2011 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Who Are Next Year's First Rounders?

For those of you who got knocked out of the playoffs in multiple fantasy football leagues this season like I did, it's never too early to start planning what you will do differently next year.

Based on the players left on the board, I drafted two receivers with my first two picks, generally not the smartest idea. But I drafted Andre Johnson and Randy Moss so I figured I would be OK.

Well, I think it's safe to say Moss let me down in my first time ever drafting him.

That's why I won't be dealing with any "problem childs" in my next draft, no players who could be on three teams in a given season.

Some people go for upside in the first round of fantasy football drafts. I prefer to go for the sure thing, a consistent player who week in and week out will give me a chance to win.

Coming into this season, Tennessee's Chris Johnson was the consensus No. 1 pick in most drafts. That, however, has changed.

Here is my mock draft of the 2011 fantasy football draft.

Note: All stats, points and rankings are based on NFL.com leagues through Week 16 (non-PPR).

1. Arian Foster, RB

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PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans runs the ball in the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles won 34-24. (Photo by Al Bello/

As of Week 16, Houston Texans running back Arian Foster has 1,434 yards and 14 touchdowns rushing to go along with 594 yards and two TDs receiving.

He leads all running backs and receivers by almost 60 points with 294.80 points in NFL.com leagues.

He's a no-brainer in my opinion.

2. Adrian Peterson, RB

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 28: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings runs against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 26, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

With Foster off the board, the next selectee will go with a sure thing in Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson.

Despite a horrendous year for the Vikings, Peterson still managed 1,267 yards and 12 touchdowns rushing, to go along with 343 yards and a touchdown receiving.

No matter how bad the Vikings are, Peterson always gets his stats because he's arguably the greatest running back in the game today.

3. Peyton Hillis, RB

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CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 28: Running back Peyton Hillis #40 of the Cleveland Browns scores a touchdown in front of safety Sherrod Martin #23 of the Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sulliva

Based on name alone, some dimwits won't pick Cleveland Browns running back Peyton Hillis that high.

But one look at the season he's had shows he could be a good one for a while.

This year, given his first chance to shine, Hillis did not disappoint.

He ran for 1,164 yards and 11 TDs and had 474 yards receiving with two TD catches (15 games).

He's going to be the backbone of the Browns organization for some time and he is sure to get his carries.

4. Michael Vick, QB

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles rushes against the New York Giants at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Quarterbacks don't usually get drafted this high given the general thought process that running backs and receivers should be snatched up first based on lack of true depth at the positions.

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick will change this general thought process.

Vick leads all fantasy players with 310.32 points in NFL.com leagues in just 12 games played.

He has over 3,000 yards passing and 21 touchdowns to six interceptions. But his legs are what make him the first QB selected in the 2011 fantasy football draft.

Vick has 676 yards rushing and nine touchdowns rushing this season. Those touchdown numbers are good for a running back, never mind a quarterback.

5. Chris Johnson, RB

Grant Halverson/Getty Images

NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 05: Courtney Greene #36 of the Jacksonville Jaguars tackles Chris Johnson #28 of the Tennessee Titans at LP Field on December 5, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Jaguars won 17-6. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

As bad as the Tennessee Titans have been this year, Chris Johnson (the No. 1 pick coming into the year) still has put up some pretty gaudy numbers: 1,325 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns to go along with 194 yards receiving.

Like Peterson, the guy's so good it doesn't matter how his team is doing.

He will beat out Darren McFadden and LeSean McCoy based on his name, despite having less points through Week 16.

6. Tom Brady, QB

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 19: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks on before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots won the game 31-27. (Photo by Jim Ro

Once Vick is selected, someone's undoubtedly gonna want to get their grubby little paws on New England Patriots QB Tom Brady.

Brady was third among QBs with 283.04 points in NFL.com leagues through Week 16, passing for over 3,700 yards with 34 TDs to only four picks.

He also ran for a TD this year.

7. Dwayne Bowe, WR

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KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 26: Receiver Dwayne Bowe #82 of the Kansas City Chiefs is congratulated by fans as he jumps into the stands after making a 75 yard touchdown catch during the game against the Tennessee Titans on December 26, 2010 at Arrowhead S

How do you ignore 15 touchdowns?

Kansas City Chiefs receiver Dwayne Bowe has finally met the expectations people had for him when he first came into the league.

He's showing that he's one of the best receivers in the game and QB Matt Cassel has had his eyes locked on him from Day 1.

Bowe has nearly 200 points in NFL.com leagues through Week 16, good for most among wide receivers.

8. Roddy White, WR

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 27: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrates a first half touchdown during the game against the New Orleans Saints at the Georgia Dome on December 27, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Based on ability and name alone, Atlanta Falcons receiver Roddy White would be the consensus No. 1 receiver taken.

But based on stats, White's the No. 4 receiver in NFL.com leagues.

But with the Falcons creating a lot of hype, I see him being picked second among wide receivers.

White has 1,327 yards receiving and nine touchdowns through Week 16.

Note: I think the ref is giving Roddy props in this photo.

9. LeSean McCoy, RB

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 02: Lesean Mccoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles dunks the ball over the goal post in celebration of scoring a 4-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter against the Houston Texans at Lincoln Financial Field on December 2,

Philadelphia's LeSean McCoy may be overshadowed by Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson in the football world, but fantasy owners certainly recognize him.

"The Real McCoy" had over 1,000 yards rushing and seven touchdowns this year and 592 yards receiving with two TDs.

I expect him to be selected over Darren McFadden and Jamaal Charles despite garnering a couple less points, based on him playing for a more recognized team.

10. Calvin Johnson, WR

Leon Halip/Getty Images

DETROIT - OCTOBER 31: Calvin Johnson #81 of the Detroit Lions celebrates with teammate Jeff Backus #76 after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the game against the Washington Redskins at Ford Field on October 31, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan.

Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson has been showing for years that it doesn't matter who throws him the ball as long as it's in his general vicinity.

Johnson had another spectacular season this year, with 1,120 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns.

He ranked third among receivers in points.

11. Michael Turner, RB

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 12: Teammates Roddy White #84 and Michael Turner #33 of the Atlanta Falcons celebrate after Turner scored a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Charlotte, N

With Dwayne Bowe and Calvin Johnson off the board and Andre Johnson having a down years by his standards, selectees will turn their attention to RBs until No. 14.

Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner is as consistent as they come and don't be fooled by the Falcons vaunted passing attack: the guy's a workhorse.

This is the second time in three seasons Turner's rushed over 300 times.

He has 1,304 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns to show for it.

One of those "sure things."

Quip: I guess you could say Michael Turner and Roddy White could carry you to the playoffs.

12. Darren McFadden, RB

Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - DECEMBER 19: Darren McFadden #20 of the Oakland Raiders runs with the ball during their game against the Denver Broncos at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on December 19, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

It's about time, huh?

Despite Oakland Raiders running back Darren McFadden being fifth among running backs in points this season and leading a run-heavy Raiders attack, I see him slipping a bit based on not being a perennial fantasy contributor and his injury history (this was the first year he rushed over 113 times with 223 carries).

But there's no doubt McFadden is a top running back coming into the draft.

13. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs for yardage during the game against the Oakland Raiders during the game at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Gett

Jacksonville Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew was generally considered a top-three pick in this year's draft.

But he wound up being ranked 10th among RBs in points.

These kind of things don't go unnoticed to fantasy owners.

Jones-Drew had a lot of yards, but only seven combined TDs.

That doesn't get it done as far as a top-three pick is concerned, but he still is considered one of the best running backs in the league and shouldn't slip past the first round.

14. Aaron Rodgers, QB

Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

GREEN BAY, WI - DECEMBER 26: Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers is celebrates a touchdown against the New York Giants at Lambeau Field on December 26, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

It's hard to see Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers slipping past the first round, despite a good amount of big-time fantasy contributors in the RB and WR spots.

Rodgers was second among QBs and third overall in NFL.com leagues through Week 16 with 291.92 points.

He threw for almost 3,700 yards with 27 touchdowns to 10 interceptions and also ran for 335 yards and four scores.

Pick Rodgers in 2011, stick him in your QB slot and don't worry about your QB slot for the rest of 2011.

15. Greg Jennings, WR

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TAMPA, FL - SEPTEMBER 28: Wide receiver Greg Jennings #85 and quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers warm up before play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on September 28, 2008 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Al Mess

The selection of Aaron Rodgers could trigger some synapses in the brain for the next selectee.

"Hmmm...that was a good pick...how did he get all those touchdowns? Oh yeah...Greg Jennings."

Packers receiver Greg Jennings has had a great year through Week 16, with over 1,100 yards receiving and 12 TDs.

One of the premier quarterbacks in the league also favors him.

Check. Check-plus.

Honorable mention: Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice.