BUFFALO BILLS
Head Coach:Dick Jauron (43-60 overall record)
Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 11th hardest; Run -- 2nd hardest
The Bills traded Willis McGahee to Baltimore and will hand over the backfield duties to rookie Marshawn Lynch. While he will lose at least some of the carries to Anthony Thomas, the versatile rookie out of California will still be worth a third- to fourth-round choice in seasonal drafts. He should have an improved line ahead of him with the addition of G Derrick Dockery and OT Langston Walker, a duo that should also assist the value and production of J.P. Losman and Lee Evans.
The team dealt quarterback Kelly Holcomb to Philadelphia in the Takeo Spikes trade, so Craig Nall and rookie Trent Edwards will battle for the second spot on the depth chart.
BILLS TOP FIVE FANTASY PLAYERS
- Marshawn Lynch
- Lee Evans
- Anthony Thomas
- J.P. Losman
- Buffalo defense
The defense will have a new look after the loss of Spikes and CB Nate Clements (49ers) and the addition of LB Paul Posluszny, who could become an immediate starter. However, this team still won't be worth more than a No. 2 fantasy unit in most formats.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Head Coach: Cam Cameron (0-0 overall record)
Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 9th hardest;Run -- 9th easiest
The addition of veteran quarterback Trent Green ended the short-lived Daunte Culpepper era in Miami. Green will be a viable No.2 fantasy quarterback, but Culpepper's status is in limbo. In fact, the former stud is not even draftable at this time. The Dolphins also added future starter John Beck in the NFL Draft, but his stock is limited to keeper leagues for now.
DOLPHINS TOP FIVE FANTASY PLAYERS
- Ronnie Brown
- Chris Chambers
- Trent Green
- Marty Booker
- Miami defense
Ronnie Brown will retain the top spot on the depth chart and should be considered an attractive No. 2 fantasy runner now that it seems Ricky Williams is out of the roster mix, but rookie Lorenzo Booker will also see some work as a change-of-pace back. The one downfall in this backfield is Miami did little to improve what is a questionable offensive line.
Ted Ginn Jr. was a surprise selection in the draft with Brady Quinn still on the board, and his foot ailment seems to be a thing of the past. However, he won't pass Marty Booker on the depth chart. David Martin, who will replace Randy McMichael (Rams) at tight end, is a decent low-end sleeper candidate.
Olindo Mare was traded to New Orleans to make room for Jay Feely, who signed with the Fins after two seasons in New York. The veteran should be considered no more than a No. 2 fantasy kicker. The Dolphins defense should be a solid No. 1 fantasy unit after the addition of LB Joey Porter, who should wreak havoc with LB Zach Thomas and DE Jason Taylor also in tow. The team also added veteran FS Cameron Worrell and rookies DT Paul Solial and LB Kelvin Smith.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Head Coach:Bill Belichick (124-84 overall record)
Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 3rd hardest; Run -- 8th easiest
The addition of Randy Moss, Donté Stallworth, Kelley Washington and Wes Welker to a corps of receivers that includes the likes of Reche Caldwell and Benjamin Watson will allow Tom Brady a plethora of talent to choose from in the pass attack. The Super Bowl hero should be considered a much more attractive No. 1 fantasy quarterback and will be well worth a third-round pick.
Moss should be motivated to find success under head coach Bill Belichick, but he is still no more than a No. 2 fantasy wideout in an offense that will share the football week in and week out. Stallworth is now more of a No. 3 fantasy receiver, while Washington and Welker have more limited value.
PATRIOTS TOP FIVE FANTASY PLAYERS
- Laurence Maroney
- Tom Brady
- Randy Moss
- Donté Stallworth
- Benjamin Watson
All of the improvements in the pass attack are also a positive for Laurence Maroney, who is the team's new featured back after the release of Corey Dillon. He will see minimal stacked fronts in what will be a well-balanced offensive attack, so owners should consider him an attractive first- or second-round selection. Sammy Morris was signed to take some of the carries, but he has little value outside of larger leagues.
With Daniel Graham (Broncos) out of the picture and Kyle Brady in to block, Watson should see more chances on offense and is a nice No. 1 fantasy tight end.
The Patriots defense will be without question a top-five fantasy unit after the addition of talented All-Pro LB Adalius Thomas, who should continue to produce solid statistics in red, white and blue. New England also added veteran CB Tory James and rookie FS Brandon Meriweather to the mix.
NEW YORK JETS
Head Coach: Eric Mangini (10-7 overall record)
Offensive schedule vs.: Pass -- 10th hardest; Run -- 14th hardest
The Jets didn't make numerous transactions on the offensive side of the football in the offseason, but one move in particular did make news in the world of fantasy football. The team made a trade to acquire veteran runner Thomas Jones, who will take over the featured role in the backfield and should serve as a No. 2 fantasy back and flex starter in most formats. His presence meant the release of Kevan Barlow (Steelers) and a decrease in the value of Leon Washington, who will now be more of a change-of-pace back and late-round insurance for owners who land Jones.
JETS TOP FIVE FANTASY PLAYERS
- Thomas Jones
- Laveranues Coles
- Jerricho Cotchery
- Leon Washington
- Chad Pennington
Chad Pennington will remain the top quarterback on the depth chart, and a preseason battle between Kellen Clemens and Marques Tuiasosopo will be the result after the loss of Patrick Ramsey (Broncos). Clemens is the favorite to win the competition, but neither quarterback will have much value unless Pennington sustains a serious long-term ailment in the regular season.
The Jets defense added veteran DEs David Bowens, Keyon Coleman and former first-round selection Andre Wadsworth, not to mention rookies CB Darrelle Revis and LB David Harris, but this unit is still no better than a No. 2 fantasy unit in most formats.
