Baltimore Ravens - Where should Willis McGahee be drafted?

I'm looking for McGahee to be a big-time fantasy producer, and I'm not just saying that so I don't get swamped with disparaging e-mails from Ravens fans. I kind of enjoy those. Baltimore's new running back was not much of a factor last season with the Bills, rushing for 990 yards and six touchdowns. That led to critics questioning his toughness and heart. So why do I like the prospects of McGahee rebounding with the Ravens? For starters, he's the undisputed No. 1 back. That may not have meant much 10 years ago, but in today's NFL, it's a big deal. Secondly, while he's only produced 11 touchdowns over the last two seasons, McGahee proved in 2004 (13 TDs) that he can have a nose for the end zone under the right circumstances. And finally, he's playing with something to prove. McGahee thinks he's the best running back in the NFL, and now he gets a second chance to prove it. The concerns? McGahee's never proved to be much of a factor in the pass game. And number two, can the Ravens' offensive line do a better job in the run game than it did last year? I say yes. We all watched Jamal Lewis struggle to gain 1,132 yards and nine touchdowns last year. And at this point in his career, McGahee's a better back. He should be picked towards the end of the first round or the beginning of the second round.

Cleveland Browns - Should we expect a big year out of Jamal Lewis?

If you read the country's most popular NFL writer Peter King, you'd be inclined to grab Lewis as a No. 2 running back. King says Lewis is a lock for 1,300 yards, is in great shape and is out to prove that the Ravens made a mistake in getting rid of him. I haven't been to Cleveland's training camp, but I'm not sold on Lewis this year. He's looked worn out over the past two seasons, averaging 3.6 yards per carry last year and 3.4 yards per carry in '05. He's joining a Cleveland rushing attack that ranked 31st in the league last season when the Browns ran for just seven touchdowns. The bright side with Lewis is that he appears to be the undisputed starter and he could be running with a chip on his shoulder. Still, don't expect big things. He's no more than a third running back.

Cincinnati Bengals - Is Carson Palmer the best fantasy QB not named Peyton Manning?

I say yes. But it's close. Palmer returned from a knee injury in '06 and was tremendous, throwing for 4,035 yards, 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He's more than capable of finishing the season as the No. 1 fantasy quarterback, but it would be foolish to pick him over Manning. Palmer has playmakers at wide receiver, an explosive offense and possibly the best mechanics in the game. It will be interesting to see where he gets picked because the quarterbacks behind him -- Tom Brady and Drew Brees -- also could finish the season as the top-rated fantasy QB. Would you take a shot on Palmer as the second quarterback off the board if you thought you had a shot at Brady, Brees, or even Marc Bulger or Donovan McNabb with your next pick? I don't think I would.

Pittsburgh Steelers - Can Ben Roethlisberger bounce back in '07?

The Steelers quarterback had a rough go last season after a motorcycle accident and appendectomy. On the field, he threw 23 interceptions in 15 games, an atrocious number. That being said, Roethlisberger still threw for 3,513 yards in 15 games, the eighth-highest total in the league. The interceptions were puzzling considering he was picked off only 20 times in 26 games the previous two seasons. It's tough to know what to expect with Bill Cowher gone, but my initial feeling is that Roethlisberger could be a solid sleeper. He's obviously talented enough and is a good bet to complete around 60 percent of his passes. If Santonio Holmes (824 yards, 2 TDs as a rookie) can emerge as a legitimate No. 2 receiver opposite Hines Ward, Roethlisberger could finish this season as a top-10 QB. That's pretty good value, considering he'll likely be around the 15th quarterback off the board in most drafts.