I am not going to give a rankings or anything like that because that is just overkill at this point. So like last year, here are some names you should remember at draft time.  Without further adieu….

Quarterbacks

If I’m #1  – Aaron Rodgers – A homer pick? Maybe, but it’s true. Many people have Brees ranked #1 and quite frankly you can’t go wrong with either guy.  I just think Rodgers has better weapons, which does come into play when drafting your QB1.

Back up off me – Jay Cutler – Everyone thinks Cutler will put up big numbers with Martz in town. As I recall, Martz’s system is geared on making smart, quick decisions, which let’s just say isn’t in Jay’s wheelhouse.

Don’t sleep on me – Tom Brady – Not so much a sleeper, but is getting picked too low. I would rank him as high as #3 behind Rodgers and Brees. Brady and Moss are both playing for new contracts. Enough said.

Midnight sleeper – Tim Tebow – Before you leave right now, do I think Tebow will be a stud this year? Absolutely not, but he is one Orton injury away from having a Vince Young-esque rookie year. Also don’t forget about his goaline opportunities.

Running Backs

If I’m #1 – Chris Johnson – CJ wants 2,500 yards and who says he can’t come close?

Back up off me – Ryan Matthews – Wait, I am the only one not on the Matthews bandwagon? He will good, just not that good this year. He dominated the WAC, not the SEC, and plays for a team who likes to throw a lot.

Don’t sleep on me – Montario Hardesty – Cleveland does not have that much talent, but they do have a good offensive line. Harrison will get his touches, but talent usually wins out by the end of the year, which Hardesty has more of.

Midnight sleeper – Ryan Torain – What do Clinton Portis, Willie Parker and Larry Johnson all have in common? Slow, old and not that good anymore. Just look at Shanahan’s history of turning pedestrian backs into fantasy studs and oh yeah, he drafted Torain in his last draft with Denver.

Wide Receivers

If I’m #1 – Andre Johnson – Until someone proves otherwise.

Back up off me – Desean Jackson – Fitz is too easy with that QB mess, so it is Jackson who I am staying away from. His 62 receptions were just as many as he had as a rookie, so he just had more big plays, which is always a gamble. Maclin and Celek cuts into those numbers even more and Kolb isn’t McNabb quite yet.

Don’ t sleep on me -  Pierre Garcon – I’m really big on Garcon this year. Wayne is another year older and Garcon’s numbers were off the hook down the stretch and the playoffs. Manning will go to him early and often this year.

Midnight Sleeper – Legedu Naanee – Malcolm Floyd is a sleeper in many leagues with or without Vincent Jackson, but don’t forget about the guy who is actually replacing Jackson in the starting lineup. Naanee has big play potential and will get his crack right away in Week 1.

Tight Ends

If I’m #1 – Antonio Gates – Finley will be at the top of this list some day, but Gates is still the man. He also is still the clear #1 option in a very potent offense.

Back up off me – Kellen Winslow – Josh Freeman and rookie wide receivers means Winslow will be the focus of every defensive coordinator facing the Bucs.

Sleeper – Tony Scheffler - Pushed out in Denver, but may have found a good home in Detroit of all places. Stafford needs a safety valve and Scheffler will be just that until Pettigrew comes back to 100%.

Midnight sleeper – Rob Gronkowski – He is getting more and more noticed by the day, but has top-10 potential this year as rookie playing with Brady. Could be a touchdown vulture, which is just fine for a tight end.

Defense/Special Teams

If I’m #1 – New York Jets – I am excited as ever to see how the Jets’ year unfolds on offense, but I have a feeling this defense will be just as tough as they were last year. A motivated Cromartie might also be a steal, as there are eight hungry lil’ Antonio’s out there.

Back up off me – Chicago Bears – Why does everyone still think they are elite? Urlachers is already banged up and Peppers has no motivation to play hard with his new deal. What am I missing here?

Don’t sleep on me -  Miami Dolphins – No Joey Porter or Jason Taylor, big whup. Parcells is quietly building a strong defense with Sean Smith and Vontae Davis on the corners and picked up a beast in Dansby during free agency. First-round pick of Ordick could also help out the unit this year.

Midnight sleeper – Detroit Lions – Don’t laugh just yet. Not saying you should go out and draft them, just keep an eye on them. Sacks and turnovers do give you points and with players like Suh, Delmas, Levy and Vandenbosch, the Motor City Kitties might be worth a look as a bye week filler.

Kickers

I have never drafted a kicker outside of the last round and neither should you. My advice, pick the top-ranked kicker left when your last pick comes up. That’s all you get from me here.

Will this sage advice win you a fantasy title? Remains to be seen, but it will help you beat Chris Lempesis. That much I can guarantee you.

-Adam Somers

Chris’ first three picks: Grant, Brady, Big Fat Lendale White.  Mine (picking two spots later): Brees, Andre Johnson, Colston.

Enough said.

I don’t want to break down my squads too much since we all play fantasy football and I like to quiet and confident approach, so I won’t mention my late round gems of Ray Rice, Lesean McCoy and Brent Celek.  I should also mention that I am tied for first in my keeper league and destroying Chris this week in our fantasy hockey league, where I am also in first (but Chris does has the best team name ever though – “I’ve got change Patrick” referring to a certain Blackhawk). And this is coming off a fantasy baseball championship this summer.  Like I said I like quiet and confident approach.

So just because Chris is too bitter to provide any of his ‘last place’ fantasy insight, I’ll help you out and not give you the obvious – ’start Drew Brees’ either.   That’s right not second-to-last as he mentioned, but last.  So don’t try to sugarcoat your 3-9 record.

Anyways, here is your Week 13 Fantasy Focus brought to you by first place Somdog Millionaire.

Fantasy Start:

Quarterback: Donovan McNabb vs. Atlanta – Yes, I know Desean Jackson is out, but Atlanta’s secondary is very spotty at best.  You might already be starting McNabb this week, but if you aren’t, plug him in.  He has 5 touchdowns to three picks the last three weeks and the Eagles are battling for a playoff spot.  Atlanta ranks 27th against the pass and the game is indoors.

Running back: Knowshon Moreno vs. Kansas City – We are all coming down the stretch for the playoffs and you might be a little leery starting a rookie in a big spot.  Don’t be here.  Moreno is showing off his fresh, young legs rushing for 97, 80 and 88 yards each of the last three weeks and K.C. is awful against the run.  Josh McDaniels doesn’t get too cute like his mentor, so I say he keeps the trend going and gets in the endzone.

Wide Receiver: Santonio Holmes vs. Oakland – The Steelers may just try to pound the ball out to take heat off of Big Ben, but I think they will want to find some rhythm in the passing game, at least early on to build a lead.  Hines Ward will be covered by fantasy dream killer corner Nnamdi Asomugha, so that leaves Holmes as a primary target, who has at least 6 catches and 74 yards every game in past month.

Tight End: Brent Celek vs. Atlanta – See McNabb, Donovan.

Fantasy Sit:

Quarterback: Kurt Warner vs. Minnesota – Not sure if many of you have him starting, but if you I would look for better options.  Fitzgerald and Boldin look like a great match up against a average at best Minnesota secondary, so start them, but Warner might be running for his life and throw a few picks because of it.

Running back: Kevin Smith vs. Cincinnati – Calvin Johnson is banged up, Stafford is doubtful and fellow rookie Brandon Pettigrew is on IR.  That means a long day for Smith and the Bengals gain up on him

Wide Receiver – Steve Smith (CAR) vs. Tampa Bay – On paper looks like a great match up, right?  Not really.  Matt Moore is starting for the Panthers and Smith will draw Aquib Talib, one of the few bright spots on the Bucs this year.

Tight End: Kevin Boss vs. Dallas – Eli Manning looks bad and it is affecting Boss and the entire passing game.  Bad news against a hungry Dallas team with something to prove in December.  He also only had ONE catch for 13 yards in their first meeting.

Take a chance:

Quarterback: Alex Smith, Jay Cutler (ugh I know, but at home against a crappy team)

Running Back: Laurence Maroney, Ryan Grant (Ravens’ run D can be vulnerable)

Wide Receiver: Pierre Garcon, Robert Meachem (did you know he has 5 TD’s in the last 4 games?!)

Tight Ends: Todd Heap, Jermichael Finley – I just have a feeling it could be a big night for TE’s on Monday

Chris, don’t ever leave a door open like this again.  You learned your lesson.

-Adam Somers