Fantasy Football Scouts


AFC 
Offseason Fantasy Focus 
4for4.com Exclusive
C
ourtesy of the Observer-Reporter 
By Dale Lolley
Posted 5/15/07

Also see: NFC - Offseason Fantasy Focus

Most people don't have time to keep a running score on who went where during the offseason. So we here at 4for4.com do it for you. Now that the draft is complete and most teams have a minicamp under their belt, here's the scorecard for the offseason


Baltimore Ravens 
Offseason additions: RB Willis McGahee (Buffalo), WR/KR Yamon Figurs (draft), QB Troy Smith (draft) 

Offseason losses: RB Jamal Lewis, FB Ovie Mughelli, QB Chris Redman 

Fantasy focus: The Ravens gave up a number of draft picks to bring in McGahee, but he's an obvious upgrade over Lewis, who hasn't been the same runner since his 2,000-yard season of a few years ago. Don't expect 2,000 yards out of McGahee, but if he stays healthy in this offense, he's a first-round fantasy pick. Brian Billick knows how to use running backs. Figurs could be this year's Devin Hester, but won't bring anything to the passing game. His addition makes an already formidable fantasy defense even better. The Ravens hope that Smith will develop behind Steve McNair, but don't expect anything this season out of the Heisman Trophy winner.


Buffalo Bills 
Offseason additions: 
RB Josh Scobey (Seattle) RB Marshawn Lynch (draft), QB Trent Edwards (draft), RB Dwayne Wright (draft) 

Offseason losses: RB Willis McGahee (Baltimore), QB Kelly Holcomb (Philadelphia), WR Andre Davis 

Fantasy focus: Lynch, the team's first-round draft pick, will team with Anthony Thomas and Wright to help replace McGahee's production. Edwards was brought in to back up J.P. Losman after Holcomb was dealt to the Eagles. The defense, which was decent in 2006, will suffer from the losses of CB Nate Clements and the trade of linebacker Takeo Spikes.


Cincinnati Bengals 
Offseason additions: 
RB Kenny Irons (draft), QB Jeff Rowe (draft) 

Offseason losses: TE Tony Stewart, WE Kelley Washington, QB Anthony Wright, WR Chris Henry (8-game suspension) 

Fantasy focus: The loss of Washington to New England and the suspension of Henry for half the season for his numerous off-field antics is a concern for the Bengals, who like to run three-receiver sets. The Bengals will hope Tab Perry can pick of the slack as the No. 3 receiver until Henry returns at midseason - if the Bengals take him back. That makes Perry worth a late-round draft pick unless somebody else steps into that No. 3 role. The selection of Irons in the second round is curious considering the team used a first-round pick on Chris Perry just a couple of years ago. But Perry has had trouble staying healthy, so Irons will get a shot at being Rudi Johnson's backup. Rowe could wind up being Carson Palmer's backup as the team doesn't have a veteran backup with Wright's departure.


Cleveland Browns 
Offseason additions: 
WR Tim Carter (Giants), TE Ryan Krause (San Diego), RB Jamal Lewis (Baltimore), QB Brady Quinn (draft), WR/KR Syndric Steptoe (draft)

Offseason subtractions: RB Reuben Droughns, WR/KR Dennis Northcutt, FB Terrelle Smith 

Fantasy focus: The Browns dealt next year's No. 1 pick and some others to move up and select Quinn, the team's QB of the future. But look for Charlie Frye to start again this season - at least until the Browns are out of the playoff race sometime around midseason. Lewis takes over for Droughns, who was traded to the Giants. But at this point, it's not much of an upgrade. Lewis is a No. 3 fantasy back in most leagues.


Denver Broncos 
Offseason additions: 
TE Daniel Graham (New England), RB Travis Henry (Tennessee), QB Patrick Ramsey (Jets), WR Brandon Stokley (Indianapolis), WR David Terrell 

Offseason losses: RB Tatum Bell, RB Cedric Cobbs, RB Damien Nash, QB Jake Plummer 

Fantasy focus: Henry replaces Bell, who was traded to Detroit, and is the next in line in the Denver running back line after coming over from the Titans. He should be a 1,000-yard back this season. Graham will be a nice target for second-year QB Jay Cutler in the passing game and will benefit from leaving New England, where Tom Brady spread the ball around too much to make Graham a No. 1 fantasy tight end. Ramsey takes over for Plummer, who retired rather than be traded to Tampa Bay, as Cutler's backup. Stokely will serve in the same No. 3 role he had in Indianapolis, provided he can stay healthy.


Houston Texans 
Offseason additions: 
WR Andre Davis (Buffalo), RB Ahman Green (Green Bay), QB Matt Schaub (Atlanta), WR Jacoby Jones (draft) 

Offseason losses: QB David Carr, WR Eric Moulds, RB Domanick Williams (Davis)

Fantasy focus: The Texans made two big moves, giving up on Carr, the team's first draft choice, and Williams, its oft-injured all-time leading rusher. In Schaub, the Texans are hoping to get a player who has a pocket presence Carr never seemed to get. At least he'll have WR Andre Johnson to work with, which is better than any receiver Schaub had to work with in his limited playing time with Atlanta. The problem is who is going take over for Moulds? Kevin Walter is currently No. 2 on the depth chart, but Jones could be a nice sleeper. Green moves into the starting lineup, but is clearly not the same player he was in his prime in Green Bay. At this point, he's probably a No. 3 fantasy back.


Indianapolis Colts 
Offseason additions: 
QB John Navarre (Arizona), WR Anthony Gonzalez (draft), WR Roy Hall (draft) 

Offseason losses: RB Domanic Rhoades, WR Brandon Stokley

Fantasy focus: Gonzalez, the team's No. 1 draft pick, is a tough receiver who will move into the No. 3 spot vacated by the release of Stokley. Even as a No. 3 receiver, he has value in this offense. With Rhoades gone, Joseph Addai will be counted on to handle all of the running duties this season. That will make him a top fantasy pick unless the team signs a veteran at the last minute to share some carries.


Jacksonville Jaguars 
Offseason additions: 
WR/PR Dennis Northcutt (Cleveland), TE Jermaine Wiggins (Minnesota), WR Mike Walker (draft), WR John Broussard (draft) 

Offseason losses: TE Kyle Brady, WR Cortez Hankton 

Fantasy focus: Not much different here for the Jaguars in 2007. Wiggins is more of a receiving threat than Brady, but the team hopes that Mercedes Lewis, a No. 1 pick in 2006, can make a big leap in 2007. QB Byron Leftwich, benched last season, has already been named the starter for 2007.


Kansas City Chiefs 
Offseason additions: 
WR Dwayne Bowe (draft), RB Kolby Smith (draft), PK Justin Medlock (draft) 

Offseason losses: WR Dante Hall 

Fantasy focus: Trent Green is still with the Chiefs, but probably not for long. The team has been attempting to trade him and Miami seems like his final destination at some point. That will make Damon Huard the unquestioned starter. Hall was dealt to St. Louis, but he really hadn't been a factor in the return game the past couple of seasons. Bowe will likely jump right into the starting lineup opposite Eddie Kennison, sending Samie Parker to the bench. Even so, tight end Tony Gonzaelez and Kennison will be the top targets. Guard Will Shields' retirement also weakens the line, which, coupled with the retirement of Willie Roaf last season, could hurt RB Larry Johnson's production. Medlock will battle Lawrence Tynes for the PK job.


Miami Dolphins 
Offseason additions: 
PK Jay Feely (Giants), WR Az-Zahir Hakim (San Diego), TE David Martin (Green Bay), WR/KR Ted Ginn (draft), QB John Beck (draft), RB Lorenzo Booker (draft) 

Offseason losses: QB Joey Harrington, PK Olido Mare, TE Randy McMichael, RB Travis Minor, RB Sammy Morris 

Fantasy focus: At some point the Dolphins and Chiefs could still work out a deal for quarterback Trent Green. Daunte Culpepper is still No. 1 on the depth chart, but the Dolphins are expected to release him, leaving Cleo Lemon and Beck as the top two remaining QBs. Given the need at QB, many were shocked the team passed on Brady Quinn in the draft to take Ginn with the ninth-overall pick. That move is even more shocking given that Ginn likely won't be ready for the start of training camp because of a foot injury. Ginn isn't a polished receiver, but will contribute - if healthy - in the return game. Hakim is also an excellent return man. Feely takes over for Mare at PK, while Martin should step in for McMichael, who was released after a couple of run-ins with the law. All told, it's been a strange offseason for Miami, with more possibly to come.


New England Patriots 
Offseason additions: 
TE Kyle Brady (Jacksonville), RB Sammy Morris (Miami), WR Randy Moss (Oakland), WR Donte Stallworth (Philadelphia), WR Kelley Washington (Cincinnati), WR/KR Wes Welker (Miami), RB Justin Hairston (draft) 

Offseason losses: RB Corey Dillon, TE Daniel Graham 

Fantasy focus: The entire wide receiver group will be different in 2007, which is a good thing. Moss and Stallworth are something of a gamble both for the Patriots and fantasy owners alike. If they can stay healthy, they should produce with Tom Brady throwing them the ball. But that's a pretty big if. Welker may end up being the most valuable Patriots' receiver to have. He just seems like the kind of receiver Brady has clicked with over the years. He's a younger version of Troy Brown. With Dillon gone, Lawrence Maroney becomes the unquestioned No. 1 back. Bump him up on your draft list. Morris could step in as Maroney's backup.


New York Jets 
Offseason additions: 
RB Thomas Jones (Chicago), QB Marques Tuiasosopo (Oakland), WR Chansi Stuckey (Clemson) 

Offseason subtractions: RB Kevan Barlow, RB Derrick Blaylock, QB Patrick Ramsey

Fantasy focus: The trade for Jones was a big move for the Jets, who didn't have a feature back last season. Jones should also benefit by not having to share carries with Cedric Benson as he did in Chicago. Leon Washington will probably move to a third-down back role, which obviously hurts his value.


Oakland Raiders 
Offseason additions:
FB Justin Griffith (Atlanta), QB Josh McCown (Detroit), RB Domanic Rhodes, TE Tony Stewart (Cincinnati), TE Fred Wakefield (Arizona), WR Mike Williams (Detroit), QB JaMarcus Russell (draft), TE Zach Miller (draft), WR Johnnie Lee Higgins (draft), RB Michael Bush (draft) 

Offseason subtractions: QB Aaron Brooks, WR Randy Moss, QB Marques Tuiasosopo 

Fantasy focus: When you only scored 12 touchdowns in a season, it's tough to come back with the same crew. The Raiders have a lot of new faces, but with the largely the same offensive line, it's still going to be tough sledding. McCown will likely start at QB ahead of Andrew Walter as Russell, the top pick in this draft, will ease his way into things. None are good fantasy picks at this point. The signing of Rhodes was curious considering the team just signed Lamont Jordan. Bush also crowds that backfield, though the leg injury that caused his stock to fall in the draft is a concern. The signings of Stewart and Wakefield were made before the draft brought in Miller, a solid receiving tight end. But given the QB situation, don't expect much. The same goes for Williams, who will try to resurrect his career after flopping in Detroit. This is still a bad offensive team.


Pittsburgh Steelers 
Offseason additions: 
RB Kevan Barlow (Jets), TE Matt Spaeth (draft) 

Offseason losses: RB Verron Haynes, WR Sean Morey 

Fantasy focus: Mike Tomlin takes over after 15 seasons with Bill Cowher at the helm, but the offense will be largely the same. Tomlin will use more four-receiver sets, but that will be used to open things up for speedy Willie Parker in the runner game. The team added Spaeth to free up starting tight end Heath Miller to split out wide more often. Barlow will get first shot at being Parker's backup and could steal some short-yardage carries.


San Diego Chargers 
Offseason additions:
 WR Craig Davis (draft), TE Scott Chandler (draft), WR Legedu Naanee (draft) 

Offseason losses: WR Az-Zahir Hakim, WR Keenan McCardell, TE Aaron Shea, TE Ryan Krause 

Fantasy focus: With McCardell gone, there's an immediate opening in the starting lineup. Craig Davis will get every opportunity to take that spot. The team has kept Michael Turner as LaDainian Tomlinson's backup, giving it a potent 1-2 punch.


Tennessee Titans 
Offseason additions: 

WR Justin Gage (Chicago), RB Chris Henry (draft), WR Paul Williams (draft), WR Chris Davis (draft), WR Joel Filani (draft) 

Offseason losses: WR Drew Bennett, RB Travis Henry, TE Erron Kinney, WR Bobby Wade, RB Chris Brown 

Fantasy focus: Gage never really put everything together in Chicago, but the team's QB play didn't help that either. He'll be counted on to help ease the loss of Bennett and Wade. He'll battle Brandon Jones for a starting spot opposite David Givens. Neither is a great fantasy option at this point. Don't expect much out of the rookies, either. With Henry and Brown gone, LenDale White will get every opportunity to win the starting running back position, provided he can stay in shape. Henry was never a feature back in college, always sharing carries with somebody else. That could be his role here as well as he's a speedier back than the powerful White.