NFC Team-by-Team Notes

Camp battles are beginning to take shape entering the preseason's second week. With the regular season less than a month away, here's the latest on every team in the NFC:

Editor's Note: Get Rotoworld's updated rankings, projections, and fantasy analysis in the 2011 Fantasy Football Draft Guide.

Atlanta Falcons

Preseason stats lack value, but the games are worth watching for snapshots of players' skill sets. Especially rookies. Julio Jones was used as a possession receiver at Alabama, but he displayed rare, eye-opening explosiveness after the catch on three touches in Atlanta's exhibition opener. No one should be sleeping on Jones anymore. He needs to be drafted as a WR3 with high-end WR2 upside in an offense that projects to throw more than ever. It's evident that Jones is already a Matt Ryan favorite, and he may come closer to equaling Roddy White's production than many folks think. ... Michael Turner will play a lesser role with the Falcons de-emphasizing the run, but he showed power on a two-yard goal-line plunge, pushing the pile against the Dolphins. Just keep in mind that Turner will be 29 1/2 years old when the season starts. His decline began last year.

Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald will make Kevin Kolb look much better than he is, and that notion was reinforced on a long bomb in last Thursday's exhibition opener. Running a fly pattern down the left sideline, Fitz secured Kolb's pass over his shoulder and against his facemask for a 43-yard gain. Unfortunately, Kolb's personally mediocre talent, suspect protection, and uncertainty at No. 2 receiver keep him as a mid-range to low-end QB2. ... Beanie Wells is working as the Cards' clear-cut starting running back, with LaRod Stephens-Howling in the Darren Sproles role on passing downs. Rookie Ryan Williams will make a move eventually, but Wells is the Arizona back to target in non-PPR leagues. ... With rumblings of a receiver-by-committee approach behind Fitzgerald, don't expect consistent production from Andre Roberts or Early Doucet early in the season. They're both WR5s in fantasy.

Carolina Panthers

The talent gap between Cam Newton and Jimmy Clausen is enormous. If the Panthers name a quarterback with a won-loss record in mind, it won't be a decision. Coach Ron Rivera plans to pick a starter before the third preseason game. ... DeAngelo Williams' contract made him the highest paid running back in league history if you don't include deals from the old rookie format. Expect him to be Carolina's primary back, seeing at least 16 carries a game. Jonathan Stewart is really just a handcuff in fantasy leagues. ... With David Gettis done for the season due to a torn ACL, Legedu Naanee and Brandon LaFell are fighting for No. 2 receiver scraps behind Smith. The winner will contend with Greg Olsen and an extremely run-heavy offense, so it's a non-factor in fantasy drafts.

Chicago Bears

Another NFL season, another year of concern about Chicago's offensive line and wideouts. New left tackle J'Marcus Webb was totally overmatched in the preseason opener, getting washed out in the run game by Kyle Williams and blown to smithereens by left-for-dead Bills OLB Shawne Merriman in protection. Webb conceded afterwards that he lacked "intensity" in the game, and line coach Mike Tice was none too pleased. "I mean, [bleep], after sitting around for five months you should have plenty of intensity built up inside you," said Tice. "So I'm a little disappointed by that. ... He needs to buck up." ... The Bears' best two receivers are Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett, and neither starts. (That's Roy Williams and Devin Hester.) To move the chains, this offense will have to lean heavily on Matt Forte again. Somewhat worrisome for Forte is an apparently rejuvenated Marion Barber. Barber will push Chester Taylor off the roster and become Chicago's primary goal-line back.

Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo has the best one-two receiver punch in football, plus the game's best all-around tight end. His supporting cast threatens to be even more dangerous with the addition of rookie slot man Dwayne Harris, who erupted for 127 yards and two TDs on five catches in Dallas' preseason opener. Harris also played the slot at East Carolina and is a natural "inside." Romo continues to last until the fifth round of drafts, even though the signs say he should go in the third. ... After a nightmarish 2010 season, the Cowboys are a gold mine for draft value. Felix Jones is their clear-cut starting tailback, but can be had in the fifth and sixth rounds. Jones has regained burst after playing last season too heavy and is set up for another healthy bump in touches. The Cowboys can't trust Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray, who both reported to camp injured and have yet to practice.

Camp battles are beginning to take shape entering the preseason's second week. With the regular season less than a month away, here's the latest on every team in the NFC:

Editor's Note: Get Rotoworld's updated rankings, projections, and fantasy analysis in the 2011 Fantasy Football Draft Guide.

Atlanta Falcons

Preseason stats lack value, but the games are worth watching for snapshots of players' skill sets. Especially rookies. Julio Jones was used as a possession receiver at Alabama, but he displayed rare, eye-opening explosiveness after the catch on three touches in Atlanta's exhibition opener. No one should be sleeping on Jones anymore. He needs to be drafted as a WR3 with high-end WR2 upside in an offense that projects to throw more than ever. It's evident that Jones is already a Matt Ryan favorite, and he may come closer to equaling Roddy White's production than many folks think. ... Michael Turner will play a lesser role with the Falcons de-emphasizing the run, but he showed power on a two-yard goal-line plunge, pushing the pile against the Dolphins. Just keep in mind that Turner will be 29 1/2 years old when the season starts. His decline began last year.

Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald will make Kevin Kolb look much better than he is, and that notion was reinforced on a long bomb in last Thursday's exhibition opener. Running a fly pattern down the left sideline, Fitz secured Kolb's pass over his shoulder and against his facemask for a 43-yard gain. Unfortunately, Kolb's personally mediocre talent, suspect protection, and uncertainty at No. 2 receiver keep him as a mid-range to low-end QB2. ... Beanie Wells is working as the Cards' clear-cut starting running back, with LaRod Stephens-Howling in the Darren Sproles role on passing downs. Rookie Ryan Williams will make a move eventually, but Wells is the Arizona back to target in non-PPR leagues. ... With rumblings of a receiver-by-committee approach behind Fitzgerald, don't expect consistent production from Andre Roberts or Early Doucet early in the season. They're both WR5s in fantasy.

Carolina Panthers

The talent gap between Cam Newton and Jimmy Clausen is enormous. If the Panthers name a quarterback with a won-loss record in mind, it won't be a decision. Coach Ron Rivera plans to pick a starter before the third preseason game. ... DeAngelo Williams' contract made him the highest paid running back in league history if you don't include deals from the old rookie format. Expect him to be Carolina's primary back, seeing at least 16 carries a game. Jonathan Stewart is really just a handcuff in fantasy leagues. ... With David Gettis done for the season due to a torn ACL, Legedu Naanee and Brandon LaFell are fighting for No. 2 receiver scraps behind Smith. The winner will contend with Greg Olsen and an extremely run-heavy offense, so it's a non-factor in fantasy drafts.

Chicago Bears

Another NFL season, another year of concern about Chicago's offensive line and wideouts. New left tackle J'Marcus Webb was totally overmatched in the preseason opener, getting washed out in the run game by Kyle Williams and blown to smithereens by left-for-dead Bills OLB Shawne Merriman in protection. Webb conceded afterwards that he lacked "intensity" in the game, and line coach Mike Tice was none too pleased. "I mean, [bleep], after sitting around for five months you should have plenty of intensity built up inside you," said Tice. "So I'm a little disappointed by that. ... He needs to buck up." ... The Bears' best two receivers are Johnny Knox and Earl Bennett, and neither starts. (That's Roy Williams and Devin Hester.) To move the chains, this offense will have to lean heavily on Matt Forte again. Somewhat worrisome for Forte is an apparently rejuvenated Marion Barber. Barber will push Chester Taylor off the roster and become Chicago's primary goal-line back.

Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo has the best one-two receiver punch in football, plus the game's best all-around tight end. His supporting cast threatens to be even more dangerous with the addition of rookie slot man Dwayne Harris, who erupted for 127 yards and two TDs on five catches in Dallas' preseason opener. Harris also played the slot at East Carolina and is a natural "inside." Romo continues to last until the fifth round of drafts, even though the signs say he should go in the third. ... After a nightmarish 2010 season, the Cowboys are a gold mine for draft value. Felix Jones is their clear-cut starting tailback, but can be had in the fifth and sixth rounds. Jones has regained burst after playing last season too heavy and is set up for another healthy bump in touches. The Cowboys can't trust Tashard Choice and DeMarco Murray, who both reported to camp injured and have yet to practice.



Detroit Lions

The health of tackles Jeff Backus (pectoral) and Gosder Cherilus (knee) remains an issue, but few QBs looked more game-ready than Matthew Stafford in the first week of preseason. A noteworthy stat: the Lions used shotgun on 21 of their first 27 plays in the exhibition opener. Especially with power back Mikel Leshoure shelved for the season, Scott Linehan's spread offense will be one of the most pass-heavy in the league. We'll guarantee 30 passing scores for Stafford if he plays 16 games. ... Jahvid Best projects as another beneficiary. Best won't be overworked in terms of rushing attempts, and could flirt with the NFL receptions lead among running backs. It's not crazy to use a second-round pick on Best in PPR leagues. ... Rookie deep threat Titus Young has been out since the first day of camp with a hamstring injury. He's not worth a late-round flier in 12-team drafts.

Green Bay Packers

From a fantasy perspective, the Ryan Grant-James Starks tailback competition is the top storyline of Packers camp. But it may not be a "camp battle" at all, at least not if Green Bay uses the two interchangeable backs as they were in the preseason opener. Grant started, but rotated with Starks on a possession-by-possession basis. It's a way for the Packers to involve both runners and keep them fresh, though neither would be an especially good bet for more than 15 weekly touches on that kind of usage. ... Jermichael Finley is expected to make his preseason debut Friday night after sitting out the opener with a bruised glute. His 2010 knee surgery is no longer a concern. ... If last Saturday's exhibition game was any indication, rookie Randall Cobb is NFL ready and the Packers need to find ways to get him on the field on offense. He's explosive and physical, and a natural in the slot. Cobb will be an every-week fantasy WR3 when he inherits 36-year-old Donald Driver's role.

Minnesota Vikings

We ranked the Vikings' offensive line worst in the league last week, and Matt Williamson of Scouts Inc. agrees. It was already declining in terms of run-blocking, and the pass protection has gotten much worse. A key test for Minnesota's front five will come in the third preseason game, when starters usually play three quarters. They'll face DeMarcus Ware's Cowboys. ... The bad news for Adrian Peterson is that he's running behind the worst line of his career. The good news, in fantasy terms, is that he's slated for a monster workload, perhaps even seeing another uptick in catches if the Vikings grant A.P.'s wish to play on passing downs. ... Percy Harvin has the most stable fantasy value on Minnesota's roster. Harvin is the flanker/slot receiver in new OC Bill Musgrave's offense, and Santana Moss caught a career-high 93 passes playing the same position with Donovan McNabb in D.C. last year.

New Orleans Saints

Pierre Thomas was the first back to play in New Orleans' exhibition opener, but that's not to be read into. All indications out of Saints camp are that Mark Ingram will be the feature back, putting Pierre second in line for carries (behind Ingram) and second in line for passing-down snaps (behind Darren Sproles). Ingram may not hit 230 rushing attempts, but he'll be a legit threat for 15 touchdowns in an offense that moves the ball with ease, and will get more chances from a much-improved defense. ... Marques Colston is tentatively expected to play in the second preseason game, but he ominously already had to be shut down for a week coming off winter knee surgery. Colston should have recovered several months ago. ... Over the past three seasons, Lance Moore has racked up 72 receptions for 978 yards and 12 touchdowns in the 14 games he played and Reggie Bush missed.

New York Giants

The secret is out on Mario Manningham, who went in the fifth round in our Rotoworld-only Monday mock. He's a top-20 fantasy receiver. A big-play threat in the vertical passing game, Manningham's skill set is ideally suited to a run-to-setup-deep-shots offense like Kevin Gilbride's. A telling stat: Manningham has played "starter's snaps" (47 or more) in 17 career games, and in them combined for 82 receptions, 1,257 yards, and eight TDs. He's a playmaker, and will be an every-down wideout this season. ... Ahmad Bradshaw is being drafted in the third round like a running back who's going to get 320-plus touches again. He won't. The Giants are committed to giving Brandon Jacobs more work after he averaged 5.60 yards a carry last season, including 6.04 after Week 7. And goal-line duties are totally up for grabs; Bradshaw and Jacobs flip-flopped in those situations all last year.

Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles are the talk of August after their free agency spending spree. The biggest fantasy story in Philadelphia doesn't involve an offseason addition, though. Jeremy Maclin has yet to participate in camp due to an undisclosed illness, and the team refuses to update Maclin's situation in an effort to protect his privacy. We'd be hard pressed to use a premium fantasy pick on Maclin until more is known. In the meantime, Riley Cooper is shaping up as a nice sleeper. A potential red-zone star, the 6-foot-3, 222-pound Cooper is the only receiver over 6-foot who's likely to make the Eagles' roster. ... The signing of slot receiver Steve Smith may have been a desperation move designed to insure against Maclin's regular season absence. Smith's free agent market was nonexistent coming off major knee surgery, and he's far from a safe bet to regain effectiveness before midseason.



San Francisco 49ers

Talent is not an issue for the 49ers' offensive line, but you wouldn't have known it by their effort in the preseason opener. San Francisco surrendered six sacks, five by the first-team line before the 5:00 mark in the second quarter. It's a reminder that teams undergoing large-scale scheme change will be hurt badly by the lockout. The only Niners we're comfortable picking before the late rounds of drafts are Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. ... Michael Crabtree is supposedly recovering well from the latest re-aggravation of his troublesome left foot and has a shot to play in the preseason finale. Just don't count on much production this year. At this point, there's plenty of reason to believe Crabtree was overdrafted coming out of Texas Tech, and he'll obviously be susceptible to future setbacks.

Seattle Seahawks

Marshawn Lynch was quickly in and out of Seattle's preseason opener, but it didn't take long to notice that he's stayed in shape this summer. Lynch has had weight problems in the past. ... Putrid QB play will torpedo the fantasy stats of Seahawks receivers in too many weeks for consistency this season. In terms of poise and aggressiveness, undrafted rookie Josh Portis looked like their best option at signal caller last Thursday night. ... Leon Washington played a significant number of first-team snaps in the first exhibition game, although Justin Forsett (undisclosed) was inactive. Washington is second in line for passing-down work. Forsett has since resumed practicing.

St. Louis Rams

Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson have emerged as the early favorites to be the Rams' Opening Day starting receivers. Mike Sims-Walker was pushing hard before a groin injury knocked him out for this week. MSW has the biggest name of the group, but don't write off Gibson. He's shown an "improved attitude and work ethic" in his first camp under Josh McDaniels, and physical tools aren't the problem for Washington State's single-season record setter in receiving yards. Gibson and Sims-Walker are equally worthy of late-round fliers. Amendola is a nice value pick in the middle rounds of PPR drafts. ... Rookie tight ends are rarely consistent fantasy assets, but keep a close eye on Rams second-round pick Lance Kendricks. Kendricks started St. Louis' preseason opener and led the team in targets (7), receptions (5), and yards (47), also scoring the Rams' lone receiving touchdown. Both Sam Bradford and seasoned backup A.J. Feeley clearly love throwing to him.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bucs have more cap space than any team in the NFC. GM Mark Dominik has done a terrific job of collecting young talent at affordable rates. He can sit on the surplus cash for now, then use it to extend core players still on their rookie contracts like DT Roy Miller, CB E.J. Biggers, RB LeGarrette Blount, and eventually QB Josh Freeman. ... Blount has lobbied for more snaps on third downs, but don't expect him to become a PPR asset anytime soon. He struggles too much as a receiver and is built awkwardly for blitz pickup at 6-foot, 247. Blount is a two-down thumper. ... One offensive aspect that stuck out in Tampa's preseason opener was consistently dominant pass protection. Freeman had all day to throw. He showed a nice rapport with fill-in flanker Dezmon Briscoe, who's making a case to play in three-receiver sets when Arrelious Benn (knee) returns.

Washington Redskins

Fumbles were an early issue after his trade from Arizona, but new Redskins starting running back Tim Hightower has shined since. Because he has a three-down skill set -- Hightower can pick up the blitz and is a natural receiver -- it isn't crazy to think he'll flirt with 20 touches per game to open the season. Ryan Torain remains behind schedule in his recovery from a fractured hand, and rookie Roy Helu is only a change-of-pace option at this point. ... Washington's passing game will likely struggle this season, but coordinator Kyle Shanahan still prefers a throw-happy scheme. There will be plenty of targets for Santana Moss to remain a weekly WR3, especially in PPR leagues. Jabar Gaffney has moved ahead of Anthony Armstrong for the other starting receiver job. ... Chris Cooley's knee problems are a major red flag. At this point, we'd rather use a late-round pick on Fred Davis.