ESPN Ratings 71-75

After a brief Brandon Marshall-style hiatus, I’m back with more ESPN Rankings and my analysis.

71. Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay, WR

Someone is going to catch passes in Tampa Bay, but I don’t like the offense and I don’t like Bryant to score many touchdowns. I’d much rather have Santana Moss or Cedric Benson who are ranked a few spots lower. It’s not an indictment of Bryant as much as his quarterbacks, either Byron Leftwich (who is leading the derby right now) or Luke McCown.

72. Owen Daniels, Houston, TE

Daniels was a reliable target in fantasy football last year, finishing sixth among tight ends. He should be around that mark again this year, although a holdout that has since ended scares me a bit. Houston likes to throw the football and the Texans defense is still a work in progress so that should keep Daniels’ stats in good shape.

73. Santana Moss, Washington, WR

Moss should have at least one more good year before youngsters Devin Thomas and Malcolm Kelly overtake him in Redskins camp. Jason Campbell has been a bit shaky in preseason games, but I believe in his ability. Moss was 18th among wideouts last year and should remain in the top 25 once again. He should be a pretty good value pick as a second or third wide receiver.

74. Eddie Royal, Denver, WR

I’m not a big fan of Kyle Orton, but Royal got a ton of targets in a preseason game with San Francisco. With Brandon Marshall pulling shenanigans (and apparently not playing anytime soon), Royal will be the Broncos’ featured receiver. I like him as a No. 2 in PPR leagues, but would be very nervous if he were my team’s top receiver. He finished 14th among wideouts last year, but I don’t expect him to repeat that with Jay Cutler gone. Something closer to 25 is probably a bit more realistic.

75. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati, RB

Benson hasn’t looked very good in Cincinnati’s two preseason games and the Bengals offensive line makes me nervous. Still, Benson is going to get a lot of carries and will even catch quite a few passes in Cincy’s offense. Plus, he has a huge advocate in Carson Palmer, who said his fantasy football advice for the coming season was to “Draft Cedric Benson.” He’s a bit of a risky pick, but I’d much rather gable on Benson than someone else in a platoon situation.