The 09' All Potential Fantasy Football Team

Savvy gm’s will have their eyes on these players who have awesome potential and value based on where they are being ranked currently. These are the players that slackers will be scared to draft because they don’t know enough about them.

For example, last year the owners that took a risk on Michael Turner, rookie running backs Matt Forte and Chris Johnson and using a flier in the late rounds on Kurt Warner ended up very pleased.

Again I’ll be drafting from the middle of the pack for 12 rounds:

1. Deangelo Williams- breakout year in 08, led all rb’s in td’s and didn’t fumble once. The drafting of Jonathon Stewart motivated the third year back last year and he is going into the last year of his contract…nuff said.

2. Steve Slaton- I’ve seen him ranked in the top 5 and outside of the top 20. I would be thrilled to get him in the mid second. He has the potential to carry a team, especially in a PPR league. No committees to deal with here, playing with one of the best receivers in the game to keep defenses honest, speed, pass-catching ability and pure potential.

3. Dwayne Bowe- He should benefit from playing with a better quarterback in Cassell and having more experience himself coming into his third year where receivers notoriously breakout. Bowe has it all with great hands, size and speed. Also new Chiefs head coach Todd Haley was the OC in Arizona last year so you know he’s not afraid to throw the ball, however Bowe has come to camp 20-25 lbs overweight per his coach and rotoworld.com http://tr.im/oJNC so that is something to keep an eye on.

4. Aaron Rodgers- a year removed from the Favre saga, 1 year under his belt, remember he spent 3 years learning and waiting…had great #’s last year but needed to make more good decisions in 4th quarter. Remember he did most of this with a slightly separated shoulder and even rushed for 4 touchdowns too. I’d expect him to come in with a lot of confidence this year and continue his success.

5. Darren McFadden- blazing speed, hampered by injury last year. Cable likes to run and he should have every opportunity to prove himself this year. Probably will be taken by mid-fifth round, but still might be able to get him in the early portion of the fifth.

6. Antonio Bryant- I picked him in the CBS Mock Draft I did with Dave Richard earlier this month in the fifth round. Really liked what he was able to do at the end of last year. I think Leftwich will win the starting qb job in Tampa and provide a much bigger arm than Jeff Garcia did. The addition of Kellen Winslow should draw attention and help open things up for him as well.

7. Eddie Royal- a pretty impressive rookie year but I think most people will sleep on him since he no longer has Cutler as his quarterback. Orton should be able to get him the ball well enough, he has blazing speed and is a good route-runner as well. With Brandon Marshall requesting a trade now his value is only increasing.

8. Greg Olsen- I’ve mentioned him a couple times and he was also recently featured in an article by ESPN’s John Clayton about 10 young offensive players who could hit it big in 09’ http://tr.im/ouEn. I’d love to get him here.

9. Donnie Avery- inconsistent last year but showed flashes of brilliance. Definitely worth a shot in the later rounds. Will be more valuable playing at home on the turf, but has a great opportunity to put up numbers in the NFC West.

10. Leon Washington- He’s ended his holdout and I’d expect his contract situation to be resolved by time the season starts. Ryan will run much more this year. This is a transition year for the Jets running game with Thomas Jones toward the tail end of his career and rookie Greene not quite there yet. Washington should be involved in many short passes to get Sanchez more confidence, giving him many opportunities for big plays. Especially valuable in PPR league’s.

11. Green Bay Defense- switching to the 3-4. Had a great draft in my opinion getting B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews to go along with an already good group of linebackers of A. J Hawk, Nick Barnett and Aaron Kampman will now be playing on the outside. Older in the secondary but Woodson and Harris showed they can still play last year.

12. Stephen Gostkowski- if Tom Brady can stay healthy and they return to anywhere near their 07’ form, he will be the most coveted kicker.

If this ended up being my team I would be thrilled. Every player would be great value in the round he was chosen in, if not steals. In a PPR league that starts a flex this team would be nasty, with my strengths being pass-catching rb’s. If I had to depend on my receivers I would be a little less confident. What do you think?