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

Superstar RB Edgerrin James took his immense skills and abilities from Indianapolis to Arizona, where he landed a four-year, $30 million deal with a Cardinals team that all of the sudden has the look of a potent offense.

James joins the league's best duo of wide receivers in Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald and a former league MVP in QB Kurt Warner, who has accomplished a feat that has alluded his former quarterback, Peyton Manning.

That feat is a Super Bowl championship.

While it's hard to envision a scenario where this move would improve James' value -- he remains a top-five back and a sure-fire first-round selection in drafts -- but questions about the Cardinals offensive line could make some owners question whether he should still be rated ahead of backs like Tiki Barber, LaMont Jordan or Clinton Portis.

Based on his skills as a runner and head coach Dennis Green's expected reliance on him as a receiver out of the backfield, however, James should still record close to 50 receptions, 1,700 all-purpose yards and 10-12 total touchdowns in an offense that will have defenses on their heels all season.

With an established threat in the backfield, Warner will see fewer blitzes and be allowed more time to find his receivers downfield. That's a positive for the veteran quarterback, but again, the line will have to keep him on his feet and off his back. Based on that scenario, Warner has a chance to throw for better than 4,000 yards and 25-30 touchdowns and is a more attractive option in a season where the value of quarterbacks is on the decline.

Boldin and Fitzgerald will continue to be prominent in the offense and see comparable roles to Randy Moss and Cris Carter while Green was in Minnesota. In three full seasons together under Green, Moss (75 receptions, 1,388 yards, 14 TDs) and Carter (88 receptions, 1,175 yards, 11 TDs) averaged impressive totals for the Vikes and were both considered top options for owners.

Without James in the backfield for the first time since 1999, the Colts now have a vacant role in the their explosive offense. Dominic Rhodes is first on the depth chart at this point, but general manager Bill Polian is certain to add another back to compete with the veteran. Now that Arizona, Baltimore and Minnesota have filled their respective backfields, the Colts have a chance to land a stud like Memphis RB DeAngelo Williams or Minnesota RB Laurence Maroney in the first round of April's NFL Draft.

Should the Colts select a prominent rookie, Rhodes could be forced to move back into a reserve role. In this case, the rookie starter would have immense sleeper value and could be worth as much as a second- to third-round selection in seasonal drafts.

Whatever happens in the backfield, owners should expect Manning to have an enormous statistical season. In fact, I now expect him to throw for 4,000-plus yards and 35-40 scores and remain ahead of Carson Palmer as the most valuable quarterback in Fantasy Football.

Miami acquires Culpepper

The Miami Dolphins have traded a second-round choice to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for QB Daunte Culpepper, who becomes the 'Fins first prominent starting quarterback since Dan Marino retired. A former MVP candidate, Culpepper struggled last season before suffering tears to three of the four ligaments in his right knee. He underwent a surgical procedure to repair the damage and is in the midst of his rehabilitation, which could last into the summer months and threatens his chances to start the regular season at 100 percent.

Still, the veteran quarterback has a cannon arm and an offensive arsenal in Miami that will make him an attractive choice. The better the news on his knee rehabilitation, the higher his value in drafts will be in the weeks and months to come.

Should his health not remain an issue, Culpepper should be considered a top-10 quarterback in drafts despite his failures last season. He comes with a level of risk, but his potential to record monster stat lines makes him worth a prominent choice.

His presence also makes RB Ronnie Brown, WR Chris Chambers and TE Randy McMichael even better choices, and ends QB Gus Frerotte's tenure in Miami.

Minnesota will now hand the offense over to QB Brad Johnson, who led the team to a 7-2 record last season in Culpepper's absence. He isn't as explosive or productive, but Johnson can be solid against lesser defenses and will be worth a late-round choice as a reserve and occasional starter.

New Orleans signs Brees

Moments after it was reported that Culpepper was traded to Miami, it was announced that former Chargers QB Drew Brees had signed a six-year contract with the New Orleans Saints. Like Culpepper, Brees (shoulder) is fresh off the operating table but is expected to be fine for the start of the regular season. He now leads an offense that fields some legitimate weapons in RB Deuce McAllister and WRs Joe Horn and Donte Stallworth, so a season with 3,500-plus yards and 20-25 touchdowns is well within reach.

With a franchise quarterback now on the roster, the Saints could decide to move out of the second spot in April's Draft (which would have been used on USC QB Matt Leinart) and still land a stud like Virginia OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson or N.C. State DE Mario Williams. In that scenario, the Tennessee Titans could be in line to draft Leinart and re-unite him with former USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

New Orleans will now release Aaron Brooks, who had worn out his welcome and will wear a new uniform next season. He could end up back in Green Bay if QB Brett Favre decides to retire, but he seems to be a better fit for the Oakland Raiders. The silver and black released QB Kerry Collins and lost out on the Culpepper sweepstakes, so Brooks seems to be a perfect fit and would experience some added value with Moss in the offense.

Baltimore re-signs Lewis

Soon after the Ravens added RB Mike Anderson, the team also decided to re-sign RB Jamal Lewis to a contract that will motivate him to bounce back from a poor 2005 season.

The Ravens contend that Lewis will have to compete with Anderson for the top spot on the depth chart, but it would be a shock to see the former not remain the featured back. Anderson could see some time at fullback and in some one-back sets, but he won't come to close to the 1,014 yards and 12 touchdowns he rushed for in Denver last season.

Owners should look to add Lewis in the second- to third-round and expect around 1,200 yards and seven to nine touchdowns, while Anderson should be seen as more of a reserve and insurance for teams that lands Lewis.

Minnesota signs Taylor

The Vikings have dealt Culpepper, and the addition of Taylor puts a red bow on the team's backfield situation. He showed flashes of potential behind Lewis in Baltimore, but now it appears he will be allowed a chance to start for the Vikes and new head coach Brad Childress.

Childress likes versatile backs like Taylor, who could see 20-30 touches per week and fill a role similar to the one Brian Westbrook has in Philadelphia. Reports indicate the Vikes could release troublesome RB Onterrio Smith and utilize RBs Mewelde Moore and Ciatrick Fason in reserve roles, so Taylor's value is on the rise.

While he won't score a ton of touchdowns -- the Vikes will use Fason near the goal line -- Taylor has sudden sleeper value and could be worth as much as a third- to fourth-round choice in seasonal formats.

Washington lands Lloyd, Randle El

The addition of WRs Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El to complement WR Santana Moss shows the committment the Redskins will have to the pass attack. The team sees Lloyd as an athletic possession receiver and Randle El as an option in the slot and as a return man on special teams, while Moss continues to be the more prominent choice when the 'Skins look to hit a home run.

Still, the presence of these two new teammates will put a dent into Moss' opportunities. He recorded a career-best 84 receptions last season but had little competition from WRs David Patton, James Thrash and Taylor Jacobs. That will be altered with Lloyd and Randle El in the mix, so his value will decrease slightly.

Owners shouldn't expect monstrous stats from either Lloyd or Randle El, but the former is a far more attactive choice in drafts and will warrant a middle- to late-round choice now that he's out of the statistical hell that is San Francisco.

News and Notes

The Philadelphia Eagles have released WR Terrell Owens, who is now an unrestricted free agent and free to sign with a new team. I believe that team will be the Dallas Cowboys, who released WR Keyshawn Johnson. Reports indicate Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, had lunch with head coach Bill Parcells at the combine in Indianapolis to discuss "draft prospects," but that's a smokescreen to mask the obvious. Should T.O. land in Big D, look for the value of QB Drew Bledsoe to see a serious increase. As for Johnson, expect Philadelphia, San Diego and Seattle to have interest. ... The 49ers signed WR Antonio Bryant to replace Lloyd and serve as the team's No. 1 wide receiver. Bryant proved he has the skills to be a 1,000-yard receiver last season in Cleveland, but questions about QB Alex Smith will hurt his value in drafts. ... The St. Louis Rams released and then re-signed WR Isacc Bruce to a three-year deal. The veteran dealt with injuries for much of last season but should see an increase in statistical success in head coach Scott Linehan's offense. WR Kevin Curtis, who would have been a sleeper in Bruce's absence, is now no better than a middle- to late-round choice. ... The Tennessee Titans signed WR David Givens to a five-year, $24 million contract, and he will have the chance to beat out Drew Bennett as the team's top wideout. The move makes Givens a bit more valuable, but he's still no more than a middle-round choice. His presence hurts the short- and long-term value of WRs Brandon Jones, Courtney Roby and Roydell Williams. ... The Detroit Lions have signed veteran QB Jon Kitna, who will compete with Joey Harrington for the top spot on the depth chart. Harrington has to be considered the favorite at this point, but Kitna could sneak past him in the preseason. Neither quarterback is worth more than a late-round choice in drafts. ... The Cleveland Browns added WR Joe Jurevicius to serve as a No. 2 receiver and mentor to WR Braylon Edwards. There is no reason to believe he won't duplicate his reception and yardage totals from 2005, but Jurevicius will struggle to come close to the 10 touchdowns he recorded in what was his final season in Seattle. ... The additions of OT Kevin Shaffer and C LeCharles Bentley is great news for Browns RB Reuben Droughns, who should remain the team's No. 1 back next season. ... Broncos RB Ron Dayne has been a hot name in Fantasy Football since the team released Anderson, but reports out of Denver say the team could look to make a move in the draft to land USC RB LenDale White. The Broncos hold both the 22nd and 29th picks in the first round, and some believe White could fall that far now that Arizona, Baltimore and Minnesota have made additions to its backfields.

Mailbag

Mark Podell, Wanatah, Ind.: I have J.J. Arrington in a keeper league. What is his long-term future after the addition of James?

M.F.: Arrington's long-term future is now non-existant in Arizona. Reports indicate Arrington lacks toughness and doesn't have what it takes to be a featured back at the pro level, so much would have to change for him to make an impact anytime soon.

Tom Tierney, N.J.: Who should I retain: Larry Fitzgerald, Julius Jones or Jamal Lewis?

M.F.: Fitzgerald should be retained if the league rewards points for receptions or has 10 or fewer owners, but the decision becomes more difficult otherwise due to a lack of true featured backs. If you feel your draft position will allow you to land Lewis or a rookie back with serious potential, however, I'd still have to advise you to retain Fitzgerald.

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 2004 Fantasy Sports Trade Association Experts League.