Prepare for a fantasy stats extravaganza
By Michael Blunda
July 14, 2008
Often lost in all the opinions and speculation of fantasy pundits are the cold, hard facts. Since much of your preparation this summer will revolve around the rankings of “experts,” we decided to also provide you with some actual numbers to aid you in your fantasy research. These aren’t based on anyone’s thoughts, but simply on-field results.
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Texans QB Matt Schaub (left)
and 49ers RB Frank Gore
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We took the top 40 quarterbacks, 50 running backs, 65 wide receivers and 25 tight ends from our latest rankings and analyzed their stats over the past three seasons. We then generated a number of lists from that data and organized these lists into three sections: opportunity, production and efficiency.
The “opportunity” section will show you which players have had the ball in their hands most since 2005. We sorted the numbers by per-game averages, so you’ll truly know who’s touched the ball most frequently from week to week. We then predict whose opportunities will increase and whose will drop off.
The “production” section works the same way, except there we measure which players have averaged the most yardage during the last three seasons. Again, we forecast whose output will improve and whose will suffer.
Finally, the “efficiency” section examines which players have been the most effective from a fantasy standpoint over this same time period. We created our own stat categories to measure who truly churns out fantasy points on the most consistent basis.
We hope this information helps you get ready for your fantasy leagues. It certainly will give you some cool stats to spit at your buddies come draft day.
Note: All players who have appeared in 16 or fewer games (or, for quarterbacks, who have started 16 or fewer games) since 2005 are marked with an asterisk. Rookies are not included in these lists.
Posting schedule:
Monday, July 14 — Opportunity
Wednesday, July 16 — Production
Friday, July 18 — Efficiency
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