This article is part of our 2010 Fantasy Football Draft Kit series.
Here are my initial rankings for a standard league (1-QB, 2-RB, 3-WR, 1-TE, 1-K, 1-D; 3/6 TDs, 20/10 yardage) as of June 30. We advise using one of our customized scoring systems for your overall rankings: custom straight draft rankings, Dollar values for auctions or draft software. We highly recommend using RotoWire's draft software for overall rankings and during your draft.
Rank | Player | Pos | Team | Comment |
1 | Chris Johnson | RB | TEN | Explosive big-play machine set all-time mark with 2,509 yards from scrimmage |
2 | Adrian Peterson | RB | MIN | Quietly caught 43 passes and scored 18 TDs; needs to hold onto the rock |
3 | Maurice Jones-Drew | RB | JAC | 312 carries, 53 receptions, 16 TD shows he's up to carrying full load |
4 | Ray Rice | RB | BAL | 78 receptions, 2041 yards from scrimmage; not much goal-line work, though |
5 | Michael Turner | RB | ATL | NFL's prototype power runner, plus long speed, but doesn't catch passes |
6 | Frank Gore | RB | SF | All-purpose workhorse in improving offense; needs to stay healthy |
7 | Rashard Mendenhall | RB | PIT | Power back with speed and good hands should have bigger role |
8 | Andre Johnson | WR | HOU | Size/speed monster heavily targeted in top-notch passing attack; underused near goal line |
9 | Randy Moss | WR | NE | Aging all-time great still among the elite |
10 | Shonn Greene | RB | NYJ | Speedy power back broke out during playoffs. Runs behind elite offensive line |
11 | Ryan Mathews | RB | SD | Rookie steps into ideal situation - top-notch offense, RB-friendly coach |
12 | Larry Fitzgerald | WR | ARZ | Talented |
Here are my initial rankings for a standard league (1-QB, 2-RB, 3-WR, 1-TE, 1-K, 1-D; 3/6 TDs, 20/10 yardage) as of June 30. We advise using one of our customized scoring systems for your overall rankings: custom straight draft rankings, Dollar values for auctions or draft software. We highly recommend using RotoWire's draft software for overall rankings and during your draft.
Rank | Player | Pos | Team | Comment |
1 | Chris Johnson | RB | TEN | Explosive big-play machine set all-time mark with 2,509 yards from scrimmage |
2 | Adrian Peterson | RB | MIN | Quietly caught 43 passes and scored 18 TDs; needs to hold onto the rock |
3 | Maurice Jones-Drew | RB | JAC | 312 carries, 53 receptions, 16 TD shows he's up to carrying full load |
4 | Ray Rice | RB | BAL | 78 receptions, 2041 yards from scrimmage; not much goal-line work, though |
5 | Michael Turner | RB | ATL | NFL's prototype power runner, plus long speed, but doesn't catch passes |
6 | Frank Gore | RB | SF | All-purpose workhorse in improving offense; needs to stay healthy |
7 | Rashard Mendenhall | RB | PIT | Power back with speed and good hands should have bigger role |
8 | Andre Johnson | WR | HOU | Size/speed monster heavily targeted in top-notch passing attack; underused near goal line |
9 | Randy Moss | WR | NE | Aging all-time great still among the elite |
10 | Shonn Greene | RB | NYJ | Speedy power back broke out during playoffs. Runs behind elite offensive line |
11 | Ryan Mathews | RB | SD | Rookie steps into ideal situation - top-notch offense, RB-friendly coach |
12 | Larry Fitzgerald | WR | ARZ | Talented enough to thrive even without Kurt Warner |
13 | Calvin Johnson | WR | DET | Injuries and triple teams derailed season; sky's still the limit for freak among freaks |
14 | Miles Austin | WR | DAL | NFL's best fantasy receiver over final 12 weeks |
15 | Jamaal Charles | RB | KC | Chris Johnson light in season's second half; Thomas Jones will cut into workload |
16 | Steven Jackson | RB | STL | Power runner with burst and good hands, but injury history and poor offense |
17 | Drew Brees | QB | NO | Plays in the ideal system and ideal environment; highest floor among QBs |
18 | Aaron Rodgers | QB | GB | Rushing ability, huge arm give Rodgers highest ceiling among QBs |
19 | Brandon Marshall | WR | MIA | Huge wideout will be heavily targeted in Miami - recovering from hip surgery, though |
20 | Chris Wells | RB | ARZ | Showed power and speed down the stretch; needs to stay healthy |
21 | Ryan Grant | RB | GB | Reliable workhorse in elite offense |
22 | DeAngelo Williams | RB | CAR | Elite talent would be top five were it not for Jonathan Stewart |
23 | Peyton Manning | QB | IND | Safest pick on the board and has more weapons than in years past |
24 | Greg Jennings | WR | GB | Reliable home-run threat for Aaron Rogers |
25 | Steve Smith | WR | CAR | Rare elite receiver under six feet, had excellent chemistry with Matt Moore |
26 | Roddy White | WR | ATL | Opportunity increased last year, but efficiency declined |
27 | Cedric Benson | RB | CIN | Workhorse back should tote the rock another 300 times |
28 | Anquan Boldin | WR | BAL | Best per game receiving avg. (79.2) of all time. Now Joe Flacco's No. 1 target |
29 | Sidney Rice | WR | MIN | Broke out last year with Brett Favre under center; drop 10 spots if Favre retires |
30 | Reggie Wayne | WR | IND | Polished pro is still Peyton's favorite target, even in red zone. Lacks explosiveness |
31 | Tony Romo | QB | DAL | Dallas loaded with weapons. Romo knows how to make good use of them |
32 | Tom Brady | QB | NE | Another year removed from knee surgery, should be even sharper in 2010 |
33 | Jahvid Best | RB | DET | Dynamic rookie back should start for improving offense; needs to prove durability |
34 | Pierre Thomas | RB | NO | Per-play star in ideal system, but was underused in 2009 |
35 | Knowshon Moreno | RB | DEN | New power-running scheme should suit Moreno's style |
36 | Marques Colston | WR | NO | Top target in Saints passing offense, but has to share the wealth |
37 | Philip Rivers | QB | SD | Would be top-3 QB but for Norv Turner's run-first philosophy |
38 | Vincent Jackson | WR | SD | Big, fast target in top offense; yields red-zone looks to Gates; could be suspended |
39 | Michael Crabtree | WR | SF | Top prospect could take leap to stardom in Year 2 |
40 | DeSean Jackson | WR | PHI | 10 catches of 40-yards plus last year will be hard to repeat |
41 | Matt Schaub | QB | HOU | 4,770 passing yards last year was sixth-highest total ever |
42 | LeSean McCoy | RB | PHI | Feature back in strong offense; could yield carries at the goal line |
43 | Jonathan Stewart | RB | CAR | Bruising power back would be top-5 but for DeAngelo Williams |
44 | Antonio Gates | TE | SD | Red-zone monster delivers every year |
45 | Ronnie Brown | RB | MIA | Almost always produces when healthy; rarely healthy for long |
46 | Vernon Davis | TE | SF | Big-time breakout for league's most athletic tight end |
47 | Dallas Clark | TE | IND | 100 catches, 1,106 yards and 10 TDs from tight end spot last year |
48 | Mike Sims-Walker | WR | JAC | Top target on a team that's likely to throw more, thanks to poor defense |
49 | Robert Meachem | WR | NO | Better than Colston during season's second half |
50 | Brandon Jacobs | RB | NYG | Knee injury derailed 2009, but how much shelf life for 265-pound back? |
51 | Joseph Addai | RB | IND | Nothing special, but well-rounded and great fit for Colts offense |
52 | Felix Jones | RB | DAL | Upside is off the charts, but can he hold up under anything close to full load? |
53 | Matt Forte | RB | CHI | Healthier now, but Chester Taylor looms as good fit in Martz' scheme |
54 | Steven Smith | WR | NYG | First-rate possession receiver has the trust of Eli Manning |
55 | Hakeem Nicks | WR | NYG | Big-play receiver showed explosion as a rookie |
56 | Dwayne Bowe | WR | KC | 2009 was a lost year, but still a good red-zone threat and team's likely No. 1 target |
57 | Ben Tate | RB | HOU | Rookie will battle Steve Slaton and Arian Foster for touches in top offense |
58 | Marion Barber | RB | DAL | Will back up injury prone Felix Jones and get goal-line work |
59 | Montario Hardesty | RB | CLE | Will battle Jerome Harrison for touches; could start immediately |
60 | Chad Ochocinco | WR | CIN | No longer an elite receiver and few red-zone looks, but still useful |
61 | Pierre Garcon | WR | IND | Peyton Manning's big-play receiver |
62 | Jay Cutler | QB | CHI | Mike Martz's arrival removes the ceiling on elite talent; must cut down on picks |
63 | Jermichael Finley | TE | GB | Should be a monster in Green Bay's offense if he can stay healthy |
64 | Brent Celek | TE | PHI | Heavily targeted, polished receiver in pass-first offense with no other red-zone threat |
65 | Kellen Winslow | TE | TB | Only game in town; produced even in terrible conditions last year |
66 | Jason Witten | TE | DAL | One of many options, but still heavily targeted and trusted by Tony Romo |
67 | Justin Forsett | RB | SEA | Early favorite to start with LenDale White cut, and Leon Washington recovering |
68 | Antonio Bryant | WR | CIN | Physical wideout should be Carson Palmer's top red-zone target |
69 | Michael Bush | RB | OAK | Power back is team's top option between the tackles and near the goal line |
70 | C.J. Spiller | RB | BUF | Explosive game breaker, but in bad environment and sharing touches with Jackson/Lynch |
71 | Steve Slaton | RB | HOU | Dynamic runner/receiver if healthy; competing for carries with Tate and Foster |
72 | Ahmad Bradshaw | RB | NYG | Giants' best back last year; faster, shiftier and better receiver than Jacobs |
73 | Lee Evans | WR | BUF | Only game in town again now that T.O. is gone |
74 | Braylon Edwards | WR | NYJ | No problem getting open deep; just needs to hold onto the ball |
75 | Hines Ward | WR | PIT | Turned back the clock last two years, but without Big Ben for at least four games |
76 | Percy Harvin | WR | MIN | Versatile all-around weapon, but plenty of competition for touches in Minnesota |
77 | Jeremy Maclin | WR | PHI | Playmaking deep threat opposite DeSean Jackson |
78 | Donovan McNabb | QB | WAS | Leaves pass-happy system, but Mike Shanahan is no slouch for offense, either |
79 | Kenny Britt | WR | TEN | Big target should be Titans' No. 1 receiver |
80 | Dez Bryant | WR | DAL | Superstar talent with some personal baggage lands in good passing environment |
81 | Darren McFadden | RB | OAK | Injuries and upright running style put former top prospect's future in doubt |
82 | Donald Brown | RB | IND | Joseph Addai's backup should see significant work |
83 | Fred Jackson | RB | BUF | Will split work with C.J. Spiller and possibly Marshawn Lynch |
84 | Santana Moss | WR | WAS | Finally gets to play with an above-average quarterback |
85 | T.J. Houshmandzadeh | WR | SEA | Possession receiver on a team in transition |
86 | Donald Driver | WR | GB | Turned 35 this past winter, but can still get down the field |
87 | Eli Manning | QB | NYG | Coming off career year, and developing wide |
88 | Chris Chambers | WR | KC | Big second half in Kansas City, but Dwayne Bowe was out |
89 | Mike Wallace | WR | PIT | Deep threat will start opposite Hines Ward |
90 | Devin Aromashodu | WR | CHI | Jay Cutler's big-play receiver down the stretch; team's No. 3 option at press time |
91 | Devin Thomas | WR | WAS | Has all the physical tools; finally has a good quarterback, too |
92 | Devin Hester | WR | CHI | Quick, speedy receiver a good fit for Mike Martz' offense |
93 | Johnny Knox | WR | CHI | Fastest player on the Bears - slated to start opposite Hester at press time |
94 | Tony Gonzalez | TE | ATL | Still getting it done at age 34 |
95 | Zach Miller | TE | OAK | Reliable producer in terrible environment, but gets a QB upgrade |
96 | Joe Flacco | QB | BAL | Finally has a legit No. 1 receiver to go along with Derrick Mason and Ray Rice |
97 | Kevin Kolb | QB | PHI | Showed signs last year; has keys to pass-happy, playmaker-rich offense |
98 | Owen Daniels | TE | HOU | Was top-3 TE before tearing ACL in Week 8; should be ready for the season |
99 | Jerome Harrison | RB | CLE | Exploded down the stretch; will battle Hardesty for carries |
100 | Clinton Portis | RB | WAS | One-time star has lots of miles and competition for carries |
101 | Chester Taylor | RB | CHI | Good fit for Martz' offense; will push Matt Forte for carries |
102 | Brett Favre | QB | MIN | Likely to return after ankle surgery; will turn 41 this fall |
103 | Mohamed Massaquoi | WR | CLE | Browns No. 1 receiver if such a thing could be said to exist |
104 | Julian Edelman | WR | NE | Wes Welker-lite with less quickness, but more strength; big role early as slot man |
105 | Terrell Owens | WR | FA | Still beat defenses deep last year with five catches of 40-plus; unsigned at press time |
106 | Derrick Mason | WR | BAL | Relegated to No. 2 with Anquan Boldin in town |
107 | Austin Collie | WR | IND | 17 catches, 241 yards, 2 TD in 2009 playoffs - should have a significant role |
108 | Steve Breaston | WR | ARZ | Slated to start opposite Larry Fitzgerald with Boldin gone |
109 | Malcom Floyd | WR | SD | Yet another big, fast receiver in San Diego; should start opposite V. Jackson |
110 | Santonio Holmes | WR | NYJ | Suspended four games, but could be Jets' No. 1 target upon return |
111 | Matt Ryan | QB | ATL | Could take the leap in Year 3, but plays for run-first team |
112 | Jerricho Cotchery | WR | NYJ | Reliable receiver will remain in the mix |
113 | John Carlson | TE | SEA | Quality pass-catching TE could see more work under new regime |
114 | Greg Olsen | TE | CHI | Big-time upside, but Martz didn't typically use the TE in season's past |
115 | Visanthe Shiancoe | TE | MIN | Red-zone specialist averaged nine TD past two years; downgrade if Favre retires |
116 | Heath Miller | TE | PIT | Quietly had 76 catches for 789 yards and six scores |
117 | Thomas Jones | RB | KC | Should see goal-line work at the very least in KC |
118 | Ricky Williams | RB | MIA | 33-year old back will share carries with injury prone Ronnie Brown |
119 | Reggie Bush | RB | NO | Will be involved, but Pierre Thomas is the team's star back |
120 | Laurence Maroney | RB | NE | Our best guess for the top option in New England's murky backfield |
121 | Cadillac Williams | RB | TB | Miraculously returned after multiple knee surgeries; dealing with subpar offense |
122 | Kevin Walter | WR | HOU | Will see single coverage often opposite Andre Johnson |
123 | Jabar Gaffney | WR | DEN | Huge game in Week 17 last year; in the running for No. 1 Denver receiver |
124 | Arrelious Benn | WR | TB | Big, fast rookie has chance to be Tampa's No. 1 out of the gate |
125 | Roy Williams | WR | DAL | An afterthought with the Dez Bryant pick, but still an effective red-zone target |
126 | Donnie Avery | WR | STL | Needs to stay healthy, but could be No. 1 for Sam Bradford |
127 | Mario Manningham | WR | NYG | Showed playmaking ability, but lapses in focus and Nicks' emergence make him NY's No. 3 |
128 | Chaz Schilens | WR | OAK | Size and speed, but recovering from foot surgery; could be Raiders' No. 1 WR |
129 | Tim Hightower | RB | ARZ | Will split carries with superior Beanie Wells; caught 63 passes last year |
130 | Marshawn Lynch | RB | BUF | No. 3 back in Buffalo, could be dealt before season starts |
131 | Derrick Ward | RB | TB | Will split carries with Cadillac Williams |
132 | Larry Johnson | RB | WAS | One of several vets in the mix for Redskins tailback job |
133 | Willis McGahee | RB | BAL | Goal-line back on strong offense, but second fiddle to Ray Rice |
134 | Darren Sproles | RB | SD | Change of pace back will spell Ryan Mathews on occasion |
135 | Bernard Berrian | WR | MIN | Deep threat was odd man out last year, but upside with Favre if injuries strike |
136 | Torry Holt | WR | NE | Declining receiver should get a boost from playing with Tom Brady |
137 | Demaryius Thomas | WR | DEN | Big, speedy playmaker should be in the mix early on |
138 | Nate Burleson | WR | DET | Brought in to keep defenses overplaying Calvin Johnson honest |
139 | Earl Bennett | WR | CHI | Anyone in the Cutler/Martz offense has upside if things break his way |
140 | Eddie Royal | WR | DEN | One-team rookie phenom will compete for starting WR role |
141 | Devery Henderson | WR | NO | Drew Brees' long-time deep threat likely eclipsed by Robert Meachem |
142 | Laurent Robinson | WR | STL | Looked good in camp and early on before breaking leg; should start if healthy |
143 | Arian Foster | RB | HOU | In the Texans RB mix - was good down the stretch |
144 | Toby Gerhart | RB | MIN | Adrian Peterson's backup, could see some goal-line carries |
145 | Tashard Choice | RB | DAL | Will back up the injury-prone Felix Jones and Marion Barber |
146 | Wes Welker | WR | NE | Late-season ACL tear puts early availability in serious doubt |
147 | Julius Jones | RB | SEA | Will compete for touches with Justin Forsett and possibly Leon Washington |
148 | Josh Cribbs | WR | CLE | All-time great returner could see bigger role as runner/receiver in offense |
149 | Anthony Gonzalez | WR | IND | Speedy receiver will be in the mix if healthy |
150 | Darrius Heyward-Bey | WR | OAK | Reach of 2009 draft; worked hard during offseason, looks good in spring practices |