Every Thursday on 1500ESPN’s Fantasy Football Pants Party, Anthony Maggio and Bo Mitchell field their Ballsy teams—a full fantasy lineup comprised only of players available in at least half of ESPN leagues. Each week Zoneblitz.com will publish a preview, with Maggio’s top-rated at each position among the Ballsy-eligible players.

Jake Locker vs. Dallas

The circumstantial evidence that Locker just might make a decent NFL and fantasy quarterback is piling up. There was his early run of success last year prior to injury. There’s his receiving corps that’s one of the NFL’s best. There’s the new head coach with a long track record of successful quarterbacks under his tutelage. Then Sunday there was a victory at Arrowhead Stadium. Now Locker is home against the flaming pile of garbage that is the Cowboys defense. Only too much success in the running game can stop Locker from a nice fantasy day in Week 2.

 

Ahmad Bradshaw vs. Philadelphia

Not sure how much more Indy needs to see out of Trent Richardson to know last year’s trade for him was a bust. Fortunately for the Colts, the guy who was successful prior to injuring his neck last season prior to Richardson’s arrival is still there. Bradshaw’s fragility is well documented, but when healthy the guy does nothing but produce. He netted 85 combo yards on eight touches in Week 1, and those touches have nowhere to go but up.

 

Kelvin Benjamin vs. Detroit

Eight targets and a brilliant touchdown reception against Tampa Bay in Week 1 made me feel foolish for not touting Benjamin more this preseason. He’ll have his ups and downs being a rookie receiver in a run-heavy offense, but Detroit’s so good against the run that the Panthers will be pressed into passing more than they’d probably like. That’s good news for Benjamin as he builds off last week’s success.

 

Charles Clay at Buffalo

In a Week 1 victory that saw the Dolphins score 33 points I was surprised that Clay was such a non-factor when I took in the box score. There’s definitely reason for a little concern being that this is far more a run-first offense now, but Clay did finish second on the team with six targets and gets a Bills defense that struggled with Martellus Bennett in the season opener. I’m giving Clay a mulligan, but have an eyebrow raised.

 

Mike Nugent vs. Atlanta

I don’t like chasing last week’s box score, but this is just too juicy to pass up considering Cincy’s offensive stalls and Atlanta’s porous defense in their respective season openers.

 

Lions DEF at Carolina

Detroit is among the league’s elite when it comes to stopping the run, and Carolina far prefers to run the ball. In what will likely be Cam Newton’s season debut, I feel another couple of forced turnovers coming on for the Lions.

 

For even more Ballsy picks of the week, listen to 1500ESPN’s Fantasy Football Pants Party.