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

BUF: TE Anderson could challenge for starts

Courtney Anderson (TE) 7/14: Free agent acquisition Courtney Anderson is considered the favorite to chalenge the incumbent, Robert Royal, as the starting tight end in Buffalo this season, according to buffalorumblings.com. No-Offseason Take: As improved as we believe Buffalo's offense will be in 2008, we don't really think TE will be a major position. Expect Marshawn Lynch, Lee Evans and James Hardy to see the rock a lot, but neither TE will make an impact in the stat column.

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

Buffalo’s James Hardy Looking Good…

Reports from Buffalo Bills practices indicate that 6′5″ rookie WR James Hardy is looking pretty darn good. He’s grasping the offense well, and new OC Turk Schonert is able to do a little more with him because of it.

We’ve really liked Hardy since draft day, and he should have outstanding dynasty value, as well as be in the running to be the top seasonal WR candidate.

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

James Hardy Looks Good In Practice…

Bills second round WR James Hardy reportedly looked very solid in practice on Tuesday, and made a couple nice catches over the middle of the field. Other than some off-the-field issues that were resolved about a month ago, Hardy looks like a very good dynasty prospect.

He’s big and versatile, and has impressed his teammates thus far. Hardy could earn a starting role opposite Evans, and in Turk Schonert’s pass friendly offense, he’d have very solid value in dynasty rookie only leagues.

Worrying About Off-The-Field Issues?

Bills second round WR James Hardy’s recent decision to pull a gun on his father during a recent visit home to Indiana has our readers questioning whether or not off-the-field issues seriously affect fantasy performance, how to analyze this situations and draft accordingly. Read more

Lee Evans Injury Update…

Bills WR Lee Evans missed 11-on-11 portions of the team’s first spring practice due to off-season shoulder surgery. Since Evans is on the recovering side of things, we’re not worried about him. He should benefit from new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert and new WR James Hardy.

Evans is a solid WR2/WR3 in deep leagues.

James Hardy To Start For Bills…

The early word from Bills workouts is that rookie second rounder James Hardy has a great chance to start opposite Lee Evans in 2008. We absolutely love Hardy’s skill set, and believe he’s a seasonal deep sleeper and an absolutely phenomenal dynasty prospect.

At 6′6″, Hardy has a “knack” for catching TDs, and has great hands. Trent Edwards and the entire Bills offense will benefit from his presence.

The Bills are definitely one of our top sleeper fantasy offenses of 2008.

Seasonal Rookie Rankings

The fantasy value of NFL rookies seems to be misunderstood. In seasonal drafts, owners that can separate the young studs from the duds, are much more likely to bring home their fantasy title. Don’t be confused though, the difference between evaluating the fantasy value of NFL rookies in dynasty leagues and seasonal leagues is vast. Dynasty league owners must look years into the future, and prognosticate the value of certain running backs and WRs, who may enter 2008 as low as second or third on the depth chart at their position. Read more

Top Dynasty League Rookie Prospects

Since the completion of the 2008 NFL Draft, the number one question that I’ve been asked by fantasy owners is - “how do you rank this year’s rookies for dynasty drafts?” Obviously, this is a very different question than asking - “which rookies will have the best statistical seasons in 2008?” Read more

James Hardy To Buffalo; Eddie Royal To Denver…

After no WRs being taken in the first round of the NFL Draft, Indiana’s James Hardy and Virginia Tech’s Eddie Royal were snagged by two squads that desperately needed WR help - Buffalo and Denver, respectively.

We LOVE Hardy in Buffalo, as he’s a perfect compliment to Lee Evans, and should help the fantasy value of Trent Edwards, giving him a solid red zone threat. Hardy is a great dynasty prospect himself in Turk Schonert’s new system.

The verdict is still out on Royal, who will have to beat out Darrell Jackson, Brandon Stokley, Keary Colbert and Samie Parker.