Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
In the 2008 fantasy football season, Tony Gonzalez has been far and away the best tight end in the NFL. Even though the Chiefs have gone through three starting quarterbacks, Gonzalez has remained productive. Going forward, he’s definitely the best tight end to own at this point.

Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts
To start the season, Dallas Clark got off to an amazingly slow start. He had all the appearances of a draft bust. But in the middle of the season, he started to turn it around as he recovered from an early season injury. Right now, he may arguably be the hottest tight end in the league.

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
While Antonio Gates has still been a top flight tight end this season, he’s starting to lose his fantasy football luster. He’s no longer a dominating force and as of late, he’s been extremely average. He doesn’t have a touchdown grab since Week 10.

Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
Compared to last season, Jason Witten has underperformed. Part of the blame is due to a rib injury that has robbed him of some of his explosiveness. Plus it didn’t help that Tony Romo also missed some time earlier in the season with a pinkie injury.

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Photo credit: Newscom

QB Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Tony Romo has a good matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Thanksgiving and should be able to put up a very productive fantasy football line. He’s as healthy as he’s been since returning from his broken pinkie and his wide receivers are playing well. At least 250 yards and two touchdowns is what you should expect.

RB Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
In four out of his last five games, Adrian Peterson has at least one touchdown. That bodes well for his Week 13 game against the Chicago Bears. While the Bears have a solid defense, it isn’t as good as it has been in years past. Peterson will be able to run for at least 80 yards and a touchdown.

WR Anquan Boldin, Arizona Cardinals
There isn’t a hotter fantasy football wide receiver than Anquan Boldin. He’s been a monster when healthy this season. Although he missed a few games due to facial fractures, he hasn’t lost a beat since coming back. Expect at least eight catches, for 95 yards and a touchdown this week against the Philadelphia Eagles.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
With a very nice matchup this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons, Antonio Gates is a must start. Gates should get a touchdown this week as the young Falcons aren’t quite equipped to shut down this pass catching tight end. In fantasy football, there isn’t a better tight end start in Week 13 than Gates.

QB Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Although Peyton Manning hasn’t had the best of seasons, he has a very easy matchup in Week 12. Going against the San Diego Chargers, who have statistically the worst pass defense in the NFL, Manning should have a big day. Look for the Colts to pass early and often — as this game has the possiblity of being a shootout.

RB Marion Barber III, Dallas Cowboys
With Tony Romo back at quarterback, running room will open up for Marion Barber. While Romo was out, Barber struggled — which wasn’t too surprising. Against the San Francisco 49ers, look for the Cowboys to try to establish the run early. If Dallas can get a second half lead, expect them to have Barber run it to end the game.

WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
Andre Johnson has had a somewhat streaky season but Week 12 promises to be a good one for the Texans receiver. Johnson is up against the Cleveland Browns and he’ll be targeted plenty of times. While he’s had a little bit of trouble scoring touchdowns this year, Week 12 looks like a week in which AJ will get at least one TD.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Going up against the Colts with a healthy offense, Antonio Gates should be free to roam and cause damage. With the wide receivers playing well, the running backs playing well and the quarterback having his best season, Gates sometimes is the forgotten man. In Week 12, the Chargers will make the Colts pay if they forget about Gates.

Santana Moss leaves the competition behind once again.

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Playing in London, New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees was phenomenal. Brees finished the game against the San Diego Chargers with 339 yards and three passing touchdowns. He also completed 30 of his 41 pass attempts. Brees has quickly become arguably the best fantasy football quarterback in 2008.

RB Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
After missing a few weeks due to injury, Brian Westbrook was back in action and looking 100%. In a dominant performance against the Atlanta Falcons, Westbrook had 167 yards rushing, 42 yards receiving and two total touchdowns. Any injury questions should be muted after this performance.

WR Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
Coming into the 2008 fantasy football campaign, Santana Moss was a fantasy question mark. This year, he has exceeded virtually all expectations. In Week 8, Moss was again dominant as he had nine catches for 140 yards and one touchdown. He now has five touchdowns in his seven games.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Antonio Gates has once again claimed his spot at the top of the tight end mountain. It’s no surprise that he was the top performer in fantasy football for all tight ends. He finished Week 8 of the 2008 season with a touchdown to go along with 96 receiving yards.

Photo: Newscom

QB Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
Coming off of a bye week, Donovan McNabb should have a fine week in fantasy football. Not only will he be rested, but his wide receiving corps seems to be getting healthy. Expect McNabb to have at least two touchdown passes against the Atlanta Falcons.

RB Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins
Not only has Clinton Portis been the best running back in fantasy football, he is going against the Detroit Lions this week. That combination makes Portis a fantastic start in Week 8. Over a hundred yards and at least on touchdown should be his minimum production.

WR Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
As of late, Andre Johnson has been on fire. The Cincinnati Bengals, his Week 8 opponent, won’t be able to do much to slow him down. Expect Johnson to get at least six catches and at least 90 yards receiving this week.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Playing in London against the New Orleans Saints, Antonio Gates is the best tight end for Week 8. He has overcome his early season injuries and has regained his footing as a top flight fantasy football tight end.

QB Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Although the Saints are taking on the Minnesota Vikings, Drew Brees is still a very good start. The Vikings are great against the run but they can struggle against the pass. Expect Brees to throw 40+ times and rack up good fantasy stats.

QB Marion Barber, Dallas Cowboys
Against the Cincinnati Bengals, Marion Barber is sure to get a lot of touches. Coming off of a week where the Cowboys lost in part to Barber not getting enough carries, they’ll be sure to give him the rock early and often in Week 5.

WR Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos
Brandon Marshall has emerged as the best fantasy football wide receiver in the NFL. He has to be considered the best starter for Week 5 just based on how hot he has been lately. Expect another big week even though he’s going up a good Tampa Bay Buccaneers team.

TE Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Going up against the Miami Dolphins, Antonio Gates should be featured early and often. He is finally getting close to 100% after offseason toe surgery. The best of his 2008 fantasy football campaign is likely yet to come.

A vital part of fantasy football is knowing who is injured so you can adjust your lineup accordingly. Here is the Week 1 injury report for fantasy football 2008.

Out - These players won’t play in Week 1.
Deion Branch, Seattle Seahawks
Kevin Curtis, Philadelphia Eagles
Bobby Engram, Seattle Seahawks
Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ryan Torain, Denver Broncos

Doubt - These players likely won’t play in Week 1.
Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots

Questionable - These players are 50/50 to play in Week 1.
Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Bucanners
Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
Javon Walker, Oakland Raiders

Probable - These players will likely play in Week 1.
Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers
DJ Hackett - Carolina, Panthers
Willis McGahee, Baltimore Ravens

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
In the offseason, Peyton Manning underwent a relatively serious surgery on an infection in his knee. While he didn’t play in any of the preseason games, everyone with the Colts expects Manning to be ready once the real games start.

Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Tom Brady has been suffering from an unspecified leg injury for much of training camp and preseason. While the Patriots are being secretive of his health status, expect him to be ready to go when the games begin to count.

Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Perhaps the most mysterious injury of them all, Antonio Gates still hasn’t played after undergoing offseason toe surgery. While many expect him to play in Week 1, there is growing speculation that the Chargers may sit him until he’s 100%.

Jerry Porter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jerry Porter has a hamstring injury that is being slow to heal. Although he should be able to come back pretty soon, it is looking doubtful that he’ll be ready to roll in Week 1.

Reggie Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are reportedly concerned about Reggie Brown’s status for their opening week game. Brown is dealing with a hamstring injury that doesn’t appear to be healing quickly enough.

Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints
Although Jeremy Shockey didn’t play at all in preseason, he’s very likely to play in Week 1. Shockey is still recovering from the leg injury he suffered last year with the New York Giants.

Bernard Berrian, Minnesota Vikings
Dealing with a condition that has been described as something close to turf toe, Bernard Berrian has missed a few preseason games. The good news is it appears he’ll be ready for opening weekend.

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Jason Witten - End of the fourth round.
Kellen Winslow - Middle of the fifth round.
Antonio Gates - End of the fifth round.
Tony Gonzalez - Middle of the sixth round.
Dallas Clark - End of the sixth round.
Chris Cooley - Beginning of the seventh round.
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Antonio Gates - Coming off of an injury, Antonio Gates might need until midseason to be 100%.

Todd Heap - Speaking of injuries, Todd Heap is the walking injury bug. Simply can’t trust him.

Tony Scheffler - Very good talent but Tony Scheffler is still a work in progress as an NFL player.

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