Fantasy Football Q-and-A with Anthony Maggio

by | May 28, 2014 | 2014 season, Fantasy Football

We’re 99 days away from the start of the NFL season – which means we’re, oh, about 59 days away from the hard-core start of the fantasy football draft schedule.

But when you’re the world’s 17th fantasy expert, you can’t shut down when it comes to the latest NFL fantasy news. We followed it as closely as possible in real time as it happened, but now that most of the offseason movement has taken place, we’ve had a chance to sift through the moves and take a closer look at what they all mean.

Editorial Director Andy Tellijohn and Fantasy Editor Anthony Maggio spent some time discussing Maggio’s observations and thoughts from a fantasy football perspective as teams head into organized team activities. Here’s what he had to say:

Andy: What does your top 10 look like? At what point in the first round do you start thinking WR or QB, if at all this season – and if not in the first, where?

Maggio: My current top 10: Charles, McCoy, Peterson, Calvin, Graham, Forte, Lynch, Manning, Brees, Green. I suppose that answers the question as to where I start thinking WR, QB, and TE. I think RB is quite deep this season, which means I’ll be grabbing other positions a bit earlier relative to past seasons.

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2014 (Very) Early Cheat Sheet

by | May 12, 2014 | 2014 season, Fantasy Football

A lot can happen between now and training camp, and a lot more is going to happen after that. But with the draft now in our rear-view mirror and free agents having mostly found homes, here’s an updated 2014 cheat sheet

QBs

  1. Peyton Manning
  2. Drew Brees
  3. Aaron Rodgers
  4. Matthew Stafford
  5. Cam Newton
  6. Nick Foles
  7. Jay Cutler
  8. Tom Brady
  9. Matt Ryan
  10. Andrew Luck
  11. Andy Dalton
  12. Russell Wilson
  13. Philip Rivers
  14. Ben Roethlisberger
  15. Tony Romo
  16. Colin Kaepernick
  17. Robert Griffin III
  18. Josh McCown
  19. Michael Vick
  20. E.J. Manuel
  21. Ryan Tannehill
  22. Jake Locker
  23. Sam Bradford
  24. Joe Flacco
  25. Eli Manning
  26. Matt Cassel
  27. Alex Smith
  28. Matt Schaub
  29. Carson Palmer
  30. Chad Henne
  31. Brian Hoyer
  32. Mike Glennon
  33. Geno Smith
  34. Johhny Manziel
  35. Blake Bortles

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DeSean goes to DeNation’s Capital

by | Apr 2, 2014 | 2014 season, Fantasy Football

Fans in Eagles green are seeing red—in more ways than one—after DeSean Jackson agreed to a deal with the Washington Redskins on Tuesday. The NFC East wasn’t really in need of additional storylines, but you can bet ESPN will have plenty to say about the defection in the weeks leading up to the twice-yearly matchup between the rivals.

As for fantasy implications, well, there’s not a ton to see here.

Sure, DeSean Jackson’s stock goes down a bit, if only because he set or tied career marks in receptions, yards, and touchdowns in year one of Chip Kelly’s reign and no longer has the Eagles offense to bolster his numbers. But Jackson put up his stats without Jeremy Maclin around due to injury, which shouldn’t be discounted. With Maclin back and Riley Cooper having proved that you don’t need to be an elite receiver to help Philly’s passing attack—or your fantasy roster—Jackson’s numbers were destined to drop anyway. (more…)

Free agency fantasy football whiparound

by | Mar 12, 2014 | 2014 season, Fantasy Football, NFL Random Thoughts

Running reactions to the fantasy football ramifications of NFL Free Agency, by whatever Zoneblitz staffer happens to fantasy-football-championsget there first.

 

April 16

 

  • This New York Jets team sure is making itself interesting. Chris Johnson signed a two-year deal with Rex Ryan’s club on Wednesday, finding about as good of a home as he could’ve as a 1B-type running back when it comes to his fantasy prospects. Sure, putting him as the No. 1 in, say, Arizona, might’ve been more desirable strictly speaking in terms of overall carries. But Johnson’s 1A is Chris Ivory, who isn’t happy if he isn’t hurt. When the two are on the field together, Johnson will get enough work to make him dangerous, and viable as a weekly flex play in 12-team leagues. And when CJ2K has to carry the load when Ivory’s on the shelf, he’s a must-start RB2, if not RB1.
    – Anthony

April 2

  • So DeSean Jackson has signed with Washington. Normally I hate the Redskins’ big-time, big-name free agent signings, but this one may be an exception. Jackson himself will probably continue to be a boom-or-bust wide receiver for fantasy purposes. RGIII will take some shots throughout every game, hitting some and missing some. But what he does is open things up for Pierre Garcon and Jordan Reed. He also knocks guys like Leonard Hankerson, Josh Morgan and Aldrick Robinson, who might have been each a notch too high on the WR ranks, down into a likely more appropriate spot in the pecking order. So Robert Griffin better start looking like the 2012 version rather than the 2013 one. The team is starting to erase any legit reasons for him to struggle a year removed from buckling up his knee. – Andy
  • In a potentially under-the-radar signing, Kenny Britt re-joined Jeff Fisher by signing with the Rams. Britt is supremely talented, though it’s been three years since he put up nearly 800 yards and nine TDs with Tennessee. He’s also a head case. A change of scenery should at least give him a shot to regain his 2010 form. He’s a big potential complement to Tavon Austin, at 6-3 and 215 pounds. While the Rams will probably add another wideout in the draft, I like Britt as a last round pick or a $1 auction guy who could be a great asset but who you wouldn’t miss if he happens to be the first guy you cut when someone better shows up. – Andy

March 27

  • We took a few days off. But there’s been news over the last few days too. Most recently the announcement this afternoon that Knowshon Moreno has signed with Miami. Adam Schefter broke the news on Twitter. And I think the guy who ends up looking best over this news is Montee Ball. He may still cede some carries to Ronnie Hillman, but Hillman spent more time pondering his night life vices the last few weeks of the 2013 season than he did actually seeing the field. Ball becomes the likely bell cow in Denver. As for Miami, I like Moreno better than Lamar Miller and I like Miller more than I like Daniel Thomas. But I’d rather not have to rely on any of the three. – Andy (more…)

Early left tackle signings affect fantasy prospects

by | Mar 11, 2014 | 2014 season, Fantasy Football, NFL Free Agency

Three of the earliest free agent defections Tuesday afternoon were left tackles and they all could have ramifications on the fantasy prospects of several new teammates.

The big signing was in Arizona, where the Cardinals signed Jared Veldheer. Veldheer isn’t well known, having played for some of the more inept Oakland Raiders teams in recent years. But he was ranked among the top players at his position – this SB Nation list had him second, but personally I like him better than Branden Albert, the guy they ranked first.

Anyway, after years of struggling along the offensive line, Arizona is expected to pair Veldheer with Jonathan Cooper, the first-round rookie in 2013 who missed the season with a broken leg. If Cooper recovers, Arizona could suddenly have the makings of an average to above average line.

It’s hard to see the Cardinals turning the entirety of its run game over to Andre Ellington in 2014. But the rookie did surprise in 2013 with 1,023 total yards rushing and receiving and four TDs last year. His prospects go up with two-fifths of an offensive line coming together, even if he does share time with someone like Stepfan Taylor or a draft pick. (more…)

Fantasy football offseason thoughts

by | Feb 5, 2014 | Fantasy Football

Seattle wrapped up the 2013 season with its dominant win over Denver last weekend. So we’re officially looking ahead to the 2014 season.

That includes fantasy football where, just like in the real NFL, there really is no off-season anymore.

We’ll revisit fantasy frequently throughout the next several months. But for those who are suffering football withdrawal, here are some things to ponder from Anthony Maggio, fantasy editor for Zoneblitz and co-host of Fantasy Football Sunday on 1500 ESPN radio in the Twin Cities.

Andy: Who heading into their second or third year in 2014 do you see taking off as a fantasy contributor next season? (more…)