Braylon Edwards (WR) – Fined but no suspension: Edwards was fined $50,000 for violating the NFL Substance Abuse policy Tuesday. The key here is that Edwards was able to avoid a suspension, which was thought by many to be a likely outcome. Now that his Week 1 availability is no longer in question, Edwards can get down to the business of trying to establish himself as the 49ers' top wideout while Michael Crabtree continues to bounce back from his foot woes. Even when Crabtree returns, Edwards could still be the top dog at WR given his better- albeit erratic- track record of the two.
Johnny Knox (WR) – Still not a starter: Knox is still behind Roy Williams for the starting split end job on the Bears' first official depth chart released Tuesday. There were hopes from fantasy owners that the Bears would come to their senses and return Knox to his starting role, but those hopes will have to continue thru the season. The Bears will still try to get Knox involved, but the team's receiving corps is going to be riddled with inconsistency from a fantasy perspective this year most likely.
Roy Williams (WR) - Still listed as a starter: Williams is still listed as the starting split end opposite Devin Hester on the Bears' first official depth chart released Tuesday. It is hard to figure out what the team is thinking after Knox out-played and out-shined Williams in both the preseason and practice during camp- not mention in 2010. Williams is the big target Jay Cutler has been missing while in Chicago, but after showing up to camp out of shape, the wide out has done nothing to show he is set out to prove his doubters wrong. He'll continue to be one of the bigger boom-or-bust picks during fantasy drafts, as those who draft hope he can recapture his pre-Dallas glory days when the Bears current offensive coordinator Mike Martz was with him in Detroit.
Matt Forte (RB) - Contract talks tabled until after season: The Bears will not resume contract talks with Forte until the season is completed. "We've decided that we're just going to focus on the season and that's something we talked about when we went into the negotiations," Bears GM Jerry Angelo said. We were hopeful, I'm not saying the door is shut, but right now our focus is going to be on the season. There was a mutual understanding. We visited a few times. In our last meeting we felt like with the season upon us that right now we want to focus and Matt wants to focus on the season and having the great year that we all expect and know that he will." Translation- look for a big season from Forte as he puts on a contract drive.
Blaine Gabbert (QB) – Now No.2 QB: Despite the shocking release of David Garrard, Gabbert will not start for Jacksonville in Week 1. Luke McCown is Jacksonville's starter, and that's not likely to change especially soon. The Jags will still try to make a run at the playoffs, and Gabbert probably won't get a starting role unless they're close to falling out of that race. McCown has had durability issues in the past though, so an injury to him could land Gabbert on the field sooner than expected.
Luke McCown (QB ) – Now the No.1 QB: With Jacksonville's surprise release of David Garrard, McCown becomes the team's starting quarterback. McCown had a good run as a three-game starter for the Buccaneers back in 2007, and he's worth watching in case he proves up to the task as starter, but he's probably not worth a draft pick in the rather vast majority of leagues, especially since he has had trouble staying healthy in the past. He's obviously not Jacksonville's quarterback of the future, either. First-round pick Blaine Gabbert is the designated starter down the road.
Jake Ballard (TE) – No.1 TE as of now: Ballard is listed atop the Giants' depth chart at tight end as of Tuesday. Ballard is a complete blank slate. If injury isn't the sole reason for Ballard landing at the top of the list, Travis Beckum (ankle) is looking like a big disappointment. Ballard, in any case, doesn't really have any history as a pass catcher either in the NFL or at Ohio State, so he's not on the fantasy radar as of now.
Lance Moore (WR) - Does not practice Tuesday: Coach Sean Payton said Moore is the kind of player who doesn't need practice to get into mental shape for a game. That means he'll play if he's at all healthy Thursday, but that determination might not be made until right around game time. Moore's owners might need to follow this one down to the wire as his groin could keep him out or possibly limit him.
Brian Robiskie (WR) - A starter for now: Robiskie has been named one of Cleveland's starting receivers for Week 1 as of Tuesday. Robiskie is unlikely to emerge as much of a fantasy option in Cleveland, but it's good for his own interests to see that he has held off rookie Greg Little to this point despite Little's athletic advantage. Don't be surprised if Robiskie falls behind little at some point during the 2011 season.
Mohamed Massaquoi (WR) – Listed as a starter: Massaquoi (foot) is listed as one of Cleveland's starting receivers for Week 1 as of Tuesday. We'll monitor his foot situation for a bit longer yet, but it looks like he's basically in the clear. Along with Brian Robiskie, Massaquoi held off rookie Greg Little for a starting spot and if he stays healthy should remain a starter all season.
Greg Little (WR) - Second-string for now: Little is listed as a second-string receiver for Week 1 as of Tuesday. This is not surprising, and probably not all that significant, either. Little was expected to have only a loosely defined role at this point, as he has consistency issues to figure out before he can fully capitalize on his superior athleticism. Mohamed Massaquoi (foot) and Brian Robiskie have shown more reliability to this point, and as a result they have been named Cleveland's top two receivers. That being said Little has more raw talent than either Massaquoi or Robiskie, so it should only be a matter of time until he takes one of their jobs, probably Robiskie's, and possibly shows up on fantasy radars by end of the 2011 season.