Empty The Bench
- The Season's Over -

NFL Playoffs Fantasy Football Rankings

January 3, 2008

Patriots Lead The Way
Randy Moss and Laurence Maroney Photo Credit: Tom Croke/Icon SMI

Fantasy football during the NFL playoffs is nowhere near as popular as the regular season variety, but the game is slowly catching on as a sure-fire way to put a little more interest into Wild Card weekend and beyond. It’s also more instantly gratifying that most fantasy leagues, and adds in the additional skill of projecting team success in order to be competitive. It’s a pretty simple and entertaining game you can play with as few as four people, provided you don’t mind doing a little paper-and-pencil math.

The following rankings are based on a 1 QB, 2 WRs, 2 RBs, 1 TE league with standard scoring and a small number of teams. They are also for leagues which count total points, and are not formatted for elimination leagues. Keep in mind the need for depth at each position when drafting, as most NFL playoffs fantasy leagues do not allow transactions.

Overall Rankings 1-50:

1) Tom Brady, New England Patriots
2) Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
3) Randy Moss, New England Patriots
4) Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
5) Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
6) Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
7) Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
8 ) Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts
9) Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
10) Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
11) LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers

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No CommentsPosted by Andrew Thell on Jan. 3, 2008 at 2:25pm in NFL, NFL Fantasy News, Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Football: Week 15 Position Ranks

December 12, 2007

Purple Jesus and LT take turns saying 'you're the best' 'no, you're the best.'
Photo Credit: Bryan C Singer/Icon SMI

You’ll soon find out whether or not all those long nights making roster adjustments at 1:30am will pay off. Make a mistake on who to start this week and your errors will weigh heavily on your conscience over the next nine long, Bourbon-soaked months. Choose correctly, and you live to point your finger in that dude from Accounting’s face once again. Without further ado, here is ETB’s top 20 QBs, 30 RBs, 36 WRs, 15 TEs, and 15 Team Defenses based on past performance, injuries, bye weeks, and matchups for Week 15.

The Broncos and Texans square off on Thursday night, while the Bungles and 49ers kick off on Saturday. Make the necessary adjustments to your roster before then.

More Free Fantasy Advice for Week 15:

- ETB’s Week 15 Stock Report

- ETB’s Week 15 Fantasy Matchups

- ETB’s Week 15 Cheat Sheet

Fantasy Week 15: Top 20 Quarterbacks

Wayne Brady's Younger Brother

1. Tom Brady, New England vs. NYJ
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis @ OAK
3. Tony Romo, Dallas vs. PHI
4. Brett Favre, Green Bay @ STL
5. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle @ CAR
6. Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. ARZ
7. Derek Anderson, Cleveland vs. BUF
8. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati @ SF
9. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh vs. JAX
10. Philip Rivers, San Diego vs. DET (Check Status)
11. Kurt Warner, Arizona @ NO
12. Jay Cutler, Denver @ HOU
13. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia @ DAL
14. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay vs. ATL
15. Jon Kitna, Detroit @ SD
16. David Garrard, Jacksonville @ PIT
17. Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. WSH
18. Sage Rosenfels, Houston vs. DEN
19. Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota vs. CHI
20. Trent Edwards, Buffalo @ CLE

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1 CommentPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Dec. 12, 2007 at 1:42pm in NFL Fantasy News, Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Football: Week 14 Position Ranks

December 6, 2007

Relax, Terrell Owens Got This One

It’s Week 14 of the NFL season. Make a mistake on who to start this week and your decision will weigh heavily on your conscience over the next nine long, Bourbon-soaked months. Choose correctly, and you live to talk trash another day. Fortunately, ETB’s Week 14 Position Ranks are just in time, listing our top 20 QBs, 30 RBs, 36 WRs, 15 TEs, and 15 Team Defenses based on past performance, injuries, bye weeks, and matchups.

This week the Bears and Redskins get the Thursday night, “no one will be watching because it’s on the NFL Network” treatment, so plan accordingly.

More Free Fantasy Advice for Week 14:

- ETB’s Week 14 Stock Report

- ETB’s Week 14 Matchups

- ETB’s Week 14 Cheat Sheet

Fantasy Week 14: Top 20 Quarterbacks

Jessica Simpson is tossing Tony Romo's footballs

1. Tony Romo, Dallas @ DET
2. Tom Brady, New England vs. PIT
3. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis @ BAL
4. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati vs. STL
5. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle vs. ARI
6. Derek Anderson, Cleveland @ NYJ
7. Drew Brees, New Orleans @ ATL
8. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh @ NE
9. Marc Bulger, St. Louis @ CIN (Check Status)
10. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay @ HOU (Check Status)
11. Kurt Warner, Arizona @ SEA
12. Brett Favre, Green Bay vs. OAK (Check Status)
13. David Garrard, Jacksonville vs. CAR
14. Eli Manning, New York Giants @ PHI
15. Jon Kitna, Detroit vs. DAL
16. Donovan McNabb, Philly vs. NYG (Check Status)
17. Philip Rivers, San Diego @ TEN
18. Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota @ SF
19. Jason Campbell, Washington vs. CHI
20. Kellen Clemens, New York Jets vs. CLE

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1 CommentPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Dec. 6, 2007 at 10:32am in NFL Fantasy News, Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Football: Week 13 Position Ranks

November 28, 2007

Cowboys vs. Packers Game Huge; Kids are Stupid

It’s Week 13 of the NFL season. For most of you, there are only two weeks left in the fantasy regular season and time is running painfully short. For others, this is the last week of the season and your last chance to secure a playoff spot or playoff bye. Make a mistake on who to start this week and your decision will weigh heavily on your conscience over the next nine whiskey-soaked months. Choose correctly, and you live to talk trash another day. Fortunately, ETB’s Week 13 Position Ranks are just in time, listing our top 20 QBs, 30 RBs, 36 WRs, 15 TEs, and 15 Team Defenses based on past performance, injuries, bye weeks, and matchups.

Be sure to have your Cowboys and Packers queued up in time for this Thursday’s football match on NFL Network. The black crow flies at midnight. Godspeed.

More Free Fantasy Advice for Week 13:

- ETB’s Week 13 Stock Report

- ETB’s Week 13 Matchups

- ETB’s Week 13 Cheat Sheet

Fantasy Week 13: Top 20 Quarterbacks

Wayne Brady's Younger Brother

1. Tom Brady, New England @ BAL
2. Tony Romo, Dallas vs. GB
3. Brett Favre, Green Bay @ DAL
4. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh vs. CIN
5. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis vs. JAX
6. Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. TB
7. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle @ PHI
8. Derek Anderson, Cleveland @ ARZ
9. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati @ PIT
10. Kurt Warner, Arizona vs. CLE
11. Jon Kitna, Detroit @ MIN
12. Matt Schaub, Houston @ TEN
13. Eli Manning, New York Giants @ CHI
14. Jay Cutler, Denver @ OAK
15. Jason Campbell, Washington vs. BUF
16. Luke McCown, Tampa Bay @ NO
17. Philip Rivers, San Diego @ KC
18. David Garrard, Jacksonville @ IND
19. A.J. Feeley, Philadelphia vs. SEA (Check McNabb’s Status)
20. Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota vs. DET

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No CommentsPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Nov. 28, 2007 at 3:02pm in Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Football: Week Twelve Position Ranks

November 21, 2007


(Tom Strattman/AP Photo)

(Tom Strattman/AP Photo)

Your Thanksgiving feast has arrived one day early, and man is it stuffed. It’s ETB’s Week Twelve Position ranks, which spell out our top 20 QBs, 30 RBs, 36 WRs, 15 TEs, and 15 Team Defenses based on past performance, injuries, bye weeks, and matchups. It’s a bit of an odd week this time around, especially for running backs, so best of luck figuring out how to sort through it all. We believe in you. We trust you. We’re watching you.

Fantasy Week Twelve: Top 20 Quarterbacks

Wayne Brady's Younger Brother

1. Tom Brady, New England vs. PHI
2. Tony Romo, Dallas vs. NYJ
3. Brett Favre, Green Bay @ DET
4. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle @ STL
5. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis @ ATL
6. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh vs. MIA
7. Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. MIN
8. Derek Anderson, Cleveland vs. HOU
9. Drew Brees, New Orleans @ CAR
10. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati vs. TEN
11. Kurt Warner, Arizona vs. SF
12. Matt Schaub, Houston @ CLE
13. Marc Bulger, St. Louis @ SEA
14. David Garrard, Jacksonville vs. BUF
15. Jon Kitna, Detroit vs. GB
16. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia @ NE (Check Status)
17. Philip Rivers, San Diego vs. BAL
18. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay vs. WSH
19. Vince Young, Tennessee @ CIN
20. Jason Campbell, Washington @ TB

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7 CommentsPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Nov. 21, 2007 at 12:39pm in NFL Fantasy News, Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Football: Week Eleven Position Ranks

November 15, 2007

Romo is rolling

Sound the trumpets and find Andy Reid’s “little card” bearing Dwarf–ETB’s Week Eleven position ranks are walking down the aisle, and you’re invited to the after party. Read on for our top 20 QBs, 30 RBs, 36 WRs, 15 TEs, and 15 Team Defenses based on past performance, injuries, bye weeks, and matchups. And hey, we’re watching you: don’t think we don’t know when you go elsewhere for expert fantasy analysis. It makes us sad. And angry. To be on the safe side, just… don’t… do it. ETB has everything you need, though fantasy kickers are living jokes and we don’t deal with them. So you can go to another site for them, and them only.

More Week Eleven Fantasy Advice:

ETB’s Week Eleven Matchups

ETB’s Week Eleven Stock Report

ETB’s Week Eleven Cheat Sheet

Fantasy Week Eleven: Top 20 Quarterbacks

Wayne Brady's Younger Brother

1. Tom Brady, New England @ BUF
2. Tony Romo, Dallas vs. WSH
3. Brett Favre, Green Bay vs. CAR
4. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis vs. KC
5. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh @ NYJ
6. Drew Brees, New Orleans @ HOU
7. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia vs. MIA
8. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle vs. CHI
9. Marc Bulger, St. Louis @ SF
10. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati vs. ARZ
11. Derek Anderson, Cleveland @ BAL
12. Eli Manning, New York Giants @ DET
13. Kurt Warner, Arizona @ CIN
14. Jon Kitna, Detroit vs. NYG
15. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay @ ATL
16. Philip Rivers, San Diego @ JAX
17. Jason Campbell, Washington @ DAL
18. Vince Young, Tennessee @ DEN
19. J.P. Losman, Buffalo vs. NE
20. Jay Cutler, Denver vs. TEN

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3 CommentsPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Nov. 15, 2007 at 2:42pm in Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Football: Week Ten Position Ranks

November 8, 2007

Favre has carried his team to a surprising 7-1 record

You’ve been waiting all week for this–ETB’s Week Ten position ranks have finally arrived, and they’re as unflappable as Brett Favre. Read on for our top 20 QBs, 30 RBs, 36 WRs, 15 TEs, and 15 Team Defenses based on past performance, injuries, bye weeks, and matchups. And hey, we’re watching you: don’t think we don’t know when you go elsewhere for expert fantasy analysis. It makes us sad. And angry. To be on the safe side, just… don’t… do it. ETB has everything you need, though fantasy kickers are living jokes and we don’t deal with them. So you can go to another site for them, and them only.

More Week Ten Fantasy Advice:

ETB’s Week Ten Matchups

ETB’s Week Ten Cheat Sheet

ETB’s Week Ten Stock Report

Week Ten Quick Hits

Fantasy Week Ten: Top 20 Quarterbacks

I'm the man this week. Not Brady. Me. I'm the man.

1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis @ SD
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. STL
3. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh vs. CLE (Check Status)
4. Brett Favre, Green Bay vs. MIN
5. Tony Romo, Dallas @ NYG
6. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle vs. SF
7. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati @ BAL
8. Eli Manning, New York Giants vs. DAL
9. Jon Kitna, Detroit @ ARZ
10. Marc Bulger, St. Louis @ NO
11. Derek Anderson, Cleveland @ PIT
12. Kurt Warner, Arizona vs. DET
13. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia @ WSH
14. J.P. Losman, Buffalo @ MIA
15. Philip Rivers, San Diego vs. IND
16. Vince Young, Tennessee vs. JAX
17. Cleo Lemon, Miami vs. BUF
18. Brian Griese, Chicago @ OAK
19. Jason Campbell, Washington vs. PHI
20. Alex Smith, San Francisco @ SEA

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2 CommentsPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Nov. 8, 2007 at 10:41am in NFL Fantasy News, Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Football: Week Nine Cheat Sheet

November 2, 2007

Plugging in you studs at RB, QB, and WR is easy. Filling in the fringes of your roster every week is not. We agonize over these decisions until 7 minutes before kickoff, then kick ourselves about the guys we started 10 minutes after kickoff. We’re taling about the WR/TE Flex and WR/RB Flex plays, and they’re a bitch.

Down the stretch of the Fantasy Football regular season, ETB has made small change in policy. We have expanded our Position Rankings to include 20 Quarterbacks, 30 Running backs, 36 Wide Receivers, 15 Tight Ends and 15 Team Defenses. You can now refer to those ranks for your WR3 and RB2 options. For the remainder of the season our Cheat Sheet will only focus on those crucial flex-position rankings.

Vernon Davis is muscular

Hope you’re ready to Melvin your opponent–Empty the Bench’s Week Nine Cheat Sheet is here.

Week 9 Cheat Sheet Rankings

Week 9 Wide Receiver/Tight End Flex Plays

1. Bobby Engram, Seattle @ CLE
2. Reggie Brown, Philadelphia vs. DAL
3. Vernon Davis, San Francisco @ ATL
4. Tony Scheffler, Denver @ DET
5. Brandon Stokley, Denver @ DET
6. Donald Lee, Green Bay @ KC
7. Eric Johnson, New Orleans vs. JAX
8. David Patten, New Orleans vs. JAX
9. James Jones, Green Bay @ KC
10. Jeff King, Carolina @ TEN

Fortune Cookies: Cleveland’s secondary is one of the league’s worst and Matt Hasselbeck is rolling, so with Deion Branch likely out Bobby Engram should be active and catch at least 5 or 6 passes… We have a feeling there’ll be points a-plenty in this big NFC East clash, and Reggie Brown went over 100 yards receiving last week… Vernon Davis produced in garbage time against the Saints, and should take advantage of Team Turmoil as Alex Smith’s only reliable receiving target… We love this matchup for Broncos TE Tony Scheffler, who’ll be extra motivated as he comes back to his home state of Michigan to take on a Lions defense that gives up big yardage… Ditto for Brandon Stokley, whose speed, good hands, and knack for getting open will serve him well as Jay Cutler’s #2 wideout option… Fellow TE Bubba Franks is out, and Donald Lee has not caught less than 3 passes in any given week; he’s also due for a TD having not scored since Week 2… Drew Brees is back and spreading the ball around rather well; both Eric Johnson and David Patten figure to benefit from solid coverage on Marques Colston and Devery Henderson… That was one helluva play on Monday Night from rookie James Jones, who ran past Champ Bailey then juked his way into the endzone for a 79-yard TD… David Carr doesn’t have an arm and the Titans can get to the quarterback, so Jeff King could be in for some dump passes…

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No CommentsPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Nov. 2, 2007 at 3:14pm in NFL Fantasy News, Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Football: Week Nine Position Ranks

November 1, 2007

Reggie Wayne will be heard against the Pats

Here they are, the second week of ETB’s expanded weekly position rankings. Every Thursday we’ll give you our top 20 QBs, 30 RBs, 36 WRs, 15 TEs, and 15 Team Defenses based on past performance, injuries, bye weeks, and matchups. There’s a lot of fantasy articles delicately whispering sweet nothings into your ear this week, but there’s only one you can really count on: ETB’s Week Nine Fantasy Rankings.

They’re here and they’re loaded for bear. Sorry, kickers don’t get orange vests.

More Week Nine Fantasy Advice:

ETB’s Week Nine Matchups

ETB’s Week Nine Stock Report

ETB’s Week Nine Quick Hits

ETB’s Week Nine Cheat Sheet

ETB’s Week Nine Fantasy Mailbag

Fantasy Week Nine: Top 20 Quarterbacks

Wayne Brady's Younger Brother

1. Tom Brady, New England @ IND
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis vs. NE
3. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle @ CLE
4. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati @ BUF
5. Tony Romo, Dallas @ PHI
6. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia vs. DAL
7. Philip Rivers, San Diego @ MIN
8. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh vs. BAL
9. Drew Brees, New Orleans vs. JAX
10. Derek Anderson, Cleveland vs. SEA
11. Brett Favre, Green Bay @ KC
12. Jay Cutler, Denver @ DET
13. Jon Kitna, Detroit vs. DEN
14. Kurt Warner, Arizona @ TB
15. Jason Campbell, Washington @ NYJ
16. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay vs. ARZ
17. J.P. Losman, Buffalo vs. CIN
18. Vince Young, Tennessee vs. CAR
19. Damon Huard, Kansas City vs. GB
20. Sage Rosenfels, Houston @ OAK

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3 CommentsPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Nov. 1, 2007 at 12:59pm in NFL Fantasy News, Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Football: Week Eight Cheat Sheet

October 26, 2007

Starting the studs at RB, QB, and WR is easy, but fantasy championships are won with the well-informed decisions we all make on fringe starters every week. We agonize over these players until 7 minutes before kickoff, then kick ourselves about the guys we started 8 minutes after kickoff; we’re talking about the WR/TE Flex and WR/RB Flex plays.

As we gear up for the playoff run, Empty the Bench will be making a small change in policy. We have expanded our Position Rankings to include 20 Quarterbacks, 30 Running backs, 36 Wide Receivers, 15 Tight Ends and 15 Team Defenses. You can now refer to the Position Ranks for your WR3 and RB2 ranks. From here on out, the Cheat Sheet will be focused on those crucial flex-position rankings.

Jump for joy, Lee Evans gets the Jets

Prepare to plant foot squarely in ass–Empty the Bench’s Week Eight Cheat Sheet is here.

Week 8 Cheat Sheet Rankings

Week 8 Wide Receiver/Tight End Flex Plays

1. Lee Evans, Buffalo @ NYJ
2. Andre’ Davis, Houston @ SD
3. Greg Jennings, Green Bay @ DEN
4. Tony Scheffler, Denver vs. GB
5. Donald Lee, Green Bay @ DEN
6. Devery Henderson, New Orleans @ SF
7. Owen Daniels, Houston @ SD
8. Ronald Curry, Oakland @ TEN
9. Roydell Williams, Tennessee vs. OAK
10. Devin Hester, Chicago vs. DET

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No CommentsPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Oct. 26, 2007 at 2:36pm in NFL Fantasy News, Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Football: Week 8 Position Rankings

October 25, 2007

Can anyone keep up with Moss?

Lucky you, starting this week Empty the Bench have slightly expanded our weekly position rankings. Every Thursday we’ll give you our top 20 QBs, 30 RBs, 36 WRs, 15 TEs, and 15 Team Defenses based on recent performance, injuries, bye weeks, and matchups. There’s a ton of conflicting ranks out there, but there’s only a few you can really count on. We’d like to think we’re one of ‘em. Buttoned up like never before, it’s ETB’s Week 8 Fantasy Rankings sans the idiot kickers.

More Week Eight Fantasy Advice:

ETB’s Week Eight Matchups

ETB’s Week Eight Stock Report

Fantasy Week 8: Top 20 Quarterbacks

Wayne Brady's Younger Brother

1. Tom Brady, New England vs. WSH
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis @ CAR
3. Ben Roethslisberger, Pittsburgh @ CIN
4. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia @ MIN
5. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati vs. PIT
6. Eli Manning, New York Giants @ MIA
7. Derek Anderson, Cleveland @ STL
8. Drew Brees, New Orleans @ SF
9. Jon Kitna, Detroit @ CHI
10. Brian Griese, Chicago vs. DET
11. Vince Young, Tennessee vs. OAK
12. Philip Rivers, San Diego vs. HOU
13. Chad Pennington, New York Jets vs. BUF (Check Status)
14. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay vs. JAX
15. Brett Favre, Green Bay @ DEN
16. Marc Bulger, St. Louis vs. CLE
17. Jay Cutler, Denver vs. GB
18. Jason Campbell, Washington @ NE
19. Cleo Lemon, Miami vs. NYG
20. Trent Edwards, Buffalo @ NYJ

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No CommentsPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Oct. 25, 2007 at 3:15pm in NFL Fantasy News, Fantasy Rankings

Fantasy Basketball: NBA SG Rankings 1-30

October 20, 2007

No other SG comes close

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: We’re going to ignore the soap opera out in LA and assume Bryant is on the court for the opener in a Lakers jersey. Based purely on what he can do on that court, Bryant is probably the best player in the NBA. He’s also one of the best players in fantasy basketball, if not the best. You aren’t going to find anybody else who can string together 50-points games like Bryant, or anybody who can drop 81 like he did two years ago. What’s more amazing is that he finds time to drop 5 assists, grab 6 boards and snag around 1.5 steals. He can buoy your FT% by himself by attempting 10 a game and hitting over 85% of them, and he won’t kill your FG% with is 46.3% shooting. He even hits a couple of threes a game. The only thing to worry about is the 3+ turnovers, but that should not be much of a consideration with your first-round pick: you want a guy who has the ball in his hands this much.

2. Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets: He doesn’t come close in real life, but in a strict fantasy-basketball sense Vince is a poor man’s Kobe. He provides pretty much the same arsenal, just a tad worse in every category. Playing with the ageless Jason Kidd makes Carter look good every night, and he has elite natural talent. His line of 25 points, nearly 5 assists, 6 boards, 1 steal and almost 2 three-pointers is extremely valuable. Vince can fill it up, but so can a lot of other SG/SFs so you shouldn’t think about drafting him until the middle of the second round.

3. Ray Allen, Boston Celtics: Nobody knows how this new Celtic lineup is going to work in terms of fantasy production, but it’s probably safe to assume Ray won’t have the ball in his hands as much as he did in years past. Then again, he should also find himself open a lot more on the perimeter, and that’s scary. The guy has attempted more than 8 three-pointers a game each of the last two seasons, and he knocks down a tidy 39.7% of them. He can carry your team in threes, and he’s also a fantastic source of help in FT% where he usually attempts over 5 per game and hits around 90% of ‘em. He’ll also give you some help with around 4 assists, 4.5 boards and 1.5 steals to go with 25 points. The FG% isn’t ideal (43.8% on 21 attempts last season), but it’s not for a lack of touch and we expect him to force fewer shots and get more quality looks this season.

4. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat: Because of the various injury concerns that always seem to be swirling about the 6-4 slasher, Wade is a prime candidate to slide into the third round of your draft (he’s out until at least December). If you’re the patient type and don’t mind rooting for a member of the loathsome Heat, snap him in such a scenario. When he’s on the court Wade is a fantasy goldmine–just take a look at his per-game averages from 06/07: 27.4 points, 7.5 assists, 4.7 boards, 2.1 steals, 49% FG, 80% FT, even 1.2 blocks (!). The Heat just don’t have much depth, and Wade will again be counted on to carry them.

5. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets: If we knew he’d play a full slate of games, we’d feel a lot more comfortable drafting McGrady. His tremendous production warrants a pick in the third round, but his chronic bad problems make him somebody we avoid on draft day. He’s managed just 118/164 games the last two seasons and taken himself out of numerous others early. When he is on the court his FG% (never above 43.1% in Houston, always over 20 attempts) and FT% (75.2% on 6.5 attempts career) will kill you. Things could be different this year though, new HC Rick Adelman is the offensive mind behind the Sacramento Kings of the late 90s and early 00s and the Portland Trailblazers of the early 90s. He should open things up a lot more than the strictly defensive-minded Jeff van Gundy. And you can’t quibble with McGrady’s 24.6 points, 1.3 steals, 6.5 assists, 5.3 boards and 1.8 threes from last year.

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1 CommentPosted by Andrew Thell and Brian Spencer on Oct. 20, 2007 at 5:10pm in NBA, NBA Fantasy News, Fantasy Rankings

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