Westbrook Could Be Falling, McGahee Returns

In yet another crazy week of fantasy football, several occurrences have contributed to the rise and fall of the value of several players. It appears, at least for the moment, that Eagles RB Brian Westbrook could miss some time with an ankle injury after leaving in the first half of the team’s match-up with Pittsburgh. Willis McGahee returned from knee surgery to rush for 64 yards and a TD. Read more

Get Ready To See Sage Rosenfels

In Week 3, the Minnesota Vikings made a QB switch from Tarvaris Jackson to Gus Frerotte. Fortunately for their coaching staff, it resulted in a 20-10 Week 3 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Folks, the reason I’m telling you this is because the Houston Texans need to do the exact same thing. Read more

Houston, You Need A Running Back

The Houston Texans have p-footed around all off-season with the running back position, stating that Ahman Green and Chris Brown will share the load. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s ridiculous. How can they share the load if they’re never on the field? Find out who will really be carrying the rock for Houston in 2008 - and possibly beyond. Read more

Super Sleeper Running Backs

Because five of the top 25 and 13 of the top 40 fantasy RBs were plucked from the waiver wire in 2007, and guys like Earnest Graham, Ryan Grant, Kenny Watson, Chicago’s Adrian Peterson and Justin Fargas made names for themselves, fantasy owners are now forced to pay attention to just about every single running back on all 32 rosters - but how do you sift through the clutter to find the best super sleepers? Read more

Ahman Green Isn’t Reliable…

And so it begins, Texans 31 year old RB Ahman Green is already missing practices due to illness. Green has been injury prone for the last five seasons, and cannot be counted on in 2008, despite the optimism of head coach Gary Kubiak.

A sleeper RB will emerge in 2008, whether it be Chris Taylor, Chris Brown, Steve Slaton or Darius Walker.

Steve Slaton Fumbles Frequently…

Apparently, Texans rookie RB Steve Slaton has fumbled several times at recent rookie mini-camps, a problem he apparently had at West Virginia. Texans coaches don’t seem too concerned at this point, as Slaton is slated to see a decent role in that offense this year.

Remember This Name - Chris Taylor…

We’re starting to really jock Chris Taylor. Texans RBs Ahman Green and Chris Brown are fully healthy right now, so they’ll be the favorites for carries heading into the season. However, they both have a history of not being able to finish seasons - aka - HUGE injury problems.

Look out for Taylor and rookie Steve Slaton has major sleepers in deep leagues.

Top Dynasty League Rookie Prospects

Since the completion of the 2008 NFL Draft, the number one question that I’ve been asked by fantasy owners is - “how do you rank this year’s rookies for dynasty drafts?” Obviously, this is a very different question than asking - “which rookies will have the best statistical seasons in 2008?” Read more

Houston Texans Interested In Rhodes?

The Raiders released Dominic Rhodes after drafting Darren McFadden with the fourth overall pick in the draft, and we’re hearing now that the Houston Texans, who took scat back Steve Slaton in round three, are seriously interested in bringing in Rhodes and having him compete for their starting gig with Ahman Green and Chris Brown.

The Colts and Lions may also be interested in Rhodes’ services.

LaMont Jordan may also be released later in the spring or early summer.

Steve Slaton’s Role Undefined…

Houston beat writers already think that Steve Slaton will be the Texans’ third down back in 2008. To us, this is just an elementary analysis of the situation. Slaton was taken in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft, and while he’s small - 5′9″, 197 lbs., that doesn’t mean that he’ll be limited to third downs. Slaton is an explosive player who can catch the ball out of the backfield and make things happen. He reminds us a lot of Brian Westbrook.

Ahman Green and Chris Brown are two of the most injury-prone backs in the game right now, and Darius Walker and Chris Taylor haven’t proven anything.

If Slaton impresses coaches early on, he could be in a position to be a huge fantasy sleeper in Alex Gibbs’ zone blocking scheme.

Houston Texans Grab Steve Slaton…

After passing on opportunities to draft top RBs in rounds one and two, the Texans may have grabbed their future starter in round three, selecting West Virginia’s Steve Slaton. Thought by many to be a scatback or third down back at the pro level, the 5′9″, 197 pound Slaton only has to compete with injury-prone Ahman Green and Chris Brown for playing time. In Alex Gibbs’ zone blocking scheme, crazier things have happened. Ignore Slaton’s size and stereotypes and focus on the fact that he’s an extremely versatile back.

Keep an eye on him from a fantasy perspective, as he’s a great late round sleeper in dynasty rookie drafts.

Discuss this more in our forums.

Where Will Steve Slaton End Up?

Stewart Bradley, Trent Edwards, Garrett Wolfe, Jacoby Jones and Laurent Robinson aren’t exactly household names yet, but most of them will be on the fantasy radar heading into their second NFL season. What do they REALLY have in common though? They were all taken smack dab in the middle of the third round of the NFL Draft last year - which happens to be exactly where we are in this year’s mock. Read more