Fantasy news, notes and nuggets

Some predictions, thoughts and even confessions to help prepare for one of the great days on the calendar, Fantasy Football Draft Day.

LOOKIN' GOOD

Observations from last year's fantasy section that we made sure the bosses saw:

- Pittsburgh running back Rashard Mendenhall was a live sleeper.

What happened: Mendenhall finished seventh in rushing (1,273) and only Arian Foster (16) had more rushing TDs (13).

- Houston running back Arian Foster will use the final two games of 2009 as a steppingstone for 2010.

What happened: We might not have foreseen him being the fantasy MVP, but we did like him.

- Baltimore Joe Flacco could be the steal of the quarterback crop.

What happened: Though Josh Freeman was the steal, Flacco had a career-high 28 TD passes and a career-low 11 picks.

- Use a late-round pick on Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Williams.

What happened: Had 65 catches and nearly 1,000 yards for the surprising Bucs.

COMING CLEAN

... And some we shoulda kept to ourselves:

- Michael Bush was a better option in Oakland than Darren McFadden.

What happened: McFadden (1,664 total yards, 10 TDs) had a career year.

- Had Brandon Jackson on the list of running backs to consider as handcuffs.

What happened: Sure enough, starter Ryan Grant went down in Week 1, but Jackson (43.9 yards per game) was hardly the answer.

- Had Donovan McNabb rated higher than Matt Ryan.

What happened: McNabb sulked his way out of Washington while Ryan had a career-high 28 TD passes.

- Randy Moss is hungry and will have a big season.

What happened: He wore out his welcome in New England after about a month. Then did the same in Minnesota and Tennessee. Sorry 'bout that.

HEADACHE RELIEF

Five fantasy migraines that have moved on:

1. Marion Barber went from hindering Felix Jones in Dallas to muddying the backfield in Chicago.

2. Baltimore's Ray Rice is free of Willis McGahee (Denver), but will Ricky Williams now steal his goal-line carries?

3. Kevin Kolb went to Arizona to put Derek Anderson out of Larry Fitzgerald's misery.

4. There's no longer a need to consider drafting Carson Palmer.

5. Randy Moss retired.

'CUFF 'EM

Running back handcuffs to consider*

Javon Ringer, Tennessee

Isaac Redman, Pittsburgh

Thomas Jones, Kansas City

Ronnie Brown, Eagles

Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville

*Handcuffs are backup players drafted in case of injury to the starter.

THIRD GEAR

Because the third season can often be a breakthrough for skill-position players, here is a look at some guys entering that stage of their careers:

- Running Backs

Arian Foster, Houston

Shonn Greene, N.Y. Jets

Rashad Jennings, Jacksonville

LeSean McCoy, Eagles

Knowshon Moreno, Denver

Beanie Wells, Arizona

- Wide Receivers

Kenny Britt, Tennessee

Austin Collie, Indianapolis

Michael Crabtree, San Francisco

Johnnie Knox, Chicago

Percy Harvin, Minnesota

Jeremy Maclin, Eagles

Mohamed Massaquoi, Cleveland

Hakeem Nicks, N.Y. Giants

Mike Thomas, Jacksonville

Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh

ROOKIE WATCH

1. Mark Ingram, RB, New Orleans

2. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta

3. Daniel Thomas, RB, Miami

4. Ryan Williams, RB, Arizona

5. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina