Need last-minute help? Look at these emerging players or overlooked veterans to start:

QB: David Garrard, Jacksonville:  Kansas City ranks as the league's fifth-worst pass defense and has allowed the fourth-most passing scores (13). Garrard has shown he could be very productive against a shaky defense when he threw for 323 yards and three scores at home against Tennessee in Week 4.

QB: Matt Cassel, Kansas City: The Jaguars rank in the bottom quarter of pass defenses and have yielded the fourth-most passing scores (13). Cassel travels to Jacksonville aiming for his fourth contest of multiple passing scores.

RB: Correll Buckhalter, Denver: Pittsburgh ranks as the top rushing defense, but is susceptible to allowing receiving yards to a running back. For instance, Adrian Peterson caught four passes for 60 yards last game.  Buckhalter leads Denver's running backs in receptions, totaling 15 in his last three contests played.

RB: Maurice Morris, Detroit: Seattle has allowed running backs to score in two straight games, and Morris could receive the goal-line chances in Week 9. He was more effective than Kevin Smith last game, averaging 4.5 yards on 14 carries compared to Smith's 2.8 on 16 handoffs.

RB: Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville:  If the Jaguars jump to a big lead against the Chiefs' sixth-worst scoring defense (25.9) and sixth-worst scoring offense (15.0), then its top player Maurice Jones-Drew could take a rest and defer carries to rookie Jennings.

RB: Brandon Jackson, Green Bay: Tampa Bay rates as the league's third-worst run defense. It's also scored only the fourth-most points (13.7) while yielding the third-most points (29). If Green Bay can jump to a big lead, backup Jackson could see more playing time and spell starter Ryan Grant.

RB: Justin Forsett, Seattle: Detroit has allowed a running back to either total at least 100 yards or score in six of the first seven contests. With the release of Edgerrin James, Forsett could see more carries, especially if the Seahawks are able to jump to a lead early.

RB: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, New England: Miami nose tackle Jason Ferguson is doubtful to play Sunday, leaving Miami's run defense in a lurch. Green-Ellis is likely the second running back option behind  Laurence Maroney with injuries to Fred Taylor and Sammy Morris.

WR: Kevin Walter, Houston: Indianapolis will be missing three of its four starters in the secondary. This leaves the Colts vulnerable to a big day by Matt Schaub. As a result, Walter will be aiming for his first 100-yard game of the season. Coupled with the season-ending loss of Owen Daniels, Walter could be looking at his best fantasy day this season.

WR: Steve Breaston, Arizona:  Given Anquan Boldin's ankle injury, No. 3 wide receiver Breaston could receive more looks as a result. . In fact, Kurt Warner targeted Breaston eight times last game with Boldin's injury. Breaston posted his best game in Week 6 by catching seven passes for 77 yards and a score, an indication of what he could accomplish against Chicago's inconsistent pass defense. The Bears recently allowed Carson Palmer to throw for five scores.

WR: Antonio Bryant, Tampa Bay:  If Tampa Bay falls quickly behind against Green Bay's eighth-best scoring offense (26.7), then it will be forced to pass frequently to keep pace. As a result, Bryant could be the recipient of many passes.

WR: Malcom Floyd, San Diego:  The Chargers released Chris Chambers, and Floyd becomes the favorite to be the second wideout behind Vincent Jackson. The Giants have struggled in pass coverage, missing two starters with injuries. For two of the last three contests, it's allowed Drew Brees to throw for 369 yards and four scores, and Donovan McNabb to pass for 240 yards and three scores.

WR: Sammie Stroughter, Tampa Bay:  This emerging rookie wideout will be looking to establish a strong rapport with fellow rookie quarterback Josh Freeman. Stroughter has posted his best two-game span, gaining 65 and 63 yards in each of the last two contests.

WR: Sam Aiken, New England:  New England recently released Joey Galloway, and is waiting for rookie Julian Edelman to recover from a forearm injury. This has left Aiken as the best candidate to assume the role of Tom Brady's No. 3 wideout. He responded last game with his first touchdown of the season as well as a season-high 66 yards. Additionally, Miami is starting three rookies (two cornerbacks and free safety) in the secondary, making it vulnerable to a big passing day by Brady.

TE: Spencer Havner, Green Bay:  He's scored three touchdowns during the past two contests while replacing an injured Jermichael Finley. Tampa Bay has struggled defending the pass, allowing the third-most touchdowns (16).

TE: Joel Dreessen, Houston:  He's first in line to replace injured starter Owen Daniels (out for season). The Texans utilize the tight end more than most, so Dreessen could receive some chances to produce adequate stats.

D/ST: San Diego: The Chargers' defense/special teams have rebounded during the past two contests, totaling nine sacks, four interceptions and a touchdown. Conversely, Eli Manning has struggled for the past two contests, throwing five interceptions and being sacked five times.

Need last-minute help? Here are some deep sleepers for Week 8:

QB: Marc Bulger, St. Louis: Detroit rates as the NFL's third-worst passing defense and has yielded the second-most passing scores (17). Bulger has struggled this season but fantasy reserve Jason Campbell had his best fantasy day against Detroit. He threw for 340 yards and two scores against the Lions in Week 3.

Matthew Stafford, Detroit: St. Louis ranks as the league's eighth-worst pass defense and has allowed the sixth-most passing touchdowns (11). Stafford is expected to return from his knee injury and has shown he can produce an adequate fantasy day. He threw for 296 yards and one score against Chicago in his last contest.

RB: Tashard Choice, Dallas: Though Marion Barber and Felix Jones are lauded more, Choice has shown he can produce a solid fantasy game if utilized. He ran for 92 yards and one score at Kansas City in Week 5 despite receiving only eight handoffs.

RB: Justin Fargas, Oakland: He was much more effective than Michael Bush against the Jets last game, averaging 8.4 yards compared to Bush's 3.1. Both received the same number of carries, and Fargas ran for 67 yards and Bush had only 25 yards. San Diego ranks as the league's fifth-worst run defense, so Oakland will look to jumpstart its running game.   

RB: Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville: When the Jaguars jumped to a big lead at halftime, 27-3, Jennings substituted for Maurice Jones-Drew midway through the third quarter. He proceeded to rush for 53 yards and average 5.9 yards from nine carries. If Jacksonville can dominate Tennessee again, look for Jennings to be a fantasy contributor.

RB: Chad Simpson, Indianapolis: Donald Brown has an injured shoulder, leaving his Week 8 playing time in doubt. Last game, Simpson had a 31-yard touchdown run against St. Louis. His role could be expanded if Brown can't play.

RB: Eldra Buckley, Philadelphia: If Brian Westbrook can't play, look for Buckley to have a chance to contribute. LeSean McCoy would start if Westbrook is out, but may need help in order to fulfill Philadelphia's running back duties.

WR: Austin Collie, Indianapolis: Collie has emerged as Peyton Manning's second wide receiver behind Reggie Wayne. The rookie has scored in three straight contests, totaling 18 receptions for 198 yards and four touchdowns.

WR: Johnny Knox, Chicago: Cleveland ranks among the 10 worst pass defenses and has allowed big big scoring plays to wide receiver Derrick Mason (72 yards), Hines Ward (52 yards) and Donald Driver (71 yards) in recent games. Along with Devin Hester, Knox has the great speed to outrun the secondary to record long scoring plays.

WR: Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia: The rookie showed his great fantasy potential when he caught six passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns against Tampa Bay in Week 5.  His next foe, the New York Giants, struggled on the road last game, allowing Drew Brees to throw for 369 yards and four scores.

WR: Mohamed Massaquoi, Cleveland: Chicago allowed Carson Palmer to throw for 233 yards and five scores last game. Massaquoi has posted two solid games during the last four contests. He caught eight passes for 148 yards against Cincinnati in Week 4 and had five catches for 83 yards against Pittsburgh in Week 6.

WR: Andre' Davis, Houston: If Andre Johnson misses any games with a lung contusion, then Davis would likely be the best candidate to replace him. He owns the receiving skills and big-play ability to help compensate for the loss of Johnson, and would be most likely to post a solid fantasy day. Davis has already shown he can post a big game when Johnson is injured. In 2007, when Johnson missed seven games (Weeks 3-9) with a knee injury, Davis caught five passes for 117 yards and one touchdown in Week 4.

WR: Keenan Burton, St. Louis: Detroit rates as the NFL's third-worst passing defense and has yielded the second-most passing scores (17). Burton is the Rams' second-leading receiver with 199 yards, and has caught the second-most passes (20) among the wideouts.

TE: Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit: St. Louis' eighth-worst pass defense has yielded solid games to tight ends recently. Dallas Clark had 44 yards and one score last game; Visanthe Shiancoe had 49 yards and a score in Week 5; and Vernon Davis had 43 yards and a score in Week 4.

TE:Travis Beckum, New York Giants: If Kevin Boss can't capitalize on Philadelphia's vulnerability to tight ends in the passing game, then rookie Beckum will have a chance to post his best fantasy day and score his first NFL touchdown. Last game, Fred Davis caught eight receptions for 78 yards and one touchdown to record his career best fantasy day.

D/ST:Chicago: Cleveland ranks as the NFL's third-lowest scoring team (10.3) and second-worst offense (225.4). It's also allowed the second-most turnovers (18), and the seventh-most sacks (18). In their last home game, the Bears acquired five sacks, two turnovers and scored on a kickoff return against Detroit.

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.