It’s summertime, and once again we feature a series by writer Eric Harris about how to get the most out of your fantasy football selections for the upcoming season.

Back before the world had been exposed to its first Corona-induced fantasy football draft party, Mark Twain made a statement: “The only two certainties in life are death and taxes.”

Well Mark, much has changed since you gave birth to your famous words. People still hand their hard-earned money over to the government year after year, until their time on this big marble runs out. You were right about that.

But some 160 years later, a third certainty could be added: With enough time, people — even prideful fantasy football owners — inevitably forgive and forget.

It happens every year: “can’t-miss” fantasy ballers prove everyone wrong and miss, often without so much as a half-hearted swing. That doesn’t mean you should discard their names from your draft board the following season, though.

In fact, the slump can tarnish their names enough to keep them around a little longer than their talent would suggest. This presents owners with great value picks that can make all the difference on a roster.

While you are trash-talking your buddies about the ridiculous amount of Cheetos they have consumed at this year’s draft party, remember to let the past go. Forgive these men for losing their way last season.

ARIAN FOSTER, Houston RB: This guy definitely broke some hearts in 2013. Foster had finished the three previous seasons ranked no lower than fourth among running backs. As his Texans found themselves in the cellar of the league last year, Foster followed suit and fell out of relevance in the fantasy world, due in large part to injuries. But with Ben Tate no longer there to take touches away, a healthy Foster should get back to his old ways in 2014. Likely place in a 12-team draft: Round 2

DOUG MARTIN, Tampa Bay RB: After shocking the fantasy world as a rookie in 2012, Martin followed it up with an October injury that held him out of the final nine games of 2013. The third-year back was medically cleared in March from the shoulder surgery that killed his sophomore year. Martin is only 25 and new coach Lovie Smith will feed him early and often. Likely place: Round 2

MONTEE BALL, Denver RB: This guy had some rookie butter-fingers that put him firmly behind veteran Knowshon Moreno last season. Ball now has a season of experience under his belt as he stands at the front of the running backs line in Denver. Moreno now resides in Miami. Denver will once again have an elite offensive unit under Peyton Manning, giving Ball a bevy of red zone opportunities. Likely place: Round 2

C.J. SPILLER, Buffalo RB: Some projected Spiller as a top three fantasy back after a strong finish to the 2012 season. Unfortunately for his owners, the spark Spiller struck at the end of 2012 never flamed up in 2013. The first rounder only reached the end zone twice and barely cracked the top 30 at his position. Meanwhile, his partner in the Bills’ backfield, Fred Jackson, finished 10th. This guy is just too good to quit on, though. The Bills made some offensive improvements this off-season and Jackson is now 33 years old. Likely place: Round 3

TRENT RICHARDSON, Indianapolis RB: Everyone saw Richardson as the up-and-coming ball carrier to draft early. But after an in-season trade that landed him in Indianapolis, Richardson was never able to hit his stride. He finished last season with only 99 points in standard scoring leagues. With a full offseason under offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton, the 22-year-old will bounce back this year. With Andrew Luck making the calls, how could he not? Likely place: Round 5