We've all done it. At a cocktail party, or in class sometime, or just bumping in to someone at the mall or on the street. You search back through your entire memory and you simply can not remember the other persons name. It is one of those moments that has the unique ability to make you feel stupid, thoughtless, and rude all at the same time. It's a bummer man.
When it comes to your fantasy football draft* this simple mistake can not only be embarrassing, but it can spell disaster for your team before kick off of the first game. There is no worse feeling than realizing that your latest pick not only retired 3 years ago, but the guy you thought you were picking was selected 3rd overall and you never really had a shot at him in the first place. Basically, you need to know who is on your players list, and the differences between players.
But they don't make it easy. There are 5 guys named Ryan in the Top 250, and 4 of them are running backs. Who ever thought there would be deux hommes named Pierre in the NFL? Why are there more players named Jacoby than the more traditional Jacob? Is it any wonder that over two decades after everyone wanted to "Be Like Mike" there are 3 dudes named Jordan on the list? And let's not forget there are 2 guys named Steve Smith, and another 2 named Mike Williams, and all 4 of them are wide receivers.
So, here are a few things to keep in mind to hopefully differentiate between certain players you do or do not want on your team:
1) BRANDON- There are 8 Brandons in the Top 250. And 5 of those are wide receivers. And while Brandons Tate, Jackson, Gibson and LaFell will probably not be on your roster there are going to be some decisions you will have to make with the others. Brandon Pettigrew is the 11th ranked tight end, and will be on somebodies roster in your league, but there is no rush to pick him up. He's a good mid to late round pick up if you haven't picked up a TE yet. Brandon Jacobs is an absolute beast, and is ranked #100 overall in the Top 250. He will be a nice addition to your team, but you had better have a RB or two before you call his name. The real question is which WR to take, Brandon Marshall or Brandon Lloyd.
Brandon Marshall is considered by some to be the best all around athlete in the game. He is big, fast, and strong, and he has a knack for making defensive backs look like children bouncing off of him on his way to the end zone. But Brandon Lloyd has one of the best set of hands in the game, and he led the league in receiving yards last season. So, who do you take? Well, first off, don't rush for either of them. Both Marshall and Lloyd are on teams that have real big question marks at the quarterback position, which makes either of them a risk. But as a mid round pick both would make a nice #2 WR. But Marshall has been better for longer, and if you are deciding between the two he is more likely to maintain the level he has been at in the past.
2) MATT- There are 8 Matts in the Top 250 (if you count Kickers...), and 5 of them are quarterbacks. What are the odds of over 15% of the starting QBs in the NFL having the same first name? It really is an incredible stat when you think about it. Before we get to that, the first Matt off the board will be RB Matt Forte. He is projected to be a second round pick, but with contract issues, changes in his offensive line, and Chaster Taylor and Marion Barber breathing down his neck he is far from a "sure thing". If you can get him in the 3rd round or later that will be a solid pick.
Now the QBs. Matt Hassellbeck is now in Tennessee in the classic battle of rookie vs veteran with Jake Locker. And considering he's the 5th QB named Matt on the list, that means he probably isn't really a starter, and maybe not even a decent back up for your roster. Matt Cassel might be a good #2 QB, especially with weapons like Jamaal Charles, and Dwayne Bowe surrounding him. Matt Stafford is right on the cusp of becoming a solid starter, but injury concerns with him specifically, and the Lions in general (they just lost thier second round pick RB Mikel Lashoure for the season with a torn achilles), drop him down as a gamble at your #2 QB position. You might want to risk it in the mid to late rounds, if things come together for him he could be a real sleeper.
The biggest question is Matt Schaub or Matt Ryan? These two really are a toss up, and they are both going to be starting for someone in your league. They both have lethal weapons on the outside in Andre Johnson and Roddy White respectively, as well as solid running games behind them. Expect these guys to go around the 4th and 5th round of your draft, after both of their RBs and WRs are gone in the first 2 rounds. These guys lead 2 of the most potent offenses in the league. So, who do you take if they are both available? By the narrowest of margins, take Schaub. First, with the addition of Julio Jones on Atlanta's backfield, the falcons running game might eat up some TDs that went to the passing game last year. And with the supposed upgrade to the Texans defense, Schaub might have the ball more often for more of the game. I would not be surprised if Ryan has a break out year, but right now Schaub is the way to go.
3) RYAN- Ryan Fitzpatrick is the only Ryan on the Top 250 who isn't a RB, all 4 of whom are in the top 100, and will probably be off the board by the 7th or 8th round. But Fitzpatrick is another story, he is a good player, but at this point of his development, and more importantly the cast around him it is hard to take him until the later rounds of your draft. He will breakout one day, but maybe wait for him to get one or two more weapons before you move him up your board.
On the other end of the spectrum Ryan Matthews will be gone early, probably the 3rd round. After an injury hampered rookie season where many fantasy owners were duped into taking him in the first round, Matthews stock has appropriately slipped. With injury risk and splitting time (and scores) with Mike Tolbert, I think even the 3rd round might be a bit early. But if you end up with comically similarly named Ryan Matthews and Matthew Ryan by the end of the 5th round you will have some good upside.
The real question is the 3 Ryans in the middle. There are 3 mid to late round RBs named Ryan that all have red flags and question marks. Ryan Grant had injury issues last year, Ryan Williams is going to split time with Beanie Wells, and Ryan Torian already has had wrist surgery but is hopeful to hold on to the starting spot in Washington. That is probably the order they belong in. Grant has huge upside as long as he doesn't get hurt again a 7th round pick up would be a good spot for him. Williams is a rookie so its up in the air what to expect, 7th or 8th round would be a gamble but could be worth it. And don't look at Torian until more is known about his healing. Tim Hightower will take the reps for the Redskins until Torian returns.
A couple quick hits:
Which Steve Smith? Take Carolina's WR Steve Smith for now, he may have lost a step from his premier form, but he is still valuable as a #2 WR or Flex player. The other Steve Smith just signed with the star magnet Eagles, but he might not play for a few weeks dropping his value to later rounds. He could be a good guy to stash away for later this year, but don't expect him to start in week one.
Peyton or Peyton? All due respect to Peyton Hillis, but one breakout season does not sway me over a guy who is arguably the best player of all time. It is hard to exactly compare an upstart RB against an aging and injured legendary QB, but take Peyton Manning. Always take Peyton Manning. Because do you know what will happen if you don't? He will throw for 450 yards and 5 TDs the week that you play against him... Just take Peyton Manning.
Which Mike Williams? Even taking into account strength of schedule you want Tampa Bay's WR Mike Williams over Seattle's WR Mike Williams. By a long shot too. TBs would be a good pick in the 4th round, and SEAs will still be around in the 7th or 8th. But honestly with the QB situation in SEA I'm not sure he's worth a pick even that early.
And finally, which Pierre to pick? New Orleans' RB Pierre Thomas and Indianapolis' WR Pierre Garcon come from two of the most dynamic offenses in the entire league. The problem is there are plenty of weapons on both teams and the ball gets spread around quite a bit. Both of these guys are capable of scoring in bunches, but then they will disappear for a week or two. That being said they are both nice flex players or bench guys for BYE weeks. But with the depth chart at the RB position in NO expect Garcon to be more of a fantasy factor.
*Assume 12 team league: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, Flex, DEF, K, 6 Bench (15 round draft)
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