I am here to give you the best advice of your life to insure that you have the best No. 1 pick of all your league members.  I will tell you who not to go for with your first round pick. 

Shall we begin?

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5. *Gasp* LaDainian Tomlinson

How could I say this? Tomlinson is No. 5 on the list because the issue isn't a big deal. 

LT has recently sprained his groin, causing him to miss last week's preseason game.  It doesn't appear to be serious, but I wouldn't risk having to watch LT have his worst season while others laugh at you for wasting your first round (likely first overall) pick. 

But, this could be a good thing for all of you out there playing with a few rookies in fantasy football. 

Hope one of them gets the No. 1 pick and takes LT.  He or she doesn't know about the groin injury, so after three or so weeks of the regular season, he trades, or better yet, drops LT for not getting the job done.  Then he'd be free right off the market.

You should still be okay taking LT with your pick, but I certainly won't take him.

 

4. Joseph Addai

Once again, the issue here isn't a huge deal.  I'm just not a big fan of taking risks with my fantasy teams. 

Backup running back Dominic Rhodes is back.  Sure, Addai will still take the load of carries, but I don't want anyone chopping down on my No. 1 pick's points. 

If you want Addai, and if you're in a league with a large number of players, perhaps you should draft Rhodes as a backup running back.

 

3. Steven Jackson

Great running, no doubt.  He'll rack up those fantasy points for you...if he gets a new contract.

I know, I know.  Big name players usually get their contract issues sorted out before the season.  However, if he doesn't have a new contract before the start of my fantasy drafts, I'm not picking him.

Hey, maybe those rookies will do the same thing they'll do with LT.  You could find a free Steven Jackson waiting for you on the free agency list. 

 

2. Peyton Manning

Most of you know Manning had surgery at the end of July (early August?) to clear an infection in his knee.  The recovery is meant to take about four weeks.

Unfortunately, four weeks from the start of August is right around the start of the regular season. 

Now, we all know Peyton has never missed a start, and I don't expect him to miss one. But don't be surprised if he plays like an improved version of Rex Grossman in his first few regular season games.

If your other league members know of his injury, he could very well be a steal in later rounds.

 

1. Adrian Peterson

Everyone knows his issue: injury prone. 

I was having an absolute ball last year when Peterson racked up 296 yards against the Chargers while Clinton Portis had 196 against the Jets in the same week.  Randy Moss had a 100-yard game, too.

You'll be more than happy with your pick if AP can stay healthy all season, but I refuse to take such a big risk with my first round pick.  He could very well go down early in the season, and, at that point, you're screwed.

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While others are taking these risky players, I'll be taking Brian Westbrook.  And I have a good chance of getting him, too.  I'll likely be able to get him if I have pick in the top five.  In a league with 10 teams, that means there's a 50-50 chance I get him.

Stay tuned.  Soon I'll be giving you insight on who you absolutely shouldn't take at any point in your fantasy drafts.