NFL Fantasy 2011: Who Will Have the Best Season at Each Position?

Fantasy Football is in full gear as the NFL kicks off another thrilling season in 2011.  Now the question is, "Who will reign supreme?"  Everyone has their reasons for choosing certain players and experts give their predictions on a daily basis.  The fact of the matter is, fantasy football is nearly impossible to predict.  

Nevertheless, I will attempt to wade through the names and the statistics in order to bring you my picks for the best fantasy players in 2011.*

*For obvious reasons, the position of kicker will not be addressed.  They are too similar to be relevant.

QB: Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers' legend grows with every snap.  His magical run through the playoffs that culminated in a spectacular Super Bowl win will go down in Green Bay history as one of the great achievements in sport.  But what's even better is that Rodgers didn't just win a Super Bowl—he willed his team to win.  

This shows in his statistics: 3,922 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.  But keep in mind that he had neither a reliable running game nor his favorite target, TE Jermichael Finley.  What does this ultimately mean?

It means that Aaron Rodgers will annihilate fantasy football in 2011.

Predicted 2011 Stats: 4,500 YDS, 36 TDS, eight INTS

QB2: Tom Brady, New England Patriots

What more can we say about Brady?  Playing in an era defined by names such as Favre, Manning and Brees, Tom Terrific has managed to stand out above all of his compatriots and take control of his Hall of Fame destiny.  He'll be 34 this season and will stil put up numbers that defy logic given the "weapons" he has to throw the ball to.

In 2010, Brady threw for 3,900 yards, 36 touchdowns and just four interceptions while throwing to the likes of Rob Gronkowski and Deion Branch.  This season, with a revamped running game, a healthy Wes Welker and the addition of Chad Ochocinco, Brady will look to improve on his already stellar numbers.

Manning and Brees have the stats.  Aaron Rodgers has the big arm.  Michael Vick has the story.

All Tom Brady has is the title of best quarterback in the NFL.

Predicted 2011 Stats: 4,200 YDS, 33 TDS, nine INTS

RB: Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

It's beyond many of us why Jamaal Charles hasn't gotten more carries in his short NFL career. Either the Chiefs are trying to save his legs, or they think Thomas Jones is better than the rest of the world thinks he is.  Fortunately for Charles, Jones seems to be slowing down, and that means NFL defenses will have nightmares about No. 25 in 2011.

Last year, Charles finished second in the NFL with 1,467 rushing yards on only 230 carries—an astonishing 6.4 yards-per-carry average.  What's even more amazing is that those numbers were even better than his rookie season where he averaged 5.9-yards per carry.  What that means is this: Charles is not a one-hit wonder, he is a home run hitter.  

Expect big things from this young star in 2011.  He will be the best running back in the league.

Predicted 2011 Stats: 1,500 YDS, 12 TDS

RB2: Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice is the best thing to happen to the Baltimore Ravens since Ray Lewis.  Plain and simple. Rice makes the offense GO.  And in 2010, he cemented his status as one of the league's elite by posting superb numbers across the board.

The thing that's so enticing about Rice is his potential as a dual-threat RB.  He can run the ball very effectively, but he is also one of the best at his position—if not the best—at catching the ball out of the backfield.  Last season, Rice approached 2,000 yards from scrimmage and showed versatility in every aspect of his game.

Expect big things from Rice in 2011 as he will get more targets and more carries.  The offense runs through him.

Predicted 2011 Stats: 1,300 YDS, 10 TDS, 60 REC, 500 YDS, three TDS

WR: Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals

Fitz is a breath of fresh air for fans.  He's a dominant receiver who is neither showboater nor diva; he lets his play speak for itself and shreds secondaries with his incomparable talent.  

Do you remember who was throwing the ball to Larry Fitzgerald in 2010?  You'd be hard pressed to guess that it was the wonder trio of Derek Anderson, Max Hall and John Skelton.  This season, Arizona will have former Philadelphia Eagles QB Kevin Kolb under center and with WR Steve Breaston bolting for Kansas City, all signs point to Fitzgerald seeing an enormous amount of targets in 2011.

Keep in mind also that presumed starting RB Ryan Williams is out for the season.  With questions surrounding incumbent starter Beanie Wells' ability, Fitz could get even more looks in a pass-happy offense.  The sky's the limit for 2011's best wide receiver.

Predicted 2011 Stats: 105 REC, 1,500 YDS, 15 TDS

WR2: Andre Johnson, Houston Texans

Oh Andre, if only the Texans could make the playoffs—then the entire sporting world would be formally introduced to your spectacular ability.

Publicity or not, Johnson has been the most consistent receiver in the NFL in the last several years. Don't expect anything different in 2011.  This guy is a monster, and the tools he has are almost incomprehensible.  Add QB Matt Schaub to the mix, as well as a dominant running game to free him up from defenders and it spells success for Johnson once again this season.

Predicted 2011 Stats: 95 REC, 1,400 YDS, 10 TDS

TE: Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers

Antonio Gates racked up 782 receiving yards last season—in 10 games.  One can only imagine how those stats project over a full slate of 16 and at only 31 years of age—Gates is still in his prime.

The league's most athletically-gifted tight end has several things working for him—he is a freak of an athlete, he has an offensive genius in Norv Turner calling his number on every other play and he has Phillip Rivers throwing him the ball.  

No tight end in recent memory has been considered the No. 1 target on the league's top ranked offense.  Gates is quite simply head and shoulders above the rest and will stay that way for far beyond 2011.

Predicted 2011 Stats: 80 REC, 980 YDS, 12 TDS