The JOCKpost 2010 Fantasy Football Preview

Now that the Lebron debacle is finally out of the ESPN headlines, and another lazy summer is slowly drawing to an end, sports fans can rejoice in the realization that fantasy football is right around the corner! Whether you are new to the fantasy football or a grizzled veteran, nothing brings people together around the water cooler Monday mornings quite like a 5 touchdown performance by Peyton Manning, 200 yards rushing by Maurice Jones-Drew, or the Jets D shutting out their opponent.

I have enlisted the help of Tumor, a friend of JOCKpost to help get another perspective to the top talents in 2010. Despite his bizarre nickname, Tumor is an established fantasy football player with whom I have been competing in leagues with since the 90’s. I asked him to help put together a comprehensive list of the top 10 players at each position.

Don’t agree with the rankings? Leave a comment and tell us who we missed on!

Top Ten QB

1: DT- Drew Brees / TUMOR- Peyton Manning
2: DT- Peyton Manning / TUMOR – Drew Brees
3: DT- Aaron Rodgers / TUMOR – Tom Brady
4: DT- Matt Schaub / TUMOR – Aaron Rogers
5: DT- Tony Romo / TUMOR – Tony Romo
6: DT- Tom Brady / TUMOR – Matt Schaub
7: DT- Phillip Rivers / TUMOR – Phillip Rivers
8: DT- Brett Favre (assuming he comes back) / TUMOR – Eli Manning
9: DT- Eli Manning / TUMOR – Joe Flacco
10: DT- Kevin Kolb / TUMOR – Matt Ryan

Quarterback is a particularly deep position this year, and those who wait to pull the trigger will be rewarded. Brees, Manning, and Rodgers are historically tier 1 talents, and 2010 should prove no different. Each QB is comfortable in their established systems, have top notch wide receivers, and running games that are somewhat of an afterthought. Rivers, as he always does, should outperform his average draft position.

TUMOR’S TAKE- Peyton is the MAN. Year in and year out, he gets it done. 4000 yards and 30 TDs. Mark it down! Matty Ice is due for a bounce back year after his sophomore slump in HotLanta.

Top Ten RB

1: DT- Adrian Peterson / TUMOR – Chris Johnson
2: DT- Chris Johnson / TUMOR – Adrian Peterson
3: DT- Maurice Jones Drew / TUMOR – Maurice Jones Drew
4: DT- Ray Rice / TUMOR – Ray Rice
5: DT- Frank Gore / TUMOR – Steven Jackson
6: DT- Rashard Mendenhall / TUMOR – Michael Turner
7: DT- Steven Jackson / TUMOR – Cedric Benson
8: DT- Michael Turner / TUMOR – Frank Gore
9: DT- Cedric Benson / TUMOR – Rashard Mendenhall
10: DT- Matt Forte / TUMOR – Deangelo Williams

For years, fantasy experts have spent their first two picks on the running back position, making sure they have a pair of work horses at the games most consistent position. However, the new trend among these same experts has been to shy away from drafting running backs with your first two picks. Let me be the first to tell you that this trend is an awful idea. Running back, running back is the only way to go, with the lone exception of Drew Brees and maybe Andre Johnson.

While the running back by committee approach is widely adopted, there is still clearly an alpha dog in just about every situation. Waiting more than a few rounds to secure your backfield could lead to a Jerome Harrison, Reggie Bush backfield that will surely lead you to fantasy football irrelevance. Peterson tops my list because of his bruising style, goal line touches, ball security improvement drills in the off season, and a quarterback who may finally understand the repercussions of trusting his ever-aging arm.  Turner’s injury bug drops him a few spots, and I look for Matt Forte to have a huge rebound year in the Windy City.

TUMORS TAKE – RB RB is NOT the only way to go… gotta grab Brees or Manning if you can in the first. The fact that you don’t have Chris Johnson #1 proves that you are an idiot. The guy can break a big play at anytime. Steven Jackson is a beast and still produces despite being in that terrible offense.

Top Ten WR

1: DT- Andre Johnson / TUMOR – Andre Johnson
2: DT- Reggie Wayne / TUMOR – Larry Fitzgerald
3: DT- Larry Fitzgerald / TUMOR – Reggie Wayne
4: DT- Randy Moss / TUMOR – Randy Moss
5: DT- Marques Colston / TUMOR – Brandon Marshall
6: DT- Miles Austin / TUMOR – Calvin Johnson
7: DT- Roddy White / TUMOR – Roddy White
8: DT- Calvin Johnson / TUMOR – DeSean Jackson
9: DT- Greg Jennings / TUMOR – Anquan Boldin
10: DT- DeSean Jackson / TUMOR – Greg Jennings

Another VERY deep position with serviceable options into the late rounds, WR presents a few sleepers that turn into must starts year after year (see; Austin, Miles and Simms-Walker, Mike). Andre Johnson tops both lists, as he is an absolute freak in terms of size, speed, and ability and has a QB that is ready to air it out for him every chance he gets. Calvin Johnson and DeSean Jackson slide on my list, as I don’t trust either of their gun slingers to deliver the ball consistently.

TUMOR’S TAKE – Brandon Marshall has unbelievable talent, but in South Beach he could get himself into some serious trouble. Boldin is one of the toughest receivers in the NFL, and is a perfect fit for the Ravens!

Top Ten TE

1: DT- Dallas Clark / TUMOR – Antonio Gates
2: DT- Antonio Gates / TUMOR – Dallas Clark
3: DT- Jermichael Finley / TUMOR – Brent Celek
4: DT- Brent Celek / TUMOR – Vernon Davis
5: DT- Chris Cooley / TUMOR – Jason Witten
6: DT- Jason Witten / TUMOR – Jermichael Finley
7: DT- Vernon Davis / TUMOR – Owen Daniels
8: DT- Kellen Winslow / TUMOR – Tony Gonzalez
9: DT- Tony Gonzalez / TUMOR – Visanthe Shiancoe
10: DT- Owen Daniels / TUMOR – Kellen Winslow

Dallas Clark is a pass catching machine, and has a nose for finding the end zone, so he barely edges out Gates for the number one spot. Finley may be a surprise choice at the number 3 spot, but Green Bay has enough weapons that the young tight end should emerge as a surprise stud this year while facing single coverage. Vernon Davis’s slide to number 7, despite being one of the most talented tight ends, can be attributed to a sub par quarterback and an even more sub par receiving corp around him, I’m looking at you Michael Crabtree. Brent Celek should benefit from the McNabb to Kolb transition, as should Chris Cooley.

TUMOR’S TAKE – Witten is my bounce back guy. Good running game and vertical threats open up the middle for Witten. Shiancoe’s success relies on the shoulders of the Old Gunslinger.

Top Ten DEFENSES

1: DT- Jets / TUMOR – Jets
2: DT- Vikings / TUMOR – Vikings
3: DT- Ravens / TUMOR – Packers
4: DT- Eagles / TUMOR – Ravens
5: DT- Steelers / TUMOR – Steelers
6: DT- Vikings / TUMOR – Cowboys
7: DT- Giants / TUMOR – Saints
8: DT- Packers / TUMOR – 49ers
9: DT- Saints / TUMOR – Eagles
10: DT- Browns / TUMOR – Bears

On the defensive side of the ball, there is Derrell Revis and then everybody else. The Jets blitz from all angles and created plenty of turnovers last year, and the addition of another solid cornerback only helps the cause. If Troy Polamalu comes back healthy, the Steelers are always a dangerous defensive team. I was just kidding about the Browns. Just making sure you’re paying attention.

TUMOR’S TAKE – Singletary will have San Fran like the old time Bears. Speaking of the Bears, if Urlacher and Peppers play to their ability, this team could surprise!

Top Ten Kickers

Seriously… who cares? Pick them last and don’t worry about it!