Alex, New York, N.Y.: In your Top 200, how can you have Tom Brady ranked so high (No. 27), but Deion Branch, his No. 1 WR, so low (No. 134)? I know the Patriots spread the ball around a lot, but isn't that overdoing it?
Engel: I rank Brady high because other than Peyton Manning, there isn't another QB who can seemingly deliver above-average fantasy numbers on a regularly annual basis. Manning is the only "sure" thing every year at the position to deliver excellent numbers, but Brady will be dependable for at least solid numbers if he doesn't post outstanding totals. That kind of reliability doesn't come easily at the QB position nowadays, especially with injury issues surrounding players like Carson Palmer, Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper. Matt Hasselbeck is good, but not great. Manning and Brady are clearly a cut above the rest for reliability and fine production on a yearly basis. Manning has the potential to be more explosive in any given season, but Brady will always be at least statistically dependable and durable. As for Branch, Brady's ball distribution is just one factor in Branch's rating. He has battled injuries often in the past, and last season was the first time he played a full 16 games. And he still caught only five TD passes. Branch is indeed Brady's top target, but he had only two 100-yard games last year. The ball distribution factor, which I think you are underrating, plus the fact that he is a known injury risk, especially at 5-foot-9, makes him one of the lesser-desired No. 1 receivers. He has yet to produce big numbers on a regular basis. Just because a player is a No. 1 receiver for a good QB doesn't make him an outstanding fantasy player. Brady often looks to other targets, and has had no other choice to do so when Branch has been injured.
Steven, Albany, N.Y.: I have the second pick in a 10-team yearly draft. I fear the first pick will be Larry Johnson, which leaves me with fears similar to the ones that made me draft Willis McGahee second overall last year. LaDainian Tomlinson has shown a real tendency to fizzle as it comes time for the fantasy playoffs, and working with a rookie QB might increase his carries early and cause more late problems. In Shaun Alexander's case, most RBs cannot follow a 20-TD season with another one. Steve Hutchinson is gone, and in real life we can't be superstitious, but this is fantasy, so guess who is on the cover of Madden '07? I am considering Clinton Portis at No. 2 overall.