Fantasy Football Stock Market: Release 2 (2008)

Published: 07/07/2008 3:24 am by Smitty in Fantasy Articles

Below are players that either have Stock on the Rise or Stock on the Decline. We will make this fantasy football column a regular during the season and we will try and crank out a few more off-season editions as we approach August…

fantasy football player stock on the rise

Marion Barber III | DAL RB

When the Dallas Cowboys selected running back Felix Jones in the first-round of this year’s 2008 NFL Draft, most thought that Marion Barber’s 2008 ADP (average draft position) would take a dive. The strange thing is that Barber’s stock has never been higher and it appears that in order to land the guy in 2008, one will need to surrender a late first-round pick. Barber definitely has the upside to earn that late first-round value, but he probably won’t exceed it. This means that if you’re taking Barber in that late first-round in 2008, he HAS TO have a phenomenal season in order for you to get return on your investment. His 2008 fantasy upside reminds me a lot of Maurice Jones-Drew’s fantasy upside, but their draft values are very different (and I talk about Jones-Drew next). Both have the ability to be top 8RBs this upcoming season, but the difference is that Jones-Drew can often be had in the third-round.

fantasy football player stock on the decline

Maurice Jones-Drew | JAC RB

For a guy that put up top 10 fantasy running back numbers during his rookie season, Jones-Drew is getting no love in early 2008 fantasy football drafts. The soon-to-be stud has an ADP in the 22-27 range, which is a steal considering that he is only going to get better, and get more carries, this upcoming season. This is one of those buy-low stocks - If you can get Jones-drew anywhere near the 20s, you will have a huge advantage in 2008 right out of the gate.

David Garrard | JAC QB

With Jerry Porter now in Jacksonville, David Garrard is going to look better than ever. The quarterback knows how to win and he knows how to move the football down the field. Last season he turned a very inconsistent Reggie Williams into a 10TD wide receiver. Williams pulled in those 10 scores on only 38 receptions - Imagine what Garrard will be able to do with Porter’s talents. Despite all the solid upside, Garrard still is a bit unproven, so if you do roll into a larger league with him as your signal-caller in ‘08, be sure to back him up with at least a similar-type talent.

Reggie Bush | NO RB

Reggie Bush is falling into the third-round in early 2008 fantasy football drafts and mocks (non PPR). Yea, I know… he had a bad year last season, but due to injuries at the running back position, the Saints were forced to use Bush in a role that he was not built for (full-time rushing duties). With the emergence of Pierre Thomas, and with Deuce McAllister back as insurance, the Saints will put Reggie in highly-productive fantasy situations in 2008. The stud rusher could catch 80+ balls in 2008 and score 8-10 times. With some decent rushing numbers on top of all that, you’re looking at a top 10-14 fantasy back at Week 16’s end. A decline in fantasy stock heading into 2008 is great news for the crafty fantasy owner.