2014-2015 Start 'Em Sit 'Em (Week 2)

Start 'Em:

Knowshon Moreno, RB, Miami Dolphins - Coming into the season, it would have been advised to stay away from the Dolphins' running backs, considering both Moreno and Lamar Miller are fairly talented players and seemed destined to share the running burden equally. However, against the Patriots, Moreno received 23 carries to Miller's 11 and the Dolphins in general seemed extremely dedicated to the run game. This situation may turn into the sort of situation that we have in Detroit, where Joique Bell and Reggie Bush have managed to coexist as good valuable options by taking up different roles. Similarly, while Knowshon will dominate total carries and probably red zone carries, Miller may manage to make enough of a fantasy impact on third downs and passes to warrant consideration. Against a mediocre Bills defense this week expect Moreno (and Miller) to put up an impressive performance.

Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals - Dalton had an up-and-down week one, but one big play to A.J. Green completely redeemed him. You can expect that big play to rear its head again, as Dalton to Green may be the best deep ball combo in the league after Matthew Stafford to Calvin Johnson. Cincinnati's game against the Falcons this week should be a shootout, which plays directly into the hands of Dalton's fantasy owners as Dalton is likely to be airing the ball out early and often. Dalton may be your number one QB or he may be your number two, but either way you should seriously considering starting him this week.

Michael Floyd, WR, Arizona Cardinals - Week 1 saw Michael Floyd gain nearly six times as many yards as fellow wideout Larry Fitzgerald, which is huge in that it shows the Cardinals' dedication to feeding Floyd the ball. Of course, this lopsided production is not to be expected most weeks, but Floyd should expect to be fairly equal to Fitzgerald in terms of targets by the end of the year. Some weeks, it would be wise to let Floyd stay on the bench for your fantasy team, but going up against the Giants' horrible pass defense will allow for both Floyd and Fitzgerald to prosper, and maybe even get in the end zone.

Sit 'Em:

Zac Stacy, RB, St. Louis Rams - I actually liked Stacy a lot coming into the season, but his performance in week 1 will have owners remarkably worried. Stacy actually didn't play poorly, but he was only granted with 11 rushes, while Benjamin Cunningham, the team's other running back, was somehow on the field for more plays than Stacy. The Rams' stunning desire to play an undrafted free agent over an established player has to have fantasy owners extremely confused. While I still think that Stacy will put together a half-decent campaign this year, his production is now much more questionable than it was a week ago and owners should proceed with caution. A tough matchup against the Buccaneers defense isn't going to aid Stacy in his return to stardom, so I'd suggest letting him stay on your bench this week and reconsidering his status the following week.

Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego Chargers - It should be a given that any quarterback going up against the Seahawks defense needs to be out of your starting lineup, and Philip Rivers is no different. Rivers didn't look great against Arizona in week 1 and that probably won't improve much in week 2. The amount of viable fantasy football options at quarterback right now is incredible, so I'd scour the waiver wires for a better option because you can surely find one.

Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills - Watkins' ribs are now healthy and he remains the Bills only legitimate receiving option, but I am still not ready to call him a legitimate fantasy receiving option. I do expect him to break out at some point, but until he does, I'd recommend keeping him on your bench. The Bills go up against the Dolphins this week, who managed to swallow up the Patriots' potent passing game last week, so don't expect big things out of Watkins just yet.

2014 AFC East Predictions

1. New England Patriots (13-3): The biggest offseason signing by the New England Patriots is clearly the addition of cornerbak Darrelle Revis. Revis made a name for himself on the New York Jets, when he made three All-Pro teams and was considered to be the best cornerback in the league. Revis suffered an off-year last season coming off of ACL surgery, and he then signed a one-year deal with the Pats who are looking to replace Aqib Talib. Revis is bound to improve in 2014, and may even return to his original form as the league's best cornerback. The Pats signed Seahawks corner Brandon Browner right before the Revis signing, yet he will be forced to miss the first four games of the season; however, once he returns, the Patriots may have the best cornerback-duo in the league. The Pats also drafted an injury-prone defensive tackle Dominique Easley, who tore his ACL twice in two years, but clearly is a talented defensive prospect. On offense, star quarterback Tom Brady will look to avoid a slow start like last season due to his relatively inexperienced receiving corp, but if tight end Rob Gronkowski manages to play for the majority of the season, the Patriots could have the best record in the AFC.

2. New York Jets (9-7): The New York Jets signed three big names on offense in the offseason, which could drastically help or hurt this team. Four-time Pro-Bowler Michael Vick is an incredible talent with great arm strength and the ability to run the ball. Although the Jets signed him, he is second behind Geno Smith on the depth chart, which may change after training camp. The Jets also added speedy running back Chris Johnson, as well as wide receiver Eric Decker to improve the entire offense. The Jets defensive line is young and talented, consisting of Defensive Rookie of the Year Sheldon Richardson, Muhammad Wilkerson, and Damon Harrison (deemed "Sons of Anarchy"). The Jets managed to finish 8-8 last season, and with even more talent on this roster, they can make a run at a spot in the playoffs. I believe if Michael Vick manages to start in more than 12 games, the Jets will make the postseason.

3. Buffalo Bills (8-8): In my opinion, the Buffalo Bills managed to sign the best prospect from this past NFL Draft in wide receiver Sammy Watkins, which will surely help second-year quarterback EJ Manuel. Manuel's first season was less than stellar, seeing how he threw just 11 touchdowns with 9 interceptions. Buffalo's receiving corp has a lot of young talent, with guys like Watkins, Robert Woods, and Mike Williams from Tampa Bay, yet they also have a running back duo of CJ Spiller and Fred Jackson to take some pressure off of Manuel. On defense, defensive end Mario Williams has played all 32 games within the past two seasons, as he has obtained 23.5 sacks while on the Bills. Williams is one of the main reasons why the Bills ranked second in the league in sacks last season, enough to keep this defense afloat. Hopefully, the pass rush can continue their dominance into 2014, enough to give Buffalo a shot at the postseason.

4. Miami Dolphins (6-10): 2014 will likely be Ryan Tannehill's last season as a starter in Miami if the Dolphins' record fails to improve. While the Dolphins managed to reach a .500 record for the first time since 2009, the Dolphins added some pressure on Tannehill by signing Matt Moore from the Carolina Panthers. Wide receiver Mike Wallace is the clear star of this offense, even though he had the lowest touchdown total of his career, and also failed to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards. Miami's pass rush managed to do relatively well thanks to All-Pro defensive end Cameron Wake, as well as Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Randy Starks. Thanks to recent acquisitions, the Dolphins may have one of the best cornerback duos in the league thanks to Brent Grimes on one side, and now, Cortland Finnegan out of St. Louis on the other. The Dolphins do not have enough talent or experience on this roster though, especially on offense, to contend for a spot in the playoffs. 

Ranking NFL Rookies Who Will Have the Best NFL Careers

1. DE Jadeveon Clowney: Clowney, the first overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft, joins a defensive line that has JJ Watt on the other side, which means offenses can not prepare solely for the South Carolina alum. Clowney recorded 24.0 sacks throughout his career in college, where more than half of the sacks came during his impressive junior season. Houston's defense is bound to be one of the league's best in due time thanks to the addition of Jadeveon Clowney, and Clowney's raw talent will make him the best player from this draft class.

2. WR Sammy Watkins: Although I don't see quarterback EJ Manuel becoming a Pro-Bowler anytime soon, his new wide receiver Sammy Watkins is destined for stardom. Watkins had the best season of his college career by far in 2013, with 101 receptions, 1,464 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns, as well as an absolutely dominating performance against Ohio State in the Orange Bowl.

3. TE Eric Ebron: Ebron, clearly the most talented tight end of the 2014 draft class, will be playing for a team that relies heavily on their passing game. At 6'4"and 245 pounds, it will be difficult for an average cornerback to defend the North Carolina alum. To make matters worse for defenses, it will be impossible for them to double team Ebron seeing how the best wide receiver in the game, Calvin Johnson, is setting up on the opposite side of the field.

4. LB Khalil Mack: Despite playing for a small college in Buffalo, Mack gained a lot of publicity directly before the NFL Draft, as he became the fifth overall pick. His 40 yard dash time of 4.65 ranked fourth among linebackers, but his most impressive achievement from the past year came when he recorded 2 sacks against Ohio State in the season opener. Offensive lines can not double team Mack due to other talented pass rushers on the Rams' defensive line, so Mack is bound to pick up many sacks throughout his career in St. Louis.

5. WR Mike Evans: In most years, Mike Evans would have been the best wide receiver prospect in a given draft class, but due to the fact that he was dealing with Sammy Watkins in his draft class, Evans became the second best prospect at his position. Evans is 6'5", with excellent speed that makes him a deep threat. Also, Vincent Jackson will be lining up on the opposite side of the field, so defenses will be unable to focus entirely on Mike Evans.

6. OT Greg Robinson: The second overall pick in the draft gained a lot of notoriety during Auburn's magical run towards the end of the season, especially thanks to the fact that he was protecting star running back Tre Mason. Both of them will now be playing in St. Louis, where Robinson will be an immediate starter on the Rams. St. Louis already ranked 8th overall in sacks allowed this season thanks to stars such as Jake Long and Scott Wells, so there will be less pressure put on this rookie to carry the entire weight of this offensive line.

7. QB Teddy Bridgewater: For most rookie quarterbacks taken in the first round, it is their job to carry the offense on their own for the first few seasons; however, for Teddy Bridgewater, he has All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson to help with the work load.  Bridgewater is very elusive in the pocket, and he is unlikely to be injured throughout his NFL career thanks to his size and infrequent scrambling out of the pocket.

8. OT Jake Matthews: Matthews has experience defending an extremely talented quarterback, seeing how he played on the offensive line when both Ryan Tannehill and Johnny Manziel played for Texas A&M. Matthews is 6'5" and weighs 305 pounds, allowing him to block some of the best pass rushers in football.

9.S Ha Ha Clinton-Dix: As one of the best safeties in this draft class, Clinton-Dix achieved many honors throughout his college career, including All-American honors, two National Championships, and being named to the first team All-SEC. With plenty of experience playing in the spotlight, Clinton-Dix is one of the more NFL-ready players of this 2014 draft class.

10. QB Johnny Manziel: Johnny Manziel certainly has the talent one needs to be a star in the National Football League, but there are two question marks that will determine his success in the league: will off the field issues affect his performance on the field, and will he be able to remain healthy throughout his career due to his lack of size? The Heisman winner has a strong arm with an incredible ability to run the ball. Josh Gordon, Nate Burleson, Miles Austin, and Jordan Cameron make up one of the most underrated receiving corps in football, and Manziel has the potential to be the best quarterback of this year's draft, but it is unclear if that potential can transform into success (also, to see Manziel's highlights, be sure to check out our YouTube video here).

First Round Draft Picks Who Will and Won't Have a Fantasy Impact

Will - Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
It will come as no surprise that I would expect Watkins to be a fantasy football stud this year, seeing as he was the top receiver drafted, and, in my opinion, the second best player overall. Watkins has top-notch speed and gets past defenders in the open field with ease. He will also benefit from the fact that, despite being the fourth overall pick, he was not drafted by a team with quarterback problems, as E.J. Manuel can be effective when healthy. Because Watkins is not a huge red zone target, you shouldn't expect him to be your number one fantasy wide receiver, but he has the potential and the physical skills to put up a lot of yards this season.

Won't - Any Quarterback Drafted In the First Round
Bortles, Manziel, and Bridgewater are all decent prospects, but none of them are ready to turn into productive day one starters, even though they may be forced to try. I'm least optimistic with Bortles, as he will be surrounded by a very poor Jaguars offense with very few weapons. In Manziel's case, the potential is there, but he needs to work on his fundamentals before he can make a significant impact. Bridgewater may be the most pro-ready of the three, and he will have Adrian Peterson to work with, but right now we aren't even sure if he's going to start this year.

Will - Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Much like Watkins, it won't surprise anybody that I'm predicting Evans to have a good fantasy football season, as he was the seventh overall pick and has incredible physical tools. What will be most beneficial to Mike Evans, though, is the fact that he will have Vincent Jackson lining up across from him. With Jackson and a decent quarterback, Mike Glennon, Evans will have countless opportunities to prove himself.

Won't - Odell Beckham Jr, WR, New York Giants
Beckham Jr. is a solid player, but the Giants didn't have an immediate need at wide receiver and Eli Manning tends to be inconsistent. He will need to beat out Jernigan and Randle just to become the Giants second option after Victor Cruz. Beckham Jr. may well become a fantastic player in the future but for the present, it would be best to temper your expectations.

Will - Brandin Cooks, WR, New Orleans Saints
I think Cooks will have the most productive fantasy football season of anybody not named Sammy Watkins in this draft. Cooks has incredible speed and great open-field skills that will make him an immediate fantasy football producer, especially with Drew Brees as his quarterback. The only thing that could slow up Cooks is the fact that the Saints have so many options on offense, but I think he will sidestep this problem by stepping right into the void that Darren Sproles left.

Won't - Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Carolina Panthers
There is no denying that Benjamin is a physical specimen, but what worries me is that his route running is subpar and his hands could use some work. Sure, he has a huge catch radius, which would seem to be helpful with a quarterback like Cam Newton who has a tendency to be inaccurate, but if Benjamin can't catch the ball or create separation by running a clean route, then that goes to waste. Fortunately for Panthers fans, the skills that Benjamin currently lacked are attainable, but don't expect him to produce huge numbers right away.

2014 NFL Draft Offensive All-Team

Quarterback: Teddy Bridgewater: Bridgewater may have dropped as a preseason favorite to be selected first overall, but in my opinion, he remains the best quarterback in this year's draft class. His arm strength, accuracy, and elusiveness in the pocket make him a dangerous offensive threat. Don't believe me? Just look at this play:



Running Back: Tre Mason: Mason served as Auburn's offensive superstar during their magical run to the BCS National Championship Game. Not only did Tre finish 3rd in the nation in rushing touchdowns (23), 5th in rushing yards (1,816), and 6th in the Heisman voting, but he also broke legendary running back Bo Jackson's single season rushing record at the school.

Wide Receiver: Sammy Watkins: Does this come as a surprise? Watkins is BY FAR my favorite offensive player int the draft, and quite possibly, the most talented prospect in the 2014 Draft Class, offense or defense. Watkins' final game against the Ohio State Buckeys in the Orange Bowl (16 catches for 227 yards and 2 touchdowns) further proved his incredible skill on the football field. Watkins is a guaranteed starter, and a Pro-Bowler within his first two seasons.

Tight End: The best characteristic of Eric Ebron from North Carolina is his incredible quickness. At 6'4", Ebron recorded a 40-yard dash time of 4.56, second among tight ends, meaning it is a remarkable number for his position. Some have Ebron going as high as 12th overall (Giants), which is more than likely given Ebron's athletic talents.

Tackle: Jake Matthews: While protecting quarterback Johnny Manziel at Texas A&M over the course of his career, Jake Matthews, son of Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, did a great job protecting the dual threat quarterback. Matthews, along with Greg Robinson, is one of the bets offensive lineman in this year's draft class, and by attending a school within the SEC, NFL teams know that Matthews has faced serious competition in college.

Guard: Zack Martin: The main problem with Zack Martin of Notre Dame is that he played 50 of 52 games in college at the tackle position. NFL scouts say that he lacks the size necessary to become a pro tackle in the league, which is why they want him to adjust to the role of guard. If this transition is smooth, which is highly likely thanks to his athletic talents, Martin will be a dominant force in the NFL.

Center: Marcus Martin: Marcus Martin was named to the All-Pac 12 team back in 2013, but was also the first true freshman to start at guard at USC since 2004. Martin has great size, where at 6'3" he weighs 320 pounds. Martin is projected to go in the second round, but is certainly a solid pick for any team looking for young talent at center.

College Football-NFL Comparisons: Sammy Watkins

Sammy Watkins rivals Marquise Lee as the top wide receiver in this year's draft. The lean, elegant, quick Clemson Tiger had a stellar collegiate career by any standard, and impressed at the combine (a 4.43 40 will cement his status as an elite player nicely), such that most mock drafts have him going early in the first, top 10 even. Tampa Bay with the seventh overall pick is an intriguing suitor, and they would certainly be happy to have him, but we can't really tell if Watkins will make it that far or, on the flip side, be valued that highly. Regardless, Watkins looks to be an excellent player at the next level, with maturity and talent in equal measure. As an excellent player he already merits an intriguing comparison with Ravens wideout Torrey Smith. While Watkins has a formidable skill set in terms of hands and winning the ball, the area where he truly excels and would even stand out in the NFL is after the catch. Watkins puts together a great and even comical highlight reel with elusiveness and speed. He extends plays and his yards after the catch are astronomical at times. He has the ability to make huge plays with explosive moves, making plenty of decent secondaries look stupid. We have seen this all before in many a great NFL receiver, but Smith especially draws a good comparison in this regard. Midway through Watkins' freshman season (as a true freshman in 2011), an astonishing 63% of his yards came after the catch! This is no statical anomaly for a player who didn't see much of the field, as Watkins totaled over 1,200 yards his freshman season. So he played a lot, made a lot of big plays, and did most of his considerable damage on his feet with the ball in his hands. Beyond this, he has great hands and wins balls out of the air, with 27 touchdowns in three years of college ball. A tempting prospect for any NFL team, Watkins should excel wherever he lands, and he will be fun to watch for years to come.