Deciding which NFL players to draft for a fantasy football team is the first prerequisite for success. Many enthusiasts of the fantasy ball like to think this-or-that strategy is best, and follow it like a map to secret treasure, often guarding the strategy as they would such a map. Even some writers in this genre will hold back a trick or two, and deviate from their list they have rewritten 37 times since June, come draft time.
Few approaches to drafting are more popular than the theory which says you should select for your fantasy team those real-world NFL players who are the most talented. Rather than carry this out to a treatise laden with history and probabilities for proof, let me just say that no matter how talented any player is, that player must get chances for him to help your fantasy team. It is therefore opportunity, and not talent, that should be the first guide for your draft day selections.
This in mind, it may be beneficial to grade overall team abilities and strengths. Some teams pass well, and they usually boast three or even four pass catchers who are draftable in fantasy, because all of them get ample opportunities. Even the second string WR, however, on a run-first team, is a risky proposition. The same is true in the converse: the Packers running backs as a group have not been very successful since the team began passing most of the time, for example, and the same is true of the Saints. Here then is a list of each team with two grades. The first grade is overall offense rating. This is derived from speed of the offense, offensive efficiency, and amount of time it spends on the field, opening up opportunities for its fantasy players. The second grade is the passing offense, and the third is for the rushing offense. When choosing your players during your drafts this year, and you are undecided between two players when your choice comes, your best bet is to pick the one whose offense gives the most chances to players at his position.
The grades are based on projected starting rosters. Exceptions are noted below each division.
New England Patriots: Offense A; Rushing B Passing A
Miami Dolphins: Offense C-; Rushing C Passing D
New York Jets: Offense C; Rushing C Passing C
Buffalo Bills: Offense C; Rushing B Passing C-
-Notes: Dolphins hope WR moves pay off but will they with Tannehill under center and the slow pace of that offense...Geno Smith can help raise both Jets grades by himself, if he is up to the task...I like Spiller and Jackson in Buffalo but they lose points as I'm not sure if Manuel is an upgrade over Fitzpatrick.
Houston Texans: Offense B+; Rushing A Passing B
Indianapolis Colts: Offense B; Rushing C Passing A
Tennessee Titans: Offense C; Rushing B Passing C
Jacksonville Jaguars: Offense D; Rushing B Passing D
-Notes: Assuming Colts offense stays the same...if Fitzpatrick wins the job in Tennessee the passing grade goes up one letter, same thing if Henne wins it in JAX.
Baltimore Ravens: Offense B; Rushing A Passing C
Pittsburgh Steelers: Offense B; Rushing B Passing B
Cincinnati Bengals: Offense B; Rushing C Passing B+
Cleveland Browns: Offense C; Rushing B+ Passing C
-Notes: Assuming Bell wins the RB job in PIT, and Weeden improvement in CLE.
Denver Broncos: Offense A-; Rushing B+ Passing A
Kansas City Chiefs: Offense C; Rushing B+ Passing C
San Diego Chargers: Offense C-; Rushing D Passing B
Oakland Raiders: Offense D; Rushing D Passing D
-Notes: If Wilson wins the QB job in OAK, up the passing grade one letter.
Dallas Cowboys: Offense B; Rushing C Passing A
Washington Redskins: Offense B+; Rushing A Passing B
New York Giants: Offense B; Rushing C Passing B+
Philadelphia Eagles: Offense C-; Rushing B- Passing D
-Notes: Assuming Griffin plays all year and Wilson starts in NY. If Brown gets more carries for the Giants, raise the grade 1/2 a letter...also assuming Vick wins the job in Philly...if Barkley takes over rather than Foles (eventually), raise the passing grade one letter...not sure yet about the tempo in Philly.
New Orleans Saints: Offense B+; Rushing C+ Passing A
Atlanta Falcons: Offense B; Rushing B- Passing A-
Tampa Bay Bucs: Offense B; Rushing A Passing B-
Carolina Panthers: Offense D; Rushing C- Passing C-
-Notes: Counting Cam Newton in both categories, which is part of the low grades...it's not a matter of talent there, rather line play and execution, also SLOW SLOW SLOW.
Green Bay Packers: Offense B+; Rushing C Passing A
Minnesota Vikings: Offense B-; Rushing A Passing D
Detroit Lions: Offense B; Rushing B Passing A-
Chicago Bears: Offense C; Rushing B Passing D
Notes: Love Brandon Marshall but he can't save Cutler and the passing game himself for this grade. Being gratuitous with DET RB grade because I like their depth and pace of play.
San Francisco 49ers: Offense B; Rushing B Passing B
Seattle Seahawks: Offense A-; Rushing A- Passing A-
St. Louis Rams: Offense C; Rushing C Passing C
Arizona Cardinals: Offense C; Passing B+ Rushing C
-Notes: If Stepfan Taylor gets the feature back role in ARI, raise their rushing grade to a B+...raise the Rams RB grade to a B if its Zac Stacy there.
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