Fantasy Football: Early-Season Studs and Duds

Quarterback

Starter: Carson Palmer 

Through two weeks, Peyton Manning is surprisingly not the guy. Palmer has thrown for 595 yards and eight touchdowns, against only two interceptions.

Advice:  Palmer has been using all of the weapons around him, most notably Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. With teams also having to focus on Rudi Johnson, the QB should continue to light it up.

Other Fantasy Studs: Tony Romo, Jake Delhomme, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Derek Anderson

Fantasy Duds: Chad Pennington, Donovan McNabb, Matt Leinart

Running Back

Starter: LaMont Jordan

Jordan has amassed 229 yards on the ground, but only found the end zone once. He also has 89 yards receiving.

Advice:  Jordan is the featured back in the Oakland offense, so he should keep getting his carries—and keep putting up very solid points.

Starter: Edgerrin James 

After a slow 2006, James has returned to his Colt form—220 yards and two TDs through Week Two. He also has 42 receiving yards.

Advice: James will get his carries until Leinart starts to connect with Fitzgerald and Boldin.

Other Fantasy Studs:  Marion Barber III, Frank Gore, Joseph Addai, Adrian Peterson, hopefully LaDainian Tomlinson soon

Fantasy Duds: Larry Johnson, Cedric Benson, Ronnie Brown

Wide Receiver

Starter: Chad Johnson 

Johnson has been on fire, especially in Week Two against the Browns. "Ocho Cinco" has 304 yards and three touchdowns.

Advice:  With teams also having to focus on Houshmandzadeh, Johnson will continue to see balls thrown his way.

Starter: Steve Smith

Smith doesn't have as many yards as Johnson, but he has four touchdowns in three games, including three against the Texans.

Advice:  Smith is Carolina's go-to guy. He will get his catches, and the Panthers know they have to get him the ball.

Starter: Andre Johnson

Andre is always a sleeper because of the team he plays for, but he's the real deal. He should have an even better year with new starting QB Matt Schaub under center.

Advice:  Johnson has been consistent throughout his career, but a thriving Texans offense could mean a breakout year.

Starter: Randy Moss

Critics said Moss was never going to be the player we saw in Minnesota—but it looks like Tom Brady has helped him get back to his old ways.

Advice: Moss could be better than ever. The Pats offense is so balanced that opponents can't concentrate solely on the new guy.

Other Fantasy Studs: Terrell Owens, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Plaxico Burress, Reggie Wayne, Braylon Edwards, Calvin Johnson

Fantasy Duds: Deion Branch, Bernard Berrian, Mike Furrey, Jerry Porter 

Tight End

Starter: Antonio Gates 

Gates is a perennial powerhouse—a big target who runs well and has great hands. Gates is San Diego's best receiver, and Philip Rivers consistently looks his way.

Advice:  Easily the best tight end in the league; will always rack up points. Don't deal him straight up for any other TE.

Other Fantasy Studs: Kellen Winslow, Jason Witten

Fantasy Duds: Tony Gonzalez, Jeremy Shockey

Defense

Starters:  Minnesota

The Vikings D is absolutely abusing opponents, outperforming every other team in the NFL.

Advice: Minnesota's opponents have been weak, so don't look for domination to continue. 

Other Solid Defenses: The best three units in the league will probably end up being New England, Baltimore, and Chicago. Pittsburgh is also solid.

Defensive Duds: Carolina, Philadelphia