@TheRealTweeters Fantasy Football Crystal Ball
by Sam Twetan | Online Editor
Welcome to the first installment of the official fantasy football column of the Bethel University Clarion! I am a self proclaimed sports fanatic and stat geek, and fantasy football is one of those things I spend way too much time on. Feel free to read over my column and give feedback! If my advice propels you to a championship drive, then I will gladly take all the credit…
Start ‘Em
Emmanuel Sanders, WR Denver Broncos – This one should be fairly obvious, but if you have this guy you need to stick with him. Demaryius and Julius Thomas are going to continue to garner the most attention from opposing secondaries. Additionally, Sanders has been targeted 41times over the past four games. The concussion he received this week is of some concern, but he reportedly said he was feeling ok after the game.
Tony Romo, QB Dallas Cowboys – This is one of those picks that I my head tells me I am going to regret. Romo always finds a way to screw everything up towards the end of the year though. My heart tells me that this year is different, however. He has a fantastic set of weapons around him, and his next four match-ups are against tissue paper-like secondaries (NYG, PHI x2, CHI). He is the 17th ranked fantasy QB right now, and I am almost certain by the time we get to the end of the year he will be in the top 10.
Denard Robinson, RB Jacksonville Jaguars – Having someone on your team from the Jags or Raiders is always a little scary, but fear not. Denard Robinson is the real deal. Additionally, he seems to be racking up a lot of his points late in games, when defenses are a little more relaxed in garbage time. The Jaguars are going to have no shortage of garbage time in the near future.
Sit ‘Em
Matt Ryan, QB Atlanta Falcons – Ryan really had a promising start to the year, and it looked like last year was going to be an anomaly. The Falcons really aren’t the same team anymore, however, and Ryan’s numbers are reflecting that. He is the 11th ranked fantasy QB right now, and he’s got two real tough matchups coming up against two impressive secondaries in Cleveland and Arizona.
Branden Oliver, RB San Diego Chargers – It was fun while it lasted. It really looked like Oliver was going to be a relevant fantasy back this year, but his recent performances paired with the return of multiple (better) backs, the Chargers annual late year collapse, and two tough run defenses on the horizon (Baltimore and St. Louis) I would stay away. If you can get a bag of peanuts for this guy, take the deal.
Eric Decker WR New York Jets – It hurts me to put a former Gopher in this spot, but I do not trust Decker one ounce. Who’s throwing to him? Michael Vick. At least it’s not Geno Smith, but I still do not like Vick being the one holding the fate of my fantasy wideouts. Two tough matchups coming up soon as well, with Buffalo and Miami.
Sell High
Kelvin Benjamin WR Carolina Panthers – If you were one of the lucky fantasy owners like myself that can boast about knowing about Benjamin’s potential all along, good for you. You’ll look even smarter when you sell high on this guy. He’s only gone over 100 yards receiving twice, and a lot of his touchdowns have come in garbage time. If his inflated numbers and relatively easy upcoming schedule can entice someone in your league to give up a decent running back for him, take it.
Buy Low
Matthew Stafford QB Detroit Lions – Yeah, he has been a little bit of a disappointment, but his top receiving target is back, along with his receiving running back. Also take into consideration that he has some easy matchups coming up against the punch-less Bears and Bucs defenses at home, and you have yourself a recipe for success. He could be a nice buy-low trade target if you’re feeling real sneaky.
Waiver Pick-ups
Mychal Rivera, TE Oakland Raiders – Like I mentioned before, having a guy on the Raiders on your team is scary. Rivera seems to be a nice pickup right now though in a very weak TE market. He has been targeted 21 times over the past three games, and has found the endzone twice. Plus, if there is one thing we know about here in Minnesota, it is crappy young quarterbacks. Crappy young quarterbacks love to check down to their reliable tight ends, like Rivera.
CJ Anderson, RB Denver Broncos – Might be a little late to try to get him in your league, but if he is there, grab him. Ronnie Hillman is hurt and Montee Ball is looking more like a bust with every passing injured week. CJ Anderson filled in great last week. Most importantly, he can be a factor in the receiving game. A running back that can be multi-dimensional in this Broncos offense is a nice asset to have. Even if you think you’re set on running back, pick him up and use him as trade bait, running backs are at a premium right now.
