Fantasy: What to look for tomorrow

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What to Watch For

There are some things we’ll never be able to figure out, especially after Week 1, Bill Belichick. But fantasy-wise, we can get a gage on the situation in primary ball carriers and most-targeted receivers.

Here’s a look at what to look for tomorrow:

Reggie Bush is the Miami Dolphins’ starting running back. For the first time in his career, the former Heisman Trophy winner will be the featured back, receiving the bulk of carries in the Wildcat formation.

Bush has also played second fiddle to either Deuce McAllister or Pierre Thomas, and has not received much praise because his electric playmaking ability did not exactly translate from USC to the pros.

For the first time in his career, Reggie Bush is expected to be a featured back. (Credit: Miami Herald)

From 2006 to the 2008, though, Bush’s yards-per-attempt average did rise, and in injury-shortened seasons in 2009 and 2010 he averaged 5.6 and 4.2 yards per rush, respectively.

There is, however, a power back listed second on the depth chart. Former Kansas State star, Daniel Thomas, could be the Dolphins’ short-yardage and goal line back, though reports from the preseason have not been too encouraging for the rookie.

And then there’s Lex Hilliard, another bruiser who could earn carries. Entering his third season with Miami, Hilliard will have an opportunity to impress the coaching staff with Thomas listed as questionable for Monday night’s match-up against New England.

Don’t trust that Bush can be the every-down back, but Miami did begin the Wildcat trend in the National Football League. They traded for Bush and put their faith in him for a reason.

What is the deal with the Raiders’ wide receiving corps? According to their depth chart, Jacoby Ford andDarrius Heyward-Bey will start, but this is Oakland we’re talking about it. The R-R-Raiders.

Louis Murphy, currently recovering from sports hernia surgery last month, most likely will not be available until Week 3. Zach Miller has been the team’s leading receiver, but among wideouts Murphy has been the leader in receptions and yardage for two straight seasons.

With Murphy out, it’s a chance for Ford, Heyward-Bey and Denarius Moore to Wally Pip him in the lineup.

Ford caught 25 passes and averaged 18.8 yards per catch last year, his rookie season. That number could rise to 80, according to his new head coach Hue Jackson, the Raiders’ offensive coordinator in 2010.

Raiders head coach Hue Jackson said Jacoby Ford could catch 80 balls in 2011. (Credit: orangeandwhite.com)

Opposite Ford is the real question. Heyward-Bey, the seventh overall picks in the NFL Draft in 2009, is penciled in as the starter, despite racking up 35 catches, two touchdowns and less than 500 yards in his first two seasons.

If Heyward-Bey does not impress in the opener, it could be Murphy or Moore taking his spot. Moore, the highly touted rookie, was the team’s leading receiver this preseason, and Jackson wants to find ways to get him the ball.

Is it finally the time for these young quarterbacks to take the next step?

There were two popular strategies enacted during fantasy drafts this summer – go big on your quarterback or grab one late/cheap. This is where we find out who was right.

In this discussion: Matthew Stafford, Matt Ryan, Sam Bradford and Kevin Kolb.

Stafford was probably the trendiest pick to break out in 2011, of course being healthy the biggest obstacle thus far in his career. The Lions quarterback has played in 13 games over the course of his first two seasons, throwing 19 touchdown passes and 21 interceptions.

But paired with arguably the most talented wide receiver in the NFL, Calvin Johnson, experts agree Stafford could explode in this pass-heavy Lions offense. (Last season the Lions ranked third in pass attempts). With Johnson, rookie Titus Young and Jahvid Best around him, Stafford is projected to have a big year.

As is Ryan, who, this offseason got a gift in the form of Julio Jones, among the top-rated wideouts in the 2011 draft. Jones, paired with Roddy White, immediately forms one of the most talented tandems in the league.

Ryan’s pass attempts and touchdowns have both risen in each of his three seasons, and with the expected decline of Michael Turner there could definitely be a greater reliance in the Falcons’ aerial attack. Last year Ryan tossed 28 touchdown passes; he could reach the elite 30-35 touchdown range this year.

With the addition of Julio Jones, the Falcons upgraded their passing attack. Is it time for Matt Ryan to enter the elite class of NFL quarterbacks? (credit: graphicshunt.com)

Bradford came in and started his NFL career with a splash, barely missing a beat after sitting out his senior season at Oklahoma with a shoulder injury. The Rams quarterback attempted nearly 600 passes, third most in the league behind only Peyton Manning and Drew Brees, and finishing with a stat line of more than 3,500 yards and 18 touchdowns.

This offseason the Rams upgraded his receiving corps with rookie tight end Lance Kendricks, veteran receiver Mike Sims-Walker and offensive guru Josh McDanielscalling the shots.

McDaniels helped Kyle Orton and Matt Cassel earn starting quarterback duties in the league, not to mention that in 2007 was calling plays for Tom Brady and the record-setting Patriots offense. Now he’ll have another talented player in Bradford to mold.

And of course there was the trade we all waited for – Kolb to the Cardinals. The former Eagles quarterback fell out of fortune in Philly, losing his job to Michael Vick, and now found a landing spot in the desert where he gets an elite receiver to throw to.

Kolb threw just one touchdown during the preseason, though it was an 80-yard bomb to Larry Fitzgerald. I’ll assume the chemistry is there and will develop further throughout the season.

During the past two years, we’ve seen glimpses of potential with Kolb as a gunslinger in this league, especially coming out of the pass-happy offense at Houston. In 2009, in spot duty, Kolb posted back-to-back 300-yard games against the Saints and Chiefs, with a combined four touchdown passes. A year later, he started the season as the Eagles quarterback, tossing seven touchdown passes in four games, not including the opener in which he left with an injury.

It’ll be interesting to see if Kolb develops into the quarterback many, including Andy Reid, thought would be.