2010 Fantasy Football

Welcome to our crazy-early 2010 fantasy football player rankings.  We’ll be posting updated rankings as the year goes on, but here’s what we think as of Decemeber 21st, 2009.   These are PPR rankings.

Running Back – The most significant position in fantasy football has been difficult to figure out over the last couple of years.  The inconsistencies, injuries, and emergence of PPR formats have caused RBs to lose some favor in the early rounds.  However, if you can find the Chris Johnson’s you will get average-score-per-game performances that will give your team a significant edge.  If you’ve got a top four pick in your draft next year you’re going to land an awesome RB.  Here’s who we like:

1. Chris Johnson – On his way to 2000 yards and Lendale White is an afterthought.  He’s proven he can carry the load, and with his breakout potential he needs to be on the field nearly every snap.  Look for him to approach 2000 yards again in 2010 on his quest to become the greatest RB in the history of the game.  Add that to his already existing record of “nappiest hair in the history of the game” and you’ve got an impressive career.

2. Maurice Jones-Drew – Workhorse that gets it done and doesn’t miss games.  His nose for the end zone is unmatched.

3. Ray Rice – He’s a PPR beast.  Move him below AP in non PPR.

4. Adrian Peterson

5. Steven Jackson – You gotta love SJax’s gutsy 2009 campaign.  If he’s at 50% or better he’s playing, and there’s a good chance he’s posting 100 total yards.  The Rams can only get better from here so draft SJax with confidence.

6. DeAngelo Williams

7. Michael Turner - The curse of 360 strikes again.  There is no statistical significance to this curse, so it’s really annoying to me that it struck again, but it did.  Turner was having a great season before his high ankle sprain.  He’ll be back on course on 2010 and could be a good value pick in the late first round.

7. Rashard Mendenhall - This this is too high?  Good, that means it will be easier for me to get him.  He’ll be the every down back heading into 2010 on a team that will look to improve its running game in the offseason.  After missing the playoffs the pressure will really be on Tomlin to return to Steeler football, and he has the perfect RB to do it.

8. Frank Gore – This team has a lot of weapons to help it move the ball, which should help this workhorse back find the end zone plenty in 2010.

9. Ronnie Brown – This could be a mistake ranking him this high because he can’t seem to stay healthy, but the Lisfranc should not have an impact on his 2010 season.  Current reports say he should be on the field for OTAs, even.

10.  Cedric Benson

11. Jamaal Charles – Chris Johnson-like breakaway ability, just gets less opportunity on a worse team.  Will they bring in some help to share the load?

12.  Matt Forte – Still a fine PPR back, just not a first round pick.

13. Steve Slaton – He may be the best value in 2010 fantasy football drafts.  He’s a PPR beast and none of the other RBs there currently are capable of supplanting him.

14. Ryan Grant – He’s not as involved as he should be, but the offense is so prolific he can’t help to trickle into a good season.

15. Joseph Addai – I loved him in ‘09, but think Donald Brown will be heavily involved in 2010.

16. Thomas Jones – We’re getting iffy now.  Jones is always a fantasy sleeper, but Shonn Greene will be more involved.

17. Fred Jackson - PPR machine if he can maintain the starting job over Lynch.

18. Knowshon Moreno – He’s a very unpolished runner still.  Maybe that will change in the offseason, but I expect someone will be taking 30% of his workload again.

19. LaDainian Tomlinson – This will be the first year we won’t have to worry about Tomlinson as a first round pick, but he can still be a solid RB2.

20. LeSean McCoy – If it looks like he’ll get a Westbrook-type workload bump him up about 5 spots.

Next 10:  These guys could all be big in 2010, depending on what develops this offseason: Brandon Jacobs, Ricky Williams, Marion Barber, Kevin Smith, Laurence Maroney, Jonathan Stewart, Kevin Smith, Pierre Thomas, Reggie Bush, Justin Forsett, Jerome Harrison

Wide Receivers:

1. Andre Johnson – The Texans learned late in the year that they have to get the ball in the hands of their best player no matter what.  Look for that to continue in 2010 as Andre posts one of the best WR seasons in fantasy football history.

2. Larry Fitzgerald – unstoppable

3. Brandon Marshall – McDaniels and Orton force-feed it to their best player, and all he does is respond when giving the opportunity.  If he stays out of trouble he’s cemented as a top five play, even with a crappy QB.

4. Reggie Wayne

5. Calvin Johnson - The upside here is too enticing to pass, even after a disappointing, injury plagued 09.

6. Wes Welker – PPR dynamo, consistent production, just a great, safe pick.

7. Miles Austin – Romo’s new favorite target is one of the leagues best playmakers

8. DeSean Jackson – If your league gives bonus points for long TDs then DeSean moves into the top 5.

9. Randy Moss

10. Steve Smith Carolina – A disappointing 09, but consistent quarterbacking would return him to the league’s elite producers.

11. Vincent Jackson

12. Roddy White

13. Anquan Boldin - Not sure what to do with him because he almost certainly will not be a Cardinal in 2010.

14. Chad Hachi Go

15. Sidney Rice – Only if Favre is back

16. Marques Colston

17. Derrick Mason – so reliable if he doesnt retire

18. Steve Smith Giants – Very nice PPR option

19. Steve Breaston - New number 2 in Zona?

20. Mike Sims-Walker

Next 20: Michael Crabtree, Braylon Edwards, Hakeem Nicks, Hines Ward, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, Dwayne Bowe, Terrell Owens, Percy Harvin, Antonio Bryant, Nate Burleson, Robert Meachem, Kenny Britt, Davone Bess, Devin Thomas, TJ Housh, Devin Hester, Johnny Knox, Pierre Garcon, Jeremy Maclin

Quarterbacks:

1. Aaron Rodgers – The Packers pass and pass some more.  His receivers are amazing.  They QB sneak at the goal line.  His plate is set for awesome stats.

2. Drew Brees

3. Peyton Manning

4. Tom Brady – He’s no longer an elite option heading into 2010, but he’s still at the top of tier 2 in my book.

5. Phillip Rivers - Awesome big play QB that gets better every year.

6. Matt Schaub – Prolific passing game with plenty of weapons, stayed fairly healthy.  He won’t be a steal in 2010 drafts.

7. Tony Romo

8. Donavan McNabb

9. Ben Roethlisberger

10. Kurt Warner - Still has it, but offseason developments will impact his value.

11. Joe Flacco

12. Matt Ryan

13. Brett Favre – Will put up starter quality numbers again if he comes back for a 40th season.

14. Carson Palmer

15. Vince Young – Points through the air and on the ground add up quickly.

16. Jay Cutler – So much potential, just need to get that offense sorted.  He’s a solid sleeper going into 2010 because he should fall deep into drafts.  Some offensive line help and a playmaker WR could really boost Cutler’s value.

17. Eli Manning – Not a sexy pick, but puts up the numbers.

18. Kyle Orton - Brandon Marshall can make any QB have decent numbers

19. David Garrard – Always a solid backup option.  Draft him if he plays a home game on your QB 1’s bye week.

20. Matthew Stafford - He’ll pass a lot playing from behind and has the weapons to produce.  Look for big seasons from him, Johnson, and Pettigrew.

Next five: Alex Smith, Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Cassel, Josh Freeman, Mark Sanchez