10
Sep
Sep
2008
Alright, fantasy owners, it’s time for some useful yet arbitrary rankings heading into Week 2 action. We’ve touched up our preseason top 200, narrowed it down to 101, and added notes for each player. The same drill will follow each and every week of the season.
The list of suspects who improved on their preseason draft stock is well known by now. Willie Parker, Donovan McNabb, Michael Turner, Reggie Bush, Matt Forte and Chris Johnson are some of the hottest commodities in fantasy football. But, take a look at Bills running back Marshawn Lynch and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo; while their stat lines didn’t blow anyone away, there are signs for better-than-expected gains.
Tom Brady’s removal from this list caused a shakeup in the Top 10, but we are not ready to punish wide receivers Randy Moss or Wes Welker just yet. Let’s wait and see what backup Matt Cassel does before jumping to conclusions on them. We also advise taking the same approach on Chiefs running back Larry Johnson, who was mediocre in Week 1, but against a tough Patriots defense.
Over-reaction is not advised after just one week of results, but it is OK to get excited about late picks and waiver gems like DeSean Jackson, Eddie Royal, Chris Johnson, Aaron Rodgers and Felix Jones. Just don’t mortgage your team’s future on the fact that they will offer the same production each and every week.
In the same breath, cutting bait or selling low on players who struggled in Week 1 is not the way to go, either. Stay patient with the Peyton Mannings, Carson Palmers and Darren McFaddens. They’re not likely to be down and out for an extended period of time.
And without further ado, our Week 2 rankings. Apologies for the tiny font, but we had a lot to say and a limited amount of space in which to say it. We’ll get to work on making things bigger in time for Week 3 rankings.
| Rk | Player, Team | Pos | Notes |
| 1. | LaDainian Tomlinson, SD | RB | Still consensus No. 1, but is fading back to the pack |
| 2. | Adrian Peterson, MIN | RB | Explosive games come with above-average injury risk |
| 3. | Brian Westbrook, PHI | RB | Just 2 catches for 1 yard, but scored 2 TDs in Week 1 |
| 4. | Steven Jackson, STL | RB | He and Rams offense were smothered by Philly D |
| 5. | Frank Gore, SF | RB | Could be in for big year, even if 49ers falter |
| 6. | Joseph Addai, IND | RB | Week 1 was atypical showing from Addai, Colts |
| 7. | Clinton Portis, WAS | RB | Needs passing game to emerge and relieve pressure |
| 8. | Marshawn Lynch, BUF | RB | Workhorse emerging as top-flight No. 1 RB |
| 9. | Marion Barber, DAL | RB | Sore ribs may cost him carries, but not at goal-line |
| 10. | Randy Moss, NE | WR | Value takes hit with Brady out, but remains No. 1 WR |
| 11. | Terrell Owens, DAL | WR | Wide-open DAL offense fired on all cylinders at CLE |
| 12. | Reggie Wayne, IND | WR | Manning’s safety valve, even with Harrison back in fold |
| 13. | Tony Romo, DAL | QB | Put on accuracy clinic, but just 1 pass went for TD |
| 14. | Willie Parker, PIT | RB | Already exceeded ‘07 TD output with 3 in Week 1 |
| 15. | Larry Johnson, KC | RB | Give him time and better matchup to prove worth |
| 16. | Peyton Manning, IND | QB | Didn’t admit it, but was rusty after missing preseason |
| 17. | Ryan Grant, GB | RB | Managed 92 yards vs. tough Vikings run D |
| 18. | Michael Turner, ATL | RB | Strong, powerful, explosive; looks every bit like real deal |
| 19. | Jamal Lewis, CLE | RB | Had decent day, but Browns strayed from run |
| 20. | Brandon Jacobs, NYG | RB | If healthy, is a lock for 1,000-yard season |
| 21. | Larry Fitzgerald, ARI | WR | Had just 22 yards, but did find end zone in Week 1 |
| 22. | Reggie Bush, NO | RB | PPR monster had 167 total yards, TD in Week 1 |
| 23. | Braylon Edwards, CLE | WR | Few preseason reps showed in 2-catch, 14-yard effort |
| 24. | Maurice Jones-Drew, JAX | RB | Had disappointing 5 carries vs. physical Titans D |
| 25. | Plaxico Burress, NYG | WR | Who needs practice? Can rack up 100 yards in his sleep |
| 26. | Drew Brees, NO | QB | Did usual work with 343 yards, 3 TDs vs. TB |
| 27. | Andre Johnson, HOU | WR | Schaub’s go-to guy, had 10 for 112 in mop-up time |
| 28. | Ben Roethlisberger, PIT | QB | Has help everywhere in team’s high-powered offense |
| 29. | Willis McGahee, BAL | RB | Should be ready for light work load in Week 2 |
| 30. | T.J. Houshmandzadeh, CIN | WR | Don’t panic yet, but needs better effort from Palmer |
| 31. | Steve Smith, CAR | WR | Should be hungry as ever in return from suspension |
| 32. | Thomas Jones, NYJ | RB | Benefits greatly from Favre, much-improved O-line |
| 33. | Jason Witten, DAL | TE | Rock solid pass catcher passing Gates as top TE in fantasy |
| 34. | Brandon Marshall, DEN | WR | Should hit ground running upon Week 2 return |
| 35. | Earnest Graham, TB | RB | Gruden intent on giving more than 10 carries in Week 2 |
| 36. | Greg Jennings, GB | WR | Gifted WR isn’t missing a beat with new QB Rodgers |
| 37. | Kellen Winslow, CLE | TE | Rightfully among most targeted TEs in fantasy |
| 38. | Matt Forte, CHI | RB | No longer a sleeper after big debut on national stage |
| 39. | Laurence Maroney, NE | RB | Too many RBs vulture carries, especially in red zone |
| 40. | Marques Colston, NO | WR | Breaking news: will miss 4-to-6 weeks with thumb injury |
| 41. | Carson Palmer, CIN | QB | Isn’t automatic start until CIN offense shows more life |
| 42. | Wes Welker, NE | WR | Like most Pats, loses value with Brady out for year |
| 43. | Chad Johnson, CIN | WR | Volatile produciton; ups and downs come with package |
| 44. | Donovan McNabb, PHI | QB | Looked plenty healthy in torching Rams’ secondary |
| 45. | Jay Cutler, DEN | QB | Breakout candidate has plenty of quality weapons |
| 46. | Torry Holt, STL | WR | Will rebound, but Rams look just as bad as ‘07 |
| 47. | Antonio Gates, SD | TE | Add sore hip to already questionable health (toe) |
| 48. | Edgerrin James, ARI | RB | Showed no explosion, racking up 100 yds on 26 carries |
| 49. | Darren McFadden, OAK | RB | Left debut early as OAK got blasted by DEN |
| 50. | Anquan Boldin, ARI | WR | Solid debut (8 rec., 87 yds) after rocky offseason |
| 51. | Santonio Holmes, PIT | WR | Was Ward’s day in Week 1; will be his soon enough |
| 52. | Calvin Johnson, DET | WR | Well on his way to super-stardom with 107 yds in Week 1 |
| 53. | Ronnie Brown, MIA | RB | Nearing full health; will push Williams for carries |
| 54. | Derek Anderson, CLE | QB | Plenty of weapons; pressure on him to produce |
| 55. | Roy Williams, DET | WR | Giving way to Johnson as Lions’ top WR |
| 56. | Tony Gonzalez, KC | TE | Consistent target; is Chiefs primary receiving option |
| 57. | Hines Ward, PIT | WR | Not done yet; only WR to catch 2 TD passes in Week 1 |
| 58. | Kevin Smith, DET | RB | Respectable showing in debut with 80 total yds, TD |
| 59. | Dwayne Bowe, KC | WR | Freakish athlete can make even Chiefs QBs look good |
| 60. | Matt Hasselbeck, SEA | QB | Already-suspect WR corps took hit with Burleson injury |
| 61. | Lee Evans, BUF | WR | Will have big year if QB Edwards keeps progressing |
| 62. | Donald Driver, GB | WR | Grinder a good bet to repeat ‘07; many catches, few TDs |
| 63. | Brett Favre, NYJ | QB | So far, looks like smart, efficient ‘07 version of himself |
| 64. | DeAngelo Williams, CAR | RB | Competition from Stewart prompting an inspired effort |
| 65. | Fred Taylor, JAC | RB | Looking less and less likely to repeat surprising ‘07 |
| 66. | LenDale White, TEN | RB | In trouble after way rookie Johnson ran in Week 1 |
| 67. | Jonathan Stewart, CAR | RB | Will eventually grab majority of carries from Williams |
| 68. | Jerricho Cotchery, NYJ | WR | Looks like NYJ’s top option; caught Favre’s first TD pass |
| 69. | Roddy White, ATL | WR | Few catches to go around in new run-first attack |
| 70. | Marvin Harrison, IND | WR | Had solid Week 1; will continue to perform if healthy |
| 71. | Chris Johnson, TEN | RB | Quick and exciting rookie pushing White for starting job |
| 72. | Justin Fargas, OAK | RB | Tightened grip on starting job with good Week 1 effort |
| 73. | Chris Cooley, WAS | TE | Needs QB Campbell to grasp West Coast system quickly |
| 74. | Julius Jones, SEA | RB | ‘Hawks have no choice but to put ball in his hands |
| 75. | Eli Manning, NYG | QB | Improvement in real life may be hurting fantasy value |
| 76. | Santana Moss, WAS | WR | Salvaged ordinary effort by catching TD pass in Week 1 |
| 77. | Felix Jones, DAL | RB | Will get bump in carries with Barber nursing sore ribs |
| 78. | Philip Rivers, SD | QB | Encouraging start in recovery from knee surgery |
| 79. | Dallas Clark, IND | TE | Early departure in Week 1 (knee) did owners no favors |
| 80. | David Garrard, JAC | QB | Faces another stiff test in rising Bills D in Week 2 |
| 81. | Selvin Young, DEN | RB | Discouraging he got fewer touches than Andre Hall |
| 82. | Aaron Rodgers, GB | QB | Showed accuracy, charisma in much-anticipated debut |
| 83. | Matt Schaub, HOU | QB | Benefitted from garbage time with 2 TDs (1 rush, 1 pass) |
| 84. | Vernon Davis, SF | TE | Has value as top option in new 49ers offense |
| 85. | Anthony Gonzalez, IND | WR | Could be Indy’s version of Welker; slot guy to move chains |
| 86. | Marc Bulger, STL | QB | Hard to keep faith when Rams continue to get trounced |
| 87. | Chris Chambers, SD | WR | Made lone reception count on 44-yard TD pass |
| 88. | Joey Galloway, TB | WR | On early pace for 4th straight 1,000-yd season |
| 89. | Jake Delhomme, CAR | QB | Gutsy and smart; doesn’t score big, but is consistent |
| 90. | Laveranues Coles, NYJ | WR | Takes backseat to Cotchery as Favre’s top target |
| 91. | Kurt Warner, ARI | QB | Has weapons to repeat sucess as starter in ‘07 |
| 92. | Eddie Royal, DEN | WR | Has look of rising star, even after Marshall returns |
| 93. | DeSean Jackson, PHI | WR | Tiny, but explosive; punt return ability an added bonus |
| 94. | Jon Kitna, DET | QB | Lions committed to run, but may be forced to air it out |
| 95. | Bernard Berrian, MIN | WR | Needs better QB play to justify starting in fantasy |
| 96. | Ricky Williams, MIA | RB | The starter for now; will have hard time holding off Brown |
| 97. | Chris Perry, CIN | RB | Still the Bengals’ guy after lackluster debut vs. BAL |
| 98. | Rashard Mendenhall, PIT | RB | Still a good bet to get some goal-line work |
| 99. | Patrick Crayton, DAL | WR | Slam dunk for consistent production as DAL’s No. 2 WR |
| 100. | Heath Miller, PIT | TE | Doesn’t get ton of looks, but is good red zone target |
| 101. | Chester Taylor, MIN | RB | Must-have handcuff has big value as fill-in for AP |