Michael Fabiano gives Fantasy Football owners a look into next season with his 2006 Player Rankings, which will be updated throughout the offseason based on depth chart changes, personnel moves and injuries.

Much of the talk in Fantasy Football circles surrounds the NFL Draft and which rookies will make the greatest impact for their new teams. But another important topic of discussion centers around which current veterans experienced the largest increase or decrease in value based on what their teams did in the draft.

Here's our list of the 10 veterans who have seen the greatest post-draft difference in value in both seasonal and keeper leagues.

Fantasy: Top 10 veteran impacts
Domanick Davis
When the Houston Texans passed on USC RB Reggie Bush in favor of N.C. State DE Mario Williams, the cheers of owners who have Davis in keeper leagues could be heard from coast to coast. The versatile Davis will now remain the unquestioned starter for head coach Gary Kubiak, whose offense had bred productive backs in Denver for several seasons. Davis is now a recommended keeper in most leagues and worth as much as a second-round selection in seasonal drafts.
Deuce McAllister
For each keeper leaguer who owned Davis and cheered the selection of Williams, there was an owner who had McAllister and cried buckets. McAllister's value had already fallen due to an injured knee, and the presence of Bush makes him even less attractive in all leagues. It wouldn't be a shock to see McAllister fail to rush for 1,000-plus yards in what will be a two-back offensive attack, and owners shouldn't be surprised when he's still on the board after Round 4 in seasonal drafts.
Chris Brown
The selection of USC RB LenDale White deflates the value of Brown and RB Travis Henry, who each failed to make a consistent impact last season. While there are questions about White's character and motivation, it's hard to ignore the level of success he achieved at the collegiate level. Tennessee offensive coordinator Norm Chow (who coached White at USC) knows how to utilize White in an offense, so look for him to be selected ahead of Brown and Henry in countless seasonal drafts.
DeShaun Foster
Foster has finished the past three seasons on injured reserve, so there's a definite chance that RB DeAngelo Williams will be allowed a chance to make an impact as a rookie at some point. This situation looks to be another backfield committee, however, so neither back will be consistent in the early part of the season. Williams has stud potential and possesses far more long-term value, so look for him to be selected ahead of Foster in most drafts.
Corey Dillon
Dillon turns 32 in October, so it wasn't a shock when the Patriots drafted his heir apparent, RB Laurence Maroney, in the first round. However, owners shouldn't expect Maroney to take Dillon's spot on the depth chart as a rookie. Unless injuries become an issue, the veteran will remain the starter and is still a more attractive choice in seasonal drafts. Of course, Maroney is the back to choose in keeper leagues and has immense long-term potential.
Donald Driver
The trade that sent WR Javon Walker to the Denver Broncos made Driver the top wideout for QB Brett Favre in the pass attack. WR Robert Ferguson is talented but prone to injuries, Marc Boerigter and Rod Gardner are inconsistent and rookie Greg Jennings won't make an immediate impact, so Driver will be prominent and could record 1,200 yards and seven to nine touchdowns. Look for him to be a solid middle-round choice in all seasonal drafts.
Eric Johnson
When NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue called the name Vernon Davis as San Francisco's first-round selection, Johnson's value as a potential sleeper candidate disappeared like Mel Kiper after the draft. While he should still be utilized in the offense, it's hard to imagine that Johnson will see the same number of opportuntiies as Davis in the pass attack. He's still worth a late-round flier, but it's Davis, not Johnson, that owners should target in drafts.
Dominic Rhodes
Much like Johnson, Rhodes' potential as a sleeper was damaged when Indianapolis selected RB Joseph Addai with the No. 30 overall selection. GM Bill Polian has said that Rhodes will open the season as the starter, but both Rhodes and Addai will share carries in an attempt to replace RB Edgerrin James. Still, Addai has far more potential in what will continue to be an explosive offense, so Rhodes won't be worth more than a middle-round choice.
Kurt Warner
There's no question that Warner will open the regular season as the starter in Arizona and remain there unless injuries or a terrible slide occurs. However, he is far less attractive in long-term and dynasty leagues now that QB Matt Leinart is in the mix. The left-handed quarterback and former Heisman winner won't have immense seasonal value in most drafts, but he should be under center for the Cards in 2007 and has limitless value in keeper leagues.
Jake Plummer
When the Broncos traded up to No. 11 and selected QB Jay Cutler, it meant the end of Plummer as a long-term option for head coach Mike Shanahan. Jake the Snake didn't make a ton of mistakes last season (until the AFC Championship Game), but 2006 could still be his last as the starter. While Cutler has little value in seasonal drafts, his potential and development under the guidance of Shanahan makes him an attractive choice in all keeper leagues.

More notables

The writing is on the wall for Titans QB Steve McNair, who could be traded or released after the selection of Texas QB Vince Young ... Dallas TE Jason Witten could lose catches to WR Terrell Owens and now Notre Dame TE Anthony Fasano. ... Jacksonville's selection of UCLA RB Maurice Drew means the end is near for brittle veteran RB Fred Taylor ... WR Tim Carter's future role with the N.Y. Giants is in question after the selection of Miami (FL) WR Sinorice Moss.

Mailbag

Terry Fries, Canada: Which back should I retain: Ronnie Brown, Rudi Johnson or Carnell Williams?

M.F.: Johnson is solid and Brown's value has increased with the suspension of Ricky Williams, but I'd have to drive the Cadillac in this case. Tampa's draft (two offensive linemen, two tight ends) screams of an increase in carries and better protection for Williams, who will be the centerpiece of Jon Gruden's offense into the foreseeable future.

Scott Peck, Bellingham, Mass.: I will retain Larry Johnson but need to keep two more from Steven Jackson, Steve Smith and Reggie Wayne. Suggestions?

M.F.: The player to release back into the pool here is Wayne, who is a valuable asset but not on the same level as Smith. Pairing Jackson with Johnson in the backfield is a no brainer.

Tim Leippi, Canada: Who should I choose with the first overall selection in a keeper league: Bush or LaMont Jordan?

M.F.: I've been a fan of Jordan ever since he left New York for Oakland, but he's nowhere near as valuable as Bush in a keeper league. Don't be like the Houston Texans -- be sure to draft Bush.

Roy Bettencourt, Nevada: I'm in a keeper league that requires us to retain 12 players and need to choose one from Domanick Davis, Vernon Davis and Javon Walker. I'm solid at running back and OK at wide receiver, but I have Dallas Clark at tight end.

M.F.: Domanick Davis has the most value because he's a true featured back, but if you're 100 percent confident in the current backfield then take a chance on Vernon Davis. He's an absolute beast and has a chance to be one of the league's most productive tight ends for seasons to come.

Phil Vallie, Minneapolis: I have been offered Larry Fitzgerald in exchange for the first overall selection in our keeper league. I would draft Bush with the pick and pair him with Larry Johnson, but should I look to acquire Fitzgerald instead?

M.F.: Fitzgerald is a stud and has immense value in keeper leagues, but Bush has far too much potential to pass on. A back in the same mold as Gale Sayers or Marshall Faulk, Bush has a chance to be a special player at the professional level.

You can e-mail your questions to us at dmfantasyfootball@cbs.com Be sure to put Attn: In the Trenches in the subject field. Please be aware that due to the large volume of submissions received, we cannot guarantee personal responses or answers to all questions.

Michael Fabiano is the champion of the 2005 Gridiron Guru League II.