Find Out Who Not To Count Out In 2008…

Many things happen in the off-season that can appear to negatively affect a player’s fantasy value. Injuries, trades, free-agent signings, position changes and draft picks are just a few examples. However, we all know that the biggest indicator of what’s real is what happens on the field. Check out who’s stock is rising or falling based on the first full weekend of NFL pre-season games. Read more

Experts Draft: There’s Value In Round 5

Throughout our entire experts draft, I’ve been stressing the importance behind waiting until round five to take a quarterback. As you’ll see, there are plenty of top signal callers available at this point in our draft. However, QB isn’t the only position where value can be found, as Detroit’s Calvin Johnson, Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe and Green Bay’s Greg Jennings are all top young WRs who flew off the board in round five. Read more

Willie Parker Is Confident In Health…

Steelers 27 year old RB Willie Parker feels like he’s recovered from a fractured fibula. The thing is though, that he’s been extremely limited in practice. He recently told media that he’d be out there going 100 percent if it were the season. We’re a little nervous about Parker this season. We believe Rashard Mendenhall may be the true RB to own in Pittsburgh this season.

Rashard Mendenhall Returns…

Steelers rookie RB Rashard Mendenhall participated in individual drills on Wednesday despite a hamstring injury. He likely won’t go full speed any time soon, as a precautionary measure. The Steelers believe he’ll be 100 percent by training camp and that has to be their focus at this point.

As for seasonal fantasy outlook for Mendenhall, we’re starting to like him a lot. We realize he has a ceiling with Willie Parker as the starter, but he’s talented enough to land a “1A” role, and produce enough to be a flex starter in deep leagues.

Mock: McGahee Available In Round 3?

After sharing round one with you earlier in the week, and round two yesterday, I’ve decided to go ahead and continue to break down the recent expert mock draft I participated in. The shockers continue, as I have to make a tough decision between Willis McGahee and Marques Colston in round three. Read more

2008 Outlook: Welcome To Splittsville

Following the 2008 NFL Draft, it appears several more NFL teams will not only be using the dreaded “running back by committee,” but they’ll really be splitting reps up evenly between multiple rushers. For fantasy owners, it’s worked in New Orleans, Dallas and Jacksonville, but will the vision of NFL coaches in Carolina, Pittsburgh, Tennessee and Houston translate into the same results? Read more

Mendenhall Update; Davenport To Be Released…

The Steelers selected Illinois’ RB Rashard Mendenhall with the 23rd pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, a surprising selection, considering the Steelers already had Willie Parker, Mewelde Moore and Najeh Davenport. Mendenhall was a talent that the Steelers’ organization just couldn’t pass on, however, and as a result, they’ll need to make room for another RB on the roster.

We’re hearing that Najeh Davenport will be that casualty. The 29 year old Davenport has had run-ins with the law over the last few years, and while he’s very talented, his work ethic has been questioned by the coaches though, as he tends to disappear at times.

Mendenhall is expected to split time with Willie Parker, who is recovering from a broken fibula. While Parker will likely start, the rookie will see just as many reps.

Post NFL Draft Risers & Fallers - Fargas Is This Year’s Chester Taylor & More…

Following the NFL Draft every year, there are several players - both incoming rookies and seasoned veterans - whose fantasy outlook completely change based on what players were added to their team. Whether you call this collateral damage, or just life, the bottom line is that once the cards are dealt, their value and chance at production either increases or decreases. Here is a look at the biggest name players to have their fantasy value affected based on the 2008 NFL Draft… Read more

Steelers Want “Stable” Of RBs…

Willie Parker has returned from a fractured fibula and was a participant at the Steelers’ off-season workouts on Monday. He said he feels close to 100 percent and will definitely be ready to go full speed by training camp.

In other FWP fantasy-related news, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin reiterated that he wants a “stable” of running backs to help Parker get through the 2008 season. Najeh Davenport, Mewelde Moore and possibly even another back to be named later could be involved in splitting carries this season behind Parker.

FWP remains a strong RB2/RB3 in deep leagues, but has lost the luster of an RB1, due to his lack of touchdowns, and anticipated decrease in touches.

Steelers Interested In Jonathan Stewart…

The Pittsburgh Steelers are reportedly interested in Oregon RB Jonathan Stewart with the 23rd overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. We don’t doubt the interest, as we’re very concerned about Willie Parker’s ability to be productive coming back from a broken leg.

The addition of Stewart - who is a beast capable of being an NFL featured back - would kill Parker’s dynasty value.

Boley, Rhodes Rising; FWP, Huff, Graham Falling…

The post-free agency, pre-NFL Draft Stock Market Report is a little slow, due to the fact that we’ve already talked about where we stand on many players up until this point. Don’t worry though, after the NFL Draft, and during mini-camps and mandatory team workouts, there will be plenty more to discuss. At this point though, there are at least a few guys who are moving around a bit, and we’d like to also introduce a third category to our Stock Market Report. We’ve always traditionally done “rising” and “falling,” but now we’d like to also introduce “steady.” Read more

FWP To Lose Carries In 2008?

As if a broken fibula wasn’t enough, the Steelers are now saying that 27 year old running back Willie Parker may lose a significant amout of carries in 2008. New free agent signee Mewelde Moore will see a lot of time on third downs and other passing downs, while Najeh Davenport will come in to pass protect and take away more short yardage opportunities. PPR league owners should be a bit concerned.

Don’t forget, FWP only scored two TDs last season. If that production - or lack of production - continues, he’s more like a fantasy RB3 in 2008 than the fantasy RB1 he was in 2006.

Check out our “Rumor Mill” for more on this situation.