Wired: Looking Ahead
With much of America heading to bed in a drink-induced coma Monday night,
Leon Washington trickled 64 yards up a soggy Miami field during a play that may sink the playoff hopes of dangerous teams like the Jaguars, Bengals, and Titans. If the Jets and Broncos beat Oakland and San Francisco this week, respectively, they will wrap up the two AFC Wild Cards sports.
Most fantasy leagues are already decided. The few that remain are unlikely to have a waiver period this week, so this column will look ahead. A player who has a chance to see a major bump in value in 2007 was selected from each NFL team.
I tried to pick a lesser name whenever possible. In some cases, well-known players were chosen because they have a chance to rise to elite status next season. Goal Line Stand will still come out on Thursday, but I wanted to take this time to say thanks for reading Waiver Wired this year. Your support makes this website possible.
2007 Wired Risers AFC East New England Patriots – Chad Jackson, WR - The Patriots weren't able to integrate Jackson into the offense or find consistent receiver talent during the season. Bill Belichick often talks about a second-year leap and will hope Jackson can learn their system enough to start next year.
Laurence Maroney should also rise to a first-round fantasy option if the team cuts
Corey Dillon. I'd bet on it.
Buffalo Bills - J.P. Losman, QB - Losman may never be an elite fantasy option, but his job is secure and the Bills could help him out by adding a halfway decent number two receiver or pass-catching tight end.
Miami Dolphins – Ricky Williams, RB - It appears the Dolphins want Ricky back, but what Ricky will show up? His best chance for true fantasy relevance is to go elsewhere. Rookie WR
Derek Hagan has shown promise, but probably needs
Marty Booker to get cut to matter in 2006. Backup QB
Cleo Lemon is a free agent.
New York Jets - Kellen Clemens, QB - Expect Clemens to compete with
Chad Pennington for the starting job next season. The running back position is still a mystery, but a
Cedric Houston/
Leon Washington combination will do if necessary. A committee seems likely regardless.
AFC South Indianapolis Colts – Joseph Addai, RB -
Dominic Rhodes is a free agent and Addai should be ready to be a 350-touch running back. He'll probably be a top-15 fantasy pick.
Tennessee Titans – Brandon Jones, WR -
Drew Bennett could leave via free agency, making Jones
Vince Young's top target in the passing game. He'll be more explosive his second season removed from ACL surgery. Young should also emerge as a QB1 in fantasy leagues, but you knew that already.
Jacksonville Jaguars – Marcedes Lewis, TE - The second-year leap for tight ends is for real. Lewis has great size and hands.
Matt Jones should also emerge as Jacksonville's top wideout in his third season.
Houston Texans – Sage Rosenfels, QB - Most observers feel
David Carr will be dangled in trade talks this year. That leaves Rosenfels to battle for a starting job with a rookie (Troy Smith, JaMarcus Russell?) or veteran (
Jake Plummer) to be named later.
AFC North Baltimore Ravens – Demetrius Williams, WR - He probably won't start until 2008, but Williams has great vertical game receiving skills.
Cincinnati Bengals – Chris Henry, WR - There are no under the radar players lurking in Cincy unless the team drafts a tight end. But a natural progression from Henry would make him one of the top-25 receivers in the NFL, even if he's third best on his team.
Pittsburgh Steelers – Santonio Holmes, WR - Holmes has quietly had a highly impressive rookie season.
Hines Ward and Holmes could be receivers 1 and 1A for Pittsburgh in 2007.
Cleveland Browns – Braylon Edwards, WR - For a rebuilding team, Cleveland is bereft of talent. Perhaps WR
Travis Wilson or RB
Jerome Harrison will emerge, but they didn't show anything in their rookie seasons. Edwards is a safe bet to keep improving.
AFC West San Diego Chargers – Vincent Jackson, WR - He may be playing too well to bench in the playoffs. With
Keenan McCardell aging, Jackson can be the team's top wideout next year.
Michael Turner will be the best restricted free agent in the NFL, but we suspect San Diego will place the highest tender on him possible. It's unlikely another team would give up a first and third-round pick for him.
Denver Broncos – Brandon Marshall, WR - A young nucleus of
Jay Cutler, Marshall,
Javon Walker, and
Tony Scheffler looks promising.
Rod Smith may retire.
Oakland Raiders – Lamont Jordan, RB - A new coaching staff can revive Jordan's career.
Ronald Curry should continue his ascent to a quality starting wideout.
Kansas City Chiefs – Tony Gonzalez, TE - There isn't much young offensive talent in Kansas City. It wouldn't be remotely surprising if Gonzo left Kansas City for bigger bucks (and a better offense?) elsewhere.
NFC West San Francisco 49ers – Vernon Davis, TE - His strong finish to the season ensures Davis won't fall far in fantasy drafts next season.
Seattle Seahawks – DJ Hackett, WR - The only Seahawk receiver with a certain future in Seattle is
Deion Branch and Hackett has enjoyed a much better season. Hackett is a restricted free agent, but he should stay.
Arizona Cardinals – Matt Leinart, QB - Leinart has played well for a rookie quarterback and his weapons are among the league's best. It would help him out for continuity sake, however, if Arizona choose to retain Dennis Green.
St. Louis Rams – Kevin Curtis, WR In a thin market for free agent wideouts, Curtis should get a chance to start somewhere else. The Rams could also choose to keep him over
Isaac Bruce, but that seems unlikely.
NFC East Washington Redskins – Jason Campbell, QB - Two straight seasons in the same offensive system for the first time since high school could help Campbell tremendously. Don't be surprised, though, if Washington goes after
Byron Leftwich.
New York Giants – Brandon Jacobs, RB - New York was rumored to be interested in
Michael Turner, which suggests they may seek a committee partner for Jacobs. Second-year wideout
Sinorice Moss may also compete for a starting job.
Philadelphia Eagles – Jeff Garcia, QB - We suspect Garcia, a free agent, will leave for a chance start elsewhere in 2007. Tampa and Houston are two possibilities. Also look for a battle at the No. 2 receiver slot if Donte' Stallworth leaves via free agency.
Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Crayton, WR - Bill Parcells may only say he's returning next year if
Terrell Owens is cut. That would leave a starting job open for Crayton.
NFC South Carolina Panthers – DeAngelo Williams, RB -
DeShaun Foster's contract (and overall play) makes him fairly easy to release.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Chris Simms, QB - It looks like he'll get another chance to compete for the team's starting job. WR
Maurice Stovall may also get a chance to compete to start with
Michael Clayton at the flanker spot.
Atlanta Falcons – Jerious Norwood, RB - If the team changes coaching staffs, hopefully the organization will try to retain their zone blocking scheme.
Warrick Dunn may have to take a paycut to return.
New Orleans Saints – Reggie Bush, RB - I don't see much improvement out of the rest of New Orleans' young players. But if Bush can parlay the lessons learned in his rookie year, he'll be a steadier RB2 next season.
NFC North Green Bay Packers – Vernand Morency, RB -
Ahman Green's future is in doubt and Morency has earned a chance at a bigger role next season. Wideout
Greg Jennings should also improve after struggling in the second half of his rookie season.
Chicago Bears – Mark Bradley, WR - Once 100% healthy, it wouldn't be a surprise if Bradley passed
Bernard Berrian (or Mushin Muhammad) on the depth cart.
Cedric Benson could also take a bigger leap in value if Chicago chooses to trade
Thomas Jones.
Minnesota Vikings – Tarvaris Jackson, QB - He'll probably compete with a veteran not named
Brad Johnson for the starting job. Some quality receivers would help greatly.
Detroit Lions – Brady Quinn, QB - It's only a matter of time. With no healthy running backs, Mike Martz will continue to pass more than 40 times a game.