A Packer, a Titan and a Texan walk into a bar. … No, this isn’t going to be the start of a bad joke. No, these three people, Aaron Rodgers, Chris Johnson and Andre Johnson, are this year’s No. 1 ranking quarterback, running back and receiver, respectively, in fantasy football going into the 2010 season. While some may argue quite vehemently that Viking Adrian Peterson or Colt Peyton Manning should be the top of the top, you just can’t argue the numbers between several experts ranking and the Average Draft Position.
So, now that I got that out there, let’s take a look at why these guys are going to be the players you will want on your squad.
Quarterbacks
1. Aaron Rodgers: Rodgers exceeded all pre-season expectations by throwing for more than 4,300 yards and 30 touchdowns in 2009. He led his team to the playoffs and gave us one of the most exciting playoff games in the history of the NFL vs. Arizona. With all of his weapons back and his offensive line getting even better, Rodgers is definitely in for another top-three quarterback season in fantasy football. And since the Packers’ running game is good but not great, we think that the coaching staff will let Rodgers loose enough to put up No. 1-type numbers once again.
2. Peyton Manning, 3. Drew Brees, 4. Tony Romo, 5. Matt Schaub, 6. Tom Brady, 7. Jay Cutler, 8. Joe Flacco, 9. Philip Rivers, 10. Kevin Kolb
Running backs
1. Chris Johnson: Coming off a career year, Johnson is arguably the No. 1 overall fantasy option this year. A multitalented threat in the running and passing game, Johnson should be the main focus of the offense after LenDale White was shipped to, and then released by, Seattle on draft weekend. He probably won’t match his 2,000-plus rushing yards from 2009, but 2,000 total yards and double-digit touchdowns is just as good.
2. Adrian Peterson, 3. Ray Rice, 4. Maurice Jones-Drew, 5. Frank Gore, 6 Michael Turner, 7. Steven Jackson, 8. DeAngelo Williams, 9. Ryan Grant, 10. Jamaal Charles
Wide receivers
1. Andre Johnson: After back-to-back 1,500-plus-yeards receiving seasons, Johnson has finally made it to the top of the receiver rankings. Currently unhappy about his contract which makes him very underpaid, Johnson has been the utmost professional and said he will not hold out at all this year. Others may not have Johnson ranked as high as we do, but he is a WR1 every week, even if Matt Schaub misses time with an injury. And now that Johnson got a nice little raise a few days ago, a happy Johnson will be a highly productive Johnson.
2. Roddy White, 3. Reggie Wayne, 4. Miles Austin, 5. Larry Fitzgerald, 6. Randy Moss, 7. Calvin Johnson, 8. DeSean Johnson, 9. Marques Colston, 10. Greg Jennings
I guess a rankings article wouldn’t be complete if I didn’t at least discuss the tight end spot. This year’s No. 1 tight end has been a hodgepodge of a couple different players. Between Dallas Clark, Vernon Davis and Antonio Gates, there really hasn’t been a true knockout/No. 1 guy. And because of this there really isn’t, or shouldn’t, be many chuckles when you opt to take one of these guys as your fantasy starter.
I will give a quick glance as to why FantasyFootball.com feels Dallas Clark should be the king of the mountain: “Clark squeaks into the No. 1 spot. 2009 was clearly the best in Clark’s career after catching 100 balls, 1,106 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Don’t expect those numbers with Anthony Gonzalez coming back and both Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie expected to get work as well. Regardless, Clark is Peyton Manning’s favorite target, so still expect big numbers again in 2010.”
2. Antonio Gates, 3. Jason Witten, 4. Vernon Davis, 5. Tony Gonzalez, 6. Jermichael Finley, 7. Brent Celek, 8. Heather Miller, 9. Owen Daniels, 10. Kellen Winslow.
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