Tampa Bay running back Cadillac Williams was the most significant player on the PUP list, but his inclusion doesn’t come as a surprise. Because of his lengthy rehabilitation from a PCL tear he suffered last season, 2007 dynamo Earnest Graham has been an early draft pick as the Bucs’ top running back. No fantasy owners were expecting contributions from Williams until midseason, regardless of his official standing with the NFL league office.

Cleveland Browns wideout had some fantasy potential, but would never be more than a No. 5 wide receiver in most formats. New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree made a lasting impression with his fourth-down, off-the-helmet catch in the Super Bowl, but is virtually irrelevant in fantasy circles.

Other players - like Patriots lineman Stephen Neal and Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson - can have indirect effects on fantasy rosters. Any sign that Pats quarterback Tom Brady could have less protection, especially when seeing in the Super Bowl how pressure can affect his performance, is something to keep in mind, but shouldn’t have an impact on draft strategy. Robinson’s injury only comes into play for owners considering drafting the Texans’ defense, which is a rare occurrence.

Any player placed on the PUP list between now and the season opener must miss at least the first six weeks of the season. A handful of players, most notably Chargers tight end Antonio Gates and Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker, were placed on the PUP list in the early part of camp, but were later removed. Keep close watch on more injuries and roster moves, as relevant players can still be ruled out for the first six weeks of the season.

Other roster moves …
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie defensive end Derrick Harvey has finally agreed to a five-year deal and will report to training camp after a 33-day holdout, the Associated Press reported. After the holdout, it will take a little more time than anticipated to see how the rookie pass-rushing duo of Harvey and Quentin Groves can impact the Jags’ defense. Nonetheless, the Jags are still a fringe No. 1 fantasy defense that could be even better of Harvey and Groves can quickly claim significant roles.

Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan has announced that he will stay retired and not return to New York in the absence of injured Osi Umenyiora, New York Newsday reported. It was an interesting possibility, but quickly shot down by Strahan who pondered a Giants offer and elected to maintain his post as a broadcaster for FOX Sports.

The strength of the Giants’ team defense in fantasy was its ability to get to the passer. That may not change with the report that Mathias Kiwanuka will move from linebacker to fill in for Umenyiora at right end. The depth issues were then transferred to the linebacking corps, which should feature a trio of Zak DeOssie, Antonio Pierce and Danny Clark.

San Diego Chargers defensive end Shawne Merriman is awaiting yet another opinion on his left knee, which he claims could threaten his career, the San Diego Union-Tribune reported. The Chargers seem to be ready to move ahead without Merriman and are just awaiting some closure. Whether the Chargers are ready or not, the reputed Chargers defense will have less firepower in fantasy without Merriman’s ability to rush the passer.

Denver wide receiver Brandon Marshall appears to be doing all the right things in an effort to get his three-game suspension for off-the-field issues reduced. According to the Denver Post, he was in New York for an appeal hearing with league officials on Tuesday.

With just 16 games in an NFL season, every, single game counts in fantasy. If the supremely talented Marshall can get on the field for 14 games, rather than 13, his stock should be on the rise. Most fantasy owners will bypass Marshall and Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith, who was suspended for a training camp fight, because of their early absences. Both can be drafted in great position for value, if teams are deep enough at wide receiver to get through the first two weeks of the year.

Problems are arising in this new draft theory as marquee quarterbacks battle injuries that have affected their preseason reps and conditioning. Should we be concerned about Peyton Manning (knee), Tom Brady (foot), or Matt Hasselbeck (back)? We think so, if anything because fantasy owners have placed so much faith in them to lead their teams to glory.

At this point, the negatives these injuries present are subtle in fantasy. Questionable health to prominent players casts immediate doubt over a fantasy team’s fortunes, especially for those who missed out on a top backup in drafts. Owners are forced to consider the worst-case scenario and consider possible trades, which takes the edge off a job well done in assembling a quality team.

Manning is a different story with a scarier prognosis than that of Brady or Hasselbeck. There are multiple, multiple reports floating around about his left knee, which he is rehabbing after having an infected bursa sac removed in mid-July. This story from Mike Lombardi at The National Football Post says there is more to Manning’s injury than meets the eye and that the Colts are hiding the true severity of his bulky knee.

Any kind of lingering problems would, of course, have huge ramifications in fantasy. From the threat of a wasted second round pick to the downgrade in value of Colts pass catchers Reggie Wayne, Marvin Harrison, Anthony Gonzalez and Dallas Clark, many fantasy owners could be harmed if Lombardi’s facts are straight.

Meanwhile in New England, fans and fantasy owners everywhere have reason to be skeptical of the Patriots and how they go about reporting injuries. Slight of hand is a Bill Belichick specialty, and overplaying a Brady foot injury can help make AFC rivals underestimate the real strength of his team. Barring a significant setback, Brady should be just fine to start the season and put in a full 16 games.

Hasselbeck’s back is just the start of his dreary outlook. Members of his receiving corps are dropping like flies with Deion Branch on the PUP list and Bobby Engram slated to miss the next five weeks with a cracked shoulder. What that leaves is Nate Burleson and a lot of question marks set to catch Hasselbeck’s passes. Even if Hasselbeck is fine to start the regular season, his prospects are grm for duplicating a Pro Bowl 2007 campaign.

Among those with the most immediate chance to prove himself as a fantasy contributor is Eagles rookie wideout DeSean Jackson. The Eagles’ already-thin group of receivers got even thinner when it was announced that Kevin Curtis could miss nearly half the season with a sports hernia surgery. Fellow rookie Ray Rice and Steve Slaton could also gets early opportunities because of injuries.

Opportunities come in all shapes and sizes and under all different kinds of circumstances. Spot them early, and you’ll be well on your way to a fantasy championship. Spot them late, and you’ll be watching your opponents surge past you in the standings.

Those with developing opportunities:

DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
With Kevin Curtis sidelined indefinitely after undergoing sports hernia surgery, the door opens wide for Jackson to crack the Eagles’ starting lineup. He has been their top performing wideout with 12 catches for 122 yards during the preseason, an effort that could propel him into a prominent role in the regular season.

One can’t help but think of Wes Welker when looking at this situation after seeing how a tiny, quick slasher can make an impact moving the chains. The rookie wide receiver jinx certainly applies here, but Jackson is worth a long, long look as a No. 3 or 4 wide receiver in most formats.

Brady Quinn, QB, Cleveland Browns
A mild concussion to Derek Anderson won’t move Quinn into a starting role, but if this is the first of multiple derailments for Anderson, we may have something here. Quinn looked good in relief of Anderson last week against the Giants, completing 7-of-12 passes for 124 yards and a touchdown, and will start on Saturday against the Lions.

No matter how this quarterback situation plays out, it seems to not have a chance to end cleanly. Anderson signed a hefty contract extension in the offseason, but could be pushed out of town a la Drew Brees if the Browns determine Quinn is ready to take the reins. If this concussion proves to be the first in a series of missteps for Anderson, Quinn’s chance could come by season’s end.

Ricky Williams, RB, Miami Dolphins
Williams’ hard work is beginning to pay off with a promotion to the top of Miami’s depth chart. How long that lasts depends greatly on the health of both Williams and 2007 starter Ronnie Brown, who is recovering from an ACL tear and a thumb injury suffered during camp. Williams could conceivably take the job and run with it, but that will take a big effort and/or lingering injuries to Brown in the early part of the season. Even so, Williams makes for a nice value pick at the tail end of drafts.

J.T. O’Sullivan, QB, San Francisco 49ers
O’Sullivan came out of nowhere to jump former No. 1 pick Alex Smith and Shaun Hill on the 49ers depth chart and land the starting quarterback gig. There’s not much offensive firepower in San Fran, but coordinator Mike Martz’s crazy genius can only help O’Sullivan’s season numbers. Isaac Bruce and Arnaz Battle are OK options on the outside and phyiscal freak tight end Vernon Davis could make leaps and bounds in his third year.

O’Sullivan is a fringe backup on standard fantasy rosters, but should remain on owners’ radars as the season begins. If Martz can do the same thing for O’Sullivan as he did for Jon Kitna, Kurt Warner and Marc Bulger, then he has potential to fill in capably during injuries and bye weeks.

Steve Slaton, RB, Houston Texans
Slaton has done well enough for himself to get into prime position for carries. A little on the small side, Slaton can jump in whenever Ahman Green or Chris Brown invariably get injured and make the most of a 12 or 15 carry workload. With his home run potential, those carries could easily turn into touchdowns or big weeks.

Look for Slaton in the last rounds of drafts or on the waiver wire, stash him away at the bottom of your roster, and wait for the potential to come to fruition. If it doesn’t happen in a timely fashion, cut him away and fill another need.

Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Lost in the well-publicized quarterback battle in Baltimore is the fact that Rice is giving injured Willis McGahee all he can handle in a developing running back battle. McGahee’s status for Week 1 has come into question after having arthroscopic surgery on his creaky left knee. An early start would just be icing on the cake for Rice, who can turn the Ravens’ backfield into a Fred Taylor-Maurice Jones-Drew type split.

At this point, Rice seems like a virtual lock for 15 touches per game. Add in McGahee’s health problems, and he’s got a pretty nice situation for fantasy success.

Steve Breaston, WR, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals air it out, and Breaston has already established himself as the team’s No. 3 option. If it happens that disgruntled Pro Bowler Anquan Boldin gets traded, as he’s requested, Breaston would be in line for even more looks from quarterbacks Matt Leinart and Kurt Warner. His ability to return kicks and punts adds another element of touchdown potential, which can boost Breaston into the group of No. 4 and 5 wideouts in fantasy.

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.