James Hardy might be on his way out of Buffalo. The 2008 2nd round pick has been an absolute bust and Bills management may have seen enough of him. With Roscoe Parrish and Steve Johnson looking solid and rookie free agent David Nelson impressing, Hardy is in danger of being cut unless the Bills keep six wide receivers on the roster. Update: Hardy was indeed released.

Key Cuts: WR James Hardy, WR Chad Jackson, RB Chad Simpson, RB Joique Bell, TE Derek Schouman

The release of TE David Martin makes John Nalbone the backup to Anthony Fasano and the release of Pat White signals Tyler Thigpen has secured the backup QB job.

Key Cuts: QB Pat White, WR Patrick Turner, TE David Martin

Key Cuts: N/A

The once barren depth chart at tight end appears replenished given the preseason performances of Alge Crumpler and rookies Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez. There is even talk of the Patriots actually utilizing the tight end in the passing game. However, good luck to anybody figuring out which player gets the targets on a week-to-week basis.

Key Cuts: WR Sam Aiken, QB Zac Robinson

Four running backs were kept on the roster (Moreno, Buckhalter, Ball, and Hall). Knowshon Moreno, the projected Week 1 starter, still isn’t completely healed from a hamstring injury suffered August 1st. Backup Correll Buckhalter is coming off a back injury and LenDale White was placed on IR with a torn Achilles. Moreno projects to be the prime fantasy back but this situation is ripe with risk.

Key Cuts: WR Brandon Stokley (IR), TE Marquez Branson

WR Jerheme Urban was placed on IR giving undrafted rookie Jeremy Horne a place on the final roster. Could the release of QB Tyler Palko signal a signing the Matt Leinart? KC is in need of a third quarterback given the injury history of Brodie Croyle and head coach Todd Haley is familiar with Leinart from his days as offensive coordinator in Arizona.

Key Cuts: QB Tyler Palko, RB Javarris Williams

Chaz Schilens has been hit by the injury bug again. Knee surgery has put him on the shelf for 3-6 weeks leaving Louis Murphy as the teams only fantasy receiver worth drafting.

Key Cuts: WR Todd Watkins, QB Colt Brennan, TE John Owens

No news on the Vincent Jackson front. Speculation of a trade has yet to come to fruition and he’s still in line to server a three-game suspension for violating the leagues personal conduct policy. Seattle was given permission to talk with Jackson’s agent but no deal has been struck and rumours are circulating the Rams have mild interest.

Key Cuts: RB Marcus Mason, WR Josh Reed

K Billy Cundiff has won the starting kicking job. "He won a great competition, and he earned this spot," Harbaugh said. "We've talked about this the entire preseason: Both Billy and Shayne rose to the occasion and performed at high levels. We know Shayne will kick in the league, but we feel very good about the decision to go with Billy." Shayne Graham has been released.

Key Cuts: QB Troy Smith, K Shayne Graham, WR Demetrius Williams

Cincinnati
There weren’t too many surprises on the Bengals cut list as veteran Matt Jones never really fit in the wide receiver rotation and TE Chase Coffman couldn’t stay healthy enough to make the active roster a year ago. Despite his injury concerns, expect Coffman to land on the Bengals practice squad.

The Bengals have cut backup QB J.T. O’Sullivan and with Jordan Palmer the only other QB on the roster a veteran signing is almost sure to happen so it’s no surprise that the Bengals may be one of five teams in the market for QB Matt Leinart. Houston, Buffalo, New Orleans and Jacksonville are reportedly interested as well.

Key Cuts: QB J.T. O’Sullivan, K Dave Rayner, TE Chase Coffman, WR Maurice Purify, WR Dezmon Briscoe, WRMatt Jones

Cleveland
Running back James Davis was on the roster bubble until fellow running back Montario Hardesty suffered a season-ending knee injury on Thursday. Davis has made the team but will fall in line behind Jerome Harrison and Peyton Hillis. Davis a typical change-of-pace back and will only see significant time if Harrison is sidelined with an injury of his own.

Key Cuts: WR Bobby Engram, RB Chris Jennings, QB Brett Ratliff

Pittsburgh
Shakeup at the QB position this week as Byron Leftwich (knee) came up lame with a sprained knee and will miss a month. This keeps Charlie Batch on the roster with both Batch and Dixon battling for the starting job Week 1. The latest word has the Steelers considering making Charlie Batch their opening-day starter. On the positive, Ben Roethlisberger had his suspension reduced to four games. Roethlisberger can return Week 6 (Steelers have a bye Week 5) and should help the fantasy value of Hines Ward, Mike Wallace, and Heath Miller at that time.

Rookie RB Jonathan Dwyer made the team with a strong finish in camp. "I agree with Coach that I haven't done anything yet. I still have a lot of stuff to prove. I still have things I want to prove. I'm real hard on myself and just want to be as perfect as I can. I'm willing to go out there and play as hard as I can and give my best effort."

Key Cuts: WR Stefan Logan, FB Frank Summers

AFC SOUTH

Houston
A fantasy relevant kicking battle was decided this week in Houston where Neil Rackers won the starting job over Kris Brown. The length of Rackers’ kickoffs may have been the deciding factor, but Brown is suffering from plantar fasciitis in his right foot, which likely made the decision somewhat easier.

The recently released RB Derrick Ward has found a new home in Houston but don’t expect him to make any kind fantasy impact. Ward, signed with Tampa Bay as a free agent last year but was waived by the Buccaneers last week. “We hope Derrick can run like he did when he was a very productive player with the Giants,” Kubiak said. “He’s run a lot of zone plays like we run. He’s also played some special teams.”

Key Cuts: RB Chris Henry, K Kris Brown, QB John David Booty, TE Derek Fine, WR Andre Davis (IR)

Indianapolis
There were few surprises on the Colts final roster with even less fantasy impact. Local favorite Devin Moore secured the kick return job while Gjorn Robinson passed the test as the backup tight end. Nothing to see here…

Key Cuts: N/A

Jacksonville
Mike Thomas has won the No. 2 wide receiver job opposite Mike Sims-Walker while former first-round pick Troy Williamson got the axe. Williamson has been plagued by drops and this pink slip could spell the end of his career.

Key Cuts: RB Kolby Smith, TE Ernest Wilford, WR Troy Williamson

Tennessee
Undrafted rookie LeGarrette Blount beat out Sam Gado for a backup running back spot as Gado was released on Saturday. “They chose to go in another direction,’’ Gado said Saturday. “They didn't tell me why. I wasn’t told much, really. They just told me they were glad to have me and they were going to go in a different direction. But that is kind of the nature of the beast.” Blunt turned in a good preseason with 31 carries for 118 yards and 2 TDs.

It appears Kenny Britt’s spot on the roster is safe but pay attention to the fact that head coach Jeff Fisher isn’t pleased with his contribution to the team. "That is part of the learning process," Fisher said Friday. "If I suspect there’s issues he is not part of the (45-man roster on game days). If his mind is clear and he is focused and is ready to play, he is potentially a really good player. But if I suspect there would be a problem, we have other receivers I’ll play instead of Kenny." Britt seemed to lose focus in the preseason game against New Orleans, committing a penalty and dropping two passes.

Key Cuts: QB Chris Simms, RB Sam Gado, WR Paul Williams, WR Dominique Edison, RB Alvin Pearman, TE Sean Ryan

NFC WEST

Arizona
I wasn’t sold on Matt Leinart at quarterback and it appears the Cardinals aren’t either. The former USC phenom was unceremoniously benched this week in favour of Browns retread Derek Anderson, and eventually released - hardly a ringing endorsement for Leinart’s career prospects. It’s one thing to be dumped in favour of future Hall of Famer Kurt Warner; quite another for a former sixth-round pick who has been released twice during a five year career. Leinart lashed out publicly after the demotion and that surely won’t help him earn a job elsewhere.

As for Anderson, he is the quintessential hot and cold quarterback, capable of dynamic plays and inexcusable decisions on the same drive. At some point, Anderson figures to slump badly enough for head coach Ken Whisenhunt to turn the keys of the offense back over to… Max Hall???? For fantasy purposes, don’t be bothered with Anderson and drop Larry Fitzgerald down a couple of spots on your wide receiver rankings.

Looking for the ultimate ultra deep sleeper? Look no further than rookie free agent wide receiver Stephen Williams. The University of Toledo product went undrafted despite being the university’s all time leader in receptions and receiving yards. At 6’5”, Williams has excellent size and his speed is decent, although he isn’t considered a burner. With Steve Breaston perhaps best suited to a secondary role and Early Doucet struggling for much of his two-year career, Williams has a shot at earning some playing time in 2010.

Key Cuts: QB Matt Leinart, TE Anthony Becht

St. Louis
With Donnie Avery out for the year with a torn ACL, the race is on for the starting spot opposite Laurent Robinson. Danny Amendola has had an outstanding training camp but is best suited to line up in the slot. Disappointing fourth-round pick Mardy Gilyard is also best suited to the slot but has dropped too many passes to warrant much playing time early in the season. Brandon Gibson, who had a solid rookie season after coming over from the Eagles in a trade, has been out for much of the preseason with a hamstring injury. Keenan Burton is also in the mix but he has been injury prone during his two years with the team. Look for Gibson to be in the teams starting line-up on opening day if for the only reason that he is the player best suited for the role.

Rookie tight end Michael Hoomanawanui has been impressive in the preseason and may have wrestled the starting spot away from incumbent Daniel Fells. While the team like Fells’ athleticism and he has above average speed for the position, he has been inconsistent and tends to drop too many passes. Hoomanawanui might be a decent option in deep keeper leagues.

It’s all but a given that the Rams will turn to waiver wire to acquire a running back capable of backing up Steven Jackson. With Kenneth Darby, Chris Ogbonnaya and Keith Toston not impressing, it appears that Jackson’s handcuff is not currently on the roster.

Key Cuts: N/A

San Francisco
Nothing like a good screaming match to make the end of the preseason a little entertaining. The team’s top two targets in the passing game, tight end Vernon Davis and second-year receiver Michael Crabtree, went at it verbally in practice this week. Head coach Mike Singletary explained afterwards that Davis, whom he described as not the most diplomatic player on the team, “did the right thing the wrong way.” Since Davis is a team captain, the implication was clearly that he was on Crabtree regarding his effort and/or attitude. Since Crabtree’s ascension may impact Davis’ use, we’re sure there’s no professional jealousy involved here, right?

Don’t expect much from recently signed running back Brian Westbrook early in the season. Westbrook signed with the team part of the way through training camp and has missed time with a hamstring injury. While Westbrook is clearly an intelligent player capable of quickly learning the playbook, his conditioning will likely be a question mark entering the season.

Key Cuts: WR Jason Hill, RB Michael Robinson

Seattle
Justin Forsett has garnered a fair amount of sleeper/bust out attention at running back but he has yet to win the starting position outright ahead of Julius Jones and Leon Washington although late word has the Seahawks releasing the veteran Jones. Forsett remains the front-runner but hasn’t done enough to warrant getting the bulk of the playing time at the position. At this point, it appears the Seahawks will use a committee approach at running back. Considering the Seahawks are expected to struggle on offense in 2010, that severely limits the upside of any of Seattle’s running backs.

Supposed quarterback of the future Charlie Whitehurst has hardly excelled in the preseason, barely holding off Bills castoff J.P. Losman. While there was initially some thought that Whitehurst could be inserted into the starting line-up if the Seahawks struggled as expected, that now seems to be a remote possibility given his struggles. Matt Hasselbeck owners (hopefully there aren’t many of you out there) can breathe a sigh of relief.

Big news of the week has been the release of WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, paving the way for Mike Williams to land a starting spot opposite Deion Branch. Seattle must pay him the difference between his guaranteed salary of $7 million and the 2010 salary he receives from any new team, which will likely be the veteran minimum.

Key Cuts: WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh, RB Julius Jones, WR Brandon Jones, QB J.P. Losman, WR Ruvell Martin

NFC EAST

Dallas
Hotshot rookie Dez Bryant didn’t play in the Cowboys final preseason game, pushing him further behind in his attempt to earn a starting position in 2010. Dolphins owner Jerry Jones commented that Bryant needs to improve his conditioning. It now looks like it will take at least 4-6 games for Bryant’s owners to gauge his usefulness to their fantasy teams.

Roy Williams, who is listed as the starter opposite Miles Austin, will apparently be ready for opening day despite missing time with a sore back and hip. Williams has had another disappointing preseason, continuing to display questionable route running. He has caught just five of his 13 targets in the preseason, after having caught just 44% of his targets during the 2009 regular season.

Sam Hurd remains on the roster while Patrick Crayton has been dealt to San Diego. With Austin, Williams and Bryant occupying the top three spots at wide receiver and the team high on Kevin Ogletree’s playmaking ability, Crayton was the odd man out.

Key Move: WR Patrick Crayton traded to San Diego

New York Giants
A couple of veterans who were in danger of losing their rosters spots with the Giants had the axe fall on them this week. Quarterback Jim Sorgi, signed to be the team’s top backup to Eli Manning, had a shoulder injury that caused to team to put him on injured reserve. With only experienced Rhett Bomar behind Sorgi, the Giants were forced to trade for Vikings’ QB Sage Rosenfels. Sinorice Moss was going to have a hard time making the final roster and a groin injury landed him on injured reserve, likely ending his disappointing career with the team.

More injury problems for Danny Ware, with a concussion potentially derailing his chance to make the team and earning playing time behind Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. That’s right, Bradshaw comes first when discussing the Giants running backs.

Key Cuts: QB Rhett Bomar, RB Gartrell Johnson, RB Andre Brown, WR Derek Hagan

Philadelphia
Eagles tight end Brent Celek had an excellent season in 2009 and most prognosticators had him down for a top five fantasy season in 2010. Part of the reasoning was based on his solid production with Kevin Kolb at quarterback in two games last year when Celek had 12 receptions for 208 yards and a touchdown. However, he has been an afterthought through the team’s first three preseason games, catching four balls for 51 yards in roughly six quarters of action. Celek has been targeted only eight games. Kolb seems to prefer throwing to his wide receivers with Jeremy Maclin getting 17 targets and DeSean Jackson 10.

Continuity along the offensive line is generally a key success factor to solid offensive production during the season and the Eagles have some concerns in that area. Jamaal Jackson might not be ready to start the season at center, which would necessitate Nick Coles manning the position. That would open up the right guard position to either the to Mike McGlynn, especially now that the disappointing Stacy Andrews has been traded to Seattle. McGlynn doesn’t have much experience and he has been forced to line up at left guard with Todd Herreman’s out with an ankle injury. Former top backup guard Max Jean-Gilles has been released. While the tackles positions look solid with Jason Peters and Winston Justice, the interior of the Eagles offensive line is a bit of a mess.

Key Cuts: TE Cornelius Ingram, WR Kelley Washington

Washington
See ya later, Malcolm Kelly. The 2008 2nd round pick missed nearly all of training camp with a hamstring injury and then reinjured it in his first practice since July 30th. With new head coach Mike Shanahan not having drafted Kelly and the team unsure of what it has at the position, it was an easy move to place Kelly on injured reserve.

Donovan McNabb’s ankle sprain seems to be getting a lot of attention with Shanahan expressing his concern about the team’s new starting quarterback’s availability for the Redskins week one game against the Cowboys. Chalk this one up to gamesmanship with Shanahan trying to bait the Cowboys into preparing for both McNabb and backup Rex Grossman. Expect McNabb to be fine for opening day.

Key Cuts: RB Willie Parker, WR Bobby Wade

NFC NORTH

Chicago
The Bears offensive performance in the preseason has boiled down to one issue – the offensive line. Once again, the Bears feature perhaps the worst offensive line in the NFC North. The unit gave up 16 sacks in the first three preseason games and left tackle Chris Williams has been abysmal. The party line is that the Bears offense has been vanilla in the preseason and the playbook will be opened up in the regular season with better results. While there is likely some truth to that given offensive coordinator Mike Martz’ vast playbook, the reality is that his offense relies on superior pass protection from the offensive line with occasional help from the tight end. If the offensive line struggles, the player most affected may be tight end Greg Olsen. Olsen would likely spend more time on the bench in favour of backup Brandon Manumaleuna who is a far superior blocker.

While the depth chart at wide receiver has listed Devin Hester and Johny Knox as the team starters throughout the preseason, don’t consider it set in stone. Devin Aromashodu is clearly the top backup and he has been impressive thus far in the preseason. That leaves Earl Bennett, Rashied Davies fighting for scraps.

Key Cuts: WR Juaquin Iglesias, QB Dan LeFevour

Detroit
Running back Kevin Smith was apparently in danger of losing his roster spot. Smith was solid as a rookie in 2009 but had a disappointing season last year before suffering a torn ACL. He has not performed well in the preseason and the coaching staff had indicated that his play has been tentative, likely the result of Smith not yet fully trusting his surgically repaired knee. Maurice Morris and Aaron Brown are also on the roster but in the end, DeDe Dorsey, who is valued on special teams, got the axe. While Smith’s performance has been underwhelming, his release would’ve been a major surprise. Smith is solid as a runner, receiver and pass blocker and would seem to be a capable replacement for rookie Jahvid Best if he were to get hurt.

Second year wide receiver Derrick Williams hasn’t impressed in training camp and it appears that his roster spot hinged on his ability as a returner. With Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson and Bryant Johnson (surprisingly still around despite his salary and backup status) the top three receivers on the depth chart Williams fought for and landed the final receiver position. Dennis Northcutt, a solid slot receiver and punt returner, is his main competition.

Key Cuts: RB DeDe Dorsey, WR Brian Clark

Green Bay
Looks like Brandon Jackson is the only reliable backup at running back. Quinn Porter looked impressive but a sprained MCL landed him on injured reserve. Rookie 6th round pick James Stark landed on the PUP, further evidence of his inability to remain healthy. Suffice it to say, the Packers will likely be scouring the waiver wire to beef up the depth chart at running back.

With Donald Driver getting up there in age, his future replacement is certainly worth owning in dynasty leagues. While Driver signed a contract extension early this year, there are no guarantees he will be in the starting line-up in 2011. The question then is – who is his future replacement? At various points over the last two years, both James Jones and Jordy Nelson have appeared to be Driver’s heir apparent. However, Jones now seems to have a stranglehold on the role of the Packers third receiver. He is Driver’s backup at flanker and started in place of Greg Jennings in week three of the preseason. With tight end Jermichael Finley expected to be on the field in all passing situations, the loser of the Jones-Nelson battle will hardly see the field unless the Packers begin using a formation that features an empty backfield with four wide receivers and a tight end.

Key Cuts: QB Graham Harrell, TE Spencer Havner, RB Kregg Lumpkin

Minnesota
The early front-runner in the battle to backup Adrian Peterson surprisingly was 2nd year, former undrafted free agent Albert Young. However, 2010 2nd round pick Toby Gerhart has apparently come on of late and it now appears that he is likely to unseat Young. While Young is the more likely of the two to assume the third down, pass catching role, it appears that Gerhart would be the likely starter if Peterson were to miss time. Those considering Peterson in their fantasy leagues should monitor this situation.

Concerned about their depth at wide receiver with Sidney Rice on the PUP for at least the first six games of the season with a hip injury and Percy Harvin away regularly with migraine headaches, the Vikings traded backup cornerback Benny Sapp to the Dolphins for Greg Camarillo. While Camarillo can hardly be described as having superstar potential, he put up decent production in Miami when given an opportunity. Despite having little time to pick up the Vikings playbook, he was targeted five times by Brett Favre in only eight plays in his Vikings debut. In deep leagues that use the PPR format, Camarillo could be a decent waiver wire candidate if the Vikings have more injury problems at wide receiver.

Javon Walker, most recently of the Raiders, was added to the roster and had a nice touchdown pass in the third preseason game. While Walker is the biggest name of the Vikings current backup wide receivers, there are no guarantees he will be on the roster on opening day. Since he has been in the league for more than four years, his yearly salary is guaranteed if he is on the roster to open the season. Look for the Vikings to keep former Seahawk Logan Payne ahead of Walker. Update: The Vikings have cut both Walker and Payne leaving only four WRs on the roster. Look for them to make a move before the Thursday night opener. T.J. Houshmandazdeh perhaps?

Key Cuts: WR Javon Walker, WR Logan Payne

NFC SOUTH

Atlanta
Based on his preseason to date, it doesn’t look like Matt Ryan is due for a breakout fantasy campaign. He struggled in week three of the preseason, completing just 50% of his passes.

The Falcons dumped Steven Hauschka midway through the preseason, awarding the kicking job to Matt Bryant. Bryant has struggled since then and may be in danger of getting chopped before week one. If he makes the roster, he is nothing more than a mid-tier option for fantasy purposes so he should probably be dropped from your draft board given the risk he will get cut.

Key Cuts: N/A

Carolina
Looks like the Panthers will be without starting Jeff Otah for one or more games to open the season. The mauling right tackle is a key component in the Panthers rushing attack but will likely miss time with an ankle injury. It’s a long way down from Otah to likely replacement Geoff Schwartz.

WR Wallace Wright has been placed on IR with a shoulder injury. The final depth chart at receiver looks like Steve Smith, Dwayne Jarrett, Brandon LaFell, Armanti Edwards, David Gettis & Charly Martin

Key Cuts: WR Kenneth Moore, RB Dantrell Savage

New Orleans

Lance Moore has been impressive in the preseason with both Marquis Colston and Robert Meachem missing time with injuries. And that is the dilemma with Moore. He is solid when he gets opportunities but not good enough to warrant them when all of the Saints playmakers are healthy. In his 2008, bust out season, Moore benefitted from injuries. That year, in the six games that Reggie Bush missed, Moore averaged 15.5 points per game. In the other ten games, Moore averaged six points per game. In the five games in which Colson, Bush and Moore all played, Moore averaged 3.3 points per game. Add it all up and Moore is nothing more than waiver wire material.

Key Cuts: QB Patrick Ramsey, RB Ladell Betts, FB Jason McKie

Tampa Bay

Key Cuts: WR Michael Clayton