The Top 5 “Not So Hot to Trot” List
August 19th, 2010 by Adam Mankuta
Every year around draft time, players get hyped as “the next big thing”, the “big breakout star of 2010” or even a “must-have”. Well, someone has to play Debbie Downer, so here are five names that may underperform your expectations during the upcoming season.
Michael Floyd, WR, Notre Dame
Floyd is a true offensive playmaker who has skills for the next level. However, there are two glaring reasons why you need to temper expectations for this season. The first is the absence of a proven, starting quarterback. Jimmy Clausen is gone and with doubt as to the true leader of the Irish attack, Floyd may struggle at times to develop chemistry with the new signal caller. The second major issue is that Golden Tate is now in the NFL, not taking coverage away from Floyd. WR Kyle Rudolph will surely attract attention, however, not having Tate to cover will allow defenses to key more on Floyd. He will have a solid season, but it may be best to draft him as a WR2.
Air Attack going flat for Tech?
Taylor Potts or Steve Sheffield, QB, Texas Tech
Whichever QB (Taylor Potts pictured right, SMI) wins the battle for the Red Raiders will definitely be a fantasy performer on someone’s roster this year. However, with the new Tommy Tuberville regime in town, there is no way the air it out attack of former Coach Leach will continue to that degree. We have been spoiled by the fantasy stats coming from the Raiders QB position for a decade. Just don’t be the guy to overpay for the winner of the QB derby.
Garrett Gilbert, QB, Texas
Gilbert showed what he was made of in 2009 when he was tossed into the National Title game and led the Longhorns within 3 points with two second half touchdown passes. What has to be remembered is the Longhorns best offensive weapon is gone as Jordan Shipley is now playing on Sundays with the Bengals. Gilbert will have his huge games against lesser opponents, but don’t expect him to gel right away with developing receivers and a defense that lost a ton of talent is a lot to ask. While not a QB1, he is a QB2 with upside.
Matt Barkley, QB, USC
There are two glaring reasons why Barkley should not be a fantasy QB 1 or 2 this year. Reason number one combines the new regime under Lane Kiffin and the fact his statistics do not back up the name on the jersey. This is not the high octane Leinart-Bush-Sanchez-Williams-LenDale Trojans. Barkley threw only 15 touchdowns in 2009 to go along with 14 INT’s. While those numbers should get better, with a lack of familiarity with the new system, he may struggle. The second glaring issue is motivation. How will USC respond to not being able to play for the Pac-10 title, let alone a bowl game? I just say stay away.
A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
Let me state this. Green is a freak and will be a top 10 NFL pick when he comes out of school. The one thing he is not is a legitimate fantasy WR1 like many experts project. The stats are just not there. Green only grabbed 53 catches in 10 games in 2009, to go along with only six scores. Even if he adds 20 catches and 3 scores to his totals, which is a stretch in the Bulldogs offense, he is a borderline WR2.
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