Icon SMI

More Articles from Fantasy Football Freaks

Reminder: Site Survey for the 2012 Season
iPad Winner Revealed
Super Bowl Rankings
Conference Championship Rankings
Divisional Round Rankings
Wild Card Weekend Rankings
Fantasy Football Freaks are the Champions of the 2011 All Pro Leagues 32 Team Expert League
Week 17: Gems for the Last Weekend
The Freaks Projections and Ratings 2011 Week 17
The Freaks Sleepers 2011 Week 17

Thanks to the much-celebrated end of the NFL lockout, it is finally time to gear up for football season. This can mean a lot of things to a lot of different people. Generally, however, it means updating your DIRECT TV package to bring you the most games possible, firing up the grill, and, of course, getting your fantasy league all set up. For many people, this last activity can take the most time and effort. Particularly this season, drafting your fantasy team requires careful consideration, as a lot of transactions occurred in a short period of time immediately following the lockout's end. With that in mind, here are a few players to go for and a few players to avoid for this year's fantasy team.

Players To Consider

Chad Ochocinco
We all know him as a talented, although somewhat unpredictable, wide receiver. However, having recently become a member of the New England Patriots, Ochocinco seems primed for an increase in production. Tom Brady makes receivers better, and Ochocinco has the talent to produce monster numbers.

DeAngelo Williams
Having just re-signed with the Carolina Panthers, Williams should be lined up for a solid season. While he is not in the same league as the elite running backs in terms of raw production (largely because he will share carries with Jonathan Stewart), he is a very strong option for a number two running back on a fantasy team. Particularly because the Panthers, with young quarterbacks, will again rely heavily on their running game, Williams could be a crafty pickup.

Kevin Kolb
Formerly a reserve for the Eagles, Kolb now plays for the Arizona Cardinals. He will get the starting job, and will be throwing to one of the league's best receivers in Larry Fitzgerald... like Williams, he may not be a great first option, but could be an intelligent pickup nonetheless.

Players To Avoid

Donovan McNabb
It would be easy to get caught up in the idea that McNabb could experience a revival in Minnesota with the Vikings. However, McNabb has steadily declined recently, and the Vikings lack an elite group of receivers, meaning that they are likely to lean heavily on their running game and Adrian Peterson.

Steve Smith
The Panthers wide receiver has been one of the league's best for years... however, he is rumored to be unhappy with the state of his team, has battled injuries recently, and will be working with young and inexperienced quarterback options. Again, expect Carolina to rely on its running game on offense.