Fantasy Football 2012: Safest Picks to Secure Championship Success

Despite the 2012 NFL season not kicking off until September, it's never too early to start thinking fantasy football. After all, it makes watching pro football immensely more enjoyable and provides you with the opportunity of talking even more smack to your friends.

As for winning a championship, you have to get at least a couple of players that are safely reliable picks throughout the draft. We'll begin with Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, because he was the 2011 NFL MVP and finished the regular season with 122.5 rating.

Along with Rodgers though, there are some other notable names as well as some that may be surprising. Here, we take a gander at one player from each fantasy football position to highly consider when your league's draft begins.

QB: Aaron Rodgers, Packers

Aaron Rodgers is the safest quarterback selection over Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Matthew Stafford because of his 2011 campaign. With 46 touchdowns to only five picks and a 68.3 completion percentage, Rodgers was the Packers last season.

Now, he's backed by an improved defense, still faces weak pass defenses in the NFC North as well as elsewhere on the schedule and is only 28 years old. His receiving corps isn't on the level of Brady's, but Rodgers has more mobility to buy time and performs just as well from the pocket.

RB: LeSean McCoy, Eagles

LeSean McCoy goes under-the-radar a bit because he's not he most well-known player on the Eagles. Obviously, much attention from a defensive standpoint goes toward Michael Vick and DeSean Jackson, but McCoy gained a lot of deserved notoriety after having gained over 1,600 total yards in 2011.

He'll certainly get more attention from defenses this year, but it still won't be enough as Philadelphia's offense got a big boost from landing Iowa receiver Marvin McNutt in the draft. With an improved defense to provide more possessions and better field position, McCoy (despite a tough schedule) will roll again in 2012.

WR: Calvin Johnson, Lions

Arguably the safest pick of any player in fantasy football, Calvin Johnson is the NFL's best weapon regardless of position. His combination of size, acceleration, speed, leaping ability and reliability can beat double-teams on a consistent basis.

Detroit also didn't make any drastic improvements to the defense this offseason, so expect the Lions to continue airing the rock out in high-scoring affairs. Plus, the Lions did improve the pass protection with Riley Reiff from the draft, so Johnson has the little bit of extra time to get downfield and make even more big plays.

TE: Owen Daniels, Texans

Owen Daniels has quietly developed as one of the NFL's most complete tight ends. It's easy to see him get overlooked on Houston's offense with guys like Andre Johnson and Arian Foster, but Daniels has been a consistent performer throughout his career.

Obviously we could go Rob Gronkowski here, but Tom Brady has so many other weapons to target, Gronk won't see nearly as many looks in 2012. You can also expect defenses to isolate him and force others to make plays.

As for Daniels, he'll be productive simply because the Texans have a strong ground game. Off play-action is where Houston's passing game is most dangerous and Daniels possesses the skill set to beat any linebacker or defensive back in single coverage.

WR/RB/TE: Ryan Mathews, Chargers

Easily one of the most overlooked players in the entire NFL, San Diego running back Ryan Mathews is a dual-threat and complete package to keep defenses off balance. Last season he accounted for over 1,500 total yards and scored six touchdowns.

In 2012 however, expect similar production in yards but even more scores as Mike Tolbert is out of the equation. Philip Rivers will continue to spread the ball around with a great receiving corps, but the Bolts' offense goes as Mathews goes.

If you can land him in Round 2 or 3, that's the steal of your fantasy draft.

Kicker: Phil Dawson, Browns

The Cleveland Browns face another rough schedule again this season, but the offense has made improvement with Trent Richardson and Brandon Weeden to move the rock more effectively. Unfortunately, the Browns still lack a stud receiver so once in or near the red zone Cleveland's drives will come to a halt.

This then brings us to kicker Phil Dawson who connected on 24-of-29 field goals last season, and 16 of them were from 40-plus yards out (eight from 50-plus). He's a deadly accurate kicker that always gets called upon by the Browns and Cleveland wouldn't score without him.

So, combine the Browns' upgraded offense with a tough schedule and you get a recipe for more field-goal attempts.

Defense/Special Teams: Arizona Cardinals

In a division not dominated by offense, the Arizona Cardinals are the best bet as a fantasy football defense/special teams in 2012. On defense, the Cardinals allowed just 18.3 points per game during their 7-2 run to close out the 2011 season.

Also, rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson returned four punts back for touchdowns and Arizona only got better for 2012. The front seven is respectable led by Calais Campbell and Darnell Dockett, so more sacks will occur and the drafting of Jamell Fleming only helps the secondary.

Provided that the offense continues to build, the Cardinals will be in pass-happy contests that bring more sack and turnover opportunities. It also helps that Arizona doesn't face too many explosive offenses this season.

John Rozum on Twitter.