This is a series on my 2014 outlook of players you would
want to have on your Paper Pigskin team (fantasy football). What you'll find here are my views based on
years of playing experience and countless hours of geeking out researching
stats, trends, and film. I'll advise
where to reach and whose hype not to believe.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS – Passing 271 ypg Rushing 123 ypg
The Chargers offense was balanced and highly efficient in
2013. Mike McCoy and Ken Whisenhunt tailored the scheme to their personnel and
Phillip Rivers’s career was given new life.
This is both a quality and run-first offense; the team’s running game
will be improved from last season with the acquisition of power runner Donald
Brown. The threat of an effective running game always shrinks the defense,
keeping them off-balanced.
QB: In 2013, Rivers
had career highs in both completion and completion percentage (69.5%).
According to NumberFire, only 47% of his passes were thrown to wide receivers,
injury and lack of talent could be the reason for that; Malcom Floyd, who had
been his big play receiver in previous years returns to the fold, will be ripe
for big plays off of the run action. I
expect more of the same form Rivers this season and maybe more yardage.
RB: Ryan Matthews is
the lead back in this run heavy offense.
He totaled over 1400 yards last season, barring
any injuries he should finish among the top 15 at his position. The only thing holding him back from the top
10 will be touchdowns; for as prolific as San Diego was, Matthews only scored
six touchdowns.
If you play in a PPR league, Danny Woodhead is a must own
player. Woodhead was second among running backs with 76 receptions to go on top
of his 106 carries, which lead him to produce
over 1000 total yards and 8 touchdowns; those number rival that of Keenan Allen's. Woodhead is getting drafted
as the 37th RB, he should go at least 10 spots higher in PPR leagues.
Donald Brown had a great camp, by all accounts, but is
slated for grunt work such as picking up blitzes and pounding into the pile on
short yardage situations.
WR: Keenan Allen has
shown more speed in practice, he's already a polished route runner that gets
good separation and find open holes in the secondary. Being able to run faster will only enhance
his big play ability. Allen was the offensive Rookie Of the Year and hardly got
on the field until the fourth game of the season. His numbers should trend
upwards; he should be a high-end WR2. His WR13 ADP seems fair.
Malcom Floyd’s 6’5” frame will always make him a nice red
zone target. He has flashed sure hands and playmaking ability before but had
never really been a viable fantasy option, but if he's the one Rivers is
looking for in the end zone, he can be a sneaky flex play. He's at WR68, but
most likely will be touchdown dependant.
TE: Ladarius Green
appears to have taken another step in his development after showing the ability
to create big plays last season. However, Antonio Gates is still the man on his
team and will remain on the field in single tight sets because he's a good
blocker, an experienced route runner, and his sure hands make him a dependable
target. The Chargers are surely
transitioning towards the explosive Green but he's not there yet; there might
be games where he puts up huge numbers, but owners will be upset at the duds. Gates's ADP is TE 13 and Green's is TE16, as
you can tell I prefer the former but will be extremely happy if I can get Green
as my backup and wait for him to pop.
Def: San Diego finished with just 17 turnovers in 2013 regular
season, that was the third worst in the
NFL. However, they forced six turnovers during the postseason, second only to
the Seattle Seahawks.
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