The 5 Worst H2H Fantasy NFL Rosters

Trent Edwards and the Bills offense will likely struggle again in 2010.

When it comes to H2H Fantasy Football talent, all NFL rosters are not created equally.  Some teams seem to have a wealth of Fantasy talent while others may not have a single player in any of the top 10 positional rankings. I have come up with 5 teams where the H2H Fantasy well is just a little drier than usual.  I am not saying these teams have absolutely nothing to offer, but I would be leery when selecting players from these rosters.

Cleveland Browns

Quarterback – Where to begin?  I guess we will start with signing a QB who has a perfectly symmetrical TD to Interception ratio of 31 while missing nearly 40% of the past 3 seasons.  Jake Delhomme has been nothing short of a train wreck the past couple of seasons in Carolina where he had a very good running game, Steve Smith and steady veteran – Muhsin Muhammad to throw to.  Expect another struggle for Jake this season followed by the inevitable calls for the Colt McCoy to era to begin sooner rather than later.

Running back – This may be the one potential bright spot on this offensively challenged roster.  Jerome Harrison is a solid runner who figures to start in what could end up being a very crowded backfield with rookie Montario Hardesty and 2^nd year man James Davis thrown into the mix.  There is talent here but the dreaded “running back by committee” may ultimately doom any real chance at reliable H2H Fantasy value.

Wide receiver Similar to the running backs, there is something to work with here. Unfortunately, there doesn’t appear to be anyone ready to distinguish themselves as a legit WR2.

Tight end – The addition of Ben Watson from New England will help but the questions at QB figure to minimize the impact.

Defense – Was 31 out of 32 in NFL defensive rankings 2009 but they did make a few plays – though not enough to warrant consideration in most formats.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Quarterback – You know you are young at QB when you don’t need all the fingers on even one hand to add up the total years of experience of the quarterbacks on the roster.  Josh Freeman, Josh Johnson, Rudy Carpenter, and un-drafted free agent Jevan Snead have a combined 4 years of NFL experience with a total of 13 starts.  Freeman has some promise as a drop back passer but don’t count on seeing much out of him this season.

Running back – Carnell Williams, Derrick Ward, and Earnest Graham have all enjoyed some past success as H2H Fantasy RBs, but it’s hard to imagine any one of them becoming a feature back in this threesome.

Wide receiver – The best option in this nondescript group promises to be 2^nd round draft pick Arrelious Benn.  The talented rookie out of Illinois has all the tools to be a standout receiver but his inexperience combined with that of the quarterbacks makes him a risky play for 2010.

Tight end – When healthy, Kellen Winslow is one the best tight ends around.  If the offense and quarterback play around him were better, he would most likely be the first TE taken in any format.

Defense – To say the Bucs defense has fallen off recently is a blatant statement of the obvious.  They would now appear to be a likely fixture in the bottom half of NFL defensive rankings for the foreseeable future.

Oakland Raiders

Quarterback – Despite the obvious upgrade of Jason Campbell over JaMarcus Russell, it still remains a stretch to envision a Raider quarterback in the top half  NFL QB rankings for 2010.  A highly suspect offensive line, a spotting running game and receivers that scare no one isn’t exactly what you’re looking for in a new team.

Running back – Was there a more disappointing Fantasy RB than Darren McFadden in 2009?  Since I took him in the 3rd round last season, you probably can guess my answer!  After having one of the more potent rushing attacks in 2008, the Raiders went from 10^th to 21^st in rushing in 2009.  McFadden’s freakish ability will probably tempt many into overvaluing him once again in 2010, but I’m officially off that bandwagon.

Wide receiver – Darrius Heyward-Bey had a nightmarish rookie season.  He was perhaps the biggest disappointment on the team, and that’s saying something when you share a huddle with McFadden and Russell.  As the first receiver taken in the 2009 NFL Draft, he didn’t even hold the distinction of being the best rookie wide-out on his own team.  That honor belongs to Louis Murphy who should be on everyone’s sleeper list for 2010.

Tight end – Zach Miller led the team in receptions last season and should certainly be one of the first 10 tight ends taken off any H2H Fantasy Board.

Defense – Don’t be surprised to see this group take a huge step forward this season but not enough to make them draft worthy in most leagues.

Denver Broncos

Quarterback – I’m still trying to figure out how you run off a super talented young QB who had just thrown for 4500 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2008?  Kyle Orton actually had a pretty decent year in his 1^st season in Denver, but he, Josh McDaniels and Demaryius Thomas are a far cry from Jay Cutler, Mike Shanahan and Brandon Marshall.  I won’t even mention that guy from Florida they drafted in the 1^st round because I figure it will be awhile before he is Fantasy relevant.

Running back – As much as I want to anoint Knowshon Moreno the next breakout Denver back, I just have an uneasy feeling about him.  Don’t get me wrong, I believe Knowshon will have a solid season as the Broncos’ number 1 back but it wouldn’t shock me to see him ultimately end up outside of the top 15 backs in the league.

Wide receiver – It was clear that Brandon Marshall could no longer remain in Denver with a team clearly in rebuild mode, but his departure leaves a huge void that will not be filled by talented rookie Damaryius Thomas in 2010.  Eddie Royal took a huge step backward in 2009 with only 37 catches – none for touchdowns.  I expect better numbers with Marshall’s departure but he and Orton clearly don’t share the same cohesion he had with Jay Cutler.

Tight end – The Broncos traded their receiving tight end Tony Scheffler to Detroit which leaves Daniel Graham who is more blocker than receiver.  The tight end production fell off in McDaniels’ first year as coach, and with the Scheffler trade it will almost certainly be in further decline in year two.

Defense – Things began with a bang for the Denver D in 2009 but that appeared to be more of a function of playing weak offensive opposition in the beginning of the season.  This defense was exposed as last season went on and 2010 promises more of the same.

Buffalo Bills

Quarterback – Saying the Bills have issues at quarterback is like saying BP has issues with one of its oil wells.  It is hard to imagine this group being anymore pitiful than it was in 2009 but sadly enough that just may be the case.

Running back – Rookie C.J Spiller will join Marshawn Lynch (if he can’t be traded) and Fred Jackson to form a nice little triumvirate but a porous offensive line and limited opportunities will reduce the value of any one individual in H2H Fantasy play.

Wide receiver – There are few receivers more frustrating than Lee Evans in Fantasy Football.  All of that ability never fails to tantalize, but all owners ever have to show for it is a few great performances followed by crippling inconsistency.  No doubt some will be tempted by Evans once again – figuring with T.O. out the picture – he will have a chance to rebound from a disappointing 2009.  Don’t count me as one of those drinking the kool aid though.

Tight end – I like second year tight end Shawn Nelson’s ability but at this point having him on a H2H Fantasy roster is a definite stretch.

Defense – There is some talent here especially in the secondary but consider this unit a low end starting option at best.

Honorable mention: Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears

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