If the Ravens release Willis McGahee as expected, the fantasy appeal of Ray Rice is going to rise quickly.

Reports of an imminent labor deal between NFL owners and players might have been exaggerated. Or maybe not. The players — or, more accurately, the NFLPA’s executive committee — are in Washington, where they could vote on a proposed labor deal Thursday. The owners are meeting in Atlanta, examining the deal on their end. Keeping it all straight for you are NFL Network reporter Albert Breer and NFL Network insider Jason La Canfora.

If the Cardinals acquire Kevin Kolb, the fantasy appeal of Larry Fitzgerald will quickly rise.

Ryan Grant expects to be the Packers’ No. 1 running back this season, but the emergence of James Starks has damaged his fantasy appeal.

Plaxico Burress is in our studios today, and I can tell you he immediately passed the eye test. Brian Baldinger and Solomon Wilcots immediately noted and commented on his physical appearance, and Burress told me he’s sticking to a strict regimen in South Florida, and his legs feel as strong and explosive as ever. “This is best I’ve felt in years,” he said. Burress is spending his days at Bommarito Performance Systems, an elite training facility, and has been joined there by other top receivers such as Chad Ochocinco and Sidney Rice. He said the ankle issues that bogged him down in the past are long gone, and he will be ready to go whenever the lockout ends. Baldinger asked […]

If the Vikings don’t add a veteran quarterback, fantasy owners would be wise to temper expectations for Sidney Rice in 2011.

Is he or isn’t he? At some point Monday night, there was a tweet from Chad Ochocinco saying he was “looking forward to tomorrow’s route running at 11 am Throwing with Terrell Pryor.” Could it be? Two of the most controversial figures in Ohio sports working out together Tuesday?

Lions coach Jim Schwartz has a plan for his backfield, and it’s not going to improve the fantasy value of Jahvid Best.

Now that Texans coach Gary Kubiak has agreed to be in studio Tuesday for “NFL Total Access” on NFL Network, he must be thrilled about star WR Andre Johnson‘s recent comments about trying to recruit free-agent CB Nnamdi Asomugha.

Cowboys QB Tony Romo could be one of the biggest steals in fantasy football drafts this season. Find out why.

Fantasy owners should hope that WRs Vincent Jackson and Santonio Holmes don’t switch teams once free agency begins.

How’d you like to see Vincent Jackson catching passes for your team? Maybe Sidney Rice? In Thursday’s edition of Instant Debate, NFL.com’s experts look at the top potential free agent wide receivers that will be on the market when the lockout is lifted.

Every member of the Vikings offense, including Adrian Peterson, is a major risk in Week 15.

You really have to appreciate the moxie of Steelers WR Mike Wallace who called Jets CB Darrelle Revis “just another guy.”

Well, at least he did not call him a slouch.

Any concerns about the injured ankle of RB Adrian Peterson should rest easy, at least for today. Peterson has scored a pair of touchdowns as the Vikings are getting ready to run the Bills out of the Metrodome.