Need To Know

It's About Time

These players are in position to have big seasons

IN FANTASY FOOTBALL you want to acquire players at their peak. Athletes reach that point at varying stages of their careers, but an analysis of the best fantasy seasons over the last 25 years reveals trends at each position--and points to those players who literally are well-positioned to emerge as fantasy studs this season.

> RUNNING BACKS
Ballcarriers generally reach their full potential quicker than passers or receivers. The average elite back of the last 25 years took about 2.5 seasons to reach that status. ( Curtis Martin , Barry Sanders and LaDainian Tomlinson were stars as rookies, while Tiki Barber took six years to make a big splash in the fantasy pool.) These backs could take a large leap to stardom in 2006 (in order of how likely they are to do so).

ENTERING SECOND SEASON

RONNIE BROWN , Dolphins
CADILLAC WILLIAMS , Bucs
FRANK GORE , 49ers
CEDRIC BENSON , Bears
VERNAND MORENCY , Texans

ENTERING THIRD SEASON

STEVEN JACKSON , Rams
JULIUS JONES , Cowboys
KEVIN JONES , Lions
TATUM BELL , Broncos

> WIDE RECEIVERS
The premier wideouts of the last 25 years took an average of 3.1 seasons to hit their stride. Marvin Harrison and Michael Irvin were into their fourth seasons before they became must-have picks. These receivers seem ready to bust out.

ENTERING SECOND SEASON