Fantasy Football 2012: The Steadiest Players at Each Position

There are no sure things in fantasy football, but there are players who seem to reach certain levels of production each year. And while it may be tempting to draft a team full of promising youngsters like RG3 or players coming off of huge seasons like Rob Gronkowski, you can do yourself a favor by adding at least one of the following known quantities for a little stability on your fantasy roster.

Marques Colston, WR

Colston has been as consistent as any receiver in the NFL since beginning his career with the Saints in 2006. In five of his six seasons, Colston has topped or equaled 70 receptions, 1,000 receiving yards and seven TDs. 2008 was the only season he did not accomplish the feat due to an injury that limited him to 11 games. Colston surpassed those numbers last year though, despite missing two games. Colston is still in his prime at 28 and has an already established a chemistry with Drew Brees that should not be affected by Brees’ absence at OTAs.

Adrian Peterson, RB

Last year’s season-ending ACL tear ended Peterson’s streak of four 1,000-yard seasons that started his career. He finished just shy of the 1,000-yard mark with 970. However, he did extend his double-digit TD streak to five by notching 13 total TDs in just 12 games. Peterson’s first four years were phenomenal as he averaged 1,456 yards rushing and 13 TDs. At just 27 years old, a complete recovery from the ACL and MCL injuries seems likely.

Jason Witten, TE

There hasn’t been a ton of consistency at the TE spot in fantasy football over the past five years but two names stand out: Jason Witten and Tony Gonzalez. Each has been in the top six in those five seasons. Gonzalez is 36, and while I won’t doubt that he is still able to produce as a top-five TE, Witten is the more likely choice to continue his steady play at 30 years old.  Witten has topped 80 receptions and 900 yards each of the past five seasons. While you can draft a TE with the potential to go huge again like Gronkoswski or Jimmy Graham, it will cost you a much higher pick than to get the consistency of Witten. Witten has also played in all 16 games for eight straight seasons.

Drew Brees, QB

Brees has been a machine since arriving in New Orleans in 2006, throwing for over 4,300 yards each season and averaging 34 TD passes. There is a little more uncertainty than usual with Brees this year as he awaits a long-term contract, but there is no doubt that when Brees shows up, he will perform—he’s proven that throughout his career.

David Akers, K

Akers has been the No. 1 fantasy kicker the past two years. He was No. 2 in 2009 and No. 3 in 2008. While drafting a kicker isn’t a top priority, Akers did average 1.2 more points per game than John Kasay, the No. 2 kicker of 2011. The differential between Akers and the No. 10 kicker was 2.3. so, having the best kicker in the game isn’t a bad trump card to hold in a 10-team league (but, as a comparison, the differences between the No. 1 and No. 10 WR and RB were about six points). Akers has clearly been the most consistent kicker of the last few years. He can hit from 50-plus yards and plays for the 49ers, who take a low-risk red zone approach. Whether he’s worth a draft pick or not is up to you.

Green Bay Packers, Defense

The most consistent fantasy defense of the past three years belongs to a team that is known mainly for its offense, the Green Bay Packers. They were the No. 3 fantasy defense in 2009, followed by a No. 5 finish in 2010 and another No. 3 finish in 2011. Interceptions have been the key to the Packers fantasy success as they have finished first or second in team interceptions each of the last three years. Charles Woodson has been a major factor in the interception department with 18 the past three seasons, five of which he returned for TDs.