Week 2: Rankings Round-up (QBs and RBs)
Quarterbacks
Several weeks before the start of the 2012 season, FFToolbox dropped Michael Vick from his industry-wide No. 5 overall fantasy perch down to seven, behind Matt Ryan and Eli Manning. After one game, the drop continues as we slide the Eagles mobile threat below Tony Romo and just slightly ahead of Peyton Manning. Only because the Broncos star has his own injury concerns and Philip Rivers' surrounding skill player cast remains in question does Vick remain among the top-9. He remains a starter and there is no need to panic if you haven't previously, but Vick's performance against Cleveland in the opener reeked, plain and simple…Rivers and Manning were virtually even heading into the season, but we've now flipped the pair based largely on Manning's performance and having superior wide receivers; similar story with Jay Cutler and Ben Roethlisberger as the Bears QB now moves into the No. 12 spot as the connection with Brandon Marshall looks formidable and the Steelers offensive line remains shaky as ever; Robert Griffin III has been part of a high-end, but exclusive QB2 club. He remains there, though for Week 2 we moved him up to No. 9 against the Rams. For those who have RG3 and Vick, don't be shy to go with the rookie, not at all…
There was certainly chatter about the Ravens finally opening up the offense for Joe Flacco and there was plenty of evidence supporting that stance in Baltimore's high-scoring and up-tempo opening game win. Teams that have Flacco as part of a QBBC can certainly feel a lot better about their scenario one game in and we've moved the 'elite" passer into the upper echelon of QB2s…For those in the back-end of this group, Blaine Gabbert looked the most effective, to the point that having him as a backup in standard leagues is not terrible plan. Same goes for Matt Cassel and Christian Ponder (if Kevin Kolb builds on his fourth quarter heroics, ditto). As for Ryan Tannehill and Brandon Weeden, not so much. Both can be waived in redraft leagues and the 28-year-old Browns rookie looked so overwhelmed against Philadelphia even keeper leagues can consider cutting bait depending on other options available…
Running backs
Despite the lackluster outing by Chris Johnson, further proof that Adrian Peterson is super-human, and Maurice Jones-Drew's immediate reemergence as the Jaguars' top option, we're leaving the top of our RB board the same other than moving Darren McFadden to four, ahead of Johnson. That's not say we're not buoyed by those optimistic performances and a touch freaked by the Titans scenario, but it's still only one game. Does that mean as a Johnson owner we wouldn't swap him for Peterson or Ryan Mathews if offered? Well, we would certainly ponder it depending on what else was involved, but at the same time it's not prudent to ship Johnson when his value took a hit after a career-low four-yard performance…Before the season began we moved Doug Martin ahead of fellow rookie Trent Richardson in our rankings. Considering the Bucs' new guy dominated touches and Tampa looked improved across the board (while Cleveland's collective offensive prospects remain bleak), we see no reason to even think about reversing that position…
Savvy Fred Jackson owners snagged C.J. Spiller when possible and therefore still have a top 10-15 RB option. On the season we'd still rather have Jackson, but there is certainly a Wally Pipp scenario brewing when you consider Jackson's age and injury history, Spiller's vitality and the Bills' first-round investment in him. For as long as Jackson is out, Spiller is a must start and unlike Jackson, he will pick up virtually all of the backfield touches…Michael Turner just looks out of place in the Falcons' 21st century attack. That's not the same as saying he'll be replaced sooner rather than later by Jacquizz Rodgers or that he's not worthy of starting, but his top 20 overall status is hanging on by a thread. For this week we have him 27th against a solid Bronco run defense…
On the flip side, Stevan Ridley is shooting up the boards, jumping up from the high to the low 20's. Only reason we're not ready to scoot him up more is, well, the Patriots have been known to play games at running back or more to the point, how often they run the ball. Ridley had over 20 carries in the opener, something the Law Firm did only twice last season. Seeing as we think the current usage trend likely continues, time to acquire the talented back is running out…Let's talk some Alfred Morris. The good – 96 yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns, while Roy Helu and Evan Royster combined for seven touches. The ordinary – Morris averaged less than four yards per carry against a less than rugged Saints run defense, but overall the rookie continued displaying a powerful and shifty style. We've made him a top 24 option for Week 2 and moved him into the mid 30's overall on the season. Since we still believe the other two backs remain involved, we're not ready to say the job is 100 percent Morris' – but he certainly made a major statement…Wow was the Cardinals ground game ugly in the opener, yeesh. Hard to trust either Beanie Wells or Ryan Williams – a combined 23 yards on 15 carries against Seattle - even as a flex option in Week 2 behind that brutal offensive line. Based on ADP we stated a preference for Williams over Wells during drafts and suspect over time the former Virginia Tech pulls into the overall lead…
The Isaac Redman era might be over before it really started. The Steelers back continues to plummet down the rankings, now at No. 50 on the season, one spot behind teammate Jonathan Dwyer. Since Rashard Mendenhall appears ready to go in the next week or so, it's hard to put much faith in either of the other two Pittsburgh runners, though we'd ponder Dwyer as a flex play this week should Mendy need another week…Don't panic on the Cedric Benson experiment. Nobody should have used him against San Francisco anyway. Unfortunately, Thursday's matchup against the Bears isn't that exciting either, which is why we have him at 33. We still have hope he'll develop into a consistent RB2 option, but patience is a certainly a virtue in this case…Unless Morris or Dwyer were available, there really wasn't much on the free agent market in 12 team or deeper leagues this week. Only Willis McGahee owners should even think about Knowshon Moreno, while those with Ray Rice have been given even more evidence that rookie Bernard Pierce is the handcuff to own if you're so inclined…
Information on WRs, TEs, Ks, and DEFs to be posted Thursday.
Remember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings
