It’s July 9th, about 3 years from the opening game of this year’s NFL season and we are going to talk about fantasy football. No this isn’t going to be a debate about who to take first, Ladainian Tomlinson or Adrian Peterson, or a conversation about when to take a defense (And take Minnesota this year). This is going to be about which New York Giants and Jets players will make a big fantasy impact this season, and how they can help your fantasy team this upcoming fall. We’ll start with some of the more obvious choices…

Guys You Should Jump at

Brandon Jacobs RB NYG- A monster inside the body of a human, Jacobs seems to dominate games whenever he wants to, but has issues staying healthy because of his upright running style. With the emergence of Ahmad Bradshaw, Jacobs will get more rest this season, which will keep his legs fresh for plays near the goal-line. Jacobs had over 1,000 yards rushing and 6 total Touchdowns in only 11 games last season and his numbers should only go up in both respects. Out of all the players East Rutherford has to offer, Jacobs has the most potential of all of  them.

Plaxico Burress WR NYG- Show me the money!!!!! That’s what Burress has been saying all off-season, but it won’t prevent him from arriving to camp on time and having another solid season. In fact, it may motivate him more to get that top tier receiver type cash. With a stat line of 70 receptions, 1,025 yards, and 12 TD, Burress was a respectable number 1 receiver on any fantasy team. He also was playing with a lousy ankle that bothered him later in the year. If Eli Manning can continue to develop as a quarterback, and not take a step back this season, Burress should eclipse all of those numbers from last year and get that paper he wants so badly.

Thomas Jones RB NYJ- What a relief it must be to be Thomas Jones this season. Jones only had 1 TD in last year’s campaign, and yes he did play all 16 games. He only averaged a shade under 70 ypg and had a tough time finding holes to run through in that Jets O-Line. Jones, say hello to Alan Faneca. You will be starting at his butt for the next 16 games and will love every second of it. The Jets, still without a proven QB, will need to run more than ever this year and Jones and with Faneca and D’Brickashaw Ferguson clearing the way on that left side, Jones will see the end-zone more than once this year.

Jerricho Cotchery WR NYJ- Not Laveraneus Coles here you’re asking? Cotchery brings something to the current Jets QB situation Coles doesn’t, size. Cotchery creates a lot of room with his body and unlike Coles, can stay on the field for 16 games. While over the past 3 seasons, Coles has been relatively healthy, he has played injured a lot of the time and it has affected his performance on the field. While Coles is still a solid fantasy selection, Cotchery seems to be getting better by the year. He surpassed 1,100 yards receiving last season, something Coles has only done once in his last 4. Cotchery also brings that “Wow” factor in some of the plays he makes and can become a safety net for any QB who may be starting for the Jets, whether it be Chad Pennington, Kellen Clemens, or who knows, maybe even a guy who wasn’t supposed to play in the NFl this year (No, not Quincy Carter). Also, don’t expect only 2 TD from Cotchery this season, as he will learn to create more space for himself in the red-zone, something he has struggled at in his young career.

Don’t Draft These Guys So Fast

Eli Manning QB NYG-  Too many interceptions from Eli Manning to have him as a starting quarterback for your fantasy team. In the past 3 seasons, he has thrown 17, 18, and 20 respectively. He also has had trouble holding onto the football in the last year, losing a career high 7 fumbles. Now many people are saying he’s a new quarterback since the Super Bowl and he’s not the same turnover fiend. Let’s face it, Manning probably won’t make the Pro Bowl this year, and won’t impress anyone with his TD numbers. Congats to Eli for winning the big one, but let’s get your QB rating over 80 for once and then we’ll talk about you starting on my fantasy team.

Jeremy Shockey TE NYG- A nut-case is probably the best word used to describe Mr. Shockey. He doesn’t want to play in New York, he doesn’t have any sort of positive relationship with his teammates, and even at the biggest game in his team’s season, he sat in a cushy luxury box, instead of sharing the moment on the field with them. He drops too many passes, doesn’t finish routes, and is coming off a bad leg injury. Do you need any more reasons not to draft him? Oh right, Kevin Boss played great in Shockey’s absence, both receiving and blocking, and was the consummate teammate. Stay away from Shockey in your draft, and just take someone who probably won’t flip off their coach on national television by the end of the year.

Unfortunately, there are no New York Jets good enough to put on this list that will disappoint you with their numbers this season. However, there is one Jet that could really surprise you with the production he could put up this upcoming season and that man is no other then……

Dustin Keller TE NYJ- This rookie has a lot of ability and can really have a solid first season with the Jets. The one stumbling block in front of Keller is incumbent Tight End, Chris Baker. Baker is a very “consistently, inconsistent” player, a term Derek Jeter used to describe the Yankees this season. Keller is an excellent receiver, with great hands and above average speed at the TE spot. With the weaker arm of Pennington, Keller could benefit from running short out routes and slants, while with Clemens, Keller has the ability to stretch the field and beat safeties. Only time will tell if Keller can step into that starting role and if he does, be prepared to surf your waver wire to pick him up.