Each week, the Crystal Ball tells you one player you should start at each position who you might not have thought of, and one player you shouldn't start who you just might be counting on.
QUARTERBACK
Jake Delhomme, Panthers (YES!): Delhomme has disappointed this year, but not nearly as much as the Washington defense. The Redskins simply can't stop anyone, allowing twenty passing touchdowns this year against only three interceptions. This pick is so easy, I feel bad even suggesting it.
Philip Rivers, Chargers (NO!): Anyone going against the Raiders continues to be a good pick, except for quarterbacks. Nobody throws against them because the Raiders are usually behind, but just as importantly, they actually play decent pass defense. The Chargers aren't going to do anything mysterious this week; they will run Tomlinson until they can't run him anymore.
RUNNING BACK
Fred Taylor, Jaguars (YES!): Taylor's injury history along with the emergence of Maurice Jones-Drew makes him an underrated fantasy performer at this point. He's still the go-to guy in a power running offense.
Edgerrin James, Cardinals (NO!): James has been tough on fantasy owners this year. If he was still around at the eighth to tenth pick in your draft, you really had to take him and hope for the best. Yet with the Cardinals' offensive line and general history of failed moves, the difficult season was very predictable. This week pits the Vikings defense, which allows the fewest yards per carry in the league, against the starting runner with the lowest average yards per carry.
WIDE RECEIVER
Lee Evans, Bills (YES!): In the past, I've encouraged you not to chase the points. However, if you're in a league with short benches where Evans is still available, I encourage you to chase the points.
Donte' Stallworth, Eagles (NO!): With the Colts up next and Donovan McNabb gone for the year, this is a good week to sit Stallworth. Jeff Garcia may put up some points in Philly, but you want to wait a week and observe a little bit before committing.
TIGHT END
Chris Cooley, Redskins (YES!): Sometimes it's counter-intuitive, but as with Jason Witten, it appears that a younger quarterback with a stronger arm actually throws to the tight end more than the aging veteran.
Randy McMichael, Dolphins (NO!): McMichael's streaky season continues, and the current trend isn't a positive one.
DEFENSE
Cincinnati Bengals (YES!): The Bengals haven't been as good a fantasy defense this year as they've generally been under Marvin Lewis, but the Browns have a striking tendency to turn the ball over.
Philadelphia Eagles (NO!): This week's game, against an Indy team that should be angry after suffering it's first loss, probably isn't a fair indicator of how the Eagles will do without McNabb.
KICKERS
Joe Nedney, 49ers (YES!): Multiple kickers come out of the woodwork to post solid seasons every year. Nedney has snuck into the top ten kickers in the league from a fantasy perspective, with some help from Frank Gore.
David Akers, Eagles (NO!): I hate to keep picking on the Eagles, but Akers was on the fringe among fantasy kickers even before McNabb got hurt.