Players' fortunes rise, fall as opening games approach

With the NFL season opener less than a week away, everybody wants to know who's going to be the fast risers and free fallers for any remaining drafts.

Preseason games help determine some of this but not as much as off-field issues. Whether it's an arrest or a trade, an NFL team's front office often dictates the impact a player will have in fantasy leagues.

Minnesota's release of troubled receiver Koren Robinson might have had an adverse effect on team morale but it was a positive for Troy Williamson.

Williamson underachieved last year, as did the Vikings' offense. With Robinson gone, Williamson will have every opportunity to become the team's go-to guy, which should make him shoot up the draft charts.

Travis Taylor and Marcus Robinson also will get more chances.

Dont Stallworth went from a mid- to late-round selection to an early middle pick. His trade from New Orleans to receiver-starved Philadelphia finally gives Stallworth the opportunity to get out from under the shadow of Joe Horn and become a No. 1 receiver.

This move also will hurt the impact of second-year man Reggie Brown, who was expected to be the team's No. 1 receiver. He'll remain a mid-round choice but should go a little later now that he's considered the second option and because he's been battling injuries.

Don't look now, but Aaron Brooks looks to be having a resurgence in Oakland. Yes, it's only preseason, but having Randy Moss seems to have given Brooks a newfound confidence. He'll get earlier looks especially from those who take Moss with their first- or second-round pick.

Carson Palmer's performance against Green Bay this past Monday was eerily reminiscent of last year's breakout season.

The Southern Cal product was nearly flawless in throwing for three touchdowns, but it was his legs that drew the most raves. After a devastating knee injury in the playoffs last year, many believed Palmer wouldn't be the same.

Palmer put all those fears to rest as he took his first hits of the preseason and looked very mobile in scrambling for a first down. He could easily go in the first round and probably won't be around at the end of the second.

Someone who is not settling any stomachs is Terrell Owens. So far he's been the distraction that everyone expected him to be: missing practices, getting fined and just being T.O.

Will this affect where he goes in the draft? No. He'll still go in the first or second round because he's too much of a talent not to go that high.

But like he said when Dallas signed him: "Get your popcorn ready because it's going to be a show."

Fantasy owners just hope they don't end up getting burned.

Reach Raymond Beasock at (706) 823-3221 or raymond.beasock@augustachronicle.com.