BALTIMORE
What we know
Defense and rushing has always been the heart of this team and it looks like that will be the case again this year. Willis McGahee should be in store for a big season and should get most of the goal line carries. Oh, and Todd Heap is a stud tight end.

What we don’t know
Will there be a passing game this year? Steve McNair is most likely nothing but a backup and it remains to be seen if any of the Baltimore wideouts like Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton are worth number-twos or threes on your roster.

My bottom line
McGahee is a steal if he falls to the second and Heap is easily a top-two tight end


BUFFALO
What we know
Not a lot. Most of the Buffalo offense isn’t going to make your starting lineup with the exception of Lee Evans, who is a borderline number-one, solid number-two. JP Losman is nothing more than a backup.

What we don’t know
Who will be the running back worth drafting? Marshawn Lynch is the talented rookie but Anthony Thomas is the veteran who filled in nicely last year.

My bottom line
It’s hard not to say that Lynch will eventually be the starter in Buffalo with the potential of a losing season on the verge. But until that shakes out you may want to keep him on your bench.


CINCINNATI
What we know
Anyone on the Bengal offense is worth having on your fantasy team and also worth starting. Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer are top-three at least at their positions and TJ Houshmandzadeh is a 1A wideout. Rudi Johnson is a consistent late first round back. Not much can go wrong picking anyone on this team.

What we don’t know
How much will the loss of Chris Henry (suspension) and Kenny Irons (injury) hurt the offense? Rudi will have to carry a lot of the load running the ball and could wear down as a result.

My bottom line
No fears here, draft away at the Bengal studs.


CLEVELAND
What we know
Kellen Winslow is one of the few go-to players on this team. Winslow was among the league leaders in receptions and had 800-plus receiving yards as a tight end. He’s a top-five TE prospect.

What we don’t know
Who will quarterback? Brady Quinn missed the start of camp and as a result Charlie Frye will probably start the season. Either way it’s not a pretty situation offensively in Cleveland.

My bottom line
Braylon Edwards could be a star and could be a solid sleeper. I’d be scared of Jamal Lewis at running back.


DENVER
What we know
If Travis Henry is given the chance, he could be a top-five running back this season. It looks like this could be the first time Denver had a stud back since Clinton Portis. Javon Walker will make a nice low-one, high-two wide receiver.

What we don’t know
Will Jay Cutler succeed at quarterback? He certainly has all the tools to do so with a potential solid running game and some nice targets. I think he’ll be fine.

My bottom line
Denver has put together a nice offense. I like Henry a lot this season and he’s rated as the sixth best back on 4for4. Walker could emerge into a nice number-one receiver.


HOUSTON
What we know
Matt Schaub will finally get a chance to prove he’s been one of the best quarterbacks not to start. Andre Johnson led the league in receptions last season and is quietly a nice number-one.

What we don’t know
Will Schaub be able to stand in the pocket longer than David Carr? Schaub may be better but without time he’ll have no better fate. Ahman Green is latest to try being a number-one back in Houston. He signed a big contract but it remains to see if he can get back to his former Packer days.

My bottom line
Johnson seems to be the only sure thing on this team. Green has a chance to be good but you can’t count on him as your number-two right now, I don’t think. Get him as a number-three and let him earn his starts.


INDY
What we know
We pretty much know it all about Indy.

What we don’t know
Will Anthony Gonzalez be the new Brandon Stokley as the number-three wide receiver? I think I could be the number-three on this team, but if Gonzalez gets the job he could be a nice sleeper in the late rounds and a potential number-three in deeper leagues.

My bottom line
Like in Cincy, draft any and all Colts.


JACKSONVILLE
What we know
Maurice Jones-Drew is a touchdown machine and Fred Taylor, if healthy, will provide a nice one-two punch in Jacksonville. Normally that’s a bad thing in fantasy, but last year both backs got their share of points.

What we don’t know
Can anyone be a consistent QB? Not that it really matters - this is a running team.

My bottom line
Jones-Drew may not get the yardage Taylor does, but Drew appears to be the back they’ll go to at the goal line, which makes him more valuable.


KANSAS CITY
What we know
The KC offense has gone through some changes and seems to be a mess. With a chunk out of their offensive line gone, many feel Larry Johnson (if he signs) won’t be the same as last year. Tony Gonzalez at tight end isn’t ranked as high as he’s used to but could be a go-to target again for whoever wins the job at QB.

What we don’t know
Will Johnson sign? It’s hard to pass up on Johnson if he continues to fall in your draft because he remains unsigned. It’s hard to see Larry not making SOMEone’s lineup this year though.

My bottom line
Johnson is still going to get the carries and receptions and is still the man no matter where he goes.


MIAMI
What we know
Trent Green is their man at QB. Ronnie Brown has to have a better year running the ball than he did his sophomore season.

What we don’t know
Can Green last a whole season? Brown will definitely need to step it up this year to help Green. As a potential number-two back, he could be a surprise after a disappointing 2006.

My bottom line
I’m not real excited about the Miami offense. I would take Brown as my number two if he would make it to me though.


NEW ENGLAND
What we know
This is a great team on paper. All the stars are there.

What we don’t know
Will Randy Moss regain his Minnesota form? If he can, the Pats will be tough to stop and he’s worth his top-10 status as a receiver. He has one of the best throwing the ball to him, so he’ll only have himself to blame if he’s not.

My bottom line
Like Indy and Cincy, draft your Patriots high and often.


NEW YORK JETS
What we know
Thomas Jones will solidify a running attack that’s been missing the last few years. Even with Leon Washington getting some touches, Jones should be the touchdown guy.

What we don’t know
How will Jones affect what was a pretty decent passing attack? Chad Pennington was a nice surprise as was Jerricho Cotchery at wide receiver and it remains to be seen if they can continue their pace.

My bottom line
Jones would make an excellent number-two back if things shake out that way for you. Laveranues Coles will need to increase his touchdowns in order to be a number-one but would make a great two.


OAKLAND
What we know
This team seems to be a mess, too. Question marks at quarterback and question marks at the running game.

What we know know
Will Dante Culpepper be worth a shot this year and how much of a role with Dominic Rhodes play around the goal line?

My bottom line
There’s not much to be excited about this team. They were terrible on offense last year and things don’t seem much better this year. Once things get figured out, a few players may be worth starts on certain matchup weeks, so if you can get a couple Raiders late maybe take a chance.


PITTSBURGH
What we know
With a new coach Pittsburgh could have a new look than they have in the past. Willie Parker is still a coveted back and many think Big Ben will be a solid starting fantasy quarterback and as a result he is rated higher than he’s even been.

What we don’t know
The Steelers have a logjam of names at running back behind Parker: Najeh Davenport, Kevin Barlow and Verron Haynes. It remains to be seen who gets the goal line carries, and if it’s not Parker, that could hurt his current first-round value.

My bottom line
Pittsburgh’s always been one of those teams I stay away from.


SAN DIEGO
What we know
LaDainian Tomlinson will be your league’s number-one pick. Antonio Gates is still the top tight end.

What we don’t know
How much will Philip Rivers get to throw? Is anyone worth a gamble at wide receiver?

My bottom line
I think Rivers should get an increased role this year making his receivers a little more valuable. With a defense as good as SD, though, running the ball should still win them games and they have the best doing it. But, a year more mature, Rivers should be able to take more pressure off Tomlinson.

If you’re looking for payoff pick, take a shot with Michael Turner, especially in keeper leagues. He could be a starter somewhere next year.


TENNESSEE
What we know
Vince Young will enter the season as the starting quarterback and could explode as he showed some impressive signs last season.

What we don’t know
Will Young have to do it himself? Chris Brown and LenDale White have the talent but neither seems to want to step up and be the starter. We all saw what the Titans could do last year with Travis Henry and there’s no reason to think White or Brown couldn’t do the same if given the chance.

My bottom line
I’m starting to like Young more and more as the summer goes on. Still, unless the timing is right in the draft, I don’t know if I can start the year with him as my number-one. Love to have him as a number-two, though, but some GM is going to take a shot early on him I’m sure.