My cat Bianca is neither overly bright nor does she possess much interest in anything other than what time she gets fed.  However, I’d bet the following: If that little kitty could talk, even she would be able to advise you to pick skill players from offensive juggernauts like the Saints and the Chargers in order to have a successful fantasy season.  It truly doesn’t take a genius to figure that out...
 

However, my job is to highlight some teams that are generally not very well regarded in fantasy circles but do boast some gems on their squads that you may be able to find in the middle rounds of your draft.  It’s important to remember that fantasy championships are rarely won due to the performance of your top pick.  A winning strategy is comprised of a little luck, some good waiver wire pickups and savvy drafting all the way through.  Perhaps I can show some possibilities you may not have considered.

Baltimore Ravens:
 

The Ravens are known primarily for their defense.  Even so, they have some offensive pieces in place that are on the verge of being excellent fantasy performers.
 

Joe Flacco played well for a rookie quarterback thrown into the fray, but he was far from effective from a fantasy standpoint.  He threw only 14 touchdowns and averaged just 185 passing yards a game. However, his numbers were more the result of the team wanting to minimize his mistakes as much as possible than they were poor play on Flacco’s part as he really wasn’t ever asked to air it out.  Considering that he’ll take what he learned last year and apply to this season, expect the training wheels to be taken off and for the sophomore quarterback to increase his output measurably, especially in terms of yardage.  The Ravens also drafted T Michael Oher to help stabilize the line in front of him.
 

 Since the passing game was limited due to Flacco’s inexperience, the Ravens utilized their three headed running attack of Willis McGahee, LeRon McClain and Ray Rice to move the ball.  A lot.  In fact, Baltimore rushed over 500 times (592 attempts, to be exact), something they haven’t done since 2003.  This meant that all three running backs, at different times, were fantasy viable.  The problem was in figuring out which one was going to get the lion’s share of work each week
 

McClain ended up with the most carries of all of them and may be the most fantasy attractive considering his touchdown scoring potential.  McGahee is the most talented of the group, but he endured an injury-filled campaign last season.  He’ll turn 28 this season and it’s only the fact that his contract is so costly (the Ravens would suffer an $11 million cap hit if they released him) that he’ll still be in the fold.  He has “Bust” written all over him.  Rice will continue to mainly see third down action and will only have real value if McClain is injured.
 

The Ravens’ receiving corps is still shaky but should benefit from Flacco’s play.  Even at 35, Derrick Mason is still a good value (he posted at least five receptions in nine games last season) in relation to where you would draft him (no earlier than the fourth round). 
 

Players to target: McClain, Flacco, Mason

Detroit Lions:
 

Yes, I said it.  There is even fantasy goodness to be found on an 0-16 team.
 

Forget Calvin “Megatron” Johnson.  He’ll be long gone by the time you get to the middle rounds in the draft.  However, just by being out on the field, he will assist the value of some of his teammates.
 

Take Daunte Culpepper, the presumed starting quarterback at least until first round pick Matthew Stafford gets to know the playbook.  He’s not a QB1 in any fantasy league (unless you actually receive points for turnovers....then he’s a God).  However, he has apparently rededicated himself to fitness and has shed a ton of weight in the offseason so far.  This is good for the following reason:   Given enough time, Megatron is so freakishly talented that he can exploit any defensive scheme designed to contain him.  If Culpepper is able to scramble more than last season (when weighed close to 290 lbs.), he should be able to buy Johnson enough time to get open, resulting in more completions and possibly more touchdowns.  Granted, he’s an emergency option at best, but he could fill the gap for a week or two for you if your starter goes down and it takes you awhile to trade for another one.
 

Megatron’s presence will also help the man who will line across the field from him, newcomer Bryant Johnson.  He was a bust as a WR1 candidate in San Francisco, but that was due mostly to how he was being used.  He is a possession receiver who is familiar with working opposite big time receiving threats from his days in Arizona.   He knows how to get open against lesser coverage and, considering that Megatron will be double teamed on every pass play, he will almost always be facing the opponent’s second or third best cornerback.  When you factor in the number of times the Lions will be throwing due to being behind in a game this season, I feel confident in predicting a career season for Johnson.
 

Kevin Smith won’t be available in the middle rounds, but Maurice Morris certainly will be.  He has a good set of hands for receiving out of the backfield and would not be a bad bench player in very deep leagues as insurance for Smith.
 

Players to target: Culpepper, Bryant Johnson, Morris

Oakland Raiders:
 

Yes, JaMarcus Russell has been atrocious as a starting quarterback and has dragged down the value of just about every player around him.  Ask yourself this, though: What if he’s NOT the starting quarterback this year?
 

The Raiders signed Jeff Garcia earlier this month, ostensibly to backup and mentor Russell as the Raiders attempt to get at least some value from their failed first round pick of 2007.  However, you have to figure that Garcia was brought in not only for his knowledge of the game, but because, even at the advanced age of 38, he is still better than Russell for this team.  He may not have Russell’s arm strength, but he makes up for it with tremendous accuracy (he has completed 61 % of his career throws).  He is also a warrior who will instill the correct attitude in the young team.
 

The Raiders love receivers with speed (as evidenced by their controversial decision to select Darrius Heyward-Bey over several other more highly regarded receivers at this past month’s Draft) and they have plenty of them on the roster.  One in particular, Johnnie Lee Higgins, would benefit from having Garcia under center as opposed to Russell.  When you combine his blinding speed (he ran a  4.3  forty yard dash in college) with his improving hands and route running, you have a threat who would be dangerous if only he could get an accurate pass thrown to him.  If Garcia can throw short passes to him, he has the ability to make a big play every time.
 

Garcia would also help the emergence of another young talent, Darren McFadden.  Injuries contributed to him having an underwhelming rookie campaign (he notched only 499 rushing yards and four touchdowns), but make no mistake: This young man will be as good as advertised.  What many don’t realize about him is that he is actually an outstanding receiver out of the backfield and having an accurate quarterback who can get him the ball in space would prove that.  If he can stay healthy this year, McFadden could combine those receiving abilities with his rushing prowess to become a Top Ten running back.  He may be available past the fourth round in shallow leagues.
 

Players to target: Garcia, Higgins, McFadden