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News-Herald Assistant Sports Editor Kevin Kleps doesn’t just write headlines and stories. He also checks on his fantasy sports teams. A lot. See if the moves and news from the world of sports affect your fantasy teams.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Fantasy football: Lessons from an in-person mock draft

Most of us have done a mock draft on ESPN.com or another website.

We stick around for the first two or three picks, get frustrated when owners take the full 90 seconds to take a player who will never play for a team said owner will never own, then exit the draft and start a new one a few minutes later.

It's a good way to learn where certain players are being drafted.

Wednesday night, Sports Editor Mark Podolski, me and a group of readers conducted a three-round mock draft at The News-Herald as part of our fantasy football Q&A.

We went with the assumption we would be participating in a points-per-reception league and touchdown passes would be worth six points. The results were interesting, and more informative than an online mock in which half of the selections might be autopicks.

Tonight, we actually cared about our picks, though we knew it was just for fun (yes, we're sick like that).

Here is the overall top 25, along with a few observations:

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
2. Arian Foster, RB, Texans
3. Drew Brees, QB, Saints
4. LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles
5. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens
6. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions
7. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans
8. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
9. Matt Forte, RB, Bears
10. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders
11. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars
12. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
13. DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys
14. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots
15. Roddy White, WR, Falcons
16. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams
17. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
18. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
19. Fred Jackson, RB, Bills
20. Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions
21. Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints
22. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
23. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
24. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers
25. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs

Biggest reach: Welker. I'm a big fan, but even in a PPR league, the Patriots wideout is a much better option early in the third round than early in the second. As great as Welker was last season, his nine touchdowns were a career high. From 2007 to '09, he averaged five TDs.

Best value: Rice is a steal at No. 5, as is Gronkowski at 23. Choosing between the two, I'd say Rice. If you get him fifth in a 12-team league, you could follow with the likes of Gronkowski, Roddy White, DeMarco Murray or Cam Newton in Round 2.

The Jones-Drew question: Podolski selected MJD 11th, and that seems about right. Jones-Drew was ranked fifth in our top 100 overall last week, but the longer his contract holdout lingers, the more risky he becomes. If you're drafting this weekend (as we are in the N-H league), I would feel comfortable with Jones-Drew late in the first round of a 12- or 14-team league, but wouldn't take him in the top 10. We have to assume he will report to the Jaguars by the start of the season, but until he does, we can't take the chance in the top five.

The Fitzgerald factor: The Cardinals' QB situation is such a mess we should expect Fitzgerald to be drafted in the middle of the second round, even if the wideout's numbers suggest that is too late. Since 2007, Fitzgerald has missed only one game. From 2007 to '09, he averaged 12 TDs per season. The last two years, Fitzgerald's TDs are down to a norm of seven. In PPR leagues, he still has high second-round value. Heck, he caught 80 passes for 1,411 yards and eight TDs last season for a team on which the top two quarterbacks -- Kevin Kolb and John Skelton -- combined to throw 20 TD passes and 22 interceptions. In standard scoring leagues in which yards and TDs are almost all that matter, Fitzgerald could fall to late in the second round or early in Round 3.

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Tuesday, August 14, 2012

2012 fantasy football rankings: Wide receivers

Maybe you believe, and News-Herald Browns beat writer Jeff Schudel agrees with you, the Browns got the better of the Falcons in a blockbuster draft-day trade in 2011.

When the dust settled after the 2012 draft, the Browns had netted Phil Taylor, Greg Little and Brandon Weeden from the swap. And one of the picks they received from Atlanta, a fourth-rounder in 2012, was used in a trade with Minnesota in which Cleveland moved up to select Trent Richardson.

It's not difficult to see why that trade could be viewed as a good one for Tom Heckert.

The Falcons' haul in the deal: Wide receiver Julio Jones.

Jones, selected sixth overall by Atlanta in 2011, had 27 receptions for 457 yards and six touchdowns in the final five games of last season. If you project those numbers over a 16-game season, you get 86 catches for 1,462 yards and 19 TDs.

I wouldn't expect Jones to score 19 TDs this season, but 86 catches for more than 1,400 yards is certainly within reach.

This is a long way of saying I like Jones quite a bit this season. We have him ranked eighth at wide receiver, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was better than any wideout not named Calvin Johnson in fantasy this season.

If Weeden is the answer to the Browns' annual quarterback problem, they will have made out on the deal. For fantasy purposes, however, Atlanta has the best player -- and we know that's what really matters.

On to the wide receiver rankings ...

Rank, player, team (bye week): GP, Receptions-Yards-Avg, TD
1. Calvin Johnson,  Det (5): 16, 96-1,681-17.5, 16
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Ari (10): 7, 80-1,411-17.6, 8
3. Roddy White, Atl (7): 16, 100-1,296-13.0, 8
4. Andre Johnson, Hou (8): 16, 33-492-14.9, 2
5. Greg Jennings, GB (10): 13, 67-949-14.2, 9
6. Wes Welker, NE (9): 16, 122-1,569-12.9, 9
7. A.J. Green, Cin (8): 15, 65-1,057-16.3, 7
8. Julio Jones, Atl (7): 13, 54-959-17.8, 8
9. Mike Wallace, Pit (4): 16, 72-1,193-16.6, 8
10. Victor Cruz, NYG (11): 16, 82-1,536-18.7, 9
11. Hakeem Nicks, NYG (11): 15, 76-1,192-15.7, 7
12. Jordy Nelson, GB (10): 16, 68-1,263-18.6, 15
13. Brandon Marshall, Chi (6): 16, 81-1,214-15.0, 6
14. Steve Smith, Car (6): 16, 79-1,394-17.6, 7
15. Marques Colston, NO (6): 14, 80-1,143-14.3, 8
16. Dez Bryant, Dal (5): 15, 63-928-14.7, 9
17. Miles Austin, Dal (5): 10, 43-579-13.5, 7
18. Demaryius Thomas, Den (7): 11, 32-551-17.2, 4
19. Vincent Jackson, TB (5): 16, 60-1,106-18.4, 9
20. Brandon Lloyd, NE (9): 11, 51-683-13.4, 5
21. Antonio Brown, Pit (4): 16, 69-1,108-16.1, 2
22. Dwayne Bowe, KC (7): 16, 81-1,159-14.3,  5
23. Steve Johnson, Buf (7): 16, 76-1,004-13.2, 7
24. Percy Harvin, Min (11): 16, 87-967-11.1, 6
25. DeSean Jackson, Phi (7): 15, 58-961-16.6, 4
26. Reggie Wayne, Ind (4): 16, 75-960-12.8, 4
27. Torrey Smith, Bal (8): 16, 50-841-16.8, 7
28. Jeremy Maclin, Phi (7): 13, 63-859-13.6, 5
29. Eric Decker, Den (7): 16, 44-612-13.9, 8
30. Pierre Garcon, Was (10): 16, 70-947-13.5, 6
31. Malcom Floyd, SD (7): 12, 43-856-19.9, 5
32. Anquan Boldin, Bal (8): 14, 57-887-15.6, 3
33. Santonio Holmes, NYJ (9): 16, 51-654-12.8, 8
34. Greg Little, Cle (10): 16, 61-709-11.6, 2
35. Robert Meachem, SD (7): 16, 40-620-15.5, 6
36. Titus Young, Det (5): 16, 48-607-12.6, 6
37. Denarius Moore, Oak (5): 13, 33-618-18.7, 5
38. Nate Washington, Ten (11): 16, 74-1,023-13.8, 7
39. Santana Moss, Was (10): 12, 46-584-12.7, 4
40. Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oak (5): 15, 64-975-15.2, 4
41. Lance Moore, NO (6): 14, 52-627-12.1, 8
42. Mike Williams, TB (5): 16, 65-771-11.9, 3
43. Michael Crabtree, SF (9): 15, 72-874-12.1, 4
44. Mario Manningham, SF (9): 12, 39-523-13.4, 4
45. Nate Burleson, Det (5): 16, 73-757-10.4, 3
46. Jonathan Baldwin, KC (7): 11, 21-254-12.1, 1
47. Kenny Britt, Ten (11): 3, 17-289-17.0, 3
48. Sidney Rice, Sea (11): 9, 32-484-15.1, 2
49. Justin Blackmon, Jac (6): Rookie
50. Brandon LaFell, Car (6): 16, 36-613-17.0, 3
51. Laurent Robinson, Jac (6): 14, 54-858-15.9, 11
52. Randy Moss, SF (9): Didn’t play
53. Austin Collie, Ind (4): 16, 54-514-9.5, 1
54. Danny Amendola, StL (9): 1, 5-45-9.0, 0
55. Emmanuel Sanders, Pit (4): 11, 22-288-13.1, 2
56. Doug Baldwin, Sea (11): 16, 51-788-15.5, 4
57. Rueben Randle, NYG (11): Rookie
58. Leonard Hankerson, Was (10): 4, 13-163-12.5, 0
59. Davone Bess, Mia (7): 16, 51-537-10.5, 3
60. Kendall Wright, Ten (11): Rookie

NOTE: All statistics are from the 2011 season.

QUICK SLANTS: Calvin Johnson has averaged 87 receptions for 1,401 yards and 14 TDs the last two seasons. ... Fitzgerald has played all 16 games in each of the last four seasons and has missed only one contest since 2007. He averaged 12 TDs per season from 2007 to '09, but has a norm of "only" seven scores the last two years. ...Jones' Falcons teammate, Roddy White, has averaged 100 catches for 1,279 yards and 10 TDs the last three years. ... I'd be a little leery of Andre Johnson, who is already struggling with an injury in training camp (hamstring) and has missed a combined 12 games the last two seasons. ... Welker is a reception and yardage machine, but his nine TDs last season were a career high. ... The Steelers' Wallace is expected to end his contract holdout before the start of the regular season. He has averaged 1,232 yards and nine TDs since 2010. ... With Jay Cutler in Denver in 2007 and '08, Marshall had norms of 103 catches for 1,295 yards and seven TDs. ... The Broncos' Thomas could be the biggest beneficiary of Peyton Manning landing in Denver. He caught 10 passes for 297 yards and a TD in the Broncos' two playoff games last season, including a memorable four-catch, 204-yard, one-winning-TD performance in a wild-card win over the Steelers during the height of Tebowmania. ... In two seasons with the Jets, Holmes has averaged only 52 catches for 700 yards and seven TDs. In 2009 with the Steelers, he had 79 receptions for 1,248 yards and five scores.

PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Quarterbacks, running backs

NEXT: Tight ends

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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Fantasy football: Playoff pools, top WRs and TEs

In the latest edition of the Year of the Quarterback (see Part I in this series), the elite tight ends were historically prolific, too.

The top two in the rankings that follow -- the Patriots' Rob Gronkowski and the Saints' Jimmy Graham -- combined for 189 receptions for 2,637 yards and 28 touchdowns in the regular season. The combined totals for Gronkowski and Graham (JimRob Grahamkowski?) were very comparable to the top two receivers below -- Wes Welker and Jordy Nelson, who combined for 190 catches, 2,832 yards and 24 TDs.

As is the case with the quarterbacks, the tight ends have a few no-doubt-about-it choices, followed by a huge gap. After the Packers' Jermichael Finley and the 49ers' Vernon Davis, there is a future Hall of Famer (the Falcons' Tony Gonzalez) who will be lucky if he plays more than one playoff game, followed by the Steelers' No. 3 or 4 receiving option (Heath Miller).

On to the rankings (note that we ranked only one receiver from each team, since most pools only allow you to select one player from each NFL playoff team):

WIDE RECEIVERS
1. Wes Welker, Patriots
2. Jordy Nelson, Packers
3. Marques Colston, Saints
4. Mike Wallace, Steelers
5. Victor Cruz, Giants
6. Roddy White, Falcons
7. Anquan Boldin, Ravens
8. A.J. Green, Bengals
9. Calvin Johnson, Lions
10. Michael Crabtree, 49ers
11. Andre Johnson, Texans
12. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos

TIGHT ENDS
1. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
2. Jimmy Graham, Saints
3. Jermichael Finley, Packers
4. Vernon Davis, 49ers
5. Tony Gonzalez, Falcons
6. Heath Miller, Steelers
7. Jermaine Gresham, Bengals
8. Brandon Pettigrew, Lions
9. Owen Daniels, Texans
10. Ed Dickson, Ravens
11. Jake Ballard, Giants

More on the tight ends

If we could somehow have the option of choosing a team's tight ends, the Patiots would be a must-have with Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. The latter, if included in the above rankings, would be No. 4, ahead of the 49ers' Davis, after catching 79 passes for 910 yards and seven TDs in the regular season. ... After Gonzalez, I would avoid the other tight ends if at all possible. The Texans' Daniels and the Giants' Ballard have both been limited by a knee injury, and the run-happy Broncos don't even have a tight end worth mentioning.

Notes on the wide receivers

Welker is an easy top choice in point-per-reception formats after racking up 122 catches for 1,569 yards and nine TDs. That is, if you want to select him instead of two of his teammates (Tom Brady or Gronkowski). ... I selected Nelson over stud teammate Greg Jennings because Nelson had 277 yards and five TDs in his last two games, and Jennings missed the Pack's last three contests with a knee injury. He is expected to play next week in the divisional round. If we were ranking more than one receiver on a team, I would put Jennings fourth, behind Colston. ... The Steelers' Wallace also has a very productive teammate at the same position (Antonio Brown, who had 69 catches for 1,108 yards), but Wallace has eight TDs to Brown's two. ... The Falcons' White is a narrow choice over teammate Julio Jones, who has reached the end zone six times in his last four contests. ... The Giants' Cruz had 82 catches for 1,536 yards and nine TDs in the regular season. I'd take him over Hakeem Nicks (76 receptions, 1,192 yards and seven TDs). ... Boldin is expected to play following late-season knee surgery. Teammate Torrey Smith (50 catches, 841 yards and seven TDs) is a tempting choice in his place. ... The great Calvin Johnson is ranked so low because we don't expect him to play more than one game, and the once-great Andre Johnson has been a shell of himself because of a hamstring injury.

PREVIOUS: Quarterbacks and running backs

NOTE: If you're hoping for defense/special teams and kicker rankings, a few words of advice: Fill out the remainder of your lineup, then take the best two options from the remaining five playoff teams. Selecting the best quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end combination (usually a total of seven spots) is infinitely more important.

Good luck, and may you follow the wise words of Mike Holmgren: Stay the course.

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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Fantasy football: Injury updates, start-and-sit advice, expanded playlist and more for Week 5

Before we get to the usual start-and-sit advice and expanded playlist, we'll begin with what has become another weekly staple -- injury updates.

-- Giants quarterback Eli Manning practiced Friday and is expected to be a game-time decision because of a heel injury. The Giants host the Raiders on Sunday at 1 p.m., which gives you time to decide on an alternative if Manning is inactive. If he starts, I would play him.

-- Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (rib injury) is expected to play, and he has a favorable matchup at home against the Jaguars (No. 18 vs. the pass). Consider him an upper-level No. 2 QB this week.

-- Running backs Brian Westbrook (ankle), Marion Barber (quadriceps), Kevin Smith (shoulder), Jamal Lewis (hamstring) and Derrick Ward (knee) are all expected to play. Westbrook likely will share carries with rookie LeSean McCoy, and Barber will split the workload with Tashard Choice. Lewis' injury should mean more work for Jerome Harrison, and Ward probably won't get as many touches as Cadillac Williams. Smith is the Lions' workhorse, but he has a bad matchup against the Steelers, who rank fourth vs. the run.

-- Clinton Portis wasn't listed on the Redskins' injury report this week and could have a productive day against the Panthers and their 26th-ranked run defense.

-- Willie Parker will sit for a second consecutive week, which should mean two straight big games by Rashard Mendenhall. The Steelers play at Detroit, which ranks 21st defending the run.

-- Wide receivers Derrick Mason (neck), Wes Welker (knee), Antonio Bryant (knee) and Steve Breaston (knee) were limited in practice this week but are expected to play. Mason is probable, and Welker, Bryant and Breaston are questionable. Of the four, I would worry about Welker's status the most, since he's already been a surprise scratch this season. Make sure he is active before kickoff.

-- Dallas receiver Roy Williams is doubtful, which should mean more opportunities for Patrick Crayton and Miles Austin against a Chiefs pass defense that ranks 29th in the league. Crayton is a decent option as a No. 3 receiver this week.

-- Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery missed practice Friday because of a hamstring injury, and Coach Rex Ryan told reporters he might be forced to sit Monday night. Ryan said he still thought Cotchery would play, but the wideout is a risky start because the schedule doesn't allow you many replacement options if Cotchery is a late scratch. The news gives disgruntled Braylon Edwards owners more reason to play the former Brown in his first game as a Jet.

Five to start

This week’s look at part-time starters and fantasy backups who should benefit from a favorable matchup:

-- David Garrard, QB, and Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jaguars, at Seahawks: Garrard has thrown for 819 yards and five touchdowns, rushed for 94 yards and one score and thrown only one interception in the last three games. That’s a span that coincides with Walker’s rise to prominence (19 catches for 278 yards and three TDs the last three weeks). Seattle ranks 18th against the pass.

-- Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers, at Lions:
He finally lived up to his draft billing last week in his first career start (165 yards rushing, two touchdowns and two receptions for 26 yards). With Willie Parker out again because of turf toe, Mendenhall should have another big game against the league’s No. 21 run defense.

-- Tim Hightower, RB, Cardinals, vs. Texans:
He’s rushed for only 109 yards in three games, but he has 20 receptions for 172 yards and gets to face a Texans defense that ranks 30th vs. the run.

-- Pierre Garcon, WR, Colts, at Titans: The Mount Union product has six catches for 135 yards and a TD the last two weeks, and he's had long touchdowns (48 and 53 yards) in two of the last three games.

More matchups I like:

Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys, at Chiefs; Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets, at Dolphins; Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch, RBs, Bills, vs. Browns; Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens, vs. Bengals; Terrell Owens, WR, Bills, vs. Browns; Nate Burleson, WR, Seahawks, vs. Jaguars; Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets, at Dolphins; Mohamed Massaquoi, WR, Browns, at Bills; Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings, at Rams

Three to sit

If you have a decent backup, these starters should take a seat for a week:

-- Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons, at 49ers: The second-year stud has two productive games and one no-show thus far. I wouldn’t expect a third big day against the 49ers, who rank 11th vs. the pass and have allowed only 53 points in four games.

-- Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals, at Ravens:
He’s been one of the early season surprises (367 yards rushing, two TDs), but there aren’t many backs I would start against the league’s top run defense. Baltimore is allowing only 59.5 yards rushing per game and 2.6 yards per carry.

-- Eddie Royal, WR, Broncos, vs. Patriots:
He has eight catches for 58 yards in four games, so it really doesn’t matter how good the Patriots are vs. the pass (by the way, not bad — No. 8).

More matchups I don’t like: Kevin Smith, RB, Lions, vs. Steelers; Cadillac Williams and Derrick Ward, RBs, Buccaneers, at Eagles; any Dolphins receiver vs. the Jets

Last week

The start list had two hits in Carson Palmer (230 yards passing, two touchdowns, one interception and 20 yards rushing) and Joseph Addai (46 yards rushing, seven catches for 50 yards and a touchdown) and one decent play in Glen Coffee (74 yards rushing, four catches for 32 yards). The other two — Knowshon Moreno (65 yards rushing, two receptions for 11 yards) and Kevin Walter (one catch for 41 yards) — were duds.

The sit list was 2-for-3, with Marshawn Lynch (4 yards rushing, five catches for 43 yards) and Willis McGahee (24 total yards, one catch, one TD) not reaching double digits in points. Ray Rice (103 yards rushing, five catches for 49 yards), however, was not a good call.

Playlist

QUARTERBACKS

1. Peyton Manning, Colts, at Titans (tied for No. 31 vs. the pass)

2. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers, at Lions (No. 27)

3. Donovan McNabb, Eagles, at Buccaneers (No. 19)

4. Tom Brady, Patriots, at Broncos (No. 4)

5. Joe Flacco, Ravens, vs. Bengals (No. 28)

6. Matt Schaub, Texans, at Cardinals (tied for No. 11)

7. Kurt Warner, Cardinals, vs. Texans (No. 10)

8. x-Eli Manning, Giants, vs. Raiders (No. 13)

9. David Garrard, Jaguars, at Seahawks (No. 18)

10. Brett Favre, Vikings, at Rams (No. 21)

11. Carson Palmer, Bengals, at Ravens (No. 25)

12. Tony Romo, Cowboys, at Chiefs (No. 29)

13. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks, vs. Jaguars (No. 18)

14. Mark Sanchez, Jets, at Dolphins (No. 26)

15. Matt Cassel, Chiefs, vs. Cowboys (No. 30)

16. Matt Ryan, Falcons, at 49ers (tied for No. 11)

17. Shaun Hill, 49ers, vs. Falcons (No. 7)

18. Kyle Orton, Broncos, vs. Patriots (No. 8)

19. Trent Edwards, Bills, vs. Browns (tied for No. 23)

20. Jason Campbell, Redskins, at Panthers (No. 3)

x-Make sure Manning (heel injury) is active.

RUNNING BACKS

1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings, at Rams (No. 25 vs. the run)

2. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars, at Seahawks (No. 22)

3. Brian Westbrook, Eagles, vs. Buccaneers (No. 31)

4. DeAngelo Williams, Panthers, vs. Redskins (No. 23)

5. Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers, at Lions (No. 21)

6. Marion Barber, Cowboys, at Chiefs (No. 24)

7. Brandon Jacobs, Giants, vs. Raiders (No. 27)

8. Chris Johnson, Titans, vs. Colts (17)

9. Steve Slaton, Texans, at Cardinals (No. 2)

10. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins, vs. Jets (No. 14)

11. Knowshon Moreno, Broncos, vs. Patriots (No. 12)

12. Joseph Addai, Colts, at Titans (No. 8)

13. Ray Rice, Ravens, vs. Bengals (No. 16)

14. Michael Turner, Falcons, at 49ers (No. 5)

15. Steven Jackson, Rams, vs. Vikings (No. 10)

16. Thomas Jones, Jets, at Dolphins (No. 14)

17. Clinton Portis, Redskins, at Panthers (No. 26)

18. Tim Hightower, Cardinals, vs. Texans (No. 30)

19. Fred Jackson, Bills, vs. Browns (No. 32)

20. Glen Coffee, 49ers, vs. Falcons (No. 15)

21. Willis McGahee, Ravens, vs. Bengals (No. 16)

22. Julius Jones, Seahawks, vs. Jaguars (No. 23)

23. Marshawn Lynch, Bills, vs. Browns (No. 32)

24. Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants, vs. Raiders (No. 27)

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals, vs. Texans (tied for No. 11 vs. the pass)

2. Reggie Wayne, Colts, at Titans (tied for No. 31)

3. Andre Johnson, Texans, at Cardinals (tied for No. 11)

4. Steve Smith, Giants, vs. Raiders (No. 13)

5. DeSean Jackson, Eagles, vs. Buccaneers (No. 19)

6. Hines Ward, Steelers, at Lions (No. 27)

7. Randy Moss, Patriots, at Broncos (No. 4)

8. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals, vs. Texans (No. 10)

9. Steve Smith, Panthers, vs. Redskins (No. 5)

10. Roddy White, Falcons, at 49ers (tied for No. 11)

11. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs, vs. Cowboys (No. 30)

12. Chad Ochocinco, Bengals, at Ravens (No. 25)

13. Derrick Mason, Ravens, vs. Bengals (No. 28)

14. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks, vs. Jaguars (tied for No. 31)

15. Santonio Holmes, Steelers, at Lions (No. 27)

16. Calvin Johnson, Lions, vs. Steelers (No. 17)

17. Brandon Marshall, Broncos, vs. Patriots (No. 8)

18. Terrell Owens, Cowboys, vs. Browns (tied for No. 23)

19. Mario Manningham, Giants, vs. Raiders

20. Mike Sims-Walker, Jaguars, at Seahawks (No. 18)

21. x-Wes Welker, Patriots, at Broncos (No. 4)

22. Bernard Berrian, Vikings, at Rams (No. 21)

23. Santana Moss, Redskins, at Panthers (No. 23)

24. Nate Burleson, Seahawks, vs. Jaguars (tied for No. 31)

25. Pierre Garcon, Colts, at Titans (tied for No. 31)

26. Kevin Walter, Texans, at Cardinals (tied for No. 11)

27. Braylon Edwards, Jets, at Dolphins (No. 26)

28. x-Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers, at Eagles (No. 2)

29. Kenny Britt, Titans, vs. Colts (No. 9)

30. Mohamed Massaquoi, Browns, at Bills (tied for No. 23)

31. Sidney Rice, Vikings, at Rams (No. 21)

32. Patrick Crayton, Dolphins, at Chiefs (No. 29)

33. x-Jerricho Cotchery, Jets, at Dolphins (No. 26)

34. Lee Evans, Bills, vs. Browns (tied for No. 23)

35. Torry Holt, Jaguars, at Seahawks (No. 18)

36. Michael Jenkins, Falcons, at 49ers (No. 11)

x-Make sure Welker (knee), Bryant (knee) and Cotchery (hamstring) are active.

MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL: To read observations about the first four weeks of the season, including eight of the biggest surprises, click here for today’s column. The link also includes our weekly audiocast.

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