Which running back is the biggest risk for next season: Chris Johnson, Ryan Mathews or Darren McFadden? - @callmetrell (via Twitter)
Michael Fabiano: On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the biggest gamble, I would give Mathews the worst grade - an eight. Johnson isn't much of a risk as long as he's not your No. 1 fantasy running back - he should be considered more of a high-end No. 2 option. In that role, CJ2K has little risk. McFadden, who has never played a full 16 games at the NFL level, comes with more risk than Johnson due to his proneness to injuries. He's also no longer worth consideration as a No. 1 option, even if he is in a contract year. The good thing about McFadden is that his handcuff, Marcel Reece, proved to be a capable fantasy starter in 2012. As for Mathews, who has failed to meet expectations over his three pro seasons, he can't be drafted as more than a low-end No. 2 or flex starter. He also doesn't have a legitimate option for owners to start behind him, at least not at this point in the offseason.
I'm in an eight-team league, and I completely agree with your idea of taking a quarterback later in drafts. Knowing my league, though, a lot of owners will still focus on the position in the earlier rounds. Assuming the top seven quarterbacks are Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Cam Newton, Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan and either Robert Griffin III or Matthew Stafford, who would you take as the eighth quarterback? - G. Stoecker (via Facebook)
M.F.: You're right to let the other owners in your league go after the quarterbacks first. In the meantime, you'll have a chance to load up on running backs, wide receivers and even a top-tier tight end. Based on my early 2013 rankings, the first seven signal-callers to be drafted will include Rodgers, Brees, Brady, Newton, Manning, Andrew Luck and Colin Kaepernick. That would leave you with the choice of Luck, Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Griffin III (depending on his knee) and Ryan in the middle rounds. I wouldn't have a problem with any of those players starting for my fantasy football team.
Is it realistic to say that Kaepernick can lead the entire league in fantasy points next season? - @rancehimself (via Twitter)
M.F.: If we have learned anything from the National Football League in recent seasons, it's that nothing is completely out of the realm of possibility. Let's look at Kaepernick's totals in his final 11 contests (including the postseason) in 2012, where he averaged more than 21 fantasy points per game. That includes a huge 46-point performance against the Green Bay Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs. If we project those totals over a full 16 games, the Niners quarterback would have scored more fantasy points than Rodgers! So while it is possible, I'm not sure if it's realistic to expect Kaepernick to be the highest-scoring player in fantasy football in 2013. Finishing among the top eight overall players, however, is something I can definitely see happening.
I'm in an 18-team keeper league and need to retain one running back from DeMarco Murray and David Wilson. Who should I keep?? - P. Byrd (via Facebook)
M.F.: Right now I would retain Murray, who has the skill set to become a top running back. The Dallas Cowboys are expected to part ways with Felix Jones too, leaving Murray as the unquestioned No. 1 option in the team's backfield. The problem, of course, is his proneness to injury - Murray has missed a total of nine games in two seasons at the NFL level. On the flip side, Wilson has a lot of upside and has seen his value increase after the release of Ahmad Bradshaw. Still, there's a chance the New York Giants will add another runner during the offseason. Andre Brown is also likely to be back with the team, which could cost Wilson some short-yardage and goal-line opportunities. It's a tough decision and one that could change depending on each team's offseason moves, but Murray is the better choice at this point.
Is Percy Harvin worth a first-round pick next season? - @Nick_Jersey (via Twitter)
M.F.: I'm a big fan of Harvin, who is one of my early "Fantasy Man Crush" candidates for 2013. With that said, I don't think he's worth a first-round pick even in a best-case scenario. I can see him coming off the board in Round 2, however, and he shouldn't still be available at the end of Round 3. A lot of his value depends on where he ends up, as Harvin wants a new contract with the Minnesota Vikings and is a candidate to be traded. There's even been talk that he could decide to hold out of training camp, which would make him a bit less attractive in fantasy drafts.
I'm in a keeper league and need to retain either Matt Ryan or Brandon Marshall. Any thoughts? - C. Xiong (via Facebook)
M.F.: There are a few factors to consider when making this decision, such as the number of owners in your league, the scoring system and roster size. If this is a standard league that allows six points for passing touchdowns, then Ryan would have more value because more signal-callers would likely be retained. On the other hand, a league that rewards points for receptions would make Marshall a more attractive choice. All things being equal and considering the immense depth at the quarterback position, though, I would be more inclined to retain Marshall.
Which rookie are you most excited about for next season? - @_CMelvin (via Twitter)
M.F.: I'm going with Eddie Lacy out of Alabama. The top-ranked running back in the 2013 class according to NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock, Lacy has the tools to come right in and become a starter at the NFL level. I'd love to see him land with a team like the Atlanta Falcons or Pittsburgh Steelers, who both have a need for a prominent runner. A few other rookies to watch include West Virginia QB Geno Smith, Wisconsin RB Montee Ball, Clemson RB Andre Ellington and North Carolina RB Giovani Bernard.
Which running back would you pick first next season between Maurice Jones-Drew and Alfred Morris? - D. Woliver (via Facebook)
M.F.: Morris is the man to draft, but it's closer than you might think despite what each runner did in 2012. The Florida Atlantic product is coming off a huge season, rushing for 1,613 yards and 13 touchdowns. Can he put up big numbers in back-to-back seasons, though? That remains to be seen. On the flip side, Jones-Drew missed most of the season with a foot ailment that required a surgical procedure to repair. Barring a setback in his return, MJD should be motivated to produce in a contract year in an offense that should continue to utilize him in a prominent role. Overall, I see Morris being one of the first 12 players to be selected in most drafts. Jones-Drew, in a best-case scenario, should be off the board no later than the third round.
Who will be the top three busts in fantasy football next season? - @LandonEckles (via Twitter)
Unofficial list of free agents
NFL free agency is set to begin on March 12. Check out this unofficial list of the 2013 NFL restricted and unrestricted free agents for every team, which includes Greg Jennings. **More ...**
M.F.: It's tough to make such predictions before the start of free agency and the NFL Draft, but three players that come to mind are Joe Flacco, Frank Gore and James Jones. Flacco, the Super Bowl XLVII MVP, had a tremendous postseason both on the field and in the stat sheets, which will make some owners overdraft him in 2013. Is he suddenly now an elite fantasy quarterback? Not to me - not until he can prove to be more consistent. The veteran finished just 14th in fantasy points at his position last season, and scored 15-plus fantasy points just twice on the road. Gore is coming off a tremendous season with 1,212 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, but can he duplicate those totals again at the age of 30? There's also a chance that the San Francisco 49ers will either use LaMichael James more often or add another runner in the offseason. As for Jones, I find it tough for him to score another 14 touchdowns - he hadn't even scored that number of times in his previous two seasons combined. If there's a Green Bay Packers wideout to target, it's Randall Cobb.
Has Vincent Jackson become a true No. 1 fantasy receiver, or would you rather have him as a high-end No. 2 behind players like Andre Johnson, Julio Jones, Demaryius Thomas and Roddy White? Also, what do you think of Steve Smith for 2013? - T. English (via Facebook)
M.F.: I have Jackson ranked 10th at his position, making him a low-end No. 1 wideout in fantasy land. I do have Johnson, Jones and Thomas all ranked ahead of him, however, while White is listed one spot behind him. Over his last four full seasons, Jackson has recorded at least 1,098 yards and scored a combined 33 touchdowns in that time. At the age of 30, the veteran out of Northern Colorado has more than enough gas left in his tank and is a lock to be drafted in one of the first four to five rounds in 2013. As for Smith, who saw a decline in yardage and touchdowns last season, he is now more of a third option at his position.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com and NFL Network and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. Have a burning question on anything fantasy related? Tweet it to **@Michael_Fabiano** or send a question via **Facebook**!