Chris Johnson or Bishop Sankey?

If I am looking for a RB in the fifth round of a 10 team draft (standard scoring with a flex player), should I select Chris Johnson or Bishop Sankey?

Initially with my mock draft practicing, I was going with Sankey of the Titans (#47 overall on NFL.com).

He was the first RB selected in this year's NFL draft; certainly a great resume and impressive skills.

With Tennessee, Sankey should be able to immediately win the starting job, and get lots of touches this year as free agent RB Dexter McCluster is more of a specialist and RB Shonn Greene is recovering from a knee injury and a less than impressive season in 2013.

But what about former Titan and now Jets starter Chris Johnson (#49 overall on NFL.com)?

Expert Tom Kessinich was recently a guest on Sigmund Bloom's fantasy football podcast and argued Johnson over Sankey.

His reasoning was:

• Johnson has proven that he can excel at the highest level while Sankey has not


• Sankey had a heavy workload in his last two years of college, and that Kessinich was not that impressed with what he displayed on the field


• Johnson produced with some terrible Titans' offenses and is very motivated to show his talents


• Johnson's new coach is committed to the running game and their is more talent on offense in New York

In contrast to those arguments, I think it is reasonable to question Johnson as a potential declining star--those great RBs seem to fall so quickly and his last few years with the Titans certainly leave question marks.

I am not sold on Johnson yet, but Kessinich's points are valid.

I always like to watch the reports out of training camp to help me finalize my drafting decisions, and I'll keep a close eye on these two so that I can make an educated decision on which will be the better performer this year.

Fantasy Outlook for C.J. Spiller

If you are looking for a great value pick in the 4th round or so (10 team draft), consider RB C.J. Spiller of the Bills.

NFL.com has him ranked at #39 and ESPN.com has him at #40--meaning that you can still select three solids before grabbing Spiller.

For those like me who drafted Spiller in the Top 10 last year only to watch him suffer through an injury plagued season, he is still the same explosive runner that he was in 2012, but with an off-season to heal his ankle.

An ESPN writer makes the valid point that Bills' RB Fred Jackson had a big workload in 2013, and the team acquired Bryce Brown as well, but I see just about every other team in the current NFL stockpiling RB options.

And Jackson got a lot of work especially in games where Spiller was injured. Spiller repeatedly would find openings, but lacked explosion and too many times would come up limping--meaning that Jackson's number was being called much more than planned.

Another reason to like Spiller?

Buffalo loves to run the ball, and he is in the final year of his contract.

The Bills finished 5th in the league last season in rushing attempts--only 13 attempts behind the second ranked team in Miami. This is quite an accomplishment considering the subpar quarterback play last season which prevented the passing game from helping them run the ball much at all.

I expect the Bills' offense to be better, they will continue to emphasize a ground attack featuring RBs, and Spiller is in a contract year. He will have extra incentive to show off his excellent speed, quickness, and remind people that he can catch the ball as well.

I believe Spiller could post big numbers again in 2014.

I recommend grabbing him in the 4th round if available.

Joe Delaney Tribute

Last year, the Kansas City Chiefs released a tribute video to the late great Joe Delaney.

Great talent. Special person.

Joe's story is nothing short of inspirational.

You can watch the video by clicking here and going to the Chiefs Kingdom homepage.

The intro is a bit much (if you are a non-KC fan), the video is a little too long, and the sponsor breaks are annoying, but they tell his story well.

RB Value with the Falcons

Kimra Schleicher insights in this year's Lindy's Sports Fantasy Football 2014 are useful.

Reading her bio, she has quite the record of fantasy football success.

One sleeper that she offers is Falcons' back Devonta Freeman--arguing that with an aging Steven Jackson, he sure to see playing time soon.

Good point and I like Freeman too:

1) the Falcons have a high-powered offense that was down on its luck last season;

2) they traditionally have been effective in running the ball; and

3) not only can he run the football and catch, but he is regarded as a good blocker--no matter how much talent a rookie has, poor and/or confused blockers spend lots of time on the sidelines.

A negative could be that Freeman was in a timeshare throughout college, but that may be good in saving his body from hits.

I prefer to watch the reports after camps start in August before I try to predict which RBs and WRs are worthy of late round fliers, but Freeman is someone to watch.

I also would not forget about Jackson either. Lindy's mag has him as the #25 runner, and NFL.com lists his ADP as 100.

As long as he is healthy at the beginning of the season, a late round pick invested in Jackson, may offer points in the first half of the season as he pounds defenses.

My NFL Mock Draft 2014

Every year, I project the top 10 picks in the NFL draft.

For each pick that I miss, I owe my son and daughter a quarter each.

And yes, I do end up paying them every year--some drafts more than others.

In any event, here goes for 2014...

1) TEXANS: DE Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina
Best athlete in the draft. The only question is whether the Texans select him or trade down and collect picks from a team that is smitten with Clowney. I think they wait on a QB because Clowney is too good to pass.

2) TRADE (RAMS TO FALCONS): LB Khalil Mack, Buffalo
The Rams have been waiting to trade this pick since they acquired it. St. Louis' management is smart, and is bringing in all the top players as a smoke screen to make us think they may draft at #2. I say don't buy it. They want an OT and are waiting for the best offer to then drop back. I see either the Bills, Browns, or Falcons moving up here. The Falcons have shown they are not afraid to take risks and their defense sure could use an all-pro level talent like Mack.

3) JAGUARS: WR Sammy Watkins, Clemson
Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley has been impressive. Last season, he rallied a lackluster Jags roster and had them for the most part competitive. Free agents considering teams have spoken highly of the Jags coaching staff--as it is tough enough to lure quality players when your team's recent success is miniscule.  In any event, the Jags need a QB, but with WR Blackmon suspended and his career in doubt, I don't think they will pass up on a talent like Watkins. I would not be surprised though, if they entertain trade offers and collect a ransom to move back--someone else will grab Watkins if he is still on the board here.  

4) BROWNS: QB Blake Bortles, Central Florida
The experts have the Browns selecting any number of players at this #4. The team has a good defense and is assembling talent on offense. WR Josh Gordon's performance last year was one of the best in NFL history considering the below average QBs who were throwing to him. As such, look for the Browns to emerge from the "we are not taking a QB" smoke screen and grab a long-term signal-caller in Bortles. I see him as a big tough guy--something that will fit this blue-collar and cold weather city well. I love Bortles' confidence, and I think a team like Cleveland is looking for that as well.

5) RAIDERS:  T Greg Robinson, Auburn
Looking for a more conservative pick now that Mr. Davis is no longer making the moves, I see the Raiders going for a boring "sure thing." If Robinson is there, they take him. Experts believe he is the best long-term star at OT in this draft.

6) RAMS (From FALCONS): T Taylor Lewan, Michigan
Richer with picks after the trade, the Rams will go with the best OT on the board. If Robinson is there, they take him, but I think they will favor Lewan's nastiness over Matthews.

7) BUCCANEERS: T Jake Matthews Texas A&M
My favorite team--for better or for worse. Early projections had LB Mack still available for the Bucs here, but that is a distant memory. New head coach, Lovie Smith, is a defensive guy. They want defense help, but I think they will wait when either Lewan or Matthew is available. I see them grabbing the A&M OT. Lots of stories late on the owners pushing for Manziel, but I'd be surprised if the conservative Smith agrees to that dice roll.

8) TRADE (VIKINGS TO TITANS): QB Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M
I think the Vikings are afraid of the risk in selecting Manziel. If Bortles is still here, they take him; otherwise they look for a trading partner. I see the Titans willing to move up and make an immediate splash with a new coach. Locker is the immediate starter, but Manziel will be taking over the spot soon enough. Titans fans will be energized for sure if this happens.

9) BILLS: TE Eric Ebron, North Carolina
I was between WR Evans and TE Ebron, but I think the Bills want a player who can make an immediate impact and that is Ebron. Tall and athletic, the TE will force defensive coordinators to game plan against him, which will allow the Bills to run more easily; something they want to do with their two-headed running back monster anyway.

10) LIONS: CB Darqueze Dennard, Michigan St.
Needing secondary help and unwilling to sacrifice picks to move up for an elite talent, I see the Lions taking the best DB on their board. I like OSU's CB Gilbert, but I think they will go with an outstanding local cover guy in Dennard.

Bonus Pick: 31) BRONCOS: G Xavier Su'A-Filo, UCLA
My son's fav team is the Broncos, so I pick for them as well. They either go LB or OL here. I see Denver's strategy as maximize the chance that Peyton succeeds now, so look for them to take the best OL available and Su'A-Filo could be that.

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Note: All player links are too Walter Football's scouting report. Every year, their group does an outstanding job of breaking down the players and teams. 

Undervalued: Colts Running Backs

Another fantasy football suggestion...
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Finding a RB mid-season in the waiver pool that touches the ball a lot is tough, so it is always wise to draft proper depth at that position.

I think one place to look for value is at the backfield in Indianapolis.

First, why should you consider a Colts RB?

This is the team that already has a strong passing game with QB Andrew Luck (7th in total passing yards in 2012) and WRs Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton. They also acquired veteran speedster Darrius Heyward-Bey to try and stretch defenses. Also, new Offensive Coordinator Pep Hamilton managed a run-first attack at Stanford, so expect the Colts to do more pounding the ball this season.*

So which RB?

Three guys are vying to start.


Vick Ballard averaged over 20 carries in the last 4 games of the season, and finished with almost 1,000 total yards.

Despite battling nagging injuries last season, free-agent Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 6 touchdowns and  over 1,200 total yards.

Before Ballard took over last season, former first-round draft pick Donald Brown was the starter.


I am not ready to make call as to which Colts runner will get the bulk of the carries this year, but training camp and the preseason should give us hints.

Being confident that Bradshaw (#51), Ballard (#111), and Brown (#285) are all value picks and one will most likely be the guy for Indy this year, should allow for me to draft a Colt and at the least offer my team adequate RB depth--with a potential upside of one being a weekly starter. *
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*Note: The information on Pep Hamilton is from the Sporting News Fantasy Source and player draft rankings are from NFL.com. 

Undervalued: Anquan Boldin

It is fantasy football time again. For several posts, I want to discuss players that I see as over or under-valued in this year's draft.
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Anquan Boldin is currently listed as the 43rd best WR and the #116 best pick overall on NFL.com.

The 49ers top WR, Michael Crabtree, tore his achilles tendon in off-season team activities, and may be out for the season.

Short on receivers during mini-camp, the team used TE Vernon Davis as a wideout. Davis' numbers were down last year anyway, as he managed more than two catches in only one of QB Kaepernick's final seven regular season starts (though he was productive in the playoffs).

The rest of the 49ers receivers include injured Mario Manningham, and largely unfamiliar names like Kyle Williams and AJ Jenkins.

Despite being a run first team, the 49ers will want to throw the ball.

But who will be the primary option?

I believe the veteran Boldin will get plenty of targets.

He is no longer a deep-threat, but has never lost his courage to make tough catches in traffic. He has outstanding hands and is able to consistently get open. With the Ravens last year, he caught 65 balls for almost 1,000 yards and 4 TDs.

When I see a team's top receiver with the proven track record of Boldin at a draft position of #116, I say grab him.

You will then be able to laugh at your opponents when you land a starting fantasy receiver with a 12th or 13th round selection.