CHEat Sheet: Top 150 Fantasy Players (Vol. 3)

Rk Last Rk Player Pos Team Bye
1 1 Adrian Peterson RB MIN 4
2 2 Chris Johnson RB TEN 9
3 4 Ray Rice RB BAL 8
4 5 Andre Johnson WR HOU 7
5 6 Michael Turner RB ATL 8
6 3 Maurice Jones Drew RB JAC 9
7 7 Frank Gore RB SF 9
8 8 Drew Brees QB NO 10
9 9 Aaron Rodgers QB GB 10
10 10 Peyton Manning QB IND 7
11 11 Ryan Grant RB GB 10
12 12 Randy Moss WR NE 5
13 13 Larry Fitzgerald WR ARI 6
14 14 Reggie Wayne WR IND 7
15 19 Steven Jackson RB STL 9
16 15 Tom Brady QB NE 5
17 22 DeAngelo Williams RB CAR 6
18 16 Greg Jennings WR GB 10
19 17 Marques Colston WR NO 10
20 18 Brandon Marshall WR MIA 5
21 24 Ryan Mathews RB SD 10
22 20 Calvin Johnson WR DET 7
23 21 Anquan Boldin WR BAL 8
24 23 Miles Austin WR DAL 4
25 25 Pierre Thomas RB NO 10
26 26 Roddy White WR ATL 8
27 30 Rashard Mendenhall RB PIT 5
28 27 DeSean Jackson WR PHI 8
29 28 Tony Romo QB DAL 4
30 29 Shonn Greene RB NYJ 7
31 31 Jamaal Charles RB KC 4
32 32 Cedric Benson RB CIN 6
33 33 Chad Ochocinco WR CIN 6
34 42 Dwayne Bowe WR KC 4
35 35 Philip Rivers QB SD 10
36 36 Knowshon Moreno RB DEN 9
37 34 Steve Smith WR CAR 6
38 38 Ronnie Brown RB MIA 5
39 45 Wes Welker WR NE 5
40 40 LeSean McCoy RB PHI 8
41 41 Percy Harvin WR MIN 4
42 52 Arian Foster RB HOU 7
43 37 Antonio Gates TE SD 10
44 39 Matt Schaub QB HOU 7
45 48 Robert Meachem WR NO 10
46 44 Joseph Addai RB IND 7
47 47 Chris Wells RB ARI 6
48 55 Dallas Clark TE IND 7
49 53 Matt Forte RB CHI 8
50 43 Felix Jones RB DAL 4
51 54 Malcom Floyd WR SD 10
52 51 Hines Ward WR PIT 5
53 49 Jahvid Best RB DET 7
54 58 Michael Crabtree WR SF 9
55 57 Hakeem Nicks WR NYG 8
56 61 Mike Sims-Walker WR JAC 9
57 46 Vernon Davis TE SF 9
58 50 Jermichael Finley TE GB 10
59 59 Steve Smith WR NYG 8
60 60 Michael Bush RB OAK 10
61 68 Donald Driver WR GB 10
62 56 Marion Barber RB DAL 4
63 65 Eli Manning QB NYG 8
64 71 T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR SEA 5
65 62 Jonathan Stewart RB CAR 6
66 63 Ahmad Bradshaw RB NYG 8
67 66 Tony Gonzalez TE ATL 8
68 64 Brett Favre QB MIN 4
69 69 Ricky Williams RB MIA 5
70 70 Brandon Jacobs RB NYG 8
71 67 Lee Evans WR BUF 6
72 72 Brent Celek TE PHI 8
73 73 Jason Witten TE DAL 4
74 74 Pierre Garcon WR IND 7
75 75 Braylon Edwards WR NYJ 7
76 76 Santana Moss WR WAS 9
77 77 Kevin Kolb QB PHI 8
78 78 Jeremy Maclin WR PHI 8
79 93 Visanthe Shiancoe TE MIN 4
80 94 Derrick Mason WR BAL 8
81 81 Joe Flacco QB BAL 8
82 82 Donovan McNabb QB WAS 9
83 83 Reggie Bush RB NO 10
84 84 Carson Palmer QB CIN 6
85 85 Matt Ryan QB ATL 8
86 97 Laurence Maroney RB NE 5
87 87 Terrell Owens WR CIN 6
88 86 Bernard Berrian WR MIN 4
89 79 Dez Bryant WR DAL 4
90 80 Clinton Portis RB WAS 9
91 89 Thomas Jones RB KC 4
92 92 Justin Forsett RB SEA 5
93 90 Mike Wallace WR PIT 5
94 91 Jay Cutler QB CHI 8
95 95 C.J. Spiller RB BUF 6
96 96 Fred Jackson RB BUF 6
97 105 Jacoby Jones WR HOU 7
98 104 Johnny Knox WR CHI 8
99 88 Kenny Britt WR TEN 9
100 99 Jerome Harrison RB CLE 8
101 100 Steve Slaton RB HOU 7
102 101 LaDainian Tomlinson RB NYJ 7
103 102 Kellen Winslow TE TB 4
104 103 Carnell Williams RB TB 4
105 98 Tim Hightower RB ARI 6
106 106 New York Jets D NYJ 7
107 107 Devin Aromashdo WR CHI 8
108 108 Heath Miller TE PIT 5
109 109 Donald Brown RB IND 7
110 128 Santonio Holmes WR NYJ 7
111 111 Devin Hester WR CHI 8
112 112 Mohmaed Massaquoi WR CLE 8
113 113 Willis McGahee RB BAL 8
114 114 Vince Young QB TEN 9
115 110 Montario Hardesty RB CLE 8
116 117 San Francisco 49ers D SF 9
117 118 Matthew Stafford QB DET 7
118 119 Minnesota Vikings D MIN 4
119 120 John Carlson TE SEA 5
120 121 Owen Daniels TE HOU 7
121 127 Steve Breaston WR ARI 6
122 116 Zach Miller TE OAK 10
123 122 Alex Smith QB SF 9
124 123 Chester Tayler RB CHI 8
125 124 Jabar Gaffney WR DEN 9
126 126 Leon Washington RB SEA 5
127 125 Chad Henne QB MIA 5
128 149 Darren Sproles RB SD 10
129 130 Pittsburgh Steelers D PIT 5
130 131 Baltimore Ravens D BAL 8
131 132 Mason Crosby K GB 10
132 129 Chris Chambers WR KC 4
133 137 Stephen Gostkowski K NE 5
134 135 Green Bay Packers D GB 10
135 NR Sidney Rice WR MIN 4
136 147 Darren McFadden RB OAK 10
137 142 Matt Cassel QB KC 4
138 133 Kyle Orton QB DEN 9
139 139 Dallas Cowboys D DAL 4
140 140 Garrett Hartley K NO 10
141 141 Philadelphia Eagles D PHI 8
142 136 Ryan Longwell K MIN 4
143 138 David Garrard QB JAC 9
144 144 Mark Sanchez QB NYJ 7
145 134 Nate Kaeding K SD 10
146 146 New Orleans Saints D NO 10
147 143 Rob Bironas K TEN 9
148 148 Chicago Bears D CHI 8
149 150 David Akers K PHI 6
150 NR Derek Anderson QB ARI 6

Making the Most of Drafting 7th

So after getting the 7th overall pick in a Yahoo Fantasy league tonight, I found out that the first six picks are the easiest.

If Frank Gore gets picked 6th overall, you are stuck with a tough decision. Should you draft a QB, if so, which one. You could go with the best wide-out Andre Johnson. Or roll the dice with the running backs left over: Ryan Mathews, Ryan Grant, Rashard Mendenhall, Pierre Thomas or Steven Jackson.

I debated hard between Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Andre Johnson. I ended up with Andre Johnson.

Around the turn I was hoping to get either Brees, Rodgers or Manning. Rodgers was picked two spots before my pick in the 2nd round. I decided to pick Brees with the 14th overall pick.

It's been a while since I have decided to skip drafting a running back in the first two rounds. I decided not to worry and go without drafting a RB in the next round when Javhid Best, Shonn Greene and Pierre Thomas were on the board (partially because I already had Brees and Thomas plays for the Saints). When Larry Fitzgerald was picked right before me I decided to grab Marques Colston and roll the dice on having the 1-2 punch for the Saints passing game.

When my next pick came I wanted to go with the best player available. In this league you have to play a Tight End each week and so far none had been drafted. I picked the best TE overall Dallas Clark, who has an ADP of 35 (average draft position) and had 10 TD's last year.

I was debated between Chad Ochocinco and Clark during the 4th round, so when the 5th came and Ochocinco was still on the board -- regardless of not having drafting one single RB through four rounds -- I drafted Chad with my 5th round pick.

After filling my roster with Brees, Johnson, Colston, "Johnson" and Clark, I was going to target drafting RB's in the next few rounds.

I drafted Ronnie Brown, Matt Forte, Michael Bush and Clinton Portis with my next four picks. Here check out the roster:




I filled in with Berrian, Maroney, Lee Evans and Fred Jackson. As nervous as I was to not have one RB through the first five rounds, it turned out really well. I am very happy that without injury and bye weeks, I will have a solid 5 starters. I am also excited to see if Brown, Forte, Bush and Portis can turn out to be better than the RB's drafted in the first two rounds.

CHEat Sheet: Top 150 Fantasy Players (Vol. 2)

Rk Player Pos Team Bye
1 Adrian Peterson RB MIN 4
2 Chris Johnson RB TEN 9
3 Maurice Jones Drew RB JAC 9
4 Ray Rice RB BAL 8
5 Andre Johnson WR HOU 7
6 Michael Turner RB ATL 8
7 Frank Gore RB SF 9
8 Drew Brees QB NO 10
9 Aaron Rodgers QB GB 10
10 Peyton Manning QB IND 7
11 Ryan Grant RB GB 10
12 Randy Moss WR NE 5
13 Larry Fitzgerald WR ARI 6
14 Reggie Wayne WR IND 7
15 Tom Brady QB NE 5
16 Greg Jennings WR GB 10
17 Marques Colston WR NO 10
18 Brandon Marshall WR MIA 5
19 Steven Jackson RB STL 9
20 Calvin Johnson WR DET 7
21 Anquan Boldin WR BAL 8
22 DeAngelo Williams RB CAR 6
23 Miles Austin WR DAL 4
24 Ryan Mathews RB SD 10
25 Pierre Thomas RB NO 10
26 Roddy White WR ATL 8
27 DeSean Jackson WR PHI 8
28 Tony Romo QB DAL 4
29 Shonn Greene RB NYJ 7
30 Rashard Mendenhall RB PIT 5
31 Jamaal Charles RB KC 4
32 Cedric Benson RB CIN 6
33 Chad Ochocinco WR CIN 6
34 Steve Smith WR CAR 6
35 Philip Rivers QB SD 10
36 Knowshon Moreno RB DEN 9
37 Antonio Gates TE SD 10
38 Ronnie Brown RB MIA 5
39 Matt Schaub QB HOU 7
40 LeSean McCoy RB PHI 8
41 Percy Harvin WR MIN 4
42 Dwayne Bowe WR KC 4
43 Felix Jones RB DAL 4
44 Joseph Addai RB IND 7
45 Wes Welker WR NE 5
46 Vernon Davis TE SF 9
47 Chris Wells RB ARI 6
48 Robert Meachem WR NO 10
49 Jahvid Best RB DET 7
50 Jermichael Finley TE GB 10
51 Hines Ward WR PIT 5
52 Arian Foster RB HOU 7
53 Matt Forte RB CHI 8
54 Malcom Floyd WR SD 10
55 Dallas Clark TE IND 7
56 Marion Barber RB DAL 4
57 Hakeem Nicks WR NYG 8
58 Michael Crabtree WR SF 9
59 Steve Smith WR NYG 8
60 Michael Bush RB OAK 10
61 Mike Sims-Walker WR JAC 9
62 Jonathan Stewart RB CAR 6
63 Ahmad Bradshaw RB NYG 8
64 Brett Favre QB MIN 4
65 Eli Manning QB NYG 8
66 Tony Gonzalez TE ATL 8
67 Lee Evans WR BUF 6
68 Donald Driver WR GB 10
69 Ricky Williams RB MIA 5
70 Brandon Jacobs RB NYG 8
71 T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR SEA 5
72 Brent Celek TE PHI 8
73 Jason Witten TE DAL 4
74 Pierre Garcon WR IND 7
75 Braylon Edwards WR NYJ 7
76 Santana Moss WR WAS 9
77 Kevin Kolb QB PHI 8
78 Jeremy Maclin WR PHI 8
79 Dez Bryant WR DAL 4
80 Clinton Portis RB WAS 9
81 Joe Flacco QB BAL 8
82 Donovan McNabb QB WAS 9
83 Reggie Bush RB NO 10
84 Carson Palmer QB CIN 6
85 Matt Ryan QB ATL 8
86 Bernard Berrian WR MIN 4
87 Terrell Owens WR CIN 6
88 Kenny Britt WR TEN 9
89 Thomas Jones RB KC 4
90 Mike Wallace WR PIT 5
91 Jay Cutler QB CHI 8
92 Justin Forsett RB SEA 5
93 Visanthe Shiancoe TE MIN 4
94 Derrick Mason WR BAL 8
95 C.J. Spiller RB BUF 6
96 Fred Jackson RB BUF 6
97 Laurence Maroney RB NE 5
98 Tim Hightower RB ARI 6
99 Jerome Harrison RB CLE 8
100 Steve Slaton RB HOU 7
101 LaDainian Tomlinson RB NYJ 7
102 Kellen Winslow TE TB 4
103 Carnell Williams RB TB 4
104 Johnny Knox WR CHI 8
105 Jacoby Jones WR HOU 7
106 New York Jets D NYJ 7
107 Devin Aromashdo WR CHI 8
108 Heath Miller TE PIT 5
109 Donald Brown RB IND 7
110 Montario Hardesty RB CLE 8
111 Devin Hester WR CHI 8
112 Mohmaed Massaquoi WR CLE 8
113 Willis McGahee RB BAL 8
114 Vince Young QB TEN 9
115 Antonio Bryant WR CIN 6
116 Zach Miller TE OAK 10
117 San Francisco 49ers D SF 9
118 Matthew Stafford QB DET 7
119 Minnesota Vikings D MIN 4
120 John Carlson TE SEA 5
121 Owen Daniels TE HOU 7
122 Alex Smith QB SF 9
123 Chester Tayler RB CHI 8
124 Jabar Gaffney WR DEN 9
125 Chad Henne QB MIA 5
126 Leon Washington RB SEA 5
127 Steve Breaston WR ARI 6
128 Santonio Holmes WR NYJ 7
129 Chris Chambers WR KC 4
130 Pittsburgh Steelers D PIT 5
131 Baltimore Ravens D BAL 8
132 Mason Crosby K GB 10
133 Kyle Orton QB DEN 9
134 Nate Kaeding K SD 10
135 Green Bay Packers D GB 10
136 Ryan Longwell K MIN 4
137 Stephen Gostkowski K NE 5
138 David Garrard QB JAC 9
139 Dallas Cowboys D DAL 4
140 Garrett Hartley K NO 10
141 Philadelphia Eagles D PHI 8
142 Matt Cassel QB KC 4
143 Rob Bironas K TEN 9
144 Mark Sanchez QB NYJ 7
145 Matt Lienart QB ARI 6
146 New Orleans Saints D NO 10
147 Darren McFadden RB OAK 10
148 Chicago Bears D CHI 8
149 Darren Sproles RB SD 10
150 David Akers K PHI 6

A New Jersey For Carmelo? (Aug. 28, 2010)

It's hard to believe that LeBron James won't be a Cavalier next year. It's even harder to believe that Carmelo Anthony won't be a Nugget.

But that is exactly what it looks like will happen. Carmelo is pulling a "LeBron" and dipping on the city that "raised" his NBA career. Melo wants to be moved to a bigger market so that his wife (Lala Vazquez or something, who cares really) can continue her acting career? NBA players being told what to do by their semi-celebrity wives, classic.

The first destination that comes to mind would be New Jersey. They can give the Nuggets some younger players, and still satisfy Lala's needs as well (oh, good). For all the same reasons that the Nets sold LeBron on coming to New Jersey, Carmelo can benefit from. The Billionaire Owner with holes in his pockets, Jay-Z, a new arena and a pending move to the Bronx are all perfect reasons why you'll probably see Carmelo rocking a Nets jersey next season.

The Nets would have to give up draft picks, perhaps their No. 3 overall pick Derrick Favors, or the up-and-coming Terrence Williams. To get Carmelo, the Nets might have to give up a lot, like one of the newly acquired players Jordan Farmar and Troy Murphy.

With that said, is Carmelo really better off in New Jersey than with his current situation in Denver? It's debatable. Take away the bank account of the owner, the rap star connection and the location of the city... the team has just two decent players: Brook Lopez and Devin Harris. Other than those guys, it's a bunch of T'Wolves caliber players.

If anyone thinks for more than 10 seconds that a player like Carmelo Anthony would go to the Los Angeles Clippers, you're brain is messed up (Sterling named NBA's worst owner by SI).

But then again, even if LA has to give up draft picks, their No. 8 overall pick Al-Farouq Aminu and perhaps Chris Kaman. They might have a better contending roster than New Jersey with players like Eric Gordon, Baron Davis and last year's No. 1 overall pick Blake Griffin.

Either way, Carmelo's not going to much greener grasses --Denver does have Chauncey Billups, Arron Afflalo, J.R. Smith, Nene, Kenyon Martin, Chris Andersen and Al Harrington.

Other potential places I've heard about are Houston, Charlotte and Golden State. Houston would be the place to go out of those three, but with Yao Ming's future up uncertain, maybe not. I don't see Melo in Charlotte or Golden State. People have speculated about Melo teaming up with Amare and Chris Paul in New York. That would be the sexiest place to see Carmelo go to in terms of being a basketball fan, but from what I've read it doesn't appear that NY has what it takes to land Melo.

It's just another twist in what has already been a blockbuster summer for the NBA. I can't wait until opening night: October 26, 2010.

If you are interested in playing fantasy basketball this season, let me know.

CHEat Sheet: Top 150 Fantasy Players (Vol. 1)

Comment below with your e-mail address and I will send you the spreadsheets I have...

Rk Player Pos Team Bye
1 Adrian Peterson RB MIN 4
2 Chris Johnson RB TEN 9
3 Maurice Jones Drew RB JAC 9
4 Ray Rice RB BAL 8
5 Michael Turner RB ATL 8
6 Frank Gore RB SF 9
7 Andre Johnson WR HOU 7
8 Randy Moss WR NE 5
9 Drew Brees QB NO 10
10 Peyton Manning QB IND 7
11 Aaron Rodgers QB GB 10
12 Ryan Grant RB GB 10
13 Larry Fitzgerald WR ARI 6
14 Reggie Wayne WR IND 7
15 Tom Brady QB NE 5
16 Greg Jennings WR GB 10
17 Steven Jackson RB STL 9
18 DeAngelo Williams RB CAR 6
19 Anquan Boldin WR BAL 8
20 Calvin Johnson WR DET 7
21 Roddy White WR ATL 8
22 Brandon Marshall WR MIA 5
23 Tony Romo QB DAL 4
24 Ryan Mathews RB SD 10
25 Pierre Thomas RB NO 10
26 Miles Austin WR DAL 4
27 DeSean Jackson WR PHI 8
28 Shonn Greene RB NYJ 7
29 Rashard Mendenhall RB PIT 5
30 Marques Colston WR NO 10
31 Jamaal Charles RB KC 4
32 Cedric Benson RB CIN 6
33 Chad Ochocinco WR CIN 6
34 Steve Smith WR CAR 6
35 Philip Rivers QB SD 10
36 Knowshon Moreno RB DEN 9
37 Antonio Gates TE SD 10
38 Ronnie Brown RB MIA 5
39 Matt Schaub QB HOU 7
40 LeSean McCoy RB PHI 8
41 Percy Harvin WR MIN 4
42 Dwayne Bowe WR KC 4
43 Felix Jones RB DAL 4
44 Joseph Addai RB IND 7
45 Michael Crabtree WR SF 9
46 Vernon Davis TE SF 9
47 Brett Favre QB MIN 4
48 Jermichael Finley TE GB 10
49 Hines Ward WR PIT 5
50 Robert Meachem WR NO 10
51 Malcom Floyd WR SD 10
52 Dallas Clark TE IND 7
53 Steve Smith WR NYG 8
54 Hakeem Nicks WR NYG 8
55 Lee Evans WR BUF 6
56 Braylon Edwards WR NYJ 7
57 Michael Bush RB OAK 10
58 Chris Wells RB ARI 6
59 Jahvid Best RB DET 7
60 Jonathan Stewart RB CAR 6
61 Ahmad Bradshaw RB NYG 8
62 Brandon Jacobs RB NYG 8
63 Eli Manning QB NYG 8
64 Tony Gonzalez TE ATL 8
65 Arian Foster RB HOU 7
66 Mike Sims-Walker WR JAC 9
67 Donald Driver WR GB 10
68 Marion Barber RB DAL 4
69 Matt Forte RB CHI 8
70 T.J. Houshmandzadeh WR SEA 5
71 Brent Celek TE PHI 8
72 Jason Witten TE DAL 4
73 Pierre Garcon WR IND 7
74 Terrell Owens WR CIN 6
75 Santana Moss WR WAS 9
76 Kevin Kolb QB PHI 8
77 Jeremy Maclin WR PHI 8
78 Ricky Williams RB MIA 5
79 Dez Bryant WR DAL 4
80 Clinton Portis RB WAS 9
81 Joe Flacco QB BAL 8
82 Donovan McNabb QB WAS 9
83 Reggie Bush RB NO 10
84 Carson Palmer QB CIN 6
85 Matt Ryan QB ATL 8
86 Wes Welker WR NE 5
87 Kenny Britt WR TEN 9
88 Thomas Jones RB KC 4
89 Johnny Knox WR CHI 8
90 Jay Cutler QB CHI 8
91 Justin Forsett RB SEA 5
92 Mike Wallace WR PIT 5
93 C.J. Spiller RB BUF 6
94 Fred Jackson RB BUF 6
95 Laurence Maroney RB NE 5
96 Derrick Mason WR BAL 8
97 Kellen Winslow TE TB 4
98 Montario Hardesty RB CLE 8
99 Jerome Harrison RB CLE 8
100 Steve Slaton RB HOU 7
101 LaDainian Tomlinson RB NYJ 7
102 New York Jets D NYJ 7
103 Carnell Williams RB TB 4
104 Devin Aromashodu WR CHI 8
105 Jacoby Jones WR HOU 7
106 Heath Miller TE PIT 5
107 Donald Brown RB IND 7
108 Tim Hightower RB ARI 6
109 Willis McGahee RB BAL 8
110 Devin Hester WR CHI 8
111 Mohamed Massaquoi WR CLE 8
112 Antonio Bryant WR CIN 6
113 Chad Henne QB MIA 5
124 Vince Young QB TEN 9
114 Visanthe Shiancoe TE MIN 4
115 Bernard Berrian WR MIN 4
116 San Francisco 49ers D SF 9
117 Matthew Stafford QB DET 7
118 Minnesota Vikings D MIN 4
119 John Carlson TE SEA 5
120 Owen Daniels TE HOU 7
121 Chester Tayler RB CHI 8
122 Jabar Gaffney WR DEN 9
123 Pittsburgh Steelers D PIT 5
125 Leon Washington RB SEA 5
126 Steve Breaston WR ARI 6
127 Santonio Holmes WR NYJ 7
128 Chris Chambers WR KC 4
129 Mason Crosby K GB 10
130 Alex Smith QB SF 9
131 Ben Roethlisberger QB PIT 5
132 Baltimore Ravens D BAL 8
133 Zach Miller TE OAK 10
134 Kyle Orton QB DEN 9
135 Nate Kaeding K SD 10
136 Green Bay Packers D GB 10
137 Ryan Longwell K MIN 4
138 Stephen Gostkowski K NE 5
139 David Garrard QB JAC 9
140 Dallas Cowboys D DAL 4
141 Garrett Hartley K NO 10
142 Philadelphia Eagles D PHI 8
143 Matt Cassel QB KC 4
144 Rob Bironas K TEN 9
145 Mark Sanchez QB NYJ 7
146 New Orleans Saints D NO 10
147 David Akers K PHI 6
148 Chicago Bears D CHI 8
149 Darren Sproles RB SD 10
150 Darren McFadden RB OAK 10

CHEat Sheet: Running Backs

RB Rk Rank Player Team Bye
1 1 Adrian Peterson MIN 4
2 2 Chris Johnson TEN 9
3 3 Maurice Jones Drew JAC 9
4 4 Ray Rice BAL 8
5 5 Michael Turner ATL 8
6 6 Frank Gore SF 9
7 12 Ryan Grant GB 10
8 17 Steven Jackson STL 9
9 18 DeAngelo Williams CAR 6
10 24 Ryan Mathews SD 10
11 25 Pierre Thomas NO 10
12 28 Shonn Greene NYJ 7
13 29 Rashard Mendenhall PIT 5
14 31 Jamaal Charles KC 4
15 32 Cedric Benson CIN 6
16 36 Knowshon Moreno DEN 9
17 38 Ronnie Brown MIA 5
18 40 LeSean McCoy PHI 8
19 43 Felix Jones DAL 4
20 44 Joseph Addai IND 7
21 57 Michael Bush OAK 10
22 58 Chris Wells ARI 6
23 59 Jahvid Best DET 7
24 60 Jonathan Stewart CAR 6
25 61 Ahmad Bradshaw NYG 8
26 62 Brandon Jacobs NYG 8
27 65 Arian Foster HOU 7
28 68 Marion Barber DAL 4
29 69 Matt Forte CHI 8
30 78 Ricky Williams MIA 5
31 80 Clinton Portis WAS 9
32 83 Reggie Bush NO 10
33 88 Thomas Jones KC 4
34 91 Justin Forsett SEA 5
35 93 C.J. Spiller BUF 6
36 94 Fred Jackson BUF 6
37 95 Laurence Maroney NE 5
38 98 Montario Hardesty CLE 8
39 99 Jerome Harrison CLE 8
40 100 Steve Slaton HOU 7
41 101 LaDainian Tomlinson NYJ 7
42 103 Carnell Williams TB 4
43 107 Donald Brown IND 7
44 108 Tim Hightower ARI 6
45 109 Willis McGahee BAL 8
46 121 Chester Tayler CHI 8
47 125 Leon Washington SEA 5
48 149 Darren Sproles SD 10
49 150 Darren McFadden OAK 10

CHEat Sheet: Quarterbacks

QB Rk Rank Player Team Bye
1 9 Drew Brees NO 10
2 10 Peyton Manning IND 7
3 11 Aaron Rodgers GB 10
4 15 Tom Brady NE 5
5 23 Tony Romo DAL 4
6 35 Philip Rivers SD 10
7 39 Matt Schaub HOU 7
8 47 Brett Favre MIN 4
9 63 Eli Manning NYG 8
10 76 Kevin Kolb PHI 8
11 82 Donovan McNabb WAS 9
12 84 Carson Palmer CIN 6
13 85 Matt Ryan ATL 8
14 90 Jay Cutler CHI 8
15 117 Matthew Stafford DET 7
16 123 Chad Henne MIA 5
17 124 Vince Young TEN 9
18 130 Alex Smith SF 9
19 131 Ben Roethlisberger PIT 5
20 134 Kyle Orton DEN 9
21 139 David Garrard JAC 9
22 143 Matt Cassel KC 4
23 145 Mark Sanchez NYJ 7

CHEat Sheet: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

WR Rk Rank Player Team Bye
1 7 Andre Johnson HOU 7
2 8 Randy Moss NE 5
3 13 Larry Fitzgerald ARI 6
4 14 Reggie Wayne IND 7
5 16 Greg Jennings GB 10
6 19 Anquan Boldin BAL 8
7 20 Calvin Johnson DET 7
8 21 Roddy White ATL 8
9 22 Brandon Marshall MIA 5
10 26 Miles Austin DAL 4
11 27 DeSean Jackson PHI 8
12 30 Marques Colston NO 10
13 33 Chad Ochocinco CIN 6
14 34 Steve Smith CAR 6
15 37 Antonio Gates SD 10
16 41 Percy Harvin MIN 4
17 42 Dwayne Bowe KC 4
18 45 Michael Crabtree SF 9
19 46 Vernon Davis SF 9
20 48 Jermichael Finley GB 10
21 49 Hines Ward PIT 5
22 50 Robert Meachem NO 10
23 51 Malcom Floyd SD 10
24 52 Dallas Clark IND 7
25 53 Steve Smith NYG 8
26 54 Hakeem Nicks NYG 8
27 55 Lee Evans BUF 6
28 56 Braylon Edwards NYJ 7
29 64 Tony Gonzalez ATL 8
30 66 Mike Sims-Walker JAC 9
31 67 Donald Driver GB 10
32 70 T.J. Houshmandzadeh SEA 5
33 71 Brent Celek PHI 8
34 72 Jason Witten DAL 4
35 73 Pierre Garcon IND 7
36 74 Terrell Owens CIN 6
37 75 Santana Moss WAS 9
38 77 Jeremy Maclin PHI 8
39 79 Dez Bryant DAL 4
40 86 Wes Welker NE 5
41 87 Kenny Britt TEN 9
42 89 Johnny Knox CHI 8
43 92 Mike Wallace PIT 5
44 96 Derrick Mason BAL 8
45 97 Kellen Winslow TB 4
46 104 Devin Aromashdo CHI 8
47 105 Jacoby Jones HOU 7
48 106 Heath Miller PIT 5
49 110 Devin Hester CHI 8
50 111 Mohamed Massaquoi CLE 8
51 112 Antonio Bryant CIN 6
52 113 Zach Miller OAK 10
53 114 Visanthe Shiancoe MIN 4
54 115 Bernard Berrian MIN 4
55 119 John Carlson SEA 5
56 120 Owen Daniels HOU 7
57 122 Jabar Gaffney DEN 9
58 126 Steve Breaston ARI 6
59 127 Santonio Holmes NYJ 7
60 128 Chris Chambers KC 4

Draft Day Notes: RB Era Over? (Aug 24, 2010)

I just got done with one of the very first drafts of the year. Here are some of the takeaway notes I have:

First off, here is my updated top 10:
1. Chris Johnson
2. Adrian Peterson
3. Maurice Jones-Drew
4. Ray Rice
5. Drew Brees
6. Aaron Rodgers
7. Peyton Manning
8. Andre Johnson
9. Randy Moss
10. Reggie Wayne

After the 4th best RB, it's a crapshoot. I guess you can make a case that Frank Gore, Steven Jackson, DeAngelo Williams or whoever could be a better value pick than taking Randy Moss at 9th... But here are some of my reasons for ignoring your RB early and going elsewhere.

The running back position is stacked. This year more than ever that I can remember (I'm 25, I can remember like 10 years) has the running back position been easier to fill than this year. To my count, and to a future post, there are a total of 45 "draftable" and "playable" RB's on the board. In a 10 man league, than means 5 bench RB's will be playable to my standards (which are championship caliber standards).

There are also PLENTY of backs that I will let someone else draft. I am loving the owners who will draft two backs in the first two rounds. This year is a sucker year to get your back early.

I love to draft 5 backs within the first 10 rounds. This almost assures me that 2 of these 5 will be studs. That is all you need. With how things are at other positions, and with quality running backs being available later, I'm going to avoid a lot of players. I will probably draft the best player available regardless of position, unlike in years past where I would draft a back before the top QB or RB in a heartbeat.

I feel like there are so many backs who you can waste a first or second round pick on, who won't be starting at the end of the season. I'm not drafting Thomas Jones or Ladainian Tomlinson. I'm planning to avoid Jamaal Charles, Knowshown Moreno and Chris Wells. Matt Forte and Ryan Grant stunk last year, I'm not wasting a first round pick on one of them. I'm not drafting one of the new unknowns, Ryan Mathews, Shonn Greene, Rashard Mendenhall or Javid Best. I'll post my rankings of who I'm drafting.

If you look at the QB's, I'd say there are only 8 that I would consider 'OK' enough to start on my roster. I have only 28 draftable WR's on the board. If you take just those numbers, that means 2 QB's will be starting on someones team that I consider 'not championship worthy' and two teams will have one WR who is not worthy of being on a championship lineup. That is where I think taking a QB or WR earlier is better. I'll post these rankings soon.

On top of the overall "draftable" potential available, the NFL has changed in recent years with the running back by committee backfield. It is more rare now to find a team with just one single workhorse. Most teams are pairing two studs together, which is a good strategy for them, but not necessarily for your fantasy team.

I would also like to note that in the draft I just did, LT, Clinton Portis and Brandon Jacobs were still on the board WHEN THE DRAFT WAS OVER - A 10 team league! I had 3 running backs when Matt Forte was drafted (the 2nd overall pick last year). I took my 4th RB (LeSean McCoy) over Marion Barber, among others.

I think the era of taking RB's in picks 1-14 is over.

Pre-Fantasy Season CHEat Sheet

1. Adrian Peterson
2. Maurice Jones-Drew
3. Chris Johnson
4. Ray Rice
5. Michael Turner
6. Frank Gore
7. Aaron Rodgers
8. DeAngelo Williams
9. Steven Jackson
10. Andre Johnson
11. Drew Brees
12. Reggie Wayne
13. Peyton Manning
14. Randy Moss
15. Ryan Mathews
16. Shonn Greene
17. Pierre Thomas
18. Cedric Benson
19. Rashard Mendenhall
20. Ryan Grant
21. Brandon Marshall
22. Roddy White
23. Jamaal Charles
24. Larry Fitzgerald
25. Calvin Johnson
26. Tony Romo
27. Tom Brady
28. Beanie Wells
29. Greg Jennings
30. Ronnie Brown
31. Jahvid Best
32. Miles Austin
33. Antonio Gates
34. Steve Smith (CAR)
35. DeSean Jackson
36. Sidney Rice
37. Dallas Clark
38. Matt Schaub
39. Reggie Bush
40. Marques Colston
41. Joseph Addai
42. Marion Barber
43. Laurence Maroney
44. Philip Rivers
45. Jonathan Stewart
46. Arian Foster
47. Wes Welker
48. LeSean McCoy
49. Brett Favre
50. Anquan Boldin


Others: Chad OchoCinco, Dwayne Bowe, Jermichael Finley, Hines Ward, Percy Harvin, Michael Bush, Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, Joe Flacco, Matt Forte, Jay Cutler