Dallas has a new coach, the Giants have a new feature back, the Eagles have a new backup QB, and the Redskins have a new . . . er . . . well, they have a new season.
How will these developments effect the fantasy production of the players in the NFC East? Read on:
DALLAS COWBOYS
Starters: QB Tony Romo, WR Terrell Owens, WR Terry Glenn, TE Jason Witten
Backups: RB Marion Barber III, RB Julius Jones
Comments: Possibly the most asked fantasy question thus far: Barber or Jones. Barber scored the TDs last year, but Jones has shown big-play ability and can rack up yards quick. Jones has complained of being handcuffed by former coach Bill Parcells, and hope Wade Phillips gives him better opportunities. But Barber looked great last season. They each devalue the other, but between the two, we like Barber better than Jones, but so do others. Barber (eighth) is going about two rounds ahead of Jones (10th).
Romo can be a sensible option in the middle rounds (7-9) after youâve filled your RB and WR quota. Glenn, who ranked 18th among WRs last year, is a valuable grab in the seventh round, as about the 25-30 WR taken.
TE: Witten hasnât posted the numbers we were expecting out of him 2-3 years ago, but Romo seems to like him better than Drew Bledsoe did. Still a lot of other options for this offense. Witten is a late option, after Chris Cooley, Vernon Davis, Kellen Winslow (health pending), etc.
PK: Martin Gramatica should get some opportunities. Not the best kicker, but not the worst fantasy option.
DEF: A solid option after the big squads are gone. If they fall to the 11th round, scoop them up.
NEW YORK GIANTS
Starters: WR Plaxico Burress, TE Jeremy Shockey
Backups: QB Eli Manning, RB Brandon Jacobs
Comments: Burress is still a solid WR2, despite Manningâs struggles. Jacobs could catapult to a strong fantasy back, but if he stumbles, his carries could diminish quickly in favor of Reuben Droughns. But we think Jacobs provides fantastic upside as a seventh-round pick. If you can draft him as your RB4, youâve done a great job.
TE: Shockey should no longer be considered a top-tier tight end, but if you taken him in the seventh round or later, youâve done OK.
PK: Lawrence Tynes comes over from K.C. Heâs got a good leg, even if heâs not very accurate. This offense has the potential to score plenty of points, so heâs a decent option in the final round.
DEF: A disappointing unit last season, and they donât look to fare much better this year. A decent bye-week option.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
Starters: QB Donovan McNabb, RB Brian Westbrook, WR Reggie Brown
Backup: WR Kevin Curtis
Comments: Make sure if you snag McNabb, you get a decent backup. Donovan tends to go down just about the time the fantasy playoffs roll around. The value for Westbrook, already a late first-round of early second-round pick, rises if your league uses a point-per-reception format. Brown is a decent sleeper for a WR2 or WR3 in the sixth round.
TE: L.J. Smith can be used as a starter, but heâs not strong enough to recommend a pick before the late rounds.
PK: David Akers remains one of the most reliable kickers, and his offense is good enough to get him in scoring range often.
DEF: An aggressive attack that yields plenty of sacks and INTs consistently keeps this unit near the top 5 in fantasy formats.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
Starters: RB Clinton Portis, WR Santana Moss, TE Chris Cooley
Backup: RB Ladell Betts
Comments: Make sure to see how the Skins are distributing carries near the end of preseason. That could dramatically effect the values of Portis and Betts. Be advised: In current drafts, Betts is still available as a free agent after the draft. Moss is no better than a WR2 or WR3.
TE: Cooley is our choice for best value at TE. Heâs going in the seventh round behind six other TEs, but last year he ranked fourth in fantasy scoring â ahead of tood Heap, Shockey and Kellen Winslow. His weekly average was less than one point behind second-ranked Alge Crumpler. If Gates is gone in the fourth, wait a few rounds then snag Cooley.
PK: Weâre not sure who Shaun Suisham is, but weâre fairly certain the anemic Washnigton offense wonât give him too many chances to score.
DEF: These are Darrell Greenâs Redskins. Surely they wonât be as bad as last season (their 4.6 per game ranked dead last, nearly two full points behind the next worst â the once formidable Buccaneers).