After some consideration, I’ve come up with my top choices for tomorrow’s Yahoo fantasy football draft. There are 12 teams in our league this year (maybe next year we’ll do a DallasProSports fantasy league for our readers), which means in theory I might only get one of these picks if the rest were taken in the first round by other teams.
1. Adrian Peterson
Peterson should be everyone’s #1 choice. He’s the rushing leader and the best running back in the league when he’s healthy. Health is the only thing that will stop AD from being the top rusher again this year.
2. Frank Gore
Against my wishes, Gore is a solid #2 choice. I’d rather NOT have him, mostly because I think the 49ers are an embarrassment, but the numbers don’t lie. His total numbers last year didn’t put him in the top 3 running backs, but Gore has more big games than anyone save Peterson and possibly Westbrook. Gore is sorely underrated at the #10 spot by Yahoo.
3. Chris Johnson
Johnson proved last year he’s a force to be reckoned with. Again, he plays for a team I could live without, but 1,228 yds and 9 TDs plus 260 yds receiving put Johnson in my #3 spot. I may regret not taking him #1. Yahoo estimating Johnson at #12 is ridiculous.
4. Clinton Portis
I like Portis because he’s still underrated in the league and is likely to be available at the end of the first round and possibly the beginning of the 2nd. I like the thought that if I get a top three pick, I’ll get one of the backs above and still have a solid shot at Portis early in Round 2. Yahoo has him ranked at #13.
5. Dwayne Bowe
This is my risk taker pick. I’m probably a fool for not taking Andre Johnson or Randy Moss as my first receiver, but Johnson has disappointed me two seasons in a row. Bowe should probably be at my 12th spot, but I moved him up because I’m going to go out on a limb and say he has a stellar year with Matt Cassell at the helm. This is my riskiest pick, since Cassell could be a complete failure behind the KC offensive line.
6. Andre Johnson
Johnson ended last season with excellent numbers, but I think I had waived him by that time due to early season injury. Johnson ended the season with 1,575 yds and 8 TDs. He’s a superstar on an average team. Amazing that the national media doesn’t talk about Johnson more.
7. Randy Moss
The most popular receiver, Moss, will likely be picked before the 7th spot. Guys get overeager to land a superstar and they pull the trigger too soon. Happens every year (not to mention someone will probably already have taken Romo too). Moss was a solid receiver last year with 1,008 yds, but his most impressive stat was the 11 touchdowns. That’s big money for Fantasy Football. A repeat of last season would make him a FF MVP.
8. Tom Brady
Tom Brady is the best quarterback in the league. Obviously, injury prevented him from having a stellar year in 2008-09, but we’re all hoping he comes back full speed this year. The NFL isn’t the same without him. His receiver core isn’t quite as stellar as it was two years ago, but perhaps New England has a few replacements of note I haven’t seen yet. Still, he’s dependable, and I’ll take Brady over any quarterback when it comes to stats.
9. Tony Romo
I’m adding Tony Romo this high on my list because he’s a passer and a rusher. He’ll be good for points. Notice I’m taking Romo before Roy Williams or any other Dallas player. Dallas doesn’t have any one dominant player, and the ball will be spread around to a core of receivers and backs. Romo will have the numbers, but it’s likely none of his teammates (with the possible exception of Felix Jones) will have superstar fantasy numbers.
10. Ronnie Brown
Ronnie Brown was killer in the wildcat formation. He’s got the speed and the skills to be as dominant as Brian Westbrook. Last year, Brown’s numbers were highly dependent on how many and what kind of looks he got. It seemed like some weeks the offense nearly ignored him. Despite coaching issues, Ronnie Brown is still a top running back in the league.
11. Terrell Owens
Don’t hold it against me. Owens is still a top five fantasy footbal generating wide receiver in the league. He may be toxic in the lockerroom but he scores touchdowns and is guaranteed a 1,000+ yard season if he stays healthy, which he usually does. He’s in excellent physical condition, as always, and he’s playing opposite a #1 level wide receiver in Lee Evans. With Marshawn Lynch at running back, the Bills have the tools in place to make Owens an even bigger threat than last year… assuming he doesn’t get jammed at the line of scrimmage again.
12. Jason Witten
Best overall tight end in the league. He’s good for a few big games each year. Compared to the alternatives, Witten’s the best of the best.
