Overvalued

Overvalued

By Jeff Paur RealTime Fantasy Sports

Every season there are guys in your draft that go higher than they should. Usually, this is a player that is coming off a great year or is getting a lot of hype for various reasons (i.e. expanded role, fast finish). Whatever the reason, try to identify those players and make sure you don't reach too soon. We aren't saying avoid these players altogether, but don't get caught up in the hype and reach for them too soon. Below is our list of overvalued players for the coming season.

Derek Anderson, QB, Browns. We like Anderson and expect him to have another fine season. But he isn't in a great situation with highly touted quarterback Brady Quinn sitting behind him. If Anderson has any problems, you can be sure Browns fans and the media will be calling for Quinn to start. This makes Anderson kind of a risky third or fourth round pick, which is where Anderson is falling. Plus, Anderson has only had one season as a full-time starting quarterback. He isn't in the elite category after just a year.

David Garrard, QB, Jags. Garrard is coming off a huge season, his first as starter. But even with that said, Garrard didn't top 3,000 yards or 20 touchdowns. The Jags remain a run-first team with Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor on board. Jacksonville did get Garrard some help at receiver, but still lack that true No. 1, which is another knock on Garrard. Garrard has potential, but counting on him to be a surefire No. 1 for your fantasy team is a bit of a risk.

Marion Barber, RB, Cowboys. Barber has 28 scores the last two seasons. He has been a touchdown machine for the Cowboys, a trend that should continue. But this season he gets to start from day one with Julius Jones gone. The Cowboys used a first-round pick on Felix Jones to lessen the load on Barber, though. He'll take away some work from Barber. Plus, Barber has never rushed for 1,000 yards in his career. His rushing totals will increase, but maybe not enough to make him a first-round pick, which is where Barber is falling. His yardage totals hurt his value, but Barber remains a top option in TD-only leagues. We just think he is going to high in standard leagues.

Willie Parker, RB, Steelers. Parker broke the 1,000-yard mark for the third straight season last year. But he scored just twice after scoring 16 TDs the year before. And in '05, Parker scored five times. So if you take out his '06 touchdown totals, Parker has slacked when it comes to scoring touchdowns. And with Rashard Mendenhall around this season, that trend should continue. Parker has good yardage potential, but his lack of scores make him more of a No. 2 or 3 back for fantasy teams.

Greg Jennings, WR, Packers. Jennings emerged as the Packers top red-zone target at receiver, scoring 12 touchdowns. He was part of a great Packers passing attack. But Brett Favre is gone, which could hurt the Packers passing game. First-year starter Aaron Rodgers could have some growing pains. And even with his breakout year last season, Jennings still didn't top 1,000 yards and had just 53 receptions. Jennings will make some big plays, but don't take him too early come draft day. His overall numbers could be up and down as Rodgers learns the position.

Javon Walker, WR, Raiders. A lot will take Walker just based on his name. But the days of him producing like he did a few years ago seem about over. His knee remains a big issue. Walker played nine games the last three seasons. He had just 287-receiving yards in eight games last season. He moves to the Raiders where he is expected to serve as the No. 1 receiver. We aren't sure he can live up to that anymore.

Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers. Some believe Davis will see his career take off with the pass-happy Mike Martz calling plays. But remember that Martz doesn't have a great history when it comes to using the tight end. He has never had a top pass-catching tight end on his team. Davis should see his production go up some in a better offense, but his best season as a pro is 509 yards. Davis isn't an elite No. 1 tight end. He still has a good number of guys to pass up.

Mason Crosby, K, Packers. Crosby led the league in scoring, so his value is high coming into the season. We don't expect him to match last year's stats, though. The Packers offense won't be quite as explosive with Brett Favre gone. And Crosby could get a few more chances on field goals instead of extra points, which might not be a great thing. Crosby had a few struggles on long-distance kicks, making 12-of-19 kicks of 40 or more yards.