Heading into the 2010 fantasy football season, there are 10 players that I would love to have, and 10 players I’m staying as far away from as possible. First of all, just because I am high on these guys doesn’t mean I think they should all be drafted in the first round. The love for these players comes from the fact that they’re worth drafting a round or two earlier than they’re projections would show. Or, if you’re lucky and your league-mates are oblivious to upside, you could wait on these guys and come out of your draft with the deepest team in your league. Either strategy will pay-off come December, I promise. Same goes for the flip side. I don’t have a personal hatred for the 10 players on my hate list, but based on where they’re being drafted, I just don’t see the value.

Leading off, I’m all about Frank Gore this year. Now, I’m not saying that if you’re drafting in the top 4 that you have to take him. Obviously you’re going to be getting one of the elite backs (Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Ray Rice and Maurice Jones-Drew), but if you’re sitting at 5 or later, I encourage you to follow my lead on drafting Frank Gore. Let’s take a look back at his production last year. Gore scored double digit fantasy points in every game but two that he played in. I’m not counting the game against the Vikings where he got injured on his first carry and was forced to miss the next three games. And one of those single digit games was his first game back from injury, where he only got 15 touches. Even after missing 3 games and having 2 weeks of 5 or less fantasy points, Gore still ranked 18th in overall scoring and 6th among running backs.

Looking forward to this year, Frank Gore has one of the most fantasy-running-back-friendly schedules in the league. The San Francisco 49ers play one of the leagues bottom ten rush defenses 9 times, and only play a top ranked rush defense once. So, over half of Frank Gore’s season is going to be a favorable match-up, to say the least. Only one other team has above 3 favorable match-ups, and it’s division-mate, the Arizona Cardinals. Not to mention the 49ers added two solid lineman through the draft this year, and Mike Singletary has committed to developing a more balanced attack this year. All of which are reasons to believe Frank Gore can repeat his monstrous 2006 season, where he eclipsed 2000 total yards from scrimmage and 9 touchdowns.

The next player I’m looking at snagging a round early is Jamaal Charles. This guy is poised for a Chris Johnson-like breakout this season. I don’t even care that Thomas Jones is there to possibly vulture some scores. The kid can absolutely fly, and at next year’s fantasy draft I am willing to bet that he will be a first-rounder. Need proof? Look at the last 8 games Charles played in. He scored double-digit fantasy points in all of them, and scored a touchdown in all but one. Keep in mind week 10 was the first time Charles saw more than 6 carries. Through the final 8 games, Charles rushed for 968 yards and 7 touchdowns. If he were to keep this pace for an entire season, Charles would rush for over 2000 yards and 14 touchdowns. If those aren’t Chris Johnson type numbers, I don’t know what are. And even if you’re wary of Thomas Jones, I’m not telling you to take Charles with your first pick. However, the potential that comes with Charles still warrants a 2nd or early 3rd round selection, and I don’t want to be the one kicking myself that I didn’t take a chance on him.

The first Wide Receiver on my Love list is Pierre Garcon. His current average draft position (ADP) is 74th overall. That puts him as a 7th rounder. That probably makes sense if you’re expecting him to repeat his seasonal statistics from a year ago. However, if you’re like me, you expect Garcon to keep up with his playoff numbers (21 catches, 251 yards and 2 touchdowns in three games). Now I know you’re probably thinking of all the weapons Peyton Manning has to throw to (Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, Anthony Gonzalez) and wondering why Garcon is going to be “the guy” to breakout. Simply put, Manning has run the offense the same way he did when Marvin Harrison was there, and Reggie Wayne was his compliment. Only now, Reggie Wayne has moved into the Harrison role, of go-to receiver, and Garcon is beginning to remind me of a younger Reggie Wayne. Therefore, I expect Garcon to put up Wayne type numbers and carry fantasy owners as a strong number 2 WR week-in and week-out.

If I told you that you could choose the leading pass-catcher last season, and a potential number 1 fantasy receiver in the 6th round, how could you turn it down? Well you couldn’t, I guarantee it. Sure, Wes Welker is coming off a torn ACL that he suffered in January, but he’s been practicing through training camp and just completed a flawless quarter of football in the New England Patriots second pre-season game. It was clear that Tom Brady wanted to get Welker involved right away. The first four plays of the game were passes to Welker, and he looked as normal as ever. If Welker makes it through the pre-season healthy, I have no doubt that he will catch another 100 balls for over 1200 yards and 4 touchdowns again. What other 6th rounder is going to give you that production? That’s right, no one. I’d even venture to say that Welker is worthy of being drafted in the 3rd round, but hey, if you can wait and he actually falls to you, congratulations. Either way, wherever you draft Welker this season, he will be more productive than everyone else drafted around him.

Alright, now I know it’s hard to predict rookie production, but if there is one guy who could have an Adrian Peterson-like rookie season, it’s C.J. Spiller. Up until the first pre-season game, I wasn’t as convinced that he would have a major fantasy impact this season, but after fellow running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson went down with injuries, I’m sold. The opportunity to take reps with the first team in the remaining pre-season games, is just what Spiller needs to catapult his name through the running-back-by-committee situation in Buffalo. Just take a look at his production in the second pre-season game, he gashed the Colts on multiple occasions, and his touchdown run was the icing on the cake. Spiller is currently being drafted 75th overall, which is mid-7th round, around other running backs associated with other fantasy-dreaded, running-back-by-committee’s (how dare those coaches worry about the longevity of their players).

Arian Foster is another guy I am loving right now because of a pre-season injury. It’s amazing how much the pre-season means to Fantasy Football. After a season-ending injury to the likely number one running back, Ben Tate, Foster is clearly in the lead to shoulder the load in Houston. Steve Slaton is no longer being counted on as a workhorse back after having trouble holding on to the ball last season. In the 11 games Slaton played, he fumbled the ball 7 times. That’s simply unacceptable, well unless you’re Adrian Peterson. By the way, as a Viking and avid Peterson fan, I hope he gets that straightened out. Anyway, back to Foster. There isn’t much to judge off this kid. However, he did get two starts at the end of last season and rushed for 216 yards and 3 touchdowns. So, I’m not worried about counting on him as a weekly flex play, or better. Foster is currently being drafted 98th overall. That’s right, a starting running back is being drafted at the end of the 8th round, not much better value there. Don’t be surprised to see Foster making some fantasy owner reign supreme.

Alright, I know I’m starting to trend on pre-season injuries, but there is one more guy who is the same boat as Spiller and Foster. Michael Bush is said to be taking over as the number one running back in Oakland this season. Darren McFadden has been plagued with injuries since entering the league, and apparently, this season is no different. McFadden is dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of most of training camp and pre-season games. Therefore, Bush could be in for a stellar fantasy season, at least as far as value is concerned. He is currently being drafted 104th overall. Once again, that’s a potential number one running back going in the 9th round. Are you kidding me? That’s after back-ups like Darren Sproles, Tim Hightower and LaDainian Tomlinson. I’d much rather have a starting running back, or at the very least, a bruising-goal-line back, in a 50/50 split, than anyone of those guys. No disrespect to Sproles, Hightower and LT, but it’s all about value. I personally value starting running backs, but maybe you don’t. If you’re short on running backs entering the 8th or 9th rounds, don’t hesitate to snatch Bush with confidence.

The only quarterback on my love list is Kevin Kolb, but for good reason. Every other quarterback being taken ahead of Kolb has a solid track record. If you haven’t noticed, I kind of love the sexier picks when it comes to Fantasy Sports. And there isn’t a sexier (non-appearance related) quarterback going into the 2010 season. Kolb may only have two starts under his belt, but they were rather impressive. In back to back weeks last season, Kolb managed to throw for 718 yards, 4 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, along with 1 rushing touchdown. Strictly for Fantasy comparison, this guy reminds me a ton of Aaron Rodgers from 2008. Everyone knew Rodgers had solid receivers, a strong arm, and good feet, but he just hadn’t proven anything yet. Now look what Rodgers is doing for Fantasy owners. I see much of the same in Kolb. He has two freakishly-fast and athletic receivers, along with a stud tight-end and a developing running back. Not to mention he is being drafted in the 8th round. What more potential value could you ask for? So, don’t be so quick to jump-the-gun on a quarterback this year. Sit back, stockpile running backs and wide receivers because you know in the 8th round, you’ve got a top-5 fantasy quarterback in the making still on the board.

Back to another running back with considerable upside, Ahmad Bradshaw. If he could just get his chance to start ahead of Brandon Jacobs, he’d be poised for fantasy greatness. To be honest, I’m not quite sure why the New York Giants haven’t gone to Bradshaw as the main back yet. I mean Jacobs has always been better as a short yardage guy, where he can throw his weight around and punish and wear down defenses. While Bradshaw has proven to be the more dynamic of the two and worthy of more first and second down carries. Last season, Jacobs started every game and had more touches than Bradshaw in all-but two of them. However, on 58 more touches, he only managed to gain 34 more yards from scrimmage, than Bradshaw. Oh, and did I forget to mention that Bradshaw scored 2 more touchdowns than Jacobs last season, because he did. If you’re not sold on my pitch to draft Bradshaw this season, let me point out that he is currently being drafted at the end of the 10th round, at 120th overall. How could you not take a chance on him? Let’s be honest, fantasy season’s are made by successful late-round draft picks and free agent pick-ups, and Bradshaw is going to be one of those guys.

And finally, the last guy on my love list, for the 2010 season, is a wide receiver, in a pass-happy offense, who is only owned in 19% of fantasy leagues. Oh yea, and he plays opposite the best receiver in the game today, Andre Johnson. That’s right, I’m talking about Jacoby Jones. Not many people know that last season, Jones scored more touchdowns than Calvin Johnson, Terrell Owens, Santonio Holmes, Greg Jennings, Wes Welker and Anquan Boldin; nearly all of which 1000 yard seasons. Jones had less than half of that with 437 yards. I know it’s fantasy faux pas to rely on touchdowns, so that’s not where I’m going to make my pitch. Instead, I’m going to focus on his efficiency. Jones only caught 27 passes last season. That puts him with just over a 16 yard-per-catch average. And back to the touchdown thing, he scored a touchdown almost once every 4 passes he caught, now thats impressive! Don’t forget, he only caught more than 2 passes in a game 3 times. Imagine what could happen if he were able to average 4 catches a game; can you say double-digit touchdowns? Jones is currently being drafted at the beginning of the 13th round, that’s usually where people are just reaching for upside. And there is no better upside available in the 13th round than Jacoby Jones. Keep in mind that Matt Schaub averaged almost 25 pass completions, 300 yards, and 2 touchdowns per-game. Johnson and Owen Daniels aren’t splitting those 50/50, so target Jacoby Jones and it won’t take long for your investment to pay-off.

Thanks for reading thus far and stay tuned for the 10 guys I hate

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