RotoExperts Senior Writer Scott Engel gives you his scouting report for Week One

Every week, Scott Engel highlights important skill position players and related trends to watch for during the upcoming week in an effort to help you make those tough fantasy lineup decisions. Consult Scott's Lineup Rankings as a basis for the Advance Scout analysis. For game day lineup analysis, be sure to tune into XPerts Edge on BlogTalkRadio on Sunday mornings, featuring Scott and RotoExperts.com Senior Writer Jonathan Phillips.

QUARTERBACKS

Jon Kitna: He is a viable, sneaky play if you don't have another standout quarterback to use. Don't start him over a guy like Brett Favre, but if your QB situation is not ideal, he'll make a good option. If the offensive line can keep John Abraham out of Kitna's face, the Atlanta secondary is going to have a lot of trouble with the Lions' standout wide receivers. I would certainly use him over guys like Marc Bulger and Jake Delhomme.

Matt Hasselbeck: It may appear that he has limited receiving options, but he is still a pretty good start. Hasselbeck is expected to be healthy for the opener and spreads the ball around well, even to less experienced pass-catchers. With LT Walter Jones protecting Hasselbeck from pocket-crushing threat Aaron Schobel, Hasselbeck will have time to throw and should at least have a respectable day.

Tom Brady: He missed the preseason, but Kansas City might as well be considered a tune up game. The Chiefs won’t be able to generate much of a pass rush, even against a New England offensive line that has elicited some concerns. There is simply no way the Chiefs secondary can handle the New England WRs. I can't see benching Brady even if he doesn’t look 100 percent.

Drew Brees: The Tampa Bay secondary is certainly a group that can handle the New Orleans WRs and help contain Reggie Bush. You can't bench Brees, but he won't post big numbers this week. Yet he is very savvy and will limit his mistakes, so he won't hurt you as much as some other lesser-ranked starters.

Derek Anderson: He is expected to be ready for the opener. The Dallas defense looks really menacing this season, so he will have to get rid of the ball quickly on some occasions. You could be looking at a mixed bag statistically, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Kurt Warner: Absolutely love him this week. The Niners try to confound opponents by switching up looks, but that won’t rattle Warner, who goes through his progressions quicker than Tatum Bell goes through someone's luggage. Yes, the Niners have top cornerback Nate Clements leading their secondary, but he can't cover all of Warner's options by himself. Heck, many of the best CB tandems in the league will have trouble with the Arizona wideouts, especially now that the pass protection is better than it was in recent years, when Warner was usually bludgeoned by edge rushers.

Peyton Manning: The state of his offensive line will alter his game plan, but he will still be highly effective. Look for him to get rid of the ball quicker and take even more of a commanding role directing the offense without center Jeff Saturday. The preseason rest will do him well, and he'll be efficient more than explosive. You can't bench him; just expect a good, but not great game.

RUNNING BACKS

Ryan Grant: The Minnesota defensive line looks even better than it did last year, and Grant is coming off a lost preseason. He is No. 22 in my ranks, but on second thought, maybe it's just out of respect. Aaron Rodgers is making his first pro start and Grant is clearly in the crosshairs of the Minnesota defenders. Go ahead, bench him for just about anyone else; it's not crazy.

Marshawn Lynch: He faces the best three-man crew of linebackers this week as the Bills take on the Seahawks. It's difficult to envision benching him, but he's going to draw a lot of defensive attention. Yardage numbers may be limited, but he will justify the start by finishing off a scoring drive with a touchdown.

Ricky Williams: If the Dolphins can keep NT Kris Jenkins from occupying space and having the Jets linebackers shoot the gaps at will, Williams is going to have a lot of running room. In a high-intensity rivalry with a lot of attention focused on it, plus the motivation to reboot his career, Williams is a fine pick for a standout performance against the Jets.

Larry Johnson: The Chiefs will be predictable and easy to defend. Johnson will post only mediocre numbers as Kansas City quickly finds itself playing from behind. I don't even have Johnson ranked in my top 20 RBs this week.

Steven Jackson: Here's another guy that may not play up to his usual lofty expectations in the opener. He missed most of the preseason, and the Rams don't want to overwork him in the first game. Plus, if St. Louis is playing from behind in the second half, Jackson may become less of a factor. Still, he's a must-start who should at least give you a TD for having faith in him.

Willie Parker: Rookie Rashard Mendenhall is playing hot potato, so we may see a lot of Parker until Mendenhall gets a new pair of gloves. He'll be good for a 100-yard game against Houston despite the fact that if someone painted an end zone on his front door, he wouldn't be able to get into his house.

Marion Barber III: Top-notch RBs are used to control the clock, especially against potent opponents. That's why you'll see lots of Barber this week as the Cowboys attempt to win the time of possession war with the Browns and keep their offense off the field. Barber is in for a big day, and Felix Jones has looked outstanding in camp and appears to be a nice flex option.

Matt Forte:  I really like him this year and have been seeing him go way too late in some drafts. But the Bears may fall behind quickly against the Colts. You'll see better totals from Forte in the weeks ahead, but you should consider avoiding him in many formats in the opening week.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Greg Jennings: Overall, I am not expecting numbers anywhere close to last year. Yet Aaron Rodgers seemed to quickly develop faith in him in the preseason and will look to him often for possession catches, which Jennings still may have to prove he can make consistently. A mediocre starting option. Not quite desperation.

Derrick Mason: Look, Joe Flacco is starting, but he has to throw to someone. The Cincinnati secondary is indeed vulnerable, and Mason will step forward as a veteran to be Flacco's safety valve. He'll be especially useful in point-per-reception leagues. That's no surprise, of course.

Ted Ginn Jr.: Chad Pennington is going to be fired up to face his former team, and Ginn is simply his most talented target. On the Miami WR scale, experience doesn't take precedence over pure upside. Ginn will fare well as an option in PPR leagues.

Joey Galloway: You've probably heard lots of fantasy people proclaim him as a top start because of his past numbers against New Orleans. Sorry, not buying into past numbers. This is not fantasy baseball. Galloway has missed too much of the preseason and will be rusty with still no other proven options to take pressure off him. I have him in my Top 30, but maybe I should drop him out and you should sit him.

Santonio Holmes: He looked great in the preseason and Houston CB Dunta Robinson is out. Holmes is going to simply explode in the opener. He will be equally dangerous on slants and longer routes.

Patrick Crayton: I have said before: the Dallas-Cleveland game can be a shootout. Terrell Owens will draw double teams and bracket coverages, leaving Crayton open to start his 2008 season off with a flourish.

Andre Johnson: Of course, you're going to start him. I’m just telling you that you'll be very happy with his opening week performance. The Texans are going to have to throw a lot, and the Steelers secondary won’t be able to prevent Johnson from breaking loose for at least one long gain and a TD. Plus, Matt Schaub is going to get rid of the ball quickly and will have to lean heavily on his best receiver with the running game sputtering.

TIGHT ENDS

Ben Utecht: The issues with the Cincinnati offensive line may force Carson Palmer to get rid of the ball quickly. Utecht is a big sleeper this season, but may be well-known after the first week. Utecht will be a go-to guy when the pocket collapses on Palmer, especially on third downs and in the red zone.

Dustin Keller: Brett Favre took a quick liking to the rookie in the preseason. Favre may not be fully comfortable in his first game as a Jet, and will opt for his tight end when he feels he is in trouble. Another nice "under the radar" starting option.

Heath Miller: Again, the Steelers may not be able to rush Mendenhall near the goal line yet, so Ben Roethlisberger may opt for his trusty tight end instead. A fine option for Week One.

Leonard Pope: When the Cardinals get in the red zone, it will be no surprise to see him choose passing over punching it in. The Niners will try to blanket Warner's big WR targets and that will leave another big target open, Pope. A great low-level option if you are desperate.

Scott Engel will be wearing his new Lofa Tatupu jersey at a popular sports bar in Queens on the first Sunday of the season. He also owns Tatupu in two individual defender leagues. 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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