Shipley, Peerman join the ranks; Freeman steady at #1

[Topher Dean]

The obvious challenge in any salary cap game is locating bargain players who solidly contribute while at the same time giving the owner the opportunity to afford the big name no-brainer producers.

Head2Head.com doesn’t really assist patrons in that matter to the detriment of most apathetic owners. The site does publish each week which grouping of players would have netted the most points while staying under the $100M salary cap but it doesn’t provide any analysis when it comes to consistent point makers.

Last week’s top ten values averaged 26 points. Not bad at all. Here are the top ten values through week 8. We have two newcomers to the list! (Keep in mind this is only BCS players)

10) Kory Sheets, RB, Purdue (6.9M, 80.43 efficiency rating)

The Golden Gophers held Sheets in check last week limiting him to only 6 points, his lowest output to date. All of that right after I deemed him the second best value on the board. Thanks for nothing Kory. I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt and say that was merely an anomaly. If you have Sheets in your line up, stick with him as this week he faces a Michigan defense that was absolutely torched by Javon Ringer last week. Look for 30+ easy.

9) Cedric Peerman, RB, Virgina (5.2M, 82.35 efficiency rating)

Talk about coming out of nowhere! Peerman had been on my radar but I was looking for more consistency before I began putting this formula to him. He’s the real deal and you need a cheap, cheap running back in order to load up on Big 12 quarterbacks, he’s your man. Twenty-seven points last week and this week he faces a Miami that gave up nearly 200 rushing yards last week against Wake Forest. This guy is a bargain and he’s not yet on the radar of other owners. Oops!

8) Sam Bradford, QB, Oklahoma (17.80M, 83.64 efficiency rating)

Running back Demarco Murray’s huge day took away potential record H2H day by Bradford. He was still able to put up 34 however, and remains one of only five quarterbacks (McCoy, Harrell, Freeman, Daniel) you should even be looking at right now. Bradford will stay on target this week against Nebraska, no problem.

7) Colt McCoy, QB, Texas (17.2M, 85.38 efficiency rating)

McCoy fell short of his average only getting 33 points last week but that was enough to retain his #7 ranking. Owners have to be giddy heading into this week as the Longhorns will face Texas Tech in a primetime matchup. Look for huge points this week as even though the Red Raiders were able to stymie Todd Reesing they won’t be able to repeat that performance against the best team in the land and quite possibly your Heisman trophy winner.

6) Jordan Shipley, WR, Texas (6.9M, 86.69 efficiency rating)

Shipley makes his first appearance on the top ten behind several consistent performances. He’s an absolute must have on any roster at only 6.9M. Over the last 3 weeks he’s averaging 11 catches, 123 yards and a TD. That’s 29 points if my math is right and with his salary he presents tremendous value. It doesn’t hurt have the front runner for the Heisman throwing to you either. Expect well over 30 points this week against Texas Tech.

5) Chase Coffman, TE, Missouri (5.2M, 88.23 efficiency rating)

There may not be any non quarterback as consistent as Coffman. Although he won’t throw you any 40 point games he can consistently be counted on for 20 and at 5.2M that’s a steal. Couple him with Shipley this week and leaves plenty of room to add Crabtree to your roster.

4) Michael Smith, RB, Arkansas (9.0M, 88.51 efficiency rating)

Smith not only earned the #6 ranking I gave him last week…he bettered it. His 24 point performance against a decent Ole Miss defense was welcomed by owners to say the least. Smith provides one of the more intriguing matchups this week as Arkansas plays out of conference at home against Tulsa and the nation’s highest scoring offense. The Razorbacks will be amped to take down an unbeaten at home and Smith and his owners are in line to be the benefactors. He’s my start of the week.

3) Graham Harrell, QB, Texas Tech (20.0M, 89.39 efficiency rating)

Harrell put a stranglehold on H2H’s scoring title lead with a 52 point outburst against Kansas. If you read me last week, you saw that coming. Texas is certainly no Kansas so expecting a repeat performance may be wishful thinking. On an average day though you can expect 40 so there is no reason to let the Longhorns intimidate you this week.

2) Donald Brown, RB, Connecticut (10.0M, 97.32 efficiency rating)

Simply outstanding Donald! He torched Cincinnati for over 150 rushing yards and two scores netting him 36 H2H points. This week he faces a West Virginia defense that hasn’t faced someone of his caliber since Colorado’s Rod Stewart who blew them up with 166 rushing yards. Brown is arguably the best running back in the country and he could have his sights on two bills in this one.

1) Josh Freeman, QB, Kansas State (12.9M, 103.65 efficiency rating)

A very quiet 31 points against Oklahoma but I’m telling you, the formula doesn’t lie. He remains comfortably the game’s best value and Freeman owners should be stoked to know he’s facing a Kansas defense that is putrid against the passing attack. Their run defense isn’t too much better, so expect Freeman to get it done both ways. If you can start Harrell and Freeman (and I’ve given you enough values to make that possible) then by all means do it. I assure you won’t be disappointed.

Honorable Mention: Juice Williams, QB, Illinois; Dez Bryant, WR, Oklahoma State; LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh; Manuel Johnson, WR, Oklahoma; Kenny Britt, WR, Rutgers; Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Oregon State; Chase Daniel, QB, Missouri; Derrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland; Kendall Hunter, RB, Oklahoma State; Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech.

[Vince Mullins]

tell me more about this efficiency rating?