An Early Look at the Top 100 NFL Fantasy Football Rankings

There is no offseason for the NFL.

There's also no offseason for your fantasy football leagues either.

Which means here at Bleacher Report, it's time for an early look at my top 100 players for your fantasy leagues.

I've actually been compiling variations of this list at Footballguys.com since immediately after the NFL draft, as well as lists for dynasty and rookie leagues.

The following rundown, however, is for your basic redraft league—the type where you get to start fresh each and every year.

The scoring is as follows:

• 6 points for any touchdown (passed or thrown)
• 1 point per 10 yards of rushing and receiving
• 1 point per 20 yards passing
• -1 point for interceptions and fumbles

Ten or 12-team leagues both fit the profile here, though it's really about relative value as much as about where I'd draft the players.

I didn't use any bonus points for yardage totals nor any point-per-reception rules since many leagues don't use either. Honestly, yardage bonuses don't factor into my rankings as much as many other things. It's way too unpredictable.

We'll be counting down from player No. 100 to the first overall, with the first 50 players listed in rounds of 10, and the last 50 getting some individual treatment.

At the top of every page I will put a key of terms just so we're all on the same page.

First though, a little bit about my philosophy.

My Draft Philosophy

Some people like to load up on running backs. Some like to double dip at wide receiver. A brave few will grab a quarterback in the early first round.

My actual draft plan varies from year to year because the strength of the NFL and the shifting philosophies of it. You always have to move with the times, even year to year.

That said, I tend to favor a strong push for top running backs and wide receivers early in the draft. Tight ends have crawled up the board the last few years with the emergence of the two tight end sets and superstars such as Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham.

And there are some quarterbacks who are game changers and should be taken early.

The top of my board is definitely more varied and mixed than it was even just three or four years ago. So many teams are going with "running back by committee" (RBBC) or as many people call it, "the freaking NFL screwing with my lineup" package.

While there are some running backs who, without a doubt, are irreplaceable studs, there are many other backs who you can get later who may be very effective anyway—freeing you up to grab strong players at other positions.

You're not replacing the production of Adrian Peterson or Arian Foster with that of Ryan Mathews or Darren Sproles, but those players can be had much later and produce very well anyway.

In fact, your ability to find quality running backs later in a draft—and solid wide receivers as well—is what allows you to take a chance on a quarterback or tight end early.

When putting together any ranking, I ask myself a few questions. What have they done before? Have they done it consistently? What changes have happened in their offense and team in general? What defenses are they facing this year? Is there a position group more crowded? Have they been hurt or are they still hurt?

I've watched all of these guys a great deal, so I'm informed, but I'll be the first to admit I have as many biases as the next guy.

Sometimes that works in my favor—I love Adrian Peterson and was a big believer in him last year—and sometimes it doesn't. I recall the year Arian Foster burst onto the scene as a particularly "whoops" moment.

In the end though, it's about numbers and production—and trying to predict where both will go for a given player.

10th Rounders: From No. 100 to No. 91

• Quarterback: QB
• Running back: RB
• Wide Receiver: WR
• Tight End: TE

100. Sidney Rice, WR, SEA

Poor Sidney Rice. He finally has a healthy and productive season as well as a real quarterback, and now he has to take a step back for Percy Harvin. And make no mistake, it will be a severe step back. Expect Rice to be a productive third wide receiver and a hit or miss No. 2 for your fantasy teams, but don't expect another 1,000-yard season unless Harvin gets hurt.

99. Lance Moore, WR, NO

Moore had a big year last year, cracking 1,000 yards for the first time in his career. I don't expect the Saints to play from behind quite as much as they did last year, and quarterback Drew Brees can be unpredictable in terms of who he favors with targets. Ultimately, I don't see New Orleans having two 1,000 receivers as they did last year, and if someone is left short, it's going to be Moore, not Marques Colston.

98. Philip Rivers, QB, SD

Like Jay Cutler, Philip Rivers has a new coach in Mike McCoy—a guy who was able to shift his offensive plan from Kyle Orton to Tim Tebow to Peyton Manning. Rivers has looked awful at times the last few years. Some of that is him, but I am certain that more of it is the terrible job former general manager AJ Smith did in getting him help and former coach Norv Turner's failure in maximizing what they had. I expect this to be a bounce-back year for Rivers and the first step back towards being a lockdown starting quarterback for fantasy teams over the next few years.

97. Willis McGahee, RB, DEN

McGahee is coming off injury, and the Broncos drafted a player clearly aimed to replace him down the road—perhaps even immediately. However, this is John Fox we're talking about—a guy who holds onto his veterans like a miser does pennies. Fellow Footballguy and ESPN Denver Radio personality, Cecil Lammey, wrote an excellent piece about it which boils down to this—don't count anyone out here. McGahee might slip off this list over the summer, but he'll have a role and is worth keeping an eye on.

96. Jay Cutler, QB, CHI

It's early and Cutler could fly up this board if I like what I see when we hit training camp. The Bears upgraded the offensive line (finally) and Cutler has the weapons in Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett and Matt Forte to make some serious noise. New head coach Marc Trestman wants an uptempo offense to help keep Cutler vertical and that could spell some very good numbers for the Bears quarterback this year. He's not as stable as quarterbacks I have higher, but he has tremendous upside this year.

95. Giovani Bernard, RB, CIN

As I said above, I expect Bernard to creep into Green-Ellis' carries early and not give them back. He's got better speed, quickness and can change direction sharply. He's a little small and his frame is maxed out, so the question is whether he can take an NFL beating—which is why Green-Ellis is ahead of him on the list. That said, he's a big-play threat I expect a lot out of.

94. Dennis Pitta, TE, BAL

Pitta has slowly, but surely, taken over the main tight end job in Baltimore and looked very good last season. He clearly has chemistry with quarterback Joe Flacco and is heading into a contract season as well. I expect him to have a great year. If you wait on a tight end, this should be one of your main targets.

93. Daryl Richardson, RB, STL

While rookie Zac Stacy is a threat to steal carries, Richardson played well enough in his own rookie season to warrant a serious shot at the starting gig. It's more than likely the Rams will mix in both players, but Richardson is the horse I'd bet on first. He's a solid fantasy backup with some upside.

92. Andy Dalton, QB, CIN

If you're here in what amounts to the 10th round of this list and have waited on a quarterback, Dalton is a great choice. While he's a decent enough starter, he has some great weapons around him which allow him to be a productive fantasy starter or part of a quarterback by committee or QBBC. He won't blow up for points often but will be consistent and reliable.

91. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, CIN

While Green-Ellis has been solid overall and topped 1,000 yards in his first year with the Bengals, I don't love his 3.9 yards per carry nor the drafting of Giovani Bernard. The "Law Firm" is a solid player lacking big-play ability, which Bernard has. He'll get carries but we'll see him fade a bit over the course of the season.

9th Rounders: No. 90 to No. 81

• Quarterback: QB
• Running back: RB
• Wide Receiver: WR
• Tight End: TE

90. Greg Olsen, TE, CAR

Olsen was a big part of the offense in Carolina last year and should be again in 2013. The team is focusing on getting Cam Newton even more comfortable—something which will continue to involve the tight end position. Olsen is a guy who will fly under many owner's radars because he's in Carolina and because his name isn't "Gronkowski", "Gates" or "Graham," but don't let him sit there too long. Olsen has the athletic ability to be a very productive fantasy tight end—one who appears to be on the cusp of his best years ever. 

89. Tavon Austin, WR, STL

The lone rookie wide receiver on this list, Austin gets here on the strength of his tremendous ability and the fact that he is one of the very few weapons quarterback Sam Braford will have to pass to. Austin is deadly when he has the ball in his hands and the team will figure out all sorts of ways to get him the football. Rookie wide receivers can struggle, and I'd imagine Austin is going to have his bad moments, but the good ones are going to far outweigh them.

88. Cecil Shorts, WR, JAX

Shorts had a huge 2012, especially considering the disaster which was the Jacksonville offense. With Justin Blackmon suspended for the first four games of the 2013 season, Shorts is poised to have just as big an impact this year for fantasy owners. That said, don't get too carried away because teams will not overlook Shorts this year. While he will have a great year, expect some rocky spots.

87. Kendall Wright, WR, TEN

Tennessee is looking to get Wright more involved and off the three wide receiver sets he was often stuck in for his rookie season. With Kenny Britt constantly under arrest, they need to know if Wright could be the long-term answer. Wright himself wants to make bigger plays, which he certainly has the ability to do both after the catch and in vertical plays downfield. Consider this a guy you can grab as a second or third wide receiver with the potential to perhaps produce more.

86. Mikel Leshoure, RB, DET

I was pretty disappointed in Leshoure's production last season. Oh, his totals—798 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games—were adequate. His yards per carry (3.7), however, were not. Clearly not quite for the Lions either, as they brought in Reggie Bush. I expect Leshoure to still get the bulk of the carries despite the presence of Bush, but don't foresee an increase in overall yards or touchdowns. The other factor here is the offensive line, which has question marks. While not horrific, the O-line is prone to giving the running backs nothing to work with, and Leshoure has trouble making something out of nothing.

85. Pierre Garcon, WR, WAS

Injuries robbed Garcon of a chunk of his 2012 and he's still rehabbing. While he feels his shoulder isn't an issue, his foot worries him and that worries me. It's too early to panic, especially with the biggest contenders for his job coming from an aging Santana Moss and an underwhelming Leonard Hankerson. Still, injuries could hurt his value, so it's worth watching. I am not worried about Robert Griffin III being hurt. If Garcon is healthy (big "if"), he'll have value with either Griffin or Kirk Cousins throwing the ball.

84.  Eli Manning, QB, NYG

Here is a situation which just goes to show you that being great in the NFL doesn't always mean being great in fantasy. While Manning is certainly a fantastic quarterback in real life, in fantasy he can be a bit underwhelming. He just doesn't get you the huge points you need and is prone to mistakes which can cost you fantasy points. That said, he's solid overall and has enough production to start for teams willing to wait and stock up on quarterbacks later.

83. T.Y. Hilton, WR, IND

Hilton was a huge surprise last year, a small school prospect who everyone felt needed a couple of years to get acclimated. More like a couple of plays. On just 50 receptions, Hilton scored seven times and topped 100 yards five times. I don't see Darius Heyward-Bey as a real threat, but that is also a situation worth monitoring. Hilton will see plenty of snaps though, as he is a very versatile player and has Andrew Luck's trust.

82. DeSean Jackson, WR, PHI

Jackson has so much ability held back by so much attitude. That said, if he's healthy, he has the chance to be very productive in new head coach Chip Kelly's up-tempo offense. Jackson can be a bit of a hit or miss as so much of his production came only on vertical routes for so long. When he's on target (and being targeted), he is a tremendous producer. That said, the other X-factor for him is who will be at quarterback. Mike Vick is rarely healthy, Nick Foles is a bit underwhelming and Matt Barkley needs work. Still, Jackson's upside is huge.

81. Miles Austin, WR, DAL

For a brief span (2009 and 2010 to be exact), it looked like Austin was heading towards elite fantasy status, but injuries and the emergence of Dez Bryant put the kibosh on that. When healthy, he can still be an effective receiver, but at this point he is really the third receiving option behind Bryant and tight end Jason Witten.

8th Rounders: No. 80 to No. 71

• Quarterback: QB
• Running back: RB
• Wide Receiver: WR
• Tight End: TE

80. Aaron Hernandez, TE, NE

Hernandez often gets forgotten by fantasy owners because he doesn't put up the numbers (or dance) the way Rob Gronkowski does.With Gronkowski not only dealing with the aftermath of numerous arm surgeries, he's now also slated to have back surgery. While Gronkowski is down, Hernandez could finally get the chance to be a focal point in this offense. Hernandez has topped 900 yards just once in his career, but with the massive changes in personnel as well as the Gronkowski's injuries, Hernandez might finally get his chance to pass the millennium mark.

79.  Lamar Miller, RB, MIA

With the departure of Reggie Bush to Detroit, the coast is clear for Lamar Miller to become the lead back in Miami. The Dolphins expect Miller to pull his weight and feel he can be an every-down back. With Mike Wallace in town, Miller shouldn't see a ton of stacked fronts. However, while the Dolphins' offense looks great on paper, how will it play on the field? Betting too high on Miller is risky, but he should provide plenty of fantasy points if you get him in the right spot.

78. Andre Brown, RB, NYG

No more Ahmad Bradshaw means Brown will get a larger piece of the pie—especially if David Wilson struggles with holding onto the ball as he did last season. Brown had injury issues in 2012, but is a solid player who will get a share of the carries whether Wilson's case of fumblitis returns or not. He lacks Wilson's explosiveness and overall skills, but is a solid and tough ball carrier. Brown needs to stay healthy though, as he is only on a one-year contract.

77. Vick Ballard, RB, IND

Ballard isn't likely to be the Colts' long-term option in the backfield, but to paraphrase The Dark Knight, he may not be the running back they deserve, but he's the one they have. That said, he has the size to stand up to every-down work and the strength to punch in short-yardage attempts for first downs and scores. We know the Colts will throw the ball most of the time. Therefore, Ballard's upside is limited for fantasy purposes, but he should be consistent enough to produce some solid numbers.

76. Robert Griffin III, QB, WAS

So far it seems as if Griffin is on track to play, if not Week 1, very early on in the season. The big question is how his game might shift to protect him and whether he can learn to slide to avoid getting hammered repeatedly in order to avoid injuries. He can throw and he can run—but can he stay healthy and replicate last year's success? Those are the biggest questions facing Griffin and his potential owners. His upside makes him a great grab in the seventh round, though you might want to make sure you have a good player backing him up.

75. Kenny Britt, WR, TEN

Britt has a tremendous amount of talent, but has spent much of his career hurt (knee surgeries) and arrested, resulting in many missed games. It's not clear if, after two years of knee issues, Britt will ever regain the form he once had or if he will end up being replaced by Kendall Wright.  A year after his last knee surgery, Britt should be healthy though and primed to give us a healthy season where he'll be at his best. His injury issues and many off-field problems make him risky, but his upside is pretty good. He's a boom or bust pick who you need to really think hard about before pulling the trigger on draft day.

74. Josh Gordon, WR, CLE

After being picked in the supplemental draft. Josh Gordon had a lot to prove and he more than lived up to the hype. He quickly became someone rookie quarterback Brandon Weeden could trust, and that should continue this season. Of course, the big question is whether Weeden will be "the guy" this coming season with a new offensive coordinator and head coach in town. It shouldn't matter for Gordon, as he has to be a big part of this offense either way, but it could affect his numbers a bit.

73. Tony Romo, QB, DAL

Romo has the weapons and the money—now he needs the Super Bowl. Expect him to come in focused and ready to justify his massive contract. Last season saw too many interceptions (19) and sacks (32). Romo is in control of the former, but it's up to Jerry Jones to provide the latter. If Romo has more time, the interceptions will go down, but I'm not feeling the Cowboys did quite enough in the offseason to give Romo the time he needs to really make a dent in the interception numbers. They will go down though, while his yardage totals will stay high.

72. Tony Gonzalez, TE, ATL

"Once more unto the breach, dear friends."  Gonzalez is back for one last hurrah and he has been a consistent fantasy option for three of the four years in Atlanta. I expect him to be no less productive in his final season. While many owners will reach for a younger option like Vernon Davis and even an injured Rob Gronkowski, owners who wait a bit can grab Gonzalez later and reap the rewards. Another 800-plus yard season is at hand as he tries to help his NFL team—and fantasy owners—win that championship.

71. James Jones,  WR, GB

Someone is going to be left out of the dance for the Green Bay Packers, though there will be enough passes to make even the third option worthwhile for fantasy owners. Jones had a huge 2012, in part because Jordy Nelson and Greg Jennings were both hurt for much of the season. Nelson is healthy and will regain his top spot, and while Jennings is gone, it's more likely Randall Cobb will end up getting most of his targets, not Jones. The upside for Jones is that he will probably remain a big end-zone target. He could lose some targets to Jermichael Finley, but Jones is a more willing blocker and has a more reliable pair of hands, so the impact should be minimal.

7th Rounders: No. 70 to No. 61

• Quarterback: QB
• Running back: RB
• Wide Receiver: WR
• Tight End: TE

70. Mike Williams, WR, TB

After struggling in 2011, Williams bounced back in 2012 and really benefited from having Vincent Jackson as the primary receiver. Williams did a fantastic job using his body to make tough catches and was able to pull down a few for touchdowns. Quarterback Josh Freeman looks for him a ton in the red zone and that will continue this year. Next to Jackson and second-year back Doug Martin, Williams is the most critical factor to Freeman's success.

69. Mark Ingram, RB, NO

Ingram got the most carries last season, but that doesn't make much of a difference as this is a pretty messy running back-by-committee situation. I expect Ingram to get more touches this year as he takes some of the workload off Pierre Thomas. Ingram is also what passes for a goal line back in this group, for what little that's worth. Ultimately, he will get enough yards to function as a No. 2 running back for a fantasy team, or a flex spot player.

68. Steve Smith, WR, CAR

Two years of Cam Newton have really agreed with Smith, who has ripped off two 1,100-plus yard seasons since Newton arrived. His touchdowns remain low, not shocking given the overall struggles of the offense, but that's fine. Smith simply keeps on catching balls thrown his way and there are a lot of them. Smith has been the most targeted receiver in this offense for a long time; the last two years he has seen 267 passes thrown his way—far more than anyone else on the team. Expect that to continue. He'll get a ton of yards and any touchdowns will just be gravy.

67. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, ARI

After three great seasons as the top back in Pittsburgh, Mendenhall spent most of 2012 hurt and was replaced in the end. He landed in Arizona where injury-prone backs tend to congregate. Mendenhall will have to overcome Ryan Williams as well as two rookies (Andre Ellington and Stepfan Taylor, a personal favorite of mine) to hold onto the starting job. If he does, you have to keep his injuries in mind, but he can be a very effective and tough runner who will get the hard yards. Still, with the number of backs in town, Mendenhall will probably have a very short leash.

66. Jeremy Maclin, WR, PHI

As with Desean Jackson, how Maclin is used by new head coach Chip Kelly's offense will be interesting to watch. Looking at Maclin's career thus far, it seems as if he has plateaued, not quite able to break the 1,000 mark so far. Now he's in a contract year and has to prove himself. Some of Maclin's issues were certainly related to play-calling and the play of the quarterback position, but Maclin himself has to find a way to adjust and deliver on all that promise. That said, I fully expect Kelly and the Eagles to find ways to take advantage of Maclin's dynamic skill set and get him the ball early and often.

65. Steve Johnson, WR, BUF

Johnson has had three straight 1,000 yard seasons—really impressive considering how bad the quarterback play has been and the complete lack of talent across from him. The Bills have addressed both needs, or so they hope. They brought in Kevin Kolb and drafted EJ Manuel in the hopes of finally finding consistent play under center. They also drafted Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin to pull the secondary off Johnson and give him room to move. If that happens, the decreasing touchdown numbers should rise back up. At the very least, you will certainly get another 1,000-yard season out of Johnson.

64. Danny Amendola, WR, NE

In a point per reception league, I'd see Amendola higher on this list, but for a plain old regular fantasy league, I'm less excited. That's not to say I think he'll do poorly, but it's the difference of a good 80 or 90 catches worth of points. Still, Amendola will replace Wes Welker as Tom Brady's safety net and should see north of 1,000 yards. Less certain are his touchdowns. More than likely they will go to the backfield or the tight ends, though if the injury issues continue there, Amendola will see his chances rise. The other issue is Amendola's propensity for injury, particularly freaky ones like the collarbone dislocation last season. He has the ability, but it won't do anyone any good if he can't stay on the field.

63. Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR

Stewart had injury issues last season and still has to contend with DeAngelo Williams stealing carries. Oh, and Cam Newton, who led the team in rushing yards last season. The team may throttle back Newton's running efforts, but I still expect him to get the bulk of them. Stewart has the ability to be a top fantasy running back, but with so many different hands reaching for the ball, his ceiling is way lower than it should be.

62. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT

The Steelers are trying to fix the offensive line, get a decent run game together and overcome the loss of Mike Wallace. Roethlisberger still has Antonio Brown and Emmanuel Sanders to throw to, as well as rookie Marcus Wheaton. The big question is whether "Big Ben" can get more comfortable in offensive coordinator Todd Haley's offense, which is filled with short passes that aren't Roethlisberger's cup of tea. Expect him to adjust and find a way to utilize the receivers and new running back Le'Veon Bell as well.

61. Justin Blackmon, WR, JAX

It seems to me as if Blackmon might have just had what the staff at Footballguys calls a "career near-death experience." That's when a player does something stupid (sometimes for the third or fourth time) and realizes that their career can end pretty much any time. They start to become more trouble than they are worth. Blackmon had a decent rookie year once he got going, but is suspended for four games this year due to his second DUI in as many years. That leaves 12 games to put together a positive season, something he is more than capable of. I believe in Blackmon and his ability to get his act together, though not much further up from here.

6th Rounders: No. 60 to No. 51

• Quarterback: QB
• Running back: RB
• Wide Receiver: WR
• Tight End: TE

60. Eric Decker, WR, DEN

Decker had a huge 2012 as both he and Demaryius Thomas broke the 1,000-yard mark and Decker led the team with 13 touchdowns. Despite this, the team brought in Wes Welker, a move which will likely impact Decker's numbers negatively. On the other hand, Welker might open things up underneath for both Decker and Thomas and make them more effective overall. While his total numbers might come down, Decker will still be a very productive fantasy player.

59. Colin Kaepernick, QB, SF

When Kaepernick stepped in for an injured Alex Smith, few realized how different the offense would function or how far the team would go. A year later and Kaepernick is the undisputed starter and primed for another great season. Kaepernick showed he can throw from the pocket just as effectively as he runs the read-option. Also, his build and willingness to get out of bounds makes him less of an injury risk than some of the other option quarterbacks. His value took a hit when Michael Crabtree went down with an injury recently, but he still has plenty of weapons to lean on.

58.  Greg Jennings, WR, MIN

Jennings had a rough year in 2012, losing a ton of time due to injury and his top spot in the offense to a bunch of youngsters. Still wanting to be a No. 1 receiver (and get paid like it), he signed onto the Packers' hated rivals, the Minnesota Vikings. While his best days are clearly behind him and he remains an injury risk, Jennings provides a more consistent vertical threat than Jerome Simpson did last season. Of course, the question remains as to whether or not quarterback Christian Ponder can take advantage of a true vertical threat. If he can—and Jennings stays off the trainer's table—Jennings' value outstrips where you can draft him.

57. Russell Wilson, QB, SEA

Like Colin Kaepernick, Wilson is a mobile quarterback who can throw from the pocket as effectively as he runs the option. While his height and frame aren't big enough to eliminate durability concerns, Wilson is smart enough to get out of the way of big hits. He also gained a tremendous weapon when the Seahawks traded for Percy Harvin to pair with Sidney Rice. You have to like his upside, and while we don't really have a history to lean on, Wilson sure looked the part of a fantasy stud in 2012.

56. Torrey Smith, WR, BAL

Smith is going from having a good veteran to pull coverage away from him (with the departure of Anquan Boldin), to being the top guy in the wide receiver corps. How he handles that will have a tremendous impact on his fantasy value. There is legitimate concern for owners as he was inconsistent during the course of last season, though his overall numbers ended up looking good. Smith has the speed to stretch the field and quarterback Joe Flacco has the arm to take advantage of it—but both need to produce on a less streaky basis to reach their potential. Smith is a marginal No. 1 fantasy wide receiver, but a very solid No. 2.

55. Antonio Brown, WR, PIT

Like Torrey Smith, Brown suddenly finds himself in charge after having a player across from him who can pull coverage. Brown has Emmanuel Sanders though, who can stretch the field and might be the guy Brown needs to get some room to move. He'll see plenty of targets and should be able to take advantage of them. While he might not put up numbers like Mike Wallace, Brown is a good player to have in your No. 2 slot.

54. Andrew Luck, QB, IND

I have to admit, as good as I thought Luck was coming out of Stanford, I didn't expect the year he had in 2012. He's only going to get better too. As long as Reggie Wayne can eek out another good year and T.Y. Hilton doesn't regress, Luck should have plenty of weapons and another successful season. He has shown a strong arm, very good mobility and a high football IQ—all things which make me feel confident that fantasy owners can skip out on some of the early quarterbacks players will go after and grab Luck as a very good starter.

53. Mike Wallace, QB, MIA

Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland pushed all his chips into the table this year to get his team the weapons they need to contend in the AFC East—and the AFC in general. Wallace is the crown jewel, as he was the big-play threat quarterback Ryan Tannehill lacked in 2012. Like everyone else on the Pittsburgh roster in 2012, Wallace had injury issues. He didn't look fantastic even when healthy, but should bounce back this season. As long as Tannehill takes a step forward, Wallace will be a solid producer for his owners.

52. Matt Ryan, QB, ATL

With career highs in total yards, touchdowns and passing attempts, Matt Ryan finally took advantage of having Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez at his disposal. He gets Gonzalez for one more year, and a more functional running game with the arrival of Steven Jackson. Ryan has been in the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks for the last three years and that trend should continue. While not among the "elite" fantasy quarterbacks, he is consistently among the best and is an excellent starter for any fantasy team.

51. Vernon Davis, TE, SF

Davis gets a bump up with the injury to Michael Crabtree. Last season saw an offense which, at times, seemed to forget the athletic tight end existed. Expect that to change this year—and I would have said that even if Crabtree was on the field because the Niners realized how effective Davis could be during the playoffs. With Crabtree out, they need Davis, and I expect to see his numbers bounce back to the 800 to 1,000-yard levels they were at in previous seasons. 

No. 50: Darren Sproles, RB, New Orleans Saints

Darren Sproles may not get a ton of carries, but he gets touches—which he turns into lots and lots of yards.

Sproles is the reason we have combined yardage in fantasy leagues—a multifaceted tool who can run the ball well and catch it out of the backfield.

It doesn't matter how he gets the yards, just as long as he gets them.

He won't reach the heights he did in 2011, where he gained 607 yards on the ground and 710 receiving yards to go along with nine total touchdowns—an unlikely scenario with Mark Ingram and Pierre Thomas at the Saints' disposal.

He will get a ton of receiving yards though, and that makes him more than worth it at this point on the list. You can kick him up a little if you get individual yards for punt returns  While he didn't do it a ton in 2012, he's still a factor on special teams and it helps his overall fantasy points in those leagues.

Sproles is a vital part of this high-powered offense, and his speed and ability after the catch should keep him high on a lot of fantasy football lists.

No. 49: Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers

So far, Ryan Mathews has been disappointing to both Chargers fans and fantasy owners as he can never stay healthy.

On rare occasions where he is healthy, Mathews can be a beast. He has the speed to break off a big play and the strength to run for the tough yards.

In 2011, despite missing two games, he ended up the seventh best running back in standard fantasy leagues. Unfortunately, he missed double that amount of games last season and in his rookie year, and his production suffered as a result. 

Further, Mathews isn't all that great in pass protection, which keeps him off the field on third down far too often.

Last year the missed games, low yards per carry and yardage total were compounded by scoring one touchdown. That's absolutely going to go back up and I have no doubt that new head coach Mike McCoy will give the offense a solid base using the run.

However, the injuries and the inconsistency keep Mathews a No. 2 running back for fantasy purposes, even if he has the talent to be much more.

No. 48: Wes Welker, WR, Denver Broncos

Feeling unappreciated by the New England Patriots, Wes Welker took his talents to the Mile High City, moving from one tremendous quarterback to another.

Peyton Manning had two 1,000 yard receivers last season in Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas, and he throws the ball a lot.

He'll find a reliable target in Welker (Super Bowl gaffes notwithstanding), and while Wes won't see the number of targets he did with Brady and the Patriots (over a hundred every year with the team and nearly 200 each of the last two seasons), he will see a significant amount.

Welker will work out of the slot, and should find a lot of room to cause chaos as he has two very good receivers to draw coverage. Teams will have to pick their poison when it comes to Welker, Thomas and Decker, and there is no good choice in that bunch.

Expect a bit of a regression in his numbers versus the last two years, but overall Welker is poised to have yet another great fantasy season.

No. 47: Matthew Stafford, QB, Detroit Lions

Let's start here: I fully expect Matt Stafford's yardage totals to go down in 2013.

Which still leaves him as one of the most prolific passers in the NFL and a pretty darn good fantasy quarterback.

The fact is that with the improvement on the defensive side of the ball, as well as the addition of Reggie Bush and what I hope to be a much more effective ground game, Stafford isn't going to have to throw the ball as much.

That said, he's going to top 4,000 yards again this season.

Where Stafford can really improve is increasing his touchdown totals and decreasing his interceptions.

A healthy Ryan Broyles and Nate Burleson should help clear things out for Calvin Johnson and help Stafford find the end zone more frequently.

If he can cut down on the mistakes and keep the offense moving, he should be a decent starting fantasy quarterback with upside.

No. 46: Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers

Cobb is an insanely talented athlete who, in just his second season, emerged as a player the Packers had to have on the field for virtually every snap.

Amassing more than 1,000 total yards, Cobb proved he could get the job done and will likely be regarded as the No. 2 receiver in Green Bay, just behind Jordy Nelson.

The Packers got the ball into Cobb's hands in a variety of ways, including direct snaps, reverses, short passes and deep throws. They'll do that all season long again in 2013.

Cobb also returns kicks and punts, but that's something which will likely change. There's a chance that they see him as too dynamic to keep off kicks, but it's usually best for teams to let a quality receiver focus on catching the ball..

A big-play threat with speed and athleticism to spare, Cobb is poised for another big season for both the Packers and his fantasy owners.

No. 45: Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers

Frank Gore just completed the second of two straight 1,200-yard seasons right as he hits the age of 30.

Did you get a shiver down your spine? Most folks worry that the moment a running back hits 30, the wheels come off and the car catches fire.

You can certainly be concerned because we've seen it happen before and it tends to happen rapidly—there is no gradual decline. One second the guy is a great fantasy running back, then next he's a train wreck.

There is a certain school of thought that it's better to bail on a player a year too early than it is to hang on one year too long, but to me, Gore is a guy with gas left in the tank.  His yards per carry have stayed over the 4.0 mark (with last year hitting 4.7) and he still catches the ball well.

Admittedly, Gore's production could take a hit with the rotation of LaMichael James, Kendall Hunter and Anthony Dixon. But I feel that the chances of that are minimal. As long as he's healthy, you can expect the 49ers to keep riding Gore as long as they can.

No. 44: Dwayne Bowe, WR, Kansas City Chiefs

After way too many years with Matt Cassel as quarterback, Dwayne Bowe's life just got much easier. While Alex Smith isn't Joe Montana (even the aging Joe Montana the Chiefs got way back when), he's a solid player who has turned the corner over the last two years and can deliver the ball to a player of Bowe's quality.

Bowe is now going to have a competent quarterback throwing him the ball—and is out of excuses for why he's not reaching his potential.

You can bet that Smith and new head coach Andy Reid are looking for ways to help Bowe reach that potential. They'll use his size and athleticism on the shorter routes he runs best. With Donnie Avery across from him to pull coverage, we could be looking at Bowe's best season in a very long time, if not ever.

Bowe finally seems to have stopped being his own worst enemy and is in an offense which is geared to get him the ball. He should have a great year in Kansas City.

No. 43: Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Reggie Wayne had just a little more gas left in the tank than people expected, didn't he? Emerging as Andrew Luck's best and—by far—favorite target in 2012, there's not much chance that changes this season.

T.Y. Hilton should continue to play well, as should tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener, but ultimately there isn't much competition for Wayne. He's the veteran Luck trusts to get the job done.

Wayne will get you yards, no doubt about it, but what he won't get you is touchdowns.

In his 12-year career he has only scored 10 or more touchdowns three times, and that doesn't seem poised to change as Luck seems to spread his touchdowns around.

That's fine though, as Wayne more than makes up for it in yards. It's just something that will limit his appeal to fantasy owners.

No. 42: Darren McFadden, RB, Oakland Raiders

Darren McFadden is so talented it's ridiculous.

Unfortunately, he's also so injury-prone that it's ridiculous.

Having missed 23 games in his five years in the league, McFadden is totally unreliable as a primary fantasy running back even though he has the ability to hold that role on your team.

Last season was especially brutal as he missed four or more games for the second year in a row and saw his yards per carry fall all the way to a lackluster 3.3. 

That actually makes the 707 yards he ran even more surprising. Combined with his receiving yards, he fell just short of a 1,000 yards combined.

Be very, very careful with McFadden. His upside tempts fantasy owners to go earlier on him than he warrants due to his constant injuries.

While he could be a solid primary fantasy running back, he never stays healthy, which drags him back to the pack as a secondary running back or a flex.

If you expect no more than that—and prepare for the inevitable missed games—McFadden can be a very good back for your team.

No. 41: Peyton Manning, QB, Denver Broncos

Peyton Manning had the second highest yardage and touchdown totals of his career in 2012, and it could actually get even better in 2013 now that Wes Welker has arrived.

After missing all of 2011 due to neck issues, Manning moved to the Mile High City and looked like he had never taken a snap off, forget a year.

Along with Welker, the Broncos added more offensive-line help and rookie Montee Ball to round out the ground game (and protect the team from another Willis McGahee injury).

The Broncos are likely to use a lot of three-wide receiver sets and keep the huddles to a minimum. This will make it tougher for defenses to key on any one receiver, much less Manning himself.

While Manning is clearly on the downward slope of his career, he also has a lot of football left in him. The weapons the Broncos added in the offseason have him set up for another strong year.

Fantasy owners may still feel hesitant about him due to the neck issues, but they shouldn't. It's easy to see he is far past that concern.

No. 40: Jason Witten, TE, Dallas Cowboys

Jason Witten has had more than 1,000 yards in four of his last six seasons. 

While Dez Bryant and Miles Austin are important factors in the offense, when Tony Romo needs a big play, he looks for his big tight end.

Witten is always on the field, as he can run, block and catch the ball, which only creates more opportunities for him.

If there is a soft spot to his game, it's touchdowns. While Romo will use Witten to move the chains when it counts, he will also look elsewhere most of the time when he needs a touchdown. More than anything else, that keeps Witten from really being in the conversation for elite status as a fantasy tight end.

Be that as it may, the Cowboys are determined to make a playoff push this year, so expect Witten to see a lot of action in 2013.

No. 39: Reggie Bush, RB, Detroit Lions

I thought this was a great idea way back in January, and I still think it might be the best move the Lions made this offseason.

Bush gives them a legitimate two way threat—he can run the ball (as evidenced by the 900-plus yards both seasons in Miami) as well as catch it out of the backfield.

With no real receiving threats outside of Calvin Johnson, the Lions are desperate for someone else who might be able to take advantage of all the attention Johnson gets. Add to that the need for a solid running back (I like Mikel Leshoure but he wasn't reliable last season), and you can see Bush getting a ton of work in 2013.

Bush will not get the full load of carries, but he will be on the field a lot as he lines up wide or in the slot.

They may even have him return kickoffs or punts, which as we have pointed out a few times in this piece, can bring added points in certain leagues.

No. 38: Stevan Ridley, RB, New England Patriots

You have to like the fact that Stevan Ridley is taking his opportunity to be the lead back for the Patriots seriously. He added bulk in the offseason and showed up to the team's conditioning program having added quite a bit of muscle.

Ridley was already a tough guy to bring down, and now he's even more of a load.

The question is, did he add muscle and mass while sacrificing speed and agility?

In 2013, the offense will lean pretty heavily on Ridley, especially if Rob Gronkowski is out for the start of the season. They'll especially need him to be effective in the red zone.

Ridley went over 1,200 yards for the first time in 2012. He's looking at similar production in 2013 as the Pats will likely run just as often as they did last season. If he can stay healthy (he ended up with a concussion during the AFC Championship game) and withstand the wear and tear of a full season, he could have a very big year.

No. 37: Marques Colston, WR, New Orleans Saints

Despite some seasons where he was banged up, Marques Colston has had 1,000 yards six of the last seven seasons, including four straight.

He is clearly one of quarterback Drew Brees' favorite targets—and one of his most reliable as Colston has caught 63 percent of the balls thrown his way.

Last season, Colston had the second highest yardage and touchdown totals of his career.

Brees and the Saints offense should look much better this year with head coach Sean Payton back full time. You can expect another great season for Colston, with hopefully more touchdowns thrown in.

Colston is a borderline primary wide receiver and a fantastic No. 2.

No. 36: Steven Jackson, RB, Atlanta Falcons

I used to call Steven Jackson injury prone, but in the last four years he's only missed two games. Meanwhile, all he does is accumulate yards—in his nine-year career he's topped 1,000 yards eight times.

That's amazing when you consider that in 2007 and 2008, he missed eight games and still managed to top the millennium mark.

Even more impressive is that he did this in the face of a stunning lack of fellow offensive weapons.

Now Jackson heads to Atlanta where he will never again face a stacked front due to the presence of Roddy White, Julio Jones and Tony Gonzalez.

It's quite possible that Jackson might see one of his best seasons in some time—maybe ever.

If there is a downside to Jackson, aside from age, it's the lack of touchdowns. However, it is awfully hard to score touchdowns if the offense cannot get into the red zone.

That won't be a problem from the Falcons, so expect the best touchdown total for Jackson in a very long time.

No. 35: Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

Every once in a while I hear someone say that Tom Brady is slowing down.

Well, if two 4,000-yard seasons in a row and three consecutive 30-plus touchdown seasons is slowing down, I'd like to know what speeding up looks like.

Losing Wes Welker hurts, but Danny Amendola could prove to be a younger, better version of Welker. He just needs to stay healthy.

Speaking of health, Brady has to be concerned that both his tight ends are banged up, with Gronkowski needing back surgery during June.

All this might make the start of Brady's season a bit shaky, but in the end, he has always made the receivers around him better than they made him.

Owners shouldn't worry much about it, and Brady will carry more than one team to the fantasy championship.

No. 34.: Jordy Nelson, WR, Green Bay Packers

If Jordy Nelson isn't banged up at the end of 2012, he easily has his second year in a row of more than 1,000 yards and more than likely, a dozen touchdowns.

As it stands, some might overlook him because he was hurt, which makes him a must-have if he's sitting around in the third round.

Nelson is the primary receiver for a team which never saw a down it didn't want to throw. When you have a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers who loves to throw the ball, you let him do his thing.

This creates a perfect opportunity for Nelson to bounce back from a disappointing season and get back to the 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns he had in 2011.

Teams can't afford to double him up either. If they do, Randall Cobb and James Jones will make them pay.

No. 33: Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants

Health was an issue again for Hakeem Nicks, and right as he enters his free-agency year.

Speaking of which, he has skipped OTAs, which he swears has nothing to do with his contract situation.

I am actually completely fine with him skipping OTAs. As banged up as he was last year, more rest will only help.

Last year we were all worried about Victor Cruz and whether he could replicate his numbers from the previous year, but now we have concerns about Nicks. He needs to prove he can stay healthy.

If he can do that, I have no doubt the numbers will come.

Watch the contract squabbles and any reports about Nicks' health—especially his knees.

All things being equal, he's a worthwhile pick in the middle of the third round and well worth the calculated risk.

No. 32: Percy Harvin, WR, Seattle Seahawks

New town, new team—new Percy?

Harvin was unhappy in Minnesota, so they finally gave him what he wanted—a ticket elsewhere.

The Seahawks gained a phenomenally talented, but somewhat volatile player who is deadly with the ball in his hands.

Russell Wilson managed to make Golden Tate and Sidney Rice dangerous receivers, so it's exciting to think about what he can accomplish with a guy like Harvin.

Harvin was hurt last season, but the injury issues shouldn't carry over. Really, the only thing which can stop Harvin is Harvin.

No. 31: DeMarco Murray, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Two years of being banged up might be making fantasy owners a bit wary of DeMarco Murray. Last season saw his yards per carry drop more than a yard and his fumbles increase as well.

Neither is an encouraging sign, but both things can be corrected.

If Murray can stay healthy though, he will be a bell cow back for the Cowboys. They let Felix Jones leave and only brought in rookie Joseph Randle. If he's healthy, Murray isn't going to fight for carries.

When healthy, Murray is amazingly versatile and talented. He can run strong at the point of attack, catches the ball exceedingly well and has the speed to break out a long run.

All of that isn't really worth much if he can't stay on the field, though.

Ultimately, Murray will end up fine. He'll miss a couple of games and be banged up, but he also will be very effective. The injury woes and drop in yards per carry are what keeps him out of the top two rounds, but if you are careful, he has great upside.

No. 30: Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

People like to downplay what Cam Newton has done, but it's really worth noting.

As the season closed out last year, Newton started to find his stride, compiling 11 touchdowns against just two interceptions in the last seven games. That's not counting the four rushing touchdowns he in that span.

I don't know about you, but that's pretty effective as far as I am concerned.

The team is working to make the offense quicker and more uptempo. In order to do this, they are simplifying things, especially terminology.

I was never a fan of Rob Chudzinski's offense (sorry Browns fans), and Newton had a lot of improvement when Mike Shula was his quarterback coach last season.

The young signal-caller can take a big step forward this year. His passing yards, combined with his ability to run and accumulate ground yards, make him a dangerous fantasy quarterback.

No. 29: Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Roddy White keeps saying he's going to take a backseat to Julio Jones and that his numbers will come down. Yet, he's had back-to-back seasons where he topped 1,200 yards total.

For six seasons, White has caught over 1,000 yards and this year shouldn't be any different.

Matt Ryan can throw the ball to either Jones or White and defenses really can't do much about it. White may be 32 years old, but he hasn't lost a step that I can see, and he has a very good distraction on the other side of the field.

At some point White will slip a bit. This does not look to be that year, though, and it's clear he still has the desire and ability to be a great receiver.

No. 28: Rob Gronkowski, TE, New England Patriots

Ah, Gronkowski. If only you healed as quickly as you doffed your shirt to dance.

We've touched on Gronkowski's issues a few times, so this will be brief.

Gronk's offseason has required four trips into surgery for his broken arm, as well as back surgery to be done sometime in June.

When healthy, Gronkowski is a beast. Fast, strong, athletic and tough, Gronkowski is one of Tom Brady's favorite targets.

The question you have to ask yourself is whether or not you think Gronkowski will be back early in the season—perhaps even for the first game.

If that's the case, this is almost a steal.

However, if you are concerned the injuries will linger, then this is about where the upside starts to be worth the risk.

No. 27: David Wilson, RB, New York Giants

It wasn't a great rookie season for David Wilson, as he fumbled a lot and ended up benched almost immediately to start the year. Coach Tom Coughlin was adamant about nipping Wilson's ball-control issues in the butt.

Wilson stayed in Coughlin's doghouse until injuries to Andre Brown and Ahmad Bradshaw pushed him into action. At that point we saw the ability which made him a first-round pick.

With his size, speed and strength, Wilson should be very successful in this offense if he can hang onto the ball.

Wilson will begin by splitting carries with Andre Brown, but if Brown gets hurt or Wilson shows that extra gear enough in practice (and doesn't put the ball on the turf), he could end up as the primary back in short order.

This is also another player who can return kicks and punts.

No. 26: Victor Cruz, WR, New York Giants

Two Giants in a row—clearly it's a fix!

Cruz proved that 2011 was no fluke, and while his numbers went down it's clear he wasn't just taking advantage of attention going to Hakeem Nicks (in part because last year there was no Hakeem Nicks for several games).

I had been hesitant to anoint Cruz much of last offseason until I read this excellent piece by SmartFootball.com's Chris Brown over at Grantland. 

Take a minute today and read the piece if you never have.

Suffice to say, I am a believer and Cruz will only continue to get better this season. He should top 1,000 yards and double-digit touchdowns, making him a very solid primary wide receiver for a fantasy team.

No. 25: Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson himself will probably disagree with this ranking and he might have a little bit of a point given he's been a top 20 running back every year he's been in the league.

On the other hand, he hasn't put up much in the way of touchdowns, which certainly keeps him out of the argument for being one of the fantasy elites.

The Titans tried to improve the offensive line this offseason, but it might come down to whether Jake Locker can develop as a quarterback. Johnson can only bust off so many long touchdown runs—he will put more touchdowns on the board if he has a quarterback who can get him close to the goal line.

Johnson also continues to be very effective catching the ball out of the backfield, though he saw far fewer targets last year than he had previously. 

I expect that to change a little, and while he won't necessarily see the 79 targets he saw in 2011, he should see more than the career-low 49 he had last season.

No. 24: Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals

Larry Fitzgerald missed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in five years. The amazing thing isn't that he had a low total—it's that he continually had very good seasons despite atrocious play from the quarterback position for the last few years.

You can say a lot about new Cardinal quarterback Carson Palmer, but he can certainly throw the ball and find Fitzgerald.

If the run game can establish itself or if Michael Floyd and Andre Roberts can pull coverage off Fitzgerald, he might even have a better-than-average (for him) year.

The truth is, even if he's triple covered, Fitzgerald will fight for the ball and come down with it.

He's a consistent force on the field and a reliable receiver for fantasy owners.

No. 23: Vincent Jackson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Vincent Jackson's first year in Tampa was a roaring success. We always knew he was talented—it was just a matter of getting him away from San Diego and A.J. Smith.

Jackson was a huge help in keeping the Bucs' offense afloat and he's not going anywhere anytime soon. His speed and reliable hands stood out from the crowd of mediocrity at the wide receiver position in Tampa and also helped Mike Williams find the form which made him such a successful rookie.

There is no way Jackson gets less targets—and if Josh Freeman can be consistent, Jackson might become even more successful.

No. 22: Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans

For a little while in 2012, it looked as though the Texans had forgotten they had one of the best wide receivers in the game on their team.

However, Andre Johnson eventually got his and showed why he is one of the top receivers in either fantasy or real NFL football.

The issues with Johnson as a receiver are really out of his control. He has to contend with Arian Foster, who the Texans began to lean on more last year, as well as Matt Schaub's general inconsistency.

On top of that, there hasn't been a decent wide receiver to take pressure off Johnson in years. The team hopes rookie DeAndre Hopkins can be that guy, but it could take a year or two for that to come to fruition.

The other problem with Johnson is the lack of touchdowns over the past two years—something else you can lay at the feet of Arian Foster.

No. 21: Demaryius Thomas, WR, Denver Broncos

For the first few years of his career, it looked as if Demaryius Thomas might be another bad pick by former Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels. Injuries plagued the young receiver and kept his impact minimized.

One year later, after a healthy 16 games and the arrival of Peyton Manning, Thomas is a star in the making.

The arrival of Wes Welker shouldn't do anything to dim this star either—in fact it should make Thomas' life easier.

It's a great sign that Thomas and the others worked out with Manning early on, and it makes me confident that he can produce even better numbers in 2013.

No. 20: Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew has been the one constant bright spot for the Jacksonville Jaguars for the last few years, though 2012 was rough for the seven-year veteran with a sub-par start and a trip to injured-reserve list. 

This season he's supposed to be healthy, but there are some questions as to how many more years of the heavy workload he can take. This is a contract year for Jones-Drew. We know the market for running backs—even great ones—isn't all that lucrative anymore.

If Jones-Drew wants to have one last big payday, he needs to have a tremendous season.

I've always been a believer in Jones-Drew. While he isn't the primary running back for a fantasy team he once was, he will be a very good second running back and (if healthy) has the upside to put up stud numbers off and on throughout the season.

No. 19: Jimmy Graham, TE, New Orleans Saints

For a guy who played all of one year of college football, Jimmy Graham has really come into his own quickly in the NFL.

Graham was banged up in 2012, but still nearly broke 1,000 yards and is poised to have a ridiculous campaign in 2013. Considering how much Drew Brees trusts him, I see no reason why the young tight end won't top 1,000 yards and double digit touchdowns.

Graham just needs to stay healthy and I believe last year's injury issues were the exception, not the rule.

No. 18: Dez Bryant, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Dez Bryant had a breakthrough season in 2012, though not without a few bumps along the way.

Of course, the occasionally inconsistent play of quarterback Tony Romo sometimes brought Bryant's impact down to earth, but so did some bad choices on Bryant's part including running the wrong routes.

Still, Bryant is a very talented guy and it seems as though it all "clicked" for him in the latter half of the 2012 season. He's the top receiver in Dallas and knows he has to carry his share.

Bryant can easily hit the marks he set this past year, and if he can continue to sand off the rough edges of his game, the best might still be to come.

He isn't perfect but is starting to prove that he can put up numbers even when his quarterback struggles. A great trait in a fantasy wide receiver.

No. 17: Matt Forte, RB, Chicago Bears

Matt Forte could be set to have a breakout season, as new head coach Marc Trestman's uptempo offense seems tailor-made for all of Forte's skills.

Whether a play calls for running between the tackles or catching the ball out in the flat, Forte can do it. If the defense is on its heels because the offense is moving swiftly—well that's just more room for Forte to move.

Of course, if quarterback Jay Cutler can find a rhythm with his receivers this year, Forte should also see less stacked fronts. It would also help if the blocking improved, though run-blocking tends to be a strength of the Bears' offensive line.

It just wasn't last year.

Forte is a tremendously talented back, and if Trestman's offense works the way I believe it will, look for some big runs from Chicago's backfield. 

No. 16: Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

Drew Brees simply throws the ball more often and for more yards than almost any other quarterback. He also rarely gets hurt and can put fantasy points up almost regardless of who is catching the ball.

Consistency and high output production are two things a quarterback has to have for me to even consider grabbing him in the first or second round.

Brees has thrown for over 4,000 yards seven straight season and more than 5,000 yards three times. During the last two years, he has thrown 89 touchdowns against just 33 interceptions.

Expect yet another excellent season for Brees, the only quarterback aside from Aaron Rodgers I'd take before the third round.

No. 15: C.J. Spiller, RB, Buffalo Bills

C.J. Spiller is all set to fully take over the lead running back role in Buffalo. Last season when Fred Jackson went down, Spiller ran for 1,244 yards and added another 459 through the air. With the struggles of Ryan Fitzpatrick, teams knew Spiller was coming and still couldn't stop him.

New head coach Doug Marrone is another college coach who wants a speedy, uptempo offense, and that fits Spiller really well. Expect a ton of receiving yards again as well as another solid season between the tackles.

Spiller's speed, vision and athleticism make him a dangerous runner. No matter who is throwing the ball or how the defense is playing, C.J. will have an impact.

No. 14: Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

When the Falcons moved Heaven and Earth (and their whole draft) to get Julio Jones in 2011, a lot of people scoffed.

After all, he can't play defense, right? And wasn't that their issue?

Turns out the Falcons knew what they were doing. Jones has had a great first two years and has more than made the move up in 2011 worth it.

With Steven Jackson replacing a burned out Michael Turner in the backfield, the offense will be even more potent and I expect career highs again from Jones this season.

No. 13: Brandon Marshall, WR, Chicago Bears

One thing is for sure—whatever a team can do to keep Jay Cutler and Brandon Marshall together is worth it.

Marshall may have worn out his welcome in Miami, but he has certainly fit in in Chicago. Last season, Marshall once again became Cutler's favorite target (just like the old Denver Broncos days).

It's very hard to stop Marshall and he will abuse you as you fight over the ball. Head coach Marc Trestman's new offense should allow the Bears to take advantage of defenses being unable to shift the right coverage to Marshall, which will expose them to some big gains.

Whatever Marshall is doing to keep his head on straight is working—and he's going to keep putting up great numbers as a result.

No. 12: Alfred Morris, RB, Washington Redskins

Remember way back on the first couple of pages when I said there were guys near the top of the list who don't have a track record, but my gut says they'll be good?

Morris is one of those guys.

After stealing the job in the preseason, Morris went on a tear and ended up with the third most carries in the NFL (335), the second most touchdowns (13) and the second most yards (1,613).

Considering the most yards were Adrian Peterson's 2,000 plus, that's not bad for a sixth-round rookie. What else does he have in common with Peterson? Oh, just that he gained the majority of his yards after initial contact.

Morris gained 1,001 yards after contact according to Pro Football Focus, third behind Doug Martin (1,005) and Peterson (1,369).

The next closest was Marshawn Lynch with 872.

Morris isn't anything unique—he's a plant your foot and run type of guy, but he fits the scheme the Redskins have very well.

Is there a risk of regression? Sure, but it's one I am willing to take based on what I have seen from him so far.

No. 11: Jamaal Charles, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

Jamaal Charles doesn't just perform—he performs on some terrible teams. Now that he is 1) healthy and 2) on a team which might not be awful, he could be more successful than ever.

Charles can take the ball to the house on any run, and will be a perfect fit for Andy Reid's offense. Sure, Reid doesn't always remember he has a running back, but Charles' career 5.8 yards per carry will turn him around.

Charles may also see more receptions than he has in the past as Reid does like to have his backs involved in the passing game.

The one real question mark is the offensive line. Is it stable enough to open the holes Charles needs?

I'm willing to bet the answer is yes.

No. 10: A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Andy Dalton isn't a great quarterback, but his best weapon—Green—is a tremendous athlete who will always make him look good.

There aren't a ton of options aside from Green when it comes to Cincy's offense, though tight end Tyler Eifert is intriguing.

But really, Dalton has one move—throw to Green.

So we know Green will be heavily involved and that teams have no idea how to stop him. Sounds like another great season for the No. 4 pick out of Georgia, one of the best receivers in the game today.

And a guy who is just getting started.

No. 9 : Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers

While Rodgers won't put up as many yards as Matt Stafford or Drew Brees, he'll usually score more touchdowns and make less mistakes.

There's a lot to like about Rodgers, even if he gets sacked a ton.

That doesn't seem to rattle him much, and he gets right back up. He's one tough son of a gun—and you won't have to scramble for a backup until later in the draft, filling up other positions with value.

With the weapons he has and the penchant his offense has for throwing the ball, he's the only quarterback I'd take in the first round.

No. 8: LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelpia Eagles

I can't think of anyone more frightening in Chip Kelly's offense than "Shady" McCoy. Even though we know that it won't be the exact same offense he ran in Oregon, the high-speed plays and rapid pace will fit McCoy to a "T."

He'll also get more carries (as well as plenty of catches) than he ever did with Andy Reid in town.

McCoy is a tremendous athlete who has the speed and vision to make defenses look silly, and I completely expect to see a lot of that this fall.

No. 7: Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seattle Seahawks

Another guy who is happy to see Percy Harvin show up is Marshawn Lynch. Lynch is about to see a heck of a lot less stacked fronts this coming season.

He remains a beast to take down and a real nightmare for anyone trying to contain him.

Lynch did get dinged up last year and had some ball control issues as well, but neither of those things is a big concern. What is a worry is a DUI arrest which goes to trial this month. If convicted, he will be suspended for two games.

If not, he will definitely be worth a top-10 pick in fantasy drafts.

No. 6: Trent Richardson, RB, Cleveland Browns

Don't let reports of Trent Richardson's leg injury worry you—he'll be ready for camp and the Browns are (wisely) just being cautious.

As tough as he was last season playing through a lot of injuries, I wouldn't be shocked if he showed up even if he were missing a leg.

Richardson did everything in his rookie campaign: he ran the ball well, made some key catches, blocked on passing downs and played through pain.

I'm not a huge fan of new head coach Rob Chudzinski, but he knows how to get the ball moving on the ground.

Expect Richardson to be ready for camp and a very big part of the offense in 2013.

No. 5: Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice does everything, and does it all well. There may not be a more complete back in the league.

Over the past four seasons he has run for over 1,000 yards and has topped over 1,600 yards combined in rushing and receiving.

He's reasonably consistent with touchdowns, but for his owners, it's more about total yardage.

Bernard Pierce proved to be a great backup last season and he could steal some carries, but it shouldn't impact Rice all that much in the grand scheme of things.

Ultimately, it might make Rice more effective. By getting a bit more rest, he'll be fresher later in the season when you need him for the fantasy playoffs.

No. 4: Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions

Even if Calvin Johnson falls short of matching the billion yards he got in 2012, he's still going to be getting more balls thrown his way than any three other players combined.

On top of that, even if his yard total comes down this year, I expect his touchdowns to pop back up. With Ryan Broyles and Nate Burleson back, Johnson won't be the only receiver worth watching. While teams will still sell out to stop him, they can't on every down.

They'll have to pick their poison and that should free Johnson up for more touchdowns.

We know the Lions will throw, and we know who Matt Stafford will throw to the most.

All Johnson needs to do is find the end zone more and I am confident he will.

No. 3: Doug Martin, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Along with Vincent Jackson, nobody was more vital to the Tampa offense than Doug Martin.

His 1,454 yards and 11 touchdowns were huge, as were his 472 yards on 49 catches. There were times when he and Jackson had to carry the offense single-handedly.

All this from a rookie.

Martin's consistency on the ground helped balance out a big-play focused passing game. This year he will get a huge workload again, so look for more big totals.

If the passing offense can get going more consistently, he will benefit from seeing less stacked fronts. However, even if the passing offense remains just "OK," Martin has shown that he can overcome a defense focused on stopping him.

He has speed, great hands, fantastic vision and tremendous strength—a winning combination that the Bucs will ride for as long as they can. Fantasy owners should do the same.

No. 2: Arian Foster, RB, Houston Texans

A few people are going to worry about Arian Foster's calf strain, but I'm not one of them.

He should be ready for camp and I have no doubt he'll be healthy come the first week of the season.

If you're worried, grab Ben Tate early for a backup as he is a solid player and will put good points on the board.

Foster is a stud. He's gone over 1,000 yards the last three years and has run for more than 1,400 yards twice. Like Ray Rice, he can also catch the ball.

Last season saw the offense basically focus on him. Expect a lot of the same this year as well.

Foster is consistent and dynamic and there are few players I want on my fantasy team more.

Which brings us to our final slide.

No. 1: Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings

It should come as no surprise to anyone who has followed me in the last year that Peterson is the guy here.

Sure, the 2,000 yards are nice, but I expect that number to come down.

That said, we are over a year away from the massive injury and you have to wonder—if he wasn't 100 percent last year, what does that mean now that he's healthy?

It means pain for opposing defenses and opposing fantasy owners.

Now, the play of quarterback Christian Ponder is going to impact Peterson's totals. If Ponder can improve enough, Peterson will see less carries, though the ones he gets might be more effective as he won't face stacked fronts.

However, if Ponder implodes, Peterson could be called upon to carry the team again.

In which case, his stats could skyrocket.

Ultimately, Peterson should easily top 1,500 yards whether Ponder is good or bad, and I imagine we're looking at close to 10 touchdowns as well.

Peterson is by far the top player on my board.

And given his performance last year, probably a cyborg.

Andrew Garda is the former NFC North Lead Writer and a current NFL analyst and video personality for Bleacher Report. He is also a member of the fantasy football staff at Footballguys and the NFL writer at CheeseheadTV.com. You can follow him at @andrew_garda on Twitter.