NFL Fantasy All-Stud Team

Our good friend Joe Fortenbaugh from National Football Post did his “Fantasy All-Stud Team” and was good enough to share it with us. Here it is.

With the fantasy football season quickly coming to a close, I proudly present to you the National Football Post Fantasy All-Stud Team. Some of the players on this list may not have been the highest scoring at their position, but that’s OK. This list is about the NFL’s top studs. I expect to hear plenty of feedback on this one.

Reminder: All scores are based on the standard scoring format.

Side Note: The Fantasy All-Bust Team is coming tomorrow. That should be interesting.

The National Football Post Fantasy All-Stud Team

Quarterback

Drew “A Cool Island” Brees, New Orleans Saints

With all due respect to the playoff-bound Kurt Warner, fantasy football is not about winning divisions. It’s about putting up numbers—something the extremely accurate Drew Brees is damn good at. Here’s what matters: Brees leads the NFL in yards (4,332), touchdowns (28), and is second in attempts (546, four behind Warner). Last time I checked those were basically the only categories that mattered.

Brees was ranked No. 2 for quarterbacks behind the injured Tom Brady in our fantasy draft guide. I’m sure if you run into a Brees owner at the bar they will be more than delighted to tell you how they are playing for the championship.

QB Shout Out

Matt “Stump The” Schaub, Houston Texans

It’s a real shame this guy had to miss a good portion of the season due to injury. In nine games this year, Schaub has five outings with over 260 yards passing and four games with two or more TD tosses. The Texans are currently 7-7 and on a four-game winning streak. Keep your eye on Schaub come next year’s draft.

Running Backs

Michael “The Burner” Turner

The Chargers never should have let this guy go. Turner’s first year as a full-time starter was a monster success, as he is currently the top-ranked fantasy running back in the NFL. M.T. leads the league in touchdowns (15) and ranks second in rushing yards (1,421). He’s topped 120 yards rushing in five games and has found pay dirt in eight of his 14 outings in 2008.

The best part? This guy wasn’t even a first round draft pick. How’s that for value?

DeAngelo “The Bank” Williams

All you really need to know about Williams is that if you touch him, you’re going to the hospital for treatment on some nasty third degree burns that are sure to leave a scar. This guy has a legitimate shot at winning the Fantasy MVP Award.

If D-Will is on your roster, get down on your knees and thank God you pulled the trigger to draft him, because chances are he’s put you on his back and carried you into the playoffs. He’s scored a ridiculous 12 touchdowns in his last eight games AND he splits carries. Enough said.

RB Shout Out

“Slicin” Steve Slaton

It looks like a lot of Houston Texans are in line for some shout outs with the way they’ve been playing lately. Double S has been spectacular this season, ranking seventh in scoring for fantasy running backs. He’s one of the most dangerous dual-threat backs in the NFL, and he’s just a rookie! Expect to see him fly off the board in the first eight picks next season.

Wide Receivers

Andre “Thanks For Staying Healthy” Johnson

Several fantasy publications had A.J. ranked outside of the top five due to his lengthy injury history. Not the NFP. We had him at No. 2 behind Randy Moss, and much like with Drew Brees, missed it by just one spot.

Arguably the best receiver in the NFL, Johnson has been pimp-slapping cornerbacks for 15 grueling weeks. He’s racked up seven games with 100+ receiving yards (some of which came with Sage Rosenfels at QB), leads the NFL in receptions (103), and is 98 yards ahead of Atlanta receiver Roddy White for the league lead in receiving yards.

I fully expect this guy’s jersey to be one of the hot sellers heading into next season. Seriously, how great has it been having Johnson on your roster?

Calvin “The New Barry Sanders” Johnson

I think I speak for most of us when I say that the Lions better shape up fast or let Johnson go elsewhere. He’s way too talented to spend his career with crappy QBs throwing him the rock and nobody in the stands to witness his talent.

Despite playing on the worst team in the history of the universe, Johnson has been an absolute fantasy beast and has been awarded the title “King of the Garbage Time Stats.” He ranks fifth in yards (1,165), second in touchdowns (10), and first in receptions of 20+ yards (19), and he’s doing it all on a winless team with some of the worst quarterbacks under center the game has ever seen.

The best part? We never hear this guy run his mouth.

WR Shout Out

Antonio Bryant

First order of business is that Bryant needs a flashy nickname, so it’s up to you guys to grab my back (my head still hurts from the Eagles game last night).

Exiled from the NFL and left for dead in 2007, Bryant got a second chance in the form of Bucs head coach Jon “Chucky” Gruden and has made the most of it. He’s officially cracked the top 10 in scoring for fantasy receivers and ranks in the top 12 for yards (1,044), receptions (74), and touchdowns (six). Can someone say “comeback player of the year”?

Tight Ends

Tony “Old Reliable” Gonzalez

While I do expect you guys to argue most of my selections, this one is undeniable. Under the standard scoring format, Tony has amassed 135 fantasy points on the season. The next best total? Jason Witten with 94. In a down year for the tight end position, Gonzalez has been rock solid.

Still not convinced? Tony G leads all NFL tight ends in receptions (94), yards (941), touchdowns (eight), and targets (133). Case closed.

TE Shout Out

John “The Great Unknown” Carlson

I’d be willing to bet my car that this guy went undrafted in any league with fewer than 12 teams (unless you read our draft guide, in which case you don’t count because you’re ahead of the game). Despite playing for the three-win Seattle Seahawks, Carlson has managed to scratch and claw his way into the top five for fantasy tight ends. How good would this kid be if he had some talent around him?

Defense

The Pittsburgh Steelers

These guys scare the crap out of me. Literally. I actually got to do a couple of interviews in their locker room after the New York Giants game and (being the sissy that I am) would never want to be in a situation where one of these dudes is coming after me.

Despite being handed the toughest schedule in NFL history, the boys from Steel City have managed to pull off an 11-3 record and an almost certain first-round bye. James Harrison (15, fifth) and LaMarr Woodley (11.5, eighth) both rank in the top 10 in the league in sacks, while ball-hawking safety Troy Polamalu ranks first in the NFL with seven interceptions. The Steelers rank second in fantasy points and lead the NFL in total defense, as well as passing defense.

If you need a little more convincing, just ask Tony Romo what he thinks of their skills.

D/ST Shout Out

The Baltimore Ravens

I’ll be honest, had the Ravens beaten the Steelers last Sunday, they would be in the top spot right now. Baltimore is the highest scoring fantasy unit, ranks second in total defense, second in passing defense, and third in rushing defense. Oh yeah: They have not allowed a 100+ yard rusher since 2006.

Kicker

Rob “My” Bironas

I can’t lie to you guys. Kickers don’t really matter, and they certainly aren’t exciting, so I went with the highest scorer. Introducing Rob Bironas. Who cares.

Be sure to fire away your opinions and bash me like usual if you feel I got it wrong. In addition, tomorrow I will be releasing the “All-Bust Team,” and next week will consist of the “end of the year” awards. Stay tuned.