TOP 50 FANTASY FOOTBALL PLAYERS PICKS MAY 2010

This is my standard scoring rankings so far. PPR rankings will be coming later. When you look at these rankings, you’re probably not going to agree with some of them, but that’s a good thing. Maybe there’s some players you really like that I don’t seem to rate as high. It’s early, I still have lots of thinking to do. Some will rise, some will fall, but I will tell you this. Don’t underestimate the power of my rankings. You may think they look a little wacky, but this is the best way to build a team. Just because the rankings are the way they are doesn’t mean you’re not going to build your team the best way possible. This means if you already have 2 or 3 RB’s and you need a QB or WR’s, you’re likely not going to take another running back until you finish drafting your starting team even if they are next in the rankings.  If your sensible about it, my rankings can be a big key to having a winning season.
1.    RB Chris  Johnson/ Titans- I wouldn’t expect a superhuman repeat of last season, but Johnson will still likely score at least 10 points per week, and those would be poor weeks. Johnson is the Titans offense and everyone else is just a pawn. Don’t expect anything but excellence from Johnson in 2010.
2.    RB Maurice Jones-Drew/Jaguars- With an offensive line that just improved with the addition of G Justin Smiley, Drew will at times be unstoppable. He will still put up good numbers against teams that have good defenses, but any team that has weak lineman or LB’s will likely see a lot of the back of Drew’s jersey. Add in the fact that he is relied upon as their number one TD threat, and the value of Drew is even greater.
3.    RB Ray Rice/Ravens- When Rice first got drafted by the Ravens I compared him to Maurice Jones-Drew. It looks like I was pretty much on the money with that one. Rice has become the number one option for the Ravens offense whether it is running or throwing the ball, and he will punish people on his way through a hole and then break away. There’s no reason to think Rice won’t have another great season.
4.    RB Adrian Peterson/Vikings- You can only last as the number one fantasy pick for so long, and Peterson’s time may have come. Not that he isn’t worthy of a top 3 pick, because he is, but the way the Vikings throw the ball and the addition of rookie RB Toby Gerhart could bring his value down just a little.
5.    RB Frank Gore/49ers- What can you say about Gore. He does it all for the Niners, but he is always somewhat of a health risk. As long as he is healthy, Gore remains a threat both running and receiving the football. You really can’t complain if you can nab any of these top  five players in your draft.
6.    RB Pierre Thomas/Saints- Thomas is still a free agent, but is expected to sign a long term deal shortly. Thomas can do it all, and will likely score his share of TD’s too.
7.    RB Jonathon Stewart/Panthers- DeAngelo Williams will still get his time as well, but this remains a run first offense. Expect Stewart to take over as the starter, and even if he doesn’t he will be worth a first round pick.
8.    RB Ricky Williams/Dolphins- With Ronnie Brown coming off of foot surgery and only playing one full season in five years , Ricky could be the starter with Brown coming in for the wildcat and to spell Williams. This means Williams will put up a bunch of rushing yards with a bunch of TD’s, and even throw some receptions in there as well. This could be a big year for Williams.
9.    WR Andre Johnson/Texans- There is no doubt Johnson will be higher on PPR rankings, but in standard leagues you still have to consider him a first round pick. He is the most unstoppable receiver in the game at the moment.
10.    RB Rashard Mendenhall/Steelers- With Roethlisberger out for the first 6 games, it is likely the Steelers are going to want to run the ball more. Look for Mendenhall to have a good fantasy season as the Steelers number one RB.
11.    RB Fred Jackson/Bills- This depends on how much RB’s Marshawn Lynch and rookie C.J. Spiller are going to be involved in the offense. The Bills passing game is horrendous, so all three could see action. If Jackson continues to start, however, he could have the potential to put up at least double digits on a consistent basis.
12.    RB Joseph Addai/Colts- Addai isn’t going to rush for 100 yards very often, but he will get you 100 total yards and a TD in most games. Addai will continue to be an under-rated fantasy commodity, but one that can be a key starter on a championship squad.
13.    RB Jamaal Charles/Chiefs- Charles and ex-Jet Thomas Jones may run rampant this year. The Chiefs offensive line is built for running the ball, and their passing game is not that good. Charles is a good candidate for at least double digit TD’s and more than 1200 yards if he remains the starter.
14.    WR Brandon Marshall/Dolphins- With a running game that has to be defended against , Marshall should be able to have a stellar season. The Dolphins also have Devone Bess, Brian Hartline, and Greg Camarillo at receiver, which should open things up for Marshall as well.
15.    WR DeSean Jackson/Eagles- His numbers may slip a little without McNabb around, but Jackson should still have a great season. He is a threat to score a TD and go over 100 yards receiving every game he plays.
16.    WR Miles Austin/Cowboys- Austin is still a free agent but is working out and could sign soon. Austin is the receiver everyone thought Roy Williams would be and more. Austin has the speed to break any missed tackle for a TD.
17.    RB Michael Turner/Falcons- Turner could move up depending on his showing in camp, but for now I wouldn’t risk a high pick. As it is RB Jason Snelling proved to be a reliable player and RB Jerrious Norwood should be healthy, so Turner could lose some touches anyway. I am also not convinced their offensive line will stay healthy all season.
18.    RB DeAngelo Williams/Panthers- The Panthers offense relies on running the ball, and both Williams and Stewart do it well. Expect the same in 2010.
19.    RB Ryan Grant/Packers- Grant is the Packers number one RB and will get his share of TD’s and yardage. Grant should be a solid 2nd round fantasy pick.
20.    RB Reggie Bush/Saints- Bush is especially valuable in PPR leagues, but don’t forget even in standard leagues you get points for receiving yards. Everyone on the Saints offense is a threat to score at any time, which is another reason why Bush can be valuable.
21.    RB Thomas Jones/Chiefs- There’s no reason why Jones and Charles can’t be the Williams and Stewart of the AFC. The Chiefs are going to run the ball a lot, and Jones will get his share of goal line touches as well. Jones can be a valuable 2nd or 3rd RB for your fantasy team.
22.    RB Justin Forsett/Seahawks- If Forsett can hold onto the starting job, he could be a nice pickup as a 2nd or 3rd RB. He can catch the ball and has proven to be an effective runner, and could see more scoring opportunities this season. It is only May, but as of right now I really like this kid.
23.    WR Larry Fitzgerald/Cardinals- Normally Fitzgerald would be higher, but without Kurt Warner you would have to expect a drop off. Not that he still won’t have a good season, but I wouldn’t want to take him too high and regret it later.
24.    WR Randy Moss/Patriots- Moss is a threat for double-digit TD’s and over 1000 receiving yards every season.
25.    WR Steve Smith/Giants- Smith may not duplicate last season, but he will likely still be Eli Manning’s favorite target and worthy of being a starting WR for your fantasy team.
26.    RB Stephen Jackson/Rams- Jackson is the Rams offense, plain and simple. If he can score more TD’s he will be higher on the list.
27.    RB Cedric Benson/Bengals- Benson proved to be the running threat the Bengals needed last season, and will likely do it again this year. He can move up if the Bengals offensive line improves.
28.    RB Brandon Jacobs/Giants- The Giants offense should again revert to running the ball. Jacobs is not happy about last season, and should make up for it in 2010.
29.    RB Chris Wells/Cardinals- Wells will likely get the starting nod this year in Arizona, but Hightower will likely still split time. Wells should still get his share of TD’s and yardage and can be a decent flex player.
30.    RB Tim Hightower/Cardinals- Hightower will also score some TD’s and will have even more value in PPR leagues.
31.    RB Ahmad Bradshaw/Giants- With what should be a renewed commitment to running the ball in 2010, both Jacobs and Bradshaw can be productive fantasy players.
32.    RB (R)Montario Hardesty/Browns- With RB Jerome Harrison still not signed, Hardesty may just get to show that he has the skills to be the starter. Hardesty is very athletic and with an improved offensive line he could be a fantasy sleeper in 2010.
33.    WR Roddy White/Falcons- White remains one of the most productive receivers in the game and should be a solid fantasy starter again in 2010.
34.    WR Chad Ochocinco/Bengals- With the addition of WR Antonio Bryant and rookie TE Jermaine Gresham, Ochocinco and QB Carson Palmer will probably have the chance to hook up a lot this season.
35.    WR Wes Welker/Patriots- Welker will be back sooner than most people think, and thus will again prove to be a valuable fantasy player again this season.
36.    TE Dallas Clark/ Colts- He’s the best fantasy TE in football right now, and many games he puts up the numbers of a WR. Clark can be a key player in winning your fantasy championship.
37.    RB Knowshon Moreno/Broncos- Moreno should continue to improve, but although he will likely be able to increase his yardage totals, he still needs to show he can score consistently. He will also likely split time with RB Correll Buckhalter again.
38.    LeSean McCoy/Eagles- With Westbrook gone, McCoy takes over the number one RB spot. McCoy may prove to be a valuable pick if he can handle the load for a full season.
39.    RB Darren Sproles/Chargers- Sproles will likely split time with rookie Ryan Matthews, but should get enough playing time to be considered a good choice as a flex player.
40.    RB Marion Barber/Cowboys- Barber will lose playing time to both Felix Jones and Tashard Choice, but can still score enough fantasy points to be considered a good flex player.
41.    RB Kevin Smith/Lions- The Lions drafted Jahvid Best, but Smith will likely continue to be the starter. While he shouldn’t be counted on for top 10 kind of numbers, he can still be an effective flex player.
42.    RB (R)Ryan Matthews/Chargers- With the Chargers wanting to run the ball more, Matthews could have a decent rookie season. He will likely split time with Sproles, which will hurt his ranking, but he will still play enough to be a decent flex player.
43.    RB Willis McGahee/Ravens- McGahee will spell Rice enough to make him a viable flex player for your fantasy squad.
44.    RB Felix Jones/Cowboys- Jones will likely see increased touches in 2010, and should be worthy of a starting spot on your roster.
45.    RB Correll Buckhalter/Broncos- With WR Brandon Marshall gone, it is likely that Moreno and Buckhalter will get to see the ball a lot. Buckhalter could be a good player to have on your roster and provide some value as a starter when the matchup is right.
46.    WR Calvin Johnson/Lions- With the addition of WR Nate Burleson and rookie RB Jahvid Best, Johnson will likely not see as much action as he has in the past. He will still be worthy of a starting WR spot on your fantasy team though.
47.    WR Sidney Rice/Vikings- Rice will be a valuable starting fantasy WR, just don’t expect the same type of numbers as last year.
48.    WR Marques Colston/Saints- Colston is the most dangerous WR on a dangerous offense. ‘Nuff said.
49.    WR Anquan Boldin/Ravens- Boldin could have an excellent season for the Ravens, especially with Derrick Mason back and help at the TE spot. Boldin will be a great 2nd fantasy receiver, and can even be a good number one.
50.    WR Donald Driver/Packers- Mr. under-rated. Driver is still the most productive WR in Green Bay, and will be a productive player for your fantasy team as well.
I was also considering Steelers WR Hines Ward and Saints QB Drew Brees for the number 50 spot, but right now this is what I’m going with. With the lack of productive running backs and the abundance of fantasy WR’s and QB’s, having the best running backs you can get will be a big key to a winning fantasy team. While it may be that a WR may seem like a better pick, there may be 10 WR’s still on the board who will put up similar numbers, but only one or two RB’s in that tier. By taking the RB you will likely be able to wait and pick up a comparable receiver next round. Drafting is an art, and just like crafting a Picasso it takes time and study. Do your homework and make sensible picks and you may be walking away from 2010 with the crown of a champion.