QUARTERBACK: Donovan McNabb is still the Eagles’ QB, and he’s still a sound fantasy performer when he plays. His TD numbers were down a little — 19 in 14 games — but he always has the potential as to turn in a monster season … or be a minor bust. Assuming he stays healthy, he might approach 4,000 yards and 25-30 TDs, easily making him a mid-range QB1. Remember, however, he hasn’t played all 16 games since 2003.

RUNNING BACKS: Brian Westbrook missed only one game last year, rushed for 1,333 yards and caught 91 passes for 771 yards. He also scored 12 touchdowns. His injury history can be a little scary, but you can’t pass up those numbers: He’s a top-10 RB, if not top-five. Correll Buckhalter isn’t the worst handcuff (313 yards and four TDs last year), but outside of Westbrook insurance, he’s no more than an RB5.

WIDE RECEIVERS: After leaving St. Louis, Kevin Curtis enjoyed a breakout year with 77 receptions, 1,110 yards and 7 touchdowns. With a healthy McNabb, Curtis is a solid WR2 and can easily repeat those numbers. Reggie Brown also turned in a solid season, and though not an every-week fantasy starter, is a decent WR4.

TIGHT ENDS: L.J. Smith struggled last season with injuries, a year after scoring five touchdowns. Even healthy, there’s enough depth throughout the league at the position that he’s no more than a TE2, though a sleeper TE2 at that.

KICKER: David Akers’ points were just average among kickeres last year, and he made 75 percent of his field goals — his third consecutive season under 82 percent. It’s tough to say if his best years are behind him (he did convert a career-high four FGs of more than 50 yards), but to play it safe, I wouldn’t tab him as more as a low-end K1 or a solid K2.

Like this wasn’t predictable: A summer and autumn of Favre speculation. Even though it looks like Favre has denied the rumor, the ESPN.com story seems to report more credible information that he might return. This is going to drive Packer fans, fantasy owners and NFL bloggers nuts for the next few months, so I implore Favre to make a decision: come back or stay retired. And make that decision soon.

Surely, Favre has made it to the summer and suddenly can’t fathom a fall without football. That’s understandable, but that fall is going to come someday. He needs to decide if that fall is now or 2009, or 2010 …

The big rookie contracts are what the market is commanding, and what owners are willing to pay to secure their next star, both before training camp and for the long-term. And though it’s is frustrating when a rookie gets big money and doesn’t live up to his potential, it’s the risk the teams are willing to take.

Should rookie salaries be overhauled? Sure — wouldn’t a system like the NBA’s great? Guaranteed salaries on a established scale for the first few years, no haggling, no holdouts, no renegotiations. After four years, the players are free agents. I doubt the union would go for it, as the Jake Longs of the world would be earning less right away, and owners might not like the prospect of losing players to free agency so quickly, even if they had first shot at re-signing them. But damn, it would simplify things. Seriously, do you remember the last rookie holdout in the NBA?

QUARTERBACK: What can you say about Tony Romo, other than after Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, he’s the top fantasy QB in the league. He might get drafted as high as the late second round in some leagues, and expect another year of 30-plus TDs.

RUNNING BACKS: Marion Barber III turned in another big touchdown year with 10, and rushed for a career-high 975 yards. Though Julius Jones is gone from the Dallas backfield, expect another RB platoon, this time with rookie Felix Jones. Until he can amass more yards, Barber is still no better than an lower-end RB1, but if this is his breakout yardage year, he could become one of the top five running backs in the league. My hunch is he will put up numbers similar to 2007, as the new Jones will assume the same role the old Jones did. Felix is probably an RB4, and a good handcuff for Barber if he doesn’t cannibalize too many TDs.

WIDE RECEIVERS: If not for Randy Moss, Owens would be the top fantasy WR going into 2008. Barring injury or ego episode, he’ll continue the success shared with Romo and put up gaudy WR1 numbers again. Patrick Crayton had a decent season in 2007, but can he remain a good complement to T.O.? If you think he will, he’s a WR3; if not, he’s a solid WR4. I’m not sure how to rate Terry Glenn if he returns to the Boys — I think Crayton is firmly entrenched as Dallas second receiver, meaning Glenn is no better than a fantasy WR5.

TIGHT ENDS: Part of the reason Dallas can be a little thin at WR is Jason Witten, who some might argue is the best tight end in the league after Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez. He’s a no-brainer TE1, and though he might not get 96 receptions again, he’ll put up great numbers nonetheless.

KICKER: Another reason you shouldn’t stress out over kickers: Nick Folk came out of nowhere to be one of the top Ks in the league, scoring 131 points and going 14-for-14 on FGs from 30 to 49 yards. With Dallas’ potent offense, he’ll be a top-five kicker on draft day.

Maybe this is just the fantasy player in me, but some of the teams checking Jones out I just don’t understand. Pittsburgh just drafted Rashard Mendenhall and cut Najeh Davenport. The Packers must have little faith in DeShawn Wynn and Brandon Jackson and Ryan Grant’s backup. Miami might believe Ronnie Brown is destined for another injury.

So the only team that made sense was the one that cut him: Detroit. The Lions had no running game when he wasn’t in the lineup last year. Bringing him back takes some of the pressure off rookie Kevin Smith, and off the passing game, too.

One sobering reality from the article: The free agent running backs available, including Shaun Alexander, Ron Dayne and Cedric Benson. Maybe teams can be a little picky as they look for RB help.

QUARTERBACK: Jon Kitna threw for over 4,000 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2007, though he did toss 20 interceptions. Despite the big yards, he’s still no more than a QB2 in my book. Maybe I’m being too harsh, but I don’t trust Kitna to deliver consistent QB1 numbers week after week.

RUNNING BACKS: Kevin Jones is gone, Tatum Bell is always a question mark, and Kevin Smith is a rookie. The Lions only rushed for 1,288 yards all season, less than Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson did in 14 games. Smith is penciled in as the starter, he’s a risky choice as an RB3 given this offense’s history. Still, he’s a worthwhile sleeper if you are confident with your top two running backs. Bell is a late-draft RB5.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Detroit’s receiver corps is an embarrassment of riches, yet with no WR1s. Roy Williams seemed headed into that realm last year (especially after his 204-yard game in Week 3), then his numbers faltered, then he missed the last month of the season. He’s the team’s best receiver, but I’d be nervous with taking higher than a low-end WR2. Shaun McDonald and Calvin Johnson are solid WR3s, and Mike Furrey is a decent pick as a WR4. All four are solid draft-day picks, just not as your stud receiver.

TIGHT ENDS: I saw this stat somewhere: Detroit tight ends were thrown to 39 times in 2007. Tony Gonzalez probably sees more passes in three games. The only draft-day option is Dan Campbell, who is no more than a TE3.

KICKER: Yes, Jason Hanson is still kicking for the Lions. Though not a top-flight kicker, he’s a solid bye-week option.

That won’t happen in 2009, because Brett Favre is featured on the cover.

But who knows, if Favre does return as so many rumors predict, he still might get injured, or finally show his age. Maybe this will be incentive to stay retired: to simply break the jinx.

For EA’s college football game, the USC Trojan mascot is featured. He better be careful.

QUARTERBACK: Tavaris Jackson is back at the helm for the Vikings, after establishing himself as a very average QB in 12 games last year. With Minnesota’s running game, Jackson simply needs to be above average. Even with the addition of Bernard Berrian, I don’t think this will be Jackson’s breakout season, so choose him as a solid QB3, possibly a low-end QB2.

RUNNING BACKS: If Adrian Peterson stays healthy, expect another monster season, with 1,500 yards if he plays all 16 games and 15 TDs. He’s the second-best running back in the draft, behind LaDainian Tomlinson. Chester Taylor is trickier to gauge — will he still put up decent numbers as Peterson’s complement? He’s a great handcuff for Peterson, maybe too good if he cannibalizes a few TDs. Otherwise, he’s an RB3 or RB4, with the knowledge he could become a Peterson’s backup instead of complement in 2008.

WIDE RECEIVERS: The addition of Berrian will help Minnesota’s passing game. Expect similar numbers to what he put up in Chicago, meaning he’s a low-end WR2 or a very solid WR3. Sidney Rice and Bobby Wade are late-round WR5s at best.

TIGHT ENDS: Visanthe Shiancoe and Jim Kleinsasser will not produce much on the fantasy end, not with the Vikes’ running game and the bolstering of the WRs. They are no better than TE3s, meaning they are backup fantasy tight ends’ backups.

QUARTERBACK: Rex Grossman is still the Bears’ starting QB, but unlike last year, he has less talented receivers to throw to. Grossman is not a sleeper QB2 — at best, he’s a fantasy QB3. Maybe he’ll come around and surprise everybody, but don’t take that risk on draft day. Don’t count on Kyle Orton to show much if Grossman is benched or injured.

RUNNING BACKS: With Cedric Benson and his alcohol issues waived, Adrian Peterson and Matt Forte are the next fantasy options at RB. Peterson is not worth drafting, but Forte might be a nice sleeper as your third running back, provided you aren’t taking risks with your first two. Someone has to provide some offense for this team, and the rookie might be the man.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Without Bernard Berrian and Muhsin Muhammad, now playing for Minnesota and Carolina, respectively, what’s left? Marty Booker returns after a stint in Miami, but he’s barely a WR4. Devin Hester might translate some of his return skills to the passing game, but not enough to take him higher than a flyer as a WR4/WR5. Avoid the Lloyd — Brandon Lloyd.

TIGHT ENDS: With the lack of talent at WR, Desmond Clark and Greg Olsen might be poised for decent seasons. Olsen is an up-and-coming tight end and Clark is a veteran, though neither should be more than a TE2 (particularly if they are sharing the position’s receptions). I like the upside on Olsen, but not enough to make him a starting fantasy tight end just yet.

KICKER: Robbie Gould is accurate and still managed 126 points last year despite the Bears’ anemic offense. I don’t know if he’ll reach that total, 110 is more likely, making him about a top-15 kicker.

Green Bay may have been the biggest surprise in the NFL in 2007. But 2008 is a mystery, thanks to the retirement of Brett Favre. Can the Pack come close to their success of last season, when they came within an overtime of the Super Bowl? Or is it back to under .500? And are all those impressive fantasy numbers set for a nose-dive?

QUARTERBACK: Aaron Rodgers is stepping into Favre’s big shoes, and I’ll be honest, I have no clue how he will perform. Will he deliver numbers similar to Favre’s, or will we see rookie numbers, even though it’s Rodgers fourth year as a pro? He may be a fantasy sleeper QB2 to start the season, but if he does step up, and stays healthy, expect Rodgers to be the fantasy surprise of the year.

RUNNING BACKS: Ryan Grant came on midseason and became a legitimate fantasy star, out of nowhere. The Packers are going to need him as Rodgers acclimates to being the starter, so expect RB1 numbers from him. Brandon Jackson could turn into a late-, late-round RB5 sleeper and decent insurance for Grant, particularly if 2007 was a fluke.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Donald Driver, Greg Jennings and James Jones were a fantastic trio for Favre last year, with Driver getting the yards, Jennings the TDs and Jones as a third option. Their success hinges on Rodgers’ success, so draft them with caution. I’m seeing Driver slipping in many rankings, I see just the opposite — Rodgers will need to rely on the veteran. And Jennings will only get better, again depending on their new quarterback. Both are solid WR2s, Jones is a low-end WR3.

TIGHT ENDS: Donald Lee put up the best numbers of his career last year and should continue to be an integral part of the Packers’ offense. He’s TE1, but with tight ends so deep this year, a lower-tier TE1.

KICKER: Another Packer whose success hinges on the QB transition is Mason Crosby. The Packers likely won’t get into the end zone as much, decreasing his points, but perhaps will see more field goals come his way. He’s a top-10 kicker, but be ready to grab someone else if the Packers sputter.