Preseason Risers and Fallers

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Who’s rising and Who’s falling?

Risers

Quarterbacks

Matt Ryan, Falcons - Ryan has the looks of a seasoned veteran this summer. Vic Ketchman, senior editor for the Jaguars (who recently practiced with Atlanta ) was quoted as saying “his instincts for the position are jaw dropping.” I expect Ryan to make a huge leap forward this season.

Tom Brady, Patriots - Brady looks fully recovered from his gruesome knee injury, and it appears he had a great off season. He has looked especially sharp this preseason, earning a marginal bump in the rankings.

Running Backs

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers - It appears that potential touchdown vulture Jonathan Dwyer may not make the final roster. Meanwhile, the Steelers recently signed Flozell Adams, a tremendous run blocker. Mendenhall could still struggle early on, but I feel safe drafting him as an RB2.

Arian Foster, Texans - Last week Ben Tate went down for the count with a nasty ankle injury. This is excellent news for Arian Foster, who has been receiving glowing reports in training camp. Foster now receives the feature role in a high octane offense, making him a great value in the middle rounds.

C.J. Spiller, Bills - With the top two running backs on Buffalo’s depth chart have gone down with substantial injuries, opening the door for the electric Spiller. He has the ability to make plays with limited blocking, and if he makes the most of his opportunity as the starter, he could hang on to the job.

Wide Receivers

Terrell Owens, Bengals - Owens has been targeted early and often by Carson Palmer this pre season, and has notched 9 catches for 108 yards. Owens could prove to be more fantasy relevant than Chad Ochocinco come season’s end.

Legedu Naanee, Chargers - The messier the Vincent Jackson hold out gets, the more Naanee’s stock rises. In addition he caught an impressive 28 yard touchdown against the Bears, this preseason and receiving a healthy amount of targets.

Johny Knox - It appears Johny Knox, Bears should be the greatest beneficiary of Mike Martz’s offense. He is emerging as Cutler’s go to guy and is rising up draft boards quickly.

Tight End - Jeremichael Finley, Packers - Finley has been lighting it up in the pre season. As if his stock could not go up anymore, he has been the main man in the Packer’s passing attack, which bodes well for Finley owners.


Fallers

Quarterbacks

Matt Leinart, Cardinals - If you considered Leinart a high upside backup, his preseason performance should kill all hopes of that. Despite all of the talent around him Leinart is not worth owning.

David Garrard, Jaguars - The pressure is on David Garrard and he is not delivering. A mix of questionable play calling and poor decision making has been the demise of Garrard. Meanwhile, backup Luke McCown has been impressive in preseason action. The David Garrard era is coming to an end.

Running Backs

Ben Tate, Texans - Tate broke his ankle and will not be a factor in 2010.

Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch - Both Bills running backs have gone down with injuries, opening the door for a talented youngster. These two will have to battle for carries once healthy.

Justin Forsett - Forsett appears to be locked into a running back by committee situation. The only way he has fantasy relevance is if he is in the feature role. Avoid for now.

Wide Receivers

Jacoby Jones, Texans - Jacoby Jones returned to return duty, meaning he is no longer in the running for the number two receiver job. He is no longer much of a sleeper.

Chad Ochocinco, Bengals - Terrell Owens is stealing the show in Cincy right now and is in line to be the number one receiver, which causes Ochocinco’s stock to fall just slightly. I still think 85 is the type of guy who saves himself for the regular season. Time will tell.

Percy Harvin, Vikings - Harvin’s situation is very unfortunate and causes his fantasy stock to drop considerably. If on the field, he will be able to make plays. Hopefully for him, he can find himself on the field more often than not.