They are the big stories and the great unkowns. Draft them if you dare -- the rewards could be huge

DAUNTE CULPEPPER: Brace Yourself

2005 STATS G Yds./G 300-yd. G TDs INTs 7 223.4 1 6 12 BOTTOM LINE: Sure, he could be great, but he comes with too much risk attached to merit a top draft pick.

Culpepper, 29, is coming off a severe right-knee injury -- he suffered damage to the three major ligaments last October -- and he's with a new team in Miami. He's reportedly been moving well, and it's reasonable to assume that he'll put up solid numbers with first-rate targets such as wideout Chris Chambers and tight end Randy McMichael. Here's the real issue, though: Culpepper was having a bad 2005 before he got hurt (six TDs and 12 interceptions in seven games). So not only does he have to rehab and adjust to new teammates, but he also has to regain his passing touch.

RANDY MOSS: Hands Off

2005 STATS G Yds./G 300-yd. G TDs INTs 10 271.3 5 11 9 BOTTOM LINE: With the weapons around him, he's a serviceable middle-rounder; just have a reliable backup.

For five years Moss was that rare wide receiver who merited a high fantasy draft pick. But in 2004 he had career lows for receptions (49), yards (767) and catches for 20 yards or more (11), and last season he further struggled, with eight TDs and 1,005 yards while enduring groin, pelvis and rib injuries and the erratic play of Raiders quarterbacks Kerry Collins and Marques Tuiasosopo. Will the 29-year-old Moss return to vintage form this season? It's not likely, considering that the Raiders are counting on new QB Aaron Brooks, a model of inconsistency during his six years in New Orleans, to right their 21st-ranked offense.

KELLEN WINSLOW: Not Yet

2004 STATS* G Rec./G Yds./G 100-yd. G TDs 2 2.5 25.0 0 0 BOTTOM LINE With the uncertainty and lack of supporting talent, you're better off considering him as a backup. *Missed '05 season due to injury

Winslow, 23, is healthy for the first time since suffering a broken right fibula in the second week of his rookie season and a torn right ACL in a May 2005 motorcycle accident, but it's much too soon to jump 2004's No. 6 overall pick to the top rank at his position -- or to mention him in the same breath as his namesake father, a Hall of Fame tight end for the Chargers. The Browns ranked 26th in the NFL in offense last year; Winslow is their best fantasy player, but we'd like him better with teammates who would open up the field for him.

REGGIE BUSH: Riverboat Gamble

2005 STATS* G Att./G Yds./G 100-yd. G TDs 13 15.4 133.8 8 16 BOTTOM LINE: Someone will buy the hype and take him in the first two rounds. Don't let it be you. *College stats

what makes the 21-year-old -- or any rookie -- a fantasy gamble is his lack of a track record as a pro; until he takes some regular-season snaps, there's no way to know how many touches he'll get per week or what he'll do when he gets them. Complicating the evaluation of this 6-foot game-breaker is his contract status. Bush remains unsigned, and his agent, Joel Segal, has a history of having players hold out. He's had at least eight first-round picks miss some training camp.

KURT WARNER: Bet on the Vet

2005 STATS G Yds./G 300-yd. G TDs INTs 10 271.3 5 11 9 BOTTOM LINE: With the weapons around him, he's a serviceable middle-rounder; just have a reliable backup.

Two seasons ago Warner started the first nine games for the Giants -- leading New York to a 5-4 record -- before he was benched in favor of rookie Eli Manning. For now, in Arizona, there's little evidence to suggest that Warner, 35, will lose his starting spot to another hotshot rookie, Matt Leinart. Cardinals coach Dennis Green, who didn't start Daunte Culpepper as a rookie in Minnesota, affirmed Warner's job security in minicamp, saying, "Hopefully, [Leinart] doesn't have to play one down during the regular season." But with positive vibes surrounding the franchise (thanks to the signing of running back Edgerrin James and the opening of Cardinals Stadium in Glendale), management will find itself under pressure to play Leinart if the Cards struggle early -- a distinct possibility because four of Arizona's first six opponents finished .500 or better last year.

ROY WILLIAMS: Take a Chance

2005 STATS G Rec./G Yds./G 100-yd. G TDs 13 3.5 52.8 2 8 BOTTOM LINE: A solid No. 2 receiver who could emerge as an elite player in '06. Worth a shot in the middle rounds.

In his first two seasons Williams was plagued by dropped passes, nagging injuries and quarterback Joey Harrington, who was shipped to the Dolphins for a late-round pick in the off-season. Now seemingly healthy, the 24-year-old wideout with the flair for the spectacular has quickly picked up the system of new offensive coordinator/pass-happy madman Mike Martz and wowed coaches during a spring minicamp. Better yet, new starting QB Jon Kitna was equally impressive in camp, which has Williams even more excited about 2006. Last month he told the Detroit Free Press, "I wish preseason started next week."

Issue date: July 24, 2006

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