Find Out Who Not To Count Out In 2008…

Many things happen in the off-season that can appear to negatively affect a player’s fantasy value. Injuries, trades, free-agent signings, position changes and draft picks are just a few examples. However, we all know that the biggest indicator of what’s real is what happens on the field. Check out who’s stock is rising or falling based on the first full weekend of NFL pre-season games. Read more

Fantasy Analytics Discusses Rookie RBs

With preseason activities gaining momentum, there is a definite need for quality rookie analysis as it pertains to the world of fantasy football. In an attempt to meet this need, Fantasy Football Analytics has partnered with No-Offseason.com on a 3-piece series, providing you the information you need to know before acquiring any of these rookies in dynasty leagues or deep keeper leagues. This first segment covers the quarterback and tight end positions and assigns each player discussed a letter grade for their dynasty league/deep keeper league value. Please be aware that these grades represent the long-term value of the players in question and not only the 2008 season. Read more

How Does AP Fall To 4th Overall?

This time of year is chalked full of expert mock drafts and fantasy leagues, and No-Offseason.com has been fortunate enough to participate in several recently. Fortunate in that we can use the information garnered in drafts to relay trends to our readers, to help them prepare to the fullest for the upcoming fantasy football season. We picked fourth in the recent FantasyFootballTrader.com Invitational, and we guarantee you’ll be surprised with who fell to us. Read more

Experts Draft: Roddy White Goes In Rd. 3

Falcons WR Roddy White had a breakout third season in 2007, hauling in 83 passes for 1,202 yards and six scores in Bobby Petrino and Hue Jackson’s high flying offense, but will the stat column translate over to 2008 under the much more conservative and run-friendly Mike Smith and Mike Mularkey? We don’t think so, but find out who did, as we analyze the third round of our most recent experts league draft. Read more

Darren McFadden Grasping Raiders Offense…

KFFL reports that RB Darren McFadden, the fourth overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, is grasping the Raiders offense very well. Head coach Lane Kiffin his very impressed with his progress and ability to run plays in such a short time as a pro.

McFadden also understands that it’s up to him to help turn the Raiders franchise around and he’s up for the challenge. We don’t buy the reports that Justin Fargas will beat him out. Ask us, and we’ll tell you that McFadden is the man in Oakland.

Justin Fargas To See Bulk Of Carries?

ESPN.com’s John Clayton is reporting that Oakland Raiders coaches have said that Justin Fargas will receive 20 or more carries a game in 2007, while Darren McFadden will be used in a variety of roles, but will only get around 500 yards rushing in 2008.

Sorry, but we don’t really see this happening. McFadden has the talent to make the Raiders totally forget Fargas even exists. 1,000 yards from McFadden in year one, with 55 catches, seems like a solid bet to us. Call us crazy for going against what Clayton reports and what the coaches say, but we just don’t believe it.

Darren McFadden Smart To Sign Early

The Raiders inked fourth overall pick Darren McFadden to a six-year, $60 million contract late Thursday night, with more than $20 million of it guaranteed. It may not seem like that big of a deal, but this move bodes well for his fantasy potential in 2008. We can’t physically look inside the minds of players to tell just how focused they are, but we can analyze their actions and the actions of those around them. The fact that McFadden didn’t beat around the bush and kick and scream like last year’s first rounder JaMarcus Russell, tells us his head is in the right place. Read more

Cedric Benson Not Focused On Football

Wondering why former fourth overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft Cedric Benson has grossly underachieved during his first three seasons in the NFL? Our sources tell us that the main reason for his lack of burst, speed and quite frankly - understanding of the NFL game - is a major lack of focus. Sources close to the University of Texas football program have told us that since entering the pros and receiving a big payday, he has steadily lost interest in football, and started to pursue other off-the-field interests. Read more

Darren McFadden Gets Deal Done…

Unlike last season’s first round draft choice, this year the Raiders’ top selection decided to sign early. Darren McFadden inked a six year, $60 million deal with reportedly $20 million in guaranteed money late yesterday.

Wow - that was fast. McFadden has been practicing well and took the initiative to get a deal done. While it’s great money, it still says a lot about the fact that he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss any time. We fully expect him to come in and be a fantasy stud in 2008. Yep, we said it.

Michael Bush Looks Great In Practice…

We’re hearing that Raiders RB Michael Bush has looked very solid in recent practices. While it’s tough to judge the true potential of running backs when nobody is wearing pads, Bush has impressed the coaching staff with his pass catching ability and speed.

There’s still hope for him to carve out a role in Oakland’s backfield with Darren McFadden. Justin Fargas’ future appears to be shaky, and LaMont Jordan will be out the door soon enough.

Raiders Update: McFadden Looks Solid…

Word out of Oakland Raiders practice on Tuesday was that rookie RB Darren McFadden looked very solid, making some nice plays as a receiver out of the backfield, and showing the explosiveness that the Raiders drafted him for.

On the other hand, two players that the Raiders have a lot of cash invested in, aren’t exactly looking as explosive. Free agent WR acquisition Javon Walker still looks sluggish according to head coach Lane Kiffin - which is a concern, and QB JaMarcus Russell looks like he’s totally out of shape.

Random Running Back Updates…

Several RB fantasy prospects have been mentioned in the news lately. Let’s take a look…

- Lorenzo Booker, Eagles RB - Booker has looked very impressive in practice recently, and is carving out a solid role in Philly’s West Coast offense. He will be a solid RB4 in PPR leagues, and has solid dynasty value as Brian Westbrook’s back-up.

- Kevin Smith, Lions RB - The former Central Florida stud has really impressed coaches of late. He plays in Jim Colletto’s run first, run second and run third offense, and will be a dynasty and seasonal stud. Yes, we said stud.

- Mewelde Moore, Steelers RB - Even though he has no more fantasy value due to the addition of Rashard Mendenhall, Mewelde Moore is happy with his role for Pittsburgh. He’ll return kicks and occasionally play on third downs.

- Chris Taylor, Texans RB - After looking like a very solid deep seasonal sleeper candidate earlier this off-season, Texans head coach Gary Kubiak is now changing his tune a bit with regards to third year RB Chris Taylor. Right now, Ahman Green, Chris Brown and Steve Slaton appear to be ahead of him on the depth chart. The key factor we keep going back to though is that Green and Brown are extremely injury prone. Don’t count Taylor out just yet.

- Darren McFadden, Raiders RB - McFadden will start contract negotiations next week. This is great for his seasonal fantasy value. He’ll get into camp, and start early, which will be important for earning significant playing time.