QB JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders

2006 Stats: N/A
Projected 2007 Stats: 2420 passing yards, 11 total TDs, 17 INTs
Projected Fantasy Round: Undrafted
Quarterbacks to be Picked ahead of JaMarcus Russell: Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Drew Brees, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft JaMarcus Russell: JaMarcus Russell finished his career at LSU with a sparkling 25-4 record, and he threw for 52 touchdown passes and had an eye-popping 61.9 completion percentage.  There is very little doubt that the starting quarterback job for the Oakland Raiders in 2007 will eventually be given to Russell, and he certainly has the skills to make the most of that opportunity. 

Why you may want to stay away from drafting JaMarcus Russell: Russell is currently holding out of training camp, which will have him behind in learning the plays as well as in his timing with his receivers.  Even if Russell ends his holdout and becomes the starter, he will likely struggle in his rookie year as most quarterbacks do. Not to mention, the Raiders do not exactly have the most prolific targets as Jerry Porter figures to be the No.1 wideout in Oakland, and Porter only had 19 receiving yards in all of 2006.      

Bottom Line: Since Russell is in his rookie campaign, and he will have to lineup behind a lackluster offensive line, he does not merit any fantasy consideration at this time.   

Technorati Tags: NFL, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Player Profile, Fantasy Football Player Outlook, JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders

TE Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants

2006 Stats: 623 receiving yards, 7 TDs
Projected 2007 Stats: 777 receiving yards, 8 TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 6th Round
Tight Ends to be Picked ahead of Jeremy Shockey: Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft Jeremy Shockey: Over the last two seasons, Jeremy Shockey has averaged 757 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.  Last season, Shockey had nine games where he had at least four receptions.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Jeremy Shockey: Shockey has yet to play a full 16 game season in his five year career. In 2006, Shockey failed to hit the century mark in receiving yards in any game, and he was held scoreless in nine contests.      

Bottom Line: Shockey is still one of the premier fantasy tight ends in the league, and he will likely be drafted in the middle rounds. 

Technorati Tags: NFL, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Player Profile, Fantasy Football Player Outlook, Jeremy Shockey, New York Giants

RB Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints

2006 Stats: 1057 rushing yards, 198 receiving yards, 10 total TDs
Projected 2007 Stats: 1007 rushing yards, 165 receiving yards, 9 total TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 3rd Round
Running backs to be Picked ahead of Deuce McAllister: LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Steven Jackson, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft Deuce McAllister: Deuce McAllister has rushed for over 1000 yards in four out of his last five seasons in the NFL.  Last season, McAllister eclipsed 100 rushing yards in four contests, including three out his last four regular season games, and if you were to include the playoffs, it would be four out of his last six games. 

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Deuce McAllister: McAllister will have to split carries with Reggie Bush, and the more the Saints work to try and get Bush more touches, the less opportunities there will be for McAllister. Last season, McAllister was limited to under 50 rushing yards in six games, and he was held out of the end zone in seven contests.   

Bottom Line: McAllister is still one of the better running backs in the NFL when he gets his hands on the ball.  However, he will again be asked to split his touches with Bush.  Therefore, McAllister should be viewed as a lower tier No.1 Running back in fantasy.  That being said, he will have some weeks where he puts up the numbers of an upper echelon fantasy back.

Technorati Tags: NFL, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Player Profile, Fantasy Football Player Outlook, Deuce McAllister, New Orleans Saints

QB Joey Harrington, Atlanta Falcons

2006 Stats: 2236 passing yards, 12 total TDs, 15 INTs
Projected 2007 Stats: 2823 passing yards, 18 total TDs, 13 INTs
Projected Fantasy Round: Undrafted
Quarterbacks to be Picked ahead of Joey Harrington: Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Drew Brees, etc.

Outlook:

Why should you draft Joey Harrington: Joey Harrington has been named the starting quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons at least until Michael Vick’s legal matters have reached a conclusion.  There is a realistic chance that Vick will not be able to play at all in 2007, and he may never play in Atlanta again.  Last season, Harrington lit up the Green Bay Packers to the tune of 414 passing yards in Week 7, and he had three games where he threw for multiple touchdowns for the Miami Dolphins. 

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Joey Harrington: Harrington has not been able to play in all 16 games since 2004.  It also should be noted that Harrington has never had a season where he has passed for 20 touchdowns, and he has thrown for double digits in interceptions every year in his career.  Even though Harrington is the starter at this time, he may have to relinquish that role if Vick is able to return to the Falcons.

Bottom Line: Harrington has never been able to live up to expectations in the NFL, but he is getting another opportunity to prove himself as the starting quarterback for the Falcons.  However at this time, Harrington should be viewed as no more than a serviceable Bye week reserve in fantasy.

Technorati Tags: NFL, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Player Profile, Fantasy Football Player Outlook, Joey Harrington, Atlanta Falcons

RB Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots

2006 Stats: 745 rushing yards, 194 receiving yards, 7 total TDs
Projected 2007 Stats: 1095 rushing yards, 310 receiving yards, 11 total TDs
Projected Fantasy Round: 2nd Round
Running backs to be Picked ahead of Laurence Maroney: LaDainian Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Steven Jackson, etc.

Fantasy Outlook:

Why should you draft Laurence Maroney: Laurence Maroney is a hard nosed runner that fights for extra yards, which with more touches should translate into him rushing for more yards and denting the scoreboard more often.  Maroney finished with just six rushing touchdowns in 2006, but he reached the end zone three of his last four games that he played.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Laurence Maroney: Last season, Maroney only had one game where he had over 100 rushing yards, and he had nine games where he failed to score a rushing touchdown. Maroney has also been banged up quite a bit in his only season in the NFL, which means he could be someone to watch as a potential candidate for being an injury prone player.   

Bottom Line: Maroney is certainly talented enough to be a solid running back for years to come in the NFL, and his touches will increase significantly in 2007 with the apparent departure of Corey Dillon.  Therefore, Maroney should be viewed as a legitimate No.1 Running back in fantasy, and he would be a nice value at the end of the second round.

Technorati Tags: NFL, Fantasy Football, Fantasy Football Player Profile, Fantasy Football Player Outlook, Laurence Maroney, New England Patriots