Fantasy Analytics Discusses Rookie WRs

To play 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

PIT: Top rookies expected for camp

Rashard Mendenhall (RB) 7/23: Top rookies Rashard Mendenhall and Limas Sweed are expected to be signed prior to the start of training camp Sunday, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Coach Mike Tomlin said, "We don't anticipate any of these guys having hold ups as far as participating." No-Offseason Take: See where Mendenhall and Sweed rank in our dynasty rookie rankings.

Fantasy Impact: Hines Ward

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

Ranking 2008 Rookie WRs

Surprisingly, St. Louis’ Donnie Avery was the first WR selected in the 2008 NFL Draft. The speedy route runner from the University of Houston came out of nowhere to become the 33rd overall pick. Just because he was the first pass catcher taken, doesn’t mean it’ll translate to the stat column in 2008. Limas Sweed, however, was the ninth pass catcher taken, and his fantasy value is looking pretty solid heading into 2008. Each season there’s at least one rookie WR who steps up his game and becomes fantasy worthy in his first season, and believe it or not, there is a rhyme or reason to predicting which one it’ll be. Read more

Hines Ward Had Knee Surgery…

Steelers WR Hines Ward had knee surgery this off-season after playing through partial tears of his MCL, PCL and meniscus last season. Ward is a freaking warrior, who should be ready for 2008, but is missing mini-camp and will likely take it easy during training camp and preseason, which could open up the door for rookie Limas Sweed to get increased reps, next to future fantasy stud Santonio Holmes.

Steelers Add Limas Sweed In Round Two…

After Illinois RB Rashard Mendenhall fell to them in round one, Texas WR Limas Sweed fell to them in round two. Sweed gives Ben Roethlisberger the “big WR” option he wanted, and Sweed should fit in very well to a revamped Steelers passing attack under Bruce Arians. Sweed, Santonio Holmes, Hines Ward and Heath Miller make Big Ben a top five fantasy QB heading into 2008. Sweed’s dynasty upside is seriously solid.

Discuss this more in our forums.

Washington Redskins Draft Update…

Word from our sources is that the Redskins are looking to draft either a defensive end or a wide receiver with the 21st overall pick. As we’ve reported for some time now, these two positions - along with OLB and CB - are their top needs. So, the question now is, do they take Clemson’s Phillip Merling, Miami’s Calias Campbell, Texas’ Limas Sweed or Oklahoma’s Malcolm Kelly?

Well, we’re hearing that Merling is first on their big board, followed by Kelly, Sweed and Campbell, in that order. Jim Zorn apparently feels that the recently disgruntled Malcolm Kelly would be a great value at number 21 overall.

If the ‘Skins don’t land a WR in round one, they’ll likely target Kansas State’s Jordy Nelson and Houston’s Donnie Avery later on day one.

Sweed Gone; What Will Skins Do?

Yesterday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers stole Limas Sweed away from the Washington Redskins, who are on the clock now in our ongoing Quick Hits 2008 NFL Mock Draft. What will Dan Snyder and Jim Zorn do now that their large WR is gone? Check it out and more as our mock continues. Read more

Where Will J-Stew Be Drafted?

Moving right along, our 2008 NFL Mock Draft is starting to heat up. We’ve already had two running backs and two wide receivers fly off the board in our top 15 picks, but will there be many more skill position players drafted in the first round? Read more