An early look at the 2010 fantasy football season. August’s Draft Day couldn’t come soon enough…
Top 10′s in Fantasy Football For 2010
QB
1. Peyton Manning
2. Drew Brees
3. Aaron Rodgers
4. Tony Romo
5. Tom Brady
6. Matt Schaub
7. Philip Rivers
8. Donovan McNabb
9. Ben Roethlisberger
10. Kurt Warner
Peyton Manning‘s consistency puts him at the top of this list. You can count on him putting up gaudy numbers every week. You might be surprised to see Tony Romo this high but he has big time upside with Miles Austin and Jason Witten catching his passes. I think the Romo-Austin connection will be better than the Romo-T.O. connection of ’07. Philip Rivers has been phenomenal this season. He’s consistent and has great weapons. Big Ben proved in ’09 that he can be an elite passing NFL QB. With an emerging young WR in Mike Wallace and studs in Holmes and Ward, look for Roethlisberger to continue to put up solid numbers in ’10.
RB
1. Chris Johnson
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Maurice Jones-Drew
4. Ray Rice
5. Steven Jackson
6. Michael Turner
7. Rashard Mendenhall
8. Frank Gore
9. Jamaal Charles
10. Fred Jackson
Most thought AP would have the top spot amongst RBs for years to come. Those same people probably underestimated Chris Johnson‘s abilities. Ray Rice has a great o-line and a good young QB. I expect the Ravens to address their WR situation in the off-season (Brandon Marshall anybody?) which will help open the run for Rice, upside is HUGE. The Rams o-line will continue to improve while the Rams rely on Steven Jackson and the running game in ’10. Willie Parker’s role in Pittsburgh is quickly diminishing, opening up a great opportunity for Rashard Mendenhall. Expect the Steelers to look for a more balanced offense in ’10. Fred Jackson has been too good in ’09 to not get the nod next season. He can catch the ball out of the backfield, runs hard and has a nose for the end zone. Jamaal Charles ended the ’09 season with a bang. He’s been too good and too consistent to not be a 1st/early 2nd round pick in ’10. Michael Turner is a monster if he can stay healthy. Next season will be a good test to see if the ’08 season really did take a toll on his body.
WR
1. Andre Johnson
2. Larry Fitzgerald
3. Miles Austin
4. Randy Moss
5. Roddy White
6. Reggie Wayne
7. Brandon Marshall
8. DeSean Jackson
9. Wes Welker
10. Vincent Jackson
AJ & Fitz are by far and away the upper echelon of NFL WRs. Both have the size, speed and work ethic to continue their dominance in 2010. Miles Austin recorded the 6th best season by a WR in Cowboys history. 81 catches, 1320 yards and 11 TDs after only 5 catches, 81 yards and a TD in the first four games. If Romo continues his stellar play, expect Austin to compete with AJ & Fitz for top honors next season. Randy Moss seemed to lose a step this season as the Brady-Welker connection shined brightly. He and Brady are too good not to step it up next season. Many would place V-Jax higher on this list but I think Rivers spreads the ball around too much and Floyd has been impressive late in the season. DeSean Jackson on the other hand has had an amazing season. It was tough for me not to place him higher on this list. Brandon Marshall‘s ranking might fluctuate depending on where he lands in the off-season. Look for Roddy White and a healthy Matt Ryan to make some noise next season.