We're starting to get hit over the head with NFL news as teams are going through OTA workouts and mini-camps. Just be careful what you believe at this time of year and how it sways your opinion on a player.

I haven't seen many negative reports thus far, despite injuries, because most teams love all their players, and that's the information that's usually passed along to the media. You obviously want to know what's going on with players who interest you, but just make sure it's not all glowing rhetoric.

For example, it's great that Eli Manning expects a big season from Rueben Randle, and hopefully that happens, but he should still remain a late-round pick in the majority of leagues. Duke Johnson seems to be better than Isaiah Crowell (he's not), and Reggie Bush is already ahead of Carlos Hyde on the depth chart (he's not). That information, and much more, is available here.

The best thing you can monitor is the injury news. Jordy Nelson (hip) and Kelvin Benjamin (hamstring) returned to practice this week, while Odell Beckham (hamstring) and Joique Bell (Achilles/knee) continue to sit, among others. In most cases that information is more useful in helping you prepare for your draft.

There won't be a #fantasymail blog next week because I'm on vacation, including a stop at Eagles mini-camp. That's when I'll take my turn at telling you how good Mark Sanchez is, that DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles will all have great years and you can expect 1,000-yard seasons from Jordan Matthews, Nelson Agholor and Zach Ertz. At least that's what I expect to hear -- and we'll see what gets passed along.

As always, continue to send your offseason questions to me on Twitter @jameyeisenberg with the hashtag #fantasymail. We already answered questions on video (see above) for @fantasyfranz, @Justin_Ebright, @Coolin222, @DPFootball1 and @Big_Mike_150. 

Here, we'll also address the following topics:

  • Running back value starting in Round 3
  • Russell Wilson's outlook this year
  • Keeper value: Matt Forte vs. Dez Bryant vs. Odell Beckham
  • How to make your first two picks when keepers are involved
  • Auction values in relation to keepers
  • Spend big or save in auctions
  • Fantasy value tied to offensive lines
  • Value of receivers in PPR
  • Julius Thomas' outlook in dynasty leagues
  • Drafting running backs first or receivers when you factor in keepers

OK, here we go ...

Let's consider that the running backs being drafted in the first two rounds will almost certainly be Eddie Lacy, Jamaal Charles, Le'Veon Bell, Adrian Peterson, Matt Forte, LeSean McCoy, Arian Foster, Marshawn Lynch, C.J. Anderson, Jeremy Hill and DeMarco Murray. Taking that into account, the running backs in the next tier who could become Top 10 options that I would count on are Mark Ingram, Melvin Gordon and Lamar Miller, as you indicated. Plenty of other running backs could jump into the Top 10, especially when you factor in injuries, but I plan to target Ingram and Gordon whenever possible this season.

Russell Wilson should again be awesome this year, especially with the addition of Graham. I'm just concerned his rushing totals will decline, which could lower his Fantasy production. He was actually the No. 6 Fantasy quarterback in 2014 on CBS Sports with 849 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and I don't expect a giantic spike in his passing totals just because of Graham. He was the No. 9 quarterback in 2013 when he passed for 3,357 yards, 26 touchdowns and nine interceptions and ran for 539 yards and one touchdown. I would expect closer to those rushing yards, around four rushing touchdowns and then his passing stats to be around 3,700 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He's definitely a Top 10 quarterback, but I don't consider him a Top 5 option like some of our competitors.

You can nitpick at all the flaws for these players -- Forte is aging and has contract concerns, Bryant could be a holdout and Beckham is dealing with hamstring woes again -- but let's assume everyone is fine for the start of training camp. Based on the scoring and the position he plays, I'll take Forte. His value takes a hit with Marc Trestman gone, but the Bears will still lean on him a ton. It's tough to throw back Top 5 receivers like Bryant and Beckham, but you're better off with a Top 5 running back in this format.

Depending on who is being kept by the other owners, I would try and lock up a standout running back in Round 1, and you're probably looking at someone in the LeSean McCoy, Arian Foster, Marshawn Lynch, C.J. Anderson or Jeremy Hill range. It would be great if one of those guys fell to you or even Rob Gronkowski, but most likely the majority of that group will be gone. Don't reach for a running back like Ingram in Round 1, but you could have a shot at another receiver like Julio Jones or A.J. Green. In Round 2, I would see who is available at receiver from the group of Mike Evans, Randall Cobb, T.Y. Hilton or Alshon Jeffery. I would also consider Graham, Ingram or Gordon in that spot.

Let's look at the value for each player first. Eli Manning is $4, Hill is $23, Foster is $26, Kelce is $9 and Matthews is $11. If that's where you can keep guys at, assuming it's a $100 budget, then I would lean toward Foster even though he's the most expensive. He's been able to take part in all of the OTA workouts, which is positive, and he should remain an elite running back for at least one more season. If you don't want to spend the money on Foster then go with Matthews, who should be awesome stepping into the No. 1 receiver spot for the Eagles with Jeremy Maclin gone. 

I like to save my money and let others spend big early, which allows me to get better value later in the auction. For example, in our auction last year on CBS Sports, I was the last person to buy a player, and it allowed me to survery the value for the 20-plus players who were already off the board. I came away with a stacked roster at great prices for guys like Lacy, Andre Ellington, Jordy Nelson, Jeffery, Emmanuel Sanders, Greg Olsen, Matt Ryan and Ingram. If you spend big early you usually regret watching players in a similar tier go for much less money later in the auction.

You have to take offensive line play into account, and it's a big reason why all eyes will be on the Dallas running back situation in training camp. Joseph Randle and Darren McFadden aren't exciting as running backs on their own, but behind that exceptional Cowboys offensive line we could see great production from the winner of that battle -- and we like Randle to be the starter. Baltimore's offensive line is a big reason why Justin Forsett's value remains high, and Ingram should benefit greatly with the changes along New Orleans' offensive line. Conversely, the 49ers losing two offensive linemen in Mike Iupati and Anthony Davis should hurt the upside of Carlos Hyde this year. 

Receivers are going to get a bump in most PPR scoring, especially since you start three of them. But you still play in a 10-team league, and running back talent remains scarce. I would still target a Top 10 running back in Round 1 or 2 if you can but also try and get two Top 15 receivers with two of your first three picks. Let's say, for example, you pick at No. 5 overall. I would look at Forte in Round 1, Green in Round 2 and then someone from the group of Evans, Jeffery, Hilton or Kelvin Benjamin in Round 3. Remember, receiver is deep, so you don't have to reach for one just because you start three. But don't overlook a top-tier talent at the position with one of your first picks just to draft a mediocre running back.

You might have missed your window to sell high since most Fantasy owners should realize his value is diminished going from Peyton Manning to Blake Bortles. But yes, if you can still sell Thomas at a premium price then do so. He could still finish as a Top 10 tight end, but I doubt it. Thomas was so touchdown dependent in Denver and had trouble staying healthy, and I expect his stats to decline in a big way with the Jaguars.

Without knowing who is being kept, I would lean toward receiver in Round 1 since you already have Bell and Anderson, but that doesn't mean you should pick late. You might want to pick early to guarantee a standout receiver, and then you can take your chances with a running back late in Round 2 while still getting another quality player early in Round 3. But running back isn't as much of a priority for you since you have those two studs as keepers.