With approximately 75 fantasy football magazines currently available at any given supermarket and the preseason officially underway, it's safe to assume that the fantasy football season has officially begun.
In order to get myself ready, and because I’m so nice, I have ranked the top 30 skill-position players and then provided the in-depth commentary on why I have done so.
Will my rankings differ from yours or many of the other rankings out there? Uh, is an apple different than a stapler?
Opinions on all rankings will vary, but just remember that all of the rankings out there are just that, opinion and speculation. The rankings reflect the author's knowledge and, most importantly, his gut.
The major benefit we get from reading someone else's rankings is the discussions that follow. Some will have you nodding your head, while others will have you wishing the guy was in your money league because he would basically be a bye week.
You'll all likely be doing so after you read who's No. 1, but I'm ready to defend it. I just think he's going to have the best year out of anyone on the list.
As always, enjoy and feel free to disagree vehemently while calling for my head in your replies!
30. Jonathan Stewart (CAR)
Although my support for DeAngelo Williams is well documented, even I can’t deny that the talented rookie will win the Panthers' starting job. He has power, he has speed, and he apparently has the support of nearly every single person in the Panthers' organization, save for Williams himself.
Barring a major setback in his recovery from a turf-toe injury, Stewart should be the new rusher in town, as well as provide your team with a decent amount of fantasy points.
29. Julius Jones (SEA)
Even though Jones never did stand out in the Cowboys' offense, playing second fiddle to Marion “The Barbarian” Barber and all, a change of scenery and a new offense that will favor the running game might be just what Julius needs.
T.J. Duckett will take most of the goal-lines carries away, but Jones should be given the bulk of the overall workload. He’s definitely an upside pick, so don’t put too much stake in him, or you may regret it when he puts up similar stats from when he was in Dallas.
28. Rashard Mendenhall (PIT)
Regardless of Willie Parker’s rankings free-fall due to his broken leg and low 2007 TD total, he will still be the go-to guy in Pittsburgh. Mendenhall, on the other hand, is an upside pick with not a lot of risk since he’s going to be getting most of the goal-line carries and spelling an often fragile Parker, anyway.
27. LenDale White (TEN)
Despite playing in an offense with hardly any passing game, White sprung upon the scene last year with 1,108 yards and seven TDs. With this being Vince Young’s second year with his primary receivers, White should enjoy an increased amount of defenses dropping more people back to defend the pass.
Or at least that’s what the Titans organization hopes. Regardless, even though rookie Chris Johnson may spell him, White should see the majority of carries and goal-line attempts.
6 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Alex Chidester 11 months ago
If you play in a PPR league, I can understand Westbrook at #1 and Bush at #16.
I'm also a big fan of Jacobs, so I hope he can outperform that #19 spot you gave him.
Great, insightful look, though.
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Josh Galligan 11 months ago
Yeah, Westbrook and Bush are a lot more valuable in PPR leagues. I actually think Bush is going to have a semi-breakout season, at least to the point where people will stop calling him a bust pick. Westbrook on the other hand, eclipsed 2000 total yards last year and if he can stay at the level while improving upon his TD total, may just be the #1 RB in the league. I realize why everyone doesn't think he's number one, but I think he'll be the #1 back at the end of 2008 so why not rank him there?
As for Jacobs, I like him too but there's just too much competition behind him. He's the clear cut starter and it's his job to lose but it's never good when you have two quality replacements waiting in the wings all season behind you.
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Josh Galligan 11 months ago
Now that I think of it, I probably should have swip-swapped Jacobs and Maroney due to Maroney's injury woes and plethora of RB's ready to spell him. But I still think Maroney will breakout this year. At least, I hope so.
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Jimbo 11 months ago
Your insights on Michael Turner and Brian Westbrook were refreshing. Good rankings, also. Nicely done.
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gregory caldarella 11 months ago
very good insights on your rankings but I got to disagree on where Jacobs and Jamal Lewis are...Maroney will not have a better year than either of them. The Pats have way too many RBs and hardly run the ball enough to get him going...Jacobs won't be affected as much as people think by Bradshaw plus he still gets all the goaline carries and Jamal Lewis came off a really underrated year wite Browns and he's their main back again with no competition....and clinton portis at 6 is just ridiculous
but other than that nice rankingss
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Jacob Sloan 10 months ago
Well, at least you didn't put AP ahead of LT.
Nice perspectives on all these guys. Westbrook is a guy I like a lot. Not sure if I put him No. 1 over LT, but I can't argue with your case. Nice analysis all around.
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