Fabiano’s Fantasy Focus: 2014 Pre-Season Week Two, Volume II

Arizona Sports News online

The 2014 fantasy football season is here! Whether you’re a first timer or an experienced fantasy football veteran, NFL.com has the league for you. Set up your FREE and customizable league on NFL.com today!

Each week during the season NFL Network and NFL.com Senior Fantasy Analyst Michael Fabiano joins Sports360AZ.com’s Brad Cesmat to share his insight on building and developing your fantasy team for success.

Here are some hi-lights from our most recent conversation (August 13) with the Fantasy Sports Writer’s Association Hall of Famer.

How is Geno Smith looking from a fantasy perspective heading into 2014? “He was actually pretty good in fantasy last year at the end of the season over the last four weeks or so because he was running with the football and finding success and not turning it over. He’s not going to be drafted in both leagues but I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s picked up off the waiver wire. I’m not in love with Gino Smith but I don’t think he’s going to be terrible like he was for a lot of his rookie season.”

How about new his new partner in the backfield Chris Johnson who came over this off-season from Tennessee? “I don’t see him being a 1,000-yard rusher this year. He had a decrease in his yards-per-carry last season. Chris Ivory is there. Bilal Powell is there. I think he’s going to be better in PPR leagues but I think Chris Johnson’s best seasons are behind him. He was the 10th-best running back in fantasy last year but I don’t see him getting back to that. I’d rather draft him in the sixth-round as a flex starter in 2014. I don’t see him as a one or a two.  

What are your thoughts on Cardinals rookie wide receiver John Brown? “He’s looked good and I’ve heard reports that he has just been awesome in camp but I just don’t get too excited about players like that. Not yet, at least. Maybe he pushes Ted Ginn for that third spot on the depth chart but even then can you really draft a guy and expect him to produce as the third option in Arizona behind Larry Fitzgerald and Michael Floyd? Andre Roberts was in that position last year and the year before. Two years ago he was okay from a fantasy perspective but he wasn’t a guy you were starting week-in and week-out and last year you didn’t use him at all. He’s a name to watch but I really see him more as a dynasty league option.”

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