Projo Fantasy Sports Blog

By Michael Salfino

Next week, we get a real regular-season dress rehearsal. Preseason Week 2 was marked by cameos from the skill players we'll rely on come September. Let's mine the weekend for all its worth, focusing also on second-tier players on path for elevated roles once the games count.

Successful fantasy owners typically have core principles when it comes to drafting. Two of mine are to always draft the second WR on a team with no clear-cut No. 1 guy and to avoid QBs whose only selling point is their talent out on the flanks. But Detroit's Calvin Johnson is so good that I can't knock anyone for reaching for him well before Roy Williams, or for counting on Jon Kitna as a cheap starter with upside with the caveat of quickly grabbing a second QB in case the Lions soon sink and Kitna gets benched. This weekend, Johnson used his great size to snatch a ball over a helpless Bengals defensive back along the sideline, and then blew by two others on a simple post-corner where he got wide open for a easy TD.

Carson Palmer was sloppy again this weekend and, coming off a 2007 when he did not play well, the idea that he's a great player and a great scorer needs to be revised. He's a good player on a team that suddenly has some question marks and lack of depth at wide receiver, even if Chad Johnson (shoulder) comes back as expected by Week 1.

Also in Cincy, Chris Perry did nothing to persuade me he could be a feature back if he manages to stay healthy. Rudi Johnson (hamstring) is about finished. The value play here is current third-stringer Kenny Watson, who ran twice as well as Johnson in 2007.

Thomas Jones saw only limited action with the first-team for the Jets, who did name Leon Washington the team MVP last year. Washington has a chance to be the poor man's Brian Westbrook, given his explosiveness and receiving skills. The way Jesse Chatman looked, don't be shocked if Jones is cut before the end of camp. Chatman is a better change-of-pace back; similar to former Charger Natrone Means, he has light feet and the power to finish runs. Also like Means, Chatman has struggled with his weight, but appears now to be in good shape.

Matt Leinart had the better of the play this weekend and will start preseason Week 3, a very good indicator he'll be the opening day starter, considering the mantra for Week 4 is "let's not get anyone hurt." Let others overpay for Leinart in your drafts. Instead, pocket Kurt Warner as a third QB late. Then hope Leinart again spits the bit and that the Cardinals, who can contend, turn to Warner (21 TD passes the last eight games).

Willis McGahee is being pushed by Rutgers rookie Ray Rice, but remains the starter. McGahee already had his troublesome knee scoped. I'd much rather have Rice as my fourth RB than McGahee as my second. Some sad sacks are even reaching for McGahee as their RB1.

Don't waste draft bait fishing for the Texans running back. This seems like a good investment every August. But in most leagues you'll have to cut whomever you bet on early, i.e., before he's had a chance to take the reins. Realize you will jettison, say, Chris Taylor, when he has 10 carries the first three weeks. Instead, save your free-agent money and consult with us here to get the early read on who the eventual Texans RB workhorse will be. Remember, too, there's a decent chance their guy is not yet on their roster. Last year, the Packers picked up Ryan Grant on waivers right before the season kicked off.

Robert Meachem quieted down after last week, good news for those who want to grab a cheap piece of the Saints' high-flying passing offense. Meachem will see scant attention with secondaries focusing on Marques Colston, Jeremy Shockey and Reggie Bush, in that order. Expect Meachem to start the year as the third WR behind David Patten, but for the NO depth chart to correct in Meachem's favor well before Halloween.

J.T. O'Sullivan looks like the starter in San Francisco, good news for those wishing to draft Frank Gore. O'Sullivan will ease the transition to Mike Martz's offense, given he played in it when both were with Detroit last year. JTO threw a sloppy interception, but averaged 20 yards per completion. That's the kind of proficiency Martz wants from his passing game.

Broncos rookie Eddie Royal (second round) impressed Pac Man Jones this weekend and has cemented a starter job opposite Brandon Marshall (appealing his three-game suspension). He should be the first rookie receiver off the fantasy draft board given the quality of his QB (Jay Cutler) and the friendly Mike Shanahan system in which he'll operate.

Also, Andre Hall looks like the short-yardage (i.e., TD) back for the Broncos, as he replaced Selvin Young in the red zone on Denver's first two drives.

We'll have an injury report every week here during the regular season. But I must note here now that, according to the San Diego Tribune, Antonio Gates reported that he felt "close to normal" after running 20 routes before Saturday's game and added he thinks "more than ever that he'll be ready" for the season opener.

The Falcons' Michael Turner was untouched until the end of his two long runs. But Matt Ryan didn't seem to progress from Week 1, and that means a lot more for those investing in Turner and the Falcons offense.

 Tags  Andre Hall Antonio Gates Calvin Johnson Carson Palmer Chris Perry Chris Taylor David Patten Eddie Royal football Frank Gore J.T. O'Sullivan Jesse Chatman Jon Kitna Kenny Watson Kurt Warner Leon Washington Matt Leinart Matt Ryan Michael Salfino Michael Turner NFL Scouting Notebook Ray Rice Robert Meachem Roy Williams Rudi Johnson Selvin Young Thomas Jones Willis McGahee

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