The Freaks Combined Cheat Sheets

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Kickers | Team Defenses

Pre-season is here, and for the next few weeks your whole mission in life is to find an edge for your fantasy football draft. We give a lot of knowledge across this site, but these cheat sheets are the distilled essence of it all.

Hey, the freaks know that you shouldn't take someone's cheat sheet as the word of god. We know it's just an opinion, and that's why we give you five opinions from experienced and diverse viewpoints.

We rank on a straight performance scoring system, so you TD-only and TD-distance leaguers might want to take this with a grain of salt. For the rest, read on. 

Last Updated: August 24, 2006

CrunchTime's Individual Cheat Sheets

Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends | Kickers | Team Defenses

With a tenacious defense that was number 2 last season, Carolina is primed to have another great season. Peppers will have an even better season and help boost their fantasy production to the top of the list.

The Bears' defense is still the biggest team asset by a long shot. A simple shuffle of the one-two spot from last year.

Having the same coach year in year out, and the same dedication to hard-nosed, defensive football. Assuming Porter is healthy and without contract issue, the Steelers will have another suffocating season.

The only team other than the Panthers to compile 19 fumble recoveries, the Giants also tagged on 17 picks to finish in the top-10 at year's end. This year a healthy squad could make a run at the elite fantasy defenses in the league.

The main distinction between the 2004 and 2005 Seahawks was their defensive improvement. They look to continue that trend this season with some key improvements that include the addition of Julian Peterson. Look for them to claw their way into the top-5 this season.

A solid front line enabled a healthy 47 sacks last season for Jacksonville (3rd in the league). Their ability to limit scoring and make plays catapulted them to the number 4 spot last year and I expect them to put up similar numbers this year.

It's easy to overlook the fact that they gave up the fewest yards in the league last season. For some reason their defense didn't seem to get as much press as it has in years past. With their studs returning again this season I expect another solid campaign.

While Manning and the offense get a lot of attention, the defense was core to their stab at undefeated immortality. Look for another 30+ takeaway, 45 sack season.

Tied for the sack lead last season it was obvious that they could get the right kind of pressure in the backfield. This season their fantasy numbers will improve as their offense does. Staying off the field will help bolster those sack numbers with yardage bonuses.

Their strong finish and another year under Gibbs direction should translate into a positive season for the 'Skins. They already had the ability to limit opponents' yardage and should show some improvement in the takeaway department this year.