2013 Fantasy Football Preview

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Quarterbacks

Quarterbacks

c On the way up: Russell Wilson, Seahawks

On the way down: Josh Freeman, Bucs

c Riskiest pick: Carson Palmer, Cardinals

c Late-round look: Sam Bradford, Rams

c Avoid: Joe Flacco, Ravens

c Top rookie: EJ Manuel, Bills

c Sleeper: Michael Vick, Eagles

Definitely worth a shot as a QB2, since the Eagles figure to be trailing frequently. Vick’s also playing for a contract, which should be further impetus for him to slide or get out of bounds.

Top 10 (With Bye Week)

c 1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay, 4

c 2. Tom Brady, New England, 10

c 3. Drew Brees, New Orleans, 7

c 4. Peyton Manning, Denver, 9

c 5. Matt Ryan, Atlanta, 6

c 6. Matthew Stafford, Detroit, 9

c 7. Tony Romo, Dallas, 11

c8.Andrew Luck, Indianapolis, 8

c9. Robert Griffin III, Washington, 5

c 10. Cam Newton, Carolina, 4

Running backs

c On the way up: LeSean McCoy, Eagles

c On the way down: Chris Johnson, Titans

c Riskiest pick: DeMarco Murray, Cowboys

c Late-round look: Giovani Bernard, Bengals

c Avoid: Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers

c Top rookie: Montee Ball, Broncos

c Sleeper: David Wilson, Giants

The G-Men used the final pick in the 2012 first round to nab Wilson and released longtime stalwart Ahmad Bradshaw this winter. Wilson is a hot sleeper pick.

Top 10 (With Bye Week)

c 1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota, 5

c 2. LeSean McCoy, Eagles, 12

c 3. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle, 12

c 4. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City, 10

c 5. Trent Richardson, Cleveland, 10

c 6. Arian Foster, Houston, 8

c 7. Alfred Morris, Washington, 5

c 8. Doug Martin, Tampa Bay, 5

c 9. C.J. Spiller, Buffalo, 12

c 10. Matt Forte, Chicago, 8

Wide receivers

c On the way up: Pierre Garcon, Washington

c On the way down: Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs

c Riskiest pick: DeSean Jackson, Eagles

c Late-round look: Kenny Stills, Saints

c Avoid: Santonio Holmes, Jets

c Top rookie: Tavon Austin, Rams

c Sleeper: Chris Givens, Rams

Love his big-play ability for a Rams team that figures to throw it often.

Top 10 (With Bye Week)

c 1. Dez Bryant, Dallas, 11

c 2. Calvin Johnson, Detroit, 9

c 3. Julio Jones, Atlanta, 6

c 4. Demaryius Thomas, Denver, 9

c 5. Brandon Marshall, Chicago, 8

c 6. A.J. Green, Cincinnati, 12

c 7. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona, 9

c 8. Victor Cruz, N.Y. Giants, 9

c 9. Andre Johnson, Houston, 8

c 10. Roddy White, Atlanta, 6

Tight ends

c On the way up: Jermichael Finley, Packers

c On the way down: Antonio Gates, Chargers

c Riskiest pick: Rob Gronkowski, Patriots

c Late-round look: Jared Cook, Rams

c Avoid: Heath Miller, Steelers

c Top rookie: Tyler Eifert, Bengals

c Slepper: Martellus Bennett, Bears

In 76 career games, Bennett has as many 100-yard outings as I do. To be fair, Bennett spent his first four seasons behind Jason Witten, but put up career-high numbers (55-626-5) with the Giants last year.

Top 10 (With Bye Week)

c 1. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans, 7

c 2. Rob Gronkowski, New England, 10

c 3. Vernon Davis, San Francisco, 9

c 4. Jason Witten, Dallas, 11

c 5. Jermichael Finley, Green Bay, 4

c 6. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta, 6

c 7. Kyle Rudolph, Minnesota, 5

c 8. Jared Cook, St. Louis, 11

c 9. Greg Olsen, Carolina, 4

c 10. Jordan Cameron, Cleveland, 10

Kickers

c On the way up: Phil Dawson, 49ers

c On the way down: Mason Crosby, Packers

c Riskiest pick: Kai Forbath, Redskins

c Late-round look: All of ‘em

c Avoid: An early run on kickers. Wait till the last round-and-a-half.

c Top rookie: Caleb Sturgis, Dolphins

cSleeper: Steven Hauschka, Seahawks

Has shown a bigger leg in camp after going only 1-for-4 beyond 50 yards last season. With Russell Wilson running the offense, Hauschka should be a fine weekly option. Love that his bye isn’t until Week 12.

Top 10 (With Bye Week)

c 1. Matt Bryant, Atlanta, 6

c 2. Matt Prater, Denver, 9

c 3. Stephen Gostkowski, New England, 10

c 4. Phil Dawson, San Francisco, 9

c 5. Blair Walsh, Minnesota, 5

c 6. Sebastian Janikowski, Oakland, 7

c 7. Garrett Hartley, New Orleans, 7

c 8. Dan Bailey, Dallas, 11

c 9. David Akers, Detroit, 9

c 10. Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis, 11

Defenses and special teams

c On the way up: Cincinnati Bengals

c On the way down: Pittsburgh Steelers

c Riskiest pick: Denver Broncos

c Late-round look: All of ‘em

c Avoid: Eagles

c Sleeper: Detroit Lions

Putting No. 5 overall pick Ziggy Ansah on the outside of tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley gives the Lions a solid d-line. It’ll largely be up to the back seven to improve on the meager 17 takeaways Detroit had in 2012.

Top 10 (With Bye Week)

c 1. Seattle, 12

c 2. San Francisco, 9

c 3. Cincinnati, 12

c 4. Chicago, 8

c 5. Houston, 8

c 6. Denver, 9

c 7. New England, 10

c 8. Green Bay, 4

c 9. Baltimore, 8

c 10. Pittsburgh, 5

Rankings By Ed Barkowitz

The Associated Press