Last week, we looked at some NFC players to grab and some to avoid. This week we look at some of targets from the AFC.
Quarterback
GRAB: Philip Rivers, SD AVOID: Andy Dalton, CIN
Here is a good question for Fantasy owners: “Who was second in the AFC and third in the NFL in QB Rating last season?” If the above name did not already clue you in, Rivers was one of the most effective passers in the NFL last season, tossing 32 scores against just 11 picks. With the emergence of Keenan Allen as a downfield threat and so many offensive tools that Antonio Gates is almost an afterthought, Rivers has a lot to work with.
Meanwhile, Dalton has the benefit of the best wideout in the AFC in A.J. Green, but the rest of his supporting cast is iffy. Marvin Jones was second on the team in receiving, and his 51 catches for 712 yards are not scaring anyone. Dalton needs high-level production from his tight ends, especially Jermaine Gresham, to put up the kind of numbers you need from a number one quarterback in 10 and 12-team leagues. That may be asking too much.
Running Back
GRAB: Chris Johnson, NYJ AVOID: Montee Ball, DEN
Do not mistake my words, CJ2K is gone. This is not the player that terrorized defenses in Tennessee. That said, Johnson is behind one of the best running attacks in the NFL (6th in rushing yards last season), and has a golden opportunity to rebuild his career by outrunning Bilal Powell and Chris Ivory. If Geno Smith becomes the passer the Jets front office thinks he can be, Johnson will be on easy street for 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns.
Ball had that chance to be the man in Denver, but let the opportunity slip. Knowshon Moreno took the reins back from Ball, mostly due to Ball’s ineffectiveness in pass protection. If he continues to fail Peyton Manning in that aspect, he may find himself riding pine again behind Ronnie Hillman. To take Ball is counting on him to have improved in that vital area of the Denver offense.
Wide Receiver
GRAB: DeAndre Hopkins, HOU AVOID: Hakeem Nicks, IND
Tell me if this story sounds familiar: a quarterback under pressure from everyone with a supremely talented wideout and a young star receiver ready to break out. The parallels are there between last year’s Chicago team and this year’s Houston squad. Hopkins could definitely be the Alshon Jeffrey in this story. He has great hands, great speed, and gives Ryan Fitzpatrick (or perhaps eventually Case Keenum) a target besides Arian Foster and Andre Johnson to light up the scoresheet.
Nicks may be the number one target for the Colts and Andrew Luck right now, but that does not solve Luck’s receiver problems. Reggie Wayne is not getting any younger, T.Y. Hilton is a boom-or-bust player, so Nicks will have to step up his game in a huge way. While he is not going to go another full season without scoring a touchdown, Marvin Harrison he is not, so tread carefully.
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