The key to success in fantasy football, especially within dynasty formats, is to constructively analyze perennial patterns of players and their respective franchises.  The existing free agent structure (salary caps, complicated contracts, franchise tagging, etc.) of the NFL is formed in such a way that allows any team to be competitive in any given season.  The discerning fantasy owner monitors these patterns with hopes of finding fantasy success from year to year.  Other than the obvious beasts that you cradle like children, the goal is to find the emerging talent taking advantage of their current situation.  Ride these players while their value is high, than move them for elite talent.


AFC EAST

Buffalo Bills – Does TO make them a fantasy beast?

 
Fantasy Weaponry – RB Marshawn Lynch, WR Lee Evans, WR Terrell Owens

Fantasy Depth Chart – QB Trent Edwards, RB Fred Jackson

Emerging Talent – WR James Hardy, WR Steve Johnson

Needs – QB depth, Pass catching TE

The Bills have a lot of offensive potential in the upcoming season.  They have some good young talent in place and opportunity to fill voids in the upcoming draft.  The fact that the Bills have decided to keep Dick Jauron is excellent news for Trent Edwards and his development.  In addition, T.O. will provide benefits to both Edwards and Lee Evans.  This addition will hurt the opportunity for James Hardy and Steve Johnson (currently the Bills seem higher on Johnson than Hardy).  QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was acquired in FA, indicating the Bills are done with former 1st round pick JP Losman.      


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Miami Dolphins – Bill Parcells is clearly the man.

Fantasy Weaponry – RB Ronnie Brown

Fantasy Depth Chart – QB, Chad Pennington

Emerging Talent – QB Chad Henne, WR Ted Ginn Jr., WR Greg Camarillo, WR Davone Bess

Needs – WR Depth especially a big-body that requires double coverage, RB Depth

Bill Parcells came to Miami and within a season took the 1-15 Dolphins to a position where they hosted a playoff game in 2008.  This relatively young team has maturing to do, but has the potential to pump out a couple fantasy studs in the coming seasons.  Keep your eye out for QB Chad Henne, WR Ted Ginn Jr, and WR Davone Bess to make a name for themselves in the ‘09 season.  Also pay close attention to who the Fins take in the upcoming draft.  Look for the Dolphins to start grooming a complimentary back to Ronnie Brown, who should regain top RB form. A big-body WR may also get a look in the 2nd or 3rd rounds.

New England Patriots – Can Gisele’s husband return to 2007 form?

Fantasy Weaponry – QB Tom Brady, WR Randy Moss, WR Wes Welker

Fantasy Depth Chart - None

Emerging Talent - None

Needs – Capable RB, QB Depth, RB Depth, WR Depth

So the main question is, will Tom Brady be ready to play for the start of the 2009 season?  The trading of Matt Cassel makes us think so.  Josh McDaniels (former QB coach) has moved to Denver (Head Coach), and how will this affect the grooming of Kevin O’Connell is a question mark.  He took #2 QB reps for 16 weeks last season, and Bellicheck has indicated he's liking the development of O'Connell.  Is Laurence Maroney ever going to run for more than 600 yards again?  The Patriots are classic for making late round picks successful NFL players and finding the old timer free agent to help for a season or so.  Fred Taylor and Joey Galloway anybody?  The Patriots have followed a lineage where they reload their positional depth about every 4 seasons.  The Pats have 11 picks in this years draft, and 6 within the first 100.  Wow!

New York Jets – Built to win now, kind of….

Fantasy Weaponry – RB Thomas Jones

Fantasy Depth Chart – RB Leon Washington, WR Jerricho Cotchery

Emerging Talent – None

Needs – Franchise QB, Youthful RB, Desperate Need of a WR, especially a burner

Well, Brett Favre has decided to retire, again.  That leaves the QB position open for the taking.  Clemens did little behind an awful offensive line during his 10 starts in 2007.  Jets camp also likes Brett Ratliff, who nearly overtook Clemens as the primary back-up last year.  It will be interesting to see how they handle the draft and a QB competition in the preseason.  Rex Ryan has committed to a run heavy, tough defense smash mouth mentality for the 2009 campaign and speaks of his confidence in his young QB's.  This team (especially the O-Line) is built to make a run at the superbowl.  Will their QB issues hold them back?  Keep an eye on David Clowney and Chansi Stuckey in camp.


AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans – Maybe not America’s team, but could be the best team in Texas.

Fantasy Weaponry – QB Matt Schaub, RB Steve Slaton, WR Andre Johnson, TE Owen Daniels

Fantasy Depth Chart – WR Kevin Walter

Emerging Talent – None

Needs – Power RB to compliment RB Steve Slaton, Big-body WR to line up opposite A. Johnson.

The Texans are a franchise that has shown signs of improvement the last few years.  Look for them to be a legit playoff team in 2009.  A roadblock for this team is QB Matt Schaub’s ability to stay healthy.  He is capable of top 7 QB numbers if he stays healthy for an entire season.  WR Andre Johnson is a beast talent and TE Owen Daniels is emerging into a top 3 TE talent that many fantasy players are not familiar with.  Look for the team to add a RB to compliment the small but talented RB Steve Slaton.  Kevin Walter and Steve Slaton fill the slot roles nicely, the addition of a tall WR to line up on the perimeter can hurt the value of Johnson.

Indianapolis Colts – The clock is ticking, but Peyton is still under center

Fantasy Weaponry – QB Peyton Manning, WR Reggie Wayne

Fantasy Depth Chart – RB Joseph Addai, TE Dallas Clark

Emerging Talent – WR Anthony Gonzalez

Needs – RB Depth, WR Depth

It's yet to bee seen wheter the retirement of Tony Dungy and the subsequent internal hiring of Assistant Head Coach Jim Caldwell will slow the offensive stride of this team.  Peyton Manning still has 4 Pro Bowl-caliber years left in him.  We don’t expect the Colts to draft a developmental QB in this year’s weak class.  RB Joseph Addai is clearly not an everydown back, however we expect his productivity to increase with the addition of another RB.  Also, look for the Colts to add to their WR corps after the release of future HOF WR Marvin Harrison.  The Colts spread offense requires 3 viable WR's.  2009 will provide good insight into whether WR Gonzalez will emerge as a legit WR2.  Pay close attention to WR’s Pierre Garcon and Roy Hall.

Jacksonville Jaguars – No, not Troy Williamson, someone that can catch.

Fantasy Weaponry – RB MJD (Pocket Hercules)

Fantasy Depth Chart - QB David Garrard

Emerging Talent – WR Mike Walker

Needs – Desperate need at the WR position, Young QB to mold, RB Depth.

The Jaguars were plagued by injuries in 2008, most notably on the Offensive Line.  This hurt the productivity of Fred Taylor (Released in Feb.) and MJD.  MJD however, continued to be one of the most consistent backs in the league scoring nearly a TD a game.  He’s also in a contract year.  Despite the inadequate O-Line, David Garrard improved both his passing yardage and interceptions.  But with the release of the enigmatic WR Matt Jones, who is going to catch the ball in Jacksonville this year? If 3rd Year WR Mike Walker could stay on the field, he could really emerge as a deep sleeper. Look for the Jags to add one of the plentiful WR’s and RB’s in this years draft to their offensive arsenal.  If you have the patience (or QB depth) to wait on a developmental QB, pay close attention to their draft selection at the field general position. 

Tennessee Titans – Boring football team with the game’s most exciting player.

Fantasy Weaponry – RB Chris Johnson, Defense

Fantasy Depth Chart – RB Lendale White, WR Justin Gage

Emerging Talent – QB Vince Young, TE Bo Scaife, WR Nate Washington

Needs – QB, Slot WR

Kerry Collins is a capable QB for another season or two, but we expect to see his productivity fall off over this time.  Depending on the development of Vince Young is a gamble.  The talent is still there, but there have to be serious doubts about his commitment to football. This is a crucial offseason for VY. Chris Johnson is a true fantasy beast who is only going to get better.  Lendale White is a goal line vulture, a very large goal line vulture. Nate Washington is not the answer at WR, but he will help. That should give you an idea of how bad the WR situation is. They have not drafted WR well in the past, but they will probably roll the dice again this year.


AFC NORTH

Baltimore Ravens – Serious question…Have they ever had a good offense?

Fantasy Weaponry – Defense,

Fantasy Depth Chart – QB Joe Flacco, RB Willis McGahee

Emerging Talent – RB LeRon McClain, RB Ray Rice

Needs – Deep threat, speedy WR, Receiving TE

A few good WR’s would boost Flaccos’ stock.  Look for the Ravens to add a deep threat to compliment the huge arm of Joe Flacco.  Lots of RB’s cloud the backfield and they need someone to emerge as their RB playmaker.  A Ray Rice/LeRon McClain tandem might get the job done. Willis McGahee is to be avoided in dynasty formats.  TE Todd Heap has fallen off our radar.  A healthy season could change that.

Cincinnati Bengals – Can’t change their stripes

Fantasy Weaponry – QB Carson Palmer, WR Chad 85

Fantasy Depth Chart – WR Lavernous Coles

Emerging Talent – WR Andre Caldwell, WR Jerome Simpson

Needs – Stud RB, WR

A bounce back season for Carson Palmer is necessary for this team to succeed in the ‘09 campaign.  Like the division rival Ravens, the Bengals backfield is filled with very average talent, specifically Cedric Benson, Chris Perry and Kenny Watson.  WR Coles will help fill the void left from the departure of WR TJ Housh to the Seahawks.  Major questions about Jerome Simpsons maturity and devotion will slow his progression.  WR Michael Crabtree would be an excellent fit in the Carson Palmer arsenal. They desperately need a real bell cow RB.

Cleveland Browns – What happened to the promise shown in 2007?

Fantasy Weaponry – WR Braylon Edwards

Fantasy Depth Chart - None

Emerging Talent – QB Brady Quinn, QB Derek Anderson, RB Jerome Harrison

Needs – RB Depth, Desperately need WR Depth

Eric Mangini was brought in as Head Coach and has already made some waves within the franchise.  Jamal Lewis is getting old, real old.  It is unclear whether Braylon Edwards will be retained despite his 1,400 yard, 15 TD upside.  QB Brady Quinn is an emerging talent in the NFL and could develop into a top 10 fantasy QB.  Derek Anderson has shown his ability, but can he replicate the promise shown in the Browns 2007 “miracle” season? The Browns like RB Jerome Harrison and his above average yards per carry average, but he is not the solution to the RB situation. 

Pittsburgh Steelers – Superbowl stats don’t win fantasy titles.

Fantasy Weaponry – QB Ben Roerhlisberger

Fantasy Depth Chart – WR Santonio Holmes, WR Hines Ward, RB Willie Parker

Emerging Talent – RB Rashard Mendenhall, WR Limas Sweed

Needs – WR Depth

Watching Willie Parker drop a pass for a guaranteed first down and more in this years’ Superbowl (to avoid getting hit) is a clear indication of his toughness.  When he gets hurt again RB Rashard Mendenhall will be there to establish himself as this teams feature back of the future.  Meanwhile, Santonio Holmes is just waiting for Hines Ward to meet his end.  Maybe his Superbowl MVP performance will speed this process along?  Will WR Limas Sweed fill the void lost by WR Nate Washington?  The team likes him, but they are not entirely convinced. 


AFC WEST

Kansas City Chiefs – Patriots Midwest featuring Matt Cassel and Scott Pioli

Fantasy Weaponry – QB Matt Cassel, WR Dwayne Bowe, TE Tony Gonzalez

Fantasy Depth Chart – RB Larry Johnson

Emerging Talent – RB Jamaal Charles

Needs – WR #2 (Slot/Burner), Power 20-carry RB

This is a very young and talented football team whose growing pains were endured by Herm Edwards.  The new era of GM Scott Pioli and Head Coach Todd Haley should prove to be an excellent asset to this team’s soon to be success.  Pioli clearly has faith that Cassell can thrive in the pass happy Haley offense.  The combination of eye for talent and utilization of talent (respectively) will yield positive fantasy results for some time.  Jamaal Charles is a young Jerious Norwood with a nice fantasy upside. Despite this, the team needs to add a power back to the mix.  Look for the Chiefs to add a slot WR in this years’ draft to eventually team with Dwayne Bowe in the starting lineup.

Denver Broncos – So who's the Broncos Quarterback again?

Fantasy Weaponry – QB Kyle Orton, WR Brandon Marshall, WR Eddie Royal

Fantasy Depth Chart – RB JJ Arrington

Emerging Talent – FB/RB Peyton Hillis, RB Ryan Torain

Needs – An established RB corps, WR Depth, Kicker (Matt Prater has a huge leg and poor accuracy)

Newly acquired Head Coach Josh McDaniels should progress the development of Kyle Orton, who is a cerebral player that fits the system QB mold nicely.  Backup QB Chris Simms will compete with Orton for the starter position in 2009.  Peyton Hillis has some potential, but Brandon Jacobs he is not.  We still need to see Ryan Torain, however the Broncos addition of multiple free agent RB’s, JJ Arrington, LaMont Jordan and  Correll Buckhalter is bad news for the value of Torain and Hillis.  JJ Arrington provides the only Dynasty value, but his upside remains limited.  If the Broncos draft a QB within the first 3 rounds of the draft, it will be very bad news for Ortons future. 

Oakland Raiders – Rebuilding…kind of

Fantasy Weaponry – None

Fantasy Depth Chart – QB JaMarcus Russell, RB Darren McFadden,

Emerging Talent – WR Johnnie Lee Higgins, RB Michael Bush

Needs - All skill positions – look for a speedy WR to be drafted early.

This historically frustrating reality franchise provides no relief on the fantasy front either.  The goal for this franchise should be to protect JaMarcus Russell and provide him the necessary talent to show off his immense talent.  The addition of a young WR stud like Michael Crabtree would give JaMarcus a nice weapon to show off his huge arm. RB’s Darren McFadden and Michael Bush could be threatening “stash and dash” fantasy combo. WR Johnnie Lee Higgins enters his 3rd season and looks to make a name for himself outside of the kick/punt return duties.  Under Tom Cable’s guidance, count on the Raiders running the ball a lot in 2009.

San Diego Chargers – LT2 is back

Fantasy Weaponry – QB Phillip Rivers, RB LT2, TE Antonio Gates

Fantasy Depth Chart – RB Darren Sproles, WR Chris Chambers, WR Vincent Jackson, WR Malcolm Floyd

Emerging Talent – None

Needs – Rookie RB to start taking over for LT2, slot WR

The Chargers franchised Darren Sproles this offseason and restructured LT2’s contract. Look for more of Sproles in ’09 as they attempt to keep LT2 healthy. WR Vincent Jackson is emerging as a top talent, but he still has some work to do.  Malcolm Floyd serves as a solid redzone threat if he can get on the field.  The Chargers are a team that wants to make a push for the Superbowl before LT2’s career is over.  They should again be a potent offense in 2009.