We're getting close to the point that FAAB dollars need to be spent, or they will end up being wasted. Heading into the first round of byes, the WW pickings at running back and wide receiver are going to start to thin, while more QB's and TE's become available as owners jettison back ups who aren't looking like they will become starters Having upside on the bench is nice, but owners of guys like Shane Vereen and David Wilson are looking for players that have value right now. This week looks like a lot of guys that should have been preemptively picked up last week. Players like Jason Snelling, Jordan Todman, Stephen Hill and Brandon Bolden had pretty clear avenues to playing time and I expect that in more competitive leagues, these players were already owned and in some cases, in starting lineups. However, if they are still on your wire, they are priority adds. I'm not including Bilal Powell, Ben Tate, or Bernard Pierce because all of those guys should be 100% owned and if they aren't, you don't need me to tell you that you must acquire them. PlayerCommentsPrioritySnelling, Jason RB ATLSnelling went oddly under-discussed by the fantasy football industry in week 3, but with news that S-Jax is expected to be out until week 7, he's easily the best waiver claim available. Snelling has always been overly productive in the passing games and with Roddy White ailing, the Falcons are more committed to using Snelling as a rusher. I'd spend up to 35% of my FAAB dollars to acquire him, and possibly more if I was really thin at RB2.1-HighHill, Stephen WR NYJLet me be clear: my crazy man love for Hill aside, he should still be a priority add. ...

Around the League It's only been two weeks and running backs are starting to go down like flies. Maurice Jones-Drew is dealing with another foot issue while Reggie Bush has a bruised knee. Both might miss Week 3, so look for alternatives there. While these are two big names, they aren't the most intriguing backfield situations because no one is worth owning in Jacksonville right now and Joique Bell, Bush's backup, is already owned in most leagues. The two places owners should be looking at are in Atlanta and Green Bay. Both Steven Jackson and Eddie Lacy look like they are going to miss multiple weeks. Enter James Starks and Jacquizz Rodgers. Both players have been in this position before so getting extra reps is nothing new and I think both warrant pickups this week because of the great offenses each plays in. Starks flourished in his lead role last week after Lacy went out early with a concussion, rushing for over 100 yards and a touchdown. He will start Week 3, but has a tough matchup against Cincinnati. Rodgers will give up some reps to Jason Snelling, but will still see the majority of the work in Atlanta. After two weeks, lack of production has been a problem for owners' of first round running backs. The two that come to mind here are C.J. Spiller and Stevan Ridley. Spiller did rush for over 100 yards last week, but still hasn't found the end zone and has seen backup Fred Jackson take more reps than people expected. Look for Spiller to have a big game against division rival New York this week and finally score. Ridley also has a great chance to bounce back in Week 3 playing a Tampa Bay team with many issues. He did have some fumbling issues a few weeks ago and didn't get a huge workload last week, but the Patriots will be ready to go on Sunday after 10 days off, so look for Ridley to see 20 carries and have his first 100-yard game of the young season. Shark Sleepers Chris Givens, WR St. Louis Rams After a poor showing in Week 1, Givens put up a strong effort last week, catching five balls for 105 yards. He gets a nice opponent this week versus a Dallas defense that has already allowed six passing touchdowns in two weeks. It's likely that the Rams will be playing from behind in this contest so there should be plenty of targets going to Givens. If he can get one of his patented 50-yard plays then it could be a huge week for a player seen only as a flex option in most formats for the upcoming week. Brian Hartline, WR Miami Dolphins Many people ...

Following up on Part I, where we took a look at undrafted AFC players that you will want to keep an eye on, today, we move on to the NFC. NFC NORTH Chicago Bears -- WR Marquess Wilson -- This is one to just keep in the back of your mind as he will not be a starter, and if Alshon Jeffery and Earl Bennett stay healthy, he may not even see significant playing time. In the NFL however, those are big "ifs." People get hurt. In this case if either one of those receivers get hurt, Wilson appears to be next in line. At 6-foot-3, he has the vertical skills to go up over defensive backs. He did come into the league on the skinny side, but, according to reports out of camp, he has already put on some weight and is still working on that as we speak. This is a tall, fast receiver who should be good, if not a star, in this league someday. If something happens that affords him the opportunity to get playing time this season, you could get a great steal off the waiver wire with this kid. Detroit Lions -- WR Nate Burleson -- Really, should I have to convince you of this? Burleson has proven that he can play in this league. In 2011 when not injured and playing all 16 games, he put up more than 70 receptions and 700 yards. Burleson is not injured. Burleson plays opposite of, possibly, the best receiver ever, (all due respect Jerry Rice). The Lions did not find any sort of quality replacement. He will be available on most waiver wires after the draft. You will most likely have a failure or two on your roster. Again, should I have to convince you of this? Green Bay Packers -- RB Johnathan Franklin -- This is a back that I know is good. He knows he is good. He will probably be good in the NFL. He just happened to get drafted on the same team behind Eddie Lacy. He is powerful, can accelerate quickly and he runs angry. He also runs low to the ground and has some scouts comparing him to backs such as Ray Rice. He has much potential, but because of Lacy, is being completely overlooked. He may not get very much playing time this year. He may not get much playing time beyond that unless he gets traded, but just like a few of the people on this list, he is only a trade or an injury away from fulfilling his potential. This is definitely a player to keep on your radar. If you notice any movement in front of him whatsoever, be ready to pounce. Minnesota Vikings -- WR Jarius Wright -- In a points-per-reception league Wright could prove to be an incredible commodity this ...

Week 13 is nearly in the books and it is time for the fantasy playoffs to begin, for those of us lucky enough to have punched our ticket to the big dance. It's that time of the season when each position decision is magnified by the fact that should we lose this week's game, there is no chance for redemption next week. It's time to win or go home, and with that in mind we take a look at some players who stood out this week and determine if they are names that belong in our playoff plans. NFL teams will begin to determine just how long they will be playing their starters once a playoff spot is secured and the trickle down effect to fantasy owners will need to be monitored closely. Dry those sweaty palms and join me as we take a look at ten names you need to know as the fantasy football postseason kicks off next week. Josh Gordon, WR, CLEVELAND: Gordon emerged on the fantasy scene earlier in the season when in a three week span (weeks 5-7) he put up 240 yards receiving and scored four touchdowns while averaging 34 yards per reception. He continued to contribute to the Browns offense but fell from fantasy grace during weeks eight through twelve by averaging only 49 receiving yards a game and failing to reach the end zone. In week thirteen he burst back into fantasy relevance with six grabs for 116 yards and a touchdown while being targeted seven times. Rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden will continue to have up and down performances and that will limit Gordon's upside as well. Jason Snelling, RB, ATLANTA: Yes, that would be the same Jason Snelling who touched the ball only four times in the Falcons' victory over the Saints this week and is averaging 1.8 yards per rush in 2012 on nine total carries. He does have 24 receptions for 147 yards and a touchdown this season, but more importantly, possesses the skill set to be an every down back. And as soon as the Falcons wrap up the NFC South title and then home field advantage throughout the playoffs, which will happen sooner rather than later, Snelling will be the man to carry the rock as the Falcons rest Michael Turner and Jacquizz Rodgers. Snelling is going to be very relevant in fantasy football when it matters most, during the playoffs. Pierre Thomas, RB, NEW ORLEANS: Thomas had a very productive game against the Falcons as he finished with 84 yards rushing and another five yards receiving. He ran hard with a nice burst to the edge and looked like a very capable fantasy option moving forward. However, it ...

Well, the 4th of July is right around the corner, and do you know what that means to me? The end of summer is within reach. NFL training camps will be starting in less than a month, and the second I see a football in the air, summer is over. As we prepare for our fantasy drafts, there are a few guys I'm targeting in my leagues this year. Obviously, I would like to get Calvin Johnson and Arian Foster, but these are players a little bit further down the trough that I'm looking to add to my fantasy roster in 2012. Based on Average Draft Position (ADP) from MyFantasyLeague.com, you can get all five of these players in the sixth round or later, so these are guys I'm not only high on in terms of talent but they also have value on draft day. Note: The ADP information is based on 12-team points-per-reception leagues, Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta -- I'm buying into the Ryan hype with all the talk of Atlanta running a no-huddle offense. I actually think Ryan is better when he's running a quick, no-huddle attack. In my opinion, that's when he thrives. Ryan actually reminds me a little bit of Eli Manning a couple of years ago before he broke out and become an elite fantasy quarterback. If Ryan can progress like Eli did both fantasy owners and Falcons fans will be ecstatic. I had Ryan as my starter three years ago and the guy sunk me. I lost a bunch of close games and his 11 points a week were one of the main reasons why. I've always said Ryan gets better the more he throws the ball, but Mike Smith is a conservative coach at heart. However, this Falcons team is built to pass and take advantage of the rules that currently restrict defensive backs similar to how the Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and Detroit Lions attack opposing defenses. I'm hoping with Michael Turner on the downside of his career, this is the year Smith worries less about being balanced and relies more on Ryan, Roddy White and Julio Jones to carry the offense. I even like Jacquizz Rodgers to take on a Darren Sproles-like role for the Falcons on passing down, which will also help add to Ryan's overall numbers. New offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter took a lot of heat in Jacksonville over the last couple of seasons, but if you look at his resume going back to his college days, his teams have been known for throwing the football. This has especially been the case when Koetter is teamed with a quality quarterback, and I think we can all agree Ryan fits ...

The Atlanta Falcons Stadium: Georgia Dome Schedule Strength : 1st (easiest schedule) Postseason Weather issues: None Offensive Line Ranking: 28th Head Coach -- Mike Smith Before moving to Atlanta, Smith was the defensive coordinator for the Jacksonville Jaguars and former linebackers coach for the Baltimore Ravens (becoming one of eight head coaches spawned from the Ray Lewis Coaching Tree). Like so many head coaches with a defensive background, Smith has proven he would prefer a run-to-set-up-the-pass offensive system. However, the offensive personnel of the Falcons indicates a greater use of the passing game. And although Smith will have input as to the offensive system, play calling and game planning will fall under the guidance of the offensive coordinator. Offensive Coordinator -- Dirk Koetter Hired this past offseason, Koetter is most recognized for being the former offensive coordinator of the Jacksonville Jaguars under another defensive-minded head coach, Jack Del Rio (also a member of the Ray Lewis Coaching Tree). While in Jacksonville, Koetter adhered to a run-first mentality adopted largely due to the talents of running back Maurice Jones-Drew, a lack of quarterback talent (David Garrard and Blaine Gabbert) coupled with Del Rio's preference to run the football. Koetter does have ties to a "vertical passing attack" installed during his time as the head coach at Arizona State. Not so coincidently, the Falcons possess the offensive weapons to stretch the field vertically, along with rostering the greatest tight end in league history. We should anticipate a continued balanced attack of pass and run mix, but multiple sources indicate Atlanta's downfield passing game will be opening up this season under Koetter. QB -- Matt Ryan Entering his fourth year in the league, much was expected from quarterback Matt Ryan in 2011. However, the young signal caller began the year at a snail's pace, posting only one multi-TD game in the first seven weeks (Week 2). After Atlanta's Week 8 Bye, Ryan ratcheted up his game, becoming the fourth-highest fantasy scoring quarterback between Weeks 9-16. On the plus side, Ryan has shown incredible durability, superior arm strength, solid decision making while possessing arguably the best wide receiver tandem in the NFL. A declining Michael Turner will also force the Falcons to produce more via the aerial attack. Upon review, the Falcons also have the league's most favorable regular season and postseason ...

Atlanta Falcons running back Jason Snelling signed a three-year deal to remain with the team on Thursday.

The Fantasy Intelligence Report is taking a break from its studies to update all shark owners on the progress of a few rookies. Let's get to it. Note: All average draft positions (ADP) are courtesy of Myfantasyleague.com (all re-draft formats). In St. Louis, tight end Lance Kendricks has been very impressive thus far, and according to the Washington Post is quickly catching the eye of quarterback Sam Bradford. "I think he's probably taken more reps than anyone in our offense," Bradford said. "It seems like every time I look out there he's in there." St. Louis tight ends haven't exactly been gold in the past decade, but St Louis doesn't exactly have a true No. 1 target either. Kendricks could definitely develop in to one, and it could be right away. On Saturday night, Kendricks finished with a game-high five catches for 47 yards and scored on a 6-yard pass, courtesy of Bradford, in the first quarter. His current ADP is around 245. In Cincinnati, and according to the Associated Press, wide receiver A.J. Green has been putting on a show at camp and is quickly becoming rookie quarterback Andy Dalton's top safety valve. "He's making outstanding catches," Dalton said. "He's going up, he's making diving catches, he's doing it all. It might not always be in the right spot, but he can go get it." Green is also catching the eye of wide receivers coach James Urban. "There's a wow factor to him," Urban said. "I've not seen a first week like this (by a rookie)." Green caught four passes for 29 yards, while being targeted five times during Friday night's game against Detroit. His current average draft position is 79.09. Wide receiver Edmond "Clyde" Gates has been making plenty of noise in Miami Dolphins camp lately, and according to the Miami Herald, he may end up being a rookie Miami will need to step up to spark the offense. "That guy has all the ability in the world," cornerback Vontae Davis said Wednesday of Gates. "He reminds me of myself. He's just got to learn, become a professional. He's got stuff you can't teach -- it's a matter of getting polished. He's raw." Gates caught two passes for 23 yards and scored a touchdown on Friday night against the Atlanta Falcons. He is definitely in line to contribute not only on special teams as a return man, but as a fourth string wide receiver. His current ADP is 270.74. In Atlanta, big ticket first round receiver Julio Jones is living up to expectations thus far, but isn't the most impressive rookie story. That...