The NFL Lockout is over which means it is time to get down to business and that means getting your fantasy football team ready. If you’re one of the unlucky ones who drafts late in the first round, or just have trouble finding a good mix of players, here’s a list of NFL Fantasy Football sleepers that you might be interested in. There’s a great mix of players out there that can help you out this year.

It’s time to consider which stud will back your Fantasy Football QB on your fantasy team. Your backfield will cement your team throughout the league so draft wisely. You will need a combination of yards plus red zone TD’s to beat those other punks in your league. Here’s a breakdown of the Top Ten Fantasy Football Running Backs.

10. Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders

McFadden finally showed his potential last year with 5.2 yards per carry and 1664 yards from scrimmage and 10 touchdowns.

He’s explosive and versatile which made him one of the best running backs in the NCAA while at Arkansas. However, it took 3 years to show it in the NFL and being on the Raiders doesn’t help. The revolving door of coaching and QB’s makes it hard for anyone to get into a rhythm in Oaktown.

Michael Bush will still grab carries from McFadden which hurt his draft stock but there’s no denying that McFadden is the stud here. The biggest knock on Darren is his health as the guy has missed a handful of games each season in the league. He will also have to prove he is strong enough to be the go-to guy in the red zone as Bush makes most of his TD’s there.

But with his contract year coming up I expect McFadden to work out the kinks and turn it up a notch. If not he might just disappear back into the fog and not be a factor in next years draft.

A healthy Darren McFadden should get you 1,300 yards, 10 TD’s and 500 yards receiving.

9. Rashard Mendenhall, Pittsburgh Steelers

Mendenhall’s numbers don’t jump out but the fact he’s a red zone monster is reason to bet on him. Last year Mendenhall scored 13 TDs, despite QB Ben Roethlisberger out for a suspension and an offensive line that suffered injuries.

Mendenhall is a physical running back with power and speed and surprisingly good hands out of the backfield that have yet to be fully utilized. When this kid gets the ball he can move and the Steelers need to utilize his receiving skills more out of the backfield this year. Having an improved and healthy O-line and reliable QB position only helps heading into the season.

Mendenhall is nearing a contract year so expect more output from this workhorse. And one of the bonuses of being on a winning machine like the Steelers is all the parts look and perform better. I expect Rashard to come out with another solid year and possibly notch career numbers.

A healthy Rashard Mendenhall should get you 1,300 yards, 15 TD’s and 300 yards receiving.

8. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons

Michael Turner is the Falcons’ workhorse who led the league with 334 carries, with a league-high 68 times in the red zone. His 1,300+ yards and 12 TD’s last year might propel him to the top 5 but unfortunately he doesn’t catch many balls out of the backfield.

Turner has yet to break the 100 yard barrier for any season catching the ball and that drops the talented back down a lot on this list. The Falcons are geared more toward using him solely as a runner but one has to wonder how much more of a threat he’d be catching a few more balls during the year.

It’s not like the Falcons do not use him. Turner led the league in red-zone rushes, inside-the-10 rushes and goal-line rushes and the Falcons are a great team that should be just as good, in not better, this year.

A healthy Michael Turner should get you 1,400 yards, 12 TD’s and 90 yards receiving.

7. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars

MJD is coming off offseason knee surgery and should continue to see heavy work as a runner and a receiver. The Jags have an underrated O Line and help the compact Jones-Drew in short yardage situations. Trying to tackle the “Pocket Hercules” is no easy task and it helps that led the league with 21.4 carries per game.

In the open, MJD is a strong runner with break away speed. Jones-Drew still managed 299 carries in 14 games last year, hampered by a knee injury, but will have to face competition in the backfield.

The Jag have two young backs behind Jones-Drew in Rashad Jennings and Deji Karim that will leach yards off of MJD. Despite that I can’t imagine the Jags rolling with MJD as much as they can since he’s a proven winner. Keep in mind the knee injuries but know if this guy is healthy he will be a top 3 running back by all indications.

A healthy Maurice Jones-Drew should get you 1,400 yards, 16 TD’s and 500 yards receiving.

6. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens

Ray Rice is one of the league’s best pass-catching back but can handle a heavy workload. Last season Rice notched 307 carries and 63 catches for an impressive 1,776 yards from scrimmage.

The Ravens have split up red zone carries with Willis McGahee who might not come back.  That’s a plus for the Ravens offensive that is improving.

The Ravens want to run but will need the O-Line to step up and make that happen. In that case look for Rice to be a huge threat near the goal line.

Rice is a tough guy to bring down and I see the Ravens utilizing his skills this year to bump themselves deep into the playoffs.

Like so many players on this list Rice heads into a contract year and is one of the most underpaid players on any of these lists. Rice has averaged 119.3 yards per game for the last two seasons but will only earn $550,000 this contract year.  If anyone in the league wanted a banner year to get paid it will be this guy.

A healthy Ray Rice should get you 1,300 yards, 10 TD’s and 700 yards receiving.

5. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

As the Eagles and Michael Vick continue to mature one of the most promising running backs stands in their backfield. LeSean McCoy got only 207 carries last year, but cracked 1,000 yards and scored 7 TD’s.

He also led all running backs with 78 receptions as well as being on the field for 837 snaps, which is third among running backs.

Basically, he’s a big part of the offensive and will be deployed even more this year as a runner and receiver.

The possibility of McCoy being a red zone monster are scary as this guy is on the cusp of being a fantasy beast and make the manager that drafted him a winner in the league.

A healthy LeSean McCoy should get you 1,200 yards, 12 TD’s and 600-700 yards receiving.

4. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans

Although he didn’t have a horrible year last season, CJ settled back into his 2008 numbers of around 1,300 yards rushing. He’s only been in the league for 3 years so it’s still hard to gauge what we’ll be getting from him this year.

The 2009 season saw CJ blow up the league with 2,006 yards rushing and 16 TD’s.

But it’s the 2008 and 2010 seasons that stand out as eerily similar. In those years he ran for 1228 yards in 2008 and 1364 yards in 2010, with an average of 81.9/yards (2008) and 85.3 (2010) for 9 TD’s (2008) and 11 TD’s (2010). He also caught 260 yards in 2008 and 245 yards in 2010. Across the board the numbers for those two years are the same and the year.

So while a lot of managers are gambling on CJ repeating his 2009 numbers, I’m going the safe route and say he’s going to be producing numbers similar to his 2008 and 2010 seasons on a team with a new coach, new offensive strategy, an empty QB position and a questionable receiver corps.

The Titans offense is going to have a long season and the possibility of CJ holding out for a bigger contract doesn’t help ease managers worries. Defenses may stack the line against the Titans knowing the team has a passing problem but CJ has proven he can handle that.

Not 2,006 yards handling of the situation but a solid 1,300 yards solution.

A healthy Chris Johnson should get you 1,300 yards, 10 TD’s and 500 yards receiving.

3. Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs

A lot of people are going to slide CJ in this slot (if not higher) but I’m going to take a gamble and call Jamaal Charles my dark horse for running back picks. Charles competed with Arian Foster last year for the best running back in the AFC and the Chiefs should continue the bombardment of Jamaal Charles this year.

Last season Charles averaged a freaky 6.4/yards a gain. Only Jim Brown ever averaged more yards per carry in a full season. But he only tallied 5 TD’s, very disappointing for any RB. He’s as explosive and talented as CJ but plays on a much better team.

The Chiefs have a chance to be a playoff threat this year and that depends on the running game. To get past the Chargers in the AFC West, the Chiefs need to get Charles rolling into the endzone. Jamaal will have to compete with Thomas Jones for yards again this year but head coach Todd Haley seems content with making Charles their featured back. As long as that’s the case look for Jamaal to be in contention for the best RB in the league again this season.

A healthy Jamaal Charles should get you 1,400 yards, 10 TD’s and 500 yards receiving.

2. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

Peterson’s numbers declined for the second year in a row which knocks him back a few spots. A new coach and a new QB will dictate how Peterson does this year and right now that’s a bit of a question mark.

Peterson is a bruising runner who still has the speed. Coupled with nice receiving skills, it’s hard not to draft this guy. He’s on a bad team with no proven QB so expect Peterson to grab some huge numbers until the QB spot solidifies. As an manager you might want someone with more receiving yards but overall there’s very few RB’s in the game as reliable as Peterson with 52 TD’s in his four seasons.

And being a contract year for Peterson, I expect the big guy to really open up the throttle this year.

A healthy Adrian Peterson should get you 1,300 yards, 12 TD’s and 400 yards receiving.

1. Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Most people will be flocking toward Foster for his huge numbers last year and some will be hesitant that a one-year wonder will not repeat.

For the most part it looks like Foster will be the go-to guy for the Texans this year and if he only does 75% of what he did last year he’s still one of the best in the league.

And last year he ran for 1616 yards at 101 yards a game with a huge 4.9/yards a carry and 16 TD’s.

Slightly impressive, to say the least. Except for the 4.9/yards a carry, all of those stats led the league last year. He’s a red zone beast and look for him to produce huge numbers again this year.

A healthy Arian Foster should get you 1,500 yards, 15 TD’s and 500 yards receiving.

The NFL Lockout is all but over and the time to dust off your fantasy football notes.  The Lockout has hobbled us a bit as players have not been able to sign or be traded while the players and owners discuss a new CBA.

With only a handful of weeks left until preseason we will get a quick scramble of players signing and traded while camps start up.  Then we hit preseason and if there was ever a year I would recommend your fantasy team drafting as close to opening day than this is the year.

With that in mind it’s time to consider the most important stud on your fantasy team, the quarterback.  This is the guy who will represent your team while you’re bragging in the bar to your friends and anyone that listens that you’re leading your league.  Here’s a breakdown of the Top Ten Fantasy Football Quarterbacks.

10. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

I’ve admittedly have never been a huge Ben Roethlisberger fan but I like his consistency. Well, that’s when he’s not doing something stupid to be on IR or suspended.

But like Michael Vick over in Philly there are signs of maturity here in Pennsylvania. Big Ben needs to get his head out of his ass and be a better person/teammate and no one in the league needs to shape up more than him.

But despite his immaturity, Ben has led the team to a crazy 3 Super Bowls. That’s solid. Some might argue the defense had a slight hand in that and I will agree. The Steelers are a winning machine and Ben is just a part of that, although a key part.

So the good thing is that if Big Ben is healthy and in the lineup you can expect decent numbers and Ben will benefit from being on one of the best teams in the league. Numbers wise, not so much. Ben wins but doesn’t toss huge numbers like Drew Brees or Peyton Manning but don’t underestimate the big guy. He can still get the ball downfield.

A healthy (and unsuspended) Ben should get you 3,200 yards passing with 20 TD’s and 12 INT’s.

9. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are piecing together a great, great team and with the draft day trade for Alabama receiver Julio Jones the Falcons believe that their Super Bowl fate is sooner rather than later and will involve the passing game.

That’s good news for the fantasy managers that end up with Ryan. He’s kind of a darkhorse at this moment but he’s solid and efficient.

The downside is he’s young and still learning but with the addition of Jones to a squad with the talented Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez you can expect the passing game to kick it up a level this year.  Michael Turner and the running game help keep Ryan on the field and if all these players stay healthy than the Falcons are going to be putting up some mad numbers this season.

A healthy Ryan should get you 4,000 yards passing, 28 TD’s and 10 INT’s.

8. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

The biggest knock on Schuab is not his skills.

The guy can toss balls like no ones business and his 1.6 passing TD’s per game last year illustrate that. His 8.0+ yards-per-attempt are crazy good and you could do a lot worse than pick Schaub.

The issue belongs to the offensive strategy of the team. Despite being coached by John Elway’s former backup, the Texans and head coach Gary Kubiak struggle a bit and unless the team can step up to the next level, the best years or Schaub may be right now.

A healthy Schaub should get you 4,300 yards passing, 25 TD’s and 14 INT’s.

7. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Romo missed most of the 2010 season with a broken collarbone and could be a good sleeper QB for you in any league. The Cowboys are heading into 2011 with their new-ish coach, Jason Garrett, who was Romo’s offensive coordinator.

The two have yet to really work as a combo on the field as coach/QB and I expect great things from them.

Romo has great talent to work with in Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and Miles Austin and if the team can cobble a decent running game together the Cowboys are going to be good offensively.

For me the trick is that Romo has to step up to that next level and become more efficient. He still panics and is prompt to throw too many INT’s but puts up strong numbers yearly. His yards-per-attempt are one of the best in the league.

A healthy Romo should get you 4,000 yards passing, 28 TD’s and 15 INT’s.

6. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

The Pats are efficient, I’ll give them that. Last year Brady went nuts with a 36-4 TD/INT ratio that still is boggling to look at. Brady last year found his stride that went off track due to a horrific knee injury in 2008-09.

The year before that Brady put up similar numbers as he did in 2010, which were career highs at the time.

The inconsistency of the Patriots leaves Brady’s numbers up and down like the stock market and always make Brady a gamble if there are any of the top 5 on this list available.

But if the Pats can keep their offense in the same range as the last two seasons you can expect a healthy Brady to get you 4,000 yards passing, 30 TD’s and 10 INTs.

5. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

Efficient and pass happy, Rivers is one of those guys whose numbers just get better each year even though his team doesn’t.

The Chargers sometimes have great receivers and we’ll have to see what they cobble together this year.

Last year the squad had their top 3 players miss a combined 22 out of 28 games yet Rivers tossed career high numbers.

The numbers might take a hit this year as the receiver squad is reliable but may lose some key parts and the Chargers try to establish more of a run game as the Chargers continue to try and replace the lost LaDainian Tomlinson.

A healthy Rivers should get you 4,400 yards, 30 TD’s and 12 INTs.

4. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

Two seasons ago Drew Brees was the hottest QB in the league as he led his Saints to their first ever Super Bowl with a win.

His numbers went down slightly last year as the Saints struggled with a late season surge to get into the playoffs but met a Seahawks team determined to reach .500.

I don’t think last year should bother you about Brees. Sure he threw an ugly 22 INT’s but think about the running game the Saints had last year. It really wasn’t there. And a knee sprain didn’t help but the Saints have added some talent in the back field and I expect Brees to bounce back nicely.

A healthy Brees should get you 4,300 yards passing, 30 TD’s and 18 INTs.

3. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts

The master of efficiency is getting up there in years but even a hobbled Manning is better than most QBs out there. First take note that Peyton is coming off surgery in the offseason that seems to be taking a long time to heal.

After having neck surgery earlier this summer, Manning is still healing and may miss some training camps but is expected to be ready by season opening.

That might mean a rusty start for the 35-year old veteran but it won’t take long for him to get back in sync.

Peyton threw for a crazy career-high 679 times last year, 108 more times than his next highest level. But that only accounted for 200 more passing yards and the same number of TD’s at 33.

Most of that had to do with the Colts not being able to keep a healthy WR squad on the field and Peyton being out of sync with his new kids. Hopefully, they will fix that and Peyton can go back to throwing more efficiently and be more productive in the red zone. If nothing else, Manning is the most reliable QB out there for my money. If you want a solid QB to feed TDs and get yards

A healthy Peyton Manning should get you 4,500 yards passing, 30 TD’s and 15 INT’s.

2. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

For me, Vick has always been a gamble as his accuracy has always been an issue. But as Vick continues to mature in Philly it will be hard to find a more complete package. He can run or pass for a TD and being on the pass-happy Eagles teams doesn’t hurt.

But be weary and have a good backup handy as Vick is getting older and still running around. That means injuries here and there. But as long as Vick continues to work on his QB skills that might not be an issue. The accuracy thing I mentioned earlier is a huge knock on Michael but he seems to be understanding how important that is to his play.

Last year Vick notched his first 100+ QB rating (100.2, he never got above 82 in ATL) and pass completion percentage at 62.6. He never got into the 60′s in his previous seasons. Two years ago I would say avoid Vick like the plague but he’s come a long way to being a legit fantasy QB.

A healthy Vick should get you around 3,200 passing yards, 25 TD’s and around 10 INT’s. But he will also add around 600+ yards rushing with another 5 or so TD’s.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Rogers may be the top quarterback in the league in both fantasy and real-life purposes.

Although he threw less passes last year than Peyton Manning or Drew Brees, he was extremely efficient. In fact, last year he put up slightly smaller numbers than the previous two seasons but marched his team all the way to the Super Bowl.

Do keep an eye out as Rodgers has suffered a few concussions over the years. He’s a tough guy who doesn’t mind running but as the Packers continue to get better he’ll likely spend more time in the pocket and less scrambling around.

I expect Rodgers to continue his streak of greatness and as a manager that has had him for the past 2 seasons, I’ve not been disappointed with his performance at all.

A healthy Rodgers should get you about 4,000 yards passing, almost 30 TD’s and around 10 INT’s.

It seemed everyone in Washington was jumping around after Marshawn Lynch made his epic 4th quarter TD run against the Saints last weekend. Literally. The fans made enough movement that it registered on the Richter Scale. The Seattle Times noticed that the crowd of 66,336 generated the equivalent to a magnitude 1 or 2 quake during Marshawn Lynch’s 67-yard touchdown run.

Go Seahawk fans! Now bring that kind of excitement to Chicago this weekend and we’ll see a great matchup.

Here are the NFL Power Rankings heading into week 11

1	Atlanta Falcons (7-2) The Falcons face a tough road schedule the last half of the season but with a monster running game headed by Michael Turner and a scary passing team of Ryan and Roddy White the Falcons should be alright.
2	New England Patriots (7-2) Despite injuries and player shuffling throughout the year the Pats once again proved to be the team to beat.  A beating of the Steelers last week showed the Pats are pumped up and next is a huge rival game against Peyton Manning and the Colts.
3	Philadelphia Eagles (6-3) Michael Vick put in his bid for MVP by making the Redskins look like they were playing in slow motion.   Each week the Eagles look stronger and Vick has yet to throw an INT.  Up next are the Giants for division bragging rights.
4	Baltimore Ravens (6-3) The Ravens played tough against the Falcons last week but couldn’t match Ryan’s talent.   Look for them to take it out on the doormat Panther team this week.
5	Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) The Pats powered over the Steelers who are starting to wear thin thanks to injuries.  A second-half slide is looking a bit more real for this team as their defense has been weak over the last 3 games.
6	New York Jets (7-2) The Jets avoided a tie in Cleveland and are still in the running with New England for the division title.  Sanchez is looking more mature over the last few weeks but the secondary is letting big plays through. The Bengals and Texans are up next which should be good practice to fix their pass defense.
7	Indianapolis Colts (6-3) The Colts offense jumped on the Bengals early but it took Cincy giving the ball over 5 times to help the defense not lose the game.   Injuries are Peyton’s enemy right now with the Pats game next week.
8	Green Bay Packers (6-3) A bye week is just what this injury prone team needed.   The stumbling Vikings are next which should not be a problem in what will most likely be the Pack’s last game against Favre.
9	New Orleans Saints (6-3) Two straight wins showed the Saints getting into playoff form.  They’ve had the bye week to rest for a weaker Seattle team which should be highlighted by the hopeful return of Reggie Bush.
10	New York Giants (6-3) The Giants forgot to show up last week against the Cowboys and got embarrassed on national TV.  They play like that next week against Philly and it will be ugly but look for the Giants to shape up real fast.
11	Oakland Raiders (5-4) Coming off a bye week after 3 straight wins gives the Raiders a chance to get healthy in time to make a run for the AFC West.   Next up a Pittsburgh team to see if the Raiders are for real.
12	Tampa Bay Bucs (6-3) The Bucs beat up a lowly Panthers team which is what a good team should do.  However, the Bucs still made some bad mistakes and penalties
13	Tennessee Titans (5-4) New WR Randy Moss got barely a look in Miami.  The Titans can’t keep a QB healthy for 4 quarters which doesn’t help the offense keep a rhythm.   With no consistent passing game the defense can focus on Chris Johnson.
14	Chicago Bears (6-3) QB Jay Cutler is finally calming down and running the offense effectively.  A strong defense and solid play from the special teams makes the Bears a tough opponent in the coming weeks.
15	San Diego Chargers (4-5) A bye week will help the Chargers get healthy to make a run for the AFC West.  Right now it’s up for grabs but the Chargers will need to buckle down and improve their game to take it.  Of special interest are the horrible special teams that the Chargers have fielded this year.  Hopefully they used their bye week to learn how to punt.
16	Miami Dolphins (5-4) The Dolphins came out with a win but put two QB’s in the trainers room.  Thigpen will step into the starting  position  but the sputtering Wildcat will need to show up to help  him out.  A stronger 2nd-half schedule will be a test.
17	Jacksonville Jaguars (5-4) Blind luck of a Hail Mary kept the Jags alive.  Garrard’s strong arm kept this team going but the lazy secondary kept Houston in the game.
18	Kansas City Chiefs (5-4) No defense at all in Denver as the Bronocs piled up 35 points early in the first half.  Despite that, Cassel showed he can still get the offense going but with no defense it’s a moot point.  The AFC West is still open but the tumbling Chiefs are going to have to pull their act together.
19	Cleveland Browns (3-6) 3 strong wins but a hearbreaking loss in OT to the Jets might take a little wind out of the Browns sails.  The last remaining games are a lot easier sailing and it looks bright for them as long as they keep pounding the ball with Hillis and keep improving on defense.
20	Houston Texans (4-5) The Texans just keep looking like the teams of past years. You know you’re having a bad year when you lose a game to the blind luck of a Hail Mary. Their D just isn’t good enough to hold off oppenents while the offense warms up for the first half.
21	Seattle Seahawks (5-4) The all-or-nothing ‘Hawks were firing on all cylindars against the confused Cardinals last Sunday.  With Hasselbeck firing away they have a chance.  Whitehurst clearly shows his inexperience when he’s in the game.  The running game has not found its stride which will hurt them next week against a tough Saints squad.
22	Washington Redskins (4-5) Coach Shanahan is quickly losing control over his team.  First the McNabb benching fiasco and now the Eagles embarrass them on MNF. This team is sinking fast and in need of some guidance.
23	St. Louis Rams (4-5) The Rams lost again on the road and will have no chance of winning the division if they cannot break that trend.   The weak  NFC West is still up for grabs but games against S.F. last week are must wins.
24	San Francisco 49ers (3-6) The QB situation in S.F. is solved for now. Troy Smith showed the team what they were missing but if the defense falls asleep against the Bucs next week like they did against the Rams it will be a long day for Coach Singletary.
25	Denver Broncos (3-6) The Broncos moved up a few slots by showing where their offense should be….about 6 weeks too late. Huge offensive output by Orton and Co. overshadowed a late surge by the Chiefs. But if you can drop 35 points on a team first thing then that doesn’t matter.
26	Minnesota Vikings (3-6) The strong Vikings team from last year is all but gone. Favre looks old, the defense looks shaky, receivers can’t stay healthy and the running game is nowhere near where it needs to be.
27	Detroit Lions (2-7) The Lions continue to play for pride and continue to come up short. They haven’t given up, which is a good sign. But they are going to need to finish a game soon or the team may start to give up.
28	Cincinnati Bengals (2-7) The Bungals couldn’t hold onto the ball against Indy which cost them their 7th loss. The Bills are next which might give them a much needed win but only if these cats can get their act together.  Ocho finally showed up to play a solid game last Sunday which is something they will need to compete.
29	Dallas Cowboys (2-7) Can one week turn it around? New coach Jason Garrett took the Giants by surprise and dominated New York on both sides of the ball. At 2-7, the ‘Boys would have to win out just to think about making the playoffs. In reality that won’t happen but at least the team is showing signs of improvement for the first time all year.
30	Arizona Cardinals (3-6) The stumbling Cards are falling after a brutal beating by division rival Seattle. With an inconsistent offensive and lack of a defensive the Cards face off against the Chiefs this week. If nothing else that game should be fun to watch for all the scores.
31	Buffalo Bills (1-8) The Bills finally notched their first win by holding on to a last second surge by the 2-7 Lions. The Bills won because the Lions couldn’t convert a 2-point conversion. In the end, the Bills won and that’s what count. However, their weak “D” and stagnant offense do not make them much of a threat to win very many more games.
32	Carolina Panthers (1-8) With each passing week the Panthers look like the worst team in the NFL. The running game is AWOL and their QB situation stinks. The rest of the team looks like it has thrown in the towel which begs the question : Do you fire Coach Fox now or wait until the end of the season?

Tight end production fluctuates from year to year. 2009 was a comeback year for the position. Where we are in 2010 is a boom year.

Breakout years from Vernon Davis, Jermichael Finley, Brent Celek, Owen Daniels (pre-injury), Kellen Winslow, Visanthe Shiancoe, and others mean this year’s draft is deeper than ever at tight end. Due to this, it isn’t as necessary to reach for a tight end. In the fourth and fifth rounds, tight ends will start flying off the board. But why reach?

Like kickers, tight end production will still fluctuate. With all the career years in ’09, letdowns are inevitable. If you reach and miss on a TE in the fifth round, that’s a draft spot where you could’ve landed a near sure-fire potential RB2 or WR2 or QB1.

Inevitably, there are going to be people who select a tight end early and those who will wait. Finding that in-between area is the challenge this year. Wait an extra round or two then take your guy.

(Note: Catch up on previous Fantasy Football positions here: Quarterbacks, Running Backs, Wide Receivers )

Rankings

Tier 1 2010 Top Fantasy Football Tight Ends

1. Dallas Clark – Indianapolis Colts (Bye: 7)
2. Antonio Gates – San Diego Chargers (Bye: 10)

Clark and Gates are the cream of the crop. Clark put up a career year across the board as Indianapolis lacked the presence of a true WR2. He had 100 receptions, 1106 yards and 10 touchdowns. Those will be tough numbers to top but even a slight drop-off will put him amongst the best at the position.

Gates has had better years but he consistently does very well. San Diego has a great offense and with WR1 Vincent Jackson holding out, Gates should get more targets than usual. Consider him a lock for 75 receptions, 1000 yards and 10 or more touchdowns.

Tier 2 2010 Top Fantasy Football Tight Ends

3. Vernon Davis – San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 9)
4. Jermichael Finley – Green Bay Packers (Bye: 10)
5. Tony Gonzalez – Atlanta Falcons (Bye: 8 )

After years as being an underachiever, a guy with all the talent in the world but nothing to show for it, the guy who prompted head coach Mike Singletary to take off his pants and give one of the more memorable post-game interviews in years, Vernon Davis had a career season scoring 13 touchdowns. The offense sputtered out of the gate in 2009, but when Alex Smith took over at quarterback, Davis and the 49ers played much improved.

Finley is one of those guys who is getting a ton of pre-season hype, mostly because of how he flourished when given a consistent role in Green Bay’s offense. Finley is definitely a player with a ton of upside and expectations.

Gonzalez is a legend. With his first reception in 2010, he’ll be the first tight end to tally 1,000 career receptions. It is unlikely Gonzalez finishes in the top three this year, but he’s very reliable and Matt Ryan’s check-down hero.

Tier 3 2010 Top Fantasy Football Tight Ends

6. Brent Celek – Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 8 )
7. Jason Witten – Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 5)
8. Owen Daniels – Houston Texans (Bye: 7)
9. Kellen Winslow – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bye: 4)

Even here in tier 3, there are three great players.

Celek had a great 2009 season with 76 receptions, 971 yards and 8 touchdowns. Emerging after blowing up in 2008’s playoffs, Celek is one of the promising young tight ends in the league.

Witten, despite having 94 receptions, only had 2 touchdowns in 2009. He has a penchant of being a guy who does most of his damage in between the 20s, rather than in the red-zone, but PPR league or not, Witten is very consistent and hasn’t missed a game in his career.

Before Daniels endured a season-ending ACL injury, he was the top tight end in fantasy football. By occupying the wide open middle, he freed up his teammate Andre Johnson and vice versa. Daniels has to prove his season wasn’t a fluke and that he’s fully recovered but a big year is still worth something despite the injury.

Winslow shined in Cleveland, a team that has struggled finding a WR1 since Braylon Edwards’ breakout season. Then, after battling injuries, Winslow arrived in Tampa and re-established himself as a fantasy relevant TE. He’s a lock for a ton of receptions, 850 yards and a big handful of TDs. But the Bucs offense needs to improve dramatically in order for Winslow to be a reliable member of your squad.

Tier 4 2010 Top Fantasy Football Tight Ends

10. Zach Miller – Oakland Raiders (Bye: 10)
11. Visanthe Shiancoe – Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 4)
12. Chris Cooley – Washington Redskins (Bye: 9)
13. Greg Olsen – Chicago Bears (Bye: 8 )

Mill is the best tight end you’ve never heard of. Forced into obscurity because he is a Raider, Miller is my sleeper candidate for 2010. He’s a better receiver than a blocker; he just needs a reliable presence at QB, something very rare in PR2.

Shiancoe, more than any other guys in the Top 15, needs to establish himself as a pass-catcher. Despite a big season, Shaincoe still does not see the ball very often. He’s present but he’s not playing up his caliber of talent. Shiancoe a beast in the red-zone, but not every play goes for six points in the NFL.

Cooley broke his ankle in October of the 2009 season. Now that he’s finally returned, things are a little different. New head coach, new QB, new OC, new system. Cooley is talented, but he wasn’t playing that great last season before he got hurt and he needs to score more often.

Olsen has been a TE that the fantasy community has been waiting to exceed their expectations. 2009 came close but he can do better. With 60 receptions, 612 yards and 8 TDs, there’s still some room for improvement.

Tier 5 2010 Top Fantasy Football Tight Ends

14. John Carlson – Seattle Seahawks (Bye: 5)
15. Heath Miller – Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 5)
16. Kevin Boss – New York Giants (Bye: 8 )
17. Jeremy Shockey – New Orleans Saints (Bye: 10)
18. Jermaine Gresham – Cincinnati Bengals (Bye: 6)
19. Todd Heap – Baltimore Ravens (Bye: 8 )

Carlson is your best bet for a sleeper amongst this group. He’s the best natural receiver of the bunch and unfortunately, due to Seattle’s trouble along the offensive line, Carlson was forced to stay in to block many plays. Given more opportunities to make plays, he’s more than capable.

If it weren’t for unreliable quarterback play to start the season, Miller would likely be in Tier 4. Miller had a career year with 76 receptions, 789 yards and a half-dozen touchdowns. He’s improved a little bit every season he’s been in the league and that’s what you like to see.

Boss was expected to have a bigger year last season since the Giants lacked a steady receiver at the time. He did well, but he remains a guy best suited to be a backup TE2. Manning and co. will pass more in 2010 so it is possible Boss could improve.

Shockey is still a good TE, he just happens to play on a team that’s so good that the ball can only go around so much. Shockey will definitely put together 60 receptions, 650 yards and four touchdowns if he can stay healthy but he inevitably gets dinged up. But I still he’s got one good big year left in him.

Gresham just might be in the top 3 of athletic tight ends. Coming out of Oklahoma, he could do it all. With Cincinnati, who hasn’t had a fantasy relevant TE in years and years, he has an opportunity to be the next Jermichael Finley.

Heap has had a rough few years. I don’t think most people have him this high, but I expect the Ravens offense to improve and thus give him more red-zone opportunities and more targets.

Tier 6 2010 Top Fantasy Football Tight Ends

20. Dustin Keller – New York Jets (Bye: 7)
21. Fred Davis – Washington Redskins (Bye: 9)
22. Bo Scaife – Tennessee Titans (Bye: 9)
23. Tony Scheffler – Detroit Lions (Bye: 7)
24. Daniel Fells – St. Louis Rams (Bye: 9)
25. Anthony Fasano – Miami Dolphins (Bye: 5)

The remaining players should be considered TE2 at best

Keller will mostly be asked to block but keep an eye on him. Sanchez is still a developing rookie and a good tight end is a young QB’s best friend.

Davis, I don’t understand the hype. He played great, but Chris Cooley is still the man on the team. Davis is going a bit earlier than this but even if he does play, he’s still a TE2 in a new offense. Things could change drastically for him.

Scaife isn’t going to do much for you. He rarely scores, the Titans love to the run and Scaife requested trade and had missed most of training camp.

Scheffler replaces Brandon Pettigrew, who is still struggling to recover from a knee injury sustained last Thanksgiving. He’s not much of a blocker, but he was brought to Detroit to catch the ball.

Fells performed well when he was finally inserted into the fantasy lineup. Bradford and Fells need to develop of chemistry but in time, Fells could be a deep sleeper at TE.

Fasano put together a semi-memorable 2008 as the best TE nobody owned by scoring 7 TDs but came back to deeper obscurity in 2009. He’s a deep league option only.

Receivers, like running backs, are in a state of flux this season. As the best offenses in the NFL continue to spread the ball around, finding consistent options at WR isn’t easy. Beyond the top 15 to 20 receivers, it’s a bit of a crapshoot. There’s a healthy mix of safe veterans and high-upside players who’ve played three seasons or less.

When drafting receivers, there are two concerns. One, if it’s a PPR league, get them early. Two, if it isn’t a PPR league, seek out value. Inevitably guys are going to be undervalued and slip in the draft. For example, Anquan Boldin of the Baltimore Ravens is slipping in drafts.

As a bit of strategy for 2010, tight ends start to fly off the board in round 5. As teams shift their focus away from receivers, one is bound to fall in your lap. Don’t follow the crowd here. Instead, grab a receiver like the 49ers WR Michael Crabtree or Jags WR Mike Sims-Walker. Both these guys are solid WR2s and even better flex options. Focus on how far a guy has slid and where you are in the draft rather than worrying about filling your roster positions.

(Note: Catch up on previous Fantasy Football positions here: Quarterbacks, Running Backs)

Rankings

Tier 1 2010 Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

1. Andre Johnson – Tennessee Titans (Bye: 7)
2. Randy Moss – New England Patriots (Bye: 5)

I was tempted to have Johnson alone in this tier but if I were that critical, I’d end up with 20 tiers. Johnson is the best receiver in the game hands down. As evidenced by his average draft position ranging from No. 5 to No. 10. Johnson is a lock to finish amongst the top five receivers in fantasy football this season, barring injury. Moss belongs here because of his touchdown production. Since coming to New England, he’s averaged 16 touchdowns per season. Nobody else in the league can touch that number. Johnson and Moss can both win games for you single-handedly, that’s why they’re Tier 1.

Tier 2 2010 Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

3. Reggie Wayne – Indianapolis Colts (Bye: 7)
4. Brandon Marshall – Miami Dolphins (Bye: 5)
5. Larry Fitzgerald – Arizona Cardinals (Bye: 6)

Tier 2 and Tier 3 are highly debatable. There are about ten guys that are all tightly packed together. It’s all personal preference.

Wayne is still the clear No. 1 WR on one of the best offenses in the NFL. Marshall, I feel, could be the No. 1 WR this season. The Dolphins have no one to throw to and Marshall has the ability to take over games. Fitzgerald was the No. 2 ranked fantasy receiver heading into the offseason, but with the realization that Matt Leinart was his QB and now Derek Anderson will be his QB, he’s been steadily slipping down draft boards.

Tier 3 2010 Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

6. Miles Austin – Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 4)
7. Calvin Johnson – Detroit Lions (Bye: 7)
8. Roddy White – Atlanta Falcons (Bye: 8 )
9. Greg Jennings – Green Bay Packers (Bye: 10)
10. DeSean Jackson – Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 8 )

If the Cowboys can get him more possession catches, rather than relying on him to make big plays only, Austin could explode.

Calvin Johnson is the most risky selection here simply because there’s no telling what the Lions will be able to do for him. Chemistry may improve between he and Stafford but we still need to see it.

White continues to be under the radar despite being eerily consistent the last three seasons (averaging 86 receptions, 1225 yards, 8 TDs). He’s coming into his prime and seems to improve every season.

Jennings has emerged in Green Bay as a stud despite an underachieving 2009 season. He can only improve upon those numbers, especially with Aaron Rodgers slinging 30+ touchdowns every year.

The unknown factor for Jackson is how well or how poorly Kevin Kolb ends up. Jackson is a game-breaker, but he had more than six receptions in only two games last year. I prefer guys who score 12 points per game every game rather than a guy who scores two one week and 30 the next.

Tier 4 2010 Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

11. Marques Colston – New Orleans Saints (Bye: 10)
12. Anquan Boldin – Baltimore Ravens (Bye: 8 )
13. Steve Smith – New York Giants (Bye: 8 )
14. Chad Ochocinco – Cincinnati Bengals (Bye: 10)
15. Steve Smith – Carolina Panthers (Bye: 6)

If the Saints weren’t so good across the board, Colston could be a top 3 WR. He only had 106 targets in 2009, good for 25th in the league. Thankfully, he catches almost everything and is a red zone target.

Projecting Boldin this high assumes one thing. He’s the man in Baltimore. This isn’t a foregone conclusion because Derrick Mason has been getting it done in the NFL for a very long time. But Boldin is the No. 1 guy and I feel he’ll get 200+ targets.

The new Steve Smith (New York’s version) is a possession guy. He’s not a home-run threat. He probably won’t score more than a half dozen touchdowns. But he’ll get a ton of receptions and yards, book it. Ochocinco enjoyed a bounce-back year. I think this is a very kind ranking, perhaps too kind. Cincinnati has developed into a run-first team with Cedric Benson and Ochocinco doesn’t go deep like he used to.

Carolina’s Smith will finish in the top 20 WRs, you just have to hope new quarterback Matt Moore can continually feed him the ball. The Panthers run it and run it some more, so it remains to be seen how many passes will be left for Smith.

Tier 5 2010 Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

16. Michael Crabtree – San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 6)
17. Wes Welker – New England Patriots (Bye: 8 )
18. Mike Sims-Walker – Jacksonville Jaguars (Bye: 5)
19. Hines Ward – Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 6)

San Francisco’s offense began to flourish once Alex Smith was named quarterback. Tight end Vernon Davis benefitted most greatly, but Crabtree is certainly a potential sophomore sleeper. Welker tore ligaments in his knee and it was believed he would not play the opening weeks of the 2010 season. After an incredible recovery, Welker will play in Week 1. Being one of two players in the NFL to have 100+ receptions in the last season seasons (Brandon Marshall being the other), Welker is a great PPR option.

MSW has injury concerns and plays for a lackluster offense but has high potential. When healthy, he played great but as the season wore on, he slowed down.

Ward isn’t a sexy pick, but he’s a safe one. He set some career highs last year and is the most reliable receiver on the roster. He won’t win you your fantasy league, but he’ll certainly won’t lose it for you either.

Tier 6 2010 Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

20. Percy Harvin – Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 9)
21. Hakeem Nicks – New York Giants (Bye: 7)
22. Dwayne Bowe – Kansas City Chiefs (Bye: 4)
23. Malcolm Floyd – San Diego Chargers (Bye: 7)
24. Donald Driver – Miami Dolphins (Bye: 5)
25. Pierre Garcon – Indianapolis Colts (Bye: 5)

At this point in the draft for receivers, we separate the men from the boys. Identifying potential and skipping the hype is the name of the game.

With Sidney Rice out the first two months of the season, Harvin should see a lot more playing time. People still may not be believers, but Harvin is more dangerous in open space than any other player in the NFL. Don’t believe me? You haven’t seen enough of him then.

What Steve Smith provides as a possession receiver, Nicks brings the same to the table after the catch. I would describe him as an angry runner who can break tackles and find daylight. Expect a breakout year from him. Bowe is a bit of a knucklehead but he’s slimmed down and I’d compare him to Brandon Marshall in talent. Can he put it all together this season? We’ll find out but the talent is there.

I’m higher on Floyd than most anyone but that’s because I have faith in Philip Rivers and the offensive system in place under Norv Turner. Floyd fits the mold of Chargers receivers in that he’s tall, a great jumper and a red-zone target. Unless you think Rivers is going to fall off the map, he’s got to get his production somewhere and Antonio Gates isn’t about to score 20 TDs, is he? Therefore, Floyd will pick up the slack, no problem.

Driver and Garcon are two guys on two opposite ends of their career in similar positions on their teams. Both are No. 2 receivers. Both are a part of great offenses with a lot of playmakers on offense. But would you rather have the aging veteran or the young upstart? There are no wrong answers in the preseason. But I’d say take Garcon. Driver had a career year while Garcon’s role is still improving in Indy.

Tier 7 2010 Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

26. Mike Wallace – Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 5)
27. Santana Moss – Washington Redskins (Bye: 9)
28. Jeremy Maclin – Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 8 )
29. Terrell Owens – Cincinnati Bengals (Bye: 6)
30. T.J. Houshmandzadeh – Seattle Seahawks (Bye: 5)
31. Robert Meachem – New Orleans Saints (Bye: 10)
32. Braylon Edwards – New York Jets (Bye: 7)
33. Bernard Berrian – Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 7)

The mix of young players and veterans gets thicker.

Wallace has a ton of potential, but you’re putting a lot of faith into the Steelers’ passing offense. Sure, it seems odd that Pittsburgh would so easily walk away from Santonio Holmes, maybe they really like Wallace? He’s the future of the team at his position once Ward walks away, he’ll have to prove it to me before I draft him.

Moss peaked many years ago but it could be a final hurrah with Donovan McNabb in town. Moss is still the only established receiver on the Skins so it seems logical that McNabb could make him his No. 1 target.

Maclin is a DeSean Jackson clone and I think this works against the Eagles in some ways as both guys are good at the same sorts of things. Maclin does run better routes so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on more underneath routes, which could get him more receptions than Jackson but fewer yards.

Owens and Housh both need a big year to validate themselves late in their career. Owens has the better opportunity since he’s WR2 in Cincinnati which gives him the luxury of lining up against team’s No. 2 corner instead of No. 1. Housh was never fast and seems to have lost a step so I’m not sure what to expect. The Seahawks can’t possibly have a great offense, could they?

Edwards is a risky pick. The Jets aren’t much of a passing team and Edwards isn’t much of a catching guy. Struggles with drops, focus and consistency have dogged his career and made him a bit of a joke. Let someone else take this risk.

Berrian could see the biggest jump of any receiver in the draft over the next week. With Rice out, as previously stated, Berrian is likely the new WR1 in Minnesota. He needs to step up big and he could potentially put up at top 15 performance.

Tier 8 2010 Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

34. Vincent Jackson – San Diego Chargers (Bye: 10)
35. Santonio Holmes – New York Jets (Bye: 7)
34. Sidney Rice – Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 7)
35. Johnny Knox – Chicago Bears (Bye: 8 )
36. Kenny Britt – Tennessee Titans (Bye: 9)
37. Dez Bryant – Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 4)
38. Steve Breaston – Arizona Cardinals (Bye: 4)
39. Lee Evans – Buffalo Bills (Bye: 7)

Jackson, Holmes, and Rice are all beasts but unfortunately, they’re all going to be out for at least a few games. Jackson is suspended for three games and could hold out longer. Holmes will miss four games and I expect him to still be the leading receiver on the Jets. Rice is out two months but he’s so good that he’ll be a huge pick-up once he is back.

Knox is the safest bet of all the receivers in Chicago. He’s quick, reliable and should be the guy in Mike Martz’s offense.

Britt is a burner and the only other big-play option in Tennessee. He showed flashes last year but needs to contribute more consistently. So for now, he’s a low WR3 or high WR4.

The Cowboys need Bryant to prove he can play this year but so far, it doesn’t sound too promising. I’d expect Bryant to get going in the second half of the season.

Breaston would a top-25 guy if Kurt Warner were still in town, but with Derek Anderson leading the way, I can’t trust him. As for Lee Evans, I feel bad for the guy. He’s so good but his team is just so bad.

Tier 9 2010 Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

40. Derrick Mason – Baltimore Ravens (Bye: 10)
41. Devin Aromashodu – Chicago Bears (Bye: 8 )
42. Chaz Schilens – Oakland Raiders (Bye: 7)
43. Chris Chambers – Kansas City Chiefs (Bye: 4)
44. Mohamed Massaquoi – Cleveland Browns (Bye: 8 )
45. Devery Henderson – New Orleans Saints (Bye: 10)
46. Julian Edelman – New England Patriots (Bye: 5)

Mason deserves better than this ranking but he’s a player where you know exactly what you’re going to get (70 receptions, 1000 yards, 5 touchdowns). His stats won’t wow you at all and his numbers could drop due to the presence of Boldin.

Aromashodu’s stock as a sleeper this season hasn’t caught fire. The thing is, somebody on the Bears is going to blow up and from what I’ve seen, he’s the most dynamic receiver they’ve got. Now, does the Bears coaching staff agree? Will they feed him the ball? It hasn’t played that way yet but he has the talent if given the opportunity.

Schilens, Chambers and Massaquoi all have the potential to outperform this ranking. It boils down to how successful will they be on offense. Oakland, Kansas City and Cleveland are all underachieving the last few years and while these guys can succeed, it’s a big gamble.

Henderson is still competing for the WR2 role on the Saints, but Meachem is the favorite. Since the Saints are so successful on offense, they rarely need to go deep (Henderson’s specialty) and take big chances to ignite a spark on offense.

Edelman had more value when it appeared Welker could miss part of the season but for now, he’s a good possession guy and considering the age of Moss and Welker, he would be a great fill-in if either of those guys go down.

Tier 10 2010 Top Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

47. Jabar Gaffney – Denver Broncos (Bye: 9)
48. Jacoby Jones – Houston Texans (Bye: 7)
49. Eddie Royal – Denver Broncos (Bye: 9)
50. Mike Williams – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bye: 5)

Gaffney has been the No. 1 WR for Denver this offseason, but he’s done nothing in the preseason to validate that position. He’s an average receiver on a team with no established talent.

Jones has a ton of upside, but he’s competing for WR2 spot alongside Andre Johnson. Considering how much the Texans love to pass the ball, he could be a great deep sleeper and someone to keep your eye on this season.

Royal was a huge let-down in 2009 and a perfect of example of what can happen to a young player or a player under a new coaching staff. He’s good, he’s great in the open field but the Broncos don’t appear interested in using him to the best of his abilities.

Williams has surpassed his rookie teammate Arrelious Benn as the Bucs top receiver. But with quarterback Josh Freeman having a broken thumb, it doesn’t really matter. Williams has excellent raw talent, but until his offense improves, it won’t matter what he can do if he can’t produce consistently.

The latest trends in the NFL favor teams that are successful passing the ball. Look no further than Super Bowl XLIV: New Orleans Saints versus the Indianapolis Colts. The two teams combined for nearly 10,000 passing yards and 68 passing touchdowns during the regular season. Name the two best quarterbacks in the NFL? Most people would probably say Drew Brees and Peyton Manning.

In 2008, five teams passed for more than 4,000 yards. In 2009, that number exploded to 12. It may not last, but of those 12 passing teams, nine of them were playoff teams. So all we can really extract from this is that passing the ball appears to translate to more success.

In fantasy football, quarterbacks run deep. If you’re playing in a 10-team league, you can end up with a Brett Favre or Jay Cutler as late as round 9 or 10. It all depends on what you want: the safe bet (Brees, Manning, Aaron Rodgers) or the late upside (Joe Flacco, Kevin Kolb).

(Note: Catch up on previous Fantasy Football positions here: Running Backs, Wide Receivers )

Rankings

Tier 1

1. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints (Bye: 10)
2. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers (Bye: 10)
3. Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts (Bye: 7)

Whether you select Brees or Rodgers, there is no wrong answer as to who is best on paper. Rodgers is coming into his own and Brees has strung together terrific years consecutively. Manning, despite his tremendous reputation, has fallen off a tiny bit. His status will get him drafted this high, but it’s possible he continues to slip to Tier 2 this year.

Tier 2

4. Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys (Bye: 4)
5. Tom Brady – New England Patriots (Bye: 5)
6. Matt Schaub – Houston Texans (Bye: 7)
7. Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers (Bye: 10)

Romo had a big year in 2009 and despite all the Cowboys haters out there; the Cowboys have a ton of playmakers on offense which gives him the advantage in this tier. Brady had a solid year after returning from injury and I feel he’ll improve. But if you think Brady will return to his 2007 form where he threw for 50 TDs, you’re mistaken. Schaub and the Houston Texans pass the ball a lot, I mean a lot. There is some slight concern as Schaub has had a history of injury but you’ve got to go with him because he still has upside to replace Manning in Tier 1. Rivers gets a slight downgrade for me with the loss of WR Vincent Jackson for most of the season, plus he might be traded. Rivers is still one of the more underrated QBs in the league but I foresee the Chargers relying a little more on their run game.

Tier 3

8. Brett Favre – Minnesota Vikings (Bye: 4)
9. Joe Flacco – Baltimore Ravens (Bye: 8 )

Favre actually finished 2009 as a top 5 QB. Flacco is coming into his prime and the Ravens added dynamic playmaker WR Anquan Boldin. Favre is the safest choice. But Flacco is a sleeper pick who is dropping in drafts due to Favre coming back.

Tier 4

10. Kevin Kolb – Philadelphia Eagles (Bye: 8 )
11. Jay Cutler – Chicago Bears (Bye: 8 )
12. Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons (Bye: 8 )
13. Eli Manning – New York Giants (Bye: 8 )
14. Carson Palmer – Cincinnati Bengals (Bye: 6)

This tier is where things get complicated. Kolb is finally getting his shot in Philly, and you have to think there is a reason the Eagles want him to play now. Chicago has added Mike Martz as offensive coordinator so Cutler will be passing the ball in true gunslinger mode. “Lil” Manning has a trio of good receivers in Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham and a very inconsistent run game. Those two things together equal a more pass-reliant team. Lastly, the Bengals added Terrell Owens alongside Chad Ochocinco and no matter what you think of these guys, both were No. 1 WRs last season and one of them is going to be covered by No. 2 cornerbacks all season long. That’s called a mismatch. There is an argument for all these guys to have improved years but the Bengals, Giants and Falcons are all teams that like to establish a run game. Kolb has little experience and Cutler and the Bears looked awful last year. There is lots of risk but between these guys, but someone will blow up for a big year.

Tier 5

15. Donovan McNabb – Washington Redskins (Bye: 9)
16. Chad Henne – Miami Dolphins (Bye: 5)
17. Alex Smith – San Francisco 49ers (Bye: 9)

Here we have upside versus a career fading away. McNabb has a lot to prove this season, but he’s hasn’t put together a great fantasy season anytime recently. I’d pass on him. The Redskins receivers simply aren’t as good as the Eagles. Expectations for Henne and Smith are rising. Both are sleeper picks all across the web. Henne has Brandon Marshall to lean on and the 49ers are a consensus pick to win the NFC West.

Tier 6

18. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers (Bye: 5)
19. Mark Sanchez – New York Jets (Bye: 7)
20. Matthew Stafford – Detroit Lions (Bye: 7)
21. Matt Leinart – Arizona Cardinals (Bye: 6)
22. Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs (Bye: 4)

Roethlisberger is the perfect backup QB this year if your starting QB doesn’t have his bye until after Week 6. Roethlisberger is suspended for six games and it might drop down to five. Sanchez has the least to prove of the remaining four. After all, he led his team to the AFC Championship game in his rookie year. He’s not a great fantasy QB, but he’s going to improve. As for Stafford, Leinart and Cassel, all three have big question marks. The Lions and Chiefs have struggling passing attacks with underachieving star receivers. Leinart has to fill the shoes of a Hall of Famer and it remains to be seen whether he can get it done. Your best bet is to point and pray if you’re picking amongst these guys for a backup. None of them are sure things but I like the way Sanchez and Stafford lead their teams.

Tier 7

23. David Garrard – Jacksonville Jaguars (Bye: 9)
24. Matt Hasselbeck – Seattle Seahawks (Bye: 5)
25. Jason Campbell – Oakland Raiders (Bye: 10)
26. Vince Young – Tennessee Titans (Bye: 9)
27. Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos (Bye: 9)

Ideally, you don’t want these guys unless the matchup is perfect. Garrard and Hasselbeck can be solid but they are simply game-managers. They make the easy throws and minimize mistakes. That isn’t a winning fantasy formula. Campbell, Young and Orton are all big question marks. Campbell went from bad to worse in his move from Washington to Oakland. Young lacks ideal pass accuracy but can create enough with his feet to make you sometimes forget that he’s not a great passer. Add to the fact that the Titans are going to run Chris Johnson into the ground with upwards of over 300 carries and it’s difficult to imagine Young ever having a big passing year. Orton looked good to start 2009, but with the loss of Brandon Marshall, there’s little reason to be exciting about Denver’s passing game.

Tier 8

28. Matt Moore – Carolina Panthers (Bye: 6)
29. Josh Freeman – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Bye: 4)
30. Sam Bradford – St. Louis Rams (Bye: 9)
31. Jake Delhomme – Cleveland Browns (Bye: 8 )
32. Trent Edwards – Buffalo Bills (Bye: 6)

Gluttons for punishment need only apply. These guys are awful. Moore did finish the 2009 season looking pretty good but most of his opponents had closed down shop with their place in the playoffs already set. Freeman is vital to the Bucs’ success but their offense is atrocious. He also recently suffered a thumb injury to his throwing hand, which is never good. Bradford should only be selected in keeper leagues but the Rams need so much work done on their offense that it may be a few years before he is fantasy viable. Delhomme and Edwards are only for those with a death wish, I have nothing positive to say about either. Avoid these final five guys as best you can.

Quarterback rankings are based on PPR leagues (point per reception) that reward 1 pt. per 10 yards rushing/receiving, 6 pts. per TD rushing/receiving, 4 pts per 25 yards passing, and -2 pts. per INT or fumble lost

Check out our other early rankings: Top 10 Running Backs / Top 10 Wide Receivers

1. Peyton Manning

The best in the business, and probably ever, he’s a winner no matter who is around him. Lock him in for 4,000 yards and around 30 TDs every year. He has a laser rocket arm, he’s always healthy, he’s unbelievably consistent, and he has weapons aplenty. Aside from the usual suspects, Clark, Wayne, and Addai, newcomers Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Donald Brown are finding their stride. Add a healthy Anthony Gonzalez in 2010 and Peyton and the Colts just keep rolling.

2. Drew Brees

Brees is one of the best in the game. Last year he threw for 5,000 yards, this year his team is 13-1 and he’s thrown a league leading 33 TDs. He has a rifle of an arm, he’s deadly accurate, and he’s in complete control of the game. It’s merely a preference when it comes to choosing between him and Manning as he can put up 30 points in any given week. With talents like Colston, Shockey, Meachem, Thomas, and Bush around, the Saints offense will continue to be one of the most explosive for years.

3. Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers is leading your league in scoring right now, and it’s not surprising. He’s the total package. He can air it out with the best of ‘em and he leads all QBs in rushing yards and rushing TDs.  He’s blossoming into one of the best young QB’s in the game.  He’s consistent, he has quality receivers around him, and he’s only just getting started. It’d be hard to reach for him over Manning and Brees, or even Brady for some, but if you live in Wisconsin, or you favor youth, go ahead and grab him.

4. Tom Brady

Brady has had his ups and downs this season, but he’s still one of the best in the game. The numbers haven’t come as easily this year, but overall he’s still managed to stay in the top 10. With a full healthy season under his belt, and Moss and Welker at his disposal, Brady could easily improve on his ’09 season. 50 touchdowns isn’t realistic, but no one would be surprised if he finished as the best fantasy QB, or the NFL MVP, or the SuperBowl MVP, or in a GQ spread.

5. Matt Schaub

Schaub finally broke through as the fantasy star we imagined he’d be if he stayed healthy. His big arm and accuracy have made him one of the most consistent fantasy performers in the league. If you’re playing against Schaub, your always on edge. If you have Schaub, you’re likely playing in your superbowl. Schaub’s arsenal starts with the best receiver in football in Andre Johnson. Add star TE Owen Daniels back in the mix next year, and another healthy season, and your looking at a top 5 QB.

6. Phillip Rivers

Rivers grabbed this struggling 2-3 chargers team, threw them on his back and hasn’t looked back. The short arm throwing style is awkward to watch, but he’s very accurate and excellent in the clutch. He has weapons all around him in Gates, Jackson, and LT, and he’s just entering his prime years. Rivers won’t explode with huge games, but he is consistent as they come. With only one game under double digit scoring in ’09, he’s as safe a pick as there is after the big names are off the board.

7. Tony Romo

Much was made early in ’09 about Romo’s struggles, but he’s calmed his critics over the course of the season and put up great numbers.  Romo is a playmaker and he’s found an explosive compliment in Miles Austin. He’s been excellent at taking care of the ball, and he seems to have a renewed focus. He should finish ’09 with about 4,000 yards and just over 25 TDs.  With solid weapons in Witten, Roy Williams, and the three talented running backs, Romo will put up similar numbers in 2010.

8. Ben Roethlisberger

Big Ben has always had the tools to put up big numbers, but his team has always focused on the run. Not anymore. This Steelers team airs the ball out. With a number of 300 yard games, two with 400 and 500 in another, Ben is certainly utilizing his weapons. Hines, Santonio, and the new deep threat Mike Wallace have all had plenty of work, and it shouldn’t change next year. Ben is talented enough to carry this team, and he’ll have the Steelers back in the mix in 2010.

9. Eli Manning

Eli looked like an MVP through the first five games, but tailed off against a tougher schedule. He’s gotten it back together and put up solid numbers along the way. His 26 TDs are good for 5th in the league, and he’s kept the mistakes to a minimum. He should finish year around the top 10 in points and next year should be similar. Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham have all become legitimate weapons in this offense. Eli could be a top 5 name if he was more consistent.

10. Donovan McNabb

McNabb has been excellent this season and he has his Eagles heading to the playoffs again. Sure, he seems like he’s getting old, but he’s still playing like the same old McNabb, and he’s really just the same age as Peyton. With the most explosive player in football in DeSean Jackson at his disposal, and up and coming stars in Maclin and McCoy, McNabb will have more veteran weapons than ever in 2010. When he stays healthy, he’s always consistent. A solid pick in the middle rounds.

JUST MISSED, AND WHY

Brett Favre – He’s been great and his weapons are abundant, but 41 is ancient in the NFL. If he comes back he could potentially finish in the top 10. He’s never missed a game but there are more youthful options to anchor your team.

Vince Young – Vince could very well crack the top 1o. His playmaking ability as a runner/improviser is excellent, but his passing yards are always lacking.  He’s looked like a winner in 8 games this season, but he still has plenty to prove as a reliable QB1..

Carson Palmer – Carson looked poised for a big 2009, but the Bengals have favored the running game. He’s still a great player in this league and if Cincinnati decides to open up the offense, he has the ability to lead your team.

Matt Ryan – As solid as Ryan has been, he has yet to showcase the big passing numbers.

Kurt Warner – Warner has two of the best WRs in the game, but his age and his health keep him just outside the top 10.

Jay Cutler – Get him some weapons and anything is possible.

Wide Receiver rankings are based on PPR leagues (point per reception) that reward 1 pt. per 10 yards rushing/receiving and 6 pts. per TD rushing/receiving.

Don’t forget to check out our Top 10 Running Backs for next season.

1. Andre Johnson

Andre is a fantasy monster. He’s a physical freak with vacuum-like hands and great speed. He’s such an explosive player that if your losing by 38 and you only have him left on Monday Night, you still have a chance. He’s plays as a possession receiver and a deep threat. He’ll run someone over after a catch, and he’s the go to guy in the red zone. His ability is seemingly unlimited, and with one of the best young QBs throwing him the ball, he’s as good as it gets. All of this and no ones ever heard him talk.

2. Larry Fitzgerald

Larry gets the media hype and rightfully so. He’s arguably the best player in football and he may as well have the best hands. His massive frame and leaping ability make him the top red zone threat in football. If he didn’t line up opposite Boldin and there weren’t questions about his aging quarterback each year, he probably be interchangeable with Andre. And he still might be. No one would fault you for making him the first receiver off the board, and if your league awards points for catching random falling objects in an office, even better.

3. Brandon Marshall

B-Marsh is phenomenal. Off the field issues aside, he’s a quarterbacks dream. Hes big, he’s a great route runner, he’s fast, and runs well after the catch. Marshall will get his points no matter who is throwing him the ball, and now that he’s been paid, his heads in the right place. He hauled in 18 passes in a single game in ’08 and 21 in one in ’09. He can single-handedly win you a game, and he’s only getting better.

4. Reggie Wayne

No wants wants to play against Reggie. As the number 1 target of the best quarterback in the game, he makes for a miserable match up. He’s big, he’s physical, and has great hands. Peyton loves to find him deep, but he’ll also rack up receptions underneath. He’s as safe a receiver as there is and he’s one of the few elite choices. He and Peyton only seem to get better with age, and who knows if they’ll ever lose another game.

5. Randy Moss

Moss and Brady have shown glimpses of their ’07 selves this year, but overall it’s been a work in progress. Regardless, Randy still remains one of the best deep threats in the game. At any point in time, Randy can go off for 3 TDs and 150 yards. That can’t be said for many others. His athleticism is second to none, even in his 30′s. It’s only his attitude that anyone questions, but he has the right people around him to keep him focused. He’ll bounce back this year and be right back in the fold as a top receiver again next year.

6. DeSean Jackson

Probably the most electric player in the NFL. He has soft hands, he’s incredibly shifty, and he can fly. If he has the ball in space, he’s probably going to score. If your playing against him, you just have to hope he freaks out at the goal line and spikes the ball too early. DeSean is just entering his prime and the Eagles will continue to get him the ball on punts, kick-offs, runs, passes, punt passes, run-kicks, pass-offs, you name it. With 8 TDs over 50 yards, you can’t call him a fluke, he really is that explosive.

7. Wes Welker

The blue collar “backyard football player”, says a Carolina DB. I can see that. Welker is a PPR monster. He’s fast, he’s quick, he’s sure handed, and he’s not afraid to get hit. Brady has become so reliant on him over the middle, 1o receptions a game is like clockwork. The touchdowns haven’t been there with Welker as he’s strictly a possession guy, but you’d be hard pressed to find a more consistent pass catcher. He’s had at least 9 receptions in 8 different games this year. The stingy Patriots will be back at it in 2010, and Welker will again be a major factor.

8. Roddy White

Roddy has flown a bit under the radar this year, but he’s actually just second to Andre in overall targets. He has great hands and he can fly. His 8 TDs lead his team and he’s putting solid up numbers even with Chris Redman at the helm. With a healthy and smoothly shaved Matt Ryan back in the fold in 2010, White should be primed for another top 10 season.

9. Calvin Johnson

Calvin has been a disappointment in ’09, but it’s difficult to develop a rapport with a rookie QB that can’t avoid the injury bug. The Lions offense has looked decent at times, and with a year under Stafford’s belt, and a summer to train with CJ, things will get better. Calvin is still just 24 and he’s widely considered the best physical specimen at the WR position. He’s the total package and his quarterback should figure that out by 2010. If the Lions make any progress it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Calvin finished in the top 5.

10. Marques Colston

Colston is the premier option on the most potent passing offense in football. His enormous hands and ideal frame make him Brees’ favorite Red Zone target, and his 9 TDs would agree. His reception numbers are down a bit this season as Brees has been spreading it around, but Colston has still been adequate. In years past, Marques has made a living racking up big catches late in games, but with an undefeated record, the Saints are rarely playing catchup in the 4th quarter. And not that New Orleans will lose many games next year, but Colston should bounce back with more opportunities and better numbers in 2010.

The Next 5

11. Miles Austin - Knack for the big play could put him in the top 10.

12.Vincent Jackson – Big WR who’s emerged as one of Rivers go to guys.

13. Sidney Rice - If Favre sticks around, Rice should hover in the top 15.

14. Hakeem Nicks – Nicks takes the next step and becomes Eli’s new Plax. Top 10 potential.

15. Hines Ward - Continues to get it done year after year. Still healthy, will be Ben’s top option again in ’10

Just Missed, and Why

Dwayne Bowe – Has tools to be great, needs to get on the same page with Cassel.

Steve Smith (NYG) – Poor man’s Wes Welker, receptions are there, TDs are rare.

Steve Smith (CAR) – Great player, but lacks a QB who can get him the ball.

Anquan Boldin – Nagging injuries and Larry Fitz keep him from being a top guy.

Greg Jennings – Rodgers spreads the ball everywhere this year. Jennings numbers are suffering.

Chad Ochocinco – The Bengals seem committed to running the ball.

Santonio Holmes – TDs are down. Hines gets more red zone looks.