ASK THE EXPERTS appears weekly from training camp to Super Bowl with answers to a new question being posted Thursday morning. How the guest experts responded when we asked them: Which player, team or fantasy storyline will everyone be talking about next week?
DAVID DOREY
Far as I am concerned, it will be “why did the Raiders let it get this bad?” Granted the Jets look like a fantasy wasteland, but the Raiders make the Jets look like they had twice the money to spend. As soon as Darren McFadden is injured, there is zero reason to watch the game.
Dorey is the co-founder and lead NFL analyst for The Huddle and author of Fantasy Football: The Next Level. He has projected and predicted every NFL game and player performance since 1997 and has appeared in numerous magazines, newspapers, radio and television.
ERIC CATURIA
Peering into a crystal ball is a flawed (some would argue impossible) form of forecasting the future, which is why those of us who live by the numbers search out trends to exploit specific situations. The process can seemingly prove futile until -- suddenly -- everything comes into focus. While the aforementioned scenario gives the impression of clairvoyance, a player on the comeback trail may be slated to lock horns with a previously overmatched opponent, as Maurice Jones-Drew has in the cards in Week 1. His adversary, the Chiefs, have yielded a whopping 990 carries for 4,289 combined rushing yards the past two seasons, arenas in which that particular defense ranked fourth or worst in the league, while aligning itself with the bottom-10 (non-PPR formats) in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. With his mid-foot fracture and disastrous 2012 campaign fully in the rear-view mirror, the miniature workhouse of a back seems poised to mimic the previous year's NFL-leading 1,606 yards, which would mark the fourth 1,000-yard campaign of the 28-year-old's seven-year career. Sunday's clash with Kansas City provides an optimal setting in which to embark upon such a feat.
Caturia is a writer/editor of NFL, MLB, and NBA content for RotoWire. He can be found on Twitter @etcat30.
NICHOLAS MINNIX
One way or another, the Eagles' offense seems like a winner. Will Chip Kelly's up-tempo attack help the Birds lead the league in plays from scrimmage? Turn Michael Vick into a QB1 again? Allow LeSean McCoy to sustain his stud status? Make Bryce Brown a legit flex play in some weeks? Or will the whole thing backfire? Stall in Philly territory, lead to myriad mistakes, result in tons of turnovers and make fantasy owners hate all their Eags? We won't know for sure after one week, but we'll for sure have plenty of fodder to speculate based on the performances of those players and others against the Redskins. That NFC East rival had a pretty good run D last year (but an atrocious unit against the pass) and should be better off if they don't lose a cornerstone defender or two in their first contest, like they did last season.
Since 1996, KFFL.com has been combining its award-winning news service with fantasy analysis. KFFL.com offers services including daily news, draft guides and in-season advice. Completely free, KFFL.com is your destination for fantasy baseball, football and NASCAR cheat sheets, tips, sleepers and much more. KFFL.com has won more than a dozen expert championships and was listed as "One of the 10 essential sports-related online destinations for fans, athletes and fantasy owners" by Time.com. KFFL.com is property of USA TODAY Sports Media Group.
ALAN SATTERLEE
Week 1 to me historically surprises usually in either big injuries, monster performances (especially big passing days) or surprise breakouts. Two years' back, for example, Tom Brady exploded for 500+ yards in Week 1 (over-shadowing rookie Cam Newton's 400 yard first NFL game) and last year Kevin Olgetree was the surprise #1 WR. It's hard to predict injuries, and it's a hunch, but I don't see Marshawn Lynch completing the season. I think folks are going to quickly say, "ugh, I took insert RB here" over David Wilson? Mainly, Steven Jackson, Maurice Jones-Drew, Chris Johnson and Marshawn Lynch will all get out-paced by Wilson. New England will come out guns a-blazing this weekend, despite all of Brady's "targets" being gone. There will be plenty of New England points to go around, including the Pats defense who looks to be the #1 DT this week on my board. Lastly, as a surprise flyer, and a waiver-wire guy that people will be bidding on this time next week, I'll take a gamble that Niners' rookie WR Quinton Patton has a surprise strong game.
Satterlee is Co-Owner and Chief Editor/COO of FantasyFootballWarehouse.com. FFW features comprehensive profiles for all the major 2013 skill-position rookies, its Trading Spaces series, the team Deep Dives, the Speed Bump competition plus draft strategies, rankings, projections and more. FFW runs in tandem with its dynasty site DynastyFootballWarehouse.com.
IAN ALLAN
I can totally envision Philadelphia going into Washington and delivering an NFC East shocker – are Michael Vick and Chip Kelly for real? Maybe Seattle, making a cross-country trip, lays an egg in Carolina – have we all ranked Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch too high? David Wilson could cement himself into that top tier of running backs with a big game on Sunday night, while Adrian Peterson could be very ordinary in Detroit, making everyone wonder why he was considered the obvious No. 1 pick. Green Bay has the offensive tackle issues, so Aaron Rodgers’ value could be a lot lower after Sunday’s games.
Allan is the senior writer for Fantasy Football Index. He's been in that role since 1987, generating most of the player rankings and analysis for that publication. His work can be seen in Fantasy Football Index magazine, and also at www.fantasyindex.com.
SCOTT SACHS
I sure hope it's that the Browns look great in their home opener, so that by 4:15pm Sunday, Trent Richardson, Brandon Weedon, Jordan Cameron, Greg Little, and their new look Defense/Special Teams morph into viable Fantasy Football options for the rest of the year after scoring 30-40 points on the very average Miami Dolphins in Week 1. Hopefully those dreams turn into reality, not fantasy! Go Dawgs, Squish the Fish!
Sachs runs Perfect Season Fantasy Football, offering LIVE Talk/Text/Email consulting & advice. Winner of Fantasy Football Index's 2012 Experts Poll & 2011 Mock Auction League, Scott can be found at http://perfectseasonffb.com/.
JAKE CIELY
This is too easy. Rob Gronkowski. With Gronk returning to practice and following it up with 11-on-11 drills the next day, talk is already heating up over his return. It's extremely doubtful that Gronkowski returns for the opening game, and logic dictates with the quick turnaround (Thursday game) that he won't play in Week 2. However, with the Patriots (see: Belichick) being far from forthright... even intentionally Black Ops secret mission like... all of the talk will surround Gronk's potential return to game action. Beside that, since it was an easy choice, I'll also say the Eagles. Whether it's a good or poor performance against the Redskins, many will be talking about Kelly's impact on the Eagles players and fantasy production. It's the first real look we'll have at Kelly's offense in the NFL (as in, nothing held back), which will give us plenty to chew on
Ciely oversees the fantasy football staff for Football.com and assists with social media, including Twitter and Facebook. He is an award-nominated fantasy writer with over 15 years of experience. He started his fantasy sports career with his own blog and eventually became the Managing Editor at RotoExperts.com. He’s also a poker enthusiast, which is why you see many poker references, including his nickname “All In Kid.” Jake has also introduced new metrics to fantasy football analysis.
BOB HENRY
I'm going with the Ravens. The Broncos defense is decimated by injuries and suspensions. I wouldn't be surprise to see this game turn into a bit of a shootout with Flacco getting off to another hot start with Von Miller is suspended, Champ Bailey less than 100% and Elvis Dumervil joining the Super Bowl champs thanks to some faulty back-office paper work. I think we'll see the Ravens surprise those expecting a heavy dose of Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce. I think Flacco could continue on his torrid streak from the playoffs with another big game connecting with Torrey Smith, Marlon Brown and others to out-duel Peyton Manning on the Broncos home field. I especially like Marlon Brown as a super deep sleeper. He has a shot to emerge opposite Smith as a legitimate #2 receiver for the Ravens.
Henry is a senior writer/analyst for Footballguys.com since 2004 and an industry veteran of 17+ years. His responsibilities at Footballguys include leading the annual training camp reports, providing detailed preseason and year-forward projections during the season that help drive the Footballguys suite of mobile, web and desktop draft and in-season management tools, along with managing the depth charts and his popular weekly Sleepers column during the season.
MICAH JAMES
For everyone to be talking, this story has to be big. I mean B-I-G, big. I'll step out on the limb and say that the most buzz after week 1 will be questioning "What's wrong with Adrian Peterson"? Losing Jerome Felton will have a bigger impact than people may realize, which makes things harder for Peterson against Detroit. On top of that, the Lions' defense looks to be much-improved against the run. While AP should have a decent performance, when he doesn't post 100 yards and a TD, lots of people will be talking about whether they wasted that 1.01 draft pick. (And for the record...they didn't.)"
James, the FFMagicMan, has been playing fantasy football since 2000. James won the FSTA Accuracy Rankings Challenge in 2012, finishing 1st out of 61 expert entries with an unprecedented Top-9 performance across all four skill positions. You can follow James on Twitter (@FFMagicMan) and be sure to listen to his weekly fantasy football strategy podcast, The Magic Formula.
PRETZEL MAY
The most prevalent topic of conversation next week will be the surprising robustness and brawn of Patriots passing attack. The whole offseason was filled with chatter of the Pats needing to run the ball because they have no receivers but here is a news flash, take away Randy Moss and the Pats have never had any receivers. Wes Welker was a decent receiver in Miami and a god in New England (see Deion Branch, Bethel Johnson, David Patten, Troy Brown). You see Tom Brady makes mediocre receivers good! Plus the Pats will be facing a diminished Bills secondary. Add that to the perpetual chip on big Bill's shoulder and you will have an offensive explosion.
The May brothers have more than 20 years of combined fantasy football experience and are the co-founders of FantasyDraftMaster.com. In FDM's first 3 years as part of the Fantasy Index Experts Poll, they have amassed 1st- and 2nd-place finishes. The cornerstone of FantasyDraftMaster.com is the UberRank which is a revolutionary approach to the traditional fantasy football cheat sheet. FantasyDraftMaster.com also offers insightful and humorous commentary and recommendations on waiver wire pickups, lineup submissions and weekly pick em' pools. For more info on FDM, visit the web site or email info@fantasydraftmaster.com.
SAM HENDRICKS
Rueben Randle. The second year WR for the Giants will burst upon the fantasy scene with a 8/80/1 kind of day against the Cowboys. Lingering dings for Cruz and Hicks open the door for the NYG 2nd round pick to showcase his 6-3 frame. He is a great "handcuff" for any Cruz and Hicks owners and this time next week his owners will be glad they drafted him in the late rounds as a sleeper.
Hendricks is the author of Fantasy Football Guidebook, Fantasy Football Tips and Fantasy Football Basics, all available at ExtraPointPress.com, at all major bookstores, and at Amazon and BN.com. He is a 20-plus year fantasy football veteran who regularly participates in the National Fantasy Football Championship (NFFC) and finished 7th and 16th overall (out of 228 competitors) in the 2008 and 2009 Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC). Follow him at his web site, www.ffguidebook.com.
ANDY RICHARDSON
I hate to say it, since I passed on him for a receiver in the second round of a couple drafts last week, but probably David Wilson. Dallas has some issues defensively, and Wilson appears sure to have a breakout game followed by a breakout season. Or he fumbles early and we are all talking about DaRel Scott. But no, I am going with Wilson.
Richardson has been a columnist and contributor to the Fantasy Football Index magazine and web site for 12 years. His responsibilities include team defense and IDP projections and various site features, and he has run the magazine's annual draft and auction leagues since their inception. He previews all the NFL games on Saturdays and writes a wrap-up column on Mondays during the NFL season.