Seattle Seahawks
Injuries will be the biggest factor for this team and it all starts with Matt Hasselbeck. If he is healthy, I feel that he can have a decent fantasy impact, he did throw 20 plus TDs four of five years before a few injury plagued seasons. Justin Forsett is everyone’s pick at the number 1 RB spot, but do not forget this is a bad team, and if they are down every game like they were last year, it takes the ball out of Forsett’s hands. Do not forget about Leon Washington, he is coming back with a chip on his shoulder after the Jets threw him away after a bad injury cost him last season. He will be a major factor if he is 100% and could beat out Forsett.
The WR position is the most intriguing of them all; they still have Deion Branch, who is always hurt, and TJ Houshmandzedeh is still kicking himself for leaving the Bengals. Who is the third WR? Look for Golden Tate to start off hot, but if Pete Carroll can rehabilitate this guy, Mike Williams (yep, I said it) could rebound his career here. TE is solid as, John Carlson can and will be a star Tight End if they can consistently give him the rock, and Chris Baker can block well and is a good target in the end zone. A shaky defense still, but will improve if Earl Thomas can make an impact right away.
Arizona Cardinals
It’s all about the QB for this team, Matt Leinart or Derek Anderson? This is Leinart’s last shot, and he will have a short leash. The Cards have a great backfield and it should take pressure off whoever wins the starting QB position. Beanie Wells had more carries and yards than Tim Hightower, but Hightower had 63 catches, which makes him a PPR threat. Both had fumbling issues, if either is hurt for a long period of time, keep an eye out for LaRod Stephens-Howling he is a great special teamer and would get some carries if one RB goes down. Everyone knows Larry Fitzgerald is a number one receiver, but his numbers will go down compared to the last few years without Warner and Boldin. Early Doucet had a strong finish to the season and Steve Breaston is a legit number 2 WR, look for him to do less on special teams to save strength for the offense. TE is a question mark, but with the other weapons they have it has never been a big position with them. Jay Feely was added as kicker, he had a great year for the Jets in 2009, he doesn’t have the leg of Rackers, but he is consistent. The Defense is a question mark too, they lost some guys, it will be interesting to see.
St Louis Rams
Remember when the Bulls only had Michael Jordan? That’s how I feel about Steven Jackson, who took a pounding last year and was amazing to watch the will he had with every carry. Look for him to continue to carry the load with the questions they have at QB. Sam Bradford signed a record deal, but their O Line is so weak, he may rather have AJ Feely play this season. It seemed that every receiver that caught a pass last year had an injury right after it, but Danny Amendola became a threat and if healthy Donny Avery can break a long TD. The sleeper for them is Mardy Gilyard, I felt he was drafted to low and he is a NFL ready WR right now. Daniel Fells looks promising at TE having a decent year for a bad team. Kicker Josh Brown still has a strong leg, the Offense just needs to get him close enough. The defense will be horrible once again, maybe some sacks, but they will give up points.
San Francisco 49ers
Talent is all over this roster. Alex Smith became a legit QB midway through the season, and if something happens, David Carr (yep, again I said it) is a solid backup for the 9ers. Frank Gore continues to be amazing, but they went away from him sometimes, Glenn Coffee is a great handcuff, Gore is good for missing a few games, gotta have some Coffee. The WRs are stacked with “could be’s” other than Crabtree, Ginn Jr, Josh Morgan, and Brandon Jones, “could be” great number 2’s or 3’s but never really have emerged. Since Singletary sent Vernon Davis to the showers, he has been the beast that everyone thought he would be. I am going out on a limb, but if something happens to Davis, look for Nate Byham to be his handcuff, he is a solid blocker and has an NFL body, not amazing stats coming out of Pitt, but he is athletic. Joe Nedney is still there with his big leg. The defense will be stifling as long as they can stay healthy.
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