BY AJ KURZMAN
Everyone who plays fantasy football knows how easy it is to have your season completely ruined in a matter of days. Nothing is more frustrating to me than when I leave the draft room with huge confidence in my team, and then my two best players get hurt in pre-season and the rest of my players do absolutely nothing week in and week out. It just sucks, plain and simple. You can try all you want to predict who will do great and who will completely blow this season, and you will almost always be wrong. But, despite everything I’ve just said, here’s my short list of players that are Hot/Not for the 2012-2013 NFL fantasy football season. Maybe this season I’ll actually win something.
Hot:
· QB: Aaron Rodgers, Packers: No surprise here. This guy is the defending NFL MVP, and for good reason. He is surrounded by explosive weapons such as Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings. He is extremely mobile and has deadly accuracy. He only failed to have multiple passing touchdowns during one game in the 2011-2012 football season. One game! There really nothing stopping him
· RB: Darren McFadden, Raiders: Before his season ending injury early in week 7 last year, McFadden absolutely tore up every defense he faced, racking up a total of 768 yards and 5 touchdowns in those first 6 weeks. There’s no reason to believe that, if he stays healthy, he won’t be a top 5 running back.
· RB: LeSean McCoy, Eagles: He lead all RB/WRs in the league in total touchdowns. He’s elusive, physical, and almost impossible to tackle in the open field. ‘Nuff said.
· WR: A.J. Green, Bengals: There’s more to this guy than his great name. (Hint: see top of page) He’s is an absolute monster; 6’4”, 207lbs, and is overflowing with talent. He’s the Bengals far and away best receiver and Andy Dalton (QB) LOVES to throw it his way.
· WR: Julio Jones, Falcons: There’s a reason why the Falcons gave up 5 draft picks to get this guy. His potential is through the roof. He runs a 4.39 in the 40 yard dash, is 6’3”, and 220lbs. Expect quarterback Matt Ryan to heave the ball downfield to Jones week in and week out
Not:
· QB: Peyton Manning, Broncos: He’s coming off four major neck surgeries, is on a new team with new teammates, and worst of all, he sat all of last year out so there is no doubt he’ll be rusty. The one upside to picking Manning, is that, well, he is Peyton Manning and we all know what he is capable of. However, I just don’t see him performing like old Peyton Manning this year. C’mon Peyton, you’re 36 years old. I don’t want this turning into another Brett Favre situation.
· RB: Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars: If we know anything about hold outs, it’s that they never end well. Just ask Chris Johnson, who held out last year and then proceeded to have the worst year of his career. In addition, MJD accounted for over 50% of his team’s total offense (386 touches). The Jags have made it clear that after drafting wide receiver Justin Blackmon that they want MJD’s numbers to go down.
· RB: Frank Gore, 49ers: Frank Gore’s touches significantly dropped last year, and they will continue to drop this year as the 49ers have the most depth at the RB position in the NFL (Frank Gore, Brandon Jacobs, Kendall Hunter, LeMichael James, and others).
· WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals: It’s not like I have anything against Fitzgerald. He’s an incredible talent. On the other hand, his quarterback situation is a completely deferent story. There aren’t going to be many great opportunities for Fitzgerald with quarterback John Skelton throwing it to him. In addition, the Cardinals have a weak offense, making Fitzgerald the prime target for defenses.
Well, there it is. My hot/not list for the 2012 season. If this somehow ends up helping your fantasy team, than you’re welcome. If it ends up ruining your team, you didn’t read it from me.
