Should I really draft a guy named Chaz?

UPDATE: As you may already know, WR Chaz Schilens broke a bone in his foot during practice. He is expected to miss the rest of the preseason and his availability for Week 1 is in doubt. This obviously hurts his fantasy value, but he is still worth a late-round pick in most drafts.

UPDATE No. 2: Schilens had surgery on his foot and is now out 4-6 weeks. If you have room on your bench, he is still worth a late-round pick in your draft, because he should be productive once he returns after the first couple weeks of the season. If you do not have a roster spot to waste on an injured sleeper WR, then keep an eye on his recovery progress and try to grab him off waivers a week or so before he is ready to return.

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Yes. But not until late in your draft. People will probably laugh at you. But you will get the last laugh when he starts posting solid numbers.

Raiders WR Chaz Schilens looked pretty good in last night’s preseason game against the Cowboys. He ended up with 5 catches for 52 yards, and was targeted by QB Jamarcus Russell 4 times on the first drive. Schilens also drew a 47-yard pass interference penalty that set up a Raiders FG. Obviously you do not get fantasy points for PI penalties, but it shows that Russell was looking for him downfield.

Schilens is a second-year player out of San Diego State who has great size (6-4, 225). He only had 15 catches last year, but he had 6 catches for 98 yards and 2 TDs in weeks 16 and 17.

Schilens is nothing more than a late-round sleeper prospect, but if he continues to be Russell’s favorite target, he is worthy of a pick in your draft. Speedsters WR Darrius Heyward-Bey and WR Johnnie Lee Higgins might catch a few bombs now and then, but they will probably be too inconsistent. Schilens, however, appears to be a solid possession WR who has the size to also be a redzone threat.

And speaking of the Raiders, Russell looked competent as a QB. He finished 6-9 for 50 yards, which is not overly impressive, but he looked calm in the pocket. I would not suggest drafting him as a QB2 or anything, but it does bode well for guys like Schilens, TE Zach Miller, and the rest of the offense. Because if Russell plays poorly, the offense will stall.

Players to Watch Tonight

Eight teams play their first preseason games tonight. Here is a list of some players to keep an eye on.

NE v. PHI

QB Tom Brady (NE): How comfortable does he look in the pocket?

RB Fred Taylor (NE): Does he have anything left?

WR Greg Lewis (NE): Can he beat out WR Joey Galloway for the number 3 WR spot?

RB LeSean McCoy (PHI): Can he live up to the hype?

WR DeSean Jackson (PHI): Is he ready to take the next step?

WR Jeremy Maclin (PHI): Will he have any impact as a rookie?

BAL v. WAS

QB Joe Flacco (BAL): Has he progressed at all?

RB Ray Rice (BAL): Is he ready to be the main ballcarrier?

WR Demetrius Williams (BAL): Can he stay healthy and make some plays?

QB Jason Campbell (WAS): Can he relax and take charge of the offense?

WR Devin Thomas (WAS): Is he ready to make an impact?

ARI v. PIT

RB Tim Hightower (ARI): Can he hold onto the number 1 spot

RB Rashard Mendenhall (PIT): Can he show us something other than his ability to get hurt?

WR Limas Sweed (PIT): Can he live up to the hype he had while at Texas?

DAL v. OAK

QB Jamarcus Russell (OAK): Does he still look like a bust?

RB Darren McFadden (OAK): How do the Raiders use him?

WR Chaz Shilens (OAK): Could he be a sleeper?

WR Johnnie Lee Higgins (OAK): He caught a TD pass in each of the last 3 games in 08. Fluke?

QB Tony Romo (DAL): Is he more relaxed without WR Terrell Owens around?

RB Marion Barber (DAL): Will he go back to his old role as TD-machine and game-closer?

RB Felix Jones (DAL): How do the Cowboys use him?

WR Miles Austin (DAL): Is the sleeper-hype justified?