It’s late June, and time to take a closer look at the South Division teams to see how things are shaping up...

AFC SOUTH

Houston Texans: The Texans finally took a step forwards in 2007, finishing with a respectable 8-8 record. And that happened despite the fact that QB Matt Schaub missed several games due to injury. Schaub is healthy and once again slated to start. If his health holds up, he’s a nice fantasy sleeper. QB Sage Rosenfels returns as the backup to Schaub. He was targeted by several teams in trade, but the Texans chose to hold onto him since he led them to several wins last year when Schaub was injured. The running game remains a bit of a problem for the Texans, as RB Ahman Green missed most of last season due to creaky knees. He’s still with the team, but it’s very questionable that he can be a healthy starter every week. Fortunately, the Texans signed free-agent RB Chris Brown as insurance. Don’t expect Green to last the season, so targeting Brown in the middle rounds of your fantasy draft is a smart move. RB Ron Dayne was not re-signed, as the team believes RB Darius Walker can fill the #3 RB slot nicely. RB Chris Taylor is also on the roster, but that might not be come September. In the passing game, WR Andre Johnson remains the STUD to own from this team. He had off-season knee surgery, but should be OK by August. He’s a solid top 10 fantasy WR. My deep sleeper from last summer, WR Kevin Walter, returns as the #2 WR, while WR Andre Davis and WR Jacoby Jones return for depth. The team still believes Jones has the potential to become a starter, but I expect Walter to maintain his job and produce nicely for fantasy owners who take him late in their draft. At tight end, TE Owen Daniels has emerged as a top 12 fantasy force. TE Jeb Putzier is gone, while TE Mark Bruener is still with the team, filling the backup and blocking role. PK Kris Brown remains the team's kicker, and saw increased scoring chances in 2007, making him a viable fantasy starter for owners who wait until the final round or two to draft a kicker. Quick Draft Summary: Third-round draft pick RB Steve Slaton is undersized, and unlikely to make much of an impact in 2008. 7th-rounder QB Alex Brink is a project. The rest of the rookie class consists of offensive linemen and defensive players.

Indianapolis Colts: After winning it all in 2006, the Colts faltered in the playoffs last year, losing before the Super Bowl. Still, the team was impressive, lead again by QB Peyton Manning. Manning returns again in 2007, and remains an ultra-STUD choice for fantasy owners at the quarterback position. QB Jim Sorgi returns to hold the clipboard for at least one more season. RB Joseph Addai carried most of the load last year, showing everyone he can be the STUD RB the team has lacked since RB Edgerrin James left. RB Kenton Keith was an adequate backup and relief tailback for the team. It’s interesting to note that RB Dominic Rhodes has been re-signed after one year in Oakland. He returns to back up Addai, making Keith possibly expendable. In the passing game, WR Reggie Wayne has become the star receiver, as WR Marvin Harrison’s faltering knees bring his future into question. Bottom Line: Wayne is 2nd round fantasy pick, while Harrison may or may not be able to play consistently this year. Premium subscribers whom have read my “Cool and Not Cool” draft guide piece know how I feel about Harrison. Fortunately, the Colts have a future STUD in the making with second-year WR Anthony Gonzalez, a player who can step in for Harrison as needed. Youngsters WR Devin Aromashodu and WR Courtney Roby provide depth for the corps. TE Dallas Clark emerged as a major fantasy force with Harrison hurting much of 2007. He’s a solid top 10 fantasy TE player. Both TE Bryan Fletcher and TE Ben Utecht are gone, so the Colts better hope Clark remains healthy. PK Adam Vinatieri remains one of the top fantasy producing kickers in the league, and is likely be to one of the top three kickers to go off your draft board this summer. Quick Draft Summary: Knowing they were thin at TE, the team drafted two this April, TE Jacob Tamme and TE Tom Santi. The team also draft RB Mike Hart and WR Pierre Garcon in the 6th round, but neither appear close to contributing immediately for fantasy owners.

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars finished well last year, but fell short of the Super Bowl. After cutting QB Byron Leftwich late last summer, QB David Garrard was handed the reigns and impressed in 2007. He returns as the starter, and is a nice fantasy sleeper for owners who want to wait until the 8th or 9th round to draft their starting QB. He makes an even better fantasy backup. QB Todd Bouman and QB Cleo Lemon will battle for the backup position this summer. In the running game, RB Fred Taylor surprised many by rushing for over 1,200 yards, staying healthy, and scoring five times in 2007. Despite the fact he’s now 32, Taylor is in great shape, and makes a nice #3 fantasy RB for most fantasy leagues. RB Maurice Jones-Drew can do it all, but continues to play behind Taylor. Still, he scored nine times last season, and is a great #2 fantasy RB choice this summer. He catches passes, while Taylor is normally only given the chance to run. RB/FB Greg Jones could steal some carries and a few score here and there, but isn’t a real fantasy threat. RB Alvin Pearman and RB LaBrandon Toefield are both no longer with the team. In the passing game, the team signed free-agent WR Jerry Porter, whom has established himself as the new #1 WR. WR Reggie Williams scored nine times last year and will be the other starter in 2008. WR Dennis Northcutt is an inconsistent #3 WR, but at least doesn’t drop passing left and right like WR Matt Jones. WR Ernest Wilford left for the Dolphins in free agency, as the team acquired WR Troy Williamson in trade. I won’t believe he’ll hang onto passes until I see it. Bottom Line: None of these wideouts appear in my top 35 WR list for fantasy owners. TE Marcedes Lewis and TE George Wrighster return at the tight end position, but neither are consistent fantasy producers. PK Josh Scobee missed most of last year due to injury, but returns as the kicker. He’s very underrated, and should produce decent numbers if his health holds up in 2008. Quick Draft Summary: 7th-round draft pick RB Chauncey Washington has good size and is quick, but his learning ability is a question mark and he’s a raw pass-catcher. The other four Jaguar draft picks were defensive players.

Tennessee Titans: The Titans continued their upswing last season with a trip to the playoffs and a 10-6 record. But that didn’t mean that QB Vince Young was a solid fantasy producer, far from it. He struggled mightily in the passing game and wasn’t as effective running the football. Until he shows more maturity on the field of play, Young is an enigma for fantasy owners who choose to draft him. Veteran QB Kerry Collins returns to the team to back up Young. In the running game, RB LenDale White was inconsistent as well, but a bit more successful for his fantasy owners, scoring seven times to go along with his 1,100 rushing yards. He returns as the starter, while RB Chris Brown left for Houston. Second-year RB Chris Henry returns, but the team also drafted RB Chris Johnson, a talented player who should move into the primary back up position at tailback. The passing game remains one of the weak spots, as inconsistent producers WR Justin Gage, WR Roydell Williams, and WR Brandon Jones return, while WR Justin McCareins returns to the team after two poor seasons with the Jets. WR David Givens was finally given his pink slip after being unable to pass a physical two years after suffering a torn ACL. WR Mike Williams doesn’t really deserve a mention here until he actually does something on the field of play. How weak is this wideout corps? None of them are ranked in my top 50 fantasy WRs. At the tight end position, the team ditched TE Ben Troupe and signed veteran TE Alge Crumpler, whom continues to have knee issues. TE Bo Scaife returns to help out, but no one in this passing game really thrills me. PK Rob Bironas was the real star of this team last year, making several clutch FGs to win close games. As a result, he’s going as a top 10 kicker in most fantasy drafts this summer, but I’m not buying it. There are plenty of better kickers in the league. Quick Draft Summary: Third-round draft pick TE Craig Stevens and 4th-rounder WR Lavelle Hawkins hope to provide depth for the team, but questions surround their values. The team’s other four draft picks were defensive players.

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta Falcons: After the QB Michael Vick dog-fighting fiasco, the Falcons were a big mess during 2007. Backup QB Joey Harrington was the starter for much of the season, and flopped. He’s back in 2008, but only as a reserve. QB Chris Redman showed promise late last year, but rookie QB Matt Ryan is the future of this club, it’s only a matter of time before he starts. If you are in a re-drafter league, this is one position to avoid in your fantasy draft this summer. In the running game, veteran RB Warrick Dunn was let go, while the team signed free-agent RB Michael Turner to carry the load. RB Jerious Norwood will also see action, but Turner is the one to target in your draft. Look for a surprisingly good fantasy season from him in 2008. In the passing game, WR Joe Horn struggled, while WR Roddy White had a breakout season. Second-year WR Laurent Robinson is slated to start opposite White in 2008, while WR Michael Jenkins fills the #3 WR role. Robinson is an interesting sleeper pick here. As for Horn, he’s requested a trade, as he doesn’t want to ride the bench as a reserve for insurance during his final year or two in the league. WR Brian Finneran re-tore his ACL last summer, but may not be ready to return in 2008. At tight end, the Falcons released aging veteran TE Alge Crumpler due to his creaky knees. He’s now a Titan. Veteran TE Ben Hartsock was signed, but isn’t a real fantasy threat. This is another position to avoid for fantasy owners. Veteran free-agent PK Jason Elam was signed, and remains a clutch kicker, but his scoring chances will drop like a rock in this young offense, making him nearly undraftable this summer. Quick Draft Summary: Third-round draft pick WR Harry Douglas lacks size, and is unlikely to make much of an impact in the passing game. The Falcons also drafted a RB and TE in the 6th and 7th rounds of the draft, but don’t expect them to contribute right away, if at all. Most of the rest of the team’s picks were defensive players.

Carolina Panthers: The Panthers struggled in 2007 after QB Jake Delhomme went down with an elbow injury, an injury that caused him to undergo Tommy John surgery. As a result, the passing game was a mess and the team failed to make the playoffs again. Delhomme is back and appears to be closing in on a full recovery, but there is risk here if you choose him as your fantasy starter. Smart owners will consider him a quality backup with upside. Backup QB David Carr was let go, and QB Vinny Testaverde finally retired. QB Matt Moore is the inexperienced backup, so the Panthers better hope Delhomme stays healthy. In the running game, RB DeShaun Foster was cut loose and is now a 49er. RB DeAngelo Williams was penciled in as the starter until the team drafted RB Jonathan Stewart in April, making him the odds on favorite to start and carry most of the workload. But he’ll have to prove himself this summer, first. RB Nick Goings returns for depth, but RB Eric Shelton was let go, proving to be one of the team’s biggest bust draft picks. Free-agent RB LaBrandon Toefield was signed to replace Shelton. In the passing game, WR Steve Smith remains one of the best STUD WRs in the league, as long as Delhomme is playing. He’ll slide as bit in most drafts this summer with Delhomme less than 100%. WR Drew Carter and WR Keary Colbert are both gone, as the team re-signed WR Muhsin Muhammad and added free-agent WR D.J. Hackett to boost their corps. I like Hackett, but he’ll have to beat out Muhammad for the starting job opposite Smith. Second-year WR Dwayne Jarrett also returns and is expected to actually contribute this season. Unknown TE Jeff King made a bit of a fantasy splash last year, catching 46 passes, but he only scored twice. He’s been having blocking issues this off-season during OTAs, making his starting job a bit tenuous. PK John Kasay remains one of the most accurate kickers in the game, but his lack of scoring chances have kept him down in the backup fantasy kicker category for several years now. Quick Draft Summary: Fifth-round draft pick TE Gary Barnidge will try to provide depth at the TE position. The rest of the Panthers’ picks were offensive linemen or defensive players.

New Orleans Saints: The Saints struggled early in 2007, but rebounded only to miss the playoffs. QB Drew Brees got off to a poor start himself, but ended the season as a top 5 fantasy STUD QB. He returns in 2008, and should maintain his status for fantasy owners. Veteran QB Mark Brunell was signed to back up Brees in 2008. In the running game, the Saints hope RB Deuce McAllister can contribute, as he’s rehabbing another torn ACL injury. If he struggles this summer, don’t be shocked if the Saints cut him and sign a veteran like RB Shaun Alexander to take his place. One thing the Saints do not want to do is overwork RB Reggie Bush again. He struggled to carry a full load after McAllister went down last season. As for Bush, I view him as a top 20 fantasy RB, one with a bit more value in PPR (point-per-reception) leagues, although he’s going quite early in most drafts. RB Aaron Stecker and RB Pierre Thomas return to provide depth at the tailback position. If given the chance, Thomas might surprise. In the passing game, WR Marques Colston remains the #1 WR and favorite target of Brees. He’s a top 10 fantasy WR talent. The #2 position is currently held by WR David Patten, although the team would prefer that second-year WR Robert Meachem step up and claim the job as his. WR Devery Henderson and WR Terrance Copper also return to provide depth, but neither are consistent fantasy performers. TE Eric Johnson is the starter at tight end, but continues to rehab from injury. TE Billy Miller is the back-up, although the team tried and failed to acquire TE Jeremy Shockey via trade from the Giants. The kicking game has been a mess since the team parted ways with veteran PK John Carney after the 2006 season. PK Olindo Mare was acquired from the Dolphins, and struggled. He was let go, and the team signed PK Martin Gramatica late last season. But he’s no lock to kick for the team, so buyer beware here. Quick Draft Summary: 6th-round draft pick PK Taylor Mehlhaff will battle Gramatica for the starting job this summer. 7th-rounder WR Adrian Arrington is a tough over-the-middle pass-catcher, but isn’t fast and lacks explosiveness. The rest of the Saints’ picks were offensive linemen and defensive players.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Bucs made the playoffs last year despite a 9-7 record. They lost a home game in those playoffs, making their season only a reasonable success. Veteran QB Jeff Garcia returns as the starter, but he’s unhappy with his contract. A holdout come training camp is a possibility, but unlikely to happen. QB Bruce Gradkowski was cut loose, but QB Chris Simms is left twisting in the wind. The team acquired QB Brian Griese to back up Garcia. QB Luke McCown is also in the mix. In the running game, RB Cadillac Williams is still working hard to recover from a torn patellar tendon, making him unlikely to contribute much in 2008. RB Earnest Graham stepped up last year and carried the load after Williams went down, but wants a new deal. Contract talks are ongoing, while RB Michael Bennett and newly signed RB Warrick Dunn share reps in OTAs. Graham is going fairly early in many drafts this summer despite the uncertainty of his role in the offense, too soon for my taste. RB Michael Pittman wasn’t re-signed, while FB Mike Alstott finally retired. In the passing game, WR Joey Galloway is showing his age, as he’s barely averaging 60 catches in recent seasons. Veteran WR Ike Hilliard is also having health issues, bringing his starting job into question. WR Antonio Bryant was signed and appears ready to start. Yeah, right. WR Maurice Stovall is a slight possibility, as is WR Michael Clayton. YUCK. Perhaps rookie WR Dexter Jackson can step in and fill the hole? At tight end, TE Alex Smith will likely start, but share time with TE Jerramy Stevens. TE Ben Troupe was also signed to provide depth. PK Matt Bryant is a borderline fantasy backup kicker, as there are just too many games where he doesn’t see scoring opportunities. Quick Draft Summary: Fifth-round draft pick QB Josh Johnson is working hard to learn the team’s system, but a log jam at the QB position will limit his opportunities. 7th-rounder RB Cory Boyd is unlikely to make much of an impact. The rest of the Bucs’ picks weren't skilled position players.

That does it for the South divisions. Look for my views regarding the teams out West in July.  All comments, complimentary or otherwise, are always welcome via our contact page. Let's talk fantasy football!