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Most picked players

Type: Latest Fantasy

23 December 2009 11:32 AM - Rafa Cervera

Every week through the season NFLUK.com's Fantasy Football expert Rafa Cervera will be on hand to help you with your Sky Sports / nfluk.com Fantasy Football squad. This week Rafa looks back on the most-picked players from the 2009 Sky Sports / nfluk.com Fantasy season.

There are only two weeks remaining in the NFL's regular season and in our fantasy game. During the 15 weeks that have gone by we - the more than 30,000 owners that participate in the Sky Sports/NFLUK Fantasy Football - have been choosing players within an $18 million budget. Our criteria could have been guided by the players' positions, their price, the success of their respective teams, their stats... During those weeks we have developed our own favourites, overlooking other players. We have located the bargain picks and we have decided to bench some players forever. I have tried to advice on who to start and who to bench each week, having success sometimes and failing others. So for this week, a key Week 15 for many NFL teams as well as for fantasy owners, the advice will come from the experience of those 30,000 plus owners playing the game. We would list the most picked players at each position, and ironically combining the top 8 we could have a starting team that is worth $18 million.

At quarterback and running back, fantasy owners have decided to forget prices when picking their starting players. They have gone for the very best. The season starts of Drew Brees (picked 55,102 times) and Adrian Peterson (96,382) have kept them at top of the wish lists despite their $4 million price. Peterson, in fact, is the most picked player in the whole competition.  Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (36,279) and Titans running back Chris Johnson (56,361) are each one million cheaper and have had stronger fantasy seasons. They are the second most picked at their respective positions. His great play places Peyton Manning (27,980) at the third most pick quarterback, while budget arguments (he is worth $2 million) have Bengals Cedric Benson (44,977) as the third most selected back.

Wide receiver has been a position chosen by fantasy owners to save some money, getting great value for price at $2 million from the most picked wideout: Chargers Vincent Jackson (49,542). NFL touchdown reception co-leader, Dallas' Miles Austin (48,058) is only worth $1 million and that has catapulted him to second in the owners preferences. Indianapolis' Reggie Wayne's (45,166) price is $3 million but his solid season has him as the third most picked wide receiver.

Tight ends have been a combination of both price and performance. The most picked at the position, San Francisco's Vernon Davis (40,940) has been a great bargain at $2 million, while the third most picked - Dallas Clark (27,321) has lived up to his $3 million expectations. For me one of the biggest surprises of our fantasy game has been the popularity of Saints Jeremy Shockey (27,362), who is second in the owners' preferences despite having less than half of the points Davis has yielded.

Kicker and team defenses have been positions in which our fantasy owners have clearly looked to save money. The three leading players at each are worth $1 million. Of the three most picked kickers, two have already been released by their respective NFL teams: second most picked Falcons Jason Elam (48,186) and third most picked Ravens Steven Hauschka (30,945). The situation is different with Broncos Matt Prater (53,060) who is really giving value to the money spent on him by fantasy owners. On the defensive side, things are way different as the cheaper units are performing way above expectations, like the three most picked: Vikings (50,930), Saints (50,155) and Giants (41,366).

Game by game key fantasy matchups:

San Diego at Tennessee: NFL's Week 15 does not start until Christmas day, so this will give you one more day to check the injury reports before updating your fantasy team. Although the Chargers run defense is not the best in the league, the Cowboys and Bengals did not have success running against San Diego in the last two weeks. Things look different for Titans Chris Johnson ($3 million) who should have another big game, looking to stay on pace to reach 2,000 yards in the season. Tennessee's Vince Young ($2 million) has proven to be a great option at quarterback. On the Chargers side, QB Philip Rivers ($4 million) and WR Vincent Jackson ($2 million) have developed as a  fantasy duo as good as the best in the NFL. K Nate Keading ($2 million) leads the league in scoring with 129 points.

Oakland at Cleveland: The Raiders and Browns might have losing records, but both posted great performances last Sunday. The Browns offensive production though should be reduced without Brady Quinn (injured) at the helm. With the third-best rushing mark of all time and three touchdowns, RB Jerome Harrison ($1 million) posted 37 fantasy points at Kansas City, so do not overlook him this week. Oakland's defense ($2 million) might be an excellent choice against a Cleveland offense that will have problems through the air with Derek Anderson ($2 million) at quarterback. Raiders RB Michael Bush ($2 million) was impressive at Denver, accounting for 133 rushing yards and 20 fantasy points.

Buffalo at Atlanta: If Michael Turner's ankle was ok, he should be a lock at running back this week facing a very weak Bills run defense, but that is not the case and it is too risky to start any other Falcons back. This is a game of two teams playing for nothing that should be basically avoided. Fans of Atlanta's veteran TE Tony Gonzalez ($3 million) could have solid arguments to start him.

Carolina at New York Giants: Giants QB Eli Manning ($4 million) looked superb on Monday night at Washington, and so did the Panthers defense ($2 million) at home on Sunday night. But Carolina's play is not the same away from home. Starting Manning and either of his two favourite wide receivers, Steve Smith ($2 million) or Mario Manningham ($1 million), would translate into fantasy points. The Giants defense ($1 million) facing young QB Matt Moore ($1 million) would not be a bad choice either.  New York's K Lawrence Tynes ($2 million) should record good fantasy figures as well.

Jacksonville at New England: Expect QB Tom Brady ($4 million) to throw more than last Sunday and to do it effectively. Stars WRs Randy Moss $4 million and Wes Welker ($3 million) will benefit from it. K Stephen Gostkowski ($2 million) would be a solid pick as usual. On the Jaguars side, skip RB Maurice Jones-Drew ($4 million) this time. He leads the NFL with 16 touchdowns, but at New England he will be facing the tough Patriots defense as well as a very cold weather.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh: QB Ben Roethlisberger ($3 million) will not throw for 500 yards again against the Ravens, but he should come out airing it out if he wants to keep the Steelers in the playoff hunt. Besides Santonio Holmes ($3 million) and Hines Ward ($3 million), keep an eye on other Pittsburgh wide out, rookie Mike Wallace ($1 million). The Steelers run defense is not as effective lately. It is still the number one unit in the NFL, but only has a 6-yard advantage over Green Bay's. Expect RB Ray Rice ($3 million) to find some holes and be able to run for Baltimore. Ravens QB Joe Flacco ($3 million) will be very dangerous as he set a personal best with four touchdown throws last week against Chicago. His chemistry with veteran TE Todd Heap ($2 million) is getting to be superb.

Seattle at Green Bay: Huge day coming for our fantasy game's top quarterback Packers Aaron Rodgers ($3 million) against a Seahawks team that is fading quickly. RB Ryan Grant ($3 million) will carry the ball enough to also get good figures. If they stop the run, which they have done most of the season, the Packers defense ($1 million) could also collect plenty of turnovers and sacks. Of Rodgers's targets, TE Jermichael Finley ($1 million) is the one providing the best value-for-price results lately.

Tampa Bay at New Orleans: Saints QB Drew Brees ($4 million) leads the league in passing rating (109.4), is tied for the NFL-lead with 33 touchdown passes and ranks third with 3,962 passing yards. Facing the weak Bucs and with the Saints looking to clinch home-field advantage throughout the playoffs in New Orleans, Brees is this week's perfect choice. He loves to throw to different receivers, so I would not recommend any of them this time. RB Pierre Thomas ($2 million) should post big numbers against a Tampa Bay defense that is very low in the rankings at stopping the run. In the other side, the Saints D ($1 million) would be an ideal pick facing a turnover-prone Bucs offense.

Houston at Miami: Expect the Dolphins to try to be victorious in the ball control to win a contest between two teams who are hanging on their playoff hopes. RB Ricky Williams ($2 million) has been less productive lately, but he should have plenty of carries in this one. The Texans will relay once again on their terrific passing game. QB Matt Schaub ($2 million) is one of only three NFL signal callers who have already surpassed the 4,000 passing yards mark. WR Andre Johnson ($3 million) has accounted for more than 190 yards receiving in each of the last two games and leads the league in receiving with 1,433 yards.

Kansas City at Cincinnati: RB Jamaal Charles ($2 million) has been developing in the Chiefs backfield but performing against a Cincinnati defense ($2 million) that ranks in the top 3 in the NFL against the run would be almost impossible. On the other hand Bengals RB Cedric Benson ($2 million) should take advantage of a very weak Kansas City defense that surrounded more than 300 yards on the ground last Sunday against Cleveland. Expect Cincinnati to control the game and the clock without posting significant aerial numbers.

Detroit at San Francisco: After being harassed all game long by the stingy Philly defense, the San Francisco offense welcomes hosting the worst overall NFL defense: Detroit. QB Alex Smith ($2 million) should bounce back as well as elite TE Vernon Davis ($2 million). RB Frank Gore ($3 million) and rookie WR Michael Crabtree ($2 million) could have big afternoons as well. The 49ers defensive unit ($2 million) has an excellent opportunity of posting monster fantasy figures.

St. Louis at Arizona: Hosting the Rams provides a great celebration opportunity for a Cardinals squad that secured its second division title in a row last week. QB Kurt Warner ($4 million) will be one of the top at the position this week in fantasy numbers. WR Larry Fitzgerald ($4 million) is not a hundred per cent, so expect counterpart Anquan Boldin ($3 million) to be Warner's go-to-man on Sunday. Rookie RB Beanie Wells ($2 million) also represents a very solid fantasy choice.

Denver at Philadelphia: The Broncos are struggling and, after losing at home against the Raiders they see their wild card spot in jeopardy. It does not do them any good travelling to Philadelphia to face one of the most ferocious defenses in the league. The Eagles D ($2 million) will always be a good fantasy choice. QB Donovan McNabb keeps delivering every week as well as his main two weapons: WR DeSean Jackson ($3 million), who is also very dangerous in the kicking game, and TE Brent Celek ($2 million). In Denver's side, the only reliable fantasy pick would be Matt Prater, who has proven to be the very best amongst $1 million kickers.

New York Jets at Indianapolis: In their search for perfection, this will be a tough matchup for Indianapolis' offense, as the Jets are playing great defense ($1 million) lately. I would save Peyton Manning and Co. for this week. Anyhow, New York's woes come when having the ball, so the Colts defense ($2 million) provides a great fantasy option against a team that has turned the ball over 30 times this season.

Dallas at Washington: Ten days ago, the Redskins were playing great football and the Cowboys had lost two in a row to start their troubled December. But momentum shifted in Week 15. Dallas upset the Saints on the road and Washington was demolished by the Giants at home. So things look really well for a Cowboys squad that is looking to secure its position as front runner in the NFC wild card race. QB Tony Romo ($3 million) should have a good outing and there is no question bargain WR Miles Austin ($1 million) is his top target fantasy wise. I have the gut feeling that RB Felix Jones ($2 million) will have a huge performance as well, but it would be too risky starting him before other $2 million backs that have easier matchups like Arizona's Wells, Cincinnati's Benson or Oakland's Bush.

Minnesota at Chicago: Vikings and Bears close the curtain of Week 16 on Monday Night. Minnesota needs a win to keep a second place in the NFC that would secure a playoff first-round bye. RB Adrian Peterson ($4 million) has had some problems running the ball in the past three weeks, but he will redeem himself and the whole Viking team after the embarrassing loss at Carolina, facing a Chicago squad that is as low as you can get. Fantasy wise, the Minnesota defense ($1 million) has not produced in December as in the previous months, but playing against a Bears attack that is tied for the league-worst with 33 "give-aways" will make things change.

My Team:

Using the most picked players for this fantasy season, this is my team for Week 16. But before listing my squad, let me wish all of you a merry Christmas!

Quarterback: Drew Brees ($4 million)

Running back: Adrian Peterson ($4 million)

Running back: Chris Johnson ($3 million)

Wide receiver: Vincent Jackson ($2 million)

Wide receiver: Miles Austin ($1 million)

Tight end: Vernon Davis ($2 million)

Kicker: Matt Prater ($1 million)

Team Defense: Minnesota Vikings ($1 million)

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