The NFL's Top Ten Fantasy Players of 2009

The 2009 Fantasy Football season is rapidly approaching, and I don't know about you but I can feel the anticipation already.

As you can see to the left is a photo of LaDainian Tomlinson, nicknamed LT. LT is the former Fantasy king of the NFL. Who has taken his place? Who will emerge as the top Fantasy players of 2009?

For some reason, experts like to think that the previous year's production is best for determining a player's upcoming success. Although this can be true, it isn't always. May we see some used-to-be Fantasy monsters reemerge in 2009?

Not to mention that, every year, there are surprises. Some unexpected player comes from nowhere and tears up your Fantasy league. Meanwhile, that buddy of yours is rubbing it in your face that you, like some fool who can't predict injuries, picked Joseph Addai instead.

Keep in mind that these predictions in no way resemble the rankings NFL.com or ESPN.com will have. I don't care what those say.

Note that these rankings are according to the standard Fantasy Football scoring system: http://sports.espn.go.com/fantasy/football/ffl/story?page=fflrulesstandardscoring

Keep in mind that I am not creating a list of who should be drafted first. Instead, this is a list of players who I believe will have the most production in 2009.

Okay...Enough prologue. Let's cut to the chase.

10. Larry Fitzgerald

I think Fitzgerald has to be in the top ten. Seriously, the guy's a monster, and he's only 25 years old! Unfortunately, what's holding him back from being No. 1 is his teammate Anquan Boldin, who would be a No. 1 receiver on most other teams.

Kurt Warner probably takes a dip in production, and the Cardinals will probably run the ball a little more this year.

PREDICTION: 90 receptions, 1,350 yards, and 11 touchdowns.

9. Greg Jennings

Jennings is entering his fourth year in the NFL. Last year was his breakout year, where he put up almost 1,300 yards and 9 touchdowns. But, this year, he does even better.

Donald Driver is 34 and is slowly approaching the end of his career. Driver's yardage should dip under 1,000 for the first time since 2003. That leaves more balls for Jennings.

His buddy behind center Aaron Rodgers accumulated 4,038 yards and 28 touchdowns in his first year starting. That is phenomenal. If Aaron Rodgers improves, so does Jennings.

PREDICTION: 100 receptions, 1,450 yards, and 12 touchdowns

8. Marques Colston

Colston is one of my favorite receivers. First of all, he was a puzzling seventh round pick in 2006! Yet, as a rookie, he had over 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns. Talk about a steal.

In 2008, Colston suffered a thumb injury that put him out for a good chunk of the season, so 760 yards and 5 touchdowns were all he could manage. Now, fully healthy, I expect Colston to dominate the NFL with brilliant quarterback Drew Brees throwing him the ball.

PREDICTION: 100 receptions, 1,500 yards, and 16 touchdowns

7. Steve Slaton

I'm sure the Houston Texans are more than satisfied with how Slaton played in his rookie year, racking up nearly 1,700 total yards and 10 total touchdowns.

I just have a feeling about Slaton. With such a productive rookie year, it's hard for me not to think he improves.

PREDICTION: 1,800 total yards, 15 total touchdowns.

6. Aaron Rodgers

I really like Aaron Rodgers, and it makes sense that he'd appear in the top ten when his star wide receiver is, as well.

Again, with the numbers Rodgers put up in his first year starting, one has to have high expectations for him in 2009. I suppose Rodgers is lucky he had Brett Favre as a mentor for those years he was waiting for his opportunity.

PREDICTION: 4,300 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.

5. Larry Johnson

Many think Larry Johnson's done being a franchise back for Kansas City. However, I disagree. I disagree so much that I predict Johnson comes back fiercely in 2009.

In 2005 and 2006, Johnson had over 2,000 total yards and average 20 total touchdowns. Since then, he has slumped. But, he only played in eight games in 2007, while in 2008 he only played in twelve.

The Chief's passing game should grab a little more attention with Cassel behind center, so expect Johnson to have at least a tad more freedom when the ball is in his hands.

PREDICTION: 1,900 total yards and 16 total touchdowns.

4. Brandon Jacobs

At 6'4" and 264 pounds, Brandon Jacobs is a defensive linemen playing halfback.

For the past two season, Jacobs has managed to just barely get across that 1,000-yard mark. However, in 2008, he found the endzone 15 times.

Former backup Derrick Ward is in Tampa Bay. Ward, too, had over 1,000 yards last season. Ahmad Bradshaw should get his fair share of carries in place of Ward, but expect Jacobs to take the bulk.

PREDICTION: 1,650 total yards and 21 total touchdowns.

3. Adrian Peterson

There isn't much to say about Peterson. He's amazing.

PREDICTION: 2,050 total yards and 17 total touchdowns.

2. Maurice Jones-Drew

Many would say Jones-Drew can't handle being an every-down back. But, then again, how can we ever know if he's never given the chance?

Jones had 14 total touchdowns last year while only carrying the ball 197 times. Give him the ball 325 times, and what do we get? A Fantasy god.

PREDICTION: 1,800 total yards and 24 total touchdowns.

1. Drew Brees

The fact that Drew Brees become only the second player ever to throw for over 5,000 yards is amazing. The fact that Drew brees did it with so many injured players (most notably Colston and Bush) is superb.

Here's to Brees having a frenzy.

PREDICTION: 5,100 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions