Fantasy Football News 2010/2011

[HacheMan]

What to do about Jones-Drew
We've been inundated with questions about Maurice Jones-Drew's knee over the last few days, and with good reason. It's the peak of drafting season and MJD is (was?) considered one of the safest studs you could possibly find.

Then he missed three days of practice last week, which was followed by erroneous reports that he had knee surgery. What we now know is that Jones-Drew is going to sit out the rest of the preseason with a lateral meniscus injury in his knee.

We brought in Dr. Brian Eckenrode, a board-certified orthopedic clinical specialist and the sports team leader for GSPP Penn Therapy and Fitness at the Penn Sports Medicine Center in Philadelphia, for an emergency session on Jones-Drew.

Editor's Note: To see where the injured folks rank this season, check out the 2010 Rotoworld Draft Guide!

What is a lateral meniscus injury?
Lateral meniscus is one of the shock-absorbing structures that is inside the knee. It's a piece of cartilage. There are two of them, one on the inside and one on the outside. He reportedly has a tear on the outer one. That can mean many different things, depending on the severity of it.

Jones-Drew is not going to have surgery, will play through the injury and is fully expected to be out there for Week 1. Will he be affected?
A lot will depend on how bad the tear is and where the location is. It sounds like he has some fraying, some wear and tear in there, so he should be able to go ahead and continue playing. It's not going to affect his stability, it's not going to affect his strength. It's more a matter of how much pain he can deal with. And he may only have pain when he sort of squats past a certain point. Maybe in the offseason you'll see him get a scope.

Can he make it worse by playing on it?
The integrity of it is apparently not severe. But he can certainly aggravate it more, he can tear it more, cause more swelling. Swelling and pain is really what's going to limit the ability of his leg to function like he needs it to function.

If he ends up needing surgery, how long would he be out?
The timeframe ranges vary. In my experience, the best-case scenario is two weeks. An athlete may not be 100 percent at that point, but he could certainly play.

What does it tell you that he's not having the surgery right now?
If they're not doing the surgery, this tells me it's relatively minor. But again, the concern is yes, it can progress, yes he can have more pain and swelling and eventually miss some time.

How concerned would you be about drafting Jones-Drew?
I know he's probably around the top of a lot of people's lists. And if he's there and another guy is there, I'd probably lean toward the other guy. You're taking a little bit of a risk knowing that well, he's got this thing that could linger all season. He could even end up saying, 'Hey the bye week is coming up, let's just do this real quick and then get back out there.'

 

[HacheMan]

Is Maurice Jones-Drew still the third pick?

By Eric Karabell


I know plenty of fantasy football owners who didn't think they'd be wavering with the third overall pick in upcoming drafts, but here we are nine days before the season opener and they are. When it comes to Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Maurice Jones-Drew, the fact is we just don't know how his knee is feeling and what his availability will be for Week 1 of the regular season. People following the situation are beginning to panic.


But they shouldn't. You've heard the old line about how fantasy championships can't be won in the first round, but they can be lost, haven't you? Makes sense to me. Of course, it would be a lot easier if we knew in August which first-round picks were going to get hurt or have disappointing seasons. Remember, a year ago at this time, Matt Forte, LaDainian Tomlinson and Brian Westbrook, believe it or not, were top-10 picks. Hopefully Jones-Drew isn't this season's version of top-10 lock bound to disappoint us. For now I'm remaining optimistic.


Jones-Drew is still being selected third in ESPN average live drafts, though I sense we'll see Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice either pass him or get really close the next few weeks. Jones-Drew has an average snake draft pick of 4.3, ahead of Rice's 5.3 mark. They're still going 3-4 in drafts, but there is clearly a dropoff after Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson. There's actually a bigger dropoff after Rice. Quarterback Drew Brees is going fifth (who knew?), with a 7.0 average pick.
I'm still not panicking about any of the current top-10 picks, though Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio can't and isn't trying to hide the fact his star running back has a knee problem. Jones-Drew has barely practiced or done much of anything the past few weeks. In the preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles, he carried two times for no yards. In the second game, he ran the ball four times for minus-two yards. Jones-Drew didn't make the trip to Tampa for the most recent preseason tilt, and he will not play Thursday. There was a rumor that Jones-Drew underwent a minor arthroscopic knee surgery last week, though it was quickly refuted by ESPN reporters and the Jaguars. Put simply, be it for health or performance reasons, it certainly hasn't been a strong preseason for someone with 54 touchdowns in his first four NFL seasons.
"[He's] working, rehabbing, strengthening and gearing up for the regular season," Del Rio told reporters Monday. "We're going to hold him out of the short week here and eye the following week to get prepared for the Broncos as a return time."
A coach wouldn't lie, would he? OK, don't answer that, but I really do think things are being blown out of proportion. Most star running backs aren't asked to do much in the preseason. My take here is that Jones-Drew is hurting, but that he will be available for Week 1. I also refuse to assume pending doom here for future weeks. Is it possible Jones-Drew doesn't produce quite the same awesome numbers he did in 2009, when he became the full-time featured back and ran with the role? We at ESPN Fantasy do project some dropoff. As for the 2009 busts, Forte's situation was different; he came to camp last season out of shape and hurt his knee during the season. He also had one NFL season to his credit. Tomlinson and Westbrook just got, well, old all of a sudden. Jones-Drew is 25. He's a touchdown machine. I could see switching him and Rice in the rankings, but I can't really see picking Frank Gore, Steven Jackson, Brees, Andre Johnson or anyone else before Jones-Drew at four. He's a fantasy monster. All this said, if there's anything I have thought about here, just to be safe, it's that handcuffing backup Rashad Jennings seems like a good move in Round 12 or so. Not that I'm worried, but as they say, it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[HacheMan]

10 Questions with Aaron Schatz
I sat down recently with Aaron Schatz of Football Outsiders to ask some questions about the upcoming season.

Actually, I just sat down and emailed him. And then he emailed back. But you can barely tell the difference and the information Schatz provides on his website and in the Football Outsiders Almanac is pretty damn awesome.

Rosenthal: You guys say Tom Brady faced a historically tough schedule last year. Do you think he and Randy Moss have a chance to bounce back to the top of their position rankings because of that?

Schatz: I think he'll have better numbers, but he's not going to be the top fantasy quarterback. He still faces a tougher than average schedule by our projections, and last year he didn't connect deep as often as Brees or Manning. We have him behind those guys as well as Rodgers.

We do have Moss as the number one receiver this year in our ratings, but that's because of touchdowns, which are more variable than yards. I would still take Andre Johnson ahead of him, but I would take Moss second.

Rosenthal: Any other players or teams that should be helped by a beneficial uptick in schedule?

Schatz: The whole AFC West, which gets the NFC West. (The same isn't true for the NFC West because the AFC West teams except San Diego are projected to be better on defense than offense.) Tampa Bay and Atlanta, in part because we expect the Saints and Panthers to decline on defense. The NFC East teams project to have easier schedules.

The AFC North, NFC North (especially Green Bay) and AFC East except New England are projected to have harder schedules.

Rosenthal: One of my favorite stats in the FO Almanac is adjusted games lost. It explains a lot. Can you name a few offenses that stick out that should benefit from better luck this year and some that are unlikely to be so lucky again?

Schatz: Washington led the league in AGL on offense last year, which is a big part of why we are projecting them to be playoff contenders this year. Buffalo was second, although I personally question whether their now-healthy linemen are really any better than the backup linemen who played last year.

New Orleans was actually one of the most injury-riddled Super Bowl champions in history, if you look at guys they were missing at times last year it is pretty crazy that they scored so many points. I mean, they lost their original left tackle for the entire season. On the other side, the Jets were the healthiest team in the league on offense, followed by Jacksonville and Tennessee.

Rosenthal: We have Rashard Mendenhall in our first round, which is higher than most. You have him even higher than that. Explain why your system likes him.

Schatz: I go into it in detail here.

The short explanation is that he has no real competition for carries on a team that will be running the ball more, especially in the first month, and is likely to make the playoffs with much improved defense (thanks in large part to the return of Troy Polamalu). Better defense equals better field position, more chances for touchdowns, and more carries running out the clock.

It's strange how much flak we're getting for the Mendenhall pick.

People act like the same five running backs lead the league in fantasy points each year. Somebody new has to break into the top pack, it happens every year. We think he has the best chance. Still, even I would not take him second even though our projected numbers have him second. Projections are a tool, not a demand. I would not hesitate to take him fifth, though, after Johnson, Rice, MJD, and Peterson.

Rosenthal: You also share our love for Jamaal Charles … how about the rest of the Chiefs?

Schatz: They should improve, particularly in fantasy numbers because they have the easiest projected schedule in the league. In fact, Kansas City is currently our projected AFC West champion, although that's more because we expect San Diego to have trouble following up last year's insanely great pass offense. It isn't like we think they are Super Bowl contenders, we have three AFC East teams ranked ahead of any AFC West team. Now Todd Haley has to knock it off with this "play Thomas Jones ahead of Charles" nonsense.

Rosenthal: Matt Forte and the Bears offense are projected by you to have strong seasons. Why?

Schatz: Their red zone performance last year was simply dreadful and it is almost impossible for them to be that bad again. In 2008, the Bears ranked 10th in the red zone according to our DVOA ratings. Last year was a fluke. Add some more touchdowns, consider the fact that he's a strong receiver playing in the Martz offense, and he's a top ten back again.

The Bears offense as a whole is not projected to be strong, just Forte and Johnny Knox, who we think is the clear breakout receiver on that team.

Rosenthal: Give me an offense that will be better than people think.

Schatz: Washington, which is healthier and has a better quarterback. I think I ended up with Santana Moss as my third or fourth receiver in all three leagues I'm playing in. Plus Fred Davis finally came on near the end of last year, and they will now have both Chris Cooley and a reasonably good Davis for the first time. He was awful before Cooley's injury.

Rosenthal: Worse than people think?

Schatz: Minnesota. Their line isn't as good as it used to be and the odds of Favre having a season like that again at his age are very, very long.

Rosenthal: Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston survived the Leinart era pretty well in your projections. Now the Leinart era won't happen. So what's up with Derek Anderson?

Schatz: Well, Ken Whisenhunt doesn't agree with the numbers, apparently. I don't understand the Leinart thing at all. He has better stats than Anderson in the preseason -- his completion percentage is far better and the "big difference" in throwing deep comes out to less than one yard per reception. What does Ken Whisenhunt know about Matt Leinart now that he didn't know six months ago?

Leinart is the same man with the same attitude and work ethic. If Whisenhunt was not comfortable with Leinart as his quarterback, the time to make a move was the offseason, not now when the only guy you signed to back him up was scattershot Derek Anderson.

Anyway, we're actually going to adjust the Cardinals receivers downward. We have Anderson projected worse than Leinart because of his inaccuracy, and their offensive line isn't quite what we expected and has less continuity with past years than we originally projected.

Rosenthal: Does it make sense for Frank Gore/Michael Crabtree/Vernon Davis to be projected as fantasy stars when Alex Smith is their QB? Your projections seem down on San Francisco.

Schatz: You got it. I would love to believe in Smith, but when you look at his entire career, it's hard to analytically project him to be as good as 49ers fans seem to believe he will be. Plus, Vernon Davis last year had ELEVEN more touchdowns than the year before. No tight end had ever jumped ten TDs in one season. He's not doing that again.

Rosenthal: Say something smart

Schatz: Persimmons are delicious.

Rosenthal: Say something stupid

Schatz: Football Outsiders is going to lift its "no talking politics on the discussion boards" rule. No, not really. That's a joke, because lifting that rule would be really, really stupid.

 

[HacheMan]

Top 15 Preseason Fallers
We brought to you last week the top-15 risers of the 2010 preseason, complemented by a blog post on five more. Hopefully, the columns put a smile on your face.

Because this one won't. Especially if you've already drafted one, two, or however many guys on this list. Factoring in projected roles, injury impact, and preseason performance, enjoy (or don't) the 15 players whose value has been shaken the most since the start of training camp.

Editor's Note: Get the Rotoworld Draft Guide by clicking here.

1. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler

Aside from Colt McCoy in Cleveland, no NFL quarterback has looked as uncomfortable as Cutler this preseason. In addition to a 51.3 completion rate, he's been sacked on an astounding 21.3% of his drop-backs. For perspective, 2009 sacks-taken leader Aaron Rodgers had a sack rate of 8.5. Cutler has exhibited happy feet in the pocket behind a line he clearly doesn't trust, and is throwing off his back foot consistently. Perhaps it's "just the preseason" and Cutler drafters will benefit from the value, but it's safe to say viewers of Bears exhibition games won't be picking him.

2. Titans wide receiver Kenny Britt

The new Dwayne Bowe? Britt has all the talent in the world, but mental lapses and drops have plagued his training camp. Unable to capitalize on injuries to Nate Washington (wrist) and Justin Gage (thumb), Britt had an early drop in Tennessee's second exhibition contest, only to kick the ball out of bounds and draw a delay-of-game penalty plays later. Britt may have helped himself with a four-catch, 33-yard effort last Thursday, but it was probably too little too late. Averaging just 7.8 yards per catch in August, Britt will enter the season as the Titans' clear-cut third receiver.

3. Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew

It's not necessarily Jones-Drew's -2 yards on six preseason carries that's concerning. It's his knee injury. While a report that he underwent surgery was effectively debunked, MJD is less than 100 percent coming off a career-high workload. He plays in an untrustworthy offense that doesn't pose a downfield threat, and sports an offensive line that's opened enough holes to generate the fewest rushing yards in the AFC and a 3.0 yards-per-carry average through three exhibition games. The writing on the wall says to pick Ray Rice ahead of him, and probably Frank Gore too.

4. Saints wide receiver Robert Meachem

Meachem is over his offseason toe injury, but missing half of camp has cost him any chance of passing Devery Henderson. With Saints beat writers hinting at a decline in Meachem's numbers, Henderson has started all three preseason games. Making matters worse, coach Sean Payton has designs on expanding Lance Moore and Reggie Bush's roles in the passing game. Looking for a breakout receiver? Look elsewhere. There are too many mouths to feed in New Orleans.

5. Cardinals quarterback Matt Leinart

Rotoworld never harbored high expectations for Leinart, but we at least expected him to beat out Derek Anderson. He didn't, and may now be among Saturday's final cuts. Leinart's sinking stock threatens to take a big portion of Arizona's passing game with him. While Larry Fitzgerald will remain a target monster, Steve Breaston must be avoided. Expect Beanie Wells in heavy doses all year, some late-season Max Hall sightings, and an NFC West that couldn't be more wide open.

6. Texans running back Steve Slaton

Ben Tate's year-ending injury opened the door for Slaton, but it was slammed shut by lackluster preseason efforts, a bout with turf toe, and Arian Foster's emergence as a fourth-round fantasy pick. At this point, Slaton poses virtually no threat to Foster's workload. In fact, it's not out of the question that Slaton could be passed by impressive second-year man Jeremiah Johnson. The ideal one-cut back for Houston's zone-blocking scheme, Johnson is averaging 5.4 yards per carry compared to Slaton's 2.76. Currently in a walking boot, Slaton isn't even a good Foster handcuff.

7. Patriots running back Laurence Maroney

Coach Bill Belichick swears Maroney is still a part of New England's 2010 plans. Perhaps, but he doesn't appear to be a big part of the plan. Fred Taylor is steadfastly in the driver's seat to start Week 1, while Maroney hasn't played since the exhibition opener. In last Thursday's third preseason game, the entire Patriots first string played into the fourth quarter. Maroney didn't play a single snap. Look for Maroney to start the finale Thursday night for trade-showcasing purposes.

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8. Cowboys running back Felix Jones

Spring speculation that Jones might overtake Marion Barber long forgotten, Barber has started all three of the Cowboys' exhibition games. Jones hasn't so much as earned a Rotoworld post since late July. A laundry list of injuries on the line has rendered Dallas' preseason offense totally ineffective, but it's not like Jones has made a case for more snaps with 17 yards on eight carries. At this point, Barber is the backfield's best bet for touches and TDs. Jones is being over-drafted.

9. Packers running back Ryan Grant

Mike McCarthy's touting of Brandon Jackson as an "every-down back" in the event of a Grant injury should move Jackson near the top of priority handcuff lists. Jackson looked every bit the part of a feature-able runner after Grant's concussion in the preseason's second week, piling up 89 yards and a score on 12 touches. Grant's early-down work is safe until proven otherwise, but the light appears to have flipped on for Jackson. The Packers' best talent is in the passing game and Jackson is the passing-down back, so expect more passing and fewer touches for Grant. Grant hasn't helped himself with two preseason fumbles, an injury, and a 3.8 yards-per-carry average.

10. Eagles quarterback Kevin Kolb

Kolb hasn't performed passably since opening the preseason against a depleted Jags defense, and the bottom fell out last Thursday against the Chiefs. Playing into the fourth quarter, he generated just 11 completions and 103 yards on 25 pass attempts (44%, 4.12 YPA), taking four sacks and throwing an interception. The Eagles' line is in such bad shape that they're pushing the heck out of C Jamaal Jackson to return from a late-December tear. This offense looks likely to start slow.

11. Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck

Seattle's line is in shambles entering the opener for a second straight year. LT Russell Okung is a long shot for Opening Day due to a high ankle sprain, and his backup Ray Willis (knee surgery) is out indefinitely. With TE John Carlson also a non-factor, the failure of any receiver to emerge as a void-filler opposite T.J. Houshmandzadeh is yet another downfall. Hasselbeck managed to complete just 9-of-17 passes for 126 yards and no touchdowns in two-and-a-half quarters against an injury-ravaged Minnesota secondary last week. It's going to be another long season in Seattle.

12. Raiders wide receiver Chaz Schilens

He's been an injury waiting to happen since his days as a San Diego State Aztec, so perhaps we should've expected Schilens to go back on the shelf. He's racked up three surgeries -- all to the same leg -- in the last 12 months, and the latest was to Schilens' knee. Receivers coming off knee surgery are never good bets for production, and it wouldn't be surprising if Schilens is a non-factor all year. The Raiders' fantasy wideout to target is Louis Murphy, who will replace Schilens in the starting lineup.

13. Texans tight end Owen Daniels

Daniels is back practicing after his midseason ACL tear, but the Texans will proceed with extreme caution. He had a setback in late May, and coach Gary Kubiak is on record as saying Daniels won't play more than 20 snaps in the opener. A healthy, every-down tight end in an offense like Houston's would typically play 50 downs. Other negatives to consider for Daniels: the emergence of Jacoby Jones to steal targets and Arian Foster to decrease the team's pass attempts total.

14. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers

The preseason has shown that San Diego's offense will function without Marcus McNeill and Vincent Jackson. But the offense has changed. This is now a short-based passing attack that will feature Antonio Gates and Legedu Naanee over the middle, while requiring a tight end to "help" protection-deficient LT Brandyn Dombrowski. The Chargers are going to run the ball way more with Ryan Mathews, so don't expect Rivers to approach his 2009 numbers. With a major decline in pass attempts and vertical hookups, he is not a lock-safe top-seven fantasy QB.

15. New York Jets Defense

Outside of Rotoworld, the Jets are the "consensus" No. 1 fantasy defense. Rex Ryan figures to field a solid real-life group regardless of personnel, but the absences of top pass rusher Calvin Pace (broken foot) and CB Darrelle Revis (holdout) are major blows to New York's playmaking potential. The odds are against any Jet topping eight sacks, and Revis fill-in Antonio Cromartie hasn't been able to catch a cold in camp or the preseason. Let someone else overdraft this unit.

 

[HacheMan]

Return Yardage Spectacular
Increasingly, one of the requests Evan Silva and I keep finding in our in-boxes and Twitter pages is further devotion to return-yardage leagues.

The good news is that Rotoworld's Draft Guide users can customize their cheatsheets to incorporate return yardage into positional projections. The bad news is that a google search for one-stop shopping on updated NFL kickoff and punt returners turns up nothing but tumbleweeds. Where can a dedicated return-yardage league owner turn to find all returners listed in one spot and fully updated? See below.

[SIZE=+2]NFC[/SIZE]

Arizona Cardinals

Kickoffs: 1. LaRod Stephens-Howling 2. Justin Miller
Punts: 1. Andre Roberts 2. Justin Miller 3. Marshay Green

One of the premier special teams players in the league, Stephens-Howling is locked into the kickoff returner job after a 52/1,257/1 line last season. ... Roberts has been a disappointment as a receiver, but he's still expected to replace Steve Breaston on punt returns. The third-rounder averaged 16.2 yards on 45 punts at The Citadel over the past three seasons. ... Miller and Green are on the roster bubble.

Atlanta Falcons

Kickoffs: 1. Eric Weems, Dominique Franks
Punts: 1. Eric Weems, Dominique Franks

With Michael Jenkins' (shoulder) status in doubt for Week 1 and rookie Kerry Meier (knee) out for the season, the pressure is no longer on Weems to prove worthy of a roster spot. Owning both phases last year, Weems totaled 1,484 yards on returns. ... Rookie Franks has more talent than Weems, so the incumbent will be on a shorter leash this season.

Carolina Panthers

Kickoffs: 1. Mike Goodson, 2. Tyrell Sutton, 3. Trent Guy, 4. Robert McClain
Punts: 1. Captain Munnerlyn, 2. Armanti Edwards, 3. Trent Guy 4. Brian Witherspoon

Guy, Witherspoon, and McClain are roster longshots, and third-rounder Edwards will find himself inactive on quite a few game days. ... That leaves Goodson and Sutton to battle it out on kickoff returns. After Goodson's 91-yard touchdown last week, he's emerged as the favorite while Sutton battles a shoulder injury. ... Munnerlyn is dealing with a calf injury of his own, but he'll be fielding punts in Week 1 as long as he's health allows it. ... Edwards fumbled away his chance to contribute as a rookie.

Chicago Bears

Kickoffs: 1. Danieal Manning 2. Johnny Knox 3. D.J. Moore
Punts: 1. Devin Hester 2. Earl Bennett 3. D.J. Moore

Manning and Knox split kickoff return duties last season, and they both excelled. With Knox expected to take over the No. 1 receiver mantle this year, though, Manning should see the bulk of the returns. Knox can't count on matching last year's 927 yards at 29.0 yards per return. ... Hester had the greatest two-year punt-return run in NFL history in 2006-07, but he's plummeted to just 6.9 yards per return and less than 200 yards per season over the past two years. Hester is a high-end WR3 in return-yardage leagues.

Dallas Cowboys

Kickoffs 1. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah, 2. Kevin Ogletree 3. Bryan McCann
Punts 1. Dez Bryant, 2. Akwasi Owusu-Ansah 3. Patrick Crayton 4. Bryan McCann

The Cowboys installed Bryant as the punt returner as soon as they drafted him. Now that he's over his ankle sprain, expect him pick up where he left off. The impact rookie is easily a WR3 in return-yardage leagues. ... The kickoff return job is wide open with Felix Jones expected to concentrate on offense this year. Owusu-Ansah has the most speed and ability, returning five kicks for touchdowns at IUP in 2009 alone. As long as his shoulder checks out as 100 percent, AOA offers the most upside on kickoffs. ... Ogletree, knocked down to fifth on the depth chart at receiver, is fallback option. ... McCann is on the roster bubble.

Detroit Lions

Kickoffs: 1. Aaron Brown 2. Derrick Williams 3. Tim Toone
Punts: 1. Dennis Northcutt 2. Derrick Williams 3. Tim Toone

We know both jobs are up in the air because none of the candidates is guaranteed a roster spot. ... The Lions would presumably love for Williams to put the argument to rest, but he's inspired no confidence since being drafted in the third round last year. ... Northcutt remains the most reliable option on punts, and his $1.55 million salary is almost fully guaranteed. ... Brown has the early lead on kickoffs, but he has to nail down the final running back spot to keep it. ... Toone, this year's Mr. Irrelevant, is headed for the practice squad.

Green Bay Packers

Kickoffs: 1. Will Blackmon 2. Jordy Nelson 3. Brandon Jackson 4. Sam Shields
Punts: 1. Will Blackmon 2. Jason Chery 3. Sam Shields

Blackmon was expected to hold down both jobs, but he recently suffered a setback in his return from ACL surgery. ... Chery will receive an audition on punt returns in the preseason finale, but he's no lock to make the roster. ... The fall-back option on kickoff returns is expected to come down to Jackson or Nelson, neither of whom is a good bet to keep the job more than a few weeks. ... Shields has intriguing speed, but he showed nothing as a returner in the first two exhibition games. ... Once Blackmon gets over the hump, he should resume primary return duties.

Minnesota Vikings

Kickoffs: 1. Darius Reynaud 2. Percy Harvin 3. Albert Young
Punts: 1. Darius Reynaud 2. Asher Allen

Harvin was a Pro Bowl kickoff returner as the 2009 Rookie of the Year, but the Vikings are already exploring alternatives on special teams. Sidney Rice's hip surgery makes Harvin's offensive role even more crucial, and the Vikes are leery of weighing him down with return duties after he missed a good portion of August with migraine issues. We'd caution against drafting him with the expectation that he'll remain the primary option on kickoffs. ... Reynaud, who racked up 303 punt return yards last year, could be adding kickoff returns to his plate this year. He's the prime candidate if Harvin is removed.

Editor's Note: Did you know you can get the Rotoworld Fantasy Football Draft Guide on your iPhone and iPad? Get our Top 200 rankings, Cheatsheets, Tiers, and more in a convenient on-the-go package!

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New Orleans Saints

Kickoffs: 1. Courtney Roby 2. Patrick Robinson
Punts: 1. Reggie Bush 2. Devery Henderson 3. Lance Moore

Barring the unexpected, Roby will handle all of the kickoffs and Bush will be the sole punt returner. ... Roby racked up 1,154 yards at 27.5 yards per pop last year. He's still no better than the fifth receiver on offense. ... Coming off his healthiest offseason in years, Bush merits RB2 consideration in PPR/return-yardage leagues.

New York Giants

Kickoffs: 1. D.J. Ware 2. Andre Brown 3. Victor Cruz
Punts: 1. Aaron Ross 2. Victor Cruz 3. Mario Manningham

Dominik Hixon's torn ACL has left a mess on returns. ... Ross had emerged as the primary candidate for punts, but he's currently sidelined with plantar fasciitis. Preseason sensation Cruz may open the season as his replacement ... Ware was considered the early favorite for kickoff returns before sustaining a second concussion in as many years. Brown and Cruz are now candidates to step in early in the season. ... Kickoffs figure to be a revolving door for the Giants this season.

Philadelphia Eagles

Kickoffs: 1. Ellis Hobbs 2. Chad Hall 3. Quintin Demps
Punts: 1. DeSean Jackson 2. Chad Hall

The Eagles confirmed that Hobbs will remain the primary kickoff returner even as he's set to take over as the starting right cornerback. An underrated returner, Hobbs has cleared 26.0 yards per kickoff in three of the past four seasons while returning three kicks for scores. ... Hobbs is overshadowed because Jackson has emerged as the most explosive punt returner in the NFL, reaching 440 punt-return yards in each of his first two seasons. Jackson is a borderline Top-5 receiver in return-yardage leagues. ... Former Air Force star Hall is likely headed for the practice squad.

San Francisco 49ers

Kickoffs: 1. Ted Ginn 2. Kyle Williams
Punts: 1. Phillip Adams, 2. Kyle Williams 3. Ted Ginn

Coach Mike Singletary doesn't want to use Ginn on punts, and sixth-rounder Williams remains out with a sprained toe. ... Seventh-rounder Adams is expected to start the season in the punt-return role after taking one 83 yards to the house last week. ... Ginn has cleared 1,250 kickoff return yards in two of the past three seasons. He should keep the job all season, flirting with WR3 value in return-yardage leagues.

Seattle Seahawks

Kickoffs: 1. Leon Washington 2. Justin Forsett 3. Deon Butler
Punts: 1. Leon Washington 2. Justin Forsett 3. Golden Tate

Josh Wilson was a candidate for kickoffs before Tuesday's trade. Now Washington is expected to start the season as the primary returner even though he's coming off a broken leg and under consideration for the starting running back job. ... We're expecting a committee attack in the backfield, and we wouldn't be surprised to see the return game end up a committee situation depending on the hot hand at running back. ... Washington has been a first-team All-Pro as a returner, but Forsett has plenty of experience on kickoffs and punts himself. Both backs get a boost to every-week flex status in return-yardage leagues.

See Leon Washington's projections in our online draft guide'

St. Louis Rams

Kickoffs: 1. Mardy Gilyard 2. Danny Amendola
Punts: 1. Danny Amendola 2. Mardy Gilyard

The safe guess here is that whichever receiver doesn't start will handle the bulk of the return duties. ... Gilyard has been the primary returner over the past two weeks, but Amendola has still seen time on punts. There's no question that Gilyard is more of a homerun threat after returning four kickoffs for touchdowns at Cincinnati the past two, but Amendola is no slouch. He flirted with 2,000 return yards last season. ... Both players will likely see time on returns over the course of the season, with Amendola as the better pickup in PPR leagues.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Kickoffs: 1. Clifton Smith 2. Sammie Stroughter
Punts: 1. Clifton Smith 2. Sammie Stroughter

Smith returned to action last week after missing most of the summer with a gout-like condition in his knee. One of the elite returners in the league, he's averaged a sterling 28.3 yards on 67 kickoffs and 12.1 yards on 46 punts over the past two seasons. ... In addition to the recent "gout" issue, Smith has also sustained multiple severe concussions. It wouldn't be a surprise if Stroughter was forced to pull double duty as a receiver/returner at some point this season.

Washington Redskins

Kickoffs: 1. Devin Thomas 2. Brandon Banks 3. Terrence Austin 4. Keiland Williams
Punts: 1. Philip Buchanon 2. Brandon Banks 3. Terrence Austin

Banks, the Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Year, is easily the most explosive option on returns. Unfortunately, he offers nothing on offense. The Redskins can choose to keep him as a true return specialist or carry a legit fifth receiver. At this point, they appear to be leaning against Banks, with Thomas on kickoffs and Buchanon on punts. ... Thomas is a risk/reward pick in return-yardage leagues because he's not guaranteed to stick on kickoffs, and he remains behind Joey Galloway and Anthony Armstrong at receiver.

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[SIZE=+2]AFC[/SIZE]

Baltimore Ravens

Kickoffs: 1. Jalen Parmele 2. Prince Miller 3. Josh Wilson
Punts: 1. Tom Zbikowski 2. Prince Miller 3. Chris Carr

Parmele is locked in as the kickoff returner after averaging 31.4 yards on nine late-season opportunities last year. ... Undrafted rookie Miller has been the best punt returner in camp, but the Josh Wilson trade may have closed the door on his roster possibilities. Miller will have a final audition Thursday night, and he's going to have to break a couple of kicks to change some minds. ... Chris Carr, penciled in as a starting corner, has been noticeably absent from return drills throughout August. Instead, Ed Reed's replacement, Zbikowski, will be favored to return punts.

Buffalo Bills

Kickoffs: 1. C.J. Spiller 2. Leodis McKelvin
Punts: 1. C.J. Spiller 2. Roscoe Parrish

The Bills have been tight-lipped about their plans, but NFL Network's Jason LaCanfora reported a couple weeks ago that Spiller would be the primary option on both kickoffs and punts. The explosive rookie returned eight kicks for scores at Clemson. ... The Bills do have premier alternatives in McKelvin and Parrish, so they may opt to give Spiller a rest on occasion -- especially if he's filling a starring role on offense. As long as he stays on returns, Spiller is a low-end RB1 in return-yardage leagues.

Cincinnati Bengals

Kickoffs: 1. Pacman Jones 2. Quan Cosby 3. Jordan Shipley 4. Bernard Scott
Punts: 1. Quan Cosby 2. Pacman Jones 3. Jordan Shipley

Jones earned the kickoff return job with a 34-yard average on six preseason returns. He's been no slouch on punts either, averaging 16 yards per return. ... Cosby is expected to remain on punts, though, after finishing fifth in the league with an 11.9 average last year. ... Shipley is a capable fill-in at both spots, but he's not going to see enough action on returns to increase his value in return-yardage leagues. ... Scott will concentrate on backing up Cedric Benson this year.

Cleveland Browns

Kickoffs: 1. Josh Cribbs 2. Joe Haden
Punts: 1. Josh Cribbs 2. Chansi Stuckey

Cribbs is the best special teamer on the planet, returning eight kicks for touchdowns in the past three seasons and 10 for his career. His three-year average includes 1,487 yards on kickoffs and 362 yards on punts. He'll dominate both phases once again as a legit WR3 in return-yardage leagues.

Denver Broncos

Kickoffs: 1. Perrish Cox 2. Eddie Royal 3. Matt Willis
Punts: 1. Eddie Royal 2. Perrish Cox 3. Syd'Quan Thompson

Cox has been the primary kickoff and punt returner throughout the preseason, but the Denver Post suggests Royal will keep punt-return duties. Royal does seem likely to cede kickoffs to Cox at this point, though, which will take a bite out of his return-yardage value. ... Cox returned six kicks for touchdowns at Oklahoma State; he may be more of a homerun threat than Royal. ... Thompson and Willis are on the roster bubble and don't figure to be factors on returns once the season starts.

Houston Texans

Kickoffs: 1. Andre' Davis 2. Steve Slaton 3. Sherrick McManis 4. Jeremiah Johnson
Punts: 1. Jacoby Jones 2. Jeremiah Johnson

The Texans are hesitant to pay Davis $2.55 million to be a kickoff return specialist. Look for them to ask him to take a paycut while trying to slip seventh-rounder Dorin Dickerson through waivers. ... Slaton could have made it a moot point had he not come down with a turf toe injury. At this point, it's hard for Houston to trust him as the primary kickoff returner. ... Jones remains one of the best punt returners in the business, receiving a nice bonus as an upside WR3 in return-yardage leagues.

Indianapolis Colts

Kickoffs: 1. Brandon James 2. Devin Moore 3. Ray Fisher 4. Sam Giguere
Punts: 1. Brandon James 2. Devin Moore 3. Ray Fisher

This situation is too close to call. Moore has outplayed the competition on kickoffs and punts in preseason action, but it's an extremely small sample size. It doesn't help that he missed last week's game with an undisclosed injury. ... James has an extensive history of returns at Florida, totaling 4,089 yards and five touchdowns. Consider him the favorite in Indy until we hear differently. James, nominally a running back, won't see more than a handful of carries on offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kickoffs: 1. Deji Karim 2. Scotty McGee
Punts: 1. Scotty McGee 2. Mike Thomas

Behind five returns of over 40 yards in two preseason games, Karim had already locked up kickoff return duties before undergoing thumb surgery last week. ... McGee, a speedster drafted solely for his return capability, will handle both chores until Karim returns -- likely in early October. McGee averaged 28.1 yards per kickoff return in his last two years at James Madison.

Create your own fantasy league.

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Kansas City Chiefs

Kickoffs: 1. Javier Arenas 2. Dexter McCluster 3. Quinten Lawrence
Punts: 1. Javier Arenas 2. Dexter McCluster 3. Quinten Lawrence

Arenas, a special teams All-American, was arguably the top returner in this year's draft. He's been spectacular in exhibition action after totaling 3,914 return yards and seven punt-return touchdowns at Alabama. ... Fellow second-round rookie McCluster is sure to see an occasional return on both kickoffs and punts, but Arenas will be the main man in Kansas City. Expect close to 1,500 combined yards. ... Lawrence, a 2009 sixth-rounder, is no longer needed.

Miami Dolphins

Kickoffs: 1. Nolan Carroll 2. Patrick Cobbs 3. Brian Hartline
Punts: 1. Davone Bess 2. Marlon Moore

Patrick Cobbs, coach Tony Sparano's version of a teacher's pet, will cede kickoff returns to Carroll while he concentrates on getting back to pre-injury form after sustaining a torn ACL last season. ... Carroll has averaged 23.6 yards in preseason action, but he was never a primary returner at Maryland. He's not a great bet to last the entire season on kickoffs. ... Bess' average dropped to 7.5 per punt after posting an 11.0 average as a rookie. His two-year average is 220 yards per season. Bess is a strong WR3 in PPR/return-yardage leagues.

New England Patriots

Kickoffs: 1. Brandon Tate 2. Devin McCourty 3. Julian Edelman 4. Taylor Price
Punts: 1. Brandon Tate 2. Julian Edelman 3. Kevin Faulk 4. Wes Welker

Tate, the NCAA record holder for combined kick return yardage, likely clinched the kickoff return job with a 97-yard touchdown last week. With Julian Edelman nursing an undisclosed injury and Wes Welker less than eight months removed from reconstructive knee surgery, Tate is the favorite for punts as well. He's well worth a late-round WR5 flier in return-yardage leagues. ... First-rounder McCourty was a special teams stud at Rutgers. He may see the occasional return, but the Pats won't want to spread him too thin now that he's starting at corner opposite Darius Butler.

New York Jets

Kickoffs: 1. Brad Smith 2. Joe McKnight
Punts: 1. Kyle Wilson 2. Joe McKnight 3. Jim Leonard

Smith emerged as the primary kickoff returner late last season, returning 10 kicks for 310 yards and a touchdown. He'll maintain kickoff duties this season, though he's been pushed down to No. 4 on the depth chart at wide receiver after the trade for Santonio Holmes. ... First-rounder Wilson received the bulk of the punt-return reps in OTAs and still seems like the best candidate for the job. He racked up 720 punt return yards and three touchdowns over his last two seasons at Boise State.

Oakland Raiders

Kickoffs: 1. Jacoby Ford 2. Rock Cartwright 3. Yamon Figurs
Punts: 1. Johnnie Lee Higgins 2. Jacoby Ford 3. Yamon Figurs

Both jobs are still wide open entering the preseason finale. ... Former Clemson speed merchant Ford was the presumptive winner at both spots before a quadriceps injury limited him early in preseason action. He may still be the favorite on kickoffs, though Higgins looks prepared to hold him off on punts to start the season. ... Cartwright and Figures are end-of-the-roster types; neither seems like a good bet to keep a roster spot for the entire season. ... Check back next week for the official winners.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Kickoffs: 1. Antonio Brown 2. Stefan Logan 3. Emmanuel Sanders
Punts: 1. Antonio Brown 2. Stefan Logan 3. Antwaan Randle-El

Despite racking up 1,746 combined return yards last season, Logan is fighting a losing battle to keep his roster spot. ... Sixth-rounder Brown can do everything Logan can do while also doubling as a promising receiver prospect. Brown averaged 10.2 yards on 79 punt returns at Central Michigan while adding 23.3 yards per on 109 kickoff returns. ... He'll be no better than fifth on the depth chart at receiver.

San Diego Chargers

Kickoffs: 1. Darren Sproles 2. Shawnbrey McNeal
Punts: 1. Darren Sproles 2. Craig Davis

As he has for the past four years, Sproles will dominate both punts and kickoffs. He's averaged 192 punt returns yards and 1,303 kickoff return yards with one return touchdown per season since 2005. Even as a third-down back, Sproles merits RB2 consideration in return yardage leagues.

Tennessee Titans

Kickoffs: 1. Damian Williams 2. Kenny Britt 3. Marc Mariani
Punts: 1. Damian Williams 2. Alvin Pearman 3. Marc Mariani

Mariani has seen plenty of time on returns in exhibition action, but he's likely headed to the practice squad. ... Williams is over his early-camp hamstring injury and is poised to handle both phases of returns this year. The rookie is no better than fifth on the depth chart at receiver, so he'll be without a role on offense. Williams didn't return kickoffs at USC, but he did average 7.7 yards per return with two touchdowns on 44 punts. ... Britt will forfeit kickoff returns while concentrating on receiving duties this year.

 

[HacheMan]

The Jury Is In
Before training camp started, I highlighted some of the position battles we'd be monitoring from a fantasy perspective. Now that most of the dust has settled, the majority of precincts are reporting:

1. PACKERS NO. 3 WR: JAMES JONES vs. JORDY NELSON
Winner: Jones
This one generated plenty of controversy throughout camp as different beat writers had different takes. The bottom line is that when Greg Jennings rested during the third preseason game, Jones got the start. And we already knew Jones was Donald Driver's direct backup. Consider Jones a very strong upside flier.

2. GIANTS NO. 2 WR: HAKEEM NICKS vs. MARIO MANNINGHAM
Winner: Nicks
This one was over before it started. Manningham missed a ton of practice early in camp with a groin injury and when he was on the field, he did nothing to show he should be ahead of Nicks. That's not a surprise, because Nicks' talent level is exponentially beyond Manningham's. Consider Nicks one of the top mid-round breakout candidates.

3. RAIDERS NO. 1 RB: MICHAEL BUSH vs. DARREN MCFADDEN
Winner: McFadden
As I mentioned in Monday's Dose, this battle hasn't been ugly. McFadden was sidelined for the majority of camp by a hamstring injury, but is healthy now. Meanwhile, Bush has screws in his thumb and could be out a month. McFadden remains an upside play in PPR formats while Bush's stock is sinking.

Editor's Note: To see exact projections for all the players mentioned here, check out the 2010 Draft Guide!

4. BEARS NO. 2 WR: JOHNNY KNOX vs. DEVIN AROMASHODU
Winner: Knox
Knox ran as the starter in minicamps, OTAs and the outset of camp. He did nothing to relinquish that role over the last month. Despite an atrocious preseason from the Bears, Knox remains a major breakout candidate. Aromashodu is still on the fantasy radar thanks to all the three-wide sets the Bears will run.

5. BROWNS NO. 1 RB: MONTARIO HARDESTY vs. JEROME HARRISON
Winner: Harrison
Harrison won this one by default when Hardesty twisted his knee just before camp opened. But I get the feeling that the coaches want Hardesty to claim this job sooner rather than later. For now, Harrison will start and Hardesty will come off the bench. Note that Hardesty injured his knee again on Thursday night.

6. TITANS NO. 2 WR: JUSTIN GAGE vs. KENNY BRITT
Winner: Gage
It's almost laughable that Britt hasn't moved past Gage yet. The guy just can't stay out of the doghouse long enough to let his talent shine through. Britt is still on the radar as a decent flier, but he hasn't shown signs of "getting it."

7. BUCS NO. 1 AND NO. 2 WR: MIKE WILLIAMS vs. REGGIE BROWN vs. MAURICE STOVALL vs. ARRELIOUS BENN
Winners: Williams and Stroughter
Williams has done nothing to stop the freight train of hype coming down the hill. He's the real deal and a strong bet to lead the Bucs in receiving yards. Stroughter is going to start outside and kick to the slot in three-wide formations. Consider Williams a strong sleeper and Stroughter as an in-season waiver add.

Editor's Note: Did you know you can get the Rotoworld Fantasy Football Draft Guide on your iPhone and iPad? Get our Top 200 rankings, Cheatsheets, Tiers, and more in a convenient on-the-go package!

8. STEELERS GOAL-LINE RB: RASHARD MENDENHALL vs. JONATHAN DWYER vs. ISAAC REDMAN
Winner: Unclear
Redman burst out of the gate with an impressive camp, pushing Dwyer toward the roster bubble. But Dwyer returned from a shoulder injury last Sunday and impressively shredded the Broncos. All three backs could very well end up on the roster, giving us no clarity on the situation. My guess is Mendenhall will get the first crack at the job, but will be on a very short leash.

9. TEXANS NO. 2 WR: KEVIN WALTER vs. JACOBY JONES
Winner: Walter (nominally)
Walter has continued to run as the starter throughout camp, but it's just by name. Jones has 12 catches in the preseason while Walter has three. Don't be surprised if that kind of disparity continues into the regular season. Jones remains one of our favorite sleepers.

10. COLTS NO. 2 WR: PIERRE GARCON vs. ANTHONY GONZALEZ
Winner: Garcon
The Colts only gave Gonzalez a petty chance to get his job back. It was never going to happen. Garcon is simply too good.

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11. TEXANS NO. 1 RB: ARIAN FOSTER vs. BEN TATE vs. STEVE SLATON
Winner: Foster
Tate broke his leg and Slaton was quickly relegated to the second-team and kickoff returns. Meanwhile, Foster has been killing it. He's a strong bet for 17-20 touches a game and his ADP is going through the roof. You'll have to take him in the fourth round if you want him in most leagues. I do.

12. SEAHAWKS NO. 1 RB: JULIUS JONES vs. JUSTIN FORSETT vs. LEON WASHINGTON
Winner: None
By all accounts, Jones has performed the worst in games and practices. Washington and Forsett have been better, but nothing to write home about. Expect a very strict situational backfield, capping the fantasy upside of all members.

13. RAMS NO. 1 QB: SAM BRADFORD vs. A.J. FEELEY
Winner: Bradford
The No. 1 overall pick locked up the job when he tore through the Patriots for 189 yards and two touchdowns in one half last week. Thursday night, he went 6-of-6 for 68 yards and a touchdown. Wow. It certainly helped that Feeley has been sidelined for a couple weeks by an injured thumb, but it wouldn't have mattered anyway.

14. 49ERS NO. 2 RB: ANTHONY DIXON vs. GLEN COFFEE vs. BRIAN WESTBROOK
Winner: Dixon/Westbrook
Coffee took himself out of the mix when he surprisingly retired. The Niners then went out and signed Westbrook, who will serve a "change of pace" role behind Frank Gore. If Gore were to get hurt, look for Dixon and Westbrook to share the load. There isn't a clear handcuff here.

Editor's Note: Create your own fantasy league at myfantasyleague.com!

15. BILLS NO. 1 QB: TRENT EDWARDS vs. RYAN FITZPATRICK vs. BRIAN BROHM
Winner: Edwards
Edwards was never really pushed. He's back for another year of check-downs, happy feet and overall misery.

16. BILLS NO. 1 RB: FRED JACKSON vs. MARSHAWN LYNCH vs. C.J. SPILLER
Winner: Jackson/Spiller
Even though Jackson is out with a fractured hand right now, he's likely the coach's preference as the early-down back. Spiller has been really impressive and will probably end up leading this unit in touches, but not carries. I'm staying away from all parties involved here simply because the Bills are that bad.

17. SEAHAWKS NO. 2 WR: GOLDEN TATE vs. DEON BUTLER vs. DEION BRANCH
Winner: Branch?
All that momentum Tate built up over the course of the offseason hit the fan midway through camp. He's struggling with the playbook and is now buried on the depth chart. Branch's roster spot looks safe for now, but we won't know for sure until Saturday night. Mike Williams created the most camp buzz, but is only an option in super-deep leagues. With rumors surfacing about T.J. Houshmandzadeh on the trading block and Vincent Jackson interest, this depth chart is far from settled.

18. BILLS NO. 2 WR: JAMES HARDY vs. STEVE JOHNSON
Winner: Johnson
Hardy's injured foot cost him a shot at the starting gig and probably a roster spot. Johnson has no upside and is a very weak fantasy option in the Bills' miserable offense.

19. PANTHERS NO. 2 WR: DWAYNE JARRETT vs. BRANDON LAFELL
Winner: Jarrett
A battle of ineptitude. Jarrett did nothing to inspire confidence in a career reversal, but LaFell didn't seize the opportunity. Both players are off the radar.

20. JAGUARS NO. 2 WR: MIKE THOMAS vs. JARRETT DILLARD vs. TROY WILLIAMSON
Winner: Thomas
Dillard handed this job to Thomas when he got a stress fracture in his toe. Thomas has some PPR appeal, but his upside is capped in the Jacksonville's weak passing game.

21. BENGALS SLOT WR: ANDRE CALDWELL vs. JORDAN SHIPLEY
Winner: Shipley
Shipley can play. He's going to be a great check-down option for Carson Palmer's declining arm and is much more physical than people realize. Re-draft expectations, however, should be held in check with Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco hogging all the targets.

22. COWBOYS NO. 2 WR: ROY WILLIAMS vs. DEZ BRYANT
Winner: Williams
Bryant was going to win this job until a high ankle sprain ruined his camp. Williams picked up a little hip flexor this week, but he's expected to be fine by Week 1. Look for Bryant to claim this job very soon. The rookie is clearly the one to target in fantasy drafts.

23. JETS THIRD-DOWN BACK: LADAINIAN TOMLINSON vs. JOE MCKNIGHT
Winner: Tomlinson
McKnight is in worse shape than me, if that's even possible. He made some plays in the punt return game, but overall showed he doesn't know the playbook and doesn't seem to care all that much. Tomlinson has looked spry and fresh.

24. SAINTS GOAL-LINE RB: PIERRE THOMAS vs. REGGIE BUSH vs. CHRIS IVORY
Winner: Unclear
Coach Sean Payton has shown a hesitancy to use Thomas inside the 5-yard line. Perhaps Ivory, who was extremely impressive in the offseason, will play the Mike Bell role this year that Lynell Hamilton (knee) was ticketed for. Ivory is worth a flier in 14-team leagues.

25. JAGUARS NO. 2 RB: DEJI KARIM vs. RASHAD JENNINGS
Winner: Jennings
This one has gained importance recently with Maurice Jones-Drew's knee issues. All MJD owners should own Jennings right now.

 

[HacheMan]

The Great Receiver Cliff
You may have noticed the huge gap between the first 10-15 wide receivers in the draft pool and the rest of the field. It's as bad as the gap used to be between the franchise running backs and the scrubs, back in the days before committee backfields ruled the world. The Great Receiver Cliff of 2010 is enough to catch even a veteran drafter off-guard. One minute, you're grabbing Reggie Wayne; the next minute, you're deciding between Sammie Stroughter and Jordy Nelson, and wishing for a do-over.

There are many reasons for the sudden drop. Teams like the Browns and Rams have terrible passing offenses, tight ends are making another comeback, and the uncertain status of big names like Vincent Jackson and Sidney Rice has eroded the middle tier. Whatever the reasons, the cliff is there, and you may have fallen off of it when you drafted.

If you haven't drafted, it's not to late to save yourself and get Rotoworld's Draft Guide.

To illustrate how bad the situation is, I crossed the 11 best receivers -- as chosen by a consensus of Rotoworld, Football Outsiders, and common sense -- off one of a cheat sheet: Andre Johnson, Calvin Johnson, Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, Miles Austin, Roddy White, Reggie Wayne, DeSean Jackson, Brandon Marshall, Marques Colston, and Steve Smith of the Giants. These are the No. 1 fantasy receivers for all of the teams in a 10-team league. Then, to find the best options at second receiver, I searched the Football Outsiders database for the next ten receivers, ranked according to the number of times they were targeted in the red zone. Marshall was targeted 29 times last year, Andre Johnson 27, but with those guys crossed off the list, these were the most prolific "goal line" receivers among the survivors:

Marques Colston 23
T.J.Houshmandzadeh</A? 22
Hines Ward 20
Roy Williams 17
Bernard Berrian 17
Chad Ochocinco 16
Wes Welker 16
Antonio Bryant 16
Nate Washington 16

What a scary list. You have Colston and Welker, who probably belong among the "cross off" list of No. 1 wideouts. Then, you have a player who was just released and then signed by the Ravens (Houshmandzadeh), a 34-year old dealing with musical quarterbacks (Ward), a total nitwit (Williams), a guy who may never play again (Bryant), and a journeyman on a run-happy team with an exciting second year receiver across from him (Washington). Ochocinco and Berrian make serviceable fantasy second wideouts, especially with Rice hurt in Minnesota, but the rest of these guys, despite the fact that they were frequent red zone targets last year, all have major question marks.

The numbers are as scary as the names. No other wide receiver besides these guys and the Top 11 had more than 15 red zone targets. That means, after this list, you must choose among players who average less than a red zone opportunity per game. You can gamble on Anquan Boldin getting more red zone opportunities in Baltimore this year, but he was targeted just 12 times in Arizona last season, and the run-heavy Ravens threw just 53 red zone passes last year, 16 of them to running backs. A team like the Jets might open up the red zone offense a little, but no Jets wide receiver was targeted more than nine times last year, so there's a lot of opening up to be done.

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If you're a late drafter, you can still avoid the cliff: grab a top receiver early, put a premium on getting someone like Ochocinco or Greg Jennings relatively early, and don't wait on that Johnny Knox-Jeremy Maclin third wideout. If you have already drafted and slept too long on receivers, trades and the waiver wire are your only hope to escape a season of hoping Brandon Gibson can get you a point or two. When rummaging through that discount rack, be on the lookout for deep threats. Only the best receivers get to be consistent red zone targets; the rest are going to score a touchdowns and rack up yards by catching bombs. DeSean Jackson is Exhibit A; he was targeted just 11 times in the red zone last year, but who cares? Depending on the depth of your league and the savvy of your fellow drafters, these players may either be available off the wire or in a trade that doesn't gut your lineup:

Devery Henderson: He scored just two touchdowns last year, so he may have slipped through the draft cracks. Henderson is a bona fide deep threat on a great offense, and a few 50-yard touchdowns can go a long way. Robert Meachem absorbed some of Henderson's touchdowns last season, and he's also worth a waiver claim if you are extremely thin.

Patrick Crayton: Malcom Floyd and his 17.2 yards per catch didn't survive your draft, but Crayton probably did because he was buried on the Cowboys depth chart. Norv Turner finds ways to plug receivers right into his system (he did it with Chris Chambers a few years ago), and Crayton has the sneaky-speed to get deep (16.8 yards per catch last year). He's worth a gamble until Vincent Jackson returns.

Nate Washington: He's one of the question mark players listed above, and he doesn't have great deep-threat numbers (12.1 yards per catch last year). But he may have slept through the draft if your fellow owners opted for Kenny Britt. Britt is now in the dog house, and Vince Young will have to throw once in a while. As the chart shows, a player with 16 red zone targets is pretty rare. If there's one sitting on the waiver wire, what are you waiting for?

Jacoby Jones: Another player who is on the map after scoring six touchdowns last year, Jones has the deep threat cred (16.2 yards per catch) to put up big numbers on a very good offense.

Grab one of these guys to add depth and big-year potential, then be prepared to mix-and-match as the season wears on. And if you are in a 12-team league with three starting receivers or a flex position, heaven help you if you didn't stock up on receivers early. Your best bet may be to wait through Week 1, figure out who the high-target options are in places like Seattle, then attack the waiver wire.

 

[HacheMan]

Millen's Last Laugh?
He who laughs last laughs best, as the idiom goes. I've always believed, however, that he who laughs last didn't get it. Regardless, former Lions' GM Matt Millen must have at least gotten a hearty chuckle out of the recent resurrection of his 10th overall pick in the 2005 draft.

With the Seahawks realizing T.J. Houshmandzadeh as a sunk cost, Mike Williams is set to make an impact in the starting lineup for the first time since starring under Pete Carroll at USC in 2002-03. The unlikeliest of Week 1 waiver wire pickups, Williams hasn't even played a down in the NFL since 2007. This time, though, he certainly looks legit.

***

This is the first Waiver Wired of the season, so let's review the rules:

Every Tuesday, I'll go over the best available pickups at every fantasy position except kicker. Every league setup is different, so I'll try to include players who may be available in shallow leagues, and lesser-known players that are worth trying in deep leagues. I give a recommendation for each player, such as "Should be owned in 12-team leagues." This doesn't mean you should own him, just that he's good enough to improve one of the rosters in your league. If I write, "Must be owned," or "Should be owned in all leagues," I'm recommending doing what you can to find a spot.

Most of my leagues have moved to sites which allow owners to place interesting free agents on a "watch list" for future consideration. As such, each week I will throw in a few long-term fliers that should be placed on watch lists for easy access when a quick decision is needed.

On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players available at each position as we head into the season opener. Full writeups of each player are below.

***

Editor's Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass. Also last-minute drafters can still get the latest projection updates in Rotoworld's draft guide.

Quarterbacks
1. Kyle Orton
2. David Garrard
3. Josh Freeman
4. Dennis Dixon
5. Sam Bradford
6. Derek Anderson
7. Michael Vick
8. Max Hall

Running Backs
1. Kareem Huggins
2. Leon Washington
3. Larry Johnson
4. Fred Taylor
5. Marshawn Lynch
6. Peyton Hillis
7. James Davis
8. Keiland Williams

Wide Receivers
1. Jacoby Jones
2. Mike Williams (Seahawks)
3. Louis Murphy
4. Laurent Robinson
5. Mohamed Massaquoi
6. Devery Henderson
7. Danny Amendola
8. Mike Thomas
9. Davone Bess

**Note: If Jabar Gaffney (CBS: 70%) and Mike Williams of the Bucs (CBS: 65%) went undrafted in your league, they go directly to the top of this list as the Nos. 1 and 2 options.

Tight Ends
1. Dustin Keller
2. Tony Scheffler
3. Fred Davis
4. Todd Heap

Defense/Special Teams
1. Dolphins
2. Raiders
3. Browns

[SIZE=+1]Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

Kyle Orton, Broncos @ JAX - CBS: 56%, Yahoo: 54%, ESPN: 25.9%
With Tebow Mania reaching full pitch in Denver all summer, it's easy to forget that Orton is coming off his best statistical season. As the team physically crumbled around him this summer, Orton went 33-of-49 for 341 yards and four touchdowns in the first three preseason games. While he's nobody's idea of a weekly starter, Orton is among the best of the fantasy backups. It doesn't hurt that he has one of the juiciest Week 1 matchups against the Jaguars' patchwork secondary.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

David Garrard, Jaguars vs. DEN - CBS: 41%, Yahoo: 24%, ESPN: 21.9%
Garrard has finished as a top-15 fantasy QB in each of the past two seasons, but he's been relegated to the ranks of "undraftable" with the likes of Matt Moore, Trent Edwards, and Jake Delhomme. What gives? There's a perception that Luke McCown is hot on Garrard's heels, pushing for the starting job. He's not. Garrard would have to faceplant in the first month of the season to lose the starting job. He's a fine QB2 once again.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Josh Freeman, Bucs vs. CLE - CBS: 17%, Yahoo: 7%, ESPN: 3.6%
Freeman is purely bench material early in the season as he comes back from a thumb injury, but he's worth a stash with Mike Williams emerging as a viable playmaker to go with Kellen Winslow. As a first-time starter, Freeman topped 15 fantasy points in 5-of-9 starts to close out the 2010 season. There's light at the end of the tunnel in Tampa.

Recommendation: Should be owned in two-quarterback leagues

Dennis Dixon, Steelers vs. ATL - CBS: 2%, Yahoo: 2%, ESPN: 1%
Coach Mike Tomlin removed all suspension, formally naming Dixon his Week 1 starting quarterback on Monday. The Steelers will lean on Rashard Mendenhall with Big Ben out of the lineup, so Dixon's passing numbers won't be gaudy. Keep in mind, though, that he immediately joins Vince Young as the biggest running threats in the league at quarterback. He's well worth starting in two-QB leagues.

Recommendation: Should be owned in two-quarterback leagues

Sam Bradford, Rams - CBS: 28%, Yahoo: 21%, ESPN: 14.9%
Bradford earned the starting job by closing out the preseason 21-of-28 (75 percent) for 257 and three touchdowns over the final two games. Fantasy owners should expect plenty of bumps in the road in Bradford's rookie season, but the early reports on his uncanny accuracy certainly appear to be on target. The Rams have some interesting offense parts. Let's see if the No.1 overall pick can bring them together.

Recommendation: Should be owned in two-quarterback leagues

Derek Anderson, Cardinals @ STL - CBS: 25%, Yahoo: 14%, ESPN: 7.7%
At this time last year, Matt Leinart was still seen as a Dynasty league asset because he'd be taking over a loaded, pass-heavy Cardinals offense when Kurt Warner walked away. Quarterback abilities aside, this is no longer the same offense. Anquan Boldin can be replaced by Steve Breaston and Early Doucet, but coach Ken Whisenhunt isn't going to bring up the NFL rear in rushing attempts this year.

Anderson is worth a look in two-QB leagues with Larry Fitzgerald & Co. out wide, but know what you're getting: a streaky passer with major accuracy issues in a more balanced offense.

Recommendation: Should be owned in two-quarterback leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Michael Vick, Eagles - CBS: 7%, Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 3.7%
The ideal roster stash isn't the one most likely to receive an opportunity; it's the one most likely to become a weekly fantasy asset if he does happen to receive an opportunity. Vick's running ability and the Eagles' formidable offense weapons would make him an instant fantasy starter if anything happens to Kevin Kolb.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Max Hall, Cardinals - CBS: 0%, Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0.1%
SI's Peter King has the bases covered on Hall's background in this week's Monday Morning Quarterback. From what we've seen in exhibition action, Hall is the best quarterback on the team right now. Coach Ken Whisenhunt essentially admitted as much, call him "the best of our four quarterbacks in camp."

Considering his "Warner-like qualities," quick release, and willingness to attack down the field, I'm penciling him in for at least eight starts this season. If he's not owned in your Dynasty league, it's time to hit the waiver wire.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all Dynasty leagues

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[SIZE=+1]Running Backs[/SIZE]

Leon Washington, Seahawks vs. SF - CBS: 51%, Yahoo: 26%, ESPN: 44.3%
Justin Forsett will open the season as the starter in Seattle, but the new coaching staff fully intends to incorporate a committee attack. Washington offers a similar skill-set to Forsett in a more talented package. His role should be similar to the one in which he excelled in New York. Washington should carry flex value if he doesn't overtake Forsett.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Kareem Huggins, Bucs vs. CLE - CBS: 25%, Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 31%
To this point, Cadillac Williams has played in 48 of a possible 80 games in his career. Needless to say, he's not a strong bet to lace up hid cleats 16 times for a second straight season. Huggins ascended to second on the depth chart, pushing Derrick Ward out the door, after averaging 5.4 yards on 25 preseason attempts. Though he'll start the season in the change-of-pace role, a Caddy injury would thrust Huggins into RB2 range.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Larry Johnson, Redskins vs. DAL - CBS: 53%, Yahoo: 18%, ESPN: 7.1%
Multiple lower-leg injuries have made Clinton Portis a mainstay on the injury report the past two seasons. Worse, a late-season concussion knocked him out of football activities for four months. When Portis under-performs or goes down with an injury, L.J. will get the first crack at the feature-back role.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Fred Taylor, Patriots vs. CIN - CBS: 34%, Yahoo: 12, ESPN: 14.1%
Taylor ran with power in the Patriots' first-team offense throughout the exhibition season while Laurence Maroney was banished to mop-up duty. The 34-year-old isn't a great bet to stay healthy or consistent in Bill Belichick's matchup-based committee attack, but he's the best bet to accrue a dozen touches on a weekly basis.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Marshawn Lynch, Bills vs. MIA - CBS: 30%, Yahoo: 20%, ESPN: 63%
First-rounder C.J. Spiller is expected to be named the starter on Wednesday. The Bills are also counting on Fred Jackson (hand) to play in Week 1, even if he's held back to a limited role. Where does that leave Lynch? Trade bait or injury insurance. He needs a big break for fantasy relevance, but he's worth stashing as a potential RB2 in the meantime.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Peyton Hillis, Browns @ TB - CBS: 17%, Yahoo: 3% ESPN: 2.6%
Montario Hardesty's season-ending injury locks Jerome Harrison into the lead-back role. If his fumbling problems continue, though, Hillis would get the first chance to capitalize. A poor man's Mike Alstott, Hillis was already seeing first-team reps on the red zone in practices and preseason games.

Recommendation: Worth a look in touchdown-heavy leagues

Long-Term Fliers

James Davis, Browns - CBS: 2%, Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 0.7%
Hillis isn't a prototypical feature back, and Harrison has never been able to sustain a coaching staff's trust for very long. Davis, a preseason star for two straight seasons, could enter the picture as a viable alternative to Harrison. Considering Hardesty's injury history, the running back of the future is wide open in Cleveland.

Recommendation: Should be owned in Dynasty leagues

Keiland Williams, Redskins - CBS: 1%, Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0.5%
The undrafted rookie from LSU made the final roster over Ryan Torain and Willie Parker. Considering Mike Shanahan's history, just find a spot on the roster is half the battle to fantasy relevance. Williams isn't a spectacular talent, but he has receiving skills and a downhill, decisive style to fit Shanny's one-cut scheme.

Recommendation: Should be owned in Dynasty leagues

Handcuffs

Javon Ringer, Titans - CBS: 19%, Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 3.9%
Rashad Jennings, Jaguars - CBS: 16%, Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 16.5%
Anthony Dixon, 49ers - CBS: 14%, Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 7.2%

As you can see, all three young backs are unowned in 80 percent of all leagues. Ringer and Jennings would have the backfield to themselves if the starter goes down, so Chris Johnson and Maurice Jones-Drew could buy some peace of mind by picking up their backups. Dixon would likely split with Brian Westbrook if Frank Gore misses time, but he'd be the heavy favorite for early-down duties.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

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[SIZE=+1]Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

Jacoby Jones, Texans vs. IND - CBS: 55%, Yahoo: 67%, ESPN: 51.1%
Coach Gary Kubiak considers Jones one of three starting receivers for the Texans. At the very least, he'll push Kevin Walter into the slot in three-receiver sets. In a best case scenario, his talent will win out in two-receiver sets as well. Jones has the playmaking ability to replicate Robert Meachem's run as a top-15 fantasy option for stretches of the season. He's an ideal WR4.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Mike Williams, Seahawks vs. SF - CBS: 22%, Yahoo: 19%, ESPN: 53.2%
The new coaching staff clearly wasn't enamored with T.J. Houshmandzadeh, but it was the emergence of Williams as a viable replacement that allowed the Seahawks to cut the cord. The former first-round bust has been a go-to option for Matt Hasselbeck in preseason games, and he'll enter the starting lineup opposite Deion Branch as the Seahawks' No. 1 fantasy receiver. I'd give him a game or two to establish himself as a viable weekly option, but he's certainly worth carrying on the bench for now.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Louis Murphy, Raiders - CBS: 25%, Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 16.4%
Murphy is the primary beneficiary of Chaz Schilens' inability to stay healthy. While Darrius Heyward-Bey floundered as a rookie, Murphy established himself as the Raiders' top playmaker in the passing game. With Schilens out of the lineup, he'll also take over as Jason Campbell's favorite target out wide. Murphy is the receiver to own in Oakland.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Laurent Robinson, Rams vs. ARI - CBS: 25%, Yahoo: 17%, ESPN: 64%
While Danny Amendola may now be the favorite to lead the Rams in receptions, Robinson is the better pickup in standard-scoring leagues. In short flashes between injuries, he's shown a nice catch radius, impressive speed, and the ability to get open. If a true No. 1 receiver is going to emerge in St. Louis, it will be Robinson.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns @ TB - CBS: 45%, Yahoo: 51%, ESPN: 25.3%
Massaquoi's rookie-year catch percentage is slightly disconcerting, but it's hard to lay the blame at his feet with Derek Anderson and JaMarcus Russell doing their best JaMarcus Russell impressions. Massaquoi is unquestionably the top downfield playmaking threat in the passing game, and Jake Delhomme has actually shown signs of breathing life into an aerial attack in Cleveland. Whether or not you believe that Delhomme will carry that success over to regular season action, Mohamed is the Browns' receiver to own.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Devery Henderson, Saints vs. MIN - CBS: 43%, Yahoo: 22%, ESPN: 70.0%
While Robert Meachem was hogging all the glory with a late-season touchdown streak, Henderson's graduation from situational deep threat to more complete receiver flew under the radar. Meachem hasn't been able to stay on the field this summer, leaving Henderson as the No. 2 receiver opposite Marques Colston. Henderson, Meachem, and Lance Moore will hurt each other's value over the course of the season, but Henderson looks like the one to own in the first month of the season. He's worth starting as a flex in an attractive Week 1 matchup against the Vikes.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

PPR-League Specials

Danny Amendola, Rams vs. ARI - CBS: 5%, Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 1.5%
Mike Thomas, Jaguars vs. DEN - CBS: 10%, Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 3.6%
Davone Bess, Dolphins - CBS: 13%, Yahoo: 11%, ESPN: 2.4%
Greg Camarillo, Vikings - CBS: 11%, Yahoo: 9%, ESPN: 4%

Laurent Robinson was expected to emerge as the no-brainer top target following Donnie Avery's season-ending ACL injury, but it's Amendola earning Sam Bradford's trust. He's a good to lead the Rams in receptions this year, with 60+ in reach. ... Thomas is ideally suited to a slot role, but he's earned the No. 2 job out wide this year. ... Bess finished in the top-10 in the NFL in receptions over the final five weeks of the season. Brandon Marshall's presence will clear out more space in the middle of the field this year. ... It didn't take long for Camarillo to earn Brett Favre's trust in preseason action. He's worth a flier in Minnesota.

Recommendation: Should be owned in PPR leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Deon Butler, Seahawks - CBS: 1%, Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0.7%
Eric Decker, Broncos - CBS: 1%, Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 0.5%
Stephen Williams, Cardinals - CBS: 1%, Yahoo: 0%, ESPN: 0.2%
Victor Cruz, Giants - CBS: 4%, Yahoo: 4%, ESPN: 4.8%

The only thing standing between Butler and a starting job is a brittle Deion Branch. ... Now healthy, Decker has come on strong in preseason action. The third-rounder could replace Jabar Gaffney in the starting lineup by the end of the season. ... Though undrafted out of Toledo and UMass respectively, Williams and Cruz couldn't be covered in training camp or exhibition action. Both receivers will open the season higher on the depth chart than expected, and could be just one injury from a significant offensive role.

Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper leagues

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[SIZE=+1]Tight Ends[/SIZE]

Dustin Keller, Jets vs. BAL - CBS: 62%, Yahoo: 53%, ESPN: 19.8%
We hit the jackpot at tight end in last year's Week 1 Waiver Wired, recommending Vernon Davis, Brent Celek, and Jermichael Finley. This year, Keller is the best bet to breakout and join them as weekly fantasy starters. The former first-rounder has been Mark Sanchez's go-to guy in practices as a Dallas Clark-like "move" tight end. Even his head coach is predicting that Keller will be a fantasy football steal this year.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Tony Scheffler, Lions @ CHI - CBS: 25%, Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 3.1%
Scheffler was an afterthought in Josh McDaniels' tight-end unfriendly offense last year, but he averaged close to 600 yards per season the two years prior. While he's never going to be a great option in PPR leagues, Scheffler is a legit standard-scoring TE2 in Detroit's drastically upgraded offense.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Fred Davis, Redskins vs. DAL - CBS: 18%, Yahoo: 10%, ESPN: 4.4%
With the Redskins' wide receiver corps embarrassingly thin, coach Mike Shanahan is expected to utilize Chris Cooley essentially as a slot receiver. Davis will see an increased role in two-tight end sets, and -- similar to his late-season surge in 2009 -- he's been "uncoverable" in the red zone at Redskins' practices.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Todd Heap, Ravens @ NYJ - CBS: 49%, Yahoo: 50%, ESPN: 15.6%
The bad news is that Heap is no longer the second or third option in the passing game after the additions of Anquan Boldin and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The good news is that the Ravens will move the ball up and down the field with much more ease this year, resulting in more touchdown opportunities for Joe Flacco's favorite red-zone weapon.

Recommendation: Worth a look in touchdown-heavy leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Aaron Hernandez, Patriots vs. CIN - CBS: 11%, Yahoo: 3%, ESPN: 3.3%
Rob Gronkowski, Patriots vs. CIN - CBS: 18%, Yahoo: 8%, ESPN: 8.1%
Michael Hoomanawanui, Rams vs. ARI - CBS: 3%, Yahoo: 1%, ESPN: 1.4%

Think Tom Brady will love throwing to his rookie tight ends in the red zone? The duo combined for four of his five passing touchdowns in exhibition action. Neither is a good bet to top 400 receiving yards, they're worth a look in keeper leagues. The same goes for Hoomanawanui, who has already shown a nice rapport with fellow-rookie Sam Bradford.

Recommendation: Should be owned in deeper leagues

[SIZE=+1]Defense/Special Teams[/SIZE]

Dolphins @ BUF - CBS: 54%, Yahoo: 64%, ESPN: 7.8%
Breaking in six new starters, the Dolphins have a lot of questions on defense this year. Fortunately, the matchup in the season opener is custom-made for success. The Bills are still plagued by the worst pass-blocking offensive line in the league, and the offseason came and went without an upgrade at quarterback.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

Raiders @ TEN - CBS: 14%, Yahoo: 5%, ESPN: 3.9%
The quarterback change garnered all of the offseason hype, but it's the revamped defense that shined through in preseason action. Behind OLB Kamerion Wimbley and second-round stud Lamarr Houston, Oakland racked up 13 sacks in four games. This unit will make plays in 2010.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Browns @ TB - CBS: 12%, Yahoo: 6%, ESPN: 9.2%
Though Josh Freeman showed promise as a fantasy asset last season, there's no escaping the fact that he was a turnover machine with a combined 28 interceptions and fumbles in nine starts. Throw in a bum finger, and it's a recipe for matchup success at defense.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play

 

[HacheMan]

Taking a Cut
Julius Jones' weekend was a prime example of the madness that has been the last four days. Saturday evening's cutdown deadline came and went with Jones still a Seahawk. It remained a slight possibility that the plodding veteran would actually be the starter come Week 1 even though he was clearly the least impressive runner in Seattle.

Then, news broke Sunday afternoon that the Seahawks had released Jones and his $2.45 million salary. Not a huge shock as teams continued to adjust their 53-man rosters after the deadline, but eyebrow-raising nonetheless. Finally, Jones agreed to a pay-cut on Monday and was retained by the Seahawks.

Editor's Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass. Also last-minute drafters can still get the latest projection updates in Rotoworld's draft guide.

The way Jones' situation went down spells out how the Seahawks are going to employ their running backs. As expected, coach Pete Carroll announced Monday that Justin Forsett will start against the 49ers on Sunday. But their effort to retain Jones at a lesser cost shows that they aren't truly comfortable with Forsett and Leon Washington as their only two runners. It does confirm that they correctly view Jones as the weakest link.

Look for a strict situational committee from the Seahawks' backfield all season. Forsett and Washington will share the majority of early-down work and all the third-down reps. Jones will get a fistful of chances to slam his head into the middle of the line. The committee is Carroll's style and it also fits the personnel.

Bottom line: Considering the Seahawks' miserable offensive line and lack of playmakers outside, the upside of Forsett and Washington is capped while they share the load. Use Forsett as a mere flex play in PPR, Washington as a bench stash and Jones as waiver-wire fodder.

Editor's Note: Did you know you can get the Rotoworld Fantasy Football Draft Guide on your iPhone and iPad? Get our Top 200 rankings, Cheatsheets, Tiers, and more in a convenient on-the-go package!

NEWS OF THE WEEKEND #2
The Seahawks were extremely busy, as they pulled off a stunner by cutting overrated diva wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh. I talked about the fallout from that on Pancake Blocks, but the bottom line is that Mike Williams is a starter and has WR4 value with upside. Deon Butler is a step closer to the lineup and is on the radar in deep formats. Golden Tate should eventually force his way into the mix, but he has a long way to go. Of course, Vincent Jackson is still looming here, although that situation remains at a standstill.

The biggest stunner wasn't that Housh was dumped, it was that the Ravens picked him up. Not long after, they traded Mark Clayton to the Rams for a bag of balls. Again, head over to Pancake Blocks for a look at Housh's prospects in Baltimore (spoiler: they are not good).

Clayton is a former first-round pick that has some skills and could push his way into the starting lineup soon. Yeah, the Rams' receiving corps is that bad. I'm not adding Clayton in any formats, but owners that missed out on Mike Williams and are desperate for receiving help could do worse.

NEWS OF THE WEEKEND #3
As expected, Matt Leinart was cut and subsequently signed with the Texans to back up Matt Schaub. Derek Anderson will start and buzz-worthy rookie Max Hall is the backup. I still maintain that Anderson's monster arm and willingness to take chances is good news for Larry Fitzgerald. If he can chuck it up, Fitz can come down with it. Hall is on the radar for Dynasty leaguers and is likely to start some games this season as well.

NEWS OF THE WEEKEND #4
Maurice Jones-Drew (knee) practiced on Monday, just like he said he would. As Dr. Brian Eckenrode explained, a meniscus injury is not something that will hinder MJD much at all. His workload for Sunday's game against the Broncos is not in jeopardy. It could, however, gradually get worse over time and eventually require a minor clean-up procedure.

NEWS OF THE WEEKEND #5
Darrelle Revis finally agreed to terms with the Jets on a new contract and reported to practice. It's an obvious boost for the Jets' fantasy defense, but nothing drastic. Read more on that here.

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DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Arian Foster is expected to be the Texans' goal-line back. ... Dennis Dixon will start for the Steelers Sunday. Expect a run-heavy attack. ... C.J. Spiller is currently listed as the Bills' starter. ... Percy Harvin will play in the slot, outside and return kicks. His health is a non-issue right now. ... Sam Bradford will start Sunday in the no-brainer pick of the week. ... Coach Eric Mangini said he expects No. 1 RB Jerome Harrison to "seize the opportunity." ... Coach Jeff Fisher lashed out at Kenny Britt, threatening to deactivate the mercurial wideout on game days if he doesn't get his head on straight. ... The Chargers traded for Patrick Crayton, but he won't threaten Legedu Naanee's sleeper status. ... Ahmad Bradshaw is officially the starter over Brandon Jacobs.

Editor's Note: Create your own fantasy league at myfantasyleague.com!

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
Sammie Stroughter is locked in as the starting flanker. ... The NFLPA is going to fight the NFL's ruling that Vincent Jackson will be required to sit out three games after he signs with a new team because he is on the roster exempt list. ... Joey Galloway remains on track to start Sunday, but is not a fantasy option. ... Steve Johnson has won the No. 2 WR job, but is off the fantasy radar. ... Fred Taylor is expected to be the Patriots' lead back. ... Neil Rackers won the Texans' kicking job. ... Billy Cundiff won the Ravens' kicking job. ... Dwayne Jarrett is expected to start opposite Steve Smith Sunday but is off the fantasy radar.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Wes Welker (knee) acknowledged that he's a ways off from feeling 100 percent. ... Montario Hardesty (knee) is out for the year. ... Michael Bush (thumb) was a surprise participant in practice Monday and it his status for Sunday is now unknown. ... Beanie Wells (knee) is still not 100 percent, but will almost certainly play Sunday. ... Dez Bryant (ankle) practiced full Monday and will be the No. 3 receiver Sunday night behind Roy Williams. ... Larry Fitzgerald (knee) is ready to go.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
Donovan McNabb (ankle) showed no signs of an injury in Monday's practice. ... Fred Jackson (hand) is going to be limited early in the season and is considered a long shot for Week 1 right now. ... Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) was still feeling just 80 percent late last week. ... Christopher Ivory (knee) is out at least three weeks. ... Josh Freeman (thumb) appears on track to start Sunday.

DEFENSIVE SPOT STARTS
Adding a different defense each week based on matchups is a fine strategy. Each week in this space, I'll give out three defensive units that are likely available in your league to consider for streaming purposes.

1. CARDINALS at Rams: Yes, I know Sam Bradford looked like Joe Montana in the preseason. The key word there is preseason. Bradford's starting receivers are Laurent Robinson and Danny Amendola. Seriously.

2. DOLPHINS vs. Bills: This Bills team has the potential to be bad. Epically bad. If the Dolphins can contain the edge on C.J. Spiller, they'll have a successful day.

3. TITANS vs. Raiders: This would have been a great matchup if JaMarcus Russell was still in Oakland. It's just a mediocre one now with Jason Campbell (wrist, stinger) ready to go.

 

[HacheMan]

Slow Your Roll
Mark Clayton sure is generating a lot of buzz for a receiver with zero 1,000-yard seasons and a career-high of five touchdowns. Readers were emailing in yesterday to ask who they should cut to add Clayton. Rams GM Billy Devaney was gushing about what a great pickup he just made. And the Rams' media was downright giddy.

Check out this excerpt from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Bryan Burwell's column Tuesday:

"Clayton is expected to be an immediate-impact starting wide receiver. He will be in uniform Sunday for the Arizona Cardinals - and you can bet he will be fast-tracked this week to be a serious weapon in the passing game almost immediately, if not sooner."

Really? Are we talking about the same Mark Clayton here? A former first-round pick who had every opportunity to make an impact in Baltimore and never capitalized? A guy that was going to be cut in favor of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, who was cut by a Seahawks team that has a brutal receiving corps of its own?

Clayton does have a few things going for him. Once he learns the West coast offense, he'll likely slide into a starting role opposite Laurent Robinson and kick Danny Amendola into the slot. Although Clayton has never caught a pass from Sam Bradford, they have the Oklahoma connection going on. The Rams are desperate for any kind of proven talent out wide, even if Clayton has proven he is nothing more than mediocre.

Still, that's not really enough to consider Clayton a player anyone should be counting on -- even as a bye-week sub. Tone down the excitement a bunch of notches here.

Editor's Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass. Also last-minute drafters can still get the latest projection updates in Rotoworld's draft guide.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
Rashard Mendenhall's owners took a shot to the stomach Tuesday when coach Mike Tomlin announced that Isaac Redman would be his short-yardage back. I predicted this on Twitter two weeks ago (even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes), so it's not a complete blind-side smash.

As Ryan Boyer mentioned on Pancake Blocks today, Mendenhall owners shouldn't panic. Tomlin declared Mendy his third-down back, meaning he'll be one of the few true every-down backs in the league. It's similar to the Ray Rice situation last year; he wasn't the goal-line back, but he's still built nice and thick and ended up scoring eight total touchdowns.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
It's rare we mention offensive line injuries here in The Dose, but the Seahawks are a special case. After their entire season was derailed by atrocious offensive line play last year, they're at it again.

Left tackle Russell Okung, the No. 6 overall pick, has already been ruled out for Sunday's game against the 49ers due to a high ankle sprain. Pure backups Tyler Columbus and/or Chester Pitts are going to fill the gaps. It's hard to see Seahawks generating much offense this week -- or anytime soon for that matter.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS
Michael Spurlock has emerged as the Bucs' primary punt and kick returner. ... Coach Mike Tomlin refused to say that Ben Roethlisberger will immediately be his starter come Week 6, but that's just coachspeak. ... Tim Hightower will start on Sunday, but we fully expect Beanie Wells to get more carries. ... Devin Thomas is listed as a third-stringer. Joey Galloway remains a starter. ... Bernard Berrian is expected to be the primary punt returner Thursday. ... Anthony Gonzalez, the No. 4 receiver, suggested that he wasn't given a fair shot to earn his starting job back.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS
Donovan McNabb (ankle) admitted he isn't 100 percent, but will be under center Sunday night. ... Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) is expected to start this week barring a setback in practice. ... Pierre Garcon (undisclosed) missed practice on Monday, but it's not a real concern. ... Julian Edelman (ankle) doesn't appear close to being ready to play. ... Josh Freeman (thumb) took snaps from under center Tuesday and is on track to be ready for Sunday. ... Byron Leftwich (knee) hopes to be back by Week 2, but Dennis Dixon has a real opportunity in Week 1. ... Fred Jackson (hand) is tentatively expected to play Sunday. ... Demaryius Thomas (foot) returned to practice on Tuesday, but won't have a real role even if he is active this week.

 

[HacheMan]

Football Eve

Ignore the NFL's manufactured pre-game "entertainment" and concentrate instead on the electric atmosphere in America's most unique city Thursday night. Brush back the irrational and all too trendy vitriol against Brett Favre, and enjoy the NFC Championship rematch featuring two of the top teams in the league. The opening week's premier game is available to all viewers nation-wide instead of being overshadowed in Sunday's overflowing schedule. It's Christmas Eve for grownups!

NFL Ruminations:

The Dolphins and Bears are the NFL's two most overrated teams heading into the season. With offensive line woes, a headcase quarterback, and an aging defense, the Bears are set up for a freefall in the sendoff season for coach Lovie Smith and GM Jerry Angelo. I'm not buying talk of a breakout year for mediocre quarterback Chad Henne, and the Dolphins have major questions on defense with six new starters and no pass rush.

Don't sleep on the Lions. The offense is legitimately loaded with the league's most physically dominant receiver, a legit game-breaker in the running game, and an improving franchise quarterback. The defense is still at least a year away, but this will be a fun team to watch this year.

My Super Bowl pick: Vikings over Ravens.

Fantasy Football Predictions:

MVP: Chris Johnson, Titans
Rookie of the Year: Jahvid Best, Lions
Comeback Player of the Year: Steve Smith, Panthers
Breakout Quarterback: Joe Flacco, Ravens (Runner up: Matthew Stafford)
Breakout Running Back: Arian Foster, Texans (Runner up: Darren McFadden)
Breakout Receiver: Johnny Knox, Bears (Runners up: Mike Wallace, Dez Bryant)
High Scoring Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers, Packers
High Scoring Running Back: Chris Johnson, Titans
High Scoring Wide Receiver: Calvin Johnson, Lions
High Scoring Tight End: Jermichael Finley, Packers

Bold Predictions: Max Hall takes over as the Cardinals' starting QB by mid-season and leads his team to the NFC West title. ... Arian Foster finishes as a Top-10 fantasy back. ... Percy Harvin places in the Top-10 at wide receiver. ... Calvin Johnson and Steve Smith South finish 1-2 at wide receiver. ... Dez Bryant sends Roy Williams to the bench by mid-October. ... Zach Miller finishes as a Top-5 tight end. ... Michael Vick starts over a healthy Kevin Kolb at least once. ... Alex Smith won't be quarterbacking the 49ers by the end of the season. ... Steven Jackson plays all 16 games. ... Jamaal Charles turns Thomas Jones into an afterthought. ... Brandon Marshall falls out of the Top-20 at receiver. ... Vincent Jackson is traded by the Oct. 19 deadline.

Last-minute drafters can still get the latest projection updates in Rotoworld's draft guide.

NEWS OF THE DAY:

Incumbent starter Fred Jackson (hand) is expected to be available in a limited capacity Sunday, but coach Chan Gailey removed suspension in the Bills backfield by naming C.J. Spiller his starter against Miami. Early predictions call for Spiller to receive 20+ touches in addition to his work on returns. It remains to be seen if Spiller will see that kind of workload on a week-to-week basis once F-Jax returns to full capacity, but the rookie is a rock-solid RB2 this week. Jackson and Marshawn Lynch belong on fantasy benches until further notice.

Despite a vague report from ESPN's Adam Schefter that there were ongoing "questions and doubts around the league" on Maurice Jones-Drew's knee, the Jags' offensive focal point isn't even listed on this week's injury report. "There is no injury," Jones-Drew insisted. "It's a non-issue. It's a rest issue. We've been working hard since April, and coaches and I decided it was better to rest." We have MJD ranked as a top-three back in this week's matchup against a weak Denver front seven. Still, his knee is a situation to monitor throughout the season and owners will sleep more soundly after handcuffing him to Rashad Jennings.

Beat writer Jerry McDonald, perhaps the most reliable voice on the Raiders, has predicted multiple times that Michael Bush (thumb) will not be able to play Sunday. Bush has been practicing with heavy wrapping, however, and coach Tom Cable said he was "shocked" to hear opinions that his big back's status was in doubt. Cable believes Bush has a "real chance" to play at Tennessee on Sunday. We've learned not take Cable's word as gospel on injuries, but Bush is at least questionable to play. As a Darren McFadden owner in multiple leagues, I'm taking him out of my starting lineup until I know for sure that Bush will sit out this week.

Beanie Wells missed practice Wednesday with what the Cardinals' website characterizes as a "bruised knee." Coach Ken Whisenhunt downplayed Wells' absence, saying he anticipates having his early-down back in action at St. Louis Sunday. As long as he's not a dreaded game-time decision, Wells is worth using as a high-upside RB2 against a subpar Rams defense.

The NFL's Special Master is expected decide "within a week or so" if the Chargers can keep Vincent Jackson on the Roster Exempt list through Week 6. A ruling in V-Jax's favor would allow him to play in Week 4, making him more attractive to interested teams. Several reports indicate that Jackson will never play for the Chargers again, and GM A.J. Smith is said to be vehement about keeping his former No. 1 receiver out of the AFC.

Editor's Note: Check out our Season Pass package, featuring IDP rankings, Top 200 rankings, Evan Silva's running back report, Ryan Boyer's Wide Receiver Report, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty advice, advance workload and target data, exclusive chats, and schedule analysis you can only get with Season Pass.

Two-Minute Drill: Coach Jeff Fisher confirmed that he has no concerns about Chris Johnson being overworked this season. ... Coach Gary Kubiak reiterated that Owen Daniels (limited, knee) is unlikely to play more than 25 offensive snaps this week. It's less than half of his normal workload. ... Xavier Adibi has been announced as Brian Cushing's replacement at strong-side linebacker for the first four games. ... Justin Forsett will be Seattle's primary punt returner to open the season, with Leon Washington handling kickoffs. ... Mike Williams will start at split end in the Seahawks' season opener. ... Dolphins signed Clifton Smith to take over for Nolan Carroll and Davone Bess on kickoff and punt returns respectively. ... The Browns have taken Josh Cribbs off of coverage duty on punts and kickoffs, signaling an intention to increase his offensive role. ... Trevor Scott has overtaken Matt Shaughnessy to be the Raiders' starting right end, with Quentin Groves moving into the lineup at weak-side linebacker. ... The Redskins are reportedly seeking a second-round pick in return for Albert Haynesworth. Good luck with that.

Red Zone: Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and Demaryius Thomas (foot) both practiced without limitations Wednesday. ... Josh Freeman (thumb) was held out of practice as a precaution, but he's fully expected to start Sunday against the Browns. ... Donovan McNabb (ankle) practiced without restrictions. ... Larry Fitzgerald (knee) participated fully in Wednesday's practice. ... Randy Moss was held out of practice with an illness, but it's believed to be a non-issue. ... Panthers WR Steve Smith (arm) was a full participant, as expected. ... Vernon Davis (knee), Pierre Garcon (undisclosed), and Laurent Robinson (foot) are not on the injury list this week. ... Steve Slaton (turf toe) is practicing and will play in a third-down role against the Colts. ... Laurence Maroney missed practice with a groin injury. ... Saints MLB Jonathan Vilma (groin) and CB Tracy Porter (leg) are both listed as probable for Thursday's game. ... Giants SS Kenny Phillips (knee) is now practicing without restrictions. He will start the opener against Carolina. ... Bears FS Major Wright is ready for game action after having the pin removed from his surgically repaired left index finger. ... Rams SS James Butler has resumed practicing after missing nearly all of August with a sprained MCL. ... Shawne Merriman (Achilles) is in danger of missing Monday's game.

 

[HacheMan]

Matchups: S-Jax Will Start Hot
As explained in Tuesday's Pancake Blocks breakdown of Thursday night's opener, the objective of this column is to appeal to readers willing to consider, more deeply, those factors that may or may not cause fantasy players to have favorable or unfavorable matchups. This article is for the fantasy leaguer looking to gain an extra edge.

16-plus hours per week go into the formulation of the Matchups breakdown. I place an emphasis on statistics, re-watching of games, tendencies, injuries, and roster turnover. This year, I've enlisted assistance from the analysis-based website Profootballfocus.com, which presents in-depth charting data for each player in the league, offensive and defensive.

The column received consistently positive feedback last season, and my goal is to take it to another level this year. For questions, arguments, and suggestions, contact me on my Twitter account, @evansilva.

[SIZE=+1]1:00PM ET Games[/SIZE]

Denver @ Jacksonville

Jacksonville's passing game takes the field against one of the best secondaries in football. The Broncos ranked third in pass defense last year, and return all four starters. Historically, David Garrard is a better home than away quarterback, but he's not on the QB1 radar. ... The year-ending loss of Elvis Dumervil puts much more pressure on Denver's DBs, however, and opponents will be able to exploit the heavily downgraded pass rush by going deep. Mike Sims-Walker is the Jags' lone vertical receiver. Don't expect a ton of catches, but 80-plus yards is doable. He's a strong WR2.

New starting flanker Mike Thomas will be used underneath, sliding into the slot when Jarett Dillard enters for three-receiver sets. Thomas, who averaged 9.5 yards per catch as a rookie, averaged 9.1 this preseason. He might catch 5-6 balls, but won't be a great bet to top 50 yards. ... Maurice Jones-Drew's knee injury is concerning, as is the demotion of top run-blocking lineman Vince Manuwai in favor of Justin Smiley. But you can't sit MJD against Denver. The Broncos had the worst run defense in the league during the preseason. ... Marcedes Lewis had a nice training camp, but did little in exhibition games. He's a block-first tight end until proven otherwise.

Eddie Royal was Denver's best receiver last preseason, only to disappear as a sideline-running decoy in the real games. Jabar Gaffney has taken hold of the No. 1 receiver job, at least until Demaryius Thomas (foot) is healthy. Gaffney poured six catches for 98 yards on Detroit in the second preseason game. Don't expect big plays, but he's a worthwhile WR3 in PPR leagues. ... Jacksonville's secondary will be among the NFL's worst this year, and red-hot Kyle Orton should capitalize as a high-end QB2. The Jags are starting former draft bust Anthony Smith and special teamer Sean Considine at safety. The nickel back is practice squad-type William Middleton.

The word in Denver is that Knowshon Moreno will be "eased in" after a camp-long hamstring strain. It's the best move for the Broncos. Correll Buckhalter, more productive on a per-touch basis last year, is 100 percent and looked spry on a 15-yard swing pass in the preseason finale. Moreno and Buckhalter may make each other weak fantasy plays early in the season, even in favorable matchups. ... You know not to start Denver tight ends. Shoot, can you even name one?

Oakland @ Tennessee

Oakland has remade its defense, targeting a pressure-heavy design especially at linebacker. They figure to remain vulnerable on the ground, however, as run support has never been a strong suit for OLBs Kamerion Wimbley and Quentin Groves. Chris Johnson will explode after a quiet preseason. ... Jeff Fisher threatened last week to deactivate Kenny Britt for a multitude of mental errors and drops in exhibition action. Britt was unable to pass Justin Gage on the depth chart in August, so keep him saddled to the end of your bench. Lacking upside, Gage belongs there too.

Nate Washington is a sneaky WR3. He'll square off with a Raiders secondary that flip-flopped starting corners within the last week, promoting Stanford Routt over incumbent Chris Johnson. Both will play, but Routt has never come close to his potential, and Johnson was burned for 120 yards on four completions against Seattle in the preseason finale. If someone outside of CJ2K is going to have a big game for Tennessee, it'll be their lone probable every-down wideout.

The Raiders won't tip their hand as to Michael Bush's (thumb) status, but the writing on the wall says to avoid Oakland's backfield regardless. Only Minnesota was better than the Titans against the run in the preseason, and Darren McFadden still hasn't proven to be more than a third-down back. Take a wait-and-see approach. ... Zach Miller is a serious candidate to lead all tight ends in targets this season, especially if the running game doesn't get on track. He's a must-start.

Last year's Oakland passing game was a wasteland beyond Miller, but that's changed. With Chaz Schilens out indefinitely, Louis Murphy deservedly becomes a full-time player, and won't struggle to best bust-in-the-making Darrius Heyward-Bey for "No. 1 receiver" status. Murphy may see lots of Cortland Finnegan in coverage, but Finnegan's been a shell of himself since returning from a lengthy groin injury, getting torn apart by the Saints' second-team offense in the preseason finale. ... Jason Campbell is a fine QB2, but his protection will stink. He's not a fantasy starter.

Cincinnati @ New England

Patriots coach Bill Belichick is one of our generation's greatest defensive minds, but what's he to do without any players? The Pats' top defensive end (Ty Warren) and corner (Leigh Bodden) are both out for the year, and there are no pass rushers to speak of beyond Tully Banta-Cain, many of whose 9.5 sacks last season were fluky. Barring true magic from Belichick, New England's defense will be a favorable matchup for opposing skill players all year. Cedric Benson looked as powerful and quick as ever in the preseason, and will get the ball rolling on Sunday afternoon.

Debate rages on at Rotoworld as to Cincinnati's No. 1 receiver. I side with Terrell Owens, who caught 12 preseason passes for 143 yards compared to Chad Ochocinco's seven for 74. Ocho admitted publicly that T.O. is the new No. 1, and the stats support it. Owens hasn't been a No. 2 since the '90s with Jerry Rice. ... The Bengals appear to have hit on rookies Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham, but they'll probably help Carson Palmer more than fantasy teams. Palmer does have enough weapons at his disposal to qualify as a high-end QB2. He lacks QB1 talent.

If there is a positive outcome from New England's defensive losses -- in fantasy terms -- it's that Tom Brady will wing it early and often. The beneficiaries will be Brady as a matchup-proof starter, Randy Moss in a contract year, and Wes Welker, who may have been on an early-season snap count had Julian Edelman survived camp healthy. Edelman (ankle) didn't, and is questionable for the opener. ... In the same vein as Cincinnati's draft picks, Pats TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez look like keepers after big preseasons. They just won't be reliable fantasy players.

The Pats didn't have a running back finish better than 29th in fantasy points last season, and that may not change. Not only has the line lost top run blocker Logan Mankins to a holdout, RT Nick Kaczur is out indefinitely after August back surgery. Fred Taylor is entrenched as the starter, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk are second-teamers, and Laurence Maroney appears to be No. 3 (if he's even active on game days). Cincy ranked seventh in the league in run defense last year.

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Cleveland @ Tampa Bay

Non-Bucs and Browns fans watching this ugly matchup will be focused on Bucs rookie WR Mike Williams. A camp sensation, the big-play threat carried the torch for a Tampa offense that was otherwise brutal in preseason. Williams' inability to practice with his young QB for two weeks due to Josh Freeman's thumb injury, however, makes him an undesirable play, and a talented Browns secondary won't help. Kellen Winslow and trusty Sammie Stroughter are just as good bets for targets. Winslow, in particular, draws a favorable assignment against rookie safety T.J. Ward.

Cadillac Williams generated a surprising amount of fantasy buzz this summer, mostly because he's got so little competition for carries. With the release of Derrick Ward, 5-foot-9, 185-pound Kareem Huggins is second on the depth chart. Feel free to use Williams in favorable matchups (like this one), because he'll be a consistent threat for 20 carries. But after torn patellar tendons in both knees, Cadillac's burst is long gone. He'll be a great sell-high candidate if he starts hot.

Jerome Harrison keeps catching breaks. First, it was Montario Hardesty's camp-long knee injury. Then, Hardesty tore his ACL. With the every-down back job all his and a promising line in front of him, Harrison qualifies as an every-week RB2 ... for two weeks, at least. He faces Tampa Bay (32nd in '09 run defense) this week and Kansas City (31st) next Sunday before consecutive matchups with Baltimore, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh. Sell Harrison high before Week 3.

Jake Delhomme surprised even himself with a 79.2 preseason completion rate, chipping in two scores and no interceptions on 48 attempts. You can't start Delhomme in a standard league, but it does bode well for top wideout Mohamed Massaquoi. He already got a big matchup boost with Bucs shutdown CB Aqib Talib suspended for the opener, and Massaquoi can get vertical similar to Delhomme's old buddy, Steve Smith. ... Avoid Joshua Cribbs unless you're a return-yardage league. He should get 6-8 offensive touches, but Brian Robiskie beat him out for the starting job.

Indianapolis @ Houston

We've come to expect great things from Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. The newest addition to Houston's version of The Big Three is Arian Foster. Foster totaled 200 preseason yards and two scores on 34 touches (5.9 average), and has next to no competition for carries with Steve Slaton (turf toe) on the mend and Derrick Ward still learning the offense. He's a borderline RB1 against Indy's annually soft run defense. ... With coach Gary Kubiak saying Owen Daniels (knee) isn't ready for more than 25 snaps, you'll have to bench the tight end until he's a full-time player.

A far more dangerous player than Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones will be a better weekly play than the "starter" all season. Jones' usage increases dramatically as a staple of Houston's three-receiver sets, which will be employed more than ever, especially with Daniels "eased" back in. Playing far fewer snaps than he will this season, Jones went for 67 yards in one of last year's games against the Colts, and scored a touchdown in the other. He's a WR3 start with upside.

Reggie Wayne has lost nothing entering his age-32 season. In the third preseason game, he reconfirmed that the Wayne-Manning inside slant remains indefensible, beating Packers CB Tramon Williams for a 10-yard TD on the dominant route. Expect big years from both Wayne and Peyton Manning. ... The same goes for Dallas Clark. We slightly prefer Jermichael Finley and Antonio Gates' upsides, but it would be an upset if Clark finished outside of the top-three fantasy tight ends. Clark combined for 23 catches in two games against Houston last year. For real.

The light has yet to flip on for Donald Brown, who had an ugly 29 yards on 16 preseason touches. He's not remotely on the radar as a flex play. Joseph Addai is safely a 20 touch-per-game threat; use him every week. ... Perhaps no defense in the NFL improved as much as Houston's down the stretch of last season, and their secondary projects to be rock solid. Pierre Garcon is a mid-range WR3, but I'd still be concerned about Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez rotating in the slot.

Detroit @ Chicago

An awful preseason was worrisome, but Jay Cutler will start hot. Already the league's weakest secondary, Detroit didn't play a single preseason game with its four starting DBs on the field together. The Lions start Falcons and Rams castoffs (Chris Houston, Jonathan Wade) at corner, undrafted rookie Aaron Berry in the nickel, and bomb-magnet C.C. Brown at strong safety. Cutler is a must-start, and his confidence should be renewed heading to Week 2. ... Greg Olsen had four preseason catches and none in the third game, when starters play the most. Keep him benched.

Along with Cutler, Johnny Knox has to be in lineups. You probably drafted him late, but he's going to lead Chicago in targets every week. Wait and see on Flying Devins Hester and Aromashodu. Until proven otherwise, there's only one sure-fire fantasy starter at receiver in Chicago. ... Coming off a rejuvenated preseason, Matt Forte squares off with a Lions front four that's vastly improved. But it doesn't look like MLB DeAndre Levy (groin) is going to play. Expect a touchdown and 100 total yards.

Matthew Stafford's ball security remained an issue this preseason (two picks, one fumble), but he showed improved accuracy (71.1 percent completions), without toning down his aggressiveness. He's a boom-or-bust QB2, regardless of matchups. ... The higher completion rate does bode well for Calvin Johnson, who routinely destroys the Bears' Cover 2. Megatron's lines in his last three games against Chicago: 8-94-1, 8-133, 6-86-1. ... Avoid Nate Burleson, who was quiet in the preseason with 59 yards in four appearances. He may prove a relative afterthought in the offense.

Explosive almost beyond compare in preseason action, Jahvid Best averaged 8.3 yards per touch this August. The failure of Kevin Smith to even convincingly beat out Maurice Morris for No. 2 back work ensures that Best will be Detroit's feature runner. With 18-20 touches per week a near-given for the rookie, he'll be a mainstay in your starting lineup. ... Tony Scheffler has the look of a sleeper tight end, though it's a week to watch, not invest in the under-the-radar vertical threat.

Atlanta @ Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh hasn't finished worse than third in rush defense since 2003, and returns its front seven intact, in addition to a healthy Troy Polamalu. Michael Turner remains a good bet to score, but Atlanta will have to pass to move the ball consistently. ... The stars have aligned for Roddy White. Michael Jenkins (shoulder) is out, clearing the way for White to see double-digit targets against a Steelers secondary that still has big question marks at cornerback. Bryant McFadden (pectoral) missed much of camp, William Gay isn't an answer, and Ike Taylor is a long bomb waiting to happen.

Jenkins' absence leaves the underneath game to Tony Gonzalez. Though the healthy return of slot man Harry Douglas may cut into Gonzo's production when all's said and done, the ageless tight end should be heavily targeted at Pittsburgh. Jenkins fill-in Brian Finneran will spend most of the day blocking. ... Polamalu's return helps, but let's not forget that the Steelers' pass defense was mediocre at best last season. If Turner struggles, Matt Ryan will be forced to wing it. Expect 30 pass attempts, 240 or so yards, and a pair of touchdowns from the underrated third-year QB.

With Rashard Mendenhall running more decisively than ever, Pittsburgh led the NFL in preseason rushing. The line can't pass protect a lick, but it opens lanes. The front five's task becomes even easier with Falcons top DT Jonathan Babineaux out on suspension. Look for 30 touches for Mendenhall as a prime RB1. Coordinator Bruce Arians confirmed Thursday that Mendenhall will get goal-line carries. ... Dennis Dixon gets the nod at quarterback, but won't be on a long leash. While he's worth a look in two-QB leagues because of his rushing potential, the Steelers won't want him trying more than 25 passes after a shaky preseason.

The Steelers will take a run-first approach, so if the downgrade to Dixon from Ben Roethlisberger wasn't enough for you to bench Heath Miller, the fact that he'll be on the line blocking seals it. ... Mike Wallace and Hines Ward are still hard to sit. Wallace was the best receiver in Pittsburgh's preseason, and Ward will be Dixon's safety net with Miller helping Max Starks and Flozell Adams. Wallace is only a WR3, but his big-play ability offers plenty of upside. The Falcons are also weak at corner behind Dunta Robinson, with undersized Chris Owens and Brent Grimes competing.

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Miami @ Buffalo

New Bills coach Chan Gailey's design appears to be similar to his at Georgia Tech. The ground game will be heavily featured, attempting to set up occasional long balls. C.J. Spiller and some combo of Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch are Jonathan Dwyer. Lee Evans is Demaryius Thomas. ... Either way, you'll want to start Spiller, who was announced as Buffalo's starting tailback on Wednesday. The matchup is difficult, but if Gailey has his way (and Buffalo doesn't fall too far behind early) Spiller will get the rock 20-plus times. He has the moves to elude Miami's stout front seven.

Jackson, playing through a fractured hand, and Lynch, coming off an ankle injury and five-carry, two-yard preseason, will take backseats to Spiller. They're not fantasy options until they earn legitimate roles. ... If Evans is Thomas and Spiller is Dwyer, Trent Edwards is Josh Nesbitt. If you don't know who Nesbitt is, I'll tell you this: He's no good. ... Steve Johnson, Roscoe Parrish, and TE Jonathan Stupar aren't appealing, but Evans is with the demotion of Dolphins CB Sean Smith and running mate Vontae Davis' groin injury. Evans is an underrated WR3 start in non-PPR.

Buffalo ranked 30th in run defense last year. Now a transitioning unit, it won't be much better. According to Pro Football Focus, Marcus Stroud is among the league's poorest linemen in run defense, and he's now been forced to play end in Buffalo's new 3-4. The nose tackle is project rookie Torrell Troup, taking the big step up from C-USA. Ronnie Brown is a recommended RB2, and Ricky Williams is a strong flex. ... Avoid Dolphins tight ends. Anthony Fasano ranked 26th in fantasy points at the position in 2009, and will likely be run blocking more often than not.

Even with Rookie of the Year runner-up Jairus Byrd (groin) questionable, the Bills field one of the game's most talented secondaries. Chad Henne looked worse than mediocre in the preseason, completing 47 percent of his passes for an awful 5.1 yards-per-attempt average. This won't be his breakout game. ... Brandon Marshall will remain a target monster in Miami. Fasano will be blocking, fellow wideout Brian Hartline had a lackluster camp, and Davone Bess isn't a playmaker.

Carolina @ NY Giants

The Giants are doing damage control after demoting Brandon Jacobs, but all their actions point to Ahmad Bradshaw taking over as the feature back. While Jacobs remains the favorite for goal-line work, he played just four snaps and went touch-less in the preseason finale, when the G-Men used their first-string offense more than any team in the league. The undersized Carolina front is minus weak-side 'backer Thomas Davis (knee) and lost Julius Peppers this spring, presenting a terrific matchup for Bradshaw as a strong RB2. Jacobs is a flex option only in TD-heavy leagues.

Carolina ranked fourth in the NFL in 2009 pass defense, and led the league this preseason. The Giants' game plan will be run heavy, making Eli Manning barely a QB1 option. Don't expect a high number of pass attempts, which will also be a drain on Kevin Boss. ... The Panthers play the pass well collectively, but don't have a true shutdown corner. As noted by Pro Football Focus, CBs Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall were both average (Marshall a bit better) in coverage last season. Carolina is also breaking in a new starting free safety in Sherrod Martin. Hakeem Nicks remains a quality WR2, and Steve Smith is, as always, a safe bet for six-plus catches.

The loss of mauling Panthers RT Jeff Otah (knee) is a run-blocking concern at first glance, but note that Carolina averaged 183 rushing yards a game in replacement Geoff Schwartz's three 2009 starts. New York's run defense will be improved, but DeAngelo Williams is a must-start, and Jonathan Stewart should get 13-15 touches as a flex play with upside. The Panthers have made no bones about it: They will run relentlessly with QB Matt Moore coming off a poor preseason.

Carolina WR Steve Smith enters the game with a chip on his shoulder, blaming Giants S Michael Johnson for the play that fractured his arm in Week 17 last year. An angry Smitty is as dangerous as any wideout in football, and the Giants are banged up in the back (CB Corey Webster - groin, CB Aaron Ross - plantar fasciitis, SS Kenny Phillips - knee). ... Dwayne Jarrett beat out rookie Brandon LaFell for No. 2 receiver duties in Panthers camp. Like Muhsin Muhammad before him, Jarrett will be a blocker first, spectator second. He's a pass catcher somewhere down the line.

[SIZE=+1]4:15PM ET Games[/SIZE]

Green Bay @ Philadelphia

Mike Singletary wished he had it. Mike McCarthy does: An offense capable of exerting its will on defenses. For those who didn't watch the second half of last year's Packer season, Sunday will be Jermichael Finley's coming-out party. A 6'5" rocked-up receiver who plays like a fleet-of-foot 6'9" forward, Finley faces off with an Eagles defense annually among the NFL's worst in tight end coverage. Finley has replaced Donald Driver as Aaron Rodgers' favorite down-the-middle target.

While Finley dominates the seams, Greg Jennings will be featured over the top. The Eagles are willing to single-cover wideouts to execute their blitz schemes. Expect Asante Samuel and Joselio Hanson to line up on Driver, with RCB Ellis Hobbs attempting to contain LWR Jennings. A bomb or three is in the offing. ... Brandon Jackson's in-camp improvement so convinced the coaching staff his light has flipped on that they kept just two backs on the active roster. You can't sit Ryan Grant, but he'll be a great sell-high candidate if he starts hot. Jackson has earned more work.

Our hopes remain high, but Kevin Kolb's preseason left much to be desired, exhibiting happy feet in the pocket and shaky confidence. He'll have to throw plenty against a Green Bay defense that led the NFL in run stoppage a year ago, but there are better QB1 starts out there. ... As a fourth option in the passing game at best, Jeremy Maclin is setup to disappoint until Kolb's problems are corrected. DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek, going away, are the best bets for catches, yardage, and touchdowns. Maclin is also "competing" for targets with Jason Avant and LeSean McCoy.

As with Maclin, owners should be wary of considering McCoy a reliable RB2. The Eagles' interior line of Nick Cole, Jamaal Jackson, and Todd Herremans didn't begin practicing together until just this week, and McCoy already struggled to run inside the tackles with any decisiveness. McCoy is a must-play in PPR leagues, but Philadelphia will have a very hard time winning the trench battle against Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, and Cullen Jenkins. He'll also lose goal-line carries to Mike Bell.

Arizona at St. Louis

Rejuvenated after offseason back surgery, Steven Jackson displayed improved power and burst in the preseason, and is ready for a full workload against an Arizona defense that looks shaky against the run. Gone are ILBs Karlos Danby and Gerald Hayes (back, PUP), replaced by rookie Daryl Washington and journeyman Paris Lenon. With Sam Bradford looking like the real deal (21 of his last 28 for 257 yards, three TDs, and zero picks), S-Jax looks poised for a career-best year. As Pro Football Focus also notes, St. Louis' offensive line is much better than given credit for.

The Rams' top three receivers will likely shape up as follows: split end Laurent Robinson, slot man Danny Amendola, flanker Mark Clayton. If Bradford plays as he showed capable in preseason, a sleeper will emerge. Though they're all worth end-of-the-bench roster spots, deep threat Robinson is the probable favorite to lead St. Louis in receiving. None of the three is worth using against Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and company, but Robinson is the best bet to accrue WR3 value.

Concern about his QB situation is warranted, but Larry Fitzgerald is likely to exceed expectations. He'll be Derek Anderson's first read on 75-plus percent of passing plays, and his monster "catch radius" will atone for D.A.'s wildness. Steve Breaston and Early Doucet are hurt most. Expect the secondary receivers' production to be about equal by season's end. Fitzgerald, fully healed from his knee sprain, is a high-end WR1 play on Sunday. St. Louis had the NFL's second-worst pass defense in preseason, and Fitz has a touchdown in each of his last three meetings with the team.

Beanie Wells' knee injury is said to be just a bruise, but the team expressed worry about his status after another missed practice Thursday. He'll be a must-start RB2 if he's active, but this is going to be a game-time decision. ... Cardinals starter Tim Hightower does remain the favorite for goal-line carries and passing-down work. He's a viable flex in PPR formats regardless of Wells' Sunday status. The Cards are likely to take a run-first approach, providing both backs with plenty of touches. If Wells is out, Hightower becomes a must-start. ... Though St. Louis is susceptible to the pass, Anderson is only worth a brief look in two-QB leagues. His post-2007 production is JaMarcus Russell-esque.

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San Francisco @ Seattle

The San Francisco fantasy defense has week-winner written all over it. With Russell Okung out, Seattle will pick from street free agent Chester Pitts and inept undrafted tackle Tyler Polumbus to start on Matt Hasselbeck's blind side. Pitts had offseason microfracture surgery and didn't play a preseason snap. Polumbus was waived by the tackle-needy Broncos and Lions this summer. Avoid Hasselbeck, new starting split end Mike Williams, and dead-legged flanker Deion Branch. The 49ers ranked third in the NFL in sacks last year and will feast on the worst line in football.

Justin Forsett has been named Seattle's starting tailback, a designation he earned by outplaying the field down the stretch of 2009. But it's not the week to use him. Bolstered by the end of NT Aubrayo Franklin's holdout, the 49ers return a front seven that allowed the fewest yards per carry in the NFC last year. ... John Carlson might benefit from Seattle's inability to go deep due to pass-pro problems, but it's better to avoid this offense entirely. Carlson was invisible all preseason.

If one Seahawk did look good in August, it was LCB Marcus Trufant. Returning from an injury-ruined year, Seattle's top corner figures to be assigned to opposing No. 1 wideouts until the team sorts out a regular starter from Kelly Jennings and Walter Thurmond III. It's hard to say Trufant will be on Michael Crabtree all game, but it'd be silly if he wasn't. Blocking receiver Josh Morgan poses very little threat as a pass catcher. Crabtree is a fantasy starter, but expectations should probably be limited. The 49ers will likely rack up more rushing attempts than throws on Sunday.

Look for Vernon Davis to be Alex Smith's go-to target when the Niners go to pass, as Seahawks SLB Aaron Curry will be assigned to him. Davis is already a mismatch for linebackers, and Pro Football Focus graded Curry quite poorly in coverage last year. ... Frank Gore, as he will be most weeks, is the best fantasy bet on either side in this game. Fresh after being used sparingly in August, his two preseason carries went for gains of 49 and 9. Expect 25 touches on Sunday.

[SIZE=+1]Sunday Night Football[/SIZE]

Dallas @ Washington

No quarterback consistently dominates season openers like Tony Romo, who hasn't thrown for fewer than 320 yards in three Week 1s. His TD-to-INT ratio is 8:2, and his 12.2 YPA is insane. Mike Shanahan's alienation of top Skins defender Albert Haynesworth won't hurt. ... Despite a quiet August, safely insert Miles Austin and Jason Witten as fantasy starters. Washington's loss of FS Kareem Moore (knee) will press coverage liability Reed Doughty into more action on Witten. Austin is a 100-catch threat this season with Dallas likely to play musical chairs opposite him.

The transition from a 4-3 to 3-4 scheme hasn't been smooth in D.C., as no NFC team served up more preseason yards per carry. Marion Barber beat out Felix Jones for Dallas' starting tailback job, and is a rock-solid RB2 with two-touchdown potential. Jones is a mere change-of-pace back and kickoff returner. ... Dez Bryant is readjusting to the speed of the game after a camp-long high ankle sprain, but his return to health is bad news for Roy Williams. Once a good bet to at least finish third on the Cowboys in weekly targets, Williams is no longer usable even as a WR3.

Donovan McNabb (ankle) will start, but it'd be hard to use him as more than a QB2. He's not 100 percent, facing a defense that will give Washington's reconstructed line fits on blitzes, and has two players worth throwing to (Chris Cooley, Santana Moss). McNabb could flirt with QB1 value in favorable matchups. This isn't one. ... Cooley could still enjoy a big game. McNabb will likely have to check down more often than not so as to avoid DeMarcus Ware's pass rush, and Cooley was McNabb's favorite target in the preseason. Look for six catches and 70-plus yards.

While Joey Galloway is an obvious avoid, Moss will be McNabb's first read when he is able to find enough time for a five-step drop. Moved from split end to flanker this season, Moss will do more underneath dirty work. He doesn't appear to have elite upside considering the matchup, but is a plenty serviceable WR3. ... Owners so weak at running back that they have to rely on Clinton Portis as an RB2 or flex should consider anything they get a bonus. Portis' burst is long gone, and he barely contributes as a pass catcher. On a good fantasy team, Portis is an RB4.

 

[HacheMan]

Week 1 Rankings
There's so much we don't know.

We don't know what teams stunk in the preseason because they stink, and which teams were playing possum. Outside of a few teams – Jets, Steelers, maybe the Cowboys – we don't know what defenses are truly tough matchups.

Yeah, the Lions offense should be improved and its defense should still make you feel better about playing Jay Cutler. But Week 1 is all about playing the guys you drafted high and not overthinking things.

I'm always amazed by the careful thought so many readers put into lineup decisions, but sometimes we all experience paralysis by analysis. Don't assume you know how the new Saints safety will match up against Visanthe Shiancoe. Let's see what happens first, and play the guys who you drafted.

I'm down in New Orleans for the season opener this week. Sean Payton said something that stuck with me on Wednesday. Week 1 is an "Imperfect game" no matter what. There are going to be mistakes, mental errors.

This is a coaching week. An unpredictable week. A week I'm so thankful is finally here. Teams can break out plays and formations they have been holding since February. It takes a few more game films for the rest of the league to catch up.

Expect the unexpected, but don't try to predict it. Not yet.

Editor's Note: For early rankings every Tuesday morning and full projections updated all week, in addition to our award-winning Season Pass.

[SIZE=+1]Week 1 Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Drew Brees</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Aaron Rodgers</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Peyton Manning</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Matt Schaub</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Tom Brady</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Philip Rivers</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Jay Cutler</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Tony Romo</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Kevin Kolb</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Matthew Stafford</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Kyle Orton</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Brett Favre</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Matt Ryan</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Donovan McNabb</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Matt Cassel</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Joe Flacco</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Eli Manning</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Carson Palmer</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>David Garrard</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Vince Young</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Chad Henne</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Alex Smith</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Mark Sanchez</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Dennis Dixon</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Jason Campbell</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Matt Hasselbeck</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Matt Moore</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Derek Anderson</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Sam Bradford</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Josh Freeman</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>Probable(thumb)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Jake Delhomme</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Trent Edwards</TD><TD>vs. MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Michael Vick</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Seneca Wallace</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Tim Tebow</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Charlie Batch</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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[SIZE=+1]Week 1 Running Backs[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Chris Johnson</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Adrian Peterson</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Maurice Jones-Drew</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Frank Gore</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Steven Jackson</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Rashard Mendenhall</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Ryan Mathews</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Ray Rice</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Jahvid Best</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Arian Foster</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Michael Turner</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Jamaal Charles</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>DeAngelo Williams</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Beanie Wells</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>Questionable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Cedric Benson</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Matt Forte</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Ryan Grant</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Pierre Thomas</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Shonn Greene</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Ronnie Brown</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Joseph Addai</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>C.J. Spiller</TD><TD>vs. MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Ahmad Bradshaw</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Jonathan Stewart</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Jerome Harrison</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>LeSean McCoy</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Marion Barber</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Cadillac Williams</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Knowshon Moreno</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>Probable(hamstring)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Darren McFadden</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Ricky Williams</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Felix Jones</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Brandon Jacobs</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Clinton Portis</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Justin Forsett</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Reggie Bush</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Thomas Jones</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>LaDainian Tomlinson</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Correll Buckhalter</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Leon Washington</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Tim Hightower</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Chester Taylor</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Michael Bush</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>Questionable(thumb)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Fred Taylor</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Darren Sproles</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Marshawn Lynch</TD><TD>vs. MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Fred Jackson</TD><TD>vs. MIA</TD><TD>Probable(hand)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Willis McGahee</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Kareem Huggins</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Larry Johnson</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Steve Slaton</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>Probable(toe)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Peyton Hillis</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Donald Brown</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Tashard Choice</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Laurence Maroney</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>Probable(groin)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Brian Westbrook</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Jerious Norwood</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Mike Bell</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>Bernard Scott</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>60</TD><TD>Brandon Jackson</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Self-promotional note we'll only include in Week 1: Follow Gregg on Twitter.

[SIZE=+1]Week 1 Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Andre Johnson</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Randy Moss</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Calvin Johnson</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Larry Fitzgerald</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>Probable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Miles Austin</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Roddy White</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Reggie Wayne</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Marques Colston</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>Probable(abdomen)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>DeSean Jackson</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Brandon Marshall</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>Probable(ankle)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Greg Jennings</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Percy Harvin</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Chad Ochocinco</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Michael Crabtree</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Dwayne Bowe</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Steve Smith</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Hines Ward</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Johnny Knox</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Mike Sims-Walker</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Santana Moss</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Mike Wallace</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Hakeem Nicks</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Anquan Boldin</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Malcom Floyd</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Donald Driver</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Braylon Edwards</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Jeremy Maclin</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Terrell Owens</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Pierre Garcon</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Jabar Gaffney</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Devin Hester</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>33</TD><TD>Lee Evans</TD><TD>vs. MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>34</TD><TD>Bernard Berrian</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>35</TD><TD>Jerricho Cotchery</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>36</TD><TD>Dez Bryant</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>37</TD><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>38</TD><TD>Devin Aromashodu</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>39</TD><TD>Derrick Mason</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>40</TD><TD>Wes Welker</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>41</TD><TD>Mike Williams</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>42</TD><TD>Laurent Robinson</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>43</TD><TD>Louis Murphy</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>44</TD><TD>Eddie Royal</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>45</TD><TD>Steve Breaston</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>46</TD><TD>Robert Meachem</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>47</TD><TD>Jacoby Jones</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>48</TD><TD>Mohamed Massaquoi</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>49</TD><TD>Chris Chambers</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>50</TD><TD>Nate Burleson</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>51</TD><TD>Danny Amendola</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>52</TD><TD>Devery Henderson</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>53</TD><TD>Austin Collie</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>54</TD><TD>Deion Branch</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>55</TD><TD>Kevin Walter</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>56</TD><TD>Roy Williams</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>57</TD><TD>Mike Thomas</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>58</TD><TD>Legedu Naanee</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>59</TD><TD>Josh Morgan</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>60</TD><TD>Justin Gage</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>61</TD><TD>Nate Washington</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>62</TD><TD>Mario Manningham</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>63</TD><TD>James Jones</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>64</TD><TD>Davone Bess</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>65</TD><TD>Kenny Britt</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>66</TD><TD>Greg Camarillo</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>67</TD><TD>Anthony Gonzalez</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>68</TD><TD>Deon Butler</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>69</TD><TD>Patrick Crayton</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>70</TD><TD>T.J. Houshmandzadeh</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

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[SIZE=+1]Week 1 Tight Ends[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Antonio Gates</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Jermichael Finley</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Dallas Clark</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Vernon Davis</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Jason Witten</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Brent Celek</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Tony Gonzalez</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Zach Miller</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Kellen Winslow</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Chris Cooley</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Visanthe Shiancoe</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Heath Miller</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>John Carlson</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Dustin Keller</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Jeremy Shockey</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Owen Daniels</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>Questionable(knee)</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Tony Scheffler</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Greg Olsen</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Todd Heap</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Jermaine Gresham</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Ben Watson</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Kevin Boss</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Marcedes Lewis</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Aaron Hernandez</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Rob Gronkowski</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SIZE=+1]Week 1 Team Defense[/SIZE]




<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Cowboys Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Fortyniners Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Packers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Jets Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Saints Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Eagles Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>Ravens Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Vikings Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Steelers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Giants Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Chargers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Cardinals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Dolphins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Bears Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Bengals Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>Falcons Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Titans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Raiders Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>Browns Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Panthers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Buccaneers Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Bills Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Patriots Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Colts Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Rams Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Redskins Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Lions Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Seahawks Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Texans Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Jaguars Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Broncos Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Chiefs Def/Spec Team</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[SIZE=+1]Week 1 Kickers[/SIZE]

<TABLE width="100%"><TBODY><TR class=TableTopRed><TD>Rank</TD><TD>Player Name</TD><TD>Opponent</TD><TD>Notes</TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>1</TD><TD>Garrett Hartley</TD><TD>vs. MIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>2</TD><TD>Ryan Longwell</TD><TD>at NO</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>3</TD><TD>Nate Kaeding</TD><TD>at KC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>4</TD><TD>Rob Bironas</TD><TD>vs. OAK</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>5</TD><TD>Stephen Gostkowski</TD><TD>vs. CIN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>6</TD><TD>Robbie Gould</TD><TD>vs. DET</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>7</TD><TD>David Akers</TD><TD>vs. GB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>8</TD><TD>Matt Prater</TD><TD>at JAC</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>9</TD><TD>Mason Crosby</TD><TD>at PHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>10</TD><TD>Neil Rackers</TD><TD>vs. IND</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>11</TD><TD>Jeff Reed</TD><TD>vs. ATL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>12</TD><TD>Jay Feely</TD><TD>at STL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>13</TD><TD>Jason Hanson</TD><TD>at CHI</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>14</TD><TD>Adam Vinatieri</TD><TD>at HOU</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>15</TD><TD>Sebastian Janikowski</TD><TD>at TEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>16</TD><TD>David Buehler</TD><TD>at WAS</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>17</TD><TD>Lawrence Tynes</TD><TD>vs. CAR</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>18</TD><TD>Dan Carpenter</TD><TD>at BUF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>19</TD><TD>John Kasay</TD><TD>at NYG</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>20</TD><TD>Josh Brown</TD><TD>vs. ARZ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>21</TD><TD>Joe Nedney</TD><TD>at SEA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>22</TD><TD>Olindo Mare</TD><TD>vs. SF</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>23</TD><TD>Matt Bryant</TD><TD>at PIT</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>24</TD><TD>Nick Folk</TD><TD>vs. BAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>25</TD><TD>Ryan Succop</TD><TD>vs. SD</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>26</TD><TD>Rian Lindell</TD><TD>vs. MIA</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>27</TD><TD>Graham Gano</TD><TD>vs. DAL</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>28</TD><TD>Josh Scobee</TD><TD>vs. DEN</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>29</TD><TD>Mike Nugent</TD><TD>at NE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>30</TD><TD>Billy Cundiff</TD><TD>at NYJ</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW2><TD>31</TD><TD>Phil Dawson</TD><TD>at TB</TD><TD>- </TD></TR><TR class=TABLEALTROW1><TD>32</TD><TD>Connor Barth</TD><TD>vs. CLE</TD><TD>- </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

 

[HacheMan]

Matchups: Can't Stop the Pack
As explained in Tuesday's Pancake Blocks breakdown of Thursday night's opener, the objective of this column is to appeal to readers willing to consider, more deeply, those factors that may or may not cause fantasy players to have favorable or unfavorable matchups. This article is for the fantasy leaguer looking to gain an extra edge.

16-plus hours per week go into the formulation of the Matchups breakdown. I place an emphasis on statistics, re-watching of games, tendencies, injuries, and roster turnover. This year, I've enlisted assistance from the analysis-based website Profootballfocus.com, which presents in-depth charting data for each player in the league, offensive and defensive.

The column received consistently positive feedback last season, and my goal is to take it to another level this year. For questions, arguments, and suggestions, contact me on my Twitter account, @evansilva.

[SIZE=+1]1:00PM ET Games[/SIZE]

Denver @ Jacksonville

Jacksonville's passing game takes the field against one of the best secondaries in football. The Broncos ranked third in pass defense last year, and return all four starters. Historically, David Garrard is a better home than away quarterback, but he's not on the QB1 radar. ... The year-ending loss of Elvis Dumervil puts much more pressure on Denver's DBs, however, and opponents will be able to exploit the heavily downgraded pass rush by going deep. Mike Sims-Walker is the Jags' lone vertical receiver. Don't expect a ton of catches, but 80-plus yards is doable. He's a strong WR2.

New starting flanker Mike Thomas will be used underneath, sliding into the slot when Jarett Dillard enters for three-receiver sets. Thomas, who averaged 9.5 yards per catch as a rookie, averaged 9.1 this preseason. He might catch 5-6 balls, but won't be a great bet to top 50 yards. ... Maurice Jones-Drew's knee injury is concerning, as is the demotion of top run-blocking lineman Vince Manuwai in favor of Justin Smiley. But you can't sit MJD against Denver. The Broncos had the worst run defense in the league during the preseason. ... Marcedes Lewis had a nice training camp, but did little in exhibition games. He's a block-first tight end until proven otherwise.

Eddie Royal was Denver's best receiver last preseason, only to disappear as a sideline-running decoy in the real games. Jabar Gaffney has taken hold of the No. 1 receiver job, at least until Demaryius Thomas (foot) is healthy. Gaffney poured six catches for 98 yards on Detroit in the second preseason game. Don't expect big plays, but he's a worthwhile WR3 in PPR leagues. ... Jacksonville's secondary will be among the NFL's worst this year, and red-hot Kyle Orton should capitalize as a high-end QB2. The Jags are starting former draft bust Anthony Smith and special teamer Sean Considine at safety. The nickel back is practice squad-type William Middleton.

The word in Denver is that Knowshon Moreno will be "eased in" after a camp-long hamstring strain. It's the best move for the Broncos. Correll Buckhalter, more productive on a per-touch basis last year, is 100 percent and looked spry on a 15-yard swing pass in the preseason finale. Moreno and Buckhalter may make each other weak fantasy plays early in the season, even in favorable matchups. ... You know not to start Denver tight ends. Shoot, can you even name one?

Oakland @ Tennessee

Oakland has remade its defense, targeting a pressure-heavy design especially at linebacker. They figure to remain vulnerable on the ground, however, as run support has never been a strong suit for OLBs Kamerion Wimbley and Quentin Groves. Chris Johnson will explode after a quiet preseason. ... Jeff Fisher threatened last week to deactivate Kenny Britt for a multitude of mental errors and drops in exhibition action. Britt was unable to pass Justin Gage on the depth chart in August, so keep him saddled to the end of your bench. Lacking upside, Gage belongs there too.

Nate Washington is a sneaky WR3. He'll square off with a Raiders secondary that flip-flopped starting corners within the last week, promoting Stanford Routt over incumbent Chris Johnson. Both will play, but Routt has never come close to his potential, and Johnson was burned for 120 yards on four completions against Seattle in the preseason finale. If someone outside of CJ2K is going to have a big game for Tennessee, it'll be their lone probable every-down wideout.

The Raiders won't tip their hand as to Michael Bush's (thumb) status, but the writing on the wall says to avoid Oakland's backfield regardless. Only Minnesota was better than the Titans against the run in the preseason, and Darren McFadden still hasn't proven to be more than a third-down back. Take a wait-and-see approach. ... Zach Miller is a serious candidate to lead all tight ends in targets this season, especially if the running game doesn't get on track. He's a must-start.

Last year's Oakland passing game was a wasteland beyond Miller, but that's changed. With Chaz Schilens out indefinitely, Louis Murphy deservedly becomes a full-time player, and won't struggle to best bust-in-the-making Darrius Heyward-Bey for "No. 1 receiver" status. Murphy may see lots of Cortland Finnegan in coverage, but Finnegan's been a shell of himself since returning from a lengthy groin injury, getting torn apart by the Saints' second-team offense in the preseason finale. ... Jason Campbell is a fine QB2, but his protection will stink. He's not a fantasy starter.

Cincinnati @ New England

Patriots coach Bill Belichick is one of our generation's greatest defensive minds, but what's he to do without any players? The Pats' top defensive end (Ty Warren) and corner (Leigh Bodden) are both out for the year, and there are no pass rushers to speak of beyond Tully Banta-Cain, many of whose 9.5 sacks last season were fluky. Barring true magic from Belichick, New England's defense will be a favorable matchup for opposing skill players all year. Cedric Benson looked as powerful and quick as ever in the preseason, and will get the ball rolling on Sunday afternoon.

Debate rages on at Rotoworld as to Cincinnati's No. 1 receiver. I side with Terrell Owens, who caught 12 preseason passes for 143 yards compared to Chad Ochocinco's seven for 74. Ocho admitted publicly that T.O. is the new No. 1, and the stats support it. Owens hasn't been a No. 2 since the '90s with Jerry Rice. ... The Bengals appear to have hit on rookies Jordan Shipley and Jermaine Gresham, but they'll probably help Carson Palmer more than fantasy teams. Palmer does have enough weapons at his disposal to qualify as a high-end QB2. He lacks QB1 talent.

If there is a positive outcome from New England's defensive losses -- in fantasy terms -- it's that Tom Brady will wing it early and often. The beneficiaries will be Brady as a matchup-proof starter, Randy Moss in a contract year, and Wes Welker, who may have been on an early-season snap count had Julian Edelman survived camp healthy. Edelman (ankle) didn't, and is questionable for the opener. ... In the same vein as Cincinnati's draft picks, Pats TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez look like keepers after big preseasons. They just won't be reliable fantasy players.

The Pats didn't have a running back finish better than 29th in fantasy points last season, and that may not change. Not only has the line lost top run blocker Logan Mankins to a holdout, RT Nick Kaczur is out indefinitely after August back surgery. Fred Taylor is entrenched as the starter, Sammy Morris and Kevin Faulk are second-teamers, and Laurence Maroney appears to be No. 3 (if he's even active on game days). Cincy ranked seventh in the league in run defense last year.

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Cleveland @ Tampa Bay

Non-Bucs and Browns fans watching this ugly matchup will be focused on Bucs rookie WR Mike Williams. A camp sensation, the big-play threat carried the torch for a Tampa offense that was otherwise brutal in preseason. Williams' inability to practice with his young QB for two weeks due to Josh Freeman's thumb injury, however, makes him an undesirable play, and a talented Browns secondary won't help. Kellen Winslow and trusty Sammie Stroughter are just as good bets for targets. Winslow, in particular, draws a favorable assignment against rookie safety T.J. Ward.

Cadillac Williams generated a surprising amount of fantasy buzz this summer, mostly because he's got so little competition for carries. With the release of Derrick Ward, 5-foot-9, 185-pound Kareem Huggins is second on the depth chart. Feel free to use Williams in favorable matchups (like this one), because he'll be a consistent threat for 20 carries. But after torn patellar tendons in both knees, Cadillac's burst is long gone. He'll be a great sell-high candidate if he starts hot.

Jerome Harrison keeps catching breaks. First, it was Montario Hardesty's camp-long knee injury. Then, Hardesty tore his ACL. With the every-down back job all his and a promising line in front of him, Harrison qualifies as an every-week RB2 ... for two weeks, at least. He faces Tampa Bay (32nd in '09 run defense) this week and Kansas City (31st) next Sunday before consecutive matchups with Baltimore, Cincinnati, Atlanta, and Pittsburgh. Sell Harrison high before Week 3.

Jake Delhomme surprised even himself with a 79.2 preseason completion rate, chipping in two scores and no interceptions on 48 attempts. You can't start Delhomme in a standard league, but it does bode well for top wideout Mohamed Massaquoi. He already got a big matchup boost with Bucs shutdown CB Aqib Talib suspended for the opener, and Massaquoi can get vertical similar to Delhomme's old buddy, Steve Smith. ... Avoid Joshua Cribbs unless you're in a return-yardage league. He should get 6-8 offensive touches, but Brian Robiskie beat him out for the starting job.

Indianapolis @ Houston

We've come to expect great things from Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. The newest addition to Houston's version of The Big Three is Arian Foster. Foster totaled 200 preseason yards and two scores on 34 touches (5.9 average), and has next to no competition for carries with Steve Slaton (turf toe) on the mend and Derrick Ward still learning the offense. He's a borderline RB1 against Indy's annually soft run defense. ... With coach Gary Kubiak saying Owen Daniels (knee) isn't ready for more than 25 snaps, you'll have to bench the tight end until he's a full-time player.

A far more dangerous player than Kevin Walter, Jacoby Jones will be a better weekly play than the "starter" all season. Jones' usage increases dramatically as a staple of Houston's three-receiver sets, which will be employed more than ever, especially with Daniels "eased" back in. Playing far fewer snaps than he will this season, Jones went for 67 yards in one of last year's games against the Colts, and scored a touchdown in the other. He's a WR3 start with upside.

Reggie Wayne has lost nothing entering his age-32 season. In the third preseason game, he reconfirmed that the Wayne-Manning inside slant remains indefensible, beating Packers CB Tramon Williams for a 10-yard TD on the dominant route. Expect big years from both Wayne and Peyton Manning. ... The same goes for Dallas Clark. We slightly prefer Jermichael Finley and Antonio Gates' upsides, but it would be an upset if Clark finished outside of the top-three fantasy tight ends. Clark combined for 23 catches in two games against Houston last year. For real.

The light has yet to flip on for Donald Brown, who had an ugly 29 yards on 16 preseason touches. He's not remotely on the radar as a flex play. Joseph Addai is safely a 20 touch-per-game threat; use him every week. ... Perhaps no defense in the NFL improved as much as Houston's down the stretch of last season, and their secondary projects to be rock solid. Pierre Garcon is a mid-range WR3, but I'd still be concerned about Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez rotating in the slot.

Detroit @ Chicago

An awful preseason was worrisome, but Jay Cutler will start hot. Already the league's weakest secondary, Detroit didn't play a single preseason game with its four starting DBs on the field together. The Lions start Falcons and Rams castoffs (Chris Houston, Jonathan Wade) at corner, undrafted rookie Aaron Berry in the nickel, and bomb-magnet C.C. Brown at strong safety. Cutler is a must-start, and his confidence should be renewed heading to Week 2. ... Greg Olsen had four preseason catches and none in the third game, when starters play the most. Keep him benched.

Along with Cutler, Johnny Knox has to be in lineups. You probably drafted him late, but he's going to lead Chicago in targets every week. Wait and see on Flying Devins Hester and Aromashodu. Until proven otherwise, there's only one sure-fire fantasy starter at receiver in Chicago. ... Coming off a rejuvenated preseason, Matt Forte squares off with a Lions front four that's vastly improved. But it doesn't look like MLB DeAndre Levy (groin) is going to play. Expect a touchdown and 100 total yards.

Matthew Stafford's ball security remained an issue this preseason (two picks, one fumble), but he showed improved accuracy (71.1 percent completions), without toning down his aggressiveness. He's a boom-or-bust QB2, regardless of matchups. ... The higher completion rate does bode well for Calvin Johnson, who routinely destroys the Bears' Cover 2. Megatron's lines in his last three games against Chicago: 8-94-1, 8-133, 6-86-1. ... Avoid Nate Burleson, who was quiet in the preseason with 59 yards in four appearances. He may prove a relative afterthought in the offense.

Explosive almost beyond compare in preseason action, Jahvid Best averaged 8.3 yards per touch this August. The failure of Kevin Smith to even convincingly beat out Maurice Morris for No. 2 back work ensures that Best will be Detroit's feature runner. With 18-20 touches per week a near-given for the rookie, he'll be a mainstay in your starting lineup. ... Tony Scheffler has the look of a sleeper tight end, though it's a week to watch, not invest in the under-the-radar vertical threat.

Atlanta @ Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh hasn't finished worse than third in rush defense since 2003, and returns its front seven intact, in addition to a healthy Troy Polamalu. Michael Turner remains a good bet to score, but Atlanta will have to pass to move the ball consistently. ... The stars have aligned for Roddy White. Michael Jenkins (shoulder) is out, clearing the way for White to see double-digit targets against a Steelers secondary that still has big question marks at cornerback. Bryant McFadden (pectoral) missed much of camp, William Gay isn't an answer, and Ike Taylor is a long bomb waiting to happen.

Jenkins' absence leaves the underneath game to Tony Gonzalez. Though the healthy return of slot man Harry Douglas may cut into Gonzo's production when all's said and done, the ageless tight end should be heavily targeted at Pittsburgh. Jenkins fill-in Brian Finneran will spend most of the day blocking. ... Polamalu's return helps, but let's not forget that the Steelers' pass defense was mediocre at best last season. If Turner struggles, Matt Ryan will be forced to wing it. Expect 30 pass attempts, 240 or so yards, and a pair of touchdowns from the underrated third-year QB.

With Rashard Mendenhall running more decisively than ever, Pittsburgh led the NFL in preseason rushing. The line can't pass protect a lick, but it opens lanes. The front five's task becomes even easier with Falcons top DT Jonathan Babineaux out on suspension. Look for 30 touches for Mendenhall as a prime RB1. Coordinator Bruce Arians confirmed Thursday that Mendenhall will get goal-line carries. ... Dennis Dixon gets the nod at quarterback, but won't be on a long leash. While he's worth a look in two-QB leagues because of his rushing potential, the Steelers won't want him trying more than 25 passes after a shaky preseason.

The Steelers will take a run-first approach, so if the downgrade to Dixon from Ben Roethlisberger wasn't enough for you to bench Heath Miller, the fact that he'll be on the line blocking seals it. ... Mike Wallace and Hines Ward are still hard to sit. Wallace was the best receiver in Pittsburgh's preseason, and Ward will be Dixon's safety net with Miller helping Max Starks and Flozell Adams. Wallace is only a WR3, but his big-play ability offers plenty of upside. The Falcons are also weak at corner behind Dunta Robinson, with undersized Chris Owens and Brent Grimes competing.

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Miami @ Buffalo

New Bills coach Chan Gailey's design appears to be similar to his predecessor Paul Johnson's at Georgia Tech, using Gailey's recruits. The ground game will be heavily featured, attempting to set up occasional long balls. C.J. Spiller and some combo of Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch are Jonathan Dwyer. Lee Evans is Demaryius Thomas. ... Either way, you'll want to start Spiller, who was announced as Buffalo's starting tailback on Wednesday. The matchup is difficult, but if Gailey has his way (and Buffalo doesn't fall too far behind early) Spiller will get the rock 20-plus times. He has the moves to elude Miami's stout front seven.

Jackson, playing through a fractured hand, and Lynch, coming off an ankle injury and five-carry, two-yard preseason, will take backseats to Spiller. They're not fantasy options until they earn legitimate roles. ... If Evans is Thomas and Spiller is Dwyer, Trent Edwards is Josh Nesbitt. If you don't know who Nesbitt is, I'll tell you this: He doesn't throw much. ... Steve Johnson, Roscoe Parrish, and TE Jonathan Stupar aren't appealing, but Evans is with the demotion of Dolphins CB Sean Smith and running mate Vontae Davis' groin injury. Evans is an underrated WR3 start in non-PPR.

Buffalo ranked 30th in run defense last year. Now a transitioning unit, it won't be much better. According to Pro Football Focus, Marcus Stroud is among the league's poorest linemen in run defense, and he's now been forced to play end in Buffalo's new 3-4. The nose tackle is project rookie Torrell Troup, taking the big step up from C-USA. Ronnie Brown is a recommended RB2, and Ricky Williams is a strong flex. ... Avoid Dolphins tight ends. Anthony Fasano ranked 26th in fantasy points at the position in 2009, and will likely be run blocking more often than not.

Even with Rookie of the Year runner-up Jairus Byrd (groin) questionable, the Bills field one of the game's most talented secondaries. Chad Henne looked worse than mediocre in the preseason, completing 47 percent of his passes for an awful 5.1 yards-per-attempt average. This won't be his breakout game. ... Brandon Marshall will remain a target monster in Miami. Fasano will be blocking, fellow wideout Brian Hartline had a lackluster camp, and Davone Bess isn't a playmaker.

Carolina @ NY Giants

The Giants are doing damage control after demoting Brandon Jacobs, but all their actions point to Ahmad Bradshaw taking over as the feature back. While Jacobs remains the favorite for goal-line work, he played just four snaps and went touch-less in the preseason finale, when the G-Men used their first-string offense more than any team in the league. The undersized Carolina front is minus weak-side 'backer Thomas Davis (knee) and lost Julius Peppers this spring, presenting a terrific matchup for Bradshaw as a strong RB2. Jacobs is a flex option only in TD-heavy leagues.

Carolina ranked fourth in the NFL in 2009 pass defense, and led the league this preseason. The Giants' game plan will be run heavy, making Eli Manning barely a QB1 option. Don't expect a high number of pass attempts, which will also be a drain on Kevin Boss. ... The Panthers play the pass well collectively, but don't have a true shutdown corner. As noted by Pro Football Focus, CBs Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall were both average (Marshall a bit better) in coverage last season. Carolina is also breaking in a new starting free safety in Sherrod Martin. Hakeem Nicks remains a quality WR2, and Steve Smith is, as always, a safe bet for six-plus catches.

The loss of mauling Panthers RT Jeff Otah (knee) is a run-blocking concern at first glance, but note that Carolina averaged 183 rushing yards a game in replacement Geoff Schwartz's three 2009 starts. New York's run defense will be improved, but DeAngelo Williams is a must-start, and Jonathan Stewart should get 13-15 touches as a flex play with upside. The Panthers have made no bones about it: They will run relentlessly with QB Matt Moore coming off a poor preseason.

Carolina WR Steve Smith enters the game with a chip on his shoulder, blaming Giants S Michael Johnson for the play that fractured his arm in Week 17 last year. An angry Smitty is as dangerous as any wideout in football, and the Giants are banged up in the back (CB Corey Webster - groin, CB Aaron Ross - plantar fasciitis, SS Kenny Phillips - knee). ... Dwayne Jarrett beat out rookie Brandon LaFell for No. 2 receiver duties in Panthers camp. Like Muhsin Muhammad before him, Jarrett will be a blocker first, spectator second. He's a pass catcher somewhere down the line.

[SIZE=+1]4:15PM ET Games[/SIZE]

Green Bay @ Philadelphia

Mike Singletary wished he had it. Mike McCarthy does: An offense capable of exerting its will on defenses. For those who didn't watch the second half of last year's Packer season, Sunday will be Jermichael Finley's coming-out party. A 6'5" rocked-up receiver who plays like a fleet-of-foot 6'9" forward, Finley faces off with an Eagles defense annually among the NFL's worst in tight end coverage. Finley has replaced Donald Driver as Aaron Rodgers' favorite down-the-middle target.

While Finley dominates the seams, Greg Jennings will be featured over the top. The Eagles are willing to single-cover wideouts to execute their blitz schemes. Expect Asante Samuel and Joselio Hanson to line up on Driver, with RCB Ellis Hobbs attempting to contain LWR Jennings. A bomb or three is in the offing. ... Brandon Jackson's in-camp improvement so convinced the coaching staff his light has flipped on that they kept just two backs on the active roster. You can't sit Ryan Grant, but he'll be a great sell-high candidate if he starts hot. Jackson has earned more work.

Our hopes remain high, but Kevin Kolb's preseason left much to be desired, exhibiting happy feet in the pocket and shaky confidence. He'll have to throw plenty against a Green Bay defense that led the NFL in run stoppage a year ago, but there are better QB1 starts out there. ... As a fourth option in the passing game at best, Jeremy Maclin is setup to disappoint until Kolb's problems are corrected. DeSean Jackson and Brent Celek, going away, are the best bets for catches, yardage, and touchdowns. Maclin is also "competing" for targets with Jason Avant and LeSean McCoy.

As with Maclin, owners should be wary of considering McCoy a reliable RB2. The Eagles' interior line of Nick Cole, Jamaal Jackson, and Todd Herremans didn't begin practicing together until just this week, and McCoy already struggled to run inside the tackles with any decisiveness. McCoy is a must-play in PPR leagues, but Philadelphia will have a very hard time winning the trench battle against Ryan Pickett, B.J. Raji, and Cullen Jenkins. He'll also lose goal-line carries to Mike Bell.

Arizona at St. Louis

Rejuvenated after offseason back surgery, Steven Jackson displayed improved power and burst in the preseason, and is ready for a full workload against an Arizona defense that looks shaky against the run. Gone are ILBs Karlos Dansby and Gerald Hayes (back, PUP), replaced by rookie Daryl Washington and journeyman Paris Lenon. With Sam Bradford looking like the real deal (21 of his last 28 for 257 yards, three TDs, and zero picks), S-Jax looks poised for a career-best year. As Pro Football Focus also notes, St. Louis' offensive line is much better than given credit for.

The Rams' top three receivers will likely shape up as follows: split end Laurent Robinson, slot man Danny Amendola, flanker Mark Clayton. If Bradford plays as he showed capable in preseason, a sleeper will emerge. Though they're all worth end-of-the-bench roster spots, deep threat Robinson is the probable favorite to lead St. Louis in receiving. None of the three is worth using against Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and company, but Robinson is the best bet to accrue WR3 value.

Concern about his QB situation is warranted, but Larry Fitzgerald is likely to exceed expectations. He'll be Derek Anderson's first read on 75-plus percent of passing plays, and his monster "catch radius" will atone for D.A.'s wildness. Steve Breaston and Early Doucet are hurt most. Expect the secondary receivers' production to be about equal by season's end. Fitzgerald, fully healed from his knee sprain, is a high-end WR1 play on Sunday. St. Louis had the NFL's second-worst pass defense in preseason, and Fitz has a touchdown in each of his last three meetings with the team.

Beanie Wells' knee injury is said to be just a bruise, but the team expressed worry about his status after another missed practice Thursday. He'll be a must-start RB2 if he's active, but this is going to be a game-time decision. ... Cardinals starter Tim Hightower does remain the favorite for goal-line carries and passing-down work. He's a viable flex in PPR formats regardless of Wells' Sunday status. The Cards are likely to take a run-first approach, providing both backs with plenty of touches. If Wells is out, Hightower becomes a must-start. ... Though St. Louis is susceptible to the pass, Anderson is only worth a brief look in two-QB leagues. His post-2007 production is JaMarcus Russell-esque.

<!--RW-->

San Francisco @ Seattle

The San Francisco fantasy defense has week-winner written all over it. With Russell Okung out, Seattle will pick from street free agent Chester Pitts and inept undrafted tackle Tyler Polumbus to start on Matt Hasselbeck's blind side. Pitts had offseason microfracture surgery and didn't play a preseason snap. Polumbus was waived by the tackle-needy Broncos and Lions this summer. Avoid Hasselbeck, new starting split end Mike Williams, and dead-legged flanker Deion Branch. The 49ers ranked third in the NFL in sacks last year and will feast on the worst line in football.

Justin Forsett has been named Seattle's starting tailback, a designation he earned by outplaying the field down the stretch of 2009. But it's not the week to use him. Bolstered by the end of NT Aubrayo Franklin's holdout, the 49ers return a front seven that allowed the fewest yards per carry in the NFC last year. ... John Carlson might benefit from Seattle's inability to go deep due to pass-pro problems, but it's better to avoid this offense entirely. Carlson was invisible all preseason.

If one Seahawk did look good in August, it was LCB Marcus Trufant. Returning from an injury-ruined year, Seattle's top corner figures to be assigned to opposing No. 1 wideouts until the team sorts out a regular starter from Kelly Jennings and Walter Thurmond III. It's hard to say Trufant will be on Michael Crabtree all game, but it'd be silly if he wasn't. Blocking receiver Josh Morgan poses very little threat as a pass catcher. Crabtree is a fantasy starter, but expectations should probably be limited. The 49ers will likely rack up more rushing attempts than throws on Sunday.

Look for Vernon Davis to be Alex Smith's go-to target when the Niners go to pass, as Seahawks SLB Aaron Curry will be assigned to him. Davis is already a mismatch for linebackers, and Pro Football Focus graded Curry quite poorly in coverage last year. ... Frank Gore, as he will be most weeks, is the best fantasy bet on either side in this game. Fresh after being used sparingly in August, his two preseason carries went for gains of 49 and 9. Expect 25 touches on Sunday.

[SIZE=+1]Sunday Night Football[/SIZE]

Dallas @ Washington

No quarterback consistently dominates season openers like Tony Romo, who hasn't thrown for fewer than 320 yards in three Week 1s. His TD-to-INT ratio is 8:2, and his 12.2 YPA is insane. Mike Shanahan's alienation of top Skins defender Albert Haynesworth won't hurt. ... Despite a quiet August, safely insert Miles Austin and Jason Witten as fantasy starters. Washington's loss of FS Kareem Moore (knee) will press coverage liability Reed Doughty into more action on Witten. Austin is a 100-catch threat this season with Dallas likely to play musical chairs opposite him.

The transition from a 4-3 to 3-4 scheme hasn't been smooth in D.C., as no NFC team served up more preseason yards per carry. Marion Barber beat out Felix Jones for Dallas' starting tailback job, and is a rock-solid RB2 with two-touchdown potential. Jones is a mere change-of-pace back and kickoff returner. ... Dez Bryant is readjusting to the speed of the game after a camp-long high ankle sprain, but his return to health is bad news for Roy Williams. Once a good bet to at least finish third on the Cowboys in weekly targets, Williams is no longer usable even as a WR3.

Donovan McNabb (ankle) will start, but it'd be hard to use him as more than a QB2. He's not 100 percent, facing a defense that will give Washington's reconstructed line fits on blitzes, and has two players worth throwing to (Chris Cooley, Santana Moss). McNabb could flirt with QB1 value in favorable matchups. This isn't one. ... Cooley could still enjoy a big game. McNabb will likely have to check down more often than not so as to avoid DeMarcus Ware's pass rush, and Cooley was McNabb's favorite target in the preseason. Look for six catches and 70-plus yards.

While Joey Galloway is an obvious avoid, Moss will be McNabb's first read when he is able to find enough time for a five-step drop. Moved from split end to flanker this season, Moss will do more underneath dirty work. He doesn't appear to have elite upside considering the matchup, but is a plenty serviceable WR3. ... Owners so weak at running back that they have to rely on Clinton Portis as an RB2 or flex should consider anything they get a bonus. Portis' burst is long gone, and he barely contributes as a pass catcher. On a good fantasy team, Portis is an RB4.

[SIZE=+1]Monday Night Football[/SIZE]

Baltimore @ NY Jets

If the vaunted Jets pass defense (No. 1 overall in '09) and return of Darrelle Revis weren't enough to make Joe Flacco a weak fantasy start, the state of Baltimore's line is. RT Jared Gaither (back) is out, leaving the position in the dicey hands of Oniel Cousins or Tony Moll. Cousins was creamed by pass rushers in the preseason and is coming off a concussion. Moll wouldn't make many 53-man rosters. The odds of Baltimore posing any deep threat Monday night are poor. Revis might be rusty. Maybe. But are you gonna bet on it? Use Anquan Boldin at your own risk.

The Jets have a tough run defense. Ray Rice owners can look to the loss of stud run-defending OLB Calvin Pace as incentive to keep Rice in the lineup. Not to mention his game-breaking talent and versatility. ... We don't know if the Jets will use Revis to "shadow" opposing No. 1 receivers in his return from a camp-long holdout, and we don't even know if Revis is a full-time player yet. The best approach is to avoid Baltimore's passing offense entirely. New York's other DBs are far from slouches, and it's not like Derrick Mason, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, or Todd Heap has much upside anyway.

This projects as perhaps the lowest scoring game of Week 1. The Jets' passing offense was the worst in the AFC this preseason, so you'll want to avoid Mark Sanchez and Jerricho Cotchery with little chance of a shootout. If there is a Jets passing-game member worth a look, it's deep threat Braylon Edwards. Edwards' hands are unreliable, but few receivers in the NFL separate as easily deep downfield. With Lardarius Webb (knee) set to be inactive and Josh Wilson slated for nickel duty only, Edwards will square off with special teamer Chris Carr in coverage for most of the night.

With LaDainian Tomlinson coming off an impressive preseason, the Jets will open the year with a running back committee. Tomlinson has simply earned the right to get the ball 10-14 times a game. LT will fade as the season wears on, but for now his presence makes Shonn Greene only a low-end RB2 gamble in tough matchups like this. ... Chris Wesseling favorite Dustin Keller is a real wildcard play in this game. He's been drafted only as a TE2, but there is talk that Keller could end up as one of Mark Sanchez's most heavily targeted receivers. He's not without TE1 talent.

San Diego @ Kansas City

We can't count on Todd "Mangini 2" Haley to do much logically, but the preseason did confirm that his best talent is on the ground. Thomas Jones, Jamaal Charles, and even fringe NFL player Jackie Battle had success behind the revamped front five, while Matt Cassel finished 60th among the 115 players who threw a preseason pass in rating (79.3). To upset the Chargers, the Chiefs will have to run early and often. Even if Charles doesn't start, he should get the ball enough (15-18 touches?) to be worth an RB2 play. Eventually, Jones will fade as Larry Johnson did last year.

However, new Chiefs playcaller Charlie Weis is from the pass-happy Belichick school. Dwayne Bowe, coming off a terrific camp, will be the clear go-to guy when Weis radioes in passing plays. The Chiefs' RWR after Chris Chambers' midseason addition last year, Bowe will likely square off mostly with Chargers LCB Quentin Jammer. Bears first-year starter Johnny Knox had his way with Jammer in the preseason, so it's not hard to imagine Bowe doing quite a bit of damage. He's a borderline WR2 start against San Diego, while Chambers will settle in as a WR4/5 this season.

If August's most impressive rookie wasn't Jahvid Best, it was definitely Ryan Mathews. Totally unafraid, the 12th overall pick exhibited outrageously quick feet, no hesitancy to run between the tackles, plenty of speed to reach the perimeter, and better-than-anticipated passing-game skills. As the Chargers should, you'll want to ride Mathews as long as possible. He's got a sensational matchup this week against a Chiefs defense that ranked 31st against the run last year and did nothing to upgrade in the offseason. Mathews will be the focal point of San Diego's 2010 offense.

While his pass attempts will be down due to an improved ground attack and his ability to go deep will be adversely impacted by pass protection issues and Vincent Jackson's holdout, Philip Rivers is an obvious must-start against the Chiefs. ... Due to Jackson and LT Marcus McNeill's loss, San Diego's scheme will change, with Antonio Gates featured over the middle and Malcom Floyd as the deep threat. Gates is setup for a monster year, and K.C. has never been able to contain him. ... Floyd will be inconsistent because of his role, but after Gates he's the best bet on the team for receiving yards. Naanee (0 drops in '09), however, could still out-produce Floyd in the catches column, assuming he continues to hold off Patrick Crayton. Naanee should.

 

[HacheMan]

Almost Spectacular

For a second there, it really looked like this was gonna be a beaut. The Saints' opening drive looked like a vintage Sean Payton/Drew Brees clinic, with the latter rolling the Saints down the field and connecting with Devery Henderson on a 29-yard strike just two minutes into the game.

Then, things stalled, and this became a classic Week 1 game. Sloppy offense, bad kicking (including two missed FG's for Garrett Hartley), plenty of penalties and more than a few missed opportunities in a 14-9 Saints win. Here are the key fantasy takeaways:

Owners who invested a first-round pick in Brees are not happy today (the New Orleans QB went 27-for-36 for 237 yards and just the one touchdown), but he and the Saints' offense will be fine. Granted, New Orleans did come out and score 45 points last year in Week 1 and 48 in Week 2, so 14 points comes as something of a shock, but this system is far too proven for anyone to worry in the long run.

Speaking of not worrying, Pierre Thomas owners were likely ready to smash their TV's with a very large mallet as the Saints went pass heavy/Reggie Bush heavy early (only three rushes for the Saints and two touches for Thomas in the first half), but PT later became heavily involved as things normalized and finished with a healthy 86 yards on 22 touches (19 rushes, three receptions), including a one-yard score (also a great sign). As for Bush, it's not a huge surprise that he didn't do a lot against Minnesota's stout D, but 47 total yards (14 rushing, 33 receiving) is a reminder that he's far from a weekly start in standard leagues.

In a shocking development, Brett Favre looked fantastic on some throws and
awful on others en route to 171 yards, one TD and one INT. A repeat of his sublime 2009 is wildly unlikely, but the 40-year-old can still sling it and will have some big weeks (and some bad ones).

With that said, it's clear that Favre and Minnesota really miss Sidney Rice. With Bernard Berrian looking positively awful (one catch for three yards) and Percy Harvin the focal point of New Orleans' secondary (one catch for 12 yards), Visanthe Shiancoe (four catches, 76 yards, one TD) actually looked like Minnesota's best deep threat. (Don't laugh, it's true.) And while that's bad news for Minnesota's offense, it's good news for Shiancoe's fantasy value, as the red zone magnet could remain on Brett Favre's radar between the 20's going forward.

Adrian Peterson was a big part of the Vikings' game plan early, but they inexplicably went away from him in the second half despite the fact that they were down less than a touchdown the whole way. AP finished with 87 yards on 19 carries and three catches for 14 yards, but could have had a truly monstrous game if Minnesota stuck with him.

Behind Marques Colston (five catches, 62 yards) Henderson (two catches, 38 yards, one TD) was the most productive Saints receiver on the night, but he and Robert Meachem (three catches, 33 yards) and Lance Moore (three catches, 23 yards) were each targeted just four times. Unfortunately, that leaves all three as shaky fantasy starts in Week 2, with Henderson the safest play of the three.

As for Hartley, it's not time to panic after one week, but he won't have a very long leash heading into Week 2 and needs to get things turned around quickly. One positive sign that it may have been a fluke: Prior to Thursday, Hartley had only missed two FG's in his career.

IN OTHER NEWS:

I like to think that Tom Brady may have capped off his Thursday with one quick listen to Ice Cube's It Was a Good Day. Aside from coming out unscathed from a major car accident, Brady agreed to a four-year extension reportedly worth $72 million deal with $48.5 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid player in NFL history on a per-year basis at $18 million annually.

Percy Harvin shared prior to Thursday's game that his heart stopped beating for 10 seconds in the hospital after he collapsed at practice in August. That sounds scary, but it's apparently all connected to his sleep apnea, which is also believed to be the cause of his migraines. Harvin now sleeps with a device to regulate his breathing, and no longer takes medication, indicating that the situation is under control.

Yahoo Sports' Jason Cole has confirmed that Vincent Jackson will have a hearing with an arbitrator next Thursday to determine if the Chargers can keep him on the Roster Exempt list through Week 6. It's a date to monitor closely for V-Jax owners, because the arbitrator's decision is likely to have a significant impact on whether or not the disgruntled receiver gets dealt.

NOTABLE: The Cowboys signed Miles Austin to a six-year, $54.1 million extension, which is identical in years and dollars to the ghastly deal signed by Roy Williams in 2008… The Packers agreed to terms with Charles Woodson on a two-year contract extension, leaving him with $55 million over the next five years… Profootballtalk.com confirms a report by the Cincinnati blog Threewaychili.com that Bengals RE Antwan Odom is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's steroids policy, but Odom is still expected to play on Sunday at New England.

SCHEMING: Just two days after Mike Tomlin announced that Isaac Redman would be the goal line back, offensive coordinator Bruce Arians stated that Rashard Mendenhall would retain goal-line duties after all… Arians also expressed his confidence in Dennis Dixon, saying the team wouldn't pull him in favor of Charlie Batch before "late in the ballgame," suggesting Dixon will get a long look as the starter… Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride said that the "hot hand" will receive the bulk of the carries each week, but Ahmad Bradshaw is still in line for an increased role over Brandon Jacobs… Bills coach Chan Gailey plans on monitoring C.J. Spiller's workload early in the season, so expecting 20 touches right away may be optimistic… Tim McMahon of ESPN Dallas has a "hunch" that Felix Jones will handle kickoff returns in the opener, which doesn't bode well for Jones seeing a major increase in carries early in the season… Rashad Jennings is expected to spell Maurice Jones-Drew more often this year… Marion Barber says he's heading into the season at 100 percent.

Editor's Note: Check out our Season Pass package, featuring IDP rankings, Top 200 rankings, Evan Silva's running back report, Ryan Boyer's Wide Receiver Report, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty advice, advance workload and target data, exclusive chats, and schedule analysis you can only get with Season Pass.

GAMEDAY: Michael Bush (thumb) is expected to be a game-time decision at Tennessee… Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) was a full participant in practice for a second straight day, but could still be on a snap count Sunday… Beanie Wells (knee) missed practice and could be a game-time decision… Michael Crabtree (neck) confirmed that he's ready to play… Owen Daniels (knee) was limited and should be on most fantasy benches given his snap-limit of 25 this week… Josh Freeman (thumb) is ready to start after practicing in full on Thursday… Dez Bryant has declared his ankle 100 percent… Brandon Marshall (ankle) was added to Miami's injury report, but he practiced fully and it doesn't sound like a concern… Demaryius Thomas (foot) participated in a full practice again… Julian Edelman (ankle) and Laurence Maroney (groin) returned to limited practice… Aaron Hernandez (knee) was a full participant… Chaz Schilens (knee) isn't practicing for the Raiders this week and doesn't sound close to a return, despite Tom Cable's optimism… Anthony Gonzalez (back) was added to the Colts' injury report after being limited Thursday.

 

[HacheMan]

Dynasty Rankings

Early in the summer I promised some of the more die-hard devotees of my old Sons of the Tundra blog that I would produce updated Dynasty rankings before the start of the season. Between Rotoworld news shifts, Draft Guide updates, and preseason articles, however, I just haven't found the time to unchain myself from the redraft focus.

As Lou Holtz would say, "People don't care how rocky the ocean is, they just want you to bring the ship in."

With that in mind, I forced myself to stay in on a Saturday night and finish what I started and re-started about two dozen times in the past month and a half. Quick guidelines for the rankings below:

The ranks are for standard scoring leagues not PPR.
The ranks are aimed at leagues with rosters between 20 and 25 players and no flex in the starting lineup.
The ranks are weighted more toward competitors than builders; the current season is always three times as important as any future season. Remember: championship banners fly forever. If you are taking over someone else's deserted team and rebuilding, please adjust young talented players upward while demoting aging players.
I'm not a big believer in rebuilding. If you're forced to blow up your roster later this season, though, please keep in mind that nucleus players carry far more value than draft picks. One of the biggest mistakes Dynasty leaguers make is selling stable, elite young talents for the allure of draft picks.

[SIZE=+1]Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

Tier one

1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
2. Drew Brees, Saints
3. Peyton Manning, Colts
4. Tony Romo, Cowboys

Notes: Rodgers is the easy choice at the top considering his age, talent level, and arsenal. ... Manning is good for five more top-six finishes. ... Romo hasn't earned elite status quite yet, but he's the one member of the group with two dominant talents at receiver.

Tier Two

5. Tom Brady, Patriots
6. Philip Rivers, Chargers
7. Matt Schaub, Texans
8. Joe Flacco, Ravens
9. Matt Ryan, Falcons
10. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

Notes: I'd rather have Flacco than Schaub for the next five years, but I'd take the latter for the next two years. ... I'm still bullish on Ryan as a future elite QB. ... It's a great time to buy low on Bad Ben. Just don't let his owner get away with charging you anything close to full price.

Tier Three

11. Matthew Stafford, Lions
12. Kevin Kolb, Eagles
13. Jay Cutler, Bears
14. Eli Manning, Giants
15. Sam Bradford, Rams

Notes: Kolb's weapons are ridiculously explosive, but he is the next Rob Johnson or the next Aaron Rodgers? I haven't seen enough to be sold on his pocket presence. ... Stafford's weapons aren't far behind, and he has a major advantage in pedigree. ... Cutler's fundamentals are a mess right now. Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger excelled under Mike Martz. They also had Orlando Pace guarding their blindside, not Chris Williams. ... Glowing reports on Bradford's accuracy are legit.

Tier Four

16. Donovan McNabb, Redskins
17. Mark Sanchez, Jets
18. Carson Palmer, Bengals
19. Josh Freeman, Buccaneers
20. Vince Young, Titans
21. Chad Henne, Dolphins

Notes: McNabb isn't even a QB1 in redraft leagues in his age-34 season. ... Palmer's arm may never be the same. ... Freeman appears to have more passing potential than V.Y. ... I was beginning to wonder what everyone else was seeing in Chad Henne that was so special. It turns out I'm not the only one.

Tier Five

22. Brett Favre, Vikings
23. Tim Tebow, Broncos
24. David Garrard, Jaguars
25. Kyle Orton, Broncos
26. Matt Cassel, Chiefs
27. Jason Campbell, Raiders

Notes: It's a tier full of quarterbacks that could go either way this season. ... Favre could end up a top-10 fantasy QB once again, or he could finally come to the ugly end. ... Garrard, Orton, Cassel, and Campbell could finally make the leap to solid starter with job security, or they could prove beyond a doubt that they're pure backups at this level. ... I'm higher on Tebow than most are. His fantasy potential is exciting if he can develop under Josh McDaniels.

Tier Six

28. Jimmy Clausen, Panthers
29. Max Hall, Cardinals
30. Michael Vick, Eagles
31. Alex Smith, 49ers
32. Matt Moore, Panthers
33. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks
34. Dennis Dixon, Steelers
35. Derek Anderson, Cardinals
36. Trent Edwards, Bills
37. Charlie Whitehurst, Seahawks

Notes: I like Moore, but his contract is up after this season and Clausen is lurking as the future starter. ... I have zero confidence in Smith finishing the season as the 49ers' starter. ... Vick has a chance to be a weekly fantasy asset if he lands a job in 2011. ... Dixon is about to audition for the rest of the league. ... Hall is the best quarterback in Arizona right now. I think he takes that job and runs with it by midseason.

Tier Seven

38. Seneca Wallace, Browns
39. Colt McCoy, Browns
40. John Skelton, Cardinals
41. Tyler Thigpen, Dolphins
42. Chad Pennington, Dolphins
43. Matt Flynn, Packers
44. Jake Delhomme, Browns
45. Tarvaris Jackson, Vikings
46. Sage Rosenfels, Giants
47. Matt Leinart, Texans
48. Luke McCown, Jaguars
49. Marc Bulger, Ravens

Notes: McCoy is a future backup, and Delhomme is a poor bet to carry over his preseason success. ... Thipgen needs a spread offense. If he gets an opportunity in one, he's a fantasy asset. ... It's too early to bury Pennington, but the odds are stacked against him. ... Leinart is now the successor to Dan Orlovsky after flunking out as the successor to Kurt Warner.

Tier Eight

50. Josh Johnson, Buccaneers
51. Bruce Gradkowski, Raiders
52. Mike Kafka, Eagles
53. Chase Daniel, Saints
54. Brian Brohm, Bills
55. Byron Leftwich, Steelers
56. Billy Volek, Chargers
57. Shaun Hill, Lions
58. Joe Webb, Vikings
59. Brian Hoyer, Patriot
60. Brodie Croyle, Chiefs
61. Jon Kitna, Cowboys
62. Brady Quinn, Broncos
63. Troy Smith, 49ers
64. David Carr, 49ers
65. Chris Redman, Falcons
66. Kerry Collins, Titans
67. Tony Pike, Panthers
68. Dan LeFevour, Bengals
69. Stephen McGee, Cowboys
70. Rex Grossman, Redskins

Notes Kafka drew raves for his accuracy in OTAs but laid a preseason stinker. ... If Brohm can't be out Trent Edwards, he's not worth rostering. ... Daniel is turning into a decent prospect. ... Webb is an athletic freak. ... Quinn's window has closed.

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[SIZE=+1]Running Backs[/SIZE]

Editor's Note: To get exact projections for every player in addition to early rankings, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty report, Target Reports, the Running Back report and much more, get the Season Pass!

Tier One

1. Chris Johnson, Titans
2. Adrian Peterson, Vikings
3. Ray Rice, Ravens
4. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars

Notes: It's time to drop the silly notion that CJ2K will have a short career because of his "slight build." He missed just one practice all of last season, and he gets behind his pads better than any back in the league while rarely taking direct hits. ... I've moved Rice ahead of Jones-Drew due to his dramatic edge in surrounding talent.

Tier Two

5. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
6. Ryan Mathews, Chargers
7. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
8. Frank Gore, 49ers
9. Steven Jackson, Rams
10. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
11. Jahvid Best, Lions
12. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers

Notes: Stewart is easily a top-five talent. His value skyrockets if Williams leaves in a contract year. In the meantime, he's a fine RB2. ... Mendenhall and Mathews have every-down back skills in quality offenses. They're also entering their primes just as Gore and Jackson are about to leave theirs. ... Best is my choice to take the league by storm this year. ... Keep the faith in Charles; you will be rewarded.

Tier Three

13. Michael Turner, Falcons
14. C.J. Spiller, Bills
15. Beanie Wells, Cardinals
16. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos
17. Shonn Greene, Jets

Notes: Turning 29 after the season, Turner is worth a lot more to contenders than builders. ... Spiller is oozing talent, but I have him as a clear third among rookie backs. I'm still not convinced he can run between the tackles. ... Beanie and Moreno are both quality buy-lows. ... Greene doesn't catch passes and will have to hold off a reinvigorated LaDainian Tomlinson all season.

Tier Four

18. Pierre Thomas, Saints
19. Arian Foster, Texans
20. Ryan Grant, Packers
21. Matt Forte, Bears
22. Cedric Benson, Bengals
23. LeSean McCoy, Eagles
24. Felix Jones, Cowboys
25. Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants

Notes: Thomas could be in for a career year, but he needs a long-term contract for stability in New Orleans. ... Foster is not only the present but also the future of the Houston backfield. The light flipped on early this offseason, and he's not going to be replaced after racking up numbers in the neighborhood of 1,300 yards and 10-15 touchdowns this year. ... Jones, Bradshaw, and McCoy are intriguing playmakers, but there's a very good chance that they have committee-back ceilings. ... Grant and Benson have more present value than future.

Tier Five

26. Donald Brown, Colts
27. Darren McFadden, Raiders
28. Joseph Addai, Colts
29. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
30. Marion Barber, Cowboys
31. Michael Bush, Raiders

Notes: Brown could be fantasy gold if Addai leaves as a free agent, but he's not yet shown that he can handle feature-back responsibilities. ... I was never a McFadden fan coming into the league, but his trade value is obscenely low right now. ... Addai, Brown, and Barber have major questions about their value beyond this season.

Tier Six

32. Tashard Choice, Cowboys
33. Marshawn Lynch, Bills
34. Brandon Jacobs, Giants
35. Reggie Bush, Saints
36. Cadillac Williams, Buccaneers
37. Jerome Harrison, Browns
38. Ben Tate, Texans
39. Montario Hardesty, Browns
40. Fred Jackson, Bills
41. Laurence Maroney, Patriots

Notes: Choice deserves a bigger slice of the pie in Dallas, and he may get it as soon as 2011. ... Lynch needs a trade to matter, but he's still just 24 years old. ... Hardesty's history of knee woes doesn't bode well for a starting job in 2011. ... Tate is taking a backseat to Arian Foster. ... Caddy is still a poor bet to stay healthy, but he has a decent shot at RB2 value for 2010. ... Maroney needs to get out of New England.

Tier Seven

42. Bernard Scott, Bengals
43. Justin Forsett, Seahawks
44. Willis McGahee, Ravens
45. Ricky Williams, Dolphins
46. Anthony Dixon, 49ers
47. LaDainian Tomlinson, Jets
48. Clinton Portis, Redskins
49. Steve Slaton, Texans
50. Kareem Huggins, Buccaneers
51. Tim Hightower, Cardinals
52. Toby Gerhart, Vikings
53. Leon Washington, Seahawks
54. Darren Sproles, Chargers
55. Thomas Jones, Chiefs
56. Chester Taylor, Bears

Notes: Forsett, Slaton, Huggins, Hightower, Washington, and Sproles have committee-back ceilings. Scott may be in that group as well. ... McGahee has a shot at a starting job next season, once he's released by the Ravens. ... Tomlinson is showing life in his legs after all.

Tier Eight

57. Rashad Jennings, Jaguars
58. Deji Karim, Jaguars
59. Brian Westbrook, 49ers
60. Brandon Jackson, Packers
61. James Starks, Packers
62. Larry Johnson, Redskins
63. Javon Ringer, Titans
64. Jason Snelling, Falcons
65. Jerious Norwood, Falcons
66. Kevin Smith, Lions
67. James Davis, Browns
68. Chris Ivory, Saints
69. Jeremiah Johnson, Texans
70. Correll Buckhalter, Broncos
71. Mike Bell, Eagles
72. Fred Taylor, Patriots

Notes: Westbrook can still play, but he can't stay on the field. ... Karim, Starks, and Ivory are my favorite down-the-road stashes in the group. ... Jackson is unlikely to be the successor to Ryan Grant.

Tier Nine

73. Keiland Williams, Redskins
74. Joe McKnight, Jets
75. Andre Brown, Broncos
76. Derrick Ward, Texans
77. Peyton Hillis, Browns
78. Isaac Redman, Steelers
79. Jonathan Dwyer, Steelers
80. Mike Goodson, Panthers
81. Tyrell Sutton, Panthers
82. Lex Hilliard, Dolphins
83. Julius Jones, Seahawks
84. Danny Ware, Giants
85. Sammy Morris, Patriots
86. Jalen Parmele, Ravens
87. LeGarrette Blount, Buccaneers
88. Kregg Lumpkin, Buccaneers
89. Keith Toston, Rams
90. Mewelde Moore, Steelers
91. DeShawn Wynn, Saints
92. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Patriots
93. Le'Ron McClain, Ravens
94. Leonard Weaver, Eagles
95. Maurice Morris, Lions
96. Charles Scott, Giants
97. Aaron Brown, Lions
98. Kenneth Darby, Rams
99. Cedric Peerman, Bengals
100. Mike Tolbert, Chargers

Notes: Riffraff, dregs, and bums. ... Williams is worth a stash for the sole reason that he's in a Mike Shanahan offense with two washed-up backs in front of him.

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[SIZE=+1]Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

Tier One

1. Andre Johnson, Texans
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
3. Calvin Johnson, Lions

Notes: Exhaust all avenues to deal for Calvin Johnson as soon as possible. Just do it. ... I still believe Fitzgerald is the best receiver in the game, but Andre Johnson's advantage in situation is undeniable. That said, Max Hall has everything Matt Leinart did not.

Tier Two

4. Miles Austin, Cowboys
5. Roddy White, Falcons
6. Dez Bryant, Cowboys
7. Randy Moss, Patriots
8. Greg Jennings, Packers
9. DeSean Jackson, Eagles

Notes: Moss is in for a monster year, but his Patriots future is up in the air at age 33. ... While Jackson is a unique talent, he's banged up too much for my tastes. ... Jennings has stability with Aaron Rodgers, but Jermichael Finley is emerging as the true No. 1 receiver. ... Bryant is special. It's better to realize that now than find out later. Multiple offenses have supported two elite fantasy receivers in the recent past (Fitzgerald/Boldin, Moss/Welker, Ocho/Housh, Harrison/Wayne, Holt/Bruce), and it's going to happen for the next few years in Dallas.

Tier Three

10. Michael Crabtree, 49ers
11. Reggie Wayne, Colts
12. Vincent Jackson, Chargers
13. Steve Smith, Panthers
14. Marques Colston, Saints
15. Brandon Marshall, Dolphins

Notes: Smith South and V-Jax are elite talents being treated as red-headed step children by Dynasty owners. Buy now! ... Coming off a second hip surgery, head-case Marshall is going to a run-heavy offense with quarterback questions. Feel free to give him a major bump in PPR leagues. ... Wayne is beginning the slow fade.

Tier Four

16. Percy Harvin, Vikings
17. Hakeem Nicks, Giants
18. Sidney Rice, Vikings
19. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs
20. Mike Wallace, Steelers
21. Anquan Boldin, Ravens
22. Steve Smith, Giants
23. Wes Welker, Patriots

Notes: Rice has now had two season-killing injuries in three years, and the quarterback questions in 2011 and beyond affect him more than Harvin. ... Nicks is a future top-10 receiver. ... Feel free to ignore anyone who tells you that Wallace is the next Nate Washington. They have no idea what they're talking about. ... Smith and Welker are obviously worth more in PPR leagues; I see 2009 as Smith's career year.

Tier Five

24. Johnny Knox, Bears
25. Santonio Holmes, Jets
26. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
27. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals
28. Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars
29. Pierre Garcon, Colts
30. Kenny Britt, Titans
31. Mike Williams, Buccaneers
32. Robert Meachem, Saints

Notes: Knox is more talented than you think he is. ... Holmes is a knucklehead going to a run-first offense with a major quarterback downgrade. ... Sims-Walker's injury history shakes his stability. ... Britt is one of the best buy-lows going right now.

Tier Six

33. Jacoby Jones, Texans
34. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos
35. Braylon Edwards, Jets
36. Hines Ward, Steelers
37. Santana Moss, Redskins
38. Lee Evans, Bills
39. Malcom Floyd, Chargers
40. Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns
41. Devin Aromashodu, Bears
42. Austin Collie, Colts
43. Devin Hester, Bears
44. Louis Murphy, Raiders
45. Donald Driver, Packers
46. Eddie Royal, Broncos
47. Golden Tate, Seahawks
48. Jerricho Cotchery, Jets

Notes: Jones is a breakout waiting to happen. ... Ward and Moss are this year's undervalued aging players that will produce WR2 value all season. ... Evan is easily a top-20 talent, but I've been burned by his situation for too many years. ... Floyd can thank V-Jax's absence for his value. ... Collie is one of the most underappreciated players in the league. ... Hester isn't a great bet for long-term value. ... Murphy is another breakout candidate.

Tier Seven

48. Anthony Gonzalez, Colts
49. Laurent Robinson, Rams
50. Steve Breaston, Cardinals
51. James Jones, Packers
52. Eric Decker, Broncos
53. Arrelious Benn, Buccaneers
54. Mike Thomas, Jaguars
55. Jordy Nelson, Packers
56. Bernard Berrian, Vikings
57. Dexter McCluster, Chiefs
58. Early Doucet, Cardinals
59. Stephen Williams, Cardinals
60. Brandon Tate, Patriots
61. Terrell Owens, Bengals
62. Mario Manningham, Giants
63. Jabar Gaffney, Broncos
64. Julian Edelman, Patriots
65. Emmanuel Sanders, Steelers
66. Deon Butler, Seahawks
67. Jordan Shipley, Bengals
68. Devery Henderson, Saints
69. Victor Cruz, Giants
70. Mike Williams, Seahawks

Notes: Let's keep the Big Mike Williams love in perspective. Is he going to start for the Seahawks, perhaps even as the No. 1 receiver? Yes. But he's a borderline WR3, not a fantasy difference-maker. ... I'd prefer to carry Decker, Stephen Williams, Brandon Tate, or Victor Cruz. In fact, I prefer Butler in Seattle.

Tier Eight

71. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Ravens
72. Roy Williams, Cowboys
73. Derrick Mason, Ravens
74. Mardy Gilyard, Rams
75. Chaz Schilens, Raiders
76. Devin Thomas, Redskins
77. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders
78. Antonio Bryant, Free Agent
79. Josh Morgan, 49ers
80. Legedu Naanee, Chargers
81. Brandon LaFell, Panthers
82. Taylor Price, Patriots
83. Nate Burleson, Lions
84. Chris Chambers, Chiefs
85. Donnie Avery, Rams
86. Davone Bess, Dolphins
87. Danny Amendola, Rams
88. Lance Moore, Saints
89. Mark Clayton, Rams
90. Antonio Brown, Steelers
91. Kevin Walter, Texans
92. Brian Hartline, Dolphins
93. Joshua Cribbs, Browns
94. Harry Douglas, Falcons
95. Armanti Edwards, Panthers
96. Steve Johnson, Bills
97. Sammie Stroughter, Buccaneers
98. Ramses Barden, Giants
99. Damian Williams, Titans
100. Ted Ginn Jr., 49ers
101. Greg Camarillo, Vikings
102. Brian Robiskie, Browns
103. Nate Washington, Titans
104. Justin Gage, Titans
105. Earl Bennett, Bears
106. Jarett Dillard, Jaguars
107. Andre Roberts, Cardinals
108. Kevin Ogletree, Cowboys
109. Patrick Crayton, Chargers
110. Anthony Armstrong, Redskins

Notes: It's a grab-bag. Find the one that suits your roster (building vs. contending, deep vs. shallow at receiver, old vs. young at receiver) and your league specifics (PPR vs. standard, deep rosters vs. shallow rosters, flex vs. two receivers, trades vs. no trades).

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[SIZE=+1]Tight Ends[/SIZE]

Tier One

1. Jermichael Finley, Packers
2. Antonio Gates, Chargers
3. Dallas Clark, Colts
4. Vernon Davis, 49ers
5. Jason Witten, Cowboys

Notes: As perhaps the toughest matchup in the league at age 23, Finley is the easy choice at No. 1. ... Davis would be third, but his long-term quarterback situation is a concern and Clark is a guaranteed stud.

Tier Two

6. Brent Celek, Eagles
7. Zach Miller, Raiders
8. Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers
9. Owen Daniels, Texans

Notes Miller is still under 25 years old, and he may be the best value right now at any position. ... Daniels' recent production merits a higher ranking, but he's at contract crossroads and coming off a third ACL surgery.

Tier Three:

10. Dustin Keller, Jets
11. Heath Miller, Steelers
12. Chris Cooley, Redskins
13. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons
14. John Carlson, Seahawks
15. Greg Olsen, Bears
16. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals
17. Aaron Hernandez, Patriots
18. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings

Notes: Olsen is docked for the Martz effect. ... Builders can't be blamed for valuing Gresham and Hernandez quite a bit higher than contenders. ... I'd rather have another guaranteed top-10 finish out of Gonzo than wait for Carlson to finally break out only to have quarterback issues pop up in 2011. ... Miller is coming off a career year, but his role doesn't figure to diminish with Santonio Holmes out of the picture.

Tier Four

19. Fred Davis, Redskins
20. Tony Scheffler, Lions
21. Jared Cook, Titans
22. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
23. Jimmy Graham, Saints
24. Brandon Pettigrew, Lions
25. Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars

Notes: The whole group belongs in the third tier on talent alone, but opportunity, consistency, and a prominent offensive role have proven elusive.

Tier Five

26. Ed Dickson, Ravens
27. Todd Heap, Ravens
28. Ben Watson, Browns
29. Kevin Boss, Giants
30. Jeremy Shockey, Saints
31. Michael Hoomanawanui, Rams
32. Martellus Bennett, Cowboys
33. Dennis Pitta, Ravens
34. Tony Moeaki, Chiefs
35. Gary Barnidge, Panthers
36. Evan Moore, Browns
37. James Casey, Texans

Notes: Shockey's after-the-catch ability is gone. Try to trade him next time he has a decent fantasy week. ... Boss, Watson, and Heap lack upside. ... Hoomanwanui was mislabled as a blocking specialist. ... Barnidge, Moore, and Casey have loads of potential as receivers but lack blocking ability.

Tier Six

38. Zach Miller, Jaguars
39. Shawn Nelson, Bills
40. Fendi Onobun, Rams
41. Bo Scaife, Titans
42. Anthony Fasano, Dolphins
43. Garrett Graham, Texans
44. Cornelius Ingram, Eagles
45. David Thomas, Saints
46. Andrew Quarless, Packers
47. Dante Rosario, Panthers
48. Travis Beckum, Giants
49. Clay Harbor, Eagles
50. Anthony McCoy, Seahawks

Notes: Miller has to stay healthy and dramatically improve his blocking. ... Onobun, a former basketball player, is a tremendous athlete. ... Scaife and Fasano are as good as they'll ever be, and they're not worth much now.

 

[HacheMan]

Vick Has the Remedy
On Sunday, seemingly every game you flipped to featured a player's leg being bent in a sickeningly unpleasant position, or a helmet being driven unceremoniously into a decidedly unforgiving obstacle. But that, as we all know, is the week-to-week reality of the NFL, and this is the space where we break down the fantasy impact of all the key Sunday injuries:

Injury: Lions QB Matthew Stafford, right shoulder

Impact: The Lions are reportedly prepared for Stafford to miss something in the range of 4-6 weeks, which in football terminology is known as "Not fun times." Shaun Hill takes over as the starting QB, which, as you can imagine, is flat-out bad news for Lions skill players, most notably Calvin Johnson and Jahvid Best. They're both obviously still fantasy starters, but the downgrade in offensive potential from Stafford to Hill is striking. Hill was 9-for-19 for 88 yards with one INT, one fumble and a 38.9 QB rating on Sunday, and this offense simply won't be anywhere nearly as dynamic with him under center.

Injury: Packers RB Ryan Grant, sprained right ankle

Impact: I'm no medical professional, but when this one first happened, it had the distinct look of the lower part of a leg being broken. But, as it turns out, the news is far more positive than that: Grant, who has never missed a game due to injury in his career, has indicated that he doesn't plan to change that streak right now and is targeting a Week 2 return. With that said, he wasn't putting any weight on his leg as he left, and Packers coach Mike McCarthy has said it will be "a challenge" for Grant to play against Buffalo next week. In other words, it's time to add Brandon Jackson (18 carries, 63 yards on Sunday) in all leagues.

Injury: Eagles QB Kevin Kolb, concussion

Impact: Andy Reid has already said that Kolb will start against Detroit in Week 2 if he's cleared, but those last three words ("if he's cleared") are why it's worth adding Michael Vick in two-QB leagues and as a handcuff to Kolb right away. Reid seems committed to giving Kolb a longer look as the starter even though the latter was absolutely awful before the injury, but there's no question that Vick (175 yards passing, 103 yards rushing) had the offense moving way more efficiently when he was in the game. Even if he's only in as a short-term fill-in for now, Vick against Detroit next weekend would be a pretty intriguing play.

Injury: Panthers QB Matt Moore, concussion

Impact: Like Kolb, Moore looked flat-out awful on Sunday (three INT's, 32.6 rating), and it's possible that Jimmy Clausen will take over this starting job and not give it back. Clausen is worth an add in two-QB leagues and deeper one-QB formats.

Injury: Colts WR Anthony Gonzalez, ankle injury

Impact: The extent of the injury is unclear at the moment, but it's safe to say that Gonzalez is off the fantasy radar for now given his invisible Sunday (one catch, 12 yards) and a huge effort from his main competition, Austin Collie (10 catches, 131 yards, TD).

Injury: Larry Fitzgerald, lingering knee discomfort

Impact: According to Ken Whisenhunt, Fitzgerald's knee – previously the location of a mild MCL strain from a few weeks ago – began bothering him late in Sunday's win over the Rams. Fitz had a somewhat quiet opener (three catches, 43 yards, one TD), but for the moment it doesn't look like there's any significant reason to panic if Fitzgerald is on your squad.

Editor's Note: Check out our Season Pass package, featuring IDP rankings, Top 200 rankings, Evan Silva's running back report, Ryan Boyer's Wide Receiver Report, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty advice, advance workload and target data, exclusive chats, and schedule analysis you can only get with Season Pass.

Injury: Eagles RB Leonard Weaver, torn left ACL

Impact: Weaver was in line to steal some goal line scores, so his season-ending injury represents at least a small bit of good news for both Mike Bell and LeSean McCoy. But unfortunately there's more injury news in Eagles country…

Injury: Eagles C Jamaal Jackson, torn bicep

Impact: The elite center will likely miss the remainder of the season, which is a notable hit to Philly's offensive line. To be clear, it's not time to panic and get rid of your Eagles skill players, but losing the starting center won't make things any easier for Kevin Kolb once he gets back from his concussion.

Injury: Steelers LT Max Starks, high ankle sprain

Impact: Starks sounds likely to miss multiple weeks, which is unhappy news for Rashard Mendenhall, Dennis Dixon and the Steelers offense in general. The Steelers have already lost star right tackle Willie Colon for the season, so it's safe to say the line is in something resembling disarray. You're obviously not going to be benching Mendenhall in the near future, but you also shouldn't be expecting monstrous holes for him to run through – unless you're like me, in which case you unrealistically expect great things for every member of your fantasy roster at all times.

 

[HacheMan]

Fostering the Love

This was a message game for a franchise previously lacking in backbone, the NFL's version of the jellyfish. The Texans took the fight to the divisional "end boss" Colts in the opener, dominating the line of scrimmage on offense as well as defense.

Houston out-rushed Indy 257-44, setting a franchise record for most rushing yards in Texans' franchise history and most rushing yards allowed in Colts' franchise history.

The fulcrum on which the Texans' transformation rested was first-year feature back Arian Foster, a "229-pound beast as a runner, blocker and receiver." With the hogs up front blowing the Colts' front seven off the ball, Foster's physicality and cut-back ability had the ideal showcase for a career afternoon.

For the first time in Gary Kubiak's five-year tenure as the head coach, he has a workhorse back ideally suited to his one-cut-and-go running scheme. Those inclined to consider Foster's breakout performance a one-game fluke should consider the offseason coordinator change.

Kyle Shanahan, who oversaw the No. 1 passing attack in the NFL last season, followed his father to the Redskins. In looking for a replacement, Kubiak turned to none other than his best friend, Rick Dennison -- the man most responsible for the Broncos' dominant zone-blocking ground game during the Mike Shanahan era. "Denny" managed Denver's offensive line while also coordinating the efforts of his running backs to get the two units working hand-in-glove as perhaps the best coached group in the league.

In other words, Foster is here to stay as a top fantasy back. While it's worth noting that the Texans have moved from a passing guru to a running guru as coordinator, that's not to say the aerial attack will take a backseat. Kubiak's own expertise is with quarterbacks and receivers. Sunday's 42:17 run-to-pass ratio was an anomaly based on matchups and game momentum. Matt Schaub won't flirt with 600 attempts again this season, but this remains one of the premier passing teams in the league.

[SIZE=+1]Don't Panic[/SIZE]

1. Matt Schaub / Andre Johnson, Texans - Peyton Manning had 40 completions to just nine for Matt Schaub. It's the largest disparity for two opposing quarterbacks that played the entire game since 1960. The season opener was a one-game aberration even if the Texans do lean on the running game more this year.

2. Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars - Charles Woodson won the Defensive Player of the Year award at age 33 last year, so it should come as no surprise that Champ Bailey remains on top of his game at age 32. Our Season Pass game charter noted that Bailey shadowed the Jags' No. 1 receiver throughout Sunday's game. Sims-Walker will be David Garrard's top target the rest of the way.

3. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals - Fitz was targeted 15 times, be he ran into two problems on the way to just three receptions: 1. He entered the game at just 75 percent by his own estimation, and it showed in a loss of explosiveness. 2. Nobody misses open receivers like Derek Anderson misses open receivers. The first problem should be corrected within the next couple of weeks as Fitz's knee gets back to 100 percent. The second problem will be corrected when Anderson is benched for Max Hall.

4. Calvin Johnson, Lions - When a player catches the ball in the end zone it's a touchdown, correct? Wrong. The Lions got jobbed by a rule that flunks not only the eye test but the common sense test as well. Fantasy owners won't receive credit for Johnson's would-be touchdown, but they can take solace in the fact that he became an even more integral part of the offense when Shaun Hill replaced Matthew Stafford.

5. Michael Turner, Falcons - The sun will rise in the East, and the Steelers will shut down your ground game. Pittsburgh has been a top-three defense against the run every season going back to 2004, and Sunday's performance indicates that the string will continue. Turner found no room to run with the Steelers dominating the line of scrimmage, but it will be easier sledding next week against Arizona.

[SIZE=+1]Some Panic Is Acceptable[/SIZE]

1. Kevin Kolb, Eagles - Kevin Kolb didn't come close to allaying concerns about his pocket presence before he was forced from the game with a concussion. Coach Andy Reid was adamant that Kolb will remain the starter, but that leash will get shorter and shorter if he doesn't show vast improvement over the next couple of weeks. In today's NFL, Kolb isn't guaranteed to return from the concussion without missing time on the field.

2. C.J. Spiller, Bills - Buffalo's offense is a fantasy quagmire in more ways than one. The offensive line is simply overmatched, Trent Edwards still refuses to go down the field, and the backfield is a three-headed hydra. It's time to adjust expectations accordingly for Spiller.

3. Michael Crabtree, 49ers - We don't want to overreact to one game, but there are some warning signs here. Crabtree's attitude has been a problem since training camp, and he looked disinterested and undisciplined in Sunday's blowout loss. Bench warmer Dominique Zeigler had to correct his route running several times. What's worse, Alex Smith isn't the answer at quarterback.

4. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers - Whether or not Stewart deserves a larger slice of the pie in this backfield, he was the clear second act to DeAngelo Williams in the opener. Until further notice, this backfield is the same as it ever was. Stewart owners looking for RB1 production have no recourse but to break out the Williams voodoo dolls once again.

5. DeSean Jackson, Eagles - Those wondering about the potential deleterious effect of Michael Vick on Jackson's fantasy outlook should look up the early-career numbers for Roddy White. It's not pretty.

[SIZE=+1]They're real and they're spectacular[/SIZE]

1. Arian Foster, Texans - From the "Just Sayin'" department: ESPN's Tom Jackson compared Foster in Gary Kubiak's offense to Terrell Davis in Mike Shanahan's offense. Don't think about selling high coming off a career game. Foster is a "hold" as the ideal fit in Houston's high-scoring offense.

2. Hakeem Nicks, Giants - While we're quoting national analysts, NFL Network's Michael Irvin on Nicks: "I was waiting on one of these receivers to step out and say 'I am the No. 1 receiver,' and I think 88 from the Giants clearly said that today." Nicks is a strong bet to rack up double digit touchdowns and outproduce Steve Smith in standard scoring leagues.

3. Dez Bryant, Cowboys - Quote courtesy of Rotoworld/Profootballtalk's Gregg Rosenthal: "It doesn't matter if Roy Williams is starting. Dez Bryant passed Williams on his first day of practice in Romo's mind." SI.com's Peter King: "Dez Bryant is one of the first rookie receivers in his first NFL game who looks special." After missing the entire preseason, Bryant led the team with 12 targets in his first career game. He's a legit fantasy WR3 from the get-go.

4. Wes Welker, Patriots - Coming off reconstructive surgery just seven months ago, Welker entered the season opener with at least six receptions in 26 of his last 30 games. Make that 27-of-31. Welker topped the Pats in targets (11), receptions (8), and touchdowns (2) in Sunday's game, showing no evidence of a knee injury.

5. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins - As impressive as Brandon Marshall was in his Miami debut, this offense still runs through Brown when he's on the field. The presence of Ricky Williams does lower Brown's fantasy ceiling. After flashing pre-injury form throughout Sunday's game, though, it's clear that Brown's fantasy floor is plenty high enough for weekly RB2 value.

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[SIZE=+1]Committee Time[/SIZE]

1. Bears - Matt Forte totaled 201 yards on 24 touches compared 12 touches and 73 yards for Chester Taylor. Look for that distribution to continue. Forte is the better player, but Taylor isn't going away.

2. Cowboys - Marion Barber started in an overly conservative offensive attack, but Felix Jones was sprinkled in liberally the rest of the way. Barber and Jones were both limited to 10 touches while Tashard Choice managed seven of his own. The Cowboys never had a chance to utilize Barber in the much talked about "closer" role. As expected, no member of this backfield is more than a low-end RB2 as long as all three are healthy.

3. Panthers - Jonathan Stewart was unhurt, but he was used extremely sparingly after being held out of preseason action. DeAngelo Williams started and dominated the workload early on, finishing with 16 carries for 62 yards. Stewart managed just 12 yards on five carries. This backfield doesn't appear to be headed toward a 50/50 split, though Stewart's role should continue to increase as the season goes along.

4. Giants - Starter Ahmad Bradshaw was outplayed by Brandon Jacobs for the majority of the game before exploding in the fourth quarter. Bradshaw ended up with 93 yards and a touchdown on 22 touches compared to Jacobs' 65 yards on 14 touches. We can expect that breakdown in touches to be a sensible guideline going forward.

5. Dolphins - Ronnie Brown started the game as the offensive focal point and "get the lead" back, with Ricky Williams coming on to salt away the game as the "keep the lead" back. Expect some iteration of those roles going forward.

6. Bills - Fred Jackson, not C.J. Spiller, was on the field for the first snap of the game. Spiller did lead the backfield with 11 touches to six for F-Jax and three for Marshawn Lynch, but the latter two aren't going away.

7. Raiders - Michael Bush's loss was Darren McFadden's gain. McFadden was the best offensive player on the field for Oakland, racking up 150 yards on 24 touches and showing a nice rapport with Jason Campbell in the passing game. He now has a leg up on Bush for feature-back duties.

8. Browns - Peyton Hillis was the surprise starter over Jerome Harrison. Unsurprisingly, Hillis was featured heavily in the red zone and in the passing attack. This backfield has the look of a 50/50 split. If anything, Hillis has the slight edge on Harrison. Hit him up if he's on your league's waiver wire.

9. Seahawks - This is the purest committee attack in the league. Justin Forsett led the way with 10 touches, but Julius Jones (8 touches) and Leon Washington (6 touches) weren't far behind. It's impossible to predict which back will receive the most looks on a week-to-week basis.

10. Patriots - Fred Taylor started and unexpectedly dominated the workload, racking up 77 yards on 16 touches. Kevin Faulk remains the primary passing-down back. BenJarvus Green-Ellis saw a bigger role than Sammy Morris, but that may have been due to the Patriots taking a commanding lead over the Bengals early in the second half. Laurence Maroney, scratched with a groin injury, still has an uncertain role.

[SIZE=+1]Like Fine Wine[/SIZE]

Santana Moss, Redskins - Age: 31, Catches: Six, Yards: 77
Hines Ward, Steelers - Age: 34, Catches: Six, Yards: 106
Donald Driver, Packers - Age: 35, Catches: Five, Yards: 30, TDs: One

Moss and Ward, in particular, should be rock-solid fantasy WR2s all season long as the go-to receivers in their respective offenses.

[SIZE=+1]Injury Ward[/SIZE]

Matthew Stafford, Lions - Shoulder
Kevin Kolb, Eagles - Concussion
Matt Moore, Panthers - Concussion
Ryan Grant, Packers - Knee
Leonard Weaver, Eagles - Knee/ACL
Early Doucet, Cardinals - Hamstring
Anthony Gonzalez, Colts - Ankle
Kevin Boss, Giants - Concussion

For all of the fallout on Sunday's injuries, check out Matt Stroup's impressively detailed new weekly column: Injury Analysis.

[SIZE=+1]Awards Section[/SIZE]

Stat of the Week: Arian Foster is the first player in NFL history to rush for 200+ yards and three touchdowns on Kickoff Weekend.
Runner Up: Matt Forte's 151 receiving yards are the most in NFL history by a running back on Kickoff Weekend
Second Runner Up: Third-year back Chris Johnson's four touchdown runs of over 75 yards are now tied for second in NFL history with Barry Sanders and Tony Dorsett. O.J. Simpson is first with five.

Quote of the Week: From 49ers coach Mike Singletary: "I want to tell Pete Carroll, 'Thank you very much for kicking our tails.' It was good medicine and we're going to take it."
Runner Up: From NFL Network's Michael Lombardi, on Calvin Johnson's disallowed game-winning reception: "If five guys watching the game in a bar think it's a catch, then I'm pretty sure it's a catch."

Tweet of the Week: From @BobGlauber, Newsday: Looking for his pants?? RT @MaioccoCSN: 49ers coach Mike Singletary is very late for his postgame press conference.
Runner-up: From @SigmundBloom, Footballguys.com: Could Buffalo offense possibly be any less effective? Lee Evans is NFL version of that girl locked in basement in Silence of the Lambs.

Fantasy MVP of Week 1: Arian Foster, Texans
Fantasy Breakout Player of Week 1: Hakeem Nicks, Giants
Fantasy Rookie of Week 1: Jahvid Best, Lions
Fantasy Disappointment of Week 1: C.J. Spiller, Bills
Fantasy Fraud of Week 1: Kareem Huggins, Buccaneers
Fantasy Fluke of Week 1: Brandon Lloyd, Broncos

[SIZE=+1]Early Waiver Look[/SIZE]

1. Brandon Jackson, Packers - 17 percent
2. Eddie Royal, Broncos - Owned in 62 percent of CBSSports.com leagues.
3. Austin Collie, Broncos - 61 percent
4. Michael Vick, Eagles - 7 percent
5. Mark Clayton, Rams - 4 percent
6. Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns - 50 percent
7. Peyton Hillis, Browns - 28 percent
8. Mike Thomas, Jaguars - 12 percent
9. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals - 55 percent
10. Shaun Hill, Lions - 0 percent

Jordan Shipley, Danny Amendola, Marcedes Lewis, Brandon Tate, Jimmy Clausen, Brandon Lloyd

 

[HacheMan]

Greene Seeing Red
Shonn Greene started last night's game against the Ravens. That's where the good news stops for him.

The second-year power back was rotated out in favor of LaDainian Tomlinson often, and that was before Greene lost a critical fumble. After that fumble, Greene only sniffed the field when Tomlinson needed a breather in the fourth quarter. On that play, Greene dropped an easy swing pass.

As concerning as Tomlinson's impressive play was for Greene's fantasy outlook, the fumbles are even scarier. As everyone saw on Monday night and all preseason, the Jets' offense is absolutely brutal. They simply can't afford any turnovers and coach Rex Ryan knows it. Greene lost three fumbles last year in just 108 carries. It's a trend that will surely land him in the doghouse.

With Tomlinson showing renewed burst, he'll almost certainly lead the Jets in touches again next week against the Patriots. Some panic is acceptable for those that drafted Greene in the first or second round. He'll have to earn his team's trust back before getting a full workload.

Editor's Note: Join subscriber only chats, get weekly rankings before anyone else, plus exclusive weekly projections, stat tools, dynasty ranks, columns, and much more including the Rotoworld Oracle in our Season Pass.

Ravens vs. Jets quick slants
The Ravens' front seven remains elite, but their secondary is not -- especially without Ed Reed. Mark Sanchez should have been able to do something (anything) against them. There's a real chance that Sanchez simply isn't ready (or good), which bodes very poorly for Braylon Edwards, Dustin Keller and Jerricho Cotchery. ... Willis McGahee remains the clear goal-line back for the Ravens. ... Owners should be happy with Ray Rice's 23 touches. Against any other defense, he would have had at least 120 yards. ... Darrelle Revis spent most of his night blanketing Derrick Mason while Anquan Boldin abused Kyle Wilson and Antonio Cromartie. ... Todd Heap had a very nice night after a big preseason, but it's only a matter of time before he gets hurt again.

Chargers vs. Chiefs quick slants
Thomas Jones started and saw more snaps than Jamaal Charles. But when Charles touched the ball, he was extremely impressive. This is what we expected and coach Todd Haley would be insane not to feature Charles more going forward. ... The conditions were atrocious, but Philip Rivers clearly missed top receiver Vincent Jackson through the first three quarters. ... Malcom Floyd caught just three of 12 passes that came his way and took an earful from Norv Turner in the second quarter. ... Dwayne Bowe had two drops and couldn't get much separation all night. Bad start, but he can partially blame the weather as well. ... Ryan Mathews had a bad fumble, but was impressive overall. He's a keeper. ... Legedu Naanee looks to have good chemistry with Rivers and saw eight targets. His numbers are bloated by that blown coverage that went for a TD, but he remains a solid sleeper. ... Mike Tolbert sure has the look of a goal-line back.

<BIG>HEADLINERS</BIG>
NEWS OF THE DAY #1
When Ryan Grant first went down against the Eagles on Sunday, it didn't seem that bad. He wasn't lying on the field for long, hopped to the locker room quickly under his own power and the Packers left the door open for him to return.

But by the time Monday morning rolled around, there's real concern for Grant's "significant" ankle sprain. He left the stadium with his foot in a boot and has already been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Bills. The early nature of this declaration speaks volumes. A minor ankle sprain and coach Mike McCarthy likely would have said "we'll see." Grant is a very tough guy (never missed a game in his career due to injury until now), but this has multi-week problem written all over it. I'd be surprised if we saw him before Week 4.

Usual third-down back Brandon Jackson is going to get a big chance to prove he can be an every-down runner. His numbers against the Eagles weren't great, but keep in mind the vast majority of those carries came in obvious running situations against eight-man fronts. Jackson has good burst and elusiveness -- he should have no problem shredding the Bills' leaky run defense this week. The Packers face the Bears in Week 3 and the Lions in Week 4. Consider Jackson a solid RB2 for the next three weeks.

NEWS OF THE DAY #2
The Kevin Kolb situation in Philadelphia is an absolute mess. He looked horrible in the first half Sunday, but the Eagles didn't do him any favors by constantly bringing Michael Vick in for Wildcat plays. Then Kolb suffers a concussion and Vick almost leads the team all the way back from a 20-3 deficit.

Vick will almost certainly start against the Lions this week and is a legit QB1 option thanks to his rushing yards. But as soon as Kolb is medically cleared, look for him to get another chance as the starter. Andy Reid didn't trade away Donovan McNabb so he can give the Kevin Kolb era one half. Don't drop Kolb yet.

NEWS OF THE DAY #3
Matthew Stafford's shoulder injury is serious and it's too his throwing arm. He's going to see Dr. James Andrews and reportedly has a Grade II sprain. It looks like he'll be out at least six weeks and Shaun Hill will fill in. Terrible blow to the Lions, Calvin Johnson and Stafford himself as he was one of my favorite preseason sleepers. Hill has a very weak arm, but showed Sunday he will rely heavily on Megatron. Look for more short routes.

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<BIG>MONDAY QUICK SLANTS</BIG>
DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Peyton Hillis started over Jerome Harrison on Sunday. ... Owen Daniels (knee) played 40-plus snaps on Sunday, according to coach Gary Kubiak. But with just two targets, he remains a bench stash. ... David Buehler's leash is getting shorter after he missed a 34-yard field goal Sunday night. ... Eddie Royal was used almost exclusively in his natural slot position Sunday. ... Tim Hightower lost two fumbles on Sunday, adding to his turnover-prone reputation. The doghouse could be the next stop, although he did get a vote of confidence from his coach. ... Calvin Johnson said he wasn't a big part of the game plan in the first half Sunday by design. That will change.

DEPTH CHART QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
Kenny Britt didn't see a single target Sunday. He's a deep stash only right now. ... Coach Mike Singletary declined to throw Michael Crabtree under the bus on Monday. Look for a bounce-back outing out of Crabtree next week. ... Clifton Smith was immediately installed as the Dolphins' kick and punt returner Sunday. ... Coach Mike Singletary confirmed that Alex Smith's job is in no danger.

Editor's Note: To get exact projections for every player in addition to early rankings, Chris Wesseling's Dynasty report, Target Reports, the Running Back report and much more, get the Season Pass!

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: FIRST DOWN
Beanie Wells (knee) is expected to return this week and will immediately be a RB2/flex option. ... Steven Jackson popped up with an inflamed knee on Monday, but it's not considered serious at all. ... Laurent Robinson (ankle) is going to be monitored closely in practice this week. ... Sidney Rice (hip) expects to be off crutches in about two weeks. He's not eligible to play until Week 7. ... Jake Delhomme (ankle) may be sore but is expected to start this week. ... Percy Harvin has been sleeping with an oxygen machine, which is expected to limit the chances of migraines. ... Matt Moore (concussion) will likely miss this week, giving Jimmy Clausen a chance. Moore will remain the starter when healthy, confirmed John Fox. ... Larry Fitzgerald (knee) admitted that he was slowed late Sunday's win.

INJURY QUICK SLANTS: SECOND DOWN
Leonard Weaver (knee) is done for the year, and maybe his career. LeSean McCoy should pick up some extra short-yardage work. ... Kevin Boss (concussion) is likely out at least one week. ... Ted Ginn (knee) is day to day. ... Demaryius Thomas (foot) is still a ways off from being ready to play. ... Michael Hoomanawanui (high ankle sprain) is out indefinitely. ... Chaz Schilens (knee) is still on crutches and is way off the fantasy radar. ... Anthony Gonzalez (ankle) is undergoing an MRI. He's also off the fantasy radar. ... Early Doucet (groin) left Sunday's game early and did not return. He's drop-able. ... Mike Bell (toe strain) should be fine, but has struggled badly with nagging injuries ever since joining the Eagles.

<BIG>WAIVERS</BIG>
DEFENSIVE SPOT STARTS
Adding a different defense each week based on matchups is a fine strategy. Each week in this space, I'll give out three defensive units that are likely available in your league to consider for streaming purposes.

1. RAIDERS vs. Rams: Oakland was humiliated by the Titans in Week 1, but they get a perfect storm here. A chance to take out their anger in a home debut and facing a rookie quarterback.

2. PANTHERS vs. Bucs: The Panthers sorely missed Julius Peppers on Sunday as they failed to generate much pass rush against the Giants. But the Bucs' meager offensive line and mistake-prone Josh Freeman should combined with a home game should lead to a better performance.

3. CHARGERS vs. Jaguars: Yes, another team off a road loss in Week 1 that is going home. This unit should have no problem bouncing back against a David Garrard led Jaguars attack.

 

[HacheMan]

To Vick or not to Vick?
The episodic nature of the NFL's weekly schedule creates unexpected storylines, sending seasons careening in directions unimaginable just a month ago. Picture the story arch of Mad Men or Dexter. Reid is no more married to Kevin Kolb as his starting quarterback than Don Draper was married to Betty. One week in the NFL is an eternity.

At a crossroads this past offseason, the Eagles fully committed to Kolb as the new direction of the team. Reid and his staff deemed the young quarterback ready to take the reins, shipping franchise icon Donovan McNabb to Washington while writing Kolb a check for $10.7 million as a signing bonus on a one-year extension. Realistically, Reid isn't going to back out of that commitment after one ugly game. We can believe him when he vehemently denies that Kolb's job is in jeopardy. This week.

It's not that Andy Reid is lying. It's that these situations are extremely fluid. No matter what Reid believes now, events can unfold to change his mind. This week's plot is already thickening. Kolb flunked his initial concussion on Monday, he's not expected to practice until Friday (if at all), and three Eagles beat writers have already declared him unlikely to play in Week 2.

Enter Michael Vick, fresh off an impressive performance straight out of his electric early career. Saving the Eagles from Kolb's horrific start, Vick topped triple digits in rushing yards and passer rating for just the fifth time in his career. "I feel like if I had been out there for four quarters, maybe we would have had a chance to win the game,'' said Vick. Uh oh.

At the very least, it's looking more and more like fantasy owners will have a top-10 quarterback on their hands this week when Vick travels to Detroit. It doesn't take an overactive imagination to picture Vick excelling against the Lions' burnable secondary, planting more seeds in the fertile mind of Reid. NFL Network's Michael Lombardi believes Vick will have the locker room behind him if Kolb doesn't do a quick 180. It's already been suggested that Vick gives the team a better chance to win right now.

Kolb will get another shot regardless, to be sure, but the leash is already shorter. We have no reason beyond the Eagles' offseason commitment to believe that Kolb will hold off Vick into mid-October. He's now had nightmare performances against the 2008 Ravens and the 2010 Packers in his brief career, to go with an uneven start against the 2009 Saints and an impressive game versus a Chiefs team that turned every quarterback into a star last year.

Serious questions remain about his pocket presence after struggling in training camp and preseason action this summer. He won't remain under center while looking like a deer in headlights.

It wasn't Kolb's talent that had him widely labeled a borderline top-10 fantasy quarterback leading up to the season. It's the weapons, stupid. If Vick manages to wrest control of the starting job, he's a legit weekly QB1 considering his running ability and the arsenal in Philly.

This week's waiver wire conundrum, then, comes down to roster specifics. Owners counting on Kolb or Matthew Stafford -- or even Brett Favre or Matt Ryan -- will want to pounce on Vick this week, especially if they have two rock-solid options at running back. The rest of the fantasy world, those who drafted elite starting quarterbacks and those with questions marks at running back, should aim for Brandon Jackson instead.

Update: No sooner was this article posted than Fox Sports' Jay Glazer reported that Ryan Grant will miss the entire season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn ligament in his ankle. Though Jackson is a mediocre talent, he's in an ideal situation for fantasy fantasy value. He should be sitting at the top of the waiver priority list in all leagues.

On to the players. Here is how I rank the top players available at each position as we head into the season opener. Full writeups of each player are below.

***

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Quarterbacks
1. Michael Vick, Eagles
2. David Garrard, Jaguars
3. Sam Bradford, Rams
4. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks
5. Shaun Hill, Lions

Running Backs
1. Brandon Jackson, Packers
2. Peyton Hillis, Browns
3. Bernard Scott, Bengals
4. Fred Taylor, Patriots
5. John Kuhn, Packers

Wide Receivers
1. Mark Clayton, Rams
2. Legedu Naanee, Chargers
3. Mike Williams, Seahawks
4. Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns
5. Louis Murphy, Raiders
6. Mike Thomas, Jaguars

**Note: If Eddie Royal (CBS: 62%), Austin Collie (CBS: 61%), and Devin Aromashodu (CBS: 65%) are available in your league, they go directly to the top of this list as the Nos. 1-3 options.

Tight Ends
1. Jermaine Gresham
2. Todd Heap
3. Tony Scheffler

Defense/Special Teams
1. Patriots
2. Raiders

[SIZE=+1]Quarterbacks[/SIZE]

Michael Vick, Eagles - As we pointed out last week, the ideal roster stash isn't the one most likely to receive an opportunity; it's the one most likely to become a weekly fantasy asset if he does happen to receive an opportunity. In two and a half quarters of action, Vick finished as the No. 7 fantasy quarterback in Week 1. As the favorite to start at Detroit, he's easily a top-10 option this week. In a league often described as "Not For Long," Vick's fantasy value goes beyond filling in for a week with Kolb concussed.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

David Garrard, Jaguars - After finishing as a top-15 fantasy QB in each of the past two seasons, Garrard posted top-10 numbers in Week 1 against the Broncos. If recent history serves, he'll be bankable in home games and useless on the road. Garrard won't be a strong QB2 this week at San Diego, but he's a decent mix-and-match starter the rest of the way for those QB-needy owners unable to land Vick this week.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Sam Bradford, Rams - The Rams called 57 passing plays against 23 runs, showing the utmost faith in their rookie quarterback on key plays throughout the game. Only Peyton Manning attempted more passes in Week 1. This defense isn't going to allow coach Steve Spagnuolo to go into ball control mode, so Bradford will be playing catchup for most of the season. Brighter days are ahead for the No. 1 overall pick, who had Larry Fitzgerald calling him a special player after his debut.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks - Will the real Matt Hasselbeck please step forward? Is it the brittle, aging passer with a 22:27 TD-to-INT ratio and a pick on the first pass of the game in Week 1? Or is the 2007 Pro Bowler who dove headfirst for the pylon Sunday on his way to a three-touchdown afternoon? I'd lean toward the former. Hasselbeck may work as an emergency fill-in this week at Denver, but he's not a great fantasy bet the rest of the way in a subpar offense.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Shaun Hill, Lions - The Detroit offense is better than it showed at Chicago, but its playmaking ability is limited with a mediocre talent like Hill under center. He simply doesn't have the arm to execute the vertical attack that was honed with Matthew Stafford in August. It's still not clear how long Stafford will be out -- estimates have ranged from 1-2 weeks to six weeks. Hill has a red-light matchup this week against an Eagles defense that held Aaron Rodgers under 200 yards. Desperate Stafford owners can do better than his backup in Week 2.

Recommendation: Should be owned in two-quarterback leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Max Hall, Cardinals - Derek Anderson flirted with 300 yards in Week 1, and he looked craptacular doing it. As Gregg Rosenthal mentioned during Sunday's game, "No one misses intended receivers by five yards quite like Derek Anderson." There were several key moments where the thought of replacing Anderson with the more accurate Hall had to be going through coach Ken Whisenhunt's mind. That same scenario will continue to play out until Anderson loses the job outright.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

Jimmy Clausen, Panthers - Coach John Fox, like Andy Reid, isn't going to bench his starter after just one lousy performance. That's subject to change after two or three lousy performances, however. Matt Moore's (concussion) status for Week 2 is up in the air, so Clausen could end up as a QB2 in a quality matchup hosting the Bucs.

Recommendation: Worth a look in deeper leagues

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[SIZE=+1]Running Backs[/SIZE]

Brandon Jackson, Packers - Less than a month ago, coach Mike McCarthy saluted Green Bay's "Vice Back" as a complete football player, adding, "If we had to play all three downs with him, I wouldn't even blink." Ryan Grant's handcuff enters the spotlight as a must-add in all formats this week with an attractive home matchup against the Bills forgiving run defense. With Grant now out for the season, Jackson is now an every-down back in one of the league's most explosive offenses. As a solid RB2 the rest of the way, Jackson should top all waiver lists.

Recommendation: Should be owned in all leagues

Peyton Hillis, Browns - Was it Jerome Harrison's preseason fumbling problems that opened the door for Hillis? The Alstott clone was already well on his way to an active role in the red zone and the passing attack, but he was even more involved than anticipated in Week 1. This backfield has the look of a 50/50 split with Montario Hardesty out of the picture. Considering Hillis' 13-10 advantage in touches over Harrison, he could be the Browns back to own going forward.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Bernard Scott, Bengals - NFL Network's Michael Lombardi believes Scott is a better runner than Cedric Benson, adding, "Trust me, he will [get more carries] as the season progresses and his talent cannot be denied." I don't believe Scott is a better player than Benson, but I do trust Lombardi's judgment on playmaking backs. Though Scott won't unseat Benson barring injury, it's clear that the Bengals are planning for his role to increase this season. He's the ideal high-upside roster stash.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Fred Taylor, Patriots - Perhaps a member of New England's dreaded committee attack has value after all. Taylor's 16 touches nearly tripled any other back's in Week 1, and the gaping holes opened up by the offensive line are promising going forward. The 34-year-old is a poor fantasy option this week at the Jets, but he could provide quality bye-week depth down the road.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

John Kuhn, Packers - The Packers may yet add another body to the backfield. For now, though, Kuhn is the power back change-of-pace to Brandon Jackson and a good bet for goal-line carries. He won't touch the ball more than a half-dozen times in a given week, but he's worth a look in touchdown-heavy leagues.

Recommendation: Worth a look in touchdown-heavy leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Toby Gerhart,, Vikings - With Adrian Peterson channeling hard-charging Earl Campbell and the Vikings putting a lot on his plate this season, there's an increased risk of injury. Albert Young showed in Week 1 that he simply doesn't have the talent to succeed at this level. Gerhart would be the primary beneficiary if Peterson misses time.

Marshawn Lynch, Bills - Though he carried the ball just three times, Lynch had the most impressive run of the day for Buffalo in Week 1. It's clear that he could help several needy teams as a versatile power back, and the Bills are going nowhere this year. Stash and hope for a trade.

Mike Goodson, Panthers - The Panthers finally made good on their promises to involve Goodson in the passing game. Without a reliable No. 2 receiver, Goodson was targeted five times in the opener. Keep him in mind in deeper PPR leagues.

Hold Off: LaRod Stephens-Howling, Cardinals - Beanie Wells (knee) is expected back this week, and coach Ken Whisenhunt has already conceded that Stephens-Howling won't maintain a significant offensive role.

Cut Bait: Kareem Huggins, Kevin Smith, Larry Johnson

As it turns out, the Bucs planned on using Earnest Graham as the No. 2 back when Derrick Ward was released. Huggins is just third on the depth chart in Tampa's weak offense. ... Smith was a healthy scratch in Week 1. ... Johnson is the clear backup to Portis, not a committee partner.

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[SIZE=+1]Wide Receivers[/SIZE]

Mark Clayton, Rams - Where has this been the past three years? The Rams won't pass 57 times every week, but it does appear that Clayton and Sam Bradford -- both former Oklahoma Sooners -- have a natural chemistry. A week after arriving in St. Louis, Clayton saw an astounding 16 targets, hauling in 10 for 119 yards as Bradford's go-to receiver. While there's some danger here of a receiver-by-committee approach with Laurent Robinson and Danny Amendola, Clayton has made a strong opening argument to be the No. 1 option going forward.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Legedu Naanee, Chargers - Naanee's 59-yard touchdown catch was fluky in nature, as he was left completely unattended by Chiefs rookie safety Eric Berry. What wasn't fluky, however, was Philip Rivers looking Naanee's way in key third- and fourth-down situations throughout the game. Macolm Floyd got the preseason hype, but Naanee appeared to be the more reliable target on his way to a 5/110/1 performance in Monday's opener.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Mike Williams, Seahawks - What's most surprising about Williams' comeback isn't that he's blown past a pair of declining veterans to act as Matt Hasselbeck's favorite target. It's the he's actually sporting nifty after-the-catch ability. Williams was easily the Seahawks' most productive receiver in Week 1, highlighted by a 35-yard catch-and-run only to be brought down at the goal-line. He also dropped a would-be touchdown in double coverage, turning a potential 5/70/2 stat-line into a more mundane 4/64/0 effort.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns - The good news is that Massaquoi led the team in targets while adding a touchdown by skillfully splitting double coverage on a deep ball. The bad news is that Jake Delhomme turned back into a pumpkin at midnight, dinking and dunking for three and a half quarters before the blowing the game. Massaquoi isn't reliable enough yet to post consistent WR3 numbers, but the potential is clearly there for a fantasy impact if he ever gets improved quarterback play.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Louis Murphy, Raiders - The opening-game results weren't pretty, but I'm keeping the faith. Murphy's seven targets were five more than any other Oakland wide receiver's, and he remains the best bet for a big play on a weekly basis. As Jason Campbell's only reliable receiver, Murphy should be owned in more than 40 percent of all leagues.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Mike Thomas, Jaguars - Thomas roamed free as David Garrard's top target against the Broncos with Champ Bailey tying up Mike Sims-Walker. Thomas should be rostered in all PPR leagues as the Jags' No. 2 receiver, but keep expectations reasonable going forward. Sims-Walker is entrenched as the top option in the passing game.

Recommendation: Should be owned in PPR leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Greg Camarillo, Vikings - Brett Favre already trusts Camarillo more than he trusts Bernard Berrian. Camarillo is worth a look in PPR leagues.

Jordan Shipley, Bengals - The Bengals won't pass 50 times in any game the rest of the way. Shipley has a bright future as the slot receiver, but this passing offense won't support three fantasy receivers as well as a tight end. Hold off on Shipley for now.

Danny Amendola, Rams - Amendola is still a good use of a roster spot in PPR leagues, but the addition of Mark Clayton caps his upside.

Cut Bait: Roy Williams, James Jones, Anthony Gonzalez, Nate Burleson, Joshua Cribbs

Williams is already behind Dez Bryant in the pecking order. ... Jones is only worth stashing in case of injury. ... Gonzalez, injured again, is the clear fourth receiver in Indy. ... Burleson is unreliable with Stafford out. ... Cribbs is only valuable in return-yardage leagues.

Hold Off: Brandon Lloyd, Nate Washington, Mario Manningham, Kevin Walter

Every couple of years, Lloyd's uncanny penchant for spectacular catches resurfaces for one highlight-filled week. Then his inability to bring anything else to the table resurfaces, forcing him into the background for the rest of the season. Eddie Royal and Jabar Gaffney are the Broncos receivers to own. Lloyd, a tease and a fraud since he came into the league, will head back to the bench when Demaryius Thomas returns to take over the deep-threat role. He's not worth a roster spot even in deep leagues.

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[SIZE=+1]Tight Ends[/SIZE]

Jermaine Gresham, Bengals - The size and athletic ability call to mind Jermichael Finley's mismatches on opposing safeties and linebackers. Gresham has the look of a special talent, and concerns about his role in the passing game were allayed when he was targeted 10 times in the opener. As perhaps Carson Palmer's most dangerous red-zone weapon, the first-rounder should be stashed in all leagues.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Todd Heap, Ravens - Keep an eye on his status, as Heap was sporting a bandage on his shoulder after dove on it to reel in a crucial 35-yard catch on Monday night. Heap showed early-career form against the Jets, hauling in 6-of-11 targets for 72 yards as Joe Flacco's favorite target. That may be as good as it gets for Heap target-wide this season, but he remains a solid TE2 in an upgraded offense.

Recommendation: Should be owned in 12-team leagues

Tony Scheffler, Lions - Scheffler led the team in receptions (six) while finishing second only to Calvin Johnson in targets at Chicago. The zone buster is a good bet to end up as the Lions' second-most productive pass catcher behind Johnson this season.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Long-Term Fliers

Evan Moore, Browns - We suspected that Moore would be used heavily as a playmaker between the 20s, and he led the Browns with 87 yards in the opener on five targets. Skepticism is expected with Ben Watson also involved, but Moore has the talent to emerge as a TE2 if his opportunities increase.

Marcedes Lewis, Jaguars - Lewis falls into the category of better real-life player than fantasy. He's developed into a fine all-around talent at tight end, but the Jaguars just don't target him consistently enough to be an asset in fantasy leagues. His two scores in Week 1 were his only two targets of the game.

Cut Bait: Jeremy Shockey, Kevin Boss

Shockey's after-the-catch ability is non-existent at this stage of his careeer. ... Boss sustained his third career concussion, leaving his availability in doubt for the next couple of weeks.

[SIZE=+1]Defense/Special Teams[/SIZE]

Patriots - The retooled defense has some interesting young building blocks with Jerod Mayo, Patrick Chung, Brandon Meriweather, Darius Butler, and Devin McCourty. Just as important for fantasy purposes, the Pats have a legit weapon in the return game with Brandon Tate. Considering Mark Sanchez's opening-week debacle, this defense is worth a look against the Jets in Week 2.

Recommendation: Worth a look in 12-team leagues

Raiders - The new-look Raiders defense didn't make many plays in uninspiring team effort at Tennessee, but they return home to face the Rams in Week 2. Sam Bradford threw three picks in the opener, and the Raiders have the pass rushers to push St. Louis' offensive line around.

Recommendation: Worth a look as a matchup play