I see a number of players slipping in most drafts that normally noone would sleep on. Have these players simply been overtaken by younger talent, are they actually not performing to their potential, or is it simply injury concern?

Donovan McNabb/ Philly Eagles - This one is all about the injuries.  McNabb was on a fantasy MVP like pace last, and depending on your league format could have been a leader in fantasy points per game.  And then in a strange fall, his season was over as his ACL tore.   McNabb has been battling injuries the past few seasons, but at the same time he doesn’t seem like an injury prone player as his injuries have been more freakish in nature, than consistent.  An injury proned player seems to get hurt every game, or is doubtful every week due to some soreness or issue.  McNabb is never a concern for minor injuries, and plays through much pain.  All of his recent injuries have been season ending, which is just bad luck.  A torn stomache muscle, a torn ACL.  With the way McNabb can perform when in the game, I wouldn’t let him slip due to these type of past injuries.  Any QB can have his knees taken out on a play and be gone who are far less valuable than McNabb.  Brees has been hurt much more often than McNabb, but because his injuries have always happened at the end of seasons, or offseason, they have been far less noticeable.  Don’t sleep on McNabb.

Shaun Alexander/ Seattle Seahawks - Most rankings have have him top 5, but many drafts have him going closer to the 8-10 range.  Young RB studs like Addai and Gore have crept up past Alexander only two years after his MVP season.  Has Alex the great lost a step?  I actually don’t feel Alexander has fallen that much behind his normal pace.  Yes, last season was his first year with any injury that sent him to the sidelines, but that is more a statement on how durable he has been.  The issue I see here is the Seattle offense, and offensive line.  It simply doesn’t open up holes like it once did, nor is dynamic enough through the air to keep the pressure off of Alexander.  I agree with Alexander being drafted anywhere in the 8-12 range, especially since Alexander’s main talent is finding the end zone, not rushing, receiving and more.  A guy like Reggie Bush could explode and be more valuable by seasons end iwth his type of game, if Seattle is not able to find the red zone for Alexander.

Edgerrin James/ Arizona Cardinals - Did anyone really expect that Edge would come out of Indy and put up the exact same numbers in a struggling Zona offense?  Well if you did, you were probably mightly surprised last season.  But last year is much different than this season in Zona.  Arizona has an improved offensive line this year with a couple key signings and overall growth of their younger players, and they have two of the most explosive wide receivers lining up across from each other with Leinhart entering the season with some games under his belt and ready to go.  If the line can provide a few more holes for Edge to punch through, the air attack will keep the defenses honest.  Edge has no competition, so he will dominate the ball.  Look for improved stats over last year, and Edge to play much higher than his current draft positions.

Brandon Jacobs/ NY giants - Well this guy certainly isn’t past his prime, but he seems to be overlooked in all drafts.  Everytime Jacobs touched the ball last year and ran some defender down, every keeper league and fantasy owner chanted, wait till he is the full time starter.  Well, with Tiki retiring about 3 years before anyone expected, now Jacobs finally is the full-time starter and he is getting no respect.  the Droughns signing is simply bacup insurance and someone adequate to play a series here and there.  Everyteam needs a reliable backup RB, but Reuban is no threat to Jacobs carries.  Jacobs is a beast with speed and quick feet.  Bettis with more height and speed.   Other than a questionable Giants offense (which has all the pieces to be solid, they just need to gel again) there should be no concerns drafting Jacobs, and if you are getting him where most owners are looking at platoon RB’s, you are getting a steal.

Hines Ward - Ward is getting older and he plays in a conventional smashmouth run- offense in Pitt.  Wait a second, noone heard that there is a new coach in town?  You can’t get much more reliable than Hines Ward and in 2007/ 2008 the offense is suppose to be more about getting the ball to him, than running 70% of the time.  The “New Offense” is suppose to have full confidence in Big Ben to make decisions and throws on the run, and not just hand the ball off to Fast Willie.  There are a lot of ifs, and we’ll sees with Pitt this year, but expect Ward to still put up better stats than last year regardless, and be better than the Reggie Browns, Deion Branch and other similar tier players he seems to be drafted around.  It would be tough for him to crack the top 10 of receivers, but if you are in that 12-15 range you should be thinking Hines.