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NFC EAST - Fantasy Preview

Training camps start opening in a mere two weeks, with the Eagles rookies reporting on July 22. Until the first preseason game, exactly four weeks from today, I'll be examining each division and grading out the top fantasy prospects on my three B's scale—Best, Bust and Buy-Low. I'll also take a look at the top IDP options in each division and provide a quick snapshot of each team's schedule.

Since the Giants won the Super Bowl, I'm beginning in the super loaded NFC East. I'll flip flop conferences each time, so the AFC East will be up next and then back to the NFC and so forth. Keep an eye out for your favorite teams, players and sleepers, and feel free to comment on anything you vehemently disagree with. I'm sure there will be plenty.

With all that said, let's get into the toughest division in football.



Best

LeSean McCoy, RB (PHI) – One of the only no-brainers at the position, few backs in the league can rival McCoy's nose for the end zone, so even a potentially decreased workload shouldn't keep him from elite status.

Victor Cruz, WR (NYG) – You can count the number of players in the league that can match Cruz's combination of elite hands, route running, playmaking and game speed.

Eli Manning, QB (NYG) – He doesn't miss games, has two of the league's best young wideouts and is matchup-proof. This year Manning will figure out the Redskins and continue posting huge yardage numbers.

Dez Bryant, WR (DAL) – With a healthy offseason to improve his conditioning and polish his route running, Bryant is in for a monster season—especially with Laurent Robinson and his 11 scores out of town.

Tony Romo, QB (DAL) – In his past two full seasons Romo has piled up over 8,500 passing yards and 57 touchdowns. He can light up the scoreboard and if he finally gets both Bryant and Austin for entire season, this could be his best year since a 36-score campaign in 2007.

Miles Austin, WR (DAL) – Austin and Romo have had a tough time staying on the field together at 100|PERCENT| the past two years, but when they have, few QB-WR duos have been more productive. While an improved Bryant is sure to eat into Austin's stats, the 2009 fantasy darling will still have a number of big games and should be a high-end No. 2 option.

Jeremy Maclin, WR (PHI) – In the past two seasons Maclin has absolutely torched the Falcons for 20 catches, 330 yards and four touchdowns—and he conveniently gets them again this year in Week 8 after the team's bye. Oh and he should be healthy and poised for his first 1,000-yard season after struggling with illness and injury in 2011.

Jason Witten, TE (DAL) – Old reliable will continue to see a ton of targets from Romo and be a consistent source of catches and yards. And with no other real threats in the passing game besides Bryant and Austin, the scores may even rise.

Fred Davis, TE (WAS) – Davis is a phenomenal athlete with the ability to separate easily from linebackers, box out or out jump safeties and rack up yards after the catch. He will be Robert Griffin's most consistent target and producer week-to-week, and has the potential to be a top-5 tight end.



Bust

Michael Vick, QB (PHI) – He can't carry your fantasy team when he's not even suiting up for his own. With the incredible pass rushers he'll face and the absence of Jason Peters, there's no way Vick survives the full 16-game slate. Even when he does play, his passing limitations and overall inconsistent play will prevent him from coming close to living up to his draft slot.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB (NYG) – Bradshaw's replacement is already on the roster and since he cannot replace his chronically bad foot, he'll be seeing his job stolen sooner rather than later.

Robert Griffin III, QB (WAS) – Perhaps the hype on Griffin will cool down during the preseason, but as his current ADP on Mock Draft Central is as the 12th overall quarterback, he's sure to be a bust if that continues. Though the offense and weapons in Washington should suit his skillset well, he's too much of a reach as a starting passer or even a top reserve. Remember, his floor is every bit as low as his ceiling is high.

DeSean Jackson, WR (PHI) – He doesn't have the hands, route-running skills or quarterback play to produce as a top-20 receiver and his inconsistent play will cost more weeks than it helps.

Hakeem Nicks, WR (NYG) – This comes down to the fact that there are simply too many talented, high-upside receivers that will outscore Nicks, who has become a safe bet to miss at least a game or two every year. If he were being drafted in the 12-18 range at the position, he'd be a strong value, but as Nicks is going more in the 8-10 neighborhood, he's going to disappoint as a team's top fantasy receiver, even if he returns healthy from his broken foot to start the year.

DeMarco Murray, RB (DAL) – Murray will struggle to finish as a top-20 running back. There are just too many things working against this talented back. Felix Jones will steal touches, he hasn't proven to be particularly durable, the Cowboys schedule isn't pretty and finally, and perhaps most importantly, Dallas does not run enough near the goal line. Murray will be lucky to top six touchdowns.

Roy Helu, RB (WAS) – Like Murray, lack of talent is not the issue facing Helu. A crowded backfield, a diabolically crazy coach and durability problems will prevent this complete back from turning in a top-notch fantasy campaign. Helu will split carries too closely with Tim Hightower once the latter recovers from a torn ACL and his inconsistent usage will prove maddening and debilitating to fantasy owners.

Pierre Garcon, WR (WAS) – Garcon will be the Skins' top deep threat, but he is not a true No. 1 receiver. His game is simply not complete enough to be a team's top target. In Griffin's first year at the helm, Garcon will struggle with consistency, making him at best a fringe No. 3 receiver for fantasy use.

Tim Hightower, RB (WAS) – It will be nearly impossible to count on Hightower on a weekly basis with Mike Shanahan in charge. And that's even if he returns to the form he displayed prior to tearing his ACL last October. Though he'll be available in drafts at a major discount for a potential starter in a run-friendly offense, Hightower has far too much to overcome this year to be an effective and worthwhile part of fantasy rosters.



Buy-Low

David Wilson, RB (NYG) – With Bradshaw's health a consistent headache for the G-Men, Wilson will take over this backfield before the conclusion of the regular season. And in the early going he'll get enough of a split to have some flex potential, making him a great mid to late-round stash.

Santana Moss, WR (WAS) – The last time I counted out Moss he went for over 1,100 yards and six scores with an awful Donovan McNabb-Rex Grossman combo at quarterback. He's reportedly in great shape having dropped 15 pounds and improved his quickness, and working out of the slot, he's a good bet to lead the team in receptions and possibly yards.

Brent Celek, TE (PHI) – The Eagles have nothing else resembling a red zone weapon in the passing game, and after Celek racked up 296 yards and a score in each of the final three games last year, he could be primed to return to the high-end starter status he gained in 2009.

Felix Jones, RB (DAL) – Murray has to prove his durability and consistency before we can all start to bury Jones. Though far from the model of health himself, Jones does have a career YPC of 5.1 and topped 100 yards rushing in three of the five games in which he saw at least 14 carries last year. So while he deals with the same hurdles as Murray, and perhaps a lower ceiling, his enormous discount over the latter makes him worth a gamble.

Rueben Randle, WR (NYG) – In the likely event Nicks misses time, Randle will get the chance to log starter's snaps at some point. He'll be the team's third receiver on a regular basis but has the potential to be a very strong flex start if he assumes the No. 2 role in Nicks' absence.

Leonard Hankerson, WR (WAS) – Hankerson is returning from a hip injury that ended his rookie season, but if healthy he has the highest ceiling of any Redskins wide receiver. He is the complete package of size, speed and hands. If he develops chemistry early with Griffin and learns the offense enough to earn early playing time, he's one to watch.

Evan Royster, RB (WAS) – After a highly impressive close to the 2011 season (304 total yards in two starts), Royster will go back to nipping at the heels of Helu and Hightower. But with both of those backs carrying health concerns, Royster could see an open window at some point and pick up where he left off last year.

Martellus Bennett, TE (NYG) – Jake Ballard has nowhere near the athletic gifts of Bennett and Manning managed to make the former useful for a chunk of the season last year. Though Bennett may not have the work ethic of Ballard, he's worth keeping an eye on in the preseason to see how his chemistry looks with his quarterback. He could have a breakout if Nicks deals with injury issues and/or Randle is slow getting up to speed.



Top IDP's

Jason Pierre-Paul, DE (NYG) – Easily one of the most amazing size/speed specimens in the league, JPP has just scratched the surface of what he can do. Expect domination.

Sean Lee, LB (DAL) – One of the most promising young linebackers in the league, Lee is a consummate ball hawk. He registered over 100 total tackles last year despite playing a large portion of the season with a full hand cast to protect a broken wrist and he's snagged six picks in less than a year and a half of play. A full offseason in Bob Ryan's complicated defense should lead to more tackles and big plays, making the sky the limit for this future stud.

London Fletcher, LB (WAS) – Tackles, tackles and more tackles. Although Fletcher is ancient by football standards at 37, he's piled up at least 115 total tackles for a ridiculous 12 straight seasons and peaked with a career-high 166 just last year, so it's safe to say Father Time has yet to visit him.

DeMarcus Ware, LB (DAL) – His tackles have dipped the past three seasons, but his enormous sack totals go a long ways in making up for the drop off. If Ware returns to the 80+ tackle range he achieved in 2007 and 2008, he'll be an absolute beast IDP once again.

Jason Babin, DE (PHI) – One of the purest sack specialists in the league, Babin is a bit boom or bust, but 15 sacks could be his floor in the aggressive Philly defense.

Trent Cole, DE (PHI) – Cole fell below 55 total tackles for the first time in six seasons last year while he battled calf and hand injuries. Nevertheless, he still posted double-digit sacks. Expect him to return as an elite D-line IDP in 2012.

Justin Tuck, DE (NYG) – A lunch-pale player, Tuck has fought through injuries in two of the past four seasons with every other year being a monster campaign or a mediocre disappointment. If the pattern holds, he'll be healthy again this year and back to terrorizing opponents' backfields.

Ryan Kerrigan, LB (WAS) – An impressive rookie season could just be a sign of things to come for this high-motor youngster. Kerrigan is a threat for high tackle, sack and forced fumble numbers, making him a sneaky IDP prospect entering his second year.

Mychal Kendricks, LB (PHI) – A phenomenal athlete, the Eagles stole this future playmaker in the second round of the draft and should start him at outside linebacker. He'll challenge for the team lead in tackles and could even be an active blitzer in Philly's attacking scheme.

DeAngelo Hall, DB (WAS) – With at least 90 total tackles each of the past two years and nine picks in that span, Hall has established himself as a playmaking corner who is not afraid to uncork a big hit.

Antrel Rolle, DB (NYG) – Rolle, who's posted at least 70 total tackles the past four seasons, offers consistency at the DB position, and after posting a career-high 96 last year, he could still be improving.

DeMeco Ryans, LB (PHI) – Once a tackle-machine in Houston, Ryans has fallen far the past two seasons as he's struggled to stay healthy and see consistent field time. If he can regain the form that saw him rack up four straight years with at least 110 total tackles prior to tearing his Achilles in 2010, Ryans could make major impact for a Philly team lacking an established linebacker last year.

Osi Umenyiora, DE (NYG) – His sack totals have been strong the past couple years, so even though Umenyiora will never get you many tackles, he's a solid D-line starter with good upside.

Perry Riley, LB (WAS) – Someone has to get the tackles Fletcher doesn't make, and that could be this young sleeper. Riley totaled at least eight tackles in six straight games late in 2011 when he stepped into the starting lineup and that could just be the sign of things to come.

Brian Orakpo, LB (WAS) – A boom or bust linebacker, Orakpo should get a minimum of eight sacks on the year. If he can get his tackle totals up, he may end up being much more boom than bust.



Schedule

The NFC East squares off with the NFC South & AFC North in 2012.

New York Giants

Bye Week: 11

Playoff Match-ups:
Week 14 vs. New Orleans
Week 15 @ Atlanta
Week 16 @ Baltimore
Week 17 vs. Philadelphia

Overall: Not pretty. The AFC North presents some highly physical and aggressive defenses, not to mention six games versus their own blitz-happy division and a road game in San Francisco. Though they are generally match-up proof, the trip to Baltimore could spoil a lot of Super Bowls if Manning or Cruz is a top weapon.

Philadelphia Eagles

Bye Week: 7

Playoff Match-ups:
Week 14 @ Tampa Bay
Week 15 vs. Cincinnati
Week 16 vs. Washington
Week 17 @ New York Giants

Overall: A bit better than the Giants, as they don't get San Fran, but the blitzing defenses in the division and the AFC North should affect Vick more than they do Manning. An up-and-coming Cardinals defense in the desert won't be easy and a visit from the Lions will open Vick up to a violent Ndamukong Suh.

Dallas Cowboys

Bye Week: 5

Playoff Match-ups:
Week 14 @ Cincinnati
Week 15 vs. Pittsburgh
Week 16 vs. New Orleans
Week 17 @ Washington

Overall: Romo can excel against blitz-heavy defenses, but his young left tackle, Tyson Smith, will face some brutal tests and may struggle to keep Romo upright all year. A trip to Seattle and a visit from Julius Peppers and the Bears present major headaches before the bye, while Pitt in the playoffs could be a down week for all Cowboys.

Washington Redskins

Bye Week: 10

Playoff Match-ups:
Week 14 vs. Baltimore
Week 15 @ Cleveland
Week 16 @ Philadelphia
Week 17 vs. Dallas

Overall: RGIII is going to be running for his life in year one as he gets chased by the likes of JPP, Tuck, Osi, Ware, Babin, Cole, Jared Allen, Chris Long, LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison—just to name a few. A playoff run-in with Ray Lewis and Co. won't be too friendly either and it will take an awful lot of poise from Griffin and help from his offensive line for the Skins' skill players to be strong in fantasy.