Fantasy preview: Baltimore - Da NFL Blog - Fantasy football advice and NFL musings that would make Coach Ditka proud


Fantasy preview: Baltimore

The Ravens’ offense hit rock bottom last year, scoring only 24 touchdowns — just one more than Randy Moss. Baltimore does feature a couple fantasy weapons, but their effectiveness will be limited by the uncertainty at quarterback.

QUARTERBACKS: With Steve McNair, either Kyle Boller will step back into the starting position, Troy Smith will step up or rookie Joe Flacco will get his career going. This situation very well might turn into a quarterback by committee, meaning none of the three are worth more than a QB3 in fantasy drafts.

RUNNING BACKS: Willis McGahee delivered a decent season in his first year with the Ravens, rushing for 1,207 yards and seven touchdowns and also catching 43 passes. He’s a high-end RB2, but with his injury history, don’t risk him as your RB1. That same injury history makes rookie Ray Rice a sleeper RB5, but be ready to cut him loose if McGahee starts running wild.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Veteran Derrick Mason amassed a surprising 103 receptions, 1,087 yards and 5 TDs last year — was that a resurgence or an aberration? More likely an aberration, so don’t rely on him as more than a WR3. Mark Clayton regressed to 48 catches, 531 yards and no touchdowns, and though he’s likely improve on those numbers as Mason returns to Earth, I wouldn’t select him higher than a WR4 (more like a WR5). Demetrius Williams might be a nice in-season pickup if the offense turns things around, but avoid him on draft day.

TIGHT ENDS: A hamstring injury kept Todd Heap out of 10 games last year. When healthy, he’s a solid, productive TE1, and he should be considered such on draft day — just be confident in your TE2.

KICKER: Matt Stover sputtered to 107 points as the Ravens’ offense stagnated. He’s still an accurate kicker, and that point total theoretically should improve in 2008. Take him as a later K1 or as a strong backup.

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