Fantasy Football: A Way Too Early Look at the Top Players of 2012

This week's action will bring with it the end of the regular season in many fantasy football leagues, and while some fantasy owners will then progress on to the playoffs, for some, this weekend will mark the end of a disappointing 2011 season.

However, it's never too early to start looking ahead to next year, so here's a look at 10 players who have so surpassed their expectations this season that they will certainly be selected much earlier when fantasy football drafts begin anew next summer.

1. Cam Newton: QB, Carolina Panthers

2011 Stats: 239 of 392, 3,093 yards, 12 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 464 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns

Rookie Cam Newton has been the biggest surprise of the 2011 fantasy football season, with his rushing ability propelling him to the top three at his position and all but insuring that he will be one of the first five quarterbacks chosen in fantasy drafts next year.

2. Matthew Stafford: QB, Detroit Lions

2011 Stats: 276 of 443, 3,119 Yards, 26 touchdowns, 13 interceptions

Many fantasy pundits wondered what sort of production Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford might be capable of if only he could remain healthy, and the third-year pro has answered those questions resoundingly, starting all 11 games and ranking among the top five at his position.

3. Reggie Bush: RB, Miami Dolphins

2011 Stats: 133 carries, 567 yards, 4 touchdowns, 35 receptions, 237 yards, 1 touchdown

Running back Reggie Bush has thrust himself back into fantasy relevance as a member of the Miami Dolphins, with the sixth-year veteran on the cusp of setting a career high in rushing yards while re-establishing himself as a viable RB2 in fantasy leagues that award points for receptions.

4. LeSean McCoy: RB, Philadelphia Eagles

2011 Stats: 198 carries, 1,050 yards, 11 touchdowns, 38 receptions, 228 yards, 2 touchdowns

Many people thought that Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy would have an outstanding 2011 season, but not many could have foreseen him being fantasy's top running back this year, averaging over five yards a carry and putting himself in the conversation for the first overall fantasy pick in 2012.

5. DeMarco Murray: RB, Dallas Cowboys

2011 Stats: 147 carries, 834 yards, 2 touchdowns, 25 receptions, 177 yards

The ankle injury suffered by Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones opened the door for rookie DeMarco Murray to start in the Dallas backfield. Murray has "run" with the opportunity, averaging a filthy 5.7 yards a carry and posting over 15 fantasy points in all but one of his starts this season.

6. Victor Cruz: WR, New York Giants

2011 Stats: 55 receptions, 957 yards, 7 touchdowns

No wide receiver in 2011 has been a bigger surprise than Victor Cruz of the New York Giants, as the second-year pro burst from nowhere to lead the Giants in catches, yards and touchdowns and place in the top five at his position so far this season.

7. A.J. Green: WR, Cincinnati Bengals

2011 Stats: 44 receptions 745 yards, 6 touchdowns

A large part of the startling success of the 7-4 Cincinnati Bengals can be attributed to the solid play of rookie wideout A. J. Green, who wasted very little time acclimating himself to the NFL and becoming a high-end fantasy WR2 in the process.

8. Jordy Nelson: WR, Green Bay Packers

2011 Stats: 44 receptions, 782 yards, 9 touchdowns

Wide receiver Jordy Nelson has picked up right where he left off in Super Bowl XLV, leading the undefeated Packers in touchdown catches, averaging almost 18 yards a reception and becoming at the very least a top fantasy WR2 with the potential to post a huge score in any given week.

9. Fred Davis: TE, Washington Redskins

2011 Stats: 53 receptions, 697 yards, 3 touchdowns

With starter Chris Cooley sidelined by various injuries, it's been tight end Fred Davis' time to shine for the Washington Redskins, and the fourth-year pro hasn't disappointed, leading his team in both catches and receiving yards and placing among the top five at his position in fantasy points.

10. Rob Gronkowski: TE, New England Patriots

2011 Stats: 60 receptions, 864 yards, 11 touchdowns

In only his second year in the National Football League, tight end Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots has become one of the truly elite fantasy options at his position, growing into a preferred target of quarterback Tom Brady and leading all players at his position in touchdown catches and fantasy points.