Slippery Steve Smith falls to the first pick of Round 4. (USP)

With doors at team facilities opening for business later this week, it's time for fantasy owners to fine tune their minds for the upcoming season. Same goes for the Roto Arcade crew. Monday-Wednesday this week we'll share four rounds/day from our annual mock exercise, a 10-team, non-PPR draft. Peruse. Ponder. And trash our picks in the comments section below.

See also: Rounds 1-4

ROUND 5

1. Steve Smith, WR, Car — Cam's favorite target delivered a 79-1394-7 line last season and posted the second-best yards-per-catch average of his career (17.6). So yeah, he's still got it. Others considered: None. Easy call (Behrens)

2. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Phi — After a healthy and productive off-season, I'm expect … Wait, make that everyone is expecting a huge year from Maclin. He's a big talent attached to a terrific Philly offense. Others considered: Dez, Gates, Colston, Lloyd (Behrens)

3. Dez Bryant, WR, Dal — Mothers Against Dez (M.A.D.) may become a popular fantasy team name this year, but

Peterson, Gerhart could become Minnesota's version of The Hart Foundation. (USP)

This draft season there will be no player scrutinized more than Adrian Peterson. The rusher, just seven months removed from snapping his ACL/MCL in Washington, has driven a wedge between several fanalysts and gamers alike. Some see the glass half empty. Others half full.

Toby Gerhart's recent words, however, may finally force blind optimists to see the light.

In an interview with ESPN 1500 in the Twin Cities, the presumed backup lent insight into Leslie Frazier's possible early season blueprint:

Toby Gerhart thinks Adrian Peterson will be in uniform for the Minnesota Vikings' season opener, but that doesn't mean Gerhart expects to be a backup out of the gate.

"I'm looking, going into the season, to have a big role," Gerhart told 1500 ESPN's "Sunday Morning SportsTalk" show.

"I don't know how big it will be. But I'm looking like I'm going to be the starter from Day 1 and have to be the starter all the way on through until Adrian is back and ready and full-speed. I'm excited about that. I'm ready to embrace that and go out and help this team win and really show people what I can do."

All indications are Peterson will open training camp this week on the active/physically unable to perform list and would be limited in the early going if he meets his goal of playing in the Sept. 9 opener against Jacksonville, less than 8½ months out from surgery.

"I think he will (play in the opener)," Gerhart said. "You can never be surprised with Adrian. The way he comes to work every day, the way he pushes himself -- he was flying around, straight-line speed, moving out there, racing Percy up the hill, doing conditioning stuff."

Gerhart's words add another log to the anti-Adrian fire.  At this juncture, it's impossible to count Peterson out completely for Week 1, but it's becoming increasingly clear the incumbent will play a secondary role until the coaching staff feels comfortable with the former rush king shouldering his customary workload. That scenario could play out for a week or six, which is exactly the reason why owners shouldn't pray at the altar of the Purple Jesus (17.2 Y! ADP) until at least Round 3 in 12-team drafts. And, even at that discounted price, he may not turn a profit.

At No. 1, most owners will bow down to Foster. (USP)

With doors at team facilities opening for business later this week, it's time for fantasy owners to fine tune their minds for the upcoming season. Same goes for the Roto Arcade crew. Monday-Wednesday this week we'll share four rounds/day from our annual mock exercise, a 10-team, non-PPR draft. Peruse. Ponder.  And trash our picks in the comments section below.

ROUND 1

1. Arian Foster, RB, Hou — He's the top player in nearly everyone's ranks, in all formats. Foster just delivered 1800-plus yards and 12 TDs over just 13 games. Others considered: Nobody. (Behrens)

2. Ray Rice, RB, Bal — He gave us over 2000 scrimmage yards last season with 15 TDs, leading all running backs in fantasy scoring (PPR and standard). An easy choice. Others considered: LeSean McCoy. (Behrens)

3. Ryan Mathews, RB, SD — Shredded compared to flabby this time last year, Mathews enters camp with the expectation he'll be the workhorse in a very favorable fantasy environment. Wouldn't be a shock if he's No. 1 among RBs come January. Bet against him and lose. Others considered: Kate Upton, Kate Beckinsale, Pippa. (Evans)

4. LeSean McCoy, RB, Phi — It's unlikely he'll again splash six 20 times, but he's one of the game's most dynamic all-around weapons who should easily finish in the 1600 total yard, 12-15 TD range. Others considered: Aaron Rodgers, Calvin Johnson (Evans)

5. Calvin Johnson, WR, Det — Although wideout is a very deep position in 2012, Calvin's has legitimate 20-touchdown upside and might be the most uncoverable target in history. Others considered: Aaron Rodgers, trade down with Ditka (Pianowski)

6. Aaron Rodgers, QB, GB — Even if some regression comes, he's a monster. The extra rushing touchdowns feel like stealing. Terrific complement of receivers. Others considered: Trent Richardson (Pianowski)

7. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jac — Knee issue … contract issue … yada, yada. I'm not about to discount a motivated MJD. And the Jags need him like the desert needs the rain. Others considered: Trent Richardson, Drew Brees, Tom Brady (Funston)

8. Trent Richardson, RB, Cle — Has the supreme do-it-all talent and the expected workload to overcome a less than ideal work environment in Cleveland. Others considered: Drew Brees, Tom Brady (Funston)

9. Chris Johnson, RB, Ten — Fully motivated to bounce back after a down 2011. Titans offense could be sneaky good. Johnson is still just 26 and a true workhorse. Others considered: No one really (Del Don)

10. DeMarco Murray, RB, Dal — A risk so early with such a small track record but totaled 915 yards over a six-week stretch before his season ended due to injury. Others considered: Darren McFadden (Del Don)

Jones-Drew is more than prepared to go to war over his existing contract. (USP)

A year ago this week, Chris Johnson wasn't the happiest of individuals. Instead of basking in the glory of his third straight monstrous campaign, the disgruntled rusher was aggravated over his financial standing. The man had a point. In terms of dollars per yard, he was the best bargain going in the league, the anti-Mark Sanchez.

No surprise CJ2K's crew dug in.

After weeks of promises not to report to Titans training camp without a new contract, Johnson backed up his threats. What ensued over the scorching August days was a fiery feud between Bud Adams and the offensive centerpiece. Eventually, in an eleventh hour deal struck just days before Tennessee's season opener against, coincidentally enough, Jacksonville, management submitted to the three-time Pro Bowler's demands gifting him a six-year $55 million deal, $30 million of which was guaranteed. The game of poker was finished. In the end Johnson stacked the chips.

Now, it's Maurice Jones-Drew's turn to chase the river.

In addition to Monday's nine featured Pickups of the Week, Yahoo! Sports fantasy expert Brandon Funston offered a Wednesday update on five hitters on the rise that weren't profiled in Monday's POW. And on Friday, Brad Evans goes through the same drill for pitchers. The same criteria applies - players must be available in more than half of Yahoo! leagues.

Converted reliever quietly a Milwaukee Beast

Marco Estrada (SP) Milwaukee Brewers
Since being reinserted in the starting rotation June 26, Estrada has turned into a strikeout machine. Mowing down hitters at will, he's notched a dazzling 14.25 K/9 over his past 20.2 innings, the best in the NL during that stretch. Eat that Strasburg. More impressively, the righty has walked just 11 batters in 56.2 innings this season, making him highly coveted in the WHIP department. Because of his consistency pounding the strike-zone, he is must-own material in almost every format. Given his high strikeout yield, it's possible Estrada could

Beast Light should have called one of these dudes for a ride last Saturday. (USP)

Since the Super Bowl, 27 players have been arrested.

Guess the NFL stands for the National (Expletive)-Up League.

Among the numerous incarcerations, none will have a bigger fantasy impact than Marshawn Lynch's DUI arrest last Saturday. At least, that's what most think. According to a Pro Football Talk report Thursday, those close to Lynch strongly believe a suspension won't be levied this season, if at all.

On this week's pigskin packed program, Brad Evans and Scott Pianowski steered Beast Mode backers in the right direction. Additional tidbits on Britt, Maurice Jones-Drew and Robert Griffin III were also discusssed. Plus, the fanalysts reveled their most interesting players to watch during training camp and decided whether Michael Vick is overrated or underrated.

Too busy daydreaming about Anne Hathaway? No problem. Listen to the replays below or download the show via iTunes:

LISTEN TO HOUR 1 HERE (NFL)

LISTEN TO HOUR 2 HERE (NFL)

There is no fanalyst more bullish on Griffin than The Noise. (USP)

Prior to last season, the perception of rookie quarterbacks was largely negative. The majority of fantasy players believed what Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, Vince Young and Ben Roethlisberger accomplished in their inaugural campaigns was extremely rare.

For years scouts, general managers and coaches stated and restated the position's harsh demands combined with the increased speed of the NFL game virtually guaranteed growing pains. Patience needed to be a virtue. Carson Palmer, Eli Manning and Matthew Stafford all paid off long-term. Conversely, a certain buffet-crushing former No. 1 pick with an affinity for the "Purple Drank" never did. All rookies are risky.

But what Cam Newton and, to a lesser extent, what Andy Dalton achieved in Year 1 challenged traditional views. The former's record-shattering 2011 smashed the "Thou should never draft a rookie QB" commandment, ushering in a new age in fantasy football. Anyone who continues to cling to the outdated axiom probably also believes Talkies are cutting edge. Nowadays, a rookie QB can be trusted.

Robert Griffin III is Exhibit A.

Dark days are here to stay for the once promising wideout. (AP)

Prior to shredding his ACL/MCL Week 3 versus Denver last season, Titans receiver Kenny Britt was on the brink of a breakout. Against Jacksonville and Baltimore the two games before, he accumulated a ridiculous 14 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns. His chemistry with Matt Hasselbeck bubbled. No defensive back could cover him. The fantasy community was positively giddy.

Then the Britt hit the fan.

Unlike Jamaal Charles and amazingly Adrian Peterson, the target's road to recovery has been filled with endless potholes. In mid-May he underwent a minor clean-up procedure to help reduce swelling in his surgically repaired right knee. Tuesday Titans insider Jim Wyatt revealed his supposedly healthy left knee was also recently scoped. Yikes. The unsettling details from The Tennessean:

After examining Britt at the end of June, doctors also decided it would be best for him to have arthroscopic surgery on the left knee after he experienced swelling.

It's yet another setback for Britt, who the Titans still hope will be available for the season-opener against the Patriots on Sept. 9 at LP Field. The most recent procedure, paired with his troubles with the right knee, could lead to Britt beginning training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, however.

Britt began running and cutting in June after arthroscopic surgery on his right knee. Earlier he'd been forced to slow down his rehab after swelling occurred in the days following his workouts. Britt has been working with trainers at Baptist Sports Park since his most recent surgery, and is a few weeks into his rehabilitation.

As Wyatt hints above, having Britt available Week 1 is a best case scenario. Likely unable to participate in training camp, and subsequently exhibition games, greatly hinders his conditioning and general preparation for the regular season. Even if deemed ready, an explosive start, similar to what he accomplished in 2011, appears to be a long shot. Vexing weekly questionable tags seem inevitable, placing unwanted stress on those who choose to invest in his services.

Let someone else handle the headache.