2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Sidney Rice out, Bernard Berrian in

Sidney Rice had a breakout season with Brett Favre in 2009, and it looked like the young talent would be a shoe in as a Top 15 fantasy receiver if Favre came back this season. Unfortunately for Rice, he chose to not have hip surgery this offseason even though more than one doctor strongly urged him to have it.

Audio: Sidney Rice Out, Bernard Berrian In | 2010 NFL Fantasy Football Rankings

Rice is in the final year of his contract, and it seems that he ignored surgery to have a strong year before he hit the free agent market. This might have worked out if his hip could have been rehabbed naturally but instead Rice suffered setbacks in July and August.

Ironically, just days after Favre decides to come back and play football again, Rice goes under the knife and finally takes care of his hip. This surgery will probably put Rice on the shelf for around the first half of the 2010 season, and it leaves his fantasy owners scrambling for the waiver wire.

Fantasy Impact

Sidney Rice

Rice is only worth a late round stash, and you had best have a deep bench or an injured reserve spot in your league to hold him. Even when Rice comes back to the team this year he will probably need some time before he plays (if at all) at the level he did a year ago.

The upside with Rice is that if he can get things going before the fantasy playoffs than he could make for a nice addition to your squad for a championship run.

Bernard Berrian

Bernard Berrian stands to benefit the most from Rice being out as he is now a mid round draft pick for fantasy owners. Berrian was supposed to be the No. 1 receiver for Minnesota last year but instead he was the No. 4 target in the passing game.

With Rice out and Percy Harvin having continued migraine problems, it is Berrian that is the best receiver option for fantasy owners.

Visanthe Shiancoe

Tight end Visanthe Shiancoe put together a solid fantasy season with Favre last year, and he should see more targets in 2010. Shiancoe was already a solid fantasy option in touchdown heavy leagues, but he should be a Top Eight option in standard play with Rice out.

Brett Favre

With Rice out and Harvin’s health concerns, it is time to look at Favre as more of an early backup quarterback for your fantasy squad than a late starter. Favre always seems to make players around him successful, even if they aren’t players you know.

Berrian and Shiancoe will benefit but fantasy owners have to be concerned that the Vikings may lean on the running game more often.

NFL fantasy football player rankings writer Sean E. Douglas: fantasy-info.com

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