Each year, all of America logs on to ESPN.com with one common goal: the sweet, sweet sensation of a Fantasy Football Championship. In the 17 years since the online debut, Fantasy Football has become a tradition around the country, with ESPN.com alone having a total of 6,276,790 users last National Football League (NFL) season. But as Fantasy Football has developed, so has the competitiveness of its culture. Whether playing for a reward, pride or both, users are constantly rationalizing their latest trade requests, investigating free agents’ stats or hanging their heads in sorrow every time their running back fumbles.
There are many key players that can take one’s team to victory. For quarterback, reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning is the obvious front runner. Following a record breaking 2013 campaign, he totaled 406 fantasy points and is expected to put up 370 in 2014. With 5,162 passing yards last year, Drew Brees carried the rest of his team on his shoulder pads and is a definite second option. Both Cam Newton of the Panthers and Robert Griffin III of the Redskins are quite unique, among the League’s play-makers: they run almost as well as they pass. Now more experienced performers, Newton and Griffin III are strong and smart enough to gain close to 600 yards from rushing to complement their projected 3,500 from passing. With 33 touchdown passes last season, Andy Dalton of the Bengals is perhaps the biggest steal at the QB position. While quarterbacks play a huge role in winning a fantasy football championship, they do not carry the brunt of the load offensively.
Drafting solid running backs is vital for success. Following his impressive stint in 2013, Jamaal Charles could possibly be the most powerful running back in the game. However, Lesean McCoy of the Eagles may be a more reliable pick based on his consistent success in the NFL. McCoy is a force offensively. He and is eager to prove that he is the best running back in football and is prepared to take the Philadelphia Eagles deep into the playoffs. Expect McCoy to come out with a chip on his shoulder every Sunday night. Maurice Jones-Drew is also flying under the radar, and if healthy he can be a steal considering he plays for the Raiders who do not rank well among the NFL’s top passing teams.
Defensively, the Panthers and Seahawks are certainly the aggressors of the league. The Kansas City Chiefs have big hitters as well and can provide just as much scoring for a fantasy team. If someone drafts defense late or is looking to trade, the Detroit Lions will produce. Yes, they have struggled in the past few years but with the many star defenders on their roster, don’t count them out in 2014. The biggest steal has to be the Houston Texans. J.J. Watt alone can strike fear in the opposition and send quarterbacks running for the hills. But throw in the number one overall pick this year, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and forget about it. There is a lot of promise in Southeast Texas.
Potentially, the best receiver in the game is Demaryius Thomas. However, possible challengers include Brandon Marshall, Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones and A.J. Green. Desean Jackson was nothing short of impressive last year and as a new addition to the high-powered offense of the Redskins he is likely to fit in and become a huge option for them. Terrance Williams of the Cowboys and Riley Cooper of the Eagles are both as efficient as the NFL’s premier wide receivers but can be taken in the draft deep or traded for without losing a lot.
Fantasy Football is a cunning and brutal game. Although it can be overwhelming, try to realize that this is all just a game. Remember that whether you win or lose, the outcome is all okay…as long as you win. Now let’s play some football!
