NFL Players Guaranteed to Send You to Fantasy Playoffs Part 1
Posted On: 8/12/11
Written By: by Nathan Brunet
*Click images below to view larger versions.
Tom Brady - New England Patriots
Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers
Chris Johnson - Tennessee Titans
Ray Rice - Baltimore Ravens
The day has finally come. After months of speculation over whether the NFL would play a season this year due to disagreements between owners and players, the 2011 NFL season has officially begun. Preseason games are underway, and now fans can get a real glimpse into how the lockout affected their favorite players. Of course, there are those who watch the preseason for entirely different reasons: scouting for fantasy football. Even before players step on the field, it’s not difficult to gauge how well a player will perform when you take into account their physical condition and history of performance. For those who haven’t been paying close attention to the NFL lately, I present you with my top five fantasy football picks for each major position. Today, we’ll be going over quarterbacks, and running backs. Come back for Part Two next week when I rate wide receivers, tight ends, defenses and kickers!
Quarterback
1. Tom Brady - New England Patriots
Projection- 4,400 YDS/38 TD/7 INT
Brady had a pretty good season going for him last year, until Randy Moss was released. He became magnificent after that move and ended the year with a career low four interceptions. Now with a legitimate drama-less deep threat in Chad OchoCinco and a healthy foot, Brady has the potential to have a season as spectacular as his 2007 campaign.
2. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers
Projection- 4,200 YDS/30 TD/10 INT
Now that Rodgers has proved he more than qualified to step into the shoes of Brett Favre, he will focus these next years on building his legacy. Amid injuries last season dealt to both himself and his teammates, Rodgers was still one of the top performing quarterbacks each week. Add the fact that he’s a bit of a scrambler, and you have a fantasy beast in your hands.
3. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints
Projection- 4,700 YDS/35 TD/14 INT
Brees had a monster season last year after accumulating over 4,600 passing yards. The problem? Twenty-two interceptions in sixteen games. The Saints had to pass a lot last year, leading to the high number of picks. So if the team builds a good running game, Brees should have a magnificent season.
4. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts
Projection- 4,600 YDS/34 TD/14 INT
Yes, Manning is getting old, but he still has it. He threw for the highest amount of yards than any season last year and tied his season-best 33 touchdowns. And that was while two of his best passing options were injured. Expect a special season now that they’re healthy.
5. Michael Vick - Philadelphia Eagles
Projection- 3,800 YDS/26 TD/9 INT
Vick shined when many thought he was washed up. While defenses learned how to play him later in the season, the former dog fighter turned animal rights spokesman still performed at an amazing level. His elusiveness is also his downfall, leading to a few injuries last season. Be careful.
Running Back
1. Chris Johnson - Tennessee Titans
Projection- 1,600 YDS/14 TD
Fans of Johnson were a bit disappointed when he failed to record his second straight 2,000 yard season. It takes a truly talented athlete for people to see a 1,300 yard season as a letdown. Don’t expect him to automatically bounce back to his 2009 form, but the man will do whatever it takes to reach his goal.
2. Arian Foster - Huston Texans
Projection- 1,400 YDS/13 TD
The biggest surprise of last season has a lot of weight on his shoulders now that fans are looking for him to become the next Adrian Peterson. He probably won’t put up as great of numbers as last year due to a couple of reasons. First, teams now know what to expect from him. Then add the fact that backup and former Stephen Decatur Seahawks running back Ben Tate’s healthiness will probably lead to a decrease of touches for Foster. He’ll still put up awesome numbers, regardless.
3. Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings
Projection- 1,300 YDS/14 TD
Although AP is one of the greatest athletes currently playing, he has a couple of issues threatening his productivity. His offensive line is getting old, and the quarterback situation could lead to him becoming the workhorse. Still, Peterson is a consistent player and a true warrior.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jacksonville Jaguars
Projection- 1,500 YDS/10 TD
MJD started off slow last season. Very slow. Yet that was due to a knee injury that was apparently healthy during the last half of the season. Throughout that time, MJD put up amazing numbers on the ground and with his hands. That was until he re-injured his knee, which put him on the sidelines. Like Vick, MJD has a great reward, but almost an equal amount of risk
5. Ray Rice - Baltimore Ravens
Projection- 1,300 YDS/8 TD
Last year was supposed to be Ray Rice’s breakout year. While technically it was, he still didn’t produce nearly as well as fans had hoped. Not much has changed in Baltimore, save for Ricky Williams replacing Willis McGahee. Rice will continue to be a dual-threat on the ground and in the air, and will likely see more success as he matures.
«Go back to the previous page.Quarterback
1. Tom Brady - New England Patriots
Projection- 4,400 YDS/38 TD/7 INT
Brady had a pretty good season going for him last year, until Randy Moss was released. He became magnificent after that move and ended the year with a career low four interceptions. Now with a legitimate drama-less deep threat in Chad OchoCinco and a healthy foot, Brady has the potential to have a season as spectacular as his 2007 campaign.
2. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers
Projection- 4,200 YDS/30 TD/10 INT
Now that Rodgers has proved he more than qualified to step into the shoes of Brett Favre, he will focus these next years on building his legacy. Amid injuries last season dealt to both himself and his teammates, Rodgers was still one of the top performing quarterbacks each week. Add the fact that he’s a bit of a scrambler, and you have a fantasy beast in your hands.
3. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints
Projection- 4,700 YDS/35 TD/14 INT
Brees had a monster season last year after accumulating over 4,600 passing yards. The problem? Twenty-two interceptions in sixteen games. The Saints had to pass a lot last year, leading to the high number of picks. So if the team builds a good running game, Brees should have a magnificent season.
4. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts
Projection- 4,600 YDS/34 TD/14 INT
Yes, Manning is getting old, but he still has it. He threw for the highest amount of yards than any season last year and tied his season-best 33 touchdowns. And that was while two of his best passing options were injured. Expect a special season now that they’re healthy.
5. Michael Vick - Philadelphia Eagles
Projection- 3,800 YDS/26 TD/9 INT
Vick shined when many thought he was washed up. While defenses learned how to play him later in the season, the former dog fighter turned animal rights spokesman still performed at an amazing level. His elusiveness is also his downfall, leading to a few injuries last season. Be careful.
Running Back
1. Chris Johnson - Tennessee Titans
Projection- 1,600 YDS/14 TD
Fans of Johnson were a bit disappointed when he failed to record his second straight 2,000 yard season. It takes a truly talented athlete for people to see a 1,300 yard season as a letdown. Don’t expect him to automatically bounce back to his 2009 form, but the man will do whatever it takes to reach his goal.
2. Arian Foster - Huston Texans
Projection- 1,400 YDS/13 TD
The biggest surprise of last season has a lot of weight on his shoulders now that fans are looking for him to become the next Adrian Peterson. He probably won’t put up as great of numbers as last year due to a couple of reasons. First, teams now know what to expect from him. Then add the fact that backup and former Stephen Decatur Seahawks running back Ben Tate’s healthiness will probably lead to a decrease of touches for Foster. He’ll still put up awesome numbers, regardless.
3. Adrian Peterson - Minnesota Vikings
Projection- 1,300 YDS/14 TD
Although AP is one of the greatest athletes currently playing, he has a couple of issues threatening his productivity. His offensive line is getting old, and the quarterback situation could lead to him becoming the workhorse. Still, Peterson is a consistent player and a true warrior.
4. Maurice Jones-Drew - Jacksonville Jaguars
Projection- 1,500 YDS/10 TD
MJD started off slow last season. Very slow. Yet that was due to a knee injury that was apparently healthy during the last half of the season. Throughout that time, MJD put up amazing numbers on the ground and with his hands. That was until he re-injured his knee, which put him on the sidelines. Like Vick, MJD has a great reward, but almost an equal amount of risk
5. Ray Rice - Baltimore Ravens
Projection- 1,300 YDS/8 TD
Last year was supposed to be Ray Rice’s breakout year. While technically it was, he still didn’t produce nearly as well as fans had hoped. Not much has changed in Baltimore, save for Ricky Williams replacing Willis McGahee. Rice will continue to be a dual-threat on the ground and in the air, and will likely see more success as he matures.