AFC EAST OFFSEASON FANTASY GRADES

QB-Trent Edwards (C+), Ryan Fitzpatrick (F)

RB-Marshawn Lynch (C+), Fred Jackson (C), Dominic Rhodes (C)

WR-Terrell Owens (B), Lee Evans (C+), Josh Reed (D+), Roscoe Parrish (D)

TE-Derek Schouman (D), Derek Fine (D)

K-Rian Lindell (C+)

OUTLOOK: This could be one of the league’s most improved offenses, but the biggest question marks are the two most talented players. Lynch should be developing into one of the game’s best backs, but injuries and off-the-field nonsense keep derailing him. Meanwhile Owens had one of his worst statistical seasons last year, and he needs to prove that it was just the situation and not the onset of a downhill slide. If those two play to their potential, they should also carry the values of Edwards and Evans skyward.

 

QB-Chad Pennington (C+), Chad Henne (D)

RB-Ronnie Brown (C+), Ricky Williams (C), Patrick Cobbs (D)

WR-Ted Ginn Jr. (C), Greg Camarillo (C), Davone Bess (D+), Pat White (D+)

TE-Anthony Fasano (C+), David Martin (D+)

K-Dan Carpenter (C)

OUTLOOK: The Wildcat breathed some life into this offense last year, but you have to wonder if it will be as effective with defensive coordinators having had the whole offseason to study it. Brown’s numbers from last year look pretty tame when you take away that 5-TD explosion against New England; maybe he’ll be sharper in his second year off the ACL injury. Pennington proved last season he could put together decent numbers even without a go-to guy, and he’ll have to do it again because the Dolphins didn’t add anyone of note to their receiving corps save a couple of mid-round rookies.

 

QB-Tom Brady (B+), Matt Gutierrez (D)

RB-Sammy Morris (C+), Fred Taylor (C+), Laurence Maroney (C), Kevin Faulk (C), BenJarvus Green-Ellis (D)

WR-Randy Moss (A), Wes Welker (B+), Joey Galloway (C), Greg Lewis (D)

TE-Benjamin Watson (C), Chris Baker (D+)

K-Stephen Gostkowski (A)

OUTLOOK: Obviously, Brady’s health is the key here. If he proves in the preseason that he has no ill effects in the knee, then the passing game will purr once again. But God bless the poor soul who is stuck relying on a Pats running back, because Bill Belichick will likely shuffle them in and out on a whim. Look for Morris to have the most TDs, Taylor to lead in yards, and Faulk to be a sneaky scorer on receptions. And don’t be surprised if one or more of those guys gets cut. Watch for Galloway as a nice deep sleeper, because the Patriots third receiver usually gets lots of action.

 

QB-Mark Sanchez (D+), Kellen Clemens (D)

RB-Thomas Jones (B), Leon Washington (C), Shonn Greene (D+)

WR-Jerrico Cotchery (C), Chansi Stuckey (D+), Brad Smith (D), David Clowney (D)

TE-Dustin Keller (C+), James Dearth (F)

K-Jay Feely (C+) 

OUTLOOK: For as addled as Brett Favre looked late last season, he still provided a threat which opened up the running game for an outstanding season. The Jets will have to try to run the ball with defenses stacked against them, which makes Jones a prime candidate to be a Fantasy bust this year. Sanchez will most likely get his chance to play early, but the track record for rookie quarterbacks in this league is pretty lousy. With Laveranues Coles gone and Cotchery the focus of every secondary, don’t be surprised if Keller turns out to be the most valuable Fantasy receiver here.