The only thing which would prevent CJ from topping the fantasy football draft boards would be a holdout due to contract issues which carried into regular season games. Since that’s not likely to happen, the breakout star of 2009, who finished with 329 fantasy points, 64 points more than the runner-up, should light up the tote boards once again.
2. Adrian Peterson
All Day’s probably the most talented runner in the game but ranks No. 2 in 2010 due to a consistent fumbling problem. Aside from the drops, he was still dominant with 18 TDs and 265 fantasy points in 2009, and he has a tremendous supporting cast around him, so look for excellent numbers.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew
MJD had an breakout year for a sub par Jags offense in 2009. He finished with 255 fantasy points and 16 total TDs, and he can be expected to once again be among the top backs in fantasy football thanks to an improved offensive line and receiving corps.
4. Ray Rice
Rice burst onto the scene last year as a mid-round fantasy sleeper and became a dominant player. And in point per reception leagues, he was a top 5 player for most of the season. He’s now a year older, a year better, plays in a solid offense and is worthy of top 5 status.
5. Michael Turner
Overweight and injuries led to a disappointing year for Turner but he recently showed up at off-season workouts nearly 20 pounds lighter than in ’09 and ready to roll. The 2010 Falcons offense will be solid and Turner Burner’s season should resemble 2008.
6. Frank Gore
Gore’s prospects for 2010 are indeed bright after the Niners drafted two OL in the 1st Round of the NFL Draft. The continued development of his supporting cast will also take pressure off the running game, and if you need another reason as to why he’ll top his 214 fantasy points from a year ago, he has the luxury of facing NFC West defenses six times per year.
7. DeAngelo Williams
Williams saw a decline in production in ’09 due to injuries and the emergence of back-up Jonathan Stewart. Yet he still ended up with 1,100 yards and 7 TDs. He’ll get another chance to shine in 2010 and with more stability at the QB position, Delhomme being gone now, we see Williams re-emerging as a top tier fantasy back.
8. Steven Jackson
He has the talent to sit in the top 3, but unfortunately the Rams don’t have the supporting cast to keep opposing defenses off of him. Jackson still managed 180 fantasy points last year although he only scored 4 TDs. He’ll consistently see eight men in the box once again, but in point per reception leagues, he’s still a very attractive option.
9. Rashard Mendenhall
The Steelers handed him the keys to the car and he delivered nicely with a 1,100 yard, 7 TD season on only 242 carries. He’ll have to deal with the loss of Ben Roethlisberger early in the season but he’s talented enough to be a fantasy force weekly this year.
10. Cedric Benson
Benson is coming off an excellent year in which he finished with 163 fantasy points. The 2010 version of the Bengals offense will be much more potent than ’09, which should lead to nice running lanes for Benson, who rattled off 1,251 yards and 6 TDs in 2009. Expect him to improve off those numbers.
Pro Football 101 » 2010 Fantasy Football WR Rankings: 1-10
June 11th, 2010 at 16:36
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[...] whose numbers would’ve been better if the Falcons offense was more consistent in ‘09. Michael Turner’s injury affected everybody. But he still caught 11 TDs and finished with 174 fantasy points. The [...]
» Football Futures Betting: An Early Look at the 2010 AFC South
July 26th, 2010 at 13:01
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[...] year, it’s QB Vince Young’s team from the get go, but the offense will still run through superstar RB Chris Johnson. Defensively, things should be better than a year ago, but this unit is still a ways away from [...]
» Football Futures Betting: An Early Look at the 2010 AFC North
July 28th, 2010 at 10:59
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[...] true weakness in the offseason—the receiver position—with the addition of WR Anquan Boldin, and RB Ray Rice and QB Joe Flacco are both on their way to becoming Pro Bowl players. Defensively, while [...]
Pro Football 101» 2010 Fantasy Football QB – Risers and Fallers
August 9th, 2010 at 22:20
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[...] 2010. The Vikings went almost exclusively to the air over the last month of the 2009 season due to Adrian Peterson’s fumbling problems. If those are corrected, then he’ll see increased carries which will hurt [...]