Grogan's Fantasy Draft Tip - CAMP QUESTIONS
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CAMPS ARE OVER, BUT NOT ALL QUESTIONS HAVE ANSWERS
This is always the case. We just don't know everything as well as we would like to before draft day. We're left to take some guesses. But choose wisely and you might just win a championship.
Should I still be concerned about Daunte Culpepper and Carson Palmer who both suffered train wreck-like knee injuries?
Unless he has a set back before the start of the season, Culpepper is looking like a bona fide fantasy starter. Palmer is less certain. He needs to make it through the Bengals' third pre-season game unscathed. The rumor is that he could be shut down until about week 6 of the regular season if the knee gives him trouble.
Is Chester Taylor still a sleeper?
The good news is that Taylor remains unchallenged in camp for the starting role. The bad news is that he hasn't done anything to wow people so far. He's still in the sleeper category, but not a slam-dunk at this time.
Can guys like Jamal Lewis, Julius Jones and Kevin Jones rebound to the high fantasy levels we've seen from them previously?
Lewis looks to have a good chance. Remember, everything went wrong for him last year – served some prison time, hurt his foot and saw his O-line go south on him. This year he has been relatively healthy and, although the O-line doesn't feature any changes from last season, new QB Steve McNair should be more effective in keeping defenses honest – and off Lewis.
If Julius Jones can just stay healthy he'll surpass last year's numbers. That won't take much, but look for him to yield some of the backfield duties to Marion Barber. Dallas is very concerned with keeping Jones well this year.
A new coaching regime is in Kevin Jones' favor and he should do well. However, with Mike Martz here calling the plays, the passing attack will always be top of mind.
Who has emerged as the real sleeper pick of this year?
Right now it's Denver RB Mike Bell.
Other sleepers I should be looking for in the later rounds?
Philly WR Reggie Brown, Baltimore WR Mark Clayton and San Francisco's Antonio Bryant.
Should I have any worries about Larry Johnson following the retirement of OL Willie Roaf?
Besides Roaf, the Chiefs also lost starting tackle John Welborn to retirement and blocking FB Tony Richardson to free agency. But, worry? Don't think so. New coach Herm Edwards is a ball-control, conservative coach so LJ will get plenty of work.
Likewise, is Shaun Alexander at greater risk following the loss of super LG Steve Hutchinson?
Don't think so. The Seahawks are very high on Hutchison's replacement Sean Locklear.
Will Edgerrin James struggle behind Arizona's very suspect O-line?
It hasn't looked pretty during the pre-season, but it is still just the pre-season. He should do well, but we're not expecting numbers like he saw with the Colts.
Who's gonna start in Indianapolis' backfield?
Rookie Joseph Addai is the better runner, but Dominic Rhodes has the edge because of his knowledge of the Colts' system. However, look for more of Addai as the season progresses.
Denver's backfield?
It looks like Mike Bell will be the featured guy with Tatum Bell still playing a role and picking up 8-12 carries. Ron Dayne, who was projected to be the replacement for Mike Anderson, could be elsewhere this year.
Chicago's backfield?
Still TBD. Cedric Benson has been given every opportunity to become the featured back, but Thomas Jones won't go down without a fight. There might not be a true winner though. We expect to see both guys.
Who's at the most risk of not starting the season or missing a significant part of it because of an injury?
Domanick Davis probably tops the list. A lingering knee problem caused him to miss mini-camp and all of training camp. There's talent behind him in Vernand Morency and, if head coach Gary Kubiak's system is anything like the one he ran in Denver, a "plug and play" mentality will prevail.
Clinton Portis' shoulder injury is one not to be taken lightly either. This is something that could put him at risk all season. Darrell Jackson (knee) is another one to be concerned about.
Is Corey Dillon at any greater risk given the way rookie Laurence Maroney has played in camp?
Probably, but Dillon has also played very well. It will be tough for the Pats not to use Maroney since his big play ability is unparalleled here. Dillon, however, is still expected for the goal line work and that could amount to 11-13 scores.
Who gained the most fantasy value during training camp?
It didn't take much, but Reggie Bush made his way up the RB ranking charts right away. Mike Bell had a lot less fanfare than Bush and his ascension has been meteoric. Matt Jones solidified his grip on a starting WR job in Jacksonville. Frank Gore's value moved up a few notches after the Niners traded Kevan Barlow.
Who lost the most?
Oakland QB Aaron Brooks hasn't helped himself. Even Raiders' head coach Art Shell hasn't endorsed him. Billy Volek who entered the Titans' camp as the starter still has the job, but it's more tenuous. Any hopes for Detroit WR have all but vanished. He's in danger of being cut. Injuries impacted some guys like Curtis Martin and Domanick Davis.
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