Fantasy Rankings

It’s July, everybody. So, that means fireworks, jubilation, and well, that it’s almost August. Which means the NFL season is inching that much closer, and your preparation for your fantasy football draft probably has you pulling hair out or paying that much more attention to ESPN News. Here’s a quick look at the top 10 players at each offensive position going into your draft, as well as 5 sleepers for each position. I know how hard it is to prepare, much less actually draft a solid team. So here are the guys that have the lowest amount of risk, the highest amount of reward, and some damn good reasons why.Quarterbacks:

1. Peyton Manning-Indianapolis-

Since when wasn’t he top dog? Manning is like the ice cream man driving down your street. You can’t ignore him, and you damn sure don’t want to miss him. With little man Anthony Gonzalez taking the departed Stokely’s place, nothing in this high-octane offense should change.

2. Carson Palmer-Cincinnati-

Don’t give me that “Chris Henry is suspended” excuse. Palmer still has a bruising running game and Chad Johnson on his side. Besides, that knee is near perfect by now, and Palmer is just hitting his stride. Over 30 touchdowns GUARANTEED.

3. Tom Brady-New England-

He’s not third because of Randy Moss or Dante Stallworth, and he damn sure isn’t third because of Lorence Maroney. He’s third because he’s not quite as prolific as the two guys above him, but that much more effective than everyone below him. Brady is here because he’s Brady, and he simply gets the job done. With that said, a healthy receiving corps including Moss, Stallworth, and the shifty Welker, will finally get him over 30 touchdowns.

4. Drew Brees-New Orleans-

I’m ever so tempted to throw caution to the wind and have Brees as my second guy after Peyton, but damn myself, I can’t help it. I just don’t trust those Saints.

5. Marc Bulger-St. Louis-

He’s already rock solid (when healthy) and now has, once again, one of the best receiving corps in the league. Expect the usual; 4,000 yards and an increase in TD’s.

6. Donovan McNabb-Philadelphia-

I don’t care what anyone says. McNabb is the starting quarterback here, and he’s going to play until his knees go Daunte Culpepper-ish on him. Are we all so quickly forgetting what a tear McNabb was on before he went down last year?(no pun intended)Yeah, expect that again.

7. Philip Rivers-San Diego-

He is ungodly accurate, people. Well, he can be. With Antonio Gates and an emerging red zone threat in Vincent Jackson, it will be impossible for him to not improve. Oh, yeah, and his running game is untouchable.

8. Michael Vick-Atlanta-

Personally, I would never draft Vick, and I really don’t recommend it, either. But on any given day, he can get you 400 or more combined yards and 4 scores. So…draft with caution.

9. Eli Manning-New York Giants-

All you Eli doubters, step aside. The younger Manning will finally shed his skin and emerge as an elite quarterback. As long as they don’t have Amani Toomer starting, he’ll be fine.

10. Tony Romo-Dallas-

Sure, he dwindled a bit during the stretch run last year, and was a natural Bill Buckner in the playoffs, but Romo and his contagious smile are for real. With more experience and his timing down with Owens and Glenn, Romo will be fighting off rumors about Jessica Simpson all year long.

The Quarterback Sleepers:

1. Brett Favre-Green Bay-

I know, I know. He’s isn’t the proto-typical sleeper, but dang it, no one is going to see this coming. To me, if he pans out the way he should, Greg Jennings is the second coming of Sterling Sharpe, and from past memory, Brett Favre knows just what to do with a guy like that.

2. Matt Leinart-Arizona-

He’s a sleeper because of, you guessed it, Boldin and Fitzgerald. Try not picking this guy. Just try.

3. Josh McCown-Oakland-

I know Jamarcus Russell will be waiting in the wings, but McCown really deserves this last chance to show how good he can be. Unfortunately he has to look forward to Ronald Curry as his star receiver.

4. Alex Smith-San Fransisco-

I’m not going with the additions of Darrell Jackson and Ashley Lelie. I’m going with the assumption that Smith has progressed as a passer and will be able to put his athleticism to better use.

5. J.P Losman-Buffalo-

Either last season was a fluke, or the Bills just found themselves their Jim Kelly. While I don’t necessarily agree with either of those thoughts, I do think Losman is for real.

Running-Backs:

1. Ladainian Tomlinson-San Diego-

Without a doubt, THE guy you want as your starting running-back. LT will once again shoulder the load as Rivers continues his steady development.

2. Larry Johnson-Kansas City-

There is nothing wrong with 416 carries a season. Well, maybe for Larry Johnson, but not for fantasy owners. The guy is a work horse and everyone knows it. Sure, his career will suffer for it, but who cares? He’ll be dynamite for the next few years.

3. Steven Jackson-St. Louis-

There’s nothing not to like about this guy. He’s got bruising toughness, great cutting ability, and exceptional speed. Oh, and he can catch.

4. Frank Gore-San Fransisco-

If Alex Smith can progress like I think he can, and Vernon Davis pans out even a little, I think Gore can improve on last season’s stats.

5. Rudi Johnson-Cincinnati-

I don’t know why everyone else has him rated so low. He gets 12 scores a year and runs like a beast. I know, it’s beginning to bore me too, but expect 12 touchdowns for the 4th year in a row. Yawn.

6. Shaun Alexander-Seattle-

If the foot is completely healed, Alexander will be back in the top 3, and if it doesn’t, he’s right here at 6. Broken bones or not, he’s a top 10 back.

7. Brian Westbrook-Philadelphia-

Not really the purest of running-backs, but Andy Reid seems to think so. And I don’t argue with guys with mustaches.

8. Willie Parker-Pittsburgh-

No one else on his team will be threatening him for carries, but I hear Najeh Davenport said he’d poop in his sock drawer if he didn’t share a few. Parker has lightning speed and explodes out of holes like very few backs can. A repeat performance is in the books.

9. Thomas Jones-New York Jets-

The best part of Jones going to the Jets is that everyone will finally see what a bust Benson is. Thomas Jones will make Chad Pennington look like Tom Brady.

10. Clinton Portis-Washington-

I don’t buy the whole “sharing the load” bit. Portis is a feature back, and if I weren’t even a little concerned with his health issues, he’d be a top 5 pick. Feel very good about this, folks. You could steal Portis mighty low this year.

The Running-Back Sleepers”

1. Reggie Bush-New Orleans-

You don’t really have to play running-back to be considered as one. Bush is exhibit A.

2. Willis McGahee-Baltimore-

Where Jamal Lewis failed, McGahee will succeed. And no, I’m not talking about money laundering or drug deals, just running behind a stout offensive line.

3. Joseph Addai-Indianapolis-

Maybe not a sleeper in the purest of terms, but there are still questions about Addai’s ability to be the feature guy. Question him, no more.

4. Brandon Jackson-Green Bay-

It really all depends if he actually can win the job away from Vernand Morency, but early indications are that it shouldn’t be too much of a task. Jackson has the shiftiness and adequate speed to really utilize the Packer’s zone-blocking scheme.

5. Ahman Green-Houston-

Green has played behind poor offensive lines before, and done okay, but this is a whole different world he’s entering. On the bright side, expectations will be low, and his receiving skills will be needed immediately, and often.

Tight Ends:

1. Antonio Gates-San Diego-

The next guy even remotely close to this kind of production is Tony Gonzalez, and come on, he’s still a couple colors short of a rainbow when it comes to Gates’ performance.

2. Tony Gonzalez-Kansas City-

Has everything you want and need in a tight end, except his name isn’t Antonio Gates.

3. Jeremy Shockey-New York Giants-

Just like Manning is depending on him, Shockey is depending on Manning. Shockey is a true gamer, so he’ll get you by, regardless.

4. Chris Cooley-Washington-

He had a so-called “down” year, and still had 700 yards and 6 scores. And with Jason Campbell back to lead the Redskins, Cooley will be used more than ever.

5. Alge Crumpler-Atlanta-

He drops to 5 because I am so unsatisfied with Vick’s development. Crumpler is a gifted tight end with adequate speed, but really will never blossom into what he could if he had a good quarterback.

6. Todd Heap-Baltimore-

It’s all about staying healthy and remaing a favorite of Steve McNair’s. Can Heap make it two healthy years in a row?

7. Kellen Winslow-Cleveland-

Even if he isn’t 100%, I agree with “the soldier”. His 90% is better than most tight end’s 100% out there.

8. Jason Witten-Dallas-

He hasn’t scored a whole lot lately, but he definately has the capability to. Romo should be able to utilize him more this year, now that he’s more comfortable and more familiar with the system.

9. Randy McMichael-St. Louis-

The Rams don’t usually make gods out of their tight ends, but McMichael just might have to change that theory. His speed and athleticism are things a Ram’s tight end hasn’t had since, well, ever.

10. Ben Watson-New England-

He probably has the job over the younger and more promising David Thomas, so expect another decent year. However, if it isn’t painfully obvious already, the new receiving corps will rob any extra touchdowns that might have gone Watson’s way.

Tight End Sleepers:

1. Vernon Davis-San Fransisco-

Just watch what he did to the Packers last year. If he can do that every other game, you’ll be confusing him with Antonio Gates, or vice versa. Then again, it was the Packers.

2. Owen Daniels-Houston-

Still in the mold of a project tight end, even after his outstanding rookie season. Daniels has the height, size, and soft hands to become a deadly red zone producer.

3. Greg Olson-Chicago-

In a division where the line-backers cover tight ends about as good as Gwen Stefani covers R.E.M., Olson should thrive immediately.

4. Eric Johnson-New Orleans-

Now with New Orlans, Johnson gives Brees the reliable tight end option he lacked last year.

5. David Martin-Miami-

He is a wide-receiver with poor hands in a tight end’s body, and there’s no real reason to like him. But Trent Green loves, not likes, his tight ends.

Wide-Receivers:

1. Steven Smith-Carolina-

May have to be a one man show for the third straight year. I have no beef with that.

2. Marvin Harrison-Indianapolis-

Reggie Wayne is the younger receiver who is only getting better, but Harrison has yet to have under 12 touchdowns in what seems like forever.

3. Chad Johnson-Cincinnati-

There’s just too much pointing upwards to not feel giddy about drafting this guy. This might be his best season to date.

4. Terrell Owens-Dallas-

He’s getting older, and if it were my guess, I think he still feels like he has something to prove. The drive to win a championship probably won’t end with Dallas in the Super Bowl, but it sure will end in some gaudy numbers.

5. Torry Holt-St. Louis-

Not so sure Holt will benefit from more Steven Jackson, but he’ll still garner top 5 attention.

6. Reggie Wayne-Indianapolis-

You know your offense is good when your two starting receivers are in the top 6. Wayne is just sick, considering the way Harrison is playing, as well.

7. Donald Driver-Green Bay-

Being the number one option for Brett Favre sure has its perks, and so does being a flat out blessed receiver.

8. Larry Fitzgerald-Arizona-

He missed three games last year, otherwise he’d have around the same numbers as he did before. Fitzgerald is a legit top 5 guy when completely healthy, and a top 10 even when not. The fact that he has a young guy throwning to him may hinder him in the early going, but don’t be scurrerd.

9. Javon Walker-Denver-

Personally, I feel Jay Cutler made excellent strides last year, and that he’s going to improve by leaps and bounds. Why? Javon Walker, that’s why.

10. Randy Moss-New England-

He just barely edges out Anquan Boldin, and it’s because of the change of scenery. Yes, I admit it. I’m a shoe-in for talented receivers who get traded to playoff-ready teams with Hall of Fame quarterbacks.

Wide-Receiver Sleepers:

1. Matt Jones-Jacksonville-

I said it last year, and for what it’s worth, he WAS a sleeper when he actually was healthy. Jones is only getting better, and the only thing holding him back is his groin and poor quarterback play.

2. Greg Jennings-Green Bay-

I really think this kid has what it takes to be a good receiver in the NFL. He has an uncanny ability to get past his defenders and snag the uncatchable passes.

3. Kevin Curtis-Philadelphia-

If Reggie Brown is all that stands in the way of confusing Kevin Curtis with Steve Smith, then consider Curtis gold.

4. Vincent Jackson-San Diego-

He may never be a great starter, but his size and hands sure will make him a threat in the red zone. I’m thinking 40 catches can translate into 10 touchdowns, here.

5. Mike Furrey-Detroit-

Mr. Production will be at it again, mainly because the odds of Roy Williams staying healthy and Calvin Johnson having an immediate impact aren’t very reliable. Also, Mike Martz’s offense is known for utilizing the third receiver quite well.

If I missed any major guys that you feel should be in their respective top 10 rankings, or you don’t like my choice of sleepers, feel free to comment and share your opinion. But if you don’t pay heed to this advice, you might be kicking yourself during your fantasy playoffs.