In the Noise's mind, these guys aren't the only ones with questions about Welker. (USP)

In this week's episode of The Docs Andy Behrens and Brad Evans discuss the spoiled riches of Tom Brady — handsome looks, limitless wealth, three championship rings, smoking hot wife, endless supply of on-field weapons — specifically Wes Welker and Brandon Lloyd. What Pats pass catcher should you own? Read. Reflect. React.

Behrens sides with Welker: Somehow the fact that one of my colleagues ranked Welker as his No. 22 wide receiver had escaped my attention, until we divvied up assignments for Spin Doctors.

I haven't actually discussed Welker at length with Brad, so I can only guess at his reasons for slotting him 19 places below last year's finish. I think we're all eager to find out what the [profane] Evans is thinking, so I'll keep my defense of No. 83 brief. Here goes...

In three of the four seasons in which Welker been tied to Tom Brady — I'm tossing out the Matt Cassel year, though it wasn't terrible (111-1165-3) — he finished as a top-12 fantasy wideout. Wes' only off-year was 2010, when he came back from the ACL/MCL injuries on a tight timeline, yet still caught 86 passes for 848 yards and seven scores. In 2011, Welker established new career highs in receiving yards (1569) and TDs (9) while catching 122 passes. He was a bit more productive in the first half of the season than the second, but he still delivered four 100-yard performances between Weeks 9 and 17 (and he reached double-digit receptions twice). This is one of the steadiest receivers in the player pool, an extreme high-volume pass-catcher in an elite passing attack.

Is Brad worried that the Patriots offense will take a step back? No, probably not. The team has averaged better than 32 points per game in each of the past two seasons, and they've scored more than 25 every year since 2007. Welker managed to finish as the No. 3 scorer at his position last year while Rob Gronkowski was re-writing the NFL record book.

Richardson may soon join the ranks of NFL immortals. (AP)

Forget boogeymen, injury imps and even Mike Shanahan, the entity fantasy gamers fear most: The unknown.

For that reason, rookies, regardless of position, are heavily discounted in drafts every season. To the casual player passivity reigns supreme. From the cautious perspective, it's asinine to waste an early round pick on an unproven commodity, no matter how favorable the setup. Do so, these naysayers crow, and unwanted Ls will sour your record. The following tidbit from Arcade commenter LA Andy speaks to the heart of the matter:

To some extent the above "expert" advice rings true, particularly when discussing first-year running backs. For every stud there are at least three duds. Drafters who overreached for Ryan Mathews two years ago or Mark Ingram last year surely still harbor bitter feelings, warranted disdain. However, because of the vertical focus of today's NFL, spectacular freshmen campaigns logged by Cam Newton, A.J. Green and Rob Gronkowski (in 2010) defy such logic. Still, despite rookie success at other positions, most owners continue to choose experience over upside at RB. Their reasoning is understandable. Matt Forte, four years ago, was the last rookie rusher to produce a top-12 yield over a full season.

But purposely dodge Trent Richardson in drafts this year and you will sorely regret it.

Don't be a dummy. Start prepping for your fantasy draft now. (USP)

With the Fourth of July holiday in the books we're only two weeks away from quiet NFL camp grounds turning noisy, very noisy. Sounds of excessive grunting, whistling blowing and helmet crunching will soon fill the air.

Antsy fantasy owners can practically smell the sweat.

Join the Noise this week to help kick-start your football draft preparation. For one hour, we'll talk proper tactics in subduing Adrian Peterson, backfield battles, overrated tight ends, sleepers ... whatever curiosities are on your mind. And for those still vying for a champagne shower, your baseball-related inquiries will also be fielded.

Come one. Come all. No question is too big or small.

Luck-to-Fleener may soon terrorize NFL linebackers.

Every year on college campuses across the country, unforgettable relationships are forged. Some extend beyond commencement. Others eventually fade. But the memories, many times involving beer bongs and subsequent revelry, last a lifetime.

Former Stanford standout Coby Fleener isn't ready to let those good times go just yet.

The tight end's life, like many graduates', has completely transformed over the past couple months. Since joining the pro ranks, his bank balance is fatter and, moving from hilly NorCal to the cornfields of Indiana, geographic surroundings flatter. Still, in the youngster's case, the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Drafted by the Colts with the 34th overall pick in late April, Fleener immediately re-teamed with Andrew Luck, a dream scenario for a rebuilding Indy franchise. During their three seasons together in Palo Alto the duo routinely terrorized Pac-12 opponents combining for 83 receptions, 1,367 yards and 18 touchdowns. That familiarity could soon prove deadly to NFL defenders too.

At every level of football, establishing a strong chemistry between receiver and quarterback is imperative. Zig instead of zag and a Tom Brady-Chad Johnson scenario unfolds. Execute flawlessly, though, and a certain magic occurs on the field.

Prepare to be amazed.

Inside Lucifer Shanahan's mind are thoughts of knife-wielding clowns, traffic jams and vexing backfields. (USP)

Chirp. Chirp. Chirp.

Stumble into any NFL town and chances are you'll hear crickets. From now until the opening of training camps is arguably the deadest period on the pigskin calendar, the proverbial calm before the storm.

But for fantasy owners the clock is ticking. The most important time of the year, draft season, is right around the corner. In order to pound the competition, preparations must be made.

Brad Evans and Scott Pianowski got your back, gamer.

On this week's completely insane show, our fantasy heroes tried to get inside the mind of Mike Shanahan, arguably the most sinister place known to man, in what was a futile attempt to decipher Washington's revolving door at RB. Additional takes on murky backfields in Arizona, Buffalo, Carolina, Detroit and New Orleans were also mentioned. And we provided the very latest on Adrian Peterson's ongoing rehab.

Meanwhile in hour numero dos, we chomped on a wad of Big League Chew, discussing rising catchers Yasmani Grandal and Salvador Perez, All-Wieners, All-Star snubs and San Diego's Mighty Mouse Alexi Amarista.

Too busy polishing off the last of the Fourth of July leftovers? No problem. Listen to the replays below:

LISTEN TO HOUR 1 (NFL) HERE

LISTEN TO HOUR 2 (MLB) HERE

In addition to Monday's nine featured Pickups of the Week, Yahoo! Sports fantasy expert Brad Evans offers a Wednesday update on five hitters on the rise that weren't profiled in Monday's POW. The same criteria applies – players must be available in more than half of Yahoo! leagues. On Friday, we'll offer the same drill for pitchers.

Royal backstop compiling kingly power numbers in brief 2012 stint

Salvador Perez (C) Kansas City Royals
Perez is everything advertised and more. Since his activation from the DL two weeks ago, he's ripped 12 hits in 32 at-bats with three homers and seven RBIs. His long-ball prowess is a bit of a surprise, but not completely unfounded. Between three levels last year, he reached the cheap seats 13 times in 482 at-bats. Still, the clip thus far is blistering. His strong contact profile at the minor-league level profiles a solid batting average. In a way, he's a poor man's Joe Mauer. Though it's unlikely Perez will blast another 10 homers, he

This year's Most Valueless Dog has posted sauer-ful power numbers. (USP)

Around grills this holiday weekend the Trevor Plouffe's of processed meats, the hot dog, will be devoured in mass quantities.

Frankly speaking, these versatile mystery meats are formed from unknown ingredients no human wants to know the true origin of — mechanically separated "beef," sodium erythorbate, unknown "flavorings." In a phrase, they are unsettlingly fantastic.

Coming off solid 2011 campaigns, this year's saured class of tubed meats, if consumed, were also expected to satisfy the stomach. Acquire them, fanalysts and seasoned owners reasoned in March, and investors were sure to relish consistent production. After all, fantasy commodities, in terms of statistical contribution, are supposed to get plumper when you draft 'em.

However, these Lil Smokies have delivered only shriveled results.

Swelled strikeout rates, dramatic GB/FB shifts and pedestrian SB paces have charred their reputations, leaving many owners queasy. No amount of mustard or, for the evildoers in attendance, ketchup (Anyone who drenches their dog in communist sauce is a hammer and sickle-wielding Bolshevik), have masked the bitter taste. Suffice it to say, for the millions who sank their teeth into the once desired commodities, persistent heartburn and 0-fers have followed.

In honor of holiday barbecues and Joey Chestnuts everywhere, here is the Eighth Annual All-Wiener Team (fantasy underachievers least impacted by injury):

Philly's miggity-miggity-miggity-miggity Mac daddy is about to undergo a value jump. (USP)

Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche said it best, "That which does not kill us makes us stronger."

For Jeremy Maclin that pearl of wisdom couldn't ring truer.

At this point last year, the wideout's thoughts couldn't have been further from football. A mysterious illness, initially thought to be lymphoma, hijacked his body. It was a scary time. Weakness ensued. Pounds dropped. Insomnia kicked in. Instead of worrying about learning new wrinkles in Marty Mornhinweg's offense, he was simply trying to live to fight another day.

Eventually, when his fever lifted and appetite returned, all seemed right again. But a different set of challenges awaited the hard-luck receiver over the next few months.

Exuding the toughness of a heavyweight boxer, Maclin attempted to power through. Though hampered by additional nicks and scrapes, including a shoulder injury that cost him three games from Weeks 11-13, the Missouri product managed to post respectable numbers. His 63 catches for 859 yards and five touchdowns nearly matched his production over 16 games the year before.

Overall, he ranked as a low-end WR2 in 12-team leagues (8.9 ppg, WR24), proving to be a fantasy difference-maker during the most opportune time. His combined 13 receptions for 179 yards and a touchdown against division rivals Dallas and Washington in Weeks 16 and 17 were huge for trophy seekers.

Expect him to pick up where he left off.