Preseason Rankings

So gents after another great draft, it is time to get down to the nitty-gritty and start ranking the squads we have assembled. After analyzing everyone's drafts and the teams they'll put on the "field" this season, I have come out with the first of what is sure to be many rankings for this season. I encourage any comments/criticisms of the rankings below (and they will be duly noted in the next rankings to come out).

Equalizer 2014 Preseason Rankings:
1. Roc City Super Dudes
2. Ants in my Eyes Collins
3. Las Vegas Outlaws
4. Dark Force
5. The Fat Cats
6. Ethan's Mom's Panties
7. Touch my TD's
8. The Old Guy's Club
9. Saskatchewan Rough Riders
10. PB Pandemonium
11. Redwood Chippalopes
12. SGF Dirtdogs


1. Roc City Super Dudes - Legault went and had himself a draft. There is not a glaring weakness I see on this team. While you may not immediately be blown away by the names on this roster, consistency may be the name of the game here. Deep at multiple positions, I love Matt Ryan to have a bounce-back year and Romo will throw it about 100 times a game this season. Joique Bell is the Lion's starter at a backup price (should have been on PB Pandemonium, still bitter). Rashad Jennings presents an interesting PPR option on a team known for pounding the rock inside the ten. Just consistent week in week out options across the board here and in a game notorious for its ebbs and flows, consistency might win this league.

2. Ants in my Eyes Collins - Ethan's team goes through a rebranding and after figuring out his pre-draft pants situation, Eth comes out swinging. Grabs Dez Bryant and AJ Green, who in my opinion represent the best two WR's in fantasy for this season (yes, over Calvin Johnson). Add Kendall Wright and an intriguing Tavon Austin, and that is a formidable WR corps. RB crew is also very interesting mix on this team. Tons of PPR value, but also some injury/age issues. Both Vereen and Foster missed major time last season, and MJD did not even resemble a shell of himself last year. However, if all four put together productive seasons like we have seen from them, this is a very good squad.

3. Las Vegas Outlaws - Two words, Montee Ball. While still not a sure starter, the skill set is there. Knowshon Moreno showed last year how lucrative a position the RB behind Peyton Manning is, and Ball might be the most talented back Peyton will have had in his career. Look for him to finish top 5 at the position if the workload is there. Antonio Brown is poised for another monster year on a mediocre Steelers team, and love Kelvin Benjamin to have a good year. I think Carson Palmer may end up as the starter on this team before the year is out, and I see some potential questions at RB with Ridley's case of the fumbles and Bell's love of ganja.

4. Dark Force - Matt Forte and Eddie Lacy speak for themselves. Both present PPR potential on monster offenses. While not drafted, I love the Tim Wright and Jordan Matthews move made after the draft. Kyle Rudolph is a potential break-out candidate and the jury is still out on Ben Tate. I do not see a clear-cut WR2 on this team, unless Justin Hunter becomes the player a lot of people think he can be. We'll see how far hometown favorite Geno Smith can carry this squad.

5. The Fat Cats - Pass catcher's galore all over this team. Nelson, Johnson, and Graham need no introduction, and Kenny Stills is a favorite of mine to bust out this year. Reuben Randle should figure to see a majority of red zone targets in NY, and Steve Smith gets the change of scenery he's been begging for. I do not see a clear-cut RB2 on this team. A few unanswered questions on this team though: What role will Andre Williams play in NY and will Eric Decker prove to be another product of Peyton Manning?

6. Ethan's Mom's Panties - Two best players in the NFC North snagged by Brad, I see both as being the best players at their positions this season (Peterson and Rodgers). Peterson may end up catching 50-70 balls this season in addition to his running game production (if the Norv Turner effect is to be believed). Potential TD vultures in Jeremy Hill and Shonn Greene. Cardinals D/ST took a hit with the loss of Darnell Dockett, but Patrick Peterson and Tyrann Mathieu are studs. Wide Receiver is the big question mark on this team.

7. Touch my TD's - Love the Andre Ellington keep, must say I was disappointed to see he would not be on the board this year. Perhaps even savvier was the Cordarelle Patterson keep, who many love to explode this season. Guy is a game breaker if Cassel/Bridgewater/Favre/whoever is QB in Minnesota in a given week can get him the ball. However after Patterson, there are still some question marks at the WR position. If Gronk can stay on the field, expect the same production, and I expect Mike Wallace to have a bounce back season.

8. The Old Guy's Club - Came in last year and showed us young guns what fantasy football was all about. Looking to ride the Jamal Charles train back to the championship this season. Bernard is a perfect fit for a PPR league, and Gerhart has interesting upside. Zack Ertz is a favorite by many to break out this season, and expect big things from Cutler this year if he is on the field for 16 games. However there may be some unanswered questions at wideout. Fitz has shown some touchdown dependence in recent years, and Michael Floyd has really emerged in Arizona. A lot of mouths to feed in Denver who are better than Sanders, and TY Hilton struggled down the stretch last year. However, the Club snagged two of my favorite rookies this season in Bishop Sankey and Brandin Cooks. If these two live up to preseason hype, look out.

9. Saskatchewan Rough Riders - Stable of RB's in Morris, Lynch, and Spiller. While I expect Lynch's production to drop this season, still a formidable group. If Spiller can stay healthy and Morris starts getting some 3rd down looks in DC, they should be putting up plenty of points. Decent options at WR1/2, but I see a significant drop-off on the bench. Two QB's with very interesting prospects for this season. A healthy RG III and Ryan Tannehill operating in a high-powered offense similar to the system in Philly, we shall see how this pans out as I see the Rough Rider's employing a QB by committee approach.

10. PB Pandemonium - RB2, who will Pandemonium play? Trent Richardson's issues in Indy are well documented, and not many options on this team after that. Pretty deep stable of viable PPR WR options, including potential break-out candidates in Andrew Hawkins and Markus Wheaton. Jordan Reed also presents an intriguing option at TE. Pandemonium's not winning the BAMA this season rests on the answer to these two questions: how far will Peyton's production fall back down to Earth, and can Demarco Murray play a full 16 game season?

11. Redwood Chipalopes - The Chipalopes took a huge hit when on Aug. 28th, Josh Gordon's suspension was upheld. I see Matthew Stafford and Percy Harvin being very hit or miss players this year, putting up monster numbers one week followed by a dud the next. Lesean McCoy should be a stud again this year, but question marks around RB2. I am curious to see how Mike Evans turns out this season, with a new QB in Tampa and veteran Vincent Jackson to guide his development/attract saftey attention.

12. SGF Dirtdogs - Missed you at the draft Kaier, but the Dirtdogs enter the year the favorite to win the BAMA...again. We will see how the Kendall Hunter pick pans out (interesting) and the Law Firm no longer has a job in Cincy. Wes Welker is a walking concussion and Vernon Davis is seeking TD's in a very limited pass game in SF. Devonta Freeman is an interesting pick with Steven Jackson anything but a sure thing in ATL to play 16 games this season. I expect Tom Brady to have a major bounce-back season this year, and presents an interesting trade candidate with Drew Brees already on this team. It will be an uphill climb for the Dogs this season.



Well there it is boys. This is how I see the season playing out right now (before the onslaught of torn ACL's and concussion problems). Again, please leave some comments below on where you see people landing.