Robby’s Rankings
Fantasy football is all about matchups. No good team starts the same lineup every week, as there will be an incredible amount of fluctuation from week to week based on opponent. That said, week one is always wacky and is the hardest week of the season to predict both team and individual results. But I’ll give it a shot. . .
Quarterbacks
I like eight quarterbacks this week; after that it’s a real crapshoot. Jon Kitna is my sneaky start of the week, playing at home in a dome and throwing a lot in the second half.
1. Peyton Manning
2. Kurt Warner
2. Carson Palmer
3. Tom Brady
4. Matt Hasselbeck
5. Donovan McNabb
6. Marc Bulger
7. Jake Plummer
8. Eli Manning
9. Aaron Brooks
10. Jon Kitna
11. Trent Green
12. Drew Bledsoe
13. Philip Rivers
14. Byron Leftwich
15. Jake Delhomme
16. Mark Brunell
17. David Carr
18. Michael Vick
19. Chris Simms
20. JP Losman
Running Backs
These rankings are based on a standard scoring system with 0.5 points awarded for receptions (think of it as a compromise). Edge James, Reuben Droughns and Thomas Jones should outperform their usual weekly output. I’ve omitted Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts from the list, although it now looks like Portis will play. I’d rank him in the low 20s. I’m also leaving Laurence Maroney out of the top-30 by a hair due to his knee injury, as I doubt he’ll get much of a workload.
1-3. “The Big Three”
4. Edgerrin James
5. Rudi Johnson
6. Tiki Barber
7. Lamont Jordan
8. Steven Jackson
9. Willie Parker
10. Brian Westbrook
11. Ronnie Brown
12. Reuben Droughns
13. Thomas Jones
14. Frank Gore
15. Julius Jones
16. Fred Taylor
17. DeShaun Foster
18. Kevin Jones
19. Willis McGahee
20. Chester Taylor
21. Corey Dillon
22. Dominic Rhodes
23. Wali Lundy
24. Warrick Dunn
25. Jamal Lewis
26. Chris Brown
27. Reggie Bush
28. Tatum Bell
29. Mike Bell
30. Kevan Barlow
31. Joseph Addai
Wide Receivers
I’m anticipating big debuts by Nate Burleson and Javon Walker. I’ve omitted Steve Smith pending further news of the hamstring but would pencil him in around No. 20 right now.
1. Torry Holt
2. Chad Johnson
3. Larry Fitzgerald
4. Anquan Boldin
5. TO
6. Randy Moss
7. Roy Williams
8. Marvin Harrison
9. Reggie Wayne
10. Santana Moss
11. Chris Chambers
12. TJ Houshmandzadeh
13. Plaxico Burress
14. Andre Johnson
15. Nate Burleson
16. Javon Walker
17. Antonio Bryant
18. Hines Ward
19. Lee Evans
20. Derrick Mason
21. Joey Galloway
22. Donald Driver
23. Reggie Brown
24. Darrell Jackson
25. Drew Bennett
26. Mushin Muhammed
27. Laveranues Coles
28. Eddie Kennison
29. Terry Glenn
30. Joe Horn
31. Michael Clayton
32. Matt Jones
33. Roddy White
34. Rod Smith
35. Alvis Whitted
Jeff’s Rankings
Quarterbacks
1. Carson Palmer
This is a no-brainer, as CP has shown no ill-effects from his offseason knee surgery. The Bengals will employ a three-set as their base formation in what should be a high scoring affair.
2. Peyton Manning
3. Kurt Warner
4. Donovan McNabb
5. Tom Brady
6. Matt Hasselbeck
Rod Marinelli will gear his team to stop Shaun Alexander. Although stopping Alexander will be tough, the Detroit defense will key in on #37 often, leaving passing lanes open for Hasselbeck. I like the Seattle signal caller for 240 yards and a couple scores.
7. Marc Bulger
8. Eli Manning
9. Aaron Brooks
10. Jake Plummer
The Rams will have their hands full trying to stop the run, while Plummer will execute on numerous bootlegs to Rod Smith and Javon Walker. The St. Louis secondary is subpar to say the least, and Plummer will be good for 230 yards passing, 30 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns.
11. Trent Green
12. Drew Bledsoe
13. Jon Kitna
14. Philip Rivers
15. Michael Vick
16. Byron Leftwich
17. Jake Delhomme
With Steve Smith’s status in limbo, I do not like Delhomme’s chances against a revamped Atlanta defense. This game should be a defensive affair, and if Steve Smith is subpar or missing in action, then Delhomme is obviously a poor start.
18. Mark Brunell
19. J.P. Losman
20. Alex Smith
Running Backs
1. Shaun Alexander
2. LaDainian Tomlinson
3. Larry Johnson
4. Rudi Johnson
5. Reuben Droughns
My sleeper of the week should have success against the NFL’s poorest tackling team. I like Droughns to rush for at least 100 yards with 20 yards through the air.
6. Tiki Barber
7. Thomas Jones
8. Edgerrin James
9. LaMont Jordan
10. Willie Parker
11. Brian Westbrook
12. Corey Dillon
Without Laurence Maroney around to steal his thunder, Dillon should hover around 90 yards with at least one score.
13. Steven Jackson
14. Frank Gore
15. Ronnie Brown
It should be tough sledding Thursday night as the Champs will rally around their defense.
16. Tatum Bell
17. Fred Taylor
18. Julius Jones
19. Willis McGahee
20. DeShaun Foster
21. Reggie Bush
Although Romeo Crennell has some tricks up his sleeve, Bush will likely turn a couple swing passes for big yardage. Cleveland LB Andra Davis will have his work cut out for him.
22. Warrick Dunn
23. Jamal Lewis
24. Chester Taylor
25. Mike Bell
26. Kevin Jones
The Lions will be forced to abandon the run at some point in the second half, while Julian Peterson and Co. will bottle up Jones in the first half.
27. Joseph Addai
28. Chris Brown
29. Wali Lundy
30. Dominic Rhodes
Wide Receivers
I too excluded Steve Smith for now. Like Robby, I consider him as a middle tier player if he suits up.
1. Chad Johnson
2. Larry Fitzgerald
3. Anquan Boldin
The Cards’ receivers will have continued success versus the ‘Niners in 2006.
4. Randy Moss
5. Torry Holt
6. Terrell Owens
Owens claims that he’ll be ready for Sunday, and when it comes to matters on the field, I’ll take his word for it.
7. Marvin Harrison
8. Reggie Wayne
9. Roy Williams
10. Chris Chambers
11. Santana Moss
12. T.J. Houshmanzadeh
Housh is currently listed as questionable, so check his status on Sunday morning.
13. Plaxico Burress
14. Javon Walker
15. Andre Johnson
16. Lee Evans
17. Hines Ward
18. Antonio Bryant
19. Donald Driver
20. Nate Burleson
Burleson will be relied on has the Seahawks’ number one option through the air, as D-Jax won’t be at 100 percent if he plays. Six catches for 80 yards is not out of the question.
21. Matt Jones
22. Reggie Brown
23. Derrick Mason
24. Terry Glenn
25. Drew Bennett
26. Eddie Kennison
27. Chris Henry
Cincy will toy with multiple WR sets, and if Houshmanzadeh is ailing, Henry will come up huge against the Chiefs. With or without Housh in the lineup, I like Henry to produce 60 yards and a score.
28. Joey Galloway
29. Joe Horn
30. Rod Smith
31. Keenan McCardell
32. Laveranues Coles
33. Muhsin Muhammed
34. Michael Clayton
35. Roddy White
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