The Fantasy Football Blog

Everyone understands that LaDainian Tomlinson (SD-RB) is the No. 1 pick in virtually every fantasy football league. It's automatic.

But who you would take with the No. 2 overall selection may say something about the type of person you are. It basically comes down to two players: Shaun Alexander (SEA-RB) and Priest Holmes (KC-RB).

Alexander is the safe pick. The guy for people who don't want to have to worry about their best player. Alexander will almost definitely play 16 games and be among the top five or so players overall in fantasy scoring. He has played in all 16 games in each of his five NFL seasons and has rushed for at least 1,175 yards every year since becoming the featured back in 2001. He's also scored either 14 or 16 touchdowns every year since then.

Holmes, meanwhile, is for the risky owner. The no-guts-no-glory person who wants the rush of adrenaline every Sunday morning when checking if Holmes is going to play or not. One thing is for sure, if Holmes plays all 16 games, he'll score more than Alexander (and probably Tomlinson, too). But what are the odds of that? He played only eight games last year and is 32 years old -- ancient for RBs this side of Curtis Martin (NYJ-RB). In those eight games last year, Holmes scored 14 TDs. 14! In 2003, when he played 16 games, Holmes score an NFL-record 27 times.

What type of fantasy owner are you? Safe and smart or risky and aggressive? You'll find out if you draw the No. 2 pick in your draft.

DEEP SLEEPERS -- The very insane fantasy leagues require extra starters at each position and, therefore, extra players overall. These leagues usually include three starting RBs per team. In a 10-team league, that's 30 starters from the 32-team NFL. Needless to say, you better be looking at some potential sleepers in these leagues. Here are some:

• Marshall Faulk (STL-RB) -- In a league that gives points for receptions, Faulk could even start in these deep leagues. He has lost the starting job to Steven Jackson (STL-RB) and won't get many carries, but he will still catch a bunch of passes and score an occasional TD. Also, if Jackson gets hurt, Faulk would likely be a top-20 RB as the lone threat out of the backfield.
  
• Larry Johnson (KC-RB) -- I'll talk more about Johnson in the handcuffing section below, but the fact that he's backing up the injury-prone Holmes and will also be used in spots with Holmes makes Johnson a great backup in these leagues.

• Najeh Davenport (GB-RB) -- Davenport is the new LaMont Jordan (OAK-RB). For years, Jordan was considered a future star if only he got the chance to start. He has that opportunity this season, and now you'll hear Davenport talked about the same way. If Ahman Green (GB-RB) gets hurt this year, Davenport will surely step up and dominate. The Packers may even dump Green next season in favor of Davenport.

HANDCUFFING RBs -- More than any other position, you definitely want to handcuff your star RBs. In other words, make sure you select the backup to your best two runners. If you have Deuce McAllister (NO-RB), take Aaron Stecker (NO-RB) late in your draft. If you have Rudi Johnson (CIN-RB), take Chris Perry (CIN-RB). You can't afford to have your top guy miss time and not have the backup.

This is most vital in the case of the injury-prone players. If you have Holmes, Johnson is an absolute must. You may have to take him earlier than most backups, say the 9th or 10th round, but it will be worth it when Holmes misses two weeks and Johnson goes for 130 yards in each game.

INJURY RISK -- Holmes. 'Nuff said.

UPDATED CHEATSHEETS -- Still only a little movement this week, but there was some. The biggest came at RB because I felt I had the numbers too low for Julius Jones (DAL-RB) and Kevin Jones (DET-RB). They were moved up ahead of LaMont Jordan (OAK-RB), who I like a lot, but is a little more of risk. Rex Grossman (CHI-QB) was also taken off the board after his season-ending injury.

INJURIES, ROSTER UPDATES --Grossman was the lone big casualty last year, although he wasn't going to be more than a fantasy backup. With starters playing longer in this weekend's preseason games, we may have more injury news. Check back here for updates in italics.

Also, the Chargers are fed up with Antonio Gates (SD-TE) and threatened to suspend him through the second game of the regular season if he doesn't report to camp by the weekend. Gates, the No. 2 fantasy TE is holding out for a raise and can't seem to come to an agreement. I'll keep you updated. For now, assume he'll be back this weekend.