BUFFALO
• Inside the Locker Room
With Leo Roth of Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
Will C.J. Spiller break out in his second season?
Yes. Spiller was very underutilized as a running back his rookie year, and second-year head coach Chan Gailey has stated on many occasions that his goal is to get Spiller more touches. With veteran Fred Jackson getting up in age, it’s logical to assume Spiller will take over the role of No. 1 sooner than later.
Can QB Ryan Fitzpatrick improve on his 3,000-yard, 23-TD 2010 season?
Most definitely. With a year in Gailey’s system and his confidence at an all-time high (the Bills passed on drafting a quarterback with the No. 3 pick), Fitzpatrick is well positioned to improve on last season’s impressive numbers. It won’t hurt having a few shorter fields to work with either, now that Buffalo’s front office spent most of the offseason figuring out how to improve the team’s defense.
Is Shawn Nelson or any Buffalo tight end worth drafting?
Buffalo tight ends combined for fewer than 30 catches last year, including three by Nelson, who battled injury and off-field issues. The tight end position hasn't made a meaningful contribution in the passing game for going on a decade, and drafting one is high risk.
• Fantasy Playoff Run — Weeks 14-16: @SD, MIA, DEN
First, the good news: Get to your title game with Bills players and you get a Denver defense ranked 31st vs. the run and 25th vs. the pass in 2010. Now the bad news: You have to get through a Chargers D that was No. 1 vs. the pass and No. 4 vs. the run and a Dolphins D that was No. 8 vs. the pass and No. 7 vs. the run. In your favor: Two of the three playoff games are at Buffalo.
• Athlon Best Bets
Sleeper: Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB
Deep-Sleeper: Marcus Easley, WR
Overvalued: None
Top Rookie: Kelvin Sheppard, LB
Bounce-Back: C.J. Spiller, RB
Top IDP: Nick Barnett, LB
• Try to Avoid
TIGHT ENDS
Chan Gailey seemingly has no use for the position. Not counting Tony Gonzalez's 10-score, 1,058-yard season in 1998, a player he inherited during his prime, the tight end position has combined for 1,884 yards and 21 TDs over eight seasons and five different teams under Gailey's tutelage. That averages out to three scores and 269 yards per season. The tight ends combined for 187 yards and one score last season.
WAIT UNTIL: Never
• Draft Class Fantasy Impact
The addition of Marcell Dareus should add some much-needed bulk on the line and immediately improve a struggling run defense. Although the secondary finished No. 3 in the NFL in pass defense, Aaron Williams and Da'Norris Searcy will have a chance to contribute. Barring injury to Fred Jackson or C.J. Spiller, Johnny White will likely only have a limited role this year.
More Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets and Rankings:
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 280
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 240 w/ IDPs
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defense/Special Teams
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Regardless of whether you have already started your fantasy league playoffs or not, no one needs to be told how important it is to put your best starting lineup out there at this point in the season. Week 14 of the NFL season is upon us and here are some key wide receiver injuries to keep an eye on as you get ready for today’s action.
