RB Michael Pittman, Denver Broncos
Selvin Young is out for Week 6 and Andre Hall isn’t 100%. With that in mind, Michael Pittman could become the lead back in Denver very soon. He already gets goal line carries and a lot of 3rd down action. Pretty soon he may become the lead back.

WR Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
Can Chad Ocho Cinco play any worse? The answer is likely no. With his status at an all-time low, now is a great time to go out and buy. If you can hold him on your bench for the time being, he could regain his mojo later in the year and be one of the best fantasy receivers.

TE Kellen Winslow, Jr., Cleveland Browns
The entire Cleveland Browns offense isn’t as strong as it was last year. Kellen Winslow, Jr. is feeling the effects of the downturn. The good news is that he’s still very talented and chances are very good that he’ll end the year as a top five tight end.

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1. Tom Brady – Despite Brady’s injury, he remains on the top.
2. Tony Romo – With T.O. on his side, expect greatness.
3. Drew Brees – His value continues to rise in recent weeks.
4. Peyton Manning – With several question marks, Manning falls.
5. Carson Palmer – Palmer has a high ceiling but there is risk.
6. Ben Roethlisberger – Big Ben could surprise in 2008.
7. Derek Anderson – Another high risk, high reward selection.
8. Matt Hasselbeck – Expect another above average season.
9. David Garrard – Will try to build on his 2007 season.
10. Donovan McNabb – If healthy, McNabb is still capable.

Will Peyton Manning prove doubters wrong in 2008?

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This news very likely ends Jones career as a member of the Jaguars. After being picked in the first round, Jones had three consecutive underwhelming seasons — with 2007 being the worst of the bunch. Last season, 317 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.

If you have Jones in a dynasty fantasy football league, it’s safe to waive him. If he doesn’t end up in jail, he’ll still have to find a new job in the NFL. Roger Goodell will undoubtedly have a suspension waiting for him when it is all said and done.

For the rest of the Jaguars, this isn’t too horrible of a loss. David Garrard should be able to do just fine without him. Jacksonville brought in a number of wide receivers in the offseason, including Jerry Porter. Jones may have been cut before the season just based on poor play. Now it’s a certainty.

Here is more about Matt Jones and his cocaine arrest:

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Troy Smith, Baltimore Ravens – While Joe Flacco is the long-term answer at quarterback for the Ravens, he won’t be ready right away. That is where Smith comes into play. The former Heisman winner has a chance to surprise those who overlook the Ravens. He’s a natural playmaker who isn’t afraid to take risks.

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers – If Brett Favre unretires, obviously Rodgers becomes all but worthless. However, if Favre stays retired, Rodgers should have a solid season. At worst, he’ll be a decent backup on a fantasy team. At best, he’s a fantasy starter who can take advantage of the numerous talented receivers at his disposal.

Speaking of Favre, here’s the latest in the Favre drama:

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1. Tom Brady – Easy choice. He has Randy Moss on his side and should be great again.
2. Peyton Manning – Manning is one of the most reliable fantasy players of the last decade.
3. Tony Romo – Outside of Brady, no quarterback has a higher ceiling than Romo.
4. Drew Brees – After a slow start, Brees was again very good at the end of 2007.
5. Carson Palmer – Palmer is healthy and Ocho Cinco is mad. Good combination.
6. Derek Anderson – Anderson has great weapons in and up-and-coming offense.
7. Ben Roethlisberger – Big Ben is steady and has deceptively high potential.
8. Matt Hasselbeck – With a questionable running game, Hasselbeck will get the call.
9. Donovan McNabb – If healthy, McNabb could have another big year.
10. David Garrard – Garrard has more weapons and is coming off a great season.

Can Donovan McNabb stay healthy?

Coming Soon … Quarterback Rankings – 1 thru 25

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David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars
All season long, David Garrard proved himself as a heady quarterback who doesn’t make mistakes. Late in the season, he proved that he could produce through the air when needed. Heading into 2008, Garrard looks like he should be a solid fantasy quarterback option.

Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
After a rocky season, Philip Rivers showed great courage in the playoffs by playing with a severe injury and likely gained the respect of his teammates. With an improving receiving corps, Rivers could breakout in 2008 for a big year.

Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
Vince Young’s disaster of a season in 2007 will likely scare off most fantasy owners. However, with a new offensive coordinator coming in and wide receivers who are maturing quickly, Young should be much improved in 2008.

Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age and lack of offensive weapons will likely cause Jeff Garcia’s stock to plummet. But as long as he remains the starter, Garcia should have a quality season. He’s smart and he’s consistent. In a backup role in fantasy football, he’d be a perfect fit.

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Let’s take a look at the four guys who are left playing this weekend:

Tom Brady, New England

Brett Favre, Green Bay

Eli Manning, New York (Giants)

Philip Rivers, San Diego(Questionable this weekend)

And here’s the four that got knocked out of the NFL playoffs last week:

David Garrard, Jacksonville

Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle

Peyton Manning, Indianapolis

Tony Romo, Dallas

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RB Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s tough calling Graham a sleeper these days after his great season, but Graham still doesn’t receive the respect he’s due in fantasy football. Graham had ten touchdowns this year despite not being the full-time starter. This week against the New York Giants, the Bucs will likely keep the ball on the ground. With that in mind, Graham should be good for a touchdown in this playoff matchup.

WR Santana Moss, Washington Redskins
Moss had a really difficult season for the Redskins but he played his best football at the end of the season. Over the last three games, he had two touchdowns and had at least 70 receiving yards in each contest. His last game of the season was his best as Moss went for eight catches, 115 yards and a touchdown in a must-win setting. The Seattle Seahawks are good defensively, however Moss should still be able to produce.

TE Kevin Boss, New York Giants
With Jeremy Shockey out for the season, Boss is the new tight end in New York. Boss has good size, good hands and is a decent athlete. Boss is another player who is coming off his best game, as he had four catches, 50 yards and a touchdown against the New England Patriots.

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9. Braylon Edwards, Cleveland Browns
Edwards was a high draft pick so his success wasn’t entirely a surprise. That said, now one thought Edwards would have 1200+ yards and 15 touchdowns with a week to go.

8. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
Witten had a relatively quiet 2006 campaign but has been great in 2007. With 94 catches, 1121 yards and seven touchdowns, Witten has surpassed all expectations.

7. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
Everyone knew Peterson was immensely talented. But Peterson was arguably the best running back in the NFL this season. Peterson being this great this soon is a huge surprise.

6. Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Graham was given the Buccaneers’ running back job after a number of running backs ahead of him in the depth chart got hurt. Graham filled in more than admirably. He has seven touchdowns in his last seven games.

5. Brett Favre, Green Bay Packers
Favre was looked at this year as a decent backup quarterback in fantasy football. However, Favre turned back the clock and already has more than 4000 yards and 25 touchdowns.

4. Jamal Lewis, Cleveland Browns
Lewis was an afterthought on draft night this year. If you drafted him, it was probably with an impending feeling of doom. Surprisingly, Lewis has had a season that places him in the top five of running backs.

3. Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns
Anderson wasn’t even the opening day starter for the Browns. But after he took over the reins, Anderson never looked back. He’s been a top five fantasy quarterback all season.

2. Randy Moss, New England Patriots
Moss was viewed as a risky pick in the third or fourth round. As it turns out, Moss was a heck of a steal. With a week to go, Moss has over 90 catches, nearly 1400 yards and 21 touchdowns.

1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Even though Brady was rated relatively highly this season, he has shattered all expectations. Brady has had perhaps the best season ever for a quarterback.

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Check out these candidates:

QB David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars – Garrard is one of the safest starts in all of fantasy football. He has to throw an interception this season and has at least one touchdown pass in every game except the game he went out injured against the Colts. Garrard also is a threat to run, as he has 138 yards on the ground this season. Against the Bills, he’s a great emergency start.

RB Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins – Yes, that Ricky Williams. After being reinstated from his drug suspension, Williams will likely be back on the field for the Dolphins this week. There are reports that starting running back Jesse Chatman is dinged up with an ankle injury. If Williams gets the start, he’d still be a risky start but his track record shows he knows how to gain yards in the NFL.

WR Nate Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers – With Santonio Holmes out with an ankle injury, Washington could get a much bigger piece of the pie this week. Although Hines Ward will be the number one target for Big Ben, Washington will move into the starting lineup and should see plenty of passes thrown his way. Going against the Dolphins, Washington is a very nice start this week.

TE Bo Scaife, Tennessee Titans – Scaife and the Titans face the Cincinnati Bengals this week and should be able to move the ball offensively. Scaife has played well lately as he has 13 catches in the last three weeks. The Bengals are a poor defensive team and are historically week against the tight end. If you need a starter at tight end, pickup Scaife off the waiver wire and start him.

Photo credit: NFL.com

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