An inexperienced Ben Patrick looks to usurp incumbent Leonard Pope for the starting tight end spot.
Rookie receiver Early Doucet will attempt to gain a hold on the No. 3 wideout spot ahead of Steve Breaston
Potential breakout performers
If Doucet wins the job of No. 3 receiver, the former Louisiana State Tiger is capable of catching 40 passes. He should benefit from all of the attention that fellow wideouts Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin receive from opposing defenses.
Running back Tim Hightower has reportedly been performing well at workouts and early in training camp. The fifth-rounder is considered a long shot to contribute, realistically. The 6-foot, 224-pound bruiser could force his way into the mix for carries, at least near the goal line, though.
Potential disappointing players
Seemingly every year quarterback Matt Leinart is touted as an impending breakout star, but he has failed to live up to expectations. He struggled at the outset of the 2007 season, though. First, he shared the job with Kurt Warner; then, he lost it when he broke his collarbone in Week 5. A similar situation is possible, but the job is Leinart's to lose. Warner is nothing more than a gamble as a No. 3 fantasy passer.
While running back Edgerrin James has proven his durability over and over again, he is at an age (30) when the toll of the weekly wear and tear of hits is showing. When drafting James, consider that he has very limited upside and should be valued as a high No. 3 option.
Injury update
Boldin (hamstring) has been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, which has limited him to work on the sideline in training camp thus far. He was scheduled to have an MRI, and head coach Ken Whisenhunt doesn't sound like he thinks it's too serious. It has to be a concern for a player who has missed at least a couple of games in three of his five seasons.
Receiver Bryant Johnson is expected to beat out Arnaz Battle for the No. 2 spot, although Battle has the experience and ability to do the little things.
Potential breakout performers
Running back Frank Gore isn't a potential breakout player in the traditional sense. However, he has shown that he is willing to shoulder this team to success and is determined to make a comeback from a disappointing six-touchdown season. Head Coach Mike Martz's newly installed offense will revolve around Gore and give the back plenty of chances to be a factor in the passing game. You can value this proven performer as a weak No. 1 option, although in point-per-reception formats he's capable of being much more.
Johnson is in an interesting position. After playing third fiddle with the Arizona Cardinals for a few years, he has a chance to start for a team running an offensive system that has made solid fantasy performers out of no-name players. He's an intriguing pick in the late rounds as a No. 5.
Potential disappointing players
Tight end Vernon Davis is definitely a high-risk high-reward player in 2008. High risk: inconsistent quarterbacking, an unfavorable offensive system and little track record. High reward: Davis has been hard at work this offseason, and offensive coordinator says he'd like to involve the talented athlete. Davis is a midlevel No. 2 tight end option, but at least he has considerable potential.
Injury update
It's poor timing for Smith (shoulder) and to lesser extent, Hill (shoulder). Smith's shoulder is reportedly still not 100 percent, and as a result, he's not completely capable of airing it out. Hill says he's not injured and just needs to rest his tired arm. One of these two must demonstrate that he can handle the offense and the workload.
Receiver Nate Burleson is the true beneficiary of Deion Branch's (knee) injury, as he is expected to step into the No. 1 spot. If his 2007 numbers - 50 receptions, 694 yards and nine touchdowns - are any indication of what the sixth-year receiver can do as a top target, he can be valued as a weak No. 3 receiver with a lot of upside.
Potential disappointing players
Running back Julius Jones (only 588 yards) essentially lost his job to Marion Barber III with the Dallas Cowboys, but he has a new chance in Seattle's post-Shaun Alexander era. Jones has a new offensive line coach and run-friendly divisional opponents. However, if you draft Jones as a weak No. 3 fantasy back, be sure to keep a close eye on backs Maurice Morris, who will split the workload, and T.J. Duckett.
While receiver Bobby Engram posted career highs in receptions (94) and yards (1,147) en route to being named Comeback Player of the Year, he is entering his 13th NFL season, at age 35. While Branch's absence may provide more chances, Engram is little more than a highly reliable outlet. It's doubtful he'll be able to repeat his 2007 numbers. Value him as a weak No. 3 fantasy option in non-point-per-reception formats.
Injury update
The major concern is Branch's knee. Following reconstructive surgery near the beginning of 2008, Branch should take about nine months to return to form. This means, optimistically, he'll still have to miss the first few weeks of the regular season and will probably be rusty in his return.
Question marks abound at the No. 3 and No. 4 receiver spots. Dante' Hall is expected to win the No. 3 job, but the recent addition of Reche Caldwell could change things. Second-round pick Donnie Avery, Dane Looker and Marques Hagans are also in the mix.
Potential breakout performers
The entrance of offensive coordinator Al Saunders, who is used to depending on the tight end, could salvage the value of Randy McMichael. Wide receiver Isaac Bruce's departure to the San Francisco 49ers means more looks for others. McMichael is an outstanding athlete but didn't contribute much in his first year in St. Louis. He averaged 65 catches, 671 yards and four touchdowns in the three previous years with the Miami Dolphins. Consider him a weak No. 2 with upside.
Potential disappointing players
Fantasy owners have begun to see the effects of age on former No. 1 stud receiver Torry Holt, 32. Knee problems have hampered him in the past couple of years, particularly last season. That said, Holt is still a weak No. 1 fantasy option. Just be aware of the downside that comes with him.
Injury update
The Rams face no significant injuries as they enter the training camp process.
