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New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham was heading towards a second straight 1000-yard, ten touchdown season before he seemingly hit a wall. Graham has been dealing with a wrist injury that has, no doubt, been hindering his play. With everything at stake, should you start Graham in your fantasy football championship game?
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Before you even consider benching Graham, you will have to have a pretty serious backup. I’m talking a Greg Olsen or Dennis Pitta type. If you’re going to sit down one of the games best tight ends, you better have a great alternative.
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Sure, Graham has failed to score a touchdown in three straight games.  Sure, he has not topped 60 yards since Week 10. You know, given his size and athleticism, that he is capable of breaking out in a big way any time he steps on the football field.
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Graham is averaging 49.2 yards per game in his past five games.  He has just one touchdown during that stretch. There aren’t many tight ends that average 50 yards per game. If you have one that is capable of doubling that mark, you almost have to stick with him.
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Graham may have just one touchdown catch in his past five games, but he has 19 over the past two years.  He is a nightmare to cover around the goal line because he’s too quick for linebackers and too big for defensive backs.
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I know you’re frustrated that you haven’t getting the big game from Jimmy Graham lately. I suggest you ride it out and hope that he delivers you a championship next week against the Dallas Cowboys.
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Also check out:

• 2012 Week 16 Fantasy QB Rankings
• 2012 Week 16 Fantasy RB Rankings
• 2012 Week 16 Fantasy WR Rankings
• 2012 Week 16 Fantasy TE Rankings
• 2012 Week 16 Fantasy K Rankings
• 2012 Week 16 Fantasy Football Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em
• Should You Be Concerned With A.J. Green in Week 16?
• The Bryce is Wrong?

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By Eric Stashin the Rotoprofessor
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Must Start Options
Quarterback - Drew Bree’s (NO), Matt Ryan (Atl)
Running Back - None
Wide Receiver - Roddy White (Atl), Julio Jones (Atl), Marques Colston (NO)
Tight End - Jimmy Graham (NO), Tony Gonzalez (Atl)
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Open for Discussion
Running Back – Darren Sproles – New Orleans Saints
We all know that Sproles’ value comes from his ability to catch the football, as he hasn’t gotten more than seven carries in a game this season. In his first game back he wasn’t given a handoff, but did bring in seven receptions for 65 yards. In a game that is likely going to be a shootout, this gives him the highest upside of any Saints’ running back (as is the case for most weeks).
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However, that doesn’t make him a recommended option. There’s just too much uncertainty and too many other weapons to say for sure tha Sproles is going to post big numbers. Could he have the type of day he did against the Panthers (13 receptions for 128 yards)? Absolutely, but he could just as easily post a line like the one he had against San Diego (5 receptions for 28 yards). He is electric, which keeps him as a FLEX option, but you likely have a better option for a RB2 spot.
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Running Back – Pierre Thomas/Chris Ivory/Mark Ingram – New Orleans Saints
It is easier just to lump these three together, because their situation is identical. It was difficult to determine which would be the better back when Sproles was out of action, as they all shared touches. Now that he is back and they all have lost snaps because of it, the situation becomes impossible to predict. Unless you are desperate, you can’t trust any of these three.
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Running Back – Michael Turner – Atlanta Falcons
You would’ve thought that he would be an easy play, especially against a Saints defense that is allowing the most rushing yards per game this season (156.5). However, he has slowly started to lose opportunities to Jacquizz Rodgers. In fact, in three of the past five games Rodgers has led the team in rushing yards. Actually, it’s not that impressive of a feat. Only three times in 11 games has a Falcons running back rushed for over 65 yards.  That said, opportunity is opportunity and it’s far from a given that Turner gets it.
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This is a passing attack, though you have to think that they are going to run the ball given the matchup this week. With the recent trend who is to say that it will be Turner and not Rodgers getting the majority of the chances (it’s safe to say that neither is going to get the “bulk” of them)? While I would still prefer Turner, the questions make him more of a FLEX option. However, it really depends on your alternatives as to if he is a recommended option or not.
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Running Back – Jacquizz Rodgers – Atlanta Falcons
You can take everything that was said about Turner and basically copy it here word for word. The difference is that Rodgers is more of a hugh risk/huge reward option at the FLEX. While he has the chance to emerge (especially give his role in the passing game), he also may not get the opportunities. Unless you are desperate, would keep him tucked away on your bench until he officially overtakes Turner on the depth chart.
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Wide Receiver – Lance Moore – New Orleans Saints
While he had a big game against Oakland (scoring a pair of touchdowns), Moore’s numbers really haven’t been there of late. He has three receptions or fewer in four of his past five games (with 61 yards or fewer in four of the five games) and has scored a touchdown in three games all season. Taking on a good passing defense, is this the type of early week gamble you want to take?
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Wide Receiver – Devery Henderson – New Orleans Saints
He gets fewer opportunities than Moore. Yes, it’s a high powered offense, but there is way too much risk to trust him.
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Wide Receiver – Henry Duglas – Atlanta Falcons
With Julio Jones returning to health, there’s just too much risk. Sure, he could make a play but he could just as easily be shutout.
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Make sure to check out all of our Week 13 rankings:

• Top 25 Quarterbacks
• Top 40 Running Backs
• Top 50 Wide Receivers
• Top 25 Tight Ends
• Top 15 Kickers

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The New Orleans Saints are a mess defensively. They can’t stop the run. They can’t stop the pass. On the other side of the football it’s petty much the status quo. Brees, Colston, and Jimmy Graham are tearing it up and Sproles and Lance Moore have had their moments. Almost as disappointing as the defense has been Mark Ingram.
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Pierre Thomas and Ingram have each had 37 carries.  Besides the pathetic 7.4 rushing attempts per game they are managing, you should be concerned with the fact that Ingram has gained 76 fewer yards or a full two yards per carry less. Sproles has only had 17 carries, but is only 15 yards shy of Ingram.
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Not to mention that Sproles (235 yards) and Thomas (139 yards) contribute in the passing game. Ingram has just one reception for negative one yard.
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What’s worse is 53 yards and his lone touchdown came in Week 2 against Carolina. In the remaining four games he has totaled just 53 yards. Even Chris Johnson is laughing at that lack of production.
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It likely isn’t getting better any time soon.
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The Saints will continue to struggle on defense, meaning that it will be up to Drew Brees and company to move the chains and put points on the board. Thomas and Sproles are significantly better suited for this kind of use.
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It may be time to give Ingram his walking papers. You will likely have a roster decision based on upcoming byes. Unless something drastically changes you won’t be able to count on Ingram in your lineups. Let somebody else have the dud.
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If he shows signs of life you can try to snatch him back up, but he seems more likely to continue wasting space.
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Also check out:

• 2012 Week 6 Fantasy QB Rankings
• 2012 Week 6 Fantasy RB Rankings
• 2012 Week 6 Fantasy WR Rankings
• 2012 Week 6 Fantasy TE Rankings
• 2012 Week 6 Fantasy K Rankings
• 2012 Week 6 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• 2012 Week 6 Fantasy Football Start/Sit Options
• 2012 Week 6 Fantasy Football Sleepers
• 2012 Week 6 Fantasy Football Get ‘em or Don’t Sweat ‘em
• 2012 Week 6 NFL Picks
• What to do About DeMarco Murray?
• Should Brandon Gibson Be On Your Radar?
• Why Is Alfred Morris Not Getting More Love?

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With all of the turmoil surrounding the New Orleans Saints, you would have thought the Drew Brees contact situation would be dealt with swiftly. Unfortunately for Saints’ fans and keeper league Brees owners that hasn’t been the case.
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Brees is now missing mandatory minicamp. While it isn’t a big deal for a player of Brees’ stature, it would be nice for a team that is making adjustments thanks to their Bountygate suspensions.
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Brees means as much to the Saints’ franchise as any team does in the league so I can’t get too worried about a deal getting done. Besides, they have more than a month to get something hammered out. If we get into July and they are still at a stalemate it may be time to get a little concerned, but until then I’ll keep him locked in at number two in my fantasy quarterback rankings.
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That said, if somebody took Tom Brady over Brees I wouldn’t argue the move. Cam Newton and Matthew Stafford provide a little more risk because they don’t have Brees’ track record, but that’s a calculated risk.
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Brees is 33 and coming off one of the finest seasons ever, shattering Dan Marino’s record with 5476 yards and approaching Tom Brady’s record with 46 touchdown passes. He has thrown for at least 4388 yards in his six seasons (including two 5000+ seasons) with the Saints and tossed at least 33 TDs over the past four.
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It’s too early to panic on Brees. Do try and use the contract stall as a way to sneak Brees away from his keeper owner, but realize that could be a tall order.
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Also check out:

• 2012 Early Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2012 Early Fantasy Football DEF Rankings
• 2012 Top Five Rookie Fantasy Football Quarterbacks
• 2012 Top Five Rookie Fantasy Football Running Backs
• 2012 Top Five Rookie Fantasy Football Wide Receivers
• 2012 Top Five Rookie Fantasy Football Tight Ends
• 2012 NFL Draft First Round Skill Players: A Fantasy Perspective

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Marques Colston is sidelined with a broken collarbone, but do not expect the Saints’ potent offense to come to a halt. Drew Brees is too talented and he’ll make due with the weapons he has.
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Devery Henderson and Robert Meachem are more than capable of shouldering the load while Colston and Lance Moore (groin) are on the mend. They have been in the offense for years and that continuity should not go unnoticed.
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The injuries could almost be a blessing for Jimmy Graham as there are less mouths to feed in what is expected to be his breakout season. Graham has the speed-size-athleticism combo that today’s best tight ends possess. It makes them virtually unable to be covered by linebackers because of his speed and by safeties because of his size.
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Darren Sproles was every bit as good as advertised for the Saints. He should make the loss of Reggie Bush go unnoticed. He’s equally as dangerous in the return game and in the passing game as Bush, but is a better runner between the tackles.
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Speaking of runners, despite getting stuffed at the goal line, Ingram’s presence will provide enough balance to keep defenses from merely trying to take the pass away. If they go with a dime package to slow Brees, Ingram will make them pay.
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Don’t downgrade Brees. He’ll be just fine. Aside from Colston, all the Saints’ skill position players actually get an upgrade.
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Also check out:

• Week 1 Fantasy QB Rankings
• Week 1 Fantasy RB Rankings
• Week 1 Fantasy WR Rankings
• Week 1 Fantasy TE Rankings
• Week 1 Fantasy K Rankings
• Week 1 Fantasy DEF Rankings
• Week 1 Fantasy IDP Rankings
• Week 1 Start/Sit
• Week 1 Sleepers

• 2011 Fantasy Football QB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football RB Rankings – PPR
• 2011 Fantasy Football WR Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football TE Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football DEF Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football IDP Rankings
• 2011 Fantasy Football K Rankings

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The NFC South is pretty loaded in the running back department.
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Atlanta’s Michael Turner leads the way. He ran for 1371 yards and 12 touchdowns last year. He gets a downgrade in PPR leagues as he only caught 12 passes for 85 yards last year, but he’s a solid RB1. Turner has averaged 91.7 rushing yards and 0.91 rushing touchdowns per game over the past three years. Jason Snelling is one of the game’s best handcuffs because the Falcons hardly missed a beat when he filled in for Turner in the past. If he is a restricted free agent, he could be back with the club. If he is unrestricted it could be hard for them to bring him back. The Falcons drafted Jacquizz Rodgers, but he’ll strictly be the third down back.
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Tampa Bay got a pleasant surprise from LeGarrette Blount, who ran for 1007 yards with six touchdowns. He did his damage in just 201 carries (5.0 ypc).  Cadillac Williams is a free agent, but has expressed his desire to return to the Bucs. Blount is expected to get the bulk of the carries while Cadillac would play in passing situations. Rookie Allen Bradford isn’t expected to steal too many carries.
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Jonathan Stewart (and his keeper league owners) are perhaps second only to DeAngelo Williams and his agent in interest in where D-Will lands next year. If J-Stew has the backfield to himself, he could easily produce top five numbers, though Cam Newton could steal some of his touchdown runs. If Williams returns, Stewart can still be a viable fantasy option. They can definitely coexist for the Panthers and fantasy owners alike. D-Will could also be an elite fantasy option this year if he lands in the right place. If he signs with the Broncos, he could replace Knowshon Moreno as the team’s lead back. D-Will is an important piece in determining next year’s fantasy running back landscape.
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Pierre Thomas looked to be in a great spot when the Saints signed him to a four-year extension. Then they went and drafted Mark Ingram. That move likely sealed the fate of Reggie Bush, who will be sent packing if he doesn’t take a large pay cut. Thomas will likely move to change of pace and third-down duty while Ingram would carry the bulk of the snaps. This is a messy situation that will cause fantasy owners some heartache. Ingram should be a solid RB2 while PT23 should be a solid RB3.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Running Back Situations
• AFC North Running Back Situations
• AFC South Running Back Situations
• AFC West Running Back Situations
• NFC East Running Back Situations
• NFC North Running Back Situations

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The NFC South features three of the top quarterbacks in the league and a rookie that wants to become an icon.
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Drew Brees sets the bar for the NFC South, and you need a ladder to reach it. Brees topped 4000 yards for the fifth straight year, 4620 to be exact. His 33 touchdown passes marked his third straight year with at least 33. Brees is remarkably accurate, productive, and consistent. He’s a bona fide star and top tier QB1. It doesn’t seem to matter who is catching the ball for him.
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Matt Ryan made a nice jump into borderline QB1 territory last year. He threw for 3705  yards and 28 touchdowns. Roddy White is one of the most explosive receivers in the league. The Falcons traded the moon for rookie WR Julio Jones to compliment Roddy. I’m not sure Ryan can be much more productive than last year, given their commitment to Michael Turner and the running game, but he should be as good or slightly better. Ryan is a low-end QB1, high-end QB2.
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Josh Freeman quietly turned in a solid season, throwing for 3451 yards and 25 touchdowns. Perhaps as impressive was his INT total (6). He added another 364 yards on the ground. Given his size, I expect Freeman to record his first rushing touchdown next year. His numbers are a little bloated thanks to a five touchdown performance against a dismal Seahawks pass defense in Week 16, but he remains a terrific QB2. Freeman really developed a nice rapport with Mike Williams and Arrelious Benn is ahead of schedule on his ACL recovery and should be more effective in 2011.
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Then you have Cam Newton. He is an amazing athlete, capable of being very productive with his arm and his feet. The lockout could prevent Newton from becoming comfortable with the offense, but he will still have the instincts to make plays with his feet. He’s worth a look late in the draft as a QB2, but he could run hot and cold in 2011, especially if Steve Smith gets his wish and is dealt to a contender.
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Also check out:

• AFC East Quarterback Situations
• AFC North Quarterback Situations
• AFC South Quarterback Situations
• AFC West Quarterback Situations
• NFC East Quarterback Situations
• NFC North Quarterback Situations