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Does Aaron Rodgers lose value with Brian Bulaga out for the season and Jordy Nelson a question mark? - @A_Castonova (via Twitter)
Michael Fabiano: I did drop Rodgers to second at the quarterback position behind Drew Brees, but that's about as far down as I would move him. The reason I did that had less to do with Nelson, who could return in time for Week 1, and more about the loss of Bulaga. Rodgers was sacked 51 times in 2012 - no other quarterback was sacked more often - so a major loss to that group is worrisome. Regardless, Rodgers remains an elite option.
I need to retain two players in a PPR league from Arian Foster, Alfred Morris and Brandon Marshall. Who should I keep? - S. Jenkins (via Facebook)
M.F.: That's three solid keeper options, but Morris is the player to release. Among the top-scoring running backs based on fantasy points last season, he recorded the fewest number of catches (11). So while he's young and coming off a huge rookie year in the stat sheets, Foster and Marshall are the best choices. That gives you a top-three player at both running back and wideout.
Will the addition of Peyton Hillis mean fewer carries for Doug Martin? - @njserrano4031 (via Twitter)
M.F.: When you consider his lack of production over the last two years, I don't think Hillis is even a lock to make the final 53-man roster. Even if he does, I just don't see him morphing into the next Mike Alstott and vulturing touchdowns from Martin. I had him ranked fifth among running backs before Hillis was signed, and I have him ranked fifth at the position right now.
I'm in a PPR league and can keep either Jamaal Charles (Round 3) or Trent Richardson (Round 5). I also have the No. 5 overall pick. Who should I retain? - P. Yates (via Facebook)
M.F.: Close call, but I would retain Charles. He's still a young running back at the age of 26, and the presence of coach Andy Reid means he's going to see a ton of opportunities in the offense. In fact, Charles will be in a great position to establish new careers highs in both receptions and receiving yards in 2013.
What are your thoughts on Tavon Austin? What round would you draft him? - @LeoPaulBrah (via Twitter)
M.F.: There's a lot to like about Austin - just ask NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock, who said "he might be the most explosive player ... from a static start to full speed." With that said, rookie wideouts don't typically make a huge fantasy impact for the most part. In fact, I'd warn fantasy owners not to reach for Austin in seasonal leagues. Instead, target him as a borderline No. 3 or 4 fantasy wideout somewhere after the eighth round. His current ADP on NFL.com is Round 10.
With Rashard Mendenhall and Ryan Williams both hurt, who is the Cardinals running back to own this season? - W. Posch (via Facebook)
M.F.: Mendenhall has returned to practice, so his case of knee tendinitis doesn't seem like a huge concern. Still, drafting Mendenhall as anything more than a flex starter isn't advised. Overall, I do consider him the lone runner on this roster who is worth a look in drafts. Williams continues to deal with knee problems and is looking more and more brittle with each NFL season that passes. As for Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor, their value is limited to much deeper seasonal leagues and dynasty formats.
Which Colts running back(s) are worth drafting this season? - @BFFL_BlackHole (via Twitter)
M.F.:Ahmad Bradshaw and Vick Ballard are both likely to be drafted in seasonal leagues, but the former has far more value. While Bradshaw (foot) remains on the active/PUP list, he does believe he'll return to practice within the next week. Assuming he has no setbacks, the veteran out of Marshall will have middle-round value as a flex starter. As for Ballard, he's more of a late-rounder and deep-league handcuff for Bradshaw.
I'm in a 12-team PPR league. Which running backs would have to be off the board to make you consider drafting Calvin Johnson in the first round? - G. Tajfel (via Facebook)
M.F.: There are a total of nine runners I have listed ahead of Johnson in PPR leagues - Adrian Peterson, Foster, Marshawn Lynch, Ray Rice, Martin, Charles, LeSean McCoy, C.J. Spiller and Richardson. At that point I would side with Megatron over running backs such as Morris, Chris Johnson and Matt Forte.
What are your thoughts on Fred Jackson for this season? - @KiDL3gendary (via Twitter)
M.F.: Jackson doesn't appear to be in a position to see an increased workload, especially after Bills offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said he will feed the football to Spiller "until he throws up." At 32 and coming off multiple leg ailments, the veteran out of Coe College shouldn't be consider more than a No. 4 fantasy runner and handcuff for owners who land Spiller in Round 1.
Would you rather draft Stevan Ridley in the earlier rounds or Shane Vereen in the middle rounds? - R. Todechine (via Facebook)
M.F.: As much as I like Vereen as a potential fantasy sleeper - he will see an increase in opportunities without Danny Woodhead - I'd still rather have Ridley in fantasy leagues. There is some bust talk surrounding him after his breakout 2012 season, but Ridley remains the favorite to lead the Patriots in carries and goal-line work. And with the passing game having more questions than answers, it makes sense for the team to lean on Ridley again.
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 _**@MichaelFabiano**_ or send a question via **Facebook**!
