Fantasy Football Midseason Report Card: Grading the Top 50 Players
At orientation on my first day of law school, a very esteemed and stately man rose to speak to our group of eager and excited neophyte lawyer wannabes.
As the man approached the podium, a hush quickly befell the crowd.
We all wondered what sage wisdom this man would share with us. What would he tell us about the adventure on which we were about to embark?
"Look to your left", the man said, so we obliged. "Now, look to your right," and all heads in the crowd swung to the right as commanded. "Now look at me. Of those two people you saw, and including yourself, one of you will not return for your second semester of law school."
And with that, the reality of law school life set in. It was tough, and the old man was right. Nearly one-third of my class either dropped out or failed out after the first semester.
Okay, so what does some story about law school have to do with fantasy football? A bit more than you might suspect.
Historically, running backs have the highest turnover rate within the top 10 of any position, with only 50 percent of players represented the following year.
Wide receivers fare a bit better returning 60 percent of top 10 players from year to year.
So it seems that maintaining the status of a top 10 fantasy football producer is a bit more difficult than surviving your first year of law school.
I probably made the correct choice in attending law school then.
What you'll find over the next 50 slides is an evaluation of the top 50 fantasy point producers through the first eight weeks of the 2010 season.
For each player, you will find the total points scored, the average point scored per week and a letter grade for the player's performance.
So go grab your favorite beverage, kick back and enjoy the show.
For an all you can eat buffet of fantasy football chatter, you can follow Nathan on Twitter @NathanWaddell.
50+1. Michael Vick, QB
1 of 51
Michael Vick, ATL
Grade: A
Total fantasy points: 80
Average fantasy points: 20
Positional ranking: 25th
Comments: Here's a bonus. I think what Vick has done over basically three games is too impressive to leave out.
With only four games played, in two of which he missed an entire half of football, Vick still ranks as the 51st most productive fantasy football commodity.
For the two games in which Vick played an entirety, he averaged 287 passing yards, 34 rushing yards and three total touchdowns.
Vick has missed the last three games with injuries to his sternum and ribs, but should be fully recovered when he returns in Week 9.
For a quarterback that was drafted in only the deepest of leagues and claimed off the waiver wire in most, Vick has proven to be a valuable player to have rostered on your squad.
If Vick can manage to stay healthy, he may climb in to the top 10 quarterbacks by season's end, even if he only manages to play in eight full games.
50. Anquan Boldin, WR
2 of 51
Anquan Boldin, BAL
Grade: B-
Total fantasy points: 79
Average fantasy points: 11
Positional ranking: Ninth
Comments: During fantasy drafts in August and September, Boldin was on average the 12th wide receiver selected, so being ranked as the ninth-best wide receiver after eight weeks is just about as consistent as a player can be.
The primary concern that fantasy general managers should have with Boldin is the inconsistent play of QB Joe Flacco. Flacco struggles to produce much of anything against solid defenses, and picks apart weaker defenses.
A secondary concern regarding Boldin is that over half of his five total touchdowns came in one single week. Additionally, in three of Boldin's seven games, he has failed to produce double-digit fantasy points. Again, this relates to Flacco's general inconsistency.
The reason that Boldin receives a B- grade relates to his inconsistency in fantasy production. While that might not be his fault, that doesn't help fantasy owners when he only catches one ball for eight yards (see Week 5).
49. Jay Cutler, QB
3 of 51
Jay Cutler, CHI
Grade: C-
Total fantasy points: 82
Average fantasy points: 13
Positional ranking: 24th
Comments: When it rains it pours for Cutler, and the interceptions tend to come in bunches.
Cutler has found the end zone only seven times over six games, and also has seven interceptions.
Things just aren't clicking with Martz and Cutler, but the shoddy play of the offensive line doesn't help either.
At this point, Cutler either belongs on your bench or the waiver wire as plenty of better options exist, which will be covered in subsequent slides.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
48. Michael Turner, RB
4 of 51
Michael Turner, ATL
Grade: C
Total fantasy points: 84
Average fantasy points: 12
Positional ranking: 17th
Comments: The only reason Turner receives a C grade instead of a D is that things are starting to look up for Turner owners based on the last three weeks in which Turner posted 306 yards and two touchdowns.
Turner was a top five pick in most fantasy football drafts heading into 2010 and has failed to live up to his lofty draft status.
The lack of touchdowns—only three total on the year—is a cause for concern. Turner ranks third in total goal line carries with seven, but has converted only three for touchdowns.
47. Mike Tolbert, RB
5 of 51
Mike Tolbert
Grade: B
Total fantasy points: 84
Average fantasy points: 10.5
Positional ranking: 16th
Comments: Tolbert was listed in a few preseason fantasy football previews, but mainly as the handcuff option to rookie running back Ryan Mathews. One injury to Mathews later, Tolbert finds himself as a top 20 running back.
Even with Mathews theoretically back to full health, Tolbert is still a fantasy force having scored a touchdown in each of his last five games.
Unless the offensive philosophy changes in San Diego, Tolbert should at the least still receive goal line carries if not outright split the load with Mathews.
Tolbert receives a B grade because while he has scored in nearly every contest, he has mixed in a couple of clunkers with some otherwise solid performances.
46. Austin Collie, WR
6 of 51
Austin Collie, IND
Grade: A
Total fantasy points: 84
Average fantasy points: 14
Positional ranking: Seventh
Comments: Averaging 84 yards and one touchdown per contest tends to put a player in the good graces of fantasy owners.
Collie is going to miss time following his wrist surgery, though fantasy owners should have decent replacements as Collie was drafted as a team's fourth or fifth wide receiver on average.
But I can't penalize a player for getting hurt during game play, so Collie still receives a solid A grade for emerging out of the 12th round of fantasy drafts and catapulting his way in to the top 10 wide receivers.
45. Jeremy Maclin, WR
7 of 51
Jeremy Maclin, PHI
Grade: B
Total fantasy points: 84
Average fantasy points: 12
Positional ranking: Eighth
Comments: Maclin has strung together some pretty solid games, and the return of QB Michael Vick in Week 9 should increase Maclin's fantasy production even more.
One of the few concerns for Maclin owners came in Week 7 after WR DeSean Jackson was nearly decapitated in Week 6 and missed the following game.
As the top wide receiver on the field for the Eagles, Maclin managed only five receptions for 42 yards.
So while Maclin hasn't yet proven that he can handle the gig as a team's No. 1 wide receiver, he has been plenty productive as a No. 2 and should continue in that role with the return of Jackson in Week 9.
44. Matt Hasselbeck, QB
8 of 51
Matt Hasselbeck, SEA
Grade: F
Total fantasy points: 85
Average fantasy points: 12
Positional ranking: 23rd
Comments: Hasselbeck has thrown multiple touchdowns in only one game this year—Week 1 vs. SF—and has two outings with zero touchdowns. Needless to say, there is a reason Hasselbeck is owned in only 23 percent of fantasy football leagues.
Then again, Hasselbeck was the 28th quarterback taken in fantasy drafts this summer, so he is actually out-performing his draft position. Though, that's nothing to write to his brother about.
Unless you play in two QB leagues or leagues with 14 or more teams, Hasselbeck should remain firmly planted on the waiver wire for the remainder of his career.
43. Kenny Britt, WR
9 of 51
Kenny Britt, TEN
Grade: B
Total fantasy points: 87
Average fantasy points: 11
Positional ranking: Sixth
Comments: The fantasy football gods giveth, and they taketh away.
One week after after exploding for more than 200 yards and three touchdowns in Week 7, Britt promptly strained his hamstring in the first quarter exiting after producing zero fantasy points for owners.
While Britt had not put up huge yardage totals, he had found the end zone six consecutive weeks prior to Week 8. It truly is a shame that a player with so much talent has been taken down by a tiny hamstring.
According to Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, Britt is expected to miss an extended period of time, so we may have seen the most that we will see out of Britt this year.
Even when Britt returns, keep in mind that hamstring injuries tend to linger in players, like wide receivers, that require explosiveness to be effective.
***Update***
The acquisition of WR Randy Moss will have an impact on Britt's production when he returns. What exactly that impact will be should be known in Week 10, even if Britt is still inactive with his hamstring injury.
42. Matt Cassel, QB
10 of 51
Matt Cassel, KC
Grade: C+
Total fantasy points: 88
Average fantasy points: 12.5
Positional ranking: 22nd
Comments: In the last three weeks, Cassel has thrown for 546 yards and six touchdowns. Truly nothing spectacular, but Cassel is doing what the coaching staff is asking, which is simply to not lose the game.
At best, Cassel is a spot starter in typical fantasy leagues, as he has topped 200 passing yards in only two of his seven outings.
While Cassel's upside is limited, he has not thrown an interception in his last four starts, so he has that going for him.
41. Jahvid Best, RB
11 of 51
Jahvid Best, DET
Grade: B-
Total fantasy points: 90
Average fantasy points: 13
Positional ranking: 15th
Comments: Best ignited his rookie campaign with 55 fantasy points in his first two weeks, which account for over half of the fantasy points he has accumulated over the entire season.
Since Week 2, Best has failed to find the end zone once and has also failed to post double-digit fantasy points once as well. Heck, Best still hasn't rushed for over 100 yards in any game this year.
Of course, dealing with a turf toe injury hasn't helped Best's production at all, but you have to take the good with the bad.
As the 15th best running back, Best is still out-performing his draft status, which was the 19th running back taken in most fantasy drafts.
So while owners can't complain too loudly, his current production levels likely seem subpar after his fantastic first two weeks.
40. Mark Sanchez, QB
12 of 51
Mark Sanchez, NYJ
Grade: C
Total fantasy points: 90
Average fantasy points: 13
Positional ranking: 19th
Comments: In Week 2 through Week 4, Sanchez threw for 637 yards and eight touchdowns.
In all other weeks combined, Sanchez has thrown for 719 yards and one touchdown.
So yes, those fearing that Sanchez is regressing are right on the money.
Fantasy owners should not expect big things from Sanchez going forward as it seems that he has been relegated to his rightful role as game manager.
39. Washington Redskins, DEF
13 of 51
Washington Redskins, DEF
Grade: A
Total fantasy points: 91
Average fantasy points: 11
Positional ranking: Second
Comments: The Redskins defense has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy owners through the first eight weeks.
Having accumulated only 18 sacks, the Redskins have made up for it with nine interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries and two touchdowns.
In terms of fantasy production, you can't really ask for more than 11 points every week out of your defense in leagues with typical scoring structure.
38. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB
14 of 51
Ahmad Bradshaw, NYG
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 91
Average fantasy points: 13
Positional ranking: 14th
Comments: Bradshaw entered the 2010 season as the clear-cut starting running back for the New York Giants.
Up until Week 5, things seemed to be going pretty well. Then RB Brandon Jacobs began stealing goal line carries, and Bradshaw has been held without a touchdown since.
It's not all bad for Bradshaw owners, however. Bradshaw has topped 125 yards on three separate occasions this season and never fallen below 67 yards on any given weekend.
That kind of production from a running back taken somewhere in the sixth or seventh round of your fantasy draft leaves little room for complaint.
37. Chad Henne, QB
15 of 51
Chad Henne, MIA
Grade: C
Total fantasy points: 92
Average fantasy points: 13
Positional ranking: 18th
Comments: Not much to see here. Henne has been inconsistent at best, and cannot seem to find a way to limit his turnovers having turned the ball over in five of his seven starts.
The truly concerning aspect of Henne's game has been his inability to get WR Brandon Marshall the ball in the end zone. Henne has targeted Marshall eight times in the red zone, but Marshall only has one red zone touchdown.
36. Terrell Owens, WR
16 of 51
Terrell Owens, CIN
Grade: A-
Total fantasy points: 93
Average fantasy points: 13
Positional ranking: Fifth
Comments: For a man without a home for much of the offseason, Owens sure has made an impact in Cincinnati.
Since Week 3, Owens has totaled 477 yards and five touchdowns, scoring in four consecutive games.
Owens is clearly a must start every week on a team that tends to get behind early and is forced to throw to get back in the game.
Don't worry about Owens' age—yes, he is old enough to be your father—just enjoy the production and ride the train until it runs off the tracks.
35. Jamaal Charles, RB
17 of 51
Jamaal Charles, KC
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 96
Average fantasy points: 14
Positional ranking: 13th
Comments: If you don't mind, let me take a minute to introduce you to the best backup running back in the NFL. His name is Jamaal Charles.
Charles accounted for 238 yards of offense in Week 8. Yes, as the backup.
The only thing about Charles that is lacking is his touchdown production, having scored just twice on the season.
Had Charles been able to find the end zone just twice more, he would be a top six running back.
34. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB
18 of 51
Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX
Grade: C
Total fantasy points: 96
Average fantasy points: 12
Positional ranking: 12th
Comments: Jones-Drew broke the 100-yard plateau in Week 8 for only the second time all season.
With only two studly performances all year, Jones-Drew hasn't done fantasy owners any favors after being selected third overall in many fantasy drafts.
It appears that Jones-Drew's struggles are as much related to the anemic Jacksonville offense as they are to Jones-Drew himself.
If QB David Garrard can run the offense as he did in Week 8—accounting for five total touchdown—Jones-Drew's numbers are bound to improve.
33. Steven Jackson, RB
19 of 51
Steven Jackson, STL
Grade: B
Total fantasy points: 96
Average fantasy points: 12
Positional ranking: 11th
Comments: The fact that Jackson has even started eight games this year may come as a mild surprise to fantasy owners, considering Jackson's injury history over the past few years.
Although his modest touchdown totals—just two over eight games—won't surprise anyone.
Nearly all of Jackson's fantasy points have come via his 676 rushing yards. The touchdowns will come, but fantasy owners must be patient.
If the Steven Jackson owner in your league seems frustrated, shoot him or her an offer and see if you can steal away what will be a top 10 running back.
32. Matt Forte, RB
20 of 51
Matt Forte, CHI
Grade: C+
Total fantasy points: 97
Average fantasy points: 14
Positional ranking: 10th
But regardless of my personal feelings, Forte has put up numbers good enough to qualify as a top 10 running back.
Granted, most of those numbers came in his two big weeks, but total points are what we're looking at.
In the end, unless offensive coordinator Mike Martz commits to running the ball consistently, Forte simply will not be able to get into a rhythm, thereby diminishing his chances of success.
Fantasy owners that are currently invested in Forte should be pursuing trade opportunities, touting his big performances and current top 10 status.
31. Peyton Hillis, RB
21 of 51
Peyton Hillis, CLE
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 97
Average fantasy points: 14
Positional ranking: Ninth
Comments: Peyton Hillis isn't flashy, and hasn't really displayed any "moves" that you come to expect out of top tier running backs.
The only thing Hillis has is the uncanny ability to go out every Sunday and consistently do work.
Hillis has been one of the most consistent running back options through the first eight weeks, having scored a touchdown in every game but one. And for a running back that 95 percent of owners claimed off the waiver wire, you can't ask for much more.
Fantasy owners should continue to ride this bull for the full eight seconds.
30. Tennessee Titans, DEF
22 of 51
Tennessee Titans, DEF
Grade: A
Total fantasy points: 98
Average fantasy points: 14
Positional ranking: First
Comments: With 10 fumble recoveries and 13 interceptions, the Titans are first and second in the NFL in those respective categories.
Barring a catastrophic meltdown, the Titans should remain at least a top five fantasy defense the remainder of the year.
29. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB
23 of 51
LaDainian Tomlinson
Grade: A-
Total fantasy points: 99
Average fantasy points: 14
Positional ranking: Ninth
Comments: For a guy who was supposedly washed up and over the hill, Tomlinson sure has appeared spry and much younger than his 31 years would lead one to believe.
So maybe the lingering injuries and poor offensive line play really did lead to Tomlinson's demise in San Diego.
Either way, Tomlinson is now a Jet and running behind one of the better offensive lines in the NFL.
Tomlinson is old for a running back, and fantasy owners should expect that to show as we enter the home stretch of the fantasy football season.
Tomlinson owners should take a peek at the roster of Shonn Greene owners and see if there is a cheap way to acquire the disappointing Greene for the stretch run.
You know, just in case.
28. Matt Schaub, QB
24 of 51
Matt Schaub, HOU
Grade: D
Total fantasy points: 100
Average fantasy points: 14
Positional ranking: 17th
Comments: This year has been an absolutely disastrous year for Matt Schaub owners. In four of Schaub's seven starts, he has posted single digit fantasy points, including in Week 8 against a horrible Colts secondary.
Schaub's struggles can be attributed to a couple of factors. First, Schaub is a "rhythm and timing" quarterback, and with the addition of a solid running game Schaub has failed to find any rhythm this year.
Second, WR Andre Johnson has been less than 100 percent healthy for a majority of his games this year, and re-injured his ankle in the Monday night contest.
Without Johnson on the field, the Texans simply don't have an effective passing game.
Schaub owners must look at other options to fill the starting quarterback spot on their rosters, as Schaub simply isn't getting the job done, nor does it appear he will do much better in the final eight games of the season.
27. Hakeem Nicks, WR
25 of 51
Hakeem Nicks, NYG
Grade: A+
Total fantasy points: 100
Average fantasy points: 14
Positional ranking: Fourth
Comments: The picture you see to your left is a perfect example of what Nicks has done a league-leading eight times this season.
Nicks has been simply amazing, catching 45 balls for 525 yards and eight touchdowns.
There were signs at the end of last season that Nicks might make a push into the top 15 wide receivers by the end of 2010. But if anyone says they saw a top five performance coming, they're simply lying to you.
To say that Nicks has performed well above his draft position is a severe understatement.
Nicks was typically the 18th wide receiver off the board in fantasy drafts, being drafted after the likes of Wes Welker, Chad Ochocinco and both Steve Smiths.
Nicks owners should not entertain any trade offers short of blockbuster deals heavily in their favor, and instead should ride Nicks to a fantasy football championship in December.
26. Rashard Mendenhall, RB
26 of 51
Rashard Mendenhall, PIT
Grade: B
Total fantasy points: 102
Average fantasy points: 14.5
Positional ranking: Seventh
Comments: Mendenhall is a much-improved running back in comparison to last year when he danced the Texas Two-Step every time he touched the ball.
While Mendenhall's production has been fairly consistent, there is some cause for concern over the last two weeks wherein Mendenhall has only carried the ball 15 times in each contest.
Mendenhall owners should monitor his carry totals closely over the next few weeks to determine if the Steelers are intentionally limiting his touches, or if the reduction is simply game related.
25. Sam Bradford, QB
27 of 51
Sam Bradford, STL
Grade: B
Total fantasy points: 103
Average fantasy points: 13
Positional ranking: 16th
Comments: Bradford has looked solid, if not spectacular at times, in nearly every one of his eight starts this season.
In half of Bradford's starts, he has thrown for two touchdowns and only twice put up single-digit clunkers.
The only downside with Bradford is the lack of a consistent downfield receiving threat.
Having lost wide receivers Donnie Avery, Mark Clayton and now Danario Alexander to injury, Bradford is working with what he has, but could truly shine with a top-notch wide receiver.
The future is bright for Bradford, even if he only finishes in the top 15 quarterbacks.
Expect the Rams to acquire a solid wide receiver in the offseason, and then look for Bradford to finish in the top 10 quarterbacks for the next 10 or more seasons.
24. Calvin Johnson, WR
28 of 51
Calvin Johnson, DET
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 104
Average fantasy points: 15
Positional ranking: Third
Comments: Fantasy owners can't ask for much more from their wide receivers than to average over one touchdown a game, and at times put up three touchdowns in one game.
Johnson has scored at least one touchdown in his last four games, and his receptions per game are beginning to trend upward.
The 2010 season is finally the one that fantasy owners have been expecting from Johnson for the last two years.
While Johnson deserves an A grade for his performance thus far, he was typically the fifth wide receiver off the board in drafts so landing in the top five is simply playing up to expectation.
23. Roddy White, WR
29 of 51
Roddy White, ATL
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 105
Average fantasy points: 15
Positional ranking: Second
Comments: If White played with QB Peyton Manning, the Hall of Fame ballots would have already been cast in his favor. But he doesn't.
While QB Matt Ryan isn't awful, he is inconsistent, which has depressed White's production in a few outings this year.
But even in White's worst game, in terms of fantasy production, he still got fantasy owners eight points and that was his only single-digit game of the year.
The consistency that White has displayed this year is amazing when one considers all the things that must go right on a play for a wide receiver to have a shot at making a play on the ball.
Fantasy owners who claimed a stake in White this year should be tickled pink with what has transpired thus far, and should be looking forward to continued top three production.
22. LeSean McCoy, RB
30 of 51
LeSean McCoy, PHI
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 105
Average fantasy points: 15
Positional ranking: Sixth
Comments: It's hard to get excited about a running back that has only scored one touchdown in the last five games.
But McCoy's early season production—four touchdowns in his first two games—keeps him in the top 10.
We will see just how much production McCoy can accumulate when QB Michael Vick returns in Week 9, but recent indications have not been positive for McCoy.
McCoy's real upside is his ability to catch and produce yards in the receiving game. As long as he continues to display that ability, he should remain a top 10 running back.
21. Joe Flacco, QB
31 of 51
Joe Flacco, BAL
Grade: C
Total fantasy points: 105
Average fantasy points: 15
Positional ranking: 15th
Comments: As mentioned within the analysis of Anquan Boldin, Flacco struggles to properly read a defensive scheme, thereby limiting his upside when playing against a solid defense.
Flacco has thrown for multiple touchdowns in three of his seven starts and has thrown for five touchdowns in his last two starts.
So while Flacco's production tends to be trending upwards, he has plenty of potential to disappoint on any given week.
Start Flacco if the matchup is juicy, but otherwise tread with caution.
20. David Garrard, QB
32 of 51
David Garrard, JAX
Grade: C
Total fantasy points: 106
Average fantasy points: 13
Positional ranking: 13th
Comments: Garrard is nothing if not frustrating.
Prior to Week 8, Garrard had totaled 10 touchdowns on the year. In Week 8, Garrard scored five times.
One can't deny that Garrard is, by the totals, a borderline starter in 12-team leagues.
The reality is, however, that he should remain firmly planted on the bench.
19. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB
33 of 51
Ryan Fitzpatrick, BUF
Grade: A-
Total fantasy points: 107
Average fantasy points: 21.5
Positional ranking: 12th
Comments: Fitzpatrick is one of those pleasant stories that pop up very season about a journeyman football player finally getting a chance to shine.
And while the story is good, his numbers have been even better.
Entering Week 8, Fitzpatrick had averaged more fantasy points per game than any other quarterback.
Week 8 saw Fitzpatrick limited to just one touchdown, his first single touchdown outing of the year.
There is no reason Fitzpatrick should not be owned in all leagues. While Fitzpatrick may still qualify as a matchup play, he has every chance to put up big numbers at least a few more times this season.
18. Tom Brady, QB
34 of 51
Tom Brady, NE
Grade: C
Total fantasy points: 107
Average fantasy points: 15
Positional ranking: 12th
Comments: Things have changed for the New England Patriots, and every change has impacted Brady's fantasy production.
Brady and the Patriots are a great NFL team, but a poor option for fantasy owners.
Since Week 3, Brady has thrown for just one touchdown in each of his four starts. These new-look Patriots are just as happy to run the ball as they are to throw it.
Brady owners must consider alternatives, and hopefully started scouring the waiver wire before Week 9.
17. Josh Freeman, QB
35 of 51
Josh Freeman, TB
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 108
Average fantasy points: 15
Positional ranking: 10th
Comments: Freeman has really come into his own as a passer in his second year with a young receiving corps stepping up to make plays.
Over the last four weeks, Freeman has thrown a touchdown in every contest and limited his interceptions to just one.
Fantasy owners should consider Freeman as one of the first players plucked from the waiver wire should they need to replace an injured starting quarterback or simply fill a hole left by a bye week.
Freeman has plenty of weapons around him in Tampa Bay and clearly knows how to use them.
16. Eli Manning, QB
36 of 51
Eli Manning, NYG
Grade: B
Total fantasy points: 110
Average fantasy points: 16
Positional ranking: Ninth
Comments: The younger Manning has thrown multiple touchdowns in every game in which he has thrown a touchdown.
Unfortunately, there have been two games where he failed to throw any touchdowns at all.
Manning still proves inconsistent at times, and has faced some bad luck as well having multiple passes in games deflect off Giant wide receivers' hands and into the waiting arms of a defensive back.
All the same, for a quarterback that many expected to take the next step in terms of fantasy production, it simply isn't happening.
At least not this year.
15. Brandon Lloyd, WR
37 of 51
Brandon Lloyd, DEN
Grade: A+
Total fantasy points: 112
Average fantasy points: 14
Positional ranking: First
Comments: If one were to write an after-school special about Brandon Lloyd, a good title might be something like, "Fantasy Tease to Fantasy Domination: The Brandon Lloyd Story."
All that Lloyd has brought to the table in the last three years was the occasional good game, followed up by a decent game, quickly followed up by an injury.
That fantasy owners were skeptical of Lloyd's hot start is nothing to be ashamed of. Burn me once, shame on you. Burn me twice, shame on me.
But following such a mantra is often a fantasy general manager's downfall as well. We all too often fall in love with the name, or shun the name, rather than considering the production.
14. Donovan McNabb, QB
38 of 51
Donovan McNabb, WAS
Grade: B-
Total fantasy points: 112
Average fantasy points: 14
Positional ranking: Eigth
Comments: For a quarterback who has managed to never throw more than one touchdown in any single game, that McNabb would find himself eighth among quarterbacks is surprising.
So while McNabb is worth rostering in most leagues, expecting any great performances from the quarterback that was pulled for QB Rex Grossman during a two-minute drill is unwise.
There is little upside with McNabb, but he should at least find the end zone once, as he has in every week since Week 1, if you're in a pinch.
But there is no reason for him to be your weekly starter.
13. Matt Ryan, QB
39 of 51
Matt Ryan, ATL
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 114
Average fantasy points: 16
Positional ranking: Seventh
Comments: The "Matty Ice" nickname is probably no longer deserved, but Ryan has been perfectly fine delivering for fantasy owners this year.
Having thrown for five touchdowns in his last two games, Ryan may finally be hitting his stride.
For a quarterback who was drafted by fantasy owners after the likes of Joe Flacco, Brett Favre and Matt Schaub, Ryan has been a pleasant surprise.
At this point in the season, there is no reason that Ryan should not be in your starting lineup.
12. Carson Palmer, QB
40 of 51
Carson Palmer, CIN
Grade: B
Total fantasy points: 114
Average fantasy points: 16
Positional ranking: Sixth
Comments: Palmer is the king of garbage time production, but hardly reliable otherwise.
Palmer's three best games, from a fantasy perspective, all came when the Bengals were trailing and needing to reduce a deficit.
So as long as the Bengals continue to play poorly early in games, which seems to be a given thus far, Palmer should have plenty of opportunities to put up numbers.
11. Antonio Gates, TE
41 of 51
Antonio Gates, SD
Grade: A+
Total fantasy points: 120
Average fantasy points: 15
Positional ranking: First
Comments: The only thing that has managed to slow down Gates was a toe injury suffered in Week 6. Otherwise, defenses have been absolutely helpless in stopping Gates.
Gates has scored a touchdown in every contest but one and is on pace for a record-breaking year for tight ends.
To put in perspective just how dominate Gates has been, consider that the second best tight end, Marcedes Lewis, has scored just 70 fantasy points through the same number of games.
Gates comes as close to an untradeable fantasy player as you will find. He is simply dominant.
10. Frank Gore, RB
42 of 51
Frank Gore, SF
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 124
Average fantasy points: 15.5
Positional ranking: Fifth
Comments: Gore has been rock-solid through the first eight weeks of the season.
While he hasn't always produced on the ground as fantasy owners expected, he has supplemented his production through the air.
The primary concern with Gore has been his lacking touchdown production, having accumulated only four total touchdowns through the first eight weeks.
In order for Gore to maintain his top five status, the touchdown production must increase.
9. Darren McFadden, RB
43 of 51
Darren McFadden, OAK
Grade: A+
Total fantasy points: 125
Average fantasy points: 21
Positional ranking: Fifth
Comments: The dominant 2010 version of McFadden is the one fantasy owners expected three years ago. But it took McFadden some time to learn how to be an NFL-caliber running back.
But the wait is over. On a per game basis, McFadden has been the best running back in the league.
Fantasy owners who drafted McFadden likely drafted a couple of other quality backs in front of him, so owners struggling at the position should shoot an offer to the McFadden owner and see if they can steal him away for less than full value.
8. Chris Johnson, RB
44 of 51
Chris Johnson, TEN
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 125
Average fantasy points: 15.6
Positional ranking: Third
Comments: Not exactly setting the world on fire this season, but the addition of WR Randy Moss will help open up the offense.
While owning the third-best fantasy running back is generally a cause for celebration, Johnson owners have been frustrated more than once by their top pick.
Johnson has been held scoreless three times and held under 100 yards four times through eight games.
One additional cause for concern is that Johnson is simply not involved in the receiving game, averaging just three receptions per game.
Admittedly, it's difficult to live up to the hype following a 2,000-yard season. So that Johnson has maintained his top three status is impressive nonetheless, considering guys like Maurice Jones-Drew and Ray Rice have fallen out of the top 10 completely.
7. Adrian Peterson, RB
45 of 51
Adrian Peterson, MIN
Grade: A
Total fantasy points: 133
Average fantasy points: 19
Positional ranking: Second
Comments: In terms of year-to-year consistency, Peterson is one of the more impressive running backs in recent years. And 2010 has shown again why Peterson should be selected in the top two in every fantasy draft.
While having WR Randy Moss around for a few games was nice, nothing about Peterson's production should change or take a dip.
If you own Peterson, just sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
6. Peyton Manning, QB
46 of 51
Petyon Manning, IND
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 143
Average fantasy points: 20
Positional ranking: Fourth
Comments: You have probably heard it a million times, but Petyon Manning is the best quarterback of his generation.
Granted, that doesn't make him the best fantasy quarterback, but he's near the top.
Even after losing TE Dallas Clark and WR Austin Collie, Manning still finds a way to put points on the board, even making TE Jacob Tamme look like an adequate replacement for Clark.
Every year, it seems fantasy owners want to try and strike it rich on the next big quarterback instead of relying on a proven veteran like Manning. Manning is the rock of any fantasy team and should be drafted accordingly.
5. Arian Foster, RB
47 of 51
Arian Foster, HOU
Grade: A+
Total fantasy points: 144
Average fantasy points: 21
Positional ranking: First
Comments: Foster was the popular sleeper pick at running back this year, and he has rewarded fantasy owners in a huge way.
Bursting on the scene in Week 1 rushing for 231 yards and three touchdowns, Foster announced that he had arrived.
Since Week 1, Foster has totaled five additional touchdowns and topped 100 rushing yards in three games.
Hopefully fantasy owners held on to Foster and didn't "sell high," as the return they got probably wasn't worthwhile.
4. Drew Brees, QB
48 of 51
Drew Brees, NO
Grade: B+
Total fantasy points: 144
Average fantasy points: 18
Positional ranking: Fourth
Comments: Drew Brees of 2010 has been a much less accurate and much more inconsistent version of the 2009 Drew Brees.
Many of the issues with Brees and the passing game relate back to the lack of a running game that drives the Saints offense.
While Brees has been putting up fantasy points, at times, he has frustrated fantasy owners to the point of seeking trade opportunities.
Brees owners should hold tight to their late first round, early second-round pick and hope that RB Pierre Thomas returns quickly and corrects the deficient running game.
3. Kyle Orton, QB
49 of 51
Kyle Orton, DEN
Grade: A
Total fantasy points: 148
Average fantasy points: 18.5
Positional ranking: Third
Comments: Orton has raised himself from the depths of the fantasy football wasteland to sit atop all but two quarterbacks after eight weeks.
While Orton does possess talent, head coach Josh McDaniels' passing scheme is responsible for much of Orton's fantasy production.
With the Denver Broncos currently occupying the cellar of the AFC West, it is only a matter of time until McDaniels is pressured to find out how well rookie QB Tim Tebow can handle a real game situation.
Orton owners should hope that the Broncos can find a way to win some real football games so that Orton remains the starter.
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB
50 of 51
Aaron Rodgers, GB
Grade: A-
Total fantasy points: 108
Average fantasy points: 19
Positional ranking: Second
Comments: Rodgers entered the 2010 season ranked within the top three at the quarterback position in nearly every available set of rankings and hasn't disappointed owners thus far.
Week 8 was the first week where Rodgers failed to throw a touchdown and that probably shouldn't happen again the remainder of the season.
Many feared that the loss of athletic tight end Jermichael Finley would hamper Rodgers' production, but everything has seemed to work out just fine.
Rodgers probably won't end up having the superstar season that owners were dreaming of when they drafted him in the mid-to-late first round of their drafts, but a top five finish should be acceptable considering the blows the Packers offense have taken over the season.
1. Phillip Rivers, QB
51 of 51
Phillip Rivers, SD
Grade: A+
Total fantasy points: 158
Average fantasy points: 20
Positional ranking: First
Comments: If one were to create a list of things that might sink a quarterback's fantasy production, it would probably go something like this:
1. Have your best wide receiver hold out;
2. Lose the first-round running back drafted to replace LaDainian Tomlinson to injury; and
3. Lose your top wide receiver—the one that isn't holding out—to a hamstring injury.
But instead of throwing in the towel, Rivers has simply thrown the ball to any player in Chargers jersey, regardless on the name on the jersey.
Rivers has been elite for at least a season now, but rarely is mentioned as being in the same category as Manning and Brees. This year should change everything.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Post-June 1 Trade Candidates ☎️")
.JPG?w=600 "TO Talks Cowboys Relationship")
.jpg?w=600 "Taylor Heinicke Retiring")
.jpg?w=600 "49ers OC Hypes Mike Evans 🤩")