Your fantasy football draft is done, and now you're just sitting around, waiting to watch the Seahawks dismantle the Packers.
Not a bad feeling, huh?
It's finally fantasy football time, and you better be excited. I know I am.
Phersy's Phantasy Football Forecast is back for the second season. I want to thank the readers for making it a success last season. This column only works with reader participation. It was solid last season, and I hope it's better in 2014.
Reader participation means fantasy questions from you, the readers. So, if you have fantasy questions each week, whether it's about a possible trade, a lineup issue or just a specific player, please feel free to contact me via email (bpherson@postbulletin.com) or on Twitter (@PB_Phersy). Your questions could be answered in print (I answered almost every question last season, minus a few busy weeks).
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We short on questions for Week One (hopefully I'll have a full boat next week), so let's focus on a few breakout candidates who might still be on your waiver wire.
Tight end
Zach Ertz of the Eagles is my overall No. 1 breakout candidate for this season. Nick Foles will look to him often. If he's still out there, go get him immediately. He's likely on a roster already, and if that's the case, make a trade offer now while you can still get him for cheap. Jordan Reed of the Redskins is a player I love, despite the injuries, yet I'd probably pick Ertz ahead of Reed. I am just crazy about the guy's upside in that offense. I see him putting up top-end TE numbers right away.
Wide receiver
You probably hate Dwayne Bowe of the Chiefs. He's not the receiver he once was, and he's out at least one game to start the season.
But Bowe is going undrafted in some leagues or very, very late in others. The upside for a pick like that on a good Chiefs team, to me, it was too hard to pass up. Why not take a shot on a guy with that kind of upside? No, he's not a traditional breakout candidate, but to me the value is extremely high for a guy who can produce like an elite receiver when he's focused. Bowe knows the writing is on the wall. If he doesn't do it this season, he's done.
Obviously, guys like Brandin Cooks are the best "breakout candidates." But you're not getting those guys cheap right now. I'm look for bargain options!
Running back
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Looking at my waiver wire, there aren't many good running back options available. I'd be reaching to add any to my roster.
But how about a guy who's just incredibly undervalued this year: Toby Gerhart of the Jaguars. No, he's not currently available in your league. But you still might be able to trade for Gerhart at a reasonable price.
I think the Jaguars will be much improved this season, and Gerhart will benefit. He's going to produce like a top-end No. 2 RB. He's being drafted as a flex option, so the value is perfect.
If you're looking for a reach, go after Knile Davis of the Chiefs. He's electric, and if Charles goes down, he's going to see plenty of touches.
Questions
There was only question this week, so let's knock it out quickly:
Matt K.: Start two of three guys in Week One: MJD, Frank Gore and Rashad Jennings? ...Matt, boy those aren't great options, but I will say I love Jennings this season. So, Jennings is in my lineup for sure this week until he proves he can't handle the load. But I don't think that'll happen. He's the type of back the Giants love, and they'll ride him. Gore is on a good team, but he hasn't been elite for quite some time. MJD is on a bad Raiders team, and he'll lose plenty of carries to the committee. Gore has a cupcake matchup against a horrible Cowboys defense in Week One. So, plug in Gore and Jennings for Week One, and keep an eye on how many carries Gore loses to Carlos Hyde moving forward.
