has the tools to be a top 5 running back in this league.
17. ANDRE JOHNSON WR
Im never one for taking a WR until the 3rd round, but with the quality of RB so short, actual points are at a premium and a top quality wideout may just be what you fancy
18. STEVEN JACKSON RB
Another RB that has burned fantasy owners in the past, including myself. At 28 he is old, he has also the most touches of a football in the whole league. His career is in wind down and he is no more than a 2nd RB at best, and even that is a risk/reward kinda thing.
19. PEYTON MANNING QB
Injury means Manning looks set to miss the start of the season, as such his value, and that of his receivers drops. Would still be a great early Round 3 pick up after finishing last season 4th in QBs and 5th overall.
20. MATT SHAUB QB
Foster should see more attention this season, he is after all in some drafts the number 1 guy. As such we could see big numbers for Shaub and Andre. The can be a fearsome partnership.
21. TONY ROMO QB
Romos problems are well documented, he has the weapons and ability at his disposal, can he finally stay fit and stay in the zone and post that breakout season?
22. GREG JENNINGS
Aaron Rodgers needs a target if hes going to be number 1 QB, and that target is Jennings.
23. RODDY WHITE
Roddy found himself double covered last season, and other than the addition of a rookie wide receiver the Falcons have very little else on offence. With Turner struggling, defences may turn their attention even more to Ryan and White. This wont bode well for fantasy owners.
24. CALVIN JOHNSON
Another guy who must stay injury free. If he does he can be a monster. Once again we are playign risk/reward.
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25 Hakeem Nicks WR - great season last year, can he better it?
26 Larry Fitzgerald WR - Kolb the new Warner?
27 Matt Forte RB - Poor o-line issues
28 Mike Wallace WR - Expect more of the same
29 Vincent Jackson WR - if Manning is fit...
30. Miles Austin WR - The safer Dallas WR option
31 Peyton Hillis RB - Dont expect a repeat of last year
32 Reggie Wayne WR - Age is not on Waynes side
33. Dwayne Bowe WR - reliant on Cassell performing
34. Jahvid Best RB - breakout year?
35. Brandon Llyod WR - can he follow up his outstanding '10.
36 Deangelo Williams RB - committee backfield sucks!
37 Dez Bryant WR - Breakout year?
38. Jonathan Stewart RB - committe backfield sucks!
39. DeSean Jackson WR -
40. Knowshon Moreno RB - borderline number 2 RB
41. Mike Williams WR - best rookie season since Moss!
42. Josh Freeman QB - Accuracy personified.
43. LeGarette Blout RB - All Tampa together, question marks over O-Line.
44. Marques Colsten WR - Risky number 2 WR
45 Antonio Gates TE - We all know Gates assets
46. Ahmad Bradshaw RB- Committee leader, but still a committee
47. Dallas Clark TE - We all know Clarks assets
48 Felix Jones RB - Now a backfield threat apparently?
49 BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB - numbers set to drop
50 Jeremy Maclin WR
51 Santonio Holmes WR
52 Ryan Grant RB - After injury will lose carries
53 Ryan Matthews RB - Should improve if remains injury free