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Although the 23-pick wait in a 12-team league is long, drafting last has its perks. Not only do you build a solid foundation with back-to-back picks in Rounds 1 and 2, you also end up with the top waiver priority. But you can't treat this as a gift certificate and load up on Lifehouse CDs just because you can. When to use that waiver priority is a big decision.

1. Don't jump at the one-week wonder. Every season, some lower-tier QB or wideout has a surprising start, causing an owner to flush his waiver priority down the toilet. By Week 4 or 5, that player often is right back where he started the season--on waivers. Meanwhile, that gullible owner sinks to the bottom of the waiver list.

2. Do monitor depth charts. Demotions and injuries are inevitable, and they will generate plenty of fantasy sleepers. Several teams are notorious for having quick hooks at running back (see: the Broncos), and when it comes to injuries creating unexpected stars, look no further than last season's Panthers (Nick Goings). Therefore, your top waiver priority could land you a valuable starter, the equivalent of an early-round pick.

3. Don't do subtraction by addition. Maybe a hot backup running back is available. But if you already are loaded at that position and have to drop a valuable receiver to grab the running back, you're doing more harm than good to your roster.

4. Do be patient. This isn't a gallon of milk with an expiration date. Unless your waiver priority resets each week based on record (an evil idea), there's no rush to make a pickup. In fact, it often pays to wait because you'll discover where your team needs the most help.

5. Don't bother with kickers, tight ends and defenses. The same rules that apply on draft day apply now. There are few elite options at these positions to begin with, and there certainly aren't any on the waiver wire. Sorry, but we won't see another Antonio Gates.

STOCK WATCH

* QB Joey Harrington, Lions. Jeff Garcia's broken leg silenced any remaining talk of a quarterback change in Detroit, although Harrington's impressive play in the preseason had a similar effect. Harrington is ready to thrive in Detroit's Offense.

* RB DeShaun Foster, Panters. Stephen Davis' impressive recovery from microfracture knee surgery means Foster will continue to share the backfield work. Fantasy owners shouldn't count on him to be a starting back.--Rob Hurtt

Most hated coaches

There are two easy ways for NFL head coaches to fall out of favor with fantasy owners: play a never-ending guessing game with the backfield or hide player injuries as though they're government secrets. These coaches drive owners absolutely 'nanas:

1. Mike Tice, Vikings. If NFL teams could expand their rosters, Tice probably would fill every extra spot with a running back. And he wouldn't name a starter. Ever.

2. Bill Belichick, Patriots. His inclusion has nothing to do with all of those Super Bowl trophies. It has everything to do with his constant dodging of questions about injured players. One of these days, he'll list his entire team as questionable on the league's injury report.

3. Nick Saban, Dolphins. Double-O-Saban is too new to have worn on us, but we have a feeling we won't like him. He's a little too, how do we say, Belichick-ian.--R.H.

WEEK 2 PICKS

TSN experts

                           STUDS                     SLEEPERS

  LARRY      QB    Carson Palmer, Bengals       Kyle Boller, Ravens
GOLDSTEIN    RB     Tiki Barber, Giants       Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
             WR     Randy Moss, Raiders        Derrick Mason, Ravens

Look for Mason to to sorch his former team.

 BRENDAN     QB     Brett Favre, Packers        Eli Manning, Giants
 ROBERTS     RB    Rudi Johnson, Bengals        Thomas Jones, Bears
             WR     Randy Moss, Raiders      Donte' Stallworth, Saints

A favorable early schedule will make Eli look Peyton-like.

 GEORGE      QB    Donovan McNabb, Eagles     Byron Leftwich, Jaguars
 WINKLER     RB    Priest Holmes, Chiefs     J.J. Arrington, Cardinals
             WR       Torry Holt, Rams        Justin McCareins, Jets

                         STUMBLERS

  LARRY      QB     Drew Brees, Chargers
GOLDSTEIN    RB    Corey Dillon, Patriots
             WR     Roy Williams, Lions

Look for Mason to to sorch his former team.

 BRENDAN     QB     Steve McNair, Titans
 ROBERTS     RB    Willis McGahee, Bills
             WR     Drew Bennett, Titans

A favorable early schedule will make Eli look Peyton-like.

 GEORGE      QB      Brian Griese, Bucs
 WINKLER     RB    Domanick Davis, Texans
             WR    Steve Smith, Panthers

Arington will ram through St. Louis' week front.

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