DR U Fantasy Football GURU

2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Anquan Boldin

Dr U — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 14:00:01 +0000

WR Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals

2008 Stats: 89 receptions, 1038 receiving yards, 11 TDs
Projected 2009 Stats: 104 receptions, 1422 receiving yards, 13 TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 3rd Round
Wide Receivers to be picked ahead of Anquan Boldin: Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Anquan Boldin: Last season, Boldin hauled in 89 passes and had 11 scores despite missing four games. In fact, he had three games where he hit double digits in receptions and had over 100 receiving yards in three contests. For his career, Boldin has finished a season with over 100 receptions on two occasions, and he has had over 1000 receiving yards four times.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Anquan Boldin: Boldin is a big receiver that isn’t afraid to go over the middle, but that toughness got him injured for a few weeks last year. Boldin has only been able to play in all 16 games twice in his six year career.

Bottom Line: Much like teammate, Larry Fitzgerald, Boldin is in the upper echelon of fantasy receivers. He would be a steal in the third round or beyond.

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2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Percy Harvin

Dr U — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:00:24 +0000

WR Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings

2008 Stats: N/A
Projected 2009 Stats: 45 receptions, 687 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 10th Round
Wide Receivers to be picked ahead of Percy Harvin: Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Percy Harvin: Harvin is a threat to score whenever he touches the ball. In addition, Harvin gives the Vikings the weapon they need to help take the pressure off of Adrian Peterson and the running game. If he can stay healthy, Harvin is talented enough to challenge for rookie of the year.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Percy Harvin: Harvin isn’t a big receiver by any stretch of the imagination, and he is coming off a significant injury. Therefore, there is some concern that he later could fall into the category of being injury prone.

Bottom Line: Harvin is very talented and would be ideal to draft in keeper leagues.

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2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Heath Miller

Dr U — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:00:20 +0000

TE Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers

2008 Stats: 514 receiving yards, 3 TDs
Projected 2009 Stats: 577 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 10th Round
Tight Ends to be picked ahead of Heath Miller: Antonio Gates, Jason Witten, Tony Gonzalez, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Heath Miller: Even though Miller missed the first two games he had ever missed in his career in 2008, he still was able to set a personal best with 48 receptions. Over the last two seasons, Miller has averaged over 47 receptions, 540 receiving yards, and five touchdowns.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Heath Miller: Last season, Miller was held under 50 receiving yards in ten games. He was also limited to two receptions or fewer four times.

Bottom Line: Once you get past the upper echelon tight ends, the rest of the crop generally fail to rack up big fantasy numbers. Miller falls in that category, but he heads that second tier of tight ends.

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2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Marion Barber III

Dr U — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:00:02 +0000

RB Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys

2008 Stats: 885 rushing yards, 417 receiving yards, 9 total TDs
Projected 2009 Stats: 1079 rushing yards, 400 receiving yards, 14 total TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 1st Round
Running backs to be picked ahead of Marion Barber: Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Turner, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Marion Barber: Barber had some injury issues in 2008, but he still racked up 1302 all-purpose yards and nine total touchdowns. Over the last three seasons, Barber has averaged over 12 touchdowns per year. Barber has also increased his receptions every season he has been in the NFL, including last year where he hauled in 52 passes.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Marion Barber: In 2008, Barber was limited to under 60 rushing yards in eight contests, and he was held scoreless the last three games of the season. In addition, Dallas has vowed to give Felix Jones more touches in 2009, which could mean less opportunities for Barber.

Bottom Line: If Barber is healthy in 2009, his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and his nose for the end zone make him an upper tier, No. 1 fantasy running back.

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2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Chad Ochocinco

Dr U — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:00:22 +0000

WR Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals

2008 Stats: 53 receptions, 540 receiving yards, 4 TDs
Projected 2009 Stats: 85 receptions, 1333 receiving yards, 8 TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 6th Round
Wide Receivers to be picked ahead of Chad Ochocinco: Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Chad Ochocinco: Before last year’s nightmare season, Ochocinco averaged 92 receptions, 1374 receiving yards, and over eight touchdowns per season the previous five years. This off-seasson, Chad has mentioned that he was embarrassed for how he played in 2008 and vows to return to form in 2009. It will also help him to have a healthy Carson Palmer throwing him the football.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Chad Ochocinco: Last season, Ochocinco had only 53 receptions and 540 receiving yards, and that was with T.J. Houshmandzadeh lining up opposite him. Now that Houshmandzadeh has left town, Ochocinco will see even more double and triple teams. In addition, Ochocinco failed to register 80 receiving yards in a single game in 2008.

Bottom Line: There is no doubt that No. 85 has a lot of talent, but after watching him implode in 2008, he is a risky fantasy player for 2009. With that being said, the health of Palmer should give Ochocinco the help he needs to return to his old self. Look for Ochocinco to have a solid year in 2009, and he would be a steal in round five and beyond.

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2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Chris Johnson

Dr U — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 14:00:07 +0000

RB Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

2008 Stats: 1228 rushing yards, 260 receiving yards, 10 total TDs
Projected 2009 Stats: 1412 rushing yards, 355 receiving yards, 14 total TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 1st Round
Running backs to be picked ahead of Chris Johnson: Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Turner, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Chris Johnson: Johnson had a terrific rookie year in 2008, gaining 1488 all-purpose yards and 10 total touchdowns. Despite only having one game with more than 20 carries, Johnson was still able to muster four 100 yard rushing performances. He also had at least two receptions every week he played.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Chris Johnson: With the Titans losing their defensive stopper in Albert Haynesworth via free agency, that could mean Tennessee might not be ahead in as many games this year. Consequently, Johnson might not get as many opportunities to rack up the garbage yards that he accumulated often in 2008.

Bottom Line: Johnson is a dual threat, and the only thing keeping him from cracking the top five in terms of fantasy running backs is the fact that his teammate, LenDale White steals the majority of his red zone carries. With that being said, Johnson should still be viewed as an upper tier, No. 1 fantasy back.

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2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Daunte Culpepper

Dr U — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:00:19 +0000

QB Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions

2008 Stats: 786 passing yards, 5 total TDs, 6 INTs
Projected 2009 Stats: 1457 passing yards, 9 total TDs, 12 INTs
Projected Fantasy Round: 12th Round
Quarterbacks to be picked ahead of Daunte Culpepper: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Daunte Culpepper: If your team needs a high risk, low reward No.2 quarterback, than Culpepper is your guy. Culpepper has worked hard this off-season to get in respectable shape, and he will clearly benefit from having one of the better receivers in Calvin Johnson at his disposal.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Daunte Culpepper: Over the last four seasons, Culpepper has averaged 1152 passing yards and under five passing touchdowns versus tossing nearly seven interceptions. He also only managed to play in an average of six games per year in the span.

Bottom Line: Culpepper might begin the year passing the ball for the Lions, but before the season is over, Matthew Stafford will be passing Culpepper the clipboard to hold while he stands on the sidelines watching the rookie play. Therefore, Culpepper should be viewed as a weak No.2, or injury replacement in fantasy unless he proves otherwise.

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2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Ted Ginn Jr.

Dr U — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:00:50 +0000

WR Ted Ginn Jr., Miami Dolphins

2008 Stats: 56 receptions, 790 receiving yards, 2 TDs
Projected 2009 Stats: 71 receptions, 1004 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 9th Round
Wide Receivers to be picked ahead of Ted Ginn Jr.: Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Ted Ginn Jr.: In his two year career, Ginn has not missed a single game. Last season, Ginn had nine games with at least four receptions, and he showed his potential in Week 8 when he lit the Bills up for 175 receiving yards.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Ted Ginn Jr.: In 2008, Ginn had 14 games where he failed to score a receiving touchdown. He was also held under 50 receiving yards nine times.

Bottom Line: Ginn looks to be ready to have a breakout year. However, at this time, he should be viewed as a No.2 or No.3 fantasy receiver.

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2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Hakeem Nicks

Dr U — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:00:03 +0000

WR Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants

2008 Stats: N/A
Projected 2009 Stats: 47 receptions, 472 receiving yards, 4 TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 10th Round
Wide Receivers to be picked ahead of Hakeem Nicks: Reggie Wayne, Terrell Owens, Randy Moss, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Hakeem Nicks: Nicks is a big wideout that has great hands when he elects to concentrate. Therefore, he will be in line to try to replace Plaxico Burress as the G-Men’s key red zone target. Look for Eli Manning to get more familiar with Nicks as the season progresses.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Hakeem Nicks: Nicks resembles Kevin Hardy in a lot of ways, and Hardy was only able to amass nine receptions all of last season for the Buffalo Bills. In addition, the Giants will be more of a running team in 2009, which should limit the amount of targets for Nicks.

Bottom Line: Nicks has all the tools to be a star in the NFL. However, in terms of fantasy football, he only warrants consideration in keeper leagues at this stage of his career.

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2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Earnest Graham

Dr U — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:00:33 +0000

RB Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2008 Stats: 563 rushing yards, 174 receiving yards, 4 total TDs
Projected 2009 Stats: 807 rushing yards, 210 receiving yards, 7 total TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 4th Round
Running backs to be picked ahead of Earnest Graham: Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Michael Turner, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Earnest Graham: Last season, Graham missed six games, but in 2007 he was able to rack up 898 rushing yards and ten scores. Graham began the 2008 campaign by rushing for over 100 yards in two of his first four games.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Earnest Graham: Graham has not been able to play in a full 16 game season since 2006. In 2008, Graham was held under 50 rushing yards in four of his ten games.

Bottom Line: Graham has shown flashes of being an elite fantasy player, but he has had trouble staying on the field. Therefore, he should be viewed as a No.2 fantasy running back until he proves otherwise.

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