If Bobby Jenks continues to struggle as Chicago's closer, Matt Thornton would be the likely candidate for some save opportunities.

Each week our Fantasy Baseball experts will give fantasy owners their top choices for players to pick up for all leagues, as well as some players to consider in deeper leagues. If you have any Fantasy Baseball questions for our experts feel free to post them in post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.

Delmon Young MIN | OF

Young is 5th in the league in RBI’s and he is getting no love in the fantasy world. He is still young, he is batting for average and power, and it’s time to pick him up. We have been waiting for a lot time for Young to have a break out season, and it looks like 2010 is the year. (about 75% owned)

Jack Cust OAK | OF

We don’t think Cust has a huge upside, but he should be a nice source of power. He is available in a lot of leagues and could be worth an add if you need any extra pop in your outfield. He is batting over .300 in the last month with good power. (about 15% owned)

Austin Jackson DET | OF

After an amazing start Jackson cooled off big time during May and June, but it looks like he has his bat going again. He is batting over .340 in July and he is worth an add if you are looking at improving your batting average. He will also throw in a few steals and a good amount of runs. (about 50% owned)

Starlin Castro CHC | SS

Castro isn’t going to give you any power, but he has been batting for a great average lately. He is batting .380 in the last month and he has decent speed and RBI totals as well. It looks like Castro could be the real deal and he is worth a look if you need help at shortstop. (about 30% owned)

Gordon Beckham CWS | 2B/3B

We have talked about Beckham for a couple weeks in a row now, but he is still available in a ton of leagues. He has a huge upside and his position eligibility makes him even more desirable. It looks like he has finally got his bat going and he should have a great second half. (about 60% owned)

Alfredo Simon BAL | RP

Simon is far from the best closer in the league, and he plays for one of the worst teams. However, he is still worth a roster spot in most leagues. He will give you a decent ERA, and give you an ok amount of saves. Simon should not be available in 60% of leagues, add him to your team if you need help with saves. (about 40% owned)

J.J. Putz CWS | RP

It looks like Jenks is out as the White Sox closer, but it is yet to be seen who is going to take over. Putz is one of the likely candidates and he has been one of the best relief pitchers in 2010. Putz will have huge value if he ends up taking over the closer job. (about 35% owned)

Matt Thornton CWS | RP

Thornton has had some rocky outings this year, but for the most part he has put up amazing number. He is in the running for the closer job in Chicago and in our opinion has the upper hand. Whoever takes over the closer role with the White Sox is going to have a ton of value, and our money is on Thornton. (about 60% owned)

If you have any Fantasy Baseball questions feel free to post them in post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.

2010 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Cheatsheet | Sleepers | Busts | Deep Sleepers

With the addition of Jason Campbell, Schilens will see a bump in fantasy value and is worth a look in the late rounds.

It’s hard to win a fantasy league without making a few great late picks during the draft. Every year there are a handful of guys that go late but end up having huge value. Our experts give you a list of deep sleepers that you should target in the late rounds of your 2010 fantasy football draft. If you have any fantasy football questions about a sleepers, busts, or who to draft, feel free to post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.

Derrick Ward RB | TB

Ward was a favorite sleeper pick last season after signing a good-sized free agent deal. We still aren’t convinced that Carnell Williams is the answer for the Bucs and with Ward’s explosive running style and receiving ability, we think he could be in line for a lot more touches. Tampa Bay should be a lot better on offense this year, and Ward could put up big numbers if he gets a chance to start.

Leon Washington RB | SEA

Washington has always been an exciting player to watch, but he has yet to put together a fantasy relevant season. A broken leg ended his 2009 campaign, but he should be 100% by the time the season starts. We doubt he will start the season as the No.1 running back, as he will be competing for touches with Justin Forsett and Julius Jones, but we do think he will see a decent amount of carries, and he could take over the job at some point this season.

Bernard Scott RB | CIN

Cedric Benson was overworked and banged up last year, and we think it could happen again. Scott was impressive when given a chance to start in ‘09, and if given another shot he should put up great numbers. Benson has a history of injuries and has never played an entire 16-game season and with Larry Johnson gone there will be less competition for touches. We think Scott is a great gamble really late in the draft or at least a handcuff pick for Benson owners.

Arian Foster RB | HOU

All eyes have been on rookie Ben Tate and Steve Slaton, but don’t overlook Arian Foster.We think Tate has the biggest long term value and Slaton will get some touches, but it looks like Foster will be given a chance to start. If he plays well right out of the gate, Foster could hold onto the job all year. He’s worth a look late in deeper drafts this summer.

Early Doucet WR | ARI

Doucet had some great games down the stretch last year, and we think he could pick up right were he left off. The trade of Anquan Boldin gives Doucet a better chance of making an impact, but he will likely be the No. 3 WR for the Cardinals behind Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston. With Matt Leinart taking over for Kurt Warner the Cardinals passing game may not be as effective, but Doucet could be a nice surprise this season.

Johnny Knox WR | CHI

There has been a lot of talk about Mike Martz coming to the Bears, and what that could mean for the offense. Essentially, all Bears receivers get a boost in value, but Knox will need to hold off Devin Aromashodu and Earl Bennett for a starting spot. Knox found the end zone five times last year and we wouldn’t be shocked if his numbers go up across the board. Whether he starts or not, he still has plenty of sleeper potential and is worth a late-round pick in most leagues.

Chaz Schilens WR | OAK

We liked Schilens as a sleeper last year, but an early foot injury forced him to miss almost the entire season. When he came back he played pretty well and we think he has a solid year. With the addition of Jason Campbell, the Raiders finally have a decent quarterback, so they should be able to find the end zone more in 2010.

Mohamed Massaquoi WR | CLE

Massaquoi had a lot of good games last year, but consistency was a big issue. Cleveland added some more experience at the quarterback position with Seneca Wallace and Jake Delhomme, but we still don’t think the Browns offense is going to be much better this year. However, we do think Massaquoi could be more consistent. We doubt he will put up huge numbers this year, but we think he could get close to 1,000 yards and a handful of TD’s.

Julian Edelman WR | NE

Wes Welker likely miss the start of the 2010 season and there is a decent chance he could be out for a good part of the year. This is going to open up the door for Edelman to get some playing time. He could have decent value during the first part of the season and should do well in PPR leagues, but be sure to monitor Welker’s status during preseason.

Devin Thomas WR | WAS

The Redskins were a huge disappointment last year, but they have done a lot to improve their offense. Thomas appears to have a strong hold on the number two receiver job, and with his speed he could quickly become one of Donovan McNabb’s favorite targets. Thomas is one of our favorite wide receiver deep sleepers and he could be an absolute steal in the later rounds.

2010 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Cheatsheet | Sleepers | Busts | Deep Sleepers

Clinton Portis could offer decent value for where you will be able to get him in the draft. (photo by Keith Allison)

Drafting solid core players in the early rounds paired with the ability to pick players that will outperform their draft position in the later rounds is the formula for any successful fantasy football draft. Keep in mind that with every sleeper, there is a bit of risk involved. We have often seen a tendency to draft over-hyped sleepers too early, which completely defeats the purpose. So with that being said, be sure to load up on proven players first, and then as the mid-to-late rounds approach you may want to take a gamble on some of the players on this list. If you have any fantasy football questions about a sleepers, busts, or who to draft, feel free to post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.

Montario Hardesty CLE | RB

The 225-pound Hardesty will be a nice compliment to the undersized Jerome Harrison. Harrison had a strong finish to the 2009 season and will be the starter entering the 2010 season, however Hardesty is a threat to his workload and could eventually take over as the Brown’s No. 1 back. It is worth mentioning that the Browns face a lot of tough run defenses and Hardesty does have a history of injuries, but if he holds up he’s got a decent chance of moving up the depth chart and having fantasy value as a rookie.

Michael Bush OAK | RB

In his first two seasons, Bush averaged 4.6 yards per carry and has shown he deserves a shot at more touches. Darren McFadden will likely start the season as the Raider’s No. 1 back, but Bush will have less competition for carries with Justin Fargas gone. McFadden has more value in PPR leagues, but Bush will be used more in short-yardage situations and is better-suited for TD-only leagues. While both of these players have some fantasy value and should be drafted in all leagues, we think Bush is the better back and a great sleeper pick.

Clinton Portis WAS | RB

After seeing more than 300 carries in each of the previous two seasons, Portis only had 124 carries in 2009 after missing the final eight games with a concussion. Portis will be the No. 1 back to start the 2010 season despite the off-season additions of Larry Johnson and Willie Parker. With his lingering injury concerns, combined with the crowded backfield, Portis will likely fall pretty deep on your draft board. We’re not saying he’ll return to fantasy glory because he is reunited with Mike Shanahan, but we are saying he could offer decent value for where you will be able to get him in the draft.

Fred Jackson BUF | RB

Jackson will likely be the No. 1 back to start the season, but he will be in a timeshare with the Bills first-round pick C.J. Spiller. Both of these players will have some fantasy value as they will be used in different situations. Jackson will likely be in first and second down formations, while Spiller will serve more in third down or passing situations. Marshawn Lynch will be in the mix as well, but he’s dropped to third on the depth chart and is not likely to be much of a factor. Spiller may be the back of the future for the Bills, but Jackson will have more fantasy value in 2010.

Ben Tate HOU | RB

Houston has one of the best offenses in the league, but they are in desperate need of a rushing attack. The Texans drafted Tate in the second round, and although he’ll be competing for carries with Steve Slaton and Arian Foster, he should have a strong shot at moving up the depth chart and winning the primary running back duties. This is a great situation for Tate and we expect his name will be on the list for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Donald Brown IND | RB

Coming off a 2,000- yard college campaign in 2008 and first-round selection by the Colts, Brown was surrounded by a lot of hype entering his rookie season. Unfortunately for fantasy owners, he never passed Joseph Addai on the depth chart and missed five games with a shoulder injury. While think Brown will be a bigger part of the Colt’s offense, it still might take an injury to Addai for Brown to get more than 200 carries. Either way, he’s a no-brainer handcuff with a lot of upside.

Jeremy Maclin PHI | WR

Maclin had a few good games in 2009, but also showed some inconsistency you’d expect from a rookie. Despite these inconsistencies and a nagging foot injury, he ended the season with 56 catches for 773 yards. Coming into his second year, there are a couple changes regarding the Eagles offense, mainly new starting QB Kevin Kolb. We like Kolb and we also like that defenses will need to focus on slowing down DeSean Jackson. Maclin is a great fit for the West Coast offense and is very attractive mid-round pick.

Devin Aromashodu CHI | WR

Aromashodu’s 2009 numbers as a whole are not that eye-popping, but in the final four games he was targeted 39 times, had 22 receptions for 282 yards, and four scores. His 6′2″ frame gives Jay Cutler another Brandon Marshall type target and with the addition of offensive coordinator Mike Martz, there should be plenty of passes to go around. Aromashodu is a very intriguing pick this season with a huge upside.

Zach Miller OAK | TE

Despite a stagnant Oakland offense, Miller still managed to haul in 66 catches for 805 yards last season. With an upgrade at quarterback in Jason Campbell, Miller is one of the handful of Raiders players worthy of fantasy consideration. Chris Cooley was Campbell’s best weapon in Washington and it’s likely Miller will be the top receiving option in Oakland. The tight end position is much deeper this year, but Miller could give you great fantasy value later in the draft.

Malcom Floyd SD | WR

Floyd’s fantasy stock will be high to start the season while Vincent Jackson serves a three-game suspension, but his value could extend much longer as Jackson has threatened to holdout for the first 10 games of the season. While a 10-game holdout is unlikely, this situation is still worth monitoring as it will have a big impact on their draft position. Floyd will be either the second or third receiving option for the Chargers, but his size makes him a capable red zone target.

If you have any fantasy football questions about a sleepers, busts, or who to draft, feel free to post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.

Brian Roberts is ready to end his 14-week stay on the DL and he’s a great option at a thin position. (photo by Keith Allison)

Each week our Fantasy Baseball experts will give fantasy owners their top choices for players to pick up for all leagues, as well as some players to consider in deeper leagues. If you have any Fantasy Baseball questions for our experts feel free to post them in post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.

Add in all leagues

Delmon Young MIN | OF

How is Young still only owned in 60% of leagues? He is a young player with a ton of upside, and he is having a great year. He is batting over .300 and he is on pace to have well over 100 RBI’s. Pick him up now if he is still available. (about 60% owned)

Carlos Quentin CWS | OF

In the last month Quentin has been one of the hottest players in baseball. He has been batting for power and average, and it seems like he has found his power stroke again. It looks like the Quentin from 2008 could be back. (about 75% owned)

Chase Headley SD | 3B/OF

Headley started out the season on fire, but quickly came crashing back down to earth. Recently however, he has started to hit the ball a lot better and it seems like he is breaking out of his slump. His position eligibility is a nice plus and we think he could have value for the rest of the season. (about 50% owned)

Matt LaPorta CLE | 1B/OF

We talked about LaPorta before the all-star break, and he is still putting up solid numbers. This youngster has a big upside and we think he is worth a roster spot in most leagues. (about 20% owned)

Gordon Beckham CWS | 2B/3B

Beckham was one of our favorite sleepers coming into the season, but he has really struggled to get his bat going. However, he is starting to show some signs of breaking out of this slump, and we think it’s time to pick him up before someone else does. (about 50% owned)

Brian Roberts BAL | 2B

When healthy, Roberts is a top 5 second basemen, and he should be back in the Orioles lineup within the next week. We aren’t sure if he will be able to make an instant impact, but if he is truly healthy he will help your team when it counts the most. (about 70% owned)

Max Scherzer DET | SP

The main thing that sticks out about Scherzer is his strikeout totals. He has 7+ strikeouts in 7 of his last 9 games. He is going to be inconsistent, but we expect him to pitch many gems in the second half of the season. (about 60% owned)

Wandy Rodriguez HOU | SP

Wandy has been a big disappointment this year and he has not made his owners very happy. He has started to show some signs of figuring it out, and he is worth picking up if you need a SP. He showed us last year what he is capable of, and we think he will have a lot of good starts in the second half of the 2010 season. (about 70% owned)

John Axford MIL | RP

Axford has been amazing so far this year, but he is still available in a lot of leagues. He has a sub 3 ERA, a 5-1 record, and he is perfect on all 12 of his save opportunities. What does he have to do to get picked up? We think he should have value for the rest of the season, and he should be owned in almost all leagues at this point. (about 55% owned)

If you have any Fantasy Baseball questions feel free to post them in post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.

2010 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Cheatsheet | Sleepers | Busts | Deep Sleepers

Hines Ward will be without Big Ben for at least four games and it has been well documented that the Steelers want to run the ball more this season. (photo by Keith Allison)

The 2010 fantasy football season is finally here and everyone loves to think about drafting the top sleepers. However, not drafting the busts, or avoiding paying too high for a player can go a long way towards helping you build a championship roster. This article will discuss various wide receivers, running backs, and tight ends not to draft too high, or avoid completely, for your fantasy football draft. If you have any fantasy football questions about a sleepers, busts, or who to draft, feel free to post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.

Robert Meachem NO | WR

First and foremost, Meachem had a pin placed in his foot in the off-season and is on record as saying “I have no idea when I will be 100%.” If that is not cause for concern then take a look at his 2009 stats. Sure nine touchdowns looks nice but when you only have a total of 45 catches on the year (that’s 20% for you math wizards) that has to scare fantasy owners. The Saints spread the ball around so much that Meachem could be overlooked this year and if you take away 3 of those touchdowns he would be going in the late late rounds in this years draft.

Calvin Johnson DET | WR

Remember this is overvalued/bust article. By no means are we saying that Calvin is going to have an awful year however, where you have to draft him it might not be worth the risk. It is not his fault however, Johnson has all the talent in the world but the Lions still have an inexperienced quarterback in Matt Stafford who plays behind an offensive line that gives him little to no time to get the deep ball out. Even when the time is there, Johnson will see double coverage every down. Due to these factors, Megatron only found the endzone 5 times last year and we find it tough to think he will reach double digits this year.

Dez Bryant DAL | WR

Remember a few years ago when someone reached on Darren McFadden and took him in the third round of your draft and stated – Sleeper!? Remember how he did nothing his rookie season and that someone finished close to the bottom of your league? We see it every season, one rookie getting all of the hype and going way too early on draft day. Sure Bryant is a great addition to the Cowboys but as an addition to your fantasy team he is certainly not worth it. We think he will have a productive rookie season but that does not translate into a productive fantasy season. Tony Romo has too many weapons around him and Bryant will be a fourth option for him at best. Stay away from drafting Bryant and mock the owner that takes him in the 5th or 6th round.

DeSean Jackson PHI | WR

Easy there, he will have a very good year but don’t take the risk drafting him so high when there will be more sure WR bets on the board. I am guessing you think I will talk about how Donavan McNabb is gone or how Kevin Kolb has yet to play a full season but that is not the entire case here. Mr. Highlight broke the NFL record for touchdowns over 50 yards last season but take away three of those breakaways and Jackson would have fallen out of the top 20 in receiving yards – so just three touchdown saving tackles is all that we are talking about here. All were saying is that paired with the new QB makes us a little wary of spending higher draft pick on him.

Devin Hester CHI | WR

Don’t be the guy to panic in the middle to late rounds and see Devin Hester sitting on the board and drafting him. The experiment of moving Hester to a WR role has not panned out and it is once again very doubtful it will this year. Reports are stating that Hester will be moving to the slot this season and our guess is if the Bears didn’t give him that 41 million dollar contract he would be just returning kicks again.

Hines Ward PIT | WR

Big Ben is going to miss at least 4 weeks which is reason enough to let that Steelers fan in your draft take Ward a few rounds too early. Even without the Roethlisberger situation it might be wise to steer clear of Ward. He turned 34 years old in March and it has been well documented that the Steelers plan on going back to their run game this year. Expect the Steelers to slow the pace this year and in turn slow down Wards production.

Tony Gonzalez ATL | TE

Gonzalez is one catch away from his 1,000th and what does that mean? That he is getting old. Even at his age Gonzalez should be a fantasy factor and should be drafted in all leagues. The reason he is on this list is because the tight end position is the deepest in recent memory and there is a very good chance you will find a tight end just as productive three to four rounds later.

Ronnie Brown MIA | RB

Brown is coming off another injury heading into 2010. This is our first concern, the fact that he is coming off this injury and the fact it seems he is always coming off an injury is another red flag. One more reason to fear drafting Brown is Ricky Williams, sure Ricky is an older back but does not have the miles on him. He proved last season he could be a very productive number one rusher in the league and the Fins know that.

Cedric Benson CIN | RB

Benson was one of our sleepers last season and we certainly were on the mark with that one so you might wonder why we would consider him a bust candidate this year? He was a bust four seasons in a row prior to last season, Bernard Scott stepped in and was very productive when Benson was out. Benson is also an injury concern, but the most telling fact is that in his last six games in 2009 he did not find the endzone.

All Jets Wide Receivers NYJ | WR

News flash, Mark Sanchez is not the most productive quarterback in the world. True he showed he could be a good quarterback, and a great game manager last season, but they rarely asked him to throw the ball. He only threw over 30 times in three games last season. The Jets are a run first team and with good reason, their line can control a game. The addition of Holmes will be a nice pairing with Edwards and Cotchery the only issue is; it is highly doubtful the Jets will throw the ball enough to make one let alone three good fantasy players. It is just not worth the roll of the dice to draft any of these guys.

If you have any fantasy football questions about a sleepers, busts, or who to draft, feel free to post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.

2010 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Cheatsheet | Sleepers | Busts | Deep Sleepers

Chris Johnson eclipsed 2,000 yards rushing and ended the 2009 season on an 11-week streak of 100 or more yards on the ground.

2010 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings Outlook

With the increasing trend of NFL teams using committee backfields, the list of true running back workhorses continues to shrink. As a result, running backs are likely to fill the first and second rounds of most fantasy drafts making it more important than ever to snag one of these guys early.

Chris Johnson will likely be the No. 1 overall pick in your draft this year. Adrian Peterson, Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice round out our top tier and are all early first-round picks.

Our second tier consists of Frank Gore, Michael Turner, Steven Jackson, and DeAngelo Williams. All of these players will be gone before the end of the second round, further stressing the importance of snagging at least one of these guys with your first or second pick.

The third tier consists of quality backs that will likely see the bulk of the workload on a week-to-week basis, including Rashard Mendenhall, Shonn Greene, Ryan Grant, Cedric Benson, and Rookie of the Year candidate Ryan Matthews. Beyond this tier, there are very few options remaining that will not be in some kind of backfield timeshare.

Draft Day Advice

While the days of drafting running backs with your first and second pick are gone, the position is still critical to the success of your fantasy team. Having running back depth puts you at an advantage throughout the season since they are great trade bait and it’s difficult to find productive backs on the waiver wire.

If you have any questions for our fantasy experts, or you’re ready to start talking some football, sign up to join our free Fantasy Football Forum.

2010 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Cheatsheet | Sleepers | Busts | Deep Sleepers

In 2009, Drew Brees threw for 4,388 yards and 34 TDs while setting a career-high with a 109.6 passer rating.

2010 Fantasy Football Quarterbacks Rankings Outlook

There are plenty of solid options when it comes to this year’s crop of 2010 fantasy quarterbacks. Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Peyton Manning are as good as they get at the position, but there are several other low-risk options available deep into the draft.

Many rankings have Brees as the top QB, but Rodgers was second in fantasy scoring behind Chris Johnson last season. With an improved offensive line, breakout TE Jermichael Finley, and talented receiver corps, its hard not to imagine an upward trend. While we still feel that the top running backs should be drafted ahead of him, Rodgers is worthy of a early-round pick as he could lead all players in fantasy points in 2010.

If you don’t snag one of the top-tier quarterbacks, Matt Schaub, Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Philip Rivers, and Brett Favre represent the next group who are all worthy of a QB1 spot in all leagues.

If you don’t land a stud in the earlier rounds, or if your draft strategy is to stock up on running backs and receivers first, you can get still good production with high-upside options like Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, Jay Cutler, Kevin Kolb, and Matt Ryan just to name a few.

Draft Day Advice

Quarterback is a much deeper position this year, so it’s wise to spend your early-round picks on elite running backs and receivers. However, if you do draft one early, snagging players like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Peyton Manning will help secure a weekly advantage at the position.

If you have any questions for our fantasy experts, or you’re ready to start talking some football, sign up to join our free Fantasy Football Forum.

2010 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Cheatsheet | Sleepers | Busts | Deep Sleepers

Andre Johnson has posted back-to-back 100-reception, 1,500-yard seasons and was targeted a league-high 170 times in 2009.

2010 Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Rankings Outlook

As the NFL has evolved into a much more pass-happy league loaded with committee backfields, the wide receiver position is becoming increasingly valuable in fantasy football. There’s definitely a lot of depth at the position and top-tier wide receivers are flying off the board early in 2010.

Debates about top players at other positions continue, but most seem to agree that Andre Johnson is this year’s unanimous No. 1 receiver. Last season, the big debate was between Johsnon and Larry Fitzgerald. Without Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin, Fitzgerald’s value will take a slight hit, but still remains an elite option rounding out our first tier.

Our second tier includes a couple players that burst into fantasy relevance last year with Miles Austin and Sidney Rice. Was last year a fluke? We don’t think so. Tiers three and four consist of viable WR1 options as all but one topped the 1,000-yard mark last season. The remaining tiers are a mix of reliable vets such as Hines Ward and Donald Driver, as well sleeper candidates Jeremy Maclin, Malcom Floyd, and Devin Aromashodu.

Draft Day Advice

With the increasing trend in committee backfields, fantasy owners are drafting their receiving corps earlier than in years past. Whether your league starts two, three, or four receivers, and whether or not your league awards points for receptions, not snagging a top wide receiver with one of your early round picks is a big mistake.

If you have any questions for our fantasy experts, or you’re ready to start talking some football, sign up to join our free Fantasy Football Forum.

2010 Rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE | Cheatsheet | Sleepers | Busts | Deep Sleepers

Dallas Clark set career-highs in both receptions and receiving yards last year.

2010 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings Outlook

The tight end position is certainly not what it used to be and hasn’t been for a couple years now. In the past, the drop off from elite tight end options to the next group was so dramatic that owners were forced to spend an early round pick to lock up a reliable producer. If you missed out on a top-tier performer you were left scrambling for a viable option late in the draft or even scrounging week-to-week off the waiver wire.

That’s not the case this year. With many NFL teams drafting top talent at the tight end position, we’re seeing more and more tight ends function as their team’s No. 1 receiving option. Last season was further evidence of this trend. Dallas Clark hauled in 100 receptions, Antonio Gates led the way in yardage as one of 11 tight ends who racked up 600-plus yards, while Vernon Davis had a league-best 13 touchdowns.

Draft Day Advice

Ok, so what does it all mean? For the first time in recent years you should be able to avoid the early round run of tight ends if you choose. Of course we won’t argue if you reach for Dallas Clark or Antonio Gates in the third or fourth round, but keep in mind there will still be plenty of productive options available later in the draft.

If you have any questions for our fantasy experts, or you’re ready to start talking some football, sign up to join our free Fantasy Football Forum.

Gavin Floyd has only allowed six earned runs in his last six starts and he has lowered his ERA from 6.64 to 4.43 during than span. (photo by Keith Allison)

Each week our Fantasy Baseball experts will give fantasy owners their top choices for players to pick up for all leagues, as well as some players to consider in deeper leagues. If you have any Fantasy Baseball questions for our experts feel free to post them in post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.

Add in all leagues

Gavin Floyd CWS | SP

Floyd has been one of the hottest pitchers in baseball over the last month. His last 6 outings have all been quality starts, and he has only given up 6 ER’s over that span. He is still a young pitcher and could have a great second half this year. (about 65% owned)

Jason Motte STL | RP

We think Franklin is still comfortably in control of the closer role, but after a shaky outing the other day this is a situation we should all keep a close eye on. Motte has been pitching really well lately, and he could take over the job if Franklin has a few more shaky outings. (about 5% owned)

Clayton Richard CLE | SP

Richard is coming off of his worst start of the season, but prior to that outing he had quality starts in 8 of his previous 10. He is a young pitcher with decent K counts and he is someone to pay close attention to. He has a problem with walks, but if he can get that under control he could be a great fantasy pitcher. (about 60% owned)

Erick Aybar LAA | SS

Since coming back from an injury two weeks ago, Aybar has been on fire. He is on a 10 game hit streak and we think he could be worth adding in almost all leagues. He doesn’t have much power, but he could bat for average and give your team a boost in speed. (about 55% owned)

Coco Crisp OAK | OF

It looks like Crisp is going to be the everyday center fielder for the A’s, and he could be worth an add if you are looking for speed. He isn’t going to give you much power or the best batting average, but he has always been a good source of steals. (about 10% owned)

Matt LaPorta CLE | 1B/OF

Everyone has probably heard of this young prospect and how much potential he has, but until recently LaPorta was having a terrible year. He has been batting around .200 for the whole season, but he is starting to find his stroke at the plate. He has hit 4 HR’s in the last week, and he is a young player with a huge upside that might be worth taking a gamble on. (about 20% owned)

Clint Barmes COL | 2B/SS

If you were of the unlucky Pedroia owners out there Barmes could be a good temporary replacement. He has dual position eligibility which is always a plus, and he has the potential to bat for average. He is currently on a 14 game hit streak and we think he could have a decent second half of the season. He doesn’t have a huge upside, but he could be worth picking up and riding out this hot streak. (about 50% owned)

If you have any Fantasy Baseball questions feel free to post them in post them in our Fantasy Sports Forum.