Baltimore Ravens: Fantasy Studs And Sleepers

Rexx fromDue to the Baltimore Ravens offense ranking in the bottom part of the league, you'd think there wouldn't be a fantasy stud on this team. However, RB Willis McGahee had a very solid 2007 season, both on the field and on your fantasy team, if you had him. This season should be no different, although he may get off on a slow start. McGahee had his previously injured knee scoped this summer and hasn't made it back on the field since. He will probably miss the opening game and perhaps another one or two and therefore might be a risk to take in the first round or even early in the second. However, he will end the year as a solid starter and if he's still available later in the second round, grab him, as he's still a lock for 1000 yards and 10 TD's, especially on a team that focuses its offense on the ground game.

As far as a fantasy football sleeper, stick with the running backs on this team and you might not only cover your bases, but get the sleeper you're looking for. Rookie Ray Rice has filled in nicely for McGahee in his absence. He has run with the first team and taken an overwhelming majority of the reps in the backfield this preseason. Look for him to line up on offense when the Ravens open at home versus a weak defensive team, the Cincinnati Bengals. Rice is built in the mode of Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew, and we all have seen the benefit of having MJD alongside Fred Taylor.

So if you grab Willis McGahee earlier in your fantasy draft, be sure to grab his insurance policy, Ray Rice, later on. That way, you have the Baltimore Ravens starter, whether it be last year's stud or this year's sleeper. Good luck!