Since fantasy drafts are quickly approaching, I am going to combine this post to include both fast and slow starters. This is the list of guys you want or don't want on your team during the first six games. I plan to draft the fast starters in my draft and trade them halfway through the year for my top finishers.

5. Hines Ward
I have to ask again, why does Pittsburgh have such an easy schedule? Pittsburgh has the 4th easiest early schedule, so expect all of their offensive players to shine in the early weeks. I could have picked Ben as well.

4. Donovan McNabb
If you want to start the season off well, go with Philadelphia players. They have by far the easiest early schedule and since they are the one explosive offensive team in the top 5, they are by far the best picks. The hardest team they play during this string is the Washington, #14 ranked defense. Expect several 300 yard games and several 3-4 TD games as well. One thing to note, their second half schedule is the most difficult fantasy schedule, so trade Donovan around week 7.

3. Clinton Portis
The Redskins start with the second easiest fantasy schedule. The end with a top 10 schedule as well, so Portis is one you may want to hang onto a little longer. In the two preseason games against Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the starting offensive line has shown up and played very well. Against Pittsburgh last night, the Redskins gain about 50 yards on them in one quarter....and that is Pittsburgh. Expect Portis to have several 100 yard games and score 6-8 touchdowns early.

2. Brian Westbrook
I could say the same thing about Westbrook as I did about McNabb. Grab him in the draft, trade him in Week 7. Early on, Westbrook will win you a game or two by himself.

1. Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald may be on all of my lists because their fantasy schedule is so easy. Expect usual 100+ yard games and 1-2 TDs a game during this stretch.

Slow Starters

5. Michael Turner
Atlanta's schedule this year is nothing like their schedule last year. Turner will come back to earth this year, and it will start in Week 1 against Miami (#10).

4. Steve Smith
As I have mentioned before, Carolina has a tough early and overall schedule. Expect a down year for Steve Smith.

3. Larry Johnson
KC's overall fantasy opponents are easy, but they have the hardest schedule in the first 6 weeks. Trade for Larry Johnson in Week 7.

2. Kellen Winslow
Winslow gets to play for the Buccaneers, but will start off with the 2nd hardest schedule in the league. Since he is the most potent threat on the Buccaneers, opposing defenses will key on him to keep him out of games. Stay far far away from him.

1. Everybody on Detroit
They have the third hardest fantasy schedule, and their talent level goes not compare.

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