2011 Fantasy Football Dynasty Rookie Rankings: Green and Ingram Top the List

Even with the threat of an extended NFL lockout, many dynasty rookie drafts are—nevertheless—quickly approaching. Let's take a look at the top-10 dynasty prospects, plus look at some exciting sleeper candidates you can nab in the later rounds of your league's draft. 

There are no quarterbacks in this top 10, only because that position is, generally speaking, the easiest position (besides kicker and defense) to fill on a fantasy football team. Plus, with the large number of quarterbacks taken in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft, the chance to get a quality QB prospect outside of the top 10 picks of a rookie draft is greater than in typical drafts.

A.J. Green, WR, Bengals

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: A.J. Green, #4 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals, holds up a jersey after he was drafted during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

With the potential departures of Chad Ocho Cinco and Terrell Owens, A.J. Green has a chance to make an immediate impact for the Cincinnati Bengals. Blessed with size, speed, quickness and good hands, Green will quickly become a top 10 NFL wide receiver. Whether you need a wide receiver or not, do not hesitate to draft Green No. 1.

Mark Ingram, RB, Saints

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Mark Ingram, #28 overall pick by the New Orleans Saints, holds up a jersey on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

There are some concerns about Ingram's knees and his potential lack of longevity in the NFL.  

Those are risks worth taking. 

Ingram has a rare combination of size, quickness, power and vision that has drawn comparisons to some of the NFL's all-time greats.

Plus, he lands in an ideal situation where the Saints' strong passing game will take plenty of attention away from this future star. 

If you need a running back, take Ingram with a top pick.

Ryan Williams, RB, Cardinals

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 04: Ryan Williams #34 of the Virginia Tech Hokies against the Florida State Seminoles during their game at Bank of America Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Many analysts have Julio Jones at No. 3, and if we were talking talent alone, I would agree. However, fantasy value combines talent, situation and opportunity. Ryan Williams is a fantastic player who could be the running back the Cardinals have been looking for.

Julio Jones, WR, Falcons

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NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 28: Julio Jones, #6 overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons, holds up a jersey on stage during the 2011 NFL Draft at Radio City Music Hall on April 28, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Jones quite possibly had the best combine of any rookie wide receiver prospect. Combine that with his stellar career at Alabama and you have the makings of a great NFL wide receiver. 

Jones lands in Atlanta and gives the Falcons another much-needed offensive playmaker. 

Roddy White sits firmly atop the Falcons' depth chart, but there are plenty of No. 2 receivers who put up great numbers in the NFL.

Daniel Thomas, RB, Dolphins

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BOULDER, CO - NOVEMBER 20: Daniel Thomas #8 of the Kansas State Wildcats rushes with the ball against the Colorado Buffaloes at Folsom Field on November 20, 2010 in Boulder, Colorado. Colorado defeated Kansas State 44-36. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty

Daniel Thomas was taken in the second round of the NFL Draft. He has size, power, and his north-south running style will translate well to the NFL. 

Thomas also lands with the Dolphins, where the running back position is up for grabs. Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown will provide little resistance to Thomas, assuming either of them are brought back to the team.

Greg Little, WR, Browns

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WINSTON SALEM, NC - OCTOBER 27: Wide receiver Greg Little #8 of the University of North Carolina Tar Heels during the ACC game at the Groves Stadium, on October 27, 2007 in Winston Salem,North Carolina. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

Greg Little, a second round selection, missed the entire 2010 season for the North Carolina Tar Heels due to suspension. Little was one of several players who received improper benefits while at UNC. 

Do not let that scare you off! 

At 6'3" and 220 pounds, with great hands and good speed, Little is a prototypical top NFL wide receiver.

He landed with the Browns, who are rebuilding under the leadership of offensive guru Mike Holmgren. 

Many speculate the reason the Browns were willing to trade out of the No. 6 pick (Julio Jones) was because they were confident they could grab Little in the second round.

Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens

Torrey Smith, WR

I have Torrey Smith ranked higher than some analysts. 

He is a dynamic wide receiver drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, who have been looking for dynamic playmakers. Coach John Harbaugh wants to run a pass-first offense, but he hasn't had the weapons to pull it off. 

The Ravens acquired Anquan Boldin, who turns 31 later this year, last offseason, but he did not quite produce the way the Ravens had hoped. 

Smith has an ideal opportunity to capitalize on Harbaugh's offensive plans and Baltimore's good young quarterback, Joe Flacco. He will be a steal in the latter stages of the first round of a rookie draft.

Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Chiefs

Jon Baldwin, WR

With top speed at 6'4", 228 pounds, Jonathan Baldwin has the potential to be one of the top players from the 2011 NFL Draft. 

Baldwin went to Kansas City, where he will have a great opportunity to develop behind Dwayne Bowe and electrifying back Jamaal Charles.

Baldwin can thrive under the guidance of head coach Todd Haley. Haley and the Chiefs have made incredible progress with this team in a short amount of time. Kansas City wanted a playmaker in this draft, and they got one with their first-round selection. 

Baldwin is another potential steal in the back end of the first round of many rookie drafts.

Mikel Leshoure, RB, Lions

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CHICAGO - NOVEMBER 20: Mikel Leshoure #5 of the Illinois Fighting Illini runs on his way to a 339 yard rushing performance against the Northwestern Wildcats during a game played at Wrigley Field on November 20, 2010 in Chicago, Illinois. Illinois defeated

Mikel Leshoure is not a favorite of mine, but if he's available towards the end of the first round, you should take a chance on him. 

I think Leshoure is a bit of a dancer at the line of scrimmage, which will not work well in the NFL.  Also, his production came against a fairly weak Big Ten conference in 2010. 

With all that being said, Leshoure went to the Lions, where he should have an opportunity to be the primary back.

The Lions' 2010 running back selection, Jahvid Best, was not able to answer his draft critics who were concerned with his limited size and durability. Best was hampered by injuries after an impressive start to 2010. 

The drafting of Leshoure may indicate the Lions have decided against giving Best a big workload.

Roy Helu, RB, Redskins

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ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 04: Running back Roy Helu Jr. #10 of the Nebraska Cornhuskers runs the ball against the Oklahoma Sooners during the Big 12 Championship at Cowboys Stadium on December 4, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty

Roy Helu at No. 10 may surprise some of you.

At 6'0", 219 pounds, Helu went to the Redskins. Head coach Mike Shanahan is famous for turning seemingly ordinary backs into potential NFL studs. Terrell Davis, drafted in the sixth round in 1995, and Clinton Portis, a second round pick in 2002, have become household names thanks to Shanny's magic. 

Working in Helu's favor is the fact his only competition is Ryan Torain, who had a solid 2010, but he didn't seem to have the game-breaking ability Shanahan is looking for.

Sleeper Alert!

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MOBILE, AL - JANUARY 29: Wide receiver Leonard Hankerson #86 South Team scores a touchdwon against the North Team during the second quarter of the Under Armour Senior Bowl on January 29, 2011 at Ladd-Pebbles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Sean Gar

OK. You've now seen my top 10, but there are many other players to keep an eye on in your upcoming fantasy rookie draft. 

I think this 2011 crop of rookies is a little thin with top-end talent, but it runs deep with potential solid fantasy players. Let's take a look at a few of those players:

Leonard Hankerson, WR, Redskins: Hankerson goes to a great situation, where an aging Santana Moss and journeyman Anthony Armstrong are all that stand in his way.

Alex Green, RB, Packers: Green was an exceptional player at Hawaii and will challenge James Starks and Ryan Grant for the starter role. Green is a big, fast, north-south runner.

DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys: Murray is being overlooked by some, but this former Oklahoma star will surprise many at the next level. With Tashard Choice relegated to a back-up role and Felix Jones yet to reach his potential, Murray has a fantastic opportunity to shine.

Titus Young, WR, Lions: Called by some a "poor-man's Desean Jackson", Young will be given the opportunity to star in the slot position while Megatron, aka Calvin Johnson, takes on double and triple teams.

Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley, RBs, Patriots: With a muddled backfield featuring "the Law Firm," Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis and diminutive Danny Woodhead, one of these two could step forward.