May minicamps have begun - that means that it is now time to start predicting the possible studs and duds for the upcoming 2007 fantasy season. Feel free to discuss any of these projections on our FFXtreme Forums, that is what they’re there for! Enjoy. - Smitty

STUDS FOR 2007

1. RB Laurence Maroney

   Projections: 1,400 rushing yards, 220 receiving yards and 12 total TDs FFX: Maroney only had 745/6 last season, so there isn’t a lot of statistical evidence to support our lofty projections. That said, sometimes all you need is a glimpse of a player’s brilliance before you pencil him in as a future fantasy stud. His week four performance against Cincy is that glimpse, where he rushed the ball 15 times for 125 yards and 2TDs (8.3 YPC). Studs like Maroney don’t come around every year, and when they do come around, they typically don’t get inserted into an offense as skilled and productive as New England’s. With the starting job now his, and with no real threat to steal carries this year, Maroney is set to breakout in 2007. His current ADP is right around the 9-12 range, which will end up being a bargain at year’s end, as he should finish the season as a top 6-7 fantasy running back.

2. WR Javon Walker

   Projections: 1,300 receiving yards and 12TDs FFX: Broncos QB Jay Cutler is set to have a breakout season in 2007. If you want to take a huge risk at QB this year, and focus on other skilled positions early on in your 2007 fantasy drafts, Cutler is your guy. What does this mean for WR Javon Walker? The receiver had 1,084 receiving yards and 8TDs in his first year back from ACL surgery. That is phenomenal! With another year behind him since ACL surgery, Walker should easily outperform his 2006 numbers. 2007 should be his best season as a pro and he may quite possibly finish inside the top 4-5 for fantasy WRs at week 16’s end.

3. WR Reggie Wayne

   Projections: 1,420 receiving yards and 14TDs FFX: Wayne’s ADP right now is in the 3-4 range, which means the WR isn’t likely to fall into the 3rd round of many 2007 fantasy drafts. Peyton Manning is only getting better each year and Marvin Harrison is only getting older. I know everyone says this each season, but this is the year that Reggie Wayne clearly takes over as the Colts’ #1WR.

4. QB Vince Young

   Projections: 2,900 passing yards, 600 rushing yards, 20 passing TDs and 6-7 rushing TDs FFX: In just 13 starts last season, Vince Young won 8 games. He rushed for 7 touchdowns and ran the ball for an impressive 552 yards. In his first full season as a starter, Young should destroy his 2006 fantasy numbers and become one of fantasy football’s most exciting players to watch.

Other Breakout Candidates: QB Tony Romo RB Michael Turner QB Jay Cutler RB Marion Barber III RB Adrian Peterson RB Brandon Jackson WR Lee Evans TE Vernon Davis

DUDS FOR 2007

1. RB Brandon Jacobs

   Projections: 700 rushing yards and 7TDs FFX: Brandon Jacobs is a monster, standing at 6-4 and weighing 264 pounds. He had a tremendous 2006 season in the touchdown department, scoring 9TDs on just 96 attempts. He only had 423 yards rushing, but his lack of attempts was merely due to the presence of stud running back Tiki Barber. With Barber retired, and with Reuben Drouhns currently the only other running back on the roster, many are expecting a breakout season from the 264-pound back. While I agree that Jacobs is a beast of a talent, and dominant in goal line situations, I firmly believe that the runner won’t hold up as an every-down back. With his monster-frame, Jacobs won’t last to week eight at 15 carries a game. And for those that say he will, there is zero evidence to support that at the NFL level. As a pro, Jacobs has never rushed the ball more than 11 times in a single game, and he has never had more than 54 yards on the ground in any given game. While somewhat proven in college, and with his success in his limited role thus far with the Giants, I see the same upside that everyone else does. He is a great talent, there is no arguing this, but that doesn’t mean that the runner will be able to handle the abuse of being hit to the ground 20+ times a game. Don’t be surprised if the Giants bring in another running back by the start of the season. This would be a good thing for Jacobs owners - Jacobs can’t score 9-10TDs if he isn’t on the field.

Other Busts Candidates: RB Ahman Green RB Travis Henry RB Kevin Jones

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