Mr. Wrangler Jeans took the NFC North by storm last year, but this year it’s going to be the year of the Pack. With the latest Vikings injury concerns, I think the Vikings will be lucky to break .500 in 2010. The Bears should have an improved offense, but they are still a 10 win team, if everything goes right. Then there are the Lions, who are making the right moves, but are still a few years away from being a winning ball club. Here is how the NFC North will play out in 2010:
1. Green Bay Packers
Projected Record: 12-4
Fantasy Sleeper: James Starks – RB
Cliff Notes: The Packers are the most balanced team in the NFL, or at least in the NFC. The Cheeseheads finished 11-5 last year, but could surpass that win total in 2010. The Lions may be making baby steps in the right direction, but the Vikings are sure to regress from last year and the Bears look like the prototypical “average Joe” in 2010. The Packers aren’t going to sneak up on anyone in 2010, that’s why they lack any juicy fantasy sleepers. Rookie RB, James Starks, has a great future in the NFL. However, it would take an injury to Ryan Grant for Starks to make a splash in ’10.
2. Chicago Bears
Projected Record: 8-8
Fantasy Sleeper: Devin Aromashodu – WR
Cliff Notes: Mike Martz is now the man behind the Bears offense. Martz made Jon Kitna fantasy relevant, so I can only imagine what he’ll do with Jay Cutler. This also makes all Bears Wide Receivers worth owning. I like Aromashodu and Cutler’s chemistry at the end of 2009. I think Aromashodu is ready to take the fantasy leap, and blossom into a legitimate WR2.
3. Minnesota Vikings
Projected Record: 8-8
Fantasy Sleeper: Albert Young – RB
Cliff Notes: The 2010 Vikings can and will be summed up in one word, regression. Steroids or not, Brett Favre will still be 41 years old this season. You are INSANE if you expect a repeat of ’09 from Favre. Also, if you’re expecting another 11 touchdown season for TE Visanthe Shiancoe, think again. This is a great example of players getting drafted too soon in fantasy drafts. On a team full of overachievers, you have to look to the second year RB out of Iowa, Albert Young, if you want a potential sleeper. Albert Young looks like the #2 RB in Minnesota as of now, which means you can expect numbers similar to 2009 Chester Taylor at the very least.
4. Detroit Lions
Projected Record: 4-12
Fantasy Sleeper: Jahvid Best – RB
Cliff Notes: I will openly announce I have a man crush on Jahvid Best. The Rookie from Cal has the explosiveness and speed that will be especially tough to stop on Turf. If he can avoid injuries, unlike in the past, there is no reason why Best can’t become a top 15 RB. That’s a big “if” though. I also like the second year QB, Matt Stafford, to break out in 2010. The Lions are at least going to be more fun to watch in 2010.
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