Green Bay Packers
The Packers are anchored by the top fantasy QB Aaron Rodgers, and he has the belt to prove it. Rodgers carried Green Bay last year passing for nearly 4,000 yards while accounting for a total of 32 TDs. Another solid season appears in order. Rodgers numbers the last three years average out to 4131 yards with 28 passing touchdowns. He has been good for an additional 4 rushing TDs and is extremely durable. The only game he has missed in three years was in 2011 when he missed a week due to a concussion.
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| Ryan Grant's ankle injury has the Packers looking at several options for their backfield in 2011 |
Wide receiver has been a position of wealth for Green Bay for several seasons. Their explosive offense means several wideouts on their roster may find a spot on your fantasy roster. Greg Jennings is a top tier fantasy receiver and should again lead the Packers statistically. He is coming off a very solid 76/1265/12 season and should duplicate those numbers in 2011. The Packers have a solid trio of receivers behind Jennings. Donald Driver, Jordy Nelson, and James Jones all put up very similar numbers in 2010. While fantasy owners would like for a solid #2 option to emerge, any of the players are valuable as emergency spot starters. I expect Jones to seek a more prominent role and end up elsewhere in free agency. Driver and Nelson's numbers could see a bump but rookie Randall Cobb figures to work his way onto the field and again divide the catches.
After a strong stretch run in 2009, Jermichael Finley was a popular sleeper pick at tight end last year. He got off to a good start before being forced to the IR with a knee injury. Finley has the size and talent to be an excellent red zone target, but his injury history is a concern. Finley will be picked early because of his talent and potential. Don't overpay given his history and the depth at tight end.
Chicago Bears
Jay Cutler has the unique ability to cause to high five your buddies one minute and shout profanities at him the next. "Gunslinger" is a popular term for QBs like Cutler, but I'm not sure reckless and overconfident aren't better descriptions. Rarely can you say that a QB decreased his INTs by ten and still managed to average more than one pick per game. Combine those 16 interceptions with 9 fumbles and Cutler's inability to protect the ball make him a risky pick at QB. Cutler has the skill set to be an elite QB but he has yet to put it together for long stretches. Look elsewhere for your backup QB unless he proves early in the season to have changed his ways.
Matt Forte quietly put together a solid season last year. He was especially useful in PPR leagues where he tallied 51 catches and found the end zone on three of those. Forte, who doesn't turn 26 until December, has consistently been a good receiver out of the backfield. Consider him a solid RB2 on draft day and pencil him in for 1,500 total yards and 10 TDs.
Johnny Knox leads the Bears receiving corps. Knox is a safe WR2 for your fantasy team. Adjust him down a tick in PPR leagues. He nearly eclipsed 1,000 yards last season, but he did it on only 51 receptions. The other Bears receivers can be called the Disappointing Devins. Devin Hester is a solid return man and is capable of electrifying moments, but he hasn't put it all together as a wide receiver. Devin Aromashodu was a popular sleeper pick last year but only managed 10 catches on the season. Earl Bennett saw his production dip last year, and will be undervalued on draft day. Keep an eye on what the Bears do in free agency regarding wide receiver and adjust your rankings accordingly.
Greg Olsen is a bye week fill in at tight end and should be passed over on draft day.
Minnesota Vikings
Unless you play in a keeper league there is nothing to consider at QB for the Vikings. Christian Ponder may be a serviceable fantasy QB in the future, but he is not ready in 2011. The Vikings are expected to pursue a veteran free agent to lead their offense and groom Ponder, but regardless of whether that ends up being Donovan McNabb, Marc Bulger or someone else they have no spot on your fantasy team.
Adrian Peterson is arguably the top player in fantasy football and will be leaned on heavily to carry the load for the Vikings offense. Peterson's numbers were down last year and they may not improve in the upcoming campaign. With questions at the quarterback position teams will load the line of scrimmage and dare the Vikings to beat them throwing the ball. Peterson is still an elite performer, but tread lightly and temper your expectations in light of variables out of his control.
Minnesota has a huge question mark at the receiver position with potential free agent Sidney Rice. Rice blossomed in 2009 with Brett Favre under center and put up solid numbers last year after returning from a hip injury. Rice, who turns 25 in September, could be one of the most highly sought after free agents when the owners and players reach an agreement, but will likely find himself as a restricted free agent. He was very underwhelming while playing his first two seasons with mediocre QBs and you will have to gauge his ranking based on his eventual landing spot and the their QB situation. Despite seeming to be on the injury report all of last season, Percy Harvin only missed two games in 2011. While he is a little less valuable than Rice, Harvin's may not suffer as much with the QB uncertainty due to the role he plays on the Vikings. Harvin has the explosiveness to score anytime he touches the ball and should be a big part of the Vikes intermediate passing game. Draft Harvin as a high WR3 with the upside to develop in to more.
The Vikings used their second round draft pick in April to select TE Kyle Rudolph. They will likely use a lot of two tight end sets, and will work Rudolph in at the expense of Visanthe Shiancoe. Neither TE has draft day appeal at this point. If Rice ends up elsewhere, Shiancoe may emerge as a red zone target, but not much else.
Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford has not been able to stay healthy in his short two year career. He has shown flashes when he is on the field and has a strong cast surrounding him. Stafford would be a good pick for an owner who secures a top tier QB and is looking at upside and a potential trade later in the season.
Jahvid Best is another back who's value sees an upward tick in PPR leagues. He only rushed for 551 yards last year, but grabbed 58 balls for an additional 487 yards. He found the end zone six times rushing last year but may see his goal line opportunities challenged by rookie 2nd round pick Mickel Leshoure. Leshoure is a power back who will be a solid complementary back for the Lions, but could drive fantasy owners crazy. Consider Best a shaky RB2 and Leshoure as a late round flier or potential TD vulture.
Calvin Johnson is an elite fantasy receiver and should be among the top three wideouts off the board in your draft. Look for Johnson to register a 85/1200/10 season. He is a solid building block for your fantasy squad having performed regardless of who was under center for the Lions. Beyond Johnson, the Lions do not have a sure thing at receiver on their roster. Nate Burleson had a productive season last year and could again be a decent WR4 option. The Lions drafted Titus Young out of Boise State and expect him to step in and get on the field in his rookie season. Young figures to spend most of his time working out the slot and has the talent to take some catches from Burleson. Both guys have the look of waiver wire fodder at this stage.
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| Calvin Johnson should be one of the top three WRs drafted |
Keep checking back as we work our way around the league and examine the potential fantasy contributors for the upcoming season.
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