Week 1: Player Downgrades

QB Jon Kitna, DAL

No matter what the result, the Detroit Lions are going to stick with the running game. Occasionally it looked relatively successful during the preseason, but most of the time it was more of the same. The difference this year is that the Lions plan to stick with the running game much longer than under former coordinator Mike Martz. That should open things up for Jon Kitna and his talented group of wide receivers, but hurt the overall fantasy numbers for the signal caller. In week one the Lions play one of the few teams that they could actually run the ball against and they will keep running in Atlanta and not need the arm of Kitna.

QB Eli Manning, NYG

It is nice to have a Super Bowl winning quarterback on your fantasy roster, but this is fantasy football and Eli Manning rarely puts up big numbers. In most leagues, that puts Manning on the bench. His great performance in the playoffs gives hope for this season, but in one quarterback leagues it might be wise to keep Manning on the bench for a couple of weeks. If Manning is back to his usual early season form, keep him on the bench as long as you have a better option.

RB Marshawn Lynch, BUF

Not surprisingly, Marshawn Lynch did not do much during the preseason. His soreness in his knee is not much of an issue either following a collision with quarterback Trent Edwards late in the preseason. What is an issue is the offensive line. Left tackle Jason Peters' contract hold-out is going into the regular season and that forced former right tackle Langston Walker to the other side. It also pushed Kirk Chambers into the starting lineup. What could have been a great line now has questions and those questions were noticeable during the preseason. While the line adjusts, Lynch will not put up the great numbers that owners expect from him. Facing a tough and experienced Seattle defense in week one will not make matters any better for Lynch and the Bills' offense. In most leagues, fantasy owners will not have a better option than Lynch, but it is something to think about if you happen to have a bunch of great backs on your roster.

RB Darren McFadden, OAK

In the Raiders' last preseason game, Coach Lane Kiffin decided to see if Oakland could pass the ball. They cannot. That is good news for Darren McFadden, but the bad news is that Justin Fargas is still the team's starter. McFadden is the team's best athlete and could be used in the running, passing and return game. Assuming Fargas (who rushed for over 1,000 yards last year, even though he only started about half the season) remains productive, McFadden will be used in the special teams game and that will limit his use in the backfield. Eventually McFadden's talent will be too much to keep out of the starting lineup, but that will not happen in week one. Week two could be a different story.

RB Fred Taylor, NE

Fred Taylor is still an effective back, despite the fact that he is getting up there in age. Last year he rushed for 1,202 yards and five touchdowns. Maurice Drew carried the ball 166 times in 2006 and 167 times in 2007. As Taylor gets older and Drew gets more experience, the carries will start to level off. Most fantasy teams who have Taylor should have two running backs with better match-ups in week one. Taylor, who was arrested over the weekend and charged with disorderly conduct, should still get at least half of the carries in Jacksonville; if there are better options on your fantasy team, it may be wise to wait and see how effective Taylor is going to be this season.