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.

The 2006 NCAA Tournament has been full of sleepers but none greater than George Mason, who advanced past former champions Michigan State, North Carolina and Connecticut to become the first No. 11 seed to reach the Final Four since LSU did it back in 1986. With all this talk of Cinderellas and glass slippers, it only makes sense for us to take a look at some potential Fantasy Football sleepers for next season.

In honor of the George Mason Patriots and an NCAA Tournament that no one outside of Nostradamus could have predicted, here's a look at a Sweet 16 that owners should remember when it's time to draft.

Cedric Benson, RB, Chicago: He was injured and failed to make an impact as a rookie, but incumbent starter Thomas Jones isn't a stranger to being unseated atop a team's depth chart. Furthermore, Jones touted a career-high 314 carries last season and could be a bit more vulnerable to injuries, which could allow Benson a chance to shine.

Drew Bledsoe, QB, Dallas: Bledsoe's value as a sleeper can be summarized in two words: Terrell Owens. The presence of the talented wide receiver has meant an increase in his quarterback's production in both San Francisco (Jeff Garcia) and Philadelphia ( Donovan McNabb), and Bledsoe will be no different.

Reggie Brown, WR, Philadelphia: Brown showed flashes of potential as a rookie and could be the most explosive wide receiver on the team with Owens out of the mix. The one statistic that is cause for concern is that in seven seasons with the Eagles, McNabb has never had a wideout other than Owens record better than 833 yards (James Thrash).

Mark Clayton, WR, Baltimore: Clayton's rookie totals weren't impressive (471 yards, two TDs), but he did record five-plus receptions or 85-plus yards in three of his final five starts. A talented wideout who will continue to improve with time and experience, Clayton could record 800-1,000 yards and five to seven scores next season.

Ron Dayne, RB, Denver: The Broncos released Mike Anderson (Ravens) and don't seem to have much faith in Tatum Bell, so Dayne is a notable sleeper in an offense that breeds 1,000-yard backs. However, the team could use a first-round selection to land a rookie back (LenDale White, DeAngelo Williams), so Dayne's value could slide as fast as it rose.

Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo: It appears the Eric Moulds will be out of the picture sooner than later, so Evans will be the most prominent wide receiver in Buffalo next season. He's got the skills to make a serious statistical impact, and his status as a third-season wideout makes him even more attractive as a possible sleeper.

Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco: The presence of offensive coordinator Norv Turner turns Gore from a decent sleeper candidate into one that has incredible 1,000-yard potential. Despite the fact that he started once as a rookie, Gore still led the 49ers with 608 rushing yards and appears to have left Kevan Barlow in the dust on the depth chart.

Travis Henry, RB, Tennessee: Henry, 27, is still the same back who rushed for 1,300-plus yards twice and 23 touchdowns from 2002-03 as a member of the Bills, and Chris Brown's proneness to injuries and lack of production should allow him a shot to start next season. The former Tennessee Volunteer could become a great bargain in all drafts.

Michael Jenkins, WR, Atlanta: Jenkins' status as a third-season wide receiver pumps up his value despite two mediocre pro campaigns with the Falcons. He should be considered more of a low-end sleeper, however, and teammate Sharod White could actually become just as attractive with an impressive preseason.

Eric Johnson, TE, San Francisco: Injuries have hindered Johnson's rise to the elite at his position, but he's just one season removed from recording an impressive 82 receptions and 825 yards. Barring further ailments, the former Yale standout should become a prominent safety valve for inexperienced QB Alex Smith.

Jon Kitna, QB, Detroit: This could be either Kitna or Josh McCown depending on who wins the top spot in the preseason. Kitna is the favorite at this point due his experience and past success, and he could post solid numbers under offensive coordinator Mike Martz and in an offense that has a ton of potential weapons.

Koren Robinson, WR, Minnesota: The Vikes aren't expected to match Seattle's offer sheet for Nate Burleson, which means even more opportunities for Robinson. A former 1,000-yard receiver who should be far more prominent in the pass attack this season, K-Rob could post his best totals since 2003 when he was with Seattle.

Dominic Rhodes, RB, Indianapolis: The selection of Rhodes as a possible sleeper could be altered in the draft, where the Colts are expected to add a rookie (White, Williams, Laurence Maroney ) to compete with him in the backfield. A former 1,000-yard rusher when Edgerrin James was injured in 2001, Rhodes' stock has risen (for now).

Eric Shelton, RB, Carolina: Shelton missed his rookie season due to an injured foot, but he'll be in the mix for a reserve role behind DeShaun Foster next season. Foster has been a MASH episode as a pro -- he's finished the past three seasons on injured reserve -- so Shelton could make some noise if the Panthers don't upgrade their backfield.

Chester Taylor, RB, Minnesota: The move from Baltimore to Minnesota makes Taylor a serious sleeper candidate. Head coach Brad Childress said he envisions a scenario where Taylor touches the football 20-30 times each week, so don't be shocked when the former Toledo standout is selected in the third to fourth rounds in all drafts.

Ernest Wilford, WR, Jacksonville: Wilford, another wideout who is headed into his third season as a pro, has proven to be a touchdown machine for the Jaguars and will be a prominent option for QB Byron Leftwich. With Jimmy Smith, 37, on the downside of his career, Wilford could become the team's next stud wideout.

Notebook

  • The Miami Herald reports that Dolphins RB Ricky Williams' appeal of a positive drug test is set for April. He tested positive for an unknown substance and sources close to the situation have said it was not marijuana. If it turns out that the positive result came from a medicinal supplement, Williams could have a chance to win the appeal. Should his appeal fail, the veteran back would be suspended for the entire 2006 season and leave RB Ronnie Brown as the team's unquestioned starter. The decision will have huge implications on drafts.
  • Bills WR Eric Moulds is headed for a new team, but whether it's Houston, New England or Philadelphia remains to be seen. The Bills and Texans were working on a deal (the price was said to be a fourth-round selection), but now it appears Moulds will be released. Greg Johnson, a representative of Moulds, said his client has more interest in the Eagles and wants to play with Donovan McNabb. Moulds' value would be higher in Philadelphia since the team doesn't have a legitimate No. 1 receiver, and his presence would raise McNabb's stock as well if a deal were consummated.
  • The Green Bay Packers have re-signed RB Najeh Davenport to a one-year contract and now have a full stable of backs for next season. The team also retained RB Ahman Green and Samkon Gado is in the mix, so a backfield committee could be on the horizon. There's a chance the team could release Green in the preseason should he struggle or prove to be less than 100 percent, but at this point he's the favorite to start. The back whose value falls the most is Gado, who was a monstrous sleeper last season but could now fall to third on the depth chart.
  • The Dallas Cowboys have re-signed WR Terry Glenn to a five-year, $20 million contract. The veteran recorded an impressive 62 receptions for 1,136 yards and seven touchdowns last season and is expected to thrive with Owens now in the mix, but the opposite could be the case. Since 2000, the starter opposite T.O. has had no more than 805 yards (Jerry Rice) or seven touchdowns (Rice, Tai Streets, J.J. Stokes). As a result, owners shouldn't expect Glenn to record more than 60 receptions, 1,000 yards and five to seven touchdowns.

Mailbag

T.J. Dalton, Levittown, Pa.: I will keep Tiki Barber and Anquan Boldin, but what other two should I retain from Tatum Bell, Andre Johnson, Thomas Jones or Jamal Lewis?

M.F.: The decision here depends on the scoring system and whether or not it rewards points for receptions. Lewis is a no-brainer, but Bell and Jones are more difficult. Bell seems to have fallen out of favor in Denver (though anything can happen with Mike Shanahan), and Jones has to compete with Benson and might end up sharing carries. If the league rewards for receptions, then Johnson and Lewis are the best choices. If backfield depth is more vital, retain Lewis and Jones.

Jon Hinchliff, Newport, Wash.: Should I retain Larry Fitzgerald or Torry Holt?

M.F.: Holt is solid and a top-notch wide receiver, but Fitzgerald has a chance to be the league's next elite wideout. He's 22 and in an offense that is destined to be explosive, so retain Fitzgerald and put Holt back into the pool.

Eli Swanson, Des Moines, Iowa: I play in a league with a $170 cap and can retain three players. I will retain Larry Johnson ($2), but I need to choose two more from Tom Brady ($9), Willis McGahee ($18) and Clinton Portis ($27). All the backs seem to go for over $40. Suggestions?

M.F.: You have a great advantage in Johnson, who is an absolute heist at $2. As a result, you'll have extra cash to spend on a solid quarterback or wide receiver when it's time for the auction. If the top backs go for $40 or more on average, I'd be foolish not to tell you to keep Portis for $27 and McGahee for $18.

Dion Thomas, Canada: With T.O. now in Dallas, what is the value of Drew Henson? I know he's behind Drew Bledsoe, but do you feel he has a chance to unseat him next season?

M.F.: Henson has little to no chance to unseat Bledsoe. In fact, Tony Romo and not Henson is slated to open the preseson second on the depth chart. Unless you're in a larger dynasty league, Henson's value remains minimal even with Owens on the roster.

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.