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The NFL season kicks off on Thursday, September 9, 8:30 pm. Here’s the latest significant fantasy news from the NFC that might have you pondering some roster adjustments, or a shift in your draft strategy.

Click on any of the links to see more analysis from past KeeperLeagueGM articles.

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Arizona Cardinals:

* Stock Down, QB Matt Leinhart. He’s no longer the starter, and arguably a part of the Top 10 Quarterback Busts list. Derek Anderson is the new sheriff, but he’s only worth a flier for depth purposes.

* Stock Up, RB Tim Hightower. Like Thomas Jones, he refuses to go away. Chris “Beanie” Wells will still get plenty of touches, but Hightower will be a productive member of your fantasy squad.

* No Change in Stock, LB Daryl Washington. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt refused to give him substantial times with the #1 defensive unit. He’s put up solid stats in the preseason, and it’s just a matter of time before he locks down the starting inside linebacker job.

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Atlanta Falcons:

* Stock Down, LB Sean Weatherspoon. IDP owners hoping for an immediate impact will be disappointed. He’s relegated to a part-time role and only recommended for Dynasty and Keeper Leagues.

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Carolina Panthers:

* No Change in Stock, RB Jonathan Stewart. Don’t worry about the injuries. He’s never missed a game, and the Panthers love his toughness.

* No Change in Stock, WR Steve Smith. Broken arm should be healed by week one.

* Stock Up, DE Everette Brown. Carolina coaches say he looks real good this preseason. He’s still only recommended for deep leagues.

* Stock Down, LB Thomas Davis. He tore his ACL for a second time in June, and is most likely done for the year.

* No Change in Stock, LB Jon Beason. It doesn’t matter if he lines up at weak-side or in the middle. He’s going to play every snap, and he’s a fantasy monster.

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Chicago Bears:

* No Change in Stock, QB Jay Cutler. Offensive line is a sieve. But since his QB ADP is respectable, you don’t have to buy high on him.

* Stock Down, TE Greg Olsen. Brandon Manumaleuna was signed to be the blocking tight end, and offensive coordinator Mike Martz will be forced to get him on the field. The Bears have too many receivers to get Olsen split out wide. Don’t believe the coach-speak, as a Martz’ offense has never had a decent fantasy TE option.

* Stock Down, LB Lance Briggs. Briggs tweaked his ankle in the third preseason game.

* Stock Up, DB Danieal Manning. No way do I trust him, as head coach Lovie Smith benched him in 2009. He also had to split time on kickoffs with Johnny Knox. However, as of now he appears to be the starter. Ride him while you can because he has a history of producing good fantasy stats.

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Dallas Cowboys:

* Stock Up, RB Marion Barber III. All signs point to MBIII leading the talented running back trio. He won’t get as many touches as your typical fantasy RB starter, but he’ll put up good stats regardless.

* Stock Down, WR Dez Bryant. Rookie buzz has simmered with the high ankle sprain. That’s a good thing for his development, as the media will give the kid a chance to breath.

* Stock Up, TE Jason Witten. Coaches acknowledged they shied away from Witten in the red zone. Look for an increase in touchdowns for 2010.

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Detroit Lions:

* Stock Up, RB Javid Best. He’s the clear RB#1, and he has little competition to dominate touches.

* Stock Up, DT Ndamukong Suh. Sure, we’ve bought into the draft hype about other DT’s in recent years like B.J. Raji, Glenn Dorsey, Sedrick Ellis, and Amobi Okoye. Suh seems to be different. He’s looking like the rare DT that can be used to fill your defensive line position.

* Stock Down, LB Deandre Levy. He hurt his groin and is iffy to start the season. IDP owners who drafted him as a lock-LB#2 are getting impatient with his perceived progress as a top linebacker.

* Stock Up, LB Julian Peterson. With Levy banged up and Jordan Dizon to IR, he’ll be on the field every snap. Even when Levy returns, I have a hard time believing Peterson will come off the field in dime packages. 

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Green Bay Packers:

* Stock Up, QB Aaron Rodgers. The Packers’ offensive has looked ridiculously unstoppable in the preseason. It’s all due to the quarterback.

* Stock Up, TE Jermichael Finley. You missed your chance last year to grab him in Dynasty and Keeper Leagues. Finley is splitting out in the slot often to create massive mismatches. He’s a lock for Top 5 TE, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he ended up #1. 

* Stock Down, LB A.J. Hawk. He seems to be getting phased out of the Packers long term plans. They have decent depth behind him, so he’s going to lose playing time if he doesn’t make big plays.

* Stock Down, CB Will Blackmon. Folks who wanted to draft him for his sneaky special teams yardage ability are disappointed to find out he’s not recovering well from his knee injury. He might not even make the team.

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Minnesota Vikings:

* Stock Down, WR Sidney Rice. Re-Draft owners with early drafts are furious with his hip surgery delay.

* Stock Down, WR Percy Rice. Migraines reoccurred twice this preseason. Buyer beware.

* Stock Up, WR Bernard Berrian. He’s an adequate role player for your fantasy squad that you can get on the cheap.

* Stock Down, LB Jasper Brinkley. The coaches love E.J. Henderson, and they desperately want him on the field. All reports state he should play week one, and Brinkley is out of a starting job.

* Stock Down, CB Cedric Griffin. He’s probably going to be placed on PUP due to a knee injury. Make sure you remember to ignore him, unless you can stash him on your fantasy IR.

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New Orleans Saints:

* Stock Up, RB’s Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush. The Saints have lost much of their running back depth due to injuries. This will lead to more touches for Pierre and Bush.

* Stock Down, WR Robert Meachem. I’m concerned over his lingering toe injury. On other teams, it might not be a big deal. But Drew Brees has no problem spreading the ball around, and Meachem won’t be force-fed.

* No Change in Stock, LB Jonathan Vilma. Groin injury appears minor.

* Stock Up, LB Jonathan Casillas. Who? This guy has won the starting weak-side job. That alone is worth a late draft investment.

* Stock Up, DB Michael Jenkins; Stock Down, DB Darren Sharper. Jenkins is starting at free safety until Darren Sharper returns… and there is no guarantee that Sharper will return. Even if Sharper comes back, I think Jenkins will solidify his role in centerfield.

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New York Giants:

* Stock Down, RB’s Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs. Local experts are nervous about the offensive line and running game. Both guys have trouble staying healthy, and it’s a situation to avoid unless you own both players. Even then, you might end up seeing Andre Brown get some touches.

* Stock Up, LB Michael Boley. Keith Bulluck was brought in for linebacker help. He’s past his prime. Jonathan Goff and Phillip Dillard are not the answer. Boley will be a three-down linebacker, and history shows he will produce solid stats.

* Stock Down, DB Kenny Phillips. It’s been a long recovery from microfracture surgery. He’s not ready to dominate, yet. Ignore him until 2011.

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Philadelphia Eagles:

* Stock Down, QB Kevin Kolb. Reports indicate he has quick feet and is fast to get out of the pocket. I’m still a believer, but I must remind everyone he has a very small sampling of games played.

* Stock Down, WR DeSean Jackson. He’s been banged up all preseason. Let’s hope this doesn’t continue through the regular season.

* Stock Up, DE Brandon Graham. He was anointed the starter opposite of Trent Cole. He’s a great guy to own in Dynasty and Keeper Leagues, but simmer on his 2010 projection. Rookie DL’s rarely make a significant fantasy contribution.

* Stock Up, LB Stewart Bradley. He’s healthy, and an ADP bargain. Lock him up. Ernie Sims is no threat to his total tackle numbers.

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St. Louis Rams:

* Stock Up, QB Sam Bradford. Bradford looks like a competent quarterback. Of course there will be rookie struggles, but he is rosterable in any kind of league.

* Stock Up, WR Danny Amendola; Stock Down, Donnie Avery. Avery disappoints fantasy owners again, as he can’t escape his reputation of being brittle. Amendola will be thrusted into the starting lineup, and he provides great depth for fantasy teams. His receptions plus special teams yardage will add up to a fine season.

* Stock Up, DB Oshiomongo Atogwe. He opted to resign in St. Louis, which is great comfort for fantasy owners. Expect a return to the elite DB rankings.

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San Francisco 49ers:

* No Change in Stock, RB Brian Westbrook. He was desperate for a job, so he took a backup role behind stud running back Frank Gore. He is still to be ignored in all leagues.

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Seattle Seahawks:

* Stock Down, QB Charlie Whitehurst. He was supposed to compete for the starting job. His preseason efforts would make him lucky to win the QB#2 job.

* Stock Up, RB Leon Washington. The trade of Josh Wilson makes Leon the primary kick returner. He’s also the most explosive running back on the team. Sorry Justin Forsett owners, Leon will be the best back in Seattle.

* Stock Up, WR Mike Williams. Head coach Pete Carroll is convinced Williams can contribute. While he only deserves a flier in all leagues, at least he made a team and will have a decent role.

* Stock Down, TE John Carlson. Word on the street says he will not come close to his outstanding rookie season. Coaches will be forced to have him block, thus taking away his reception opportunities.

* Stock Up, LB David Hawthorne. Don’t worry about Lofa Tatupa; Hawthorne will be the man on defense. All reports out of Seattle say he’s been the best player in the preseason.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

* Stock Up, RB Kareem Huggins. The rookie’s performance got Derrick Ward cut. If/when Cadillac Williams gets hurt, Huggins takes over the lead back role.

* Stock Up, WR Mike Williams. Everyone loves this kid. Don’t get bonkers and draft him high in Re-Draft Leagues, but he makes a dynamite prospect for Dynasty and Keeper Leagues.

* Stock Down, Cb Aqib Talib. He’s been suspended one game by the league for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy.

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Washington Redskins:

* Stock Down, QB Donovan McNabb. He’s suffering from an ankle injury, and reports state he might take some time to perfect the Shanahan’s offense.

* Stock Down, DT Albert Hayensworth. He’s been a headache all preseason. Ignore him in all leagues.

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