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07-10-2005, 09:40 PM #1
Top Free Agents To Watch This Year....
http://msn.foxsports.com/fantasy/story/3682542?GT1=6667
1. Randy Moss (WR - Oak): Our No. 1 fantasy wideout will move from the friendly confines of the MetroDome to the chaos of the black hole in Oakland. The Raiders invested a lot to get Moss (LB Napoleon Harris and a first- and seventh-round draft choice), but will reap immediate benefits. Moss grabbed 49 passes for 767 yards and 13 TDs with the Vikings last season, despite being hampered with a hamstring injury. He is probably the best red-zone receiver in the game and will have better receivers around him in Oakland (Jerry Porter, Ronald Curry, Doug Gabriel). QB Kerry Collins likes to get the ball downfield, so Moss shouldn't see much of a dip in fantasy production.
2. Lamont Jordan (RB - Oak): After playing in the shadow of Curtis Martin the last four seasons, Jordan will get his shot as "the guy" with the Raiders in '05. Although Randy Moss still will steal most of the spotlight. Jordan rushed for 479 yards on 93 carries (with two TDs) for an impressive 5.2 yards per carry last season in New York. He has a wonderful combination of power and pass-catching ability. Expect Jordan to be a volume runner under Norv Turner. Expect a breakout season, making Jordan a top second-tier fantasy back.
3. Laveranues Coles (WR - NYJ): The Jets and Redskins swapped disgruntled receivers this offseason when Santana Moss was sent to Washington for Laveranues Coles. Coles had a Pro Bowl season with the Redskins in 2003 but scored just one TD last year, although he did catch 90 passes for 950 yards. He was hampered by an injured toe, on which he refuses surgery. Coles returns to the Jets where he played from 2000-02 posting a 1,200-yard receiving season in 2002. The Jets were 22nd in passing offense last year, but hired coordinator Mike Heimerdinger to stretch the field. He'll rack up a lot of catches and should top 1,000 yards receiving. Just don't expect a ton of scores.
4. Plaxico Burress (WR - NYG): After spending his first five seasons (2000-04) in the league with the Steelers, Burress went for the big money and bright lights of New York City in free agency. He'll team with fellow veteran Amani Toomer to form a nice one-two punch for second-year QB Eli Manning. Last season in Pittsburgh, Burress grabbed 35 passes for 698 yards and 5 TDs in eleven games. He was hampered by nagging injuries most of the season. Burress (6-5, 226 pounds) has the size that makes defensive coordinators cringe in the red zone and has been a fairly consistent fantasy receiver with 16 TDs over his last three seasons. He's a decent second WR, and better third WR for a fantasy team, but may need some time to develop on-field chemistry with a young quarterback. A slow start would not surprise.
5. Derrick Mason (WR - Bal): A former special teams ace, Mason developed into one of the most consistent receivers in football during his last five seasons in Tennessee. Still proficient at breaking big plays, Mason is now one of the elite possession receivers in football. He led all AFC wideouts in receptions in his final season in Tennessee with 96. After choosing to sign in Baltimore over New England this offseason, Mason will be counted on to breathe life into the Baltimore passing attack. Even if the Ravens improve, it's fair to expect a significant decline as Mason gets used to catching passes from Kyle Boller. Playing without Steve McNair for the first full season of his career, Mason will get a lot of attention from defenses and may be overvalued as a second WR.
6. Santana Moss (WR - Was): Joe Gibbs will welcome a play-maker to the offense when Moss joins the Redskins this season. Washington ranked 30th in total offense last year and will look to Moss to provide a much needed downfield threat. Last year with the Jets, Moss hauled in 45 passes for 838 yards and 5 TDs. A shifty and explosive receiver, Moss has 19 TDs over his last three seasons and enjoyed his best year with the Jets in 2003 when he caught 74 passes for 1,105 yards and 10 TDs. Moss will help the Redskins offense, but it won't be enough to make a major difference. Like Burress, Moss is likely a second or third WR in most fantasy leagues.
7. Kurt Warner (QB - Ari): The former league MVP will try to jumpstart his career as a quick fix with the Cardinals. Last year in limited duty with the Giants, Warner completed 62.8 percent of his passes (174-of-277) with 6 TDs and 4 INTs. Don't expect Ram-like numbers right off the bat, but Warner will have weapons like Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Bolden in Dennis Green's vertical offense. He has major potential to rebound big this year.
8. Muhsin Muhammad (WR - Chi): Muhammad put up the contract year to end all contract years last season, catching 93 passes for 1,405 yards and 16 TDs with Steve Smith out of the lineup. He will try to jump start a Bears offense that ranked last in the league in '04, so look for his numbers to plummet. An inconsistent player throughout his career, Muhammad is unlikely to make plays on his own. The addition of first-round pick Cedric Benson should get the running game going, which will eventually open up the passing attack.
9. Cedrick Wilson (WR - Pit): After four seasons (2001-04) in the Bay Area with the 49ers, Cedric Wilson joins Big Ben and the Bus in Pittsburgh as the replacement for departed Plaxico Burress. Although Wilson was brought in to fill Burress' shoes, it won't be easy. Wilson (5-10, 183 pounds) is a different type of receiver who excels in the slot and on short-to-intermediate routes. Last season in San Francisco, he totaled 47 receptions for 641 yards and 3 TDs. Wilson is likely to battle versatile Antwaan Randle El for the second WR position in Pittsburgh. Look for Wilson to be the third receiver, making him a questionable fantasy asset.
10. Drew Bledsoe (QB - Dal): After propping up Vinny Testaverde for a season, coach Bill Parcells chose to acquire another gunslinger from his past - Drew Bledsoe. The victim of more than 400 career sacks, Bledsoe looked helpless against top defenses in '04 despite leading the Bills to a winning record. The Cowboys will need to improve their offensive line to give the statue-like Bledsoe a chance. Julius Jones will be a huge help detracting attention, but wideouts Terry Glenn and Keyshawn are only an average starting tandem.
Best of the Rest ...
11. Reuben Droughns (RB - Cle): Has the ability to become a nice fantasy player but will have to fight for touches with Lee Suggs and William Green ... Rushed for 1,240 yards and 6 TDs in Denver last year after totaling just 97 yards the previous three seasons combined. ... Looking to become the first Browns back to rush for 1,000 yards since 1985.
12. David Patten (WR - Was): A journeyman receiver, David Patten won't be the go-to guy in Washington, but that doesn't mean he won't have value ... Last season in New England, he caught 44 passes for 800 yards and 7 TDs, which tied for the most receiving scores on the team ... Has knack for getting open in the red zone, which should help the Skins' red-zone proficiency ... Is a likely starter, but on a poor passing team.
13. Trent Dilfer (QB - Cle): Will be the fourth starting QB in four years in Cleveland ... Won't post Peyton Manning-like numbers ... Is more of a game manager (95 TDs and 105 INTs in 11 NFL seasons), which doesn't help fantasy players.
14. Doug Jolley (TE - NYJ): Brought in to replace Anthony Becht who left for Tampa Bay ... Caught 27 passes for 313 yards and 2 TDs for the Raiders last season ... Had 5 TDs in 3 seasons in Oakland ... Will give the Jets a nice receiving threat in the red zone, but is still considered a second-tier TE.
15. David Terrell (WR - NE): Former No. 1 pick will look to jump start his career with a change of scenery from Chicago to New England ... Was stuck in a terrible offense in Chicago but managed to catch 42 passes for 699 yards (16.6 yards per reception) ... New England likes everyone involved, so Terrell will get opportunities with the Pats.
16. Jeff Garcia (QB - Det): Although listed behind Joey Harrington on the depth chart, he may be starting occasionally during the season ... Garcia knows the West Coast offense like the back of his hand and was a fish out of water last season in Cleveland, despite passing for 1,731 yards and 10 TDs and rushing for an additional two scores.
17. Derrick Blaylock (RB - NYJ): Should provide a nice change of pace from Curtis Martin ... Made the most of opportunities with KC in '04 with 539 yards and 8 TDs ... Martin carries the load in NY but Blaylock is a great insurance policy ... May get work on third-downs to keep Blaylock fresh.
18. Travis Taylor (WR - Min): The Vikings liked to spread the ball around, so with Moss gone, the other receivers will get even more attention ... Will be happy to get out of run-heavy Baltimore, but will need to battle to rise above the fourth WR spot in Minnesota.
19. Anthony Becht (TE - TB): Jon Gruden loves the tight end in the red zone and Becht has the size (6-5, 272 pounds) and experience to find the creases in the defense. Becht won't put up Gates- or Gonzalez-type numbers, but with most teams rolling coverage to take away WR Michael Clayton, Becht will get opportunities down the middle.
20. Jay Feely (K - NYG): Set a Falcons season record for points (138) and field goals (32) in 2002 and made 18-of-23 field goals last season ... Will have to deal with the winds at the Meadowlands at least eight times during the season and won't have the luxury of playing for an explosive offensive team.
Worth Mentioning ...
Jerome Pathon (WR - Sea): Will battle Joe Jurevicius and Bobby Engram for the third receiver spot in Seattle ... Has played a similar role with Indianapolis (1998-2001) and New Orleans (2002-04) ... Caught 34 passes for 581 yards and a TD last year for the Saints ... Not a bad choice as insurance for Darrell Jackson.
Ron Dayne (RB - DEN): Joins a crowded Broncos backfield with Quentin Griffin, Mike Anderson, Maurice Clarett and Tatum Bell ... Rushed for just 179 yards and a TD (on 52 carries) for the Giants last season ... Could be a goal-line option in Mike Shanahan's offense and joins a long line of successful Denver running backs.
Gus Frerotte (QB - Mia): Comes to Miami after spending two seasons as a backup in Minnesota ... Hasn't been a full-time starter since 2000 (Denver) but may get a shot with the Dolphins ... Will battle A.J. Feeley and Sage Rosenfels for the starting job.
Kelly Holcomb (QB - Buf): Signed by Buffalo to backup J.P. Losman ... Has been a starter in the league before and has the ability to light it up. He had 431 yards and 5 TDs last year for Cleveland in a loss at Cincinnati ... If Losman struggles, look for Holcomb to get the nod in Buffalo.
Kevin Johnson (WR - Det): Will provide a veteran presence to a young receiving corps in Detroit ... Will see limited action, but should rack up catches, just not many TDs.
Stephen Alexander (TE - Den): Played for Detroit last season where he totaled 41 catches for 377 yards and a TD ... Joins a more explosive offensive unit in Denver ... Had his best season as a rookie in 1998 when he caught 37 passes for 383 yards and 4 TDs for Washington.
Anthony Thomas (RB - Dal): Will backup Julius Jones in Dallas ... A solid insurance selection for Jones owners.
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