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Carolina Panthers

Insider Fantasy Tip

In his best-ever pro season (2005), Smith caught 103 passes for 1,563 yards and 12 touchdowns. Last year, he missed the first two games with a hamstring injury and told me this week he was never better than 80 percent. This year, he's healthy and shooting for 2,000 yards. This is a guy who is only 28 years old, with only five full seasons in the league. His best could be ahead of him.

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New Orleans Saints

Insider Fantasy Tip

So if you don't land Bush in your draft, who should you next target on the Saints? Don't get sloppy and make the mistake of forgetting about Deuce McAllister, who led New Orleans in touchdowns with 11 last year, adding two more in the playoffs. Bush may be the most exciting young player in the league, but McAllister is going to get his touches, especially near the goal line, where his 6-foot-1, 232-pound frame can hammer away at defenders. Just ask the Eagles.

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Minnesota Vikings

Insider Fantasy Tip

You and I can argue about the worthiness of the Vikings giving tight end Visanthe Shiancoe $8.2 million of guaranteed money in free agency. I consider it a ridiculous example of cap money burning a hole in a team's pocket. But I am not coaching this team. Brad Childress is, and he likes Shiancoe's athleticism and good hands. Childress told me he needed a tight end who can make plays, and he thinks Shiancoe is that guy. Well, we'll have to agree to disagree on that one.

But the fact is Minnesota has a young quarterback (assuming the guy is Tarvaris Jackson) who is going to need a security blanket, so plays will be designed to get the ball out of his hands quickly. That's why I'd recommend taking Shiancoe in your draft. Not ahead of an L.J. Smith, let's say, but Shiancoe is going to have the chance to catch 50 balls and should score six or seven touchdowns.

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Atlanta Falcons

Insider Fantasy Tip

With starting running back Warrick Dunn likely out for the majority of the preseason after undergoing July back surgery, Norwood is getting the first-team reps this month. That might translate into him being the Falcons' most prepared and productive rusher early in the regular season, while Dunn is still finding his mojo. And here's another factor that might help Norwood greatly enhance his 2006 touchdown total of two: He's going to have newly acquired fullback Ovie Mughelli -- a run-blocking specialist from Baltimore -- clearing his path. That might jack up the Falcons' goal-line package and lead to more scores for both Norwood and Dunn.

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Oakland Raiders

Insider Fantasy Tip

Tight end Zach Miller will be a pleasant surprise as a rookie starter. He is an excellent route runner with outstanding hands. He fits in perfectly in Kiffin's pro style offense and should catch over 50 passes.

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San Francisco 49ers

Insider Fantasy Tip

Take Alex Smith as your backup QB. The third-year pro showed promise last season as the full-time starter, but his play during camp shows that he is ready to take the next step. He is delivering the ball on time and finally has the weapons surrounding him to be successful. The addition of Darrell Jackson and the maturation of Davis will allow Smith to improve his numbers (58 percent completion percentage, 2,890 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2006). He will get plenty of chances to throw the ball with teams loading up to stop Frank Gore and forcing the 49ers to beat them with the pass. That strategy worked in the past, but Smith will make defense pay this season and should post good enough numbers to merit some fantasy starts.

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Denver Broncos

Insider Fantasy Tip

Can you have a little patience? Good. Then pick wide receiver Brandon Stokley in the last round of your draft and stash him 'til you get some injuries and can use him for a couple of quick touchdowns. "He's the best slot receiver in football,'' Peyton Manning says unabashedly. "Great hands. Always open.'' He's missed much of camp with a strained thigh muscle, and Shanahan will have to see something decent out of him in order to play him opening day. Cutler, in limited work with Stokley, thinks very highly of him too. Just monitor him between now and the time you draft. If it looks like he'll be dressing opening day, you won't regret the investment.

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