This blog has moved

This blog is now located at http://fantasy-football-news.blogspot.com/. You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click here. For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to http://fantasy-football-news.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.

Gaining Relevance: Hakeem Nicks

It feels like every week I'm saying I told you so. On one hand I feel like a jerk saying it. On the other... I am a jerk. But, I'm the jerk who told you to get Miles Austin while you still could.

This week let's stay in the NFC East and talk about another up and coming young receiver: Hakeem Nicks.

The Giants first round pick out of North Carolina had big shoes to fill. At first the focus on the Giants rookie class was on Nicks, but as camp started up a lot of the focus shifted to the Giants third round pick, Ramses Barden. Barden was all of the sudden the one people felt might make an impact and Nicks sort of shifted to the background after having a mediocre camp.

As the season began the Giants started getting production from Steve Smith and Mario Manningham and really nothing from Nicks. Nicks had 2 catches for 18 yards in his first 3 games.

Since then, however, the Giants have been getting Nicks more involved in the offense. Manningham had been the definitive number 2 target behind Steve Smith, but in the recent weeks Manningham has been sick with a case of the dropsies. He's been dropping or bobbling every thing in sight, including a certain TD last week. Even some of the plays he's made have come on bobbles that he just simply recovered. His struggles have opened the door for Nicks.

In his past 4 games, Nicks has 14 catches for 297 yards and 4 touchdowns. That includes a touchdown in four straight games. Granted last weeks TD was a bit fluke, but four straight games with a TD is nothing to sneeze at. If that doesn't impress you, consider that he's the first Hakeem that comes up when conducting a Google search. That's an honor!

I expect to see Nicks remain a part of the Giants offense and continue to give you solid fantasy production. Consider him a matchups play or 3rd receiver in 10 team leagues and a borderline every week guy at this point in deeper leagues (depending on your depth at the position, of course).

Nicks is owned in 53% of ESPN leagues.

PCB Scout

Questions? Comments? Random nonsense? Email me: pcbscout(at)gmail.com

What To Make of Miles Austin's Big Day

Wow. I didn't see that coming.

Miles Austin had a gigantic game on Sunday. The 1.3% of fantasy owners that started him are carrying themselves around the way a dog does when he's got a giant stick in his mouth, this week.

In my league, he was picked up at 12:48PM Sunday and lifted my buddy B-Ru to a win over a team he would have beaten anyway. Still, B-Ru took a gamble and walked away with a big prize.

A 45 point prize to be exact. A 10 catch, 250 yard, 2 Touchdown prize.

Ok, so Austin had a huge week, but what now? What can we expect from here out? Let's break this down, shall we?

Here's what we know:

• Austin got playing time because Roy Williams was out with a rib injury.
• The Cowboys are on bye week this week.
• Roy Williams is expected to be able to play next week.
• Tony Romo has yet to really "connect" with any of his receivers this season, though has slightly with Jason Witten.
• Patrick Crayton, the Cowboys current number two receiver, has had a case of the dropsies for the better part of three years.
• There's no question that what Austin did last week impressed the coaching staff and his fellow teammates, most important of which is his Quarterback, Tony Romo

So what do we make of all this?

The chances Austin finds himself the number one receiver on this team are pretty minimal. With that being said, I'd expect to see him get increased playing time and targets.

Roy Williams has been virtually useless for this Dallas team, outside of Week 1 and Patrick Crayton has been something of a let down himself.

Austin is still available in over 60% of ESPN leagues. If yours is one of them, I'd definitely consider Austin worth an add. Many owners may be shying away from him because he is on Bye this week or because they want to see what role he'll play with Roy Williams back. Don't bother waiting for that or, chances are, you'll miss out.

Even in 10 team leagues, if you've got someone giving you mediocre production with little upside (think Torry Holt, et al) add Austin and see what happens. At this point, we're probably talking about your 5th or 6th receiver. I'd be surprised if many owners are getting more upside from that spot as it is.

PCB Scout

Questions? Comments? Random nonsense? Email me: pcbscout(at)gmail.com

WR Watch: Week 5

Miles Austin - Cowboys: 10 catches - 250 yards 2 touchdowns
The preseason sleeper woke up and had a career game against the Chiefs.  He should move in as Romo's second favorite receiver which means more targets, though don't expect many more 10 catch games.

Chris Henry - Bengals: 3 catches - 91 yards
He has been a non-factor thus far, but finally showed up with a big 73 yard catch.  There are too many targets in Cincinnati, but at least keep an eye on Henry.

Mike Wallace - Steelers: 2 catches - 52 yards 1 touchdown
It is hard to get excited about a Steeler #3 wideout, but he is putting up decent numbers.

Eddie Royal - Broncos: 10 catches - 90 yards
He finally came up big in PPR leagues, but his value is steal shaky with a conservative Bronco offense and a slightly above average Orton throwing to him.  Nevertheless, he has been cut and is worth a look if you can snag him.

Donnie Avery - Rams: 5 catches - 87 yards 1 touchdown
Avery is the real-deal, but the Rams aren't.  Still, they can improve a bit as the season progresses and Avery will be the man in St. Louis.

Hakeem Nicks - Giants: 4 catches - 49 yards 1 touchdown
Nicks has the knack for finding the end zone, but with Manningham and Smith playing well, starting him would be a roll of the dice unless a starter is injured.

Jeremy Maclin - Eagles: 6 catches - 142 yards with 2 touchdowns
He showed his big-play ability by scoring on deep passes of 51 and 40 yards while starting in place of Kevin Curtis.  Good bye Kevin Curtis.

Austin Collie - Colts: 8 catches - 97 yards 2 TD's
He's has surpassed Garcon in fantasy value and could keep Gonzales out of the starting line if he continues to play well.

Josh Morgan - 49ers: 4 catches passes 78 yards
Back-to-back solid games for Morgan makes him a viable low-end fantasy receiver.

When Will Warner's Luck Run Out?

Coming into 2008 Arizona Cardinal quarterback, Kurt Warner, was not even on most mangers fantasy radar as the job was expected to go to former #1 pick Matt Leinart.

30 touchdowns, and 4,583 yards later, Kurt Warner was every managers free agent dream come true.

What was more amazing, the 38-year-old, fragile quarterback didn't miss a game in 2008. Part of that is due to Warner's amazing quick release, but more of it was due to shear luck.

Thus far in 2009 Warner has continued to have solid protection, though the hits are adding up.  His game, on the other hand, has seen a dramatic drop off from his 2008 performance.  Warner has thrown for 863 yards and a mere 4 touchdowns against 4 touchdowns.  Not horrible, but not what some fantasy managers expected.

There is not likely to be a controversy anytime soon, but it could happened by week six or seven if he and the Cardinals do not improve. But Warner owners should have a bigger worry. His potential for injury.

While it is impossible to guess when a player will be injured, the odds suggest Kurt Warner is way overdue.  And if Warner gets injured, say a concussion, it will likely mean the end of the road for him. 

Enter back up quarterback Matt Leinart.

The 10th overall-pick from USC has been a disappointment thus far, but not a bust.  While he was expected to be starting by now, the Cardinals, like fantasy  mangers, did not expect Kurt Warner to resurrect himself.

Leinart actually had a very solid rookie season throwing for 2,547 yards and 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2006.  He regressed early in 2007 and that is when Kurt Warner ran away with the job.

Now Leinart has had the time to mature and learn from the great Kurt Warner and is primed to start again in the NFL.  The only question is when.

Warner owners would be wise to pick up Leinart now or in the next few weeks as an insurance policy.

All other owners should grab Leinart if they have an extra roster spot open for a prospect.  It can payoff big if Kurt Warner finally goes down to injury.

Sin City Scout

Antonio Bryant on the Rise?

Let's begin by reviewing my projection for Glen Coffee last week. I projected: 22 carries, 109 yards, 1TD, as well as 4 rec. for 19 yards. Here's what he actually did: 24 carries, 74 yards, 4 rec. 32 yards.

Okay so I was off by 22 total yards and a TD. Not terrible. I should have known better than to project a TD. They are hard to predict because you never know when the opportunity will arise and when your defense scores 3 of them, that's less chances for you. Still, I am pleased with the projection and I presume those who started Coffee are pleased enough with his production.

For the record, I like him again this week.

With that behind us, let's take a look at a Wide Receiver who might be available in your league and might just be able to give you some very low priced production.

Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay: Coming in to the season, Bryant was a guy people expected decent output from, but were skeptical to trust. So far that's proven to be a reasonable assessment.

Through 3 weeks Bryant had been worthless for his owners. He caught 3 balls for 35 yards through 3 weeks, including a zero catch output in week 2. Those numbers are a virtual negative if you consider who you probably could have started in his position.

After that, however, something changed for the Buccaneers; they benched Byron Leftwich and began to start Josh Johnson. In week 4 Bryant finally showed up for his owners with 4 catches for 44 yards and a TD. Granted, that's not a huge performance, but Bryant has enough upside that it could be a sign of chemistry with Johnson and better things to come.

Coming out of drafts Bryant was owned in 100% of leagues. Since then 30% of his owners have given up on him.

The Bucs are a team that's going to be down and going to be throwing the ball. If you're in one of those 30% of leagues, snag this guy up and wait a few weeks to see if last week was a fluke or not. I'm betting he doesn't give your number one WR numbers, but could give you number two type digits.

I don't know about you, but I'll take a free number two receiver.

PCB Scout

Questions? Comments? Random nonsense? Email me: pcbscout(at)gmail.com

WR Watch: Week 4

Mike Sims-Walker - Jaguars: 7 catches - 91 yards 2 TD's
He has taken over as Garrard's #1 target and is on his way to a 1,000 yard season. 

Johnny Knox - Bears: 5 catches - 31 yards - 102 yard TD Kickoff Return
He is getting the targets, even though 31 yards won't pay the bills, but a return TD will.

Josh Morgan - 49ers: 2 catches passes 39 yards 1 TD
He has done very little to excite fantasy owners, but him and Shaun Hill both have room to grow.  Keep an eye on him.

Micheal Crabtree - 49ers:  Agrees to 6-year deal.
Missing camp and preseason makes 2009 a inconsequential year for Crabtree.  At best he may catch some deep passes or contribute late in the season.  Not worth a look for at least a month.

Austin Collie - Colts: 6 catches - 65 1 TD
He's splitting time as the second receiver with Garcon and could have a good game on any given week if you are in need.

Mohamed Massaquoi - Browns: 8 catches - 148 yards
The rookie has some chemistry with Derek Anderson and now Braylon Edwards is gone. 

Kenny Britt - Titans: 7 catches - 105 yards
It is looking as if he may become the #1 receiver in Tennessee, but Titans' passing game is dreadful right now.  Still, Britt has huge upside.

Donnie Avery - Rams: 3 catches - 47 yards
The preseason prospect is healing up from his injury and is again the #1 in St. Louis.  Now if somebody could only throw it to him.

Pierre Garcon - Colts: 3 catches - 71 yards
Not helpful in a PPR league, but has 2 TD's in 4 games.

Mendenhall Breaks Out Sunday Night

Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall has been dogged since having fumbling problems as a rookie, but an injury to Willie Parker, put Mendenhall into the starting lineup on Sunday Night Football against the San Diego Chargers and the real Rashard Mendenhall finally showed up.

He showed up with a break out performance rushing for 165 yards on 29 carries and two touchdowns. He added 26 yards on two catches.

Mendenhall was the Steelers #1 pick of the 2008 draft out of Illinois, but missed most of the season with a knee  injury.

The Steelers would like to have a pounding-back like Mendenhall to complement the speed of Willie Parker.  Both can be good fantasy backs because Mendenhall will get the goal line carries and Parker has the big-play-ability and should get more receptions.

Sin City Scout

Rookie WR Massaquoi Comes Up Big

Cleveland Brown rookie receiver Mohamed Massaqoui caught 8 passes for 148 yards in the Browns 23-20 overtime loss to the Bengals.

Massaquoi was drafted in the second round out of Georgia where he caught 158 passes for 2,282 yards (14.4 avg) and 16 touchdowns in his career.

With Brady Quinn he only caught 2 passes in three games, so this could be a fluke or he just has a connection with Derek Anderson. Either way he is worth a look if you need a receiver and should go on everyone's radar.

Sin City Scout

Glen Coffee, Handcuff to Starter

I handed it to you. I handed you Glen Coffee.

If you were one of the three people who read my "Handcuff Hero" column in the preseason about Glen Coffee, I can only hope you listened. And since one of those people was me and one was my mother I hope you, lone true reader, listened.

Somehow Coffee is still available in 42% of ESPN.com leagues. So if yours is one of them, I'm going to skip to the part where I tell you to run out and get him because if you wait until you're done reading this he might be gone. Go head. I'll wait.....

Ok, so now that you have Coffee, should you start him? What's he going to do this week? Well, let me make that part short and sweet: START GLEN COFFEE THIS WEEK!!!

Some rankings have Coffee as a flex option this week. That is to say he would be somewhere in the 20-30 area in terms of running backs. I'm here to tell you he should be higher than that.

Coffee is an outstanding talent, who led the NFL in rushing yards this preseason. He's playing on a 49ers team that runs the ball a lot and when they are passing, often passes the ball to their Running Back. On top of that the 49ers are playing the St. Louis Rams who are 27th in the NFL against the run. What more do you need to know here?!? A projection? Ok, I'll give you a projection:

Final line for Glen Coffee:
22 carries, 109 yards, 1TD. 4 Receptions, 19 yards.

Don't make me say I told you so.

PCB Scout

Questions? Comments? Random nonsense? Email me: pcbscout(at)gmail.com

Browns RB Harrison Could Start

Cleveland running back, Jerome Harrison could get the start against the Cincinnati Bengals if starting running back Jamal Lewis can't go.

Lewis is nursing a hamstring injury and is listed as questionable.

Harrison played solid against the dominating Ravens rushing for 52 yards on 16 carries and caught 5 passes for 33 yards.

Rookie 6th-round-draft-pick, James Davis, should also see a share of the carries if Lewis is out, but Harrison should have more fantasy value, especially in a PPR league.

Harrison was a 5th-round pick in the 2006 from Washington State where he broke the record for most consecutive games with 100 or more yards by a Pac-10 runner, with 16.

He is small at 5'9, so he doesn't look like an everyday back, but his big-play ability combined with his good hands can make him a solid fantasy backup in deep leagues.

Sin City Scout

RB Report Week 3

LeSean McCoy - Eagles: 20 carries - 84 yards 1 TD - 1 Rec - 9 yards
Still available in some leagues and will make a  good start when often-injured Brian Westbrook is out.

Glen Coffee - 49ers: 25 carries - 54 yards  
Frank Gore is out  and Coffee will start.

Fred Taylor - Patriots: 21 carries -105 yards 1 TD, 1 Rec - 4 yards
Laurence Maroney  left the game with a thigh injury and Taylor looked good and could keep getting the majority of the carries.

Jamaal Charles - Chiefs: - 6 carries - 36 yards - 3 Rec - 34 yards
He was much more effective than Larry Johnson and his playing time could increase.

Jerome Harrison - Browns: 16 carries - 52 yards, 5 Rec - 33 yards
Big-play type, but not an ever down back, but Jamal Lewis' age and injury, he should get some good running time as well as use as a third-down back.

Maurice Morris - Lions: 8 carries - 10 yards 1 TD
Kevin Smith is listed as a limited practice participant Thursday, so he could still start. Morris is only worth a look if desperate.

The Saints RB Situation: Week 3

Wow! This is my third column this year about someone named Pierre. My second in two weeks. Either I'm embracing my French culture more or more guys named Pierre are becoming solid athletes. Probably both.

Ok, let's get to the stuff you care about. And yes, I mean you, the one person who reads my column.

Before the season began Pierre Thomas was on everyones radar, and why wouldn't he be? This is a guy who was responsible for tremendous output in the final 7 weeks of last season, out of no where. This is also a guy who was slated to get the bulk of the carries for an offense that is among the most explosive in the league.

Then came the MCL sprain. All of the sudden, Thomas owners went from being excited about the potential value of their pick to that terrible position fantasy owners dread. That awful spot when a guy goes down with a week to week injury. Now you're constantly searching for updates on his injury status. Is he going to play? Is he going to get touches if he does? Is it bad that my week depends entirely on the previous weekends fantasy results? Ok, maybe that's just me.

In his absence, Mike Bell has done an outstanding job (see my preseason column about Mike Bell... you're welcome) and it started to look like Thomas would take a back seat. However, the tables have turned. Now it's Bell who is down with an MCL sprain.

Thomas returned to action last week, which tells me he's ready to go. Granted he was not effective in his one touch, but let's be serious, it was one touch.

Bell on the other hand has not participated in practice this week and if he doesn't participate again on Friday, I would not expect to see him on the field against Buffalo. That should allow Thomas to slip back in as the premier rusher for the Saints, with Reggie Bush continuing to get his usual action.

There's one more thing to consider though; Is Thomas startable against a Buffalo defense that's only allowed 65 yards per game on the ground? Let's break this down, shall we?

We already know Buffalo has been effective so far stopping the run against the Patriots and Buccaneers. Neither of those are marquee rushing attacks. Also, while they've allowed only 65 yards per game on the ground, in each games they've allowed 9 receptions to running backs for an excess of 60 yards per game. To top that off, the Bills lost their Middle Linebacker Paul Posluszny in the opening game and are using a backup in his place.

Another thing to consider here is the motivation to run the ball. I expect the Saints will outmatch the Bills and get up early, allowing them to lean a bit harder on the running game. On top of that they are expecting rain in Buffalo on Sunday, which could force the Saints to commit to the ground game more than usual.

Because of those factors, I am starting Pierre Thomas this Sunday as a RB3/Flex. To give you an idea of what range of players to consider him in; my RB1 and RB2 are D'Angelo Williams and Ryan Grant. I would not start Thomas over either of those players, but I am starting him ahead of Jamal Lewis and Julius Jones.

Let's just hope I'm right about Pierre. The rest of my week depends on it.

PCB Scout

Questions? Comments? Random nonsense? Email me: pcbscout(at)gmail.com

Seahawks RB Forsett Gets Playing Time

Seattle Seahawks running back, Justin Forsett, rushed five times for 35 yards and caught six passes for 57 yards in Sunday's loss to San Francisco.

It is early, but so his role as a receiver out-of-the-backfield might make him a worthwhile fantasy back in PPR leagues. 

The 7th-round-draft-pick is likely too small (5-8) to be an every down back, but he could play a role similar to Leon Washington did for the Jets in 2008.

In the end, Julius Jones is solid at best and the fact is he is often-inured.  That should give Forsett plenty of opportunities to shine in 2009.

Sin City Scout

WR Watch: Week 2

Mario Manningham - Giants - 10 catches -150 yards 1TD

Mike Sims-Walker - Jaguars - 6 catches - 106 yards 1 TD

Johnny Knox - Bears - 6 catches - 70 yards 1TD

Devery Henderson - Saints - 3 catches - 71 yards

Chansi Stuckey -  Jets - 4 catches  - 64 yards 1 TD

Julian Edelman - Patriots - 8 catches  -  98 yards

Laurent Robinson - Rams - 6 catches - 54 yards 1 TD

Barber Out, Choice In...Maybe

The news is bad, but not horrible for Marion Barber owners.  He was expected to miss at least one game and possibly two due to his injury, but Monday's MRI confirmed that Barber has nothing worse than a he strained quadriceps and he received treatment Tuesday and hopes to play on Monday night against the Panthers.

Tashard Choice will be worth picking up if available and will make a solid start Monday night against the Carolina Panthers in Dallas if Barber is out.

Naturally, Felix Jones will also see more action, likely either way, which is great news after his big game on Sunday night.  He is a must start.

Sin City Scout

WR Robinson Becoming Rams' #1

Donnie Avery was supposed to be the main man in St. Louis with the departure of the great Torry Holt, but his preseason injury has given third-year wideout Laurent Robinson the chance to step up and Robinson has done just that.

He caught 5 passes for 87 yards in his debut as a Rams' starter and came back and caught 6 passes for 54 yards and his first Ram touchdown in the Rams 9-7 loss to Washington.

Laurent Robinson was drafted in the third-round by Atlanta in 2007 and had a good rookie year catching 37 passes for 437 yards and a touchdown.

He fell out of favor in 2008 due to injuries and the rise of Roddy White.

In three preseason contests, Robinson has caught 10 passes for 137 yards.

Considering the Rams have done very little, Robinson is putting up some solid starts.  He is worth a look if you are in need of a wide receiver.

Sin City Scout

Replacing Anthony Gonzalez

Indianapolis Colts receiver Anthony Gonzalez sprained multiple knee ligaments in Sunday's Week 1 win over Jacksonville.

The Colts are saying Gonzalez could be off the field for as much as 8 weeks. This is a big loss for fantasy owners, who were expecting big things from the 3rd year pro out of Ohio State.

Gonzalez was taken at an average draft position of 92 (28th among WR) making him a third receiver for most players and a very early 10th round pick.

Gonzalez owners, however, were for the most part expecting to get better than 3rd receiver value from Gonzalez, who was expected to be a bigger part of the Colts offense with the loss of Marvin Harrison. This year marked his first chance to crack the starting line up for the Colts super powered offense.

In the absence of AGonz the Colts have a few places to turn. For one, they just signed veteran receiver Hank Baskett, who while experienced, is best known these days for his Playmate wife. Lucky bast... nevermind. Baskett gives them some size on the outside that they lack with the other guys on the roster but, he doesn't know the offense yet, so may only see limited time for the next couple of weeks.

That brings us to the other two, more likely to succeed options: Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie.

Garcon is a second year guy who Peyton Manning seems to like and who caught three balls in the season opener. Plus, let's be serious, how fantastic of a name is Pierre Garcon?!

Collie is a rookie wideout out of BYU that the Colts really seem to like and who had a very solid camp.

If you listen to Manning, and I do, it seems like Garcon is the more promising option. He was quoted as saying:

"Pierre is going to be a big part of our game plan, Austin Collie, too, no question... But this is the NFL. You can't just draw up a play and say this ball has got to go to Dallas Clark. Pierre has worked hard over here, I think he spent six hours over the last two days studying film and Austin has done that as well."

Personally, if I had a roster spot to spend, or if I had been a Gonzalez owner in a deeper league looking for a viable replacement I'd take a flier on Garcon and keep my eye on Baskett and Collie.

We all know the Colts offense is a place for any offensive skill player to shine. Don't let those guys shine one someone else's roster.

PCB Scout

Questions? Comments? Random nonsense? Email me: pcbscout(at)gmail.com

WR Watch: Week 1

Here are the list of possible free agent receivers to watch after their week one performance:

Michael Clayton - Tampa Bay - 5 catches  95 yards

Percy Harvin - Minnesota - 3 catches 36 yards 1 TD

Mark Bradley - Kansas City - 4 catches 78 yards

Mark Clatyon - Baltimore - 5 catches 77 yards 1 TD

Chansi Stuckey - Jets - 4 catches - 64 yards 1 TD

Steve Smith - Giants - 6 catches 80 yards

Laurent Robinson - St. Louis  - 5 catches 87 yards

Earl Bennett - Chicago - 7 catches - 66 yards

Kenny Brit - Tennessee - 4 catches 88 yards

Devone Bess - Miami - 7 catches - 57 yards

Andre Cadwell - Cincinnati - 6 catches 54 yards

Louis Murphy - Raiders - 4 catches 87 yards 1 TD

- Sin City Scout

WR Gage Comes up Big in Loss

Tennessee Titan wide receiver Justin Gage caught 7 passes for 77 yards and 1 TD in the Titans 13-10 overtime loss to the Steelers in Pittsburgh.

Gage was very good when he was healthy in 2008. He was excellent in the preseason. He just had a pretty darn good game against the tough Steeler defense...He just may be the real deal...if he can stay healthy.

Gage is likely available in your league and is worth a definite look if you are in need of a receiver.

Sin City Scout

The Clock is Ticking.......

There are only a few hours left until we can all enjoy the greatness that is the NFL.

Here are some players to keep an eye on during the first week.

Rashard Mendenhall RB PIT– The second year RB out of Illinois should provide a change of pace for Steelers. Willie Parker is still the main guy, and if healthy will see the majority of the carriers, but with Mendenhall’s size 5’10” 225 he should be used a lot to punish the defenses, and wear them out as the game goes on. Could they be the next thunder and lighting duo?

Carnell “Cadillac” Williams RB TAMPA – He is currently the starter in Tampa according to several websites, and this comes a bit of shock to me. It’s not that he isn’t talented, but that the Bucs went off and signed Derrick Ward in the offseason, and like me people I projected him to be the starter with Earnest Graham backing up. I was a big fan of Mr. Williams coming out of Auburn so I hope that this is his breakout year.

Mike Bell RB NO - Given the current injury status of Pierre Thomas, and Reggie Bush look for Bell to get a lot of carriers against Detroit. So far in the preseason he has look pretty good. I see Bush being the starter this week, but I think Bell will get significant amount of carriers.

Lee Evans WR BUF – This is a player that has always interested me. At times he can be a beast then other times he doesn’t do anything. Personally I think that is more of a reflection on the offense then on Evans. The real question will be how T.O. will effect Evans production. My bet is he will actually trend upward due to being opposite a player many defense will have a tendency to cheat a safety towards.

New York Giants WR Group – Who will step up to be Eli’s main go to guy? Steve Smith and Domenick Hixon are listed as the starters with Sinorice Moss, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham backing them up. I’m putting my money on Steve Smith. This is more of a gut feeling then anything. In fact while writing this blog I jumped over to my league and added him to my team.

- Texas Scout

Cadillac Could Start?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back, Carnell "Cadillac" Williams apparently has been listed as the #1 running back on the Buccaneers' initial regular season depth chart.

This says a lot for someone who rushed the ball only 8 times for 54 yards in his only preseason game.

"I really feel like I'm better than ever," Williams said Thursday at Raymond James Stadium, after the Buccaneers' 10-6 preseason loss to the Miami Dolphins, his only game. "Physically I have no ailments and mentally, at this point, I'm stronger than ever. My knees are something I'm not worried about."

Williams has been disregarded in most fantasy drafts in favor of Derrick Ward (listed at No.2) and Earnest Graham (listed at No. 3). And while the three will make for the dreaded running-back-by-committee, the Cadillac can be purchased for the price of a an end-of-the-draft-clunker.

Sin City Scout

Sell High: Vikings Receivers

The signing of Brett Farve has set the fantasy world all a buzz. Too much so.

Bernanrd Berrian and Percy Harvin (Sidney Rice to a lesser degree) have risen in everyone's ranks. This is to be expected when a team gets a good QB. However, the reality of the matter is that Minnesota is still a run first team. The reality is that Farve is not young - he's good, but not what he used to be. The rise in rankings for the Vikings receivers has gone way overboard.

Hence my advice. If people are viewing these WRs as much more then what they will be, take advantage of it! I have heard/seen multiple deals all aimed at getting Vikings receivers - yes, teams are packaging players (good ones) to get Berrian or Harvin. Now I'm not saying that the receivers are not worth owning, in fact, they should be solid (I think Harvin will emerge as the best of the group). But if you can trade for better talent, do it! Take advantage of this hysteria before people's expectations come back down to earth.

- Scout Monkey

Draft Risers & Fallers

Moving Up

Chris Henry - The once troubled receiver is having a great training camp and preseason and back on the fantasy radar. With a healthy Carson Palmer, the Bengals pass game could finish among the top five and Henry could finish as the #2 statistically in front of Laveranues Coles at a much cheaper draft price.

Ray Rice - He continues to start at running back, but he will split carries with Willis McGahee. He has the talent to be a stud and can catch passes too.

Rashard Mendenhall -He will likely be the goal line back in Pittsburgh and the Steelers are adamant about getting him the ball and at least creating a two-back attack.

Bernard Scott - He is about to pass Benson in the rankings if he continues to play well. He could be the starter by seasons end.

Carnell Williams - The former #1 pick looked good in his preseason debut, but he has a lot of competition with Derrick Ward and Earnest Graham.

Earl Bennet - The young, upcoming WR could be the #1 man in Chicago. He played college ball with Cutler.

Sam Hurd - The injury to Williams put Hurd on the radar. He has been very good in camp and has surpassed Miles Austin at this point.

Moving Down

Marion Barber - There is not a reason other than the worry of Felix Jones and Tashard Choice eating into his time, but nevertheless his ADP is below his ranking. If you are picking between 20-25 and he is there, he is a bargain.

Jonathan Stewart - His achilles injury is a worry, especially for someone who missed almost all of his 2008 training camp and preseason. Stewart has a ton of talent and if healthy is better than Williams. He is out of the top 50, but could be a draft day bargain in the right spot.

Antonio Bryant - His injury, though not serious, combined with QB questions and a shaky history has Bryant falling below his value.

Ben Roethlisberger - His poor fantasy 2008 performance combined with more off season turmoil has his draft stock tumbling.

Draft Bargains

Chris Cooley - Simply because he caught only 1 TD in 2008 he has fallen far past his value. If you need a stud tight end at a cheap price wait until the 8th round or so and grab Cooley.

Kellen Winslow - Owners are staying away from Winslow after a horrible 2008 and his subsequent trade to the QB-troubled Bucs. Whoever the QB is, the tight end over the middle will do well and Winslow has overall #1 TE talent.

Correll Buckhalter - He is currently the starter in Denver with Knowshon Moreno injured and if Moreno is healthy, he should still see plenty of playing time. He has been going near the bottom of the drafts so grab him late, but grab him.

Chris Chambers - He is still the starter in San Diego with Phillip Rivers throwing to him. He has big-time talent, but has injury issues has scared away owners. Nevertheless he can have some big games and he is falling far in the draft.

Sin City Scout

Impact of Favre Acquisition

Last season, Brett Favre stayed retired the entire summer before announcing his return to the NFL.

This year, it took just three weeks for Brett Favre to reemerge after he attributed his second retirement to his inability to stay healthy for an entire season.

Nonetheless, Favre agreed to the terms of a two year deal worth an approximate $25 million dollars with Minnesota on Tuesday.

With the acquisition of Favre, the Vikings are now the early favorites to win the NFC North.

His impact will have an effect not only the entire passing game, but the running game as well.

- In '08, the Vikings didn't have a single receiver eclipse 1,000 yards receiving. Bernard Berrian will be utilized as more than just a deep ball threat with Favre under center. Berrian will be seen in mid-range slant or curl patterns, resulting in more yardage and touchdowns for him in '09. Expect him to improve significantly on his 964 yard, 7 TD campaign last year.

- 21 receptions for 125 yards isn't impressive for a full-time back like Adrian Peterson, but he will also be the beneficiary of a veteran quarterback. Childress has expressed interest in incorporating Peterson more in the passing game, and Favre is the perfect candidate to help Peterson be a double threat. And with a more volatile passing game, Peterson will see less attention from linebackers - so he should see more rushing yards.

-Percy Harvin and Visanthe Shiancoe, both of whom have been rarely mentioned in fantasy football before the Favre acquisition, could make for potential sleeper picks. Favre instantly developed a rapport with tight end Dustin Keller and Jerricho Cotchery last season, so don't rule out these two guys as Favre's potential favorite targets.

2009 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: The Long Shots (21-30)

When entering the final rounds of your rookie-only drafts, here are some players who you should be willing to take a chance on:



21. Austin Collie, WR, Indianapolis Colts - Collie may split the #3 WR role in Indy this season with Pierre Garcon, but he should be ready to take the role on next year, with a possibility of become a starter in the future. Collie is about as sure handed as they come, and Peyton loves to have guys that won't drop his perfect passes.



22. Deon Butler, WR, Seattle Seahawks - Like Collie, Butler is another rookie who could claim the #3 WR spot on his team this season. Butler has impressed his coaches in Seattle during training camp, and with Deion Branch possibly spending his last year in Seattle in 2009, Butler could be competing for a starting role in 2010 if he continues to impress.



23. Glen Coffee, RB, San Fransisco 49ers - Coffee could be the "Thunder" to Frank Gore's "Lightning".....if he can earn the right to split carries. In this scenario, Coffee could also become the goal line back, making him worth a top 30 rookie pick.



24. Mike Goodson, RB, Carolina Panthers - DeAngelo Williams had a career year once Jonathan Stewart joined the fold last year. This makes you wonder if the Panthers could plug-in another speed back in Williams' place. Enter the incredibly speedy Goodson, who could get an opportunity in the future to take on the DeAngelo Williams role if Williams' gets injured or wants more money.



25. Javon Ringer, RB, Tennessee Titans - Like Goodson above, Ringer would take over for Chris Johnson in case of injury. Even though he slipped in the draft, Ringer did nothing but perform beautifully in college, and could surprise if given an opportunity to start in Tennessee's run-heavy scheme.



26. Mike Thomas, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars - With very limited options at WR, Thomas could have an opportunity to start, especially with only oft-injured Mike Walker standing in the way.



27. Chase Coffman, TE, Cincinnati Bengals - While Brandon Pettigrew is the most balanced TE in the draft, the last time I checked you don't get fantasy points for blocking. Definitely more of a receiving TE, Chase has the speed and hands needed to stretch NFL defenses and make the big catch. Coffman has a great shot at contributing immediately after key injuries to two Bengal TEs during the offseason, and could become a beneficiary of Carson Palmer's return from elbow issues.



28. Gartrell Johnson, RB, San Diego Chargers - Could he be LT's replacement? He is versatile RB with upside who is worth a shot with a late round pick.



29. Derrick Williams, WR, Detroit Lions - With franchise QB Matt Stafford and stud WR Calvin Johnson in Detroit, Williams could see nothing but single coverage on the other side of Megatron if he eventually takes the #2 receiver spot. He also has a chance to contribute early as the #3 WR if he can win the job.



30. Ramses Barden, WR, New York Giants- Barden is a huge 6'6 WR from Cal Poly and is extremely raw, but geez.....he's HUGE!!!. Barden has the physical tools to succeed like no one else....the only question if he can learn the system and perform as well against a higher level of competition.



and a few others....



Johnny Knox, WR, Chicago Bears - Juaquin Iglesias may have been the first receiver taken by the Bears in draft this year, but undersized WR Johnny Knox has impressed the Chicago coaching staff this offseason, and could develop into a good #2 if given the opportunity with Jay Cutler at the helm.



Brandon Tate, WR, New England Patriots - Tate may not play much this season due to a knee injury suffered last college football season, but he has starter potential once he returns. Oh...and that Brady guy would be throwing him the ball, too.



Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Detroit Lions - He's huge, he should start right away, and he could be a red zone freak in Detroit. He won't be explosive, but he could be a very solid mid #1 fantasy tight end very soon. Now, if only the Lions could get in the red zone more often....



-Scout Widget

New Year, Same Story

The Tennessee Titans had a good thing going last year - Chris Johnson runs them down the field, and then LenDale While finishes it off.

If the first preseason game tells us anything, the Titans are going to stick to that winning formula, as they should.

Interestingly, this makes both backs a little closer in value then many would think. To be clear, Johnson is still the back that should be taken first, but LenDale's TD opportunities makes him very valuable. One other thing of note, LenDale has lost some weight. He is still powerful, but a little more maneuverable and quick. Titan's are loaded!

This is a team with a good, if not great, line and likes to run. Both RBs have high fantasy value. Just about anywhere you look, White is rated significantly lower then Johnson. I think maybe a little too low. This is the only committee that I back. Take White, even if you have to reach a little. If White does what he did last year, you will be happy, if he does more (which is very possible), you got a steal.

- Scout Monkey

Lynch Suspension Upheld

Bills running back Marshawn Lynch was served a three game suspension this March for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy.

Like most star players, Lynch appealed the suspension, hoping to get his sentenced reduced to just one game. However, the NFL announced on Monday that they were upholding Lynch's suspension, making him ineligible for play until week 4 against the Miami Dolphins.

How much does a three game absence hurt Lynch's value?

Last season, Lynch was a borderline first round draft pick. This year - he is getting taken towards the end of the third round.

But, Marshawn Lynch might as well be worth a late second round pick this year because you know what he is going to give you; take a look.

Marshawn Lynch thrives as a running back in Buffalo. Once the weather takes a turn for the worse, Lynch improves significantly.

In September and October of last season, Lynch only managed 3.66 yards per carry. In November and December, he had 4.61 yards per carry.

But despite the fact that Lynch is a great second-half player, he is still missing a quarter of the regular fantasy season.

However, Fred Jackson, who has averages 4.6 yards per carry in his short career, will serve as Lynch's undisputed replacement for the first three games. Dominic Rhodes is supposed to help out; but expect Jackson to make Rhodes a non-factor. In week 17, Fred Jackson ran for 136 yards against the New England Patriots; he could even fight for Lynch's job when he returns.

Once Lynch returns, he will return to the starting line up and once again be a dominant fantasy force. In two seasons, he has ran for at least 1,000 yards and scored at least 7 times. While those numbers aren't likely to be replicated, we still rank him higher than his average draft position.

Fred Jackson can be acquired in the final rounds of the draft where you might be getting your back-up defense, or your first string kicker. Spend a late pick on Jackson, and you have a player who will serve as a starting running back for the first three weeks of the season.

And come week 4, that late fourth round pick you spent on Marshawn Lynch suddenly turned into a high end No. 2 running back for the remainder of the year.

In games against the Patriots, Buccaneers and Saints, the Bills will need extra input from Lee Evans and Terrell Owens in the passing game, increasing their respective values.

Even if you don't secure Lynch, Jackson is a good running back to secure until more guys open up on waivers.

2009 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: The Hopeful (11-20)

Continuing in our 2009 Dynasty Rookie Rankings, the middle round picks are players with potential that may develop into full time fantasy starters (we hope):

11. Matt Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions - The guy will be throwing to Megatron for years to come. Stafford has a big game arm, even if he does make questionable decisions at times. The Lions have nowhere to go but up, and with underrated RB Kevin Smith helping take pressure off, Stafford could put together a pretty nice career in Detroit.

12. James Davis, RB, Cleveland Browns - Even after a sub-par final season with Clemson, everyone knew James Davis had NFL caliber talent. Now that training camp is in session, the Browns may have found out they stole Davis in the sixth round of this year's draft. Davis has been wowing coaches so far and looks to have a future in Cleveland by all early reports. Davis has a real chance to become the feature guy in Cleveland, maybe even pushing Jamal Lewis for the starting job as soon as mid-season.

13. Kenny Britt, WR, Tennessee Titans - The only reason he is this far down the list is the team he plays for. The Titans don't throw much, but needed a big threat when they do, which is why they drafted Britt late in the first round. It may take a few years, but the 6-3 Britt could easily become the Titans #1 WR.....the only question is will he have the chance to truly show is insane leaping ability if the Titans are still running 40 times a game?

14. Mohammed Massaquoi, WR, Cleveland Browns - Mohammed was supposed to be the "developmental" project compared to fellow Browns rookie WR Brian Robiskie, but apparently Mohammed didn't get the memo. Massaquoi has surprised everyone by overtaking Robiskie on the depth chart, which is a big deal since "The Coach's Son" (he is the son of Terry Robiskie, long time NFL WR Coach) was supposed to be the guy most polished and ready for the NFL. If Massaquoi is actually putting some consistency to his big play ability...look out...he will stay at the top of the depth chart and be a welcome addition to your fantasy team. Stay tuned to this training camp battle.....

15. Brian Robiskie, WR, Cleveland - I'm not sure if Robiskie is slipping in the eyes of coaches, or if Massaquoi is that good, but Robiskie is the #3 WR in Cleveland. Regardless, Brian has great mechanics, good hands, and runs the route tree well, and could still get a chance to start in 2010 regardless if Braylon Edwards leaves town.

16. Darius Heyward-Bey, WR, Oakland Raiders - How can you be drafted as the first WR in the NFL Draft if you aren't even first team in your college conference? While Crazy Al may have left us scratching our heads again after this pick, Bey does have elite speed and could be a solid WR in this legue. He will definitely need some time to develop (hands, route running, etc.), so patience will be needed if you add him to your roster.

17. Rashard Jennings, RB, Jacksonville - How did this guy last until round 7? Yes, he played ball at Liberty, but only transferred there from Pittsburgh after moving home to help take care of his father. Jennings is a big boy, but he has the quickness to be an effective NFL back. Watch out....he will surprise and could form a "Thunder and Lightning" type duo with teammate Marice Jones-Drew.

18. Andre Brown, RB, New York Giants - The Giants drafted Brown when he fell to them in the fourth round, knowing his skill set demanded a higher pick. At 6-0, 224 pounds and 4.49 speed, Brown could challenge Ahmad Bradshaw for Derrick Ward's old role as soon as this year. In reality, we will probably have to wait until Brown has a year under his belt before we can really see if he can effectively use his skills at the next level.

19. Juaquin Iglesias, WR, Chicago Bears - This guy can catch. A reliable target at Oklahoma, Iglesias does not stick out because of his excellent size (even though he is big enough to be a good possession receiver) or blazing speed, but because they guy can pluck the ball out of the air like no body's business. May take a couple years to develop, but this kid could turn into Cutler's favorite targets in the future if he becomes just as reliable at the next level.

20. Bernard Scott, RB, Cincinnati Bengals - The Bengals took a late round flyer on the RB from Abilene Christian (where he accumulated an incredible 5,712 yards from scrimmage and 73 touchdowns in 2007 and 2008), but this troubled back (quite a few arrests while in college) has NFL ability, though his decision making so far in life has only been of Pee-Wee ability. With Cedrick Benson only signing a 2 year deal in the off season, the Bengals didn't over commit to him and should give Scott all the chances in the world to get on the field and prove what this diminutive RB is made of. A true boom or bust pick.

-Scout Widget

Top Sleeper Pick: Kevin Smith

2008 was a unique season where late-round rookies (Forte, Slaton) emerged as elite running backs, whereas the top ranked rookies (McFadden) faltered.

For their efforts, four sophomore running backs are within the top-15 among their position: Matt Forte (2nd), Chris Johnson (6th), Steve Slaton (8th), Kevin Smith (15th).

But despite his low ranking, Kevin Smith has the most potential to exceed his expectations and be a top-ten running back.

Of those four, Kevin Smith was the only player to fall short of 1,000 yards rushing in '08. However, in the last eight games of the season, Smith was close in production to all of them.

Over the last eight games, Smith rushed for 671 yards and 4 TD's (Forte for 597 yds, 6 TD's; Johnson for 679 yds, 6 TD's).

Smith was limited in the season's first eight games as he battled several players for the starting position before finally locking it down in week 9.

Unlike the other three, Smith is not an elite receiver for a running back, with only 39 receptions for 286 yards.

But Smith played on the league's worst team last season, and still managed to post a very good rookie year.

With the departure of Rudi Johnson, Kevin Smith's lone competition for the job is Maurice Morris. Smith should easily secure his starting position, and if healthy, should have no problem rushing the ball more than 300 times in '09.

Granted, the Lions ranked 30th in rushing last season (just ahead of the Colts and Cardinals), but Smith has a good opportunity to not only eclipse 1,000 yards rushing, but to also exceed 1,500 yards.

His 4.1 yards per carry should increase moderately - a result of a strengthend offensive line. This offseason, the Lions added ex-Redskins center Jon Jansen, who was the cornerstone of Washington's rushing protection.

First-round draft pick Brandon Pettigrew will be utilized as a blocking tight end, giving Kevin Smith an opening to the outside lane.

Unfortunately for Smith, he is the best offensive weapon on their team, and might see extra attention on defense because of it.

But the Lions did add Bryant Johnson to compliment Calvin 'Megatron' Johnson in the receiving core. And it looks like Daunte Culpepper will end up being the week 1 starter as Stafford is left to watch and mature. The Lions deeper set of receivers won't be enough to make them a legitimate threat, but they will be enough to keep some defensive attention of Smith.

Kevin Smith guaranteed the Lions would make the playoffs earlier this offseason on his blog, and fell victim to criticism and laughter. We're not quite ready to jump on Smith's promise quite yet, but he might guarantee a spot in your fantasy playoffs.

He can be acquired in the fourth round, and could get you first round productivity. Even if he doesn't maximize his potential in 2009, he still has a huge chance of being a top-ten RB.

Why going WR-WR is beneficial

In 2007, there was a simple draft strategy: always go RB-RB. Most running backs taken in the first two rounds were good for around 20 carries a game, which in many cases led to 1,000+ yards and double-digit touchdowns.

The 2007 draft strategy was a good representation of the 2006 and 2005 seasons - there was more emphasis on defense and running.

But the 2007 and 2008 seasons brought a new breed of football that featured faster game play and more of an aerial-based offense.

During those two seasons, there have been 1366 passing touchdowns, and 862 rushing touchdowns.

Compare that to the 2005 and 2006 total of 1240 passing and 855 rushing, it becomes clear that while the rushing total has stayed the same, passing TD's have increased rather significantly.

Although the amount of rushing touchdowns hasn't seen much change, the style of running has. Take the 2008 Carolina Panthers. DeAngelo Williams led the league in rushing TDs with 18. But Jonathan Stewart was there to post 10 rushing TDs on top of 833 yards, despite battling injuries throughout the year.

Chris Johnson of the Titans rushed for 1,228 yards and recorded 9 TD's - very respectable numbers for a rookie. But the presence of Lendale White prevented Johnson from being perhaps the league's best RB, as he siphoned off 15 TD's and 773 yards.

The amount of rushing TD's over the last two years has slightly increased, but the two-RB system installed on many teams has hurt the value of non-elite running backs.

With that said, running backs are still going to compile more yardage; elite running backs are going to outscore WRs; and there should not be a WR taken in the early first round.

If you have a top-6 draft pick, your first round draft strategy should be to grab a top tier running back and pray for his safety.

But anywhere after that in the first round, you are no longer drafting a running back from an elite set of players, but what is left is the top WRs and QBs.

If you are drafting 8th, 9th or 10th in your draft, rule out the RB-RB strategy.

A common draft strategy in 2008 was taking Brady and Manning in the first two rounds of the draft in hopes that they would throw for 40+ TDs for a second time in each of their respective careers.

Instead, Drew Brees emerged as the top fantasy QB in 2008 as he nearly broke the record for most passing yards in a season. Despite Brees' heroics, he outscored Aaron Rodgers by just 1 fantasy points last year!

That rules out the any sort of QB combination when drafting late in the first round and early in the second round. The difference in production from the top quarterback and the fifth ranked quarterback is not going to be big enough for you to waste a top draft pick on. Instead of grabbing Brees in the first two rounds, you can sit on Aaron Rodgers or Kurt Warner until the fourth or fifth round, and get similar numbers from it.

With no QB, you are left between a combination of wide receivers and running backs. And drafting at the end of the first round guarantees you can secure Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson or Randy Moss in a WR-WR strategy.

Why should you avoid taking a running back in one of these slots?

Look at some of the league's top ranked running backs this season. Chris Johnson and Steve Slaton weren't taken until the final rounds of last season's draft. Matt Forte was taken on average in the eight round, and DeAngelo Williams: the tenth.

While the 2009 season hopes to be a little bit more predictable, you have a greater chance of securing a starting RB late in the draft, or even on waivers, than you do with a WR.

Surely you will get criticized for taking two WRs in the first two rounds. But although the choice is unconventional, it is the best draft strategy if you are drafting 7th-10th overall.

2009 Dynasty Rookie Rankings: The Top Ten

There are three types of fantasy football players: those who like fantasy football, those who LOVE fantasy football, and those (like myself) who join Dynasty leagues. With these types of fantasy football leagues increasing in number, it seems appropriate to focus on what Dynasty team owners will have to decide: What rookie to take in their Rookie Draft.

This ranking is for standard scoring leagues, with QBs receiving four points for a passing TD. Also, this ranking focuses on the long term value of these rookies, so take that into account when comparing these rankings with your league's rules configuration:

1. Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Arizona Cardinals - Yes, there are injury issues, but Wells is in an awesome position to succeed now, as well as years to come. Tim Hightower averaged less than 3 yards per carry down the stretch for the Cards last year, and the Cards management understand that the rushing attack needs to improve if they want to challenge again for the Lombardi trophy. Enter Wells, who at 6'1 and 237 pounds (by one website's measurement) will have plenty of opportunity to usurp the starting role from Hightower and begin his career of smashing defenders to tiny bits. Combine that with reports of a sub 4.4 40 at his Pro Day......and Beanie could well be worth the "hill of beans" you bet on him by taking him with your #1 rookie pick.

2. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Denver Broncos - He isn't track fast or lightning quick, but Moreno has game speed and game-breaking ability that is hardly matched by any of the other rookies in this class. Picked 12th overall by the Broncos, he will most certainly get his shot soon to show fantasy owners what he can do on the field.

3. Michael Crabtree, WR, San Fransisco 49ers - He may be shorter than previously advertised, but this guy flat out makes plays. Crab may need a year under his belt before he makes a true impact, but his upside for the future is undoubtedly high.

4. Donald Brown, RB, Indianapolis Colts - Another back with a shot at prime playing time during year 1. Brown could split carries, or better, with Joe Addai in the Colts offense this year. Brown is a smart, hard working, all-purpose back who will not doubt fantasy owners during his career. He may be one of the safer picks.

5. LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles - The Brian Westbrook clone is making Eagles' coaches and fans droll with excitement over their new offensive weapon. Westbrook's injury history may open the door for McCoy to star a few games this season, but make no mistake, this guy will be the Eagles' new workhorse when Westbrook is no longer able to carry the load.

6. Shonn Greene, RB, NY Jets - Bruiser. Rex Ryan has already bragged about Greene being the "closer" at the end of games to finish off opposing defenses, but with Thomas Jones getting ready to become a free agent at the end of this season, Greene could be ready to become the starter and goal line back in 2010. If Jones does leave in 2010, as speculated, Greene will at worst split carries with Leon Washington and get goal line duties. At best, Greene could be the pounder that fantasy owners love, getting double digit TDs for years to come.

7. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles - Maclin will need to learn to master the route tree before becoming a starting NFL wideout, but the skill set and upside are there. The "third-year WR" theory will need to be considered when taking Maclin, but he has the speed and play-making ability to become a solid player at the pro level.

8. Hakeem Nicks, WR, NY Giants - Did you see that catch he made? (If you don't know what I'm talking about, look up some game footage of this guy.....) Nicks is one of the more NFL-ready rookie receivers in the draft. Greats hands, crisp route-running, and game-breaking ability could push Nicks into the Giants starting lineup as soon as Week 1, but you should still be patient with him in general. That being said, he should be a solid NFL pro during his career.

9. Percy Harvin, WR, Minnesota Vikings - Harvin is a RB/WR tweener who will get plenty of looks in his rookie year with the Vikes. Harvin is a threat to score from anywhere on the field, and will have plenty of room to run with Adrian Peterson getting most of the attention. However, his bad boy reputation does knock him down a notch or two in the eyes of some critics. While special team assignments may limit his on field time with standard offensive sets the first year or two, he could be a solid fantasy contributor if he learns the system and remains open to coaching.

10. Mark Sanchez, QB, NY Jets - Why is Sanchez here instead of Stafford? It. Sanchez has it. I don't exactly know what it is, but all the great QBs have....well.....it. In a few years, Sanchez will develop into a solid NFL QB.....his ability to be a top fantasy QB, however, will depend a bit on his surroundings. Either way, he is worth picking as a top ten rookie.

- Scout Widget

Late Round Breakdown: NFC East

New York Giants

Ahmad Bradshaw. It's hard to be so high on a running back who only had 67 carries for 355 yards last season, but the departure of Derrick Ward gives Bradshaw the potential to be a fantasy starter. 2008 proved that Brandon Jacobs wasn't equipped to handle a full load - and Derrick Ward was a huge beneficiary: with 181 carries. Now, it is Bradshaw's job to fill the role as the No. 2 back in New York, which should give him close to 1,000 yards. Jacobs will get mostly all of the red zone carries, but Bradshaw should be seeing double-digit carries nearly every game. He does have a little bit of competition for the back up role, but if a brittle Brandon Jacobs goes down with injury, Bradshaw instantly becomes a top end starter. And even when Jacobs is healthy, Bradshaw makes for a nice sleeper.

Domenik Hixon. After Plaxico Burress' gun incident, Domenik Hixon went on to lead all Giants receivers with 596 yards. He isn't a red zone scorer, but Hixon should be the No. 1 option for Eli Manning - and he'll lead the Giants in receiving yards in 2009. Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks will steal some open field looks, but Hixon will have to be the red zone receiver, as Burress was cut from the Giants this spring. For now, Hixon is the only guaranteed starter for the New York receiver core. Don't count on him being as reliable as Plaxico, but Hixon will be the top choice for Manning all over the field. He has big play ability and doesn't carry much risk in drafting him - especially considering how late you can steal him off the board.

Philadelphia Eagles

LeSean McCoy. McCoy slid to the Eagles at the end of the second round of the '09 draft, despite being projected to get selected much earlier. Luckily for McCoy, he is already the back up to a very injury prone Westbrook. As a replacement for Correll Buckhalter, McCoy will be very effective as a slashing running back and pass catcher out of the backfield. And, Westbrook will miss all of the preseason, as he is coming off an offseason surgery. Chances are Westbrook will be the week 1 starter, but he'll surely be limited, and he still stands a great chance of getting injured. Like Buckhalter in '08, McCoy stands to have a couple productive fantasy games - it will all depend on Westbrook's health.

Jeremy Maclin. The Eagles don't have a true No. 1 receiver on their depth chart, but to compensate for it, they have 11 WR's on their roster - six of which could see a solid amount of playing time. Jason Avant, Hank Baskett, Reggie Brown, Kevin Curtis, DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, among others. So while it is clear that Maclin is one of the best young receivers in the league already, Andy Reid might not rush him to be an instant fantasy producer on the offense. He is a quick receiver with exceptional hands, and his durable body should gear him towards a long, successful career. Maclin will have to adapt to the Eagles offense and outplay Kevin Curtis and DeSean Jackson to earn a starting role. We don't think you should buy too much into Maclin as a rookie, but when he matures, he should be a Pro-Bowl wide out.

Dallas Cowboys

Felix Jones. Felix Jones was phenomenal during his short rookie year: averaging 8.9 ypc and scoring 3 rushing TD's on just 30 carries. 2008 proved that Marion Barber can't be the exclusive running back the Cowboys had hoped he would be. Felix Jones and Tashard Choice should both share the role of starter and primary running backs in the Dallas offense in '09, similar to Julius Jones' role in previous years. Barber will fall back to the third-down, goal-line and late-game running back. Felix Jones has the elusiveness to be a fantasy relevant running back, as long as he can stay healthy. Choice doesn't have either a power running game or top end speed, so Jones will be in the second spot of the Cowboys' depth chart come week 1. He won't have the TD's to make him a fantasy stud, but his big play ability should give him a couple, while allowing him to rack up the yards. Jones isn't quite a fantasy starter, but he is worth drafting as a back-up with enormous potential.

Roy E. Williams. 2008 was an absolute disaster while playing with the Lions; it was even worse after coming over to the Cowboys early in the year. But with the departure of T.O, Williams is the only fantasy receiver in the Dallas offense. He isn't as talented as Owens, but he is 6'4" with good hands, and he can make plays over the middle, while also having home run ability. He was incredibly useful as a No. 1 receiver in Detroit, before Calvin Johnson arrived. In 2009, he is once again the No. 1 receiver, but this time he will be catching passes from a top tier quarterback in Tony Romo. He's 27 years old, and his foot injury has subsided, so there is no reason he shouldn't have his best year to date in his first full season as a Cowboy. He isn't a No. 1 fantasy receiver, but he makes for a very good option as a No. 2

Washington Redskins

Jason Campbell. Campbell looked like he was headed towards fantasy stardom in '08, starting the first eight games with as many touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. As the Redskins declined, so did Campbell, as he threw just 5 TD's to 6 INT's in the second half of the year. He is a fairly decent rusher, and he will rack up a respectable amount of yd's, but his lack of TD production throughout his career hurts his value. He's the perfect quarterback to lead a team to an 8-8 record, but he doesn't have the skill to be a top end starter in the NFL, or much less fantasy. If his TD total increases in the West Coast offense in 2009, he might be a good back up. But our warning here: the Redskins don't trust Campbell to be their franchise quarterback, and you shouldn't trust him to be your primary back up.

Ladell Betts. Joe Gibbs wanted to use Betts in a timeshare running back offense with Clinton Portis. Jim Zorn wanted to emphasize his pass catching in a West Coast offense last season. He was a fantasy hero three seasons ago when Portis went down with a season long injury, but Betts can't seem to thrive in the backfield with Portis around. Sure, Ladell Betts would be a great fantasy option if Portis goes down with injury in '09. But in five seasons with Washington, Portis has played 15 or more games in all but one year. Betts' knee injury last season makes him a risk as something as insignificant as a 'back up' role. We don't mean to preach negativity about the entire Washington offense, but there isn't a whole lot of upside to begin with. Portis is a fantastic running back, Cooley is a solid tight end, and Santana Moss might be a starter in '09. Other than that, don't get fancy with the Redskins 'sleepers'.

Late Round Breakdown: NFC North

Chicago Bears

Greg Olsen. Young tight end Greg Olsen makes for a top tight end option once Gates, Witten and Gonzalez are all taken from the board. In 2008, Olsen finally surpassed Desmond Clark as the No. 1 tight end in Chicago by posting more yards and touchdowns than Clark. Olsen will continue to emerge as a fantasy threat, while Clark takes steps towards retirement. And Jay Cutler should increase Olsen's value significantly - Cutler loved checking down to Tony Scheffler in Denver. Although Chicago is clearly a run first team, Olsen proved to be effective in the red zone last season, and his ability to get open and make plays in the field make him a strong choice for any fantasy team. But with Cutler, the Bears promise to throw more, which should help Olsen rise up into the top tier of fantasy tight ends. He's undoubtedly a fantasy starter, and you don't have to waste an early pick to grab him.

Devin Hester. We didn't buy in on him last year when he was supposed to be a fantasy threat since he became a starting wide receiver, and he shouldn't be overrated again this year. Hester struggled to catch passes from Kyle Orton in 2008 (665 yds, 3 TD's) - but Jay Cutler hopes to correct the issue and put Hester into a group of respected fantasy receivers. Sadly, Hester is the top receiver in Chicago; so while that means he will be running a ton of streak routes and hopefully catch some deep balls, he will work to develop hands and work on catching passes over the middle. His top notch speed gives us the impression that one day, he may mature into a top receiving option. But for now, Hester isn't quite yet a fantasy starter. Don't expect anything too spectacular from Hester in '09, but with that said, he is still a 'sleeper' pick that may be worth drafting.

Earl Bennett. Both Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal were relevant fantasy receivers when Jay Cutler was throwing to them in Chicago; why can't Devin Hester and Earl Bennet be as well? Cutler worked great with buddy Earl Bennett back in Vanderbilt - and Chicago hopes to reunite the unit as a serious threat in 2009. Unlike Hester, Bennett has decent hands for a wide receiver, and he can make plays over the middle - which actually makes him the 'safer' pick of the two Chicago receivers. Third round draft pick Juaquin Iglesias will be around to steal some catches out of the slot, but the Bears' running minded offense should keep them limited to just two receivers. Optimistically, Bennett could be as useful in 2009 as Eddie Royal was in 2008. But Bennett will be fighting Matt Forte for both carries and backfield receptions, and Greg Olsen in the red zone. Bennett may be worth drafting in deeper leagues, but it's just best to keep an eye on him in preseason.

Detroit Lions

Brandon Pettigrew. Behind Calvin Johnson, Brandon Pettigrew hopes to serve as an 0-16 team's second receiving option. But unlike most relevant fantasy tight ends, Pettigrew has above average blocking skills, which figure to make Kevin Smith more effective than Pettigrew himself. We still don't know if Culpepper or Stafford will be the Lions' starter come week 1, but Pettigrew short receiving type would make him a decent check down for a young quarterback. He can't make plays downfield, so his potential is certainly limited in his rookie year. However, Pettigrew is the only tight end on the roster that has any kind of play-making ability, so we think it will be enough for him to find the end zone a few times. He isn't a fantasy starter yet, but he could be a force to be reckoned with in future seasons.

Kevin Smith. In a situation where most running backs would struggle, Kevin Smith was a fantasy starter in 2008 by posting 976 yards in 8 TD's - as a rookie, and on the league's worst team. He never scored through the air, but his 286 receiving yards in his rookie season show that he is an all-around player that can score in any situation. With extreme uncertainties at quarterback, Smith expects to serve as one of the primary scorers in the Lions' offense. The new offense in Detroit should compliment Smith's slashing running style nicely too. He'll have Maurice Morris to steal his third-down carries, but regardless, Smith is a fantasy starter again in 2009, and he is a lock for 1,000 yards rushing.

Bryant Johnson. 2008 was supposed to be a breakout year for Bryant Johnson as he moved from a No. 3 option in Arizona to a No. 1 in San Francisco. But his inadequate speed and inability to get open caused Johnson to post several '0's on the fantasy scoreboard, making him a huge bust. In Detroit, Bryant Johnson will battle for the No. 2 receiving slot with Ronald Curry, where Johnson figures to earn the job. Will he be enough to fill the shoes of Roy Williams? Probably not. But it's possible that defenses will be too keyed in on Calvin Johnson and Kevin Smith to pay any attention to Johnson. He'll be left in single coverage, but we don't know if he can even get open under those circumstances. Don't draft him, but Bryant Johnson is definitely a player to keep an eye on in the opening weeks of 2009.

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers. Amid all the hype of DeAngelo William's 'fluke' season and Turner's league-high 376 carries, it was actually Aaron Rodgers who finished second among all fantasy players in points (Drew Brees was first). And that was just in his first season. A huge part of Rodgers' success can be attributed to the Packers' inability to run the ball in the red zone, but his 4,038 yards in '08 show that Rodgers is already an elite quarterback. Rodgers' worst quality is his weakness at being effective late in the game. With Donald Driver aging towards retirement, Greg Jennings is the only true receiving option left in Green Bay. But much like a younger Tom Brady, Rodgers excelled in the passing game despite his lacking of passing options. You'd be crazy to take him before Brees, Brady or Manning - but if you wait two rounds for Rodgers, you could be looking at a top-3 quarterback in terms of production.

Mason Crosby. After leading the league in points among fantasy kickers in his rookie year of 2007, Crosby only hit 27/34 in his next year. But the Packers' West Coast offense allows for Crosby to kick field goals and extra points with frequency. Nobody has attempted more field goals in the last two seasons than Crosby. It's foolish to play too much into kicker's history, but his glory season of 2007 could be matched in 2009. Don't go out of the way to draft him before the last round, but he is definitely one of the top kicking options this year.

Minnesota Vikings

Bernard Berrian. If you're looking for a home-run hitter, Bernard Berrian is the guy for you. Berrian's main skill is running deep ball routes, so while that will result in several long scores for touchdown, there will be a handful of '0' reception games to counter it. With Sage Rosenfels looking to be the starter for Minnesota in 2009, Berrian should become somewhat more useful as a fantasy wide out. Tavaris Jackons lacked accurate deep arm strength, and although Sage Rosenfels isn't a star either, he is a significant upgrade. He has yet to post an 1,000 yard season in his career, and while he isn't a guarantee to do it in 2009, it doesn't mean he isn't worth drafting to your fantasy team. He could actually be considered a fantasy starter, so long as you have consistency throughout the rest of the starting lineup.

Vikings D/ST. The Vikings defense was rated so highly in 2008, that people chose to waste an earlier drafted pick on what was supposed to be the best fantasy defense. Although they maintained a reputation for having a stout run defense, the Vikings secondary faltered - resulting in few turnovers, and 20.8 ppg against. The unit as a whole is still worthy of drafting, and can still be considered a fantasy starter, but they are a good lesson - don't reach out and grab a defense before the last rounds. This year, they don't fall within the top-5 defenses, so while going after a defense a little early may seem wise - remember that they aren't very tactful as trade bait, either.