The final week of the pre-season is upon us. The fourth week is usually a backup festival that probably wont reveal anything we don’t already know. So I decided to take a longer look at week three. The third week of the pre-season is the most important. With most of the starting roster spots already solidified teams use the third game to play starters the longest to gauge there progress. The players use the third week to get into shape and get acclimated with the contact and speed of the game. It is also a chance for young guys to climb the depth chart in hopes of seeing playing time when the games count. The fourth game of the pre-season is for fringe players to try and make a name for themselves and earn a roster spot. The guys on this list are players who have either raised questions or answered them with there play.
Winners:
Quarterbacks
1) Matt Leinart – ARI – QB
Leinart has had a very good pre-season. He has a chance to prove his worth, if 38 year old starter Kurt Warner goes down.
2) Tom Brady – NEP – QB
Brady has looked every bit the MVP quarterback he was before last years knee injury. When he got crushed last Thursday night it sent a scare through fantasy football circles across the country. Reports are that his shoulder should be fine and Brady will be ready to start the season.
3) Aaron Rodgers – GRE – QB
Rodgers and the Packers have had as good a pre-season as any team in football. Rodgers has looked flat out awesome at times and his stock has continued to climb because of it. He should be the fourth quarter back off the board on draft day.
4) Brett Favre – NYJ – QB
Farve looked very good in his first extended action of the pre-season. He had total control of his team and it looked like his teammates responded. However, I wouldn’t go crazy just yet. Farve didn’t stretch the field and spent most of the night throwing the ball underneath to his running backs and tight ends. With most of the starters getting the fourth game off we have a very small sample to go on.
5) Matt Hasselbeck – SEA – QB
Hasselbeck has continued to improve throughout the pre-season. If last week is any indication of what to expect then Hasselbeck makes a very good mid round selection.
6) David Garrard – JAC – QB
Garrard hasn’t looked great but he has looked good. He has tried to work several new receivers into the mix and has struggled to develop a re pour with most. The important thing is that the o-line has looked solid.
7) Jason Campbell – WAS – QB
After a horrible week 2 performance in which he only completed one pass Campbell looked determined against the Pats. I hope he can build off of this outing and continue to improve going into his final pre-season game.
8) Chad Pennington – MIA – QB
Pennington has looked very comfortable throughout the pre-season. He is truly a professional who will always give a solid performance.
9) Brady Quinn – CLE – QB
Quinn has taken the lead in the controversy surrounding the Browns starting quarterback job. It doesn’t hurt that he has started to develop a good relationship with Braylon Edwards.
Running backs
10) James Davis – CLE – RB
Davis has looked very good throughout the pre-season. I think it is only a matter of time before he is named the starter for the Browns.
11) Ray Rice – BAL – RB
Ray Rice has continued to be the focal point of the Ravens offense. He should be drafted as a RB1 in ppr leagues. A breakout season is in the works for the second year man.
12) LeSean McCoy – PHI – RB
McCoy has not put up the best numbers throughout the pre-season. However, he has been able to improve on several areas that were considered weakness’s coming into the league. His pass blocking and blitz recognition have been two areas were the rookie was lacking. If he continues to improve he could keep fullback Lenard Weaver off the field during passing downs. As the Eagles o-line continues to mesh, McCoys numbers will only improve.
13) Chris Wells – ARI – RB
Wells first NFL performance left us begging for more. He scored twice in limited action. If he can stay healthy, then the Cards could finally have a legitimate running game.
14) Glenn Coffee – SFO – RB
Coffee has continued to look very good throughout the pre-season. He has locked up the number two spot behind Frank Gore and should be drafted in all format.
15) Cadillac Williams – TAM – RB
The former first round pick has looked good so far. The Bucks will almost definitely go with a committee but Cadillac could finally shake his lemon status. Although injury’s are always a major concern he should be worth a look on draft day.
16) BenJarvus Green-Ellis – NEP – RB
The “Law Firm” has run very hard throughout the pre-season. He has been productive and could find himself in a rotation in the muddled Patriots back field.
17) Julius Jones – SEA – RB
Jones has looked good as the Hawks lead back. He rushed for 57 yards on 15 carries against the Chiefs. He could surprise a few people this year and put together a solid season.
18) Bernard Scott – CIN – RB
Scott ran hard against St. Louis and showed good vision and a decent burst. He should be drafted as Cedric Benson’s hand cuff.
19) Gartrell Johnson – SDC – RB
Johnson looked very good against Atlanta. Sproles will remain the change of pace back and Tomlinson is the starter but the rookie out of Colorado State is the dark horse to take carries should either guy fall to injury.
20) Ahmad Bradshaw – NYG – RB
Bradshaw has looked explosive throughout the pre-season and has seen a solid bump in his ADP. He rushed for 47 yards on only 8 carries.
21) P.J. Hill – NOR – RB
The rookie out of Wisconsin showed good moves against the Raiders. He put up solid numbers (12-83-2) and could battle for a roster spot.
22) Mike Goodson – CAR – RB
Goodson has continued to impress throughout the pre-season. With Jonathan Stewart’s status in question, the 4th round pick could be in line for regular season carries.
Receivers
23) Randy Moss – NEP – WR
Moss and Brady have continued to look unstoppable. After catching two more touchdowns ,Moss has seen an increase in his ADP. He is now being drafted around the same time as Andre Johnson.
24) Justin Gage – TEN – WR
Gage has put together a solid pre-season. He continues to be the go to guy and could provide good value as a WR3.
25) Hakeem Nicks – NYG – WR
Nicks blew up against the Jets (6-144-2). His route running and concentration have improved each week. He could be the most productive rookie wide receiver this year.
26) Chris Henry – CIN – WR
Henry has had as solid a pre-season as any wide out in football. He scored another touchdown against St. Louis and now has three in as many games. If he can carry his successes over to the regular season he could be a solid WR3.
27) Braylon Edwards – CLE – WR
Edwards caught 3 passes for 51 yards including a twenty yard touchdown. Edwards and Brady Quinn have developed a solid chemistry. If Quinn wins the starting job then Edwards could have a bounce back year.
28) Laurent Robinson – STL – WR
Robinson has continued to be the most consistent Rams receiver throughout the pre-season. He could be worth a look in deeper leagues.
29) Brian Hartline – MIA – WR
Hartline has come on strong over the last few weeks. He caught 3 balls for 79 yards and has run precise and crisp routes.
Losers
Quarterbacks
30) Donovan McNabb – PHI – QB
McNabb continues to under throw his receivers. He’s putting up good numbers but could find it hard to shake his inconstant label. He needs to become more consistent to battle for a top 5 finish.
31) Kurt Warner – ARI – QB
Warner has not looked very good so far throughout the pre-season. He has not thrown a touchdown yet and the play of Matt Leinart has Warner owners worried. There is no reason to panic just yet. It’s only the pre-season but the situation is worth watching.
32) Matt Schaub – HOU – QB
Schaub tweaked his ankle running out of bounds against the Vikings. I’m starting to think the man is made out of glass. Reports out of Houston are that he is fine and there is nothing to worry about. I wouldn’t put to much stock in his latest hick-up. However, if you drafted Schaub as your starter you should back him up with a solid signal caller.
33) Matt Cassel – KAN – QB
Cassel went down hard and sprained the MCL in his knee. Although the Chiefs are saying he will only miss a game, I’m not buying it. I didn’t like him much coming into the season and the injury scares me off him all together. Cassel makes to many plays with his legs. If he is unable to run because of this, his stock fall even more.
Running backs
34) LeRon McClain – BAL – RB
McClain has only received a hand full carries and he hasn’t done much with them. He is over weight and currently behind Rice and McGahee on the depth chart. If he doesn’t have the goal line duties he has no fantasy value what so ever.
35) Brian Westbrook – PHI – RB
Westbrook has not played a snap this pre-season. If he can’t do it in the pre-season then how can he do it when the games count? Westbrook is falling to the end of the 3rd round in most drafts and has done nothing to give us hope.
36) Jamal Lewis – CLE – RB
Lewis looked slow against the Titans and only managed 23 yards on 10 carries. The starting job could fall to rookie James Davis before long.
37) Derrick Ward – TAM – RB
Ward has the unfortunate luck of being part of a three headed running back attack. If Ward doesn’t net the majority of the carries then his value would take a significant hit.
Receivers
38) Ted Ginn Jr. – MIA – WR
Ginn Jr. is still a very raw wide receiver. He doesn’t run good routes and lacks concentration. He has sprinters speed but that doesn’t do much when he’s on the side line
39) Brandon Marshall – DEN – WR
Marshall is becoming a joke. He’s a top five talent but has done everything in his power to get out of Denver. Even if his wish is granted, it will take several games for him to get acclimated to a new system.
40) Terrell Owens – BUF – WR
Owens needs to be on the field if he wants to develop a solid re pour with Trent Edwards. The Bills were blanked by Pittsburgh and looked very poor on offense.
41) Michael Crabtree – SFO – WR
Every game Crabtree misses is another week it will take him to get acclimated to the speed of the game.
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