QB Byron Leftwich, Jacksonville Jaguars

2006 Stats: 1159 passing yards, 9 total TDs, 5 INTs
Projected 2007 Stats: 3110 passing yards, 20 total TDs, 10 INTs
Projected Fantasy Round: 10th Round
Quarterbacks to be Picked ahead of Byron Leftwich: Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Drew Brees, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft Byron Leftwich: Byron Leftwich does a terrific job of taking care of the football.  Over the last two seasons, he has accumulated 26 total touchdowns versus only ten interceptions. It is also worth nothing, this upcoming season is a contract year for Leftwich, which means he will be playing for a chance to earn a big contract. Consequently, you should see a significant increase in his numbers in 2007. 

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Byron Leftwich: In his four year career, Leftwich has yet to play in all 16 games in any season. In fact, he has missed a combined 15 games the past two seasons.  Leftwich has yet to throw for 3000 yards in a season, nor has he had a year where he tossed more than 15 touchdown passes.

Bottom Line: Leftwich is a difficult player to project as history would indicate that he is more of a bench player in fantasy, but the fact that he is in a contract year, and that he has undeniable potential to be a solid quarterback, causes me to predict that he will have a big year.  Therefore, I would advise that Leftwich be viewed as a lower tier No.1 Quarterback, with the threat of eventually being injured on your bench, or the potential to flirt with being an upper echelon fantasy quarterback. 

Technorati Tags: NFL, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Player Profile, Fantasy Football Player Outlook, Byron Leftwich, Jacksonville Jaguars

RB Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers

2006 Stats: 1494 rushing yards, 222 receiving yards, 16 total TDs
Projected 2007 Stats: 1577 rushing yards, 245 receiving yards, 18 total TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 2nd Round
Wide Receivers to be Picked ahead of Willie Parker: LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Steven Jackson, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft Willie Parker: Willie Parker is an ideal running back to target in fantasy leagues that reward for long yardage touchdowns. Last season, Parker had seven games where his longest carry netted over 25 yards. He also had seven games where he eclipsed 100 yards rushing, including two contests where he surpassed 200 rushing yards. Furthermore, Parker has increased his production in every season of his career.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Willie Parker: Last season, Parker was held under 50 rushing yards in five games, and he failed to have a rushing touchdown in seven different weeks.  Parker is outstanding in the running game, but he is virtually non-existent in the passing game, finishing last season with just 31 receptions for 222 yards.    

Bottom Line: Parker has the ability to take it to the house every time he touches the ball.  Therefore, he should be viewed as a solid No.1 Running back in fantasy.  He will likely be selected towards the end of the first round, or the beginning of the second round, in most drafts. 

Technorati Tags: NFL, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Player Profile, Fantasy Football Player Outlook, Willie Parker, Pittsburgh Steelers

TE Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs

2006 Stats: 900 receiving yards, 5 TDs
Projected 2007 Stats: 912 receiving yards, 7 TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 5th Round
Wide Receivers to be Picked ahead of Tony Gonzalez: Antonio Gates

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft Tony Gonzalez: Tony Gonzalez has been a very durable player, only missing two games in his ten year career. Gonzalez has had at least 63 receptions in each season since 1999. Last season, he had three games where he hit triple figures in receiving yards, had at least five receptions in nine games, and had two contests where he had multiple touchdowns. 

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Tony Gonzalez: In 2006, Gonzalez was limited to under 60 receiving yards in eight contests, and he was held scoreless in 12 games. Gonzalez is starting to age, and sooner or later, his fantasy stats are going to begin to plummet. In other words, I would not call Gonzalez a risk as of yet, but he will likely be drafted too soon by several fantasy owners.   

Bottom Line: Gonzalez is very consistent, and he is clearly one of the most productive tight ends in NFL history. He can be penciled in for 70 receptions and 900 yards. Therefore, he should still be viewed as a No.1 Tight end in fantasy.

Technorati Tags: NFL, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Player Profile, Fantasy Football Player Outlook, Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs

QB Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos

2006 Stats: 1001 passing yards, 9 total TDs, 5 INTs
Projected 2007 Stats: 3200 passing yards, 21 total TDs, 15 INTs
Projected Fantasy Round: 9th Round
Quarterbacks to be Picked ahead of Jay Cutler: Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Drew Brees, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft Jay Cutler: In 2006, Jay Cutler was able to complete nearly 60 percent of his passes, throw for over 1000 yards, and pass for nine touchdowns in just five games.  In fact, he threw for multiple scores in the first four games of his career. 

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Jay Cutler: Cutler is still adjusting to the pro game, and it typically takes quarterbacks a couple seasons before they start racking up huge fantasy numbers.  Last season, Cutler only had one game that he played in where he was able to escape without throwing the ball at least once to the other team.   

Bottom Line: Cutler has shown that he can be an accurate passer, and that he has the ability to throw for multiple touchdowns.  That being said, Cutler should be viewed as a fantasy backup at this time, but at some point in the 2007 season, he should be ready to be a viable fantasy starter. 

Technorati Tags: NFL, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Player Profile, Fantasy Football Player Outlook, Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos

RB Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams

2006 Stats: 1528 rushing yards, 806 receiving yards, 16 total TDs
Projected 2007 Stats: 1855 rushing yards, 733 receiving yards, 23 total TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 1st Round
Running backs to be Picked ahead of Steven Jackson: LaDainian Tomlinson and Larry Johnson

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft Steven Jackson: Last season, Steven Jackson had 2334 total yards for scrimmage and 16 touchdowns. He also had six games where he rushed for over 100 yards, and twice he hit the century mark in receiving yards as well.  Jackson has improved in every season of his career, and he has developed into a lethal dual threat, catching numerous passes out of the backfield.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Steven Jackson: If you have a chance to draft LaDainian Tomlinson, then you could make the argument to pass on Jackson.  In addition, Jackson had 436 touches in 2006, and they resulted in an average of just one score every 27 opportunities.

Bottom Line: Jackson is clearly one of the top fantasy running backs, and his versatility cements him as being drafted in first round. In fact, he could be selected as high as the second overall pick in some drafts, and with the steady increase in his touches and production, that is exactly where I would recommend him. 

Technorati Tags: NFL, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Player Profile, Fantasy Football Player Outlook, Trent Green, St. Louis Rams, Steven Jackson