Half-Season Review of My 2015 Fantasy Football Sleepers

Time to look back on my sleepers. Always fun to take a look at them at the half-way point. Pretty much all total hits or complete misses. Roughly about half and half if the group of RBs are considered.

QB

Sam Bradford – Philadelphia Eagles – ADP: 16 – Current Season Scoring at Position: 27th – Grade: F—

Bigger problems on that O line than most people realized. I thought they wouldn’t be great but they’ve been ridiculously bad to this point. Things are starting to turn around a bit for the offense but pretty much no way Bradford cracks the top 10 at this point. Very disappointing.

Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – ADP: 24 – Current Season Scoring at Position: 6th – Grade: A+++

Only two points out of 3rd place on the season so easy to say I got this one correct, so far. As I stated in the preseason, he’ll be a stud if his targets stay healthy. And to this point, Green, Eifert and Jones have stayed on the field. Should continue to be great as long as that continues.

 

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RB

All NFC South Starters – Mark Ingram (ADP: 12), Jonathan Stewart (19), Doug Martin (32), Devonta Freeman (40) – Current Season Scoring at Position: Ingram 3rd, Stewart 24th, Martin 8th, Freeman 1st – Grade: A+++

Stewart is the only disappointment so far in this group. And I want to pat myself on the back for pushing Freeman over Coleman from day 1. Very doubtful they finish this well but certainly nailed this group.

Joseph Randle – Dallas Cowboys – ADP: 21 – Current Season Scoring at Position: 32nd – Grade: F

Looked great at times but the off-the-field stuff obviously killed him. Really a shame that he’s wasting his talent by not getting his head right. No way we see him on an NFL field again this season. Too bad.

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WR

Brandin Cooks – New Orleans Saints – ADP: 13 – Current Season Scoring at Position: 20th – Grade: D

Starting to turn things around after the Saints had the slow start. Still think he’s going to finish very strong and potentially top 10. Don’t count him out yet.

Breshad Perriman – Baltimore Ravens – ADP: 46 – Current Season Scoring at Position: Has not played

With the injury to Smith, the opportunity was amazing for him to put up huge numbers. Unfortunately, the preseason injury was worse than everyone knew. Looks like we’ll barely get to see him this season. Really hope we get a look at him to see what he might do next season. The opportunity to be a stud will be there again considering the Ravens’ situation.

Marvin Jones – Cincinnati Bengals – ADP: 68 – Current Season Scoring at Position: 34th – Grade: A

I thought he might get into the top 30 and still has a chance. Basically, when the Bengals are playing a team with an elite corner that’s going to be on Green, play Jones. Otherwise, expect paltry numbers. Worth owning for sure.

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TE

Jordan Cameron – Miami Dolphins – ADP: 8 – Current Season Scoring at Position: 25th – Grade: F—

Probably the player on this list I’m most disappointed in. The Miami O has been atrocious most of the season and Cameron has suffered terribly. Only twice in 8 games have they managed to score over 20 points. Just awful. Had high hopes for most of the offense and they have crushed those hopes with their mediocrity…

Austin Seferian-Jenkins – Tampa Bay Buccaneers – ADP: 24 – Current Season Scoring at Position: 29th – No Grade for Injury

Still top 30 despite basically playing one game. Everyone knows about the week 1 explosion and safe to say he would probably be top 10 right now if he was healthy the whole way. Has massive potential. Just needs to stop being bitten by the injury bug.

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Defense

Denver Broncos – ADP: 11 – Current Season Scoring at Position: 1st – Grade: A++++

Was baffled by the ADP at the time and still can’t understand it. This one was painfully obvious to me so no surprise they are at the top and, considering their huge lead over 2nd right now, might stay there all season. Wade Phillips knows how to coach D, people. Hate him all you want as a head coach but he’s a Hall-of-Fame level coordinator.

Carolina Panthers Fantasy Football Analysis – Week 4

Week 4 – @ TB – W 37-23

QB: Newton a fairly good game but didn’t have to do a lot as D dominated opposing O.  Still good numbers and is playing and running well.  Does need better weapons.

RB: Stewart an average game but would have been better if they need it.  Just didn’t have to do as much on O with the big lead.

WR: Ginn 2 TD catches but nothing else.  He’s getting production because he’s the only guy there and it’s still unreliable.  I’d continue to stay away.

TE: Olsen held to little but game flow hurt.  Still the best receiver on this team and worth starting every week.

OL: Solid game all-around.  Didn’t have to do a lot for passing game and wasn’t great there.  Run blocking was fairly strong, even with big lead.

Def: Terrible QB play helped.  Got run on for a plenty.  Allowed quite a bit though the air in prevent.  It happens when you’re on the field for so many plays.  Contained well.  Gave up huge games to RB and #2 WR.

Carolina Panthers Fantasy Football Analysis – Week 2

Week 2 – vs Houston – W 24-17

QB: Newton a huge game and did a lot of damage on the ground.  Receivers were dropping passes so he could have had more.  Looks good but will be limited by his targets on the field.

RB: Stewart an average game as line wasn’t giving him much.  Just couldn’t open holes for him to get past LOS.  Still looks great when he gets space.

WR: Ginn and Brown both good games with TDs but Ginn showed off pretty bad hands.  Funchess still not doing much but the door is certainly open for him to make a bigger impact.

TE: Olsen a nice game and will probably get even more targets if WRs keep dropping passes.  Should be strong in the coming weeks and probably rest of season.

OL: Not bad against tough D line.  Wasn’t doing a lot for run game but kept QB mostly clean.  Hard to ask for much more considering opponent.

Def: Helped by shaky QB play.  Shutdown run game.  Coverage wasn’t great and would have been torched by better passing game.  Gave up decent games to WRs.  Not much else.

Carolina Panthers Fantasy Football Analysis – Week 1

Week 1 – @ Jacksonville – W 20-9

QB: Newton suffered throwing to lesser talent and was rushed a bit.  Should be better going forward but a little concerned about the talent around him right now.

RB: Stewart an okay game but it was a tough match up.  Still looks really good when he gets room and should be a strong RB2.

WR: Corps is looking pretty ugly right now.  Cotchery might be the most consistent fantasy player but isn’t going to put up huge numbers.  Ginn just isn’t a starting WR.  Need to see much more of Funchess.

TE: Olsen blanketed in this one and this could be a sign of things to come.  Could be a really down year unless something changes with the WRs.

OL: Not great overall and needs a fair amount of work.  The pass protection was a little better in this one but not by much.  Both are still below average right now.

Def: Decent game against bad QB play.  Was getting run on, especially after Kuechly injury, and might be a weakness.  Gave up no big games.

Carolina Panthers Week 17 Fantasy Analysis

Week 17 – @ Atlanta – W 34-3

QB: Newton did little passing as run game did all the work.  Some drops hurt.  Still a good game as rushing production was good.

RB: Williams DNP.  Stewart an okay game but big lead gave carries to backups late.  Looked good, however.  Whittaker looked great in mop-up duty.

WR: Benjamin did little and had 2 bad drops early, one would have been a very long play and possible TD.  Brown had okay game but most came running.  Still looks explosive.

TE: Olsen did little as run game dominated.  Nothing to wory about on him.

OL: Was great everywhere.  QB was basically never touched.  Did great job for rushers against weak D.  Just gashed D on the ground.

Def: Run D was okay but lead limited carries.  Coverage was good.  Pass rush was incredible and dominated game.  Gave up good game to #2 WR.  Nothing else.

Carolina Panthers Week 16 Fantasy Analysis

Week 16 – vs Cleveland – W 17-13

QB: Newton a good game, especially on the ground.  Throws weren’t great and receivers had to make some plays to catch a few but still took good risks with the ball in this one.

RB: Williams DNP.  Stewart a huge game and looks phenomenal.  If he was alone in the backfield next season, he’d be a top 15, possibly top 10 back.

WR: Benjamin made great plays but didn’t get enough throws close to him.  Did look like he dropped a TD but coverage was there.  Cotchery similar numbers and look decent.  Brown did little but still think he’s better.

TE: Olsen only one catch.  Tough match up so not a lot to worry about but still a little disappointing.

OL: Played great, especially run blocking.  A few runs plays where they flat out dominated.

Def: Bad QB play helped.  Looked strong again and decent against the run.  Gave up good game to TE on one play but held everything else in check.

Carolina Panthers Week 15 Fantasy Analysis

Week 15 – vs TB – W 19-17

QB: Newton DNP.  Anderson looked pretty sharp and had okay game.  Was pretty accurate and had some zip on his throws.  Used his key targets all game.

RB: Stewart a decent game against a decent run D.  Continues to look pretty good as the feature guy with Williams out.

WR: Benjamin and Cotchery good games as Cotchery gets his first TD.  Benjamin made some really good catches and continues to look like a stud.  Brown did little and was missed on a long TD by QB.

TE: Olsen a big game and was Anderson’s favorite target.  Might be a good sign of things to come for him.

OL: Solid game.  Wasn’t great but wasn’t terrible doing anything against a good D-line.

Def: Helped by bad QB play.  Gave up some good rushing yardage including one big play.  Pass rush was good.  Gave  up good games to RB and WRs.  Nothing else.

Carolina Panthers Week 14 Fantasy Analysis

Week 14 – @ NO – W 41-10

QB: Newton awesome against awful D.  Threw it well, ran well, and protected himself.  Good job trusting his receivers to make plays.

RB: Williams DNP.  Stewart great in this one.  Really looked like he could take over the spot but it’s Carolina.  Not buying it unless Williams is out.

WR: Benjamin a TD but little else.  Not a ton of chances in this one as running game dominated.  Brown decent and looks like a solid PPR play.  Definitely progressing and the #2 now.

TE: Olsen a big game and looked like his earlier season self.  So good and not sure why he didn’t get more throws in other games.

OL: Looked really good and handled bad D really well.  Run blocking was incredible in this one.

Def: Lead limited runs but was giving up plenty of yards.  Pass rush was decent against bad O-line.  Shutdown elite TE.  Gave up no good games.  Not buying into this yet.

Carolina Panthers Week 13 Fantasy Analysis

Week 13 – @ Minnesota – L 31-13

QB: Newton was inaccurate and struggled badly.  Pass Rush got to him as well.  Ran well.

RB: Stewart looked great and was very patient in this one.  Williams got injured so Stewart could be a good play with Williams out.

WR: Benjamin a decent game but should have been bigger if QB was better.  Beat D on long play but QB missed.  Would have been long TD.  Brown got long TD but little else.  Continues to look like a game-breaker.

TE: Olsen decent but also suffered because of QB.  Should be fine going forward.

OL: Strong game run blocking but not good in pass protection.

Def: Average against weaker run game.  Game flow limited passes against.  Gave up good games to #1 WR and TE.  Held everything else in check.

Carolina Panthers Week 11 Fantasy Analysis

Week 11 – vs Atlanta – L 17-19

QB: Newton was okay but struggled a bit behind bad blocking.  Good fantasy game but a lot of damage came late.  Couldn’t get things going early.

RB: A mess.  Neither Williams or Stewart impressed.  Just can’t trust.

WR: Benjamin another huge game.  Is talented enough to be a top 10 WR next season but probably won’t be drafted that way.  Brown caught one pass for a long TD and continues to show elite speed.

TE: Olsen a solid game.  Could have been better if QB play wasn’t erratic.

OL: Looked awful early but improved.  Run blocking was pretty good against weak D but pass blocking was average.  Giving this team problems right now.

Def: Contained well and avoided the big plays.  Run D looked better.  Coverage was decent and pass rush fairly good.  Gave up a big game to #2 WR and decent games to other WRs.  Held everything else to little.