Chicago Bears 33, Washington Redskins 31 – RGIII looked more like a rookie in this one but he didn’t look horrible. He’s just having a few growing pains. QB Kirk Cousins threw 3 TD passes with the second team. Bears WR Alshon Jeffery looks like the player “they THOUGHT they were” (getting, that is – hat tip to Denny Green). The biggest concern was when Redskins OLB and Pro-Bowler Brian Orakpo injured his right pectoral muscle on a tackle – the same one he injured last year. Hopefully it’s just a strain, but a tear would keep him out possibly the entire season. It’s too early to know yet but listen for news as it develops. Redskins starting safety Brandon Meriweather hurt his knee, was helped off the field, and didn’t return in the game. I wonder if the GEICO caveman is gloating?

Houston Texans 20, San Francisco 49′ers 9 – Matt Schaub looked sharp once again and Andre Johnson looked horse-healthy on a 43 yard completion as the Texans’ first teams looked impressive once again. 9′ers RB Brandon Jacobs left the game after a tackler speared his right thigh/knee area on a tackle. It looked quite painful to be sure, but probably will wind up being a deep bruise. Frank Gore and Kendall Hunter are still the top two backs and that shouldn’t change. Jim Harbaugh seems to be interweaving his new receiving bodies into his run-based offense nicely and they’ll be a force in the NFC. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise me all that much if this game is a Super Bowl Preview.

St. Louis Rams 31, Kansas City Chiefs 17 – Rams’ QB Sam Bradford looked sharp, throwing 2 TD passes on 6 of 9 passing and appears to be healthy again after an ankle injury hampered his sophomore season. Rookie WR Brian Quick had 3 catches and he was considered a talent who needs a little seasoning but seems to be developing nicely so far. Danny Amendola had 3 catches for 58 yards and a TD. Matt Cassel of the Chiefs had a nice outing as well while RBs Peyton Hillis and Jamaal Charles, both injured much of last season, got a little work and looked nice on a few runs. If that duo can get going, they could possibly be the best “Thunder (Hillis) and Lightning (Charles)” combo in the NFL if they live up to their talent…and if Hillis doesn’t get Strep Throat again. Rookie NT Dontari Poe’s struggles continue as he recorded a single tackle on the contest.

Seattle Seahawks 30, Denver Broncos 10 – 38 year-old WR Terrell Owens dropped a sure 48 yard TD pass from QB Matt Flynn, but the Seahawks won anyway. Peyton Manning had a good day other than a couple of interceptions – one on a tipped pass and the other on a throw that drifted on him a bit when he had to make a perfect pass. Don’t worry about Manning; he’s Manning and will be fine. Fantasy owners should take notice that Brandon Stokley and Manning seem to be getting familiar with each other again. Keep tabs on the pair; Stokley might be worth a late-round pick as a bit of a sleeper that some owners will pass over due to his age and injury history, but might see some production in this offense.

San Diego Chargers 28, Dallas Cowboys 20 – Dallas loses their second preseason game but their starting defense is really looking good. All of the Chargers’ points came in the second half. Lots going on in this game. First, Chargers’ apparent #1 receiver Vincent Brown broke his ankle and will miss at least 8 weeks. The Chargers WR group as a whole isn’t the most durable even while they have depth. QB Philip Rivers continued throwing picks like last year. It’s not all his fault, however, as his line is giving up ground so he can’t step into some of his throws. That Cowboy first-team looks pretty good on both sides but especially on defense as they have yet to allow a score in two games. Undrafted rookie free agent Cole Beasley from SMU had 7 catches and 104 yards as he stated his case for the #3 WR behind Miles Austin and Dez Bryant. Bryant made a would-be spectacular one-handed catch in the back of the endzone, leaping high to snag it out of the air. He came down JUST out of bounds and there was a holding penalty anyway, but the spectacle clearly demonstrated his talent and ability. They don’t make many like him.

Jan 22, 2012; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice (27) carries the ball against the New England Patriots during the third quarter in the 2011 AFC Championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-US PRESSWIRE

This week, we will take a look at 5 players, that I deem worthy of a first round pick.

I’m a member of a deep league, so first round talent for me, may be considered second or third round talent for you. That being said, let’s get this puppy rolling.

Ray Rice RB Baltimore Ravens

If I’ve learned anything over the past two years, it’s that Ray Rice is a sure thing. He’s an outstanding runner, and with his catching abilities, he’s a stud on any fantasy line-up. I took him 2nd overall last year, and could not have made a better decision. He’s 1-3 pick worthy in normal scoring, and could vie for the 1st pick in PPR leagues. If you are sitting at 2-7 and he’s on the board, YOU MUST PICK HIM.

Jamaal Charles RB Kansas City Chiefs

He’s coming off an ACL injury, but don’t let that hinder your judgement. Charles is still a freak of a runningback and will be a stud all season long if he can stay healthy. Mind you, he is a high risk/high reward pick. If you are willing to draft him, you will get a great player that will give you solid numbers every week. He may not be a Top 5 talent anymore, but he’s definitely a Top 15 talent.

Cam Newton QB Carolina Panthers

I normally stay away from a QB in the 1st round, but with the new style of football, they are moving up the ranks. Cam looks to be a contender for the top QB this season is he can avoid the Sophomore Slump. He’s biggest value comes from what he does on the ground. He will throw up 200 yards a game, but put another 50-100 on the ground. In most normal scoring leagues, that will give another 5-10 a week. Statistically, he’s a freak of nature and breaks into my Top 20.

LeSean McCoy RB Philadelphia Eagles

Like Rice, McCoy is a dual threat RB. He’s a monster on the sides and in between the tackles, and he’s an amazing receiver. McCoy’s greatest strength comes in the redzone. He had the highest number of rushin touchdowns last season, and from what I saw, he has no intentions of slowing down. McCoy can fight for a Top 3 pick easily if he can continue his production.

Calvin Johnson/Wes Welker WRs Detroit Lions/New England Patriots

In order to stop my imminent beheading from mentioning a guy that might be a victim of the Madden Curse, I’ve chosen both WRs here. Megatron needs no explanation for any normal football fan. His only downside is the lingering effects of the Madden Curse. If you don’t believe in said curse, take him in the first round, but if you do, look to Welker. Welker defies all odds with his height and level of production. Even when people believed his production would suffer after the acquisition of two stand-out Tight Ends, he came up with 122 catches and 1569 yards. If he doesn’t sign a deal before the season, he is in a contract year and could look to explode more-so than normal.

Well there you have it guys and gals. This is who I believe is FOR SURE 1st round talent. I’m not saying this is the Top 5, but if you are picking this season, and you don’t know who to draft, look at one of these players.

Thanks for reading, and come back next week when I look to rank the Top 5 defenses in the league.