Scott Engel

  (3:00 PM)

Good afternoon everyone! Welcome to the Monday Fantasy Football Chat! I will take your keeper, dynasty, 2008 and playoff league questions today. And if you want to ask any Arena Football questions, too, feel free to fire away!

BJ Carmel, NY

Scott, Ryan Grant has been a beast, to say the least. We have seen 1 hit wonders in the NFL before, but where do you project him going next year, in comparison to guys like McGahee or even Frank Gore?

Scott Engel

  (3:01 PM)

I think after his great second half and outstanding playoff game, he will be a late-first rounder in 12-team leagues. He'll go slightly ahead of McGahee and a round before Gore, who was less consistent this year than in 2007

Jack (Chicago)

I pick 6 next year, so who are your top 6 in 2008?

Scott Engel

  (3:07 PM)

My top six picks for 2008 - 1 - Brady 2 - Tomlinson 3 - Brian Westbrook 4 - Peyton Manning 5 - Randy Moss 6 - Adrian Peterson

Gene Chciago, IL

Frank Gore had bad numbers this year. Do you think he will bounce back next year?

Scott Engel

  (3:08 PM)

They were bad numbers compared to '06, but still pretty good all-around - it all depends on how much the Niners move to improve the passing game to give the team more balance so Gore faces less defensive attention

BJ Carmel, NY

Lets say you have the 12th pick in a PPR league...After the WR outburst of this year, would you feel more comfortable grabbing 2 WR's there, then the crapshoot RBs?

Scott Engel

  (3:09 PM)

I would simply take the two best players available, regardless of position

BJ Carmel, NY

Keeper Question...Braylon Edwards in the 3rd or Norwood in the 6th, without knowing Draft position?

Scott Engel

  (3:10 PM)

Edwards - he is already a proven star, but we don;t know if Norwood can handle anything more than a part-time workload in the near future

Tod (Sedona, Az)

Will Brady be the #1 QB next year or does Peyton with a recovered Harrison still nudge him out? Could they both go in the first round?

Scott Engel

  (3:12 PM)

Yes, they could both go in the first round, but Harrison is getting more brittke with age and Brady's WR corps has more depth - there is no reason to hope Manning passes Brady - he's still great, and that is all that matters - you can only have one on your roster, and you will do very well with either one

Trent(Marine/Pod Trooper)

Would you actually take S.Jackson above Adrian Peterson? And are you a Pod Trooper or Stephania Soldier?

Scott Engel

  (3:18 PM)

No, I would take Peterson first, he is more explosive. His ceiling and upside are incredible. As for your second question, neither.

BJ Carmel, NY

Scott can you ever remember a year like this one, where RB's were clearly outmatched by WR's and QB's...and to an extent even TE's?

Scott Engel

  (3:19 PM)

No, it's been a long time since I have seen something like this. I think it clearly changes draft strategies for '08, as it now becomes best available players instead of positional requirements early on

Louis (DC)

I can keep six keepers for next year with no restrictions. Besides the obvious keepers of AP, Maroney and TO, which three should I keep between B. Marshall, Witten, Shaun Alexander, Bulger, S. Young and Lee Evans? Thanks.

Scott Engel

  (3:22 PM)

Marshall had his breakthrough season in '07, and is a definite keeper. Witten has moved back to elite status and should be your second choice, The, it depends on your starting requirements - if its 3 WRs, keep Evans - if its a flex, keep Young - if you only start two WRs and two RBs, keep Bulger

Kenny Watson(Cincy)

Do you think I will be the starting hb in week 1 next season?

Scott Engel

  (3:24 PM)

Ruid Johnson is under contract through 2009, and I don't think the Bengals enviison Watson as a regular starter - he may be in line to share some touches next season, though

BJ Carmel, NY

Speaking of Maroney...Do you think he is anything more than a middle of the road RB? I cant see BB committing to the run after this year and I think it severely limits his upside.

Scott Engel

  (3:26 PM)

Maroney improved as the year went on, both as an inside runner and a pass-catcher - The Pats will still pass first, but Maroney will finish off a lot of scoring drives and his numbers in the past few games are more reflective of what to expect from him next year - he'll be a top 10 RB

Scott Engel

  (3:27 PM)

My picks for next week - New England 35, San Diego 20. Green Bay 31, Giants 21

Dan (Baltimore)

Need 4 keepers out of MBIII, Edge, Ronnie Brown, Braylon Edwards, and Drew Brees (already keeping LT)... PPR league with an OP spot (meaning 2 QB's can be played).

Scott Engel

  (3:29 PM)

Brees and Edwards are top players at their positions and should be kept for sure. Keep Brown in case he can rebound next year, and Barber for the TDs, even if inconsistency is still an issue

BJ Carmel, NY

If Michael Turner goes to a competitive team, Does he become a Top 10 pick?

Scott Engel

  (3:30 PM)

I think Turner is a potential workhorse who can score eight-plus times as a starter, but I would likely list him just outside of the top 10, as he has to prove himself as a consistent ballcarrier first

Brad(NM)

What are your thoughts on possibly taking Brady with the #1 next year over LT should Moss resign w/NE?

Scott Engel

  (3:31 PM)

I believe Moss will return and Brady should definitely be the No. 1 pick overall because of that combination and the supporting cast

Scott Engel

  (3:34 PM)

Arena Football is just around the corner - our Pick "Em game will be back in 2008 - I really like Philadelphia this year

Bob, AZ

So much does Brady go for in a $100 auction league with 12 teams?

Scott Engel

  (3:35 PM)

I could see the bidding approaching 50 dollars - it would not surprise me, but I would duck out of the war at 45

Joe (SI, NY)

YHow far does Brady's stock fall if they don't retain Moss? And who are your sleepers for next year (excluding rookies)

Scott Engel

  (3:38 PM)

It would surprise me if he doesn't get Moss back, but if that happens, he drops to the second round. Too early to call on rookies as we are just seeing who is coming out of the underclassmen - but among vets I like TE Brent Celek, WR Ted Ginn Jr., RB Michael Bush, WR Sidney Rice

Rob (Grand Rapids, MI)

Where does Turner go and where would you like to see him go for potential?

Scott Engel

  (3:39 PM)

It all depends where he lands, but I can see him as a late second-rounder when some of the more proven standout RBs have gone off the board

Joe (NY)

Hey Scott, who are your top 10 sleepers/bounceback players for next year?

Scott Engel

  (3:45 PM)

Donovan McNabb, DeAngelo Williams, Javon Walker, Matt Schaub, Larry Johnson, Frank Gore, Deion Branch, Roydell Williams, Roy Williams, Bernard Berrian

BJ Carmel, NY

There are rumors going around that Larry Fitz is being shopped? Lets say he goes to a team with a quality QB, where does he land in terms of WR's...Top 5?

Scott Engel

  (3:46 PM)

Hev not seen such rumors yet and I doubt Arizona can or will part with him - he is top 5 for sure

Bailey (Atlanta)

Scott, if McFadden goes to Atlanta at #3, what will his fantasy projection be next year? Or will it depend on the Head Coach they get?

Scott Engel

  (3:47 PM)

He can be an instant star and very good No. 2 fantasy RB - his consistent output will depend on how much the quarterbacking and defense improves

Chris (Philly)

Hey Scott, Which 2 keepers do you like for next year out of: Brady, Addai, Ryan Grant, and Marion Barber? Does Barber or Grant's playoff performance put one of them above Addai? Thanks in advance.

Scott Engel

  (3:48 PM)

Brady for sure, and as much as I like Grant, I prefer Addai for more versatility

chris (hartford, ct)

So we're not supposed to be worried that AP didn't even sniff 100 yards his last 7 games or so? Or do we chalk it to injury?

Scott Engel

  (3:50 PM)

I think we have to wait and see how the offense improves around him - He only failed to reach 100 in the last four and was still scoring touchdowns - I think Minnesota will make abig effort to bulk up the passing game around him

Tom (SC)

12 Team Keeper League- I am definitely keeping LT, AP, Randy Moss, and Braylan Edwards, my last keeper spot I can take either Brees, Fitzgerald, or Grant? I am leaning towards Fitz, in a league where we start 2 RB's and 3 Wr's so I can have a solid core of Starters! Somehow I wasn't the champ this year.

Scott Engel

  (3:52 PM)

I think you should keep Fitzgerald to fill out your starting WRs and then you can focus on getting a steady QB with your first draft choice

matt,mpls

Where is Joseph Addai next season? Top seven or eight?

Scott Engel

  (3:53 PM)

I put him just outside the top 5 and would not argue with anyone who took him sixth over Peterson

BJ Carmel, NY

Whats the deal with D.Williams? I thought for sure he would have excelled in the zone blocking scheme that Carolina implemented this year...Does he get 75% of the carries next year or still playing second fiddle to Foster?

Scott Engel

  (3:55 PM)

Foster is still under contract, and while Williams clearly has mor eupside, he may still have to earn a larger percentage of the carries in training camp

Rob (Grand Rapids, MI)

I meant what team do you see him going to and where would he be the best fit for his potential? Thanks.

Scott Engel

  (3:58 PM)

Teams that could use a RB like Turner include Houston (they would be smart not to lean on Ahman Green again), Detroit, Oakland and Seattle. I'd like to see him in Detroit or Seattle for the best fantasy numbers

Jeff (San Jose)

Who's looking better next year, Gore with Martz in charge or Barber with J Jones gone?

Scott Engel

  (3:59 PM)

Barber ia TD machine and a strong runner as a part-timer, but I wouldn't expect consistency as a regular - Martz is there to upgrade the passing game - neither has a raised outlook but I like Barber better overall.

Rod (Cleveland)

I am already keeping Lynch and Peyton. I can't decide on my third keeper between Parker, Jacobs, and Fitzgerald. Thoughts?

Scott Engel

  (4:00 PM)

Since you already have a QB and a RB, I would keep Fitzgerald to anchor your WR corps. Thanks a lot everyone!