Fantasy news and views

Week 2 of the regular season is in the books. What are the latest roster shakeups and how will, or should, they affect your lineup? Let's take a look.

News: Donovan McNabb nearly upstages Tony Romo in a classic MNF battle

Views: Talk about a fantasy owner's dream: Romo threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns (two for Terrell Owens; one to Marion Barber) in the Cowboys' thrill-a-minute 41-37 victory over the Eagles. McNabb nearly matched his counterpart, throwing for 281 yards and one touchdown (although it should be two, given DeSean Jackson's ill-conceived, early-TD celebration on that 60-yard reception).

Verdict: I am officially a supporter of McNabb's fantasy campaign in '08. Sure, he's prone to injury and the Lincoln Financial Field playing surface is horrible during the soggy November and December months. But when healthy, NO ONE does more with less pass-catching talent than McNabb ... and fantasy owners would be wise to move heaven and earth to grab him, via trade -- especially if Matt Cassel is your QB1.

News: Lions WR Roy Williamsgripes about not getting enough touches

Views: Williams is one of the most polarizing talents in fantasy football. The man wears his heart on his sleeve -- meaning when things are good, he'll tell you about it all day, and when things go bad ... well, it could get ugly. On the surface, he's averaging a healthy eight targets per game (the number of times a receiver has the ball thrown his way) -- ranking 22nd in the league among wide receivers. However, he has caught only six of those 16 passes (37.5 percent) for a miniscule 95 yards (and one touchdown). That production has been easily dwarfed by Williams' low-key, but high-profile partner-in-crime, Calvin Johnson, who's pulled down 13 catches for 236 yards (No. 2 among WRs) and two touchdowns in two games.

Verdict: Johnson is rapidly becoming one of the best pass-catchers in the NFL, obviously relegating Williams to WR2 status with Detroit. But since the Lions are the NFL's best garbage time team, there should be enough scoring opportunities to satisfy both first-round picks (Williams, 2004; Johnson, '07). Now, if only Detroit could send Williams out on more crossing patterns or fly routes -- instead of those inward curls more suitable for shorter, quicker slot receivers -- and not 6-foot-4 jumping jacks with soft hands.

News: Braylon Edwards has just five catches for 46 yards in two games

Views: A receiver is only as good as the guy who's throwing him the ball -- and vice versa. And right now, no starting QB (not named Tarvaris Jackson) is struggling worse than Cleveland's Derek Anderson, last year's fantasy Golden Boy and, potentially, this year's Charlie Frye. Back to Edwards ... he's only caught five of his 20 targets (an absurdly low 25 percent), numbers that can be attributed to great defense (Dallas, Pittsburgh), a few drops (he had four against the Cowboys) or high winds (see Sunday night's sleep-inducing 10-6 loss to the Steelers). Regardless, this output should be unacceptable to Edwards, the Browns and fantasy owners everywhere.

Verdict: If you had Edwards pegged for 1,400 receiving yards and 16 TDs (similar to last year), you may want to adjust your slide-rule tip calculator -- because the Browns are a mess right now. Realistically, Edwards could still register 81 catches for 1,100 yards and 8 TDs for the season -- numbers worthy of a WR2. In other words, he's the perfect "Buy Low" candidate in fantasyland.

News: RB Darren McFaddenlikely to start in Week 3 against Buffalo

Views: Yes, Raiders running back Justin Fargas is nursing a groin injury right now, prompting D-Mac's early rise to the starting gig. But let's get serious: The No. 4 overall pick in April's draft was the de facto go-to guy before Fargas went down; and after his 164-yard, 1-TD rushing output against the Chiefs (a win that may have temporarily saved Lane Kiffin's job), there is no doubt who'll carry the load the rest of the way.

Verdict: What's not to like about McFadden in fantasyland? The Raiders are a top-5 team in rushing attempts, D-Mac can catch balls out of the backfield and he's an every-down back (McFadden accounted for 89 of 95 yards in a third-quarter scoring drive against K.C.). Barring injury, he should be a mortal lock for 1,300 total yards and 10 TDs.

News: The hard-luck, talent-thin Seahawks lose another WR to major injury

Views: In Mike Holmgren's wildest dreams, he couldn't have envisioned the loss of Logan Payne as a potential death knell for the season. But the team is officially out of wide receivers from training camp -- meaning the fate of Seattle's passing game (excluding talented rookie TE John Carlson -- 78 yards vs. San Francisco) rests with street free agents (like Billy McMullen or ex-'Hawk Koren Robinson).

Verdict: There is ray of light at the end of the tunnel: Both Deion Branch (knee) and Bobby Engram (shoulder) are slated to return from injury in October; and in the meantime, the Seahawks can ride RB Julius Jones (127 rushing yards, 1 TD in Week 2) to a home win against the sad-sack Rams this Sunday -- thus buying Holmgren and QB Matt Hasselbeck more time to solve their passing woes.