Fantasy Football Rankings 2011: 10 Best Players

The season is less than a month away and all the fantasy football players around the country are preparing for their drafts as we inch closer to what should be an exciting 2011 season.

Here's a list of the top 10 players whom I believe will be the best in the business at getting you points, whether that's on Sunday, Monday, Thursday or Saturday. This list will contain the three primary positions in fantasy football: quarterback, halfback and wide receiver. 

I would love to read your thoughts, so don't be afraid to leave a comment.

10. Quarterback: Michael Vick

Michael Vick is perhaps the most exciting player in the National Football League. He can hurt you with his arm now, which always was an uphill battle during his years with Atlanta, and he can hurt you with his legs because he is arguably the fastest guy on the field every time he steps on it.

The reason he comes in at No. 10 is because he is always threatened by injury—understandable for a guy who plays with a style like Vick's.

This offseason Vick has gotten all the first-team reps in training camp and is scheduled to be the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles on opening day in St. Louis, unlike a year ago. He still has his main targets in DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin, and he should also be able to do some damage in the screen game with LeSean McCoy and Ronnie Brown in the backfield.

Vick would probably rank No. 1 if injury were not a problem, but because it has haunted him his whole career he starts off this list at No. 10.

09. Halfback: Ray Rice

Ray Rice came into the league as a backup running back and ended up a Baltimore Ravens starter by season's end. He has had to split carries with Willis McGahee and Le'Ron McClain. Now that both of those guys are gone, the Ravens have added one of the best blocking fullbacks in the league in Vonta Leach. They also signed Ricky Williams, who looks to be falling toward the end of his turbulent career.

Rice will be the go-to-guy for Baltimore in 2011.

08. Quarterback: Philip Rivers

Philip Rivers is another guy who came into the league as a backup. He sat behind Drew Brees for the first few years of his career, and when he was given the chance to start after Brees left for New Orleans he never looked back.

It's hard to put him in the conversation with guys like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady because of his postseason success, but the guy is a workhorse in the regular season.

The Chargers are relying on second-year running back Ryan Mathews to take some of the slack off of Rivers, but something tells me Rivers is going to carry most of the load and have another big season.

07. Wide Receiver: Andre Johnson

Andre Johnson is hands down the best receiver in football. He can go deep, he can go across the middle and the guy will make a big play if you need one. He is miles ahead of second-string receiver Kevin Walters in Houston, which makes him the best option for a team that likes to go to the air a lot.

Arian Foster should take a huge load off of Matt Schaub and Johnson again this year after a breakout season in 2010, but you better believe Johnson will continue to give defensive backs nightmares in 2011.

06. Quarterback: Peyton Manning

No introduction needed.

Arguably the best quarterback to ever play the game, Peyton Manning has proven over the years that he is a fantasy machine. The way the guy reads defenses and destroys coverages year in and year out is simply amazing. 

Manning will probably once again be the enforcer of an offense that usually ranks in the bottom half of the league in rushing. On a side note, he is coming off neck surgery and there could be some lingering questions about, that but knowing Manning, he'll be out there slinging touchdowns left and right.

05. Halfback: Chris Johnson

Chris Johnson is a fantasy king. In 2009, his second year in the league, the guy rushed for the second most yards in NFL history (only behind Eric Dickerson).

He is currently holding out because he is unhappy with his rookie contract. The man is worth more than the rookie contract he is still under, but the Titans just haven't gotten around to paying him. If Johnson can get into camp soon, expect him to be ready to go for the opener.

You can't go wrong with a guy of this caliber.

04. Quarterback: Aaron Rodgers

Yet again another player who came into the league as a backup—but honestly, that was probably the best thing that could have happened to Aaron Rodgers.

After backing up the legendary Brett Favre, in just his third season as the Green Bay Packers quarterback, Rodgers won the Super Bowl as a wild card team. In 2011, he hopes to have an even stronger campaign and has one of the best receiving corps in the league with guys like Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, a returning Jermichael Finley, Jordy Nelson and rookie Randall Cobb.

Look out for an even bigger season from the Super Bowl MVP.

03. Halfback: Arian Foster

Seventh-round draft pick Arian Foster came out of nowhere.

This man led the league in rushing yards a season ago and shows no sign of slowing down. This is the guy you want to take if these next two players aren't on the board.

02. Quarterback: Tom Brady

Much like Peyton Manning, no introduction needed.

The three-time Super Bowl quarterback has returned to MVP form and looked as good as ever in 2010. Add Chad Ochocinco to the mix and you have a guy that could very well throw for 40 touchdowns.

Tom Brady has given secondaries headaches with his ability to read coverage and pinpoint accuracy over the years. You simply can't go wrong with the Golden Boy.

01. Halfback: Adrian Peterson

We made it. The No. 1 fantasy player is Adrian Peterson.

The guy is straight beast mode. He has cut out the fumbles and will be relied upon a lot more with Sidney Rice now in Seattle. Donovan McNabb will be able to take some pressure off his back, but look for a huge season out of "All Day."

If this guy is passed up by pick three, you might be in a league full of idiots.