Preseason Fantasy Football Part 2

The draft is about 11 days away, so I’m beginning to focus more and more on my team/player selection. I’ve pulled the strength of schedule from Fantasy toolbox (http://www.fftoolbox.com/football/strength_of_schedule.cfm) , and I’m just looking to do a little more refining.

I pulled an initial list of rankings off ESPN, and I’ve moved them around. When I say that I’m moving a player up a slot or two, it’ll depend on where he falls in the individual rankings and the scoring system. I just needed a list of names to highlight players I think can gain me an advantage based on schedule right now. When I look at the scoring system based rankings, I won’t make adjustments if it appears the rankings have already taken strength of schedule into account. I could pull the list, but I don’t want to finalize right now. I just want to think about the situations of the teams without getting locked down.

Quarterback: Aside from Indianapolis at number 6, none of the elite quarterbacks have easy schedules. McNabb is a borderline elite QB and Philly’s schedule is second easiest for quarterbacks, but I’m scared of his injury history. Big Ben is also a player of borderline elite quarterback with an easy shcedule. I wouldn't be upset with getting Big Ben.

Washington has the easiest QB schedule and has looked solid in the preseason, so I’m moving Jason Campbell up a little in my QB2 rankings. Aside from that, Eli, and Aaron Rodgers all have relatively easy schedules. I put Aaron Rodgers into the QB2 slot even though he is unproven because of Mike McCarthy. He made a quality QB out of Aaron Brooks in New Orleans, so I’m not going to doubt him.

Phillip Rivers is saddled with the toughest schedule, and I think he is a player to avoid. LT scores all of their touchdowns, and Rivers has games where he doesn’t throw a TD. There’s nothing worse than negative points from interceptions with no touchdown. Cutler comes in with the second toughest QB schedule. Throw into the mix that Brandon Marshall is out, and it’s not a really good situation for him. I would consider drafting him in the later rounds, however.

Among the elite QBs, Brady, Palmer, and Brees all have really tough schedules. I would only hesitate in drafting Palmer, I’m sliding him a slot or two lower in my rankings.

The bottom line is that based on my working list is that i’m moving Jason Campbell up and I’m moving Carson Palmer down slightly.

Running Back: Denver, Minnesota, and New England have the easiest schedule, but drafting a running back from Denver of New England too high is typically a recipe for disaster. Adrian Peterson is at the top of everyone’s draft board, but be fully aware that he isn’t going to play 16 games.

Of the teams that I will draft from, only New Orleans and San Diego have easy schedules. San Diego is a no brainer, but the Saints have a lot going on in their backfield right now. Bush will get his touches, but normally dissapoints. KC has the fifth easiest schedule for running backs, but I’m not high on LJ due to their offensive line.

On the flip side, NYG, Cleveland, and Cincy have the toughest schedules. I’m probably not drafting any of these players in the early rounds anyway. The most intriguing of those with tough schedules for running backs are Dallas, Washington, and Indianapolis. Dallas and Indianapolis are elite offenses, so they get a free pass. I kind of wonder about Portis. Washington is set up against a bunch of mediocre pass defenses with a coach coming from a pass wacky defense.

The bottom line is that I’m not really making any adjustments to my rankings.

Wide Receiver: The easiest schedule for wide receivers matches that of quarterbacks, and I will probably give some thought to adding Santana Moss as a second or third receiving option. Jim Zorn has been around the Seattle offense for 7 years, and they have been exceptionally productive in that time. He should be able to make their passing game at least serviceable.

The Giant end up 3^rd on the list and the perennially under rated Plaxico Burress is already on my radar. He always seems to go about a round too late in every draft I’ve been in, but maybe his Super bowl notoriety will finally change that. Actually, I hope not. I’m also making a note that Pittsburgh, Seattle, Arizona, and the Jets have easy schedules. Pittsburgh and Seattle have too much of a committee for my liking, but both Arizona receivers and Laveranues Coles will get a boost.

Denver, New Orleans, and San Diego face the toughest wide receiver tests. I’m not a huge fan of Denver or San Diego’s passing games, and I’m probably going to knock their players down a notch or two. New Orleans is going to get their points, but I’d only invest a real draft pick in Marques Colston and a deep sleeper pick in Robert Meacham.

Aside from New England, no other quality teams have tough receiver schedules. I’m not downgrading New England if you’re asking.

The bottom line is that I’m upgrading Santana Moss, Plaxico Burress, Arizona, and the Jets. I’m downgrading Denver and San Diego.

I’m attaching my marked up list.