The start of the regular season is just around the corner. All of my drafts are complete so now I can focus on Week 1. There are a few preseason games yet to be played and I am surprised that some teams will allow some of their key starters to suit up. With some of the injuries and close calls we've had during the preseason, I can't believe that any coach would risk playing key guys. I will hold my breath that none of the guys I've drafted get hurt. Like I wrote about in my previous article, there is nothing worse than starting the year with one of your early draft picks hurt or gone for the season. The preseason for fantasy generates a ton of hype and rumors about players. One guy gets practice reps or starts in a game over another and the forums and social media are buzzing with that player's name. Hear about a guy missing practice or he leaves a game with an injury and the storm of panic sweeps the fantasy nation. When it is all said and done, what matters is who will be suiting up for Week 1 of the regular season. Don't let preseason statistics fool you. Many of the players that are listed in the top 10 during the preseason sometimes don't even get to sniff the field during the regular season. There are some gems to be found like last season when Alfred Morris and Stevan Ridley were playing well in the preseason but the majority of the guys never amount to much. Last preseason, guys like William Powell, Nate Eachus and Keith Toston were unknown players that played will in preseason but were irrelevant during the regular season. Other players such as Anthony Dixon, Justin Forsett and Robert Turbin received the preseason hype of players that could be sleepers and see some playing time. Some of these guys went drafted in leagues only to find their way back to the waiver wire. How many of you wasted a draft pick on players like Isaiah Pead, Lance Ball, Mike Goodson, Alex Green, Taiwan Jones or Evan Royster? There were receivers too that were deemed sleepers but didn't pan out. Players such as Jon Baldwin, Jerome Simpson, Taiwan Jones, Dexter McCluster, Titus Young, Kevin Ogletree and Dwayne Harris all made it to rosters but didn't pan out. It makes me wonder about this season's crop of players that are on the hype train such as running backs Isaiah Pead once again, Stepfan Taylor, Knile Davis, Zac Stacy, Joseph Randle, Christine Michael and Johnathan Franklin. Wide receivers such as DeAndre Hopkins, Kenbrell Thompkins, Michael Floyd, Rueben...

Packers RB Alex Green has healthy amount of hope. Green's return from a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee did not follow Adrian Peterson's Hollywood narrative. . . Green's 2012 season consisted of throbbing, miserable mornings, frustration on Sundays and an anticlimactic limp to the finish line. All along, Green wasn't himself. His knee never felt right. So even with Green's future in Green Bay instantly endangered by the addition of a second-round pick (Eddie Lacy) and a fourth-rounder (Johnathan Franklin), he can breathe easy. His body, finally, responds to his brain. Green Bay isn't kicking Green to the curb, either. Through the team's organized team activities and minicamp practices open to the media, the 2011 third-round pick started and finished as the No. 1 back. Tyler Dunne of the Journal Sentinel...

There are some very interesting names to take notice of in this weekend's Divisional playoff matchups as potential 2013 fantasy options. How they are used and how they produce in the pressure cooker that is the NFL playoffs can be a nice barometer of future fantasy worthiness. Let's get to it! DuJuan Harris , RB, Green Bay: Harris may not be the long-term answer at the running back position for the Packers but he is using the late season and playoffs to throw his hat in the ring for consideration. He had 47 yards and a touchdown on the ground in the win over the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the playoffs. Harris was also utilized in the passing game and hauled in five receptions for 53 yards while being targeted six times. Harris pulled away in the competition for playing time with Alex Green and Ryan Grant down the stretch with a 4.6 yards per carry average and two touchdowns in the last four games of the regular season. He runs hard and shows a nice burst at the point of attack, and his receiving skills make him a nice fit in the high-powered Packers attack. The sledding will be much tougher this week in San Francisco but watch the kid closely as he can continue to stake his claim on a 2013 spot in the running back rotation for Green Bay. DeVier Posey , WR, Houston: The Texans utilized their rushing game and short passing attack to beat the Cincinnati Bengals, unleashing Arian Foster to the tune of 32 carries for 140 yards and a touchdown. Foster would also catch eight passes out of the backfield for another 34 yards in the Houston victory. In fact, Matt Schaub would target the wide receiver position only 11 times for the entire game and throw to Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter exclusively. The two combined for eight catches and 88 total yards with no scores. That will not get the job done against the New England Patriots this week or heading forward into the 2013 season, and Posey will have the chance to make a name for himself this week. Over the last four games of the regular season Posey was targeted 13 times and hauled in six passes for 87 yards. The Patriots' game plan to take away what an offense does best so look for them to concentrate on stuffing the running game and blanketing the tight ends, which will free up Posey for the opportunity to put up numbers. How he performs this week can be an indicator of how he could emerge next season in the Texans' passing game. Bernard Pierce , RB, Baltimore: Don't look now but starting ...

Even with only one week of the NFL season to go, the waiver wonders never cease! The pickings are slim, but there are a few stars shining brighter than the others that can guide you to sweet victory in Week 17. A pair get mentioned as solid pickups, with a handful of players after that in the deeper categories. Something for everyone this week! Solid Pickup RB Ryan Grant, Green Bay The Packers continue to lose running backs, with Alex Green joining the ranks of Cedric Benson and James Starks on the sideline. Green was a surprising scratch this week, handing not only the starting job, but the position of only trustworthy back dressed in this week's game against the Tennessee TItans. Grant responded with more than 100 yards in total offense to go along with two touchdowns. The status of Green will determine how many times Grant will touch the ball in the finale against the Minnesota Vikings, at the very least we expect that Grant will get 60-75 percent of the workload, which is enough to warrant fantasy consideration for those in need at the position. K Blair Walsh, Minnesota A week after drilling a trio of kicks from more than 50 yards (on a day where he connected five times in total!), Walsh backed that effort up by connecting three times against the Houston Texans, including once from more than 50 yards. The Vikings will be home the final week of the season, in a must win game against their divisional rival Green Bay Packers. Every point will be crucial, and look for Walsh to continue his hot streak with another strong performance to close out a tremendous rookie season. On the Radar RB Montell Owens, Jacksonville With Maurice Jones-Drew still on the shelf, Owens tabulated more than 100 yards in total offense against the New England Patriots. He is splitting time with Richard Murphy, but a weak Tennessee squad is on the schedule for this upcoming week. The status of Jones-Drew may cut into Owens' time, but, if he does not play, Owens will have the opportunity to put up another 100 yards of total offense. WR Jason Avant, Philadelphia Nick Foles has been using Avant as his checkdown over the middle, so Avant has been racking up the catches of late. He has caught 19 passes in the last four games, including eight for 70 yards this week against the Washington Redskins. Especially in points per reception leagues, Avant is worth considering. TE Lance Kendricks, St. Louis What a sight it was to see Kendricks lumbering down the field on his way...

Cincinnati 34, Philadelphia 13 Bengals In spite of the score, Andy Dalton has regressed over the past three weeks, thus hindering fantasy owners who thought they had unearthed a solid fantasy sleeper. In this game the second year signal caller struggled to accumulate a meager 127 yards and one touchdown pass. Up next for Dalton is stiff Pittsburgh pass defense. Hopefully you have better options. Eagles Nick Foles is yet another rookie quarterback developing before our very eyes. However the production of the Philly passing game was severely hindered by seven Eagles turnovers. By game's end Jeremy Maclin had emerged as the team's leading wide receiver with 74 yards. Hard to rely on these paltry numbers with a fantasy championship in the balance. So much for plug and play status of rookie Bryce Brown. In this game Brown contributed to the turnover woes of the Eagles with a fumble of his own that resulted in Bengals TD. With LeSean McCoy likely returning for the next two games, Brown will be relegated to a secondary role. New York 0, Atlanta 34 Giants Taking his first start at running back, David Wilson looked awesome early in this game picking up 44 yards on his first five carries. For some reason the Giants didn't trust the rookie in a full-time role as newly signed Kregg Lumpkin nearly matched Wilson's rushing attempts. Further inhibiting Wilson's outing was the Giants falling behind 24-0 in the early third quarter. Wilson's week 16 status is contingent on Ahmad Bradshaw's return. Falcons Michael Turner is a risky start every week due to his high dependency on touchdowns. However, we can't argue with production as he just keeps doing it. Turner is a plug-and-pray in fantasy lineups next week against Detroit. Green Bay 21, Chicago 13 Packers With Greg Jennings locked down by Charles Tillman, it was James Jones prospering with three touchdowns along with Randell Cobb's 115 yards. Jones has been a conundrum all season with very sporadic production. Do not feel bad if you sat him this week, and I wouldn't blame you for sitting him next week. Alex Green is the lead ball carrier in the Green Bay backfield with 13 rushing attempts. However, the RBBC is alive and well as Ryan Grant, DuJuan Harris and John Kuhn all took carries. No Packers runner is recommended. Bears Matt Forte proves he is a solid RB1 value when the Bears are absent Michael Bush. With a plus matchup forthcoming with the Arizona Cardinals, Forte is a solid RB1 so long as ...

What a wild weekend of NFL football! If you managed to survive and advance after the inordinate number of blowout losses, shutouts and underachieving big name studs then congratulations are in order. Some studs such as Drew Brees, Andre Johnson and Adrian Peterson kept their owners alive while others picked a very inopportune time to lay an egg. Doug Martin, Jamaal Charles and Danario Alexander probably ended more than a few fantasy playoff runs this weekend. As championship weekend awaits here are some names that stood out this weekend as possible plug-and-play options to help steal that Week 16 win. As well as a few names that may just be fantasy mirages and are best left alone. Riley Cooper, WR, PHILADELPHIA: Cooper scored his third touchdown of the season on Thursday night and has filled in admirably for the injured DeSean Jackson. Over the past three weeks Cooper has played 95% of the Eagles offensive snaps and produced nine receptions for 88 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie quarterback Nick Foles seems to have an eye for Cooper as he has been targeted 21 times in the last three games. At 6' 3", and 222 pounds he is a nice red zone option for Philadelphia and has the Washington Redskins on tap for Week 16. Washington is among the top three defenses in allowing fantasy production to the wide receiver position and Cooper is looking at a strong fantasy finish to the 2012 season. DuJuan Harris, RB, GREEN BAY: In the past two weeks Harris has rushed for 58 yards and scored a touchdown on very limited touches. Look for that to change moving forward because Alex Green is simply not getting the job done for the Packers. After a decent performance against the Lions in Week 14 where he amassed 66 total yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry, Green put up only 41 total yards on 14 touches against the Bears. Look for Green Bay to turn to the former Jaguar Harris, sooner rather than later. Green will still get some action on passing downs but Harris is due for a look as the No. 1 RB for Green Bay. Leonard Hankerson, WR, WASHINGTON: It was a very nice week for Hankerson as he turned three targets into a two catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns. For the season he now has 36 receptions for 521 yards and three touchdowns. Hankerson will be a hot name next week as a possible Week 16 starting option, but don't buy into it. Remember that it was Kirk Cousins under center for the Redskins and while he had a nice rapport with Hankerson, as soon as RG III returns, ...

We unearth a trio of running backs this week that are worth taking a look at, including one that is in line to be the starter again this week. Though none of the three are worthy of being in our highest category, they lead a group of eleven players worth considering at this late juncture in the season. The majority of this week's players are running backs, but as usual we dig up a couple tight ends, and then fill in the rest of the list with some wide outs. There's something for everyone this week! Solid Pickups RB Montell Owens, Jacksonville Drawing the start against the Jets, Owens ran well carrying the ball 14 times for 91 yards and a touchdown. He wasn't as active as we would have liked in the passing game, recording only a single catch for eleven yards but he was the main back for the Jaguars on the field for the majority of offensive plays. With Maurice Jones-Drew and Rashad Jennings both out, it is looking like Owens is in line for a second consecutive start this week at Miami. It's a rarity this late in the season to find a starting running back on the waiver wire, but we expect that Owens will be able to put up similar numbers against the Dolphins this week. RB LaMichael James, San Francisco The backup runner on the 49ers always has value, operating as the change of pace to starter Frank Gore. Finally getting a chance to dress for a game this week against the Dolphins, James did not waste the opportunity, carrying the ball eight times for 30 yards while also catching a pass for 15 yards. Not tremendous numbers, but he did not make any glaring mistakes so he's earned some playing time for the future. San Francisco has cleared the deck for him to be the clear backup by suspending Brandon Jacobs, so James has some value even this late in the fantasy season. RB DuJaun Harris, Green Bay The Packers are not ready to trust Alex Green with the entire load, and with James Starks done for the season, Green Bay used Harris as their change of pace back this past week against the Lions. Harris rushed seven times for 31 yards, and did find the end zone. Coach Mike Sherman flips his backs on a week-to-week basis looking for the "hot hand." Harris will continue to see touches with the potential for him to edge out Green for the majority of carries in Green Bay. On the Radar WR Jonathan Baldwin, Kansas City The Chiefs are having major issues at the wide receiver position, this week placing Dwayne Bowe on season ending injured reserve. That leaves ...

We've been spoiled the last couple of weeks as the waiver wire has had upwards of half a dozen players to be excited about. Players like Bryce Brown, Danario Alexander and Knowshon Moreno have appeared in this space in that time frame, and they have become fantasy stars. This week's list is lacking star power, but we do have a baker's dozen worth of players worth considering. We set aside the top category this week, but we do have a trio of tight ends that have emerged as consistent fantasy producers. The rest of the list is dominated by wideouts, but a pair of runners make the list, and we speculate on a signal caller as well. Something for everyone in this week's wonders! Solid Pickups TE Jared Cook, Tennessee Cook's numbers in the last two weeks are on the rise - four catches for 51 yards against the Houston Texans this week and six catches for 47 yards the previous week against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Of more importance is a major bump in Cook's playing time. A change in the offensive coordinator for the Titans got Cook on the field for more than 80 percent of the offensive plays and saw him targeted a dozen times. We expect these targets to continue, with his catches rising to the level of between 8-10 per game. Those are solid numbers for a tight end. WR Mike Thomas, Detroit We listed Thomas in our 'Deep and/or Dynasty Only' category last week, speculating that he would get some time this week while Titus Young was pouting on the bench. This week he rises high enough to be listed here as a solid pickup. The Lions will be using him as the starter opposite Calvin Johnson. Ryan Broyles was injured last week, and reports are that he will miss the rest of the season with an ACL tear. Thomas did not do well filling in for the injured Broyles last week, but the Lions have no other options as they are indicating that Young will not be a part of the offense. He is worth a look in all formats, especially as the starter opposite Johnson. WR Chris Givens, St. Louis Danny Amendola has been injury prone this season, and last week Givens took advantage of his absence. He caught a season-high 11 passes, which was good for 92 yards against San Francisco. Sam Bradford has been latching onto a single wideout during games, and with Amendola on the shelf, it is looking like Givens is going to be that player. He is worth a roster spot in all formats, and in Amendola's absence he is worth starting as a flex. RB David Wilson, New York Giants...

Below, I'll list the player, their week 13 matchup, and the percentage of leagues in which he is owned according to our friends at fleaflicker.com. DISCLAIMER: The hope is that you don't find yourself in a situation like this. The hope is that you dodge the bullet. But hope won't help you come Sunday. Let's move on to this week's targets, keeping in mind that these aren't every week starters. Instead, these are guys that should only be used if you're in some kind of roster emergency, whether it be related to bye weeks or injuries. QB Chad Henne @BUF -- 18%. Henne has started two games this season. In those games, he has thrown for 615 yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception. He's averaging over 300 yards and three scores. He now gets Buffalo's awful pass defense, which has been one of the more generous defenses to opposing quarterbacks this season. I don't really care that the game is on the road. Our fantasysharks.com projections project him for 265 yards passing, two scores, and two picks. I think those are his minimums this week. Colin Kaepernick @STL -- 39%. I am impressed with Kaepernick thus far. Maybe I drank the Harbaugh kool-aid, but he brings so much more to the table, especially as a fantasy quarterback. He can throw better than Smith, but he runs better and gets more carries near the goal line. We've projected him for 230 yards, a score, a pick, and 20 yards rushing. I think the passing numbers will be even better, and he'll get at least 20 on the ground. Ryan Lindley @ NYJ -- 1%. Haha! Just kidding. RB Joique Bell vs IND -- 30%. Bell has come on late in the season, with solid games against Jacksonville and Houston. The Lions are starting to figure out their backfield, relying on Mikel Leshoure for early down work, and using Bell on third downs and when Leshoure needs a rest. This week, Leshoure has been slowed by an ankle injury. If he is limited in any way on Sunday, Bell will benefit from additional time. I like him to match our projection for him of 80 total yards and a score. James Starks vs MIN -- 16%. Starks was a playoff darling for the Packers a few seasons ago, but couldn't get the job done last season. After missing the first half of this season due to injuries, Starks has regained the starting role, with a little help from an injured Cedric Benson and an ineffective Alex Green. I think Starks will be a bigger part of the running game this season, and while he's a plodding runner, I like him to surpass the 30-yard ...

Larry Fitzgerald's stock continues to plummet. It's not his fault, but Fitzgerald might have the worst quarterback options in the league throwing him the ball. You know, besides the Kansas City Chiefs. It's actually completely possible that Kevin Kolb, John Skelton, and some guy named Ryan Lindley may all be left-handed and not know it. In any case, Fitzgerald caught just one of his seven targets for 11 yards, including one overthrow when he was wide open for a score. His quarterback situation was the one strike against him going into the season, and it looks to be the one thing holding him back. Even with his considerable talent, I'm not sure he's a WR1 at this point. James Starks is now the guy to roster in Green Bay's backfield. The running back carousel continues in Green Bay. First, it was Cedric Benson. Then, Alex Green was given a shot. Now, it's come full circle back to last year's starter. Starks ran 25 times for 74 yards, which is unimpressive, but what was telling was that the Packers stuck with the run. The team knows that Aaron Rodgers can throw the ball, but it will need to run the ball down the stretch. Keep in mind that Benson should return some time in mid-December, but Starks is the guy for now, which is to say he's the guy for this week. A.J. Green is making a case as the top receiver in the league. In my own rankings, I had Green as the eighth receiver behind Calvin Johnson, Wes Welker, Fitzgerald, Brandon Marshall, Victor Cruz, Jordy Nelson and Julio Jones. I still think those preseason choices were defensible, at least at the time, but Green has since taken exception. On Sunday, he caught six balls for 91 yards and a score, his 10th touchdown in his last nine games. His consistency is coveted across fantasy leagues, and he will continue to be a Top 5 option every week. The Nick Foles era was fun while it lasted. Well, that was quick. In his first NFL start, the rookie completed just 21-of-46 passes for 204 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions. He looked overmatched, even against a suspect Washington pass defense, as the Eagles mustered just six points. Since the game, the "significant" concussion Michael Vick suffered in Week 10 has miraculously improved to the point that he may be available in Week 12. If he can pass his baseline concussion tests, he will probably get the start. Josh Freeman is a viable QB1. On Sunday, Freeman threw for 248 yards, three touchdowns and a pair of interceptions. Including this past week, ...