Five Guys to Win Your Fantasy League

First things first, please don't misconstrue this post and go drafting these guys consecutively in the first five rounds. That's not the point. Fantasy football drafts and auctions are all about value. Specifically, getting the maximum value out of every pick. You can't win your free fleaflicker league in the first round, because everyone is drafting a first-rounder. You can, however, lose your league in the first.

Will Brinson's already covered five guys that could lose your league for you, because you'll have to waste too high a pick on them. Now it's my turn to give you five excellent value picks. We'll start with bigger names and work down to deep sleepers.


Philip Rivers
He must be getting undervalued based upon his reconstructed knee, otherwise I just don't get it. He's checking it at an average average draft position of 13th among quarterbacks. Really? There are 12 better fantasy options? I'm not buying it. This will be the second year under Norv Turner's offense -- one that actually made Alex Smith look serviceable. He's got a reliable tight end in Antonio Gates, the best running back in football to keep the defense honest, and a full season of Chris Chambers at wideout, which should also free Vincent Jackson to grow. This is too many weapons for a talented QB that is easily a top-10 thrower in fantasy. If you can get him in the fifth round, that's highway robbery.

Selvin Young
One thing we know about Denver is that they will run the football, and they will run it well. The other thing we've come to know is pundits everywhere like to scream about how you should never trust a Broncos running back because Mike Shanahan hates fantasy football. Let's look closer, though. Going back to Terrell Davis, he had the job and never yielded until he was injured. When he went down, Olandis Gary took over and was a stud. The next season, both TD and Gary fell injured, and Mike Anderson become a yet another stud. In 2001 they cycled through a few backs, but mostly tried to stick with TD. They followed that up with Clinton Portis and he was the man for two years. After Portis was dealt in '04, Reuben Droughns started 15 games and hogged the stats.

---

Play Fantasy Football FREE With Fleaflicker

---

In the '05 and '06 seasons the stigma developed, but did Shanahan really have a talented option? He was able to coax productive fantasy games out of the likes of Tatum and Mike Bell. Last year, the plan was to have Travis Henry carry the load ... and he did until injuries and drug issues derailed his season. In weeks one, two, and four Henry went for 139, 128, and 131 yards. He had an off-week against the Jags in Week 3, but that's the Jags ... and he still scored a TD. He suffered through subpar games against solid defensive teams from Pittsburgh and San Diego (when the Broncos lost 41-3, so how much can you really run the ball in that game?), and that was it. Was it really a committee? It seems to me Shanahan was sticking with Henry until he was left without a choice.

Enter Selvin Young and 2008. It's his job to lose, and Henry's gone. The Broncos did acquire Michael Pittman and draft Ryan Torain (UPDATE: Torain is out for a bit) in addition to still owning Andre Hall. Do you blame Shanahan? He hasn't had much luck with avoiding injury issues or subpar play since the Super Bowl years. It's called hedging your bets. The true bet here is Young has the talent to take the job by the throat and never let go. His average draft position is currently 31st among running backs, behind several time-sharing and ineffective rushers. That's way too low for the Broncos' starting back. You know why, though. It's because so many people regurgitate the fallacy that "Shanahan hates you." Don't fall prey. It's actually irresponsible journalism by those who spew it.

Chris Chambers
You heard me talk about the Chargers stellar offense above. I want to reiterate it here while praising Chambers. Look, the Chargers got off to a nightmare start last season under Turner. He's got an offensive mind, and with a full season they'll prove to be a juggernaut. Chambers already had a half-season to develop a rapport with Rivers, so he's ready to go. Defenses have to pay so much attention to Gates and LaDanian Tomlinson, that Chambers will be third on their mind. His ADP is 26th in receivers currently. You don't like him for top 20? You sure?


Ronald Curry
I'll admit it, I probably heart the Raiders offense a bit too much this year. That's fine. They still have to attempt a passing game. Javon Walker wanted to retire. Can we really be sure he's in for a productive season? JaMarcus Russell has also reportedly had great chemistry with deep threat Drew Carter, which means the main possession guy will be Curry. He's currently 41st on the wide receiver ADP list, and I like him to end the season around 30th for wideouts. He's never had a good QB, and if Russell becomes one you can expect very solid numbers.

Trent Edwards
Deep sleeper time. If you play in a league where you only start one QB and will only need one backup, you can ignore this entry. There are, however, leagues where you get to start two QBs. In those leagues, don't sleep on Trent Edwards. His current ADP is 28th among QBs, behind a few guys that are going to be backups (two Cardinals are in front of him, as are Brett Favre/Jeff Garcia/Aaron Rodgers). Look, the Bills offense is going to have a breakout season. Lee Evans has shown his penchant for big plays in the past. Marshawn Lynch showed his abilities last season, and rookie James Hardy gives Edwards a tall target (6-foot-5) in the red zone -- who also takes pressure off Evans since the Josh Reed project never panned out. Look for him to end the season ranked around 20 for QBs.

Ready to join the fun against fellow football fans? Sign up for FREE and EASY Fantasy Football with Fleaflicker.com.
Get Your Own Team Today!