I saw that you're high on Ryan Mathews, but I think C.J. Spiller is going to be the better fantasy player. I know the Bills have a crowded backfield, but I can't see how Spiller doesn't score double-digit touchdowns. How high would you take him in a seasonal league? - L. Ransom, Houston, Texas
Michael Fabiano: Spiller might have been the most explosive running back in the 2010 draft class, but sometimes opportunity supersedes talent. Mathews has a chance to start right away for coach Norv Turner, who helped Frank Gore, LaMont Jordan and Ricky Williams have their best statistical seasons in the past. Furthermore, Turner told the San Diego Union-Tribune that he estimates Mathews will see 250 carries and 40 catches in his rookie season. Will Spiller see over 300 touches with Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch in the mix? I doubt it. Mathews is in a much better situation to succeed, and I wouldn't hesitate to take him in the second or third round on draft day. As for Spiller, I see him as more of a middle-round flex player. In a recent expert league draft, the Bills rookie was taken in the seventh round as a No. 3 fantasy back.
What are your thoughts on Mark Sanchez? I'm a little biased as a Jets fan, but I think he could develop into a fantasy starter this season now that he has so many new weapons. What sort of numbers do you project for him, and is it crazy to take him ahead of someone like Vince Young or Carson Palmer? - A. Paulina, Queens, N.Y.
M.F.: Sanchez does have a ton of talent around him, but the Jets aren't suddenly going to morph into a Don Coryell offense. This team will continue to lean on the run, which will open up the pass attack for Sanchez, Santonio Holmes, Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery. On the high end, I think he can throw for around 3,300-3,500 yards and score 18-20 total touchdowns. But Sanchez also needs to make better decisions and cut down on his turnovers. While I wouldn't call you "crazy" if you decide to take him ahead of Young or Palmer, it's not a move I would make. Currently, Sanchez is 20th on my quarterback board.
Do you think the addition of Jonathan Dwyer will have a negative effect on the fantasy value of Rashard Mendenhall? I have him in my 12-team keeper league, and I was going to retain him ahead of DeAngelo Williams. Thoughts? - K. Taylor, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
M.F.: I don't think Dwyer has any chance of taking Mendenhall's starting job, but I would keep tabs on how the Steelers use him in the preseason. The Georgia Tech product was a touchdown machine at the collegiate level, scoring 27 times in his last two seasons. If coach Mike Tomlin and his staff decide to use Dwyer as their goal-line back, it would obviously affect Mendenhall's value. Still, I don't see a scenario where that would make me keep Williams ahead of him. Mendenhall is younger, has more upside and is a viable breakout candidate in fantasy circles. Look for Dwyer to make a run at the second spot on the depth chart and a handcuff role for fantasy owners.
I keep seeing advertisements all over NFL.com for the league's new fantasy game. When can we actually see it? - J. Henderson, Baton Rouge, La.
M.F.:The new NFL.com fantasy game will be available for sign ups and league creation starting in June. Our leagues are 100 percent FREE to join and include all the features you need -- rules and scoring system customization, easy setup, enhanced live scoring and, of course, all the expert advice to help you win a championship. But what makes the NFL.com fantasy game better than any other platform on the Web is our in-game video highlights. Say you have Chris Johnson on your fantasy team, and he rips off a 75-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. You'll be able to see the highlights within the game! No one else can offer such a feature. I can promise you this -- NFL.com's new game will enhance your fantasy football experience!
I know that Jahvid Best has a lot of talent, but is he really going to be a star fantasy player? The guy was hurt in college, and Kevin Smith will eventually come back from knee surgery. I think Best will be a bust! - L. Jeremy, Jupiter, Fla.
M.F.: I don't think he'll be a fantasy star right away, but I do think Best will be the Lions' Week 1 starter and lead the team in carries in his rookie season. Keep in mind that Smith is coming back from ACL surgery, so he'll need time to re-gain both mental and physical confidence in the knee. Furthermore, Smith averaged a mere 3.4 yards per carry last season before suffering the ailment. Sure, a backfield committee is possible. But Best has more upside, more talent and more value in fantasy football.
Where would you draft Ben Roethlisberger now that he's going to miss at least four games next season? Who do you think will be his replacement, Dennis Dixon or Byron Leftwich? Will either player have fantasy value while Big Ben is out? - D. McMatthews, Charlotte, N.C.
M.F.: Ironically, I was in a draft this week and took Roethlisberger in Round 8. I'm not big on his fantasy outlook for next season, but my hand was forced as eight quarterbacks came off the board in the first 35 picks. I ended up taking Kevin Kolb as my No. 1 quarterback in Round 7 and backed him up with Roethlisberger and Alex Smith (Round 14). To answer your second question, I see Dixon winning the job out of training camp. Based on a schedule that includes games against the Falcons, Titans, and Buccaneers in the first three weeks, I think Dixon could emerge into a low-end sleeper in some leagues. His fourth game is a bit tougher, as Dixon will go up against the Ravens at Heinz Field. But keep this in mind. In his lone start last season, Dixon scored 17 fantasy points in a road game against (yes, you guessed it) the Ravens.
What do you make of the Seahawks' new backfield? Do you think LenDale White is guaranteed to start, or will Julius Jones have a shot to keep his job? Also, does Justin Forsett have any value with White and Leon Washington now on the team? - W. Horrigan, Canada
M.F.: I would be shocked if White isn't the team's No. 1 running back to open next season. He proved that he can be productive in a prominent role with the Titans, rushing for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns (16 starts) in 2007. While I don't see him reaching that yardage total with Washington and Forsett in the mix, I do think White can produce around 900-950 yards and seven to nine touchdowns. After all, he's clearly the favorite to see goal-line work for coach Pete Carroll. If Washington isn't 100 percent back from a serious leg injury to start the season, Forsett could have some low-end value in drafts. As for Jones, I think he'll be traded or released at some point.
I see that you're very high on Ben Tate. Where do you have him ranked among running backs, and where do see him being taken in a 12-team seasonal draft? - M. Karim, Twin Cities, Minn.
M.F.: I currently have Tate ranked 32nd among running backs on my board, and I can see him rising even further in the weeks and months to come. He's a perfect fit for the Texans offense, and I think he could end up starting for coach Gary Kubiak in Week 1. Steve Slaton is coming off neck surgery and is now seen as more of a third-down or change-of-pace back. Arian Foster is also in the mix, but I don't see him as a true featured back. Based on upside alone, I'd draft Tate ahead of both Slaton and Foster somewhere in the middle rounds of seasonal formats. He'll have even more value in dynasty leagues.
Do you think Sam Bradford will make a fantasy impact? I know rookie quarterbacks typically don't put up great numbers, but Matt Ryan and Joe Flacco weren't terrible in their first seasons. Even Matt Stafford and Sanchez had some value in 2009. Thoughts? - P. Webster, Brea, Ohio
M.F.: You're right about rookie quarterbacks making a greater impact in recent seasons, and I do think Bradford is worth a late-round flier in larger leagues. But he's not someone who will become a weekly fantasy option, even in those formats that require two starting quarterbacks. Instead, I consider him more of a reserve with value as a starter against weaker opponents. The Rams will continue to lean on Steven Jackson and the run, so the passing game will be less prominent. And while the team does have a few young and promising players like Donnie Avery, Laurent Robinson, Brandon Gibson and Mardy Gilyard, there still isn't a clear-cut No. 1 wideout on the roster. Look for Bradford to endure his share of growing pains while showing the occasional flash of brilliance during what will be an important season for his NFL development.
Defenses are very heavily favored in our league's scoring system. In fact, five of the top 10 best "players" were defenses last season. Give me your top five units and any sleepers you might have for 2010. - M. Crole, Pleasanton, Texas
M.F.: The top five defenses on my board are the Jets, Vikings, Eagles, Packers and Ravens. While it's rare that a defense finishes first in fantasy points in consecutive seasons, it's hard not to rank the Jets first at the position. If you're looking for a few sleeper teams, remember the Bears and Dolphins on draft day. Both teams made major upgrades during the offseason and should be far more productive. I really like the Fins, who will benefit from the addition of coordinator Mike Nolan. He turned the Broncos defense into a top fantasy unit in 2009, and I think he can do the same for the Dolphins next season.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question for Michael on anything fantasy football related? Leave it in our comments section or send it to **AskFabiano@nfl.com**!
