I have mixed feelings regarding Steven Jackson. On one hand, the Rams might have the worst roster in the NFL – from the offensive line, to Marc Bulger, to the loss of Torry Holt. Moreover, Jackson has missed eight games over the past two seasons and has played a full 16-game slate just once over his five-year career. On the other hand, St. Louis upgraded its O-line through the draft and free agency and gets the advantage of playing in a weak NFC West division. Jackson, who is still just 26 years old, is two years removed from a season in which he totaled 2,334 yards with 16 touchdowns (and 90 receptions). His career mileage isn't high, and he should be fresh entering 2009 after relatively low workloads the last two seasons (thanks to those injuries). Over his last three games to end last season, Jackson racked up 461 yards with three scores, and while his YPC hasn't shown it recently, he possesses a rare combination of strength, speed and vision. New coach Steve Spagnuolo should improve the team as a whole, and he'll center the offense around Jackson. There might not be a running back in the NFL who will come off the field less, as Jackson will dominate carries between the twenties, will catch a ton of passes and will get all of the goal-line work. Assuming he can avoid the injuries, of course. Personally, I've been hesitant to rank him as a top-five RB, but I also wouldn't fault anyone for taking him as high as No. 3 overall.

I can see the reasoning behind targeting Larry Johnson this year. He's now two seasons removed from the NFL-record setting 416-carry campaign, has relatively low mileage on his legs thanks to Priest Holmes and got a sneaky 4.5 YPC last year. He's also saying all the right things this preseason. Still, if Todd Haley continues to use the spread offense, and he absolutely should, considering how starkly different Matt Cassel was when out of the shotgun last year compared to under center, Johnson isn't going to be on the field nearly as much as your typical feature back. He's just not used in passing situations any more, instead giving way to the impressive, albeit fumble-prone, Jamaal Charles. Again, I'm not avoiding Johnson at all costs, but he's typically been going in the third round in my drafts, which is a price I'm unwilling to pay.

One Chief I am targeting, however, is Dwayne Bowe, who is firmly in my second tier of wide receivers, even ahead of Anquan Boldin. Ignore coach Todd Haley's preseason depth chart, which had Bowe as low as the third strong earlier and still on the No. 2 squad as of Thursday, as it's clearly a motivational tactic. Bowe struggles with drops, and he was highly inefficient last season, getting just 6.51 YPA (which ranked 33rd out of 35 wide receivers who received 100 targets). However, Bowe's 157 targets were the third most in the NFL, and that number only figures to grow with Tony Gonzalez gone and Haley implementing a pass-heavy system (a requirement with such a bad KC defense). Few receivers in the history of the league have put up Bowe's kind of production over their first two years in the NFL, and one can expect further growth in year three. Matt Cassel isn't a top-10 QB, but he's clearly an upgrade over the Chiefs' QB situation last year, and although he struggles with throws downfield, that's not Bowe's strength anyway. Bowe could easily lead the league in targets in 2009, and he'll be heavily active at the goal line as well. Go get him.

I'm undecided on Ryan Grant this season. I absolutely love the Packers and actually have them going to the Super Bowl, and with a defense that should be much-improved to go along with an offense that could be the best in the NFC, Grant is certainly in a fine position to succeed, especially since Brandon Jackson is no more than a change-of-pace option, and DeShawn Wynn struggles to stay healthy. But Grant doesn't catch any passes, and he's an unacceptable 5-for-25 during goal-line situations over the past two years. Maybe a preseason holdout followed by a lingering hamstring injury was to blame for his low 3.9 YPC mark in 2008, but Green Bay plays @Chicago and @Pittsburgh during Weeks 14 and 15 this season, so it's unlikely Grant is a huge asset come playoff time. Those two teams ranked first and third in YPC against last year.

Normally I avoid aging running backs at all costs, but I'm starting to warm up to Brian Westbrook, who seems to be getting undervalued. Listen, he's never once played a full 16-game schedule during his seven-year career and looked to be on the decline while playing on a gimpy ankle last year, averaging a career-low 4.0 YPC. He just turned 30 years old, but unlike LaDainian Tomlinson, who I wouldn't draft this year even if it meant my league entry fee was free, Westbrook's career mileage remains low (1,247 carries). I recently paid $40 for him in an auction and a participant replied, "I wouldn't pay that much for 14 games." I'd argue that statement actually makes Westbrook MORE valuable. Last year, playing on one leg essentially, Westbrook totaled 1,338 yards with 14 touchdowns. Now ask yourself, would you rather that kind of elite production in 14 games or 16 games? And I'll assume offseason surgery has corrected the ankle/knee problems. I'd also argue LeSean McCoy's presence is actually a good thing, as it finally gives Westbrook owners a clear handcuff. Sure, the rookie may take away some carries, but realize Westbrook totaled those 1,338 yards on just 233 rushing attempts last season, so it's not like he's Michael Turner, who relies on volume. And while McCoy ended up costing me $16 in that same auction, which means the Philadelphia back essentially cost $56 and not $40, that safety is huge. Who's at more risk - me or the Matt Forte owner who didn't buy Kevin Jones (and even if he did secure Jones, the drop off between starter and backup is much bigger than Westbrook to McCoy)? If that's not enough, the Eagles have two home games against the 49ers and Broncos during Weeks 15 and 16, so Westbrook owners could be hugely rewarded when it matters most.

San Diego is unlikely to be a pass-heavy team this year, with a seemingly improved defense playing in an atrocious division. That said, Chris Chambers is a fine late round pick as a WR4 or WR5, even though he'll be no better than the third option in the passing game. He's always been an extremely inefficient receiver, even when he was putting up big numbers in Miami, but it's worth noting Chambers had five touchdown receptions over the first five games last season before an ankle injury essentially ruined the rest of his year. Philip Rivers has become an elite quarterback, and while Chambers won't rack up receptions, he could be a sneaky source for WR depth.

For those in extremely deep dynasty leagues, don't be afraid to stash Nate Davis, who suddenly looks like the 49ers' quarterback of the future. Alex Smith doesn't just need a change of scenery. He may need a change in leagues entirely, as in the UFL.

It's rare you find a player who led the NFL in touchdowns the previous season undervalued, but so is the case with DeAngelo Williams. I wasn't all that high on Williams as recently as a month ago, mainly because of Jonathan Stewart's presence. Stewart is a talented back who looked likely to take an even greater percentage of the carries in 2009, including plenty at the goal line. Additionally, it will be next to impossible for Carolina to sustain the kind of success on the ground the team had last season, when they became the first franchise in NFL history to have two running backs with at least 10 touchdowns and 800 yards rushing. Also, counting on anything close to another 20 scores from Williams would be dubious considering he had just 12 goal-line carries in 2008. Williams also isn't very active in the passing game. However, Stewart's lingering Achilles injury changes everything. It may very well prove minor, but it's a problem that has cost Stewart essentially the entire preseason, including OTAs as well. It stems from a foot problem dating back to college, and unlike a sprained ankle, the Achilles can pop at any moment, so this is serious – his Week 1 status is in serious doubt. Williams' success somewhat relies on both Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith staying healthy, but the offensive line is a terrific run-blocking unit. Williams also might be the second most talented running back in football, behind only Adrian Peterson. If Stewart's injury proves serious, don't be surprised if Williams finishes as the No. 1 fantasy back yet again in 2009. 

Two of my favorite targets this year, who are by no means secrets, are Donald Brown and Felix Jones. Joseph Addai will surely get the veteran treatment in Indy, remaining the starter to open the year. But do you realize he's surpassed 80 yards rushing in just one game since Week 9 of the 2007 season? Please think about that for a second. The guy averaged 3.5 YPC last season while playing for the Colts. Don't be surprised when Addai is sitting on the sideline this year with a hangnail (not that I'm particularly tough. I still have a scar on my foot from wearing sandals for one day in Hawaii last February, but that's neither here nor there). Anyway, Addai may be the safer pick, but we know what he can and, more importantly, can't do, whereas Brown very well could be the real deal (he appears to be). And on that Colts offense with a healthy Peyton Manning, it's not out of the realm of possibility Brown is a top-five pick in fantasy drafts next year. Jones doesn't have quite the same upside since Marion Barber will dominate the goal-line carries, but there might not be a more explosive running back in the league. Dating back to his college days, Jones has gotten a respectable 7.8 YPC over his last 416 rushing attempts, and he's certainly capable of becoming more involved in the passing game as well. Dallas' offense is simply a different beast when he's on the field. Jones remains an injury concern, but like Brown, he could be the type of pick who wins your fantasy league for you. I'd take either back before selecting a QB.