The NFL preseason is over, and we now know how certain players should perform during the upcoming Fantasy season. The arrows indicate which way a player's stock is heading, but you'll have to read what we have to say to know whether a player's preseason performance will impact his status in Fantasy leagues coming into 2008.
Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Take a deep breath Fantasy owners because Manning's knee is ready and he will start in Week 1 against Chicago. There is some concern with center Jeff Saturday out for six weeks with a knee injury, but Manning will adjust like he did last year following left tackle Tarik Glenn's retirement. Manning might be a little rusty with the lack of preparation, but no one knows an offense better than Manning with the Colts. He should be fine and is in line for a great season with Marvin Harrison back from his knee problems last year.
Derek Anderson, QB, Cleveland Anderson missed the final two preseason games with a concussion, and his stock has fallen coming into the season. It didn't help that the Browns offense has sputtered, and Braylon Edwards has been out with a foot injury. Anderson will likely be fine for the start of the year, but he might not finish as a Top 5 quarterback again. He's still worth starting in Week 1, but he could struggle early on with the lack of preparation. It might be a good idea to have a solid backup ready in Week 1 against Dallas in case you don't feel comfortable starting Anderson.
Brett Favre, QB, New York Jets Favre seems to have fit in nicely in New York. After some uncertainty of how Favre would do coming from Green Bay, he has connected with Dustin Keller and Jerricho Cotchery. Once he develops a rapport with Laveranues Coles, who is still upset about losing Chad Pennington, Favre will be a solid Fantasy option. He's worth starting every week as a No. 1 quarterback, and if he can limit the interceptions, Favre will put up plenty of points. The concern in New York now should be the running game with Thomas Jones having a pedestrian preseason.
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle It just keeps getting worse for Hasselbeck this offseason. He loses D.J. Hackett as a free agent to Carolina, Deion Branch to a knee injury and Bobby Engram to a shoulder injury. Hasselbeck injures his back, and now Ben Obomanu has a broken clavicle. Who is he going to throw to? And please don't say Nate Burleson and rookie tight end John Carlson, who are nice players, but come on. At this point, consider Hasselbeck a No. 2 Fantasy option and go with another quarterback to start the season.
Willie Parker, RB, Pittsburgh Parker hasn't had to do much to prove he should be the every-down back for the Steelers. Rookie Rashard Mendenhall has had problems holding onto the ball with three fumbles in the final two preseason games. That could open the door for Parker to re-establish himself as the goal-line back, which was supposed to be Mendenhall's job. Parker remains a strong candidate for plenty of yards and was on the cusp of a starting Fantasy option coming into the year. Now, Parker should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy option for Week 1 against Houston and possibly the rest of the season.
Rudi Johnson, RB, Cincinnati Johnson was cut by the Bengals, who obviously feel his best days are behind him. Johnson didn't play in any preseason games because of a hamstring problem, and the Bengals are confident in Chris Perry. Kenny Watson also played well for Johnson when he was hurt last year. Look for Johnson to land elsewhere, but at best, consider him a No. 4 Fantasy option right now. Don't plan on using him in Week 1 if he ends up with another team, and if Perry is on the waiver wire, add him immediately in all scoring formats.
Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee No rookie running back has improved his stock as much during the preseason as Johnson. He is now expected to share carries in a 50-50 split with LenDale White. Johnson is the Titans best offensive player at this point and should be considered a high-end No. 3 Fantasy running back. If you use a flex option, plan on starting Johnson in Week 1. With his speed and ability to catch the ball, he could score plenty of long touchdowns this year. The best thing Vince Young can do at this point is get the ball to Johnson as often as possible.
Julius Jones, RB, Seattle Jones went from Dallas to Seattle this offseason with the chance to resurrect his career and return as a starting running back. Fantasy owners were counting on the same thing until Maurice Morris outplayed Jones and is now expected to start in Week 1. Jones should still be considered a No. 3 Fantasy option because he will get his share of carries. But don't plan on using Jones until your starter is on a bye week or if for some reason he starts out playing better than Morris. There also is the chance T.J. Duckett will get the majority of goal-line touches for the Seahawks.
Brandon Marshall, WR, Denver Marshall had his suspension reduced from three games to one game. Any Fantasy owner who drafted him after Round 5 should be doing cartwheels. Marshall has the chance to be a Top 5 or even Top 3 Fantasy receiver this year based on his talent and potential. He was called a bust coming into training camp, but that label is gone. Make sure you have a solid backup for the first week of the season, but the next 15 games, Marshall should be a regular in your lineup. This will help Jay Cutler tremendously as well.
Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati I guess we should call him Chad Javon Ocho Cinco now after he legally changed his name. That's not important to Fantasy owners. What is a concern is if Johnson can make it through the season with the torn labrum in his shoulder. You still have to draft Johnson as a starting Fantasy receiver based on his talent, but if you can get him as a No. 3 option, that's a safer bet. At some point this year he might have surgery, and that would ruin your team if he cost you a high draft pick. This could be a down season for Johnson. Sorry, Ocho Cinco.
Do you have a player you're interested in finding out about from this preseason, or feel that we're missing someone from our Stockwatch? You can e-mail us at DMFantasyFootball@cbs.com. Be sure to put Attn: Stockwatch in the subject field. Please include your full name, hometown and state. Be aware we do not guarantee personal responses to all questions.
