TEAM PREVIEW: Minnesota Vikings

12-4 in 2009.

As another year of preseason games get underway, Brett Favre is still nowhere to be seen. Do I think he will play? Yes. He gives the Vikings the best chance at winning a Super Bowl. If he is not the QB under center this year the Vikings have no shot at winning the big game. The Vikings are still a solid team without Favre, however Tavaris Jackson and Sage Rosenfels simply put are not good enough. It remains to be seen just how long Favre will keep the Vikings locked in his grasp and the longer he does the more it will hurt this team.

With or without Brett Favre the Minnesota Vikings possess one of the most dominant RBs in the league in Adrian Peterson. Peterson is an incredible combination of size and speed, with the ability to run through or around defenders. Behind him is Toby Gerhart, another monster who can fun over just about anyone. With the backfield the Vikings possess, they have the ability to punish opposing defenses, with a true dog fight taking place in the trenches each week. Visanthe Shiancoe was a TD machine last year and solidified the TE spot for the Vikings. The WRs got a huge boost from previously disappointing Sidney Rice, as he smashed his totals from the previous 2 years. Percy Harvin adds that X-factor the Vikings were missing. Brad Childress moved him around the formations, allowing him to find some open space and utilize his speed and quickness. No matter who is under center, the Vikings have too much talent not to run the ball a good deal of the time. This offense will put up a good deal of points and will be difficult to deal with in the 4th quarter.

The Minnesota defense, from top to bottom, is very good. They have playmakers at each level and speed across the board. Up front Pat and Kevin Williams are a LBs dream. They are incredibly difficult to move off the line of scrimmage, disrupting the running game for a lot of teams. With the addition of Everson Griffen, the DEs are even better as Jared Allen and Ray Edwards are known to wreak havoc on opposing QBs. This stellar D-line allows the LBs to fly around and E.J. Henderson and Chad Greenway take full advantage of it. This Vikings front seven will be very difficult to run on this season. The secondary is anchored Antoine Winfield and Cedric Griffin. Adding Lito Sheppard as a nickel should be beneficial and Benny Sapp will challenge him for playing time. Even the safety position is solid, with Madieau Williams being the stand out there. Overall, the Vikings defense should once again be very good. I expect a good amount of sacks and interceptions as well.

What the Vikings season will ultimately come down to is the QB. If Brett Favre comes back it remains to be seen if he can play at the level that he did in 2009. Without him the Vikings are still a playoff team but it would be very difficult to beat the best teams of the NFC with Tavaris Jackson manning the offense. Either way they will fight out the division with the Packers, making the two meetings between these teams very exciting.

-Prediction: 11-12 wins. Possible NFC North champs.

TEAM PREVIEW: Miami Dolphins

7-9 in 2009

The Miami Dolphins are an intriguing team. They have Ronnie Brown perpetually returning from a season-ending injury. They made the right choice in dispensing the over-reached draft bust Ted Ginn, Jr. They added a solid, solid playmaker in the center of their defense in Karlos Dansby. They have one of the youngest, most promising set of corners in the league in Vontae Davis and Sean Smith. And they had the biggest non-Donovan addition to their offense in the league by trading for Brandon Marshall. The upside for this team is clearly there.

Most of the success of the Dolphins will rely on Chad Henne's shoulders. Henne started the most of the season last year after Chad Pennington (the aforementioned noodle-arm) went down. For the most part, he did a solid job. He has an absolute cannon for an arm, and showed that he was able to do a relatively strong job managing the offense as a full-time starter. He added a new dimension to the offense, making it harder for teams to stack the box against Miami's dominant running game. Look for Henne to improve his play modestly and for his numbers to improve drastically. Brandon Marshall catches anything thrown in his general direction. He'll add to Henne's passing yardage and is a dominant red zone threat as well. He'll also open up opportunities for fellow receivers like Devone Bess.

Marshall's impact gets compounded well projecting his effect on the running game. As the simple addition of Henne's big arm did last year, Marshall's presence in the passing game opens up opportunities for the already potent running game. Although Ronnie Brown is almost a lock to get injured again, Ricky Williams proved to be more than capable leading the charge as a feature back. The offensive line is solid, led by dominant left tackle Jake Long. This looks like the year where Miami's offense catches up to the play of its defense.

The defense in Miami has been one of its strong point in recent years. Their 3-4 scheme is designed to confuse opposing quarterbacks, creating pressure in unexpected areas. Although the defense is without its hallmark players in Joey Porter and long-time stud Jason Taylor, there is enough talent within the young players to fill these gaps. The linebacking corp still gets a marked improvement with the addition of free agent acquisition, Karlos Dansby. The man is just solid in all facets of his game. The Dolphins also has talented young CBs who aren't afraid to mix it in with run support. The identity of the Dolphins has never been in question: they are a punch you in the mouth type of team.

Still, Miami is a poor man's version of the New York Jets. And facing the Jets and the Pats twice a year isn't good for any team. I believe they have a slim chance to make the playoffs as a second wildcard team, but will probably finish behind both the Jets and Patriots in the division.

They'll finish 9-7 in 2010. Possible playoff birth.

Mike Vick?

So before I do my team and fantasy previews I wanted to talk about something that I have been hearing, especially after Friday night. I listen to 97.5 the fan almost everytime I am in the car and there is a lot of good content on there, however, there are many uneducated, idiots who feel the need to make those of us who listen dumber.

There have been a good deal of callers wanting Michael Vick to be the starter going into 2010. I even heard someone say the Eagles could win the super bowl with him and not Kolb. Seriously? Now I don't think Vick is a bad player but no chance he can get this team to the super bowl. He is not a fit for the west coast offense, nor is he what he used to be with the Falcons. Now I think he can certainly help the Eagles this year. He adds a nice dimension to an already elaborate skill set the Eagles have on offense, but Kolb gives the Eagles the best chance to win the big one.

Friday night I saw a great deal of positives that came from Kolb. He was accurate and hit receivers in stride. I also saw some growing pains. Threw into double coverage a few times but I will give him a pass. It was the first preseason game of the year. The biggest thing to look for is progression in the next couple games. Vick made some plays but he is not the ultimate answer for this team.

Eagles fans need to put this argument to rest. Unless he gets injured, Kolb is the starter and will be for years to come. Vick will play this year with the Eagles, and presumably move on after the season.

Anyone who thinks differently please enlighten me...I'll be more than happy to dispel your argument.

FANTASY ANALYSIS: Dallas Cowboys

I want to preface this article saying I do whatever I can not to draft Cowboys players. But if you feel the urge here is what to expect.

Tony Romo has turned himself into a pretty formidable fantasy QB. With Miles Austin emerging as a top pass catcher, Romo found a consistent target he liked throwing to. Now that he has Dez Bryant, Romo has an explosive playmaker, much of what the Cowboys thought Roy Williams would be for them. Tony Romo has become much more efficient and should continue to put up strong numbers in 2010. A deep backfield helps him as well, as teams will have to respect the run just as much as they do the pass. Romo is a top fantasy QB and will probably be the 4th or 5th QB to come off the board.

-Projection: 4,200-4,400 yards, 26-28 TDs, 13-16 INTs; 80-100 yards rushing, 1-2 TDs

Felix Jones more or less forced the hand of the Dallas Cowboys to become the starter. For some time it looked as if Wade Phillips wanted Marion Barber to be the feature back with Jones the "change of pace" guy. Now that Jones has shown off his full array of skills he has emerged as the Cowboys true number 1 back. He has good size and above average speed, which makes him very difficult to bring down. Early in the season Jones may lose some goal line carries to Barber, however I think he will getting the bulk of the workload if he can stay healthy.

-Projection: 1,000-1,100 yards rushing, 6-8 TDs; 20-30 receptions, 200 yards receiving, 1 TD

Until the arrival of Felix Jones, Marion Barber was a highly fantasy RB. Now he is reverted more to a back up role, presumably seeing the Cowboys goal-line carries. In deep leagues Marion Barber can be an asset but I do not think he is a starter. Watch to see how Jones plays and if he stays healthy, this will determine just how valuable Barber will be throughout the course of the season.

-Projection: 800 yards rushing, 6-8 TDs; 30 receptions, 200-250 yards receiving, 1 TD

Miles Austin came out of nowhere to burst onto the scene in 2009. In his final 2 weeks of the season, Austin totaled almost as many receptions as he had in 2007 and 2008 combined. Austin benefited from Roy Williams falling from out of grace with the Cowboys coaching staff and was the main focal point of the offense as teams keyed on Jason Witten. I, however, have not jumped on the bandwagon. While I do not see Austin being a total bust, I don't know if he is as good as his stats showed from last year. One more good season will have me convinced and I did project him higher than what I actually think, given the hype surrounding him going into 2010.

-Projection: 70-80 receptions, 1,100-1,200 yards receiving, 8 TDs

Dez Bryant was an incredible player at Oklahoma St. and it should carry over to the NFL. Bryant gets to work with an established QB and does not have to be the number 1 guy just yet. In keeper/dynasty leagues, Bryant could be a very valuable asset down the road. He should come off the board relatively late with a high upside going into 2010.

-Projection: 60 receptions, 800-900 yards receiving, 6-8 TDs

The TE position for fantasy generally touts only a hand full of high-end players, with Jason Witten always being one of them. His hands are some of the best in the business, with his physicality and speed making him one of the toughest TEs to cover. A PPR machine at TE, Witten should be able to boost his TD totals in 2010 with a formidable receiving tandem on the outside. Teams were blanketing Witten in the red zone because he was the one who could do the most damage. I think Witten will have another fine season and I expect his TDs to increase in 2010.

-Projection: 85-100 receptions, 1,000 yards receiving, 5-7 TDs

DeMarcus Ware is a beast in the 3-4 defense. The Cowboys utilize him very well and he gives opposing offensive tackles fits with his pass rush. While he may not post a ton of tackles, Ware will get his sacks on a very good Cowboys defense. He will be one of the first DL to come off the board.

-Projection: 60-70 total tackles, 12-16 sacks, 5 passes defended, 2 forced fumbles

Keith Brooking has been a solid LB for years both with the Cowboys and Falcons. He has posted 100+ total tackles for 9 straight seasons and even at 34/35 he should be able to do it again. If a deeper league he may be a starting LB but more likely a backup in fantasy circles.

-Projection: 100-110 total tackles, 2 sacks, 5 passes defended, 1 INT

FANTASY ANALYSIS: Buffalo Bills

As my cohort so beautifully explains, the Buffalo Bills are merely one piece away from legitimacy. The only problem is that piece happens to be the most important one, and often difficult to accurately project to the NFL level. It's clear that the quarterback rotisserie of Trent Edwards, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Brian Brohm can not get the job done. Edwards has the most experience, but is a NFL bottom 10 quarterback at best. Edwards is an option as a backup quarterback in only the deepest of fantasy leagues. His ability to read the defense and throw over the linebackers is severely lacking, relying far too often on the dump pass support of runningback studs Fred Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, and now CJ Spiller. Edwards seems primed as a career backup, and will consistently throw just as many touchdowns as interceptions. Stay clear.
- Projections: 3,000 passing yards, 15 TDs and 15 INTs

#1 wide receiver Lee Evans is a playmaker wasted on a poor team. He saw his receiving totals drop off drastically last year due to Edwards injury and having noodle-armed Ryan Fitzpatrick behind the helm. Evans is a deep threat, and benefits greatly from the long ball. His TDs did spike last year, but his receptions and yardage saw a career low (44 rec: 612 yds). With the relatively competent Trent Edwards behind center, Evans should return back to fantasy relevance and you should be able to snag him in the later rounds. Project him as a solid backup for your squad.
- Projections: 65 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards, and 6 TDs

The runningback situation for the Buffalo is great for the Bills, awful for fantasy owners. They currently have three runningbacks on their roster that could potentially be starters for other teams. Fred Jackson is the safest pick, but just broke his hand. Projecting him as a receiving runningback, this injury becomes a little more important. Still he should still be a solid backup as a runningback, just because of his yardage totals.
- Projections: 1,000 rushing yards, 28 receptions, 200 receiving yards, and 5 total TDs

CJ Spiller has the most upside of all the backs and could become the starter by the end of the season. He is a dynamic player and can score from any point on the field. Even in the crowded backfield, it is hard to imagine the Bills keeping him buried in the depth chart for too long.
- Projections: 700 rushing yards, 40 receptions, 350 receiving yards, and 6 total TDs

Marshawn Lynch is generally regarded as the odd-man-out. He showed flashes of brilliance in his first couple seasons, but has become a headache. His production dropped last year after his 4 game suspension. Look for him to wind up at the bottom of the depth chart by the season's end.
- Projections: 400 rushing yards, 20 receptions, 175 receiving yards, and 3 total TDs.

For IDP's, there are two solid options on the Bills. Middle linebacker, Paul Posluszny is a dominant force when healthy. He's a tackling machine and should rack up near 100 tackles during the course of a full season.
- Projections: 100 solo tackles, 25 assisted tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs, 2 forced fumbles and 6 passes defended.

The other option is second year free safety, Jairus Byrd. Byrd is a ballhawking playmaker and should contribute as a nice option for your DB position.
- Projections: 45 solo tackles, 20 assisted tackles, 7 INTs, and 14 passes defended.

TEAM PREVIEW: Green Bay Packers

11-5 in 2009.

The Green Bay Packers have a very strong team. From top to bottom the Packers sport playmakers and are solid on both sides of the ball. The NFC North only has 2 good teams and when playoff time comes the Packers and the Vikings will be the teams emerging.

Aaron Rodgers has asserted himself as a top of the line NFL QB, and the Packers organization has given him the weapons to excel. Ryan Grant is an underrated RB and he can get the job done week in and week out. Looking at his stats, Grant is the type of back who needs his touches to get going. If the Packers give him the ball more he could be in for a career year. Brandon Jackson is very quick and has good hands, he is the perfect compliment for Grant's between the tackles running style. When it comes to WR the Packers are not loaded, but if Donald Driver can turn in another good performance, the team will be in good shape. James Jones and Jordy Nelson are not bad 3/4 options and Greg Jennings has something to prove after a disappointing 2009. Jermichael Finley has emerged as a difference-maker at TE and will help Rodger's as a sure handed safety valve this season. The offensive line added Bryan Bulaga at tackle. While he will most likely not start there this season, a starting spot at guard could be his. The Packers offense will put up a great deal of points and will be a difficult unit to stop in 2010.

The Packers have the perfect personnel for a 3-4 defensive scheme. At NT, Ryan Pickett and B.J. Raji are giants, and will make running up the middle difficult for opposing teams. The DE position is a bit thin but that can be overshadowed with good, pass rushing OLBs. Clay Matthews has become very good at this and will be a major factor on this defense. A.J. Hawk has incredible talent and coupled with Nick Barnett, the middle of the Packers defense should be quite good. The secondary will be one of the better units across the league. Charles Woodson and Al Harris are great cover guys, with good DBs serving as their backups. The combo of Atari Bigby and Nick Collins is one of the better safety units in the league as well. This defense should be a great unit in 2010, allowing for the offense to be on the field a good amount of the time.

If Brett Favre does not come back to the Vikings, the Packers are the clear favorite to win the NFC North. On paper the Packers do not have a very difficult schedule, with a lot of winnable games, 4 of which are the Bears and Lions. If Favre comes back, the two teams will most likely battle for the division down to the end, with the other getting into the playoffs as the wild card. Overall, the Packers could easily be one of the last two teams still alive in the NFC.

-Prediction: 11-12 wins in 2010.

FANTASY ANALYSIS: Philadelphia Eagles

DeSean Jackson exploded last season, following up on a strong rookie performance. Although small in stature, Jackson showed he can survive an NFL season, and do it quite well. He is the ultimate speedster and catches the deep ball very well. Over the course of 2009 Jackson did seem to disappear in a few game, something I attribute to the inaccuracy of Donovan McNabb. With an incredibly accurate QB in first year starter Kevin Kolb, I expect DeSean Jackson to run a variety of patterns, as Andy Reid will want to get him the ball whenever possible. Jackson has great breakaway speed after he gets his hands on the ball, quite evident in his punt return ability. Jackson could vastly improve on his totals last year, not only with Kevin Kolb throwing to him, but the other weapons around Jackson should take some of the looks in their direction. Overall, Jackson is a clear cut number 1, and if you can grab him around the late 2nd round or sometime in the 3rd you will be happy that you did.

-Projection: 70 receptions, 1,200-1,300 yards, 8-12 total TDs (return)

Kevin Kolb, by most, has been dubbed a "sleeper" pick for 2010. As a fantasy owner I salivate over that. Many first year started experience growing pains, something Kolb will have to go through, but he has so many weapons it is hard to envision him not having a great year. Kolb has said and done all of the little things right thus far and his confidence seems high. With one of the best receiving corps in the league he will have many options to throw to. Kolb is perfect for the west coast offense, and the Eagles offense should see much more consistency. What this all comes down to is Kevin Kolb has come into an incredible situation. He has all the weapons he could ask for, all he needs to do is deliver. I see a big year for Kolb. I like him as one of the later QBs to come off the board with a ton of upside.

-Projection: 4,000 yards, 25-28 TDs, 15-18 INTs

Brent Celek has blossomed into everything the Eagles had hoped L.J. Smith would be, an all around playmaking TE. Celek is not the fastest guy in the world, but if its possible to say he plays much faster than he actually is. After the catch, Celek seems to turn it up a notch. He can not only run over defenders but has some deceiving moves. In space Celek has become very difficult to take down. With a more accurate QB Celek could have even more upside. I expect Kolb to use him as a safety valve if he gets in trouble. Celek will come off the board a bit later than the other top TEs, but if you are targeting him make sure you do not wait too late.

-Projection: 60-70 receptions, 900-1,000 yards, 6-8 TDs

When he was the starter, LeSean McCoy really was able to show what he could do. His biggest problem last season was breaking away from tackles. In the offseason, McCoy worked on improving his lower body strength. From what I have seen thus far in camp, his legs are much stronger. "Shady's" other strength is his hands. He is very Brian Westbrook like when it comes to the passing game and it is no secret the Eagles like to get their RBs involved in the air attack, especially screen plays. In PPR leagues I think McCoy gets rated a little higher. While he is certainly not yet a number 1 fantasy back McCoy comes with a great deal of upside and could be a steal as a keeper.

-Projection: 800-950 yards rushing, 6 TDs; 50 receptions, 400-500 yards receiving, 2-3 TDs

Jeremy Maclin has a great deal of upside going into 2010. Down the stretch Maclin showed off his skills as a receiver and Kolb starting only adds to his value. While he may not grab as many deep TDs that Jackson does, Maclin is still an all around threat. He was great after the catch when he played at Missouri and I expect more of the same this season. Maclin has worked hard to secure his spot as the number 2 receiver in the Eagles offense. His performance allowed the Eagles to cut Kevin Curtis, putting their faith in the second year pro. Right now Maclin is a solid number 3, but has as high a ceiling as any number 3 WR this year.

-Projection: 60-70 receptions, 850-1,000 yards, 5-7 TDs

Stewart Bradley returns to the middle of the Eagles defense this year, after tearing his ACL in preseason in '09. Before that Bradley seemed to be ready to burst onto the seen. Bradley possesses the size and speed any coach could want in a MLB. As long as he stays healthy Bradley should have a great season.

-Projection: 100 total tackles, 5 passes defended, 2 INTs, 2 forced fumbles

As a DL Trent Cole is a solid pick. Now that he has some help around him in Brandon Graham, Cole should be able to have more one-on-one battles with offensive lineman. In 2010 Cole should post double digit sack totals. Although he is not as high as some other defensive lineman, Cole is a good value pick at a position where sacks mean everything for fantasy.

-Projection: 50-60 total tackles, 13-15 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Ernie Sims couldn't have found himself in a better situation after playing with the Lions for the first years of his career. He comes into a defense where LBs are used every way possible. Playing alongside Stewart Bradley does not hurt either. Sims should be the Eagles every down back and could post over 100 total tackles as he did with Detroit his first 3 years in the league.

-Projection: 100 total tackles, 3 passes defended, 1 INTs, 2 forced fumbles

Asante Samuel is as much of a route jumper as you can see at the DB position. He is quite good at it as well. Samuel tied for the league lead with 9 INTs last season, but I'm pretty sure he led the league in whiffed tackles as well. Simply put Samuel can't tackle anyone but he will pick the ball off. His fantasy numbers will be inconsistent but he should have a good number of picks again in 2010.

-Projection: 40 tackles (pushing people out of bounds counts), 6-8 INTs, 1-2 TDs

TEAM PREVIEW: Arizona Cardinals

10-6 in 2009. Won NFC West.


The 2009 offseason was not very kind to the Arizona Cardinals. Kurt Warner retired (hes not coming back sorry Mazzetti), Anquan Boldin was traded, Antrelle Rolle left, Karlos Dansby is gone, just to name a few. There are some new players like Joey Porter, and Alan Faneca but the additions do not even come close to the subtractions.

Without Kurt Warner at the helm, the once highly touted, Matt Leinart steps in. He will be given every opportunity to do well, because if he doesn't, it will likely mean he is not a Cardinal going into next season. He is due to make about $18 million in 2011 and the Cards will not pay that if they don't think Leinart can get the job done. Beanie Wells is an imposing figure as a RB at 6'2", 228lbs. The Cardinals figure to put a heavy workload on him to lessen the pressure on Leinart. Larry Fitzgerald is one of the best WRs in the league and it still remains to be seen what type of stats he will put up without Warner throwing him precision passes in 2010. I do have high expectations for Steve Breaston and Early Doucet. Both showed flashes of promise last year, and with increased roles could prove to be valuable play makers in this offense. None of the TEs are impressive, but the Cardinals offense uses them more as blockers than receivers. The offensive line is anchored by Levi Brown and should be a good enough unit for Leinart not to get killed behind.

The losses of Rolle and Dansby should prove quite large going into 2010. Joey Porter is still pretty good, but at this point he doesn't add quite as much as Dansby did. The defensive line will get a major boost with Dan Williams out of Tennessee and Darnell Dockett is still a solid player. I am undecided on the LB core. There are a few good players there, however outside of an aging Porter, no real game changers. It remains to be seen what the LBs can do this season. At the DB position, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is a top caliber player, but it could be argued the Cardinals lack a true number 2 talent. This affects the rest of the depth chart as well, slotting 4 and 5 type DBs in the 2 and 3 spots. At safety Adrian Wilson is one of the better ones in the league but not having Rolle should have a major overall impact on the secondary.

What this all comes down to is the Arizona Cardinals lost a lot more in the offseason than they gained. The NFC West is not a very good division, which could inflate their record, but I see the 49ers coming out on top. As good as the rest of the NFC is, I don't see the Cardinals making the playoffs this season. Unless Matt Leinart is better than advertised I think the Cardinals are in for a tough year.

-Prediction: 7-8 wins in 2010.

FANTASY ANALYSIS: Cincinnati Bengals

Cedric Benson was the workhorse in the Bengals backfield in 2009 and that does not seem to be changing in 2010. He is one of the few backs in the NFL who is a true "feature" back. The amount of carries in '09 did seem to catch up to him, but with newcomers Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant, the Bengals will put more emphasis on the passing game this year. Marvin Lewis will find ways to get Benson involved and even with a few less carries he should still produce good number. Don't overpay for Benson and if you can get him as your number 2 RB you should be in pretty good shape.

-Projection: 1,400 yards rushing, 8 TDs; 15-20 receptions, 100 yards receiving, 1 TD

Carson Palmer did not have a terrible season in 2009, but it is not what he is (or was) capable of. With some new weapons around him I believe that Palmer could be a nice surprise at QB this year. One of the most attractive things about Palmer is he will most likely be around late enough to grab as a backup. Behind an improved offensive line Palmer could revert back to form before his injuries in 2008. As a backup Palmer is a low risk and potentially high reward type of player.

-Projection: 3,200-3,400 yards, 22-25 TDs, 12-14 INTs; 80 yards rushing, 2 TDs

Chad Ocho Cinco shut his mouth and played football last season, and the results spoke for them self. Following a nasty 2008 with the coaching staff, Ocho Cinco showed he still had something left in the tank. He even put up a good season without much help around him. The Bengals will pass the ball more this year, leading to more targets for Ocho Cinco, and possibly better totals. He is a good number 2 option in fantasy, but make sure you have a solid backup if the Ocho Cinco and T.O. relationship goes sour.

-Projection: 70-80 receptions, 1,100 yards, 6-8 TDs

Terrell Owens
may have gotten just what he needs in landing with the Bengals, a number one receiver. He does not possess the skill he did in years past but he stays in incredible shape and can still make some plays. Not being the focal point of an offense should also help him produce more steadily. Owens is not a terrible 3 option and should not go very high in fantasy drafts.

-Projection: 60 receptions, 850 yards, 5 TDs

When he signed with Cincinnati, Antonio Bryant was slated as the number 2 WR. Now with Owens in the mix Bryant will most likely play the slot. Some players thrive in the slot, others disappear. With Bryant I can honestly say I am unsure of which way he will go. If he takes his role in stride he could blossom as a number 3. If he is upset with the downgrade, the stats will show it. Bryant is one player to watch, especially if he goes undrafted, because of the presence of Owens.

Projection: 45 receptions, 600 yards, 4 TDs

Jermaine Gresham had a great career at Oklahoma and he is a very hard worker. His size at the TE position could quickly make him one of Carson Palmer's favorite targets. With the three other WRs mentioned already Gresham could fly under the radar of opposing defenses, especially in the red zone. Right now he is no better than a low-end number 2, but could have great value as a keeper in years to come.

-Projection: 30-40 receptions, 400 yards, 4 TDs

The Bengals defense does not have any standout IDPs who will get enough stats to warrant their own spot. 2 LBs who could produce points in deep leagues are Keith Rivers and Dhaini Jones. Rivers was injured last year and Jones is now starting. They might not be worth a draft spot, but could be good waiver wire additions during the season.

TEAM PREVIEW: New England Patriots

10-6 in 2009. Won AFC East.

For whatever reason I am not very high on the New England Patriots going into the 2010 season. I am not sure if it is the fact that the Jets have improved so much, or simply that the Patriots are an aging team. 2009 ended with a whooping from the Ravens in the Wild Card round and the Patriots simply looked over matched. While the entire AFC East looks to be improving substantially, the Patriots did not seem to do the same in the offseason.

On offense there are still some very good pieces in place. The offensive line is a great unit, but contracts and age could have an effect on it this year. Tom Brady is still one of the best QBs in the league but a non-existent running game seems to hurt him during the course of the season. Randy Moss should prove to be a TD machine once again, but the Patriots really need Wes Welker to be healthy in order for their offense to function in the best possible way. The TE position saw a boost by drafting Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez but sometimes rookie TEs have a difficult time staying on the field because of blocking issues. The Patriots backfield is a crowded one. However, none of the backs are huge threats to the opposition and it allows for more people to drop back in the secondary. The Patriots offense will put up points but I don't think it will be the machine that we have seen in the past.

On defense the Patriots lack some of the big names but their scheme makes up for it. Getting Brandon Spikes could add some energy and life to a quiet defense. The DBs do not look to be anything special, but Brandon Merriweather is a force at SS and is a great hitter. Jerrod Mayo has played well with the Patriots so far and another year should mean even better stats, as he is now one of the leaders on that defense. The defensive line is anchored by Vince Wilfork, outside of that it is full of underachievers. This unit should hold its own but in the end it could cost the Patriots a few games.

I am not saying the Patriots do not have some good pieces in place, I just don't believe they did enough to stay an elite team in the AFC. The coaching staff and front office is one of the best as evidence from their success in the past few years. In the end I don't think the Patriots have enough firepower to compete with the Jets and the other top teams in the league.

9-7 in 2010. 9 wins probably misses the playoffs.

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 35 - Pierre Thomas

- Projections: 1,000 rushing yards, 7 rushing TDs, 40 receptions, 300 receiving yards, 3 receiving TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 34 - Marques Colston

-Projections: 70-80 receptions, 1,200 yards receiving, 10 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 33 - Greg Jennings

- Projections: 75 receptions, 1,200 receiving yards, 7 receiving TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 32 - Jahvid Best

-Projection: 1,000 yards rushing, 10 TDs; 30 receptions, 250 yards receiving, 3 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 31 - Steve Smith (NYG)

- Projections: 95 receptions, 1,100 receiving yards, 7 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 30 - Jonathan Stewart

- Projections: 1,000 yards, 10 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 29 - Cedric Benson

-Projections: 1,300-1,400 yards rushing, 8-10 TDs; 20-25 receptions, 150 yards receiving, 1 TD

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 28 - Anquan Boldin

- Projections: 85 receptions, 1,100 receiving yards, 7 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 27 - Philip Rivers

-Projections: 4,100-4,300 yards passing, 27-30 TDs, 13 INTs; 80 yards rushing, 1 TD

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 26 - Sidney Rice

- Projections: 80 receptions, 1,200 receiving yards, 8 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 25 - DeSean Jackson

-Projections: 70-80 receptions, 1,200-1,300 yards receiving, 10-12 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 24 - Brandon Marshall

- Projections: 100 receptions, 1,200 yards, 9 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 23 - Ryan Grant

-Projections: 1,200-1,300 yards rushing, 10 TDs; 20-25 receptions, 150 yards receiving, 1 TD

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 22 - Miles Austin

- Projections: 80 receptions, 1,300 receiving yards, 10 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 21 - Shonn Greene

-Projection: 1,200-1,400 yards rushing, 12 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 20 - Roddy White

Roddy White has been a guy who always seems to fly under the radar. White does a very good job of finding open space in the defense and has very good hands. With Matt Ryan another year older, the two should be able to gel this season and White's stats should reflect this. The Falcons have one of the better speed/power running backs in the game in Michael Turner, which will force opposing teams to honor the run and stack the box. Roddy White should also be able to play off of Tony Gonzalez, who despite his age, is still and elite TE.

Roddy White should post good numbers week in and week out, and much of the Falcons success on offense will hinge on him playing well. If Matt Ryan comes out and puts up a good year, White will be one of the better wide outs in the NFL this season.

-Projections: 85 receptions, 1,300 yards receiving, 8 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 19 - Peyton Manning

At Pick 19, I'd be crazy not to go Peyton Manning here. He's perennially a top 3 quarterback, and he's about a consistent as you can get at the quarterback position. No player in NFL history has been so vital to the success of his team as 4-time NFL MVP, Peyton Manning. He makes the correct reads at the line of scrimmage, and executes his throws with flawless precision. Despite his legs of molasses, he rarely gets sacked. His field awareness allows him to release the ball out of his hand before the pressure has a chance to reach him. Because of this, and his inherent toughness, he has never missed a start in his career. He'll throw at least 4,000 yards every year, and seems comfortable in throwing 30 TDs every season. With Anthony Gonzalez recovered from a knee injury, Manning has yet another weapon at his disposal. Matched with Adrian Peterson, these two picks are a safe bet to be the foundation for my team for the year.

- Projections: 4,000 passing yards, 30 TDs, and 13 INTs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 18 - Calvin Johnson

After picking Maurice Jones-Drew in the first round, I think a WR like Calvin Johnson is a good compliment to him. Johnson is a young and extremely talented WR. He has put up great numbers in each season on very bad Lions teams. Granted his number last year were not great, but I attribute that mostly to inconsistent QB play. With Matt Stafford firmly penciled in as the started I think this QB-WR combo could be very beneficial to both. Calvin Johnson has all of the tools to be a top flight WR and I think those skills will be on display in a big way this year.

The Lions have also added a great number 2 for Johnson in Nate Burleson. Burleson has never been regarded as a great receiver, but he will draw some of the coverage to his side and allow for Johnson to find some open space over the middle and deeper down the field. The other addition comes in the form of Javhid Best. A dynamic play maker at Cal, Best will keep defense's honest, having to protect against the run and Best coming out of the backfield to catch passes. The Lions are getting better and it should lead to a productive 2010 for Calvin Johnson.

-Projections: 80-90 receptions, 1,200-1,300 yards receiving, 12 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 17 - DeAngelo WIlliams

DeAngelo Williams is a steal at the 17th pick. Over the past three seasons, Williams has averaged at least 5 yards per carry. He was a bit of a disappointment last season, failing to match his 2008 monster campaign of 1,600 total yards and 20 total TDs. Even with the presence of Jonathan Stewart in the backfield, DeAngelo Williams will still be a top producer for the offense, especially with such a young and unproven quarterback at center. He missed a couple games last season, but was effective when healthy. He's still likely to be used as a relative workhorse and should see around 240 carries on the season.

- Projections : 1,200 rushing yards, 8 rushing TDs, 300 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs.

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 16 - Randy Moss

Randy Moss is getting up there in age but he still shows signs of being an elite receiver. With Wes Welker seemingly healthy, he takes a lot of pressure off of Moss and teams rarely can double cover Moss without negative effects. As long as Welker's knee holds up over the season it will allow Moss to catch the deep ball much easier. Julian Edelman is a sneaky underneath receiver as well so teams will have to crowd the middle against the Patriots offense. Tom Brady is in a contract year so I also expect him to do well. With all of this, Randy Moss is also probably playing for one of his final contracts in the NFL so he will want to maximize his possible value. Moss has been very consistent in his career and I think he will have another solid season in 2010.

-Projection: 80 receptions, 1,100-1,200 yards receiving, 10-12 TDs

MOCK DRAFT: Pick 15 - Aaron Rodgers

With the 15th pick, I'm coupling the guaranteed steady workload of Michael Turner with the potent offensive powerhouse, Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers enjoyed a career year last year, posting the best fantasy output for quarterbacks in most fantasy formats. He tossed up similar number of touchdowns over the last few seasons (28 & 30), but his interception total was cut in half and he through for an additional 400+ yards on the season. The most appetizing part of Rodgers' fantasy output is his rushing production. He rushed for over 300 yards last season, with 5 rushing TDs. Added to his already respectable passing totals, his rushing production moves him from a great fantasy quarterback to 'elite' status.

The only issue with Rodgers is his tendency to take hits. He was sacked 50 times last year, and his durability might not prove to hold up under these conditions. The offensive line needs to protect their franchise quarterback much better this season. Still, as a middle second round pick, Rodgers is a pretty safe pick here.

- Expect: 4,400 passing yards, 28 passing TDs, 250 rushing yards, 4 rushing TDs

FANTASY ANALYSIS: Atlanta Falcons

Michael Turner was bitten by the injury bug last season after amassing a whopping 367 carries in 2008. He his a bruising runner with above average speed and should be back to 100% in 2010. If he can stay healthy throughout the season Turner should return to elite fantasy statue and finish among the leaders in points this season. The Falcons are an emerging team and I think the coaching staff will rely heavily on the ground game this season to take some pressure off of Matt Ryan. Even with Jerious Norwood lurking behind Turner, he should have a great season and look for him to get the ball early and often. Turner will certainly be worthy of a mid to late first round pick.

-Projection: 1,300-1,400 yards rushing, 12-14 TDs

Roddy White still seems to be underrated by some, even as he gets better every year. He quietly puts up very respectable numbers and should do so again this season. He had some ups and downs last year but could see more consistency with Matt Ryan coming into his 3rd year. White is good in both standard and PPR formats, which warrants a late second to third round pick. If you can somehow grab White as your 2nd WR or a late number 1 you will be happy you did.

-Projection: 80-90 receptions, 1,200-1,300 yards receiving, 8-10 TDs

After a good rookie campaign, Matt Ryan did not seem to get much better after 2008. His 3rd year could be different though. Another year in the Falcons system, with an emerging Roddy White and a healthy Michael Turner, could prove to be exactly what he needs. On draft day he could come at a nice bargain price and is not a bad backup at all. If he slips through the cracks and is available late, try to grab him. Can provide some value in keeper/dynasty leagues as well.

-Projection: 3,300-3,500 yards passing, 22-26 TDs, 14 INTs

Easily one of the greatest TEs of our time, Tony Gonzalez puts up great numbers year in a year out. Even at age 34 he hasn't shown signs of slowing down, and is still a top TE in the NFL. Gonzalez has incredible hands, and can usually find some open space to catch the football. Unless his age somehow catches up to him this year, it should be another solid season for Gonzalez. He does lose a little value in keeper/dynasty leagues, however he is a guy you can get in the later rounds, who will produce every week for your fantasy team.

-Projection: 70-80 receptions, 900-1,000 yards receiving, 7 TDs

Last season Curtis Lofton posted and incredible season at MLB. With 133 total tackles (105 being solo) he had himself a very nice season. The Falcons do not have an overwhelming defense but Lofton is definitely the star and was able to prove that last season. If you pass on the high profile LBs, you should be able to grab Lofton real late, as his name seems to fly under the radar pretty well.

-Projection: 135-150 total tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles

TEAM PREVIEW: Baltimore Ravens

9-7 in 2009

For the past few years the Baltimore Ravens have been defined by their defense, and in 2010 look for the offense to shoulder the workload. Don't get me wrong the Ravens still have a very good defense, especially the front 7, but the offense has caught up, and even surpassed the defense in talent this year.

Joe Flacco looks primed for a breakout season and has been granted all of the weapons to do just that. Ray Rice has established himself as a top-tier RB, with capable backups in McGahee and McClain. The knock on the Ravens offense had always been their WR corps but the addition of Anquain Boldin should put that to rest. He was a beast with Arizona, although his production may fall a bit he is still a true number 1 WR. Derrick Mason is coming back for his 800th season, one behind Brett Favre, and somehow still has some gas left in the tank. The Ravens also have a stout offensive line, with 2 monsters in Oher and Gaither. Look for a 50-50 balance on offense, with this the Ravens should put up a great deal of points on the opposition.

While the defense is aging, they are still a solid unit. Ed Reed needs to get on the field, as he is one of the biggest game-changers in the league at his position. The CB position will pose the most question marks. It is a young group with some injuries to deal with. The CBs do not have to be great but in a passing league they need to hold their own. The Ravens LBs are always very good even with Ray Lewis getting up there in years. Terrell Suggs is a manimal on the outside and the addition of Sergio Kindle should pay dividends immediately. Across the board the D-Line is good and will free up a lot of space for the LBs to fly around and make plays. While the defense is not what they used to be, it is still a strong unit and should be tough to run on.

The Ravens are a team who have taken some great strides in recent years, getting younger and much more talented on offense are the reason. If Flacco can take a big leap forward and utilize his weapons the Ravens could make a deep playoff run and build on last years beating of the Patriots. It should be a tight division but I think they edge out Cincinnati by one game or so.

-Prediction: 10-11 wins in 2010

FANTASY ANALYSIS: Houston Texans

Andre Johnson is widely regarded as the number 1 fantasy WR and is well deserving of this title. Johnson has been one of the most consistent WRs in the NFL over the past few years, even the year he was injured he was on track for a monster season. He is a physical freak and can do it all. Not only does he have a 6'3" frame, but Johnson has great speed and can jump out of the building. With the emergence of Matt Schaub, Johnson's value has increased even more. I have no problem taking Johnson in the mid to late first round of my draft and I think he is worthy of as high as the 6th pick in PPR leagues. If you can grab Johnson in your draft, barring injury, you will be very happy that you did.

-Projection: 105 receptions, 1,500 yards, 10-12 TDs

Matt Schaub put up a career year for the Texans in 2009. Before last season the Texans were never a very good team, and now they seem to have some great pieces in place to take the next step. Schaub is one of those crucial players and showed he could post great stats last year. In 2010 I see more of the same. Hopefully, Owen Dainels can come back healthy and the Texans can develop some sort of a ground game. Schaub is an accurate passer and he has a great arm. The offensive line is getting better, but Schaub still has a quick release which will benefit both parties. Schaub should be about the 4th or 5th QB taken in most drafts and is a safe bet for another very good season.

-Projection: 4,500 yards passing, 27-30 TDs, 14 INTs

Coming off an ACL injury in week 8, there are some questions about Owen Daniels. This could lead to him being a steal come draft day. When healthy, Daniels is one of the premier TEs in football. He has a great size and speed combo, with above average hands. Seems to be flying under the radar a bit this season because of his injury but I think he will come back and be fine. If you wait on a TE Daniels is not a bad guy to target, but try not to reach for him.

-Projection: 70 receptions, 800-900 yards receiving, 6 TDs

Ben Tate had a great career at Auburn and this season he should find the end-zone a good amount of times. He comes into Houston with the RB job up for grabs and has a chance to make an immediate impact in 2010. Tate looks even better in keeper/dynasty leagues as well. I would watch his progress in camp and preseason but he should see a good deal of time this year. If you can get him as your 4th back you should be in good shape.

-Projection: 800-900 yards rushing, 8 TDs

Kevin Walter is somewhat of a "Wes Welker" type of player and it helps that he gets to play across from Andre Johnson. He started 2009 injured and never seemed to get going. With the Texans offense still getting better I think that Walter could be in line for a good enough season to target him as a 4th or 5th WR in 2010.

-Projection: 60 receptions, 800 yards receiving, 5 TDs

Demeco Ryans has posted 4 straight 100+ total tackles in each of his 4 years in the league. As an IDP he ranks very highly, and he is on a defense that is getting better around him. Ryans is on the field most of the time and is a good bet for another 100+ tackle season.

-Projection: 130 total tackles, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 2 forced fumbles

Even with the 4 game suspension, Brian Cushing is a top tier fantasy LB. He plays hard and has a great nose for the ball. Incredibly valuable in keeper/dynasty leagues as well given this will be his second season in the NFL. If he somehow goes undrafted try to pick up Cushing as a free agent. In the 12 games he can play he should post some great numbers.

-Projection: 80-100 total tackles, 3 sacks, 3 INTs, 2 forced fumbles

TEAM PREVIEW: New York Jets

9-7 in 2009

It is difficult to find a better team on paper than the New York Jets. They upgraded an already stellar defense. The offensive line is very, very good. Shonn Green showed the talent that he possesses. Mark Sanchez is coming into his second season and proved he can manage a game. Finally, the Jets got better at WR, stealing Santonio Holmes from the Steelers. They will be a very difficult team to beat this season.

The Jets rely on a ground and pound philosophy and with the two RBs they have, it works very well for them. Shonn Green carried the bulk of the load in the playoffs and did not disappoint one bit. Adding to the mix, the Jets brought in LaDainian Tomlinson after the Chargers cast him off last season. The 1-2 punch of Green and Tomlinson should cause fits for opposing defenses this season. On top of that the addition of Santonio Holmes will add some punch to the air attack, opposite Braylon Edwards. In his second season Mark Sanchez will need to take another step forward. Go from a game manager, to a play maker with the weapons that he has. He does not have to be a superstar but much progress and make some better throws. With all the weapons the offense has the O-Line seems to get overlooked. It is one of the best in the game and the number one reason why the Jets can run the ball so well. It is a physical group and they will maul people game in a game out. The Jets offense should be very solid this season, and that is not even the best part of the team.

The New York Jets have assembled one of, if not the most, feared defenses in the league. They will not only be difficult to run on with a way above average front 7, but might be near impossible to throw on. They have the top corner in the league, Darrel Revis, they added Antonio Cromartie, and drafted Kyle Wilson. Jim Leonard is a capable safety giving the Jets the best secondary in the league. Adding Jason Taylor should certainly help the pass rush and I look for him to play some outside linebacker in their 3-4 defense. Playing against this defense will be a nightmare for teams in 2010 and they should dominate from week to week.

Overall the Jets have assembled one of the best teams I have ever seen. But right now that is all on paper. What it ultimately comes down to is how they produce on the field. Rex Ryan will put his players in the right spots and he will let them know if they do not perform up to his standards. The New York Jets looked primed for a deep postseason run and I think they finish atop the AFC East in 2010.

-Prediction: 11-12 wins in 2010 - 1st place in AFC East

FANTASY ANALYSIS: Pittsburgh Steelers

Rashard Mendenhall will see the bulk of the carries in the Steelers offense, and Mike Tomlin should lean on him heavily with Roethlisberger being suspended for the first few weeks of the season. Mendenhall has a great deal of upside since he is so young, and last year proved he could carry a full workload. Mendenhall will probably go somewhere in round 2 depending on your league. Look for him to be a solid keeper player as well.

-Projection: 1,300 yards rushing, 10 TDs; 40 receptions, 350 yards receiving, 2 TDs

Hines Ward quietly posted another very good fantasy season, and I think he should be able to have another good season in 2010. Ward does all the little things right and works very hard at what he does. Even though he is getting older, he remains a viable number 2 WR in most formats. You should be able to get him late enough to see enough value at his draft position this year.

-Projection: 75 receptions, 1,100 yards, 7 TDs

Mike Wallace possesses enough potential to develop into a high-end number 3 or low-end number 2 WR this year. His incredible speed will compliment Ward's underneath receiving ability perfectly. With Santonio Holmes in New York, Wallace should secure the number 2 spot in Pittsburgh and should prove worthy of the promotion. Wallace looks even better in keeper/dynasty leagues so if you can get him in the mid-rounds I would pull the trigger on him.

-Projection: 65 receptions, 1,000 yards, 7-9 TDs

Ben Roethlisberger may miss the first 6 games of the 2010 season, which will hamper his stats in a big way. Personally, unless I could get him in the last few rounds, Roethlisberger will not even be on my radar. Could be a good waiver wire pickup but I don't think he is worthy of a mid-round draft pick.

-Projection: 2,800 yards passing, 18-20 TDs, 11-14 INTs; 100 yards rushing, 1 TD

Troy Polamalu's 2009 never got going due to a knee injury. When healthy he is an elite athlete and a feared hitter. If Polamalu can stay on the field he usually puts up nice stats in addition to tackles. He should bounce back after last season and is a nice option at the DB position.

-Projection: 75 total tackles, 15 passes defended, 5 INTs

James Harrison is a formidable LB on the Steelers defense, who gets enough tackles and sacks to make him a good choice for fantasy. If he gets drafted it should be in the later rounds as well. If you pass on the other high end LBs Harrison is not a bad choice.

-Projection: 85 total tackles, 10 sacks, 2 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles