CM1 Team

[MCP313]

Couldn't make the draft. Chris #'s looked out for me and stepped in for the draft

QB: Drew Brees, Joe Flacco
RB: Rashard Mendenhall, Fred Jackson, Knowshon Moreno, Thomas Jones, Montario Hardesty, Deji Karim
WR: Miles Austin, Wes Welker, Santana Moss, Davone Bess, Mike Williams, Brandon Gibson
TE: Kellen Winslow, Chris Cooley
PK: John Kasay
TD: Philadelphia Eagles
Overview:

This team is built around strong quarterback play. Despite not being strong at running back and receiver, we think this team should be among the top teams in the league.

Nevertheless, we feel compelled to mention that the RB and WR positions make us a bit nervious and are likely to require some attention throughout the year. We'd feel much better if we knew you were committed to scooping up 2011's breakout players at RB and WR. Getting one or more of these would take this team to the next level.

Players we particularly like on this team include Brandon Gibson, Santana Moss, Deji Karim, Joe Flacco, and Mike Williams. We have all these guys ranked ahead of where they are typically being drafted.

Bottom line:
With great inseason management, we think you have about a 75 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With good inseason management, we think you have about a 60 percent chance of making the playoffs.
With average inseason management, we think you have a 45 percent chance of making the playoffs.
In any event, we wish you the best of luck. Here's hoping all your weeks are like week 13 of 2009:

Knowshon Moreno vs. KC: 86 combined yards, 2 TD
Davone Bess vs. NE: 117 receiving yards, 1 TD
Wes Welker vs. MIA: 167 receiving yards
Drew Brees vs. WAS: 419 passing yards, 2 TD
Miles Austin vs. NYG: 104 receiving yards, 1 TD
Rashard Mendenhall vs. OAK: 103 combined yards, 1 TD
QB Summary:

You don't need us to tell you this, but we'll tell you anyway: Drew Brees should ensure that your production at the quarterback position is among the best in the league. We have him as the #5 QB according to your scoring rules, and we figure he gives you about a 1.7 point-per-game advantage over an average starting QB.

Joe Flacco, who we have rated as the #14 QB, is a fine backup.

Incidentally, Flacco has what we project as a neutral matchup (CIN) during Brees's bye.

RB Summary:

We see both your starters at running back as below average. Our projections have Rashard Mendenhall ranked at #6 and Fred Jackson ranked at #24.

Your bench looks good and should help offset the unexciting starting unit. Knowshon Moreno should serve as a very solid third running back; he's a likely flex starter. We also very much approve of the selection of Thomas Jones, and not just because you can hold the Jamaal Charles owner hostage. He's a fine fourth running back in his own right. Not only do we like Montario Hardesty as a fifth running back, we love that you stole him from the Peyton Hillis owner.

Deji Karim is an excellent depth pick, though you may not end up using him much.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some of our staffers have Rashard Mendenhall as high as #4, which would make him an above average first running back. Sigmund Bloom's take: "The Steelers have a dream week 15/16 combination of San Francisco and St. Louis. Mendenhall became a big red zone presence and he should easily top double-digit TDs as a drive and game finisher for a winning football team. He'll also be on the field for third-down a lot more often this year."

Some of our staffers have Fred Jackson as high as #20, which would make him a fine second running back. Jason Wood's take: "Fred Jackson was a divisive player in 2010 because of the Bills decision to draft C.J. Spiller, not to mention the continuing presence of Marshawn Lynch. Spiller struggled as a rookie, and Lynch was sent packing to Seattle, which opened the door for Jackson to reprise his role as the top dog. Unfortunately the Bills have probably given Spiller too much money to abandon him, which caps Jackson's upside. But he's certainly capable of another Top 15-20 season (which he's basically done in each of the last two seasons)."

WR Summary:

Your starting receivers should, as a unit, be adequate but not great. In particular we like Santana Moss as a third WR. Miles Austin is our #9 ranked receiver, Wes Welker is #22, and we have Moss 24th.

We see Davone Bess as an average fourth receiver. Mike Williams is an excellent WR5.

Brandon Gibson is an excellent depth pick, though you may not end up using him much.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Some members of our staff have Miles Austin ranked as high as sixth, which would make him an above average first receiver. Anthony Borbely defends his high ranking as follows: "Austin had big numbers when Romo started last year and if you prorate those over a full season, Austin would have been a top 5 WR. He was 3rd in 2009 despite only starting 12 games. He is a legitimate top 5 WR. "

Wes Welker is ranked #13 by some of our writers, which would make him an above average second receiver. Jeff Pasquino reasons, "Wes Welker is the top target for Tom Brady by quite a wide margin, although some do have legitimate concerns about him without a guy like Randy Moss to stretch the field. The addition of Chad OchoCinco should draw coverage away from Welker, opening things up for both. Welker enters 2011 in his contract year, but the 30-year old is now fully recovered from tearing his ACL and remains a PPR machine. Expect a ton of targets for him this year as he prepares to sign a big deal after this season, either in New England or elsewhere."

Some of our staffers have Davone Bess as high as #39, which would make him an above average fourth receiver. Matt Waldman's take: "One of the best third-down receivers in the NFL last year. The quarterback situation is a variable that's tough to predict right now. He has surprise WR3 upside, but he's still a better flex-play. "

TE Summary:

Kellen Winslow is viable but below average as a starting tight end (we have him ranked #11). We're also not too fired up about Chris Cooley as a backup.

Note that the above "thoughts" were generated by David Dodds's projections. Others have different takes:

Kellen Winslow is ranked #7 by some of our writers, which would make him a fine first tight end. Jeff Pasquino reasons, "Kellen Winslow has looked good so far and he was not forced to have surgery for the first time in years this passt offseason. Josh Freeman loves the big target over the middle, so expect KW2 to rack up the catches again this year."

Kicker Summary:

We don't think John Kasay is starter quality in this league. Keep a sharp eye on the waiver wire.

Defense Summary:

The Eagles are our #4 ranked defense, so you're in good shape here.

[johnny1212]

santana moss will have a big year!!!