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St. Louis Rams Fantasy Football Player Projections, Rankings and Commentary

July 22, 2014 By Dave Leave a Comment

St. Louis Rams Quarterback Sam Bradford (8) on the field during the football game against the Texans. Rams defeated the Texans 38-13 in Houston. October 13, 2013; Photographer: Juan DeLeon/Icon Sportswire

This is a make or break year for St. Louis Rams QB Sam Bradford – Part Deux. Photo: Icon Sportswire

Player Tier · Rank Passing Rushing Receiving FPts
QB S. Bradford
5 · 22nd
335-550-3,800 21 TD 14 INT
40-126 1 TD
–
292.6
RB Z. Stacy
3 · 18th –
260-1,200 6 TD
30-185 1 TD
180.5
RB T. Mason
7 · 48th –
100-400 2 TD
35-205 1 TD
78.5
RB B. Cunningham
NR –
30-135 1 TD
3-00 0 TD
19.5
WR T. Austin
8 · 49th – –
65-850 6 TD
121.0
WR K. Britt
9 · 57th – –
35-375 2 TD
49.5
WR A. Pettis
NR – –
10-110 0 TD
11.0
WR B. Quick
NR – –
16-215 2 TD
33.5
WR C. Givens
NR – –
35-525 2 TD
64.5
WR S. Bailey
NR – –
30-390 2 TD
51.0
TE J. Cook
5 · 22nd – –
50-625 4 TD
86.5
TE L. Kendricks
NR – –
30-300 2 TD
42.0

Data as of July 21 | Current Cheatsheets | Current Projections

NR = Not ranked

QB Sam Bradford

Tell us if you’ve heard this before – this is a make or break year for St. Louis Rams quarterback Sam Bradford. Entering last season, we said the same thing about Bradford, only to watch him suffer a torn ACL in a Week 7 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Prior to the injury, Bradford posted solid production with 1,687 passing yards and 14 touchdowns with just four interceptions. However, a closer look reveals that he struggled to play well in two of his seven starts with the Rams accumulating just 18 total points in Week 3 and 4 losses to the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers. After four years, the book on Bradford is that he is an injury prone player (16 missed games) who fails to deliver big plays when his team needs him. Looking forward to 2014, the Rams have put together their best offensive line of Bradford’s career and surrounded him with a talented, if not entirely proven group of skill position players. St. Louis needs Bradford to step up his game and for offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to put him in a solid position to succeed. The good news is that fantasy owners won’t be reaching for Bradford as anything more than a low end QB2. If you want him, he rates as a low risk, moderate upside option at quarterback.

RB Zac Stacy

Taken in the 5th round of the 2013 NFL Draft, Stacy suffered through an awful preseason but, after barely playing in the Rams first four games, emerged as the Rams top running back in Week 5. Built low and powerful, Stacy effectively used his 5’8”, 224 pound frame to move the pile and churn out yards, finishing the season with 973 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 250 carries. He was passable as a receiver, gaining just 141 yards and a touchdown on 26 receptions as he played extensively due to the lack of solid options on the depth chart. With the Rams having added Tre Mason in the 3rd round of this year’s draft, we don’t foresee Stacy averaging the close to 23 touches per game he averaged in games he led the St. Louis rushing attack in 2013. Look for Mason to take over as the team’s leading receiving option out of the backfield and earn at least 6-8 rushes per game. However, Stacy will own the short yardage role and could emerge as a low end RB1 provided quarterback Sam Bradford can remain healthy and the Rams rebuilt offensive line lives up to its preseason billing.

RB Tre Mason

With former undrafted free agent Benny Cuningham, disappointing Isaiah Pead and injury prone Daryl Richardson (since released) behind Zac Stacy on the depth chart, the Rams used a 3rd round pick to acquire Auburn running back Tre Mason. While Mason lacks ideal size at just 5’9” and 205 pounds, he was a physical runner in college whose running style and size compare to Ray Rice. However, the Rams offense was at its best in 2013 with Stacy grinding out first downs and wearing down opposing defenses, and Stacy’s running style is more in line with what head coach Jeff Fisher prefers in the rushing game. Look for Mason to emerge as the Rams top backup and for offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to work him into the game plan as a change of pace and receiving option on 3rd down. He is a mid-tier dynasty prospect.

RB Benny Cunningham

Cunningham emerged as the Rams top backup running back last season almost by default. With former 2nd round pick Isaiah Pead in the doghouse and Daryl Richardson on the shelf due to a thigh injury, Cunningham was used extensively in two games and was solid in each, gaining 199 yards and a touchdown on 21 touches in Weeks 10 and 12. Unfortunately, talent wins out and it was pretty clear that the undrafted free agent out of Middle Tennessee State lacked upside, leading the Rams to use a 3rd round pick this season on Tre Mason.

RB Isaiah Pead

A 2nd round selection in the 2012 draft, Pead was pegged by many to be the eventual replacement for running back Steven Jackson. However, after two years, 17 carries, 14 receptions and a pile of time on the inactive list, Pead’s career with the Rams should mercifully come to an end at some point in August.

WR Tavon Austin

Entering his 2nd year in the league, Austin is a polarizing figure for fantasy purposes. Was he misused last season by Rams offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, a coach often criticized for his lack of creativity? Would he have produced more had Sam Bradford been healthy for the entire season? With the Rams having their most success last season when they featured the running game, will Austin’s lack of blocking ability cause him to lose playing time in 2014? What is his role in the Rams deep, yet mostly unproven group of wide receivers? While Austin clearly has game breaking ability (as evidenced the 60.1 points he amassed in three games last season), he also struggled to separate himself from a group of receivers with much less talent and was wildly inconsistent, failing to top 40 receiving yards in ten of his 13 games. Since we don’t expect the Rams to give away their plans for Austin in the preseason, grabbing him as a WR3 seems foolhardy. If you like Austin’s potential, draft him as no more than a WR4 and hope the Rams have figured out how to maximize his tantalizing blend of speed and agility.

WR Chris Givens

After using his blazing speed to haul in 42 passes for 698 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie in 2012, the Rams expected Givens to continue to develop and become a key cog in the team’s passing attack in 2013. However, the Wake Forest product suffered an ankle injury that bothered him for much of the season and he failed to develop a rapport with backup quarterback Kellen Clemens after Sam Bradford was lost for the season in Week 7. By season’s end, Givens had accumulated just 34 receptions for 569 yards while failing to find the end zone. In 2014, Givens will compete for a role in the starting lineup with Tavon Austin, Stedman Bailey, Kenny Britt, Austin Pettis and Brian Quick. While that is hardly tough competition, it’s worth noting that Given has hauled in just 76 of his 163 targets during his first two years in the league. Largely a one trick pony as a deep threat, Givens will need to expand his game to have solid fantasy value.

WR Austin Pettis

Pettis enjoyed a career-year in 2013 with 38 receptions for 399 yards and four touchdowns. The 2011 3rd round pick out of Boise State has made his mark as a decent receiver in the red zone, as evidenced by his eight touchdowns over the past two years on just 68 receptions. That’s the good news. That bad news is that he has averaged just 9.6 yards per reception during his three year career. Given’s limited upside and lack of a defined role in the Rams offense entering 2014 equates to no fantasy value.

WR Stedman Bailey

Expected to spend his rookie season buried on the Rams depth chart at wide receiver, Bailey, the Rams 3rd round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, was surprisingly productive as the season wound down. The 5’10” and 195 pound West Virginia product hauled in 15 of his 22 targets for 195 yards and a pair of touchdowns over the final five games of the season when given an expanded role in the team’s offense. Possessing 4.4-40 speed, Bailey was a solid contender to exit the preseason with a role in the starting lineup until it was announced in May that he would be suspended for four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. That news put a serious kink in his fantasy value and pretty much ensures he will go undrafted in all but the deepest fantasy leagues.

WR Brian Quick

Considered a raw prospect after being taken with the 1st pick in the second round of the 2012 draft, Quick followed up a disappointing rookie year with another subpar effort in 2013. He once again failed to emerge as a consistent contributor due to his inability to fully grasp the team’s playbook and his inconsistent hands. Unless Quick can quickly gain the trust of quarterback Sam Bradford and the team’s coaching staff, he is headed for bust status. While he has solid size at 6’5” and 220 pounds and better than average speed, Quick is in no danger of being taken in fantasy drafts this summer given the presence of Kenny Britt, a player with similar physical characteristics, on the Rams roster.

WR Kenny Britt

Should you drink the Britt Kool-Aid? Tough call. Sure, he’s talented. Sure, the Rams lack a true number one wide receiver. However, Britt is coming off the worst season of his five-year career having caught just 11 of his 35 targets for 96 yards in 2013. An incentive-laden one-year deal in St. Louis may help propel Britt back to respectability but even if he earns a job with the Rams (not a given by any stretch), it’s worth noting that he has never topped 800 receiving yards and he found the end zone just seven times over his final three seasons in Tennessee. He rates as a late round flier at best.

TE Jared Cook

At first glance, Cook enjoyed a fairly solid season during his first year in St. Louis, finishing as the 11th ranked fantasy tight end with 51 receptions for 671 yards and five touchdowns. However, a closer look reveals that the talented Cook was a major bust after his 7 reception, 141 yard, two touchdown performance in Week 1. From that point on, Cook hauled in just 44 of his 75 targets (a 58.9% completion rate) for 530 yards and three touchdowns, hitting double digit fantasy points just once. In fact, Cook had a whopping 12 games with five fantasy points or less. Unless offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer figures out a way to maximize his talents, Cook rates as nothing more than a low end TE2.

Also see: Arizona Cardinals | San Francisco 49ers | Seattle Seahawks
 

Filed Under: Fantasy Football

Indianapolis Colts Fantasy Football Player Projections, Rankings and Commentary

July 15, 2014 By Dave Leave a Comment

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) recovers a fumble and leaps into the end zone to score a touchdown during the AFC Wild Card football game between the Indianapolis Colts vs Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium. January 4, 2014; Photographer: Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire

A lot of uncertainty figuring out the fantasy prospects for many of the Colts skill position players heading into 2014, but there is little doubt Andrew Luck is one of the most desirable quarterbacks to own in dynasty formats. Photo: Icon Sportswire

Player Tier · Rank Passing Rushing Receiving FPts
QB A. Luck
3 · 8th
365-590-4,300 27 TD 10 INT
45-200 2 TD
–
355.0
RB T. Richardson
5 · 26th –
170-650 6 TD
30-240 1 TD
131.0
RB V. Ballard
8 · 53rd –
130-600 4 TD
15-140 0 TD
98.0
RB A. Bradshaw
NR –
40-175 2 TD
0-00 0 TD
29.5
WR T. Hilton
6 · 36th – –
60-925 6 TD
128.5
WR H. Nicks
7 · 42nd – –
50-700 5 TD
100.0
WR R. Wayne
9 · 58th – –
50-600 4 TD
84.0
WR D. Rogers
NR – –
15-220 2 TD
34.0
WR D. Moncrief
NR – –
20-200 1 TD
26.0
TE D. Allen
3 · 11th – –
60-720 6 TD
108.0
TE C. Fleener
4 · 22nd – –
50-570 3 TD
75.0

Data as of July 11 | Current Cheatsheets | Current Projections

NR = Not ranked

QB Andrew Luck

While Luck had a solid rookie season in 2012 by setting an NFL rookie record with 4,374 passing yards and throwing for 23 touchdowns passes, he was even more impressive last season. Despite playing behind a porous offensive line and missing Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Allen for the majority of the season, he increased his completion percentage from 54.1% to 60.3% and his interceptions dropped from 18 to nine while once again throwing 23 touchdown passes. Unfortunately, his PPG average dropped from 22.9 to 21.6. Look for that trend to be reversed in 2014. Both Wayne and Allen return from injury and Hakeem Nicks was signed in free agency with hopes that he will re-establish himself as one of the league’s leading receivers. The offensive line remains a question mark but could feature three new starters. Playing in his second season in offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s west coast based offense, Luck rates as a mid-tier QB1 with upside and, of course, one of the most desirable quarterbacks to own in dynasty formats.

RB Trent Richardson

After living up to his draft day billing as a rookie in 2012 by amassing 950 rushing yards, 367 receiving yards and scoring 12 touchdowns despite playing much of the season with rib and knee injuries, Trent Richardson imploded in 2013. First, the new Cleveland Browns regime (since replaced) unloaded him to the Colts after just two games, and then Richardson went on to struggle mightily in Indianapolis, finishing the year averaging just 3.0 yards per carry and failing to post a single 100 yard rushing performance. In fact, his best rushing performance came in a Week 15 win against the lowly Texans and he posted ten games with 40 rushing yards or less. While the Colts organization has offered up plenty of excuses for his lack of production (from improper use to lack of knowledge of the playbook due to his joining the team at midseason), it is worth noting that they have plenty of egg on their faces after they gave up a 1st round pick in this year’s NFL Draft to acquire him. This season, Richardson will enter training camp atop the depth chart with a pair of injured players behind him in Vick Ballard and Ahmad Bradshaw. That pretty much guarantees him a solid opportunity in 2014 but the Colts figure to throw the ball more in 2014 with improved health at the receiving positions (both Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Allen missed significant time due to injuries last season) as well as the addition of Hakeem Nicks. With the Colts on the verge of emerging as an elite offensive team (they averaged 28.8 PPG during their last six games last season counting the playoffs), Richardson is definitely worth adding to your fantasy roster. However, you don’t want to reach for him. Consider him an upper tier RB3 and hope for the best.

RB Vick Ballard

After posting 814 rushing yards as a rookie 5th round pick in 2013 despite not getting major touches until Week 7, Ballard missed all but one game last season due to a torn ACL. Not exactly a speedster or elusive playmaker before the injury, it remains to be seen if he can continue to be effective in the Colts rushing attack. Unfortunately for Ballard, the Colts traded for Trent Richardson after his injury and he figures to get the first crack at the starting position. Ahmad Bradshaw was also re-signed, making Indianapolis three deep at the running back position. Despite these negatives, we like Ballard as a decent slot pull this season. Richardson was completely ineffective last season and Bradshaw is no longer capable of handling a large role given his injury history. It wouldn’t rate as a shocking surprise if Ballard earns some starts in 2014.

RB Ahmad Bradshaw

In what was considered a bit of a surprise, the Colts chose to re-sign Ahmad Bradshaw despite the fact the injury prone running back missed 13 games last season due to a neck injury. Although Bradshaw is just 28 years of age, he has the wear and tear of a player several years older and has been forced to play nicked up for much of his career, often due to chronic issues with his foot. Even though he signed on at a bargain basement salary, we can’t endorse his signing or his fantasy prospects in 2014 even if he did accumulate 228 yards and a pair of scores on 48 touches in three games last season. With Bradshaw not yet cleared for contact in late June, he may not even be ready for the opening of training camp. And even if he somehow ends up starting, it will almost certainly be in a platoon.

WR Reggie Wayne

Wayne has put together a stellar career after 13 seasons in the league but he faces a major hurdle in 2014 as he attempts to return to his normal self after suffering a torn ACL during Week 7 of last season. At 35 years of age, time isn’t on Wayne’s side and together with the injury recovery makes it unlikely that he will post a 1,000 yard season, a feat he accomplished in eight of nine seasons prior to last year. Playing in a Colts offense that is committed to establishing a reasonable run-pass balance and that features three solid wide receivers and two above average pass catching tight ends, Wayne isn’t going to approach the 145.8 targets he averaged from 2004-2012. Unless the preseason proves otherwise, Wayne shapes up as a low end WR4 at best in 2014.

WR Hakeem Nicks

Despite playing out the last year of his rookie contract in 2013, Nicks failed to display much motivation in his final year as a New York Giant, finishing the season with 56 receptions for 896 yards and failing to score a single touchdown. His career as a Giant was sealed as he sulked his way through the season and ultimately ended up signing a one-year, $3.975-million contract with the Colts. At 26 years of age, Nicks is hoping to parlay a solid season in Indianapolis into the long term contract he hoped to get this past offseason. We’re not sure he will get enough opportunity to make that happen. While Nicks remains capable of establishing himself as a solid number one wide receiver, there just seems to be too much talent among the Colts wide receivers and tight ends for him to earn enough targets to put together a big season. For fantasy purposes, don’t reach for Nicks. He rates as an upper tier WR4 with upside.

WR T.Y. Hilton

The Colts 3rd round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Hilton, a 5’10’, 180 pound Florida International product, has put two together a pair of solid seasons to open his career. Hilton was a big part of the Colts offense in 2013, as injuries caused both Reggie Wayne and Dwayne Allen to miss the majority of the season. By season’s end, Hilton had accumulated 82 receptions for 1,083 yards and five touchdowns after catching 50 passes for 861 yards and seven touchdowns as a rookie. The arrow is pointing up, right? Perhaps but there are some storm clouds in the horizon. While the Colts love Hilton’s big play ability, he probably won’t reach the 138 targets he had last season with both Wayne and Allen back from injury and the addition of Hakeem Nicks to the Colts receiving corps. In addition, Hilton was a boom or bust player last season, accumulating 40.5% of his fantasy points in two games. He also had nine games with 50 receiving yards or less and nine games with less than six fantasy points. While we like Hilton, he will likely struggle to see much improvement from his production last season and there is a decent chance he will take a step back with the improved receiving talent surrounding him. Consider Hilton a low end WR2.

WR Da’Rick Rogers

While the Colts are high on Rogers, who should have been a Day Two draft pick last season if not for his off the field issues, it appears he isn’t in line for a prominent role in 2014. Rogers’ size and speed give him the potential to be a solid pro, and he had a decent rookie season, catching 14 passes for 192 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Unfortunately, Hakeem Nicks was signed in the offseason, meaning Rogers will battle with rookie 3rd round pick Donte Moncrief to be the fourth option at wide receiver in the Colts passing attack.

WR Donte Moncrief

Right place, wrong time. Such is the story of Moncrief’s selection in the 3rd round of this year’s draft by the Colts. Considered one of the highest upside receivers in this year’s draft, Moncrief has the ability to emerge as a number one wide receiver in the NFL. He has solid size at 6’2” and 226 pounds to go along with 4.4-40 speed and better than average elusiveness. Just don’t expect to see much of Moncrief in 2014. He figures to spend the season working on his route running with Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton and Hakeem Nicks hogging the targets at the wide receiver position. Moncrief is a solid dynasty prospect and worthy of an early 2nd round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.

TE Dwayne Allen

After posting surprisingly solid production as a rookie in 2012, catching 45 of his 66 targets for 521 yards and three touchdowns, Allen was lost for the year in Week 1 last season due to a hip injury. In 2014, Allen will battle with fellow third year player Coby Fleener for playing time in Indianapolis’ offense. While Pep Hamilton was expected to use plenty of two tight end sets last season before Allen was hurt, the modus operandi of the Colts offense may have changed with Hakeem Nicks signed in the offseason and Reggie Wayne back from injury. That issue plus the presence of Fleener puts a damper on Allen’s fantasy prospects for this season. He rates as a low end TE1 but isn’t a player we see as having strong potential for a truly breakout season.

TE Coby Fleener

Handed a major opportunity when Dwayne Allen was lost for the season in Week 1 of last season and wide receiver Reggie Wayne suffered a season ending injury in Week 7, Fleener floundered. Despite having a solid rapport with college teammate Andrew Luck, he caught just 52 of his 88 targets even though a large portion of them were of the short to intermediate variety. He finished the year with 608 receiving yards and four touchdowns. In 2014, Fleener will battle with Allen for playing time in an offense that should feature a fairly high percentage of three wide receiver sets. Fleener hasn’t displayed much big play potential as a pro and we aren’t sold on his fantasy prospects in 2014.

Also see: Houston Texans | Jacksonville Jaguars | Tennessee Titans
 

Filed Under: Fantasy Football

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