2011 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Picks 16-32

Our 2011 Mock Draft 2.0 continues with picks 16-32.

16. Jacksonville – Ryan Kerrigan – DE – Purdue

Jacksonville is another team that needs to establish a pass rush. Kerrigan should help them do that as a high energy end.

17. New England – Cam Jordan – DL – California

Jordan may move up as we get closer to the draft, but for now his versatility on the DL makes him a perfect fit for the Patriots.

18. San Diego – Rahim Moore – S – UCLA

Eric Weddle may leave in the offseason so Moore would give them insurance in the defensive secondary.

19. New York Giants – Gabe Carimi – OT – Wisconsin

Even with the great running game they had last season the Giants O-line struggled. Carimi is a solid run blocker and maybe the best pass blocker in the draft. If the Giants can develop a solid line, their offense will be scary this coming season and their running backs may yet again be worthy in fantasy football.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Brandon Harris – CB – Miami

One of the best athletes in the draft, Harris gives the Bucs insurance for the aging Ronde Barber and the troubled Aqib Talib. (Continue…)

2011 NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Picks 1-15

The 2011 NFL Draft is going to be very interesting from top to bottom. From not knowing whether or not the players will be in attendance to the No. 1 pick. There is no consensus No. 1 pick or player this year and that is making everything about the draft change every day. Teams are going to be drafting on need more than ever and it should make for some interesting draft day choices and trades. Here is how it looks:

1. Carolina – Nick Fairley – DT – Auburn

While many people expect the Panthers to take a top QB, I just don’t see it happening. They signed Matt Moore in 2007 and drafted Jimmy Clausen last year. Apparently some people high in the organization still believe in Clausen (I don’t), but that will deter them from drafting another quarterback high in the draft. Nick Fairley makes perfect sense. With his size, speed and versatility Fairley will fill the gaping hole Carolina has had at DT since Kris Jenkins fell apart.

2. Denver Broncos – Von Miller – OLB – Texas A&M

The Broncos are changing to a 4-3 defense this year. What we see every year with teams that change defensive schemes is they go after players in the draft that fit their schemes. John Fox is said to be looking for a pass rusher to put opposite Elvis Dumervil to ignite a defense that had the least sacks in the league last year (23).

3. Buffalo Bills – Blaine Gabbert – QB – Missouri

I fully believe that the Bills trust Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he has a very low ceiling, likely very close to what we saw last year. Drafting Gabbert to sit behind Fitz for a year or two would be the perfect solution to this problem, also even with all the buzz around Cam Newton, Gabbert is the much safer pick as a quarterback of the future.

4. Cincinnati Bengals – Julio Jones – WR – Alabama

The Bengals seem to prefer Jones because of his work ethic and practice effort. This is new direction for the Bengals, but I like it. He is not as talented as A.J. Green, but he is a better blocker and would fit well into their likely decidedly run-heavy offensive scheme.

5. Arizona Cardinals – Patrick Peterson – CB – LSU

I fully expect the Cardinals to pull off a trade for the Eagle’s Kevin Kobb, so why not take the best player available. Widely considered the most talented player in the draft, the only knock on Peterson is his position. Corners simply do not get taken early. However, by filling their need at Quarterback through a trade or free agency I feel like they can finally get the shut down corner they were hoping for when they drafted Antrel Rolle a few years back. (Continue…)

2011 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers: Breakout Candidates

Breakout players are what every fantasy owner hopes to find in each sport. They usually lead to championships because you are getting more value out of the players you select. Think about football season. People who drafted Adrian Peterson got exactly what they wanted and expected from him, but that didn’t guarantee them a championship. Now think about the owners that got Arian Foster and Darren McFadden in the middle rounds, those are the players that led teams to the top of their leagues. These are the MLB players that should be able available as fantasy baseball sleepers in 2011 fantasy baseball.

Rajai Davis – OF – Toronto Blue Jays

Davis might be the best option for fantasy baseball owners looking for cheap steals late in drafts. While Davis has been around for a while, this may be his real breakout season. He stole 50 bases in 61 chances last year for the Oakland A’s, but has never really put up solid numbers in any category outside of that. Davis should be what the Jays were hoping Fred Lewis would be last year. A leadoff man that can create runs for them when they aren’t hitting. In front of the Jays big bats he should be able to total a lot of runs and should post better batting average numbers because he will see better pitches.

Max Scherzer – SP – Detroit Tigers

Scherzer began his breakout last season much like Andrus, but unless you owned him you would likely never know. He had a horrible start that skewed his stats for the season. After 8 starts he was 1-4 with a 7.29 ERA. He was sent to AAA where he changed up his mechanics. Upon returning he went on a season ending tear. Scherzer finished his last 23 starts with a 2.46 ERA. Expect him around 15 wins and to have 200+ strikeouts, and likely the hype that he should have received last season.

Brett Gardner – OF – New York Yankees

The Yankees have shuffled their lineup over the last few games with Brett Gardner taking over the leadoff spot and Derek Jeter moving down a spot. This is a great idea by the Yankees because Jeter has always been more of a natural second hitter. While the big name in this move is Jeter, the bigger fantasy impact will be on Gardner. While he may struggle at first hitting at the top of the lineup, it will benefit him either way. He will gain somewhere between 50 and 100 at-bats. That should put him around 600-700 plate appearances if he is playing close to everyday. Based off Gardner’s stats from last season in which he stole 47 bases and scored 97 runs from the bottom of the lineup, there is no reason that he couldn’t get 120+ runs and 60+ steals with that many extra chances. Keep watch leading up to your draft on Joe Girardi’s final decision because it could vault Gardner’s value into the top 30 outfielders. (Continue…

 

2011 Fantasy Football Early Mock Draft 2.0

It’s always hard to look ahead without seeing how the draft and free agency shake out in the NFL. It will be eve

n more difficult this year because of the labor stoppage and even a few rule changes. We are going to keep trying anyway though right?

It looks as if next season may finally get us back to the good old days when running backs dominated the fantasy football game. A lot of running backs emerged this year and joined the elite category that was so thin in many previous years. I have also never been a fan of wide receivers in round 1, but there are two can’t miss WRs for 2011 in Roddy White and Andre Johnson, so that has changed my mind a little. Let’s take a first at a potential first round draft for 2011…

1. Adrian Peterson – RB – Minnesota Vikings – He is a flat out fantasy stud. He has finished in the top 3 in fantasy points every year he has been in the league. That is the kind of sure thing pick you want to make in the number one spot. Many owners regretted selecting Chris Johnson over him fo

r much of the 2010 season. He will be even more valuable with the Vikings likely taking a more run heavy approach in 2011 after Brett Favre’s (likely) retirement this offseason.

2. Arian Foster – RB – Houston Texans – Foster showed week in and week out that he was the most valuable player in fantasy football last season. He started it off with a bang with 200+ rushing yards and 3 TDs against the Colts and never looked back. He led the league lead in yards from scrimmage and we all know how fantasy owners value a versatile back making his 66 receptions an undervalued stat and gave him one of the best fantasy seasons ever. Houston’s entire offensive coaching staff has been tabbed to return in 2011 and the presence of Gary Kubiak and his zone blocking scheme should lock Foster into the top 3 picks in almost every draft.

3. Jamaal Charles – RB – Kansas City Chiefs – Master Chief (Yes that is a Halo reference) is a

head of Chris Johnson simply because the majority of his offensive support players will be back. He may be forced to split carries with Thomas Jones this season, but still was in the top-5 most productive fantasy backs in the league while most days Jones’ failed to even get out of the gate. Jones will be another year older next season and likely yielding more opportunities for Charles, but also allowing the Chiefs to keep him fresh. Charles likely has the most upside of any running back in fantasy football heading into 2011.

4. Chris Johnson – RB – Tennessee Titans – Likely the most talented back in the NFL, Jo

hnson had a slightly disappointing year in 2010. He was very close to his floor it would seem, with no real threat of the passing game, offensive injuries and poor play-calling. We have seen close to his ceiling as well though and that makes him one of the most dangerous players in fantasy football. If you can get him with the 4^th pick in 2011, you will not be complaining. He is losing his quarterback and his head coach, but here is to hoping the Titans can build a more explosive offense around him this offseason.

5. Michael Vick – QB – Philadelphia Eagles – The consensus is that you have to stack running backs and receivers at the top of fantasy football drafts because quarterbacks can’t be as valuable compared to other players at their position. We may have finally found the exception however.

Vick has the rushing ability to simply outscore every quarterback week in and week out. His one major concern is his health, but playing in Andy Reid’s pass-heavy system in Philly allows him to put up explosive numbers in the air as well as on the ground and should keep him off the injured list as much as possible. Vick scored almost 30 points per week this season with second place signal caller Aaron Rogers at only 25 points per week. There is no other position where the leader outpaced the field by this much. Vick is a surefire first round pick and almost assuredly the first QB taken. You may want to pair him with Kevin Kobb if he is still in Philly for injury insurance though. (Continue…)

 

Derrick Rose: Chicago Bulls’ Star Is the Best PG in the NBA

 

Too big, too strong, too fast. Too good.

During almost every Chicago Bulls game you will hear TV analyst Stacy King utter these words. And no he is not referring to Keith Bogans.

Derrick Rose has been exactly that this season, just plain too good for the rest of the league. He is having a career year in just his third season in the NBA. He is averaging 24.8 ppg and 7.8 apg and has lead the Bulls to the top of the Eastern Conference.

When comparing Derrick Rose to the other top point guards in the NBA, I found one amazing thing.

He has found a way to combine the best parts of each other PG’s game, like the Frankenstein of the NBA. Right now, point guard is the premier position in the NBA and this skill set is what makes him the best of the best. (Continue…

Fantasy Basketball News & Notes: Carlos Boozer and Tyreke Evans Will Return to Respective Lineups

Tyreke Evans will return to the Kings soon.

With just a couple weeks left in the NBA season, teams are trying to get their injured players healthy and back on the court. While it is not a good time to rush guys back, coaches want their players in top shape heading into the playoffs. If you have been missing and important piece to your fantasy basketball team like Carlos Boozer, Marcus Camby or Tyreke Evans.

Tyreke Evans – G – Sacramento Kings
All reports out of Sacramento say that Evans will return to the Kings for Friday’s game. He is expected to be limited in minutes in some way to start, but should help fantasy owners either way. The main problem is that most fantasy owners that drafted him are likely out of the playoffs by now, so this is only slightly good news. (Continue…)

 

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Matt D’Agostini Now on Blues First Line and a Tear

Like we do at the end of every season, fantasy hockey owners are getting some productive performances from players that no one expected to contribute. These are the guys to look for on the fantasy hockey waiver wire at the end of the season. Any production you can get that you weren’t expecting can help you push into the playoffs.

Matt D’Agostini – RW – St. Louis Blues
D’Agostini has moved onto the first line recently for the Blues. Joining juggernauts Andy McDonald and David Backes he is putting up production well above his career averages. He has 4 goals and 3 assists in his last four games and doesn’t look like he is going to slow down. If he can remain on the first unit he should be owned in all fantasy hockey leagues. (Continue…)

 

Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire: Blake Wheeler Will Pay Dividends Going Forward

Blake Wheeler is taking advantage in his new location.

There is about a month left in the hockey season and teams know exactly where they are. If you own players on bad teams, make sure they are either your players or ones playing for contracts. If you own players on teams fighting for playoff spots, keep playing them as you have all season. If your fantasy hockey team is littered with teams locked into the playoffs, keep a close eye on injuries and rest days as coaches try to keep their teams’ healthy and rested heading into the postseason. This week on the waiver wire we will try to highlight a few players that will step it up over these last few weeks. (Continue…)

Fantasy Basketball News & Notes: Gerald Wallace and Other New Faces Starting

As the NBA season winds down we are getting some changes in the starting line-ups of many NBA teams. Now that rosters have settled again after the trade deadline, teams are starting to figure out what works best for them. Some of these changes are based on talent, while others are based on injuries and just how players fit together. Hopefully we will see some new talent emerge in the fantasy basketball world with these changes. (Continue…)