The MonsterDraft fantasy player analyzer can customize your draft board based on your league’s specifications- including number of teams, starting line-up structure, points awarded per yardage/scoring play, and various other critical factors.

This article highlights the top 5 running backs the tool produced for a league awarding 6 points for rushing and receiving TD’s, 1 point per 25 yards, and 1 point for each reception. This league heavily rewards TD’s and receptions while discounting yardage.

Every league is different which is where MonsterDraft steps in - change the parameters and the list is instantly tailored to your league.

In the hypothetical league above, here’s what MonsterDraft’s top 5 list of running backs would look like….. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact:  Above Average

Offensive Outlook:  Don’t be misled by the fact that the Chargers were only 20th in the league in offensive yardage last year.  The fact that they often jumped out to big early leads meant that the offense was able to dial it down early. 

With a full season of Chris Chambers, the Chargers should be able to mix the downfield passing attack they flashed in the playoffs with the LaDainian Tomlinson-led rushing attack and light up the weak defenses in the AFc West.

The main concerns are health-related. 

Quarterback Philip Rivers and LT are both coming off offseason surgery, although both should be ready for the start of the season. 

Without Michael Turner around, Tomlinson must be extra-sturdy this year.  And tight-end extraordinaire Antonio Gates is a question-mark to open the season healthy after February foot surgery.  No offense could withstand the loss of a talent like that without being affected. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: The Raiders are an extremely hard team to gauge entering the 2008 season.

So many newcomers are playing key roles on the offensive side of the ball that it’s hard to say who will be the productive fantasy players and who will be forgotten men.

One certainty is that the JaMarcus Russell era is beginning, and that’s cause for excitement for fantasy players hoping he’s the next dynamic quarterback to come down the pike. Throw in first-round running back Darren McFadden, and you can see why the Raiders will be fun to watch in ‘08.

QUARTERBACKS: The Raiders let Russell sit for most of his rookie season after he signed late. He got a chance to start the season finale and threw for 224 yards and a TD. That’s all you have to go on right now, so watch the preseason carefully. Russell likely will take his lumps this season, but his electric talent will shine through at times. He’s strictly fantasy back-up material to start the season, although he might be useful later in the season when he starts to get comfortable. Continue Reading »

Still a couple of months away from most league’s drafts, I wanted to take a minute and add some fantasy to this off season. There were a lot of big name players involved in trade demands / rumors that did not happen. Without consideration for salary cap or any other factors, here are seven trades I wished had happened to liven up the fantasy landscape. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: The Chiefs are a bit of an odd case.

They’re coming off a year in which they finished 31st of 32 NFL teams in offensive yards and points, and yet they have two bona fide fantasy stars in Larry Johnson and Tony Gonzalez, and a legitimate up-and-comer in Dwayne Bowe.

Johnson’s season-ending injury in Week 6 obviously hurt them last year, and a full season of health should do wonders for the team’s offensive numbers.

But can this trio of standouts overcome a less-than-impressive quarterback situation and a very green offensive line? Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: The Broncos had little trouble moving the ball last year, but scoring points was another matter entirely. Despite finishing 11th in the league in yards, they were only 21st in the league in points.

Denver is trying to rectify this problem this year by adding a trio of veteran receivers who had flamed out elsewhere. But big question marks still abound:

Can Selvin Young carry the load at running back?

Will Jay Cutler’s diabetes diagnosis be a problem?

And will off-the-field nonsense derail the promising career of Brandon Marshall? Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Below Average

Offensive Outlook: The idea in the offseason in Tennessee seemed to be to surround Vince Young with some talented skill-position guys in the hopes that it would ignite the talent that seemed dormant last season.

Three draft picks in the first four rounds plus a smattering of free agents added a lot of quantity, but whether those additions provide quality is questionable.

Young is still lacking in the kind of top-flight receiver that a quarterback needs to get to the next level.

As such, this playoff team from a year ago might once again have to do it with an opportunistic defense and a buttoned-down offense that does not play to its star’s prodigious talents. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Average

Offensive Outlook: With an overpowering running attack and a quarterback who minimized mistakes, the Jaguars offense kicked into another gear last season, finishing 7th in yards and 6th in points. The offseason changes were minimal, with a change at back-up quarterback and a slight shuffling of the deck at receiver the only significant moves.

The problem with the Jags for fantasy purposes is that they don’t have any offensive superstars carrying the whole load. The receiving corps is completly up for grabs, and their top two running backs split the load, keeping their value down. As a result, it’s hard to get overexcited about any individual Jaguar despite the good team numbers. Continue Reading »

Overall Fantasy Impact: Above Average

Offensive Outlook: The Colts are the gold standard for consistent offensive production in the NFL. Year in and year out, you can’t go wrong with taking the Colts main offensive producers high in your fantasy draft. They weathered the departure of Edgerrin James two years ago, and they survived a fragment of a season last year from Marvin Harrison. 2007 Indy numbers: 5th in the league in offensive yardage, 3rd in scoring, without breaking a sweat.

That’s because Peyton Manning is the constant, running an offense that doesn’t change much but still confounds opposing defenses. They’re also practically slump-proof, which means that you shouldn’t be nervous about taking several Colts on draft day if you have the chance.

QUARTERBACK: If someone told you before the season that your fantasy quarterback was going to throw for 4,100 yards and 30 TDs, chances are you’d take it sight unseen. Well, those are the average numbers for Manning’s 10-year career. Others may have big seasons here and there, but with Manning, you have no worries. Tom Brady will likely go before him in most drafts this year, but don’t be surprised if Manning brings in numbers similar to or better than his New England counterpart. And he never gets hurt, so don’t bother with a handcuff pick of Jim Sorgi. Continue Reading »