What sort of numbers can we expect from Tony Romo this season? He has looked good in exhibition games, but can he really be a true No. 1 fantasy quarterback? - J. Peltz, New Milford, Conn.
Michael Fabiano: Romo has looked tremendous in the preseason, and I feel he can and will be a solid starter for fantasy owners. He would have thrown for over 4,200 yards and 27 touchdowns over a full season based on his 10 starts in 2006. While these aren't numbers he likely would have finished with, the fact that he was on such a terrific pace is notable. The Cowboys will throw the football quite a bit in the offense of new coordinator Jason Garrett, so look for Romo to record 3,800-4,000 passing yards and around 25 touchdowns in 2007. With numbers like that, he could have tremendous value in the middle rounds.
I need to retain three players from Marc Bulger, Warrick Dunn, Kevin Jones, Chris Chambers, Mark Clayton, Alge Crumpler and the Baltimore defense. Suggestions? - J. St. Onge, Alexandria, Va.
M.F.: Bulger is by far the most attractive choice of the players listed and should be retained. Since you don't have any other elite players, I would also retain Jones based on the fact that he will be back at some point in the season and you don't want to be thin at running back. The final keeper should be either Clayton or the Baltimore defense and be based on the league's scoring system. If the league rewards points for catches, then Clayton could be more attractive. However, if points are given for several defensive categories such as sacks, points allowed and yards allowed, then the Ravens would be a better option.
Mike, I love the new NFL.com. It's fantastic. But where do I find your updated player rankings? I've been looking but can't find them. Thanks. - J. Paulson, St. Paul, Minn.
M.F.: The new NFL.com has everything you need to draft a championship-caliber fantasy team. Our Top 100 and player rankings for quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, kickers and defenses are updated when depth charts are altered or injuries occur. You can find them at to the right of our lead stories centerpiece.
I know you love Joseph Addai, but do you think the loss of Tarik Glenn will hurt his value? Also, will Willie Parker's problematic knee remain an issue? - S. Santagato, New Jersey
M.F.: An offensive line is, of course, affected when a prominent component is removed, which is what happened when Glenn decided not to return to the team this season. However, I don't think this will make Addai less attractive in drafts. The Colts hope that second-round pick Tony Ugoh can step in and play well in Glenn's absence, and he'll have veterans like Jeff Saturday and Ryan Diem to aide in the transition. Remember that this line protects the greatest investment in Colts franchise history, Peyton Manning, so it's always a top priority to put the best five linemen out there week in and week out.
I had my first-ever fantasy football draft this week and I wanted to get your opinion on my roster. I had the No. 10 overall selection. Round 1: Rudi Johnson; Round 2: Laurence Maroney; Round 3: Torry Holt; Round 4: Donovan McNabb; Round 5: Donald Driver; Round 6: Marshawn Lynch; Round 7: Todd Heap; Round 8: Baltimore defense; Round 9: Shayne Graham; Round 10: Braylon Edwards; Round 11: Matt Leinart; Round 12: Devery Henderson; Round 13: Olindo Mare; Round 14: Daniel Graham; Round 15: Anthony Thomas; Round 16: Jason Campbell. How did I do? - T. Batt, Muncie, Ind.
M.F.: I love your first seven selections, and the Baltimore defense in the eighth round isn't bad but goes against my personal strategy of waiting on a defense or kicker until the final three rounds. As a result, Graham in the ninth round is far too soon. You also drafted two kickers, which is not recommended unless required in the league rules. You also did a nice job handcuffing Lynch with the veteran Thomas, but I would release Daniel Graham unless two tight ends are required. Overall I think you have a nice team with Johnson, Maroney and Lynch in the backfield and McNabb under center. Your receivers are also solid, and having Heap at the tight end position is advantageous. This team will be competitive for certain.
I decided to draft Anquan Boldin ahead of Plaxico Burress, Marques Colston, Donald Driver, Lee Evans, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Andre Johnson and Javon Walker. The league does not reward points for receptions. Did I make the right move? - L. Francis, Spokane, Wash.
M.F.: All eight of these wide receivers are extremely close in value, but I think you made the right move in adding Boldin. On our current NFL.com wide receiver rank list , Boldin ranks eighth ahead of Roy Williams (9), Walker (10), Colston (11), Driver (12), Evans (13) and a fantasy favorite here at NFL.com, Houshmandzadeh (14).
Which teams have the best offensive lines this season? Also, which teams improved their offensive line the most from 2006? - M. McElligott, Buffalo, N.Y.
M.F.: In our never-ending quest to give our readers the best fantasy football content on the internet, we have ranked all 32 offensive lines . Based on a Rotisserie-style format, we focused on four categories: touchdowns per carry, yards per carry, yards per pass attempt and sacks allowed per pass attempt. The top lines included the Chargers, Colts and Eagles, while the weakest were the Buccaneers, Browns and Raiders. Lines that should be much improved this season include the Bills, Cardinals and Ravens.
Michael, what impact will Tony Hunt have on the value of Brian Westbrook this season? - E. Long, Denver, Colo.
M.F.: The fact Hunt has seen goal-line carries is the preseason is a bit of a concern, so Westbrook could fail to duplicate the 11 total touchdowns of last season. Fantasy owners who do select him do so for his versatile skills as a runner and receiver out of the backfield. A season with seven to nine total scores is still well within reach. He'll remain a surefire first-round choice across the board.
I have been offered a trade: Jeremy Shockey for Javon Walker. If I make the deal, I would start Larry Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson but would upgrade at tight end from Benjamin Watson to Shockey. Should I make the trade? - C. Kissamn, Oakland, Calif.
M.F.: Shockey does have more overall value than Watson, but it's not so much that he's worth downgrading from Walker to Johnson at the No. 2 wide receiver spot. In standard formats, Watson finished with a total of 86 fantasy points last season -- Shockey had just 11 more with 97. What's more, Watson posted those points in two fewer contests. The Patriots do have far more options in the pass attack in 2007, but the big Georgia product will still see his share of opportunities and is a nice No. 1 tight end.
I haven't heard much about the backfield situation in Carolina. What's the word out there? - B. Feotis, Salt Lake City, Utah
M.F.: DeShaun Foster has been impressive in preseason work and remains the favorite to start ahead of DeAngelo Williams, who just returned to practice after dealing with an ankle ailment. The Memphis product is a nice sleeper candidate and the more attractive option of the two in fantasy drafts, but he'll need to avoid injuries to reach his statistical potential this season. Owners should consider Williams in the third to fifth rounds, while Foster is more of a middle-round selection in most formats.
