The landscape of fantasy football changes on a whim. One thing always leads to another -- an injury here, a news report there, and the next thing you know everyone is scrambling to get up to speed. That's why the trick is to stay one step ahead of the curve. Much like actual stocks, the values of individual players waver on a daily basis. As we prepare to close out those last few drafts left or attempt to gauge where our team stands, it's important to track our assets. Or should I say get a better feel for where their value stands in the current market. Here's a quick look through eyes, ears, experiences and observations at some early risers, guys on the decline and others who have just held steady. This is your quick-hitter post-draft edition, so pay close attention.
The Risers
Mike Bell, Saints -- Right now everyone is "goo-goo-ga-ga" over Mike Bell. Yes, that Mike Bell ... you got me. I guess everyone loves the notion of Bell potentially feasting on the Lions in Week 1 with Pierre Thomas on the mend. That's reasonable I guess, but I'm still cautious. Don't shoot the messenger -- I'm just saying that Bell is a commodity right now, tomorrow could be another story.
James Davis, Browns -- Are we talking about this year's Steve Slaton? Let's not get that excited just yet. However, Davis showed the goods in preseason and you'd be hard-pressed to find many who would admit they're confident Jamal Lewis will last very long as the starter this season. You simply can't hold back a good thing like Davis for too long. If you're lucky he's still on your waiver wire, so the suggestion here is to stash him.
Chris Henry, Bengals -- He's reportedly focused more than ever on football. And we know the potential and skills have always been there. He's put together a very productive preseason and quietly building some buzz. You have to piece his production together from when he's not been suspended and then you can get excited over the many possibilities. I saw him snagged in the later rounds in all my drafts, but if he's on your wire -- no time like now.
Knowshon Moreno, Broncos -- He's going to get the lion's share in Denver and he's the best thing they have going at the moment. A few weeks ago, he was fading down most draft boards, but now he's an asset and many owners are banking on him as a solid FLEX option. Ray Rice, Ravens -- Why state the obvious? The hype machine is bubbling over for Rice, who will finally get his chance to be the feature back in Baltimore. It's ridiculous to consider the range he's being drafted. I've heard 2nd round in some drafts, but mostly in the 4th to 5th. Clearly the biggest riser this preseason.
Jeremy Shockey, Saints -- With Billy Miller going down for the season, Shockey has gone from hardly being drafted to some owners talking themselves into Shockey like it's 2005 all over again.
The Hold-Steadies
Darren McFadden, Raiders -- We still really aren't 100% sure what McFadden's role will be, but that hasn't changed his status much. He's viewed as an upside guy who could be a "phenom" or a "bust." He's hovering in most drafts around the 5th or 6th round. Not much hype, but not much hate.
Ryan Grant, Packers -- This is about as Plain Jane as it gets. Grant was all the buzz heading into last season, but this preseason all we've really heard is "yup, he's healthy." There hasn't been a rush to proclaim Grant ready to be a fantasy stud, but also there aren't many whispers of dud. Steady as she goes.
Kevin Smith, Lions -- Despite the mixed feelings in most fantasy circles, I still feel like Smith is destined for a monster season. I watched him go as expected in the 3rd and 4th round of every mock and real draft I participated in this year. At this point, I still can't tell if he's overhyped or undervalued.
DeAngelo Williams, Panthers -- We love him, we hate him. Back and forth, back and forth. The common assumption was that Williams would see a more equal timeshare with stud-in-the-making Jonathan Stewart, but Stewart can't stay healthy. Still though, the confidence in Williams repeating his fantasy season for the ages just isn't there, as he's going in the later part of the first round.
Fading Fast
Joseph Addai, Colts -- With Donald Brown looming and Addai's injury history this one makes a lot of sense. I watched Addai basically plummet in most drafts. I'm not sure he deserved such a fall from grace in fantasy terms, but that's the harsh reality of the game. It's a "what have you done for me lately" kinda world. Derrick Ward, Bucs -- Up and Down. Ward was all the buzz earlier this summer, but since then we've seen him drop heavy into a possible three-headed timeshare. And now Cadillac Williams is back and primed to take over the "defined" starter role. Ouch. I thought the Bucs invested a good chunk in making Ward the featured guy ... little did we all know.
Josh Morgan, 49ers -- Yup, I'm a proud owner in hopes. However, the realist in me just doesn't see this sleeper working out. He was a virtual ghost in preseason and hasn't quite slammed the door on Arnaz Battle. Maybe Michael Crabtree eventually signs, maybe not. However, I still feel like the looks and love is still headed the way of old man Isaac Bruce in this offense. Lord knows I hope I can eat that last paragraph in a month.
Steven Jackson, Rams -- Save your hatred and relax for a second. Yes, his name looks out of place on this list. However, I have to go off what I saw in most of my drafts. I watched him slip to the late-second round and even 3rd round in several drafts. The guy should be a consensus first-rounder every single season. How he slips like that is beyond me. Are people really believing in Samkon Gado?
Roy Williams, Cowboys -- Slipping and sliding down the draft board. It's not like we were really geeked on the guy out of the gates based on his sketchy history. However, the whisper of an injury has certainly made many jump ship on this guy. It'll be a long climb back to prominence in the fantasy world, but he can prove us all wrong.
Marion Barber, Cowboys -- My prediction is that Felix Jones will pass Barber this season in the same fashion that Barber bumped Julius Jones from the picture a few short seasons ago. You just can't ignore the guy with breakaway potential.
