The RotoExperts discuss who’s real and who’s a mirage this preseason.

Each week, Scott Engel gathers the RotoExperts team to answer important fantasy football questions.

This week's question: Which player has impressed you most during the preseason, and which player may be just teasing fantasy owners?

Mike Gilbert: Although I think Eddie Royal is certainly impressive, Eagles rookie WR DeSean Jackson has been a revelation. He's done extremely well in relief of Kevin Curtis as the Eagles' No.1 WR, hauling in 16 catches for 189 yards in three games. However, the Eagles will have to be creative in their use of Jackson, as he only weighs 175 pounds (soaking wet), which could be a problem in getting a clean release off the line of scrimmage. If they can move him around in the slot, he could be a potent weapon. The potential for big receiving numbers is there in the Eagles' offense, and Jackson is making a play to take advantage of this opportunity.
Who is a tease? Ricky Williams. Sure, I'll admit he's looked pretty good in the preseason, but ultimately, it won't matter. Ricky cannot stay healthy for an entire season. He has battled injuries his entire career, and only managed six carries in one game last year before getting hurt and being put on IR. Williams even got hurt during his stint with the Toronto Argonauts. His being a year older, and over 30 to boot, certainly won't help with that situation. Also, don't forget that the next time this guy either misses or fails a drug test, he's gone for at least a year, and probably for good. With old rocks for brains, you can pretty much guarantee he'll screw up again, if injuries don't get him first.

Matt Wirkiowski: The player that has impressed me the most is DeAngelo Williams.  Here is a guy who most had written off as soon as the Panthers drafted Jonathan Stewart back in April.  But during the preseason, Williams has 188 yards on 26 carries and three rushing touchdowns.  Williams has run the ball both inside and outside the tackles, showing strength and quickness.  Still, Stewart casts a large shadow, which is keeping Williams' value low.  Williams is looking like a late-fifth, early-sixth round selection.

The biggest tease this preseason has to be Kevin Walter.  Through three games, he has 13 receptions for 166 yards and two touchdowns.  Don't be deluded by those numbers.  Andre Johnson made his preseason debut on Friday and didn't catch a ball.  Once the regular season starts and Johnson is healthy, look for him to get the lion's share of the looks.  Further diminishing Walter's value is the presence of red-zone threats Andre' Davis and tight end Owen Daniels, and last year's preseason surprise, Jacoby Jones, who should get more action this season.  Walter should remain near the bottom of your cheat sheet.

Hector Castro: Although I really want to say Ricky Williams, I am going to go with Chris Johnson as the guy who has impressed me the most. Johnson was drafted by the Titans as a change-of-pace back after he flew through the 40-yard dash with a 4.24 time. Since arriving at camp, it looks the Titans got a whole lot more than they anticipated. New offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger is planning on using the rookie in the "Reggie Bush role". That means he is going to be heavily involved as a receiver and will have his share of touches in the running game. With the list of questionable wide receivers and an unreliable starting RB in Tennessee, Johnson may turn out to be a major player in this offense.

Earnest Graham saved the Buccaneers season last year when he came out of nowhere and provided a surprisingly stable running game. This year is going to be a whole different story. The Bucs backfield is crowded with the likes of Michael Bennett and Tampa Bay favorite Warrick Dunn. All these guys are going to be getting a share of the carries, which will cut Graham's numbers up bit by bit. In order to get Graham, you are going to have to burn a fourth or fifth round pick. There are way too many players more secure then Graham to spend that high of a draft pick on.

Jason Revelia:  I think Calvin Johnson has impressed me the most this preseason. His physical skill reminds me of a mix between Terrell Owens and Randy Moss. It's going to help him to have Roy Williams on the other side. Teams will have to think hard about rolling coverage to his side. Johnson has as much upside as anyone in fantasy football this year.

What player is teasing us?  How about all of the 49ers WRs. I wouldn't say that they are teasing us. It has more to do with Mike Martz now being there. We all know the 49ers are going to pass the ball a ton now that Martz is at the helm of their offense. The teasing part is going to be finding out which one WR will benefit the most. Isaac Bruce probably has the best chance because of his experience, but he's not getting any younger.  This preseason we have seen Josh Morgan blow up for big numbers, but rookie WRs have a tendency to disappear at times.  That's my point with the 49ers WRs overall.  I think any one of them will have the chance to blow up and every one of them will have the chance to get you nothing. The best thing we can do is pick one and hope he is the one that consistently puts up fantasy numbers.

Jonathan Phillips: I have been thoroughly impressed with Chris Johnson.  No, he's not big and he's not really what the Titans needed offensively, but he reminds me of Willie Parker.  He's on the offense that had the most rushing attempts in the NFL last year, and speed plays well in the NFL.  Vince Young is not a QB you want throwing 30-40 times a game, and the team has a lower tier receiving corps.  I think Johnson is going to get a lot of touches and make some big plays.  If he holds up health-wise, look for 100-plus carries and 40 receptions and a total of six TDs.

I honestly think it's a tie for teaser, and not because of talent.  DeSean Jackson is seeing a lot of receptions now, but let's get real when it comes to Philadelphia.  If there's such a thing as receivers by committee, Philly is it:  Greg Lewis, Reggie Brown, Hank Baskett, L. J. Smith, and add Brian Westbrook.  For the last four years, Westbrook has averaged 75 receptions a season.  That's going to cut into the looks for all these guys.  I think Jackson will have an impact, but not nearly as strong as some might think.  The other, and perhaps biggest tease is Kevin Smith.  No Lions rusher has gained 1,000 yards since Kevin Jones in 2004, and I don't think this team, facing two top 15 rushing defenses (and a Bears defense which will be healthy) is going to do it again. I expect he'll start, but he's been taken as high as 40 in some mock drafts, and that's too much for a back that might get you at best 600 to 700 yards and four to five TDs.

Tommy Landry: I just love all the criticism and "doom & gloom" naysayers who are calling J.T. O'Sullivan a flash in the pan. In a 12-team league, he makes a stellar backup QB, especially if you want to wait super-late to snag a backup. O'Sullivan is another in a list of New Orleans Saints draft picks to be traded away, only to win a starting gig elsewhere. Who are the others? How about Marc Bulger? Or Jake Delhomme? It seems that, every time the team drafts a QB and lets him go, he becomes a solid NFL starter. O'Sullivan always impressed me in limited preseason action. Although that was likely all against second and third string talent, what I saw was a man amongst boys. He has paid his dues, ridden the pine for several years, and now it's his chance to show that he isn't just a wasted draft pick. Frank Gore is a talented receiver out of the backfield, and this team has more to work with at WR and TE than you might think. Arnaz Battle is a great possession receiver, when he can hobble his way onto the field, as he is always hurt. If Baron Davis made it through 82 games last year, Battle can one day stay healthy too, no? Bryant Johnson showed flashes of talent in Arizona when pushed into action due to injury to one of the starters. Vernon Davis has been a great disappointment to date, but seems to have built excellent chemistry with J.T. in the early preseason action. I'm calling J.T. the real deal, and a bona fide sleeper for this season. So far, so good... Marvin Harrison looks great to date, but don't be fooled into thinking this is the Harrison of 2004. I'll take seven games in an over/under of how long he lasts this season. It's "Anthony Gonzalez" time!

SUMMARY: Ricky Williams is indeed a risk, but many RBs are this year for various reasons, so I don't see any real reason to pass on him as a third RB after his impressive preseason. Yes, DeSean Jackson is built like a Bud Bowl bottle, but he has been a quick study and you should at least get him as a fourth WR and consider the upside, although you shouldn't start him right away as he'll be tested more when play begins for real. DeAngelo Williams has played well enough to at least use him as a flex player. I don't see the playing time of Graham being realistically challenged in a major way, especially by Bennett, who never plays up to expectations in any role he is given. I'm with Jason on both points, but Tommy sounds like he is being moved too much by one preseason performance and has way too much hope for an awful receiving crew. I can see where Jonathan is coming from on Smith, but at the end of the day, pointing back to 2004 carries little weight. That's simply a coincidental number.
There's obviously a lot of love for Chris Johnson, but the Titans are still committed to LenDale White and the rookie will be a boom-or-bust option. I don’t want to depend on him. If he is comparable to Reggie Bush, you know he won’t be reliable. Players that have really impressed me include Jason Campbell, who has done a nice job of picking up a new offense and could be a good value pick, and Robert Meachem, who will fits in well with a potent offense and will make some big plays. Those who have been laying illusions on us include Josh Morgan, as Jason outlined, and Aaron Rodgers. With the former, some of his biggest heroics have come against reserve defensive backs low on their teams depth charts. With the latter, I'm referring to his sudden "turnaround" in the most recent preseason game. When the regular season begins, opponents will bring the real heat on Rodgers, and his inexperience is going to show for sure.

Who are your preseason stars and illusionists? E-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with your views.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed