Devin Hester Catching on at Receiver

Chicago return specialist CB Devin Hester has been making impressive catches in practice and is fine tuning his route running abilities. He has also been getting used to taking hits at the line of scrimmage by CB Charles Tillman. I am not normally big on a position change that Hester is attempting to achieve, but Hester keeps drawing praise. I'm starting to buy into this talk and would draft Hester very late in a draft.

More Player News

Broncos DE Jarvis Moss managed to play last night against San Francisco, but hobbled off the field favoring his left knee. As of now, Moss doesn't hold any fantasy value but should he start rushing the passer like Dwight Freeney, pick him up off the waiver wire.

49ers WR Ashley Lelie didn't see any action until two minutes remained in the first half against Denver Monday night. Lelie has been a bust for several years now, so this news is not surprising. Stay away from Lelie on draft day.

Sources within the Raiders organization believe rookie RB Michael Bush could be placed on injured reserve and miss the 2007 season. Bush is still a recommended player in a dynasty league because of his upside, but I wouldn't bother with him in a redraft league. He will likely miss all of this season.

The Buffalo Bills will try to run more three and four wide receiver sets in an effort to keep double coverage off of WR Lee Evans. Evans is a top 15 WR at this point but most people are hesitant on Evans because of the Bills offense. Evans does get several long TD catches during the season, so he is very valuable in leagues that reward more points for longer TD catches.

Patriots TE Ben Watson returned to team practice this morning for the first time since Aug. 6. Watson is one of many weapons for Tom Brady to choose from when throwing the ball all over the field. Look for Watson to be a presence in the red zone this season.

Against the Eagles on Monday night, QB Steve McNair completed 6 of 8 passes for 73 yards and threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to TE Quinn Sypniewski. McNair is not being drafted in some drafts or he is going very late. He could be a nice backup QB on your team and I wouldn't have a problem giving him a chance.

Donovan McNabb Ready For Friday

Philadelphia QB Donovan McNabb is looking forward to his first start for the Eagles Friday night against the Carolina Panthers. McNabb has not been in game action since he injured his knee last November. I think we all are excited to see if McNabb will return to his form of '07 before the injury. McNabb is a top-10 QB this season and is top-5 if he returns to last season's form.

More Player News

Cowboys WR Terrell Owens was not on the practice field today after he was 20 minutes late. Owens and HC Phillips have worked out the discipline and Owens should be fine. The less we hear about T.O. the better the chances he is a big time fantasy player this season. Draft him as a top 5 WR.

Bengals RB Rudi Johnson was not on the field for the afternoon practice today after injuring the top of his right foot in the morning practice. It does not appear to be serious and you should still draft Rudi as a late first rounder or early second rounder.

Raiders QB Andrew Walter will start Saturday night against the 49ers in San Francisco. The Raiders also have Daunte Culpepper and Josh McKown battling for the starting position but none of these guys are good fantasy players. Actually, I wouldn't draft any of them even after one is named the starter.

There has been speculation swirling around about Philadelphia G Shawn Andrews' ankle. HC Andy Reid said Thursday that he expects that he will be ready in time for the season opening game at Green Bay. Andrews is vital to the Eagles O-Line, so this is good news for McNabb and Westbrook.

Oakland DE Derrick Burgess participated in full-squad drills for the first time at training camp, a month or so after he had hernia surgery. Burgess is one of the better IDP defensive linemen in the game. It sounds like he is healthy and ready to rock and roll. Draft him as one of your top 15 DL.

Kevin Jones To Be Ready by Week 1
Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Mike Martz is expecting injured RB Kevin Jones to return by the start of the regular season. Jones is on the PUP list but does participate in team drills. Martz said Jones will have to earn his starting job back but he should be healthy enough to play in week 1. All this does is muddy the waters in the Detroit RB situation for us fantasy players. Just when it seemed like Tatum Bell was climbing the rankings, now Kevin Jones is good to go. I recommend drafting both of them or neither of them. If you draft just one of them, make sure you have plenty of other backs.

Fantasy Football Freeze Out - Win $2500
FantasyFootball.com is pleased to offer a chance at $2500, just for becoming a platinum member. All of our platinum members get one FREE entry into the contest this season. You pick the best team and you win $2500. What a deal...check it out by.


More Player News
Jets Insider.com has learned that Jets top pick, CB Darrelle Revis, has finally signed. Revis is a very highly rated CB and could make an impact this season as a top CB. Corners are not usually great in IDP leagues, but Revis could be a playermaker and those guys score points. Keep an eye on him.

Beset by injuries in their secondary, the Houston Texans have bolstered the unit by signing 12-year veteran cornerback Tyrone Poole, who had been released by the Oakland Raiders earlier this spring. Poole will add depth to the Texans but won't help your fantasy team. Stay away from him in IDP leagues.

With the season ending injury to S Glenn Earl, the Texans have decided to keep S C.C. Brown at free safety and start S Jason Simmons at strong safety. Von Hutchins is still in the running for the strong safety position but none of them are recommended safeties at this point. I wouldn't draft any of them unless it was a very very deep league.

Lions WR Shaun McDonald is very familiar with the Mike Martz offense and is looking very good this preseason. McDonald will be the 4th WR in Detroit but that could hold some value with the way the Lions spread the ball around the field. Draft McDonald very late if you must have him. Most likely you will be able to get him off the waiver wire.