2009 Fantasy Football Preview: Tight Ends

The tight end position is probably the least important position on your fantasy team. However, don't take this position lightly. Having a tight end contribute consistent points to your team can make-up for a down week for one of your other positions.

Top Fantasy Tight Ends

1. Tony Gonzalez- Falcons

The Falcons offense has gotten a lot of love during my fantasy preview, and rightfully so. Tony Gonzalez has always put up good numbers. Even last season with Tyler Thigpen throwing him the ball he put up numbers. Now he's got Matt Ryan on his side and his numbers will continue to be one of the best in the league among tight ends. Odds are Gonzalez will be a vital part of your team.

2. Dallas Clark- Colts

The Colts' high octane pass offense has always contribute greatly to Dallas Clark's numbers. Some wide receivers would kill for Clark's numbers in 2008. He had six touchdowns with 848 yards. Not bad for a tight end. Having a guy like Dallas Clark on your fantasy team will be like having three wide receivers on your roster.

3. Jason Witten- Cowboys

Jason Witten is the true definition of an ironman. He always comes in ready to do battle and usually gets you at least 40 to 50 yards. The only downside is that he doesn't find the endzone much, but that will probably change now that Terrell Owens is out of the picture.

Notables

Jeromy Shockey-Saints

Shockey has his good weeks and his bad weeks. He's still a decent pick for your fantasy squad. He's always capable of breaking out and going for two touchdowns and 100 yards, or have no receptions at all. Take the risk and you may be rewarded.

Bo Scaife- Titans

Outside of Tennessee, many people don't know about Bo Scaife. He may not put up the eye-opening stats that some tight ends do, but he still plays in an offense that relies heavily on the tight end. Don't depend on him to carry your team, but he'll contribute solid numbers to your fantasy squad more times than not.

Vernon Davis- 49ers

This guy was brave enough to get on Mike Singletary's bad side last season, but hopefully he'll stay out of trouble this season. He's got a ton of athleticism and just needs a good quarterback to get him the ball. Again, don't rely on Vernon Davis to save your squad. If you are relying on the tight end position, odds are your team is in trouble regardless.

2009 Fantasy Football Preview: Wide Receivers

Now to the wide receiver position. This position is another crucial component to your fantasy team. If you have two average receivers, your team is probably going to be average, too. Trust me, it's been my weakest position year in and year out.

One thing I do know is touchdowns out-weigh a guy that gets a lot of yards but rarely scores. Make sure you pay attention to a guy's quarterback, too. A wide receiver is almost worthless if he doesn't have a quality quarterback getting him the ball.

Top Fantasy Wide Receivers

1. Larry Fitzgerald- Cardinals

In case you haven't noticed, Fitzgerald is kind of a big deal. He's an absolute game-changer and most secondaries have trouble guarding him. He also has the luxury of playing against some secondaries in the AFC West that aren't really known for their pass defense, a la the Seahawks and the 49ers. Fitzgerald is part of an offense that relies almost completely on passing the ball, so take him for your first pick if you want a wide receiver.

2. Randy Moss- Patriots

Even with Matt Cassel getting him the ball Randy Moss went for over a 1,000 yards in 2008. Imagine how much higher that total would've been with Tom Brady running the show. We all thought that Moss's career may have peaked after he was with the Raiders and going nowhere. I was one of them and I was dead wrong. Moss has ressurected his career and his never showed more of a desire to play than he is right now. He's always a threat to be in the endzone at least one in a game and you know Tom Brady will look his way first more times than not.

3. Roddy White- Falcons

Another Atlanta Falcon makes the fantasy list. Many people got a steal in Roddy White last year. He came out of nowhere and caught for just a 100 yards less that Fitzgerald did. The only thing White lacks in is size which limits his redzone touchdowns a bit. He makes up for it with his speed which burns cornerbacks often. The Falcons are more balanced than the Cardinals are but they still rely heavily on the passing game. White will get you a lot of yards on a consistent basis and find the endzone enough to get you by.

Solid Picks

Andre Johnson- Texans

It was tough keeping Johnson out of the top list, but the quarterback situation in Houston isn't exactly what you would call great. You still can't rule him out of having another huge season even if I become quarterback of the Texans. He'll get you solid points on most weeks, but don't rule out a few weeks where the Texans' quarterback, most likely Matt Schaub, is throwing passes all over the place and no one is catching them. You'll most likely be safe, but buyer beware.

Reggie Wayne- Colts

The chemistry between a wide receiver and his quarterback is extremely important, and no one probably has more chemistry than Reggie Wayne and Peyton Manning do. Marvin Harrison is gone so Wayne will probably get even more passes thrown his way, even though Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark will get their share as well. With Peyton Manning under center, you're always going to get your chances, and Reggie Wayne usually delivers.


Turn Around and Walk the Other Way!

Terrel Owens- Bills

I realize that Owens probably has the most talent in the game, but whether he utilizes it or not is a separate issue. Now he has Trent Edwards passing him the ball. Edwards is a solid quarterback, but he's more like a younger Kerry Collins. He manages games more than he does pile up the passing stats. Owens is also somewhat notorious for dropping passes and becoming a locker room cancer towards the end of the season. Stay away from him if possible. He'll just end up taking up roster space.

Santanio Holmes- Steelers

Most of us remember Santanio Holmes making one of the most spectacular touchdown catches in Super Bowl history last February. However, that doesn't mean Holmes is your best fantasy choice. Holmes rarely sees the endzone, and when he does, he usually doesn't have many yards to go along with it. Holmes only eclipsed the 100-yard mark once last season, and it was in the Super Bowl. Holmes is great athlete, just not the best fantasy player.

2009 Fantasy Football Preview: Running Backs

The running back position can make you one of the top scoring teams in your respective league, or leagues, if you choose wisely.

As many of you probably already know, running backs can get you points on the ground or through the air. That makes it all the more important that you choose a running back that can do more than just run the ball.

Top Fantasy Running Backs

1. Adrian Peterson- Vikings

Adrian Peterson is probably the best running back in the NFL. In 2008 he rushed for over 100 yards ten times and rushed for more than 70 yards all but once. He also plays in a division that is relatively weak in rush defense excluding the Bears. His only minor downfall is that he rarely catches the ball out of the backfield.

2. Chris Johnson- Titans

Many people last year got a steal in Chris Johnson last season. Very few expected Johnson to have the year he did in 2008. You can definitely expect him to be good again this year. A running back in the Jeff Fisher system is always set up to have a good season fantasy wise. Chris Johnson plays in a offense that runs the ball like crazy and is heavily involved in passing the ball in the flats to the running back. We all know how dangerous Chris Johnson is in the open field with his blazing speed. Do yourself a favor and get this guy as your first pick if Peterson is off the board, which he probably will be.

3. Brian Westbrook- Eagles

Brian Westbrook has become a fantasy staple for many over the years. He is an all-purpose yard machine and has a great quarterback getting him the ball. You have to believe that by now Westbrook is McNabb's first choice when passing the ball. Some of the first time fantasy user may confused when they see that Westbrook's rushing stats but remember, receiving yards and touchdowns count too. He is a very viable first-round pick and you probably won't regret it later on.

Solid Picks

Michael Turner- Falcons

What a breakout of a season 2008 was for Michael Turner. Turner finally got out of the shadow of Ladanian Tomlinson and he capitalized with some great numbers. He may not have as good of a year as last season, but he'll still be a great second option for your fantasy team. He's an illusive runner who will get plenty of opportunities to rush against defensive packages that are guarding against the stellar passing game of the Falcons instead of the rushing attack. He does seem to be streaky at times so beware of that. Still a solid pick.

Matt Forte- Bears

The ground-and-pound offense that the Bears have will supply plenty of opportunities for Forte to get his fantasy points. In the cold months of November and December, the Bears will probably rely even more on the ground attack. He's also respectable at catching the ball out of the backfield. He had 477 yards receiving last season. The only risk here is if his rookie seaosn was a fluke. Most likely it wasn't.

Turn Around and Walk the Other Way!

Steven Jackson- Rams

As great as he was for me on my fantasy team in 2007, there is still no way I'm taking him this season. He was the only bright spot last season for the Rams, but this season will probably bit even more gloomy. We're talking about an offense that will be one of the worst in the league, especially at passing the ball. That makes rushing the ball that much more of a challenge. Jackson also had a fumbling problem in 2008 as he fumbled five times. It may be tempting, but just stay away.

Thomas Jones- Jets

Unexpectedly, Thomas Jones had a great year in 2008. A lot of that can be attributed to defenses be scared to death of what Brett Favre might do to them. Now defenses only have to worry about either a rookie quarterback in Mark Sanchez, or an average quarterback in Kellen Clemens. The production of Jones also dropped dramatically towards the end of the season, much like the rest of the Jets. Stay away from him unless there's nothing else left on the board.

2009 Fantasy Football Preview: Quarterbacks

The quarterback position may be one of the most overrated positions in fantasy football . As long as you have a solid quarterback who makes very few mistakes, this position will do good things for your team.

Top Fantasy Quarterbacks

1. Tom Brady- Patriots

This is probably a pretty obvious selection here. Not only does Brady produce very efficient numbers, but he rarely commits turnovers. The only scary thing for drafting Brady is the fact that he's been out of the game for a year now. However, he's still worth the risk. Brady's touchdown to turnover ratio in 2007 was 50 touchdowns to eight interceptions. Enough said.

2. Peyton Manning- Colts

Speaking from experience, Peyton Manning had a down year in terms of fantasy football in 2008. He threw more interceptions and less touchdowns. With all that said, Peyton is still a great quarterback to have on your fantasy team. He plays his home games indoors and throws for a ton of yards. He also has a great group of receivers to throw to like Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, and Dallas Clark.

3. Matt Ryan- Falcons

Do not rest on Matt Ryan. He has a great offense at his disposal that will put up a ton of points. Roddy White is a huge deep threat, and Michael Turner also catches a lot of passes out of the backfield to add to Matt Ryan's fantasy value. Not to mention they added Tony Gonzalez to the roster which always is a red-zone threat. Look for Matt Ryan to be one of the top dogs in fantasy scoring.

Solid Picks

1. Aaron Rogers- Packers

Rogers got a bad rep in 2008 because of the Packers horrible defense that led to a 6-10 record. Many people may have forgotten that Rogers was extremely efficient for a first-year starter. He's very accurate and he is always capable of completing a deep pass down the field that can boost those fantasy scores. The only downfall is the climate Rogers has to play in towards the end of the season.


2. Drew Brees- Saints

Drew Brees is a high-risk, high-reward quarterback. As many people know, he threw for over 5,000 yards and 30 touchdowns last season. That translates to a lucrative amount of points in fantasy football. He also threw 17 interceptions which in most league deducts points. The positives still out-weigh the negatives with Brees. Very rarely will your fantasy team not put points on the board because Brees had an off day.

Turn Around and Walk the Other Way!

1. Kerry Collins- Titans

Even though Collins was surprisingly efficient last season, stay away from him as your fantasy quarterback. A good quarterback in real life isn't always a good quarterback in the fantasy world. Collins very rarely threw for over 200 yards in a game. He also rarely threw more than one touchdown in a single game. If that's not enough to keep you away, he's not very mobile and runs an offense that thrives off grounding and pounding the ball.

2. Joe Flacco- Ravens

It may be tempting to add Joe Flacco to your team since he looked so good in the playoffs last season. You still can't forget that he plays for a team that is thin at the receiver position. It's also very possible that Flacco could have a sophomore slump that so many other quarterbacks have gone through. Unless you are extremely desperate, stay away from Flacco.