There is a report from Pro Football weekly that suggests Eli Manning may be an ideal choice for those of us who partake in fantasy football. Trust me, I know it wasn’t always the case that you could rely on Manning, or any of the Giants for that matter when it comes to fantasy points… Jacobs/Ward in 2008 was about it. Although when it comes to picking defenses, I have had success in the past picking the Giants to fill that role, which is usually what I try to do. However, I’ve had Manning on my roster before thinking a breakout year was going to come along, stats-wise. But up until last year it really has not been fruitful to draft Eli as your quarterback.
Well apparently, times have changed.
According to PFW, if having an ultra-elite quarterback is not your top draft priority, Eli Manning can be a sleeper for you this year:
"if you like to take the approach of building your fantasy team at other positions before addressing QB, Manning is the ideal choice. He might not produce like his brother, but he’s a solid value who has proven himself over time and could be about to have his best year yet. It’s time to consider Eli a weekly fantasy starter."
While I’m not surprised that Eli’s numbers have improved to the point that he would be somewhat in demand as a fantasy selection, it really has to do with some of his receivers stepping up to aid a faltering running game last year and make some big plays happen for the Giants. I see this more balanced attack staying with the Giants even if the running game gets more productive this year. Regardless of what Jacobs can do after being injured for all of 2009, it’s the commitment to and threat of play action passes with Manning hitting targets deep down field that is going to light up the fantasy score board. With Smith, Nicks, Manningham, and potentially Barden (in the red zone) continuing to make strides, I see no reason to think Manning is going to revert back to his inconsistencies of 2006-7.
PFW points to the young receivers as the reason for their optimism as well:
"It is the emergence of WRs Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks that help give Manning so much fantasy optimism heading into ’10. Smith developed into a go-to target last season, as his separation ability and good hands made him the guy Manning would look to when he needed a critical play. Nicks, meanwhile, shined as a rookie, beating defenders deep and turning short catches into long gains. The pair was a major reason why Manning had 60 completions of 20-plus yards and 12 connections of 40 yards or more — besting older brother Peyton in both categories."
Eli told the press what he and his group were working on last season, “The Deep Ball.” Obviously it paid off, posting career numbers for himself and his young WR core as well. Smith, Manningham, Nicks — all had breakout years. I look for all of them, and Manning as well, to improve on their track records in 2010.
While my auto-pick did not select Eli this year for my fantasy draft, you can be sure I would have taken him if he were available, and had I been awake past round 2 that night.