FANTASY BLITZ: Setting your lineup for NFL '09 Week 1

If you want to win your league, spend five minutes a week with Fantasy Blitz, where we take a fast view of every game and highlight the sleepers who will score and the elite players who will not.

For this first week, the defensive rankings are from the end of the 2008 regular season

Always note the defensive statistics when setting your line up

Dolphins at Falcons, Over- Under 43.5

Dolphins, Falcons defense vs run 25th vs pass 21st

Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are still sharing carries, Brown should have 14-fifteen rushing touches, 60 yards and a score….Chad Pennington had a great preseason and with the release of veteran TE David Martin, Anthony Fasano will have more passes thrown his way, this match up favors him against Atlanta linebackers who do not cover well.

Falcons, Dolphins defense vs run 10th vs pass 25th

Michael Turner will get his 100 yards and at least 1 TD but a tough Dolphin run defense will force Turner to touch it 30 times to get there….a much improved Dolphin pass rush with Jason Taylor and Cameron Wake will have Matt Ryan throwing shorter than he wants when he using play action – his staple; not an easy match up for Roddy White, yardage will be limited for him but TE Tony Gonzalez should find the goal line.

Chiefs at Ravens, Over- Under 36

Chiefs, Ravens defense vs run 3rd vs pass 2nd

No matter if it is Matt Cassell or the below average Brodie Croyle starting they will test the Baltimore cornerbacks early and often with short drops; Dwayne Bowe will be their focus on short out patterns and he should get close to double digit receptions bringing value in point per reception leagues, but his yards per reception will not be high…..Larry Johnson averaged 5 yards a carry in the pre season but he is facing a run defense that allowed just 3.6 yards a carry in 2008, there is almost no value in Johnson or Jamaal Charles this week.

Ravens, Chiefs defense vs run 30th vs pass 28th

Joe Flacco will only attempt around 20 passes this game so his value is limited, Derrick Mason should be good for 60 yards and a score…..the Chiefs allowed 158 rushing yards a game and 25 rushing touchdowns in 2008, you will see Ray Rice, Willis McGahee, and Le’ Ron McClain, Rice will get 20 plus touches and the most rushing yardage but McGahee has value in this game also, look for 50 plus yards rushing and for him and to at least share the goal line work.

Broncos at Bengals, Over- Under 43.5

Broncos, Bengals defense vs 21st vs pass 15th

Kyle Orton should start, but his finger injury could have Chris Simms or even Tom Brandstater start against an improved Bengal pass defense; Eddie Royal is the only Bronco in the passing game with any value this week….veteran Correll Buckhalter will get most of the carries and should get close to 100 yards with a touchdown, rookie Knowshon Moreno will get some touches and fullback Peyton Hillis will get some goal line work but both will have limited yardage.

Bengals, Broncos defense vs run 27th vs pass 26th

Carson Palmer, while slightly injured will have a multiple touchdown pass game, both Chad Johnson and Chris Henry will score touchdowns with Laveranues Coles working the slots and catching short passes…..the Broncos allowed 146 rushing yards a game and 26 scores on the ground in 2008, Cedric Benson has value this week, look for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Jets at Houston, Over- Under 43.5

Jets, Houston defense vs run 23 rd vs pass 17th

Mario Williams and company will come after rookie Mark Sanchez with multiple blitz packages trying to force turnovers, Sanchez will have to throw short, Leon Washington catching screens and TE Dustin Keller have the most value in what will be a limited Jet passing game this week….Thomas Jones will get a heavy workload and will handle the goal line carries, he should be around 90 yards rushing with at least one score.

Houston, Jets defense vs run 7th vs pass 29th

Matt Schaub has the talent around him to have a huge season but this will not be a big game for him, the Jet secondary is talented, Andre Johnson starts every week and should get 70-80 yards and a score but a slightly injured Kevin Walter and Owen Daniels will not have one of their better fantasy days…..Steve Slaton will get a lot of touches but the Jets will limit him to around 80-110 combined rushing and receiving yards but will he score a touchdown…..Slaton’s over all value for the season will drop if Chris Brown does get the goal line work.

Jaguars at Colts, Over- Under 44

Jaguars, Colts defense vs run 24th vs pass 6th
The Colts allowed just six scoring throws in 2008, David Garrard did have one of those last year but there is little value in the Jaguar passing game except for short passes to Maurice Jones-Drew here this week even with Torry Holt…in his last 4 games against the Colts he has 496 combined rushing and receiving yards and three touchdowns, but he will frustrate you some this season as Greg Jones will take some goal line carries, Google Barry Sanders’ 1992-1994 seasons and you will see what to expect from Jones-Drew this year.

Colts, Jaguars defense, vs run 13th vs pass 24th

You know the drill, Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, now Anthony Gonzalez, and Dallas Clark start almost every week, last year in week 17 both Wayne and Clark went over 100 yards and both scored against Jacksonville…..different story with the Colt running game, Joseph Addai will average just around 16 carries a game, he should be close to 70 yards this week and for now consider him the goal line back, he had 2 rushing scores vs. the Jaguars week three last year, Donald Brown will get at least 10 touches but would take a wait and see approach with him for now.

Bills at Patriots, Over- Under 47.5

Bills, Patriots defense vs run 15th vs pass 11th

The Bills were awful in preseason, they are starting 2 rookies on the offensive line, fired their offensive coordinator, and Trent Edwards has shown no ability to throw a NFL caliber deep pass, based on this Terrell Owens and Lee Evans should be no higher than flex players this week against an improved Patriot pass defense….Fred Jackson and Xavier Omon will run the ball for the Bills while Marshawn Lynch serves his suspension, Jackson does have value this week, he should gain close to 90 combined rushing and receiving yards and score.

Patriots, Bills defense vs run 22nd, vs pass 13th

Tom Brady and Randy Moss should have big games but Wes Welker has an undetermined injury and has admitted his timing with Brady is off, use Welker only as flex player this week to be safe…..Fred Taylor and Laurence Maroney will share most of the carries this week, Taylor has the greater value, look for 70 yards and a score, the Bills allowed 121 rushing yards a game in 2008.

San Diego at Raiders, Over- Under 43

San Diego, Raiders defense vs run 31st, vs pass 10th

The Raider pass defense is above average but quarterback Philip Rivers, Vincent Jackson, and a completely healthy Antonio Gates should be started, Jackson and Gates each had touchdowns against the Raiders in 2008….yes the word is LaDanian Tomlinson will have a down season but based on where he was drafted he is must start every week, in 2008 he rushed for 196 yards and had 2 touchdowns against the Raiders, he should have little trouble crossing the 100 yard mark and the goal line again this game.

Raiders, San Diego defense vs run 11th vs pass 31st

JaMarcus Russell and his receivers do not bring much to the fantasy table but San Diego does not cover the TE well, Zach Miller should approach 50 yards and score this game….Darren McFadden will get 15-20 carries depending on the pace of the game gaining 60 plus yards.

Detroit at New Orleans Over/Under 48.5

Lions defense 27th vs. pass, 32nd vs. run

Every Saint you have should be started against the worst defense in football, sleeper of the week might be running back Mike Bell, Pierre Thomas may not play, even if he does he will be limited.

Saints defense 23rd vs. pass, 17th vs. run

Calvin Johnson is a must start every week and Kevin Smith has a favorable match up against a vulnerable Saints’ run defense.

Dallas at Tampa Bay Over/Under 39.0

Cowboys defense 5th vs. pass, 12th vs. run

The only Buccaneer to consider starting is TE Kellen Winslow, the running backs will be rotated, Carnell Williams, Derrick Ward, and Earnest Graham will all get carries but none will get enough to create fantasy value against a solid Cowboy run defense.

Buccaneers defense 11th vs. pass, 19th vs. run

Tony Romo will not have a huge yardage game, TE Jason Witten and Patrick Crayton should score this week, Marion Barber will be held to around 70 yards but should be able to find the goal line.

Minnesota at Cleveland Over/Under 39.5

Vikings defense 18th vs. pass, 1st vs. run

The Browns will not be able to run, keep Jamal Lewis on your bench. Brady Quinn could attempt close to 50 passes this game creating value for Braylon Edwards and Mike Furrey.

Browns defense 14th vs. pass, 28th vs. run

The Browns allowed 151 yards rushing a game in 2008, Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor will have fantasy friendly games, Brett Favre will not attempt more than 20 passes, TE Visanthe Shiancoe has the highest value of any player in Viking passing game this week.

Philadelphia at Carolina Over/Under 43.5

Eagles defense 3rd vs. pass, 4th vs. run

There are no surprises here, DeAngelo Williams who will get a few more carries with Jonathan Stewart banged up and wide receiver Steve Smith are your only plays, Jake Dehomme is no more than a back up, keep an eye on rookie Mike Goodson.

Panthers defense 16th vs. pass, 20th vs. run

Good battle here, Panthers allowed just 5 multiple touchdown pass games but Donovan McNabb will score fantasy points this week along with DeSean Jackson and Brett Celek. Brian Westbrook is still the center of the Eagle offense but LeSean McCoy will get touches.

St. Louis at Seattle Over/Under 41.5

Rams defense 19th vs. pass, 29th vs. run

Matt Hasselbeck ,TJ Houshmandzadeh, and John Carlson are must starts, and running back Julius Jones has a rare favorable match up against a below average defensive line.

Seahawks defense 32nd vs. pass, 18th vs. run

There is not much here besides Steven Jackson who had 47 touches against the Seahawks last year.

Washington at New York Giants Over/Under 37.5

Redskins defense 7th vs. pass, 8th vs. run

Eli Manning and the Giant passing game will not score much this week, Brandon Jacobs should score a couple of touchdowns and rush for close to 110 yards.

Giants defense 8th vs. pass, 9th vs. run

The Giants allowed just one touchdown to a TE in 2008, Chris Cooley does not have a favorable match up, you can say the same thing for the entire Redskin passing game, based on where you drafted Clinton Portis he is a must start every week, he should gain around 90 yards and will get the goal line carries.

San Francisco at Arizona Over/Under 46.0

49ers defense 20th vs. pass, 13th vs. run

Kurt Warner has shredded San Francisco the past couple of season, start all of their receivers but Chris wells and Tim Hightower will share carries, sit both.

Cardinals defense 22nd vs. pass, 16th vs. run

San Francisco will try and keep this a slow paced game, Frank Gore has value because of the workload he will get but Shaun Hill could surprise and have a multiple touchdown pass game, veteran Isaac Bruce will score points this game, as always do not even think about starting TE Vernon Davis.

Chicago at Green Bay Over/Under 46.5

Bears defense 30th vs. pass, 5th vs. run

The Packers gained over 700 yards and averaged almost 4 touchdowns in 2008 against the Bears, and Chicago had no sacks, this is easy, start all of your Packers this week even TE Jermichael Finley.

Packers defense 12th vs. pass, 26th vs. run

You will hear this all year long, start Jay Cutler, Matt Forte, and Greg Olsen, Devin Hester and Earl Bennett will score during the season but you to wait and see who becomes the go to here after a couple of weeks before starting them.

FANTASY FOOTBALL: A look at the 2009 Fantasy Draft Class ~ Quarterbacks

This lengthy blog will take you on a tour around the league and focus on all 32 teams quarterbacking situations, part one the AFC, part two the NFC.

While the top quarterbacks outscore the top running backs every year, you still must draft solid running backs early to win a fantasy championship. There are a few exceptions at quarterback, players that you would use a lower first round choice for, Drew Brees and Tom Brady are the top two this year. Future Hall of Famer Peyton Manning still remains third but the Colt offensive line did not play well last year, and as age creeps up on Manning his fantasy statistics could falter just a little. He may have just another couple of seasons as an elite fantasy quarterback.

All of my articles are based on a twelve team league that starts 1 quarterback and awards 4 points for a touchdown pass, six points for a scoring run, one point for every 25 yards passing, and a one point deduction for an interception or fumble.

If I list a quarterback as QB I he is one to twelve on my board, QB II thirteenth to twenty fourth, QB III 25th to thirty sixth. All player rankings will be coming as NFL camps start and will be updated accordingly.

As far as Brett Favre goes, I have felt all along that he will play for the Vikings in 2009, while he has not committed to them as of yet, this article will reflect that he will play for them.

AFC East

Buffalo, Trent Edwards is a low QB II, wide receiver Terrell Owens will help but Edwards threw for just 11 scores in 2009, if Edwards stumbles, head coach Dick Jauron will not hesitate to go with veteran backup Ryan Fitzpatrick.

Miami, Chad Pennington had a career year in 2009, he threw for 8 touchdowns the last four games, he is middle QB II and makes a solid fantasy back up and a possible starter in some match ups, Chad Henne is unproven and could lose the back up job to rookie Pat White.

New England, Tom Brady should come thundering back in 2009 and has an easy early schedule, facing the Bills, Jets, and Falcon pass defenses to start the season, he will never repeat his 2007 statistics, but is a high QB I and will be drafted late in the first round in some drafts. For those of you who were smart enough to handcuff Matt Cassel with Brady last year and saved your season, do the same with second year pro Kevin O’Connell this year who will step in if Brady gets injured again.

Jets, Mark Sanchez should start but he will have modest statistics at best, he is a low QB III, Kellen Clemens is still in the picture but has very little fantasy value..

AFC North

Ravens, the Ravens ran on 56% of their offensive plays, Joe Flacco will throw a few more passes in 2009 and you can expect a couple more than his 14 rookie touchdown passes this season. Flacco is a low QB II and we need to see how the Derrick Mason situation plays out, Flacco could drop a little if Mason does retire. Troy Smith makes things happen when he does play but has little fantasy value.

Bengals, Carson Palmer is back; he threw 86 touchdown passes and completed at least 62% of his passes from 2005 to 2007. Even without TJ Houshmandzadeh, Palmer is a low QB I. The combination of Laveranues Coles and Chris Henry should fill his void. JT O’ Sullivan will back up Palmer, in normal circumstances I would suggest handcuffing any QB I’s back up, but O’ Sullivan throws a lot of interceptions, if you select Palmer, look elsewhere and make sure you get a quality back up, Palmer’s elbow is healed but is one hit away from missing snaps.

Browns, as of now, Brady Quinn is listed on top of the Cleveland depth chart, ahead of Derek Anderson. The position will not be settled until the third week of camp. I see Anderson as the better quarterback but my feeling is that the Browns management wants Quinn to start. Regardless, both are QB III’s with the winner in camp having the obvious higher value. Keep in mind the Browns offense failed to score an offensive touchdown in the last six games of 2008.

Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger is not your classic championship caliber quarterback, but by improvising outside the pocket like former Ram and Eagle great Roman Gabriel he scores fantasy points. He is high QB II; the offensive line should be a little better and second year wide receiver Limas Sweed gives him a solid third wide receiver who can stretch the field. Veteran Charlie Batch should hold off Dennis Dixon for at least another year and serve as back up, if you select Roethlisberger, take Batch late, the Steelers have proven they have faith in him behind center if Roethlisberger has to miss starts.

AFC South

Houston, The Houston offense was third last season in total yards, quarterback Matt Schaub has the talent around him, especially wide receiver Andre Johnson to make Schaub a low QB I. Dan Orlovsky and Rex Grossman will battle for the back up position which could have fantasy value because Schaub has missed nine starts in his 2 years in Houston. I see Orlovsky winning the spot and Grossman being released. Keep in mind when Schaub missed games, head coach Gary Kubiak and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, ( former Bronco head coach Mike Shanahan’s son), kept the same playbook for last year’s back up Sage Rosenfels, expect them to do the same if Orlovsky has to play.

Colts, Peyton Manning is a high QB I, third on my board, he will come close to thirty touchdown passes again. Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez appears to be moving into the released Marvin Harrison’s starting position, but word is Harrison will be re signed by the Colts. Jim Sorgi will back up Manning again, and as has been the case for the past 5 seasons, take Sorgi late in case Manning does get hurt.

Jaguars, David Garrard has trimmed 20 pounds and looks to repeat his fantasy friendly 2007 season. The Jaguars should have the most improved offensive line in football and veteran Torry Holt could surprise and have a big season. Garrard is a middle QB II and should throw around 20 touchdown passes in 2009. Todd Bouman will serve as Garrard’s back up and has almost no fantasy value.

Tennessee, The Titans running game gives Kerry Collins limited fantasy value. Because he does start, Collins is a middle QB III. Vince Young is 44th on my board; he will back up Collins and has almost no fantasy value.

AFC West

Denver, Head coach Josh McDaniels helped chase possible future super star quarterback Jay Cutler out of town and replaced him with Kyle Orton. Orton threw for eighteen scores and had 7 multiple touchdown pass games with the Bears last season. He is a better quarterback than what is generally perceived about him. If wide receiver Brandon Marshall does play along with Eddie Royal Orton should have a solid fantasy season, he is a middle QB II, and you can wait to select him. Chris Simms will back up Orton; Simms is 40 on the board and only has value if Orton gets injured.

Kansas City, Matt Cassel with throw early and often in new head coach Todd Haley’s system. Cassel parlayed his twenty one touchdown passes last year in relief of Tom Brady into a lucrative deal to lead the Chiefs. Future Hall of Fame TE Tony Gonzalez is gone but Dwayne Bowe, Mark Bradley and reliable veteran Bobby Engram give Cassel some inviting targets. Cassel is a middle QB II, but you have to play the match ups with him, their schedule is tough. Tyler Thigpen who threw for a surprising eighteen touchdowns in 2008 is a very capable back up, although he will not see any playing time unless the highly paid Cassel is hurt.

Raiders, JaMarcus Russell gave the Raider faithful some hope late last year as he threw multiple touchdown passes in each of their last three games. He is slated to start but is only a high QB III, even with promising TE Zach Miller to throw to. Russell will be on a short leash, veteran Jeff Garcia is waiting in the wings and has proven himself over the years. Garcia is 44th on the board, but is worth a late choice, or will be an early waiver pick up if Russell does not play well early.

San Diego, by scoring just over twenty seven points a game, San Diego led the AFC in scoring. Quarterback Philip Rivers threw for over 4,000 yards, 34 touchdowns, and had twelve multiple touchdown pass games, based on where he was drafted in 2008, he provided the most value of any fantasy quarterback last season. His schedule is much tougher this year but is still a middle QB I, but needs TE Antonio Gates to be completely healthy and wide receiver Vincent Jackson has to continue his stellar play from last year. Handcuff veteran backup Billy Volek; if Rivers is injured they will not change the playbook much if Volek has to start.

NFC East

Dallas, Tony Romo threw a commendable 26 touchdown passes in thirteen starts with 8 multiple touchdown pass games. He has averaged twenty seven scores for the past three seasons. Of course now he has to continue on without his best wide receiver Terrell Owens, despite Owens being a constant distraction he is a great wide receiver and will be missed. Former Lion Roy Williams, Miles Austin, and Patrick Crayton will all have to step up, Romo will not be able to throw every pass to TE Jason Witten, Romo is a low QB I but has a tough early schedule facing the Buccaneer, Giant, and Panther pass defenses to start 2009. Veteran Jon Kitna makes for a great back up and should be handcuffed to Romo.

Giants, with the loss of wide receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer, Eli Manning’s value drops, their replacements Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith will not be as productive for Manning. The Giants will rely more on running the ball, Manning is a middle QB II who will make a solid fantasy back up in 2009, but will not be started many weeks. Eight year veteran David Carr has played well in relief of Manning and is one of the NFL’s best back up quarterbacks but offers little as far as fantasy value goes.

Eagles, Donovan McNabb remains a viable starting fantasy quarterback, he threw for 23scores last year and the Eagles have provided him with a stable of talented wide receivers. DeSean Jackson, Kevin Curtis, rookie Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, Hank Basket, and TE Brent Celek form the deepest receiving corps in the NFL, and McNabb also has Brian Westbrook to throw to. McNabb is 8th on the board. If you select McNabb make sure you get a quality back up else where, if McNabb gets injured, his back up Kevin Kolb does not appear to be NFL material at this stage...

Washington, Jason Campbell does not bring much to the fantasy table, he is a high QB III. He threw just thirteen touchdowns in 2008 and has averaged less than one touchdown pass a game over the past three years. Veteran Todd Collins is his back up and has no fantasy value.

NFC North

Chicago, Jay Cutler arrives in Chicago as the most talented quarterback the Bears have had since Hall of Famer Sid Luckman hung up his cleats in 1950. Cutler threw for 25 scores last year and has averaged about one a half touchdown passes a game the past three seasons. Of course that was in Denver with Brandon Marshall and he had rookie Eddie Royal last year. The Bears do not have the wide receivers the Broncos do but TE Greg Olson who is on the verge of becoming a super star and running back Matt Forte who caught sixty three passes in 2008 should make up for some of it. Cutler is 7th on the board, a QB I. He should be in the mid twenties at least with scoring throws, he may even complete more passes but he will be throwing shorter, his yardage could come down some. The superb Bear offensive line will have to keep Cutler healthy, there is no depth behind him, second year players Brett Basanez and Caleb Hanie will battle for the back up spot, you will have to find a quality back up elsewhere.

Lions, Daunte Culpepper should get the starting nod with rookie Matthew Stafford seeing spot duty early before taking the starting position by mid season. Regardless of which starts both have little fantasy value, both are low QB III’s. Someone though has to throw the touchdowns to all world wide receiver Calvin Johnson, use a late selection on Stafford, there will be some soft match ups for him later in season.

Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers passed for more than 4,000 yards , threw for 28 scores, ran for 4 more, had 10 multiple touchdown pass games and tied Drew Brees with the most completions over 40 yards, (16),in 2008. His schedule is softer this year, his statistics should be better, he is 4th on the board and high QB I. Matt Flynn who was the back up last year will battle Brian Brohm again for the position, handcuff the winner here with Rodgers.

Vikings, it appears as if Brett Favre will be behind center for the Vikings opening day in Cleveland. If he is there, then that signals he has completely healed from his late season injury last year that had him playing terrible football the last 5 weeks of the season. Favre has a favorable opening schedule, facing the soft pass defenses of the Browns, Lions, 49’ers, the Packers in Minnesota, and then the Rams the first 5 weeks. Favre should be able to easily match 2008’s 22 touchdown passes and should have far less interceptions. The addition of Percy Harvin gives Favre more options than just average wide receivers Bernard Berrian and Bobby Wade; Favre also has a great receiver in Chester Taylor to go along with the game’s best running back Adrian Peterson. All this adds up to Favre being a high QB II with some great match ups; take him as your backup. Sage Rosenfels always delivers touchdown passes when in relief along with a few interceptions; he has value if Favre misses starts for any length of time.

NFC South

Falcons, Can Matt Ryan avoid a sophomore jinx, I not only think he can, but he will score more fantasy points in 2009 than he did in 2008. He had 17 total touchdowns last season and with the addition of future Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez at TE and a year of working with wide receiver Roddy White will have Ryan throwing at least 22-25 touchdowns. He is low QB I or high QB II. Former Raven Chris Redman will back up Ryan again but he has little value, they will run more if Redman has to start, select your back up quarterback from another team, do not handcuff Redman.

Panthers, Jake Delhomme has fallen from starting status to a low QB II. The Panthers have taken a run first approach and even with wide receiver Steve Smith Delhomme’s fantasy statistics will continue to suffer. He threw for fifteen touchdowns in 2008, he may throw as many 17 in 2009 but he is back up material at best with a couple of decent match ups in early November. Josh McCown and Matt Moore will battle for the back up spot but they have little or no fantasy value.

Saints, Drew Brees may not throw for 5,000 yards in 2009 as he did in 2008 but he is number1 on the board this year. He will be drafted mid to late first round in just about every draft. A few owners may select Tom Brady as the first quarterback, but everything points to Brees as the number one guy for 2009. He threw for 34 touchdowns and had 11 multiple touchdown pass games and was missing his best receiver Marques Colston for six contests. The Saints have made few changes to their passing game this off season and TE Jeremy Shockey should bounce back from a 2008 season where he did not score a touchdown. Mark Brunell who will be 52 in November…….just kidding, remains as the back up and you should use a late selection to handcuff him with Brees.

Buccaneers, as of now the cast of characters who are battling to be behind center opening day against the Cowboys are journeymen Byron Leftwich, Luke McCown, and rookie Josh Freeman. The Buccaneers threw for just 17 scores in 2008 and regardless of who wins the starting position do not expect any more than that in 2009. Leftwich is a high QB III and the favorite to win the job and McCown is 37th on the board, there is not much fantasy value here.

NFC West

Cardinals, Kurt Warner’s resurgence to fantasy elite status all started the second half in a week three game here in Baltimore in 2007 and he has been on a roll since. Warner threw for thirty scores, 4,583 yards, and had ten multiple touchdown pass games in 2008. The wide receiving trio of Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin, who will play in the desert again despite of what you have read, and Steve Breaston all had 1,000 yard receiving seasons last year and are the most talented receiving corps in the NFL. Warner is 5th on the board and worth an early round selection. Matt Leinart knows his day is coming to start again and the once spoiled brat has improved his work ethic, handcuff him with Warner.

St. Louis, The Rams scored 20 or more points in just three games and Marc Bulger threw for just 11 touchdowns in the fourteen games he appeared in last year. In his first 5 seasons he had a 95-59 touchdown to interception ratio but that is history. For 2009 the Rams will run their entire offense around Steven Jackson, Bulger with wide receiver Donnie Avery as his only solid wide receiver is a middle QB III, the days of Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce are long gone. Baltimore fan favorite Kyle Boller will back up Bulger and should get some work, but for every touchdown pass he throws an interception or two and a fumble come along with it, Boller has little or no fantasy value.

San Francisco, Shaun Hill will win the starting position over Alex Smith. Hill had 5 multiple touchdown pass games in the nine games he started. I am in the minority but he is a solid QB II and has numerous favorable match ups on the schedule, I would not hesitate to make him my back up quarterback. His wide receivers including rookie Michael Crabtree are only average and TE Vernon Davis is worthless, but Hill moves the team and knows how to throw touchdown passes, and running back Frank Gore is a superb receiver. Smith will serve as the back up and has some value if Hill get hurts, but Smith probably will not get drafted.

Seattle, With TJ Houshmandzadeh, a healthy Deion Branch, Nate Burleson, and TE John Carlson the Seahawk passing game should rebound from a horrible 2008 season. The key though is the health of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, he appears to be ready to go and he is a borderline low QB I, high QB II. Because of Hasselbeck’s age, 34, you have to handcuff the versatile Seneca Wallace, especially if you select Hasselbeck as your starter.

Kurt Backert covers fantasy football for ProFootball24x7.com

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