The Dolphins enter the 2010 season a vastly improved team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Perhaps even more important than their ability to land prize Free Agent LB Karlos Dansby in Free Agency was their ability to snatch first year DC Mike Nolan from the Denver Broncos.
He went into a horrendous situation in Denver and turned a porous defense into a playmaking outfit from the outset.
A year ago, the Dolphins only managed 93 fantasy points, but an improved offense, which should be able to score points and eat away at the clock, coupled with the development of some of their younger defensive players under the tutelage of Nolan, has this D/ST an intriguing fantasy sleeper prospect entering the 2010 season.
Expect between 130-150 fantasy points when things are all said and done.
2. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are another fantasy football sleeper candidate because they will enjoy a 2nd place schedule this year and have the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their division… two teams that aren’t exactly offensive powerhouses. Atlanta was active and aggressive in both Free Agency and the Draft and upgraded the defensive side of the ball.
CB Dunta Robinson provides them with an upper echelon, big play corner who will line up against opposing teams’ top wide receivers. 1st round selection LB Sean Wetherspoon could make an early impact and the team hopes to get DT Peria Jerry back from a knee injury which will help solidify the trenches (D Line).
QB Matt Ryan and Co. should put up points in 2010 and the importance of playing with a lead cannot be discounted. This will allow DE John Abraham and Co. to pin their ears back and force opposing QB’s into mistakes.
The Falcons scored only 106 fantasy points in 2009. Look for 130-140 this year.
3. New York Giants
Did any D/ST disappoint more than the New York Giants in 2009? DC Bill “Ray Handley” Sheridan was handed one of the elite units in the game courtesy of Steve Spagnuolo and turned them into a laughingstock. Injuries played their role in the implosion, but the players never bought into his scheme or game plan. The Giants scored a total of 83 fantasy points, with just 33 coming after week 5, and if you take away the Washington game in Week 15 (23 points), a total of 10 points over a nine game period. Pathetic.
2010 has the Giants looking like a nice mid round fantasy sleeper selection. They went out and brought in highly touted DC Perry Fewell from Buffalo to run the defense, S Kenny Phillips appears to be on track to be back for the opener, and most of the pieces are still in place from their 2007 Championship team.
With proven schemes and game plans the team can buy into, plus the luxury of facing a 3rd place schedule, expect New York to once again crack the top 10 D/ST in fantasy football (and NFL) and score between 130-150 points.
Pro Football 101» 2010 Fantasy Football D/ST: Risers and Fallers
August 16th, 2010 at 20:37
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[...] Two major reasons why this year will be better than last: OLB Karlos Dansby and DC Mike Nolan. Nolan’s impact on Denver’s D in his only season cannot be underestimated. He turned a fledgling unit which cost Mike Shanahan his job into one of the better ones. He now has more to work with in Miami, and Dansby’s presence is a great addition to the front seven. Look for an increase of 40 to 60 fantasy points from a year ago, to 130-150. [...]
Pro Football 101» 2010 Fantasy Football Draft Rankings – Top 25 D/ST
August 24th, 2010 at 20:35
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[...] Atlanta Falcons – Atlanta has the look of a nice late round fantasy sleeper. Upgraded secondary with CB Dunta Robinson and front seven in [...]
Pro Football 101» 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings – Week 1 D/ST
September 6th, 2010 at 13:00
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[...] Falcons – The potential Charlie Batch led Steelers offense makes the Falcons D, a fantasy sleeper entering the season, a good start on Sunday. Look for multiple sacks and a few [...]