NFL training camps are open, and for millions of people worldwide their fantasy football preparation has begun in earnest. Here at Sports World News we will break down all 32 NFL teams in terms of their fantasy value. Readers will find the must-own players in every format, the sleepers in specific formats, and hidden gems only necessary for those in very deep leagues.
Today's preview will be on the Dallas Cowboys.
Must Own
Dez Bryant, WR: Bryant's had back-to-back seasons of 90-plus catches and at least 12 touchdowns, and there's no reason to believe that won't continue. In fact, those numbers may rise. Dallas' defense projects to be among the league's most porous units, which may force shootouts. That's all Dez...or is it?
DeMarco Murray, RB: Murray stayed healthy last year and surpassed 1,100 yards on the ground with nine touchdowns. In the passing game he was great as well, averaging nearly four receptions per game. He finished the year with 1,471 total yards from scrimmage in just 14 games. Another healthy campaign and he'll do even better in 2014.
Jason Witten, TE: Witten's not an exciting pick anymore-he's just reliable. He's 32 years old now, and slowing down, so the 110-catch 2012 seems like a mirage. His 2011 and 2013 marks are more similar, and likely a better representation of what owners will get this year. Witten should be in the 75-80 catch range with around 900 yards. The touchdowns are tough to predict-he could get five, or he could get 10. Nothing would shock me.
Tony Romo, QB: Romo is polarizing. His year-end totals are always solid, but how he reaches them can make fantasy owners' stomachs churn. Romo's got the tools and weapons to be a Top 5 quarterback, but he's 34 and struggled with a bad back last year. For a guy who relies on scrambles and mobility to keep plays alive, backs are a bad issue.
He's the 10th QB off the board right now, so the value's good. He should be taken a little bit higher, but not much.
Terrance Williams, WR: Miles Austin isn't around to swallow up the superior Williams' targets anymore, but that also means more attention will be on him. Expect his 16.7 yards per reception to go down, but the actual receptions to shoot up. Touchdowns are iffy-the only two players guaranteed to rack them up are Bryant and Murray. But Williams is a high-end FLEX, and likely a good WR2.
Dan Bailey, K: Bailey was one of the best kickers in football last year. He's got a huge leg and he's in a powerful offense.
Sleepers (Best format)
Cole Beasley, WR (PPR): Don't laugh. His stats don't pop out, but when called upon Beasley got the job done. With Willams as the clear-cut No. 2, there's an opening for a slot receiver. Beasley will get constant one-on-one matchups with the better weapons that surround him drawing attention, so in deep PPR formats his catches will be valuable. Think diet Julian Edelman.
Lance Dunbar, RB (PPR): Everyone knows Murray is an injury risk, and Dunbar's receiving ability vaults him ahead of Joseph Randle. He's purely a handcuff at this point, but if Murray goes down his owner's are better off having drafted him than blowing a chunk of FAAB budget to pick him up.
Deep Finds (Best format)
Dwayne Harris, WR (Standard): Harris has more upside than Beasley, but he doesn't fit that slot role nearly as well. For Harris to shine, something needs to happen to Bryant or Williams. If so, he becomes a boom-or-bust FLEX guy.
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