Statman’s R&D: Friday’s Preseason Risers

Larry Johnson RB WAS – (10 touches, 57 yards, TD) The former “Scary” Larry Johnson made an appearance in the end zone on Friday and seemed to remember the feeling.  With Clinton “Duct Tape” Portis spraining his ankle, Johnson might have some value in the proven Shanahan run scheme.  He is almost a forgotten man now but could have a year or two left in the battery.  Portis’ workhorse days are over.

Ladainian Tomlinson RB NYJ – (12 touches, 95 yards) I’ve been low on Tomlinson all year after a walking pace in 2009 but he seems highly motivated in New York.  Shonn Greene owners can’t like this display and it’s even more evidence that you need Tomlinson as a handcuff.

Santana Moss WR WAS – (2 catches, 42 yards) No McNabb tonight but Santana still looked solid.  Moss is dropping in drafts this year despite the fact that he finally has a QB throwing him the ball.  Don’t turn the pillow over on this guy as he has great value in the 6^th-8^th round as a WR3.

Roddy White WR ATL – (6 catches, 47 yards, TD) “The Piper” is a hot commodity as of late and seems to be shooting up drafts that I have attended.  I’m not high on Ryan after last years step back but there is no questioning that Roddy should be top 5 in the league in targets.  Don’t think huge numbers here but should be very consistent.

Brandon Marshall WR MIA – (3 catches, 51 yards) “The Beast” is proving everyone wrong so far including myself.  You have to come to the conclusion at some point that all Henne (10-22, 123 yards, Int) has to do is throw it up.  Hopefully he continues to feed the ball to Marshall and improve his poor downfield passing stats.    

Ryan Mathews RB SD – (15 touches, 52 yards) Mathews will see a huge workload this year as Norv seems to have found a new toy.  Look for plenty of runs, screens, and dump passes to the electric rookie.  Make sure to grab Sproles as a handcuff.  Do yourself a favor and check out San Diego’s schedule.  Can you say dogfood?

Antonio Gates TE SD – (5 catches, 66 yards) Gates is one of the most dynamic TE’s to come around since Tony Gonzalez.  The guy gets open all day long when healthy and doesn’t seem to drop anything.  Rivers is going to complete passes and 100 could go to Gates this year.  Besides Jermichael Finley, no TE has more upside.

Malcom Floyd WR SD – (4 catches, 51 yards, TD) Move over Vincent Jackson, hello Malcom Floyd.  I’ve been touting this guy from day one.  Take off the shades, this guy is for real.

Reggie Bush RB NO– (10 touches, 86 yards) The kid gloves are off in 2010 and "The Reggie Bush Experience" is open for business.  Bush is getting ignored in drafts and is sliding sometimes to the 6^th, 7^th, and 8^th rounds.  This is bottom value for a guy that has potential to score 12 TD’s.

Chris Ivory RB NO – (12 touches, 121 yards, TD) Ivory is now officially the 3^rd RB on the depth chart.  If Reggie Bush or Pierre Thomas goes down, Ivory will have great value.  Make sure to grab him as a handcuff if you drafted Thomas and couldn’t get Bush.

Marques Colston WR NO – (4 catches, 55 yards) Colston is usually the last great receiver to go in the draft.  Boldin and Crabtree are taken right after him and don’t even come close in value.  Colston is a steal if he can stay healthy.  That remains a question though after off-season knee surgery.

Philip Rivers QB SD – (16 for 27, 167 yards, TD) Rivers is being treated like Rodney Dangerfield these days.  How can a player that has thrown 62 TD’s in two years be falling till the 5^th round?  People are overvaluing Vincent Jackson’s influence.  Don’t be one of them.

LeSean McCoy RB PHI – (6 touches, 36 yards, TD) McCoy is the new feature back in Philly and should be a nice yardage machine in 2010.  Although he's not great inside the 5 yards line, McCoy has homerun speed.  Don’t be upset with him as your RB2.

Dexter McCluster RB/WR KC – (11 touches, 47 yards) Jamal Charles is the big name in KC, but McCluster has just as much talent.  The Chiefs stole Dexter in the draft right under Andy Reid’s nose and plan to use him from day 1.  His college numbers are pure stupidity and he could be the next Maurice Jones-Drew that came from the closet floor to fantasy stardom.  If you draft Charles, grab McCluster!  As a bonus he qualifies at RB and WR is most leagues.

DeSean Jackson WR PHI – (1 catch, 4 yards) Jackson got blown up on the first play from scrimmage on Friday and is being diagnosed with a neck strain.  Initial reports say he'll be fine for week 1.  He will drop in drafts over the next few weeks but don’t be scared off as Jackson is primed for a huge year.

Jamal Charles RB KC – (7 touches, 60 yards) Purebred stud.  Thomas Jones is just a decoy for "The Dart".  Don’t you worry; if Jamal is healthy he will get the lion’s share of the touches.  Todd Haley may be shady but he's not stupid.