Fantasy Football Player's Edge

August 20, 2008

Site updated by 11am EST daily.

2008 Fantasy Draft Preview

The following rankings are based on a 10 team league using a
scoring format of 25 yards per point and 4 points per TD with
a 1 point deduction for interceptions and a 2 point deduction
for fumbles for QB's. RB/WR/TE receive 1 point per 10 yards
and 6 points per touchdown minus 2 points per fumble. Kickers
will receive 3, 4, 5 points respectively for 1-30, 40 and 50/over
yard field goals and 1 point for PAT's. Defenses will be awarded
2 points for safeties, fumble recoveries, interceptions and blocked
kicks. Each sack will earn 1 point. Additionally, points will accrue
for points allowed to opponents starting at 10 for a shutout to a
-4 for a blowout against the unit.

Each team will start 1 QB, 2 RB's, 3 WR's, 1 TE, 1 K, 1 Defense
and 6 reserves from any group.

The Rankings

Quarterbacks: Rankings

1. Tom Brady- has all his weapons available
2. Peyton Manning- Marvin's return a boost
3. Drew Brees- has to get off to a better start
4. Tony Romo- could easily move up to #2
5. Carson Palmer- better than last year.
6. Derek Anderson- better than last year
7. Donovan McNabb- stays healthy he's #5
8. Ben Rothlisberger- was 4th last year
9. Jay Cutler- Marshall out for 3 games
10. Matt Schaub- has weapons
11. Philip Rivers- primed for solid season
12. David Garrard- McNabb-lite.
13. Eli Manning- momentum on his side
14. Brett Favre- we'll see
15. Matt Hasselbeck- needs Branch

Others: Bulger, Kitna, Young, Campbell,
Warner/Leinart, Delhomme, Garcia.

Steals: Garrard, Rivers.

Late Breaking News: Manning showed up at
the Colts practice facility. He did not participate
but he fully intends to be ready for Week 1. QB
Brady is dealing with a foot problem but plans on
playing during Week 1 as well. Matt Hasselbeck's
balky knee flared up again at practice. He's short on
receivers and is hurting making him a more risky
mid level selection. Trent Edwards bruised a
quad in practice colliding with Marshawn Lynch's
knee. It's not believed to be serious for either player.
Derek Anderson has suffered a mild concussion
and will sit out this week's preseason game.

Week 3 News: Rothlisberger and Cutler are
solid mid-round selections. Schaub could be the
steal of this draft at QB if he remains healthy and
you can get him at 8/9. Palmer still looks out of
sorts but he was missing T.J. and Chad. David
Garrard was reduced to dump offs to TE's and
RB's but gets Porter/Williams back this week.
Bulger lost two lineman and even with Jackson
is a risky pick unless he falls to round 10 or below.
Brady/Manning have yet to play but there is a
bit of rhetoric being floated that has Peyton out
the first week of the season. Philip Rivers, on the
other hand, needs the reps but would be a nice #2
on any fantasy roster. Derek Anderson left with
a concussion and bruised hand after a sack. This
will drop him down precipitously if he's out for an
extended period. Stay tuned for updates!!

Preseason Week 2/ Grades-QB:

A:
Rothlisberger- 9/11 142, TD
Brees- 12/17 142, 2 TD's
Schaub- 14/16 187, 2 TD's
Cutler- 16/20 178, TD

B:
Edwards- 9/11 104, 2 TD's
Favre- 5/6 48, TD
T. Jackson- 7/11 82, TD
Pennington- 5/6 55
Kitna- 3/3 75, TD
E. Manning- 4/7 52, 2 TD's

C:
McNabb- 11/24 98
Garrard- 7/14 63
Palmer- 6/13 50
Delhomme- 9/14 54
O'Sullivan- 8/17 154, TD
Russell- 10/17 75
Ryan- 8/16 62

D:
Bulger- 7/14 56, 2 Int
Rodgers- 9/16 58, 4 Sacks
Anderson- 4/10 20 (injured)

F:
Young: 4/13 37


Running Backs: Rankings

1. LaDainian Tomlinson- 1
2. Adrian Peterson- 1A
3. Steven Jackson- if he signs on.
4. Joseph Addai- very consistent
5. Brian Westbrook- amazing/injury risk
6. Frank Gore- look for a rebound w/Martz
7. Marion Barber- he's the man
8. Larry Johnson- still has the juice
9. Jamal Lewis- fantastic 2007
10. Clinton Portis- could easily move up
11. Marshawn Lynch- nice rookie season
12. Michael Turner- if Atlanta can block
13. Ryan Grant- marked man w/Rodgers
14. Darren McFadden- could easily move up
15. Maurice-Jones Drew- moves up with lead role.
16. Earnest Graham- solid #2 RB
17. Willis McGahee- new offense/knee issues
18. Brandon Jacobs- Droughns/Bradshaw
19. Edgerrin James- will be available rd. 3/4
20. Ricky Williams- moving up fast
21. Laurence Maroney- underutilized by Belichick
22. Rudi Johnson- has to fend off Perry
23. LenDale White- plowshare is useful
24. Reggie Bush- runs scared/receptions yards useful
25. Willie Parker- moves way up w/goal line touches

Others: T. Jones, J. Stewart/Williams, Forte/
K. Jones, S. Young, K. Smith, Taylor, J. Jones/
Morris, Fargas, C. Johnson, C. Brown/Slaton/
Green, McAllister/P. Thomas, C. Perry, L Jordan,
Bradshaw, R. Brown.

Steals: C. Perry, J. Jones.

Late Breaking News: Willis McGahee is in danger
of being cut as he will miss the entire preseason. Ray
Rice will shoot up draft boards if this happens. If you
have already drafted and McGahee is your #2 try to
grab Rice if he's there or consider engineering a trade.
Ahman Green is also out for the season and in danger
of being cut. Chris Brown will probably be the de facto
starter with Steve Slaton getting more touches each
week. There could be a McGahee replacement in free
agency on the Houston roster. Earnest Graham lost
one of his blockers, G Davin Joseph, who has a broken
foot. Keep this in mind when setting expectations for
this plowshare. Rudi Johnson missed another practice
with a sore hamstring giving Chris Perry and Kenny
Watson greater opportunities to take his job. Kevin
Jones has been cleared to play this week for the Bears.

Week 3 News: McFadden will move way up to the
top of the 2nd round. Larry Johnson had 14 carries
and looked confident and healthy. Rookies Ray Rice
and Steve Slaton had big weeks and will get drafted
as sleepers earlier(7/8) this week than last week (9/10).
Don't overspend on either as Rice needs McGahee to
get injured while Slaton will be part of a rotation that
includes Green/Brown/Shipp. Maroney could very
well disappoint again this season with Jordan/Evans
/Morris ready to vulture touches. Selvin Young is also
a risk to underperform as Hall will get a few carries and
may emerge as the goal line back. Ronnie Brown's value
is difficult to gauge and should be avoided unless he's a
#3. Reggie Bush is intriguing but only at the bottom of
the 3rd or top of the 4th. Rudi Johnson is dropping like
a brick but Chris Perry might be hindered by Johnson
at the goal line. LenDale White will still get 20+ touches
but Chris Johnson will get 10+ and a most of the 3rd
down work. Target Julius Jones as a #3. Matt Forte
slipped this week while Kevin Smith only had 4 carries.
Smith is a better choice than Forte. Turner was amazing
and James is draft worthy as a #2. D'Angelo Williams
has merit but will most certainly be pulled at the goal line.
Ricky Williams is emerging as Miami's feature back as
Ronnie Brown struggles. Ryan Grant is still not on the
practice filed as he nurses as sore hamstring. Let the buyer
beware.

Preseason Week 2/Grades-RB: (excludes top 10)

A:
Turner- 4/113
Rice- 7/77, TD, 3 rec/17
McFadden- 6/44
Slaton- 13/57, TD, 1 rec/3
Bradshaw- 8/28, TD, 4 rec/28

B:
Jones-Drew- 5/12, 2 rec/20
R. Williams- 10/43, TD
Bush- 7/24, 1 rec/12 TD
McAllister- 4/16, 2 rec/10
Graham- 5/13, TD
James- 4/20
L. Johnson- 14/61
J. Jones- 7/32, 1 rec/9
C. Johnson- 8/46
L. White- 8/39
D. Williams- 8/32
S. Young- 9/36
A. Hall- 7/24, TD
R. Mendenhall- 11/30, TD

C:
T. Jones- 2/7
M. Morris- 2/7
M. Forte- 7/17
W. Parker- 5/14
C. Brown- 8/19
K. Smith- 4/19
C.Perry- 7/23
J. Lewis- 6/13
B. Jacobs- 7/24

D:
J. Stewart- 4/3
Maroney- 7/15


Wide Receivers: Rankings

1. Randy Moss- comparable to 2007
2. Terrell Owens- trails only Moss
3. Reggie Wayne- elite last season
4. Larry Fitzgerald- gets better in 08
5. Braylon Edwards- was 3rd last season
6. Chad Johnson- something to prove
7. Marques Colston- Brees go to WR
8. T.J. Houshmandzadeh- money
9. Torry Holt- not done yet
10. Andre Johnson- needs to stay healthy
11. Steve Smith- misses 3 starts w/bye
12. Plaxico Burress- ankle has improved
13. Anquan Boldin- great #2
14. Wes Welker- slot supreme
15. Roy Williams- always disappoints
16. Marvin Harrison- Marv at 16
17. Santonio Holmes- could move up
18. Calvin Johnson- big time upside
19. Greg Jennings- Rodgers ?
20. Brandon Marshall- misses 4 w/bye
21. Chris Chambers- enigmatic
22. Lee Evans- needs chemistry w/Edwards
23. Hines Ward- steady
24. Roddy White- Redman/Ryan inhibitors
25. Jericho Cotchery- nice #3
26. Dwayne Bowe- lacks a QB
27. Kevin Curtis- 4 points less than Welker in 07
28. Vincent Jackson- big target, soft hands
29. Anthony Gonzalez- could easily move up
30. Santana Moss- inconsistent
31. Devin Hester- moves way up as a #1 WR.
32. Darrell Jackson- may surprise w/Cutler
33. Ted Ginn- moves up w/Pennington
34. Donald Driver- Favre free hurts him
35. Jerry Porter- returns to practice next week.

Others: Hackett, Coles, J. Walker, Crayton,
Branch, Burleson, Mason, Hardy, Galloway,
Bruce, Walter, Berrian, Meachem.

Steals: Darrell Jackson, Branch, Porter.

Late Breaking News- Anquan Boldin is very upset
and not talking with head coach Ken Whisenhunt. He's
not likely to perform at the level of a #2 if this situation
persists. Stay tuned. Greg Jennings has returned to
practice for the Packers. He should play this week.

Week 3 News: Calvin Johnson is a #2 and should be
targeted. Kevin Walter will be a serviceable #3 joining
Kevin Curtis/Ted Ginn/Meachem as possible upside
surprises. Marshall is appealing and could only miss 1
game. Holmes could elevate to a #2 this year with Ward
providing value if he drops into the bottom of 5 or top of 6.
Lee Evans is building rapport with Edwards and is very
useful as a #3. Hester will probably go late 3 or early 4 but
if he's still on the board in 5 might be worth a flier as a #3.
Harrison could be a very nice selection in round 3 as a #
2 joining Chad Johnson as elite receivers playing as # 2's.
Lots of sleepers at WR but of particulal interest is Darrell
Jackson/Jerry Porter and Deion Branch later in the
season. Javon Walker is a late round gamble that could
pay off nicely as a representative #3. Berrian's lingering
turf toe could cause persistent problems all season. You
may want to avoid or select him as a backup only.

Preseason Week 2/Grades-WR: (excludes top 15)

A:
Walter- 6/100, TD
Holmes- 2/53, TD
Marshall- 6/59, TD
Ca. Johnson- 3/76, TD
Hixon- 4/63, 2 TD's

B:
Ward: 3/48
Evans- 3/55
Ginn- 4/58
Harrison- 2/11
Hester- 2/22
D. Jackson- 7/71
White- 2/26
Cotchery- 2/30
Bryant- 2/37

C:
Curtis- 4/35
Meachem- 1/11

D:
Driver- 3/15
Bowe- 1/7

F:
J. Walker- 0


Tight Ends: Rankings

1. Jason Witten- Gates heir apparent
2. Antonio Gates- still the best/sore toe
3. Kellen Winslow- soldier
4. Jeremy Shockey- Brees a big +
5. Chris Cooley- consistent scorer
6. Tony Gonzalez- needs a QB
7. Alge Crumpler- Young will target him
8. Dallas Clark- injury prone but huge upside
9. Randy McMichael- OC Saunders likes TE's
10. Heath Miller- red zone monster
11. Vernon Davis- he's all Martz's
12. Owen Daniels- useful
13. Tony Scheffler- could move up
14. Kevin Boss- the job is his
15. Todd Heap- seemingly never healthy

Others: L.J. Smith, Lee, Watson, Olsen
Royal, Z. Miller.

Steals: Crumpler, McMichael.

Week 3 News: Gates has been activated from the PUP
and has been looking very good in practice. Zach Miller
could be this season's Owen Daniels. McMichael has
been targeted thus far while Gonzalez suffers in an inept
offense under Croyle. Try not to overspend on Tony.
Speaking off inept offenses Crumpler needs work with
Young. Vernon Davis should have a nice year as a deep
threat TE in Martz's scheme. No worries on Scheffler as
he'll get his catches in the regular season. Jeremy Shockey
is expected to play this week. Todd Heap remains the wild
card in this group.

Preseason Week 2/Grades-TE: (excludes top 3)

A:
Royal- 2/20, 2 TD's
Z. Miller- 4/48, TD

B:
Daniels- 2/39
McMichael- 3/54
V. Davis- 2/29

C:
Gonzalez- 1/4
Scheffler- 1/8


Kickers: Rankings

1. Nick Folk- lots of chances with Big D
2. Josh Brown- superb kicker in Dome
3. Rob Bironas- offense stalls frequently
4. Adam Vinatieri- bounce back year
5. Shayne Graham- consistent
6. Stephen Gotkowski- needs a few more FG's
7. Phil Dawson- great offense/bad weather
8. Nate Kaeding- Chargers will be better
9. Kris Brown- finished 8th in points 07
10. Neil Rackers- may return to 06 form
11. Jason Elam- kicking in Georgia Dome
12. Robbie Gould- Bears offense
13. Mason Crosby- depends on Rodgers
14. Martin Gramatica- great offense/dome
15. Ryan Longwell- inconsistent offense

Other: Suisham, Nugent, Tynes, Mare,
Reed, Janikowski, Kasey, Bryant, Akers,
Scobee, Hanson, Coutu, Carpenter.

Steal: Gramatica, Elam

Week 3 News: Gramatica is a real sleeper kicking in
a dome for a high powered offense. Brandon Coutu
had 5 FG's in an effort to beat out Mare in Seattle.

Preseason Week 2/Grades-K: (excludes top 10)

A:
Coutu- 5 FG's (48,46)
Carpenter- 4 FG's (46/44)
Elam- 3 FG's (40)
Dawon- 1 FG (56)

B:
Gramatica- 2 FG's
Kaeding- 2 FG's


Defenses: Rankings

1. San Diego- should repeat as #1
2. Minnesota- Allen will help CB's
3. New England- healthy upfront
4. Seattle- weak division/great pressure
5. Pittsburgh- only with Polamalu
6. Indianapolis- Freeney has to be 100%
7. Dallas- improves with Pacman Jones
8. Tampa Bay- will be better 08
9. Philadelphia- Samuel helps
10. Chicago- might surprise
11. Jacksonville- on the cusp
12. Tennessee- needs Haynesworth
13. N.Y. Giants- sacks may suffer
14. Green Bay- could be overworked
15. Baltimore- pride but getting old

Others: Denver, Buffalo, Washington.

Steals: Philadelphia, Chicago

Late Breaking News: Dwight Freeney practiced with
the Colts. With Bob Sanders also returning the Colts D
is slowly getting healthier.

Week 3 News: The Bears looked very opportunistic and
were reminiscent of their 2006 ball hawking. Seattle has
a solid core and the Eagles look much improved. Tampa
Bay has a chance to be better and the return of Polamalu
will improve the Steelers D. Bob Sanders has returned
to practice for the Colts.

Preseason Week 2/Grades-DEF:

A:
Bears- block, safety, int/TD, punt/TD


Bye Weeks:

Week 4: Lions, Colts, Dolphins, Patriots, Giants, Seahawks
Week 5: Browns, Raiders, Rams, Jets
Week 6: Bills, Titans, Chiefs, Steelers
Week 7: Falcons, Eagles, Cards, Jaguars
Week 8: Bears, Bengals, Broncos, Packers, Vikings, Texans
Week 9: Saints, Chargers, 49ers, Panthers
Week 10: Cowboys, Buccaneers, Redskins, Ravens

Bye week management is critical to a successful draft. It's
mandatory that you consider bye weeks when drafting your
team to avoid having multiple starters on bye any given week
basically forfeiting your chance to win that week. There are
only 14 regular season games in standard fantasy football
league seasons so you can hardly give away any and expect
to make the playoffs. For example if you're lucky enough to
get Adrian Peterson early in round 1 you may pass on Rudi
Johnson and opt for Graham, Jacobs, Brown or James at the
bottom of the 2nd or top of the 3rd round. If it's too good to
pass on such as Westbrook and Turner then make certain
that your reserve running backs are not off on the same week.
Also, if you can select a tight end, a kicker and a defense with
different bye weeks you'll only need 1 flex spot on your roster
to cover all 3 byes.

Draft Strategy:

It all begins with mock drafts. Try to participate in at least 3
approximately 2 days before your actual draft. Enter each
draft from a different position, one at the top, one middle,
one at the bottom, if possible. Print the results of each and
study patterns that emerge consistently especially in the
middle rounds. Look at positions primarily to see if QB's
are going late, WR's early and which running backs are
falling. Make note of which and when the top 4 defenses
are coming off the board as well as the tight end distribution.

Try to use the 1st 6 mock rounds to grab you're starters at RB,
WR and QB but be flexible as to the order you use to achieve
this objective. Most experts recommend you pick the best 2
RB's available with your 1st picks and it's a sound practice.
However depending on the nature of the draft it may be
prudent to go RB, WR, WR, RB, QB, WR/RB. You've got to
recognize opportunities in the skill positions. As an example
you may pick early and grab Addai but as you come back
around the RB choices could be Rudi Johnson, Jacobs and
Maroney. It might be wise to grab Edwards and Fitzgerald
and with the 4th pick reach for James or Willie Parker. The
combinations are infinite so having a good handle on how
players will come off the board will give you a real advantage
on draft day. Mock drafting from different positions allows
for the formulation of diverse plans and contingencies. You
are now ready for your live draft.

Plot your draft. Typically your draft position will be revealed
approximately 30 minutes before going live. Use this time to
game plan. If you have the 7th pick your game plan may look
something like this: Rd 1- Larry Johnson, Rd 2- Terrell Owens,
Rd 3- Chad Johnson, Rd 4- Edgerrin James, Rd 5- McNabb, Rd
6-Santonio Holmes, Rd 7- Kevin Jones, Rd 8- Cotchery, Rd 9-
Jerry Porter, Rd 10- Tampa Bay, Rd 11- McMichael, Rd 12-
Steve Slaton, Rd 13- Nate Kaeding , Rd 14- Jeff Garcia, Rd 15-
flex. Looking at this game plan from a bye week perspective;
L. Johnson/Holmes week 6, McNabb/James week 7, Owens/
Tampa Bay week 10 are spaced perfectly with reserve RB K.
Jones off on week 8, Cotchery off on week 5 and Garcia sitting
week 10. The flex play will allow for bye week replacement of
TE/K/DEF which are on bye week 5/9/10 respectively. It's
this type of roadmap that will provide the direction that you'll
need when the draft goes off course which it invariably does.

Make certain you check NFL news before the draft to assess
a players availability. An injured or suspended player may
drop appreciably on draft boards and could represent a
steal or a bust on draft day. Whenever possible join leagues
that draft after the 3rd pre-season game as typically teams
will extend their starters in this game and use them prudently,
if at all, in the final exhibition game.

Lastly try not to have pages of notes to work as your guide.
A one pager with bye weeks, the game plan, the top players
by position and sleepers is all that you'll need to make sound
decisions in 90 second intervals.


Updates to the Rankings and News will occur daily
reflecting training camp and preseason activities
through August 31st.

The 2008 Regular Season site will go live on:

September 1st at 10am EST.