Fantasy Football GM's

Some call them sleepers, others may call them value picks…I like to refer to them as “good looks”. Like in basketball when a player makes a good pass, they say “good look”. In other words, players worth taking a good look at. Always lookin’ out for you, here are some good looks to keep in mind for your 2009 fantasy draft:

1. Matt Forte- Almost everybody has Adrian Peterson going first, but what about second? Well, on April 3, 2009 Matt Forte went from being a fantasy stud, to serious consideration for this spot when the Bears acquired not only Jay Cutler but also massive OT Orlando Pace. Jay Cutler’s arm will open up the field for Forte and if Pace can stay healthy, watch out for a monster year from the second year back.

2. Michael Turner- the NIU product and former LT backup took the fantasy world by storm last year. Add Tony Gonzalez and give Matt Ryan another year under his belt and the sky is the limit. Absolute tree trunks for legs, a tackler’s worst nightmare and a good look at the two or three spot.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew (MJD)- I wouldn’t put him in the AP, Forte, Turner class just yet, but worth a good look in the mid first round. With Taylor off to New England and the Jags investing early picks on the o-line (Eugene Monroe, Eben Britton), this sneaky little running back has the potential to carry a team, especially in a PPR league.

4. Calvin Johnson- Ever heard of the third year receiver theory? Call me a homer but Daunte Culpepper is 30 pounds lighter and reunited with his former offensive coordinator Scott Linehan. The Lions new offense is set up for vertical passing…Think Randy Moss circa 2000. In case you were wondering, 15 TD’s over 1400 yards. Of course, it is a risky pick because if they get off to a bad start again they could be forced to play the rookie Stafford. But on the bright side, they should be trailing in many games, thus forced to throw the ball more. There should be a run on top tier receivers in the second round, and CJ is a good look there.

5. Pierre Thomas- Don’t forget about the PT Cruiser. A back getting goaline touches in one the leagues most potent offenses. He was a pleasant surprise for many who took a chance on him off the waiver wire late 2008. Runs and catches well, and proved to be a very effective compliment to Reggie Bush. Expect him to pick up where he left off and an excellent look in the third round.

6. Chris “Beanie” Wells- This guy couldn't have come into a better situation. I've heard him compared to the one and only Jim Brown, so his potential is through the roof. Although Wells is not a perfect fit for the Cardinals system because they run a lot of spread offense, he will have many holes to run through and he attacks the line of scrimmage very well. He should have many opportunities to score in the potent Arizona offense. Injury questions are the only down side here, but worth a good look in the early mid rounds 4-6.

7. Felix Jones- Only played in 6 games last year, but worth a look in rounds 6-8. Although Dallas has a well-balanced offense even without T.O. I expect the run and Felix Jones to get more involved. I love Marion Barber but I have a hunch that his violent running style could keep him out of some games this year, opening the door for Felix and his explosive speed. An especially good look for Barber owners to handcuff their investment in the Cowboy backfield.

8. Greg Olsen- word on the street is that Olsen and Cutler have good chemistry already. Cutler’s main tight end in Denver Tony Scheffler was involved quite a bit and with Chicago’s lack of quality wide receiver’s I would expect many targets and good numbers from Olsen this year. Check out what he had to say on his blog about Cutler http://tr.im/lX8A. Many people will have him as their fourth tight end on the board but I think his numbers will be more worthy of being the first or second tight end taken, thus creating a good look in the mid rounds.

9. Carson Palmer- a risky pick coming off an injury and losing a great possession receiver like Houshmanzadeh. Many gm’s will sleep on him because of this, however the Bengals picked up some intriguing new weapons in the draft for him. Massive OT Andre Smith protecting him should bode well for his production along with finally having a pass-catching TE in Chase Coffman. Coffman won the Mackey Award last season as college football’s top tight end and the Bengals picked him 98th overall in the third round. Look for Palmer to provide great value in rounds 10 and lower.

10. Bernard Berrian- Favre comeback or not, the Minnesota offense will be improved with the addition of Percy Harvin and OT Phil Loadholt. Berrian would have downfield opportunities if they put me in their backfield but defenses will obviously key in on Peterson, Harvin provides another distraction and before you know it double B is in the end zone. A decent two, strong number three receiver with potential to be even more if Favre comes back. Good look in rounds 7-9.

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