This is the first edition of the RotoWire 150. It assumes a 12-team non-PPR, standard scoring league. It's merely a snapshot of the rankings on Friday, August 1st at 10 pm PT. This particular list will not be updated, but I will put out newer lists in subsequent weeks. For rankings without comments that are updated multiple times per day, click here.
| Rank | Player | Pos | Team | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LeSean McCoy | RB | PHI | Fast, quick, versatile and playing in top offense |
| 2 | Jamaal Charles | RB | KC | Showed he could break open games as a receiver too last year |
| 3 | Adrian Peterson | RB | MIN | Dominant old-school back should thrive in Norv Turner's offense |
| 4 | Matt Forte | RB | CHI | Elite pass-catching back might even see more goal-line carries |
| 5 | Calvin Johnson | WR | DET | NFL's version of LeBron James |
| 6 | Demaryius Thomas | WR | DEN | Eric Decker's departure means more red-zone targets for Thomas |
| 7 | Dez Bryant | WR | DAL | Arrival of play caller Scott Linehan boosts TD ceiling |
| 8 | Eddie Lacy | RB | GB | Bruising runner should see high volume in top offense |
| 9 | Julio Jones | WR | ATL | Return from foot injury only concern; elite size/speed playmaker |
| 10 | Jimmy Graham | TE | NO | Drew Brees' top target plays mostly WR, qualifies at TE |
| 11 | A.J. Green | WR | CIN | Sub-optimal environment, but skills are top shelf |
| 12 | Montee Ball | RB | DEN | Denver's No. 1 RB, could lead NFL in TDs |
| 13 | DeMarco Murray | RB | DAL | But for health history, would be easy first-round pick |
| 14 |
This is the first edition of the RotoWire 150. It assumes a 12-team non-PPR, standard scoring league. It's merely a snapshot of the rankings on Friday, August 1st at 10 pm PT. This particular list will not be updated, but I will put out newer lists in subsequent weeks. For rankings without comments that are updated multiple times per day, click here.
| Rank | Player | Pos | Team | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | LeSean McCoy | RB | PHI | Fast, quick, versatile and playing in top offense |
| 2 | Jamaal Charles | RB | KC | Showed he could break open games as a receiver too last year |
| 3 | Adrian Peterson | RB | MIN | Dominant old-school back should thrive in Norv Turner's offense |
| 4 | Matt Forte | RB | CHI | Elite pass-catching back might even see more goal-line carries |
| 5 | Calvin Johnson | WR | DET | NFL's version of LeBron James |
| 6 | Demaryius Thomas | WR | DEN | Eric Decker's departure means more red-zone targets for Thomas |
| 7 | Dez Bryant | WR | DAL | Arrival of play caller Scott Linehan boosts TD ceiling |
| 8 | Eddie Lacy | RB | GB | Bruising runner should see high volume in top offense |
| 9 | Julio Jones | WR | ATL | Return from foot injury only concern; elite size/speed playmaker |
| 10 | Jimmy Graham | TE | NO | Drew Brees' top target plays mostly WR, qualifies at TE |
| 11 | A.J. Green | WR | CIN | Sub-optimal environment, but skills are top shelf |
| 12 | Montee Ball | RB | DEN | Denver's No. 1 RB, could lead NFL in TDs |
| 13 | DeMarco Murray | RB | DAL | But for health history, would be easy first-round pick |
| 14 | Brandon Marshall | WR | CHI | Fewer big plays, but was an elite red-zone target last year |
| 15 | Jordy Nelson | WR | GB | Aaron Rodgers to Jordy Nelson is best per-play combo in NFL |
| 16 | Alshon Jeffery | WR | CHI | Monster downfield target, but Brandon Marshall limits ceiling |
| 17 | Arian Foster | RB | HOU | Healthy again for now; should catch more passes in new offense |
| 18 | Zac Stacy | RB | STL | Workhorse bowling-ball of a back, also catches passes |
| 19 | Giovani Bernard | RB | CIN | Versatile rising star likely to lose out on goal-line carries |
| 20 | Le'Veon Bell | RB | PIT | Only 3.5 YPC, but 45 catches in 13 games |
| 21 | Alfred Morris | RB | WAS | Top-notch early-down and goal-line back; doesn't catch passes |
| 22 | C.J. Spiller | RB | BUF | Ankle injury derailed 2013 season; healthy now |
| 23 | Marshawn Lynch | RB | SEA | Will give up a few carries, but still workhorse on top team |
| 24 | Keenan Allen | WR | SD | Fifth rookie WR since 2000 to break 1,000 yards |
| 25 | Doug Martin | RB | TB | Got only 3.6 YPC last year before he got hurt |
| 26 | Peyton Manning | QB | DEN | Expect average between 2012 and 2013 |
| 27 | Andre Ellington | RB | ARZ | Explosive back, question is whether he breaks 220 carries |
| 28 | Ryan Mathews | RB | SD | Played all 16 games last year for first time in career |
| 29 | Aaron Rodgers | QB | GB | On pace for another huge year when he got hurt |
| 30 | Drew Brees | QB | NO | Averaging 42.7 TD passes and 5,272 yards last three years |
| 31 | Victor Cruz | WR | NYG | Eli Manning and Giants O-line can't be worse than in 2013 |
| 32 | Rob Gronkowski | TE | NE | Health is the only issue; top-15 player otherwise |
| 33 | Michael Floyd | WR | ARZ | Elite size/speed target, loses red-zone work to Larry Fitzgerald |
| 34 | Julius Thomas | TE | DEN | Should have an even bigger role with Eric Decker gone |
| 35 | Vincent Jackson | WR | TB | Safe choice, especially with improved QB and O-line |
| 36 | Antonio Brown | WR | PIT | Plays much better in PPR; TD upside limited by stature |
| 37 | Randall Cobb | WR | GB | Think Percy Harvin, but in a better offense |
| 38 | Andre Johnson | WR | HOU | Quietly had 3,005 receiving yards last two years |
| 39 | Cordarrelle Patterson | WR | MIN | Think Percy Harvin, but bigger and more durable |
| 40 | Bishop Sankey | RB | TEN | Should beat out Shonn Greene for feature-back role |
| 41 | Toby Gerhart | RB | JAC | Career 4.7-YPC rusher gets a chance to start |
| 42 | Joique Bell | RB | DET | Co-starter with Reggie Bush, good pass catcher |
| 43 | Pierre Garcon | WR | WAS | Won't see last year's 181 targets, but efficiency should improve |
| 44 | Percy Harvin | WR | SEA | Can do it all; showed he was healthy in the Super Bowl |
| 45 | DeSean Jackson | WR | WAS | Led the league in YPT, goes from one good situation to another |
| 46 | Rashad Jennings | RB | NYG | Caught 36 passes last year, good fit for NY's new West Coast offense |
| 47 | Josh Gordon | WR | CLE | Possible suspension looming, otherwise would be top-10 pick |
| 48 | Jeremy Maclin | WR | PHI | Returning from torn ACL, but should be No. 1 in Eagles offense |
| 49 | Ben Tate | RB | CLE | Starting back in Cleveland, but Terrance West looms |
| 50 | Reggie Bush | RB | DET | Should be good fit for new Saints-based offense in Detroit |
| 51 | Larry Fitzgerald | WR | ARZ | Red-zone ace, but big-play ability largely gone |
| 52 | T.Y. Hilton | WR | IND | Downfield gamebreaker, but Indy needs to open up the offense |
| 53 | Michael Crabtree | WR | SF | Colin Kaepernick's No. 1 target in crowded situation |
| 54 | Roddy White | WR | ATL | 32-years old, but came on strong in the second half |
| 55 | Chris Johnson | RB | NYJ | Efficiency in freefall, but durable and assured carries |
| 56 | Shane Vereen | RB | NE | Top-notch pass catcher in what should be a strong offense |
| 57 | Ray Rice | RB | BAL | Likely to be suspended, but should rebound from injury-riddled year |
| 58 | Stevan Ridley | RB | NE | Ostensible starter for the Pats, but must hold onto the ball |
| 59 | Frank Gore | RB | SF | Old warhorse still the starter, but should cede carries to backups |
| 60 | Torrey Smith | WR | BAL | Big-play artist, but not much work near pay dirt |
| 61 | Marques Colston | WR | NO | Slowed by injuries, was largely himself in second half |
| 62 | Wes Welker | WR | DEN | High TDs masked slide in per-play effectiveness |
| 63 | Mike Wallace | WR | MIA | Better season in Year 2 in Miami and with upgraded O-line |
| 64 | Maurice Jones-Drew | RB | OAK | Produced in bad situations before, but 29 and with more miles now |
| 65 | Nick Foles | QB | PHI | Led NFL with 9.1 YPA and 27:2 TD:INT ratio last year |
| 66 | Jordan Cameron | TE | CLE | Could be team's top target if Josh Gordon suspended |
| 67 | Vernon Davis | TE | SF | Impossible matchup, but volume is an issue in SF |
| 68 | Trent Richardson | RB | IND | Looked awful last year, but is still the favorite to start |
| 69 | Terrance West | RB | CLE | Talented rookie will back up injury-prone Ben Tate |
| 70 | Andrew Luck | QB | IND | Finally surrounded with plus skill talent |
| 71 | Robert Griffin | QB | WAS | Looks healthy in OTAs, No. 1 QB upside with new weapons |
| 72 | Terrance Williams | WR | DAL | Downfield playmaker is now No. 2 in Dallas |
| 73 | Eric Decker | WR | NYJ | No. 1 target in NY, but downgrade in QB possibly traumatic |
| 74 | Lamar Miller | RB | MIA | Will compete for carries with already injured Knowshon Moreno |
| 75 | Pierre Thomas | RB | NO | Part of Saints RB committee, should catch a lot of passes |
| 76 | Greg Olsen | TE | CAR | Could be Panthers' top target |
| 77 | Sammy Watkins | WR | BUF | Game-breaking rookie slots as team's top target immediately |
| 78 | Riley Cooper | WR | PHI | From pariah to contract extension in one year; starter with upside |
| 79 | Mike Evans | WR | TB | Has No. 1 size/speed specs; should start Week 1 |
| 80 | Dwayne Bowe | WR | KC | Second year with Andy Reid should be better |
| 81 | Tom Brady | QB | NE | Top-five QB if Rob Gronkowski stays healthy all year |
| 82 | Jason Witten | TE | DAL | Steady source of catches, but little big-play ability |
| 83 | Zach Ertz | TE | PHI | Breakout candidate in Year 2 in Chip Kelly's offense |
| 84 | Dennis Pitta | TE | BAL | Could be Joe Flacco's top target, especially in red zone |
| 85 | Matt Ryan | QB | ATL | Consistent passer should bounce back with Julio Jones returning |
| 86 | Matthew Stafford | QB | DET | Mediocre player, but high volume and Calvin Johnson pay fantasy bills |
| 87 | Jordan Reed | TE | WAS | Could be Robert Griffin's first read near the goal line |
| 88 | DeAndre Hopkins | WR | HOU | Possible breakout in Year 2 if Andre Johnson gets hurt or leaves town |
| 89 | Aaron Dobson | WR | NE | Only size/speed threat the Patriots have on the outside |
| 90 | Cam Newton | QB | CAR | Great talent, but deprived of weapons |
| 91 | Rueben Randle | WR | NYG | Should see a boost in up-tempo offense |
| 92 | Golden Tate | WR | DET | Will see a lot of single coverage this year |
| 93 | Kendall Wright | WR | TEN | Strictly a possession receiver, but volume should be high |
| 94 | Kenny Stills | WR | NO | Strong rookie season portends bigger role |
| 95 | Cecil Shorts | WR | JAC | The Jaguars No. 1 at least heading into 2014 |
| 96 | Mark Ingram | RB | NO | Should split early-down work with Pierre Thomas/Khiry Robinson |
| 97 | Colin Kaepernick | QB | SF | Has the weapons/skills for monster season, but needs more attempts |
| 98 | Carlos Hyde | RB | SF | Frank Gore's only backup standing |
| 99 | Steven Jackson | RB | ATL | Already injured, should be ready for Week 1 |
| 100 | Tony Romo | QB | DAL | Steady and productive, but coming off a back injury |
| 101 | Danny Woodhead | RB | SD | Caught 76 balls and scored eight TDs last yaer |
| 102 | Marvin Jones | WR | CIN | Athletic playmaker, but distant second fiddle to A.J. Green |
| 103 | Russell Wilson | QB | SEA | Had arguably best first-two QB seasons in NFL history |
| 104 | Charles Clay | TE | MIA | Dolphins' best red-zone target |
| 105 | Tavon Austin | WR | STL | Rams need to find ways to get him the ball |
| 106 | Hakeem Nicks | WR | IND | Still only 26, could be Indy's No. 1 if healthy |
| 107 | Darren McFadden | RB | OAK | Co-starter alongside Maurice Jones-Drew |
| 108 | Julian Edelman | WR | NE | Tom Brady's top target out of desperation should see smaller role |
| 109 | Philip Rivers | QB | SD | Returned to his 2008-2010 form last year |
| 110 | Justin Hunter | WR | TEN | Second-year man with size/speed combo to be a No. 1 |
| 111 | Marqise Lee | WR | JAC | Lighting it up in camp; Robinson/Shorts banged up |
| 112 | Kyle Rudolph | TE | MIN | Norv Turner could make him more than just a red-zone option |
| 113 | Ladarius Green | TE | SD | Antonio Gates is still around, but Green should surpass him in 2014 |
| 114 | Devonta Freeman | RB | ATL | ATL's RB of the future; the future could be now |
| 115 | Jordan Matthews | WR | PHI | Could see targets right away in Chip Kelly offense |
| 116 | Darren Sproles | RB | PHI | Speedy pass-catcher should be a great fit for up-tempo offense |
| 117 | Martellus Bennett | TE | CHI | Big, athletic target in dynamic passing offense |
| 118 | DeAngelo Williams | RB | CAR | Starter in Carolina with modest ceiling |
| 119 | Emmanuel Sanders | WR | DEN | No. 4 target in Denver can be plenty useful |
| 120 | Ahmad Bradshaw | RB | IND | Arguably Indy's best back if he can stay healthy |
| 121 | Christine Michael | RB | SEA | Should see more work; top-five upside if Marshawn Lynch gets hurt |
| 122 | Chris Ivory | RB | NYJ | Rugged, between-the-tackles runner to complement Chris Johnson |
| 123 | Jonathan Stewart | RB | CAR | Healthy and should split carries with DeAngelo Williams again |
| 124 | Anquan Boldin | WR | SF | Somehow stays relevant as he ages |
| 125 | Brian Hartline | WR | MIA | Solid high-low, low-ceiling type |
| 126 | Bernard Pierce | RB | BAL | Could start if Ray Rice is suspended |
| 127 | Andre Williams | RB | NYG | David Wilson's injury opens the door. |
| 128 | Kenny Britt | WR | STL | Looks great early in camp |
| 129 | Khiry Robinson | RB | NO | In NO backfield mix, role could grow |
| 130 | Fred Jackson | RB | BUF | 33 years old, but the mileage is low; Bryce Brown could supplant |
| 131 | Kelvin Benjamin | WR | CAR | Massive rookie could be the only game in town |
| 132 | Danny Amendola | WR | NE | Hard to judge based on injury-riddled 2013 |
| 133 | Jermaine Kearse | WR | SEA | Big-play receiver in the playoffs could be in for larger role |
| 134 | Knile Davis | RB | KC | Power/speed back could be a monster if Jamaal Charles gets hurt |
| 135 | Stepfan Taylor | RB | ARZ | Will vie with Jonathan Dwyer for backup and possibly goal-line role |
| 136 | Donald Brown | RB | SD | Indy's best back last year will back up Ryan Mathews in SD |
| 137 | Robert Turbin | RB | SEA | In the mix, but fellow backup Christine Michael is more talented |
| 138 | Brandin Cooks | WR | NO | Explosive short pass catcher, should fill Darren Sproles' role |
| 139 | Jarrett Boykin | WR | GB | Slow, but decent size, great routes and hands |
| 140 | Greg Jennings | WR | MIN | Lost a step, but still solid possesion option |
| 141 | LeGarrette Blount | RB | PIT | Le'Veon Bell's backup with starter's talent |
| 142 | Ronnie Hillman | RB | DEN | Ostensible backup to Montee Ball at press time |
| 143 | Ben Roethlisberger | QB | PIT | Master of buying time on broken plays |
| 144 | Jay Cutler | QB | CHI | Per-game production should be great given system/weapons |
| 145 | Jeremy Hill | RB | CIN | Should supplant Benjarvus Green-Ellis as Gio Bernard's complement |
| 146 | Reggie Wayne | WR | IND | Looks healthy, but big plays and TDs are things of the past |
| 147 | Roy Helu | RB | WAS | Alfred Morris' backup and third-down back |
| 148 | Bryce Brown | RB | BUF | Talent is there; opportunity could be too if Fred Jackson is done |
| 149 | Knowshon Moreno | RB | MIA | Lingering knee injury, could be supplanted by Lamar Miller |
| 150 | Andre Brown | RB | HOU | Arian Foster's backup, but major health risk |
