The NFL Combine is fun for football fanatics who like to see how fast the incoming rookies can run and how far they can jump. Sure, there's always some buzz with a player or two -- hey, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota threw the ball! -- but the more interesting aspects typically come from the coaches and general managers.

We had a lot of news come out of Indianapolis last week that could affect Fantasy owners this fall. With that in mind, let's review what happened at the NFL Combine and how you can potentially benefit.

QUARTERBACK

  • All signs point to Peyton Manning returning to the Broncos this season, even though general manager John Elway said there's been no definitive answer. Coach Gary Kubiak said Manning won't be forced into his offense, which means Manning should still have the chance for big weeks on a consistent basis when healthy. He should be considered a Top 5 quarterback on Draft Day worth taking in Round 3 or 4.
  • New Bears coach John Fox didn't commit to Jay Cutler as his starter this season, and the team also met with free agent Josh McCown. Most likely, the Bears would like to trade Cutler, but it's unlikely he will be released because of his salary. If Cutler returns to Chicago as expected he should be considered a No. 2 Fantasy quarterback with upside. He's still worth drafting with a late-round pick.
  • Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford was a disappointment in 2014 with only seven games of at least 20 Fantasy points in a standard league. But general manager Martin Mayhew said Stafford will benefit from a second year in coach Jim Caldwell's system. The biggest key, as we know, is the health of Calvin Johnson, but Stafford remains a Top 10 Fantasy quarterback worth drafting in Round 5.
  • Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer is coming back from a torn ACL, and general manager Steve Keim said Palmer could return for the start of OTA workouts. As long as Palmer is ready for training camp he remains a high-end No. 2 Fantasy option worth a late-round pick.
  • Redskins coach Jay Gruden said Robert Griffin III will open the season as the starter. We hope Griffin improves this year, but he's only worth a late-round pick as a No. 2 Fantasy option. If he returns to his rookie form, which is a stretch, then he'll be a steal on Draft Day, but if he continues to struggle then he's an easy guy to release.
  • Winston is expected to be drafted at No. 1 overall by the Buccaneers, but the Titans aren't likely to draft Mariota at No. 2. The Titans will probably stick with Zach Mettenberger as their starter to open the season. He ended last year on injured reserve with a shoulder injury, but he had at least 19 Fantasy points in three of six starts. He's worth a look with a late-round pick in deeper leagues.
  • The Browns might be interested in trading for Sam Bradford, but the Rams don't plan to let that happen, according to coach Jeff Fisher. We expect Bradford to start for St. Louis, but he's just a No. 2 Fantasy quarterback at best. He has to stay healthy before he can be useful in Fantasy leagues.

RUNNING BACK

  • The Vikings want Adrian Peterson back based on what coach Mike Zimmer and general manager Rick Spielman said, but Peterson reportedly feels "uneasy" about returning to Minnesota. He also apparently wants to play for the Cowboys if the Vikings let him go. Peterson could return to Minnesota because of money, and he should remain a must-start Fantasy running back. If he's in shape, Peterson is a Top 15 overall pick, but I wouldn't draft him until Round 2. At 30 and basically missing all of last season, I'm skeptical he can return to being a dominant force.
  • Peterson could be a candidate to replace DeMarco Murray if he leaves the Cowboys as a free agent, but owner Jerry Jones wants Murray to return. Money is obviously the motivating factor, but if Murray does come back to Dallas then Jones said his workload (392 carries in 2014) will be reduced. I view Murray as a bust candidate even if he is back behind that stout offensive line. His workload from last year and his injury history are disconcerting.
  • It appears Marshawn Lynch is on the verge of returning to the Seahawks in 2015 and will not retire. That obviously puts a damper on any potential for Christine Michael or Robert Turbin barring an injury, but Lynch's workload and troublesome back will be worth watching. That said, he's proven his worth for the Seahawks and remains a Top 10 overall pick if he's back as expected.
  • Texans coach Bill O'Brien said the team will have to manage the workload for Arian Foster this year after he dealt with another season of injuries in 2014 and missed three games. He still managed more than 1,500 total yards and 13 touchdowns, and he's capable of that even with a fewer touches. He's an easy selection in Round 1 in all leagues.
  • The Cardinals still consider Andre Ellington their starter despite breaking down last season with foot and hernia injuries. Keim wants Ellington to bulk up, but as long as he doesn't face stiff competition for touches he remains a Top 15 running back worth drafting in Round 3.
  • Justin Forsett is a free agent this offseason, and he could leave the Ravens for a bigger deal elsewhere. One destination could be the Falcons, who are expected to move on from Steven Jackson. If Forsett stays as the starter for the Ravens or becomes the starter for the Falcons he would be considered a low-end No. 2 Fantasy running back worth drafting in Round 4. If the Falcons don't add a running back and go with Devonta Freeman, he would be worth drafting in Round 6. New offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan could help Freeman become a nice Fantasy option. 
  • The Jets, as expected, cut Chris Johnson and are now in the market for a running back to pair with Chris Ivory. C.J. Spiller makes sense as a replacement given his history with offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, who helped Spiller in his breakout season in 2012 with 1,700 total yards and eight touchdowns. Spiller could still return to the Bills or sign elsewhere, but a reunion with Gailey will do wonders for his Fantasy value.
  • Frank Gore is a free agent this offseason, and new 49ers coach Jim Tomsula said he wants him back in San Francisco. But Gore could look to go elsewhere, and Indianapolis is a rumored destination. We'd like Gore to leave the 49ers to give Carlos Hyde the chance at a featured role, and Gore to the Colts still keeps him relevant. Stay tuned.
  • Mark Ingram might prove too costly for the Saints to bring back after he had a career season in 2014 with 974 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. If he leaves, he should still be relevant as a No. 2 running back/flex option depending on where he signs, but his best value would be with the Saints. Khiry Robinson is a great sleeper option should Ingram leave as expected.
  • It sounds like the Lions want to move on from Reggie Bush, according to Mayhew, who said his future is "up in the air." He was dismal last season battling injuries and poor play, and Theo Riddick would be a nice sleeper in PPR leagues if Bush were released. Bush would only be worth a late-round pick depending on where he ends up. If he remains in Detroit, he could again have another down year behind Joique Bell.
WIDE RECEIVER
  • It's pretty clear Dez Bryant isn't leaving the Cowboys, whether he gets a new contract or the franchise tag. But if Bryant is tagged we hope it doesn't lead to a holdout. Bryant could easily be the No. 1 Fantasy receiver this season and he's worth drafting with a first-round pick in all leagues.
  • Like Bryant, the Broncos plan to use the franchise tag on Demaryius Thomas if they can't reach a long-term deal. Unlike Bryant, Thomas has given no indication he'd be upset with the tag. With Manning expected back, Thomas remains a Top 3 Fantasy receiver in all leagues.
  • The Bears may decide to move on from Brandon Marshall after his down year in 2014. If Marshall is back with the Bears he will remain a high-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver, and if he's cut then his value will be determined where he signs. We'd like to see Marshall back in Chicago because he'll be fine when healthy. He'll turn into a good value pick in Round 4 with his ankle woes behind him.
  • Giants general manager Jerry Reese said the team can't rely on Victor Cruz this year coming back from his patella tendon injury. As of now, I'd gamble on Cruz with a late-round pick with the hope he can come back at 100 percent, but the Giants aren't optimistic. He won't be a starting-caliber receiver heading into this season.
  • It's good that the Cardinals and Larry Fitzgerald were able to work out a new contract, but you still have to keep Fitzgerald's Fantasy value in perspective. Michael Floyd enters the season with more upside, and John Brown should improve in his second year. Fitzgerald should still be considered a No. 3 Fantasy receiver, but he's only worth a late-round pick. He had just three games with double digits in Fantasy points in 2014.
  • Packers general manager Ted Thompson said they want Randall Cobb back this season, and we hope the two sides come to an agreement. Cobb is only 24 and still entering his prime, which is scary since he has 100-catch, 1,300-yard and 10 touchdown potential on a yearly basis with Aaron Rodgers. He's a Round 2 pick if he returns to Green Bay.
  • Zimmer said the Vikings need to manufacture more touches for Cordarrelle Patterson after he was a bust in 2014. We hope he can improve in his third season this year, and he's worth a late-round flier in all leagues. But the Vikings receiver to target is Charles Johnson, and offensive coordinator Norv Turner said as much. Johnson is worth a mid-round pick in all formats.
TIGHT END
  • It appears like the Broncos and Julius Thomas will part ways this offseason, and one destination for Thomas could be the Falcons. That's a good landing spot given Matt Ryan's history with Tony Gonzalez, but Thomas will lose value if he leaves Manning. Keep an eye on where Thomas ends up, but his price tag could become too high for Fantasy owners if he leaves Denver as expected.
  • Zimmer said Kyle Rudolph feels great after last year's hernia surgery, and Rudolph said he wants to put his injury history behind him. I still have high expectations for Rudolph playing in Turner's offense, and if he can avoid any injuries in the preseason then I would draft him as a starter with a late-round pick.
  • Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said free agent Jermaine Gresham was "at a crossroads," and it sounds like he won't return to Cincinnati. Gresham has minimal Fantasy value wherever he lands, but we hope this opens the door for Tyler Eifert to maximize his potential. Eifert is coming off shoulder surgery from last year, but he could emerge as a starting-caliber Fantasy tight end with a full-time gig for the Bengals.
  • Ravens coach John Harbaugh has his "fingers crossed" that Dennis Pitta (hip) can make a full recovery for this season. We're not optimistic he'll be back, and even if he does there's too much risk to trust him in Fantasy leagues. He'll be a waiver wire guy at best.