2011 Fantasy Football Team Previews: Ray Rice and The Baltimore Ravens
QB-JOE FLACCO– Though he’s somewhat inconsistent, he’s as entrenched as anyone in the NFL. His backups are two guys no one’s ever heard of – Hunter Caldwell and rookie Tyrod Taylor – and Cam Cameron is rumored to be opening up the offense to Flacco this year. He’s a very solid QB2 on 2-QB teams, but not more than a backup or spot starter on others.
RB-RAY RICE – One of the top 3 or 4 players in the game. Ricky Williams may steal some goal line carries, but Rice is the man, in both the rushing and passing games.
RB-RICKY WILLIAMS – Takes over Willis McGahee’s spot as the Back Who Spells Ray, and scores some vulture touchdowns. May be worth a late round handcuff if you’ve got Rice.
WR-ANQUAN BOLDIN– For all the hype his acquisition brought last season, Boldin actually had a mediocre season, catching just 64 balls for 837 yards and 7 TDs. Only three games of over 100 yards, and nearly half his touchdowns came in a monster game against Cleveland in Week 3. He’ll see far fewer double teams this season, though, so I’d move him a bit higher on the board.
WR-LEE EVANS– After cutting Derrick Mason, the Birds desperately needed another receiver, and pried the former Pro Bowler from the Bills for a measly 4th round pick. Evans was outstanding in 2008, but has slipped since then and really only had one good game last year (it was against the Ravens…maybe the front office only watched tape of that game before dealing for him). He will, however, be a big-time deep threat for Flacco.
TE-ED DICKSON– The loss of Todd Heap will hurt more than the Ravens think, even if they do replace him with the capable Dickson. Although he didn’t do much as a rookie last year, the former third round pick has shown the coaching staff enough to make him the undisputed starter. Not really worth owning just yet, though.
K-BILLY CUNDIFF– He led the league in touchbacks last year and missed only 3 field goals, but finished 8th in scoring. You should never, ever pick a kicker before the last round. Ever.
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS– Don’t confuse these Ravens with the Ravens of old – their defense is not bad by any measure, but it’s also not going to put up a lot of points for you. Their run defense and defensive line (led by Haloti Ngata, who’s as good as they come) is still stout, but they’re not a top tier D by any stretch.
Written by Jesse Mendelson exclusively for TheFantasyFix.com. Follow him @jessemendelson immediately.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, 2011 Fantasy Football, Auction Values, 2011 Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Tips, Draft Kit, Baltimore Ravens, Ray Rice, Joe Flacco, Anquan Boldin, Lee Evans, Ricky Williams
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