Top Ten Fantasy: Issue 1

It's a little early to be making predictions for the '07 NFL Fantasy season, but here is my first crack at the top tens for each of the main skill positions.

Quarterback
1. Peyton Manning - Is there really any argument here? The man just produces.
2. Drew Brees - Number 9 turns any receiving core into an elite force. Whether Joe Horn's healthy or not, he will produce next year.
3. Carson Palmer - '06 was a dissapointment for both Palmer owners and Bengals fans, but if the offensive line stays in sync, this Quarterback will resume his old ways.
4. Michael Vick - Yeah, a suprise at number 4, but in most leagues his rushing yards are a nice added bonus.
5. Tom Brady - Brady had an up and down season this past year, but that hardly changes anything. He'll move up the charts if New England gets some better recievers (Reche Caldwell, I'm looking at you.)
6. Matt Leinhart - Yes, Matt "I dated Paris Hilton" Leinhart. With Wisenhunt and Grimm in Arizona, I expect the Cards to be an offensive powerhouse. Either that, or I'll start yelling "THEY WERE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE."
7. Marc Bulger - If you cut out the last third of the season, Bulger was spectacular. Blame his crappy last few weeks on the o-line (or lack thereof). His long streak of touchdowns with no interceptions shows that he's still got it.
8. Vince Young - If you look at his stats for '06, he appears to be nothing more than an unpolished rookie. Look for this to change next season. Again, his standing is lifted by the rushing QB bonus.
9. Donovan McNabb - Mr. 'McNabbulous' would be higher in my top ten if he didn't have the scary off-season rehab situation. This is a high risk- high reward situation. If he comes back like he did in '06, you've got a great season. Otherwise, I have two words for you; Daunte Culpepper.
10. Ben Roethlisberger - Again, he would be higher if there weren't so many questions. Tomlin's impact will be a huge factor. Either way, he's fitting at number 10 because even without the questions, Big Ben was not a consistent fantasy dynamo.

Mid Round Flier Special: Jay Cutler. Denver's first round draft pick wasn't exceptional, but is the best raw talent of the '06 draft class quarterbacks. Give him a shot.

Running Back
1. LaDanian Tomlinson - Phillip Rivers can only improve, and with the young QB's up and down performances, LDT remained consistent in his full-blown awesomeness. It'll be hard to top '06, but if anyone can, Tomlinson is the man.
2. Larry Johnson - Kansas City was not itself in the playoffs. Herm Edwards will iron out the kinks, and everyone's favorite hair-tackler will be rushing for 100 yard games again.
3. Frank Gore - Perhaps it's a leap of faith to rank him number three, but I think Gore has conquered his fumblitis. Reminds me of another dynamic running back people started to doubt after a fumble prone season or two...his name rhymes with Smiki Smarber...
4. Steven Jackson - This guy does it all. With Orlando Pace healthy, Jackson is poised for a scoring spree.
5. Shaun Alexander - Remember him? Unhampered by the Madden curse, he'll go back to producing. He did show some signs of life towards the end of the season despite his age, so I'm saying he's a safe buy.
6. Rudi Johnson - His middle name must be consistency. 'Nuff said.
7. Willie Parker - Another Steeler I'd love to rank higher, but there are too many unanswered questions. Parker had a breakout season in '06 and definitely deserves to be in the top tier.
8. Brian Westbrook - A physical freak that continues to be a fantasy dream. Injury issues are a headache, and his fantasy fate depends on those of Garcia and McNabb, unfortunately.
9. Maurice Jones-Drew - The guy rushes better than Donald Trump insults people. Fragile Freddy is bound to take a back seat in the offense, leaving the UCLA grad room to run.
10. Brandon Jacobs - I get scared watching him on TV, I can't imagine what it would be like to try and tackle this behemoth. He's bound to drop a few pegs if NY brings another back into the mix.

Mid Round Flier Special - LaMont Jordan. Depending who is Quarterback in Oakland, Jordan can go back to the days when he had 80+ receptions in a season. Think Jamal Lewis-style bounce back year.

Wide Reciever
1. Marvin Harrison - Harrison is a fantasy owner's dream - No headaches, all production. Almost a guaranteed solid season.
2. Chad Johnson - Johnson produces when it counts - down the stretch and through the fantasy postseason.
3. Larry Fitzgerald - Hampered by health issues in '06, Fitz caught the eye of QB Leinhart. Their chemistry will be a beautiful thing.
4. Steve Smith - Normally he'd be #1 or #2, but there is still some doubt surrounding Panthers QB Delhomme. Plus, we all saw what happened to Smith's production when Weinke had to fill in...
5. Reggie Wayne - Either Harrison has a good game, Wayne has a good game, or both do. There aren't many exceptions.
6. Terrell Owens - He's been dropping alot of balls, but he's the best YAC guy in the league. Buyer beware.
7. Javon Walker - Walker fits in nicely with Shannahan's offense. Plus, his tendency to generate big plays is downright euphoric.
8. Roy Williams - He fizzled down the stretch, but as long as Millen doesn't screw up yet another draft, look for his production to increase.
9. Anquan Boldin - Boldin should actually be higher, but WR3 Bryant Johnson takes too many balls away from the Cards' #2.
10. T.J. Houshmanzadeh - The perfect complement to Johnson. Chris Henry takes away too many scores for him to be in the top 7.

Mid Round Flier Special - Donte Stallworth. The first few weeks of the Eagles '06 season, he and McNabb looked like the Dynamic Duo. Hopefully they will both avoid the injury bug next season.