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.

Late Round Breakdown: NFC South

Carolina Panthers

Steve Smith. He missed the first two games of the 2008 season due to a suspension, but came on to be one of the top big-play receivers in the league. Smith recorded 1421 receiving yards in ’08, good for third in the league behind Andre Johnson and Larry Fitzgerald. His six TD’s wasn’t spectacular by any means, but for his current situation in Carolina – he’s extremely impressive. Only two other teams had a higher run-to-pass ratio than the Panthers did in ’08; his quarterback is mediocre at best; and as the only receiving threat on the team, he constantly faces double teams – and beats him. Smith isn’t a ‘sleeper pick’ by any means, but despite his situations, he is worthy of a second round pick as a No. 1 receiver.

Jonathan Stewart. Stewart had an injury-plagued rookie year, yet still reeled off 833 yards and 10 scores along the way. Playing on one of the most run-oriented teams in the league, Jonathan Stewart is a solid fantasy starter. He will be the second running back in the rotation to DeAngelo Williams. But between the two of them, they rushed for over 2,300 yards – and there will be plenty more of it to go around in 2009. Perhaps what is better about Stewart is that despite his toe injury, he had close to the same number of red zone carries as DeAngelo last year. It seems that in 2009, DeAngelo will shoulder the bulk of it, but Stewart will see tons of games with double-digit-carries, and he’ll probably get more of the red zone time. Carolina should have one of the best offensive lines in the league once again, making Stewart and Williams both top option starters in ’09.

Atlanta Falcons

Jerious Norwood. The running back ‘handcuff’ rule in fantasy has seemed to die off in recent years, but consider this: Jerious Norwood is one Michael Turner injury away from being a top-10 RB. That’s only to say if Turner goes down, but even then, Norwood has quite a bit of potential in 2009. Norwood surprisingly had 94 carries last season, and he had 6 total TD’s. With the Falcons ever so cautiously trying to prevent Turner from falling prey to the ‘Curse of 370’, Norwood will be a sure 100-touch running back in 2009. And his 5.8 ypc throughout his career gives him break-out ability that could make him a threat, regardless of Turner’s health. He’ll get more involved in the offense this season, and on a run-oriented team, he could do something special. Considering as late in the draft you can grab Norwood, and with the possibility of being an elite player, he is worth keeping an eye on in the final rounds.

Matt Ryan. If you missed out on Drew Brees and the other elite quarterbacks in the early rounds of the draft, Matt Ryan ranks right at the bottom of ‘viable fantasy quarterback starters’ in 2009. The acquisition of Tony Gonzalez emphasizes the Falcons’ transition towards a more balanced offense – and Ryan will get a chance to show off his cannon more because of it. With a dominant running game, and an exceptional receiving core in Atlanta, it looks like Matt Ryan will slowly progress toward the ranks of elite quarterbacks. Ryan will have a couple games where he throws 0 TD’s, and 2 INT’s – which should be expected as a young quarterback. Thus if you decide to pursue Ryan, grabbing a spot-starting quarterback (i.e. Matt Cassel) shortly thereafter would be a wise move.

New Orleans Saints

Pierre Thomas. He only carried the ball 129 times last year, but the departure of Deuce McAllister makes Pierre Thomas a possible No. 2 running back in fantasy. In the final six games, Thomas played last year, he ran for 75+ yards all but once – and he ran for 6 TD’s along the way. He’ll compete with Reggie Bush for carries, but Thomas is the clear consensus as the red zone back in New Orleans. Obviously Thomas will lose backfield receptions to Bush, but he fits the mold of the only true running back in New Orleans. He can be grabbed as late as the fourth or fifth round, and he could give you second round productivity for it. Playing on a pass-happy offense, Pierre Thomas does have a limit as to how good he can be – but he shouldn’t have a problem getting close to the 1,000 yard, 10 TD platoon in 2009.

Reggie Bush. This isn’t USC anymore; Reggie Bush is no longer the most effective player on his team. As a standard running back, Bush is mediocre. He does his best work as a slot receiver and third-down back, where he can utilize his speed every time he touches the ball. His knee issue that forced him out of six games in 2008, and a microfracture surgery this offseason certainly raises alarms about drafting Reggie Bush. He is a key cog to the Saints offense, but in terms of fantasy-production, Bush can’t do a whole lot. In PPR leagues, Bush’s value increases tremendously, but otherwise, Bush cannot be counted on as a legitimate fantasy option every week. He’s a good player and he surely could be a factor, but for where you’d have to draft him, we wouldn’t take such a gamble.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Derrick Ward. As a backup to Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward broke 1,000 yards rushing, averaging 5.6 ypc while doing so. Now part of a platoon-RB system in Tampa, Ward’s only competition is an injury-prone Earnest Graham. Ward clearly has more talent between the two, and his ability to stay healthy makes him the obvious favorite to win over the job. His lack of red zone production last season gives us the impression that Graham will score more in ’09, but Ward was given a huge contract this offseason – and Tampa Bay will utilize it as much as possible. Quarterback uncertainties in Tampa will help both the value of Ward and Graham, as pounding the ball on the ground will be the keystone of the Buccaneer offense in 2009. Either Ward or Graham, however, should win over the starting job and receive most of the carries. Given the health concerns of Earnest Graham, Derrick Ward should emerge as a fantasy starter in his first season in Tampa – and he can be taken fairly late in the draft.

Antonio Bryant. Sure 83 receptions for 1248 yards and 7 TD’s are typical numbers of an elite fantasy wide receiver, but Antonio Bryant’s inconsistency throughout his career provides doubts for 2009. And his behavioral issues could flare up again as a serious problem with a new coaching staff. What’s even worse: we don’t even know who his quarterback will be. Bryant is the top receiver in Tampa – rather the only receiver in Tampa, so defenses will be focused more on him this season. He is heading towards a contract year and could very well be a fantasy relevant player, but there’s too much risk in drafting an unpredictable player in Bryant. If he slips in the draft, don’t hesitate to grab him, but don’t even think about calling him your No. 2 receiver.

Late Round Breakdown: NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Chris Wells. Wells is a multi-dimensional back. He has the true size to make him a goal-line back, and the exceptional speed to make him explosive in the open field. Touchdown vulture Tim Hightower will still be in Arizona, but we think Wells' overwhelming talent limits Hightower to being just a third down back. The Cardinals were the worst running team in the league last season, but their postseason success shows they are geared towards a two-sided offense. He holds a huge health risk, but he's worth a late round swing - as he could easily become a solid fantasy starter.

Steve Breaston. Breaston is arguably the best No. 3 receiver in the league. He was part of the historic trio, all of whom eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving. Although it looks like Boldin will remain a Cardinal, Breaston has potential to emerge as a fantasy starter. Boldin has been a constant injury problem, and after a record-breaking postseason, defenses will surely be keying in on Larry Fitzgerald. For now, Breaston isn't a fantasy starter just yet, but he makes for a nice bye week filler. And if Boldin goes down again with an injury in 2009, Breaston instantly becomes a top-20 receiver.

San Francisco 49ers

Shaun Hill. A surprising beneficiary of a Mike Martz offense, Shaun Hill went 5-3 as the 49ers starter in 2008. Entering 2009, Hill has been named the starter, but will reportedly compete with Alex Smith for the starting position. In all likelihood, Shaun Hill earn the job in an offense that looks to focus more on the run in 2009. Mike Singletary's new offense will limit Hill from becoming a worthy fantasy starter, but he makes for one of the best back-up quarterbacks. He lacks arm strength and overall talent, but picking him up in the late rounds of the draft can be a wise investment.

Frank Gore. Gore isn't by any means a sleeper pick, or a late round pick either, but should perform higher than his projected value. He doesn't even rank as a first round pick in standard leagues, but could return to his 2006 form with new offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye. Gore is usually good for 1,000 yards and a handful of touchdowns; and he could have a career year in 2009. Rookie running back Glenn Coffee isn't quite NFL-ready, so Gore won't be losing any time to him - unless Gore gets hurt. But, he has a punishing running style that will make him effective on the goal-line, and a breakaway potential for him to tear off big runs. He's no A.P., but Gore is worth drafting late in the first round.

Michael Crabtree. The old fantasy rule dictates to stay away from any rookie player, period. Perhaps true with quarterbacks, but recent years have shown that rookie running backs and wide receivers are low-risk, high-reward players. Crabtree does have a foot injury that kept him out of the combine, but he is already the best receiver on a conservative offense. Crabtree is physically strong, and had the best hands in all of college football - plus he is a big-play threat. The 49ers new offense certainly won't help Crabtree, but he will break off a few long plays. And although he won't be an elite receiver in his first season, that doesn't mean he isn't worth drafting.

Seattle Seahawks.

Matt Hasselbeck. 2008 was an absolute nightmare for Hasselbeck and the Seahawks' offense. But, considering his projected value, Hasselbeck is one of the biggest quarterback bargains in the draft. Blame his lack of production last year on the wide receiving core's injuries, but Hasselback too missed seven games with a back problem. But just two years ago, he tossed 27-TD's. He won't be returning to his glory season where he led them to a Super Bowl run, but he has a great chance for throwing 20, and being a No. 2 quarterback option.

Julius Jones. What's good for Jones is that his main competition in Maurice Morris is now a Detroit Lion. But he has been a constant disappointment throughout his career, and his non-existent performance at the end of 2008 does not bode well for 2009. But with a run-oriented Jim Mora at head coach, Julius Jones could see his second career 1,000 yard season. He will get the starting job, and should see a load of carries for it. T.J. Duckett will be the goal-line back, but otherwise, there seems to be little competition to steal Jones' job. Jones actually could be a fantasy starter as the season progresses, and he won't even be drafted in some leagues.

St. Louis Rams

Donnie Avery. Besides Steven Jackson, Donnie Avery is the only other player that will be a week 1 fantasy starter. Avery did not disappoint as a rookie, as he was actually the most productive wide receiver on the Rams offense. With Torry Holt in Jacksonville, Avery looks to see even more action. He lacks the height of many elite receivers, but he surprisingly still is a threat down-field, and his speed will make him effective all across the gridiron. But with becoming the only receiver on a team means inconsistency. Avery could catch two 50-yard TD's one week, and be completely shut out the next. We love his play-making ability, but he's only worth drafting unless you have more reliable receivers ahead of him.

Josh Brown. He kicks in a dome, and has a huge leg. Josh Brown was 6/8 from 50 yards and beyond last season, and oddly, he was better from 50+ than he was from 40-49. He has a long-term contract, and is one of the purest kickers in the league, but a poor Rams' offense limits him from kicking extra points. Brown isn't in control of his fantasy future for now. If the Rams can give him more opportunities to kick medium range field goals, and provide more than 19 extra points, Brown is an elite fantasy kicker.

Will Turner fall to the 'Curse of 370'?

Michael Turner led the league in carries, and finished second in yards (1,699) and second in TD's (17) in his first season in Atlanta, and his first as a starter. He actually amassed more fantasy points in 2008 than Adrian Peterson did.

Does that make him the top pick in this year's fantasy draft?

Before you get too anxious and grab Turner with the top spot overall, or even anything below that, take a look:

Turner had 376 carries in '08, making him a product of the "Curse of 370". The 'Curse' has been a trend discovered in fantasy football over the last few seasons. Having exceeding the 370 carries last season, history dictates that Turner should experience a large decline in statistical output in 2009.

Over the last ten years, nine running backs exceeded 370 carries in a season. The only one who didn't experience a drop-off statistically: LaDainian Tomlinson.

Edgerrin James had 2,303 total yards and 18 TD's in 2000.

He had 855 yards and 3 TD's in 2001.

Eddie George had 1,962 total yards and 16 TD's in 2000.

He had 1,218 yards and 5 TD's in 2001.

Ricky Williams had 2,216 total yards and 17 TD's in 2002.

He had 1,723 yards and 10 TD's in 2003.

Ricky Williams also had 370 carries in 2003.

He did not play in 2004.

LaDainian Tomlinson had 2,172 total yards and 15 TD's in 2003.

He had 2,370 yards and 17 TD's in 2004.

Jamal Lewis had 2,271 total yards and 14 TD's in 2003.

He had 1,122 yards and 7 TD's in 2004.

Curtis Martin had 1,942 total yards and 14 TD's in 2004.

He had 853 yards and 5 TD's in 2005.

Shaun Alexander had 1,958 total yards and 28 TD's in 2005.

He had 944 yards and 7 TD's in 2006.

Larry Johnson had 2,199 total yards and 19 TD's in 2006.

He had 745 yards and 4 TD's in 2007.

So, will Michael Turner fall prey to the curse in 2009?

Turner is 27 years old, but having played only one full season, he might be strong enough to take another heavy load in 2009.

If Turner experiences any sort of decline this season, he will be added as a victim of the curse. With that said, majority of running backs who exceed the benchmark typically get injured. He hasn't been around the league long enough to prove himself an iron-man, so there is some risk in grabbing Turner as he will probably be up and around 350 carries this season - if he stays healthy.

But the Atlanta Falcons have expressed interest in developing the passing game in '09, even more so with the acquisition of veteran TE Tony Gonzalez.

And although it looks like the Falcons have been taking steps to ease Turner's workload in 2009, he still will be the first option on their offense, resulting in a second season of constant vulnerability.

We don't think Turner is worthy of the No. 1 draft pick in 2009, but given that, he should easily be scooped up in the first five.

Preseason Analysis: Brandon Marshall

Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver. Marshall reportedly requested the trade from team owner Pat Bowlen on Friday.

The Pro Bowl receiver, who will be entering his fourth season, did not attend the mandatory weekend mini camps. Marshall is demanding a trade, stating that he is underpaid and very uncomfortable with the Broncos staff.

Last year, Denver’s medical team wrongly diagnosed Marshall’s hip injury. Regardless, he underwent hip surgery on March 31, 2009, and shouldn’t be ready to practice until the end of July.

At $2.2 million a season, the Broncos are getting a huge deal with Marshall. An astronomically low contract for his caliber combined an inexperienced staff, and Brandon Marshall wants out of Denver.

No teams have currently expressed interest in Marshall thus far. He has been a constant legal hassle throughout his college and professional career, which might deem him ‘untradeable’. However, he is a tall receiving threat that could draw exposure to teams such as the Giants, Ravens, Bears and Eagles.

Marshall has pulled down 100+ receptions and 1,200 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons.

If he wants out of Denver, he will certainly have to get his legal and medical issues under control. Whether he remains a Bronco in 2009 is unknown, but we like his odds of a third consecutive 100-reception season.

Treat him as a low-end #1 receiver in most fantasy formats.

Preseason Analysis: Shonn Greene

The New York Jets signed rookie running back Shonn Greene to a four-year deal with a reported $905,000 signing bonus on Monday.

Greene was drafted as the first pick on the NFL Draft’s second day, as the Jets traded up twelve slots to acquire the Iowa product in the third round.

Greene emerged as a viable draft selection in the 2008 season, rushing for 1850 yards and 20 touchdowns in his last season as a Hawkeye. He concluded a stellar season by rushing for 100+ yards and three touchdowns in an Outback Bowl victory against South Carolina.

Shonn Greene should be looked at with some caution entering his rookie season. Although we don’t doubt his ability as a powerhouse running back, academic issues he encountered throughout college may be risky.

If he can put his past struggles beside, he can be the red zone back in New York, listed at a stout 235 lbs. Greene is big; he’s tough and he’s the perfect fit to sub in for an aging Thomas Jones.

Currently, both Thomas Jones and Leon Washington are skipping out on voluntary workouts while in the middle of contract negotiations. And with the Jets’ inking Greene to a four-year deal, we don’t expect the Jets to hang onto both Jones and Washington.

Although we don’t recommend drafting Greene in standard leagues, we are very high on rookie running backs. He might be playing behind a 30-something Thomas Jones next season; Greene should be one depth chart spot away from breaking onto the fantasy scene. You should keep an eye on the Jets running back progressions.

Preseason Analysis: Big Ben

Take a look at Eli Manning the last two years. He was merely an average quarterback in 2008, yet he won the Super Bowl in dramatic fashion. As a result, his draft stock skyrocketed, and he was regarded as an elite quarterback. People were actually debating which Manning brother was the better player. But despite his playoff success, he returned as an average quarterback in 2009. Expect the same thing from Ben Roethlisberger. Too many fantasy owners look too much into playoff success and let it affect the draft. Yes, Ben Roethlisberger has had one tremendous year. In 2007, he threw 32 TDs with a 104.1 QB rating, both career highs. But to counter his success, he has thrown only 17 TDs three times and 18 TDs once. And on top of his failure to score TDs, he has averaged 14 INTs per year over the last five seasons. He has never even threatened to reach 4,000 passing yards in a single season. Listen, we aren’t trying to say that he is a poor QB. Big Ben is the perfect fit for the Steelers because he can post decent numbers while taking a beating in the backfield. But his Super Bowl victory gives him much more attention than he deserves in the fantasy world. His injuries will continue to be a serious risk in drafting Roethlisberger. He played injured most of last season, and has missed several games throughout his career. The Big Ben we expect to see in 2009 will probably be a slight improvement from his 17 TD, 15 INT campaign in 2008. He barely ranks within the top-15 QBs this year, so he can be used as a solid bye-week filler. Be careful if you are in a league that takes points away for interceptions!

Preseason Analysis: Dwayne Bowe

Things are on the rise in Kansas City – so is Dwayne Bowe.

Take a look at the new Chiefs’ coaching staff. Head coach Todd Haley was the Arizona Cardinals’ offensive coordinator in 2008. With Fitzgerald, Boldin and Breaston, they created only the fifth trio in NFL history to surpass 1,000 yards receiving. Haley will surely help to improve the receiving core – starting with Bowe.

Tony Gonzalez is out, but Matt Cassel is in. Dwayne Bowe is a mid-range possession receiver, which perfectly suits Cassel’s passing game. Bowe won’t see as many looks as Wes Welker did in 2008, but we guarantee that his number of receptions will increase with Cassel under center.

And while he won’t break the century mark in receptions, Bowe is now the only red zone threat in KC. 12 TDs isn’t remarkable in his first two seasons, but don’t rule out double digit TD receptions this season.

D-Bowe has shown great consistency thus far, a trait lacking in most young players.

There is a downside to Bowe, however. He was second in the league in dropped passes last year, finishing with 13. But, we think Bowe will be able to improve significantly this offseason. After all, Todd Haley coached the most dominant WR tandem in the NFL – led by Fitzgerald’s ‘best hands in the league’.

Bowe is now the top receiving option in Kansas City. He will lead the team in every statistical category. If he can stop dropping the ball, he will be a phenomenal receiver in 2009. We say that Bowe has the potential to be a low-end #1 receiver this fall.

Preseason Analysis: Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith played on the worst team in the history of the NFL, and nearly reached 1000 yards last season. He battled for playing time the first semester of the season, but eventually emerged as the starter, receiving double-digit carries in 10 of the final 11 games – averaging a respectable 4.1 YPC along the way.

Even with the addition of Maurice Morris, and the starting-QB drama to ensue in Detroit, Kevin Smith will get plenty of playing time, as new head coach Jim Schwartz is a strong proponent of the run. And new additions in Matt Stafford, Brandon Pettigrew will help charge the offense.

Although we don’t support Smith's Twitter promise that: “We will definitely make the playoffs this season.”, we'll admith his team has improved in virtually every way imaginable.

Nonetheless, Smith is a surefire candidate for a 10 TD, 1000-yard campaign. And after a one dimensional rookie season, Schwartz will try to incorporate Kevin Smith into the passing game, regardless of who is under center.

This is one running back we don’t expect to have a sophomore slump. In fact, we consider Kevin Smith to be one of the top sleeper picks in the entire fantasy draft this year.

Draft him as a #2 RB, but remember, he is stocked with explosive potential.

Preseason Analysis: Marion Barber

2008 was supposed to be the year that Barber emerged as a top tier running back in virtually every category. Julius Jones was shipped away to Seattle, giving ‘Marion the Barbarian’ more than just red zone carries.

But, all 2008 did for Barber was prove that his running style will not allow him to be the exclusive running back in Dallas.

Without Terrell Owens, however, Wade Phillips and Tony Romo will rely much more on their tailbacks. The RB core will receive more carries from the backfield, and Romo will hope to incorporate them in the passing game as well. Fortunately enough, the Cowboys are stocked with talented runners.

In his rookie season, Felix Jones showed loads of potential: posting an astounding 8.9 yards per carry before going down with a torn ligament.

While Barber struggled with various injuries of the 2008 season, Tashard Choice stepped up with 5.1 yards per carry against great defenses of Pittsburgh, New York (Giants), Baltimore, Philadelphia.

Barber is undeniably a fantastic runner, but his reckless technique will be too damaging for him to carry the ball 20+ times a game.

The result: Felix Jones and Tashard Choice will be taking the bulk of the carries in between the 20 yard-lines. Barber should be a red zone back that will see plenty of action. But, his health will continue to be a question.

We expect him to be within the top-three in rushing touchdowns for 2009, but 1000 yards will certainly be a challenge.

Rough Projection: 222 carries, 984 yards, 13 TD. 48 receptions, 366 yards, 2 TD.

How will Palmer fare without Housh?

Carson Palmer is an obvious question mark among quarterbacks entering the 2009 season. He is on the road to recovery from an excruciating elbow injury that caused him to miss 12 games in 2008. His favorite target TJ Houshmandzadeh signed with the Seattle Seahawks, leaving a huge void in the already depleted Bengals’ wide receiver core. He has lashed out against his most talented wide receiver, Chad Ochocinco, scolding him for skipping offseason workouts.

Now, things are finally looking up for the USC graduate. Palmer is no longer on the offensive, but rather supporting Ochocinco, insisting the organization will welcome him into preseason camp: "I never once said anything about not wanting him here and not needing him. He's a Pro Bowl receiver. He's put up a ton of yards. He's extremely dangerous to cover. We would love him when he comes here, but he's not here right now."

Laveranues Coles join as a deep-ball threat, leaving the Bengals without a true possession receiver. They do have two young guys with plenty of potential: Chris Henry and Andre Caldwell. But, Coles will need to step up as a dependable leader to revive the team’s once explosive aerial assault.

The true question is whether Palmer’s report that his shoulder is “100% again” is reliable. If his statement is accurate, he should have no problem reaching another 25-TD, 3,800 passing yard season – numbers he has reached every season in which he started 16 games.

We trust he is telling the truth – Palmer should be considered an elite quarterback in any fantasy draft format.

T.O. Guarantees Successful Season

Monday was the first day of the Buffalo Bills voluntary mini camps, as Owens joined his teammates and began assimilating into the offense.

Owens joined the Bills in early March after being released by the Dallas Cowboys. Currently, he is under a one year, $6.5 million contract.

As always, T.O. drew a large crowd – nearly a dozen local television crews showed up to report the casual day of no pads practice.

Part of the media craziness, T.O. was presented the key to the city from Mayor Brown. Jokingly, the mayor insisted that T.O. received the key in agreement that he score 10 TD’s and help the Bills to their first playoff berth in nearly a decade.

Double digits touchdowns shouldn’t be a problem for Owens. The last time he failed to do so was in 2005, when he only appeared in seven regular season games.

If the Bills-T.O. relationship remains drama-free, there is no reason why he shouldn’t be a top tier receiver.

Anybody who has owned T.O. will admit that he is not a ‘enjoyable’ fantasy player to keep on your roster, but unless something goes awry, he can emerge as a top five receiver yet again.

A 15 TD season happened in 2007 for him, and it is not incredibly unrealistic for his first year in Buffalo.

Favre Shoulder Surgery a Probability

Brett Favre has scheduled to meet with Alabama orthopedist Dr. James Andrew on Tuesday, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Favre, 39, previously stated in other reports that if the lingering shoulder injury required major surgery, he would remain retired. Rehabilitation from the surgery is expected to require between six and eight weeks, the Pioneer press reported. The surgery, a tear of a partially torn biceps tendon is regarded as a routine surgery that should have him fully recovered in time for training camp. Signs are showing towards Favre’s intentions of joining the Vikings, though nothing is official. Should Favre choose to return to the league, he will be free to sign with Minnesota, as the Jets released him into free agency. If Favre does return, we expect him to post numbers identical to 2008. He won’t be a reliable fantasy starter from week to week, but he can be an excellent bye-week replacement. As for Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin, both have the potential to emerge as solid fantasy receivers. Both Jerricho Cotchery and Laveranues Coles were exceptional targets for Favre, and Berrian and Harvin can do the same. Berrian has the most value, and can optimistically be considered a high end #2 WR in standard leagues, with a lot of upside.

Bills' Lynch Appeals Suspension

Marshawn Lynch has filed an appeal with the NFL contesting the suspension that he received last month.

Lynch was suspended for three games without pay in April when he pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor gun charge, a violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

Lynch was arrested on February 11 when police searched a parked car carrying Lynch. The police found a.9 mm handgun, and four marijuana cigarettes, although no drug charges were filed.

After meeting with Goodell in March, Lynch publically expressed that he expected a suspension from the league’s front office.

This suspension was Lynch’s second encounter with the law, as he was charged with a hit-and-run last year in Buffalo.

If Lynch remains suspended for the three games, his stock as a running back plummets from top 10 RB to barely within top 20. The Bills have a solid backup in Fred Jackson, thus the Bills’ passing attack should remain fairly unchanged in Lynch’s absence.

Will Boldin Remain a Cardinal?

A persistent question surrounding this year’s NFL offseason swirls around the fate of Anquan Boldin, and his future with the Arizona Cardinals.

While Boldin and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, have been pursuing a contract upwards of $10 million a year, they released a new contract Friday, which reportedly is between $8-$9 million. This offer comes following the Seahawks signed T.J. Housmandzadeh to a five year, $40 million contract, and the Dallas Cowboys signed Roy Williams to a five year, $45 million contract. With lucrative deals for wide receivers this offseason, Drew Rosenhaus is demanding one for Boldin that equalizes his performance, saying: “"We just want a contract commensurate with his performance. You find me another guy with three Pro Bowls, the same number of yards, receptions, touchdowns and toughness”.

Rosenhaus has insured that Boldin will be traded or signed before trading camp.

Fortunately for the fantasy owner, Larry Fitzgerald showed no major signs of statistical change when Anquan Boldin missed a portion of the regular season due to a head injury. If Boldin sits out the 2009 season, or is traded to another team, Steve Breaston will void the gap, and make a bid for a second consecutive 1,000 yard season.

More to come regarding Boldin later in the week.

Rookie RB Analysis

Knowshon Moreno. Denver has gone absolutely insane with signing free-agent running backs this offseason, considering the huge plague of injuries the RB (and FB) core suffered last season. Prominent names that they have acquired include Correll Buckhalter, J.J. Arrington and Lamont Jordan. On top of that, the Broncos have sophomore Ryan Torain and rookie Kestahn Moore to battle for carries. Although Moreno is the frontrunner to receive the bulk of the carries, the Broncos have been notorious for splitting carries. We question the future of the franchise with Josh McDaniels succeeding Mike Shanahan’s fifteen year term.

Donald Brown. Last season, the Indianapolis Colts ranked 31st in the league in rushing, second to only the Arizona Cardinals. The Colts 27th overall pick in Donald Brown confirms that change in their rushing attack is imminent. Incumbent Joseph Addai posted a paltry 3.5 yards per carry in 2008, showing that he is not the every-down back people once expected. With the departure of Dominic Rhodes, Brown will probably split carries to begin the season. Tony Dungy is out, and with it, we project the Colts to improve significantly from the 79.4 rushing YPG last season. Brown should be an essential part of that as he will easily topple the 150 carry mark.

Chris “Beanie” Wells. J.J. Arrington signed with the Denver Broncos; Edgerrin James was released several days after the draft, leaving Tim Hightower as sole competition for the rookie out of Ohio State. In 2008, Hightower proved his worth as a third down running back, but his 2.9 YPG shows that he cannot shoulder the full load. The only question surrounding Wells’ potential is his ability to stay healthy. If he does, he is in position to be the starting back in the desert. Granted, the Cardinals ranked dead last in rushing last season, but they showed true promise with rushing the ball in their postseason run, and we look for a more dynamic attack to emerge for the high-octane offense – with Beanie handling the ground game.

Rookie QB Analysis

Matthew Stafford. Given that the Lions just pitched Georgia QB Matthew Stafford a six year contract worth $41.7 million in guarantees, it is probably safe to assume that he will be the starter come Week 1. Stafford has been ready for the NFL stage since Mel Kiper Jr. predicted that he would be the #1 overall pick in a draft three years ago! Detroit has traded Jon Kitna, and Dan Orvlosky, the guy most well-known for running for a safety, signed with Houston. With little competition (Drew Stanton) for the starting role, we expect Stafford to have a rookie year comparative to, or better than Matt Ryan’s 2008 season.

Mark Sanchez. The New York Jets didn’t give up three players and two draft picks for them not to utilize the fifth overall pick in the draft, Mark Sanchez. Similar to Stafford’s situation in Detroit, Sanchez has no competition in New York, as Kellen Clemens, with a whopping 59.3 career passer rating, is atop the Jets’ QB depth chart. Sanchez has the most upside of all of the rookie QB’s, given a deep set of WR’s to work with, and an already established running game, Sanchez will not only be the Week 1 starter, but our front-runner for Rookie of the Year. Realistically, the USC graduate remains a high-end number two QB, at least for now.

Josh Freeman. In 2008 for the Kansas State nearly scored as many touchdowns on the ground as he did in the air. Hopefully, Freeman will focus on his throwing power and accuracy rather than his mobility. As fun as they are, scrambling QB’s rarely lead successful teams or post good stats. While he too will probably earn the starting role for Tampa, we project him to be no more than a bye-week filler.

2009 NFL Draft: First Round Impact

* denotes high-impact fantasy player * denotes impact fantasy player 1. Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford (QB) 2. St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith (OT) 3. Kansas City Chiefs - Tyson Jackson (DE) 4. Seattle Seahawks - Aaron Curry (OLB) 5. New York Jets - Mark Sanchez (QB) 6. Cincinnati Bengals - Andre Smith (OT) 7. Oakland Raiders - Darrius Heyward-Bey (WR) 8. Jacksonville Jaguars - Eugene Monroe (OT) 9. Green Bay Packers - B.J. Raji (DT) 10. San Francisco 49ers - Michael Crabtree (WR) 11. Buffalo Bills - Aaron Maybin (DE) 12. Denver Broncos - Knowshon Moreno (RB) 13. Washington Redskins - Brian Orakpo (DE) 14. New Orleans Saints - Malcom Jenkings (CB) 15. Houston Texans - Brian Cushing (OLB) 16. San Diego Chargers - Larry English (DE) 17. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Josh Freeman (QB) 18. Denver Broncos - Robert Ayers (LB) 19. Philadelphia Eagles - Jeremy Maclin (WR) 20. Detroit Lions - Brandon Pettigrew (TE) 21. Cleveland Browns - Alex Mack (C) 22. Minnesota Vikings - Percy Harvin (WR) 23. Baltimore Ravens - Michael Oher (OT) 24. Atlanta Falcons - Peria Jerry (DT) 25. Miami Dolphins - Vontae Davis (CB) 26. Green Bay Packers - Clay Matthews (OLB) 27. Indianapolis Colts - Donald Brown (RB) 28. Buffalo Bills - Eric Wood (C) 29. New York Giants - Hakeem Nicks (WR) 30. Tennessee Titans - Kenny Britt (WR) 31. Arizona Cardinals - Chris Wells (RB) 32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Evander Hood (DT) High-impact rookies are those that will most likely be a fought over draft pick, as well as being a potential starter on a standard fantasy line up. Impact fantasy rookies are skilled position players who will be draft-worthy, but are currently viewed as a slot starter on a fantasy team.

2009 NFL Mock Draft

1. Detroit Lions - Matthew Stafford, QB, Georgia ~The debate is raging on what philosophy the Lions should use in this position. The Lions have a number of options at this spot: take a franchise QB, choose from its pick of the strong offensive tackle class, or take the best player defensive player available. Remember: the Lions have only used one first-round pick on a defensive player since 1999. If the Lions opt not to go with Stafford (or perhaps USC QB Mark Sanchez), they could go with a top-flight offensive tackle, possibly Alabama OT Andre Smith or Virginia OT Eugene Monroe or Ole Miss OT Michael Oher. Certainly there are plenty of great players at offensive tackle to choose from at this spot, and emulating the Dolphins (who went from 1-15 in 2007 to 11-5 in 2008) by taking an offensive tackle at the top spot in the draft might be a wise move. OLB Aaron Curry may also be a consideration, but with OLB Ernie Sims under contract for two more years, Detroit will likely not go with an outside linebacker at the top spot. The Lions have two picks in the first round of the 2009 Draft thanks to the Roy Williams trade, and there will be quality defensive players from whom they can choose later on in round one. Factor into that the team's pick at the top of round two, and there will be other chances for the Lions to rebuild its defense. 2. St. Louis Rams - Jason Smith, OT, BaylorThis is a deep draft at offensive tackle, and the Rams could be in position to have their pick of the litter. Mel Kiper was ahead of the curve in predicting Jason Smith as a high pick, and he very well could end up going to the Rams at this spot. Smith bench-pressed 225 pounds 33 times at the combine, and he may have separated himself from the rest of the very strong offensive tackle pack with that performance. Future hall of fame offensive tackle Orlando Pace is under contract with the Rams through 2011, but his base salary is steep: $5.975 million in 2009, $7.175 million in 2010, and $8.375 million in 2011. Pace is 33, and while he is a talented player, his presence on the roster is not necessarily an indication that the Rams would pass on an offensive tackle with a high first round pick. Adding Smith, along with the signing of free agent center Jason Brown (from Baltimore), would provide an instant improvement to the Rams' offensive line. 3. Kansas City Chiefs - Eugene Monroe, OT, VirginiaSo much for Kansas City taking Mark Sanchez here. With the Chiefs having traded for Patriots QB Matt Cassel, the Chiefs will likely either take OLB Aaron Curry or go for an offensive lineman. At 6'5" 315, Monroe has great size and is known for blocking multiple defenders on the same play. His stock is on the rise despite the stiff competition in the offensive tackle category, and while he hasn't received the attention of some of the other top tier talent, Monroe has the skills to be a strong NFL talent for many years. 4. Seattle Seahawks - Michael Crabtree, WR, Texas Tech ~Michael Crabtree is considered by most experts to be the top wide receiver prospect in the draft -- and he left school as just a redshirt sophomore. Certainly his performance on national TV in hauling in the game-winning TD catch for the Red Raiders in their win over Texas brought him plenty of attention, but Crabtree is an overall solid player who is quite possibly the best sophomore-eligible NFL wide receiver prospect to come along since Larry Fitzgerald in 2004. Some consider Crabtree to be the best overall prospect in the draft, and he would be an ideal fit in Seattle. Crabtree requires surgery on the stress fracture in his left foot, and after indicating initially that he would wait for his pro day to run, he has now decided to have surgery now and not run the 40. In my estimation, Crabtree has already shown enough talent and brilliance to where I see him going to Seattle at this spot. Before the combine, Crabtree going to Seattle looked like the safest bet in the draft as far as an accurate projection goes. Now? Not quite as much, but still Crabtree is very talented and Seattle will likely be hard pressed to pass on him at this spot. 5. Cleveland Browns - Aaron Curry, OLB, Wake ForestCurry has managed to work his way to the top of most defensive prospect lists, and it would be no surprise for him to be a top five pick in the draft. He played his way into this spot with an outstanding 2008 senior season. At 6'2" 245 pounds, Curry runs a 4.6 40 and has an incredible knack for finding the ball. Seeing Curry in a 3-4 defense would be interesting, but he is such a strong prospect that he would project highly in *any* defensive scheme. It's also possible that the Browns might consider Ohio State CB Malcolm Jenkins at this spot. 6. Cincinnati Bengals - Andre Smith, OT, AlabamaI still think Andre Smith is the best long-term offensive tackle prospect in the bunch. But, with Smith opting not to work out at the combine and there being some confusion on his plans, there are questions still swirling around him. But, with a good pro day, Smith could find himself back in the top ten mix, potentially ending up in Cincinnati. Consider this: in 2008, the Bengals were #30 in passing offense and #29 in rushing offense. To be fair, the injury of QB Carson Palmer contributed to this, but so did the departure of offensive tackle Willie Anderson to Baltimore in the last off-season. And, with the Bengals losing OT Stacy Andrews to free agency, adding an elite offensive tackle would seem to be a top priority for the Bengals. 7. Oakland Raiders - Jeremy Maclin, WR, Missouri ~While still very raw as a wide receiver, Maclin brings a big play kick return ability that would allow him to immediately impact special teams in a positive way. The Raiders could use youthful talent at wide receiver, and with Maclin's lightning speed he would seem like an appealing choice for Raiders owner Al Davis. His superb kick return skills give Maclin an extra edge over the rest of the wide receiver prospects. 8. Jacksonville Jaguars - Rey Maualuga, ILB, USCA playmaker who can cover sideline-to-sideline, Maualuga would be a great addition to any NFL team. A playmaker who can cover sideline-to-sideline, Maualuga would be a great addition to any NFL team, and he has the leadership skills to provide a strong shot in the arm for Jacksonville's defense. 9. Green Bay Packers - Malcolm Jenkins, CB, Ohio StateConsider this: Charles Woodson is 32 and Al Harris (who suffered a ruptured spleen earlier this year) is 34. The Packers need youth at corner in a major way. Jenkins might have been a top 15 pick had he come out last year, but with another year of seasoning on the college level he looks like the clear top cornerback prospect, and a likely top ten selection. 10. San Francisco 49ers - Mark Sanchez, QB, USC ~Alex Smith hasn't been the answer for the 49ers, and Sanchez has emerged as the second-ranked QB prospect besides Matthew Stafford. For the 49ers to return to greatness, they will likely need to find a top-flight signal caller to lead the offense. And, unless they somehow manage to sign QB Kurt Warner (who is likely simply using the 49ers for leverage in negotiations with Arizona), taking Sanchez at this spot makes a great deal of sense. 11. Buffalo Bills - B.J. Raji, DT, Boston CollegePeria Jerry is tempting as a pass rushing threat from the DT position, but Raji, at 6'1" 325, has the bulk to fill the middle arguably better than Perry would. Moreover, Raji had an outstanding Senior Bowl week, to the point where he might end up as a top ten selection. 12. Denver Broncos - Brian Orakpo, DE, TexasOrakpo is a talented defensive end who could be a wonderful addition to the Broncos. Denver is shifting to a 3-4 defense for 2009, and Orakpo at 6'3" 265 pounds should be able to handle being a 3-4 DE. 13. Washington Redskins - Michael Oher, OT, Ole MissOher is an outstanding pass blocker, and despite a difficult past he turned into one of the nation's best college offensive linemen. Oher didn't have a great combine, but he is a freakishly talented player who, with the right coaching, could turn into an All-Pro. 14. New Orleans Saints - Brian Cushing, OLB, USCThe Saints held true to what was expected and signed free agent MLB Jonathan Vilma to a new contract. Vilma, who excels as a 4-3 MLB, had a tremendous 2008 season for New Orleans. Without a second or third round pick in 2009, the Saints need to make a strong pick here, and Cushing would be a great addition to the team. He has great size, speed, and has shown poise and skill in big games. The Saints could use a high-end center, and this draft has a couple of them -- but taking one at this spot would be a major stretch. Trading down might be a good idea if that is the objective of the Saints, as they could potentially obtain a second or third round selection as a result. 15. Houston Texans - Everette Brown, DE, Florida State ~Brown had 13.5 sacks this past season for the Seminoles, and he would be an interesting addition to the Raiders. At 6'4" 250, Brown has great size, and his 4.65 speed presents a great combination for him coming off of the end position. The Texans have a great defensive end with Mario Williams, but they could use a player like Brown to bring pressure from the left defensive end position. It's possible that the Texans could draft Brown with the idea of converting him into an OLB, but a player like Penn State OLB/DE Aaron Maybin would likely be a better choice for such a move. 16. San Diego Chargers - Chris "Beanie" Wells, RB, Ohio State ~LaDainian Tomlinson turns 30 later this year, and while he has had a tremendous career, there are widespread rumors that the Chargers are pondering cutting LT. San Diego used its franchise tag on RB Darren Sproles, but that could simple allow the Chargers to have security to go with a rookie running back if the plan really is to take a RB in this position. Note that there have been recent whispers that the Chargers are looking to keep Tomlinson with a reduced salary for 2009. If that happens, I wouldn't expect San Diego to draft a running back at this spot -- especially considering that San Diego does not have a second round pick in the 2009 Draft. There are some who consider Georgia RB Knowshon Moreno to be a superior prospect, but for now I have Wells going over Moreno based on his impressive size and how great of a contrast he would be with the 5'6" Sproles. 17. New York Jets - Knowshon Moreno, RB, Georgia ~In some ways I question the idea of the Jets not trying to stretch one more year out of the combo of Thomas Jones and Leon Washington, but the chance to land Moreno might be too enticing to pass up. The Jets might be tempted to trade up to get Moreno if they fear that San Diego might take him at #16, but of course that hinges on how the new braintrust with the Jets evaluates the relative skills of Wells and Moreno. 18. Chicago Bears - Tyson Jackson, DE, LSUJackson might have been a first round pick had he come out for last year's draft. In 2008 he fell off the radar to a degree due to LSU having a down year, but he has worked his way back into contention at the defensive end position. The Bears have already locked in DT Tommie Harris to a long-term deal, and adding Jackson to a defensive line that already has Harris and DE Alex Brown would make the team even tougher up front. 19. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Peria Jerry, DT, Ole MissThe Bucs were in the running for free agent DT Albert Haynesworth up until the end, but the Redskins landed him. It was Haynesworth or bust for teams wanting an elite defensive tackle, so the Bucs must look elsewhere to fill that spot. Jerry has had a strong season at Ole Miss, and he has moved into strong first round projection territory with his performance and with this being such a weak draft at defensive tackle. The Bucs once had a defensive tackle with great pass-rushing skills with Warren Sapp, and while it's not fair to hold Jerry to Sapp's standards (at least on the field), Jerry could be a strong pickup for a Bucs defense that folded down the stretch in 2008. There are a wide variety of options for the Buccaneers at this spot, but picking Jerry here makes a great deal of sense. 20. Detroit Lions (from Cowboys) - James Laurinaitis, ILB, Ohio StateIf the Lions take a QB with their own first round pick (the #1 overall selection), they most likely would go defense with this selection. There is plenty of work to be done in Detroit on a defense that was mostly neglected (at least as far as first round pick use went) under former GM Matt Millen, and Laurinaitis could have an instant impact on the team. 21. Philadelphia Eagles - Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Oklahoma StateOne year ago the Eagles used their franchise tag to retain tight end L.J. Smith. It seems unlikely that the team would do that again, and short of Smith signing a long-term deal with Philly, the Eagles could be in the market for a tight end. At this point Pettigrew looks like the best of the bunch with Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham going back to school for 2009. At 6'6" 260 Pettigrew has great size and appears to have the ability to block on an NFL quality level. He is also a receiving threat, and adding him to the mix in Philly would be quite intriguing. 22. Minnesota Vikings - Alex Mack, C, CaliforniaPart of a strong crop of players at center, Mack is a skilled player who is talented at snapping (be it shotgun or traditional) and blocking. With Matt Birk an unrestricted free agent and apparently not coming back to Minnesota, Mack could be a strong addition to the Vikings lineup who might be called upon to play right away. 23. New England Patriots - D.J. Moore, CB, Vanderbilt ~An important part of the defense that lead Vanderbilt to its first bowl game since 1982, Moore is heading to the NFL -- where he could be a great pickup by New England. He has already shown that he can handle man-to-man matchups with some elite WR talent, which should make him an appealing pick for New England. The Patriots lost CB Asante Samuel to free agency last year, and giving a boost to that position by bringing a player with Moore's shut-down ability could be great. The Patriots might also consider drafting Wake Forest CB Alphonso Smith with this selection. 24. Atlanta Falcons - Aaron Maybin, DE/OLB, Penn State ~The Falcons have cut OLB Keith Brooking (who turns 34 this year). Maybin is in some ways a raw talent, but with good speed and great athleticism, Maybin could be a good fit for the Falcons defensive front seven. Moreover, Maybin could also provide depth at the defensive end position, which would be a win-win for Atlanta. 25. Miami Dolphins - Percy Harvin, WR, Florida ~The Dolphins could use a solid OLB, but instead of stretching to take one here the Dolphins could land an amazing talent in Harvin. Harvin has great speed, to be sure, but what makes him really stand out is his uncanny knack for not only running great routes but also in getting open. While I could see the Dolphins trading down here in Bill Parcells expert draft style, if Miami has the chance to draft Harvin here that could be a great move for a team that already has an emerging star with Ted Ginn, Jr. 26. Baltimore Ravens - Vontae Davis, CB, Illinois ~The Ravens cut longtime CB Chris McAlister earlier this month, and a logical progression for the Ravens would be to bring in a young player like Davis who, in time, could develop into a great pro cornerback. At 6'0" 205 Davis has average height for the position, but it's his speed and knack for breaking up passing plays that makes him look so good as a pro prospect. 27. Indianapolis Colts - Sen'Derrick Marks, DT, Auburn ~The Colts rely on defensive pressure from its front four to pressure the quarterback with its Cover 2 defense. Moreover, the team looks to the interior defensive line to stop the run, which has been a hit-or-miss proposition in recent years. At 6'1" (or 6'2" depending on who you believe) and 295 pounds, Marks would be able to help turn around the interior defensive line problems of the team. The DT position has been hit hard in the past two seasons, with the career-ending knee injury in August 2007 suffered by Anthony McFarland (who the Colts acquired for a second-round pick in 2006) and then the release of starting DT Ed Johnson early in the 2008 season after Johnson was arrested for possession of marijuana. 28. Philadelphia Eagles (from Panthers) - Eben Britton, OT, ArizonaBoth starting offensive tackles for the Eagles, Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas, are slated to be unrestricted free agents, and it's a distinct possibility that one (if not both) will be leaving the team. However, the Eagles in this scenario would have missed out on the first wave of offensive tackles by the time pick #21 came up, so it makes sense for the Eagles to snag Brandon Pettigrew at #21 and then go for Britton at this spot. 29. New York Giants - Fili Moala, DT, USCMoala is part of a fantastic USC defense, and he would be a nice fit for an already strong Giants front four. With DE Osi Umenyiora returning from a left knee injury that ended his 2008 season before it began, the Giants could become even more fearsome on its front four defensive front in 2009 with Umenyiora back and with the massive Moala plugging the middle. 30. Tennessee Titans - Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Maryland ~Heyward-Bey has an unusual combination of size (6'2" 205) and world-class speed (he ran a 4.30 40 at the combine), so much so that on one play early in the 2008 season he literally *outran* double-coverage en route to an open touchdown reception. Moreover, with Chris Carr as a free agent, Heyward-Bey would be an intriguing addition at the kick return spot. 31. Arizona Cardinals - LeSean McCoy, RB, Pittsburgh ~The Cardinals have a rather strong need for a franchise running back. Edgerrin James turns 31 in August, and for a third straight season he finished with a sub 4.0 yards per carry rushing average in 2008. He's also due a $5 million base salary in 2009. Tim Hightower had an even worse average than James, with an anemic 2.8 yards per carry in the 2008 regular season. J.J. Arrington had only 31 carries and is an unrestricted free agent as of March 1. McCoy is a very talented running back who would provide an instant boost to the Cardinals rushing attack. At 5'11" 210 he has decent size, but it's his sub 4.5 speed that helps make him be considered such a strong prospect. 32. Pittsburgh Steelers - Max Unger, C/OG, OregonUnger played center at Oregon, but he could potentially play both center and guard for the Steelers. Pittsburgh retained OG Chris Kemoeatu with a five-year contract, but Unger could still be a valuable addition to a Steelers team that needs some fresh blood on its offensive line. *Provided by Draft King

49ers RB Foster May Start

San Francisco 49ers running back, Frank Gore, was held out of practice again on Thursday. DeShaun Foster is likely to start Sunday against Miami in place of injured Frank Gore. Coach Mike Singletary said it will be a game-time decision.

Hillis Place On Injured Reserve

Peyton Hillis became Denver's fifth running back to be place on IR this season (Andre Hall, Michael Pittman, Anthony Aldrige, Ryan Torain). In addition, Selvin Young has been ineffective in the last two months due to an everlasting groin injury. The seventh running back on Denver's depth chart will be Tatum Bell, with PJ Pope probably stealing some carries in between Impact: Before being resigned by the Broncos a short time earlier, Tatum Bell was selling cell phones at a local mall. In short, this is probably not a guy you will want to pick up and utilize. With only three weeks left in the season, Bell should only be acquired as a last resort, and even then he should not be started. The Denver running back situation is already unpredictable enough...

Peyton Hillis Out With Hamstring Injury

Peyton Hillis left Sunday's game against the Chiefs with what is reported to be a hamstring injury. Prior to the injury, Hillis carried the ball 8 times for 58 yards and a score. As of now, his status for next week is still up in the air. Impact: Hillis has been a valuable asset to several teams over the closing weeks of the season. He has a fairly rough schedule ahead of him in the next three weeks, but he still remains a solid play pending his health. Keep an eye on Hillis as the week progresses, he has scored 5 TD' in his last four games and should continue the trend barring a setback on his hamstring.

McFadden Useless At Home

Darren McFadden only received one carry last night against the Chargers, for a grand total of zero yards. McFadden has had an extremely disappointing year, especially considering many expected him to follow in the footsteps of Adrian Peterson. Impact: Everyone that is in the fantasy football playoffs should be smart enough to avoid this guy. He has had only two decent games all year and they came against atrocious defenses (DEN, KC). McFadden has two of his three final games against tough opponents this year. Not only is DMC a guy you need to keep out of your starting lineup, but there might be better handcuffs on the waiver wire.

Vincent Jackson Explodes vs. Oakland

Vincent Jackson had his best game of the season Thursday night, posted 5 receptions for 148 yards and an endzone score. The main reason behind his performance was essentially because of Chris Chambers. Blanket cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha, the team's only secondary threat, covered Chambers and Jackson was left alone. Impact: Jackson is incredibly underrated considering the number's he posts. He is unowned in 8% of ESPN leagues, yet ranks within the top-15 of receivers. He is a fairly risky play, because he doesn't post a lot of receptions, but he has caught a deep ball in all but one game this season. With two fairly soft opponents in weeks 15 & 17 (KC, DEN), Jackson will be a solid start as a mid-end number 2 receiver or high-end number 3.

Steven Jackson Limited In Practice

For the second consecutive day, Rams RB Steven Jackson was limited in practice with a thigh injury. He is listed as probable on the injury report. Jackson only got one carry in the fourth quarter on last Sunday's game. With an extra week to let his thigh rest, he will have an extra fifteen minutes to rack up more touches. Impact: Jackson is facing a run defense that allows nearly 100 YPG. He got 22 touches last week in Miami, and he is reportedly supposed to be getting more this week in Arizona. Steven Jackson is only being started in 58% of ESPN leagues. As of right now, Steven Jackson can be considered a low-end number 1 fantasy RB. Unless something unforeseen happens, start him with confidence.

Dr. Scout's Medical Report

Ben Roethlisberger left practice early Wednesday with a knee injury. According to Roethlisberger, he slipped on the practice field, although the injury is not expected to be serious. Backup quarterback Byron Leftwich took Roethlisberger's place, and he will start Sunday if Big Ben can't play. Either way, you probably have better options, and it would be best to avoid a quarterback facing a Dallas secondary that is on the rise. Donnie Avery didn't practice Wednesday because of a hip injury, but he is still listed as probable on the injury report. Avery is a guy fantasy owners should have given up on several weeks ago. He has only had two good games this season and has been cold as of late: catching only 1 ball for 14 yards in his last two games. This week, he faces an underrated Arizona secondary. You'll want to keep this rookie on the bench unless you are desperate. Steven Jackson says his thigh doesn't feel any worse than it did before the game against Miami on Sunday. There's always a chance that Jackson could re-injure himself, but after seeing him take 21 carries on Sunday, he appears to be healthy. Start him with confidence: He is playing a defense that Brian Westbrook tore up for 4 TD's last week. Marion Barber is not expected to practice at all this week. Barber left the game last week with a dislocated toe injury. He will probably suit up to play this week, but he will be losing a significant amount of carries to RB Tashard Choice. It's tough to sit a stud running back like Barber, but it would be a good idea to keep him on your bench this week: he is playing the NFL's best run defense in Pittsburgh. That on top of his toe injury, and "Marion the Barbarian" is a risky start. Clinton Portis is really banged up with neck, knee and hip injuries. Don't take this too seriously, as Portis hasn't been a participant at practice for three weeks now. He is listed as questionable on the injury report, and he will probably be another game-time decision. Portis is facing a tenacious Raven's defense, but it'll be hard to sit a guy like Portis. Selvin Young is slated to return from his groin injury this week. For those of you who have been holding onto him for the last six weeks, it won't pay off. The Broncos seem to be committing to Peyton Hillis, and Young will not see a significant amount of carries, at least not this week. Odds are you have better options than him if you have made the fantasy playoffs this year. But if not, be cautious using a guy who has missed the last six weeks with a nagging injury. More injury updates to come as the week progresses.

Peyton Manning Ineffective in Cleveland

Peyton Manning had his worst statistical game of the season, despite still picking up a win. It was Manning's first game where he didn't throw for 200+ yards (125 yards) and only the second game this season that he didn't throw a touchdown. He also tied his season high of interceptions with 2. Impact: Manning remains a top tier quarterback that is too good to keep on the virtual fantasy pine. Manning's performance against the 20th ranked pass defense must be overlooked. He has arguably the easiest schedule to close out the season (Cincinnati, Detroit, Jacksonville, Tennessee). Peyton should be a lock for 220 passing yards and 2 touchdowns in each of the upcoming games. Start him with confidence entering the fantasy playoffs.

Steven Jackson Productive Despite Thigh Injury

The guy you "wasted" a top-ten draft pick on will finally start to pay dividends when it matters most. Steven Jackson hasn't seen a considerable amount of action since Week 7, but showed no rust as he posted a solid game against the ninth-ranked rush defense in the Miami Dolphins. Jackson ran 21 times for 94 yards, for an average of 4.5 YAC (which is .7 higher than the Dolphins average). Impact: If his thigh holds up, Jackson will be an excellent fantasy start in the next four weeks. He has a considerably easy schedule ahead of him (Arizona, Seattle, San Francisco, Atlanta). Seeing how effective Jackson was coming off a persistent thigh injury, he should light up these weaker run defenses when he is at full strength.

Lance Moore Extends TD Streak

New Orleans Saints receiver Lance Moore has now caught a touchdown pass in each of his last five games. During that span, he has recorded six TD's while averaging 80 YPG. Plus, with Marques Colston and Jeremy Shockey now fresh in the lineup, Moore will draw weaker corners, which will add up to similar, if not better numbers in the closing weeks. Impact: Moore is available in 10% of ESPN leagues, despite ranking within the top-10 of all receivers. With a couple favorable opponents ahead (Atlanta, Detroit), Moore is not only a great waiver pick up for this week, but a must-start when he is facing weaker secondaries. Look for his touchdown streak to continue next week vs. the Falcons as Drew Brees continues to establish chemistry with him.

Lynch Tears Up San Francisco

Worry not Marshawn Lynch owners. Lynch had his third straight respectable performance today, recording 16 carries for 134 yards against a weak 49ers defense. This brute-force back thrives during the second semester of the season. In '07, Lynch's YPC was 1.0 more during the months of November and December. Lynch's running style is based off of breaking tackles, which tends to be more difficult when the weather turns for the worse. Impact: Marshawn Lynch has three of his final four games on the east coast, which instantly automatically makes Lynch a must-start in all formats.

McClain is Baltimore's Primary RB

The running back situation in Baltimore has provided many fantasy owners with an everlasting headache this season. Willis McGahee, Ray Rice and Le'Ron McClain have consistently traded off carries and goal line scores throughout the season. McClain managed majority of the workload this week, carrying the ball 25 times. Ray Rice got 11 carries and McGahee didn't see any action this week. Impact: McClain has been the primary back for two consecutive weeks now. Still, the current status is bound to change at any time, and with a fairly tough schedule ahead of the Ravens in the next few weeks, it would be a gamble to start any Baltimore RB. Ray Rice and Willis McGahee will prove to have little value in upcoming weeks, while McClain will be no more than a flex play.

Giants Receivers Shine in Plaxico's Absence

With star receiver Plaxico Burress out for the second consecutive week, New York's receivers stepped up once again. Long-time Giant Amani Toomer recorded 5 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown, and other wide-outs posted respectable numbers against a solid Redskins secondary (Domenik Hixon: 5 receptions, 71 yards, Kevin Boss: 3 receptions, 45 yards). Impact: Considering that Burress will likely be arrested on gun charges, and miss the rest of the season, everyone's value increases. Hixon and Toomer are available in several leagues and will be great flex-plays heading into the fantasy football playoffs.

Anderson In, Quinn Out

The short-lived fantasy season of Brady Quinn is over as the Browns have announced he will miss the rest of the season with a broken finger. This means Derek Anderson will have his starting job back. Anderson is available in most leagues and is a worthwhile pickup who is capable of putting up solid fantasy numbers, just don't get too excited. Sin City Scout

Free NFL Picks: The Scout 34-23-1!

Don't forget to check out our Free NFL Picks. We had a winning season last year and currently have a 59.48% winning record going 34-23-1 overall. And it is free! Out every week on Thursday night!

Pro Fantasy Football Makes Playoffs

Pro Fantasy Football has clinched a playoff berth in one of our two Expert Leagues. The "Nova Sports Expert League". We are currently in first place, but there are several great teams on our heels with 2 regular season games to go. The top 6 teams go to the playoffs, the top 2 getting a bye. If you would like to view the team: 1. PFF - Sin City Scout 9-2-0 Or the League: http://football.fantasysports.yahoo.com/f1/293120 In the "Fantasy Football Search Expert League" it has been a brutal fight where Pro Fantasy Games is in a 3-way-tie for first at 6-5. In addition, 3 teams are still in it at 5-6 with 2 games to go. The top 3 teams in each division go to the playoffs, #1 getting a bye. View Team: http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/clubhouse?leagueId=84789&teamId=11 View League: http://games.espn.go.com/ffl/leagueoffice?leagueId=84789

The Cupboard Is Bare - QB's

2008 has not been an exciting year in Fantasy Football free agency and as the season winds down the free agent cupboard remains bare in most leagues. But there is reason to remain active in free agency. There are two important tasks: Protect your flank. Not sure if that works here, but I like using the word flank. If you have some scrubs on the bench it is time to protect your starters, especially QB's. Nothing worse than going into the playoffs and and your starting QB goes down. Even if you have a good backup you are going to want the option, especially if your QB is one of the best and definitely if his backup is really good. Attack your opponents flank. The second task is to go after your opponents' backups to possibly hurt their team and to possibly help your team. Here are some good fantasy QB's with good backups to go after: 1. Kurt Warner - Backup: Matt Leinart. This one is a must. Leinart is it at least a solid fantasy QB and could be ready to be a top fantasy QB, especially with those receivers. 2. Brady Quinn - Backup: Derek Anderson. Quinn is playing well, but you never know. Anderson is not the top fantasy QB like last season, but he is very startable if he some how got the job back. 3. Brett Favre - Backup: Kellen Clemens. Ya, Favre never gets hurt. Famous last words of a second place manager. Other possible backup QB's to take a shot at: Trent Edwards - Backup: J.P. Losman. Edwards shouldn't be starting for you after his concussion, but Losman may get a shot to start if Edwards continues losing. Ben Roethlisberger - Backup: Byron Leftwich. Leftwich has looked good and Big Ben continues to hurt. Kerry Collins - Backup: Vince Young. Collins isn't exactly "young" and could go down at anytime. Young has his problems, but he still has talent and could put up some nice numbers if he has to start for Collins.

Is Matt Cassel a legitimate starting QB?

The answer is yes. The true proof is not in the 400 passing yards or 3 TDs he posted against the Jets, even though that really helps. It is in the 62 rushing yards. Matt Cassel has finally gained enough confidence so he can truly run the offense and lead the team on the field, allowing to be more aggressive with his passes. Eventually this will lead to a connection with Randy Moss, but even if he does have a stinker of a game, Cassel has proved he can pickup meaningful rushing yards, which will pad his fantasy stats in lieu of below average passing yardage. The rushing yards that made McNabb and Vick so attractive can now be found on a lesser level with Cassel. Matt Cassel can now be counted on as a low end #1 fantasy QB. -Scout Widget

Chiefs QB Thigpen Tosses 3 TD's

Kansas City Chiefs 3rd year QB, Tyler Thigpen went 27 of 41 with 3 TD's and no interceptions in the 20-19 loss to the Chargers in San Diego. The Charger defense isn't much, but it was an impressive road performance nevertheless. He added 26 yards rushing with his mobility. He makes a nice pick-up in QB-short leagues. Sin City Scout

Dolphins' Ginn Jr. Breaks Out

Miami Dolphins wide, Ted Ginn Jr. caught 7 passes for a career-high 175 yards in the Dolphins 25-16 win against the Bills . The Dolphins continue to play well, but Pennington has been throwing to the ball everyone, so is difficult to predict who will have a good fantasy day, but Ginn surely has the most talent of the bunch. Sin City Scout

Rams' WR Avery Comes Up Big

St. Louis Rams rookie wide receiver, Donnie Avery, caught 6 passes for 163 yards and 1 TD in the Rams 23-16 loss to the Patriots. He continues to produce as the Rams' offense continues to improve. He is still available in some leagues. Sin City Scout

Cobbs A Fantasy Alternative At RB

Miami Dolphins RB/WR Patrick Cobbs isn't going to win you a game with his rushing stats, but if you are in need a a running back start during the byes, Cobbs could put up decent receiving numbers, especially in a points-per-reception league. He has caught 8 passes for 202 yards and 2 TD's in the past two games. He is no sure-thing he could get shut out, but if you are in need at running back or even receiver, Cobbs at least gives you a warm body. Sin City Scout

Who is Josh Morgan?

Josh Morgan is the sleeper WR from the San Fransisco 49ers that few are talking about. In his first start of his career, he caught 5 balls for 86 yards and a TD. His play last week was good enough to push Bryant Johnson out of the starting position for good this season, allowing Morgan to fully develop his skills in his rookie season. While he is battling a groin injury this week, he should play and has unlimited future potential as a WR. Pick this guy up if you can in Dynasty leagues. -Scout Widget

Bush Out With Knee Injury

New Orleans Saints running back, Reggie Bush, will have surgery and will be out at least a few weeks. He is not done for the season, so do not cut him. The Saints were out of the game and passing the ball, so it was hard to tell who would get the ball the most in the absence of Bush, but clearly Duece McAllister has been the favored second option recently. Pierre Thomas, who was playing well early, on is worth a look if you are desperate. Sin City Scout

Rookie WR Avery Catches TD

St. Louis Rams rookie wide receiver, Donnie Avery caught 5 passes for 65 yards and 1 TD in the Rams 34-14 thumping of the Dallas Cowboys. Avery was a sleeper pick to start this week and he is still available in many leagues. Sin City Scout

Titans' Scaife Rising In TE Rankings

Tennessee Titans TE, Bo Scaife, is quickly moving up the fantasy football tight end rankings. He has completely outperformed Titans starting tight end, Alge Crumpler, and has put up 3 good fantasy starts in 5 games (6 -105 - 0 TD's, 3 - 26 -1 TD, 7 - 72 - 0 TD's). Overall he has 20 catches for 226 yards and 1 TD. That projects to 64 catches 723 yards and 3-4 TD's. Not bad, and it can get better. At least worth a look when your tight end is on a bye. Sin City Scout

Roy Williams Traded To Dallas

Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams has been traded to the Dallas Cowboys for a first-round, third-round and sixth-round draft choice. His stock rises tremendously even with Romo out for 3 games. Sin City Scout

Dunn Tops Century Mark

Tampa Bay Buccaneers backup running back, Warrick Dunn, rushed 22 times for 115 yards and added 3 catches for 18 yards. He got most of the carries over starter Earnest Graham and, in fact, Dunn has looked better all season. This is bad news for Graham owners, though he is still the goalline back. Dunn on the other hand, is still available in some leagues and is worth a look. Sin City Scout

Rams Rookie Avery Starting

St. Louis Rams rookie 2nd-round draft pick receiver, Donnie Avery, started at WR and caught 4 passes for 73 yards in the 19-17 win over the Redskins. The Rams got the first win with their new head coach and that should give their offense some hope. Avery could be a solid pickup in large leagues or 3 WR leagues. Sin City Scout

Jags' TE Lewis Catches Another TD

Jacksonville Jaguars starting TE, Marcedes Lewis, has now caught TD passes in consecutive games. He finished with 3 catches for 64 yards. He was the Jags #1 pick in the 2006 draft and in 2007 showed some of his promise when he caught 37 passes for 391 yards and 2 TD's. He makes a good bye fill-in or a TE prospect for your bench. Sin City Scout

Dolphins' WR Cobbs Catches 2 TD's

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Patrick Cobbs caught 3 passes for 138 yards and 1 TD in the Dolphins 29-28 loss to the Texans. Cobbs is a 5-8 backup receiver who likely had a fluke game and should not be picked up unless you are desperate. Sin City Scout

Addai suffers hamstring injury

Indianapolis Colts running back Joseph Addai left Sunday’s game against the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter with a hamstring injury. Dominic Rhodes took over and rush 25 times for 73 yards and 1 TD. He may be worth picking up right away until we hear more about Addai. Sin City Scout

NFC RB Report

Steven Jackson - Rams Jackson had his best game of the season against the Bills good defense running for 110 yards and 1 TD and had 5 catches for 78 yards. He is looking 100% now and he should continue to produce at his normal level, minus a few TD's and the entire Ram offense should improve a little. It is doubtful to get a discount trade at this point, but it is worth a try. Kevin Smith - Lions He was cut in some leagues after word came out that he lost his starting job, then he started and scored a TD. He still hasn't been anything special, but there is upside with him. He is young and the Lions can't get worse...Can they? Pick him up if he has been cut or make an offer if you need a RB and can get him for a very cheap price.

NFC QB Report

Marc Bulger - St. Louis Rams The good news is Bulger is starting again, the bad news is he is still playing for the Rams. He and the Ram offense have been a major disappointment and Bulger is not a worthy starter nor a worthy back up unless you are in a large league or a 2 QB league. Charlie Frye - Seahawks Remember Frye? He was the Browns opening day starter before being replaced by Derek Anderson. He looked good in the preseason and should make a solid start this week against the Packers with Hasselback out, but his long term value isn't much considering he is the third-string QB (Backup Seneca Wallace is out too). Matt Leinart - Cardinals Just a reminder that he is a quality backup QB and besides, isn't it about time for a Kurt Warner injury? If you have a roster spot he may be worth a look. Matt Ryan - Falcons A big surprise as a rookie QB. He has passed for a solid 863 yards, 4 TD's and 3 Int's in 5 games, but has improved and last week he went 16 of 26 for 194 yards with 2 TD's and 1 Int. He is worth picking up in Keeper Leagues, otherwise just one to keep an eye on. Jeff Garcia - Tampa Bay He has got the starting job back after Greise went down with an injury and Garcia played well scoring a meaningless TD at the end of the game. Neither QB is worth more than a 3rd-string slot or a backup in 2 QB leagues. The only question is, when will Gruden give Luke McCown the shot to start. That could be interesting. Kyle Orton - Bears He had what is probably the best game of his career against the Lions going 24 of 34 for 334 yards and 2 TD's. He has now tossed for 1,100 yards and 7 TD's with 4 Int's. That projects to 3,520 yards and about 22 TD's. Surprisingly, pretty good! Sin City Scout

Westbrook Out For Week 6

Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook will not play against the San Francisco 49ers due to a rib injury. Backup Correll Buckhalter will start in his place. Westbrook, who has 194 yards rushing with four touchdowns along with 94 yards receiving and a pair of scores, is a top-five fantasy back and his Week 6 absence will be a blow to anyone that owns him. Adding insult to injury, the Niners rank 23rd in NFL in rushing defense, allowing 128.4 yards per game. Buckhalter isn't likely to be owned in many leagues and can be a solid Week 6 pickup. Don't expect him to be starting much beyond this week, though. The Eagles have a Week 7 Bye and the extra time off will certainly help the banged up Westbrook return to the lineup sooner rather than later.

Filling the Bye: Wide Receivers

Rashied Davis - Chicago Bears After a good preseason and a quiet start to the regular he played his best game of the season catching 6 passes for 97 yards against Detroit. Week 6: @ Atlanta Michael Jenkins - Atalanta Falcons He has played solid much of the year, though has yet to have a big a game. An emergency fill-in only Week 6: Atlanta Greg Camarillo - Miami Dolphins He had 6 catches for 67 yards and a TD against the Chargers. Before that he was good for about 4 catches for about 48 yards. So how about 5 catches for 60 yards? Week 6: @ Houston Sin City Scout

QB Stanton May Get 1st Start

Detroit Lions' starting QB Jon Kitna left the game against Chicago after experiencing back spasms and backup Dan Orlovsky suffered a high ankle sprain at the end of the game. Neither played well at all when healthy anyway. Drew Stanton could get a shot at the starting job in Week 6. Sin City Scout

Filling the Bye: Tight Ends

Visanthe Shiancoe - Minnesota Vikings Has been a solid bye-filler at tight end, catching and he is playing at home against the Lions. 12 catches - 145 yards - 2 TD's He can get you 3 for 28 and maybe a lucky TD. Billy Miller - New Orleans Saints Took a huge hit, but held on to the ball and survived in the loss against the Vikings. That should give him respect and more throws. He finished with 4 catches for 61 yards. He doesn't seem to be used much around the goal line though. 4 catches and 48 yards sounds like a decent fill-in.

AFC QB Report

Trent Edwards - Buffalo Bills He continues to be on the edge of being a fantasy starting QB, but needs to throw a few more passes and another 1/2 TD in each game to do so. The more the Bills win, the more confidence will be put in him and the more likely we are to see his stats increase. Through 4 games he has thrown for 930 yards, 4 TD's and 2 Int's. That projects to 3,720 yards 16 TD's and 8 Int's. Almost there.... Matt Cassell - New England Patriots The jury on Cassell thus far is, he is guilty of being not good. He is not worth keeping unless you are in a QB thin league. With that said, the is a glimmer of hope he can mature and improve his game with the tools and system New England has, but it is just a glimmer. 448 yards, 2 TD's and 1 Int. Trent Edwards is a much fantasy QB. Chad Pennington - Miami Dolphins His stats aren't that bad (589 yards 2 TD's & 1 Int.), but the question is his potential to improve. There is some, but the Dolphins will focus and a running the ball and that will keep his potential to be a fantasy starter very, very low. Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers He was projected to be a fantasy stud, but with a team full of injuries, he has become a dud. The question with Big Ben is whether to trade him or keep him. Th advice is to keep him at this point because one, his value is very low and two, the Steelers should heal up and improve and you may want Big Ben for your playoff stretch. The only exceptions are if you are given reasonably close to his draft value or if you have 1 or 2 better QB's. As always this means acquiring Roethlisberger in a cheap trade is a worthwhile gamble. Sin City Scout

AFC RB Report

Mewelde Moore - Pittsburgh Steelers He should get the bulk of the carries on Sunday night @ Jacksonville with the injuries to Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall. He carried the ball 9 times for 19 yards and caught 3 passes for 37 yards in the Steelers 20-17 win against the Ravens. Moore is a solid receiver out of the backfield and could be a decent pick up if he were going to play for a while, but with Parker expected back in a week or two coupled with the Steelers going to Jacksonville makes Moore a worthwhile pickup for the desperate only. As always, if you have droppable baggage, you are desperate enough . He could get a solid amount of receptions, especially with the way the Steelers' pass blocking. Fred Jackson - Buffalo Bills He is turning into a pretty solid pickup for an emergency back. He has rushed the ball 28 times for 119 yards and 1 TD in four games and added 11 catches for 93 yards. That projects to almost 500 yards 4 TD's and 44 catches for almost 400 yards. You get a nice emergency fill-in running back, plus Marshawn Lynch's back-up who if he every took over could be fantasy gold. He has been taken in many leagues, but not in all, but Jackson can likely be easily traded for. Laurence Maroney - New England Patriots He has been a major bust in '08, so the question is, do you cut him, trade him or hold onto him? The answer of course depends on who you can get for him, but trading him is going to be very hard so the best advice is to sit him on the bench for another week or two. The Patriots have to run the ball if they are going to have any success and if Maroney is healthy he should get a chance to be a solid fantasy back. The hope to cling to is his strong 2007 finish. He is a good back when healthy and when given a chance. On the other hand he is likely easy-pick'ens and if you need a running back, try throwing a decent extra receiver or quarterback at them and see what happens. Le'Ron McClain - Baltimore Ravens He looked like the feature back in Baltimore with McGahee's rib injury. Rookie Ray Rice has been a fantasy bust and while he is worth a desperate pickup, McClain is the man or at least the co-man and likely goal line back. He makes a solid pickup especially with the byes here. Cedric Benson - Cincinnati Bengals Ya right. Cut by the Bears and out of football and now he is third-string for the Bengals. Let someone else be the dummy who picks him up. Probably a Ricky Williams owner. Ryan Torain - Denver Broncos It is about time to add Torain to you roster if someone hasn't already. Neither Selvin Young nor Andre Hall has wowed anyone, not even as a combo. The Broncos didn't keep him on the roster all this time for nothing, they like him. His elbow injury has allowed him to stay in shape, so you just may get a starting running back for the second half of the season.

Scout Chef's 'Must Have' Grabs.

If QB Jason Campbell is still out there in a shallow league you should pull the trigger now. He's only getting better. TE Zach Miller: I know, the Raiders didn't have anyone to throw to BUT Zach Miller and suddenly he explodes this week. I actually drafted Zach in my league ahead of guys like Scheffler and I'm a Broncos fan. Maybe I'm crazy. The only reason he is not mentioned in the same sentence with upper tier TE's is that he is a Raider and...they're still trying to figure it out. If they have figured something out, this guy has the talent to be legit. Pick him up if you have a spot because he could be the next Witten. Granted, I've been burned on TE before. TE Billy Miller: I don't know much about him, but he gets targeted, is on NO and might be legit until Shockey gets back...maybe. TE Anthony Fasano: This guy should be picked up, apparently he is a favorite of Bill Parcels. His production will be high-low sharing with Martin. TE John Carlson: This guy is a legit threat, but Deon Branch and Bobby Engram are coming back next week. This guy may have the most upside of all the tight ends listed here. Also his bye week is over and his schedule is soft to neutral. He reminds me of Cooley the year he emerged. WR Chris Henry: This guy is crazy and he's a stud, but he's just one more stud on a loaded Bengal team...watch list. WR Robert Meachem should be on your team by now. He should take the slot or stretch plays when Colston returns but that could be four weeks from now. Until then he is a must start. He plays like DeSean Jackson. WR Deon Branch is about to be the go-to guy next week for Seattle. Seattle has been pass first in the past, they've had to rethink their approach to the game however. WR Bobby Engram had a career year last year, is coming off an injury, and is one year older. So was Mushin Muhammad. Capiche? This guy is still a servicable reciever in yardage/possession leagues and may surprise. WR Miles Austin will eventually supplant the sloppy and inconsistent Crayton. You heard it here. WR Randle El is a wierd play any week. He is so sketchy on his routes that it is difficult for any QB to get comfortable with him. He seems to have found a decent home with Campbell...watch list or bye week filler. DONT DROP COOLEY! He will still emerge, you need to give it time. Running Backs. Your Free Agent pool should be empty of Mendenhall, Slaton, and to a lesser extent Michael Pittman. I know Mike Shannahan and he may start to use him more exclusively since Young has started sucking. He likes big fullback type guys and is not afraid to make them go-to guys mid-begining-late or anytime in the season. Defenses: These three defenses are emerging as the real deal and may be on your FA list. Tampa Bay: This defense is a take-away machine and should be played no matter the match-up. You're lucky if they're still there. Buffalo: You may be too late to grab this team but if they're out there you should consider these guys, especially during favorable matchups. Seattle: Even though these guys have gotten off to a slow start I feel them coming into their own from here on out. They may be in your FA pool because of the bye week. Pick them up now and see what happens when Seattle actually has an offense to back a very good defense.

WR Moore Comes Up Big In Win

New Orleans Saints' WR Lance Moore who is playing for the injured Marques Colston caught 7 passes for 101 yards and 2 TD's in the Saints 31-17 win over the 49ers. Moore may be the second WR the Saints have been looking for to be on the other of Colston when he returns. Sin City Scout

Texan WR Walter Catches 2 TD's

Houston Texan WR, Kevin Walter, caught 7 passes for 76 yards and 2 TD's in the Texans 30-27 OT loss to the Jaguars. Walter is a good possession receiver and should do well in PPR leagues. He is still a free agent in many leagues. Sin City Scout

Cowboys' Austin Catches TD In Loss

Dallas Cowboy #3 WR, Miles Austin, caught a TD for the second straight week, finishing with 3 catches for 45 yards and the 1 TD. That follows up his 4 catch 127 yard and 1 TD performance last week. Ausitn has big-play potential and will take catches from others, likely Crayton, though Crayton did very catching 7 passes for 87 yards. He might be a better fantasy WR for your roster than Crayton. Sin City Scout

Cardnials' Breaston Catches 9 For Injured Boldin

Arizona Cardnials WR, Steve Breaston, caught 9 passes for 122 yards after starter Anquan Boldin went down with an injury. Boldin was carted off the field after a scary helmet-to-helmet collision in the end zone with in the Cardinals' 56-35 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday. He has movement in his fingers and toes, but has a good chance of missing next weeks game. Breaston is a good pick up for next weak and as the Cardinals' third WR he makes a solid prospect or emergency WR.

Are You Handcuffing Your Running Backs?

With the rash of injuries that have hit the NFL this season, it is more important than ever to handcuff your top running backs. In a fantasy world where more and more teams are utilizing split backfields, having the backup of an established 20 carry a game runner could be instrumental to your team's success if injuries strike. Here are a few must-have handcuffs: Fred Jackson - Buffalo Bills: Watch him run and you will believe. Last year when Marshawn Lynch went down, Jackson filled in admirably. Last year, he averaged 5.5 yards a carry and showed great potential as a rookie. While he hasn't hit his stride running this year, he has had a 7 catch, 83 yard performance, and will just get better as he gains experience. Chester Taylor - Minnesota Vikings: Before Adrian Peterson came along, Taylor was establishing himself as a pretty good fantasy running back. Don't forget that if you own Peterson. When Peterson goes down this year (and he will), Taylor will be able to pickup the slack. Darren Sproles - San Diego Chargers: He's too short, not tough enough, can't carry the ball 30 times a game. As my much younger sister would say...WHAT-EV! Sproles proved he could be the man last year when LT couldn't play due to a knee injury. He further cemented himself as his primary backup this season when he scored 18 fantasy points on 9 touches in relief of the injured LT in week 2. Rookie Jacob Hester MAY get a few carries if LT is out for an extended period of time, but he is by far the most explosive option for the Chargers, other than the previously mentioned Tomlinson. Felix Jones - Dallas Cowboys: This rookie has already proven he can make the big play. He has already scored 2 TDs in reserve of Marion Barber this season, and has looked impressive while on the field, averaging about 7 yards a carry. Marion Barber's running style could likely put him on the bench for a game or two, so Jones would be a more than worthwhile investment for Barber owners.

Mendenhall To Start For Steelers

Rookie Rashard Mendenhall will make his first NFL start Monday night against Baltimore. Willie Parker is out with a sprained left knee. The Steelers #1 pick has been up and down in the preseason, but he should be good for 80 yards and a possible TD. Sin City Scout

Burress Suspended

New York Giants star wide receiver Plaxico Burress has been suspended by the team for two weeks due to an inexcused absence. Luckily for fantasy owners, the two week suspension means more to Burress' wallet than to his fantasy owners. The Giants issued the diciplinary action with an upcoming bye week. Burress plans to appeal the suspension, claiming a family emergency forced him to miss practice. If the decision is overturned, he could return for the Giants' Week 5 matchup at home against Seattle. Burress has clearly been Eli Manning's favorite target this season with 18 receptions for 259 yards and a touchdown through three weeks. The Giants are deep in the wide receiver department but lack a go-to guy after Burress. If the suspension holds up it'll serve as a blow to both Manning and Burress owners.

Green To Start For Rams

Veteran Trent Green will make the start for the St. Louis Rams vs. Buffalo in Week 4. Marc Bulger has struggled along with the entire Rams' offense throwing two touchdowns, two interceptions, one fumble and 519 passing yards through three games. He is worth a look in deep QB leagues, but his best days are way behind him. Bulger is a major disappointment, but their is something wrong with this Ram team and the entire team's fantasy value is dramatically lower than unusual. Sin City Scout

Favre to ... Stuckey?

When Brett Favre arrived in New York in the off-season trade with Green Bay it was assumed that starting wide receivers Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery would be the main benefactors of his presence. And while they're both doing OK, an unexpected surprise has appeared. Chansi Stuckey, a second year wide receiver out of Clemson who missed all of last season with a foot injury, has caught a touchdown in each of the Jets' first three games. Six of his 10 receptions for 122 yards were during mop-up time against the Chargers but the important thing is that he has shown an improvisational chemistry with Favre while Coles and Cotchery sometimes seem as if they're on a different page than the future Hall of Fame quarterback. And it is Favre's ability to turn a busted play into a big play that makes his early connection with Stuckey intriguing. Coles and Cotchery are undoubtedly entrenched as the starting wideouts for the Jets but it's hard to ignore numbers. Stuckey is a borderline bench player in even the deepest leagues and it's not likely he'll keep putting touchdowns on the board. But he should be watched. An injury to either of the starters could open the door for the former seventh-round pick.

Filling the Bye: Tight Ends

TE's are one of my most hated positions in fantasy, but I think there are some guys out there that are starting to pan out. 1. John Carlson: Lots of targets and lots of catches. If your hurting at tight end after the bye give him a shot. Seattle hasn't had much to throw to lately, but give him a shot anyway. 2. My bye week tight end pickup for week 4 is Robert Royal with Bills. He has good talent and chemistry (developing) and he plays St. Louis. 3. Ben Scaife: This guy has always teased me, but he may be legit this year. Watch list. 4. Week 4 tricky tight end play: Delanie Walker of SanFrancisco was target and thrown to multiple times and as a backup TE that seems odd to me. They go against a horrible NO pass defense. 5. Dante Rosario is looking like one game wonder...steer clear with smith back. 6. Kevin Boss needs to be on a watch list and Eli does like to use a Tight End.

Quinn Could Get Start Soon

The Browns #1 in 2007, Brady Quinn, may get a chance if Derek Anderson continues to flounder. "I think that we'll definitely try to get the other guy ready, and we'll see how it goes from there," coach Romeo Crennel said. You would think Anderson would be given 1 more start being that he signed that huge contract in the off season. You may want to pick Quinn up if you are in need of a QB. Sin City Scout

RB Report: Week Three

Ronnie Brown vs. Ricky Williams The awaited breakout of Ronnie Brown happened on Sunday when he rushed 17 times for 113 yards and 4 TD's and threw another TD. He only caught 1 pass for 9 yards and catching passes is is real strength. Though Ricky Williams owners were forewarned, Williams is still the backup and he himself rushed for 98 yards on 16 carries. If you can keep him a little longer, do so. Winner: Ronnie Brown Steve Slaton vs. Ahman Green With old-a$$ Ahman Green still safely resting-up, rookie Steve Slaton rushed for 116 yards on 18 carries and scored 1 TD. In addition, he had 4 catches for 8 yards , all against a dominating Tennessee run defense. Winner: Steve Slaton Jonathan Stewart vs. DeAngelo Williams The Panthers faced the top-notch Viking defense in Minnesota and Stewart manged just 15 yards on 7 carries, though he did manage the lone Carolina TD, which points out once again who will get the most goal line looks. DeAngelo Williams didn't fair any better gaining just 27 yards on 10 carries and 2 catches for 17 yards. Winner: Jonathan Stewart by a hair. Darren McFadden vs. Micheal Bush Neither back did much against the tough Buffalo defense. Bush gained 55 yards on 14 carries and caught 1 pass for 5 yards while McFadden ran 14 times for 42 yards and caught 3 passes for 6 yards. Push

Buc's Bryant Catches 10 For 138

Tampa Bay receiver, Antonio Bryant caught 10 passes for 138 yards in the Buc's 27-24 comeback win. He became Griese's (38 of 67 - 407 yards 2 TD 3 Int) favorite target. He is available in many leagues and could become the man in Tampa. Sin City Scout

Westbrook Sprains Ankle

Eagles start running back, Brian Westbrook, went down with a sprained ankle. The extent of the injury is unknown. Correll Buckhalter took over and scored a TD. Tony Hunt will also see some time. Westbrook owners must pick up Buckalter if he is available, otherwise they may want to look at Rudi Johnson of the Lions. Sin City Scout

Will Kitna Be Benched Soon?

As Detroit continues to flounder, veteran QB Jon Kitna hasn't done a thing to help his team by continuing to throw interceptions. The problem is the Lions possible QB of the future, Drew Stanton, is recovering from a finger injury. He only began throwing last week for the first time in two and a half weeks. He may be ready by after the bye, but Kitna may get one more chance while Staton continues to heal, but don't be surprised to see Stanton next game if Kitna continues to fail. You never know how a young QB is going to play these days and Detroit has the weapons to make this an interesting situation. This makes him a deep prospect, especially in 2 QB leagues. He was the Lion's second-round-pick in 2007, but has yet to throw a pass in a real game. Stanton was placed on IR in 2007 after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery during training camp. Stanton is an very accurate passer with excellent scrambling ability. Sin City Scout

Rudi Taking Over In Detroit?

Cast off running back back, Rudi Johnson took over for Kevin Smith and rushed for 83 yards on 14 carries and caught 3 passes for 48 yards and 1 TD. He did have 1 fumble. The Lions have not been satisfied with the play of Smith, who only rushed for 19 yards and he too fumbled, and Johnson has taken advantage of his opportunity. Sin City Scout

QB Jackson Out Frerotte In

Minnesota Vikings Tarvius Jackson has been benched and replaced by veteran Gus Frerotte. Frerotte has had success in the past, but seems to either get injured or he plays a couple bad games and disappears. He will be solid and is another one of those "you never know" pick-ups, though it is a stretch to see him do too much more than be a fantasy backup. Sin City Scout

Titans' Gage Collins Favorite Target

Tennessee receiver Justin Gage showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, but the lack of a passing offense had him left in free agency in many leagues in the 2008 fantasy football draft. Now Vince Young is out for awhile and Kerry Collins at the helm and Collins had an instant connection with Gage, hitting him a team-high 5 catches for 59 yards and a TD. The bad news is Tennessee is still a running team. Chris Johnson had 19 carries for 108 yards and Len Dale White carried 18 times for 59 yards and a TD. The more Jeff Fisher gets comfortable with Collins, the more he will throw and the more looks Justin Gage will see. He is worth a pick up in leagues with a wide receiver shortage and worth watching in all leagues. By the way, Collins was a conservative, but solid 14 of 21 for 128 yards 1 TD and 0 Int.

McFadden Breaks Out

Oakland rookie running back and top running back taken, Darren McFadden, rushed for 164 yards and a TD after Justin Fargas went down to an injury (surprise, surprise). We knew it was a matter of time for either Fargas to go down or for McFadden to breakout, well both happened in just week two. If you have Fargas, dump him, it was a bad move in the first place. Bush is a better option. By the way, Michael Bush rushed for another 91 yards and a TD on 16 carries. He should continue to get goal line carries and more playing time with Fargas down. Sin City Scout

Stewart Takes First Step in Being #1

Jonathan Stewart has way too much talent to play behind DeAngelo Williams and took his first step it getting the job by running 14 times for 77 yards and 2 TD's. Williams rushed 11 times for just 31 yards. He is a must have for keeper leagues, but it is likely too late to acquire him cheaply, but it is worth a try. By the way, it was Stewart at the end of the game when it counted and they weren't just good stats, he looked good running. Sin City Scout

Sproles Gives Chargers a Spark

San Diego's 5-6 backup running back Darren Sproles is giving the Chargers what the expected from LT, the spark plug to start the offense. Sproles has looked sharp rushing for 53 yards on just 7 carries and caught 2 passes for 72 yards and a TD compared to LT's 26 yards. In addition he had a 103 yard kick off return. If you own LT, you may want to pick Sproles up for the old handcuff. Sin City Scout

QB Report

Brian Griese - Tampa Bay He has been named the starter over Garica in week 2 and may keep the job. The Bucs have a great offensive system and a top run game, but lack the receivers to allow any QB to be a legitimate every week starter. Griese makes a nice pick up in large leagues or 2 QB leagues as a backup. Also watch out for Luke McCown who finished with a 91.7 QB rating and 1009 yards passing along with 5 TD's and 3 Int in 2007. He has youth and mobility. Kerry Collins - Tennessee He will have at least a few weeks to make his mark on this team. While he could be a more effective passer than Young, his age, ability and the Tennessee style of play will likely prevent him from being a starter in fantasy land. He could fill an emergency hole for a few weeks at best unless you get very luck and he starts playing like...Todd Collins in '07. Matt Cassell - New England His potential is vastly overrated by many, yet he will likely be a legitimate fantasy starter. He has too many tools and took good of a system around him to fail. He is probably decent trade bait and if you have him, you should consider trading him. Chris Simms - Tennessee Yes, he is back and healthy. If Vince Young doesn't return and Collins fails, he could start and do well. He would have been more valuable in New England, but keep on eye on him nevertheless in Tennessee. Marc Bulger - Rams He had a terrible debut along with the entire Ram team, but there is still hop for the one-time fantasy all-star QB. At this point he is a backup, but if Jackson can play at a top level and the Rams can get consistent play from their receivers, Bulger could still return to prominence. Trent Edwards - Bills Had a solid debut at home against a good Seattle defense going 19-30 for 215 yards, 1 TD & 0 interceptions. One more completion and 1 more TD and we would be talking about a breakout 20-31 2 TD game. He has the tools with Lee Evans, Robert Parish, Josh Reed, #2 pick James Hardy and TE Robert Royal. Add to that a good offensive line and RB Marshawn Lynch and you still have the makings of a breakout QB who is available in most leagues.

Week 1 Recap

Brett Favre - Farve was solid, but not spectacular, throwing for 2 TDs and 0 INTs against a questionable Dolphin defense. It is early, but even as he adjusts to his new mates, Farve is bottom end #1 QB at best and only worth starting if the matchup is great...and you are a bit desperate. He's better used as a backup who you can use sparingly during the fantasy season. Eddie Royal - Brag Alert: I drafted the VT graduate in both of my money leagues...how smart do I look! Royal torched (9-146-1) a supposedly great Raider secondary (Me-Angelo Hall) and makes a great compliment to Brandon Marshall when he returns next week. Combine that with the fact that Shanny let the rookie run the ball twice and throw once....he could be scary! Don't expect these numbers every week from Royal, but he could end up being a valuable and underrated #2 WR like T.J. Houshmandzedeh when he first started getting fantasy love. I especially love him after watching the Broncos heave the ball around, confirming the fact that Shanny said these Broncos will be a passing team this season. Jay Cutler - See above. I'm not sure if the Raiders' secondary is as good as everyone says they are. I just know Cutler (299 yards passing, 2 TDs) made them look like a AA college team last night before they took their feet of the Raider's throats in the fourth quarter. The Broncos will pass, as evidenced by last night, so expect Cutler to continue being a solid start throughout the season. Anthony Fasano - Could be one of the more valuable Dolphins in fantasy football. With Pennington's lack of arm strength, Fasano got plenty of looks against the Jets, snagging 8 for 84 yards and a TD. While the Jets D aren't anything to write home about, Fasano could end up duplicating these numbers quite a bit with the Fins playing from behind alot this season. A great sleeper TE that should be off of all waiver wires this week. Michael Turner - Yes, he destroyed the Lions....but it was the Lions. Turner's 220 yards are diminished by the fact that Jerious Norwood got 91 yards and a TD off of just 10 carries. While Turner proved he has what it takes to be your starting #2 RB, don't be surprised when teams better than the Lions (i.e. the rest of the NFL) find ways to limit his production and force his rookie QB to beat them through the air. -Scout Widget

Rookie Hits Royal Flush In Denver

Ya, cheesy title. Denver Bronco rookie, #1 Scout ranked rookie WR, Eddie Royal, caught 9 passes 146 yards and 1 TD. Heck, he even threw a smart incomplete pass. Royal is the real deal and still may be available. Unless your opponents listen to The Scout and they have him already. Better sign up for The Scout Fantasy Alerts NOW! Sin City Scout

Week One Capsule: Part I

Philadelphia Receivers Starting WR, Hank Baskett, caught 2 passes for 102 yards & 1 TD including a 90 yard TD caught. He is worth a look in large leagues. Rookie Scout sleeper, DeSean Jackson caught 6 passes for 106 yards. Not a bad rookie debut and he is a better option than Baskett. Pierre Thomas - RB - Saints Thomas led the team with Saints with 52 yards rushing on 10 carries and caught 2 passes for 9 yards. He may get some goalline carries and Bush is known to miss a game or two. This makes Thomas a valuable back-up if you have a spot. Le'Ron McClain - RB - Ravens The rookie fullback rushed 18 times for a team lead 86 yards in the opening victory over the Bengals. Not much here, it was the Bengals and with Ray Rice and a soon returning Willis McGahee, his value is slim. Still worth keeping an eye on the situation, especially around the goalline. Panthers Offense Steve Smith will be back in a couple weeks and that should help the rest of the group. The same group who went on the road against the top-notch Charger defense and put up 24 points. Scout sleeper Jake Delhomme was a bit erratic at times, but when it counted he came through. He finished with 246 yards, 1TD & 0 Int. He is back and should be a top fantasy QB when healthy. The battle of young running backs was a solid one seeing DeAngelo Williams rushing 18 times for 86 yards and rookie Jonathan Stewart ran 10 times for 53 yards. Round One goes to Williams, but it was close. Neither did much for fantasy owners, but both looked very good. Maybe the biggest surprise was rookie back-up TE, Dante Rosario who caught 7 passes for 96 yards and the game-winning TD. He is the back-up, so beware, but if he is used as the receiving TE and Carloina explodes in '08, he could be a sleeper. Finally, sleeper and often-injures WR, D.J. Hackett played and caught 5 passes for 48 yards. He may still be available in some leagues or available for a cheap trade. Get him at a low price and you may have a bargain. Beware of his injury history. Sin City Scout

Start and Sit - Week 1

Of course you start your guys like Randy Moss, LaDanian Tomlinson, or Adrian Peterson, but who do you start among the non-elite fantasy players? Start Kevin Smith RB at Falcons - This may be his first game, but he will be primed to shine. The Falcons LBs will have to help their weak secondary in pass coverage, which should open the rushing lanes for Smith. While either Calvin Johnson or Roy Williams will have the stellar day, Kevin will get you very solid numbers for a #2/#3 RB (100-120 rushing yds and 1 TD) Nate Burleson WR at Bills - The virtual IR that is the Seahawks receiving corps has to start someone. Burleson is really the only average, healthy option for Hasslebeck to throw to in this game. While he won't be spectacular, he will get enough to keep your team competitive if you are desperate at WR. (6 receptions, 80 yards, and 1 TD) Kurt Warner QB at 49ers - Owners who drafted him late are thanking their lucky stars they did. He throws to some guys named Fitz and Anquan and they are playing the 49ers. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out the potential here. (320 yards passing, 3 TDs, 0 INT) And a couple of have nots....... Sit Lendale White RB vs. Jaguars - The guy hasn't scored a TD against the Jags in who knows how long. Combine that with sharing carries in some fashion with Chris Johnson and this could be a long day for you.....if you start him......(60 yards rushing and 0 TDs) Greg Jennings vs. Vikings - If you have great receiver depth, pick a better matchup than this one. This is not the time to start a receiver. Rodgers may be good after a few games, but the Viking defense will keep Jennings from hurting them too badly (60 yards receiving and 0 TDs) -Scout Widget

Rookie Report: Wide Receivers

1. Eddie Royal - Broncos He has earned the #2 spot across from Marshall and that is a great sign and should not be a free agent unless you are in a small league. 2. DeSean Jackson - Eagles The rookie couldn't have played much better in preseason and he is on a team with a very good QB and WR need, everything you can ask for...Except Hank Baskett was given the starting job. With Kevin Curtis (sports hernia) sidelined, it was presumed rookie DeSean Jackson (5-10 - 175) was going to start, but because of Baskett's size, the Eagles want the more physical receiver at split end, the "X" receiver. We'll see how that goes as the season progresses. 3. Donnie Avery - Rams A sprained knee prevented him from moving to the #4 slot for now, but #4 Keenan Burton, #3 Dante Hall should be easily passed and veteran #2 Drew Bennett is injury prone. Keep on eye on this situation. 4. James Hardy - Bills He is 6-5! That alone makes him interesting. He was fighting for the 2nd starting spot, but a hammy prevented that for now. He may get the 2nd spot along side Lee Evans by seasons end, but the real question is how good Trent Edwards will play. Down the line he may be a nice emergency fill-in because of his size and thus touchdown possibilities. 5. Jerome Simpson - Bengals He didn't play much, though he was solid when he played, but should be the Bengals' #3 WR. Chris Henry could drop him to 4. One to keep on eye on especially with the Ocho-Cinco injury. 6. Limas Sweed - Steelers At 6-4 he should get some end zone looks, but until Hines Ward or Santonio Holmes go down with injuries he remains a prospect at best. Sin City Scout

Fantasy Running Back Report - Part I

The preseason has wrapped up and we have seen many running back battles come to end and many just beginning. Let's take a look at some of the battles. 1. Miami Dolphins - Ricky Williams vs. Ronnie Brown Williams is likely to start, but the question is for how long and how valuable will he be. The Dolphins are being very careful with Brown, who saw his first preseason action going 47 yards and scoring 1 TD, but this is expected for a player coming off a knee injury. We see Williams giving you decent value for the first 3-4 games, but see him going down with some injury early on. The fact is he hasn't played a full NFL season since 2003, though in 2004 he played 12 games. His desire is a definite question, but the fact is his body will not take the hits of a full NFL season. Williams is a mirage while Ronnie Brown is for real. Expect Brown to be a top back for the second half, just in time for the Fantasy Football playoffs. Even if Williams remains healthy Brown will out gain him in total yardage and is much more valuable in PPR leagues. One thought is if you drafted Williams trade him after the first or second week, especially if he does well. On the other hand, if Brown has the expected slow start, make an offer for him at a cheap price. Brown will win this battle hands down by the end of the season and could give you a very good playoff running back. Winner: Ronnie Brown 2. Houston Texans - Steve Slaton vs. Ahman Green vs. Chris Taylor Ahman Green agreed to restructure his contract Wednesday, Aug. 27. Green reduced his base salary in 2008 from $3.8 million to $1.8 million, freeing up $2 million in salary cap money. He will be able to make up $3 million in per-game bonuses, receiving $200,000 for every game he is active after the team's season opener. Yes, this is good news for Green owners, but not enough to be more valuable than the rookie Steve Slaton. Why? Upside. You know what you are getting with Green. Maybe a couple good starts, but likely split time and injury problems. Slaton on the other hand could be the next Dominick Davis (remember him?). We are not saying he will, but he could be. He at least will be a solid back if given a chance, we have seen that in training camp and preseason. In college he rushed for 1836 yds and 25 TDs as a Junior for West Virginia. In 2006 he finished 4th in the 2006 Heisman Trophy race after rushing for 1,744 yards on 248 carries with 16 touchdowns. Not exactly a small-time back. Winner: Steve Slaton Sin City Scout

To draft or not to draft: Steven Jackson

Now that Mr. Jackson has made off to the bank with his bag o' loot, shouldwe fantasy owners spend what is required to get him? Before his holdout began, Jackson was going as high as 2 and no lower than 4 in most redraft leagues. While there isn't much behind Jackson to give us reason he should fall, these things should be considered: 1. Jackson will not be in game shape by the regular season 2. He has a higher possibility of getting injured 3. He must get used to his new teammates Holding out keeps players from reaching their potential that year and increases their possibility of injury (see Edge James' ACL tear). That being said , it is reasonable to knock off 200 total yards and 2 TDs from his value. However, because of the lack of quality options to draft instead of Jackson, it is reasonable to keep him at number 4 on your list. However, if you don't feel comfortable with him on your roster (like me), then I would move Joseph Addai, Tom Brady, and Randy Moss ahead of him (in that order). Conclusion: If you can stomach taking a non-RB as your first pick, I would hold off on taking Steven Jackson until number 7 overall.

Rookie Slaton Looks To Start For Texans

Houston running back Steve Slaton still remains behind Ahman Green and Chris Brown on the depth chart, but the 2nd-round-pick out of rushed for 1836 yds and 25 TDs as a Junior for West Virginia. In 2006 he finished 4th in the 2006 Heisman Trophy race after rushing for 1,744 yards on 248 carries with 16 touchdowns. You know what you get with Brown and Green and it is a game or two of value and not much else, while Slaton could be the next 1,000 yard every down back NFL back. Take the chance on him but he is going earlier and earlier. He should still be around in the 10th-11th rounds. Sin City Scout

WR Dilemma: Housh vs. Colston

Marques Colston and T.J. Houshmandzedeh are currently being picked as the 7th and 8th receivers according to certain ADP lists. When deciding between the two, here are some things you should consider: T.J. Houshmandzedeh - T.J. finally broke out from behind Ocho Cinco's shadow last season, cracking 1100 yards and 10 TDs for the first time in his career. With Chad Johnson back at his side for this season, (trust me...he will come to play this year), Housh will still see a lot of single coverage again this season, but expect a small step back. Since Chad could easily snatch back the #1 TD scoring role for the Bengals, Project Housh to get about 1100 yards and 10 TDs. Marques Colston - Colston did not disappoint in his sophomore season, racking up 1200 yards and 11 TDs. With Brees still behind center and the Saints prepared to go "bombs away" on offense, we should expect to see the same from Colston. Colston will get even better this year, but will take a small hit due to the Shockey acquisition. That being said, Colston will see less double teams, which should still allow him to reach the same numbers as last year. There have been some reports out of Saints camp that Colston's knee that received arthroscopic surgery has been swelling, but the third year receiver has youth on his side. If Colston is ready for opening day, project 1200 yards and 10 TDs. Basically, as the true #1 WR on his team, Colston should be the WR you side with during your draft. However, in PPR leagues, you should consider taking Housh if Colston's knee concerns you. -Scout Widget Spindle

Seattle's Morris Starting Over Jones?

In the Seahawks 34-17 win over Minnesota it showed us several things, including a new running back controversy that is brewing in Seattle and some interesting quarterback tidbits. First and foremost is Maurice Morris getting the start and then outplaying Julius Jones, gaining 62 yards on 6 carries while Jones carried 4 times for 14 yards. Not much to dog Jones about, but the fact is he didn't start and Morris played well says a lot. This may turn into another 2-back attack, which is bad news for fantasy owners. Morris is no fluke either. The former 2nd-round pick has rushed for 2038 yards and 5 TD's in his first 3 seasons adding 55 receptions for 417 yards & 2 TD's. Bottom line is Jones' stock falls dramatically and Morris' rises, but it is best to stay away from either until the later rounds. Some other notes include an excellent debut for Minnesota QB Tarvaris Jackson. He went 8-11 118 yards & 1TD . Once again, it is only preseason, but this bodes well for fantasy receivers Sidney Rice & Bernard Berrian. Speaking of QB's, Seattle back-up, Seneca Wallace went 15-20 for 165 yards & 3 TD's. -Sin City Scout

The Farve Effect

It finally happened. After having a few days to digest the Jets' acquisition of Farve, here is what should happen to the values of players on "The Legend's" new team: WR Jericho Cotchery - The Jets #1 WR will love having the gunslinger in New York. Projections should increase 100 to 200 yards and a TD, taking him from a bottom end #2/top end #3 to a solid #2 WR. WR Lavernaeus Coles - Projections will not increase as much as Cotchery, but should increase 50 to 150 yards and maybe a TD, taking him from a bottom end #3/top end #4 to a solid #3 WR. RB Thomas Jones - Could be the most positively affected by the Farve trade. Now that teams must respect the pass, expect a 150 to 250 total yard increase plus 2 TDs, taking him from a bottom end #3 to a solid to bottom end #2, making him a decent start in two back fantasy leagues. QB Chad Pennington - If he manages to end as as the starting QB for Minnesota, he could be as good as a solid #2 QB if he ends up being a good game manager for the Vikes. TE Dustin Heller - Still a sleeper, but his chances to make an impact increase dramatically with an experienced QB at the helm. Drafting him late as a #2 TE is the best way to go, but he could end up being a very strong bye week replacement if Farve uses him around the endzone like he has other TEs. So what about Farve? Farve doesn't have the weapons he did in Green Bay, so the ceiling is a bottom end #1 if everything comes together perfetly, but draft Farve as a mid to top end #2, as he will need time to adjust to the playbook and new targets he has acquired. An 11th round pick seems about the right value for Farve. -Scout Widget Spindle

Jason Witten: Top choice tight end. Live Report from Cowboys Camp

First team offense takes a break, second team offense takes the field. And there’s Jason Witten on the sideline, working one on one with a coach, practicing his first move at the snap. Then they’re discussing footwork on blocking. Then pivots on the short route. All this time, most of his teammates stand around, get a drink or lean on their helmets. No Witten. He’s too busy preparing. Jason Witten is one of the best tight ends in the league because he’s focused, he’s intense and he works harder than anyone else on the field. At the end of practice, he’s the last one to the locker room. Why? He’s back out there with the coach again, one on one, going over a few more points. Clearly, Witten’s head is in the game, he’s in tremendous shape, he catches everything in a three-county area, and he’s ready to play. If you’re hunting for a solid, consistent tight end, look no further than Jason Witten, and look for him to have another great year. After all, he’s prepared. Reporting live from Cowboys Training Camp, Oxnard, CA., Scout Tex

Slackman dogs it at Cowboys practice--Live Report

Adam “Pacman” Jones reportedly wants to drop the “Pacman” moniker. OK, here’s a new one: Slackman. As in slacker. Working on kick returns at Cowboys camp, Jones looked like he was above all this silly practice stuff. While Felix Jones worked hard on his kick returns--running tough, knees high, good cuts, impressive bursts of speed—Slackman jogged through his efforts, challenging neither himself nor his teammates. Not a good sign as far as his focus and determination are concerned. He seemed to have that “I can wait and turn it on in a game” attitude, which, if history tells us anything, amounts to famous last words. If you’re shopping for defensive backs, or expect Slackman to be the next Devin Hester and get some points on kick returns, he looked like a long shot at best on this practice day. Reporting live from Cowboys Training Camp, Scout Tex

T.O. still rules--live report from Cowboys Camp

From Cowboys Training Camp in Oxnard, CA. Terrell Owens continues to be the fan favorite on the team. From the looks of it, he won’t disappoint again this year. Nary a ball thrown his way hit the ground in practice today. Physically, he’s his usual stunning self. And the wit remains in high gear: Owens wouldn’t directly respond to the hundreds of fans lining the chain link fence around the practice field Wednesday morning, most of them mooing “T.O.! Teee—oooo!,” but he did inquire of no one in particular, “Where’s my Starbucks?” And later, when one fan shouted, “T.O., I got my popcorn ready!” Owens nodded his helmted head knowingly. Owens is ready to play, and he’s a smart first pick at wide receiver. Reporting live from Cowboys Training Camp, Scout Tex

Jets' Fantasy Values Rise With Favre Trade

Brett Favre - QB - NY Jets The Packers have traded Favre to the Jets. Terms of the trade weren't immediately available. This will have an immediate fantasy impacts. A. Favre is a very draftable QB who should rank 9-15 in overall Fantasy QB's. B. WR's Laveranues Coles & Jerricho Cotchery just shot up the rankings. C. Rookie TE Dustin Keller becomes a great sleeper pick. D. RB Thomas Jones goes from bottom dweller fantasy back to decent back. E. Jet's QB's Kellen Clemens & Chad Pennington have no relevant fantasy value at this time. The Scout

Which Larry Johnson will you be drafting?

Larry Johnson has been a stud...and a dud. He's been amazing...and infuriating. The big question is...what is Larry Johnson's true value? If we project Larry's stats using the eight games he played last year, we get 1490 total yards and 8 TDs, good enough to be in the top ten RBs. This would be great...if these projections were magically turned into fantasy points by the Fantasy Fairy...or something like that. However, after having a nice, long time to rest his body from the beating of NFL games, Johnson should be fresh for the 2008 season (as long as the foot is truly healed). Time to discuss value. I've seen Larry go anywhere from mid-first to mid-third rounds in fantasy drafts. Where should you take him? It would be naive to think a full 16 games is a no-brainer. With the amount of carries already on his body, you have to expect one (maybe two) missed games due to injury. That being said, Brodie Croyle has a year experience playing QB, a young, strong OL in Brandon Albert, and a little more comfort with the team as a whole. The running lanes should be a little more open for Johnson if Dwayne Bowe emerges as a #1 receiver, so I do expect improvement. Project conservatively for 1,150 yards rushing, 280 yards receiving, and 10 touchdowns, which would make him a low end #1 to high end #2 fantasy RB. With the amount of talent at QB and WR this season, that makes him a late second to early third round pick. However, his talent gives him immense upside, so consider him in the mid second round if you are feeling froggy. -Scout Widget Spindle

Marion Barber: First round sleeper pick

Sure, you’ll giggle like a high school cheerleader if you get your league’s number one pick overall and are able to snag LT. But suppose you get stuck drafting late in the round, when LT is LG (long gone) and Adrian Peterson is carrying the rock for somebody else. If that happens, it’s time to go to the Barber…Marion Barber. He’s low-hanging fruit, typically placed at number 10-15 as a running back, but that’s way, way too low. Here’s why. Barber has been brilliantly productive the last two seasons (4.8 average, 24 touchdowns, no fumbles), despite being constrained by the Cowboys’ tandem running back arrangement He’s primed to hit high gear this season as the feature back. Sure, first-rounder Felix Jones will get to sniff the ball, but Barber is the guy. Look for big yards and plenty of TDs from number 24, who scores from short yardage like Tiger holes putts from two feet. Barber has the confidence of Tony Romo, the coaching staff and Jerry Jones, as evidenced by the only thing that may slow Barber down or tire him out this year: the strain of carrying all his contract loot to the bank. Barber will pocket some 45 million clams over 7 years, with 16 million guaranteed. With numbers like that, you better believe the Cowboys expect him to earn every dime on ever offensive play of every game. Your fellow owners may snap at perpetual underachiever Frank Gore. Or maybe Joseph Addai, destined to try getting a hand-off from Peyton as the QB pivots late on a sore knee. Forget the hype of those pretenders. Go with the smart move: go with Marion Barber as a high first round choice. --Scout Tex

The Favre Analysis

What do you do about this guy? Favre finally filed his reinstatement papers with the league office, so now we have to take him seriously. However, does this mean we take him in our fantasy football drafts?

Minus backing up Aaron Rodgers in Green Bay, (which would obviously limit his fantasy potential) here are the scenarios that we should consider: Favre to Tampa: Favre could take Jeff Garcia's place in Tampa, but he would be taking over the reigns of an offense that was extremely conservative last year and only allowed Garcia to post #2 QB numbers. Even Favre can't turn the Bucs into an offense powerhouse, so Favre would likely end up being a low end #1 to high end #2 QB. Favre to Jets: The Jets had major offense problems last year, but Favre could definitely spring some life into them. Adding Favre to the Jets lineup would make the Jets' WR duo of Laveranues Coles and Jericho Cotchery intriguing fantasy options. However, while the Jets O-line has improved, Favre would still not have the time (or supporting cast) he did in Green Bay, which would keep his upside around a low end #1 QB. Most likely, though, a move to New York would keep his fantasy numbers around that of a high end or average #2 QB. Favre to ???: It is also possible (but highly unlikely) he could end up somewhere else, like Baltimore or Kansas City. Any other team that could possibly be interested in Favre is probably struggling on offense, but has a strong enough defense to take them to the playoffs. These teams would not have enough weapons to make Favre a fantasy force, so he would most likely have only #2 QB value in any of these places. Favre to Mississippi: ....or maybe he won't play at all. If Favre can't play for a contender, the 'ol fishin' pond may look a little more attractive than having a bunch of 300+ pound fat guys trying to lay on top of you. Conclusion: In the end, the best Favre would be able to do is match his 2007 value, which is that of a low end #1 QB. Reasonable expectations, considering the circumstances, should only be for Favre to be a serviceable #2 QB. So where do you draft him? If you are in a position to take your second QB late (round 12-14), Favre may be worth the gamble, but you should still consider taking a third QB in case he doesn't play. In the end, you should probably stay away from Farve and stick to quarterbacks who are already on NFL teams. -Scout Widget Spindle

Confessions of a Fantasy Football Commissioner

Being a fantasy football commissioner is a thankless job. There always seems to be one problem or issue that you did not foresee, some area of preparation that you could have done a little bit better, and someone ALWAYS calls you on it. Especially when preparing to hold a live draft, every little thing can affect whether or not the draft is considered a success. Heading into my ninth year of being a fantasy football commissioner, here are some subtle thoughts that could help make you a bit more prepared for your league's live draft: 1. Send the league rules to everyone......about a million times. People like to skip over their personal e-mail after a hard day at work. Fantasy football e-mails sometimes get passed over with a "I'll read it later" remark right before the e-mail box is closed...and the e-mail is then deleted and/or forgotten. That being said, an e-mail that continuously gets sent will annoy the garbage out of anyone. But even if it is ignored after being sent until the keyboard text on your "Enter" button has worn off, at least you can make any crack you want if someone doesn't know your league rules by draft time. 2. Ordering pizza? Get it there before THEY get there. You want to start your draft on time. Get the food there before everyone shows up or you will have to fight everyone trying to get the draft started. Make sure when your drafters walk through the door, they can grab a drink some food, and commence to picking a team that will win you money. 3. Get them there on time. The largest contributor to extra long drafts are late drafters. Make sure you have a cell phone number for each person a week before the draft, then make contact with everyone the morning of. If you do have to call anyone for being late, leave a nasty message...no...three nasty messages to let them know how angry you are.....then draft Adam Vinateri with their first round draft pick.....they won't be late for anything ever again. 4. Have a moderator to work the draft board/computer. Last year, a friend of mine came to our draft when we were in the sixth round and agreed to work the laptop to enter our picks. The rest of the draft went much smoother, keeping me from worrying about entering my picks AND drafting a winning squad. This year, my buddy's neighbor did it from beginning to end, and did a fantastic job throwing in entertaining comments, keeping everyone laughing and talking smack from start to finish. Having an independent moderator will allow you to truly enjoy your own draft and help you to stay on top of other tasks while it happens. -Scout Widget Spindle

Draft Trends

As the Mock Drafts continue to give fantasy owners a tease of what is the Christmas morning of Fantasyland...the Fantasy Draft, there have been a few notable points to talk about. First, it seems as if wide receivers are going a bit higher and a bit faster in this years draft. This is likely do to Randy Moss. In 2007 there were a handful of receivers that could have been the first selected, and none of them in the first round. Enter Randy Moss and his phenomenal 2007 season. Now he is a sure first-round-pick in any sane draft, which in turn, makes the race to get #2 all the more important. Whether you are taking Terrel Owens or Reggie Wayne, you better plan on taking them in the early second rounds. The recommendation is to get you RB, like usual, but grab a WR with the second pick. If you pick late you are best to go with a Larry Johnson, Terrel Owens one-two pick (of course this depends on who is available). Unless, like in the 12-team Mock Draft Pro Fantasy Football took part in below, Moss falls to 10, then you grab him, which I did. I then was able to take Larry Johnson with my second pick. I chose him over Tony Romo, even though Romo is higher rated in are rankings. The reason? Well, simple, I cannot go the first 2 rounds without a running back and the second observation, good quarterbacks are falling into the late rounds. I was able to get my #1 bargain, Jay Cutler very late and a nice sleeper, Aaron Rodgers near the end. In this draft I left some questions at running back, but both Johnson and Maroney still can be dominate backs if all goes well. They would have been both gone in the top 15 in the 2007 draft. I added another sleeper, Selvin Young as a reserve as well as rookie Chris Johnson as my hope and a prayer. In summary, get receivers earlier and wait on quarterbacks. PFF -Team - Tenth Pick Cutler, Jay QB DEN Johnson, Larry RB KC Maroney, Laurence RB NE Johnson, Chad WR CIN Moss, Randy WR NE Gonzalez, Tony TE KC Jennings, Greg WR GB Hanson, Jason K DET Cowboys, DST DST DAL Rodgers, Aaron QB GB Johnson, Chris RB TEN Young, Selvin RB DEN Mock Draft Results Round 1 1 Ron Mexico LaDainian Tomlinson (RB SD) 2 brownies* Brian Westbrook (RB PHI) 3 t-hawks* Adrian Peterson (RB MIN) 4 UhHuh Joseph Addai (RB IND) 5 yo yo Tom Brady (QB NE) 6 giantss Steven Jackson (RB STL) 7 JP Marion Barber (RB DAL) 8 brownstown79 Frank Gore (RB SF) 9 durrtyone* Marshawn Lynch (RB BUF) 10 PFF Randy Moss (WR NE) 11 SS Express Peyton Manning (QB IND) 12 San Fran Candies Clinton Portis (RB WAS) Round 2 13 San Fran Candies Terrell Owens (WR DAL) 14 SS Express Braylon Edwards (WR CLE) 15 PFF Larry Johnson (RB KC) 16 durrtyone* Tony Romo (QB DAL) 17 brownstown79 Larry Fitzgerald (WR ARI) 18 JP Drew Brees (QB NO) 19 giantss Reggie Wayne (WR IND) 20 yo yo Steve Smith (WR CAR) 21 UhHuh Ryan Grant (RB GB) 22 t-hawks* Carson Palmer (QB CIN) 23 brownies Derek Anderson (QB CLE) 24 Ron Mexico Willis McGahee (RB BAL) Round 3 25 Ron Mexico Andre Johnson (WR HOU) 26 brownies Julius Jones (RB SEA) 27 t-hawks* Marques Colston (WR NO) 28 UhHuh Plaxico Burress (WR NYG) 29 yo yo Maurice Jones-Drew (RB JAC) 30 giantss* Ben Roethlisberger (QB PIT) 31 JP T.J. Houshmandzadeh (WR CIN) 32 brownstown79 Jamal Lewis (RB CLE) 33 durrtyone* Torry Holt (WR STL) 34 PFF Chad Johnson (WR CIN) 35 SS Express Rudi Johnson (RB CIN) 36 San Fran Candies Brandon Jacobs (RB NYG) Round 4 37 San Fran Candies Wes Welker (WR NE) 38 SS Express Reggie Bush (RB NO) 39 PFF Laurence Maroney (RB NE) 40 durrtyone* Earnest Graham (RB TB) 41 brownstown79 Jason Witten (TE DAL) 42 JP Thomas Jones (RB NYJ) 43 giantss* Darren McFadden (RB OAK) 44 yo yo Marvin Harrison (WR IND) 45 UhHuh Brandon Marshall (WR DEN) 46 t-hawks* Michael Turner (RB ATL) 47 brownies Dwayne Bowe (WR KC) 48 Ron Mexico Anquan Boldin (WR ARI) Round 5 49 Ron Mexico* Donovan McNabb (QB PHI) 50 brownies Chris Chambers (WR SD) 51 t-hawks* Antonio Gates (TE SD) 52 UhHuh Jonathan Stewart (RB CAR) 53 yo yo Hines Ward (WR PIT) 54 giantss* Chris Cooley (TE WAS) 55 JP Ronnie Brown (RB MIA) 56 brownstown79 Roy Williams (WR DET) 57 durrtyone* Kellen Winslow (TE CLE) 58 PFF Greg Jennings (WR GB) 59 SS Express Santonio Holmes (WR PIT) 60 San Fran Candies Matt Hasselbeck (QB SEA) Round 6 61 San Fran Candies Dallas Clark (TE IND) 62 SS Express Calvin Johnson (WR DET) 63 PFF Tony Gonzalez (TE KC) 64 durrtyone* Laveranues Coles (WR NYJ) 65 brownstown79 Willie Parker (RB PIT) 66 JP* Vernon Davis (TE SF) 67 giantss* Bobby Engram (WR SEA) 68 yo yo Jeremy Shockey (TE NYG) 69 UhHuh Jake Delhomme (QB CAR) 70 t-hawks* Joey Galloway (WR TB) 71 brownies Todd Heap (TE BAL) 72 Ron Mexico* Heath Miller (TE PIT) Round 7 73 Ron Mexico* DST Vikings (DST MIN) 74 brownies Marc Bulger (QB STL) 75 t-hawks* DST Bears (DST CHI) 76 UhHuh Bernard Berrian (WR MIN) 77 yo yo* LenDale White (RB TEN) 78 giantss* DST Chargers (DST SD) 79 JP* Lee Evans (WR BUF) 80 brownstown79 Edgerrin James (RB ARI) 81 durrtyone* DST Steelers (DST PIT) 82 PFF Selvin Young (RB DEN) 83 SS Express Kevin Smith (RB DET) 84 San Fran Candies DST Seahawks (DST SEA) Round 8 85 San Fran Candies Fred Taylor (RB JAC) 86 SS Express DST Colts (DST IND) 87 PFF Jay Cutler (QB DEN) 88 durrtyone* Donald Driver (WR GB) 89 brownstown79 Roddy White (WR ATL) 90 JP* DST Jaguars (DST JAC) 91 giantss* Santana Moss (WR WAS) 92 yo yo* DST Patriots (DST NE) 93 UhHuh David Garrard (QB JAC) 94 t-hawks* Kevin Curtis (WR PHI) 95 brownies Stephen Gostkowski (K NE) 96 Ron Mexico* Javon Walker (WR OAK) Round 9 97 Ron Mexico* Adam Vinatieri (K IND) 98 brownies Anthony Gonzalez (WR IND) 99 t-hawks* Nick Folk (K DAL) 100 UhHuh Jason Campbell (QB WAS) 101 yo yo* Phil Dawson (K CLE) 102 giantss* Shayne Graham (K CIN) 103 JP* Josh Brown (K STL) 104 brownstown79 Ahman Green (RB HOU) 105 durrtyone* Rob Bironas (K TEN) 106 PFF DST Cowboys (DST DAL) 107 SS Express Alge Crumpler (TE TEN) 108 San Fran Candies Rashard Mendenhall (RB PIT) Round 10 109 San Fran Candies Nate Burleson (WR SEA) 110 SS Express Chester Taylor (RB MIN) 111 PFF Aaron Rodgers (QB GB) 112 durrtyone* Patrick Crayton (WR DAL) 113 brownstown79 Eli Manning (QB NYG) 114 JP* Jerricho Cotchery (WR NYJ) 115 giantss* Jerry Porter (WR JAC) 116 yo yo* Donte' Stallworth (WR CLE) 117 UhHuh Tony Scheffler (TE DEN) 118 t-hawks* Sidney Rice (WR MIN) 119 brownies Matt Forte (RB CHI) 120 Ron Mexico* James Hardy (WR BUF)

Much ado about Shockey

The New Orleans Saints got yet another playmaker, acquiring Jeremy Shockey from the New York Giants for two first-round draft picks. So....what does that mean to us fantasy football nerds? Helps.... Jeremy Shockey - TE New Orleans Saints Shockey goes from a quarterback who plays just well enough to get by to a quarterback who has thrown for over 4400 yards each of the past two seasons. While Shockey often gets cases of the "dropsies," he will get many more chances to catch passes in an offense that threw the ball more than 650 times last season...and with better efficiency to boot. Expect a modest gain of 50-100 yards and maybe a touchdown for Shockey over what he would have gained as a Giant. Steve Smith - WR - New York Giants Steve Smith finally got a chance to show what he could do in last year's playoffs...and left fantasy owners everywhere salivating at his potential. With Shockey gone, Smith will have his opportunities. Worst case scenario, the Giants allow veteran Amani Toomer to retain the #2 WR spot, which would force Smith to make plays only in three receiver sets (which the Giants will use much more without a standout receiving tight end such as Shockey). However, if Smith can wrangle the #2 WR job from Toomer at some point, he could be worth as much as a #3 fantasy WR for your team. Hurts.... Eli Manning - QB - New York Giants Say what you will about Jeremy Shockey, but he scares the crap out of linebackers and safeties who have to cover him. With Shockey gone, not only will Manning lose a great check down option, but teams will no longer have to fear a speedy TE. This will allow teams to focus more on doubling Burress, which will result in lower yards per pass attempt and more picks from trying to force passes into tight spots. Manning's chances of becoming a #1 fantasy QB are now gone, as he should be relegated to just a bench spot on your team. Eric Johnson - TE - New Orleans Saints NO TE Eric Johnson: You wanted to see me, coach. NO Coach Sean Peyton: Yes Eric....we've acquired Jeremy Shockey from the Giants. NO TE Eric Johnson: I'll tell the second team I will see them in the morning, coach. -Scout Widget Spindle

Drafting For Value

While drafting a stud running back or the next great sleeper is on the mind of many fantasy footballers, the great ones know that the road to the Championship trophy is often paid with the less sexy "value picks". Here are a couple that should be on your radar heading into your draft: Jay Cutler - QB - Denver Broncos Last year, Cutler scraped the bottom of the top ten quarterbacks, throwing for 3500 yards and 20 TDs. While this isn't that impressive in the fantasy world, what IS impressive is the fact that he did while losing 32 pounds during the season due to Type 1 diabetes, which he was finally diagnosed with in April. Type 1 diabetes is manageable, so as long as Cutler continues to take care of himself, he will be able to avoid losing zip on his passes, as he did last season. Combine that with another year to learn and work with top receiver Brandon Marshall and third year TE Tony Scheffler, and you have the makings of a very underrated fantasy quarterback. Cutler has an estimated ADP somewhere in the late eighth round in ten team leagues, so take him their as your #1 QB and expect decent numbers from a great value pick. Bobby Engram - WR - Seattle Seahawks The 35 year-old Engram had a career year in '07, catching 94 passes for 1147 yards and 6 TDs. Engram took advantage of injuries to Deion Branch and D.J. Hackett in order to reach those numbers, but don't be surprised if he gets close again this year. Seattle will once again have to air it out, but Engram should be the #1 WR again due to Hackett's move to Carolina and Branch's continuing rehabilitation. He may be football old, but he has the confidence of QB Matt Hasslebeck and (should have) yours as well. His ADP is somewhere in the early tenth round in ten team leagues, so take him there and expect bottom end #2, top end #3 WR value where you would normally take a backup. -Scout T.J. West

2008 NFL Draft Impact

Fantasy Impact: Blue Possible Impact: Red Round One 1 (1) Miami Dolphins Long, Jake OT 6'7" 315 Michigan 2 (2) St. Louis Rams Long, Chris DE 6'4" 275 Virginia 3 (3) Atlanta Falcons Ryan, Matt QB 6'5" 224 Boston College 4 (4) Oakland Raiders McFadden, Darren RB 6'2" 210 Arkansas 5 (5) Kansas City Chiefs Dorsey, Glenn DT 6'2" 316 LSU 6 (6) New York Jets Gholston, Vernon DE 6'4" 258 Ohio State 7 (7) New Orleans Saints (From 49ers through Patriots) Ellis, Sedrick DT 6'1" 305 Southern Cal 8 (8) Jacksonville Jaguars (From Ravens) Harvey, Derrick DE 6'5" 252 Florida 9 (9) Cincinnati Bengals Rivers, Keith LB 6'3" 235 Southern Cal 10 (10) New England Patriots (From Saints) Mayo, Jerod OLB 6'1" 242 Tennessee 11 (11) Buffalo Bills McKelvin, Leodis CB 5'11" 190 Troy 12 (12) Denver Broncos Clady, Ryan OT 6'6" 316 Boise State 13 (13) Carolina Panthers Stewart, Jonathan RB 5'11" 235 Oregon 14 (14) Chicago Bears Williams, Chris OT 6'6" 315 Vanderbilt 15 (15) Kansas City Chiefs (From Lions) Albert, Branden OG 6'6" 309 Virginia 16 (16) Arizona Cardinals Rodgers-Cromartie, Dominique CB 6'2" 182 Tennessee State 17 (17) Detroit Lions (From Vikings through Chiefs) Cherilus, Gosder OT 6'7" 315 Boston College 18 (18) Baltimore Ravens (From Texans) Flacco, Joe QB 6'7" 236 Delaware 19 (19) Carolina Panthers (From Eagles) Otah, Jeff OT 6'6" 340 Pittsburgh 20 (20) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Talib, Aqib CB 6'1" 202 Kansas 21 (21) Atlanta Falcons (From Redskins) Baker, Sam OT 6'5" 312 Southern Cal 22 (22) Dallas Cowboys (From Browns) Jones, Felix RB 6'0" 200 Arkansas 23 (23) Pittsburgh Steelers Mendenhall, Rashard RB 5'11" 210 Illinois 24 (24) Tennessee Titans Johnson, Chris RB 5'11" 197 East Carolina 25 (25) Dallas Cowboys (From Seahawks) Jenkins, Mike CB 6'0" 200 South Florida 26 (26) Houston Texans (From Jaguars through Ravens) Brown, Duane OT 6'4" 315 Virginia Tech 27 (27) San Diego Chargers Cason, Antoine CB 6'0" 190 Arizona 28 (28) Seattle Seahawks (From Cowboys) Jackson, Lawrence DE 6'5" 268 Southern Cal 29 (29) San Francisco 49ers (From Colts) Balmer, Kentwan DE 6'5" 298 North Carolina 30 (30) New York Jets (From Packers) Keller, Dustin TE 6'3" 242 Purdue 31 (31) New York Giants Phillips, Kenny FS 6'2" 208 Miami Round Two 1 (32) Miami Dolphins Merling, Phillip DE 6'5" 272 Clemson 2 (33) St. Louis Rams Avery, Donnie WR 5'11" 186 Houston 3 (34) Washington Redskins (From Raiders through Falcons) Thomas, Devin WR 6'2" 215 Michigan State 4 (35) Kansas City Chiefs Flowers, Brandon CB 5'10" 189 Virginia Tech 5 (36) Green Bay Packers (From Jets) Nelson, Jordy WR 6'3" 217 Kansas State 6 (37) Atlanta Falcons Lofton, Curtis LB 6'0" 238 Oklahoma 7 (38) Seattle Seahawks (From Ravens) Carlson, John TE 6'5" 251 Notre Dame 8 (39) San Francisco 49ers Rachal, Chilo OG 6'5" 315 Southern Cal 9 (40) New Orleans Saints Porter, Tracy CB 5'11" 185 Indiana 10 (41) Buffalo Bills Hardy, James WR 6'6" 220 Indiana 11 (42) Denver Broncos Royal, Eddie WR 5'10" 184 Virginia Tech 12 (43) Minnesota Vikings (From Panthers through Eagles) Johnson, Tyrell FS 6'0" 207 Arkansas State 13 (44) Chicago Bears Forte, Matt RB 6'2" 222 Tulane 14 (45) Detroit Lions Dizon, Jordon OLB 6'0" 229 Colorado 15 (46) Cincinnati Bengals Simpson, Jerome WR 6'2" 190 Coastal Carolina 16 (47) Philadelphia Eagles (From Vikings) Laws, Trevor DT 6'1" 304 Notre Dame 17 (48) Washington Redskins (From Texans through Falcons) Davis, Fred TE 6'4" 248 Southern Cal 18 (49) Philadelphia Eagles Jackson, DeSean WR 6'0" 178 California 19 (50) Arizona Cardinals Campbell, Calais DE 6'8" 282 Miami 20 (51) Washington Redskins Kelly, Malcolm WR 6'4" 218 Oklahoma 21 (52) Jacksonville Jaguars (From Buccaneers) Groves, Quentin DE 6'3" 250 Auburn 22 (53) Pittsburgh Steelers Sweed, Limas WR 6'4" 212 Texas 23 (54) Tennessee Titans Jones, Jason DE 6'5" 273 Eastern Michigan 24 (55) Baltimore Ravens (From Seahawks) Rice, Ray RB 5'8" 199 Rutgers 25 (56) Green Bay Packers (From Browns) Brohm, Brian QB 6'3" 227 Louisville 26 (57) Miami Dolphins (From Chargers) Henne, Chad QB 6'2" 225 Michigan 27 (58) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (From Jaguars) Jackson, Dexter WR 5'10" 182 Appalachian State 28 (59) Indianapolis Colts Pollak, Mike OT 6'4" 299 Arizona State 29 (60) Green Bay Packers Lee, Patrick DB 6'0" 200 Auburn 30 (61) Dallas Cowboys Bennett, Martellus TE 6'6" 259 Texas A&M 31 (62) New England Patriots Wheatley, Terrence CB 5'9" 178 Colorado 32 (63) New York Giants Thomas, Terrell CB 6'1" 198 Southern Cal Round Three 1 (64) Detroit Lions (From Dolphins) Smith, Kevin RB 6'1" 217 Central Florida 2 (65) St. Louis Rams Greco, John OT 6'5" 320 Toledo 3 (66) Miami Dolphins (From Chiefs through Lions) Langford, Kendall DT 6'6" 295 Hampton 4 (67) Carolina Panthers (From Jets) Godfrey, Charles CB 6'0" 207 Iowa 5 (68) Atlanta Falcons Jackson, Chevis CB 6'0" 188 LSU 6 (69) San Diego Chargers (From Raiders through Patriots) Hester, Jacob FB 5'11" 230 LSU 7 (70) Chicago Bears (From 49ers) Bennett, Earl WR 6'0" 209 Vanderbilt 8 (71) Baltimore Ravens (From Ravens through Bills and Jaguars) Gooden, Tavares OLB 6'1" 233 Miami 9 (72) Buffalo Bills Ellis, Chris DE 6'4" 260 Virginia Tech 10 (73) Kansas City Chiefs (From Broncos through Vikings) Charles, Jamaal RB 5'11" 200 Texas 11 (74) Carolina Panthers Connor, Dan OLB 6'3" 233 Penn State 12 (75) San Francisco 49ers (From Bears) Smith, Reggie DB 6'1" 199 Oklahoma 13 (76) Kansas City Chiefs (From Lions) Cottam, Brad TE 6'8" 270 Tennessee 14 (77) Cincinnati Bengals Sims, Pat DT 6'2" 310 Auburn 15 (78) New England Patriots (From Saints) Crable, Shawn OLB 6'5" 241 Michigan 16 (79) Houston Texans Molden, Antwaun CB 6'1" 198 Eastern Kentucky 17 (80) Philadelphia Eagles Smith, Bryan OLB 6'2" 228 McNeese State 18 (81) Arizona Cardinals Doucet, Early WR 6'0" 212 LSU 19 (82) Kansas City Chiefs (From Vikings) Morgan, DaJuan S 6'0" 205 North Carolina State 20 (83) Tampa Bay Buccaneers Zuttah, Jeremy OG 6'4" 303 Rutgers 21 (84) Atlanta Falcons (From Redskins) Douglas, Harry WR 5'11" 176 Louisville 22 (85) Tennessee Titans Stevens, Craig TE 6'3" 254 California 23 (86) Baltimore Ravens (From Seahawks) Zbikowski, Tom FS 5'11" 210 Notre Dame 24 (87) Detroit Lions (From Browns) Fluellen, Andre DT 6'2" 296 Florida State 25 (88) Pittsburgh Steelers Davis, Bruce DE 6'3" 252 UCLA 26 (89) Houston Texans (From Jaguars through Ravens) Slaton, Steve RB 5'9" 197 West Virginia 27 (90) Chicago Bears (From Chargers) Harrison, Marcus DT 6'3" 310 Arkansas 28 (91) Green Bay Packers Finley, Jermichael TE 6'5" 243 Texas 29 (92) Detroit Lions (From Cowboys) Avril, Cliff OLB 6'3" 252 Purdue 30 (93) Indianapolis Colts Wheeler, Philip OLB 6'2" 245 Georgia Tech 31 (94) New England Patriots O'Connell, Kevin QB 6'5" 225 San Diego State 32 (95) New York Giants Manningham, Mario WR 6'0" 181 Michigan 33 (96) Washington Redskins (Compensatory selection) Rinehart, Chad OT 6'5" 320 Northern Iowa 34 (97) Cincinnati Bengals (Compensatory selection) Caldwell, Andre WR 6'1" 200 Florida 35 (98) Atlanta Falcons (Compensatory selection) DeCoud, Thomas FS 6'2" 196 California 36 (99) Baltimore Ravens (Compensatory selection) Cousins, Oniel OG 6'4" 308 Texas-El Paso