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San Diego’s Philip Rivers is easily the class of the division. It doesn’t matter who who is throwing too. Vincent Jackson holds out and only plays four games? Ho hum. Rivers throws for 4710 yards. Antonio Gates has nine touchdowns in the first eight games and then misses six of the next eight games? Big deal. Rivers throws 30 TDs (13 INT). Rivers remains a top tier QB1.
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Kansas City got 3116 yards and 27 TDs (7 INTs) from Matt Cassel and added the 6’4″ Jonathan Baldwin to his arsenal. He should take some of the pressure Dwayne Bowe, who exploded for 1162 yards and 15 TDs last year. Bowe had just one touchdown in the last five games while averaging 55.4 yards. The Chiefs also added Rodney Hudson to help their offensive line. Cassel is a solid QB2 going into the 2011 season.
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John Elway is on board with Tim Tebow as the Broncos’ quarterback. Tebow will have his ups and downs, but should be a solid QB2 thanks to his ability to run the football. He had six rushing touchdowns last year. New coach John Fox has Kyle Orton on top of the depth chart, but he could be traded once the lockout is lifted. If he beats out Tebow, he will also be a solid QB2. I just assume at some point Tebow would get a chance to start.
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Then there is the Raiders. Jason Campbell is the starter, but he’s not much of a fantasy option. He topped 240 yards just twice.  He had one or fewer touchdown passes in ten of the 13 games he played in. I would look elsewhere for my backup fantasy quarterback.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Quarterback Situations
• AFC North Quarterback Situations
• AFC South Quarterback Situations

The Raiders offer little for fantasy owners, but at least they got rid of JaMarcus Russell. They don’t have many weapons on offense, but Jason Campbell is a clear upgrade.

Fantasy Playoffs Schedule:  Moderate
The Raiders take on the Jaguars in Jacksonville in Week 14 and then the Broncos and Colts at home. Zach Miller is probably the only guy you can count on in the fantasy playoffs.

Five Star Fantasy Options
None

Four Star Fantasy Options
None

Three Star Fantasy Options
Zach Miller – Miller caught 66 passes for 805 yards and 3 TDs. Campbell displayed the ability to get the ball to the TE in Washington, and with Miller as his best option, expect Miller to put up good numbers.

Two Star Fantasy Options
Jason Campbell – It’s not that I dislike Campbell, but Al Davis has left the cupboard pretty bare as far as options in the receiving game go. He’s a low-end fantasy backup at best. At least he’s not negative stars like his predecessor.

Darren McFadden – Fool me one, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Even after two uninspiring seasons, I’m willing to give McFadden another shot at redemption. The backfield isn’t as crowded with Justin Fargas out of the picture. Plus, having a competent QB helps. I wouldn’t count on Run DMC as a starter, but he’s a low risk, high reward depth option at this point.

Michael Bush – Bush is a tougher runner than McFadden, which could be more what Tom Cable is looking for. This is likely to be a true RBBC, which means both RBs will suffer.

Chaz Schilens – Schilens is probably a 1.75 fantasy star, but we’ll round up. He has good size (6’4″) and great speed. If he can prove that he’s healthy he can sneak up on some people. Consistency could be an issue.

Raiders Defense/Special Teams – The Raiders were improved on defense last year, and actually pretty tough against the pass. They don’t force many turnovers, but they do get a decent amount of sacks.

One Star Fantasy Options
Darrius Heyward-Bey and Louis Murphy – Heyward-Bey is fast, but so is Usain Bolt. That doesn’t mean I would want him on my fantasy team. Murphy showed some signs last year, but they were mostly few and far between. Of the two I would go with Murphy every time.

Click here for additional 2010 NFL Team Previews.

The Seahawks must have hired Ty Pennington to perform an Extreme Makeover on their backfield. What started as a not-so-lethal combo of Justin Forsett and Julius Jones transformed into LenDale White, Leon Washington, and Forsett with JJ likely on his way out.

LenDale White will likely take over as the primary ball carrier and red zone back. He should be a solid RB3 next season. Washington, when healthy, will combine with Forsett to give the big fella a breather and offer a change of pace. They will also be used in passing situations.

Forsett and Washington don’t have much value.

In other Jets news, they released Guard Alan Faneca. Their running game should still be one of the best in the league.

Out West, the Raiders made some noise by acquiring Jason Campbell, who became expendable when the Redskins traded for Donovan McNabb. He is certainly an upgrade for the Raiders passing game, most notably TE Zach Miller. Campbell remains a borderline fantasy backup at best.

Written by Eric Stashin the Rotoprofessor

It was not a very good week for my sleeper picks for Week 2 (click here for the original article)

JaMarcus Russell – 7-24, 109 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
LeSean McCoy – 5 carries for 18 yards; 4 receptions for 37 yards
Antwaan Randle-El – 4 receptions for 39 yards
Vernon Davis – 2 receptions for 32 yards

Wow, none of those players did much to help fantasy owners.  Keep in mind that these weekly picks are always going to be extremely risky, that’s why they are considered sleepers.  They are more along the lines of those who have the potential to breakout and can be used in case of an emergency.

So, with that said, let’s take a look at some deep sleepers for the upcoming fantasy week:

Jason Campbell – Washington Redskins – @ Detroit
He really hasn’t been that bad, throwing for 453 yards, but only 1 TD and 1 INT.  His season did kick off against the New York Giants, where he faced constant pressure from one of the elite defenses in the game.  Last week he had the Rams, a team far less imposing.  Though they failed to find the end zone, he did throw for 242 yards.

This week the Redskins face another sub par defensive unit in the Lions, a team who has allowed 255.5 yards per game in the early going, as well as 8 TD threw the air, by far the most in the league (second place is 5).  While Drew Brees and company are partially to blame, we all honestly know that they just aren’t the best defense in the league.

Campbell also has Santana Moss at his disposal, a player who is just aching to have a huge breakout performance.  He had over 1,000 yards receiving last season, but to date has just 41 yards on 5 catches.  This week could easily be his coming out party, and with it should come a solid performance from Campbell, making owners in two-QB leagues happy.
Owned in 30% of Yahoo Leagues and 21.9% of ESPN Leagues

Chansi Stuckey – New York Jets – vs. Tennessee
The Titans have given up the most receiving yards in the game, at 339/game over the season’s first two weeks.  Mark Sanchez, who was limited in the first half to just five throws, went off in the second half and really showed that he has the potential to put up strong games no matter what the circumstances.

Stuckey has shown that he has a good rapport with the rookie, completing 8 passes for 101 yards and 1 TD.  The Jets have shown that they are willing to put the game in the hands of the passing group and given the struggles of the Titans defense, this could be the week that he really has a big game.
Owned in 14% of Yahoo Leagues and 7.9% of ESPN Leagues

Ricky Williams – Miami Dolphins – vs. San Diego
It is Ronnie Brown who garners most of the attention in Miami, thanks to the focus he gets in the Wildcat formation.  Williams, however, has been extremely impressive in the early going and certainly has the potential to bring value in those leagues that use a flex option.

He has rushed for 108 years on 26 carries, averaging over 4 yards per carry, while also catching 3 passes for 22 yards and a TD.  The Chargers are in the bottom ten in the league in rushing yards allowed (139 per game), facing two teams that do not focus as strong a running game as the Dolphins (Raiders & Ravens).

Look for the Dolphins to try and hammer out the running game once again, which could bring a big game for Williams.
Owned in 34% of Yahoo Leagues and 66.7% of ESPN Leagues

How do you think these players are going to perform in the season’s first week?  Are there any other sleepers you are eyeing?

Luke McCown, Tampa Bay – If McCown can win the starting gig in Tampa Bay he could put up decent numbers.  He has a couple of nice targets in Antonio Bryant and Kellen Winslow, Jr.  Unfortunately he doesn’t have any easy matchups during the bye weeks.  He faces New Orleans in Weeks 11 & 16, although it would be pretty ballsy to use him in the fantasy Super Bowl.  He could possibly be used with Matt Cassel as the Chiefs face Baltimore in Week 11.

Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins – Pennington could lose even more time to the Wildcat with the addition of Pat White.  Plus, Chad Henne could be breathing down his neck.  After an easy 2008 schedule, the Dolphins have a much more daunting task in ’09.  His best matchup is Week 7 vs. New Orleans.  Kyle Orton, Matt Hasselbeck, and David Garrard are on bye that week.

Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers – If Hill can hold off Alex Smith, he could have a solid year with Rookie Michael Crabree and Frank Gore.  Maybe this is the year Vernon Davis finally breaks out.  The Niners play Arizona in Week 1 & 14, St. Louis in Week 4, and Detroit in Week 16.  It would also take cojones to roll with Hill in the fantasy Super Bowl.  In Week 4 though, he could be used to spell Matt Ryan, Donovan McNabb, or Kurt Warner who are on bye. 

Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins – I give him credit for not pulling a Cutler and crying that his team wanted to trade him.  However, his team still wanted to trade him.  Not exactly the ringing endorsement I want for one of my fantasy QBs.  He has weapons in Santana Moss and Chris Cooley.  He has some decent matchups.  St. Louis and Detroit in Weeks 1 & 2, Kansas City in Week 6, Denver in Week 10, and New Orleans in Week 13.  He could fill in for Peyton or Romo in Week 6 or Eli or Schaub in Week 10.

Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens – I like the way he plays, but his thin arsenal took a hit when Derrick Mason retired.  If Todd Heap and L.J. Smith can stay healthy and Mark Clayton can step up, maybe he’ll be  a serviceable backup.  He faces Cleveland in Weeks 3 & 10, Cincy in Weeks 5 & 9, Denver in Week 8, and Detroit in Week 14.  He could fill in for Cutler, Rodgers, Brees, or Philips in Week 5 or Eli or Schaub in Week 10.  I don’t trust the Week 9 bye QBs to be #1 fantasy QBs.

Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams – I have moved on from think Bulger can do anything.  Still, he may get drafted in some leagues.  He faced Detroit in Week 8 and New Orleans in Week 10 so he could fill in for Palmer, Cassel, Brady, or Big Ben in Week 8 or Eli or Schaub in Week 10.

Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans – Not much of an option, but he’s a starting QB for what that’s worth.  Arizona in Week 12 and St. Louis in Week 14.  Odds are you won’t use him.

JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders – He’s a Raider so I would avoid him, but if you must he faces the Chiefs in Week 2 & 10 (Eli or Schaub), Denver in Weeks 3 & 15, Cincy in Week 11, and Cleveland in Week 16.

Daunte Culpepper, Detroit Lions – He is throwing it to Calvin Johnson so he’s at least worth a mention.  Will likely cede the starting gig to Matthew Stafford at some point.  The face the Saints in Week 1, St. Louis in Week 8 (Palmer, Cassel, Brady, Big Ben), Cleveland in Week 11, Cincy in Week 13, and Arizona in Week 15.

Brady Quinn/Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns – I wouldn’t touch Quinn or DA, but if you must they face Denver in Week 2, Cincy in Week 4 (Matt Ryan, McNabb, Warner) & 12, Detroit in Week 11, and Kansas City in Week 15.

Mark Sanchez, New York Jets – I wouldn’t trust Sanchez either, but if you must they face New Orleans in Week 4 (Ryan, McNabb, Warner).  They have a pretty tough schedule.