Time to think about next year...

I know everyone is focused on the fantasy football playoffs, but right now is actually the time to scout for next year. I've put together winning teams by focusing on who breaks out at the end of this year. Focusing on weeks 14-17 is a great strategy for predicting who you should draft next year.

Let me give you an example. Last year we saw the glimmer of talent in Stafford. You could see how good he could be with the right group of players around him. The year before Arian Foster had some big games at the end of 2009. This was followed by his big breakout. While others are focused on watching this year's studs, you should be the guy who sees players about to break out and start planning for next year. 

Here are my top thoughts on things to observe at the end of the season:

1) Watch those young RBs finally get a shot. Lots of teams will suddenly give their young guys a test run to see what they have. This week Washington suddenly gave Helu the starting job to see what they have. All signs are he can be a stud RB in the NFL. I tend to avoid rookies because it seems to take a few years for running backs to really breakout. The rookie stud is rare. Year two or three is the time to draft the promising young running backs.  Look at the running backs that take a few years to really take off.  Darren McFadden, Bennie Wells, Ray Rice, McCoy.

2) Look at injuries.  Which studs have gotten hurt again (e.g. Darren McFadden -- surprise, surprise)?  Who is wearing down at the end of the year? Which RBs can't quite go the distance. Do you really want to spend a 1st round pick on an injury risk. You need a healthy running back in the playoffs. Avoid the guys who wear down or get hurt.  It seems like Frank Gore also wears down or get hurt every year.

3) Which QBs are breaking out. We've seen some great young QBs this year...Newton, Dalton, Ponder.  Keep your eye on these guys next year...

4) Wide receivers are a bit harder to predict as breakouts because each team has so many and some teams spread it around so much. I look for guys who finally get a chance and do well. This year young guys like Antonio Brown, A.J. Green, Julio Jones, Laurent Robinson, Victor Cruz and Jordy Nelson made the most of opportunities and it appears they are studs of the future.  I like to draft these #2 wide receivers in great situations.  They will be good value picks next year and all have the chance to finish in the top 10.

Good luck in playoffs.  More thoughts to come next week! 

Huffy