But we are here…finally.

Yet behind all the excitement of another season, there are questions for which I need answers before my next draft. Yes, I know I probably won’t get any definitive answers, but could the coaching staffs and in particular the medical staffs help me out here?

Health is my No. 1 concern. You can’t score from the blue medical tent or dressed in street clothes.

It’s tough enough to get through a 17-game season when you start the year healthy, but for many players, there are already questions.

At quarterback, Matthew Stafford is the most concerning. He's dealing with a back issue which will only be compounded each week by 350-pound defensive tackles falling on top of him. The problem isn't just for those who drafted the quarterback, but how Puka Nacua and Davante Adams would be effected by Jimmy Garoppolo under center. For now, Stafford's back appears to be OK, but if you are drafting the Rams quarterback, be sure to draft a backup a round earlier than normal.

Last year's top fantasy quarterback, Lamar Jackson, had his foot stepped on late last week, but it appears he will be fine. Meanwhile, Jordan Love seems like he will be ready for the season after left thumb surgery in mid-August.

The running back position is much more concerning than signal callers.

Starters De'Von Achane (calf), Najee Harris (eye), Joe Mixon (foot), Tyjae Spears (ankle) and Rhamondre Stevenson (undisclosed), have us looking for real answers. It remains to be seen who will be ready for opening day but we know Mixon and Spears (high-ankle sprain) won't be available.

Mixon missed the offseason program and training camp, and after many weeks of silence, the Texans announced Monday afternoon that Mixon would be placed on the reserve/non-football injury list and will miss at least the first four games. Not good, but at least they have clarified things a little bit. A little late for the three leagues I've already drafted in, but better late than never. It's why leagues should wait until the last few days to draft. I did draft Mixon in one of my auction leagues, but only because I got him for the bare minimum... $1. At that price, he's certainly worth the gamble after producing 1,325 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns in 14 games. In his absence, however long it might actually be, veterans Nick Chubb, Dameon Pierce and rookie Woody Marks might get some run. Chubb will fly up draft charts, but don't be afraid to add Marks late. He looked strong in the preseason and he's a good pass catcher out of the backfield (261 receptions at Mississippi State and USC).

Don't forget the handcuffs later on in the draft. Lesser names like; Ollie Gordon II, Trey Benson, Ray Davis, Dylan Sampson, Zamir White, Jordan Mason, Cam Skattebo, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Kaleb Johnson could come in handy if you stash them on draft day.

On to receivers.

First we have some suspensions to evaluate. Jordan Addison will miss the first three games of the season, but at least we know he'll be back for Week 4 against Pittsburgh (in Ireland). Demarcus Robinson of the 49ers also will sit out the first three games, which is unfortunate as he would have been a useful fill-in for San Francisco where they are dealing with injuries to Brandon Aiyuk (knee) and Jauan Jennings (calf). We also learned this week that the Chiefs' Rashee Rice will miss 6 games.

Other starters who will enter the season at less than 100% are; A.J. Brown, Marquise Brown, Stefon Diggs, Josh Downs, Chris Godwin (October?), Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, rookie Tetairoa McMillan, Darnell Mooney, Malik Nabers, Jayden Reed and Khalil Shakir.

That's a lot of firepower.

I'm most concerned with Godwin (ankle) and A.J. Brown (hamstring). Tampa Bay plans to activate Godwin from the PUP list, but you shouldn't expect him back before October. The fact that they activated him allows him to practice during those weeks and seems like he'll be ready to roll sometime before Halloween. Still, his absence and the rave reviews about rookie Emeka Egbuka, might mean the Bucs bring Godwin along slower than fantasy owners would hope. In Philadelphia, Brown hasn't done anything since mid-August, though I did spot him running before the third exhibition game at about 80% speed. I think he will be ready for opening Thursday night, but it's still not a guarantee.

Then there are the players who are healthy now, but never seem to get through an entire season unscathed. I try not to pay the "full" price for these guys.

Christian McCaffrey is an obvious question mark. When he is healthy, he is elite, but over the last five seasons he played three, seven, 17, 16 and four games. With a current ADP of 8.7, that's a lot to be concerned about over a late first-round selection. Obviously, recently traded Brian Robinson Jr. should be drafted as well.

James Conner will cost you a lot less than CMC, but also is no guarantee to be ready every weekend for 17 games either. In fact, in his eight seasons, he has never played them all, though he has averaged 13.1 games per season. His tough running leads to nicks and bruises and he misses a couple of games every year. Benson is a must-handcuff.

I'm expecting big things from Dak Prescott... if he can stay on the field. In three of the last five seasons, he's missed at least five games and two of those were more than half the season. But, if healthy in 2025, with both CeeDee Lamb, new WR2 George Pickens and very little productivity at running back, Dak could produce at his 2019 level when he threw for more than 4,900 yards, 30 touchdowns and finished fourth among fantasy quarterbacks averaging 25.7 FPts/G. He seems healthy heading into the campaign. At Dak's ADP (106.3) and as the 11th quarterback off the board, I think he's a steal.

Another quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, is a pretty nice fantasy option... when he plays entire games. His health is a concern to those who roster Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle too because the Dolphins have never been wise enough to have a quality backup. Which seems foolish when your starter is one knock to the head from his 88th concussion and retirement. OK, not 88, but a lot. In the six games Tagovailoa missed in 2024, the combination of Tyler Huntley, Skylar Thompson and Tim Boyle went 122-of-192 for 1,169 yards three touchdowns and three interceptions. A half a touchdown pass-per-game and under 195 passing yards will not support Hill and Waddle to the level fantasy owners expect from them (ADP 28 and 69.7, respectively). Will Zach Wilson or Texas rookie Quinn Ewers be better than last year's backups? We hope so, but neither has proven anything at this level. Again the price is right for you to add him late. He's the 21st passer off the board in the 18th round (ADP 177).

Finally, the Vikings' J.J. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season due to a meniscus tear, but he's had a full 12 months to heal and the tools to be much better than where he's being drafted. I believe he'll do well in the Minnesota offense. Head coach Kevin O'Connell is apparently a "quarterback whisperer" turning a "lost" Sam Darnold into a Pro Bowler (4,319 passing yards, 35 TD passes and 12 interceptions). McCarthy is being drafted in the 15th round. He's got superstar receiver Justin Jefferson, Addison (after his suspension) Jalen Nailor, tight end T.J. Hockenson and a good pass-catcher in Aaron Jones. Four thousand passing yards is doable.