Here are my updated top fantasy keepers with an emphasis on next season.

 

1. Adrian Peterson

2. Peyton Manning

3. Drew Brees

4. Tom Brady

5. Larry Fitzgerald

6. Randy Moss

7. Reggie Wayne

8. Michael Turner

9. Matt Forte

10. Andre Johnson

11. Brandon Marshall

12. Greg Jennings

13. Roddy White

14. Aaron Rodgers

15. Steven Jackson

16. Ronnie Brown

17. Maurice Jones-Drew

18. Steve Smith

19. Calvin Johnson

20. Brandon Jacobs

21. Donovan McNabb

22. Philip Rivers

23. Matt Ryan

24. DeAngelo Williams

25. Frank Gore

26. Knowshon Moreno

27. Anquan Boldin

28. Marques Colston

29. Vincent Jackson

30. Wes Welker

31. T.J. Houshmandzadeh

32. Chad Ochocinco

33. Dwayne Bowe

34. Hines Ward

35. Jason Witten

36. Tony Gonzalez

37. Antonio Gates

38. Kellen Winslow

39. Steve Slaton

40. Chris Johnson

41. LaDainian Tomlinson

42. Clinton Portis

43. Pierre Thomas

44. Brian Westbrook

45. Marion Barber

46. Marshawn Lynch

47. Ben Roethlisberger

48. Matt Hasselbeck

49. Tony Romo

50. Jay Cutler

Maine to DL

Mets starter John Maine's best fantasy days appear to be behind him.

He posted his best fantasy season in 2007 by placing in the top 15 in strikeouts (180), top 35 in ERA (3.91) and top 30 in WHIP (1.27).

However, he faded greatly after the All-Star break that season, compiling a poor 5.53 ERA and 1.45 WHIP compared to a 2.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP prior to the All-Star break.  His ERA (4.18), WHIP (1.35) and K/9 (7.8) declined in the next season, and he made seven fewer starts.

Currently, Maine has slid below the top 60 in ERA (4.52) and WHIP (1.38), and dropped to 85th in strikeouts (42).

Rarely do rookie quarterbacks serve as weekly fantasy starters, and the Jets' Mark Sanchez will likely fit that description. 

Peyton Manning is one of the few in the last 10 years who succeeded by throwing for 3,739 yards and 26 touchdowns when he entered the NFL in 1999.

Even Matt Ryan, who was lauded for taking Atlanta to the playoffs, managed to finish with only the league's 13th-most passing yards (3,440 yards) and 16th-most passing scores (16) last year.

Nearly half of the NFL starting quarterbacks scored more fantasy points than Ryan last year. These included Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Kurt Warner, Jay Cutler, Peyton Manning, Matt Cassel, Tony Romo, Brett Favre, David Garrard, Chad Pennington, Tyler Thigpen, Eli Manning and Ben Roethlisberger.

Starting just nearly one full season, Sanchez had less college starting experience than Manning or Ryan. He also played with a USC team that was one of the most talented on offense. Rather than facing Pac-10 defenses, he will find himself on a more even playing field facing better competition and players, such as the tough AFC East rivals of New England and Miami.  

Sanchez ranks 30th in my fantasy quarterback rankings.  Sage Rosenfels and Byron Leftwich are ahead of Sanchez, and Tavaris Jackson and rookie Matthew Stafford are below him. 

I recently participated in an experts draft for a league that I won last year. Hopefully, these are winning picks again. I had the eighth pick among 12 teams, and the starting slots are QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, RB/WR/TE, K and D/ST. The scoring is standard (with four points for a passing score and one point per reception).

First round: Matt Forte, RB, Chicago: Real work takes precedence over fantasy fun, hence this was an autopick instead of Michael Turner being selected. Fortunately, I'll have a reason to cheer for the Bears if they flop. 

Second round: Clinton Portis, RB, Washington: He's one of my 13 running backs who should be selected before any other choice. Surprisingly, the computer agreed. Luck be a fantasy star, tonight!

Third round: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans: He's only one of two quarterbacks to ever throw for 5,000 yards. Really, how many Saints will you find within 5,000 yards of the French Quarter?

Fourth round: Vincent Jackson, WR, San Diego: He's a bargain as the 18th wideout taken. The pick before him, Roy Williams, won't even be the 18th-best star on his own team!

Fifth round: Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Indianapolis: Even Tony the Tiger could run for 1,000 yards after catching footballs from Peyton Manning all day. Valued as a second, he'll produce like a "Grreat" No. 1.

Sixth round: Torry Holt, WR, Jacksonville: Don't wait! When working well, he plays smooth as a Jaguar. Receive a big-name, luxury item at a discount.

Seventh round: Donald Driver, WR, Green Bay: He takes more smacks than "The Donald" dishes. Trump your adversaries in the boardroom midway through the draft meeting.

Eighth round: Donald Brown, RB, Indianapolis: Buck the trend! Joseph Addai's offseason knee surgery is just one of many reasons to believe this rookie will be Indy's featured back by midseason.

Ninth round: Jeremy Maclin,WR, Philadelphia: A super sleeper! He's bigger than a DeSean Jackson, faster than a Reggie Brown and stronger than a Kevin Curtis.

10th round: Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle: He's fair-minded and balanced in his views of passing. On the other hand, his namesake on "The View" elects to pass wide to one side.      

11th round: Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets: The color of money in New York wrecked many financial futures. Back your future with this cheap insurance.

12th round: Laurence Maroney, RB, New England: Bill Belichick saves his back with an eye toward the future. Spend wisely and save your fantasy playoff hopes by running with this second-half surge.

My final six picks were Denver TE Tony Scheffler (he's a proven tight end in a passing-friendly offense), Washington RB Ladell Betts (serves as insurance for Portis), New England D/ST (has talent and coaching to rebound), Cleveland WR Brian Robiskie (polished rookie has chance to be Cleveland's top WR), Chicago D/ST (here's another defense that has talent and coaching to rebound) and Chicago K Robbie Gould (I couldn't curb my enthusiasm for Bears players).

Check out my analysis on recent fantasy news.

Westbrook has ankle surgery

He's expected to be out 2-3 months after having ankle surgery to remove scar tissue and bone spurs, and will at least miss all the preseason games, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. He'll also experience a rigorous rehab.

That raises red flags about Westbrook's ability to return effectively by the start of the season and play all 16 games at peak efficiency. I've dropped Westbrook four spots to No. 10 for overall and running back, and will look to drop him further if he experiences setbacks in his tough rehab. I've upgraded the fantasy values of first-round rookie LeSean McCoy (climbs to No. 38 from 42nd among RBs) and third-year vet Lorenzo Booker (climbs to No. 50 from 82nd among RBs).  

Glavine released

Tom Glavine has minimal fantasy value in mixed leagues even if he signs with another team. He registers low strikeouts, recording a lowly 5.3 K/9 in 13 starts last year, and has recently registered high ratios.  He'll only have value as a starter in an AL- or NL-only league if he stays healthy and posts respectable ratios again, reversing his great decline in ERA and WHIP from the last two seasons.

Hanson called up to start Sunday

I held onto top prospects David Price (drafted) and Tommy Hanson (claimed before the season) with the expectation that they'll be called up in time to still make a significant impact in ratios and strikeouts this season.

Conversely to Glavine, top prospect Hanson is a fantasy dream for a starting pitcher. He's recorded strikeouts at a prodigious rate and has superb ratios in the minor leagues. He's had 90 strikeouts (12.2 K/9) and posted a 1.49 ERA and .86 WHIP in 66.1 innings at Triple A this season.  Make room for him immediately by dropping struggling starters like Jonathan Sanchez, Bronson Arroyo and Mike Pelfrey, or drop a reserve hitter to open a spot.

Carmona demoted; Hafner returns

Both Francisco Carmona and Travis Hafner ranked low in my preseason SP and DH rankings, and with good reason. Each had poor 2008 seasons, struggled in the second half, and didn't indicate they could rebound.

Unfortunately, for potential fantasy owners, they have continued their slumps this season. Additionally, Carmona isn't a strong strikeout pitcher, giving him little value unless he posts ratios of a 3.06 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP like he did in 2007. Until he posts solid ratios again in the majors, Carmona belongs on the waiver wire.

In 2006, Hafner slammed 42 homers to finish seventh and posted the 12th-most RBI, achieving his career highs.  From 2004 thru 2007, Hafner totaled 127 homers and 434 RBI but, beset by injuries, he amassed just five homers and 24 RBI last year. Only claim Hafner until he proves he has regained his power.

Putz to miss 10-12 weeks

The loss of  J.J. Putz affects fantasy owners little. Failing as a setup man, he offered poor value as a reliever with poor ratios and scarce save chances. Francisco Rodriguez's fantasy value remains strong as one of the top fantasy relievers. He's second in saves (14) and owns a .73 ERA and 1.01 WHIP.

More analysis

Though Randy Johnson's season ERA (5.12) and WHIP (1.36) are poor, he's rebounded greatly in the last three outings. Johnson has allowed just two earned runs, 11 hits and five walks in his last three starts spanning 17.1 innings to record a strong 1.05 ERA and .94 WHIP. He's also maintained his high strikeout ratio with a 7.4 K/9 during this span and has recorded nearly a strikeout per inning for the season. Claim him with the expectation that he will record respectable ratios and strikeouts until the All-Star break.