As part of my draft preparation every year, I pull out my trusty red Sharpie to mark off players I want absolutely nothing to do with under any circumstances. Names in recent years I’ve avoided include Larry Johnson, Shaun Alexander, Marion Barber, and Clinton Portis even if they were considered 1st or 2nd round picks. The argument can be made that some players on this list are worth drafting based on the value you can get from them, but we’ve already done that article (see big picture of Joe Flacco on the home page). We’ll call this group “Matt’s Migraines” because that’s what I get when I think of how bad I’ve been burned by risky picks, especially in the early rounds. I’ll be adding to this group throughout the Summer, but for now here’s a few guys I’ll be avoiding come draft time. Ronnie Brown (RB, Mia) – Look, we know how talented this guy is, but he’s played a full season just once in the last four years and just 32 games over the last three. Whether it was the torn ACL in 2007 or last year’s Lisfranc foot problem that continues to plague him this off-season, Brown just ...

Here's an early list of upside players that I would want to build my fantasy teams with (some obvious, some not so obvious) over the next 2-5 years (in no particular order). Some of these players have not "arrived" yet, but are on their way to fantasy prominence based on their talent and situation. Some players who did well last season are not included because their situations aren't looking as good (IE-Sidney Rice possibly without Brett Favre). Quarterback Aaron Rodgers/Green Bay Packers Philip Rivers/San Diego Chargers Kevin Kolb/Philadelphia Eagles Joe Flacco/Baltimore Ravens Matthew Stafford/Detroit Lions Chad Henne/Miami Dolphins John Skelton/Arizona Cardinals Running Back Chris Johnson/Tennessee Titans Ray Rice/Baltimore Ravens Chris Wells/Arizona Cardinals Ryan Mathews/San Diego Chargers C.J. Spiller/Buffalo Bills LeSean McCoy/Philadelphia Eagles Rashard Mendenhall/Pittsburgh Steelers Felix Jones/Dallas Cowboys Jahvid Best/Detroit Lions Shonn Greene/New York Jets Donald Brown/Indianapolis Colts Wide Receiver Greg Jennings/Green Bay Packers Miles Austin/Dallas Cowboys DeSean Jackson/Philadelphia Eagles Mike Sims-Walker/Jacksonville Jaguars Hakeem Nicks/New York Giants Jeremy Maclin/Philadelphia Eagles Robert Meachem/New Orleans Saints Jordy Nelson/Green Bay Packers Pierre Garcon/Indianapolis Colts Tight End Jermichael Finley/Green Bay Packers Brent Celek/Philadelphia Eagles John Carlson/Seattle Seahawks Jimmy Graham/New Orleans Saints

PANTHERS OFFENSE V. VIKINGS DEFENSE v Moore continued to be wild high with his throws, He’s a very erratic passer with poor throwing mechanics v Leber and Greenway were the Vikings nickel LBs, Sapp was the nickel corner over the slot v Right now MLB Brinkley is a little hesitant and indecisive; At times he’s a lateral mover not a downhill player, at other times he works the trash well and makes tackles – There is an explosiveness to his movement v Moore not a real confident passer at this point; That shows up in the fact that he had a tendency to be a little late with his throws, waiting to see receivers break open rather than anticipating v Brinkley was attacked and beaten on the Hoover 1 yd TD catch, Run / pass conflict on play action at the goal line v Martin and Moore were both used as the Panthers 3rd WR, but the Panthers did not use 3 WR personnel very often v Panthers offense very basic and straightforward in its use of personnel and formations, Not a difficult offense to defend conceptually v Moore average arm strength, Did not show the ability to drive the ball down the field on intermediate and vertical ...

Note: Players are not ranked for order. Quarterbacks Vince Young at Indianapolis - He doesn't have a good history playing at the Colts, but at least SS Bob Sanders won't be involved in this game. Young has played pretty well of late and he's working with the best group of receivers that he's been able to work with. He should be good enough this week and provides good enough upside to take a risk on if you're desperate. David Garrard vs. Houston - This is a huge game for the Jaguars and Garrard seems to play much better at home. Have to think he puts up good numbers in a game that could be high-scoring. The Texans simply don't have a good enough secondary to keep the passing game of the Jaguars down. Running Backs Jonathan Stewart vs. Tampa Bay - Even if starting RB DeAngelo Williams can play, look for Stewart to see more carries than usual. Williams' ankle is not going to allow him to likely take in his usual amount of work even if he can play, so Stewart figures to become a bigger part of their running game this week. Stewart is looking like a rock solid #3 RB or better ...

Quarterback Matt Ryan vs. Tampa Bay – We really believed this might be a breakout season since he did well as a rookie and they added veteran TE Tony Gonzalez to the mix. For whatever reason, Ryan has regressed this season and he hasn’t showed any signs of consistency. However, he did play well against the Giants last week and he faces a lowly Buccaneer defense which can’t stop anyone. This is a good week to get Ryan in your lineup since Tampa Bay is going to make a defensive scheme change this late in the season. David Garrard at San Francisco – He’s been a little inconsistent (I dropped him in one league recently), but Garrard still is ranked #14 in most standard scoring leagues. The thing that helps him is he’ll run the ball a little and they have a hard time sustaining their running game. The 49er secondary has not played consistently well all season and this matchup sets up well for Garrard to put up good numbers. Vince Young vs. Arizona – A few things have really helped Young since he’s been back starting. The defense has finally gotten healthy in the secondary and the Titans aren’t ...

Quarterback David Garrard vs. Buffalo – The Bills have more injuries on defense than any team in the NFL and Garrard’s offensive line has really been improving the last few weeks. He should do quite well and certainly is worth starting if you’re struggling to find someone to start. Marc Bulger vs. Arizona – The Ram offensive line has really improved of late and they really protected him well last week against an aggressive Saint defense. Bulger faces a suspect Cardinal secondary, so he’s worth a shot if you’re really desperate for help this week. Running Back Chris Wells at St. Louis – There seems to finally be a set role for Wells in the rotation the Cardinals have at the position. He’s had 31 touches in the last two games and he should get double-digit touches against an average Ram defense. He’s worth a shot as your #3 RB. LeSean McCoy at Chicago – He still needs to improve in pass protection, but the Eagles don’t have much of a choice, he has to be the guy at running back for them with veteran Brian Westbrook out for perhaps several more weeks. McCoy has good versatility and is capable of putting up good ...

Quarterback Chad Henne vs. Tampa Bay - The Tampa Bay secondary is one of the worst in the NFL and while Henne won't be asked to throw a lot, he should find success when he does throw it. I'm not looking for big numbers from him, but he's worth a shot if you're desperate. Vince Young vs. Buffalo - Buffalo has all sorts of injury problems on defense and Young should find success in the air and on the ground. He's certainly worth a shot if you're looking for some upside. Running Back Mike Bell at St. Louis - Have to think the Saints win this one going away and if that transpires, Bell should be the ball that finishes off the game. He should be able to score and post over 60 yards on the ground. Chris Wells vs. Seattle - Not too long ago, the Cardinals won easily at Seattle and they get to face a shaky Seahawk defense again this week. Wells has become a bigger part of the Cardinal running game in recent weeks and he should post good enough numbers for you to start him as your #3 RB. Jonathan Stewart vs. Atlanta - Even if starting RB DeAngelo Williams ...

The following are players to look at for the future who have yet to break out, but have value for future seasons. Quarterback Kevin Kolb/Philadelphia - Next year, he'll be on the final year of his four-year rookie deal. But the coaches remain very high on him and they were very pleased with what they saw from him in his two starts. In fact, a team source said there's no reason why Kolb can't be one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL if he gets to start next year. It will come down to how veteran QB Donovan McNabb plays the rest of the season. If McNabb struggles and they miss the playoffs or get knocked out early, Kolb will likely be the starter next year. He's seen as a more accurate passer than McNabb and with the frequency that they throw with, Kolb could put up big numbers if he gets the job. Chad Henne/Miami - Like with Kolb, I first saw Henne play during Senior Bowl week and I was very impressed. In fact, I thought Henne threw the ball better that week than Joe Flacco did. Henne has a strong arm and I like how he places the ...

Note: Players are in no particular order. Quarterback David Garrard vs. Kansas City – Yes, he’s been mostly a bum so far. However, He’ll face a Chief defense which gives up about 260 yards/game and about 2 TDs. The Chiefs are not deep in their secondary and are down to their third free safety because of injury. All signs for Garrard to have a solid game for a change. Matt Hasselbeck vs. Detroit – The Seahawk offensive line is always a concern because of injury, but they were decent last week against the Cowboys. The Lion secondary is one of the worst in the NFL and Lion defense is giving up about 260 yards/game and almost 2.5 TDs. They’re starting two journeymen at cornerback, so look for Hasselbeck to post good numbers in this matchup. Running Back Julius Jones vs. Detroit – He’s probably been in moth balls for most fantasy owners for several weeks (see Kevin Walter), but this is the kind of matchup for Jones in which he could do pretty well. Jones will face a struggling Lion front seven and he should get a decent amount of carries in this game. Start him as your #3 RB. Jamaal Charles at Jacksonville – ...

Note: Players are in no particular order. Quarterback David Garrard at Tennessee – While Titan starting CB Cortland Finnegan may be playing this week, starting CB Nick Harper (forearm) won’t be. The matchup is still solid and they the Titan secondary was healthy, they were still struggling. Matthew Stafford vs. St. Louis – Stafford hasn’t played in a while, so there’s some risk with him and he may not have starting WR Calvin Johnson. But if he does, Stafford could do quite well against a suspect Ram secondary. Marc Bulger at Detroit – The Lion secondary is one of the weakest in the NFL and if you’re looking for a one-week reach that has a good matchup, Bulger would fit that role. Running Back Shonn Greene vs. Miami – He’s going to get probably 8-10 carries in this game and even more if the game is a blowout. Greene is worth a shot if you’re struggling with bye week issues as your flex player. Darren Sproles vs. Oakland – Talk about a big play possibility against a bad defense run defense staring him in the face. Look for Sproles to have a big run or two in this game, especially in the second half ...