Free Fantasy Football Top Picks-Preview June 2010 NFC North

Here’s my free fantasy football top picks for the NFC North as of June 2010.  I’m updating my list as you read, but this will give some noobs a look at my fantasy football cheat sheet for these teams. You can keep updated with  more FREE fantasy football top picks to start your own fantasy football rankings when you visit http://JohnnyNFL.com and sign up. Free. No Charge. Leave tips.

Chicago Bears
WR Devin Hester- Hester continues to show improvement as a WR, and although still not an elite number 1 WR, he should still be Cutler’s favorite WR this season. Look at Hester as a mid to late round pick who can be a nice number 3 WR or flex player who could even fill your number 2 WR spot if the rest of your team is strong enough.
TE Greg Olsen- Cutler loves to throw to his TE, and Olsen presents some matchup problems for opposing defenses. Olsen is worthy of a starting spot on your fantasy squad and will give you some WR like numbers on various occasions.

RB Matt Forte- While Forte’s value may have taken a dip with the addition of ex-Viking Chester Taylor, he will likely continue to start and could be a nice flex player who can even fit into the 2nd RB slot on occasion.  He can catch the ball as well as run it, so his ability to have around 100 total yards per game and score TD’s still makes him a good mid round selection.

WR Johnny Knox- Knox proved to be an explosive playmaker as a rookie, and this season he will be more experienced. Knox is capable of putting up some nice games and another year playing with Cutler should make Knox a solid mid to late round pick as a 3rd WR or flex player for your fantasy team.

WR Earl Bennett- The Bears likely won’t throw the ball as much as many other teams, but Bennett can still be a nice addition to your fantasy team in the later rounds of the draft. Whether he starts or not, Knox will see just as many if not more balls thrown his way, which is why Bennett should be taken after him. Bennett can add WR depth to your squad and can be a nice situational starter.
RB Chester Taylor- While Taylor should see a good amount of action, the fact that Forte is the starter and the way Cutler likes to spread the ball around could be detriments to his value for your fantasy team. Taylor will still be a nice late round choice that can add depth to your RB position, but don’t get caught overestimating his value. Counting on Taylor as one of your starting RB’s week in and week out could lead to trouble for your fantasy squad.

QB Jay Cutler- Cutler is capable of putting up very good numbers, but as we saw last year, is also capable of some very bad performances. I wouldn’t suggest counting on Cutler as your starting fantasy QB on a weekly basis. Drafting him late as a backup and an occasional weekly play when the matchup is right would be a much better decision if you are considering taking Cutler. The jury is still out on how good the offensive line can be, also adding a risk factor to his value.

Detroit Lions

WR Calvin Johnson- Johnson has proven that he belongs among the top 10 WR’s in the game, and should again excel as a number one WR for your fantasy team. Another year’s experience for Stafford and a reliable backup in Shaun Hill mean Johnson’s numbers should continue to be solid no matter what happens in Detroit, and while they may be better they will still likely have to throw the ball a lot to stay in games. Look for Johnson as a 2nd or 3rd round pick who will be a valuable addition to your roster.

RB Kevin Smith- The addition of rookie RB Jahvid Best may hurt his value somewhat, but I still think Smith will emerge as the starter. While Best has a chance to be a better receiver, Smith can catch the ball as well, but running the ball still needs to be done behind a line that is average at best. Smith will likely still be superior in the rushing department and while he may not put up monstrous numbers, can be a nice flex player or decent 2nd RB for your fantasy squad if the rest of your team is loaded.

WR Nate Burleson- Playing across from Calvin Johnson should open up things a bit for Burleson and allow him to have a decent season. While Johnson will still be the main weapon in the receiving game, Burleson will be a nice number 2 option for the Lions and can be the same for your fantasy squad.

RB (R)Jahvid Best- Best will likely see action as a receiving back early and get more into running the ball later in the season. Best can be a nice late pickup who can provide value as a spot flex player whose value should increase as the season wears on.

Green Bay Packers

WR Donald Driver- While Greg Jennings is no stiff, Driver remains to be the most reliable target on the Packers. Rodgers loves throwing the ball, and Driver has enough experience to get open when Rodgers gets in trouble, making him a nice mid round selection who can give your team a solid 2nd WR and even be a number one if the rest of your team is strong enough.

QB Aaron Rodgers- Rodgers will be one of the top 3 QB’s taken in your fantasy draft, but with the depth at QB I wouldn’t recommend using a first or second round pick to take him. Rodgers will be an excellent choice for your starting QB, but due to the lack of depth at the RB position and the WR’s who may still be available when Rodgers is available, spending too high of a pick on him may have negative ramifications. Having Rodgers can be a key to winning your fantasy championship, just don’t sacrifice the rest of your team to get him.

RB Ryan Grant- Grant is an under-rated fantasy player who will be a nice 2nd RB for your fantasy squad. Grant scores TD’s, catches passes, and will have multiple 100 yard games running the ball. Look for Grant in the middle rounds as a valuable addition to your fantasy team.

WR Greg Jennings- Jennings may not catch as many passes as Driver, but he will likely score more TD’s. Jennings is capable of streaking past defenders for long gains several times during the season, and when he does it will usually result in 6. Jennings will be a valuable 2nd WR for your fantasy team who may even present value as a number one on certain occasions.

TE Jermichael Finley- Finley burst onto the scene last year as a valuable downfield target for Rodgers and the Pack. As long as he can stay healthy, Finley can provide nice value as a late round pick who can start for your fantasy team on a weekly basis.
RB (R)James Starks- Starks has some skills that can translate into success with the Packers. He doesn’t have classic speed, but with a 4.5 40 has enough to be effective. Look for Starks to spell Grant and move ahead of Brandon Jackson on the depth chart to provide some occasional value as a late round pick.

Minnesota Vikings

RB Adrian Peterson- Peterson is simply one of the best players in the NFL, and will be worthy of a top 5 fantasy pick. While the addition of rookie RB Toby Gerhart can hurt his value a little, it will still only equate to little more than what Chester Taylor used to get. Look for Peterson to go anywhere from the second to fifth pick in your fantasy draft.

WR Sidney Rice- Rice showed why the Vikings were so high on him when they drafted him three years ago. He is a valuable red zone target as well as being able to move the chains when needed, and with Favre likely coming back should be among the top receivers in the league again in 2010. Look for Rice to be a second or third round choice as a number one fantasy WR.

TE Visanthe Schiancoe- Favre loves going to Schiancoe when he is in trouble, and even when he’s not. Schiancoe has excelled over the last couple of seasons and has become a fantasy force at TE. Look for Schiancoe late in the draft as a starting TE who will provide good numbers most of the season.

WR Percy Harvin- Harvin does it all, and whether he starts or not doesn’t matter. Harvin showed he is tough enough to catch the ball in a crowd as well as showing he has the speed to break one for six at any time. Harvin will be a nice mid round choice as a 2nd WR for your fantasy team.

QB Brett Favre- While last year’s numbers would be hard to duplicate, Favre still has the talent around him to be a valuable fantasy starter. He gives the Vikings the experience they need to make them one of the most dangerous offenses in the league, and with one of the best offensive lines in football, the Vikings should be able to run the ball as well as throw it whenever they choose. Favre can be a nice mid round addition as your starting fantasy QB.

WR Bernard Berrian- While Berrian may be a bit inconsistent, he can provide some late round value as a player who can fill in as a flex player or 3rd WR when the matchup is right.

RB (R)Toby Gerhart- Gerhart will likely take over the role of Chester Taylor and can provide depth at the RB position late in the draft. While I wouldn’t count on Gerhart on a weekly basis, he can be a decent spot play when the matchup is right.