National Football League

Fantasy Basement: Week 1

Published Sep. 3, 2014 11:23 a.m. ET

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The Fantasy Basement is a weekly piece that provides fantasy advice on lineup calls, sleepers, waiver-wire moves and rookie spotlights, along with the occasional ramble or two. Why “Fantasy Basement” you ask? There is a common belief that sports writers dwell in their childhood cellars, that the institution promotes arrested development. Um…why is that such a bad thing? Who wouldn’t enjoy coming home to fresh-baked cookies and having their laundry done?…Anyway, enjoy!

Start ‘Em

QB: Colin Kaepernick, 49ers
Kaepernick was maddening as a fantasy entity in 2013. From Weeks 2-10, the San Fran signal caller was a train wreck, finding the end zone just six times through the air versus six interceptions. The last seven games, however, Kaepernick unleashed the dynamism that was on parade in the Niners’ Super Bowl run in 2012, notching 12 passing touchdowns with only two interceptions. Kaepernick also added 214 rushing yards during this span.

For those burned by Kaepernick last fall, it’s time to mend those wounds. The organization made a concerted effort to solidify the receiving arsenal, adding veteran Stevie Johnson and coercing Brandon Lloyd out of retirement. The Niners are a ground-first attack, yet Kaepernick will have plenty of chances to make his presence felt in the box scores. The Dallas defense is crippled with injuries, suspensions and a general incompetence, bestowing a platform for Kaepernick to shine in the season opener.
Other starts: Jay Cutler, Matt Ryan

RB: Pierre Thomas, Saints
Darren Sproles was known as the pass-catching back in New Orleans, but it was Thomas who boasted 77 receptions last season, tops among NFL rushers. With Sproles now in Philadelphia, look for those grabs to ascend this year. Moreover, Thomas should see little competition for touches with only Khiry Robinson and Mark Ingram behind him on the Saints depth chart. The Falcons should be an improved team in 2014, although their defensive front remains exploitable. View Thomas as a sound Flex play in Week 1. (By the way, I know Ingram turned in a strong August performance, but can you imagine how nasty the New Orleans offense would be if the team drafted Kyle Rudolph, Randall Cobb, DeMarco Murray, Jordan Cameron, Torrey Smith, Julius Thomas…basically, anybody not named Mark Ingram in the 2011 Draft? I bet this keeps Drew Brees up at night. No wonder the man endorses Nyquil.)
Other starts: C.J. Spiller, Toby Gerhart

WR: Cecil Shorts, Jaguars
Historically, starting a Jaguar other than Maurice Jones-Drew in your lineup was a fantasy faux pas. While it’s far from a weekly sanction, this year’s Jacksonville squad does have a host of roto assets, starting with the wideout Shorts. Following a strong display in 2012 (979 yards, seven touchdowns), Shorts was hampered by injuries last season, averaging a pedestrian 59.8 yards per contest. The 26-year-old dealt with a hamstring ailment in August but has been declared 100 percent for the regular season. I’m sure Chad Henne doesn’t instill a great deal of conviction under center and Jacksonville, even without MJD, endures as a run-oriented offense. Nevertheless, the Jaguars’ lackluster resistance should force the club to the skies early and often. As the team’s receiving corps is comprised of rookies and inexperience, Shorts has become the de facto primary option. The Eagles failed to shore up a secondary that allowed a league-high 306.7 yards per outing, circling Shorts as a shrewd nod this Sunday.
Other starts: Golden Tate, Hakeem Nicks

TE: Charles Clay, Dolphins
Miami’s implementation of Chip Kelly’s up-tempo strategy has owners buying into Ryan Tannehill and Mike Wallace. Somehow Clay has been ignored in this venture, a bit of a head-scratcher considering the tight end led the team in receiving scores in 2013, along with a respectable 69 grabs for 759 yards. Clay was hobbled for most of training camp with a knee issue, though he’s set to start this week against a New England defense that allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to tight ends last year. Unless you’re blessed with a top-five player at the position, give Clay the go-ahead in your lineup.
Other starts: Zach Ertz, Dennis Pitta

DEF: Houston Texans
Houston’s nightmarish campaign was not an upshot of its defense, which finished seventh in total yards allowed. Brian Cushing’s return and the arrival of Jadeveon Clowney will only make the unit a more formidable adversary. It’s also at this juncture I should add that, as one who lives in the Queen City, no one was sad to see Jay Gruden depart for our nation’s capital. This notion is seconded by the controversy already surrounding the Washington offense, and they haven’t even played a meaningful game yet. Expect the Texans to feast on RG3 and company this weekend.
Other starts: Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers

Sit ‘Em

QB: Cam Newton, Panthers
I’m all-in on Kelvin Benjamin as the Rookie of the Year; alas, that doesn’t necessarily correlate to a thumbs-up on Newton. The Carolina QB’s return from ankle surgery was already reason for caution. Coupled with Newton’s recent hairline fracture to his ribs, there’s too much injury concern, especially given those woes will only worsen as the season drags on. It’s also worth noting that, due to the Panthers’ improved defense, Newton had career-lows in passing and rushing last year. Remember, fantasy is a statistically-driven game, and it appears Newton may no longer deliver to his past performances. On paper, Tampa’s defense isn’t threatening, but keep Newton on your bench.
Other sits: Robert Griffin III, Andy Dalton

RB: Bishop Sankey, Titans
As a season-long investment, Sankey deserves a spot in your rushing stable. As a Week 1 start? No way, Jose (or whatever your real name is).

With the exodus of franchise star Chris Johnson to Gotham, Sankey was projected as the workhorse in Nashville. Ultimately this may be the case; unfortunately, following a so-so preseason, Sankey is not even the No. 1 back. Shonn Greene – remember him? – has been taking the first-string snaps in Tennessee this August, a trend that should continue for the first few weeks of the season.

Sankey will see his share of action, particularly in passing situations. Despite these touches, Sankey will start 2014 mired in a committee, curbing his fantasy appeal in most standard formats.
Other sits: Alfred Morris, Andre Ellington

WR: Cordarrelle Patterson, Vikings
Concededly, I was not gung-ho in my 2014 forecast for Patterson, although that had to do more with his average draft position rather than actual production. This evasion, however, is strictly based on a date with a brutal Rams secondary. Oh, and did we mention Matt Cassel, he of 27 touchdowns and 30 interceptions in the last three years, is Minnesota’s quarterback? Call me crazy, but I don’t think the Vikings offense will be lighting up the scoreboard anytime soon.

He definitely has big-play firepower, and in leagues that credit long receptions (50-plus yards), Patterson has some intrigue. In most formats though, Patterson’s harvest won’t match the hype.
Other sits: Markus Wheaton, Torrey Smith

TE: Ladarius Green, Chargers
Injuries and suspension have taken their toll on an Arizona defense that surrendered the most fantasy points to tight ends last season. So why does Green earn stay-away status when the Lightning Bolts travel to the desert? As stated multiple times this preseason, I think the reports of Green overtaking the venerable Antonio Gates are premature. Gates still has gas left in the tank, evidenced by 77 receptions and 872 yards last season, his best output since 2009. Green may have flashes of brilliance, but Gates will nullify his consistency, and consequently, his fantasy worth.
Other sits: Delanie Walker, Eric Ebron

DEF: Denver Broncos
Not that I’m doubting the prowess of the Orange Crush. I just envision the Broncos offense – even without Wes Welker (more on this in a moment) – to destroy a porous Colts defense, paralleling to a soft Denver secondary and garbage points for Indy. Speaking of Welker…
Other sits: Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers

Waiver Wire Watch: Andre Caldwell, Broncos
Caldwell was our pick before Welker’s suspension broke. With Welker now out until October 12, this is a “seriously stop reading this article and check your free-agent pool NOW!” nomination. Emmanuel Sanders and Cody Latimer are the more enticing names among the Denver wideouts, and they undoubtedly do offer some appeal on their own merit. In this same breath, it’s Caldwell who has turned in the best training camp performance from this trio. The veteran receiver works in a similar capacity in the slot as Welker. Furthermore, he’s one of the smarter players on the Broncos offense. Owned in a scant 0.9 percent of FOXSports.com Fantasy Football leagues, Caldwell is an astute capture for those in PPR or deeper formats.

Email of the Week
Throughout the season we’ll be emptying out the fantasy fan mail in this column and the occasional mailbag post. Reach us on Twitter @JoelMBeall or email – jbeallfoxsports AT gmail.com. As this is our first Fantasy Basement of the season, this week’s message comes from my buddy Tim, who writes:

“Need help with argument. What would be the photo-leak equivalent in football?”

A few principles have to be in the equation. The crime needs the type of scope that reaches people who are not necessarily sports fans. Shock value is definitely inherent, meaning nothing steroids related (Peyton Manning had the best season in NFL history at 37 years olds after four neck surgeries? Hmmm…) or anything involving Johnny Manziel - in fact, it would be a headline if Johnny Football didn’t do something stupid. Tiger Woods has blown personal-life vices out of the water, so whatever situation would theoretically top that can’t be printed in this space. My entrant: Roger Goodell fixing the Super Bowl. The Big Game is practically a holiday, and the amount of cabbage gambled on the contest – Vegas reported $119 million in official bets, but some watchdog sites believe the actual number is closer to ten figures – would send the public into outrage over a cooked contest. I’m pretty sure Skip Bayless’ head would explode. List your nominations below!

Fantasy Flyer: Jace Amaro, Jets
I’m a believer in Geno Smith. Pump the brakes before writing “Beall’s an idiot” in the comment section. Geno doesn’t warrant a fantasy roster spot by any means, just that he’s capable of helming an efficient offense for Gang Green. As a corresponding move, Amaro, a second-round tight end out of Texas Tech, should be on your radar. The rookie had a disastrous start to camp, dropping passes left and right, leading the New York Post to proclaim, “Amaro couldn’t catch a cold.” (Tough audience, that Big Apple media.) Since the early stumbles, Amaro has shown signs of life, most notably in the Jets’ final preseason contest, hauling in four receptions for 37 yards and a score. Outside of Eric Decker, New York is without a dependable wideout, bequeathing a sizeable role to Amaro in the receiving game. As a backup tight end with potential, Amaro deserves roster consideration.

This Week in BRENT CELEK
Zach Ertz is the Philly tight end fantasy owners are salivating over, and with good reason: with DeSean Jackson gone and Jeremy Maclin’s history of injuries, Ertz should see plenty of targets in 2014. Yet in our neck of the woods, Celek is the Eagle who reigns supreme. On a club that’s notified for its idiosyncrasy – for example, coach Kelly asks his players to pee in a cup to monitor dehydration - Celek is a different bird, one who has noted his affinity for Pure Barre and yoga, and owns a kick-ass food truck. Oh, he’s also a bad man, one of the last old-school tight ends left that can block AND catch, and is one of the few athletes that doesn’t take himself too seriously. Basically, he’s the Chuck Norris Facts incarnate. We’ll be keeping tabs on Celek and his exploits all season long, trying to decipher between the man and the myth.
2013 stats: 32 receptions, 502 yards, six touchdowns
Linebacker Body Count: 11

Personal Foul on: Wes Welker, Broncos
Not for the suspension – you’d test positive too if you had to spend a weekend in Kentucky. But to go the “someone tainted my sample/I was roofied” route, c’mon, you’re better than that.

Gatorade Shower Goes to: Dallas Cowboys
Sam has clearly shown he’s a pro-caliber player, so it’s a shame that 31 NFL teams lack the temerity to stand aside Sam. (Twelve players recorded 2 ½ sacks or more this preseason. Eleven were kept on active rosters or practice squads. Guess who the lone free agent is?) Props to Dallas for supporting Sam and his cause.

Joel Beall is a writer for FOXSports.com and WhatIfSports.com, and is the host of the Fast Break on FOX podcast. He lives with a Golden Tee machine and a jump shot that’s broken. Reach Joel on Twitter @JoelMBeall