Most backs have limited production
The 2005 season seems set to go down as Exhibit A in why fantasy football leagues need to switch to an auction format.
If you were lucky enough to draw the first or second pick this year, you’re very likely sitting pretty. Slam dunk No. 1 and No. 2 picks LaDainian Tomlinson and Shaun Alexander are each on pace for over 30 touchdowns.
Compare that production to the other consensus top 20 running backs, who are all busts of varying degrees. Corey Dillon has five TDs but sat out Week Six and is looking slow and every bit his age (31 next week). Priest Holmes? He’s going the way of Marshall Faulk (14 carries for 18 yards on Sunday).
What about bargain middle rounders? Yes, Stephen Davis has seven TDs, but he’s well past his 2005 expiration date (under 3 yards per carry four weeks running). Congrats if you nabbed Thomas Jones, who was reportedly benched when rookie Cedric Benson signed in late August. But Jones will continue starting only if the Bears keep winning.
Tomlinson and Alexander have turned most fantasy league’s into a two-team race. The price for picking them was picking late in Round 2. But that’s no big deal considering the paucity of RB talent this year. Plus the snake drafting format handed them an early pick in Round 3.
Sure, someone still would have Tomlinson and Alexander even in an auction format – but at a price the rest of the league chose not to pay.
Buy
Donovan McNabb (QB, Eagles): His last game was 131 yards and no TDs vs. Dallas. San Diego, at Washington and at Denver await. You want him because the Eagles throw 70 percent of the time and the most, by far, inside the opposing 10 (16 attempts and nine TDs).
Donte Stallworth (WR, Saints): Joe Horn’s hamstring isn’t getting any better. Stallworth scored Sunday, but his owners probably sat him off the one-catch, 6-yard effort at Green Bay. He’s fourth in plays over 25 yards and is on pace for a respectable 130 targets (times thrown to).
Jeff Garcia (QB, Lions): He’s going to practice this week and coach Steve Mariucci hinted a change after the Panthers game. Garcia struggled mightily with accuracy in ‘04 and is old, but the Lions face a succession of soft defenses after November.
Hold
Santana Moss (WR, Redskins): He’s seventh in targets and has caught 60 percent of the balls thrown his way. Moss also leads the NFL in catches over 25 yards (eight) and is second with first downs on 90 percent of his catches.
Steve Smith (WR, Panthers): He’s fifth best in times targeted and has caught an two thirds of them. Smith leads the league in yards after catch. We thought he’d be a steal on draft day, but never imagine this.
Sell
Joey Galloway (WR, Bucs): It looks like Brian Griese’s season ended when he was carted off Sunday. Chris Simms may be overmatched by Jon Gruden’s complexity. WR Michael Clayton’s shoulder will get better.
Curtis Martin (RB, Jets): He finally had a great game, but All-Pro center Kevin Mawae is out for the year and Curtis is noticeably conceding quickness to Father Time.