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Scott Engel looks at players who are changing in fantasy value as training camps begin.
Here's a look at players who are either climbing or falling in value based on recent news out of training camp. RISING Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers: The Charlotte Observer has reported that the rookie is being featured often in goal-line packages, is running over defenders, and is even catching passes. "We're easing him into it, and he continues to impress us," head coach John Fox said. Stewart is going to be the best rookie in fantasy football this season, in my opinion, and if you get him in the fourth round, you'll really like the results. Kevin Boss, TE, Giants: Sure, everyone reportedly looks good in camp, but with Boss, you have to take notice of how he is performing early. The Giants web site noted that he has been catching everything thrown his way in workouts, even against double coverage. The Jeremy Shockey trade opens the door for Boss to become a solid fantasy tight end over the full season. Randy McMichael, TE, Rams: Scott Linehan told the Associated Press the Rams plan to utilize McMichael as a "weapon" in the new-look offense that has been implemented by Al Saunders. McMichael can help the Rams achieve optimum balance in their passing game this season. If your league requires you to draft two TEs, grab McMichael. Otherwise, monitor him as a possible free-agent pickup. Saunders will find ways to use him on key passing downs and in the red zone. Chad Pennington, QB, Jets: The Newark Star-Ledger reported that, early in camp, Pennington has a clear lead over Kellen Clemens in the battle for the starting job. Pennington figures only to be a reserve in larger leagues, though. With more reps during the preseason, I believe Clemens will catch up and eventually start at some point during the regular season. Clemens will become a quality fantasy backup, once he takes control of the offense. Pennington is up for now, but I believe it's just temporary. Kyle Boller, QB, Ravens: According to the Baltimore Sun, Boller has been the best-looking QB in camp early on. That's not a shock, given his significant edge in experience over Troy Smith and Joe Flacco. Yet most savvy fantasy leaguers won’t draft Boller, and it's just a matter of waiting for Flacco to grasp the offense before he seizes the job for good, whether it happens soon or during the season. Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys: The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that Jones has looked good as a pass-catcher early in camp. Receiving wasn't considered a strength of his in college, but the fact that Jones is working hard and fitting in well quickly makes him a great handcuff for those who draft Marion Barber III. Earl Bennett, WR, Bears: The rookie is yet another of a million guys who have looked good early in camp. The security guys and maintenance workers are looking good, too. Bennett, though, has a true opportunity to make an impact as a solid possession receiver in a weak receiving group, and he should at least be monitored by owners in point-per-reception leagues. Darrell Jackson, WR, Broncos: The Denver Post reported that Jackson has been lining up with the first-stringers in early practices. Expect a comeback year from him, as he quickly develops a fine on-field relationship with the blossoming Jay Cutler. FALLING Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens: Baltimore starting left tackle Adam Terry could miss a significant amount of time with an ankle injury, further depleting a line that will surely miss Jonathan Ogden. McGahee is also going to face a lot of defensive attention this season because of Baltimore's questionable passing game. I'm now starting to strongly consider passing on him in the first two rounds of my drafts. Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks: The Seattle Times reported that Mike Holmgren plans to split starting RB duties between Jones and Maurice Morris. This could be a motivational ploy to drive Jones, but even if he does start, he could very well lose goal-line touches to T.J. Duckett. If that happens, he surely won't score more than a few times. I don't like Jones as anything more than a flex player, at best. Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins: He's already scaring fantasy owners early in camp. In his first practice in full pads on July 27, Brown was dinged up being tackled and left the field with a limp, according to the Miami Herald. He did return to the field, but such early occurrences will make me pass on Brown in most drafts and let someone else worry about him. Chris Brown, RB, Texans: The notoriously brittle Brown has already missed time in camp because of back spasms. Gary Kubiak told the team's official site that Brown "needs to get on the field and catch up." I would not even draft Brown, who could quickly go down with his own injury even if he is needed to replace Ahman Green at some point. Kevin Jones, RB, Bears: He is on the PUP list, and the Chicago Sun-Times reported that the Bears want him to lose 10 pounds. The team reportedly believes his surgically repaired knee will be less of a risk if he drops some weight. The team is taking precautions with a guy who is already a risk, and I recommend avoiding Jones on draft day. John Beck, QB, Dolphins: He has not looked good early in camp -- the Miami Herald noted that he threw three interceptions in 10 attempts in a July 27 workout. Beck is not draftable in yearly leagues, and the state of the Miami passing game is looking very bleak. That's not good news for their running backs, either. Keary Colbert, WR, Broncos: While Jackson has been running with the first-team offense, Colbert has been working with the second team in practices. Colbert has yet to prove he can even be effective even as third receiver. It looks like he could be a No. 4 guy for Denver, so don’t draft him. Robert Royal, TE, Bills: Royal is coming off knee surgery and is now losing starting reps to Derek Schouman early in camp. He has shown flashes of red zone promise in the past, but Royal may be completely useless in fantasy leagues this year. Scott Engel's anticipation of Madden 09 is rising every day. His respect for NFL officials has been falling since Super Bowl XL. E-mail Scott at
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