Keeper Analysis - Achilles Heels

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers
Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants

Anytime you have the rights to the consensus #1 QB, odds are in your favor in making the playoffs.  Kirk has had the luxury of owning Aaron Rodgers since 2008, and I doubt we'll see him ever leave the Heels.  Rodgers gives Kirk a stabilizing force at the position that consistently puts up the most points year after year.  The Green Bay quarterback will occasionally win a fantasy match up nearly by himself.  Simply put, he's a STUD in fantasy football.  Great name, too.

Kirk brings back Adrian Peterson for the 5th straight year and Hakeem Nicks for the first time to round out the Achilles Heels trio of keepers.  In any normal year, this team would be challenging for the CKL Cup, something Kirk has become accustomed to over the last few years.  But this is not a normal year...

For several years, Adrian Peterson has often been selected #1 in many fantasy drafts, and for good reason.  He's never finished outside the top 7 at RB.  But that streak looks like it may come to an end in 2012.  Peterson tore his left ACL in Week 16 last season against the Washington Redskins.  The typical recovery time would suggest that All Day might miss several games.  But the current report out of Vikings camp is that not only do they expect Peterson to play in Week 1, their are seriously considering having him suit up for preseason action.  If I were Kirk, I'd be elated and terrified at the same time.  Still, I have to think that Minnesota will be careful with their star RB, especially with Toby Gerhart available to carry the load early, if needed.  Is Peterson a top 10 RB this season?  It's hard to bet against him, but I think he finishes just outside of the top 10 this year.

Hakeem Nicks is a bona fide #1 WR that looked superb in the Giants' run to the Super Bowl.  But early in the off-season, a broken feet threatened to keep Nicks on the shelf for most of training camp and possibly the early part of the season.  Hakeem is currently projecting a mid-August return, but a second injury concern for Kirk going into the draft has to make him nervous.  Couple that with Nicks' propensity for missing a least a game or two each season during his young career, I have to think that Kirk will be looking to draft a high-end WR2 early in the draft.

All in all, the Achilles Heels still has to be considered a favorite to make the playoffs (6 of 14 CKL teams earn that honor).  If both Peterson and Nicks get and stay healthy, the sky is the limit.  That's a big IF though, and one that will likely give Kirk a restless night or two.  Personally, I find a snack a great salve for insomnia.