New England Patriots
Deion Branch (ADP 9.08) versus David Givens (ADP 12.03) versus Troy Brown (ADP 15.03)

It's hard to know where to start with this crew of Super Bowl champions, so let's talk about the players not listed above. David Patten and Bethel Johnson return after making quiet but explosive contributions a year ago. JJ Stokes has been signed and was having a solid camp until recently. Relative unknowns Michael Jennings and Chas Gessner are turning heads and probably being kept on the practice squad.

Thirty three year old Troy Brown caught 281 passes in the three seasons leading up to last year's injury problems. He's currently listed third on the Patriots' depth chart and being given some experience as an emergency defensive back. The battle here is between third year standouts and best friends, Givens and Branch. Branch led the team in receptions and yards last year, while Givens led in touchdowns. Branch had an memorable performance in the Super Bowl after Givens came on strong in the playoffs and at the end of the regular season. The safest way for fantasy owners to separate them is by ADPs, in which case Givens seems to carry the higher value being available two and a half rounds later. It's no lock, but I do expect Givens to be the better fantasy producer by season's end. By Branch's own admission Givens is the more serious worker. He's a bigger stronger receiver with slightly better playmaking and tackle breaking ability. David Givens is a solid fantasy value this season, but you can expect them both to have big games at different times.

San Diego Chargers
Kevin Dyson (ADP 14.12) versus Eric Parker/Reche Caldwell/Tim Dwight/Kassim Osgood

The Chargers will have a top 40 receiver this year, and I believe his name can be found below. Got your attention? Drew Brees started out camp as shaky as ever, and then something suddenly clicked, and he has been in the zone ever since. With Tomlinson on the roster and a sharp quarterback, things are going to open up far more than expected for Bolts' receivers. They also benefit from a last place schedule in a division known for wide open scoring. Despite the prevailing opinion, there is fantasy value here beyond Tomlinson and Gates.

In early August Marty Schottenheimer didn't have any idea who his best receiver was, saying, "I wouldn't know who to tell you who the No. 1 guy is right now. But that's not to suggest there aren't quality players there.''

Kevin Dyson was brought in to replace David Boston as the team's most talented receiver. He is the only Charger appearing in fantasy drafts, and that looks like a mistake. He hasn't been able to separate himself from Parker, Caldwell, Dwight and Osgood. Parker and Dwight have been listed as the starters since camp began, but Reche Caldwell, with a new attitude and a stronger body, is running with the first team ahead of the oft injured Dwight. Caldwell isn't the story though. With a body like Marvin Harrison, 6-0 and 180, Eric Parker is clearly the star of camp and being targeted by Brees far more than any other receiver. He's also always open, astonishingly quick, and catching everything in sight. Before going down to injury last season he posted three tds in the first five games. People tossing a late round flyer at Dyson in belief that someone has to catch the ball in SD are making a mistake. In a deep draft you may want to toss that flyer at Parker. In a shallow draft, you can take my opinion with a grain of salt and wait for him to produce or not in free agency. Just don't wait too long. You heard it hear first, and will thank FFToday later.

Cleveland Browns
Andre Davis (ADP 11.04) versus Quincy Morgan (ADP 12.07) versus Dennis Northcutt (ADP 16.12)

New quarterback Jeff Garcia basically called team management stupid for considering trading Quincy Morgan, who had a tough season last year. He's playing for a contract and calling for a 1300 yard season. With Morgan having a down year, Andre Davis emerged as a big play threat and red zone target. Fantasy owners have consistently picked him atop the heap in Cleveland. Jeff Garcia is not a great deep ball quarterback, and a possession receiver will soon become his favorite target. In Cleveland that man is shifty slot receiver Dennis Northcutt. He signed a new contract and is currently the highest paid Brown receiver. He led the team in receptions and yards last season, and is often used to run reverses and quick wide receiver screens. The difficulty in separating these three, and Garcia's lack of deep ball skills, combined with Northcutt's round 16/17 value make him the fantasy option in Cleveland this season. I would add that an 11th or 12th rounder on either of the other two is in no way a bad choice, just that Northcutt later is better.

Green Bay Packers
Javon Walker (ADP 5.06) versus Donald Driver (ADP 9.06) versus Robert Ferguson (ADP 14.03)

Green Bay's situation is much like Cleveland's in that there are three quality receivers being drafted but no one can be sure how they will end up. The Packers are naming Walker and Ferguson as starters amidst reports that the explosive Donald Driver is in top form again. Furguson nursed a sore hamstring for a week, came back to practice and looked like an all-pro. Walker posted 9 tds last season and is the clear favorite among fantasy owners.

"Nobody's No. 1, nobody's No. 2 and nobody's No. 3. They know any of us can beat them," Driver told the Green Bay Press Gazette. Brett Favre concurs. "I couldn't tell you who will be our featured receiver this year. I think that's what's good about our offense. That keeps guys on their toes."

It's hard to justify a 5th round pick on Walker when the competition is so fierce. Had Driver not planted his skull in the ground last season, it's doubtful Walker would have produced as he did. From Sterling Sharpe to Robert Brooks and Antonio Freeman, Favre has a history of isolating a favorite receiver. Walker and Driver are the main candidates, but the elder statesmen quarterback is relishing the opportunity to spread the ball around to these three talented receivers. If you believe as many do that Walker is going to distance himself from the others, then don't let him slip past his ADP, because he will not last any longer. If you believe, as I do, that the three will all be in the mix, keep an eye on Driver during the draft and take him if he slips, or go with Ferguson late and hope for the best. Good luck with these three whatever you decide.

Kansas City Chiefs
Eddie Kennison (ADP 11.07) versus Johnny Morton versus Mark Boerigter versus Dante Hall

In an offense dominated by Priest Holmes and Tony Gonzalez, it's hard to get excited about any of the receivers. Johnny Morton has a mysterious achilles injury and is not expected to be ready by the start of the season. Judging from Eddie Kennison's ADP some seem to think he will benefit from Morton missing action. Kennison posted 850 yards and 5 tds last season, and will probably match that again this season. If you're very sure with your starting receivers then passing on Kennison for bigger upside is advisable. If you're not sure of your receivers, and the above numbers are comforting insurance, then picking him up is an understandable move. Boerigter is the likely beneficiary of Morton's absence and has had a very good off season. In 2002 Boerigter converted a measely 20 receptions into an amazing 8 tds. We're still shaking our heads over that, and last year as a hot fantasy draft commodity, he caught all of 11 passes without a score while playing in 12 games. More head shaking. He's a sleeper and obviously very hard to project.

Arizona Cardinals
Anquan Boldin (ADP* 7.05) versus Larry Fitzgerald (ADP 7.05) versus Bryant Johnson

Anquan Boldin fell on the NFL with a landslide of production like no rookie since Randy Moss. He's probably out until the after Arizona's week 6 bye. His 7th round ADP reflects an average of where he was taken before and after the injury and he shouldn't be considered until after the 10th round (if at all) with the knowledge that he will miss a minimum of five weeks recovering from knee surgery. Bryant Johnson put together a decent rookie season in Boldin's shadow and is also out with an injury but expected to return for the season opener. His readiness and lack of preparation is an issue. Highly touted rookie, Larry Fitzgerald, rounds out the injury plague for this snake-bitten team, but coach Dennis Green remains optimistic, "We are very enthusiastic with Bryant Johnson and how his foot is coming an how Larry's is also. I think both will be ready for the first game of the season, and maybe they get a little action beforehand, maybe they don't."

The Cardinals should pile up stacks of meaningless stats against prevent defenses late in games, and that's often been a recipe for solid fantasy numbers. Before Boldin's injury, Fitzgerald's ADP was in the 9th round. Taking any Cardinal in the mid 7th is reaching, but Fitzgerald has all the makings of a future star, and someone has to catch the ball on this team. As bad as Arizona's defense has looked in preseason, the worse news is that it is dominating the Arizona offense in scrimmages. It's hard to recommend any receivers in this situation, but if better news breaks regarding the injuries Fitzgerald or Johnson may generate plenty of stats on this struggling team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Joey Galloway (ADP 10.05) Keenan McCardell (ADP 11.07) Versus Michael Clayton (ADP 15.05) versus Tim Brown/Charles Lee

Keyshawn Johnson was banished to fantasy hell in Dallas. Keenan McCardell wants to be paid like a #1 receiver and won't play until he is. Joey Galloway has been rescued from fantasy hell, and Tim Brown has signed with the odd stipulation (or was it a gentleman's agreement?) that he would be a featured member of the offense. That's just great. The most impressive receiver has been rookie Michael Clayton. Last year's surprise, Charles Lee, has been the source of under the radar silence. If McCardell gets his big bonus before your draft, expect him to once again break the top 25 receivers and be a solid fantasy value. If he doesn't, then the rest of this group falls under a sweeping caveat. Galloway hasn't produced much since his early days in Seattle, and Tim Brown looks ready for retirement. Expect Joey to be used, as usual, to stretch the field and open things up for other receivers, and believe the rumors about Brown's involvement:

Tim Brown says, "They wanted me to come in and be Tim Brown - not a role player. That means I'm going to be on the field the majority of the time." Backup Michael Clayton impressed Jon Gruden during training camp, but likely will see less time now with Brown around. "I'm not going to complain about Tim Brown playing more, taking away my playing time because it's a situation I can learn from."

It seems crazy but these stats bare consideration: In his four years with Gruden in Oakland, the nine-time Pro Bowler put up an average of 84 catches, 1,162 yards and nine touchdowns per season. Galloway has the highest ADP, and we suggest passing on that 10th rounder. Clayton and Brown will be the west coast playmakers. The 15th rounder on Clayton may turn into the steal of the draft. This offense can pass the ball. A fast snatch of Brown in free agency should he have a big game, will likely pay off several times this season. There, I said it.

I don't know what I was thinking when I decided to make sense of the above scenarios, but someone should have slapped me with a wet trout. Thankfully, the Bucs are the last of the fantasy befuddlement at wide receiver. I don't expect all the speculation above to pan out perfectly, but I am sure that some of the insights can prevent you from making a mistake in your draft. Below are news, notes, developments and more speculation from teams with easier to read situations. In many cases the number 1 receiver is well established and the battles for 2 and 3 are better defined. In others it's still not quite that clear, and we'll start with a couple of those.

Baltimore Ravens
Kevin Johnson (11.06) versus Travis Taylor (ADP 14.11)

Marcus Robinson turned a low 31 receptions into 6 touchdowns a year ago and then departed for Minnesota. Terrell Owens refused to join the Ravens, and Kevin Johnson couldn't be happier about that. Brian Billick believes having Travis Taylor and quarterback Kyle Boller together for two straight seasons will allow Taylor to break out of his career long slump. Let's face it. This team runs the offense through Jamal Lewis and Todd Heap is the primary receiver. Johnson is not an upgrade from Robinson and will be lucky to play up to his ADP. You can do worse than Travis Taylor in the 14th round, and his upside and 14/15th round ADP makes him the smarter pick of the two. You can probably do better elsewhere.

Chicago Bears
David Terrell (ADP 15.03) versus Justin Gage (ADP 15.06) versus Bobby Wade

With the trade of #1 wr Marty Booker to Miami, many of you probably think the Bears' situation belongs above in the more muddled messes. It doesn't. We should have paid better attention to Arizona coaches last pre-season. They were trying to tell us how good Boldin was. This year Chicago coaches are trying to tell us how much David Terrell has improved. I think we should learn a lesson by listening. I'm not suggesting Terrell is this year's Boldin. There is no this year's Boldin. Terrell has improved enough to start living up to his draft pick and give Chicago coaches enough confidence to build their defense by trading Booker. His ADP is barely higher than Justin Gage's. It will go up very soon, and you can no longer expect to take him as late as the 15th round. If you've been burned or disappointed by him in the past, and these comments are causing you to wrinkle your nose, then don't just don't draft him. But do understand that he has clearly emerged in this training camp battle and is the Bears' #1 wide receiver. Bobby Wade has been announced as the #2 and Gage is #3. That's not a true promotion of Wade above Gage. Wade has been competing at the flanker spot vacated by Booker. Gage has been competing with Terrell for the other position, and the competition hasn't been close. Leave Gage for somebody else, watch Wade in free agency, and if you want Terrell, you'll have to take him between the 11th and 12th rounds now.

The offense is designed after the prolific offense in Kansas City. The Chiefs rely on a stellar multi-purpose running back and a supreme tight end, but it doesn't have to be a tight end in this offense. It could be a wide receiver. You decide. A lack of talent has never been Terrell's problem. Focus, work ethic, attitude, maturity, these are the things he had to overcome, and it sounds like he has.

Tennessee Titans #2
Drew Bennett (ADP 11.01) versus Tyrone Calico (ADP 12.03)

Derrick Mason is the clear number one in Tennessee and an excellent fantasy starter for any team. Justin McCareins, last year's #2, has left for the Big Apple, and Bennett and Calico are left to fill the void. They were both important pieces to the Titan offense a year ago and will be again. Bennett is the more experienced and established receiver. Calico is a tremendous physical speciman with huge upside. Their current ADPs have Bennett leading the way among fantasy owners, but Calico's stock is slowly on the rise. After three days of practice with the Falcons, Titans safety Lance Schulters said, ''Tyrone is too big and too strong and can run. Tyrone would take all that dude's confidence if he stayed man-to-man on him. He'd bury him. It's not a good matchup.'' He was talking about the matchup with Falcons rookie corner DeAngelo Hall, but Calico is going dominate these kinds of matchups all season long. Bennett is a reliable tall target for McNair with modest NFL skills. Calico has #1 skills, and he's the pick for those of you seeking big upside in the second half of your draft.

Detroit Lions #2
Roy Williams (ADP 9.08) versus Tai Streets versus Az-Zahir Hakim

The Lions have stockpiled talent at wide receiver. Second year standout Charles Rogers has established himself as the teams #1 receiving option, and QB Joey Harrington will look to him often. Rookie Roy Williams has been running with the first team offense, and Tai Streets was brought in for his knowledge of Marriucci's system should the rookie not make the grade. Williams has been comfortable, played better than expected and could live up to his 9th round ADP. Az-Zahir Hakim is the veteran sleeper in the midst. He's locked down his spot in the slot role and three receiver sets and is healthy and at full speed for the first time in two years. If the youngsters are struggling expect Hakim to become Harrington's check off receiver. Hakim has the ability to turn any catch into a touchdown, and he should be watched carefully in free agency. It isn't often that receivers as young as the Lions stand out together, and coach Mariucci is very pleased with the way Hakim has fit the offense.

Miscelleneous Battles and Noteworthy Developments:

Washington Redskins #2
Rod Gardner (ADP 10.09) versus James Thrash versus Darnerian McCants

Odd as it seems Rod Gardner is not impressing new head coach, Joe Gibbs and James Thrash is. Gardner certainly should be downgraded from his 10th round ADP, or better yet, just let someone else draft him.

Jacksonville Jaguars #2
Reggie Williams (ADP 13.11) versus Troy Edwards (none)

With the 9th selection of the 2004 draft the Jaguars took 6-4 220 pound receiver Reggie Williams. In the 4th round with the 120th selection they took another 6-4 220 pound receiver, Ernest Wilford. 5-10 190 pound Troy Edwards has been holding them both off and keeping his starting job, but the intriguing development is that Wilford has been outplaying Williams who's struggling with dropped passes. Williams may or may not catch on later in the season, but for now the ADP seems unreasonable considering the available talent around the league and the presence of Edwards and Wilford.

Atlanta Falcons #2
Dez White versus Michael Jenkins versus Brian Finneran

Possession receiver Brian Finneran has been moved to #2 flanker behind Peerless Price and is still considered a primary option in 3rd down three receiver packages. Dez White had an early lead in the competition to start alongside Price while Jenkins finished school, but the young rookie is making a strong push for the job. As of this writing the position is undecided, the camp battle continues.

San Francisco 49ers #2
Cedric Wilson versus Rahaun Woods versus Curtis Conway

The 49ers believe they have a rising star in Brandon Lloyd, and he is firmly established as the teams #1 wide receiver. Wilson and Conway are battling for the #2 spot, and Cedric Wilson appears to have the upper hand. Two promising rookies are on the roster but neither appears to be earning playing time early in the season. Woods has been slowed by hamstring problems and Derrick Hamilton is getting better but learning a complicated system. Lloyd is the only safe choice here for now, and he could be a very good one if the stories of his great playmaking materialize on the field.

Buffalo Bills #2
Bobby Shaw versus Josh Reed (ADP 17.05) versus Lee Evans (ADP 14.08)

Josh Reed wants to put a disappointing 2003 behind him. He's had an impressive summer and has never lost his spot on the depth chart. The competition is active and undecided as Bobby Shaw and Lee Evans are getting time with the starting unit. Evans will need a year in the system to realistically compete for a starting job, but all three should see action during the season. If Reed can distance himself from the others, then he will outplay his low ADP this season. If he doesn't then there isn't any real fantasy value here unless I'm wrong about Evans and he emerges like Price did a few years ago as a rookie.

Cincinnati Bengals #2
Peter Warrick (ADP 10.05) versus Kelley Washington (ADP 16.01)

Peter Warrick has been unusually slow to recover from knee surgery and some believe Kelley Washington is in position to steal the #2 position and start alongside Chad Johnson. The Bengals insist they're just being cautious with Warrick and his job is secure. They loved the way he worked the middle and short routes last season allowing Johnson to run deep. Kelley Washington is a talented receiver who will become a bigger part of the offense. If Warrick continues with the lingering knee problems, Washington becomes a value in the 16th. Otherwise these two are being picked appropriately.

Oakland Raiders #3
Doug Gabriel versus Ronald Curry

Jerry Porter and Jerry Rice are the starters and that's without debate. Norv Turner won't discuss a depth chart at wide receiver beyond them. "I'm not sure you will be able to tell who the third or the fifth guy is," Turner said. Ronald Curry is backing up the slot position and Doug Gabriel is on the outside. Carlos Francis and Johnny Morant are competing to be that fifth guy.

Around The Rest of the League:

In Dallas Keyshawn Johnson is the number 1 with a fair enough ADP of 8.02. Terry Glenn returns to the same role he played a year ago and is currently being drafted a little low in the 16th round. Antonio Bryant has looked more like the impressive rookie he was a couple years ago and is probably being disregarded too much with an ADP of 19.05.

In Carolina expect more of the same from Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad and add in an exciting rookie named Keary Colbert. Smith has been a steady 4th rounder and Moosh has been lingering into the 12 and 13th. Colbert should be appearing in current ADPs very soon.

In Miami the loss of David Boston was filled by Marty Booker. That's probably an upgrade, but changing teams in mid camp will slow Booker down. His ADP before the trade was 7.01, and caution would drop him a couple rounds now. Chambers stays the same and is typically drafted in the mid 5th round.

In Denver Ashley Lelie is in a real battle with Darius Watts for the number two spot, but whoever comes through will be sharing time with the other. Lelie should be downgraded and Watts should start appearing in late rounds.

The big news in Minnesota was this quote from Mike Tice. "I guess we need to let him rest until he gets it back to 100 percent," Tice said. "Marcus is now our No. 3 receiver when he gets healthy. Nate is our No. 2 guy, and he'll stay that way even when Marcus gets back." Those of you high on Marcus Robinson need to rethink your position. Nate Burleson is poised for a nice season, and is the better late round draft pick. And Randy Moss should be pretty good.