QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
After a steady rookie season, it appears as if Joe Flacco may surprise many fantasy owners this season. He has a big arm and displayed it well in Week 1.

RB Michael Bush, Oakland Raiders
Sure, Darren McFadden is the starter. But the Raiders can rn the ball and Michael Bush should get plenty of touches this season.

WR Earl Bennett, Chicago Bears
Many fantasy owners pegged Earl Bennett as a sleeper going into the season. In Week 1, that definitely appeared to be the case. He was targetted a ton and figures to be a big part of the offense.

TE Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints
Last season, Jeremy Shockey did next to nothing. This season, he got off to a fantastic start. Pick him up off the waiver wire if you can.

Jeremy Shockey - New Orleans Saints

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QB Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Even though he was playing the lowly Kansas City Chiefs, Joe Flacco’s statistical line can’t be ignored. He had 307 passing yards to go with a career-high three touchdowns. He may make a good fantasy backup QB after all.

RB Mike Bell, New Orleans Saints
Outside of Adrian Peterson, Mike Bell is the leading rusher in Week 1 of the 2009 fantasy football season. His 143 rushing yards is an impressive stat and he’s officially worth picking up for your fantasy roster.

WR Patrick Crayton, Dallas Cowboys
While his stats were aided greatly by a long touchdown run, Patrick Crayton’s performance must be noted. He had four catches for 135 yards and a touchdown. If Tony Romo gets hot, expect Crayton to be a starting quality fantasy football receiver.

TE Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
Going into last season, Todd Heap was considered a top fantasy football tight end. However, after a horrible season, he was all but forgotten in the fantasy world. But after a big Week 1 (five catches for 74 yards and a touchdown) it may be time to remember him once again.

Do you remember Todd Heap? (Image: Zuma Press)

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1) Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Manning is on a role and should slice up the Chargers.

2) Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Rivers should be good for a couple touchdowns.

3) Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals
Warner has been cold but thrives on big stage.

4) Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
Should throw plenty of passes this weekend.

5) Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Rookie keeps on surprising.

6) Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Not a great start but could do well.

7) Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins
Going against a tough defense.

8) Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota Vikings
Not very good.

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RB Maurice Morris, Seattle Seahawks
Although Julius Jones has been the running back for most of the season for the Seahawks, he seems to have lost his starting job to Maurice Morris. Last week, Morris had 14 carries for 103 yards and also had three receptions. He’s not a great option at the moment but he’s somewhat reliable in a pinch.

WR Davone Bess, Miami Dolphins
With Greg Camarillo out for the season, Davone Bess now moves up the depth charts and into a starting roll. Quarterback Chad Pennington is playing well so any wide receiver whose on the field a lot will have value. Since Bess is young, his ceiling is higher than if a veteran took over that role. Keep an eye on him.

TE Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers
After missing several weeks due to injury, Heath Miller was back in the lineup for the Steelers this past weekend. In his return, Miller caught four passes and scored a touchdown. He’d be a risky start in Week 13 but Miller definitely has top ten tight end talent and would be a good pickup off of a fantasy football waiver wire.

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RB Darren Sproles, San Diego Chargers
With the Chargers hosting the Kansas City Chiefs this week, it’s a great time to gamble on a big game from Darren Sproles. The Chiefs have a horrible run defense and they very likely could get blown out this week. If Sproles gets at least eight touches this week, there’s a chance he could put up a solid fantasy football line.

WR Koren Robinson, Seattle Seahawks
In recent weeks, Koren Robinson has quietly become the most productive wide receiver on the Seahawks. Last week, he had a 90-yard reception for a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles. This week against the Miami Dolphins, Robinson should be able to get four or five catches and his speed gives him the capability of breaking a long one.

TE Kevin Boss, New York Giants
Kevin Boss hasn’t been as productive as many fantasy football owners thought he’d be during the 2008 season, but he’s been more productive lately. In his last two weeks, he has a touchdown in each game and a total of seven receptions. With Eli Manning looking for him more, there’s a chance he can get another touchdown this weekend in Week 10.

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RB Michael Pittman, Denver Broncos
Michael Pittman is banged up and is currently listed as questionable for the Week 9 game. But he was able to practice late in the week and should start the game and have a heavy workload. Against the Miami Dolphins, Pittman should be able to produce a nice fantasy football line.

WR Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chance are Joey Galloway is going to have a breakout game at some point this season. This week against the Kansas City Chiefs is a good bet to be that week. Galloway is as healthy as he’s been since his injury and should be able to get a long touchdown in this week’s game.

TE Donald Lee, Green Bay Packers
The Packers are facing a very tough defense this week when they take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 9. However, if the Packers are going to have any success against the Titans, it will likely be with Lee finding room in the middle of their secondary. That is the one weak spot in the Tennessee defense, as illustrated last week when tight end Dallas Clark had a pair of touchdowns.

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In addition to Flacco, the Ravens have quarterbacks Kyle Boller and Troy Smith on the roster. Boller hasn’t had much success in his career but he’s a veteran who has a lot of experience. While Smith is a youngster, he played well for the Ravens last year and his play at Ohio State showed what he’s capable of on the football field.

Flacco was the Ravens’ first round pick in the 2008 draft and he may very will see some snaps late in the year. However, it is doubtful that the Ravens will give him the job right away. Even if they do, Flacco won’t be much of a fantasy football asset in 2008. The Ravens don’t have many offensive weapons and typically rookie quarterbacks don’t do much in fantasy football.

In fantasy football dynasty league, Flacco is a long-term prospect who could become a quality starter in a few years.

Can Joe Flacco win the starting quarterback job in Baltimore?

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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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The big question mark regarding Flacco is whether he can make the jump from a small school to the NFL. Delaware is a Division I-AA football school, so obviously he didn’t play against great competition while at college.

Most quarterbacks who come from small schools to the NFL need a few years to adjust to the game speed. With that in mind, don’t pick Flacco in a redraft fantasy football league. He’s going to be on the sidelines a lot in 2008. Kyle Boller and maybe even Troy Smith will be ahead of him on the depth charts.

However, in a dynasty fantasy football league, Flacco is a high-risk, high-reward pick. Due to his size and his arm, Flacco might have the highest ceiling of any quarterback drafted in the 2008 NFL Draft. It will probably take two or three years to see much out of him, but there’s a chance that he could become a poor man’s Peyton Manning at some point down the line.

Photo: Newscom

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2. John David Booty, USC
While Booty had an up-and-down career at USC, the he definitely has talent. With USC running a pro offense, he’s ahead of the game in that regard. Look for a team to take him in a middle round of the draft.

3. Colt Brennan, Hawaii
Brennan has struggled since the end of the regular season. His stock is plummeting fast. That said, he’s a talented quarterback and there should be a team out there willing to take a chance on him.

4. Dennis Dixon, Oregon
Dixon was having a great season until he tore his ACL. He hasn’t been able to workout much and probably will be hobbled all the way up until the draft, which will no doubt hurt his stock.

5. Erik Ainge, Tennessee
The nephew of Danny Ainge, Erik Ainge is a very good athlete in his own right. With good size and a decent enough arm, Ainge still has time to turn heads before the 2008 NFL Draft.

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