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Preseason
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Top Quarterbacks
- Aaron Rodgers (GBP): His rushing ability and penchant for getting into the endzone using his own wheels puts him just over Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees. No reason to think Rodgers will regress from his outstanding 2009, where he not only led all QBs in fantasy points, but was the top point-producer period.
- Drew Brees (NOS): No reason to think the Saints' offense will slow down anytime soon. He averaged 2 TDs a game in 2009 and only tossed 11 INTs. He has weapons all over the field, and their schedule is pretty favorable.
- Peyton Manning (IND): Manning keeps chuggin' along. Out of the top 3 QBs here, he definitely comes with the least risk. You know you're almost guaranteed 4,200+ passing yards and 30 TDs. The emergence of young WRs will only help Manning's game.
- Matt Schaub (HOU): When Schaub (and his weapons) remain healthy, the Houston passing offense can really make things happen. Schaub may not lead the league in passing yards again this season, but he could surpass 30 TDs. With Owen Daniels back, Schaub is the next best thing to the elite 3 QBs.
- Tony Romo (DAL): Romo kept his INTs way down in 2009. If he can do that again, and Miles Austin proves to be the real deal, Romo could be a steal on draft day. The schedule against good pass-defending teams has softened, and the Cowboys have a few more weapons here in 2010.
- Tom Brady (NEP): Even with a Justin Bieber haircut, you just can't forget about Brady. He still has one of the deadliest deep threats in Randy Moss, and it appears his receptions machine buddy Wes Welker will be good for 2010. Don't expect 50 TDs ever again, but topping 30 this season is certainly plausible.
- Jay Cutler (CHI): The 26 INTs had to sting in 2009, but you gotta think he'll round back to the norm and toss a 2:1 TD to INT ratio. With Mike Martz now in the Windy City, you can bet Cutler's fantasy value will have a ton of upside mixed in with a smidge of risk
- Phillip Rivers (SDC): Rivers kind of flies under the radar in terms of a top fantasy QB option, but the fact remains that he throws for a solid amount of yardage, gets you 1.5 TDs per game, and hasn't shown a penchant for throwing picks. The potential for not having Vincent Jackson around is a major issue, however.
- Joe Flacco (BAL): Flacco has a cannon for an arm, and the Baltimore brass would be wise to utilize it. They brought in Anquan Boldin, who is a solid deep threat, so you'd think that they're going to open things up a bit more, despite being a traditional run-first team. He has a host of weapons to throw to, including a solid pass-catching back in Ray Rice. Big time upside here.
- Matt Ryan (ATL): Ryan continues to progress as an NFL QB and has been deemed 100% after a turf toe issue last season. A healthy Michael Turner will open things up for Ryan and his downfield weapons; Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. The Falcons' schedule is pretty favorable against the pass, so we can expect Ryan to be a solid starting fantasy QB in 2010.
- Kevin Kolb (PHI)
- Donovan McNabb (WAS)
- Carson Palmer (CIN)
- Matt Stafford (DET)
- Eli Manning (NYG)
- Vince Young (TEN)
- Chad Henne (MIA)
- Matt Cassel (KCC)
- Mark Sanchez (NYJ)
- Alex Smith (SFO)
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Top Running Backs (ppr)
- Chris Johnson (TEN): In a PPR format, he's gotta be your first choice. Will there be a contract issue? Perhaps, but Johnson wants to play football. And when he plays football, good things happen. He may not top 2,000 rushing yards this season, but could come close.
- Adrian Peterson (MIN): If you're NOT in a PPR format, you can flip-flop 1 and 2 here. Peterson's good enough to rank #2 in our rankings for PPR formats. He'll be a scoring machine (even with Toby Gerhart in the mix) and should be good for 16 games yet again.
- Maurice Jones-Drew (JAC): Like Johnson, MJD is a receptions machine and can be counted on to score from anywhere on the field, including the goal-line. Durability isn't a concern and there's no one on the roster to steal carries. A solid choice at #3 and you could even contend in taking him #2 in PPR leagues.
- Ray Rice (BAL): Rice had an incredible 78 catches out of the backfield in 2009, and while that number may regress to a number in the high-50's, he should be involved enough in the improving Raven offense to be a top-5 (or in this case, top-4) pick. No concern with the other RBs on this roster. Rice is going to be a fantasy monster for years to come.
- Frank Gore (SFO): Durability is always an issue, missing at least one game in each of the past 3 seasons. He has some decent talent behind him, which could keep him fresh. The Niner offense will be improved, and Gore hovers right around 50 catches per season. He may score double digit TDs this season, too. If you miss out on one of the top 3 or 4 RBs, Gore isn't a terrible consolation prize.
- Michael Turner (ATL): Turner is the AP of the second RB tier. Doesn't catch the ball at all, but will get a good number of carries, and he can stay healthy in 2010, he'll be a monster on the ground. He'll approach the 17 TDs he scored in 2008 and no one is scared of Jerious Norwood anymore.
- DeAngelo Williams (CAR): If Jonathan Stewart were elsewhere, D-Will could sneak into the top-5 of this list. It's a testament to his studliness that he's even in the top-10. Even with Stewart stealing a good portion of the thunder, Williams will top 1,500 total yards and should easily reach double digit TDs. Stewart is a bit of a injury-prone runner, so if D-Will is the lone ranger for the Cats, expect a huge season. Careful, though, because Williams has some injury concerns of his own.
- Steven Jackson (STL): I don't know why so many outlets are knocking S-Jax. The guy catches the ball out of the backfield (regardless of who the QB is) and played in 15 contests in 2009, despite having some injury issues coming in. Any RB who is the centerpiece of the offense, regardless of how bad the team is overall, should be considered, especially when it's an RB of Jackson's talent and track record.
- Jamaal Charles (KCC): The addition of Thomas Jones gives us pause, but not enough to not include him in our preseason top-10. He proved, when given the starting gig, that he's a stud in the making. He'll likely top 50 catches in an improving offense, and should approach 10 total TDs to boot.
- Rashard Mendenhall (PIT): With Big Ben suspended for the first 6 games in 2010, the load will be on Mendenhall's able shoulders. He proved he could handle it last season, and with him being firmly entrenched as the starter, he'll be relied upon heavily. Expect solid numbers across the board.
- Ryan Grant (GBP)
- Pierre Thomas (NOS)
- Knowshon Moreno (DEN)
- Ryan Matthews (SDC)
- Shonn Greene (NYJ)
- Jonathan Stewart (CAR)
- Joseph Addai (IND)
- Ronnie Brown (MIA)
- LeSean McCoy (PHI)
- Felix Jones (DAL)
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Top Receivers (ppr)
- Andre Johnson (HOU): Easily could have put Larry Fitzgerald here, but with the change at QB and loss of Anquan Boldin, we'll go with the freak that is Andre Johnson. The return of Owen Daniels will open things up for Johnson and the rest of the Texan offense. Assuming QB Matt Schaub can stay healthy again this season, Johnson should have a monstrous season.
- Larry Fitzgerald (ARI): As noted above, the change to Matt Leinart at QB and loss of WR Anquan Boldin give us a bit of a pause, but Daffy Duck could be tossing pigskins to Fitzgerald and he'd be a fantasy monster. If Steve Breaston can step up and provide solid #2 WR numbers, and Fitz and Leinart get in a groove, it could be yet another stellar season for Fitz.
- Reggie Wayne (IND): You don't get more steady than Reggie Wayne.
Peyton Manning loves his #1 WR and has great "other" options that keeps Wayne free from many double teams. The schedule is once again rather favorable, and Wayne will produce steady numbers for his fantasy owners.
- Randy Moss (NEP): Moss and QB Tom Brady aren't getting any younger, but don't seem to be slowing down much either. 1,000 yards is all but a lock, as is 10+ TDs. Very few WRs have that kind of "sure thing" kind of feeling, and as we've seen in seasons past, the upside is there for much, much more.
- Calvin Johnson (DET): We're predicting a huge, huge season for Johnson. Matt Stafford will prove to be a legit NFL QB, and will provide Johnson with plenty of big-play opportunities. There's some new offensive talent around Johnson now, and defenses won't be able to key on the big guy as much.
- Roddy White (ATL): Let's just say that he's a pretty safe bet.
He's topped 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons, and his TD production has increased in each of those seasons. He's Matt Ryan's safety net (many thought that'd be TE Tony Gonzalez) and gets red zone looks. Look for him to easily top 1,000 yards again and approach/pass 10 TDs to boot.
- Greg Jennings (GBP): Not really sure why this guy gets ranked so low in some "expert rankings". He's the #1 WR on one of the best passing offenses in the NFL. No reason to think the Packer offense is going to slow down in 2010. His TD production slipped a bit in 2009, with the emergence of TE Jermichael Finley, QB Aaron Rodgers running TDs in, and the steady presence of WR Donald Driver. Watch Jennings get back to his 1,200+, double-digit TD form that he showed in 2008.
- Sidney Rice (MIN): Let's just assume that ol' Brett Favre is coming back. That said, Rice should once again top 80 catches, 1,200 yards and 8-10 TDs. He was overlooked in drafts last season (and rightly so), but is now the stud, go-to WR on the high-powered Viking offense.
- Marques Colston (NOS): Colston could be much higher on this list if it weren't for the host of other offensive weapons that QB Drew Brees has at his disposal. Still, Colston is a beast and will remain the main target for Brees' accurate passes. After an injury-marred 2008, Colston remained healthy in 2009 and will once again be a candidate for 1,000+ yards and 9-10 TDs. Big-time upside since the Saint offense is so potent.
- Miles Austin (DAL): We're a little bullish on Austin moving forward, for several reasons: first and foremost, the Cowboys drafted a stud-in-the-making WR in Dez Bryant, who will certainly get playing time from the get-go. Next, QB Tony Romo tends to spread the ball around, and has several options. And lastly, the Cowboys will rely on their run game more in 2010. To boot, Austin could be considered a "one year wonder". All that said, Austin could be the real deal and may remain the top receiving option on a pretty good offense.
- Brandon Marshall (MIA)
- Steve Smith (CAR)
- Steve Smith (NYG)
- DeSean Jackson (PHI)
- Hines Ward (PIT)
- Anquan Boldin (BAL)
- Michael Crabtree (SFO)
- Chad OchoCinco (CIN)
- Donald Driver (GBP)
- Hakeem Nicks (NYG)
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Top Tight Ends (ppr)
- Dallas Clark (IND): Even with Anthony Gonzalez back on the field, Clark is a top receiving threat for Peyton Manning and the Colt offense. He may not get 100 receptions again, but 80-85 isn't out of the question, and 8-9 TDs is quite possible.
- Jason Witten (DAL): Witten is the consummate TE; a solid blocker and has great hands. He never gets injured, and should be in the upper 80's or low 90's in terms of catches. If he could manage more than 4-5 TDs, he could unseat Clark as the #1 fantasy TE.
- Vernon Davis (SF): Had a ridiculous 13 TDs last season, and while that number will probably dive down to the 8-9 range. But with Michael Crabtree taking the focus from the opposing defense, Davis should be good for 80ish catches and close to 1,000 yards.
- Antonio Gates (SD): Once a stalwart in the top-3 (or the top spot by himself), Gates slips a bit this year. He had a career year in terms of yardage last season. With Vincent Jackson shelved during the beginning of the season, Gates will see more double-teams and could get off to a slow start. Gates has been battling injuries (although he usually plays through them). This could be the year it all catches up with him.
- Jermichael Finley (GB): Finley burst on to the scene in 2009 with 55 catches and 5 TDs. The Packer offense will continue to impress, but Finley's TDs could be on the low side due to QB Aaron Rodgers' capability in terms of running in shorter TDs. But Finley's growth will continue in 2010, and 70ish catches for 800 yards and 6-7 TDs isn't out of the question.
- Owen Daniels (HOU): We almost put Daniels a spot above, but will rank him safely at 6. He had 133 catches in 2 years (2007-8) before getting hurt in 2009. He was on pace for a career season in 2009, too, with 5 TDs in only 8 games. He's back and healthy here in 2010, and should be good for 70+ catches and could approach double digit TDs.
- Tony Gonzalez (ATL): The old standby. Gonzo is targeted heavily no matter what uniform he's wearing. 900ish yards is a possibility, with 6+ TDs almost guaranteed.
- Kellen Winslow, Jr. (TB): With QB Josh Freeman continue to grow as an NFL QB, he will continue looking to Winslow as defenses key on the new WRs on the edge. His TDs won't be more than 5-6, but he'll get you 75+ catches and 800+ yards. Definitely nothing wrong with Winslow as your starting TE. Plenty of upside here.
- Brent Celek (PHI): Celek's stats should see a nice up-tick in 2010 with Kevin Kolb at the helm. He had a great 2009 season with 76 catches and 8 TDs (good for 4th best TE in PPR formats). His upside is pretty limitless in the Philly offense. If you can't get one of the "big names", Celek is surely a solid option. In fact, he'll likely be a "big name" by mid-season.
- Heath Miller (PIT): With Santonio Holmes gone and a backup QB at the helm for the first part of the season, Miller will be relied upon to move the chains for the Steeler offense. Miller saw his reception totals rise significantly in 2009, and he's always a threat to score every third week or so.
- Zach Miller (OAK)
- Chris Cooley (WAS)
- Jeremy Shockey (NO)
- Visanthe Shiancoe (MIN)
- John Carlson (SEA)
- Dustin Keller (NYJ)
- Greg Olsen (CHI)
- Kevin Boss (NYG)
- Tony Scheffler (DET)
- Bo Scaife (TEN)
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Top Kickers
- Nate Kaeding (SDC)
- Garrett Hartley (NOS)
- Ryan Longwell (MIN)
- Stephen Gostkowski (NEP)
- Mason Crosby (GBP)
- Neil Rackers (HOU)
- Rob Bironas (TEN)
- David Akers (PHI)
- Adam Vinatieri (IND)
- Jay Feely (ARI)
- Matt Prater (DEN)
- Robbie Gould (CHI)
- Jeff Reed (PIT)
- Shayne Graham (BAL)
- Joe Nedney (SFO)
- John Kasay (CAR)
- Lawrence Tynes (NYG)
- Dan Carpenter (MIA)
- Nick Folk (NYJ)
- Jason Hanson (DET)
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Top DSTs
- New York Jets
- Minnesota Vikings
- Baltimore Ravens
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Green Bay Packers
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- San Francisco 49ers
- Chicago Bears
- New England Patriots
- Cincinnati Bengals
- San Diego Chargers
- Miami Dolphins
- Houston Texans
- Tennessee Titans
- Carolina Panthers
- Denver Broncos
- New Orleans Saints
- Indianapolis Colts
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Top 10 Rankings are updated every Wednesday by 12 PM CST during the regular NFL season. |
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