THE "IT'S ONLY BEEN ONE WEEK WITHOUT FOOTBALL BUT I CAN'T WAIT ANY LONGER" 2015 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS!!!!
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| Note to my league: We need this trophy |
The 2014 fantasy football was definitely one to remember (or one to forget for some others). With the resurgence of Three By Five Sports Network, Lucio has already jumped right into the fantasy action with his article, A Post-Super Bowl Look at Free Agency and Fantasy. But I, being the 2014 Fantasy Football Champion of our league, feel I have the right to share my personal preseason rankings as the official Three By Five Fantasy Football Rankings. Obviously, I expect these rankings to end up being complete trash after free agency, the draft, suspensions, and any other changes start happening...but it's always fun to start thinking about fantasy early. I'll be using Lucio's and my own league's scoring as the template for these rankings (Generally standard 0.5 PPR scoring with some bonuses and what-not).
1. Le'Veon Bell - RB - Pittsburgh Steelers
2. Jamaal Charles - RB - Kansas City Chiefs
3. Eddie Lacy - RB - Green Bay Packers
4. DeMarco Murray - RB - FA (I personally expect him to stay with Dallas)
5. Matt Forte - RB - Chicago Bears
6. Rob Gronkowski - TE - New England Patriots
7. Antonio Brown - WR - Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Calvin Johnson - WR - Detroit Lions
9. LeSean McCoy - RB - Philadelphia Eagles
10. Adrian Peterson - RB - FA (No idea where he'll end up yet)
11. Demaryius Thomas - WR - FA (I expect him to stay with Denver)
12. Dez Bryant - WR - FA (I expect him to stay with Dallas)
Not too many surprises here, although most people probably have their own personal ranking of the top players. I'm putting Bell at the top spot because I fully expect him to duplicate (or at least come close to) what he did last year. Even with the looming suspension for the DUI problem he had with Blount earlier this year, I still can't put anyone else at number one. He's the complete every-down back and I really wish I had him as a keeper in my league. Some people may be afraid of the fact that he plays against the NFC West this year, but I wouldn't spend more than one second thinking about who would be my number one pick. Charles and Lacy are obvious top three picks in my opinion as well, which leaves out my favorite running back of them all (the one that almost singlehandedly won me my league), DeMarco Murray. I'm ranking him at number four due to the fact that I'm expecting Dallas to somehow be able to hang on to him and Dez, which gives Murray arguably the best offensive line in the league to help him repeat what he did last year. "But Alex, why is he not a top three pick, or even number one, if you expect him to replicate what he did last year?" Well, there's one thing that scares me about Murray...his injury history. Since Murray had such a huge workload this past year, I feel like we almost have to expect at least three or four games missed. Those games will make the difference for why he's not a top three pick, otherwise he should dominate just like before. Some more running backs, as well as the top tier WRs round out the rest of the rankings. One last note, Rob Gronkowski is a beast in a super shallow tight end pool. He's a huge difference maker and everyone should at least consider taking him in the first round. I personally doubt he makes it to the second round in most drafts.
13. Aaron Rodgers - QB - Green Bay Packers
14. Marshawn Lynch - RB - Seattle Seahawks
15. Arian Foster - RB - Houston Texans
16. Jordy Nelson - WR - Green Bay Packers
17. Jimmy Graham - TE - New Orleans Saints
18. Julio Jones - WR - Atlanta Falcons
19. Andrew Luck - QB - Indianapolis Colts
20. CJ Anderson - RB - Denver Broncos
21. AJ Green - WR - Cincinnati Bengals
22. Jeremy Hill - RB - Cincinnati Bengals
23. Odell Beckham Jr. - WR - New York Giants
24. TY Hilton - WR - Indianapolis Colts
I don't think Marshawn Lynch is going anywhere, especially not retiring like he said he would. But he's not a first round pick because of the risk with his age...same with Foster. Once again, there really aren't too many surprises here (as well as the rest of my rankings) except for possibly Odell Beckham. I'm not ranking him as high as others because I think they hype is out of control. I'm not ready to say he's better than other receivers like Julio Jones and Jordy Nelson, especially because both of them are in better situations. It's also unknown how the return of Victor Cruz will impact the production of Beckham (I don't think it will much, but it's possible to make a big impact since Eli isn't the type of quarterback to give both Beckham and Cruz bug seasons). Another problem I have with Beckham is it's always easier to plan for receivers in their second year because of the game tape on them.
25. Alshon Jeffery - WR - Chicago Bears
26. Emmanuel Sanders - WR - Denver Broncos
27. Julius Thomas - TE - FA (I don't expect him to return to Denver)
28. Randall Cobb - WR - FA (I'm leaning towards him staying with Green Bay)
29. Lamar Miller - RB - Miami Dolphins
30. Peyton Manning - QB - Denver Broncos
31. Andre Ellington - RB - Arizona Cardinals
32. Mike Evans - WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
33. Drew Brees - QB - New Orleans Saints
34. Jeremy Maclin - WR - FA (I expect him to stay with Philly)
35. Mark Ingram - RB - FA (I don't expect him to stay in New Orleans)
36. Tom Brady - QB - New England Patriots
Julius Thomas should be good wherever he lands, unless its somewhere absolutely disgusting (Sorry Alex and Mr. Hochberg). But he's the last of the sure thing tight ends in fantasy. I have the top tight ends ranked in their own categories. Gronk, when healthy, is just so much better than anyone else. Jimmy Graham is better than everyone else in the league by far, except for Gronkowski. Julius Thomas is third behind the rest but is still more of a sure thing than someone like Olsen (high floor, but low ceiling) and Kelce (He could be placed up in the top tiers if he gets some of those Fasano touchdowns this year). Watch out for a Peyton Manning tight end to be decent if Thomas does leave.
37. Carlos Hyde - RB - San Francisco 49ers
38. Kelvin Benjamin - WR - Carolina Panthers
39. Alfred Morris - RB - Washington Redskins
40. Joique Bell - RB - Detroit Lions
41. Brandon Marshall - WR - Chicago Bears
42. DeSean Jackson - WR - Washington Redskins
43. Sammy Watkins - WR - Buffalo Bills
44. Justin Forsett - RB - Baltimore Ravens
45. DeAndre Hopkins - WR - Houston Texans
46. Torrey Smith - WR - Baltimore Ravens
47. Jonathan Stewart - RB - Carolina Panthers
48. Golden Tate - WR - Detroit Lions
Carlos Hyde is so hard to rank because I have no idea who will be starting in San Francisco next year. I think it should be him however and this is where he ranks as the starter while losing some carries to whoever the backup is.
49. Roddy White - WR - Atlanta Falcons
50. Matt Ryan - QB - Atlanta Falcons
51. Isaiah Crowell - RB - Cleveland Browns
52. Victor Cruz - WR - New York Giants
53. Julian Edelman - WR - New England Patriots
54. Brandon Cooks - WR - New Orleans Saints
55. Latavius Murray - RB - Oakland Raiders
56. Andre Williams - RB - New York Giants
57. Tre Mason - RB - St. Louis Rams
58. Greg Olsen - TE - Carolina Panthers
59. Keenan Allen - WR - San Diego Chargers
60. Tony Romo - QB - Dallas Cowboys
TONY ROMO! I'm really high on Romo having another great season, as long as Murray and Dez are both there next year. That offensive line is just too good and as Dennis and I always say, your offense is only as good as your OL.
61. Doug Martin - RB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
62. Russell Wilson - QB - Seattle Seahawks
63. Jerick McKinnon - RB - Minnesota Vikings
64. Denard Robinson - RB - Jacksonville Jaguars
65. Cam Newton - QB - Carolina Panthers
66. Devonta Freeman - RB - Atlanta Falcons
67. Travis Kelce - TE - Kansas City Chiefs
68. Vincent Jackson - WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
69. Gio Bernard - RB - Cincinnati Bengals
70. Charles Johnson - WR - Minnesota Vikings
71. CJ Spiller - RB - FA (I don't expect him back with Buffalo)
72. Jordan Matthews - WR - Philadelphia Eagles
73. Matt Stafford - QB - Detroit Lions
74. Martellus Bennett - TE - Chicago Bears
75. Fred Jackson/Bryce Brown - RB - Buffalo Bills
1. Le'Veon Bell - RB - Pittsburgh Steelers
2. Jamaal Charles - RB - Kansas City Chiefs
3. Eddie Lacy - RB - Green Bay Packers
4. DeMarco Murray - RB - FA (I personally expect him to stay with Dallas)
5. Matt Forte - RB - Chicago Bears
6. Rob Gronkowski - TE - New England Patriots
7. Antonio Brown - WR - Pittsburgh Steelers
8. Calvin Johnson - WR - Detroit Lions
9. LeSean McCoy - RB - Philadelphia Eagles
10. Adrian Peterson - RB - FA (No idea where he'll end up yet)
11. Demaryius Thomas - WR - FA (I expect him to stay with Denver)
12. Dez Bryant - WR - FA (I expect him to stay with Dallas)
Not too many surprises here, although most people probably have their own personal ranking of the top players. I'm putting Bell at the top spot because I fully expect him to duplicate (or at least come close to) what he did last year. Even with the looming suspension for the DUI problem he had with Blount earlier this year, I still can't put anyone else at number one. He's the complete every-down back and I really wish I had him as a keeper in my league. Some people may be afraid of the fact that he plays against the NFC West this year, but I wouldn't spend more than one second thinking about who would be my number one pick. Charles and Lacy are obvious top three picks in my opinion as well, which leaves out my favorite running back of them all (the one that almost singlehandedly won me my league), DeMarco Murray. I'm ranking him at number four due to the fact that I'm expecting Dallas to somehow be able to hang on to him and Dez, which gives Murray arguably the best offensive line in the league to help him repeat what he did last year. "But Alex, why is he not a top three pick, or even number one, if you expect him to replicate what he did last year?" Well, there's one thing that scares me about Murray...his injury history. Since Murray had such a huge workload this past year, I feel like we almost have to expect at least three or four games missed. Those games will make the difference for why he's not a top three pick, otherwise he should dominate just like before. Some more running backs, as well as the top tier WRs round out the rest of the rankings. One last note, Rob Gronkowski is a beast in a super shallow tight end pool. He's a huge difference maker and everyone should at least consider taking him in the first round. I personally doubt he makes it to the second round in most drafts.
13. Aaron Rodgers - QB - Green Bay Packers
14. Marshawn Lynch - RB - Seattle Seahawks
15. Arian Foster - RB - Houston Texans
16. Jordy Nelson - WR - Green Bay Packers
17. Jimmy Graham - TE - New Orleans Saints
18. Julio Jones - WR - Atlanta Falcons
19. Andrew Luck - QB - Indianapolis Colts
20. CJ Anderson - RB - Denver Broncos
21. AJ Green - WR - Cincinnati Bengals
22. Jeremy Hill - RB - Cincinnati Bengals
23. Odell Beckham Jr. - WR - New York Giants
24. TY Hilton - WR - Indianapolis Colts
I don't think Marshawn Lynch is going anywhere, especially not retiring like he said he would. But he's not a first round pick because of the risk with his age...same with Foster. Once again, there really aren't too many surprises here (as well as the rest of my rankings) except for possibly Odell Beckham. I'm not ranking him as high as others because I think they hype is out of control. I'm not ready to say he's better than other receivers like Julio Jones and Jordy Nelson, especially because both of them are in better situations. It's also unknown how the return of Victor Cruz will impact the production of Beckham (I don't think it will much, but it's possible to make a big impact since Eli isn't the type of quarterback to give both Beckham and Cruz bug seasons). Another problem I have with Beckham is it's always easier to plan for receivers in their second year because of the game tape on them.
25. Alshon Jeffery - WR - Chicago Bears
26. Emmanuel Sanders - WR - Denver Broncos
27. Julius Thomas - TE - FA (I don't expect him to return to Denver)
28. Randall Cobb - WR - FA (I'm leaning towards him staying with Green Bay)
29. Lamar Miller - RB - Miami Dolphins
30. Peyton Manning - QB - Denver Broncos
31. Andre Ellington - RB - Arizona Cardinals
32. Mike Evans - WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
33. Drew Brees - QB - New Orleans Saints
34. Jeremy Maclin - WR - FA (I expect him to stay with Philly)
35. Mark Ingram - RB - FA (I don't expect him to stay in New Orleans)
36. Tom Brady - QB - New England Patriots
Julius Thomas should be good wherever he lands, unless its somewhere absolutely disgusting (Sorry Alex and Mr. Hochberg). But he's the last of the sure thing tight ends in fantasy. I have the top tight ends ranked in their own categories. Gronk, when healthy, is just so much better than anyone else. Jimmy Graham is better than everyone else in the league by far, except for Gronkowski. Julius Thomas is third behind the rest but is still more of a sure thing than someone like Olsen (high floor, but low ceiling) and Kelce (He could be placed up in the top tiers if he gets some of those Fasano touchdowns this year). Watch out for a Peyton Manning tight end to be decent if Thomas does leave.
37. Carlos Hyde - RB - San Francisco 49ers
38. Kelvin Benjamin - WR - Carolina Panthers
39. Alfred Morris - RB - Washington Redskins
40. Joique Bell - RB - Detroit Lions
41. Brandon Marshall - WR - Chicago Bears
42. DeSean Jackson - WR - Washington Redskins
43. Sammy Watkins - WR - Buffalo Bills
44. Justin Forsett - RB - Baltimore Ravens
45. DeAndre Hopkins - WR - Houston Texans
46. Torrey Smith - WR - Baltimore Ravens
47. Jonathan Stewart - RB - Carolina Panthers
48. Golden Tate - WR - Detroit Lions
Carlos Hyde is so hard to rank because I have no idea who will be starting in San Francisco next year. I think it should be him however and this is where he ranks as the starter while losing some carries to whoever the backup is.
49. Roddy White - WR - Atlanta Falcons
50. Matt Ryan - QB - Atlanta Falcons
51. Isaiah Crowell - RB - Cleveland Browns
52. Victor Cruz - WR - New York Giants
53. Julian Edelman - WR - New England Patriots
54. Brandon Cooks - WR - New Orleans Saints
55. Latavius Murray - RB - Oakland Raiders
56. Andre Williams - RB - New York Giants
57. Tre Mason - RB - St. Louis Rams
58. Greg Olsen - TE - Carolina Panthers
59. Keenan Allen - WR - San Diego Chargers
60. Tony Romo - QB - Dallas Cowboys
TONY ROMO! I'm really high on Romo having another great season, as long as Murray and Dez are both there next year. That offensive line is just too good and as Dennis and I always say, your offense is only as good as your OL.
61. Doug Martin - RB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
62. Russell Wilson - QB - Seattle Seahawks
63. Jerick McKinnon - RB - Minnesota Vikings
64. Denard Robinson - RB - Jacksonville Jaguars
65. Cam Newton - QB - Carolina Panthers
66. Devonta Freeman - RB - Atlanta Falcons
67. Travis Kelce - TE - Kansas City Chiefs
68. Vincent Jackson - WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
69. Gio Bernard - RB - Cincinnati Bengals
70. Charles Johnson - WR - Minnesota Vikings
71. CJ Spiller - RB - FA (I don't expect him back with Buffalo)
72. Jordan Matthews - WR - Philadelphia Eagles
73. Matt Stafford - QB - Detroit Lions
74. Martellus Bennett - TE - Chicago Bears
75. Fred Jackson/Bryce Brown - RB - Buffalo Bills
About the Author
Co-creator and co-editor-in-chief of Three By Five Sports Network
Co-host of the Third and Long Podcast
Co-host of the Footballistically Speaking Podcast
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