Fantastic Fives
Running Backs
1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Not much to say about LT besides the fact that he's the best RB in the league in a feature back system. Tomlinson should, once again, be a 2,000+ all-purpose yard back, leading the league in touchdowns.
2. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
Jackson burst into the scene last season with the explosive Rams offense. He's an all-around back that's gonna run and catch all over the field. If it weren't for the Rams' addition of Brian Leonard, Jackson might be #1.
3. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
The feauture back in a run-happy offense, Gore looks to have another standout year. With Norv Turner out of the equation, Alex Smith will need all the ground help he can get, and Gore is the one that will provide.
4. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
Johnson racks up a lot of carries, but not enough yards to go with them. Will Herman Edwards pull a Curtis Martin on him and literally run him onto the IR? We'll see. Johnson's a safe choice, but won't be in a couple of years.
5. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles' offense revolves around Westbrook. Even though they don't run the ball much, he's usually their best receiver and runs extremely well when called upon. The arrival of Tony Hunt could challenge this, but it shouldn't.
Wildcard: Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
Jackson is a very risky pick. He's got the talent and potential to be a top-5 fantasy player, but we don't know enough about him.
Quarterbacks
1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Manning is still the QB king of fantasy football, and noone can challenge it. Anthony Gonzalez will only help him more this season.
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Brees had an MVP season last year, and although he didn't actually win the award, it's clear that he was indeed the most valuable player. Either way, there's too much talent around him to be anything less than spectacular.
3. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Rivers had a nice year, and with a full offseaosn to take it all in and mature, he should only be better this season. There's even more talent around him this year than there was last year, so he should be golden.
4. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams
Year in and year out, Bulger is one of the best signal-callers in the league, and with so much talent around him, it shouldn't be any different.
5. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
Palmer did well last season and should only improve this year with a full, healthy offseason.
Wildcard: Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
Injuries have plagued his career. When healthy, he's the best fantasy QB in the league. But can he stay healthy?
Wide Receivers
1. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts
Harrison is the best receiver in the NFL and is, once again, the best fantasy option out there.
2. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
The man beat a horse in a race. How could you not pick him?
3. Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams
His knee may be ailing, but his production is always high.
4. Roy Williams, Detroit Lions
Calvin Johnson should only help his production.
5. Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills
He's an explosive playmaker for the Bills and JP Losman is only improving.
Wildcard: Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
Will his attitude get in the way? Let's hope not (if he's on our team).
Tight Ends
1. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Year-in and year-out, he's always the best.
2. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns
Looks to have another standout season.
3. Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots
May finally be the full-time starter now that Daniel Graham is gone.
4. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
Always productive, but will that drop on a run-happy offense?
5. Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
With Willis McGahee now in the picture, he may be getting a lot less looks.
Wildcard: Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Always a threat to take it long, but will Alex Smith regress and harm the rest of the team?
Defenses
1. Baltimore Ravens
Nobody tops them, especially in points allowed.
2. New England Patriots
Second best defense in terms of points allowed last season.
3. Chicago Bears
Third best defense in terms of points allowed last season. See a trend here?
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Fourth best defense in terms of points allowed last season.
5. Miami Dolphins
Fifth best defense in terms of points allowed last season.
Wildcard: New York Jets
Sixth best defense in terms of points allowed last season.
1. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego Chargers
Not much to say about LT besides the fact that he's the best RB in the league in a feature back system. Tomlinson should, once again, be a 2,000+ all-purpose yard back, leading the league in touchdowns.
2. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams
Jackson burst into the scene last season with the explosive Rams offense. He's an all-around back that's gonna run and catch all over the field. If it weren't for the Rams' addition of Brian Leonard, Jackson might be #1.
3. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
The feauture back in a run-happy offense, Gore looks to have another standout year. With Norv Turner out of the equation, Alex Smith will need all the ground help he can get, and Gore is the one that will provide.
4. Larry Johnson, Kansas City Chiefs
Johnson racks up a lot of carries, but not enough yards to go with them. Will Herman Edwards pull a Curtis Martin on him and literally run him onto the IR? We'll see. Johnson's a safe choice, but won't be in a couple of years.
5. Brian Westbrook, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles' offense revolves around Westbrook. Even though they don't run the ball much, he's usually their best receiver and runs extremely well when called upon. The arrival of Tony Hunt could challenge this, but it shouldn't.
Wildcard: Brandon Jacobs, New York Giants
Jackson is a very risky pick. He's got the talent and potential to be a top-5 fantasy player, but we don't know enough about him.
Quarterbacks
1. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Manning is still the QB king of fantasy football, and noone can challenge it. Anthony Gonzalez will only help him more this season.
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Brees had an MVP season last year, and although he didn't actually win the award, it's clear that he was indeed the most valuable player. Either way, there's too much talent around him to be anything less than spectacular.
3. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Rivers had a nice year, and with a full offseaosn to take it all in and mature, he should only be better this season. There's even more talent around him this year than there was last year, so he should be golden.
4. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams
Year in and year out, Bulger is one of the best signal-callers in the league, and with so much talent around him, it shouldn't be any different.
5. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
Palmer did well last season and should only improve this year with a full, healthy offseason.
Wildcard: Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
Injuries have plagued his career. When healthy, he's the best fantasy QB in the league. But can he stay healthy?
Wide Receivers
1. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis Colts
Harrison is the best receiver in the NFL and is, once again, the best fantasy option out there.
2. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati Bengals
The man beat a horse in a race. How could you not pick him?
3. Torry Holt, St. Louis Rams
His knee may be ailing, but his production is always high.
4. Roy Williams, Detroit Lions
Calvin Johnson should only help his production.
5. Lee Evans, Buffalo Bills
He's an explosive playmaker for the Bills and JP Losman is only improving.
Wildcard: Terrell Owens, Dallas Cowboys
Will his attitude get in the way? Let's hope not (if he's on our team).
Tight Ends
1. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
Year-in and year-out, he's always the best.
2. Kellen Winslow, Cleveland Browns
Looks to have another standout season.
3. Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots
May finally be the full-time starter now that Daniel Graham is gone.
4. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
Always productive, but will that drop on a run-happy offense?
5. Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens
With Willis McGahee now in the picture, he may be getting a lot less looks.
Wildcard: Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
Always a threat to take it long, but will Alex Smith regress and harm the rest of the team?
Defenses
1. Baltimore Ravens
Nobody tops them, especially in points allowed.
2. New England Patriots
Second best defense in terms of points allowed last season.
3. Chicago Bears
Third best defense in terms of points allowed last season. See a trend here?
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
Fourth best defense in terms of points allowed last season.
5. Miami Dolphins
Fifth best defense in terms of points allowed last season.
Wildcard: New York Jets
Sixth best defense in terms of points allowed last season.
posted by Jonathan Sharon at Saturday, May 19, 2007
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