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Aaron Rogers will be an excellent pickup this season. Don’t expect him to lose his starting job, he is the man in Green Bay, and will be come the start of the season. He has inherited an excellent offensive team, with top notch receivers. Additionally, they found a running game last year, and have an outstanding defense.

I don’t see Rogers going off the board until around the 10th round. To grab a potential top 10 QB in the 10th round puts him into sleeper status for us. If your game plan is to wait on a quarterback, Rogers is worth keeping an eye on. Be sure to draft another capable quarterback to go with Rogers to hedge your bet, but I think by midseason, Rogers is going to find his stride and be putting up big numbers. Remember, he played very well in the one game against the Cowboys last season, that was not a fluke!

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Kevin Smith could be a nice pickup this season should he win the starting job in Detroit.

As of right now, Smith is competing with Bell for the starting job as the Lions running back. The winner of that job should put up some decent numbers with the Lions looking to get back to the run this season.

Consider Smith a strong sleeper this season, and keep an eye on how things play out in the Detroit back field leading up to the season. He is a bit under the radar, third round pick, but he has skills, and if given the opportunity, could impress. He should go in the later middle rounds of most drafts, and is worth a look. With running backs always at a premium, Smith brings the potential of a starting running back with a very favorable draft position.

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Alge Crumpler is poised for a huge season this year, and could easily be a top five tight end, although he probably won’t be drafted as such in most leagues.

Crumpler has left Atlanta and is now the number one receiving option for Vince Young and the Titans. Add to that the fact that Young has shown a tendency to use his tight ends, although they have used a rotation in the past, and the fact that there is no clear cut number one wide-out and you have a situation where Crumpler could be the top receiver for the Titans.

The only issue I have with Crumpler is his knee. I think he will be ok, and after a terrible 2007 season, he should be hungry to come back strong. Crumpler is a great option at tight end this season, and you can probably wait to pick him up until late in the draft. If you don’t draft one of the top end studs, Crumpler has enough upside to be a strong sleeper playing in this Titans offense that wants to get Young throwing the ball more.

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David Garrard could be in for a big year this season. He was injured for part of last season, but threw for 18 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Pretty good numbers that should get better.

The Jaguars have upgraded their wide receivers in the off-season, brining in Williamson and Porter. In addition, they have Northcutt, who I think highly of, Jones and Williams. Might not be an all pro among them, but all are starter caliber. Add into the equation a solid run game and tough defense, and Garrard has the groundwork set for a good outing in the coming season.

The only worry I have about Garrard is the Jaguars style of play. I don’t see them really opening it up and letting him air it out, which will keep his numbers in check to some extent, but if he plays like he did last year, they will find a way to let him make plays. Keep an eye on Garrard, he is a serious sleeper this year, and could surprise everyone and crack the top five at the quarterback position. If you can find a way to pick this guy up, it is well worth your while.

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Santana Moss is not a very reliable option at wide receiver. I don’t really like him as anything but a fill in.

Moss has trouble staying healthy. He has had some good seasons in year past, but those have been the exception, not the rule. He will have a couple big games, but overall, will not give you a consistent performance week in and week out.

Think of Moss as a fill in wide receiver, a bye week replacement, or a platoon type of player. Better yet, don’t draft him. Because of the couple of good seasons he has had, he will probably go earlier in the draft than he deserves.

I imagine there would always be a better selection on the board unless he falls to the later rounds. Do yourself a favor and pass on this Moss.

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Lee Evans could fall into the sleeper category this season. He comes into 2008 with the potential for a big season.

There is no doubt that Evans is the number one wide receiver in Buffalo. The question marks come from how effective the Bills offense will be this season. Although the Bills won’t be a powerhouse on offense, they have Lynch and Edwards who have matured, and will put up some points this season. Evans will be the main beneficiary of this.

Lee Evans has been in the league for a few years now. He is coming off a sub-par season after what many thought was a break out year. He’s in the final year of his contract. He has many motivations for playing extremely well this year, and he will have the opportunity as the man in Buffalo. I’m looking for 80+ catches, 1200+ yards and half a dozen touchdowns or more. Puts him as a solid number two in my book, with some upside if he ends up with a nose for the end zone this season.

Evans will slip a little farther then he deserves this fantasy draft, don’t hesitate to grab him in the middle rounds this year.

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Cedric Benson is on a downward slide, I think he will be a very risky pick in the 2008 draft.

Benson was tabbed as the Bears running back of the future. They let Thomas Jones go to the Jets, and handed the starting role to Benson. He responded with under 700 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns and an injury that cost him 5 games.

In the draft this year, the Bears picked up Matt Forte, who should give Benson a run for the starting job. That’s assuming they don’t pick up another back between now and training camp, which I think is very likely. Add to the mix his recent arrest, and Benson becomes a back I would stay away from.

I would not touch Benson in the draft, unless he’s around in the 9th round, maybe not even then. I don’t see much upside for the guy. Keep an eye on the Bears running back situation leading up to the start of the season, maybe Benson will surprise us, but I don’t think so.

The Bears should take a flyer on someone like Alexander, or pick up a suddenly expendable Jordan from the Raiders rather than hang their hat on what they have.

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Donovan McNabb comes into every fantasy football season with a lot of potential, puts up some big games, puts up some terrible games, gets hurt, drives fantasy owners crazy.

Looking to the 2008 season, it’s tough to say where to place McNabb in the draft. He has some upside potential, and will give you some big games. He also has injury potential and will probably have some terrible fantasy games. I think it’s pretty risky putting your faith in McNabb.

With that being said, McNabb does have the potential to be a fantasy stud. You can’t overlook that. You should be able to get McNabb in the middle rounds of your draft, and it could be worthwhile to pick him up, just be sure to draft a serviceable back up. It could turn out to be a good risk to take, but I think I’ll be avoiding him come the fantasy draft.

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Dwayne Bowe is a WR that I think could be a 2008 fantasy football sleeper candidate. A lot of people will overlook this guy, even though he had a pretty solid season last year. Take advantage and grab this guy, he will be a top 20 wide-out this year, with some upside potential.

As a rookie, Bowe caught 70 balls for just under 1000 yards and 5 touchdowns. He played for a pretty bad Kansas City team, and started the year a bit slow. He will be their number one receiver this year, and should have 80+ receptions and surpass the 1000 yard mark. If you play in a point per reception league, he could play his way into a top number two or even low end number one WR, depending on his touchdown totals.

That’s the downside for Bowe. KC will again have a pretty poor team, and they will want to run with Johnson. Bowe may not get the touchdowns he needs to put up some really big numbers. With that being said, expect them to be behind a lot this season, meaning they are going to have to throw the ball. Many will pass on Bowe due to the quarterback position the Chiefs have. I wouldn’t worry about that, their quarterbacks are a bit better than most give them credit for, and if they get halfway decent play from their offensive line, Bowe could end up with some very good numbers this year.

Take a look at Bowe in the sixth round. Draft him as a number two receiver, he should be rock solid as a number two.

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Rudi Johnson, his fantasy football value is at an all time low in my book. I don’t think I will draft him in any leagues, and I’m labeling him a bust, he is no longer a viable number one back, and I don’t really like him as a number two back.

Johnson was hurt much of last year, hamstring injuries are tough, nagging and will really cut your production. He should be healthy coming into this season, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bengals use a running back by committee type of approach, and I don’t think Rudi is the best back on the team at this point.

Kenny Watson stepped in last year when Johnson was down and did an excellent job. Expect him to get his share of carries this year, with the potential to take over the starting role. Also, Irons should be back from his injury this season, and will get some reps as well.

I expect Johnson to rush for around 800 yards, with a handful of touchdowns. Not terrible numbers, but I’m sure he will be off the board by the time I feel he brings enough value to pick him up. If he is around in the sixth round or later, take a look at him as a low end number two back with some upside, but don’t expect big things from Rudi this year. If you play in a point per reception league, he has even less value as he won’t catch many balls out of the backfield.

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