To begin, we are going to talk a bit about draft strategies.  There are several mindsets to enter your fantasy football draft with.  Here are just a few you may want to consider (or avoid):

1.  Draft You Starting Lineup First – This strategy is a popular one as many people will tell you that it is you starters who get you your points, not you bench players.  With that being said, many individuals will draft each position for their starting lineup before grabbing a single bench player.  A smart strategy for reasons noted above, but it can be costly if your starters at key positions (QB, RB) do not perform or sustain injuries.  You will be left with little depth on the bench.

2.  QBs And RBs Top Priorities - This is also a popular strategy, one that is executed by using your first three picks on a quarterback and two running backs (assuming you play in a standard league with one starting QB and two starting RBs).  Then you may want to fill in some receiver slots, but at the same time continue to monitor the remaining RBs and QBs in order to provide yourself with depth at these key positions.  You may not get the stud wide receivers taking this route, but the wideout position is one with loads of options and depth.

3.  Stack The Backs - Many experts will tell you that the most important position in fantasy football is running back.  This year, with plenty of backs expected to go in the first two rounds, you may want to get your hands on two or three of them.  This is the strategy for you.  With your first three picks of the draft, take running backs.  In doing so, chances are you can solidify at least two players that will produce on a consistent basis for you.  Some may say that it is not smart to use a third round pick on a bench player.  I would say that sometimes there is a price to pay in order to get yourself a dominant backfield.

4.  It’s All About The Passing Game – Seems odd to say this right after preaching the importance of the running back position, but as we have seen in recent years, the passing game is becoming an even more important part of fantasy football.  Those who had Tom Brady and Randy Moss two years ago will tell you that when you can put together a top tier quarterback with two premiere wide receivers, it doesn’t matter what your running back does for you.  While I would not go that far, using your first three picks to go QB-WR-WR or WR-QB-WR does have potential for greatness if you get the right guys.  Just hope that you can get your hands on a good sleeper running back afterwards.

5.  Take The Best Guy On The Board - Here is another strategy that I am highly in favour of.  You may go into your draft with a certain perception on how things will turn out or what positions you are going to take in each round, but if there is a guy on the board who has slipped and it is your turn, don’t be afraid to take the best guy on the board.  You may want to go with running backs in the first two rounds, but if the likes of Tom Brady or Drew Brees are around for your second pick, how can you possibly pass them up?  Those are the types of moves that have owners kicking themselves in the ass at season’s end.

Here are a couple other things you may want to consider during your draft:

• Defense and kicking wont win your fantasy football league – They may get you points, but defense/special teams and kickers are not worthy of early or mid-round draft picks.  If you want my advice here, I say take them with your last picks.  There will still be some good ones around.

• Handcuff your studs – If you pick up Adrian Peterson, try to get your hand on Chester Taylor later.  Michael Turner…Jerious Norwood, and the list goes on.  Should your top gun go down, you have the right guy set to fill in for him.

• Look at the teams, not just the players – If you are taking a running back with an early pick, you may want to make sure he is playing for a good team.  Remember, bad teams are often forced to abandon the running game when trailing.  If you running back is on a bad team, he may not get the carries you are looking for.  Wide receivers and quarterbacks of course are a different story.

• Know who your opponents are drafting – This is an important thing to remember, but one that many do not pay attention to.  Know who the other owners of your league have taken.  If you are trying to decide who to take between two players and aren’t sure which is more likely to be there next round, knowing who others have already drafted is key.  But be careful.  In a recent draft, I had the second last pick of the third round and the second of the fourth.  I let Kurt Warner go and took Anquan Boldin because the guy with the next two picks already had Drew Brees, so I figured my quarterback would still be there.  Think again.  It’s a bad move on his behalf taking his backup QB in the third round, but you will encounter stupidity like that at any draft.

There you have it.  Use these strategies wisely, but remember.  When you step into your draft room and players begin to come off the board quickly, you may be forced to change your strategy on the fly.  Be prepared for anything.

The first trade that isn’t going to happen is any trade for Anquan Boldin, and the reason is Roy Williams. Dallas gave up a first and a third round pick to acquire Williams from Detroit, and the NFL is a league of relative values. That being said, Arizona simply needs to point to the fact that Boldin has been more productive than Williams the past two seasons to turn down any offer for less than Detroit got. On top of that the teams that would be the most likely trade partner for Boldin (Giants, Ravens, Eagles, Titans) are teams that are known for building their teams through the draft and therefore value their draft picks and don’t trade them away very often.

The second trade that just isn’t going to happen is Julius Peppers to the Niners. This is one trade that seems to be picking up steam around the rumor mill, though it appears to be one of those rumors that is picking up momentum all its own. As far as I can tell the rumor is not based off of anything that Mike Singletary or Scot McCloughan has said but instead it makes sense to the analysts writing the articles so they say there is a high chance of it happening. The reason this isn’t going to happen is because it goes opposite of the direction Singletary has been taking this team, I just don’t see him taking a player that is that expensive and at the age of 29 already has a reputation for complaining.

What I had previously selected as my third trade that might happen I am now hearing just might! I was ready to say that at this point in the season Braylon Edwards better be prepared to re-new his lease on his downtown Cleveland apartment. However, I am hearing that since the Jets have realized that Mangini and the Browns are a pretty easy trade partner (Example: the Jets jumped to the number 5 pick after everyone said they wouldn’t be able to get ahead of 8th pick) they are wondering if they could get Edwards to strengthen their offense for relatively cheap as well. This is not a sure thing, its not even a deal that is in the discussion process, it seems the Jets like the group of young wideouts they have and are waiting to see if one of them can claim the number 2, namely the starting X receiver, but if none of them can, watch for the Jets to look into acquiring Edwards.

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Free Agency: Upgrades along the line, a running back and a pass rush specialist were sought after, but none of these needs were really addressed. No one had more than 5 sacks in the regular season, and the distinct lack of 4-3 DEs on the market wasn’t fun for Arizone front office. In fact, they lost from their front 4 as Antonio Smith became a Texan, however he didn’t really perform until the playoffs. Mediocre play until the playoffs, isn’t that true for the whole Cardinal D? Warner re-signed, but if the Cardinals had managed to talk him out of the door then God save us all. Now do the same for Boldin.

Grade: C

Draft Needs: You get the feeling they were planning on raiding the draft for lineman and a RB anyway, but I don’t see a dominant pass rusher available at 31 or 63 without reaching. Moreno or Wells followed by the position versatile Jonathan Luigs in the second would be a dream for Cardinal management.

San Francisco 49ers

Free Agency: What year aren’t the 49ers looking for a top WR, a reliable QB and an effective pass rush? They responded by overpaying average talent at best; can we all agree ex-Titan Brandon Jones is a pretty lame receiver? How about QB Damon Huard? DE Demetric Evans helps against the run, but adds little pass rush in their 3-4.

Grade: C- – They’re waiting for the draft

Draft Needs: If they want Mark Sanchez they’ll have to trade up, and it’s worth considering that new coaching regimes – which this effectively is – tend towards a new QB. That said, Everette Brown would be the sack specialist they want and Michael Oher is an option at LT if Staley slides to the right. Singletary’s “I want winners” policy rules out Andre Smith.

Seattle Seahawks

Free Agency: That secondary went from dominant to horrible in one season, and no defensive backs have been added so far. It looks like Seattle have given up on the run completely, as they lost one of the top fullbacks in the league Leonard Weaver and offloaded a talented backup in Maurice Morris. San Diego did this 12 months ago and it killed LT’s season, so what will it do to a bad running back like Julius Jones? If they’re going to pass they need more targets, making Houshmandzadeh a jackpot signing. They also decided to trade Julian Peterson for Cory Redding and a 5^th, but I don’t know about that. Seattle fans may taste the bitter flavour of regret next year for that move.

Grade: D – Mixed bag

Draft Needs: 2 picks in the top 4 – yes it’s still the NFC Worst. I debated this pick with TPS draft guru Chad Ellis and he’s set on Monroe, whilst I favour the playmaking ability of Michael Crabtree. It’s one or the other, but if you think Walter Jones can go another year I’m not spending the 4^th pick on a player who’ll sit for a year. The best defensive back must be taken atop of the second; Sean Smith can play corner or safety.

St. Louis Rams

Free Agency: St. Louis hit the reset switch by cutting veterans Holt and Pace, which I actually like. You don’t ask the injury prone Marc Bulger to throw to inexperienced receivers in a brand new scheme all game, when you have a top 3 RB when healthy. They added a talented young center in Jason Brown and a top run blocker in Mike Karney at FB so look set to feed Steven Jackson the ball 25 times a game, a clever move from this organization. They preserved their secondary and held onto the exciting Ronald Bartell, but let’s be honest; the Rams still have holes all over the field.

Grade: B

Draft Needs: Left tackle with either Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe, end of discussion. After that they can go best available to fill the holes left in their side; aka every other position.

One of my favorite bets on Superbowl Sunday is for the MVP. I usually like to bet on the MVP because you can get some really good odds.  This years game has some interesting odds for MVP. Lets take at look at the best bets:

The Favorites:

Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals, (Odds 5-2)

Ben Rothlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 7-4)

Quarterbacks are always the favorites to win this award, as it remains the glamor position of the NFL.  The last two Superbowl MVPs, were both QBs. (Peyton and Eli Manning).

The Best Offensive Bets

Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals, (Odds 5-1)

He has been tearing up every defense that he has faced thus far in the playoffs.  The Steelers are a great defense, but can they stop Larry?

Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 15-1)

The last non-quarterback to win the award.  The only question around him this year is his stranded MCL.

Anquan Boldin, WR, Arizona Cardinals, (Odds 15-1)

Has had a quiet playoffs thus far.  However, this guy has proved in the past that he can step up and take over games.

Willie Parker,RB, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 7-1)

The man who holds the record for the longest run in Superbowl history could have another big game.  However, the Cards have been shutting down opposing backs in playoffs.

The Best Defensive Bets:

Troy Polamalu, S, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 10-1)

I think Troy is my favorite to win this award.  He is a leader on the defense and has the uncanny ability to change games.  At 10-1 odds if you like the Steelers to win the game, you have to put the cash on this guy. If the Steelers win, he will have a big part in it.

James Harrison, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 30-1)

The reining defensive MVP has had a quiet playoffs thus far, he could be ready for a breakout game.  Be careful because defensive players rarely win the award.  The last defensive player to win the award was Dexter Jackson, who won the award in 2003 playing in Superbowl XXXVII, when he was a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Long Shots:

James Farrior, LB, Pittsburgh Steelers, (Odds 30-1)

Another defensive stud for Pittsburgh who has shown game breaking ability in the past.  At 30 to 1, why not sprinkle a few dollars on this guy.

Adrian Wilson, S, Arizona Cardinals (Odds 50-1)

The leader of the Cardinals defense and the best value bet.  If you smell an upset in Tampa bay, this could be your guy.  Wilson is simply one of best players in the NFL today and the fact that he is a 50 to 1 shot could mean big money for you come Sunday night.  Wilson is my dark horse to win the award if the Cardinals beat the Steelers, he will have a big impact on the game.

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Perhaps he said “We might make the Superbowl and I had nothing to do with it”, or maybe “Coach, why is Larry Fitzgerald better than me?”.  Whatever he said it must have been dumb because at a time when he should have been supporting his teammates, he was selfishly berating a coach.  At least he proved to the Cardinals that they don’t need him to win big games.

It was also reported that while his teammates were celebrating on the field, he left the stadium.  What a team player. I give Boldin credit for his on field toughness, but off of it he is nothing but a big baby.

This year Boldin has played the role of Diva receiver, a role which was invented and perfected by Terrell Owens.  He was unhappy with his contract and did a lot of complaining about it to the media.  It looks like this will be his last year in the desert and for the Cardinals that’s probably a good thing.  The Dallas Cowboys will most likely sign him in the off-season because they love players who act like children, especially wide receivers.