LestersLegends.com

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A.J. Griffin, Oakland A’s @ Houston Astros
Griffin is 4-3 with a 3.59 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. He’s 2-1 in his past four starts with a 2.36 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He posted a 3.00 ERA and eight strikeouts in a six-inning no-decision against the ‘Stros on 4/16.
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Season Totals: 19-18, 297.2 IP, 230 Ks, 3.87 ERA (128 earned runs), 1.26 WHIP (279 hits, 95 walks)
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AP Photo/Rich Schultz
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The New York Jets have become a punch line of sorts because of their comedy of errors at quarterback. Their passing attack offers little hope to make a impact for fantasy football owners. However, they could have a sleeper at running back.
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During the 2013 NFL Draft the Jets acquired Chris Ivory from the New Orleans Saints. He has shown signs in the past, but he never got an opportunity to show what he could do in a lead role. That will likely change in 2013.
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According to New York Post reports, Ivory has been impressive during the Jets’ OTAs. He has shown some flash to go along with his power. At this point, the starting running back job is his to lose.
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Ivory has just 256 career carries. More than half of them came in 2010. While it’s a small sample size, he has been effective. Ivory has run for 1,307 yards at a 5.1 yards per carry. He has also run for eight touchdowns.
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His career numbers are essentially a full-season workload for a feature back in the NFL. 1,307 yards and eight touchdowns would be numbers that any fantasy football owner would be happy with, particularly when you consider where he’ll likely go in fantasy drafts. There will obviously be a lot of movement between now and fantasy draft time, but he’ll likely go in the fourth round or later.
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Ivory only has three career receptions, but he has played with Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. While he won’t confuse anybody for LaDainian Tomlinson, he should easily be more active in the passing game.
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Ivory has the potential to be a solid RB2, but you’re likely to secure him as your third running back. There is plenty of upside Ivory can stay healthy.
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Bronson Arroyo, Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs
Arroyo is 4-4 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He’s 3-1 at home with a 2.94 ERA (1-3, 3.71 on road). He was 2-1 with a  3.54 ERA against the Cubs last year. Lifetime, he’s 11-9 against them with a 2.99 ERA
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Season Totals: 19-18, 294 IP, 228 Ks, 3.89 ERA (127 earned runs), 1.26 WHIP (276 hits, 95 walks)
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After a breakthrough 2012 season, Michael Crabtree will likely miss the season with a torn Achilles’ tendon. This is a huge blow to his dynasty league owners.
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Crabtree finished 2012 with 1,105 yards and nine touchdowns. More importantly, he really clicked with Colin Kaepernick and finished strong, averaging 83.1 yards with six touchdowns in the final eight games.
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He really came on in the postseason. Crabtree averaged 95 yards and a touchdown in the Niners’ three playoff games.
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The injury puts a damper on Kaepernick’s outlook as he loses his primary target. Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis and Frank Gore figure to benefit from the injury.
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Crabtree can be avoided in re-draft leagues. He can be kept in dynasty leagues with several keepers, but those with fewer keeper spots can cut ties.
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We continue on with our early fantasy football rankings. This time we take a look at the 2013 fantasy football team defense landscape.
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1. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks allowed the fewest points last year, yielding just 15.3 points per game. They finished fourth in the league with 306.2 yards per game allowed. Adding Antoine Winfield’s veteran presence to an outstanding secondary anchored by Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas makes this an elite unit. Cliff Avril, who recorded 9.5 sacks last year for the Detroit Lions, gives them even more beef up front.
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2. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers finished just behind the Seahawks with 17.1 points per game allowed. They ranked third in total defense with 294.4 yards per game allowed. Patrick Willis anchors the defense, while Aldon Smith, who recorded 19.5 sacks last year, is a total menace.
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3. Houston Texans
The Texans took a slight step back defensively last year, but still finished in the top ten in both scoring defense (20.7 ppg) and total defense (323.3 ypg). Their struggles were primarily in pass defense, but the addition of future first ballot Hall of Famer Ed Reed should help. Having a healthy Brian Cushing will also be huge. Oh, and they still have J.J. Watt.
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4. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens will miss the leadership of Reed and Ray Lewis, but they reloaded. A clerical error allowed Elvis Dumervil to slip out of the Denver Broncos’ grasp. Baltimore snatched him up to pair with Terrell Suggs, who should be healthy after missing half of the season with an Achilles injury. Michael Huff came over from the Oakland Raiders to soften the blow of Reed’s departure.
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5. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers led the league in total defense with 275.8 yards allowed per game. They ranked sixth in scoring defense (19.6 ppg). Troy Polamalu’s health will be the key to their success or lack thereof.
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6. Denver Broncos
The Broncos will miss Dumervil, but they still have Von Miller terrorizing opposing quarterbacks. Denver finished second in total defense (290.8 ypg) and fourth in scoring defense (18.1 ppg).
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7. Chicago Bears
Da Bears finished third in scoring defense (17.3 ppg) and fifth in total defense (315.6 ypg). A lot of their success last year was predicated on their ability to turn turnover into touchdowns. That isn’t something you can bank on every year.
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8. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals finished sixth in total defense (319.7 ypg) and eighth in scoring defense (20.0 ppg). Geno Atkins (12.5 sacks) and Michael Johnson (11.5 sacks) form an underrated one-two punch.
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9. New England Patriots
The Patriots bend (373.3 ypg), but don’t break (20.7 ppg) on defense. Their offense tends to make opposing teams one-dimensional.
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10. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons had similar numbers as the Patriots (365.6 ypg, 18.7 ypg), which isn’t surprising since they have a potent offense of their own. They added Osi Umenyiora and rookie Desmond Trufant to bolster their defense.
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Jeanmar Gomez, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs
Gomez is 2-0 with a 2.78 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. At home he has a 1.88 ERA (3.50 on the road).
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Season Totals: 18-18, 287 IP, 219 Ks, 3.98 ERA (127 earned runs), 1.28 WHIP (274 hits, 94 walks)
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(Photo: Kathy Kmonicek, AP)
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Francisco Liriano, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs
Liriano is 2-0 with a 1.64 ERA. He has 16 strikeouts in 11 innnings. His WHIP (1.55) is a little out of control, but he should excel against the Cubbies.
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Season Totals: 16-18, 271.2 IP, 210 Ks, 4.11 ERA (124 earned runs), 1.30 WHIP (261 hits, 91 walks)
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