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Fantasy Top 10 2007

By Robby Wellington – Staff Writer

A lot will change over the next eight months, but if I drafted today, these guys would be my top 10 fantasy players for next season.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson – This is a no-brainer. I would consider taking away the 2nd round pick of whoever is lucky enough to land #1.

2. Steven Jackson – Only 23, Jackson became the focal point of the Rams offense this season and came up huge in the fantasy playoffs, not to mention torching the Vikings’ dominant run defense in week 17.

3. Joseph Addai – Assuming Rhodes leaves, Addai will have the potent Colts offense all to himself. With Manning’s newfound penchant to check down, 80 catches wouldn’t be out of the question.

4. Larry Johnson – LJ’s 416 carries this season is a legitimate concern, as is his playoff performance. However, comparisons with Shaun Alexander’s 2006 season seem a bit premature.

5. Frank Gore – Gore was far and away the ‘most valuable’ running back in the league this year, but it’s hard to see his numbers improving unless Alex Smith and the rest of the offense improves as well.

6. Brian Westbrook – Time to give Westbrook his due. With Mornhinweg calling the plays, Philadelphia should continue to run the ball, even with McNabb back.

7. Laurence Maroney – Assuming Dillon leaves, Maroney should be huge next year, although look for Kevin Faulk and others to siphon off a few carries.

8. Willie Parker – The Steelers should rebound next year, and Parker will be a big part of that.

9. Reggie Bush – Bush was a fantasy disappointment this year, but Deuce McAllister is getting old (for a running back), and Bush’s role should grow.

10. Maurice Jones-Drew – If Fred Taylor is gone, MJD joins the top five. Even with Taylor around, he warrants a late first round pick.

Honorable Mention – Brandon Jacobs is an automatic first rounder as long as he doesn’t have to fight for carries, but that seems unlikely. Michael Turner could be incredibly valuable if he ends up in the right place, like Denver. In fact, whoever goes to Denver should probably be top 8 or so.

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8 responses to “Fantasy Top 10 2007”

  1. FantasyReality Avatar
    FantasyReality

    I love this list, but can you really take Shaun Alexander out of the Top 10? Isn’t he (and Rudi Johnson for that matter) a smarter pick than Bush?

  2. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    I’m not quite as high on Bush as Robby is (unless it’s a PPR league, then Bush is easily a top-10 pick), but I also don’t see any great alternatives. I would bet Shaun Alexander does go around #5-10 in most leagues next year, but I certainly won’t be drafting him. A bounce back may be in store, but usually things only get worse once you reach his age and wear and tear.

    Look at the numbers, he was basically the most unproductive RB in the NFL this year, especially if you take away that one GB game. Guys with that mileage often find a cliff precipitously.

    Rudi Johnson is a good argument tho. Chris Perry can’t stay healthy, and Cincy’s offense should only be better with a fully healthy Palmer. Also, I’d consider Portis, although Betts is certainly going to be in the mix as well.

  3. FantasyReality Avatar
    FantasyReality

    If the premise is truly “a lot will change over the next eight months, but if I drafted today”, here’s my 10 fantasy players:

    1. LaDainian Tomlinson
    2. Steven Jackson
    3. Larry Johnson
    4. Frank Gore
    5. Brian Westbrook
    6. Willie Parker
    7. Shaun Alexander – a healthy Alexander is still a force, a decling one, but still a force and the focal point of the Seattle offense.
    8. Rudi Johnson – 1, 300 yards, 12 TDs. ‘Enuff said.
    9. Joseph Addai – Let’s all hope Rhodes leaves. If he does, Addai rises.
    10. Laurence Maroney – Let’s all hope Dillon leaves. If he does, Maroney rises.

    Honorable Mentions: Portis, Reggie Bush (Let’s all hope McCallister leaves. If he does, Bush rises.), Maurice Jones-Drew (Let’s all hope Taylor leaves. If he does, Drew rises.), Brandon Jacobs, Michael Turner, Chester Taylor, Roinnie Brown

  4. Keith Avatar
    Keith

    Westbrook will always scare me as a 1st round pick, just because you have to predict he misses at least 2 games. LJ scares me too after his record-setting season, but I don’t think I could pass him up. Parker’s value could drop if they bring in a goal-line back. I’ve never been a fan of Rudi, but it’s tough to argue with his consistency…in a PPR league though, I don’t think he’s top-10 (Jacobs too), while Bush, Addai and Westbrook would be big leapers). The Denver situation would be interesting, but I can see them drafting an RB and platooning again.

  5. Robby Avatar
    Robby

    My rankings were based on a 1/2 PPR league (as ours is). Reggie Bush may’ve been a stretch and there are certainly a few guys who are safer picks now.

  6. RotoScoop Avatar
    RotoScoop

    I agree about Westbrook definitely remaining an injury concern, but I don’t see a better pick in the #5-8 area…..For some reason, I’ll never draft Rudi. I don’t know why, maybe I like to avoid backs that are completely ignored in the passing game…..LJ’s touches are a legitimate concern, but the same could be said for LT (404 and counting) and S-Jax (436). Those catches are just as tough on the body as runs, no? Only difference is LT’s age – he might be the biggest candidate of all to breakdown if SD goes deep into the playoffs.

    I’ve said it before and I’ll do it again (I know Shanahan doesn’t like to), but I see Denver drafting a back early this year. I say first round.

  7. FFLHummers Avatar
    FFLHummers

    I’m glad that I read your comment, Robby, about this being for a PPR league. I don’t think that Sjax gets put at 2 otherwise.

    Also, it is interesting that you have Addai at 2 (with your drafting today scenario). I haven’t seen any indication that Rhodes will actually leave after this season. While he will be a free agant, the Colts might be better served resigning a known commodity to backup Addi (if not continue the RRBC).

    I have to think that LJ is a close #3, and Westbrook is a risky top 6 pick, just on injury concern alone. I think one more year, injury free, and he’s there.

    I also agree it’s hard to replace Rudi and Shaun with Bush and Maroney at this point. I’m not sure Shaun ever leaves the top 5 regardless of the NE and NO RB situations.

    But nice list to get the conversation going… :thumbsup:

  8. Avatar
    Anonymous

    tyyyyyyyyyyyy

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