Big Board: Football
The Big Board takes into consideration past returns, current performance and expected future gains in determining who should be included among the top 50 fantasy football players. Essentially, the Big Board is a cheat sheet designed for a fantasy owner who is planning to participate in a draft today. Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football default scoring settings are used as the baseline for the Big Board, which is updated on a regular basis.
| Big Board 50: Football | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Player | Stock | Pvs. |
| 1 | Adrian Peterson, Min, RB | Fantastic four: 111+ rush yards in each of past 4, and 4 TDs | 1 |
| 2 | Brian Westbrook, Phi, RB | Injury hangover? Under 100 yfs, 0 TDs in each of past 2 | 4 |
| 3 | Frank Gore, SF, RB | TD-less in past 3, but 108 yfs avg. for that span is all good | 6 |
| 4 | Clinton Portis, Was, RB | Despite bye week, knee (MCL sprain) not ready for Week 11 | 2 |
| 5 | LaDainian Tomlinson, SD, RB | Picking up decent yardage, but few glory carries (1 TD in past 5) | 3 |
| 6 | Marion Barber, Dal, RB | Getting Romo back will help, but final month’s sched brutal | 5 |
| 7 | Larry Fitzgerald, Ari, WR | Consistency king: 70+ yards and/or a TD in 23 straight games | 7 |
| 8 | Matt Forte, Chi, RB | Only 1 game in 9 has been under 11 fantasy points (default) | 11 |
| 9 | Kurt Warner, Ari, QB | 40 TDs in past 17 games, 2+ TD passes in 8 straight | 14 |
| 10 | Drew Brees, NO, QB | 7 games w/ 300+ yards, 4 games w/ 3 TD passes | 13 |
| 11 | Andre Johnson, Hou, WR | 2nd-most targeted WR has 99 more rec. yds than any other WR | 8 |
| 12 | Steve Smith, Car, WR | Have to write off W10 (1 for 9) as a bad (Osamugha) experience | 10 |
| 13 | Brandon Jacobs, NYG RB | 9+ Fan Pts in all but 1 game, 9 TDs in past 7 games | 15 |
| 14 | Anquan Boldin, Ari, WR | Leads all WRs in fantasy points per game (10 TDs in 7 games) | 22 |
| 15 | Brandon Marshall, Den, WR | Ended 4-game slide (56.8 rec. ypg, 0 TDs) w/ 89 yds, TD in W10 | 12 |
| 16 | Chris Johnson, Ten, RB | Like W10 (14 car., 8 rush yds), will continue to see 8-9 man fronts | 9 |
| 17 | Steve Slaton, Hou, RB | Hit wall vs. BAL in W10, but next month’s sched is Downy soft | 16 |
| 18 | Joseph Addai, Ind, RB | sub-80 rushing yds in past 16 games, but cakewalk sched upcoming | 18 |
| 19 | Reggie Wayne, Ind, WR | 114 yards, TD in W10, but now dealing w/ sore ankle | 20 |
| 20 | Roddy White, Atl, WR | Past 7: 807 receiving yards, 6 TDs | 21 |
| 21 | Peyton Manning, Ind, QB | 12 TD passes, 1 TD run in past 6 games | 23 |
| 22 | Tony Romo, Dal, QB | Returns (broken pinky) in W11 w/ splint on repaired digit | 24 |
| 23 | Michael Turner, Atl, RB | Feasting on wimpy run Ds, but there are just 2-3 of those left | 27 |
| 24 | Jay Cutler, Den, QB | 5 games w/ 300+ pass yds, 6 games w/ multiple TD throws | 31 |
| 25 | Philip Rivers, SD, QB | Current No. 3 fantasy QB leads league w/ 21 TD passes | 33 |
| 26 | Ronnie Brown, Mia, RB | Yardage has been suspect of late, but TD in 6 of past 8 | 19 |
| 27 | Steven Jackson, StL, RB | Still not close to 100 percent after W7 quad injury | 17 |
| 28 | Terrell Owens, Dal, WR | Nobody will be happier for Romo’s W11 return than TO | 26 |
| 29 | Maurice Jones-Drew, Jac, RB | 9 TDs in 9 games, but he’s been a feast/famine fantasy headache | 29 |
| 30 | Marques Colston, NO, WR | Back on track (140 yds W10) and sweet schedule Weeks 14-16 | 30 |
| 31 | Greg Jennings, GB, WR | Past 3: 49 receiving yards per game, 0 TDs | 25 |
| 32 | Aaron Rodgers, GB, QB | TD-less in W10—1st goose egg of the season | 32 |
| 33 | Willie Parker, Pit, RB | For now, will play w/ harness on injured shoulder | 35 |
| 34 | Thomas Jones, NYJ, RB | Combined 253 rush yards, 4 TDs in 2 games since last update | - |
| 35 | Calvin Johnson, Det, WR | No. 1 fantasy WR in past 5, but I’m leery of Culpepper | 39 |
| 36 | Tim Hightower, Ari, RB | Now starting, could lead NFL in red zone touches rest of way | 34 |
| 37 | Marshawn Lynch, Buf, RB | Just 3.5 yards per carry, 0 100-yard games, just 2 TDs in past 6 | 28 |
| 38 | Reggie Bush, NO, RB | Return from knee surgery expected to come in Week 12 | 36 |
| 39 | Santana Moss, Was,WR | No. 5 fantasy wideout despite a few duds | 37 |
| 40 | Randy Moss, NE, WR | Like other Moss, hit-n-miss, but top 12 fantasy WR overall | 38 |
| 41 | Ryan Grant, GB, RB | Five alive: 88 rushing yards per game, 2 TDs in past 5 | 40 |
| 42 | LenDale White, Ten, RB | Straight-Chalk Express: 11 TDs (1 every 10 touches) | 42 |
| 43 | Jamal Lewis, Cle, RB | Past 6: 86.3 yfs per game, 4 TDs | 43 |
| 44 | Antonio Gates, SD, TE | Leads TEs in TDs (6) | 44 |
| 45 | Donovan McNabb, Phi, QB | Past 4 games: 269 passing YPG, 7 TD passes, 1 TD run | 45 |
| 46 | DeAngelo Williams, Car, RB | Past 5: 93 rushing yards per game, 6 TDs | 49 |
| 47 | Tony Gonzalez, KC, TE | Has rode Thigpen’s hot hand to No. 1 TE spot in Y! game | - |
| 48 | Jason Witten, Dal, TE | Likely to grin and bear it going forward w/ broken rib | 47 |
| 49 | Eddie Royal, Den, WR | Cat-quick rook has 3 100-yard games, 4 TDs in 1st 8 career games | 50 |
| 50 | Lee Evans, Buf, WR | Past 2 = worst 2 outings of ‘08 (combined 63 yards, 0 TDs) | 41 |
|
DROPPED OUT: Plaxico Burress, NYG, WR; Bernard Berrian, Min, WR
ON THE BUBBLE: DeSean Jackson, Phi, WR; Dwayne Bowe, KC, WR; Vincent Jackson, SD, WR; Owen Daniels, Hou, TE; Dallas Clark, Ind, TE; Hines Ward, Pit, WR; Kevin Walter, Hou, WR; Chris Chambers, SD, WR; Laveranues Coles, NYJ, WR; Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ, WR; Kellen Winslow, Cle, TE; T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Cin, WR; Antonio Bryant, TB, WR Matt Ryan, Atl, QB; David Garrard, Jac, QB; Kyle Orton, Chi, QB; Chris Cooley, Was, TE; Brett Favre, NYJ, QB; Santonio Holmes, Pit, WR; Felix Jones, Dal, RB; Willis McGahee, Bal, RB; Jonathan Stewart, Car, RB; Matt Schaub, Hou, QB (knee); Braylon Edwards, Cle, WR; Larry Johnson, KC, RB; Kevin Smith, Det, RB; Donald Driver, GB, WR |
Sounding Board
I encourage all of you to check out Scott Pianowski’s ‘08 position rankings that he posts weekly in our Roto Arcade blog. For those who don’t get to see their comments posted here, the blog is a nice outlet for airing your opinions about player values – in a civilized manner, of course.
I don’t understand why Anquan Boldin is the seventh-best receiver on your Big Board when he’s easily been the best fantasy WR this year. You even have Fitzgerald in the top 10 when Boldin has been putting up much bigger numbers than Fitzgerald. Funston, I’m baffled. – Jacob, Parsippany, NJ
Funston response: Jacob, he’s lagged behind Fitzgerald and a few of the other elite receivers because he’s proven to be a little less durable than the others I had in front of him. But, this week, I could no longer let that concern trump his overall production, which has been ridiculous. I bumped him up to the No. 4 WR overall, and he’s within point-blank range of Andre Johnson and Steve Smith.I would have had Marion Barber down the list farther with Romo and Felix Jones coming back, but worse yet, those last 4 games of the season. And I’m not sure I would even have Addai in the top 50. – Hot Rod, Santa Clara, CA
I’m sorry but you need to take Plaxico Burress of the big board this week. He has been so cold lately I have been calling him “Brrr”ess. He is too much of a distraction on the Giants and he just has not been making plays, that a wide receiver of his caliber should be making. You need to put T.J Houshmandzadeh or Dwayne Bowe above him. Both have been averaging more looks and yards per game. – Jason, Los Angeles, CA
Tim Hightower is too low. Is there a cap on how much a player can jump in one week? Once Edgerrin was benched, Hightower becomes a top tier fantasy back. He plays for a high-scoring, chain-moving offense. The division is weak and he is 100 percent healthy. Is it possible you are using last week’s Big Board as a template a little too much? The perfect Big Board should have each player with a 50/50 shot of moving up or down the following week. I think it’s pretty certain Hightower will be higher than No. 34 in a week’s time. – Paul, New York, NY
Two words: Tim Hightower. This kid has Brian Westbrook potential and will meet that potential. I’ve traded Brandon Jacobs, Willis McGahee, and Lendale White straight up for Hightower. Do you think I am expecting too much from this fifth round pick? – Chris, Peoria, Arizona
Funston response: Trading the “Football Frankenstein,” as my colleague Brad Evans never fails to call Brandon Jacobs, was too steep of a price, but I’m fine with the McGahee and White deals. I’m not going to concern myself too much with his poor starting debut in Week 10. In this system, Hightower will live in the red zone down the stretch and pad his numbers with another 6-9 touchdowns.Funston, TEs get no love. I’m just wondering when I’ll see the likes of Owen Daniels and Chris Cooley on the Big Board. Make it happen, Captain. – Zach, Sacramento, CA
Funston response: Sorry, Zach, but room is tight and Tony Gonzalez made a much better case for promotion this week.Why is Philip Rivers ranked 33? Even in your comments it says he is the No. 1 ranked QB in the NFL! You have six quarterbacks ranked higher than him including, Aaron Rodgers and a quarterback that hasn’t played in four weeks in Romo. Fantasy God Funston, send me some logic on this because I can’t think of any – Steven, Edinboro, PA
Funston response: Fantasy God Funston? You know how to push the right buttons, Steven. The logic I’m using for Rivers’ rank is that fact that, in the next six weeks, he’ll face three opponents that rank among the five most-stingy in fantasy to quarterbacks (Pittsburgh, Indy and Tampa Bay). And he’ll also meet up with an Oakland defense that he has never thrown for more than 180 yards against in five career meetings – he also carries a 4:4 TD-to-INT ratio vs. Oakland.Brandon, I am surprised that most fantasy football columnists are still keeping Marques Colston high on their charts. I have Marques on my fantasy team but I don’t think he deserves the continued attention until he shows he can still perform at a higher level. If you had him listed as an “On the Bubble” player I might agree. Marques should post better numbers against Atlanta – he has in the past. He then goes to K.C. where he should also perform well because of a weak pass defense. The injury he sustained early in the season has most of us cutting him more slack than he deserves. Please tell me he will come off the list if he does not play well in both of his next two games, if not the next game. – Greg, Eastlake, OH.
Funston response: Greg, a Colston turnaround was about the easiest prediction in fantasy. He’s proven himself as a go-to type in his first two seasons, Drew Brees is one of the best distributors in the game and New Orleans is one of the league’s most pass-happy offenses. He went for 140 yards against the Falcons and I don’t expect him to look back.Brandon, I don’t know why, but I always like to check out where my players rank on the Big Board. This week I had to laugh though, this is your own comment about Chris Johnson: “Top fantasy RB over past 3 games, 4th among RBs for ‘08” If that is true, how do you possibly rank him the No. 6 RB. If you think No. 6 is legit then change his tagline. – Ryan, Columbus, OH
