Familiar names at familiar positions highlight a short list of could-be fantasy contributors. Just three of the seven we mention were first round picks in June, and just two – Buffalo WR James Hardy and Atlanta QB Matt Ryan – were not running backs. In terms of reality to fantasy drafts, we get further proof that situations and early opportunities dictate success more than talent does.

While a second round pick like Chicago’s Matt Forte has an immediate opening in the Bears’ backfield, higher selections like Oakland’s Darren McFadden and Pittsburgh’s Rashard Mendenhall must work for everything they get. System and usage can also play a part. Ray Rice and Chris Johnson are perfect examples of how versatility and pass-catching skills can earn larger roles in their offenses.

The full list:

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Rice has impressed the Ravens coaching staff with his versatility and ability to quickly adapt to the NFL game. Starter Willis McGahee has a creaky left knee and is set to have arthroscopic surgery, which is said not to affect his status for opening day. Rice has value regardless of McGahee’s recovery, but if the knee is a recurring issue, Rice could be in line for significant carries.
Fantasy Spin: At the least, Rice makes for good insurance for McGahee. At the most, his stock should be elevated from Rounds 12-15 into Rounds 9-11. Early talk was that Rice was this year’s Maurice Jones-Drew, a possibility that makes him well worth a late pick.

Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
Titans head coach Jeff Fisher has indicated that Johnson will have a hefty workload, either next to starter LenDale White in the backfield or in his place. Johnson has been the talk of Titans camp, and as this Nashville Tennesseean story points out, he is really pushing White for playing time. As an added bonus, Johnson is an excellent receiver out of the backfield, which is even better news for those in PPR leagues.
Fantasy Spin: There are plenty of carries to go around in Tennessee, and Johnson looks to have earned 15+ per game. While his stock rises, White, who has been bothered by an assortment of injuries during camp, takes a small hit. Don’t be shocked if a 60/40 or 50/50 split in carries plays out.

Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons
The No. 3 pick in this year’s NFL Draft “passed the first test,” according to new coach Mike Smith, in his preseason debut on Saturday. He completed 9-of-15 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown, in the process proving himself worthy of starting consideration. The football results were good, but even more encouraging were Ryan’s poise and huddle presence, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Fantasy Spin: Ryan is still not fantasy worthy, but his maturity is a good sign of things to come. The pressure of hefty expectations hasn’t fazed him, so it’s only a matter of time before we’re talking about his bright prospects for fantasy contributions.

Jacob Hester, RB, San Diego Chargers
In his first preseason action, Hester carried 13 times for 49 yards and two touchdowns. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the third round pick out of LSU made an even bigger mark when he threw his first career block. If Hester proves to be a consistent threat at the goal-line, he will be in line for a handful of those touches throughout the season.
Fantasy Spin: Hester may be this year’s Brian Leonard, a hybrid halfback/fullback who can step in for an injured star and post respectable numbers. He should be on the radars of LaDainian Tomlinson as the best insurance plan if the star goes down with an injury.

Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears
After the Bears signed veteran free agent Kevin Jones, Forte’s status in the Bears offense was up in the air. But, he was the focal point of the offense in Chicago’s preseason opener, and there should be no reason to expect otherwise come Week 1. This Chicago Sun-Times story made an early case for Forte to start and talked about his ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
Fantasy Spin: Forte is worth a sixth or seventh round draft choice because he appears to be the biggest threat on the Bears offense. That fact will likely bring eight defenders into the box as uneven quarterback play – either from Rex Grossman or Kyle Orton – will haunt Chicago once again.

Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys
How Jones fits into the Dallas backfield with physical runner Marion Barber remains to be seen, but he’s having a good enough camp to force some of the action. This Dallas Morning News story talks about the kinds of possibilities Jones’ speed and Barber’s brute force open up for offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Jones is making his presence felt at camp, but it will likely take regular season action to determine what exactly that means for his work load.
Fantasy Spin: Jones is on the rise because he has found a way to exceed early expectations, but his status hasn’t changed much in fantasy. Barber demands 15+ carries a game, and that Cowboys passing game will be airing it out, which may not leave double-digit carries left for Jones.

James Hardy, WR, Buffalo Bills
The early story on Hardy is that his physical skills have been impressive, but his inconsistency has been maddening. He’s a big, physical target who will draw red-zone looks from quarterback Trent Edwards, but miscommunication and missed assignments will prevent him from reaching his ceiling early. Like any wide receiver, he’s not likely to play a role in fantasy in his first season, but he makes this list for being the closest wideout to it.
Fantasy Spin: Hardy still makes for a nice 14th or 15th round draft pick for fantasy owners with a good core group of wideouts. If three or four established receivers are already on your roster, you could do worse than adding Hardy as an upside No. 5. Worst case scenario is that he’s your first casualty when better players become available on the waiver wire.

The same principle applies in fantasy football. Every, single player comes with some kind of inherent risk, some obviously more so than others. Age, inexperience, injuries, size, offensive scheme, etc., etc., are all unique risks to individual players. The goal of diversifying is to eliminate all of these individual risks, which can be done by drafting complementary pieces to your team’s puzzle.

A team full of high upside, low certainty rookies is risky, but so is a team full of low-upside, high-certainty veterans. The trick is to seek out a happy medium of sure things, long shots, safe risks (2nd and 3rd year players ready to break out), veterans and youth. With some nice assembly, the results are almost always positive.

Got two low-risk veterans in the first two rounds? Take advantage of that strength and open yourself up to the risk of a rookie or unknown commodity. Did you go with sky-high upside early? Even that out by looking for veterans in the later rounds.

As you proceed through your draft, you want to balance out your personnel while filling positions as effectively as you can. This requires an owner to not take a rigid approach to drafting, but rather taking what the draft gives you. Changing preferences on the fly and adjusting to your developing strengths and weakness are keys.

Here’s an example of a realistic draft scenario where we take the “portfolio approach” to selecting players. In this sample, we’ve drawn the second overall pick in a 10-team, standard “snake” draft. Starting positions are as follows: QB, RB, RB, RB/WR, WR, WR, WR, TE, D/ST, K. There are six bench spots to fill, so this fake draft will go 16 rounds deep.

Round 1 (2): Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN - Taking the best overall talent is the priority here; go off your draft rankings and start with a player you like to have a big year.
Round 2 (19): Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAC - Again, best available is a good approach. The rest of your draft will be based on what you do here, so carry out your early strategy – i.e., RB-RB, RB-QB – the best way you know how.
Round 3 (22): Reggie Wayne, WR, IND - Here’s a good opportunity to strike some balance. If you can choose between Braylon Edwards and Wayne, take the more proven product Wayne to complement two young backs with elements of uncertainty.
Round 4 (39): Wes Welker, WR, NE - Having missed desired QBs Carson Palmer and Ben Roethlisberger this round, we went ahead and filled out another skill position with a quality pass catcher. Neither Wayne nor Welker are hugh TD threats, but their consistency will be extremely valuable with AP and MJD doing big damage.
Round 5 (42): Jason Witten, TE, DAL - The decision once again is to either reach for a QB and not get maximum value or build another prime strength. We decided to take the top tight end and focus on dominating that position on a weekly basis.
Round 6 (59): Jay Cutler, QB, DEN - “Controlled upside” is the catch phrase here, and we could use it after missing on the top five QBs on the board. We’ve established strengths and certainty at RB, WR and TE, so a little risk is desirable to try and make up ground at QB.
Round 7 (62): LenDale White, RB, TEN - Where our top two RBs are more explosive, big-play types, White is a physical grinder who can carry 25+ times per week. He is also a nice buy-low candidate, so this pick comes at an affordable price.
Round 8 (79): David Garrard, QB, JAC - Here is our first true “safety net,” a top backup in the event that Cutler struggles or suffers a setback from his diabetes. Garrard can step in at any time and put up competitive point totals.
Round 9 (82): Kevin Curtis, WR, PHI - Curtis proved to be a quality fantasy play last season, but his strength came in big, productive outbursts. Those outbursts can push us to easy victories, while we can deal with hiw down weeks with our two reliable WRs.
Round 10 (99): Chargers D/ST - This pick is in the same mold as Witten in the fifth round. Do we begin addressing our bench or establish another strength at a lesser position? The combination of Witten and the Chargers defense gives us margin for error at the other positions.
Round 11 (102): Ahman Green, RB, HOU - We’re all set at RB, so why not absorb Green’s health risks and draft another NFL starter for our bench? If Green struggles with DNPs once again, we’re in good shape to keep him stashed on our bench.
Round 12 (119): Nate Burleson, WR, SEA - Swing for the fences here with your fourth WR. Patrick Crayton is another upside pick going off the board in this range.
Round 13 (122): Ray Rice, RB, BAL - Speaking of swinging for the fences. We feel good that Green can stay healthy long enough to help overcome early bye weeks, so Rice is a longer term option. He could be a difference maker in the second half of the year.
Round 14 (139): Chris Johnson, RB, TEN - Handcuffs for Peterson and Jones-Drew were too high priced for our liking. Johnson, of course, comes with a great deal of uncertainty, but he’s a good pick in this range, especially as a safety for White in our flex position.
Round 15 (142): Jabar Gaffney, WR, NE -Given the number of rookies and upside picks on our bench, one veteran backup will work nicely. Gaffney is as good as anybody with his potential to be New England’s No. 3 WR.
Round 16 (159): Phil Dawson, K, CLE - Not good position to grab a kicker with the second-to-last pick, but take whoever you think can make a contribution. In our case, Dawson makes for a good choice doing the kicking for Cleveland’s explosive offense.

Our portfolio is a good mix of different risks and rewards. We have upside rookies on our bench, but they are joined by veterans like Green and Gaffney. Our running backs are home run hitters, who are prone to either injury or down weeks, so consistent wide receiver play can carry us through some of their inconsistent times.

The top two picks set the tone for the whole draft, but we reacted to what the draft was giving us. As added bonuses, we got premium producers with Witten and the Chargers defense. Making the commitment to strengthen our “secondary” positions, as mentioned, gives us a margin for error at the other positions, which we also feel are more than good enough to compete.

There are thousands upon thousands of possibilities for every draft, and there are just as many ways to tweak your approach based on personal preference. Just remember, as important as it is to build strengths on your roster, it’s equally important to eliminate potential weaknesses. And you do so by finding the players who complement your top draft choices the best.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryGridiron.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.

While each draft has a different identity, there are dilemmas that are universal to all leagues. Basic strategy – how urgently to go about filling lineup spots, when to draft a quarterback, how to determine a rookie’s value – doesn’t change. Ironing out these wrinkles before your draft begins puts you at a competitive advantage over the owners who develop their approaches on the fly.

Below, you’ll find 10 common dilemmas facing fantasy owners. From basics to more involved decision-making, taking stances on these issues is key.

1.) Troublesome Picks: Nos. 2, 6
The first round is nearly mapped out for you. Decision-making comes down to personal taste in a few areas of the round, something you should be prepared to handle. At pick No. 2, the decision is between Adrian Peterson and Brian Westbrook. At pick No. 6, it’s whether to grab Tom Brady ahead of running backs Frank Gore, Clinton Portis and Marion Barber. If draft order is a random draw, it’s always best to prepare yourself for these decisions.

Your league’s scoring system can help make the choice easier. If, for example, passing touchdowns are worth four points, not six, a running back is a more logical pick than Brady. If you’re in a PPR (points per reception) league, then Westbrook earns extra consideration over Peterson. Know these kinds of ins and outs and don’t be caught off guard come draft day.

2.) When do I draft a quarterback?
Each and every year, the answer to this question seems to get a little hazier. There’s no longer a sudden dropoff from Peyton Manning to everyone else. In fact, Manning is no longer the top-ranked QB in the game. There are quality quarterbacks sprinkled throughout each of the rounds, you must simply iron out which caliber quarterback you take. After Brady and Manning, an owner would do well to wait on the second tier, which includes Tony Romo, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger and Carson Palmer.

3.) Price must be right for declining veterans
… And they usually are. Willie Parker, Edgerrin James and Fred Taylor are feature examples. These players may not make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, but they have a place in fantasy football. The key is to put them in positions on your roster where you’re not ultra-reliant on their production. Chances are, the game’s elder statesmen will fall to good bargain positions. Be aware and ready to pull the trigger when prices are rock bottom.

4.) Wideouts highlight Round 3
The head of this year’s wide receiver class runs 15 deep, which means that a.) it’s easy to get a piece of the action, and b.) it’s more important than ever to select a receiver in the first five rounds. The third round is a good time to start looking with names like Braylon Edwards, Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Smith, Andre Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Marques Colston likely to be on the board. Any one of those guys would act as a serviceable No. 1 receiver.

5.) Rookie unknowns, timing their risk vs. reward
With 10 or 12 owners in a league, being the first to jump on board with a hot rookie can be an impossible feat. There is always “that guy” in a league who will jump take youngsters at least one round too early, making it hard for a rational mind to get a piece of the action.

Look, adding players with no track record takes some adjustment. The price has to be right, but it also helps when an owner can prep the rest of his roster to absorb some of the risk. In order to draft a Darren McFadden, you should have a top shelf No. 1 running back on your roster.

Likewise for No. 3 running back candidates Matt Forte and Jonathan Stewart. Set up your roster so these guys are luxuries, rather than relied-upon contributors. If they flame out, it’s important to have a contingency plan in place.

6.) WRs: Lack of height, lack of consistency
This is a personal preference. I don’t like smallish wide receivers who don’t play a big role in their team’s possession game. Santonio Holmes, Donte’ Stallworth and Santana Moss are a few examples. Inconsistency just comes with the territory when these guys rely on home run deep passes to score their fantasy points. The touchdown well often runs dry, which leaves these types of players with lines like: 3 catches, 21 yards, 0 TDs.

Other slightly built receivers like Wes Welker and Torry Holt are used differently by their teams. Both are key players in helping to move the chains, so they are naturally more consistent because they make more catches. Of course, there is a tradeoff because possession guys have less TD potential, but there’s a comfort factor in knowing what to expect each week. This is especially important in PPR leagues.

7.) Tight End no longer an emergency
There is more parody than ever at the tight end position, as NFL teams are searching for what the Chargers found in Antonio Gates. Better athletes and pass catchers are invading the league in the same mold, which makes high-upside options available in most stages of the draft. While catching a piece of the top three – Gates, Jason Witten and Kellen Winslow – is a nice luxury, the gap from No. 1 to No. 15 has closed dramatically.

8.) Middle-tier QBs; know who you like
Who you target as your quarterback plays a big part in determinig your draft strategy. In traditional formats, you may never get the chance to even consider drafting Brady or Manning in the first two rounds. Pinpoint the quarterback(s) you’d like to lead your team and estimate the round in which you’ll have to pull the trigger on him. Exceptions do happen, but pre-draft rankings are a good way to assess when your opponents will select players.

9.) New offensive coordinators, new values
It’s no longer enough to just know which players have changed teams during the offseason. You must also get up to speed with which coordinators will be wearing new visors and polos in 2008. Some systems are more fantasy-friendly than others, so players values can peak and valley based on the types of plays called for them.

Mike Martz is always a good name to know. He’s in San Francisco now, which could serve to benefit Gore and wide receivers Arnaz Battle and Isaac Bruce. Jim Zorn is the new head coach in Washington, but will have an influence on the play-calling. Clinton Portis may be used in more unique ways, namely catching passes out of the backfield. Cam Cameron made Ronnie Brown a fantasy star in Miami early last season; now Cameron is in Baltimore, where he could do the same for backs Willis McGahee and Ray Rice.

10.) Defenses and kickers; can afford to wait
Backups and handcuffs should, and do, take precedent over starting defenses and kickers. There are simply too many similar options available for fantasy’s two least relevant positions, so they head to the back of the line in favor of backup quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers.

Two defenses and two defenses only can make you reconsider this approach: the Minnesota Vikings and San Diego Chargers. These two units are likely to go off the board between the 10th and 12th rounds and are worth selecting ahead of key bench players. After them, you’ll do well to build depth first, then take a sleeper defense in the later stages of the draft.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryGridiron.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.

Right now, Hester is the best bet to fill in for L.T., should an unfortunate injury occur, but may have the same kind of struggles as Rams’ hybrid halfback/fullback Brian Leonard had last season. These guys have enough size to be effective in small doses, but not enough speed or agility to be full-time backs.

Hester, a third-round draft pick out of LSU, is currently listed as a backup to Andrew Pinnock at fullback on the Chargers’ depth chart. While that fact is a good sign to not put too much faith in the rookie, it doesn’t mean that Hester won’t have a role in the team’s offense. Because of his mix of size and speed, he is halfway between a fullback and halfback — a “three-quarters” back, if you will.

If Tomlinson would have to miss any time throughout the year, a 50/50 split in carries between Hester and backup Darren Sproles seems logical. But, even with a healthy L.T., Hester could be due for a handful of goal-line touches. Just like Leonard last season, Hester has moderate value in that role.

Meachem will likely start the season as the Saints No. 3 wide receiver, which would put him behind receivers Marques Colston and David Patten and tight end Jeremy Shockey in the pecking order for catches. But, as the season wears on and his physical gifts start to shine through, he can easily carve out a bigger niche in the Saints offense.

While Patten is a useful fantasy option, depending on New Orleans’ weekly matchup, Meachem has the potential to make a big splash. For that reason, he should be considered before Patten with late-round picks in fantasy drafts.

Stay tuned to this situation as the Saints progress through their preseason schedule. The No. 2 wide receiver designation is important on an offense that moves the ball through the air at will. If Meachem claims the role, he could be in for a big “rookie” season.

Chad Pennington Update: Lost in the hoopla and fanfare of the Brett Favre trade was the release of Pennington, who drew interest from about a half dozen teams before signing with the Miami Dolphins on Friday. He reunites with the man who drafted him in New York, Head of Football Operations Bill Parcells, and stands a great chance of earning the starting job by Week 1. This move in the aftermath of the Favre trade can have a positive impact on the Dolphins offense and for Pennington, whose relationship with the Jets had run its course, despite an 88.9 career passer rating and winning record as a starter.

Injury-riddled Colts Update: It seems all the news coming out of Colts camp is about injured players that aren’t even on the field yet, but on Saturday at least one of Indianspolis’ injured stars, Marvin Harrison, may get back on the field. The 13-year veteran, who missed 11 games last seaeson with a knee injury, has been cleared to play in Indianpolis’ second preseason game versus Carolina. Colts QB Peyton Manning, DE Dwight Freeney and S Bob Sanders will remain on the sidelines Saturday.

Troy Smith Gets His Shot: The QB position in Baltimore is still up for grabs, and former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith will get his crack at  the position on Aug. 16 when he starts against the Vikings. Smith, who will play most of the first half according to reports, is in competition with Kyle Boller and 2008 first-rounder Joe Flacco. In Baltimore’s first preseason game, Boller, the Ravens’ 2007 starter, went 11-for-15 for 102 yards, but also accounted for two turnovers. Smith, who is the most mobile of the group, went 5-for-12 for 74 yards in the first preseason game.

Jake Delhomme Ready to Return to Action: Carolina QB Jake Delhomme is ready to take his first big step in his long rehab on Saturday against the Colts where he plans to play sparingly. Delhomme is recovering from an elbow injury that limited him to only three games last year. In those three games, he averaged 209 yards per game and threw 8 TDs. If healthy, he will once again form a dangerous combination with WR Steve Smith as well as newly acquired WRs Mushin Muhammed and D.J. Hackett. Pending any futher injury news, Delhomme has the potential to be a productive fantasy option once again.

The latest on Steven Jackson’s holdout: Any owner with a top-five pick will want to pay close attention to Jackson’s holdout. Jackson has yet to report to camp despite being fined $15,000 per day he misses. The Rams say they will not negotiate with their star running back until he reports to camp, so the negotiations appear to be at a stalemate, at least for now. Jackson ran for 1,002 yards and five TDs in 2007, but the time spent off the field may hurt his draft value.

Speaking of star running backs and contracts, Eagles RB Brian Westbrook signed a contract extension on Friday. Westbrook, who felt he was underpaid before this contract, led the league with 2,104 yards from scrimmage in 2007 and added 12 TDs.

Noteworthy Position Battles

Matt Leinart vs. Kurt Warner, Aizona QB: Now that Brett Favre is no longer in Green Bay, this is arguably the most compelling QB battle in the league. The former first round pick Leinart is the favorite to win the job, and he performed admirably, going 7-for-8 for 91 yards, in Arizona’s first preseason game. Warner, the 11-year veteran, sat out. Given the weapons in Arizona, each could be considered a No. 2 option.

Matt Forte vs. Adrian Peterson vs. Garrett Wolfe, Chicago RB: Wolfe shined the brightest in Chicago’s first preseason game, running for 74 yards on seven carries, while Forte gained 25 yards on seven carries in his first NFL action and Peterson carried just three times. Forte may have the inside track for the job because the Bears thinks he has the makings of a full-time back, but I would expect some type of running back by committee to haunt fantasy owners all year.

Cadillac Williams vs. Warrick Dunn vs. Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay RB: Graham had a strong end to ’07 by scoring seven TDs in his last seven games. Graham will have to beat out Cadillac Williams, who is two years removed from an 1,100-yard, six-TD season and fighting to come back from a serious knee injury, and Warrick Dunn, who returns to Tampa after spending the first five years of his career with the Bucs. Graham has the most draft day value, but keep your eyes on Williams, who could be a valuable free agent pickup later in the year.

David Patten vs. Robert Meachem, New Orleans No. 2 WR: In 2007, Patten had 54 catches, 792 yards and three scores. Meachem, a first rounder in 2007 who sat out last year with a knee injury, has impressed the Saints and certainly has the bigger ceiling of the two. He grabbed four balls for 129 yards and a TD in his first preseason game. I’d side with Meachem here because he has the potential to become a bonafide star in a loaded offense opposite Marques Colston.

James Hardy vs. Josh Reed, Buffalo No. 2 WR: Reed’s struggles made wide receiver a position of priority for Buffalo in the draft. Enter Hardy, a 2008 second rounder out of Indiana and a 6-foot-5 target with all the tools to be a successful receiver in this league, especially in the red zone. Reed has been inconsistent and I would not be surprised if it was Hardy creating a 1-2 punch with top wideout Lee Evans.

Finally, though, this thing becomes about football. And for our purposes, we get a little bit of closure on the fantasy side. Along those lines, this deal works out quite well for us, considering the only two scenarios left on the board: Favre ending up with either the Jets or Buccaneers.

In Tampa Bay, it was difficult to figure who would benefit most from a Hall of Fame quarterback. Joey Galloway was the only pass catcher relevant in fantasy drafts, and there were a bunch of questions elsewhere in the receiving corps and in the backfield. The lone benefit would have been a familiar offense and a smoother transition because of Favre’s relationship with former quarterback coach Jon Gruden.

While those two perks are non-existent in New York, the weapons are better and the storylines are juicier. Favre in the fold for the Jets’ bitter rivalry with the Patriots? That will be good television. Favre with the New York media? Can’t wait to see how that relationship plays out and what’s on the docket for Jets training camp coverage.

In fantasy, Favre has a weapon in Laveranues Coles who is cut from the same, gritty cloth as former favorite target Donald Driver; another 1,000-yard type receiver in Jerricho Cotchery; a sound running game with Thomas Jones; and an offensive line bolstered by the acquisition of Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca. This will be a good situation for him, and he will no doubt make everyone around him better.

Strategically, it’s best for fantasy owners to not lean on Favre heavily in the early going. We’ll have to see how he adapts to his new playbook and new surroundings, and we’ll have to see what kind of effect this drawn-out battle against Green Bay’s management has on his psyche.

Once Favre’s knowledge of the Jets playbook expands and he can turn the page on some burnt bridges, he can once again be a starting quarterback in standard 10 and 12 team fantasy leagues. Until then, draft Favre conservatively and make him more of a luxury item than a key piece of your team’s future.

Dustin Hockensmith is editor of ImaginaryGridiron.com. He can be contacted at dhockensmith[at]fantasysports101.net.

Tradition dictates that at least one fantasy star per year will have his season ruined by a pre-season injury. But, beyond that, there are plenty of players who right now only factor in as bits and pieces on a fantasy bench, but could very well turn out to be the difference between the consolation bracket and gunning for the league championship. There are also trades to be dealt with, and there have been some very big ones as of late.

Who’s Moving Up?

QB Brett Favre, New York Jets

It’s all over.

Fantasy owners who were already frothing at the mouth over the prospect of picking up Favre on waivers will now be salivating at the prospect of Favre playing with the Jets, a team with a young, talented offensive line and two quality WRs in Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. No word yet on when Favre will become available to draft/pick up, but when it happens, expect the hype to grow even more.

Forget Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens. Those names have just lost all of their fantasy meaning.  

QB Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams

Word out of St. Louis is that Bulger has been looking sharp in preseason workouts so far and has successfully adapted to the new offensive scheme the Rams plan to deploy. Other things seem to be working in Bugler’s favor as well; all of the Rams’ O-Line has been healthy so far, and the addition of Donnie Avery should fit well with Bulger’s accurate arm. He’s been mired in the bottom half of QBs taken so far, but his stock has slowly been crawling back up as owners warm to the idea of getting a Pro-Bowler-still-in-his-prime on the cheap.

WR Patrick Crayton, Dallas Cowboys

Word around Dallas is that Jerry Jones is trying to add another starting receiver to the team, but it’s puzzling news because Crayton has shown much potential to be an effective No. 2 receiver behind Terrell Owens. Crayton caught seven TDs last year in that capacity, and with Terry Glenn out of the mix for good, Crayton should be given every chance to solidify his starting spot. Nobody’s saying that he’s Reggie Wayne, but his draft stock had remained dormant until recently; he’s now going in the middle rounds, behind guys like Bernard Berrian and Javon Walker. That will most definitely change in the coming weeks, so grab Crayton while he’s still relatively cheap.

WR Laveranues Coles, New York Jets

If we’re going on buzz right now, Coles stands to be the one of the biggest winners from the Brett Favre deal to the Jets. Coles has been toiling away in the Jets QB merry-go-round (usually consisting of Chad Pennington and somebody else), but given Favre’s inability to not throw the ball downfield, Coles’ numbers should spike upwards immediately. No word on his stock yet, but by this time tomorrow owners will be rushing to take what they can get out of the Favre Saga.

TE Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints

Shockey still hasn’t gotten a lot of preseason exercise thanks to the rehabbing of his broken leg, but his landing in the French Quarter has raised the possibility of a mouth-watering partnership with Drew Brees. Remember, Brees is the QB who made Antonio Gates a fantasy monster, and while Shockey isn’t on the level of Gates, he’s pretty close. His presence also frees up Marques Colston and Reggie Bush in the passing game. Of course, health is the buzzword when dealing with Shockey, but owners are already sold on the potential; he’s been pushing Tony Gonzalez and Kellen Winslow in the TE category in recent drafts.

TE Alge Crumpler, Tennessee Titans

Apparently, news of Crumpler’s demise as a legit fantasy option has been greatly exaggerated. After a wasted season with Atlanta that was highlighted by an injured knee, Crumpler fell out of most people’s top 10 ranking for TE. However, the word around Tennessee camp is that Crumpler has lost around 15 pounds in the offseason and has been looking sharp as a tack so far. Crumpler is slowly climbing up the TE depth chart (recent drafts saw him go before guys like Benjamin Watson and Owen Daniels), but if Vince Young leans on him as heavily as some observers expect, expect Crumpler to enjoy a comeback year.

RB Julius Jones, Seattle Seahawks

Jones has suffered a steady fall in value ever since he was a borderline first-rounder about three years ago, but he will now get one more chance to shine as the new feature back in Seattle. Initial reports out of the Seahawks camp have been very positive about Jones, who is combining impressive workouts and scrimmages with an expanding role in the passing game. Jones is notorious for being inconsistent with his running, but owners are starting to warm to the idea of taking a gamble on him.

RB Selvin Young, Denver Broncos

Young was actually sliding on draft boards until yesterday, when news broke that Ryan Torain, his main competitor for Denver’s starting RB spot, went down with a fractured elbow. Barring a disastrous preseason showing, Young has basically sealed up the starting spot and now looks to be a good utility or great bench option. But, in Denver, being the anointed No. 1 back might be more of a curse than a blessing, as Mike Shanahan is known for deploying multiple backs with extreme effectiveness.

RB Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

With Willis McGahee crooked by a knee injury, the diminutive Rice has been impressive in camp, showing a capacity for both toughness and speed. Preseason play will give Rice a chance to shine, and if he takes that chance Baltimore will adopt a 1A-1B system which would give Rice the chance to have a Chester Taylor-like impact. Rice isn’t close to supplanting McGahee anytime soon, but consistent performances out of the rookie from Rutgers would definitely buy him more regular-season carries, especially if the Ravens once again struggle on the offensive end of the field.

RB Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints

Reports out of New Orleans suggest that despite Reggie Bush and Deuce McAllister both being healthy in training camp so far, Thomas is set to play a bigger role in the offense. Thomas burst on the NFL radar at the end of last year and seems to possess star potential; in any case, McAllistar may be on his last knees (literally) and Bush hasn’t shown much feature-back potential through the long haul. Fantasy owners have taken notice, with recent drafts showing Thomas being preferred to the likes of Ahman Green and even Julius Jones.

Who’s Moving Down?

QB Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Smith was never a high pick to begin with, but his last stand might fizzle out before a meaningful snap has been made. Word out of San Francisco is that the most impressive QB so far in camp is former UC Davis signal-caller J.T. O’Sullivan. Smith has so far been a popular backup QB choice, as owners hoped that Mike Martz could get the best out of him. But what Martz does best is get the best out of low-profile QBs, and that might just be where Smith strikes out. Unless he shows some drastic improvements in preseason games, he’s headed toward David Carr territory.

WR Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers

While Smith’s value didn’t dip much in regular leagues following the announcement of his two-game suspension, it did cause a stir in the chat rooms of many custom leagues, where falling behind early could have dire consequences later in the season. Nobody is anticipating that Smith will revert to his unfocused ways from a few years ago, but this sudden outburst on his part is a spot of concern. Expect owners who want to play things safe to take Torry Holt or Marques Colston over Smith.

WR Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos

Marshall finds himself in a situation much like Smith’s, except that Marshall has a longer history of character issues which may hurt him. It’s not like he’s the WR version of Travis Henry, but with little word on why he was suspended, it’s another red flag that fantasy owners now bear in mind; you never want to take players who make a habit of needlessly missing games. Marshall insists that “the best is yet to come” from him, but it won’t be coming in the first three weeks of this season.

WR Roy Williams, Detroit Lions

In truth, there are plenty of reasons to be high on Williams, but he’s seen a notable drop in draft stock from the previous two seasons. Reports out of Detroit state that Williams has been “frustrated” these last few days at the Lions camp, but also noted that he had been practicing well. What that might mean in the regular season, if anything at all, remains unclear. However, Williams is eligible to walk from the Lions after this season, so he might get the “contract-year bump” in stats. In any case, he’s slipped into the bottom of the second tier of WRs in recent drafts, but there are reasons to stay positive.

WR Sidney Rice, Minnesota Twins

Rice has been a puzzling case; after a big buzz around him which lasted throughout most of July, owners suddenly started to shun him in drafts, as if everyone suddenly realized after a month of dreaming that Tarvaris Jackson would be throwing Rice the ball. Now going undrafted in a majority of drafts, Rice’s value hinges on how well or often Jackson throws in the red zone. While those prospects don’t sound favorable at all, Rice has all the physical tools to be a real red-zone threat, so pay close attention to both Rice and Jackson in the preseason games.

RB Laurence Maroney – New England Patriots

Maroney has already seen his fantasy value drop from a first-round high in 2007 to a third-fourth round low in 2008. While reports out of New England have him healthy and ready to go, his value would take another shot if LaMont Jordan sticks with the Patriots. Even if not, it seems that Kevin Faulk will be seeing more of the ball, if for no other reason to keep Maroney fresh. This might work out well for the Patriots, but in terms of fantasy, it’s a downer.

RB Earnest Graham – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Comparing draft results from now to draft results from when Fantasy Football 2008 opened its doors, Graham is the player who has had the sharpest decline in value. With Warrick Dunn and Michael Bennett hanging around and Carnell Williams reportedly around the corner, the RB picture in Tampa is about to get as crowed as the QB one is. Owners have been jumping off the Graham bandwagon in droves; while he definitely still has some value, the days where he was a second-third round borderline pick have gone as fast as they came.

Some overreaction is all but guaranteed in the post-A.P. Era, and most of it will center around Oakland physical specimen Darren McFadden. Owners everywhere are still sore about the fact that they passed on Peterson at nearly the same draft position (mid-3rd round) and will be damned if they make the same mistake. Problem is, odds are slim and none that McFadden’s arrival has half the impact of Peterson’s.

Three of the most intriguing rookies were taken after the first round, as Baltimore’s Ray Rice, Chicago’s Matt Forte and Denver’s Ryan Torain are all in great position to make fantasy contributions.

Rookie wide receivers are easier than ever to avoid, something fantasy owners should be thankful for. No wideouts were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft, meaning that there are far fewer expectations heaped upon a mega-talent, a la Calvin Johnson, and far fewer wasted picks in fantasy drafts. DeSean Jackson is the lone receiver on this list because he provides a sorely needed playmaking punch to the Eagles defense and special teams.

In 2008, the fact that no wideouts were taken in the first round of the NFL Draft, will mean far fewer wasted picks on the likes of, say, Calvin Johnson. DeSean Jackson is the lone receiver on this list, and it’s not because of his place in the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game.

Here’s a breakdown of who we think can have the biggest fantasy impacts in 2008:
 
1. Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders
McFadden is the top candidate to make an Adrian Peterson-like impact on the fantasy landscape, but it may not happen right away. McFadden runs a similar, straight-up style to Peterson’s, but without the elusiveness. He’ll have a little to learn, most likely the hard way from opposing linebackers, but talent will win the day. No way owner Al Davis will let his new toy get fewer than 15 touches per game.
 
2 Jonathan Stewart, RB, Carolina Panthers
Stewart lands in a better situation than McFadden in that he will only have to deal with DeAngelo Williams, who the Panthers seem to have lost faith in already after just two years. Stewart is currently rehabbing a toe injury, but on a Carolina team desperate not to waste Steve Smith’s golden years, he’ll get every chance to flash the bruising style and all-around talent he showed at Oregon.
 
3. Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears
The Bears coaching staff loves Forte’s game and, more importantly, his attitude and preparation. While his stock was higher shortly after Cedric Benson’s second arrest, Forte should still out-duel recent signee Kevin Jones and carve out a majority of carries. Questions remain about the Bears’ ability to move the football, but Forte will have nice value as a rusher and pass-catcher, especially in PPR leagues.
 
4. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mendenhall was the most polished running back in the draft, and he arrived in a situation where he can make an immediate impact. Steelers starting running back Willie Parker’s slight build will free up carries in third-down and goal-line situations, which should translate into decent fantasy production. And let’s not forget, Parker is far from a sure thing; he’s seen his rushing average fall from 4.7 yards per carry in 2005 to 4.4 ypc in 2006 and 4.1 ypc in 2007.
 
5. Ryan Torain, RB, Denver Broncos
One Denver running back always seems to get preseason buzz as the next “nobody” to win a starting job and rush for 1,000 yards. Incumbent Selvin Young was that guy last year and got his chance in the latter portion of the year. While Young sits atop the Broncos’ depth chart, Torain is generating enough excitement, both in the media and within team camp, to be well worth a 12th or 13th round choice in fantasy drafts. By midseason, we should see this fourth rounder out of Arizona State getting a majority of carries.
 
6. Felix Jones, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Jones becomes option 1B in the Cowboys running game, with Marion Barber becoming 1A with Julius Jones gone. Felix Jones is a versatile back who is both quick and shifty, but for now the majority of the red zone opportunities will go to Barber. The kid looks to have a strong future, but it’s not here yet. Could be a value pick at the end of your draft.
 
7. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans
After everyone got over the disappointment that the Titans once again passed on a wide receiver in the first round, they realized that Johnson, another combine standout like Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, was actually a WR/RB hybrid who ran an amazing 4.2 in the 40-yard dash. He certainly has big-play potential as the lightning to LenDale White’s thunder, but the biggest fantasy impact of his drafting is that Vince Young seems to once again be destined for mediocre passing numbers.
 
8. Jerod Mayo, LB, New England Patriots
The Patriots properly addressed their lack of youth and athleticism at the linebacker position by bringing in one of the best athletes in the linebacker class. Mayo can play inside or outside in New England’s 3-4 scheme, and he will be a punishing tackler in either position. Head coach Bill Belichick will get some kicks out of adding new wrinkles for Mayo to a defense that was one of fantasy’s elite in 2007.
 
9. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Rice may have a lesser opportunity on paper than the top running backs on this list, but he’s had the best training camp thus far and could be a factor early. Starter Willis McGahee is walking around on a creaky knee, and Rice has shown the polish and explosion to jump in and be effective right away. He’s also catching passes out of the backfield and returning kicks and punts. The Ravens love his ability, and fantasy owners should respect that late in drafts.
 
10. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Jackson’s presence may not be felt immediately in the passing game, but the Eagles’ special teams should get a nice boost with his big-play ability in the return game. Philly suffered from an astounding lack of playmakers last season, and the team’s return game has been in tough shape since Brian Westbrook was the regular return man in 2003. With Jackson returning kicks and new cornerback Asante Samuel locking down opposing receivers, the Eagles defense will be vastly improved this season.

Some highlights on the list:

Rookie Darren McFadden’s debut at No. 36, largely because of the lesson we learned from Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson last season. That kind of talent needs to, and usually does, find a home before the fifth round of standard drafts.

Jason Witten overtakes Antonio Gates, who has question marks about his own health and the health of quarterback Philip Rivers’ knee, as the first tight end off the board.

Two less heralded rookie running backs, Chicago’s Matt Forte and Denver’s Ryan Torain, can be found in the middle rounds with a realistic expectation that both will win starting jobs.

The full list:

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, SD
2. Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN
3. Brian Westbrook, RB, PHI
4. Steven Jackson, RB, STL
5. Joseph Addai, RB, IND
6. Clinton Portis, RB, WAS
7. Frank Gore, RB, SF
8. Tom Brady, QB, NE
9. Marion Barber, RB, DAL
10. Randy Moss, WR, NE

11. Marshawn Lynch, RB, BUF
12. Willis McGahee, RB, BAL
13. Larry Johnson, RB, KC
14. Terrell Owens, WR, DAL
15. Reggie Wayne, WR, IND
16. Peyton Manning, QB, IND
17. Jamal Lewis, RB, CLE
18. Ryan Grant, RB, GB
19. Braylon Edwards, WR, CLE
20. Tony Romo, QB, DAL

21. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAC
22. Brandon Jacobs, RB, NYG
23. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, ARI
24. Steve Smith, WR, CAR
25. Willie Parker, RB, PIT
26. Laurence Maroney, RB, NE
27. Andre Johnson, WR, HOU
28. Reggie Bush, RB, NO
29. Drew Brees, QB, NO
30. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, CIN

31. Marques Colston, WR, NO
32. Plaxico Burress, WR, NYG
33. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT
34. Michael Turner, RB, ATL
35. Carson Palmer, QB, CIN
36. Darren McFadden, RB, OAK
37. Wes Welker, WR, NE
38. Chad Johnson, WR, CIN
39. Ronnie Brown, RB, MIA
40. Thomas Jones, RB, NYJ

41. Torry Holt, WR, STL
42. Brandon Marshall, WR, DEN
43. Jason Witten, TE, DAL
44. Antonio Gates, TE, SD
45. Edgerrin James, RB, ARI
46. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, SEA
47. Derek Anderson, QB, CLE
48. Earnest Graham, RB, TB
49. Greg Jennings, WR, GB
50. Kellen Winslow, TE, CLE

51. Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR
52. Fred Taylor, RB, JAC
53. Anquan Boldin, WR, ARI
54. Santonio Holmes, WR, PIT
55. Matt Forte, RB, CHI
56. Rudi Johnson, RB, CIN
57. Roy Williams, WR, DET
58. Donovan McNabb, QB, PHI
59. Jay Cutler, QB, DEN
60. LenDale White, RB, TEN
 
61. Tony Gonzalez, TE, KC
62. Calvin Johnson, WR, DET
63. Roddy White, WR, ATL
64. Dallas Clark, TE, IND
65. Kevin Smith, RB, DET
66. Hines Ward, WR, PIT
67. Dwayne Bowe, WR, KC
68. Chris Cooley, WAS, TE
69. Selvin Young, RB, DEN
70. Julius Jones, RB, SEA

71. Marvin Harrison, WR, IND
72. DeAngelo Williams, RB, CAR
73. Lee Evans, WR, BUF
74. Donald Driver, WR, GB
75. Eli Manning, QB, NYG
76. Justin Fargas, RB, OAK
77. Santana Moss, WR, WAS
78. David Garrard, QB, JAC
79. Marc Bulger, QB, STL
80. Todd Heap, TE, BAL
 
81. Chris Chambers, WR, SD
82. Joey Galloway, WR, TB
83. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, PIT
84. Tony Scheffler, DEN, TE
85. Matt Schaub, QB, HOU
86. Kevin Curtis, WR, PHI
87. Vernon Davis, TE, SF
88. Anthony Gonzalez, WR, IND
89. Chester Taylor, RB, MIN
90. Heath Miller, PIT, TE

91. Felix Jones, RB, DAL
92. Laveranues Coles, WR, NYJ
93. Bernard Berrian, WR, MIN
94. Minnesota Vikings D/ST
95. Jerricho Cotchery, WR, NYJ
96. Jason Campbell, QB, WAS
97. Jake Delhomme, QB, CAR
98. Javon Walker, WR, OAK
99. Vince Young, QB, TEN
100. San Diego Chargers D/ST

101. Alge Crumpler, TE, TEN
102. Benjamin Watson, TE, NE
103. Philip Rivers, QB, SD
104. D.J. Hackett, WR, CAR
105. Jeremy Shockey, TE, NO
106. Ahman Green, RB, HOU
107. Deuce McAllister, RB, NO
108. Bobby Engram, WR, SEA
109. Donte’ Stallworth, WR, CLE
110. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, NYG

111. New England Patriots D/ST
112. Reggie Brown, WR, PHI
113. Seattle Seahawks D/ST
114. Donald Lee, TE, GB
115. Greg Olsen, TE, CHI
116. Derrick Mason, WR, BAL
117. New York Giants D/ST
118. Jon Kitna, QB, DET
119. Owen Daniels, TE, HOU
120. Kurt Warner, QB, ARI

121. Jerious Norwood, RB, ATL
122. Sammy Morris, RB, NE
123. Nate Burleson, WR, SEA
124. Patrick Crayton, WR, DAL
125. Ryan Torain, RB, DEN
126. Chicago Bears D/ST
127. Dallas Cowboys D/ST
128. Matt Leinart, QB, ARI
129. Reggie Williams, WR, JAC
130. Chris Johnson, RB, TEN

131. Ray Rice, RB, BAL
132. Chris Brown, RB, HOU
133. Indianapolis Colts D/ST
134. Alex Smith, QB, SF
135. Shaun Alexander, RB, FA
136. Pittsburgh Steelers D/ST
137. Brandon Jackson, RB, GB
138. Aaron Rodgers, QB, GB
139. Jerry Porter, WR, JAC
140. Green Bay Packers D/ST

141. Isaac Bruce, WR, SF
142. Trent Edwards, QB, BUF
143. Ronald Curry, WR, OAK
144. Philadelphia Eagles D/ST
145. Kenny Watson, RB, CIN
146. Jabar Gaffney, WR, NE
147. Vincent Jackson, WR, SD
148. Jeff Garcia, QB, TB
149. Sidney Rice, WR, MIN
150. Leon Washington, RB, NYJ

151. JaMarcus Russell, QB, OAK
152. James Hardy, WR, BUF
153. Robert Meachem, WR, NO
154. Tatum Bell, RB, DET
155. Ricky Williams, RB, MIA
156. Antwaan Randle El, WR, WAS
157. Ladell Betts, RB, WAS
158. Bryant Johnson, WR, SF
159. Ben Utecht, TE, CIN
160. Pierre Thomas, RB, NO

161. Amani Toomer, WR, NYG
162. David Patten, WR, NO
163. Derrick Ward, RB, NYG
164. L.J. Smith, TE, PHI
165. Tampa Bay Buccaneers D/ST
166. Ted Ginn Jr., WR, MIA
167. DeShaun Foster, RB, SF
168. Arnaz Battle, WR, SF
169. Arizona Cardinals D/ST
170. Kolby Smith, RB, KC

171. Roydell Williams, WR, TEN
172. James Jones, WR, GB
173. Drew Bennett, WR, STL
174. Aaron Stecker, RB, NO
175. Cedric Benson, RB, FA
176. T.J. Duckett, RB, SEA
177. Kevin Walter, WR, HOU
178. Ron Dayne, RB, FA
179. Darrell Jackson, WR, DEN
180. Kevin Jones, RB, CHI

181. Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST
182. Mark Clayton, WR, BAL
183. Brandon Stokley, WR, DEN
184. Shaun McDonald, WR, DET
185. Justin Gage, WR, TEN
186. Muhsin Muhammad, WR, CAR
187. Michael Pittman, RB, DEN
188. Michael Bush, RB, OAK
189. Zach Miller, TE, OAK
190. Tarvaris Jackson, QB, MIN

191. Antonio Bryant, WR, TB
192. Chris Henry, RB, TEN
193. Devin Hester, WR, CHI:
194. Steve Slaton, RB, HOU
195. Steve Smith, WR, NYG:
196. Doug Gabriel, WR, CIN
197. Mike Hart, RB, IND
198. Troy Williamson, WR, JAC
199. Warrick Dunn, RB, TB
200. Jamaal Charles, RB, KC