Roddy White's fantasy value takes a hit with Ashley Lelie in Atlanta.The Falcons wanted a No. 3 receiver, and that's probably what they expect Lelie to be. But White and Lelie share a similar set of skills - both are pure deep threats. We're moving White down in our cheat sheets.
Warrick Dunn will take short-yardage carries with T.J. Duckett gone.
Dunn's fantasy value is now that of a clear-cut RB2. He becomes an every-down back. Don't let him fall out of the first 40 picks in your draft.
With T.J Duckett in Washington, third-round rookie Jerious Norwood now becomes the clear No. 2 running back in Atlanta.
He's the perfect handcuff for Warrick Dunn. Norwood's second preseason game left something to be desired, but he's an able receiver out of the backfield and may be, at this point, a poor man's Dunn. Reach a round or two early if you are a Warrick Dunn owner.
Michael Vick's fantasy value goes up with Ashley Lelie his third WR.
Vick now has complementary deep threats and Atlanta will likely use more three-receiver sets. Expect Michael Jenkins to be used primarily underneath, where Alge Crumpler has proven his reliability. Vick, who now has much more talented weapons, naturally will move up in our cheat sheets.
Clinton Portis' fantasy value drops with T.J. Duckett in Washington.
Still questionable to play in Week 1 with a dislocated shoulder, Portis' stock now falls even further. Duckett will likely cut into Portis' short-yardage carries; Portis hasn't been a goal-line stalwart since his Denver days. Take him out of your first-round plans.
Due to the Redskins' acquisition of T.J. Duckett, Ladell Betts will likely share carries until Clinton Portis (shoulder) returns to action.
Betts was a fine pickup or draft pick for Portis' owners, but now Duckett and Betts' value decrease. Neither is a particularly attractive late-round selection, though Duckett will probably score a handful of TDs.
Falcons acquired WR Ashley Lelie from the Broncos in exchange for a conditional third- or fourth-round pick in 2007.
Lelie is expected to be Atlanta's third receiver, but Roddy White and Michael Jenkins' fantasy values are not helped in the deal. Lelie's skills set is similar to White's to Roddy's value probably takes the worst hit.
Jerome Pathon is no longer a third receiver with Ashley Lelie a Falcon.
Thank goodness. Pathon has a good chance of being cut.
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