Below are the Players On The Rise & On The Decline entering Week 16. Because trading and add/drops are probably locked down in most leagues, the players below will be players that you may, or may not, believe in heading into Week 16 (most likely the final week of your 2008 fantasy football playoffs.) We also have a Dynasty Corner section below for all you dynasty owners out there; This week we talk about the future value of Pierre Thomas. Enjoy!
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Antonio Bryant | WR TBAntonio Bryant had a monster game last week, pulling in nine passes for 200 yards and 2TDs. He then followed that performance up with a 108 yards and a touchdown in Week 15 against the Falcons. That’s 17 receptions, 308 yards and 3TDs in two games. Before you bench the Tampa Bay wide receiver in Week 16, thinking that you have already missed out on the wave of fantasy production, keep in mind that Bryant has been bring the heat all season long. The guy has reached 100+ yards receiving on three other occasions this season and has 74 receptions, 1,044 yards and 6TDs on the year (with two regular-season games left). Bryant is a legitimate WR2/3 entering 2009 — He certainly deserves that kind of consideration in Week 16 against the Chargers. |
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Pierre Thomas | RB NOPierre Thomas is quite possibly a top 5-7RB start in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. The Lions give up over 160 rushing yards per game (32nd in the NFL) and have surrendered a shocking, and league-leading, 26 rushing touchdowns (32nd in the NFL) in just 14 games. After writing all that, Thomas might be better than a top 5-7RB start this week. There is no better rushing match-up! Thomas looks fantastic for the NOW and for the FUTURE… we talk about his future below in our Dynasty Corner… as for the NOW, do not even think about benching Thomas in Week 16! |
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Willie Parker | RB PITWillie Parker rushed the football 14 times for 47 yards in Week 15 against the Ravens. This was expected given the match-up, but because Parker hasn’t done much since Week 11, I’m concerned that many fantasy owners are going to put FWP on the bench in Week 16 in favor of a mediocre option. Don’t! Parker may face a tough Titans defense in Week 16, but the Titans are far from the Ravens… Steve Slaton just proved that in Week 15, rushing the football 24 times for 100 yards. Don’t get me wrong, the match-up is somewhat tough, but speedsters like Slaton and Parker can break off long runs and they can be quite productive if the game is close. Now, don’t sit a guy like Slaton, Matt Forte, Marshawn Lynch, or even a Maurice Jones-Drew for the Steelers running back, but he belongs in line-ups over players like Larry Johnson, Tim Hightower, Justin Fargas, Darren McFadden, LenDale White and even over a starting Derrick Ward, if for some reason Jacobs can’t give it a go. |
So Week 15 is just about in the rear view (minus the Monday night game still to come), so it’s on to Week 16 and beyond! Below we touch on Pierre Thomas, one of the most talked about fantasy players right now. The insanely-gifted runner has taken over as the Saints feature back, but will his impressive play, and huge role in that Saints’ rushing attack, continue on into the 2009 fantasy football season?
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Is Pierre Thomas A RB2 In 2009? What about Reggie Bush?Maybe. Pierre Thomas is one gifted running back, and he is in the perfect situation entering Week 16 (as stated above). The Saints are an amazing passing football team… and that will not change in 2009. In fact, that Saints passing attack could get better next season. Drew Brees has already thrown for 4,332 yards in just 14 games, so I don’t expect a stronger performance in the yardage department in ‘09, but his 28 touchdowns through 14 games could be improved upon next season. This season, Marques Colston missed Weeks 2-7 and he struggled for a while once he returned to action… In 2009, Brees will have an easier time finding the end zone with Colston fully healthy… What does this have to do with Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush? Well, having an even better passing attack in 2009, better than this season’s passing attack… that is only going to help the development of Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. So, does the emergence of Pierre Thomas ruin the value of Reggie Bush? No. Thomas is the between-the-tackles guy and Bush is the team’s "slash" performer. Both have value and both will be used equally moving forward… they will just be used in different ways. Both will often be on the field at the same time, but both will be used and used often. In fact, Bush is at his best when the Saints have a solid between-the-tackles rushing attack… this allows the team to split Bush out wide and that is where Bush is most dangerous. Don’t get me wrong, Bush is NOT a top five fantasy running back in a non-PPR format, but he does have top 12-14RB upside in all redraft leagues entering 2009. Where Bush is most valuable is in PPR formats… in PPR leagues, Bush is absolutely a top 8-10 fantasy prospect entering 2009. So to recap my value system here, … in PPR leagues, Bush is way more valuable than Thomas… in non-PPR leagues, it’s tough to say which back is more valuable for the long-term. As of this moment, Thomas appears to be the more attractive non-PPR option, but my advice is to be a little cautious when it comes to investing in Thomas. If you already own the guy, great… hang onto him, or sell-high. If you can’t sell-high, just sit tight and see where Thomas takes you… he has tremendous upside heading into 2009! Congrats to all who scooped the guy up early on in the 2008 fantasy season!
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