Hear that? It's the pitter-patter of fantasy football season approaching. Fantasy FanHouse is here to get you ready by previewing every team from a fantasy perspective.
Meet the ...
NFC South defending champs! I say that with sarcasm because, well, it just doesn't seem plausible. With the exception of one computer (whose owners didn't really even believe it), almost no one saw the Bucs' season coming. Especially after Cadillac Williams went down for the season. But they did it anyway. The problem now for fantasy owners is that very few of the Tampa Bay players will sneak up on anyone. Earnest Graham, in particular, is already being targeted in the second and third round range.
The Breakout
Ugh. Really? I mean, come on. I guess if we're saying "sleeper" here, I'll take Cadillac, just for the upside. I was going say Michael Clayton, but that just seems lazy. Cadillac reportedly has gotten a lot healthier since last season, but hey, there's this Graham guy. Graham can't be a breakout simply because he's going relatively high, and it seems like the Bucs won't give him enough touches to make anything more than a RB2.
The Bust
Which is why he lands here. Garcia's only worth using frequently in two QB leagues and Galloway will again be a frustrating WR 2/3 that goes off/on depending on whether he's active or not in your lineup. Graham on the other hand is going somewhere from the late second to third round. Simply based on that and the potentially crowded backfield, he's the only guy on this team that can bust.
The Depth Chart
QB - Jeff Garcia
RB1 - Earnest Graham
RB2 - Cadillac Williams
WR1 - Joey Galloway
WR2 - Ike Hilliard
WR3 - Michael Clayton
TE - Alex Smith
The D/ST
I was going to put the Bucs defense as a bust, but you shouldn't draft defenses before the 10th round anyway. But I could certainly see someone reaching on them after last year; the problem is that they are talented, and they are useful in fantasy leagues. If they fall to you in the later rounds, snatch them up.
The Skinny
Graham and Galloway are going to start in most 12 team leagues. Garcia will get drafted because -- despite his low scoring ability -- he's at least consistent enough to be a legit backup. Smith and Hilliard are useful for deeper leagues. Caddy is the guy I'm taking in the later rounds and hoping he wins his job back. It might be a long shot, but if he does, that's the type of pick that wins fantasy leagues
