Many of the top free agents have signed contracts in recent weeks, so it's time to examine all of the fantasy football fallout.
With that in mind, here's the March versions of our one-man, three-round mock draft for the 2008 season. Each numbered position of the draft will represent an individual team and owner, so no more than one quarterback, two running backs or two wide receivers will be selected for each team's final roster.
The draft is based on NFL.com's standard scoring system that rewards one point for each 25 passing yards, 10 rushing and receiving yards and six points for all touchdowns.
Round One
1. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego: Tomlinson didn't duplicate his incredible 2006 numbers, but the best runner in fantasy football still recorded 60 catches, close to 2,000 all-purpose yards and 18 total touchdowns last season. Tomlinson, who will be 29 when the NFL kicks off its 2008 season, will remain the centerpiece of San Diego's offense and should post solid numbers across the board. Based on his age, however, this could be the last time Tomlinson will be considered for the first overall selection.
Previous mock: No. 1 overall
2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota: Peterson might be the most explosive runner in the entire league. He rushed for over 1,300 yards and scored 13 total touchdowns in his rookie season, and he did it all in 14 games (nine starts). While he does lose a bit of value with veteran Chester Taylor in Minnesota's backfield mix, A.P. will remain one of the top three selections in all fantasy drafts. In fact, I expect him to be taken ahead of Tomlinson and be the No. 1 overall choice in countless fantasy football drafts.
Previous mock: No. 2 overall
3. Tom Brady, QB, New England: Brady threw for a career-best 4,806 yards and an NFL--record 50 touchdowns in what was the greatest fantasy season of all time, but there is little chance he'll be able to duplicate those numbers in 2008. He still warrants consideration as the No. 1 overall selection, but the bottom line remains that featured backs are far more difficult to attain in drafts. With Randy Moss re-signed and in the mix, Brady should record 4,000-plus passing yards and 35-40 total touchdowns next season.
Previous mock: No. 3 overall
4. Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia: One of the most underrated running backs in the entire NFL, Westbrook produced career bests in receptions (90), rushing (1,333) and receiving (771) yards and total touchdowns (12) last season. His immense skills as a runner and receiver out of the backfield have made him a hero in fantasy land, despite the fact that he fell down at the goal line rather than score a touchdown to ensure a win over Dallas. His knee issues could be a concern, but Westbrook is worth a top-five pick in drafts.
Previous mock: No. 4 overall
5. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis: An injured groin limited Jackson to 12 starts last season, but he still rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored six touchdowns in limited work. He should thrive in the offense of new coordinator Al Saunders, who plans to use Jackson much like he used Priest Holmes when he was in Kansas City. That sort of role should mean monster numbers from the Oregon State product, who has the tools and potential to record 50-plus receptions, 2,000 all-purpose yards and double-digit touchdowns in 2008.
Previous mock: No. 5 overall
6. Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis: Addai did falter a bit down the stretch last season, but he still finished with 41 receptions, 1,436 all-purpose yards and 15 total touchdowns in what was a productive Indianapolis offense. The Louisiana State product has a tremendous advantage in the presence of Peyton Manning, who forces defenses to remain honest, so his numbers should remain solid across the board. Look for Addai to be one of the first five running backs off the board in all formats, standard or otherwise.
Previous mock: No. 6 overall
7. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis: The face and landscape of fantasy football was altered after a 2007 season that saw quarterbacks thrive and running backs fall, so Manning will be a first-round selection in most drafts. The veteran produced his eighth NFL season with 4,000-plus passing yards in 2007, and he scored 34 total touchdowns. One of the greatest quarterbacks to ever grace the gridiron, Manning is durable, reliable and a virtual lock to produce monster numbers for fantasy footballers in all leagues.
Previous mock: No. 7 overall
8. Tony Romo, QB, Dallas: Unless Jessica Simpson decides to watch all 16 games next season, Romo will be a surefire first-round selection. The Pro Bowler out of Eastern Illinois recorded career bests in passing yards (4,211), passing touchdowns (36) and total touchdowns (38), and he should continue to thrive with offensive coordinator Jason Garrett locked into a long-term contract. Romo has a ton of weapons at his disposal, none more prominent than Terrell Owens and Jason Witten, so he'll find success.
Previous mock: No. 8 overall
9. Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City: Johnson was one of the biggest disappointments in fantasy football last season, as he scored a mere four touchdowns and missed eight starts with an injured foot. The future does seem brighter for L.J., however, as he'll be back to 100 percent and will remain the featured back in the offense of new coordinator Chan Gailey. There are questions about Kansas City's offensive line, but Johnson should still be able to eclipse the 1,200-rushing yard mark and produce eight-plus touchdowns.
Previous mock: No. 9 overall
10. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco: Gore endured a difficult 2007 season and was a serious detriment to the postseason aspirations of fantasy footballers. He should bounce back, however, as Gore will remain prominent in the offense of new coordinator Mike Martz. Backs like Marshall Faulk and Kevin Jones have thrived under Martz in the past, and Gore should be no exception. As a result, look for the former Miami Hurricanes runner to experience an increase in his reception, total yardage and touchdown totals in 2008.
Previous mock: No. 10 overall
11. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Buffalo: Lynch showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie, as he rushed for 1,115 yards and seven touchdowns, but an injured ankle limited him to 13 starts. He'll be a true featured back under new offensive coordinator Turk Schonert, who plans to utilize Lynch as an every-down runner, so the California product could be on the verge of a breakout season. In fact, Lynch could post 40-plus receptions, better than 1,500 all-purpose yards and eight to 10 total touchdowns in his second NFL season.
Previous mock: No. 11 overall
12. Randy Moss, WR, New England: Moss bounced back from hard times in Oakland to record 98 receptions, 1,493 yards and an NFL-record 23 touchdowns in his first season in the football heaven that is New England. He won't duplicate such immense totals in 2008, but Moss will be the top fantasy wideout in drafts after he re-signed with the Patriots in the offseason. He'll be a surefire first- or second-round selection in all formats and will have added value in those leagues that reward bonus points for receptions.
Previous mock: No. 13 overall
Round Two
13. Clinton Portis, RB, Washington: Portis remained the featured back in Washington last season and produced a career-best 47 receptions, 1,651 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns. The fact that he has 1,710 regular-season carries on him is a concern, but Portis has far too much talent to be passed on in the first or second round of drafts.
Previous mock: No. 12 overall
14. Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay: An explosive runner with the skills to make noise in the stat sheets, Grant developed into one of the best runners in fantasy football in the second half of last season. He has earned the top spot on the Green Bay depth chart and will be seen as a borderline No. 1 fantasy runner in almost all 2008 drafts.
Previous mock: No. 14 overall
15. Willis McGahee, Baltimore: McGahee experienced an increase in statistical success and fantasy value in his first season with Baltimore, as he totaled a career-best 43 receptions, 1,438 all-purpose yards and eight total touchdowns. His numbers should remain solid under new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, so McGahee will be prominent in drafts.
Previous mock: No. 15 overall
16. Willie Parker, RB, Pittsburgh: Parker was headed to his first rushing title before a fractured fibula ended his season in Week 16. He was an impressive asset in those leagues that were based on yardage, but his lack of touchdowns (2) was a concern. Still, Fast Willie should increase his visits to the end zone and is a solid second rounder.
Previous mock: No. 17 overall
17. Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas: One of the most productive wide receivers to ever put on a helmet and pads, Owens recorded 1,355 yards and 15 touchdowns in his second season in Dallas. He'll remain a prominent target of Tony Romo in Jason Garrett's offensive attack, so look for T.O. to produce immense totals for owners in the 2008 season.
Previous mock: No. 19 overall
18. Marion Barber, RB, Free agent: Barber, an unrestricted free agent, is expected to take over as the featured back in Dallas next season. The team is certain to add another back to the mix, but MBIII will remain the main man in the backfield and should rush for the first 1,000-yard season of his career. He's a solid No. 2 fantasy runner.
Previous mock: No. 21 overall
19. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis: With Marvin Harrison out of action much of the season due to an injured knee, Wayne recorded career bests in catches (104) and yards (1,510) last season. He might be hard pressed to duplicate those totals with Harrison back in the mix, but Wayne will remain a valuable No. 1 fantasy wide receiver regardless.
Previous mock: No. 23 overall
20. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston: Johnson was on pace to record immense totals last season, but an injured knee cost him seven games and a chance to reach the next level of fantasy wideout. His talent is unquestionable, so don't be shocked to see Johnson record 1,200-plus yards and double-digit touchdowns next season if he can avoid injuries.
Previous mock: No. 26 overall
21. Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami: Brown was the best running back in fantasy football before an injured knee cost him the final nine games of last season, as he was on pace for 89 receptions, 2,265 all-purpose yards and 11 total touchdowns. Concerns about his knee could limit his value, but Brown will be hard to pass on in the mid-second round.
Previous mock: No. 18 overall
22. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta: Turner's move from a reserve role in San Diego to a featured spot in Atlanta has shot his fantasy value through the roof. While there are legitimate questions about the team's quarterback position and offense as a whole, Turner should still reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career.
Previous mock: Not listed
23. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans: Brees finished last season with career bests in passing yards (4,423) and touchdown passes (28) and is a solid No. 1 fantasy quarterback. He should continue to find success in the offense of head coach Sean Payton, who will throw the football often and should lean on Brees to put points on the scoreboard.
Previous mock: No. 16 overall
24. Jamal Lewis, RB, Cleveland: Lewis will be 29 at the start of next season, so it wouldn't be a shock if he failed to duplicate his impressive 2007 totals (1,304 yards, 11 total TDs). Still, the fact that he found such immense statistical success in what developed into a productive Cleveland offense makes him worth a second-round selection.
Previous mock: No. 24 overall
Round Three
25. Braylon Edwards, WR, Cleveland: Edwards came out of nowhere to produce 1,289 yards and 16 touchdowns last season, so he'll be a solid No. 1 fantasy wideout.
Previous mock: No. 25 overall
26. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville: The smallish Jones-Drew didn't endure a sophomore slide and will be an attractive No. 2 fantasy runner in all 2008 drafts.
Previous mock: No. 29 overall
27. Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati: Johnson's value could fall if he's traded, but he's still a surefire No. 1 fantasy wideout despite an inconsistent 2008 season.
Previous mock: No. 34 overall
28. Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati: Palmer was inconsistent down the stretch last season, but he's still a tremendous No. 1 quarterback in fantasy football circles.
Previous mock: No. 20 overall
29. Brandon Jacobs, RB, N.Y. Giants: He might lose carries to Ahmad Bradshaw, but Jacobs proved to be a productive option in his first season as a starter in New York.
Previous mock: No. 30 overall
30. Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans: Bush was a tremendous fantasy disappointment last season, but he has far too much talent to pass on at this point of the third round.
Previous mock: No. 32 overall
31. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona: One of the most talented wideouts in the league, Fitzgerald should record 90-plus receptions and eight to 10 touchdowns next season.
Previous mock: No. 27 overall
32. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati: Houshmandzadeh recorded career bests across the board last season and is a legitimate No. 1 fantasy wideout for next season.
Previous mock: Not listed
33. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh: Roethlisberger recorded a career-best 34 total touchdowns in 2007, and his success should continue in a solid Pittsburgh offense.
Previous mock: No. 28 overall
34. Steve Smith, WR, Carolina: It looks like Jake Delhomme will be fine for the start of next season, so look for Smith to rebound from what was a mediocre 2007.
Previous mock: No. 31 overall
35. Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans: Colston has proved he has the tools to be an elite wide receiver at the NFL level, so he'll be off the board no later than Round 3.
Previous mock: No. 33 overall
31. LenDale White, RB, Tennessee: White recorded 1,110 yards and seven scores in 2007, but his stock would fall if Tennessee adds a prominent back in April's draft.
Previous mock: Not listed
