AFC South breakdown
Peyton Manning is the star, Vince Young is the next great thing, Matt Schaub was the big offseason acquisition and Jacksonville is a ghost town of fantasy prospects.
But there is more to know on the fantasy circuit about the AFC South:
HOUSTON TEXANS
Starter: WR Andre Johnson
Backups: QB Matt Schaub, RB Ahman Green
Comments: Hopefully Schaub will have more time to throw the ball than predecessor David Carr. If not, then Johnson might not be a safe start after all.
TE: Owen Daniels is sufficient as a late, late draft pick.
PK: Kris Brown is inconsistent but does have a decent leg. Offense has to give him more chances, however.
DEF: Not good at forcing turnovers, and only moderately successful rushing QB. Not even worthy of a bye-week fill-in spot.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Starters: QB Peyton Manning, RB Joseph Addai, WR Marvin Harrison, WR Reggie Wayne, TE Dallas Clark, PK Adam Vinatieri
Backups: WR Anthony Gonzalez
Comments: What else can you say? If they play for the Colts, draft them and put them in your starting lineup. No reason to believe the production Peyton and Co. will decline.
TE: Clark isnât a top-tier option, but heâll do if youâre drafting the tight end in later rounds.
PK: Despite his reputation as the leagueâs best kicker, Vinatieri is neither the strongest or most accurate at his position. But the sheer number of opportunities he gets makes him a top fantasy option. If heâs there in the round 12 or later, grab him.
DEF: Only two DEF/ST scores last year. Average dipped nearly four fantasy points a game. Expect a rebound to a middle-of-the-pack squad.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Starter: RB Maurice Jones-Drew
Backups: QB Byron Leftwich, RB Fred Taylor, WR Matt Jones
Comments: It pays to remember: Several of Jones-Drewâs highlights, including a 93-yard TD, were on kick returns. That said, he catches enough balls and gets the goal-line carries required to excel as a fantasy RB. Heâs a worthy RB2.
TE: The Jags hope Marcedes Lewis can be their Antonio Gates â a former high school hoopster turned tight end. Use him as a bye-week pickup until he shows something.
PK: Josh Scobee isnât the most accurate, but heâs got a good leg. Stagnant offense limits his kicks.
DEF: Can get to the QB, but scored a mere two times last season. Too aggressive and talented for that to happen again. Should be a top 10 or 12 fantasy unit.
TENNESSEE TITANS
Starter: QB Vince Young
Backups: RB LenDale White, RB Chris Henry, WR Brandon Jones
Comments: Young might be the leagueâs newest most exciting player, but he doesnât have a lot of help. Itâs worth remembering, too, that running QBs are more likely to get injured. And donât forget that pesky Madden curse.
TE: Ben Troupe is listed as the starter, but we think Bo Scaife is a more viable, though not particularly strong, fantasy option.
PK: Rob Bironas has a strong leg. Not a last-round option.
DEF: Scored in bunches last year (seven of eight DEF/ST scores came in three games). Sounds a bit like a fluke. And now they donât have Pacman Jones returning kicks or INTs.
