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One of the by-products of the Andrew Luck-Robert Griffin III sweepstakes is that it has taken the spotlight away from the other playmakers in the 2012 draft class. Count Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon among the players that would have gotten top billing if not for the two superstar quarterbacks who will go 1-2.

The two-time Biletnikoff Award-winner is projected to be a top-10 pick and considered the best receiver in the draft along with Notre Dame’s Michael Floyd. Many experts have Blackmon going No. 6 to the Rams, but no matter where he goes, he should be an instant contributor and someone you look out for during your fantasy draft.

Both his own talent and the strong production of recent rookie receivers indicate that Blackmon will make an immediate impact. His size allows him to be an effective route runner and turn short plays into big gains, and he certainly came up big in the biggest moments. He caught eight passes for 186 yards and three touchdowns in the Cowboys’ 41-38 win over the Stanford Cardinal in the Fiesta Bowl and caught no fewer than six passes in any game last season.

Just last season, rookie receivers like A.J. Green and Julio Jones　showed that they will probably be among the elite receivers in the NFL very soon. Seven rookies caught more than 40 passes last season, including Redskins running back Roy Helu.

There’s no reason why Blackmon can’t be in that category. If he goes to the Rams, he’ll have a chance to become one of quarterback Sam Bradford’s favorite targets. Brandon Lloyd, the team’s top receiver last year, is now with the Patriots, so there’s an opportunity for Blackmon to show he’s an NFL-caliber receiver.

Even if he doesn’t go to the Rams, he’ll have a chance to contribute to his team. Teams like the Packers have shown that if you have a quarterback who can distribute the ball, there can never be too many weapons on an offense. It’s almost certain that the quarterback on Blackmon’s NFL team won’t be able to do that as well as Aaron Rodgers does, but he won’t need to. As long as Blackmon gets a chance to show his talents on short routes and a few deep throws, he can become a legitimate talent and a consistent fantasy producer. He should be available as your fantasy team’s second or third receiver and even if he isn’t a consistent producer, he could still be a good player for your flex spot. Blackmon’s potential is sky-high and he’s clearly on the short list for best receiver in this year’s draft, so he’s definitely someone you should consider making a part of your team.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

At a point in your career as a superstar you’re able to voice your opinion to the front office with full range of clarity. If not, a superstar disgruntled on a losing team is a recipe for a bad mix. Chemistry clashes via pouting or underperforming. That can be said for many cornerstone athletes over the years. A few that pop up are the veterans in Terrell Owens and Randy Moss.

Franchises have suffered from this. Take the Cincinnati Bengals for example. Chad Ochocinco and Carson Palmer cried their ways out of Cincinnati. Before them it was Corey Dillon high displeasure with the Bengals that finally allowed him to exit to the Patriots.

Some superstar athletes just speak their mind. After Kurt Warner retired and the Cardinals lost free agent receiver Anquan Boldin, the Cardinals offense suffered immensely. Larry Fitzgerald who has likely been the top receiver in the NFL had to suffer through a year with a huge decline in talent around him. His quarterbacks bounced around from the likes of Derek Anderson to rookies in John Skelton and Max Hall. Receivers to thwart the attention off Fitzgerald were Early Doucet and Steve Breaston.

The same theme; surrounded talent that had underperformed or had the inexperience to play at the level Larry Fitzgerald needed them to.

Then came the off-season of 2010. Fitzgerald went through the same type of training he typically does. Partaking in extensive drills with other receivers throughout the league, including past great Cris Carter. Many knew the Cardinals would have to go another route at quarterback, and Fitzgerald was one that wanted it be well known who he favored.

Rumors of quarterbacks such as Marc Bulger and Kyle Orton as possible veteran fill ins circled the rumor mill. Fitzgerald wanted none of that, and began lobbying for Kevin Kolb almost simultaneously. The new rumor was that Fitzgerald was working out and doing pass catching drills with Kolb during the lockout.

When the lockout ended, the Cardinals threw a huge contract at Kolb and he was to be the Cardinals mainstay at quarterback for years to come. If only things were that simple. Kolb struggled tremendously to learn a new system, and looked like a rookie almost all of his starts on the field. Injuries began to plague his season, and John Skelton surprisingly became a much more reliable starter.

Arizona knows that Kolb may have been the wrong answer, as they were hoping to land Peyton Manning and cut Kolb. Manning could not make his decision quick enough, and rather than be like Miami was without a backup plan for Matt Flynn, the Cardinals accepted year two with Kevin Kolb.

Microphones and voice recorders are going to be in the faces of superstar athletes all off-season. Discussions of the NFL Draft is one of many topics reporters are going to ask. When it was asked on who the Cardinals should go after in the first round, Fitzgerald did not shy away. He wants the Cardinals to go after talented Notre Dame prospect, Michael Floyd.

Floyd has shown on the field that he can be a special receiver in the NFL. His label of question has nothing to do with his route running or size. It’s his off the field issues, which have been a constant while at Notre Dame. Run ins with alcohol related issues happened on three occasions. Fitzgerald believes he can be the veteran to lend the proper support structure for a rookie in Floyd. Properly train him with his great work habits and lead him off the field as well.

The main question this time around. As a front office do you listen to Larry Fitzgerald this time? You’ve done the evaluating as a front office and likely have a solid three to four prospects that you’re eyeing on draft day. Receiver is a need but do they feel they need to use a high value pick for another position, and add a receiver in latter rounds?

Draft day is just about a day away, and Fitzgerald just recently voiced his opinion. This time around I believe the Cardinals will go with who they have rated the highest on their draft board. Whether that be Floyd or not.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

The 2011 season was not a good one for the Philadelphia Eagles, to say the least.

For Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson, it was especially tumultuous.

His commitment to the game was questioned late in the season when people accused him of mailing it in during a game against the Seahawks, and he’s now a free agent whose reputation wasn’t great to begin with.

Jackson has been a great talent throughout his NFL career, but it might be time to reconsider his value as a fantasy contributor.

Jackson will be a productive player no matter where he ends up, but he doesn’t have the size or skill set to be a number one receiver. In order for a receiver to have that title, he must be able to catch short, medium and long passes and be durable enough to take a hit and get back up. Jackson is one of the best big-play threats in the game, but he won’t be the first option for Eagles quarterback Michael Vick on a third-and-short in the red zone. The receivers that can do that are the ones you want to lead your fantasy team.

Jackson’s 2011 season, his fourth in the league, saw a drop-off in production as compared to his second and third seasons. Jackson’s receiving total dipped under 1,000 yards after crossing that mark in the two previous seasons, and his yards per catch average of 16.6 was significantly lower than the 22.5 yards per catch mark he had in 2010.

Jackson’s greatest strength is his speed, which he uses to separate himself from defenders, but he also benefits from being part of an offense loaded with weapons. If he is the unquestioned No. 1 guy on a new team, his production could very well drop further.

The No. 1 receiver of today’s NFL is one who is both big and fast. Steve Smith and Wes Welker, two undersized No. 1 receivers, can be seen as exceptions, but both have strengths Jackson doesn’t have. Smith is very strong for his size and can break tackles, and Welker is one of the best route-runners in the game. Jackson isn’t as skilled in these departments, and won’t be a good No. 1 option wherever he ends up.

Jackson will undoubtedly be a valuable contributor and deep threat, but it would be a stretch to call him an elite receiver. As a result, you can wait a bit before drafting him.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

There are some players that would just look strange in a uniform besides the one we’re used to seeing them in. Peyton Manning is definitely in that category, and we might have seen the last of him in the blue and white of the Colts.

The talk of the Colts possibly moving on without him is startling, but would not come as a surprise if it happened. Here’s a breakdown of what could happen if he stays in Indy, or if he goes to two of the most talked about possible destinations: Washington and San Francisco.

If he stays in Indy: If he continues his career with the Colts, scrutiny may be higher on him than ever before in his career. If his neck issues bother him throughout the season, critics could be wondering how the Colts would be doing if they let him go. With all the huge changes that have taken place in Indy, (they have a new head coach, new offensive and defensive coordinators and a new general manager), Manning’s struggles would be seen as the sad end to an extremely successful run for both himself and his team.

If he plays well, his status among the all-time greats would shoot up. If Manning can come back from a serious neck injury and play at his pre-injury level, his toughness, dedication and skill would be even more celebrated. The team’s success might be limited because of the new coaching staff, but if he plays well, talk would probably resume of Manning staying with the Colts.

Washington: If Manning goes to the Redskins, he would become part of an organization known for overpaying for free agents who don’t live up to their lofty expectations. Manning’s situation is different than that of other players who have underachieved, but it would only continue the criticism dished out at the Redskins. Personnel-wise, there are weapons on the team, so it isn’t crazy to think he might do well there. The Redskins have been looking for a franchise quarterback for years, so even if Manning doesn’t have many seasons left, they have reason to at least think about bringing him in.

San Francisco: The 49ers are coming off of a great and surprising season. They have earned a reputation as a contending team, and one that could put Manning in place for another Super Bowl run, but bringing in Manning could be an unpopular decision because it might be thought of as disrupting the momentum created by the 2011 season. It would also signal a lack of faith in Alex Smith, who is coming off an effective season. If the 49ers whether that storm, they would surround Manning with a solid running game and elite defense, and one good year from him could propel San Francisco to the brink of the Super Bowl again.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Caron Butler – The most talked-about free agent acquisition for the Clippers has been Chris Paul, but Butler has been a solid scorer for his new team. He’s averaging 16.1 points per game and has scored 20 points in his past three games. In addition to his scoring, Butler also adds a few rebounds a game and can contribute some steals, so pick him up if he’s available and you’re looking for a starter or key contributor.

Klay Thompson – The Warriors rookie is a great shooter who can get hot, as he did in Golden State’s loss to Orlando on Thursday. He scored 14 points and went 4-of-5 from behind the arc during that game. He’s scored in double digits a total of three times this season, so he’s been erratic, but he doesn’t need many shots or minutes to score points. He’s not a well-rounded player yet, but he can give you two to three rebounds and assists per game in addition to his shooting.

Steve Blake – Blake does have some ugly three-point shooting nights (0-5 against Denver on Dec. 31 and 0-5 against Portland on Jan. 5) but when he’s feeling it, he can drain several threes a game. If you need a shooter, consider him.

Nicolas Batum – His name is a familiar one around NBA circles, but from a fantasy perspective, Batum’s value might not be appreciated as much as it should. He’s a solid role player, averaging 10.6 points and 4.5 rebounds this season. He hasn’t exceeded 15 points in a game so far this season, but he can get you double-digit points a game and a good amount of rebounds, so if you’re looking for an all-around guy and better known players like Lamar Odom and Gerald Wallace are already on teams, pick up Batum.

Vince Carter – Gone are the days when Carter’s claim to fame were his gravity-defying dunks. He’s been criticized for a lack of production the past few seasons, but he’s been a good role player for the Mavericks so far this season. He’s averaging 8.6 points a game, but he has gotten into double-digits several times and can sprinkle in a few assists and rebounds.

By Zack Cimini

notjustagame23@gmail.com

The impact of labor negotiations milling right to the brink of the NFL season figured to cause issues on the field. Poor play and non chemistry amongst teammates were expected. The season though has been a success for the most part. More quarterbacks than ever came close to eclipsing Dan Marino’s mark, and Drew Brees accomplished it.

The NFL showcases it’s dominance as the premier sport in America year in and year out. The NBA, however is coping with a delayed start to their season much differently. Teams are no where they need to be.

The first stretch of games have looked awful, and more like exhibition games. The imbalance of putting together four complete quarters is nightly. Struggles of displaying effort consistently is also there nightly. More and more teams are utilizing rookies, undrafted free agent rookies, and even NBA development league players.

Athletes that were likely training harder during the lockout to prepare for overseas, figuring they needed a true backup plan from the NBA.

Games have been so laughable that during the Atlanta vs. Miami Heat game, Charles Barkley and fellow commentators could not hold back comments aimed at lazy play. Atlanta had to rely on their near 12^th man in Ivan Johnson to provide a spark, while their nucleus of stars hoisted errant shots and played defense as if they were participating in practice drills.

To the annoyance of Charles Barkley, he was disgusted to broadcast play by play in a triple overtime game as such. The game already was missing the Heat stars of Dwayne Wade and Lebron James, but the enthusiasm of role players ready to play was night and day, between the two teams.

As the season continues towards a rushed All-Star break, how will fans cope with the accelerated season with a decline on the court? David Stern has been a solid commissioner for quite some time, but this lockout is going to offset some of the momentum the NBA had gained back from the 1999 lockout.

Many teams just do not have the superstars or talent on them. The superstars we are use to are aging fast. After the top ten to fifteen superstars there is a major drop off. Second units that come onto the court are typically inexperienced, as opposed to tenured veterans that could revive teams.

It’s a mess that can all plagued to front offices, coaching staffs, and players rushed to put together a season.

Revenue was already lost with the late start to the season, it will continue with the decline of the performance the NBA is displaying nightly to it’s fans.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

The Golden State Warriors don’t usually make much noise on the national scene, and for the most part, that hasn’t changed this season.

Their main storylines going into this season were the transition to first-year coach Mark Jackson and their inability to land marquee free agents.

Even though the Warriors may not have signed Tyson Chandler, Chris Paul or DeAndre Jordan, a few of their new players could end up having a fantasy impact. Kwame Brown and Brandon Rush are two Warrior sleepers who are worth considering.

Brown may never shake off his status as a bust after being picked No. 1 overall in the 2001 draft, but he has the chance to be a key member of a Golden State team that is trying to establish a defensive identity. At 6-foot-11 and 270 lbs., he brings much needed size to the Warriors and can be a presence down low. He grabbed 10 rebounds in only 12 minutes in the Warriors’ 92-78 win over the Knicks on Wednesday, and his numbers should improve as he gets more comfortable with Jackson’s defense. Brown should also block a good amount of shots this season, so he can help your fantasy team in that category. Brown has bounced around several teams in his career, but if he can become the defensive anchor the Warriors need, he might have a home in the Bay Area.

While Brown has the potential to boost the Warriors’ frontcourt defense, Rush can do the same on the wing. Rush has become an all-around threat in his first three games with Golden State, averaging 12 points, four rebounds and two blocks per game. At 6-foot-6 and 225 lbs., he should be able to outmuscle smaller players on offense and play strong defense throughout the season. He also brings offensive production, so look for him to be a solid bench player you can promote to the starting lineup if need be.

If the Warriors do play stout defense this season, expect Brown and Rush to be major contributors. They may not have been the most sought after players in the offseason, but you can use that to your advantage and add them to your team while they fly under your opponents’ radars.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

As the playoff time begins, it’s important to solidify your backups in case your starters get some late-season rest. This will probably be the case for those of you who have Frank Gore on your team, as he hasn’t been at full-strength for a while.

Fortunately, his backup Kendall Hunter should provide some production, and you should consider picking him up. The Niners already locked up the NFC West and are now playing for playoff seeding, so even though their games are still meaningful, Gore doesn’t necessarily need to have big days these last few weeks. He’s been the team’s workhorse for several seasons now, but Hunter showed he is a capable runner himself this season.

Hunter’s stats aren’t impressive (82 carries for 322 yards and two touchdowns), but he has made the most of his chances during his rookie season, and when Gore was struggling early this year, there was even talk of Hunter cutting into Gore’s carries. Gore ultimately proved he could handle a starter’s workload, but Hunter has still gotten consistent reps and has caught 11 passes for 149 yards, demonstrating that he can use his quickness as a receiver as well.

Hunter has probably not made many headlines on the national scene, but you should capitalize on that and pick him up if he is available in your league. Chances are Gore will not receive 20 carries a game, and any reps he doesn’t get should go to Hunter. He’s solidified himself as the No. 2 running back in San Francisco, and his value should be at its peak now that the 49er starters could rest in preparation for the playoffs.

One of the most challenging aspects of the fantasy playoffs is figuring out which starters to bench. If Gore is on your team, read up on his updates and pick up Hunter as insurance. If Gore looks like he’ll play, you’ve still got one of the league’s best on your team. If he doesn’t play, you’ll put yourself in the best position to get points he would normally pick up by starting Hunter.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

After the 2009 season, we highly recommended Vikings receiver Percy Harvin for you to pick up in the 2010 fantasy draft.

He followed up his rookie season with another great year in 2010, and he has really emerged as one of the NFL’s most dangerous playmakers this season. Those of you that have him on your team have been reaping the rewards as of late. After not getting in the end zone through the air for the first 10 weeks of the season, Harvin has caught four touchdowns in the past three weeks, including two in the Vikings’ 35-32 loss to the Broncos on Sunday. Harvin had his best receiving stats of the year in that game, catching eight passes for 156 yards. He has clearly become a favorite target for rookie quarterback Christian Ponder. Harvin has caught at least six passes in the last four games, and has a touchdown in the last three. He’s at 59 catches for 710 yards and four touchdowns for the year, and going off of his recent production, he should end this season with career-high totals in all those categories.

Combine his receiving skills with his kick return abilities, and you’ve got yourself an elite scoring threat. He’s run back one kick return for a touchdown this season, and got his name in the record books with a 104-yard run in week 12, which is the longest non-scoring play in NFL history. He also has a rushing touchdown this season, so he can really impact a game in many ways.

There are quite a few playmakers in the NFL who can score at any time in one particular situation. Whether it’s a deep-threat receiver or a kick returner who can take it the distance at any time, these types of players are pretty common. The player who has all these qualities, however, is rare. Consider Harvin in that class. After three years of playmaking as a receiver and kick returner, it’s time to put Harvin in that elite group of guys who must be accounted for by both defenses and special teams. Darren Sproles is probably the only other player who fits this mold, but other than him, there really isn’t anyone else who can put up solid offensive numbers while also returning kicks with the best of them.

If you didn’t draft Harvin this season, make sure to get him next year and for many years to come. You won’t regret it.

By Vidur Malik

notjustagame23@gmail.com

Now that NFL offenses have come down to earth from the astronomical numbers they were putting up in the beginning of the season, your fantasy players have probably taken a hit.

Quarterbacks have had the most noticeable drop-off in production, but the league’s elite wide receivers have also seen their numbers drop. Two examples are Wes Welker and Calvin Johnson. Both players began the season with the potential to have record-setting years. Welker had over 700 yards after only five weeks, while Johnson had nine touchdown receptions in his first five games. Welker looked like he was on his way to setting the record for receiving yards in a season – which currently belongs to Jerry Rice, who had 1,848 yards in 1995 – and Johnson was on pace to shatter the record for touchdown receptions in a season, which Randy Moss set in 2007 with 23 touchdowns.

Both have dramatically cooled off. Johnson hasn’t cleared 100 yards receiving in his past three games and only has one touchdown in that span, and Welker has gone above 100 yards only once the past four games. Welker and Johnson are still ranked number one and two in yardage for receivers, respectively, and their numbers are still relatively good compared to their record-setting output earlier in the season, so there’s no reason to panic. You should, however, start looking for lesser-known wide outs for your team if you haven’t already.

There are a few receivers out there who might not be household names and should be available in your league. We recommended taking a look at Earl Bennett of the Chicago Bears a few weeks ago, and even though quarterback Jay Cutler is out with a broken thumb, Bennett is still the most reliable receiver on the team and should be a target for backup quarterback Caleb Hanie. Michael Crabtree of the 49ers had a seven-catch, 120-yard day against the Cardinals in week 11, and though he only had 54 yards against the Ravens on Thursday, he was still the Niners’ leading receiver with six catches.

Looking for tight ends could also help your team. Picking up players like Dennis Pitta of the Baltimore Ravens or Fred Davis of the Redskins and putting them in your flex spot could get you solid production. Both players aren’t going to give you big numbers, but they do get targeted by their quarterbacks and could get you some points on any given day.

Like any position, the wide receiver spots in fantasy teams are dominated by a few stars, but looking for up-and-comers who aren’t widely known could help you make a late-season surge. Players like Welker and Johnson will always be fantasy threats, but even they have off days. Make sure you’re prepared for them.