Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE
Welcome to the first edition of the Rant Sports Fantasy Football big board. These rankings are mostly based off my own projections and preseason rankings, but some of the week one performances have been taken into account. Enjoy.
1. Ray Rice – The only reason I have Rice above Foster is Foster’s offensive line and injury concerns worry me. They might as well be 1a and 1b when healthy.
2. Arian Foster – Foster led the NFL in yards from scrimmage per game in 2011, as long as he’s healthy, he’ll dominate.
3. LeSean McCoy – McCoy just has Andy Reid holding him back from greatness. If Reid turns him loose, watch out.
4. Aaron Rodgers – Rodgers is the best quarterback in the NFL, and probably would have passed for over 50 touchdowns and 5,000 yards last year had he not rested Week 17.
5. Drew Brees – Brees will still be fantasy relevant despite not having Sean Payton calling the plays.
6. Calvin Johnson – Johnson is an absolute monster, the only thing holding him back is a healthy Matthew Stafford.
7. Tom Brady – Brady is one of the most consistent fantasy options year in and year out. No reason to let him fall out of the first round.
8. Chris Johnson – Johnson had a terrible first game, but the New England Patriots have a solid run defense. Let’s wait to see how he bounces back.
9. Jimmy Graham – Graham may be a tight end but he puts up numbers like a wide receiver. Don’t expect that to change.
10. Matt Forte – Forte had Michael Bush vulture a couple of touchdowns on Sunday, but still had over 100 total yards and a TD himself.
11. Darren McFadden – McFadden’s only issue has been staying healthy. If he plays a full slate of games, he could be a top 5 player.
12. Larry Fitzgerald – Fitzgerald did not have the best of opening weeks, but is still relevant no matter who is throwing him the ball.
13. Rob Gronkowski – Gronk continued to dominate and caught yet another TD in week 1. He’s another tight end who racks up stats like a receiver.
14. Maurice Jones-Drew – After showing the world he is not going to have any effects from his holdout, MJD should go back to being considered a top option at RB.
15. Brandon Marshall – Marshall could end up being the top fantasy wide receiver this year reuniting with Jay Cutler.
16. Julio Jones – Many fantasy pundits were predicting a breakout season from Jones and overtaking Roddy White. They were right for Week 1.
17. Andre Johnson – Johnson just needs to stay healthy and he’s one of the best wide receivers in the game, but his health is always a question.
18. Adrian Peterson – Peterson is a physical anamoly, coming back from a serious ACL injury at the end of last year to start Week 1. He is still dominant, but the knee questions will still be there.
19. Marshawn Lynch – Lynch started the season with some back issues, but looked OK in the opener. Monitor his situation for the time being, but he should be one of the top options at his position.
20. A.J. Green – I loved Green coming into this season. He had a terrific rookie season and should build on it.
21. Matthew Stafford – Stafford really struggled against the St. Louis Rams, but he should bounce back.
22. Cam Newton – Newton had a terrible game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He did not finish 2011 strongly, so people who reached for him in drafts this year could see a sophomore slump.
23. DeMarcco Murray – Murray had a fantastic game against the New York Giants despite his offensive line not blocking very well for him. He could finish as a top 10 fantasy option.
24. Jamaal Charles – Charles owners got what they wanted from him in the opener—a good chunk of yards and unscathed from injury.
25. Victor Cruz – Cruz had three uncharacteristic drops in Week 1, but Eli Manning targeted him a ton. He will be the go-to guy while Nicks recovers from a foot injury.
26. Ryan Matthews – Matthews did not play in Week 1, but still figures to be a major part of the San Diego Chargers offense when healthy.
27. Roddy White – White will still be a top wide receiving option, but Jones breaking out could take points away from him.
28. Hakeem Nicks – Nicks is recovering from a foot injury but is one of the best receivers in the game when healthy. He’ll take a while to get going, but by mid-season should be dominating again.
29. Wes Welker – Welker owners will be terrified of his week 1 performance, but don’t worry. He’ll still have great numbers.
30. Mike Wallace – Wallace owners had to be worried about his holdout, but caught a touchdown in his week 1 opener. Tracy Porter did a good job on him, so expect Wallace to put up good numbers when he gets better match-ups.
31. Steve Smith – Smith was the only bright spot in the Carolina Panthers’ opener. He is not showing any signs of slowing down.
32. Trent Richardson – Richardson looked very powerful against the Philadelphia Eagles, but the Browns are so abysmal overall on offense, Richardson may only be worth starting against good match-ups.
33. Steven Jackson – Jackson struggled in Week 1, but the Lions have a terrific front four. He’s still the featured back despite getting up there in years.
34. Jordy Nelson – Nelson exploded on to the scene in 2011, but with so many weapons in Green Bay, you never know who’s going to shine week to week. This past week it was James Jones, so we’ll see.
35. Fred Jackson – The Buffalo Bills did not get great news on Jackson’s injury. He’s expected to be out for a couple of weeks, so let’s hope you handcuffed him with C.J. Spiller
36. Greg Jennings – Jennings had a down year in 2011 but is still one of the better wide receivers in the game. He is in a contract year, so look for some big games from him.
37. Brandon Lloyd – Lloyd did not reproduce his 2010 numbers, but with Brady he should be a great option. He was targeted more than Welker on Sunday, which is good news for Lloyd owners.
38. Jeremy Maclin – Maclin should bounce back from a down year in 2011. He had a solid game against the Cleveland Browns and showed no signs of his injuries from a year ago.
39. Miles Austin – The Dallas Cowboys have a bunch of weapons, but Austin is still a go-to guy for Tony Romo. If he stays healthy, he’ll go back to be a solid start every week.
40. Michael Vick – Vick had a terrible game against the Browns but still scored decent numbers. He should bounce back, and the running option is always a plus with him. Just better have a good backup if you own him.
41. Antonio Brown – Brown developed great chemistry with Ben Roethlisberger and could improve on his 1,100 yard season from a year ago.
42. Percy Harvin – I’m not a big believer in Harvin, but he does so much for the Minnesota Vikings and is really the only option there.
43. Eli Manning – Manning will not duplicate his 2011 numbers, but it should be reasonable to expect 4,500 yards and 25 touchdowns.
44. Matt Ryan – Ryan exploded against the Kansas City Chiefs, but they had a ton of defensive injuries, including their starting corner Brandon Flowers. He always puts up decent numbers, but could take a step forward this year with Jones breaking out.
45. Tony Romo – Romo may not be the most popular quarterback, but he’s always fantasy relevant. No shame in getting him in the fourth or fifth round.
46. Peyton Manning – Manning proved on Sunday night that as long as he has no issues with his neck, he’s still one of the best in the game.
47. Jay Cutler – Giving Cutler some weapons means he’ll no longer be a backup on your roster. If you have him, you should be starting him.
48. Steven Ridley – Ridley had a great day as the featured back for the Patriots. As long as Shane Vareen coming back doesn’t interrupt anything, Ridley should have a great season.
49. Doug Martin – It wasn’t the best debut for Martin, but as the featured back in a run heavy offense he’ll get it going. They have a great offensive line in Tampa Bay, which helps.
50. Ahmad Bradshaw – Bradshaw was not all that effective, but still manage to approach 100 total yards and scored a touchdown. If the Giants can figure out their offensive line issues, he’ll be terrific.
