Fantasy stars across the league have journeyed to new lands. Among those thundering into new terrains are quarterbacks Carson Palmer in Arizona, Alex Smith in Kansas City and Matt Flynn in Oakland.
As each engages in their individual battles, other more bona fide generals of the air defend their longstanding homelands.
TOP GUNS
If a fantasy roster is a solar system, the QB is the sun about which the rest of the team revolves. This doesn't mean you need the brightest star, you just need someone who won't flame out.
So don't fret when Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are snatched up early — though Brady occasionally slips.
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Carson Palmer
IN A PERFECT WORLD
You have nabbed two RBs with your first two picks, you could opt for Cam Newton (or Brady) in the third if the top WRs are gone.
Otherwise, wait another round or two and target some secondary gunslingers. We expect Matthew Stafford to rebound from a disappointing 2012. Matt Ryan still has a plethora of weapons. Tony Romo, for all his faults in the clutch, is a respectable fantasy starter. Colin Kaepernick can get points by ground or air. We're more cautious about Russell Wilson, who we fear could have a sophomore slump.
If you miss out on all the above, set your sights on Robert Griffin III in the seventh round ... and a backup in the eighth. Eli Manning or Ben Roethlisberger are stellar fantasy backups who have the potential to post starter-like numbers.
We are a bit shy about Andrew Luck. His Colts were motivated by coach Chuck Pagano's battle with cancer last year. And after a 2-14 season in 2011, they snuck up on everyone. It is unlikely they will be able to duplicate their 2012 success.
Luck was interception-prone as well. He is fine as a backup if he slips into the eighth round.
CONQUERING
NEW REALMS
Of the QBs on the move, we like Carson Palmer the most. By "most" we mean, he is the only migrating QB we feel comfortable drafting.
Alex Smith may help the Chiefs rise back to prominence, but don't count on him turning into a fantasy find — though he should help get WR Dwayne Bowe back on the map.
Matt Flynn, who enjoyed one week of fantasy glory in Week 17
of 2011, has warped to Oakland, with a stopover on the Seattle bench last year. His size and arm strength have been questioned. Besides, Oakland is where aging good players go to pad stats, and inexperienced lads go to disappear.
OUTER ORBIT
With young WRs Chris Givens and Tavon Austin, along with new tight end Jared Cook, Sam Bradford will be surprisingly effective. Nice as a late-round backup.
Ryan Tannehill was overshadowed by the other rookie QBs last season, but he showed signs of promise. And the addition of WR Mike Wallace won't hurt.
Someone will challenge the Patriots in the AFC East this year, and whoever that someone is will get a decent season from their QB. We think that someone will be the Dolphins and Tanehill.
Jay Cutler is erratic, but productive enough to warrant a bench spot.
LOST IN SPACE
Too many questions surrounding Michael Vick. We're done with Philip Rivers. Geno Smith doesn't have enough weapons. And we would just as soon draft Tim Tebow as Mark Sanchez.
Next week, in Episode III: Fantasy owners travel back in time to harness an old RB-heavy draft strategy — but will they pick the right runners?
SHOOTING STAR
Carson Palmer quietly posted a decent fantasy season last year before a late-season slide — and he did it without a WR in the same galaxy as Larry Fitzgerald. He amassed a ton of his 2012 stats in garbage time for the Raiders. That shouldn't change in Arizona.
We're not expecting to conquer the desert Kurt Warner-style, but he certainly is worthy of a late pick and backup spot.
dloftis@nypost.com
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