Enter Greg Olson. The third year TE showed vast improvement last year over 2007. He finished last season with a total of 20 catches and 3 TDs over the last four games. With a better QB under center, the dearth of talent on the outside for the Bears, and a better feel for the NFL game, Olsen is primed to pick up where he left off. His speed and athleticism will cause mismatches all season long, and Cutler will have Olsen in his crosshairs from week 1 forward. The third year TE could finish with 80 catches and 6 - 8 TDs.

Trent Edwards: Will surprise in 2009.

T.O.’s first year with a new team has been well documented. He’s blown up the spot with incredible production, and there’s no reason to believe he won’t do the same in Buffalo. The young and presumably impressionable Edwards will look to Owens early and often in an attempt to ensure the mercurial WR receives the attention he wants. Edwards will surprise in 2009 while more than doubling his TD output from last year.

One may look at the 46 sacks from last year as the reason why he struggled. But he was sacked 47 times during his career-best season of 2007. So why the problems last year? Injuries at the RB position? Big Ben taking more chances with the ball? Struggles at the WR position? All of those things may be true, but regardless of the reason, Roethlisberger can be had on the cheap in 2009 and should be a suitable back-up. His RBs will be healthy, Super Bowl MVP Santonio Holmes is primed for a breakout season, and maybe—just maybe—Big Ben can return to his 2007 form. More realistically, however, is Roethlisberger falling between what he did in 2007 and 2008. If that materializes, you’ve got yourself a fantastic #2 QB.

Now, the challenge will be handling those games in which he does little, thanks to limited opportunities. But with the way in which I envision the Cowboys utilizing him, coupled with the always-present threat of Marion Barber getting injured due to his rugged style, Jones will pick up where he left off in 2008. I’ve read material from others who indicated that Tashard Choice’s performance late last year may muddy the waters in Dallas’ backfield even more, but neither Choice nor Barber possess the open field skill set that Jones does. At the absolute least, Jones is a MUST handcuff for those who select Barber. But even without Barber on your roster, Jones will add quality depth to your team.

Edwards led the league in drops in 2008, and he’s battling a non-football injury in training camp. His QB situation is rocky and there’s no other WR on the team of any significance to take attention off of him. While others may see all of those facts as reasons to shy away, I don’t. His value hasn’t been this low since his rookie season, so he can be had dirt-cheap this year. Target Edwards as a WR3.

Much like Brett Favre’s arrival in New York last year, Coles’ production should hit his career bests. He finished 2008 with only 70 catches for 850 yards, but his seven TDs matched his highest output. That’s what Palmer’s return to the line-up will do for Coles. Plus, nowadays when a receiver plays opposite Ochocinco—a player who at times seems more interested in marketing himself than bettering his game—he tends to get the lion’s share of Palmer’s attention. Such is the case with Coles in 2009. Expect a boatload of catches with 7 to 9 scores.

Donnie Avery: The last hope.

I’ve seen several mock drafts online that had Avery drafted as a #4 WR. That’s stealing. Sure St. Louis has a struggling QB and bare cupboards regarding skill position players outside of Avery and RB Steven Jackson, but Avery is the #1 receiver on his team, which should garner enough attention by itself. With a year under his belt, he should show marked improvement from his rookie campaign. He will have inconsistent production week to week to be sure, but having Avery on your team will not be a detriment.

These are all reasons to keep Benson on your radar as a RB3. Palmer will be the best QB Benson has ever played with, so I’m curious to see how well he fares when for the first time in his NFL career defenses won’t stack the line of scrimmage while ignoring the threat of the pass. Benson is nonexistent in the passing game, so don’t expect much there. But he is in line for 18-22 carries per game and there’s little threat of a RBBC.

McCoy will get on the field if Westbrook gets injured or not. Westbrook turns 30 before the season starts, plus he had knee and ankle surgery during the off season. Those are enough red flags for me to grab his back-up—even if I don’t draft Westbrook. The Eagles are a pass first, pass often offense that utilizes their RBs in all aspects of the game. That bodes well for McCoy, who at the very least could get 8-10 touches a game.