Here is my listing of the most overrated and underrated players for the 2008 season, based on what I have already seen in some early player reports. I focus on the major skill positions here, because as any experienced fantasy player knows, kickers and defense/special teams units often vary greatly in performance from year-to-year. Those are positions that will have to be continually evaluated throughout the preseason.

QUARTERBACKS

Underrated
Eli Manning, Giants: I have waited patiently for him to put it all together since his rookie season. In his first year, I instantly labeled Manning a future superstar, as he threw one of the prettiest deep balls I have ever seen. Last season, the maturation process began for real during the most important time of the year. Manning came through with great performances during the most critical times of the postseason, and he is not about to slip back into his old form this year. Manning has arrived, and I would confidently pick him as a top 10 starter at his position.

Derek Anderson, Browns: There are still some non-believers out there, but I rank him just outside my top five at the position, maybe as a 5A. Anderson has great complementary players around him on offense, excellent blocking, and lots of confidence. Just because he came out of nowhere does not mean there should be any lingering doubts surrounding him.

Matt Schaub, Texans: Injuries really ruined his first season in Houston, but a healthy Schaub will emerge as a solid fantasy starter in 2008. He can't depend on his running game, so Schaub will have to throw a lot to carry the offense. Not only does he work very well with Andre Johnson, but he also makes quick, crisp reads and can make his lesser receivers contribute by spreading the ball around well.

Overrated
Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks: He will still be good, but he is coming off one of the best seasons of his career and his numbers are destined to drop. Seattle wants to develop more offensive balance again, and there will be a heavier emphasis on the running game than last season. Plus, Bobby Engram is getting up in age, Nate Burleson will not be a reliable starter, and no one knows for sure when Deion Branch may return. Hasselbeck will still be pretty good, but not outstanding, and there will be a few frustrating weeks along the way. When I say overrated with Hasselbeck, I don't mean he will be terrible, but you should lower your expectations on him a bit.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers: I've seen him ranked as high as the top 15, and that's simply too lofty for a guy who has no consistent starting experience at the NFL level. Rodgers has spent a good amount of time learning from the sidelines, but there is no substitute for actual extensive playing time. Rodgers will deliver some mediocre and disappointing numbers for the most part as he learns on the job.

JaMarcus Russell, Raiders: If anyone has him ranked in their top 25, I'm sorry, but that's too high. I am not picking Russell on draft day. Sure, he's a nice keeper and dynasty player and has great potential, but he has a shaky receiving corps, and the pass protection still scares me. I don't want an inexperienced guy on a rebuilding team, even as my fantasy backup.

RUNNING BACKS

Underrated
Laurence Maroney, Patriots: Soon, I may be inclined to move him into my top 10 at the position. Some owners are still wary of Maroney after an inconsistent and sometimes very frustrating 2007. Yet Maroney progressively improved during the season, and by the time the NFL playoffs started, it was clear he had become a complete runner. Maroney no longer dances or hesitates while waiting for holes to open up, and he breaks tackles with more regularity than he did earlier in his young career. He's set for a true breakthrough season in '08.

Aaron Stecker, Saints: You can't trust Deuce McAllister, and Reggie Bush certainly isn't capable of carrying a full load. Pierre Thomas has some exciting potential, but it's still questionable how he can fare if given more extensive playing time on a regular basis. If injuries strike again in the New Orleans backfield or McAllister has continued health concerns, I'm jumping all over Stecker. He's tough, instinctive and battles hard for every yard he gains.

Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers: There are still many people spending a pretty early pick on Willie Parker in early mock drafts. I'm not so sure I even trust him as my number 2 running back. The Steelers have been yearning for a more physical complement to Parker since Jerome Bettis retired. Pittsburgh's drafting of Mendenhall ended the search. He's certain to seize a good portion of the goal-line carries, while also displaying some good speed outside the 20-yard line. Mendenhall will be at least a good flex player and will seriously cut into Parker's overall statistical production.

Overrated
Larry Johnson, Chiefs: I'm won't touch him in the first three rounds, and I'm not sure I even want him at all. I may just let Johnson slip by me in my personal drafts and watch someone else hope he can bounce back with a good year. I don't think it is going to happen. The Chiefs still somehow think Brodie Croyle can lead this offense (with a dearth of talent at wide receiver for the most part), and when defenses key on Johnson behind a questionable offensive line, he's going to be in for quite a few disappointing outings.

Brandon Jacobs, Giants: I have seen him going as early as the second round in some drafts. While I love Jacobs' style of running, because he seems to hit defenders harder than they hit him, it also exposes him to more possible injuries. The Giants are well aware of this also, which is why Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward will figure into the RB mix. I'm not spending an early pick on a guy whom is an injury risk and may share a lot of touches.

Ahman Green, Texans: Seriously, I don't even want the guy on my roster. He is well past his prime and is an injury risk. Just rating him at all makes him overrated. Is Chris Brown supposed to make Texans fans feel any better? I'd rather take on a shot on Shaun Alexander possibly showing he has something left than taking a chance on either one of those two guys.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Underrated
Marques Colston, Saints: He is only slightly underrated, but I believe he is definitely an elite wide receiver. He is a more than just a top-10 receiver; he’s in the top 5. Drew Brees will play very well over the full season this year, ensuring that Colston posts outstanding numbers from start to finish. I'm not passing on him if he's still there in the third round, which will likely occur in many of my drafts.

Joey Galloway, WR, Buccaneers: He's a marvel at age 36, because he still has great separation gears and can run away from defensive backs in the open field. Plus, he is more willing to make possession catches than he did earlier in his career. We'd like to see him score more often, but he is still going to post good yardage totals and will be a solid starter in all formats. Don't write him off yet.

Darrell Jackson, WR, Broncos: Leaving Seattle was a mistake. Leaving San Francisco will prove to be a move that revives Jackson's career for a year or two. Injuries have been an issue recently, but Jackson still has good hands and is smart, and he will be motivated to prove he is not done. If you can grab him in the later rounds, you'll be getting a surprisingly good value pick. Jackson will benefit nicely from pairing with Brandon Marshall and working with Jay Cutler after he proves he is certainly the team's second-best wide receiver in the preseason.

Overrated
Greg Jennings, Packers: It would be a mistake to think of Jennings as a top 25 performer at his position. Come to think of it, I probably rated him too high myself in my initial ratings. Jennings is very skilled, but he was an obvious benefactor of Brett Favre's great downfield prowess. With Aaron Rodgers struggling to run the offense overall, Jennings will no longer be a top TD threat nor a dependable fantasy starter.

Marvin Harrison, Colts: Anyone who is ranking this guy among their top 25, realistically, is thinking too much about the past. Harrison defied age for many years, but his time is done. Like I said in an earlier column, think Moises Alou with a football helmet. Stay far away. Go for Anthony Gonzalez instead.

Isaac Bruce, 49ers: I will not even bother drafting him. I don't care that he understands the Mike Martz offense--he can't execute it well with a lesser supporting cast at receiver in San Francisco. Even considering him at all would be overrating him. He's the 49ers' best wide receiver, which is very scary at this point of his career.

TIGHT ENDS

Underrated
Ben Utecht, Bengals: Ranking him at No. 13, I may have initially underrated him myself. Utecht is the pass-catching tight end that the Bengals have been missing for so long.  He will prove to be a nice natural fit for Cincinnati after being underutilized in Indianapolis' offensive attack. Utecht will reap the benefits of playing with an outstanding pair of wide receivers and will be a prime target for Carson Palmer when the Bengals need key possession catches.

Overrated
Owen Daniels, Texans: He only caught three touchdown passes last season, and Schaub is going to look downfield more often this year. Daniels will still be an important read for Schaub on third downs, but he's not going to post numbers in line with any of the top 10 tight ends. There is no upside with Daniels, and at best, he should be a bye week plug-in.

Scott Engel also thinks Bruce Springsteen and Sheryl Crow are overrated. Do you think Scott is overrated? He can take the criticism. E-mail Scott at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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