Chris Liss is RotoWire's Managing Editor and Host of RotoWIre Fantasy Sports Today on Sirius XM radio.
Posted on Friday, August 26, 2011
| Rank | Player | Pos | Team | Comment |
| 1 | Adrian Peterson | RB | MIN | Does it every year and catches passes now, too |
| 2 | Arian Foster | RB | HOU | 2,220 yards from scrimmage, 18 TDs, 66 receptions last year; ideal environment |
| 3 | Jamaal Charles | RB | KC | Averaged 6.4 YPC on 230 attempts; could be No. 1 overall if the Chiefs used him at the goal line |
| 4 | Ray Rice | RB | BAL | 63 receptions, 307 carries, but only 4.0 YPC and six total TDs; McGahee gone, however |
| 5 | Andre Johnson | WR | HOU | Most reliable receiver in the game, but lack of goal-line looks limits upside |
| 6 | Calvin Johnson | WR | DET | Still don't know what he could do with above average quarterbacking |
| 7 | LeSean McCoy | RB | PHI | 78 catches, but only 207 carries, and just seven at the goal-line. Upside if that changes |
| 8 | Maurice Jones-Drew | RB | JAC | TDs were down, but otherwise very solid as usual; recovery from knee surgery expected, but a concern |
| 9 | Michael Turner | RB | ATL | One-dimensional power back, but 26 goal-line carries led NFL |
| 10 | Darren McFadden | RB | OAK | Home run threat and dangerous receiver out of the backfield; Bush will steal goal-line touches, though |
| 11 | Rashard Mendenhall | RB | PIT | 23 goal-line carries, but only 3.9 YPC and 167 receiving yards |
| 12 | Larry Fitzgerald | WR | ARZ | Put up serviceable fantasy numbers despite abysmal quarterbacking. Should be better in 2011 |
| 13 | Chris Johnson | RB | TEN | Vastly underpaid, but non-contending Titans have little incentive for big sign bonus; holdout could persist |
| 14 | Miles Austin | WR | DAL | Should bounce back with Tony Romo healthy again |
| 15 | Hakeem Nicks | WR | NYG | Big-play and red-zone threat simply needs to stay healthy |
| 16 | Ahmad Bradshaw | RB | NYG | If ankles hold up, can do it all, but shares carries with Brandon Jacobs |
| 17 | Frank Gore | RB | SF | Injury history knocks him down seven spots; one of the top receiving backs in the league |
| 18 | Roddy White | WR | ATL | Heavily targeted receiver with solid all-around skills |
| 19 | Matt Forte | RB | CHI | Got the spring back in his step; 4.5 YPC, 547 receiving yards |
| 20 | Peyton Hillis | RB | CLE | Tremendous season, but the punishment caught up to him late; Hardesty should share carries |
| 21 | Greg Jennings | WR | GB | Aaron Rodgers' big-play receiver |
| 22 | LeGarrette Blount | RB | TB | Bruising back with athleticism, struggled at the goal-line for some reason |
| 23 | Ryan Mathews | RB | SD | Week 17 showed what might have been had he stayed healthy |
| 24 | Aaron Rodgers | QB | GB | Elite pocket passer who stands alone because of his rushing ability |
| 25 | Brandon Lloyd | WR | DEN | Came out of nowhere last year to be league's No. 1 WR; good news that Orton remains QB |
| 26 | Vincent Jackson | WR | SD | Clear No. 1 in San Diego should see more targets than ever |
| 27 | Mike Williams | WR | TB | Josh Freeman's favorite target - has good athleticism and red-zone size |
| 28 | Dwayne Bowe | WR | KC | Monstrous seven-game midseason run, but disappeared unpredictably; still great TD source |
| 29 | Mike Wallace | WR | PIT | 12.7 YPT was the best mark in the last 10 years; explosive big play receiver |
| 30 | Antonio Gates | TE | SD | On pace for a year for the ages before he got hurt; healthy at press time |
| 31 | Michael Vick | QB | PHI | Arguably No. 1 overall pick if guaranteed 16-game season; worth a gamble at this spot |
| 32 | Drew Brees | QB | NO | Volume and offensive scheme guarantee a high floor |
| 33 | Philip Rivers | QB | SD | Another elite season (8.7 YPA, 30 TD, 13 INT, 4710 yards), despite decimated receiving corps |
| 34 | DeSean Jackson | WR | PHI | Explosive deep threat, averaged 22.5 YPC |
| 35 | Brandon Marshall | WR | MIA | Physical talent never in doubt, but personal issues and poor environment add risk |
| 36 | DeAngelo Williams | RB | CAR | Great talent, but splitting the work again |
| 37 | Mark Ingram | RB | NO | Hard to know what his role will be, but huge upside in that offense if it's prominent |
| 38 | Steven Jackson | RB | STL | Old warhorse keeps trudging along; environment should improve, but what's left in the tank? |
| 39 | Shonn Greene | RB | NYJ | Set to be the lead back this year with Tomlinson taking on a third-down role |
| 40 | Dez Bryant | WR | DAL | Despite injury-riddled rookie season, showed superb physical skills. Must fight for targets |
| 41 | Tony Romo | QB | DAL | Healthy and with top shelf weapons. Upside: Top-3 QB |
| 42 | Jahvid Best | RB | DET | Look good early on when healthy; 250 carries seems like his ceiling |
| 43 | Tom Brady | QB | NE | 36:4 TD:INT ratio is otherworldy; bump up five spots if NE gets him a big-time WR |
| 44 | Daniel Thomas | RB | MIA | Big, physical back not having a great camp; will battle Reggie Bush for carries |
| 45 | Percy Harvin | WR | MIN | Rushing and return stats a bonus; migraines only risk |
| 46 | Fred Jackson | RB | BUF | Established as the team's go-to back; Spiller could see a bigger role, however |
| 47 | Chris Wells | RB | ARZ | The job is his; needs to stay healthy |
| 48 | Knowshon Moreno | RB | DEN | Should start in Denver, but new coach and new management clouds role and environment |
| 49 | Anquan Boldin | WR | BAL | Expect a bounce back in Year 2 in Baltimore if Boldin can stay healthy again |
| 50 | Jeremy Maclin | WR | PHI | Seems to be improving from illness, but need to see him on the field |
| 51 | Jermichael Finley | TE | GB | Sky's the limit with his skills in that environment if he can ever stay healthy |
| 52 | Vernon Davis | TE | SF | Best speed/size combo among tight ends; environment needs to improve |
| 53 | Marques Colston | WR | NO | Reliable receiver in Saints offense, but upside limited by its diversity |
| 54 | Reggie Wayne | WR | IND | Bad per-play numbers, only produced due to volume. Manning's injury also an issue |
| 55 | Felix Jones | RB | DAL | Should get a chance in the feature role; needs to prove he can carry the load |
| 56 | Chad Ochocinco | WR | NE | Huge upgrade as Tom Brady's presumed top downfield target |
| 57 | Santonio Holmes | WR | NYJ | Quick, explosive wideout with good hands; Jets' No. 1 this year |
| 58 | Mario Manningham | WR | NYG | Downfield playmaker, will see more targets with Steve Smith gone |
| 59 | Jason Witten | TE | DAL | Reliable tight end, not used much by Tony Romo in the red zone |
| 60 | Steve Johnson | WR | BUF | Surprise top target for Ryan Fitzpatrick; Bills should be forced to throw plenty in 2011 |
| 61 | Wes Welker | WR | NE | Played at less than 100 percent last year; healthy now. |
| 62 | James Starks | RB | GB | Came on strong in the playoffs - should push Ryan Grant for carries |
| 63 | Kenny Britt | WR | TEN | Rising star needs to overcome off-field issues; QB situation unsettled, possible league suspension |
| 64 | Braylon Edwards | WR | SF | Still a big-time downfield weapon; can Alex Smith get him the ball? |
| 65 | Sidney Rice | WR | SEA | Athletic playmaker with good size |
| 66 | Jonathan Stewart | RB | CAR | Bruising back will split carries with DeAngelo Williams |
| 67 | Austin Collie | WR | IND | But for concussions and hand injury, might have been a top-10 receiver; QB's health an issue |
| 68 | Steve Smith | WR | CAR | Dangerous downfield target; has he lost a step at age 32? |
| 69 | Joseph Addai | RB | IND | The job is presumably still his for now |
| 70 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | RB | NE | Competent back scored 13 TDs, but NE brought in a lot of competition |
| 71 | Cedric Benson | RB | CIN | It's not pretty, but 300 carries will pay the bills |
| 72 | Reggie Bush | RB | MIA | Landed in a good spot with only a rookie RB ahead of him, much better in PPR |
| 73 | Dallas Clark | TE | IND | Heavily-targeted tight end in elite offense |
| 74 | Pierre Thomas | RB | NO | Crowded backfield, injury history and fickle coach hurt his value, despite strong skills and offense |
| 75 | Ryan Grant | RB | GB | Battling for carries with James Starks |
| 76 | C.J. Spiller | RB | BUF | The Bills have to use him more in Year 2, don't they? |
| 77 | Marshawn Lynch | RB | SEA | Epic carry in playoff game possibly buys Lynch a few starts, but 3.6 YPC last year |
| 78 | Mike Thomas | WR | JAC | Clear No. 1 receiver, has great speed, but lacks size |
| 79 | Santana Moss | WR | WAS | Still productive at age 32, clear No. 1 in WAS |
| 80 | A.J. Green | WR | CIN | All-world prospect will fight for targets in Cincinnati |
| 81 | Earl Bennett | WR | CHI | Likely to be Jay Cutler's go-to possession receiver this year |
| 82 | Malcom Floyd | WR | SD | Looked like a legit No. 1 when Vincent Jackson was out; third option behind Jackson and Gates |
| 83 | Tim Hightower | RB | WAS | Atop the depth chart for now, but that doesn't mean a whole lot |
| 84 | Ben Roethlisberger | QB | PIT | Full season with game-breaker Mike Wallace bodes well |
| 85 | Matt Schaub | QB | HOU | Competent QB in good environment, but HOU usually runs near the goal line |
| 86 | Brandon Jacobs | RB | NYG | Limited workload resulted in 5.6 YPC. Splits work at the goal line |
| 87 | Eli Manning | QB | NYG | Competent QB with first-rate playmakers on the outside |
| 88 | Peyton Manning | QB | IND | Nerve injury clouds status |
| 89 | Julio Jones | WR | ATL | Second-fiddle to Roddy White, but Falcons didn't mortgage the farm not to use him |
| 90 | Mike Tolbert | RB | SD | Bruising fullback could still be in the mix, especially near the goal line |
| 91 | Jimmy Graham | TE | NO | 6-6 target should be a major weapon in the red zone |
| 92 | Marcedes Lewis | TE | JAC | 6-6 tight end is Jaguars primary red-zone threat |
| 93 | Matt Ryan | QB | ATL | Still getting better, and addition of Julio Jones will only help |
| 94 | Josh Freeman | QB | TB | Huge improvement in Year 2; rushing ability provides major upside |
| 95 | Michael Bush | RB | OAK | Could be a top-25 property if McFadden went down; should see some goal-line work |
| 96 | Roy Helu, Jr. | RB | WAS | Could easily replace Ryan Torain - more upside due to speed |
| 97 | Ben Tate | RB | HOU | If anything happens to Arian Foster, Tate's in a favorable spot |
| 98 | Michael Crabtree | WR | SF | Top prospect disappointed in Year 2; dealing with foot injury, presence of Braylon Edwards |
| 99 | Ryan Torain | RB | WAS | Battling for carries, dealing with wrist injury - played well when healthy |
| 100 | Stevan Ridley | RB | NE | Looked great in preseason; could be in the mix with BJGE |
| 101 | Lee Evans | WR | BUF | Downfield playmaker, in a much better situation in Baltimore |
| 102 | Hines Ward | WR | PIT | Per-play averages still solid - should see targets bounce back with full season of Big Ben |
| 103 | Kellen Winslow | TE | TB | When healthy, one of the league's more reliable pass-catching tight ends |
| 104 | Alex Green | RB | GB | Third string for now, but whoever wins this battle has a ton of upside |
| 105 | Javon Ringer | RB | TEN | Chris Johnson's backup - could start if holdout persists |
| 106 | Delone Carter | RB | IND | Joseph Addai and Donald Brown are surmountable obstacles |
| 107 | Robert Meachem | WR | NO | Has the physical tools to be a No. 1, but apparently viewed as a complementary part |
| 108 | Lance Moore | WR | NO | Athletic possession type re-signs with the Saints |
| 109 | Brandon Pettigrew | TE | DET | Quietly caught 71 passes for 722 yards. If Stafford stays healthy, plenty of upside here |
| 110 | Willis McGahee | RB | DEN | Should see goal-line work and could push unreliable Moreno for starting job |
| 111 | Rashad Jennings | RB | JAC | Was solid as Maurice Jones-Drew's backup last year |
| 112 | Mike Williams | WR | SEA | Sidney Rice and Zach Miller signings hurt value |
| 113 | Mike Sims-Walker | WR | STL | Could emerge as Sam Bradford's No. 1 |
| 114 | Plaxico Burress | WR | NYJ | Michael Vick proved jail makes you better |
| 115 | Johnny Knox | WR | CHI | Chicago's big-play threat, but lack of size limits red-zone looks |
| 116 | Jerome Harrison | RB | DET | Possible backup to injury-prone Jahvid Best |
| 117 | Greg Little | WR | CLE | Big, strong receiver could easily emerge as Colt McCoy's top target |
| 118 | Ronnie Brown | RB | PHI | Goal-line role in top offense could be useful |
| 119 | Pierre Garcon | WR | IND | Behind Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Austin Collie in the pecking order |
| 120 | Roy Williams | WR | CHI | Poor camp has him in danger of losing his job |
| 121 | Jay Cutler | QB | CHI | Year 2 with Mike Martz and an offensive line expected to improve |
| 122 | Joe Flacco | QB | BAL | 25 TDs on 489 attempts last year; hasn't peaked yet |
| 123 | DeMarco Murray | RB | DAL | Neither Felix Jones nor Tashard Choice has set the world on fire; Murray could get a chance |
| 124 | Davone Bess | WR | MIA | Possession receiver who relies on volume |
| 125 | Deion Branch | WR | NE | Filled in admirably when Randy Moss left, but Ochocinco steals targets |
| 126 | Aaron Hernandez | TE | NE | Dynamic pass-catching TE, but will yield goal-line targets to Rob Gronkowski |
| 127 | Rob Gronkowski | TE | NE | Touchdown machine will share targets with Aaron Hernandez |
| 128 | Montario Hardesty | RB | CLE | Coming back from injury, spells Peyton Hillis behind first-rate offensive line |
| 129 | Jordy Nelson | WR | GB | Super Bowl performance creates opportunity; James Jones' re-signing limits it |
| 130 | Kyle Orton | QB | DEN | Bad defense could result in 4,000 yard season |
| 131 | Steve Breaston | WR | KC | No. 2 option in Kansas City |
| 132 | Jacoby Ford | WR | OAK | Versatile playmaker adds rushing, receiving and return yards and scores |
| 133 | Marion Barber | RB | CHI | Could see goal-line carries and some receptions |
| 134 | Kevin Kolb | QB | ARZ | Playing in a good climate with Larry Fitzgerald should ensure a good floor |
| 135 | Jason Snelling | RB | ATL | Tough runner, solid pass catcher, backup to Michael Turner |
| 136 | Louis Murphy | WR | OAK | Could be Raiders top receiver this year |
| 137 | Ricky Williams | RB | BAL | Ray Rice's backup |
| 138 | Chris Cooley | TE | WAS | Could be ready for the start of the season |
| 139 | Tony Gonzalez | TE | ATL | A down year was 70 catches and six TDs |
| 140 | Justin Forsett | RB | SEA | For whatever reason, the Seahawks don't trust him to carry the load |
| 141 | Owen Daniels | TE | HOU | Needs to stay healthy, and the Texans don't throw a lot in the red zone |
| 142 | Kendall Hunter | RB | SF | Likely backup to an injury-prone Frank Gore |
| 143 | Greg Olsen | TE | CAR | Could be the team's top receiver |
| 144 | Matthew Stafford | QB | DET | If he ever stays healthy, he has the physical tools and the weapons to break out |
| 145 | Arrelious Benn | WR | TB | Healing well after ACL surgery - has the talent to make an impact in Year 2 |
| 146 | Nate Burleson | WR | DET | Should see a lot of single coverage |
| 147 | Sam Bradford | QB | STL | Scouts love him but 6.0 YPA last year |
| 148 | Jared Cook | TE | TEN | Great athlete, could be a frequent target |
| 149 | Danny Amendola | WR | STL | Much better in PPR if the Rams stick with him. |
| 150 | Steven Smith | WR | PHI | Reliable possession receiver coming off microfracture surgery; in pass-happy Philly offense |
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