FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS, VERSION 3.0

UPDATED...
Time to eyeball my fantasy football rankings, version 3. No doubt much will change between now and when you sit down at your drafts, but if your like me, you’re always hungry for a fresh take.

USER NOTE: These lists rank ‘em in terms of where I see the potential for production, not where I think these players will be taken. As you’ll see, I’m taking some shots and playing some hunches – hey, it’s the only way to draft and I think I’m setting you up for some real steals…

25@QB

OVERVIEW: You will have no problems waiting on this position. Once you’re past the elite 3, there are potential quality starters all the way to #20, if you keep your mind open and remember everything changes year to year – look for the break out guys, and listen to your instincts!!!

Draft Day Bottom Line: If your fellow owners know what they're doing, you can wait until round six for a starting QB who won't cost you a shot at glory. If, on the other hand, you draft with mouth-breathing novices, the quarterback run will start early -- leaving you a shot at great RB/WR value in the first four rounds.

This is one of the key areas where knowing your scoring system comes into play: All values increase if your league awards a full 6 points for passing TD's.

1) PEYTON MANNING
A healthy Carson Palmer could have made this verrry interesting, but that’s kind of the point, isn’t it? Peyton remains the gold standard, and a huge part of it is because he simply doesn’t get hurt. Pick him, and there’s none of this QB roulette week to week. Just write him in and spend the rest of your draft chasing RB depth because you'll have to take him high. He always delivers elite numbers, and without the Edge, his passing game might just elevate.

In my long-time, original FF league (which awards full points for passing TD's and yardage), I've used my sole keeper protection on him for years, and I've won three Lombardis in a row. The man has lowered my blood pressure and lined my purse with gold, so when others scoff at you for drafting him early, keep in mind that year after year, six of the top 10 RB's flame out and kill their owners. If you can keep an opportunistic eye on RB's with the kind of upside that speaks to a gambler's mentality, you can win by drafting Manning in the early going... or would you rather be the owner who passed him over last year so you could chase an RB run by picking Dom Davis? Think about it...

FILE THIS UNDER NO RISK, NO GROWTH, NO LONGEVITY:
That being said, the same league I have protected Peyton in has a very interesting rule I encourage you to adopt for your leagues: We can protect one player, ad infinitum, in whatever slot you picked him in. It's a great reward for your foresite and acumen. Case in point: I drafted Larry Johnson in the sixth round last year, and I can protect him in that same slot as long as I want. Needless to say, I'm switching my sole keeper designation to LJ this year. Come on! I can hold on to the consensus #1 RB with a sixth round pick? Are we kids, or what?

This underscores the three primary concepts you must always remember when you are drafting:

A) Take a deep breath and listen to your instincts!

B) Build your lineup with an eye on the players with the potential for huge, breakout potential at each starting position.

C) Much like a poker game, get a read on your fellow owners as to where you think these great players will fall in the draft. The determining factors are the level of your rival's expertise and balls, as well as the ADP (average draft position) info available on any credible Fantasy Football site.

Okay, I've used our top rated QB to expouse a crap-load of personal philosophy -- back to the ratings:

2) TOM BRADY
No longer the most underrated QB in fantasy, he’ll finally go earlier this year, despite the fact that he lost some WR depth. The Pats may spread the ball around, but either way, Brady is the sole, boffo fantasy football beneficiary.

3) CARSON PALMER
If not for the injury, he’d be my #1. We don’t know when he’ll be full speed, but as soon as he is, he’s going to deliver. In a keeper league, this is the guy, but you might want to cover your ass with in the early going.

4) KURT WARNER
No doubt you’d better handcuff another QB, because Kurt is an injury waiting to happen, but when he starts, with these weapons? Marone!

5) ELI MANNING
Growing pains and all, he put up elite #’s last year, and with weapons like Tiki, Shockey, Plaxico, Toomer and now Sinorice Moss, the future is bright, my friends.

6) DREW BLEDSOE
A top ten fantasy QB last year, and now he’s got T.O. – this is your guy if you like to pick a QB in the seventh round. Take a deep breath, and pull the trigger... then hedge your bet with someone like Aaron Brooks, Mark Brunell, or Chris Simms as late round value insurance.

7) MATT HASSELBECK
While never quite spectacular, he’s solid as a rock and stays healthy. Alexander vultures a lot of TD’s here. Keep an eye on Jackson's health though, because Burleson has yet to prove he's a bonafide #1.

8) MARC BULGER
New coach, new system... we’ll see if he can stay healthy, not to mention what he does without that Martz air attack. Hmmm…

9) DONOVAN MCNABB
A great QB who, once again, has a serious dirth at the WR position and plays in a very tough division defensively. I say a few steps back this year…

10) BRETT FAVRE
I always say, “the numbers never lie,” and even though the Pack stunk out loud last year, Favre put up top ten numbers. Beware, however, if your scoring system deducts points for INT’s, because he’s good for about 40! On the plus side, the Packer defense seems doomed to force shoot-out mode again this year, which always pumps up a QB's FF stats.

11) AARON BROOKS
Flakiest starter in the League, but his production always adds up in fantasy land better than it does in the won-loss column. Now he’s the clear #1 in Oakland with a crazy arsenal of weapons, and a defense that forced shoot-out mode every week last season.

12) DREW BREES
Want to see how the rotator cuff is healing up, but this is a solid fantasy starter who could have a break out year in New Orleans, with plenty o’ weapons, including a certain Heisman trophy winner who should catch the ball as often as he runs it.

13) JAKE DELHOMME
The definiton of a schizo starter -- Jake's stats add up in the end, but some weeks are down right fugly. Anyone who has ever owned this QB knows that you can go three weeks between difference-making starts, but the big ones are ourageous. Maybe a little underrated here. While I think Keyshawn might help the team, the Panthers always want to run the ball, and DeAngelo Williams means they still can when Deshaun Foster gets hurt. Jake should be there for you later in your draft, and he's the quintessential back-up QB for a championship FF team. In his favor, keep in mind that despite the conservative profile, the Panther offense loves the long ball, which means Dehomme will give you some fantastic weeks.

14) JOHN KITNA
This one’s really a vote of confidence for the Mike Martz system, and I would definitely handcuff Josh McCown until a clear starter is named – but the early money is on the cagier vet mastering the complexities. That being said, Kitna has never shown the ability to avoid killer mental gaffs, so if the Lion season takes the pipe early, look for a very short leash here. Worth a roll of the dice, since he'll be sitting there extremely late in your drafts.

15) STEVE MCNAIR
Now that he has offically landed in Baltimore, I'm literally tingling! Here, my friends, will be the great steal of your ’06 draft. Think about it – quality pass blocking, reunited with Mason, an all-world TE like Heap, and Clayton is poised and ready to take the next step – and the best part of the deal? He'll be overlooked by your cohorts. A starter you can get in the late rounds.

16) MARK BRUNELL
He had some huge weeks last season, and that was only throwing to Moss and Cooley. Add new O.C. Sanders, Brandon Lloyd and Randle El, and Brunell could be great late round value.

17) JAKE PLUMMER
Forget about Jake’s draft day douche-chill, he’s the starter and Javon Walker finally gives him an outlet beyond Rod Smith. I’d like this better if the Broncos got their hands on a good tight end, but Jake will deliver solid numbers for you. If Walker gets his fast back, this only gets better, but Shannahan is a run-first guy, and he keeps Plummer on the kind of short leash that will neither win your league nor kill you.

18) TRENT GREEN
I’ll admit that I chronically underrate Green, yet every year he gives you solid numbers. I just don’t know how the Chiefs can continue to stand pat with Eddie Kennison as their #1 WR. Also, it’s a new day with Herm Edwards, so I’ll be watching how this offense changes. He ain't getting any younger, and my ample gut says he slips a few notches in ‘06. I humbly submit that you should look elsewhere for upside. For example:

19) CHRIS SIMMS
Here is another QB that will stay on your draft board way late, but could bust loose! Gruden is a master-builder of QB's, and I say this year Simms builds on the growth, gets a healthy Clayton back in the mix, and moves on up. I like this kid a lot. In fact, I already grabbed him, late, in an ESPN magazine expert draft.

20) DAUNTE CULPEPPER
Gus Ferotte actually had a surprisingly good fantasy season in Saban’s system, so this is intriguing, were it not for the injury red flag. The whole situation is a mystery here – offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey is new to Miami, and Culpepper has a lot to prove, starting with can he play healthy this year, and if so, when? He could give you some big games down the stretch, but you’re going to have to be patient. Early minicamp reports are extremely postive, but you have to ask yourself if the 'Fin brass is willing to expose him too early?

21) BEN ROETHLISBERGER
Now we add another QB to the mystery file. Plates in the face of a franchise QB? All bets are offf until you know for a fact the Steelers are willing to expose titanium face-gear to the full force of an opportunisticf NFL pass rush. The scuttlebutt is the Steelers will finally open things up a little more, take the handcuffs off Big Ben, but that will only happen by degrees in Cowher’s system. Solid, but won’t win you any leagues on his own. Until proven otherwise, think of Big Ben as the anti-Aaron Brooks: He wins a ton of games, but the statistics may not add up in Fantasy terms.

22) BRAD JOHNSON
Could play much higher than this rating, providing the new offense gels, but for now a solid pick, nothing more. There's a new head coach in town, coupled with a ton of skill player migration, so until we can rest assured the Viking attack isn't a transitional mess, I say buyer beware.

23) MICHAEL VICK
Gee, can you tell I think Vick is a fantasy killer? He will definitely give you some big games with his feet, but this is the fugliest passing attack since Bobby Douglas. When a D shuts down his running lanes, you can be looking at a goose egg. However, Vick seems to be slipping in some expert drafts I’ve done this off-season, so you might be able to snag him as a #2, and spot start him depending on his weekly match up.

24) DAVID CARR
They still didn’t fix the line, and that is the river from whence all Carr’s ills flow. Those two rookies better step up. However, I think Moulds will open up Johnson, Putzier gives him the emergency outlet he’s lacked, it’s gotta get better here… right? New head coach Gary Kubiac could be the fix here, but one of my big questions is how much autonomy did he really have with a micro-manager like Mike Shanahan looking over his shoulder? I watched a game of the week last season on the NFL Network, and it was clear that Shanny was calling every play...

25) BYRON LEFTWICH
Is this guy gonna miss Jimmy Smith, or what? Don’t like this WR corps at all, even though Matt Jones has big upside.

32@RB

1) LARRY JOHNSON
Are we kids or what?

2) SHAUN ALEXANDER
Lost his left guard, still a touchdown machine.

3) TIKI BARBER
It’s time to recognize his consistent greatness.

4) LADANIAN TOMLINSON
Phillip Rivers? Can you say “eight in the box?” I’m downgrading all my Charger skill players, but if your league gives bonus points for receptions, kick LT up a notch, bam!

5) CLINTON PORTIS
He finally found the endzone late last season, and it only gets better now that the Skin’s Offense has more weapons, and offensive coordinator Sanders brilliance. Remember, he's the man who found a way to catapult Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson into the stratosphere.

6) CARNELL WILLIAMS
Healthy = a monster year. It’s that simple. But there is no proof yet he can withstand a full season of NFL beatings...

7) LAMONT JORDAN
He’ll deliver big, provided the Oakland Defense doesn’t take him out of the game with weekly 21 point, pass every down deficits.

8) STEVEN JACKSON
Touchdown machine, junior – will this be the year makes the leap to a top five RB? Sans Martz, we can’t assume anything about the artist formerly known as the Ram Fantasy Football machine, but Linehan's track record speaks of balance, and Faulk looks like he may be on the retirement bubble.

9) RUDI JOHNSON
Not the sexiest pick, but by season's end you never regret picking him. Year after year, one of the safest picks you can make, although Chris Perry will cobble away at his statistical glory.

10) EDGERRIN JAMES
Buyer beware: AZ’s run-blocking am stinky! We all think RB's can be supermen, but the single biggest factor in their performance is the blocking they do or don't get, and this line graded out fugly in the running game, with no significant veteran additons for '06.

11) RONNIE BROWN
Ricky’s gone, so Ronnie is now what you call your good, old-fashioned, workhorse feature back. Big year. There, I said it.

12) BRIAN WESTBROOK
Needless to say, bonus points if your scoring system gives points for receptions. Provided the foot is good, he’s going to get it done – all the more with T.O. gone.

13) CHESTER TAYLOR
He’s in a system that made Brian Westbrook a star, and they paid him #1 money – he’s worth a shot because it could be a breakout year.

14) KEVIN JONES
I drafted him last year, and I’m still vomiting, but the Lions were a complete fucking mess. Once again, this is a bet on the Martz system… wow, I just crapped my pants.

15) REUBEN DROUGHNS
Once the Browns realized Lee Suggs will never stay healthy, Reuben took on a huge share of the offensive workload – it’ll only get bigger this year now that they know he’s the man. But buyer beware: He needs more touchdowns.
*Note: He allegedly got physical with his wife, and while this stuff rarely seems to stick to the legal wall with NFL players, it warrants serious monitoring.

16) WILLIS MCGAHEE
You all know I’m a Buffalo guy, and after last year, the best thing I can say here is he’s clearly the #1, workhorse back, and that’s of value. But the Bills passing game ain’t gonna fool nobody. I see a lot of 8-in–the-box, and Willis “slipping” on the snowy turf and crumpling into the fetal position. Go ahead – prove me wrong, Hurricane.

*DOUCHE BAG ALERT: Then there's this charming thank you to the team that paid him first round $ despite a knee that looked like a pretzel: "With Willis McGahee appearing on the NFL Network as an in-studio guest Wednesday questions were posed to head coach Dick Jauron about how he feels about McGahee's absence at the voluntary OTAs thus far.

"If he's here we'll coach him, if he's not we won't," said Jauron plainly. "Anybody that's not here we'll call him and invite him and tell him that we want him and that we need him and that we'd like to have him with us," said Jauron.

"There aren't real great reasons a player can probably give me, other than family, why they're not here because it's not a hardship," said Jauron. "They're with their teammates and we're all working for the same thing. We just want to win. We just want a chance to win."

I guess Willis thinks he's got a future in broadcasting, despite a sloppier "S" than Kevin "Whasss new Pussssy cat" Covais...

Okay, he back in camp, and lean, whoop-dee-doo...

17) WILLIE PARKER
Sure, someone is going to come in and vulture the short TD runs, but who else is going to get the workload for the reining champs this year? He’ll give you at least three games that will win your week outright, and I predict more consistent production week-in, week-out.

18) JOSEPH ADDAI
Let’s see here – when Bill Polian drafts an RB high, they tend to be… Hall of Famers! Thurman Thomas, Edgerrin James – grab this kid, and trust the master!

19) DOMANICK DAVIS
He’s terrific when he has a lane, he’s soft when he doesn’t, he gets hurt a lot, this line still sucks, and now they have other weapons like Moulds and Putzier. Mix in the prospect of the Texans adding Michael Bennett in a trade, and I’m saying downgrade. Converse upside factors: He's worth a lot more if your league awards points per reception, and Kubiak brings the Denver traditon of zone-blocking to the mix.

20) TATUM BELL
Do you really think the Ron Dayne era is upon us? I didn't think so. Look, pending a trade, this is the main man in Denver and that’s all you need to know. Your momma could rush for 1,200 yards in Denver. (Which doesn't say much for Dayne!)

21) JULIUS JONES
All the upside in the world, but… read my sleeper profile on Marion Barber and you’ll see why I’m downgrading him

22) WARRICK DUNN
Year in, year out, arguably the most underrated Fantasy RB. All the more valuable now that the T.J. Duckett train appears to have faded. Trust me, draft after draft he’ll be there later than he should be

23) THOMAS JONES
See Warrick Dunn regarding the chronically underrated, but my Spidey-sense tells me it’s going to be running back by committee time in Chicago with big $ Cedrick Benson finally over a bad case of the grumpies and up to speed.

And speaking of committees…

PICK ‘EMS: nothing takes the place of a workhorse, feature back, but you won’t get RB depth without picking some players in committee backfields. It’s handcuff time, because if you get them both, you got something good here: you start the vet early in the season, or you start the kid late… and could catch some huge weeks if you get straight info on who the starter is:

23) DEUCE MCALLISTER // REGGIE BUSH
I’m probably underestimating Bush’s explosive potential, but we simply do not know how many touches he’ll get, and Deuce is likely to be the goal line vulture here. A situation to monitor, with a potential upgrade to come…

24) DESHAUN FOSTER // DEANGELO WILLIAMS
Both of these guys could go off this year – Foster is a fabulous back until he gets hurt, Williams might be the best back in this draft – if they end up sharing the load all year, it’s gonna to hurt both, the same way it did when Foster was sharing the load with Stephen Davis.

25) COREY DILLON // LAURENCE MARONEY
It feels like the Corey era is ending fast here, but we all know Belicheck will never tell you who his starter is, so prepare to pull your hair out. However, Maroney has keeper league stud written all over him.

26) JAMAL LEWIS // MIKE ANDERSON
Okay, no kids here… and no clear starter either. In the early expert drafts I've participated in to date, Lewis seems to be hugely overvalued and going waaay early when owners are panicked aftera big run on ball carriers. Sack up and defer for a young back with upside.

27) CHRIS BROWN // LENDALE WHITE
Add in the wild card of Travis Henry and this is a real mess – although I suspect White will be the bull on the goal line from the get-go.

20@WR

1) STEVE SMITH
Keyshawn will hurt some of his production, but not those big, game breaking plays – in fact, he’ll help Smith get open more often and theoretically stop everyone from copying Seattle’s playoff scheme of shut down Steve and dare the rest of the Panthers to beat you. As an added bonus, if Me-shawn tweaks Smith’s diva ego to make more magic, you got fireworks. This guy won a lot of leagues for savvy owners last year. Trust and conquer.

2) LARRY FITZGERALD
The Edge is a downgrade for me, but he’ll only make this passing attack more outrageous, and the kid is heading into his third season -- the traditional break out year for receivers. He's touchdown gold in the redzone, and P.S. – other than Seattle, defensively the AFC West is a mess, easy schedule here, people!

3) TERRELL OWENS
Kookoo for touchdown puffs. He’ll do less in the Parcell’s system, and admittedly, Bledsoe moves like a collectable action figure, but he can still air out the long ball all day long, and Nutbag McAsshole will score the big ones week after week.

4) TORRY HOLT
Holt is the safest, most consistent thing since locking the door before you jack off. On the cautious side, I'm just waiting to see what the new Ram offense is all about...

5) CHAD JOHNSON
Downgraded only because of the shroud of mystery surrounding Carson’s bum gam. I mean, can anyone name the Bengals second string QB? Didn’t think so… oh, wait, it’s Anthony Wright. Uh boy…

6) MARVIN HARRISON
Every fourth week, it’s Reggie Wayne time, but in the bigger picture, Marvin gets it done year after year, and no Edge might spike things statistically.

7) ANQUAN BOLDIN
Now here, we have a football player. Boldin plays with passion, he makes the big plays, get on board.

8) SANTANA MOSS
More weapons means he’ll have to share the ball, but it will also set him free. Santana was unstoppable in '05, and unlike some of his elite WR cohorts, he maintained his dominance all season long. I say trust last year’s dynamic results, and doubt Lavernius Coles all the more.

9) CHRIS CHAMBERS
Once Culpepper takes the rains, Chambers will be a big factor… the question is when???

10) RANDY MOSS
I almost ranked him lower, but he’ll hook up with Brooks for the big plays, provided he can stay healthy. Starting to worry here – it’s been a while since Randy has played a full season, so buyer beware. On the plus side, I think he’ll slip in a lot of drafts, unless you’re in a league with a bunch of lame owners who still show up with a 2003 cheat sheet.

11) HINES WARD
Could be the year they take the muzzle off Big Ben and Ward is option Numero Uno. Either way, hugely consistent.

12) PLAXICO BURRESS
Dude drops his share of passes, but he’s also a game-changer and Eli’s growth only means more for this rising fantasy star.

13) JOEY GALLOWAY
I think Clayton rebounds this year, but Joey really clicked with young Simms, and no reason to doubt a redux, provided father time hasn't gained a step.

14) DONALD DRIVER
Favre’s clear #1 – ‘nuff said. Whatever happens in Wisconsin this year, we know Brett’s gonna chuck that ball.

15) ROY WILLIAMS
This kid is tantalizingly talented, he’s entering the fabled 3rd, year when WR’s blossom, and you can call this yet another “yes” vote for the Mike Martz system, as well as the double QB upgrade with Kitna/McCown. Maybe I’m reaching, but I see big things…

16) REGGIE WAYNE
I always think Reggie goes a little too high in drafts – and last year his TD’s were down. I just think you’re better off with a clear #1.

17) DERRICK MASON
Did an admirable job for his owners last year with Kyle Boller throwing to him, but now that McNair has landed in Baltimore, you can count on this reunion for some fireworks – no doubt he’ll slip in your drafts, and you can make a killing here -- there, I said it!

18) DEION BRANCH
The Pats lost some WR depth, and I think this is going to be his breakout year.

19) T.J. HOUSHMANDZADEH
I’d rank him higher if I knew Palmer’s early season health status. Either way, he’s a big time playmaker, and by season’ end he’ll get you some great production. There are weeks when he eclipses Chad Johnson, what more can I say?

20) JAVON WALKER
The conservatives among us have slotted Rod Smith here, but I can’t forget how explosive Walker was before the injury. The man has top five talent. In Denver, the sky’s the limit if he can still plant and cut. Worth a shot.

10@TE

1) TODD HEAP
Quietly had a huge year last season, and with McNair in Baltimore, this is his career year. There, I said it.

2) ANTONIO GATES
What is not to love, here? I’ve drafted him for the past two years and loved my results. But this year, it’s not just my aversion to going with consensus #1 at a given position, it’s this whole Phillip Rivers thing. Why do I get the feeling the Charger brass is more interested in making a profit or relocating than they are about winning? Even Marty made it clear he didn’t have a “gleam” about letting Brees go. Opponents are going to challenge Rivers to beat them with his arm, and until he proves he can (can you say “30 total 3 NFL passing attempts?!”), it’s going to hurt Gates’ big play numbers.

3) JEREMY SHOCKEY
Things are only going to get better with young Eli.

3) RANDY MCMICHAEL
There was a run last year when he was good for a TD/week plus some reception totals. It only gets better.

4) TONY GONZALEZ
Have you noticed the crazy run on Safeties around the NFL this year and in the draft? You gotta cover these freaky TE’s, and when you play KC, you don’t have to worry about their WR’s. His numbers were down last year, and I don’t see it getting better until they finally get some receivers to pull coverage away from this stud.

5) ALGE CRUMPLER
The only human being Michael Vick has ever completed a pass to.

6) HEATH MILLER
Less Randle El means even more Heath – the kid found the endzone a lot last year, great red zone rapport with Big Ben.

7) CHRIS COOLEY
Huge value last year, now people are on to him. He’ll have to share the ball more, with Randle El and Lloyd in the fold, but he’s a redzone machine.

8) L.J. SMITH
Poised to have a big year with T.O. gone – might be Mcnabb’s #1 redzone option.

9) JASON WITTEN
Git her done!

10) BEN TROUPE
Is this the year he cements the job? If so, he’ll open your eyes.

15@PK

1) NEIL RACKERS
2) ADAM VINATEIRI
3) JEFF WILKINS
4) JASON ELAM
5) JEFF REED
6) SHAYNE GRAHAM
7) JASON HANSON
8) MIKE VANDERJAGT
9) RYAN LONGWELL
10) RIAN LINDELL
11) JOHN KASAY
12) JAY FEELY
13) JOSH BROWN
14) LAWRENCE TYNES
15) DAVID AKERS

15@DEF

1) CHICAGO
2) CAROLINA
3) NY GIANTS
4) INDIANAPOLIS
5) PITTSBURGH
6) SEATTLE
7) TAMPA BAY
8) JACKSONVILLE
9) WASHINGTON
10) BALTIMORE
11) DALLAS
12) MIAMI
13)MINNESOTA
14) CINCINNATI
15) ATLANTA

SLEEPERS:

MARION BARBER, RB, DALLAS:
Anyone who owned Julius Jones last season knows the frustration of seeing his impressive potential up on blocks, as well as the creeping suspicion that he may not be “a Parcell’s guy.” Meanwhile, the Tuna put a lot of trust in Barber during his rookie campaign. He not only averaged 4.5 YPC while Jones was out of the line up, but Barber hogged most of the Cowboys goal line action. Mix in rumors that Jones was offered to the Jets on draft day, and I smell trouble. If Jones can’t stay healthy, Barber could put up big numbers as a late round value pick.

DREW BLEDSOE, QB, DALLAS
If you don’t like to draft a QB until the seventh round, this is your guy. Bledsoe put up top ten Fantasy numbers last season, and he just landed one of the most explosive weapons in the game. While T.O. certainly puts the “D” in Douche… I mean Diva, the patterns say he’s got one season on his meds before the inevitable meltdown. Mix him in with Terry Glenn and Jason Witten, and Bledsoe has all the weapons he needs to take his numbers higher in ’06.

REGGIE BROWN, WR, PHILADELPHIA
This one is pretty academic. I mean, Mcnabb has to throw the ball to somebody, right? He’s the clear #1 in Philly, the Eagles think highly of him, and he’ll be sitting there late in your draft.

STEVE MCNAIR - QB, BALTIMORE???
DERRICK MASON - WR, BALTIMORE
MARK CLAYTON – WR, BALTIMORE
TODD HEAP, TE, BALTIMORE

Since I don’t know Mcnair’s fate as of the deadline for this submission, I couldn’t officially upgrade the Raven passing game on my lists, but I’m all over it here in sleeperville! If a new lease on life reunites him with his old pal Mason, and reinvigorates him with a quality O-line, a healthy Todd Heap, and Clayton, who seems poised for big things -- this could be a dynamic passing battery your rival owners just might overlook.

LATER ROUND VALUE PICKS:
SOME MORE GUYS TO KEEP ON YOUR “BREAK OUT PLAYER” RADAR:

SAMKON GADO
KOREN ROBINSON
MICHAEL CLAYTON
KEVIN CURTIS
FRANK GORE
KELLEN WINSLOW
WHOEVER THE HELL IS THE STEELER’S GOAL LINE BACK
MATT JONES
RYAN MOATS
BRANDON LLOYD