Instant Offense

Posted by Skoob (@TheKidSkoob) on June 30, 2009 · 3 Comments 

The Fab 5

 

 

 

Knowshon Moreno Team : Denver Broncos Position : Running Back

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fantasy Impact : Moreno can be the lone ray of hope to come from the Josh McDaniel’s Era.  With star Wideout, Brandon Marshall, asking to be traded, and Pro Bowl Quarterback, Jay Cutler, throwing passes in Chicago, Moreno could shine.  Even with the offseason acquisition of Correll Buckhalter, the week one starter will most likely be Moreno.  With Denver’s Zone Blocking Scheme, besides the inconsistency at the RB position last year, Denver’s thrived in the running game.  Moreno is in line for the most carries out of the Denver Backfield, and if Marshall is traded, he’ll most likely be the lone offensive threat.  A year removed from one of the highest scoring offenses, the Broncos are almost rebuilding completely on offense.  With Kyle Orton running the ship, Moreno will be heavily relied on, much like last year’s rookie sensation, Matt Forte, in Chicago.  It remains to be seen how consistent Orton can be with a legitimate receiving corps, (Marshall, Royal, Scheffler).  If Orton can keep the defense honest, and prevent them from stacking the box, Moreno could be in line for a major rookie season.

 

 

 

 

Chris "Beanie" Wells Team : Arizona Cardinals Position : Running Back

 

 

 

 

Fantasy Impact : Wells might not have been the first running back taken in the draft, but he may be the most fortunate of them all.  Wells will almost certainly beat out Tim Hightower, as the Cardinals lead back this season.  The reason, Wells isn’t suited for a 3rd Down Backs Role, as his speed and size isn’t typical for that type of role.  Hightower, a more shifty style runner, is much more suited for the 3rd down role, which he should find success.  Wells will also join the most potent passing game in the league, led by Kurt Warner, and All Pro WR’s Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin.  Not to be outdone, Jeremy Urban, and Steve Breaston will also provide very solid targets for Warner once again, which will leave gaping holes for Wells to dart through.  With that formidable passing attack, Wells will face very lightly stacked defensive fronts, and provides the sturdy, move-the-chains, type of back.  Wells should make a legitimate run at offensive Rookie of the Year this year, and will be a nice fantasy back, as a 3rd option, with 2nd option numbers by season’s end. 

 

 

 

Jeremy Maclin Team : Philadelphia Eagles Position : Wide Receiver/Return Specialist

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fantasy Impact : Maclin will have big shoes to follow, as last year’s rookie standout, DeSean Jackson, proved to be worth the 2nd round selection, and filled a major void as an outside threat.  Much like Jackson, Maclin has return capabilities, as well as game-breaking speed.  Maclin will most likely have to earn his way onto the field, in the beginning.  However, keep in mind, the Eagles traded up to draft Maclin, so the sideline will not be familiar with him at all.  Maclin will most likely begin as the slot receiver, and return kicks.  He also couldn’t have ended up in a better situation, than to play with a weapons hungry, Donovan McNabb.  The Eagles were in the tops in the league in offensive production last season, with Jackson serving as McNabb’s favorite target.  With defenses now having to scheme around Jackson, Maclin should be in line for big numbers.  If he proves himself early in both training camp, as well as, early in the season, Maclin may be challenging for the Offensive Rookie Of The Year. 

 

 

 

 

 

Donald Brown Team : Indianapolis Colts Position : Running Back

 

 

 

 

 

Fantasy Impact : It wasn’t long ago that the Colts drafted highly talented Running Back, Joseph Addai, out of LSU.  Addai came on with a very solid rookie season, and followed it up with an even more impressive sophomore campaign.  However, the injury bug has slowed Addai most recently, causing concern in the Colts’ backfield.  For the injury risk alone, Donald Brown should be in line for heavy offensive contributions.  Brown has the skill-set to match perfectly with the style of play that the Colts employ.  With All-Pro, Peyton Manning under center, Brown shouldn’t face too many stacked defensive fronts.  Brown has drawn comparisons to a former Colts great, Marshall Faulk, who gave defenses headaches when they tried to defend against him.  Look for Brown to start off slowly, but emerge as the go-to man for the Colts near mid-season. 

 

 

Deon Butler Team : Seattle Seahawks Position : Wide Receiver

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fantasy Impact : With former Nittany Lion, and Seattle Possession Receiver, Bobby Engram, moving on to Kansas City, a huge void was left open in the Seattle Wide Receiving Corps.  Butler has drawn comparisons to Engram, who was very sure-handed for the Hawks, during his tenure.  Butler will also benefit from playing alongside TJ Houshmanzadeh, and Deion Branch, leaving lots of room for Butler to work.  It was also rumored that Butler was out performing Branch, and could very well move into the 2nd WR Role, bumping Branch to the Slot Position.  While it’s hard to imagine Butler unseating Branch, former Pro Bowl QB, Matt Hasselback, is back in the driver’s seat, and playing with a chip on his shoulder.  Seattle is not far removed from a Super Bowl berth, but fell victim to the injury bug last season, ultimately shattering any playoff hopes.  With Hasselback poised to return the Seahawks to a team of winning stature, Butler should be a direct beneficiary of the resurrected Hasselback, who’s sure to unleash on the opposition.

 

 

Honorable Mention : Percy Harvin (WR, Minnesota Vikings), Harvin’s success will ultimately depend on the QB of the Vikings this season.  If Brett Favre decides to return to the field, Harvin would be much more likely to have the better season, when matched up against Deon Butler.  Harvin is sure to be utilized in multiple facets of the Vikings’ offense, and should be very solid.

 

Shonn Greene (RB, N.Y. Jets), Greene’s success also depends on the situation of current starter, Thomas Jones.  Jones wants a new contract, and looks to have fallen on deaf ears in his requests.  If Jones is traded, which is very possible, upgrade Greene’s status to the possible 3rd best RB in the class.  The Jets have a lot of young talent in place, and Greene is poised to carry the team into the foreseeable future, with Leon Washington serving as the change-of-pace back.  The Jets will be an exciting team in the year’s to come, and Green could be the man to lead them, possibly sooner, than later.

Filed under Football