espn insider

[Rathman44]

would someone with insider access mind posting this article with the rankings? thanks!
Cincinnati Bengals' A.J. Green jumps 10 spots at wide receiver in fantasy football season rankings - Fantasy Football - ESPN

 

[jaypok626]

Oct 11
1:11
PM ET

Email
Print
Comments181

There's a tendency in fantasy football to overreact to one nice performance or the hype of a player or team. Fantasy owners have been talking about a certain young, fleet quarterback in Denver, the changing running back situations in Kansas City and Washington, and at wide receiver ***8230; well, just so many options are out there that it's tough to miss out on production. I try not to overreact in my year-to-end rankings, but on the flip side, rest assured that I have put in the time and effort to avoid a lack of reacting as well. We have more than two months to go before fantasy playoffs; by then, some of these "hot" names will be irrelevant.

So it is that I present the latest edition of the end-of-season rankings, putting everything we've seen and likely will see into proper perspective. Agree, disagree, whatever your take, always consider your options. And please note these are not the Week 6 rankings; those will be published Wednesday, showing our group and individual lists, then updated again Friday. Use the rankings below as if you were drafting today or trading for the rest of the way. Good luck and enjoy!

Quick click by position, for easy reference:
Top 40 Quarterbacks | Top 60 Running Backs | Top 60 Wide Receivers
Top 30 Tight Ends | Top 32 Defense/Special Teams | Top 100 Overall

Top 40 Quarterbacks

Rank
Player
Team

Prev.
1 Aaron Rodgers GB 1
2 Tom Brady NE 2
3 Drew Brees NO 3
4 Philip Rivers SD 4
5 Matthew Stafford Det 6
6 Tony Romo Dal 5
7 Michael Vick Phi 7
8 Cam Newton Car 9
9 Matt Schaub Hou 8
10 Ben Roethlisberger Pit 12
11 Eli Manning NYG 10
12 Matt Ryan Atl 13
13 Josh Freeman TB 11
14 Joe Flacco Bal 14
15 Ryan Fitzpatrick Buf 15
16 Matt Hasselbeck Ten 16
17 Tim Tebow Den 38
18 Mark Sanchez NYJ 18
19 Alex Smith SF 26
20 Kevin Kolb Ari 19
21 Colt McCoy Cle 20
22 Rex Grossman Was 21
23 Jason Campbell Oak 22
24 Matt Cassel KC 27
25 Jay Cutler Chi 23
26 Andy Dalton Cin 25
27 Sam Bradford StL 24
28 Curtis Painter Ind 29
29 Donovan McNabb Min 31
30 Blaine Gabbert Jac 32
31 Matt Moore Mia 34
32 Tarvaris Jackson Sea 30
33 Charlie Whitehurst Sea NR
34 Vince Young Phi 33
35 Kyle Orton Den 17
36 Jon Kitna Dal 35
37 Kerry Collins Ind 36
38 David Garrard FA 37
39 Shaun Hill Det 39
40 John Beck Was 40

***8226; Michael Vick produced 21 fantasy points in Week 5, which was difficult to do considering he threw four interceptions. My concerns about Vick haven't changed; the Eagles are a mess, and he remains a huge injury risk. It's also worth noting that rookie Cam Newton has outscored him by 29 points. Can we really trust a rookie on a bad team over a potentially dominant veteran also on a bad team? It's possible Vick will still play in December, but another thing to consider: Will the Eagles force him out there if he's hurting and they're 5-8? For now I have Tony Romo at No. 6 -- Matthew Stafford moves up to No. 5 -- then Vick and Newton. But both should be considered fantasy starters.

***8226; It was an unimpressive Week 5 outing for Tampa Bay's Josh Freeman, who produced three fantasy and real-life points in San Francisco. Freeman had a strong 2010 campaign, but most of his value was in his consistency; he regularly scored in the double digits in fantasy, eclipsing 20 points a few times. With three touchdown passes and six interceptions so far this season, this clearly isn't the same Freeman, and he drops a few spots, even though two of his next three games are against the New Orleans Saints, the eighth-most-favorable defense for opposing quarterbacks in fantasy.

***8226; Quarterbacks who moved up a bit in the rankings include Alex Smith of the for-real 49ers, Matt Cassel of the not-for-real Chiefs (check out their difficult upcoming schedule), Matt Moore in Miami and, yes, Colts starter Curtis Painter. I'm not really buying Painter's 36 fantasy points over the past two weeks, but we'll probably learn considerably more in his next three games on the road against winning teams.

***8226; In the end, it seems to always come down to Denver Broncos savior Tim Tebow. There's been no shortage of Tebow coverage at ESPN.com and on these fantasy pages. My opinion is Tebow will put up numbers and, considering he made my top 20 for the rest of the season, pretty decent numbers. His three starts last season might have been too small a sample size for some, and he might not complete half his passes, but he'll run enough to be relevant. The Broncos are still a 4-12 team, though.

Top 60 Running Backs

Rank
Player
Team

Prev.
1 Adrian Peterson Min 1
2 Ray Rice Bal 2
3 LeSean McCoy Phi 4
4 Arian Foster Hou 5
5 Darren McFadden Oak 3
6 Matt Forte Chi 8
7 Fred Jackson Buf 10
8 Maurice Jones-Drew Jac 7
9 Chris Johnson Ten 6
10 Michael Turner Atl 9
11 Frank Gore SF 12
12 Ryan Mathews SD 16
13 Jahvid Best Det 15
14 Ahmad Bradshaw NYG 11
15 BenJarvus Green-Ellis NE 20
16 Beanie Wells Ari 13
17 Rashard Mendenhall Pit 17
18 Steven Jackson StL 18
19 LeGarrette Blount TB 14
20 Peyton Hillis Cle 19
21 Darren Sproles NO 21
22 Felix Jones Dal 22
23 Daniel Thomas Mia 24
24 DeAngelo Williams Car 26
25 James Starks GB 25
26 Willis McGahee Den 32
27 Shonn Greene NYJ 31
28 Cedric Benson Cin 27
29 Marshawn Lynch Sea 36
30 Mike Tolbert SD 23
31 Ryan Torain Was 29
32 Joseph Addai Ind 28
33 Jonathan Stewart Car 30
34 Montario Hardesty Cle 33
35 Mark Ingram NO 41
36 Michael Bush Oak 34
37 Thomas Jones KC 37
38 Knowshon Moreno Den 42
39 Pierre Thomas NO 40
40 Tim Hightower Was 39
41 Jackie Battle KC NR
42 Ben Tate Hou 35
43 Stevan Ridley NE 38
44 LaDainian Tomlinson NYJ 44
45 Roy Helu Was 45
46 Bernard Scott Cin 46
47 Jacob Hester SD NR
48 Delone Carter Ind NR
49 Isaac Redman Pit 47
50 Dexter McCluster KC 43
51 Donald Brown Ind NR
52 Earnest Graham TB NR
53 C.J. Spiller Buf 48
54 Brandon Jacobs NYG 49
55 Reggie Bush Mia 50
56 Ryan Grant GB 51
57 Kendall Hunter SF 52
58 Cadillac Williams StL 53
59 Tashard Choice Dal 54
60 Jacquizz Rodgers Atl 59

***8226; Remember a few weeks ago when New England Patriots running back Stevan Ridley was Mr. Popular? Well, Ridley followed his 97-yard, 15-fantasy-point effort against the Oakland Raiders with a mere 13 rushing yards and one fantasy point in Week 6. Meanwhile, BenJarvus Green-Ellis has rushed for more touchdowns than anyone since the start of 2010. Enjoy this solid production for your RB2 spot; The Law Firm shouldn't be doubted, and he moves up the rankings to a more suitable spot.

***8226; Among those to drop in the rankings is LeGarrette Blount of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I didn't expect much from him against the run-stuffing San Francisco 49ers, as I said in various platforms, but the news is even worse: Blount suffered a knee injury and could miss a few games. Earnest Graham moves up in the ranks a bit, but don't expect 100-yard-rushing games out of him. He's more receiver than runner at this stage of his career, and not in a Darren Sproles type of way, either.

***8226; I discussed the running back situations for the Kansas City Chiefs and Carolina Panthers in Monday's Four Downs blog. I'm leaving Thomas Jones as my top Chiefs option for now, ahead of Jackie Battle. It's not as though Jones struggled Sunday, and he's obviously more proven. Battle isn't 23, you know. He's 28. But he moves ahead of Dexter McCluster, who just isn't being used enough. For the Panthers, DeAngelo Williams had a nice game Sunday ***8230; but nine carries is not enough for us to trust him. Essentially, Williams, Jonathan Stewart and quarterback Cam Newton are splitting carries just about evenly. That's not good news for the running backs. Williams passes underwhelming James Starks, though. Starks seems average to me despite the team he's on.

***8226; Other movers in a positive way include Willis McGahee, Shonn Greene and Marshawn Lynch, while a bunch of new faces enter or re-enter the ranks. Welcome back, Delone Carter. I wouldn't prepare to start Carter in fantasy even if Joseph Addai and his balky hamstring missed time. Donald Brown also is back in the rankings. Jacob Hester is ranked because the Chargers' two primary backs, Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert, both seem brittle. Someone has to run the football, and Hester looked OK on Sunday.

***8226; Leaving the rankings are a few big names, including Danny Woodhead, Ricky Williams and the Jacksonville Jaguars' Deji Karim, which is noteworthy if you're someone who handcuffs running backs. Let's just say Maurice Jones-Drew looks pretty healthy at this point. Woodhead is not, and he wasn't getting touches anyway. Williams has been productive with his carries, but he's not a goal-line option and Ray Rice is plenty healthy.

 

[jaypok626]

Top 60 Wide Receivers

Rank
Player
Team

Prev.
1 Calvin Johnson Det 1
2 Wes Welker NE 9
3 Greg Jennings GB 2
4 Mike Wallace Pit 4
5 Vincent Jackson SD 3
6 Roddy White Atl 7
7 Hakeem Nicks NYG 8
8 DeSean Jackson Phi 11
9 Larry Fitzgerald Ari 5
10 Andre Johnson Hou 6
11 Steve Smith Car 12
12 Dwayne Bowe KC 14
13 Dez Bryant Dal 10
14 Jeremy Maclin Phi 16
15 Steve Johnson Buf 17
16 A.J. Green Cin 26
17 Brandon Lloyd Den 13
18 Miles Austin Dal 19
19 Brandon Marshall Mia 15
20 Santonio Holmes NYJ 18
21 Santana Moss Was 20
22 Jordy Nelson GB 23
23 Pierre Garcon Ind 33
24 Percy Harvin Min 22
25 Reggie Wayne Ind 27
26 Julio Jones Atl 25
27 Marques Colston NO 29
28 Mike Williams TB 21
29 Sidney Rice Sea 30
30 Eric Decker Den 24
31 Victor Cruz NYG 37
32 Anquan Boldin Bal 28
33 Deion Branch NE 42
34 Mario Manningham NYG 31
35 Nate Washington Ten 32
36 Mike Thomas Jac 34
37 Malcom Floyd SD 41
38 Robert Meachem NO 35
39 Johnny Knox Chi 39
40 Plaxico Burress NYJ 40
41 Lance Moore NO 38
42 Jacoby Jones Hou 43
43 David Nelson Buf 45
44 Doug Baldwin Sea NR
45 Denarius Moore Oak 48
46 Austin Collie Ind 44
47 Nate Burleson Det 36
48 Kevin Walter Hou 56
49 Steve Breaston KC NR
50 Antonio Brown Pit 50
51 Darrius Heyward-Bey Oak 58
52 Michael Crabtree SF 59
53 Devery Henderson NO 46
54 Early Doucet Ari NR
55 Brandon Gibson StL 49
56 Jacoby Ford Oak 55
57 Dexter McCluster KC 51
58 Hines Ward Pit NR
59 James Jones GB NR
60 Titus Young Det NR

***8226; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green continues to impress. The rookie has been in double digits in standard fantasy scoring four of the first five weeks, and he has moved easily into the top 20. Green's quarterback, fellow rookie Andy Dalton, remains risky for fantasy use, and who knows what Bernard Scott will do if given the chance to fill in for Cedric Benson, but Green is legit. In fact, I'd consider him a fantasy starter.

***8226; As for the New York Giants, newcomer Victor Cruz is certainly making things interesting. One minute he makes an acrobatic catch, the next he's fumbling the ball and helping add another interception to poor Eli Manning's slate. Regardless, Cruz has 20 or more fantasy points in two of the past three weeks. Mario Manningham has 15 fantasy points this season. I'm no longer betting this is a short-term change. I feel like we'll be making a similar adjustment with Detroit Lions wide receivers Titus Young and Nate Burleson (switching their order) soon, but I'm not there yet. Regardless, you need to own Cruz at this point.

***8226; It was nice to see Deion Branch bounce back after catching just one pass in Weeks 3 and 4 combined (though it was for a touchdown). Branch had a season-best 13 fantasy points in Week 5 and moves up closer to weekly flex consideration. Of course, he's no Wes Welker; that guy already has 740 receiving yards, the most by a player through five games in league history. And what's wrong with Calvin Johnson? Only one touchdown on Monday night? Come on!

***8226; Jacoby Jones was a popular free-agent addition with Andre Johnson on the shelf for a few weeks, but Jones didn't shine in Week 5. He caught just one of his 11 targets, which can't be all quarterback Matt Schaub's fault. Kevin Walter caught a touchdown pass and contributed 14 fantasy points, but most of Schaub's 416 passing yards went to running backs and tight ends. Don't overrate Jones or Walter moving forward. Plus, Johnson should return sooner than later.

***8226; At the back of the wide receiver rankings, you deeper leaguers should take a look at Early Doucet, Hines Ward and James Jones, as they get a little love, or at least more love than last week. Doucet led everyone -- even Welker -- with 16 targets in Week 5, catching half of them for 92 yards. The Cardinals do have some interesting future opponents to throw against, too. Ward scored his first two touchdowns, though you shouldn't expect many more. Green Bay's Jones, in most weeks the team's fourth option, at best, is also not likely to continue his trend, but in a Devery Henderson sort of way, he comes up with the occasional big play.

Top 30 Tight Ends

Rank
Player
Team

Prev.
1 Jimmy Graham NO 3
2 Jason Witten Dal 1
3 Jermichael Finley GB 2
4 Vernon Davis SF 4
5 Owen Daniels Hou 5
6 Tony Gonzalez Atl 8
7 Aaron Hernandez NE 10
8 Antonio Gates SD 7
9 Rob Gronkowski NE 6
10 Greg Olsen Car 11
11 Brandon Pettigrew Det 14
12 Jermaine Gresham Cin 15
13 Dustin Keller NYJ 9
14 Dallas Clark Ind 12
15 Kellen Winslow TB 13
16 Jared Cook Ten 16
17 Jake Ballard NYG NR
18 Fred Davis Was 18
19 Marcedes Lewis Jac 19
20 Joel Dreessen Hou NR
21 Scott Chandler Buf 17
22 Jeremy Shockey Car NR
23 Heath Miller Pit 29
24 Ed Dickson Bal 21
25 Randy McMichael SD 30
26 Todd Heap Ari 22
27 Chris Cooley Was 23
28 Visanthe Shiancoe Min 24
29 Kevin Boss Oak 25
30 Benjamin Watson Cle 28

***8226; The return of Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez was not a given leading up to Sunday's game. I ranked him 10th among tight ends in Wednesday's initial Week 5 rankings and was the lone ranker to include him. Hernandez played and was certainly busy, getting nine targets. Rob Gronkowski, meanwhile, has four fantasy points over the past two weeks after starting the season with 56 points in three games. Both Patriots made my top 10, but if I must choose between them for fantasy value the rest of the way, I'd pick Hernandez.

***8226; You'll notice a change at the top. Jimmy Graham is on pace to break the NFL record for receiving yards by a tight end. Yeah, he's pretty good.

***8226; Antonio Gates and his San Diego Chargers are on bye this coming week. Let's hope Gates suits up in Week 7. If he can't suit up then, I'd have serious doubt he'll be helping fantasy owners anytime soon.

***8226; Would you rather have Scott Chandler of the Buffalo Bills or Jake Ballard of the Giants? Chandler caught two touchdown passes in Week 1. He caught touchdowns in Week 2 and 3, but on only two receptions each. And he has zero fantasy points the past two weeks. Ballard has 105 receiving yards the past two weeks with touchdowns each time. I'd take Ballard. This is a deep fantasy position, so play the hot hands.

Top 32 Defense/Special Teams

Rank
Player
Prev.


Rank
Player
Prev.
1 Baltimore Ravens 1 17 New York Giants 15
2 Green Bay Packers 3 18 Oakland Raiders 16
3 Detroit Lions 4 19 Dallas Cowboys 18
4 San Francisco 49ers 12 20 Cleveland Browns 20
5 Pittsburgh Steelers 8 21 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17
6 New York Jets 2 22 New England Patriots 22
7 Chicago Bears 5 23 Seattle Seahawks 23
8 New Orleans Saints 6 24 Minnesota Vikings 24
9 Washington Redskins 10 25 Jacksonville Jaguars 25
10 Houston Texans 11 26 Arizona Cardinals 27
11 Atlanta Falcons 14 27 Miami Dolphins 28
12 Cincinnati Bengals 21 28 Denver Broncos 31
13 San Diego Chargers 7 29 Carolina Panthers 29
14 Buffalo Bills 19 30 Kansas City Chiefs 30
15 Tennessee Titans 13 31 Indianapolis Colts 26
16 Philadelphia Eagles 9 32 St. Louis Rams 32

 

[Rathman44]

awesome. thanks a bunch!