NFL
Rankings - Fantasy Football Player Ratings - Preseason NFL
Fantasy Draft
2005-06
Fantasy Pre Season Draft Guide
NFL
TOP 5 FANTASY RANKINGS
By:
Mike
Pool Fantasy Football
Writer For WagerOnFootball.com Saturday July 16th, 2005 Page updated at 12:20am
Fantasy Football Roster Tips
A quick look at MY preseason
NFL top 5 fantasy rankings at the three skill positions.
This is how I'd have my draft board set up and get
ready for my fantasy football picks if a draft were
to be held today.Isn't
July fun?? It's such a joy to slot my players into
their designated PRE NFL training camp slots. It's
almost like I woke up today and put on my NOSTRADAMUS
hat and am ready to predict the future. There's
so much noise being kicked up from so many sources
that its hard to separate the sound advice from
the unvarnished nonsense. It’s not easy to
pick 5 guys at the top of my board let alone the
top 100 that my boss wanted on his desk last week,
but, remorsefully here we go.
Let me tell you though to do this fantasy football
player rankings stuff this far before training camp
is not easy. Have you ever tried to do it? Ahhh,
sure, leave it to me then right? My NFL
TOP 5 Fantasy Football player rankings
Board takes into consideration past returns, current
performance and expected future gains in determining
who should be included among the top fantasy football
players. Essentially, my Board is a cheat sheet
designed for a fantasy owner who is planning to
participate in a draft today. Basic Fantasy league
points are factored into my NFL fantasy football
player rankings..enjoy!! And check back on a weekly
basis for continuing updates. As always EMAIL
ME your thoughts.
Peyton Manning Ind QB - 49 TD passes…need
more? OK how about 3 WR with 1000+ yards receiving.
If that still doesn’t convince you, then consider
the guy takes nearly every snap for his team every
season. Manning rarely ever gets his jersey dirty
with a quick release and all these factors make
Manning the only non-RB any FF owner should consider
with the first pick in the draft. The guy has been
a fantasy football dream the past few seasons and
should be gone by pick five in most drafts and is
at least a head above all other Qb’s in most
FF scoring formats.
Dante Culpepper Min QB –
6’5” and 250+ pounds and good speed,
he is an athletic marvel. He is also a load when
running out of the pocket and I am not sure any
LB wants to take this QB head on. Culpepper made
great strides last year as a QB but not having the
Freak bailing him out on every jump ball is sure
to effect his TD numbers. Dante is still learning
to be a QB and Minnesota’s front office did
a good job of finding him weapons in the off season
to help replace Moss. His ability to tuck the ball
away and run likely keeps him in second place although
further behind Manning than last years numbers lead
you to believe.
Donovan McNabb Phi QB – Owens
coming back in time to start the season would put
McNabb ahead of Culpepper in my chart but for now
it seems as though Owens is willing to sit. McNabb
is the consummate team player, a smart QB and his
leadership and unselfishness makes his guys want
to make big plays. McNabb isn’t a runner but
is a very good scrambler and when he does take off
he makes team pay dearly ripping off huge chunks
of yards. McNabb makes big plays, passing or running
and if Buckhalter can provide a rushing attack McNabb
will find ways to take advantage of that and improve
on last years numbers even without that malignant
tumor named Owens
Michael Vick Atl QB – ok
how does a QB who throws less than 200 yards most
games make the list? Just be the best athlete in
NFL and make up for it by adding 60-80 yards rushing
a game. Besides it’s only a matter of time
before Vick realizes if he passes over all those
guys in between himself and the end zone they score
faster. Vick is just an amazing athlete and is worthy
of a high selection as a QB in fantasy football
because he makes plays running the ball. Plus isn’t
he just fun to watch?
Brett Favre GB QB - still makes
my list maybe a sentimental choice but the guy performs
and has made more average receivers look great than
anyone in the history of the game. Toughest QB maybe
ever and a gun-slinger which hurts his numbers some
games but over a season he racks up fantasy points
with the best of them. Favre is the best QB I have
ever had the privilege of watching play, a consummate
professional and is a solid starter for a fantasy
owner. The emergence of Walker last year and the
return of Driver will help the Packer QB put up
good numbers again this season.
MY TOP
5 NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL WIDE RECEIVERS
Marvin Harrison Ind WR - best WR
in football hands down. This guy is slickest playmaking
receiver in the NFL and the best hands. He is always
open he just doesn’t tell the TV crews nearly
as much as some other guys in this list. Guaranteed
to catch 100 balls and have 10+ touchdowns with
Peyton Manning throwing the ball. These two have
had a great chemistry since Manning’s first
NFL pass completion. Harrison is always double covered
and still makes big plays making it seem almost
effortless. Tops in this list for reasons you are
about to read.
Terrell Owens Phi WR - attitude
problem aside…he makes BIG plays. I am not
convinced he will start the season and he may sit
out all year but he is an elite player and has a
desire to prove he is the best. If he could just
shut the hell up and play he would always top this
list. A touchdown machine and one of the toughest
WR to bring down means YAC which mean points in
Fantasy. Elite talent, big plays and a bigger mouth
with an even bigger ego…I am ashamed I would
still lower myself and draft him early, very early,
but he is that good.
Randy Moss Oak WR - a tough transition
for Moss…Collins is not Culpepper and we are
about to find out what that will mean to the most
talented receiver in the game. Even taking plays
off this guy is good enough to go number one overall
as a receiver because he is unstoppable in the red
zone. No one can defend him or out jump him for
Hail Mary’s or fades and what makes him even
tougher to defend is he can out run most DB’s
as well. This guy is the total package and even
Kerry Collins should find him occasionally
Torry Holt StL WR - is he consistently
great or what? Warner, Bulger it doesn’t matter
who the QB is, they find Holt streaking down the
post and burning a CB or two for touchdowns and
plenty of yards. Consistent is the game Holt plays
and at his level that means elite company every
year. He is not the biggest guy, not the fastest
guy and yet he wins every battle for the ball and
if he got behind you…line up for a kick return.
I love the class and work ethic this guy demonstrates
onto the field week after week with and helps his
team win.
Javon Walker GB WR - exceptional
skills and Favre’s main man. I wanted to go
with a certain Bengal but Favre’s favorite
receiving threat is worth that much. Walker grew
up a ton last year and had a monster season seemingly
can do it all: run, jump and catch. We’ll
see if ego has gotten to him but I suspect he plays
this year whether he gets a new contract or not.
Green Bay will try and make it work because Walker
is the type of guy who wants the ball when it is
thrown his way and makes sure he gets it. He is
a dynamic playmaker and the Packers are a much better
team with this guy in the line up.
MY TOP
5 NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL RUNNING BACKS
LaDainian Tomlinson SD RB - FF
Stud!! There is no other choice for a top running
back. Tomlinson frustrated me at times last year
and still put up good if not great numbers. Most
consistent RB over the past few years and Brees
showed teams a little savvy and ability last year
which should open even more space for LT.
Deuce McAllister NO RB - contract
year + great ability = FF Boom year. The Deuce is
loose. Adding new monster tackle to pancake a few
bodies will release McAllister into the LB and DB’s
a lot this year. At 230+lbs with great speed I think
he’ll break the most 40+yd touchdown runs
in the league. You heard it here
Clinton Portis Was RB - expect
bigger running numbers with Ramsey throwing the
ball. Gibbs has no confidence in Ramsey (see Jason
Campbell pick #25 in draft) so Portis should see
the ball a lot. If Washington improves their line
even a little…Man, he’s good enough
to put up last years numbers on talent just think
what he’ll do with a little help.
Jamal Lewis Bal RB - Nothing like
serving a little time to harden a guy up a bit…and
Lewis was never soft. This guy may lead the league
this year if Boller can at least throw enough to
prevent the eight/nine man fronts Lewis usually
sees. Lewis may have Taylor pushing him just a bit
too as the Ravens matched Cleveland’s offer
to retain him.
Edgerrin James Ind RB - one year
contract…will be show casing skills and proving
he is not over the hill. Manning throwing should
hurt James’ numbers but the guy continually
puts up solid stats and gets a lot of carries protecting
leads. He finds the end zone enough to make it pay
having him on your team and proved last year he
was over his knee injury.
Shaun Alexander Sea RB - makes
this list over James if he suits up, but from all
the talk he wants long term deal and won’t
sign the one year 6+ million deal? Proves you don’t
have to be smart to be a great football player.
Seattle needs him badly but we’ll find out
whether Holmgren thinks so.
MY TOP
5 NFL FANTASY FOOTBALL TIGHT ENDS
Tony Gonzalez KC TE - consistently
best TE in league but is losing ground to young
guns. Still tops on my list because teams know he’s
good and still can’t stop him. Green has some
new weapons this year but Gonzalez will still be
the primary target in the red zone and no one has
stopped him the past six seasons I don’t see
it happening this year either.
Antonio Gates SD TE - one year
wonder or unseats Gonzalez as top TE? I think Gates
will see a slight drop off. This guy came from out
of nowhere to be a behemoth and led the Chargers
to an incredible turn-around last year. Brees’
success had a lot to do with this big athletic target
and I think he scored a few touchdowns. If he even
achieves 80% of last years totals…he moves
to number one next year on my list.
Jason Witten Dal TE - blossomed
last year maybe in part to the injury of Dan Campbell
but the Cowboys found a big talented guy. We’ll
see if Bledsoe can find him but I think Witten is
the one guy on this list that improves last years
numbers and continues to get better. Soft hands
and a great feel for the zone and enough speed to
get deep. Dangerous in the red zone.
Todd Heap Bal TE – Hard to
believe a 30 million dollar TE is fourth on the
list but Heap has yet to play a full productive
season. Heap has awesome hands and is a playmaker
so he can help an anemic offense. Boller needs to
step up this year and perhaps a healthy Heap helps
the young QB gain some confidence by catching a
few more first downs and scoring. Heap is a talented
player but he has to be healthy.
Alge Crumpler Atl TE – this
guy the only receiver in a pattern? Vick loves him
and for that reason he sees a lot of footballs thrown
his way and the guy is surprisingly agile and quick
for a big fella. Crumpler has soft hands and knows
where to be found by Vick and acts as a very large
security blanket. If the Falcons could get Vick
to find a wide receiver every now and then Crumpler
may have a little more room but as it is he makes
his way to fifth.
Have a Great Week. Check out the Fantasy
Football page for this weeks NFL fantasy player
rankings, studs & duds, who's Hot and who's
NOT, as well as the NFL fantasy football waiver
wire. Try out our NFL
Sportsbooks in the Review, and good luck with
your fantasy football drafts this year. Mike P.
Email
Me
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Peyton Manning Ind QB - 49 TD passes…need
more? OK how about 3 WR with 1000+ yards receiving.
If that still doesn’t convince you, then consider
the guy takes nearly every snap for his team every
season. Manning rarely ever gets his jersey dirty
with a quick release and all these factors make
Manning the only non-RB any FF owner should consider
with the first pick in the draft. The guy has been
a fantasy football dream the past few seasons and
should be gone by pick five in most drafts and is
at least a head above all other Qb’s in most
FF scoring formats.
Dante Culpepper Min QB –
6’5” and 250+ pounds and good speed,
he is an athletic marvel. He is also a load when
running out of the pocket and I am not sure any
LB wants to take this QB head on. Culpepper made
great strides last year as a QB but not having the
Freak bailing him out on every jump ball is sure
to effect his TD numbers. Dante is still learning
to be a QB and Minnesota’s front office did
a good job of finding him weapons in the off season
to help replace Moss. His ability to tuck the ball
away and run likely keeps him in second place although
further behind Manning than last years numbers lead
you to believe.
Donovan McNabb Phi QB – Owens
coming back in time to start the season would put
McNabb ahead of Culpepper in my chart but for now
it seems as though Owens is willing to sit. McNabb
is the consummate team player, a smart QB and his
leadership and unselfishness makes his guys want
to make big plays. McNabb isn’t a runner but
is a very good scrambler and when he does take off
he makes team pay dearly ripping off huge chunks
of yards. McNabb makes big plays, passing or running
and if Buckhalter can provide a rushing attack McNabb
will find ways to take advantage of that and improve
on last years numbers even without that malignant
tumor named Owens
Michael Vick Atl QB – ok
how does a QB who throws less than 200 yards most
games make the list? Just be the best athlete in
NFL and make up for it by adding 60-80 yards rushing
a game. Besides it’s only a matter of time
before Vick realizes if he passes over all those
guys in between himself and the end zone they score
faster. Vick is just an amazing athlete and is worthy
of a high selection as a QB in fantasy football
because he makes plays running the ball. Plus isn’t
he just fun to watch?
Brett Favre GB QB - still makes
my list maybe a sentimental choice but the guy performs
and has made more average receivers look great than
anyone in the history of the game. Toughest QB maybe
ever and a gun-slinger which hurts his numbers some
games but over a season he racks up fantasy points
with the best of them. Favre is the best QB I have
ever had the privilege of watching play, a consummate
professional and is a solid starter for a fantasy
owner. The emergence of Walker last year and the
return of Driver will help the Packer QB put up
good numbers again this season.
Randy Moss Oak WR - a tough transition
for Moss…Collins is not Culpepper and we are
about to find out what that will mean to the most
talented receiver in the game. Even taking plays
off this guy is good enough to go number one overall
as a receiver because he is unstoppable in the red
zone. No one can defend him or out jump him for
Hail Mary’s or fades and what makes him even
tougher to defend is he can out run most DB’s
as well. This guy is the total package and even
Kerry Collins should find him occasionally
Torry Holt StL WR - is he consistently
great or what? Warner, Bulger it doesn’t matter
who the QB is, they find Holt streaking down the
post and burning a CB or two for touchdowns and
plenty of yards. Consistent is the game Holt plays
and at his level that means elite company every
year. He is not the biggest guy, not the fastest
guy and yet he wins every battle for the ball and
if he got behind you…line up for a kick return.
I love the class and work ethic this guy demonstrates
onto the field week after week with and helps his
team win.
LaDainian Tomlinson SD RB - FF
Stud!! There is no other choice for a top running
back. Tomlinson frustrated me at times last year
and still put up good if not great numbers. Most
consistent RB over the past few years and Brees
showed teams a little savvy and ability last year
which should open even more space for LT.
Deuce McAllister NO RB - contract
year + great ability = FF Boom year. The Deuce is
loose. Adding new monster tackle to pancake a few
bodies will release McAllister into the LB and DB’s
a lot this year. At 230+lbs with great speed I think
he’ll break the most 40+yd touchdown runs
in the league. You heard it here
Clinton Portis Was RB - expect
bigger running numbers with Ramsey throwing the
ball. Gibbs has no confidence in Ramsey (see Jason
Campbell pick #25 in draft) so Portis should see
the ball a lot. If Washington improves their line
even a little…Man, he’s good enough
to put up last years numbers on talent just think
what he’ll do with a little help.
Jamal Lewis Bal RB - Nothing like
serving a little time to harden a guy up a bit…and
Lewis was never soft. This guy may lead the league
this year if Boller can at least throw enough to
prevent the eight/nine man fronts Lewis usually
sees. Lewis may have Taylor pushing him just a bit
too as the Ravens matched Cleveland’s offer
to retain him.
Shaun Alexander Sea RB - makes
this list over James if he suits up, but from all
the talk he wants long term deal and won’t
sign the one year 6+ million deal? Proves you don’t
have to be smart to be a great football player.
Seattle needs him badly but we’ll find out
whether Holmgren thinks so.
Tony Gonzalez KC TE - consistently
best TE in league but is losing ground to young
guns. Still tops on my list because teams know he’s
good and still can’t stop him. Green has some
new weapons this year but Gonzalez will still be
the primary target in the red zone and no one has
stopped him the past six seasons I don’t see
it happening this year either.
Jason Witten Dal TE - blossomed
last year maybe in part to the injury of Dan Campbell
but the Cowboys found a big talented guy. We’ll
see if Bledsoe can find him but I think Witten is
the one guy on this list that improves last years
numbers and continues to get better. Soft hands
and a great feel for the zone and enough speed to
get deep. Dangerous in the red zone.
