Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

 

Favre (left) has passed to torch to Rodgers, and he's done well with it thus far. (Photo courtesy of The Cheese Heads @ blogspot)

Rodgers is quickly proving to be the medicine for Packers’ fan’s going through Favre withdrawal. Many expected Rodgers to be decent, but he was much more than that in his first full season as a starter in 2008. Throwing for over 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns, Rodgers also threw only 13 picks, a number that matched Favre’s career LOW in interceptions. Rodgers has great targets in Greg Jennings (the next superstar WR), Donald Driver (reliable No. 2), and Ryan Grant in the backfield. Rodgers may not have the need to pass as often this year with an improved Green Bay defense, but he’ll still be just as efficient (if not more so) and will put up similar TD numbers.

 

Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons

 

Gonzo will be the same beast he was in KC, but with a better QB. (Photo courtesy of nflgoddess.com)

No off-season acquisition, not even Housh to Seattle or Haynesworth to Washington, will have the impact that Tony Gonzalez to the Falcons will have. In 2008, Gonzo managed over 1,000 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns and had nearly 100 receptions. Did I mention that was all while playing for a team that used a combination of Tyler Thigpen and Brodie Croyle at quarterback? Now Gonzalez is with the Falcons, a team chock full of play makers and a young dynamo at QB. If you’re in a keeper league, Gonzalez’s age may be a bit of a concern (he’s 33). But in one year leagues, you can’t do much better at the tight end position than this guy. He’s always been a top 5 TE, and his move to the ATL only increases his stock.

 

Steve Slaton, RB, Texans

 

Slaton could be a top 5 RB by year's end, or higher. (Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated)

Take a look back at the 2008 draft, and tell me which rookie RB led the league in rushing. Forte? Nope. McFadden? Not even close. Chris Johnson? Good guess, but you’d be wrong. It was Steve Slaton, the kid from West Virginia who, in the early summer of ‘08, was looking like he’d be third on the depth chart behind Ahman Green and Chris Brown. However, an early season injury to Green opened the door for Slaton, and all he did was rush for nearly 1,300 yards and 9 touchdowns. The stat line doesn’t end there for Slaton. He’s also a receiving threat, catching 50 balls for 377 yards. Now as the featured back going into the season, Slaton is sure to be a key part of an offense featuring Andre Johnson at WR. Look for Slaton to close in on 1,700 yards and possibly 14-16 touchdowns. Don’t be scared to grab him in the first round.

 

Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs

 

Bowe will benefit from a new QB and the departure of Tony Gonzalez. (Photo courtesy of fanhouse.com)

It’s not often I say that Matt Cassel improves someone’s fantasy projections (in fact, this will probably be the only time). However, such is the case with Chiefs’ WR Dwayne Bowe. Last year, catching from the same QB carousel that Tony Gonzalez dealt with, Bowe managed 86 catches and over 1,000 yards receiving. Todd Haley comes to KC as the new coach, and we all know what he did running the Cardinal’s offense last year. Bowe has enough capable receivers around him to where he’s not forced to carry the workload, but he can expect to be the main target. Combine that with Cassel’s impressive stint as a starter for the Patriots last year, and you have perhaps the perfect storm. Bowe is worthy of being the first WR you take in the draft.

 

Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys

 

Sign him up: Witten is ready to be your dynasty TE superstar. (Photo courtesy of tristarproductions.com)

If the team chemistry in Dallas doesn’t improve with the departure of Terrell Owens, one thing’s for sure: Witten’s production is bound to increase big time. Last year, Antonio Gates was the only TE in the league targeted more times than Witten. Now with the largely disappointing Roy Williams as the only other recognizable receiving threat, expect the man crush Tony Romo has on his tight end to grow. Witten’s got great hands and is just as reliable in the red zone as anyone else in the league. It wouldn’t hurt to snatch him up even as early as late 3^rd round.