NFL Prospect Analysis -- Part 1 fantasysharks.com Fri 2/21/14 9:06 AM

Kelvin Benjamin Kelvin Benjamin, WR, Florida State Scott's analysis - Kelvin Benjamin possesses physical tools that most prospects can only dream of. He is going to wow us this weekend at the combine. At 6'5", 235 pounds with a likely mid-4.5 40-time, Benjamin is going to cement his status as a first round draft pick. That said, yes, Benjamin possesses all of the physical tools that we want in a WR. He's a true monster and almost impossible to cover, especially in the red zone. However, there are a lot of warts in his game at this point that will prevent him from having an immediate impact on the NFL. Let's start with the most glaring (to me anyway): Benjamin is a below-average route runner who has simply used his size to his advantage. He seems disinterested at times when running routes, which makes it much easier for smaller and inferior defenders to defend him. Additionally, there have been times where he has shown a lack of effort. He had a relatively high drop percentage last year, which I believe is because of a lack of focus. He's always been better than his competition, simply because he's been more physically talented; that won't happen in the NFL. For a player with his immense size, he doesn't use his body well to gain separation from smaller defenders off the line, either. As someone who needs time to develop and grasp the professional game, he is a ‘project' type of player in which I will have to draft day one in order to acquire. Benjamin is also a bit older. Despite coming off a national-championship season as a redshirt sophomore, Benjamin just celebrated his 23rd birthday. While he's not encroaching Brandon Weeden territory, his age should be a bit worrisome in terms of his long term development. He has yet to get subtle nuances of the game, and had reportedly struggled picking up the nuances of Florida State's offense. It's difficult to believe he'll be better at the next level. I see Benjamin as a boom-or-bust kind of player. Inevitably, he'll gain comparisons to Calvin Johnson or Alshon Jeffery based on his size. Unfortunately, there are too many similar big-bodied WRs that have busted, he reminds us of Stephen Hill. Mark and I were all over the huge bust potential of Stephen Hill before the 2012 draft. I do see a much better player in Benjamin than Hill, but there's also the same bust potential. It'll depend on where he ends up. Mark's analysis -- While I love to play the contrarian role to Scott in our write-ups, I am not ...

Jon Baldwin / A.J. Jenkins Swap! fantasyfootballwarehou... Tue 8/20/13 7:00 AM

The Chiefs and Niners swap disappointing former 1st round picks for one another mano-a-mano. FFW has the impact to 2013 projections.

Instant Analysis: AJ Jenkins Traded for Jonathan Baldwin dynastyleaguefootball.com Mon 8/19/13 2:54 PM

We break down today's NFL trade.

Waiver Wire Wonders - Week 15 fantasysharks.com Tue 12/11/12 7:00 AM

We unearth a trio of running backs this week that are worth taking a look at, including one that is in line to be the starter again this week. Though none of the three are worthy of being in our highest category, they lead a group of eleven players worth considering at this late juncture in the season. The majority of this week's players are running backs, but as usual we dig up a couple tight ends, and then fill in the rest of the list with some wide outs. There's something for everyone this week! Solid Pickups RB Montell Owens, Jacksonville Drawing the start against the Jets, Owens ran well carrying the ball 14 times for 91 yards and a touchdown. He wasn't as active as we would have liked in the passing game, recording only a single catch for eleven yards but he was the main back for the Jaguars on the field for the majority of offensive plays. With Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings both out, it is looking like Owens is in line for a second consecutive start this week at Miami. It's a rarity this late in the season to find a starting running back on the waiver wire, but we expect that Owens will be able to put up similar numbers against the Dolphins this week. RB LaMichael James, San Francisco The backup runner on the 49ers always has value, operating as the change of pace to starter Frank Gore. Finally getting a chance to dress for a game this week against the Dolphins, James did not waste the opportunity, carrying the ball eight times for 30 yards while also catching a pass for 15 yards. Not tremendous numbers, but he did not make any glaring mistakes so he's earned some playing time for the future. San Francisco has cleared the deck for him to be the clear backup by suspending Brandon Jacobs, so James has some value even this late in the fantasy season. RB DuJaun Harris, Green Bay The Packers are not ready to trust Alex Green with the entire load, and with James Starks done for the season, Green Bay used Harris as their change of pace back this past week against the Lions. Harris rushed seven times for 31 yards, and did find the end zone. Coach Mike Sherman flips his backs on a week-to-week basis looking for the "hot hand." Harris will continue to see touches with the potential for him to edge out Green for the majority of carries in Green Bay. On the Radar WR Jonathan Baldwin, Kansas City The Chiefs are having major issues at the wide receiver position, this week placing Dwayne Bowe on season ending injured reserve. That leaves ...

Week 10: Break from the Bye Weeks fantasysharks.com Sat 11/12/11 1:30 PM

Welcome to a Week 10 edition of the Brew Crew Corner. Happy Veterans day! To all those who have served, we thank you. This is an odd week in the NFL. Due to the lockout, the bye week schedule has no teams off on this week but will have four off in week 11. Thanksgiving is still two weeks away but Thursday games started this week, so I hope you made sure that you had your lineups ready to go on Thursday for all your Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers you plan to pay. The Golden Mug Award Awarded to the fantasy player who came through for their team. Vincent Jackson -- 7 receptions, 141 yards, 3 TD. Finally a big game from Jackson. He was putting up just 33 yards a game in the three weeks prior with no touchdowns. However, he had a bad game this past Thursday against Oakland, hauling in just one catch for 22 yards. Willis McGahee -- 20 carries, 163 yards, 2 TD. Unless you are a McGahee owner, you may not have noticed that McGahee has been productive this season and has four 100-plus rushing games in seven games played. He is on pace to rush for 1,335 rushing yards and six touchdowns, which would be the most rushing yards in a season for his career and the most touchdowns he's had since 2009. Julio Jones -- 3 receptions, 131 yards, 2 TD. Jones scored the first touchdowns of his career and topped 115 yards for the third time this season. If he can stay healthy, he will be a player to have when the fantasy playoffs arrive. The Urinal Cake Award Awarded to the fantasy player who you would like to, well, you know. Delone Carter -- 4 carries, 8 yards, 1 fumble. During this time of year when starters get injured and you are searching for players to get you by week-to-week, you will read about a player starting and decide to put him into your lineup. What you don't expect is that player fumbling on the opening drive and then getting just two carries the rest of the game. Jonathan Baldwin -- 1 reception, 12 yards. After jumping on the fantasy radar with a good performance on Monday night, Baldwin showed why players can be very inconsistent from week to week. The Kansas City Chiefs stunk against a bad Miami Dolphins team. Matt Schaub -- 14-for-23, 119 yards, 1 INT. Schaub had his lowest fantasy total as he sat back and watched the running backs produce in this game. MATCHUPS Good quarterback match-ups this week: Cam Newton against the Tennessee Titans. Newton is tied with Aaron Rodgers as the top fantasy quarterback and ...

Waiver Wire Wonders fantasysharks.com Wed 11/2/11 9:06 AM22 Comments

A light group of waiver wire candidates this week. It's so light that we're forced to ditch the usual format. We do talk about several players, giving you enough information to decide if the player is worth considering for your roster. This list was put together while wondering which of the following two true statements would have been more laughable if made two months ago: "Chris Johnson will not be the most productive running back on his team on Nov. 1," or "Trick-or-treating will be postponed because of snow." Both of those statements, spoken on Nov. 1, are completely true. Johnson has been a shell of himself since holding out for a new contract. He's no longer a ‘must start,' instead his fantasy starting status depends on what other options you have on your roster. And yes, those in New England have been stunned by an October storm that forced Halloween to be postponed to later in the week. That spawns the question - Will the Halloween candy still be half-price this week so I can grab some [more] before the newly scheduled trick-or-treating takes place? Inquiring minds want to know. On to this week's waiver wire wonders ... WR Jonathan Baldwin, Kansas City The Chiefs moved the rookie into the slot for the Monday night tilt against the San Diego Chargers, and it paid immediate dividends. Baldwin burst onto the fantasy scene with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Reports are that Kansas City will keep him there, as well as work him into some regular work in two wide receiver sets. I see Baldwin as a player that will have an immediate and long-term fantasy impact. RB Javon Ringer, Tennessee This is the way it always works out - star player holds out, signs, then has a disastrous campaign on the field. Of course, there is more to that story, but in this case, we're talking about an epilogue where Ringer is a more productive fantasy player than Chris Johnson. Many are talking about leaving Johnson on their fantasy bench this week, and I can find no reason to disagree with that decision. Ringer has been the most productive runner for Tennessee, and reports are he will continue to see a consistent dose of action. Like his fantasy owners, the Titans are waiting for the "pre-contract" Johnson to make an appearance on the playing field. Until that time comes, Ringer will be in the mix and is worth owning in all formats RB Kevin Faulk, New England As we've said in this space before, solving the riddle that is the New England backfield...