QB Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings
While most football fans are tired of Brett Favre retirement stories, don’t forget about how good he was at times last year. After four weeks, Favre had 12 touchdowns and only four interception. Late in the year his numbers suffered, however that could have been due to injury. Don’t underestimate his fantasy potential in 2009.

RB Edgerrin James, Seattle Seahawks
When you are the backup for Julius Jones, you come to the game ready to play. That’s where Edgerrin James finds himself at the moment. He’s Jones’ backup but it won’t take much for James to end up with the job. If he does, he’s still young enough to produce.

WR Isaac Bruce, San Francisco 49ers
Sure, the 36-year-old Isaac Bruce has seen better days but he could be a solid contributor this year. Last season, Bruce had five straight games with five catches in the second half of the campaign. Considering that all those games featured Shaun Hill at quarterback and Hill is the starting quarterback this season, that’s a good omen.

TE Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints
There’s no question that Jeremy Shockey struggled last season in his first year with the Saints. That said, injuries were a big part of his struggles. He’s still on the good side of 30 and will be playing in a pass happy offensive attack. Remember that this ist he same guy who had at least 60 catches and at least 6 touchdowns for three straight years while with the New York Giants.

Will Jeremy Shockey Bounce Back in 2009? (Image: Zuma Press)

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QB Shaun Hill, San Francisco 49ers
Though he hasn’t looked great in preseason, Shaun Hill has shown very good ability in the last two years. In 12 games for the 49ers, he has 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions. It wouldn’t be surprising if he had more than 20 touchdowns in 2009.

RB Edgerrin James, Seattle Seahawks
Currently, Julius Jones is the starter for the Seahawks. But it’s very conceivable for Edgerrin James to eventually win the starting running back gig. If he does, he’s a serviceable fantasy football option.

WR Earl Bennett, Chicago Bears
With Jay Cutler in Chicago, you know they will be throwing the ball a lot. With no clear cut number one wide receiver, it would be smart to gamble on Bennett. He was Cutler’s teammate at Vanderbilt and the two seem to have good chemistry.

TE Jermichael Finley, Green Bay Packers
Jermichael Finley has been very good in the preseason. There’s a chance that he becomes the starting tight end in Green Bay — and if he does, he has fantasy football talent oozing from his green uniform.

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RB Mewelde Moore, Pittsburgh Steelers
When Willie Parker was injured earlier in the season, Mewelde Moore came up huge and led the Steelers to a number of victories. Although his role is now reduced, he definitely has big play potential as a runner, receiving and a returner.

WR Steve Breaston, Arizona Cardinals
With Anquan Boldin still not 100% and Larry Fitzgerald demanding a huge amount of attention, Steve Breaston could find himself more open than usual. Breaston is a threat in Arizona’s vertical passing game and is also big enough to be an end zone threat.

WR Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers
Hines Ward has stated that he will play in the Super Bowl but it’s unknown how healthy he will be. With that in mind, Santonio Holmes has a chance to be the featured offensive player for Pittsburgh. In the playoffs so far, Holmes has been extremely explosive and has illustrated his vast potential.

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Kevin Smith, Detroit Lions
All indications point to Kevin Smith starting for the Lions at running back. Smith doesn’t have much competition — considering that Tatum Bell is his backup. He could be a big factor if he can stay healthy.

Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Like Smith, Forte is also expected to be the starter. While Forte is arguably the more talented player, his situation doesn’t look as promising. He’s on a team with a bad offense and has more talent behind him at running back, including Kevin Jones and the other Adrian Peterson.

Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are starting Willis McGahee at running back. However, many team insiders claim Ray Rice has looked better so far this season. If McGahee struggled, expect Rice to get plenty of time.

Jonathan Stewart, Carolina Panthers
Although he has to share time with DeAngelo Williams, expect Jonathan Stewart to have a solid year. Williams is a finesse back, which should allow Stewart to get goal line carries.

Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers
Although he was picked in the first round, Mendenhall has his work cut out for him in terms of getting carries this season. Willie Parker is the starter and has a successful history with the Steelers. Mendenhall also had trouble with fumbles in the preseason.

Tim Hightower, Arizona Cardinals
With Edgerrin James likely slowing down in Arizona, Tim Hightower is a player who could be asked to add juice to an otherwise tepid ground game. Expect the Cardinals to give James more rest this season and give Hightower a chance to prove himself.

Here is a highlight reel video of Tim Hightower in action:

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• First Round Fantasy Football Mock Draft
• Second Round Fantasy Football Mock Draft
• Third Round Fantasy Football Mock Draft

Fourth Round Fantasy Football Mock Draft
1. Wes Welker, New England Patriots
2. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos
3. Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers
4. Earnest Graham, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Thomas Jones, New York Jets
6. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
7. Roy Williams, Detroit Lions
8. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
9. Santonio Holmes, Pittsburgh Steelers
10. Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
11. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers
12. Edgerrin James, Arizona Cardinals

Photo: Newscom

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