TDZ's Fantasy Football Draft Primer 2K13

Are you in an abusive fantasy football relationship? Do you draft the same players, year after year, fully aware that they'll cause you pain? Has your mind become so twisted over the years that you want that pain - that familiar, comfortable, numbing pain - and without it you feel lost in a sea of draft madness?

Hi there, TDZ here. My goal for this year is to help you beat this addictive cycle. You deserve better than beating yourself with the Chris Johnsons, DeSean Jacksons and Ryan Mathewsesess of the world. 

When you just drafted Darren McFadden's corpse again.

Open your heart and mind to new possibilities, and take a risk on someone new. Just look at all the eligible candidates below who are willing to join your team without abusing your auction budget.

This is TDZ's Fantasy Football Draft Primer 2K13.

Quality QBs

Michael Vick - Y! Average: $3

Chip Kelly's new fast-paced offense has the Eagles poised to run a lot of plays and (potentially) put up a lot of points. Vick returns to the helm and seems to be much more comfortable in the new system compared to Reid's West Coast offensive scheme. His average price of just $3, new situation, and ability to get sneaky run points gives him elite upside that more than makes up for the risk of injury.

Guess where Chip Kelly came from. NEW HAMPSHIRE. Don't let a Granite Stater down, Vick.

Dollar Bargain Bin:

• Carson Palmer - He's the king of garbage-time stats, and he's got one of the most talented receiving corps in the league. There's also no one worthwhile to hand the rock to in the backfield, meaning he should easily hit 4k passing yards again. Very solid backup QB/streaming option.

Wicked WRs

Golden Tate - Y! Average: $2

He showed flashes of brilliance last year and should continue his growth this year. He's in his contract year playing alongside an improving QB, and with Percy Harvin out for a while he's going to get targets aplenty.

Donuts... is there anything they can't do?

Dollar Bargain Bin:

• Kenbrell Thompkins - So long as he's healthy and plays, Tom Brady is going to throw for a minimum of 3,500 yards. Someone's going to catch those balls, and it looks like the undrafted Thompkins is his go-to guy now. He's going for $2 on average, but will likely go for more in the UMass Ballers league - as he should.
• Chris Givens - Last year we got a glimpse of what a home run threat he could be. By season's end, he wrapped up with about 700 yards receiving despite a fairly limited role in the offense. Now, as Bradford's primary target, 1k in receiving yards looks like a realistic possibility.

Rambunctious RBs

Eddie Lacy - Y! Average: $5

Aaron Rodgers was sacked a league-high 51 times last year, leading Green Bay to focus on re-establishing the running game as a part of their offense. For the first time since Ryan Grant (and a brief blip with Cedric Benson), the Packers have an undisputed #1 tailback ready to tote the rock, and he's set to receive a heavier workload now that his preseason competition, DuJuan Harris, is out for the year. With fresh legs and impressive power, Lacy has the opportunity for solid fantasy contributions and a rookie of the year title.

If Lacy doesn't get the goal-line carries... "KUHHHHHHN!!!"

Dollar Bargain Bin:

• Ben Tate - Someone needs to explain to me why Tate is going for less money ($2) this year than in previous years. Not only is he the handcuff for a strong running team, he's actually moving into more of a timeshare situation with Arian Foster, if Chris Mortensen is to be believed. Combined with Foster's nagging injuries and declining effectiveness, Tate has major upside for the money. Like the other Tate, he's in a contract year.
• DeAngelo Williams - He's a proven commodity who has split carries for the past several years, but with J-Stew on the mend for at least the first 6 weeks of the season, he stands to reap the benefits with an increased workload. He has RB2 upside with a mere free agent price tag ($2). 
• HUH (high upside handcuff) Honorable Mentions: Giovani Bernard (Law Firm may be irrelevant by end of year), Roy Helu, Christine Michael

Tremendous TEs

Vernon Davis - Y! Average: $7

With Michael Crabtree injured, Coach Harbaugh has placed an emphasis on making Davis more of a focal point rather than a decoy in Colin Kaepernick's pass offense. With improved chemistry, I see Davis' stats coming more in line with 2009-2010 where he was a top-3 tight end. Not bad for $7.

That moment last year when Vernon Davis owners realized he wasn't getting targets anymore.

Dollar Bargain Bin:

• Jordan Cameron - He's a popular fantasy sleeper, and for good reason. He's had a growing role in the offense and is becoming one of new OC Norv Turner's favorite weapons. Turner has always been a well-respected offensive mind in the NFL, and his system has shown promise thus far, with Brandon Weeden looking more poised and Trent Richardson ready to reach his potential. With all boats rising, and Cameron as a key cog in the passing game, he'll be worth the $1 you spent.
• Zach Sudfeld - With Gronk's health shrouded in a Belichickian cloud of mystery, Brady may be without his primary red zone target to start the year. Enter the 6'7" Sudfeld. Like Pats tight ends in past years, he's able to line up wide and along the line, and poses some major matchup difficulties with his size. Even when Gronk returns, he has the upside to start in 2 TE sets that the Pats have popularized in recent years. Word of warning: let's hope his 6 surgeries from college hold together!

Good luck to all in their fantasy drafts! May you avoid a long winter of soul-searching and free agent scouring drudgery.