McNabb & More Rising; Gates & More Falling…

May 5, 2008 at 4:55 pm | Article by Paul Hickey |

Mini-camps are here, and there are several factors affecting player value. Some guys are changing positions, while others are getting beat out and are likely to lose playing time. One thing though, that’s always interesting to keep an eye on this time of year, is players coming back from injuries.

Falling - Antonio Gates, Chargers TE - Sorry folks, but Antonio Gates’ toe injury in January did not look good. He had surgery two months ago, and hasn’t even started running on it yet. Now the word is that he may miss the start of training camp, which would surely result in a slow start to the season. With guys like Jason Witten and Kellen Winslow coming on very strong at the TE position, we wouldn’t recommend jumping at Gates too fast in seasonal leagues.

Rising - Donovan McNabb, Eagles QB - 32 year old Donovan McNabb is looking the best he has in years, according to Philadelphia coaches at this year’s May mini-camp. The Eagles signal caller is nearly two years removed from his ACL tear, and is expected to have a breakout season in 2008, with new weapons DeSean Jackson and Lorenzo Booker added to the offense. Although he’s a little disgruntled that the team didn’t add a big time veteran playmaker like Roy Williams, Anquan Boldin or Jeremy Shockey, we still see him as someone who’s value is on the rise.

Rising - Bobby Engram, Seahawks WR - With Deion Branch likely to miss the first few weeks of the 2008 NFL season, veteran Bobby Engram enters the season as Seattle’s number one wide receiver, after the team decided not to really address the position in the NFL Draft. The 35 year old proved last season that he can still be productive, racking up 94 catches for 1,147 yards and six TDs. Similar numbers are to be expected in 2008.

Rising - Nate Burleson, Seahawks WR - The soon-to-be 27 year old Burleson is in the same boat as Engram, as he’s expected to start for Seattle this season, after D.J. Hackett bolted for Carolina. Burleson is a former 1,000 yard, nine TD receiver (with Minnesota in 2004), and most people don’t realize he had 11 total TDs in 2007 - 9 via the air, one kick return and one punt return. He’s a phenomenal WR3 sleeper in Seattle’s high powered passing attack.

Rising - Roydell Williams, Titans WR - The Titans passed on a wide receiver in rounds one and two of the 2008 NFL Draft, meaning they must have some serious confidence in last season’s leading receiver Roydell Williams. The 27 year old had 55 catches for 719 yards and four TDs, and if he can stay healthy again in 2008, he should easily be the number one WR in Mike Heimerdinger’s offense. Rookie Lavelle Hawkins is someone to watch, but Williams is now officially the WR to own in Tennessee, as he has the highest fantasy PO of the bunch for 2008.

Rising - Chris Taylor, Texans RB - Make no mistake about it, we like Steve Slaton a lot, but we’re hearing that the fantasy super sleeper of the year coming out of the Texans backfield could be 6-0, 224 lb. Chris Taylor, an undrafted player from Indiana, who only has four NFL games under his belt. Gary Kubiak loves Taylor, and was very disappointed that he missed the whole 2007 season with a knee injury that he suffered in late July of last year. Realistically, had Taylor not been injured, he probably would have played Ron Dayne’s role last season. With Dayne gone, and only Chris Brown, Ahman Green, Darius Walker and Slaton on the depth chart, we’re hearing Taylor could have a huge role.

Rising - Jordon Dizon, Lions LB - The word coming out of Detroit, is that Lions head coach Rod Marinelli will try Jordon Dizon out as the team’s starting MLB heading into the season. If this is the case, Dizon will be a phenomenal IDP prospect, and Paris Lenon’s value will cease to exist. If Dizon doens’t work out in the middle though, he’ll move to the fantasy no man’s land called strong side linebacker. Proceed with caution, as Dizon is a high risk/high reward draft pick in the late rounds.

Falling - Sinorice Moss, Giants WR - The Giants picked a WR in the second or third round for the third straight season, selecting Mario Manningham on day two of the NFL Draft, following Steve Smith in the second round of last year’s draft. Moss hasn’t done squat as a pro, and has been very injury prone. We’re hearing this summer is make or break for his career, and if he doesn’t step up his game, he could be released.

Falling - Chris Baker, Jets TE - With the addition of versatile Purdue product Dustin Keller at tight end, Chris Baker’s fantasy value goes down huge. Not only is he disgruntled, but he’s expected to be primarily a blocker in 2008, and not have many pass-catching opportunities. He’s not draft-worthy in any format.

Falling - Matt Roth, Dolphins DE - An IDP sleeper heading into last season, Roth is now a back-up DE in a 3-4 set - NOT an attractive place for a fantasy owner to look for a sleeper option. Bill Parcells and Tony Sparano transitioning the Dolphins defense into a 3-4 makes just about everyone less attractive from an IDP standpoint, and second round draft pick Phillip Merling will have a chance to beat out Roth.