2011 Fantasy Football Love/Loathe List

There are players in fantasy that you just either love or loathe. Here are 7 players that I either love and 4 players I loathe.

Rankings and points based on a standard scoring system:
Pass TD = 4, 25 Pass Yards = 1, Rush/Rec TD = 6, 10 Rush/Rec Yards = 1

2011 Fantasy football coverage: QB | RB | WR | TE | Love/Loathe

Love

Michael Vick (QB) – Philadelphia Eagles [QB Rank: 1]

See the reason for Vick’s love here.

Josh Freeman (QB) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers [QB Rank: 8]

A second year QB throwing to rookie receivers and handing off to a rookie running back and yet throws for near 3500 yards and 25 TD is a superstar in the making. More chemistry and development with his weapons along with Freeman’s ability to use his legs makes for a top 10 quarterback available in the 7th round.

LeGarrette Blount (RB) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers [RB Rank: 10]

More Buccaneer love. The 250 pound wrecking machine wrestled away the starting job from Cadillac Williams the last seven games and blasted his way to 1000 yards and 6 TD on only 200 carries (5.0 YPC) in 13 games. Now with Williams in St. Louis, he has no competition for carries and because of his size, he’ll undoubtedly receive the bulk of the goal-line work. Currently the 15th RB off the board in drafts, Blount is undervalued.

Jahvid Best (RB) – Detroit Lions [RB Rank: 24]

Best is fully healed from a turf toe injury that nagged him throughout 2010. He’s in line to get the majority of the carries thanks to Mikel Leshoure’s season ending Achilles tear. He is great value in PPR leagues as he was targeted 80 times (4th most among RB) last season. His speed and agility are back to pre-injury levels in camp and that can only mean good things moving forward. A LeSean McCoy-like season is in store.

Larry Fitzgerald (WR) – Arizona Cardinals [WR Rank: 3]

90 receptions, 1100 yards and 6 TD for Fitz was a miracle considering who was throwing to him. No matter how you much you believe in Kevin Kolb, you have to admit he’s better than all of Arizona’s QBs last year, combined. A return to the top 5 for Larry Fitzgerald is imminent.

Chad Ochocinco (WR) – New England Patriots [WR Rank: 19]

A change of scenery is just what the doctor ordered for Ocho. He’s a top option for a potent offense that loves to throw. A revival of Ochocinco as a top 20 wideout is very possible and makes a great flex option or solid WR2.

Jimmy Graham (TE) – New Orleans Saints [TE Rank: 10]

Graham ended 2010 with 4 TD in his last three games and is now the starting TE in New Orleans. Obviously the Saints and Sean Payton believe in Graham enough to let Jeremy Shockey go, and his talent is undeniable; he’s a highlight reel at the position. New Orleans loves to throw to their tight ends in the red zone – Jeremy Shockey and David Thomas were targeted a combined 21 times in the red zone in 2010. Look for Graham to be on the receiving end of those red zone passes.

Loathe

Jay Cutler (QB) – Chicago Bears [QB Rank: 19]

Cutler only had one 300+ yard game in 2010 (Week 1), five games where threw more interceptions than TDs, and had less than 250 yards passing in the last nine games of the season. The Bears O-line still remains questionable and lost C Olin Kreutz to New Orleans. Not much upside here.

Maurice Jones-Drew (RB) – Jacksonville Jaguars [RB Rank: 6]

Jones-Drew is still recovering from knee surgery in the offseason and has been limited in camp. The Jaguar offense is far from a juggernaut and could have a rookie QB under center if David Garrard’s injury remains a problem. Rashad Jennings proved he could handle the load when Jones-Drew was out, and could signal a downshift in Maurice Jones-Drew’s ceiling.

Peyton Hillis (RB) – Cleveland Browns [RB Rank: 15]

Hillis slowed down in the second half of the season, averaging 3.8 YPC, and was shut out of the endzone on the ground for the last five games. It is clear he was overworked. Cleveland brought in Brandon Jackson and return a healthy Montario Hardesty to relieve the Madden cover boy. Hillis will see a decline in touches to keep him fresh.

Brandon Lloyd (WR) – Denver Broncos [WR Rank: 20]

Prior to 2010, Lloyd never had more than 48 receptions or 750 yards receiving. His numbers were inflated thanks to head coach Josh McDaniels’ offensive scheme. With McDaniels gone and conservative John Fox in, Lloyd will still be the top option for the Broncos, but his numbers will be nowhere close to 2010, especially if Tim Tebow is under center.