Every year, a few big names fall from grace. I’m not saying that all of these will, but these are the picks for such candidacy. This season, I plan on avoiding a few people in my drafts due to one reason or another. These are who I’m avoiding.
Draft with Caution: Big Name Fantasy Players
Wes Welker (DEN) – He was born on the same day as I was, that’s why I’m a fan. That, and he’s been good to me in the past. However, this year seems to be a year that could go either way for Mr. Welker. He has a concussion problem. We all know that one hit and you’re done. I’m avoiding him this year in rounds two and three because I don’t want to take a chance on this epidemic. He’ll produce this year, but at some point you have to know when to say “when.” With the emergence of Julius Thomas, the deep threat ability of Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in town, things are going to be crowded in Denver. You also have guys like Cody Latimer that could get some targets. I’m not taking Welker because I believe he’s going to go down at some point, making me wonder why I wasted a high-round pick on past success.
Stevan Ridley (NE) – Ok. We all saw what he did to rosters last year. Builds you up only to leave you hanging. He has a roller coaster season last year, starting the year slow, then injured, then went on a huge streak of TDs (7), only to be plagued by his ever-returning fumble-rooski syndrome. The NE backfield is going to be up for grabs this year between Ridley and Vereen, then throw in Brandon Bolden and James White. I’m staying away. It’s too risky. Sure, he could come out and make me look like a fool but I’ve been pretty spot-on in my evaluation of running backs the last two years and my gut says no. Move on. Nothing to see here. Go to the next station.
Chris Johnson (NYJ) – I don’t even need to say anything here. He could have a couple games where we see the old CJ2K, but I’m not holding my breath. I have never had a NYJ running back on my team and never will. It’s a black hole for the position.
Frank Gore (SF) – Frank is 30. We all know (or should know) what happens at 30. The body tends to desert the mind. Frank has done more than I could have ever imagined after coming out of “The U” not only being an elite back, but consistently doing it year after year. Not this year. Carlos Hyde is a guy that will shine in SF this year. Frank will put up some points but looking back, you’ll wish you would have taken someone younger. I hate writing this because I love Gore, but Fantasy Football is two things: 1) a science of history and 2) blind luck. Science tells me he’s not going to be the Gore we’ve come to covet on our fantasy squads in years past. Sorry, Frank.
Eric Decker (NYJ) – I was one of the first guys in Fantasy to start this guy a few years ago. All the signs were there that he was going to be a success. And here we are again. All the signs are here that he’s not going to live up to past success. He doesn’t have Peyton Manning throwing to him anymore and he’s in NY, a dreadful place if you’re losing. I’d avoid Decker and go with someone that has a more reliable QB. Decker thrived in a system where he was not the number one guy, which is why he was so great. Now that he’s going to be called upon to take on that role, he’s not going to be able to. He drops too many balls and Geno Smith is not yet a proven talent. Avoid him at all costs.
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