NFL training camps are open, and for millions of people worldwide their fantasy football preparation has begun in earnest. Here at Sports World News we will break down all 32 NFL teams in terms of their fantasy value. Readers will find the must-own players in every format, the sleepers in specific formats, and hidden gems only necessary for those in very deep leagues.
Today's preview will be on the New Orleans Saints.
Must Own
Drew Brees, QB: There is an argument to be made for Brees as the No. 1 fantasy QB instead of Peyton Manning. He's surpassed 5,000 yards for three consecutive seasons, and missed a third straight 40-plus touchdown season by a single score. His normal numbers are in line with what Manning's expected to regress to after a historic 2013, and owners pay slightly less for his services.
Yes, Brees is losing perhaps the best receiving running back in the NFL in Darren Sproles, but Pierre Thomas should be able to take over those duties easily.
Jimmy Graham, TE: There's not much to say about Graham besides he's a monster that deserves Round 1 consideration. At no other position will a single player give owners an advantage every single week.
Pierre Thomas, RB: Thomas is ranked third on the New Orleans depth chart, but his floor is set in stone. He's a lock to be the third down running back, and with Sproles gone his 77 receptions figure to go up.
Marques Colston, WR: After years of consistency, Colston let owners down with just five touchdowns and 943 yards. It was the first time since 2008 he checked in under the 1,000-yard mark. He's tough to project-the offense is incredible and he picked up the pace down the stretch, leaving me wondering whether injuries, and not age, slowed him down. He's going in late Round 6 these days, and while he could perform above that, it's a nice spot.
Mark Ingram, RB: Starting running backs all matter in fantasy football, and nominally Ingram is a starter. A star in college, Ingram's never translated that success to the NFL level, and he's never logged more than 156 carries-in other words, don't count on a workhorse's level of attempts.
Sleepers (Best format)
Brandin Cooks, WR (PPR): There's a seventh-round price tag on Cooks right now, which is a bit too high for my liking. He certainly has great upside-Brees is an elite quarterback, Sproles' absence has created a need for a small, quick open-field beast, but he's still a rookie.
Rookie wide receivers are more miss than hit, but his competition seems weak.
Khiry Robinson, RB (Standard): If for some reason Thomas doesn't have it in 2014, Robinson has flashed big-play ability. He didn't catch any passes in 2013, but there's no reason to believe he can't, and Ingram's history of disappointment is well-documented.
Kenny Stills, WR (Standard): Stills has the potential to swallow up all of Devery Henderson/Lance Moore's deep targets, which everyone knows will be there. Of his five touchdowns in 2013, Stills' shortest was a 34-yarder. Stills epitomizes boom-or-bust.
Deep Finds (Best format)
Nick Toon, WR (Standard): Nick Toon is a big receiver, but has close to no track record in the NFL. If injury befalls Stills, or maybe even if it doesn't, Toon could see those downfield targets coming his way.
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