Good NFL teams don't always have great fantasy options, as the AFC East proves.
The AFC East has 2 very good teams in the Patriots and Jets, but as far as fantasy football owners are concerned, this may be the weakest division in football.
New England Patriots
A high powered offense with only a single fantasy standout means that there are plenty of value picks on the roster. Tom Brady is a top 5 QB, and with Peyton Manning banged up, he is as safe an option as there is at the position. Mark him down for 4,000 yards and 30+ scores without any hesitation. Newly acquired Chad Ochocinco looks to regain his play maker form from 2009, and is in a great situation to do just that. The 33 year old WR talks a big game, and with Brady feeding him, 85 should be able to contribute WR3 stats. Wes Welker will do what Wes Welker does, catch passes and move the chains. His value to New England is much greater than his value to your fantasy roster, but he is a nice piece in PPR leagues. He won’t score often, limiting how much value he can bring to the table. In a league in which TD’s are rewarded heavily, and catches aren’t, Ochocinco is the better option. Speaking of scoring, that was all the duo at TE did last year, as Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez totaled 16 TD’s. With Gronkowski the more proven scoring threat and the starter, he has more value, but don’t shy away from Hernandez when your starter has his bye week. RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis also has a nose for the end zone, but the Pats favor a committee in their backfield. That combined with the pass first offense makes “The Law Firm” no better than solid RB3.
New York Jets
Polar opposites from the Patriots, the Jets prefer to run the rock. With Shonn Greene expected to see an increased workload, his fantasy value is back on the rise. If Greene can find his way to pay dirt 5-8 times, he is a great option as your second running back. LaDainian Tomlinson proved that he still has gas in the tank, but the Jets will begin to groom Greene as the featured back, limiting Tomlinson’s impact. Having said that, he could still gain 1,000 total yards and score 5 times, making him a great option to come off your bench in a pinch. Plaxico Burress makes his return to the NFL, and will be counted on right away. He is the athletic receiver with big play potential that the Jets have been searching for. Burress has size and timing that you cannot teach, but do expect a little rust early. An 800 yard season and 6-9 scores is a reasonable projection in this Jets offense. Santanio Holmes will be the team’s number 1 option, but his targets will remain limited by the focus on establishing the run. The addition of Plax should open things up for Holmes, however, and I expect him to build on last year’s numbers for an even more impressive 2011. Mark Sanchez knows how to with NFL games, but is of little to no use to fantasy owners. Look elsewhere for your starting QB.
Miami Dolphins
The Fins will struggle at times, but have 2 fantasy players that are capable of the occasional explosion. Brandon Marshall underachieved during his first season in South beach, but his track record suggests the TD’s to come. He remains a solid option, a WR2 with the potential to score double digit touchdown’s and become a WR1. Newcomer Reggie Bush will see the largest workload of his short career, exciting fantasy owners. We have seen Bush’s ability as a receiver, he caught over 70 passes in each of his first 2 seasons, and the Dolphins seem determined to have him run the ball more often. Coach Sparano has been impressed in the preseason, and has mentioned using Bush as his featured back. Drafting Bush comes with its risk, but the potential reward greatly outweighs it. Rookie runner Daniel Thomas will get his share of touches, but I don’t believe he will get enough chances to make a great impact in fantasy leagues. Davone Bess is a receiver to target late if you need consistency. He caught 79 balls last year, and it wouldn’t shock me to see him finish in the top 30 at his position, making him a borderline fantasy starter.
Buffalo Bills
Stevie Johnson made the Bills relevant to fantasy owners last year, but without Lee Evans playing opposite of him, expect a dramatic decline. As the Bills lone threat, it is hard to imagine Johnson going for much more than 70 catches for 900 yards and 5 scores this year (similar to Bess who is being drafted much later). Buffalo will employ a time share in its backfield this season, splitting the carries between Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller. Spiller has more upside, while Jackson is the more proven commodity. A repeat of last season, where neither RB hit the 1,000 yard plateau, seems likely. Scoring is rare in upstate New York, making the Bills a team to avoid for fantasy owners.
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Tags: Bills, Brady, Dolphins, Fantasy Football, Jets, Marshall, ochocinco, Patriots
