Here are our top-150 overall rankings for a standard league (1-QB, 2-RB, 3-WR, 1-TE, 1-K, 1-D; 3/6 TDs, 20/10 yardage) as of August 3.
Note: the RotoWire 150 is merely an feature article that is NOT updated regularly. Moreover, who you should draft will vary according to the composition of your roster and what positions are more heavily targeted by other teams. For a good draft list, use our by-position cheat sheets that are linked to our database and updated daily as well as our customizable rankings.
Rank | Player | Pos | Team | Comment |
1 | Adrian Peterson | RB | MIN | Does it every year and catches passes now, too |
2 | Arian Foster | RB | HOU | 2,220 yards from scrimmage, 18 TDs, 66 receptions last year; ideal environment |
3 | Jamaal Charles | RB | KC | Averaged 6.4 YPC on 230 attempts; could be No. 1 overall if the Chiefs used him at the goal line |
4 | Chris Johnson | RB | TEN | Game-breaking speed and every-down durability is a rare combo; holding out |
5 | Andre Johnson | WR | HOU | Most reliable receiver in the game, but lack of goal-line looks limits upside |
6 | Calvin Johnson | WR | DET | Still don't know what he could do with above average quarterbacking |
7 | LeSean McCoy | RB | PHI | 78 catches, but only 207 carries, and just seven at the goal-line. Upside if that changes |
8 | Ray Rice | RB | BAL | 63 receptions, 307 carries, but only 4.0 YPC and six total TDs; McGahee gone, however |
9 | Michael Turner | RB | ATL | One-dimensional power back, but 26 |
Here are our top-150 overall rankings for a standard league (1-QB, 2-RB, 3-WR, 1-TE, 1-K, 1-D; 3/6 TDs, 20/10 yardage) as of August 3.
Note: the RotoWire 150 is merely an feature article that is NOT updated regularly. Moreover, who you should draft will vary according to the composition of your roster and what positions are more heavily targeted by other teams. For a good draft list, use our by-position cheat sheets that are linked to our database and updated daily as well as our customizable rankings.
Rank | Player | Pos | Team | Comment |
1 | Adrian Peterson | RB | MIN | Does it every year and catches passes now, too |
2 | Arian Foster | RB | HOU | 2,220 yards from scrimmage, 18 TDs, 66 receptions last year; ideal environment |
3 | Jamaal Charles | RB | KC | Averaged 6.4 YPC on 230 attempts; could be No. 1 overall if the Chiefs used him at the goal line |
4 | Chris Johnson | RB | TEN | Game-breaking speed and every-down durability is a rare combo; holding out |
5 | Andre Johnson | WR | HOU | Most reliable receiver in the game, but lack of goal-line looks limits upside |
6 | Calvin Johnson | WR | DET | Still don't know what he could do with above average quarterbacking |
7 | LeSean McCoy | RB | PHI | 78 catches, but only 207 carries, and just seven at the goal-line. Upside if that changes |
8 | Ray Rice | RB | BAL | 63 receptions, 307 carries, but only 4.0 YPC and six total TDs; McGahee gone, however |
9 | Michael Turner | RB | ATL | One-dimensional power back, but 26 goal-line carries led NFL |
10 | Darren McFadden | RB | OAK | Home run threat and dangerous receiver out of the backfield; Bush will steal goal-line touches, though |
11 | Maurice Jones-Drew | RB | JAC | TDs were down, but otherwise very solid as usual; recovery from knee surgery expected, but a concern |
12 | Rashard Mendenhall | RB | PIT | 23 goal-line carries, but only 3.9 YPC and 167 receiving yards |
13 | Larry Fitzgerald | WR | ARZ | Put up serviceable fantasy numbers despite abysmal quarterbacking. Should be better in 2011 |
14 | Frank Gore | RB | SF | Injury history knocks him down seven spots; one of the top receiving backs in the league |
15 | Hakeem Nicks | WR | NYG | Big-play and red-zone threat simply needs to stay healthy |
16 | Miles Austin | WR | DAL | Should bounce back with Tony Romo healthy again, though Dez Bryant steals targets |
17 | Roddy White | WR | ATL | Heavily targeted receiver with solid all-around skills |
18 | Ryan Mathews | RB | SD | Week 17 showed what might have been had he stayed healthy |
19 | Matt Forte | RB | CHI | Got the spring back in his step; 4.5 YPC, 547 receiving yards |
20 | LeGarrette Blount | RB | TB | Bruising back with athleticism, struggled at the goal-line for some reason |
21 | Aaron Rodgers | QB | GB | Elite pocket passer who stands alone because of his rushing ability |
22 | Dwayne Bowe | WR | KC | Monstrous seven-game midseason run, but disappeared unpredictably; still great TD source |
23 | Greg Jennings | WR | GB | Aaron Rodgers' big-play receiver |
24 | Mike Williams | WR | TB | Josh Freeman's favorite target - has good athleticism and red-zone size |
25 | Mike Wallace | WR | PIT | 12.7 YPT was the best mark in the last 10 years; explosive big play receiver |
26 | Peyton Hillis | RB | CLE | Tremendous season, but the punishment caught up to him late; Hardesty should share carries |
27 | Ahmad Bradshaw | RB | NYG | If ankles hold up, can do it all, but shares carries with Brandon Jacobs |
28 | Antonio Gates | TE | SD | On pace for a year for the ages before he got hurt; healthy at press time |
29 | Michael Vick | QB | PHI | Arguably No. 1 overall pick if guaranteed 16-game season; worth a gamble at this spot |
30 | Drew Brees | QB | NO | Volume and offensive scheme guarantee a high floor |
31 | Brandon Lloyd | WR | DEN | Came out of nowhere last year to be league's No. 1 WR; better if Orton remains QB |
32 | Shonn Greene | RB | NYJ | Clearly set to be the lead back this year with Tomlinson taking on a third-down role |
33 | Daniel Thomas | RB | MIA | Big, physical back should take over the feature role in Miami |
34 | Vincent Jackson | WR | SD | Clear No. 1 in San Diego should see more targets than ever |
35 | DeSean Jackson | WR | PHI | Explosive deep threat, averaged 22.5 YPC |
36 | Dez Bryant | WR | DAL | Despite injury-riddled rookie season, showed superb physical skills. Must fight for targets, however |
37 | DeAngelo Williams | RB | CAR | Great talent, but splitting the work again |
38 | Philip Rivers | QB | SD | Another elite season (8.7 YPA, 30 TD, 13 INT, 4710 yards), despite decimated receiving corps |
39 | Peyton Manning | QB | IND | Won't have 679 attempts again, but efficiency (6.9 YPA) should improve with receivers healthy |
40 | Steven Jackson | RB | STL | Old warhorse keeps trudging along; environment should improve, but what's left in the tank? |
41 | Tony Romo | QB | DAL | Healthy and with top shelf weapons. Upside: Top-3 QB |
42 | Brandon Marshall | WR | MIA | Physical talent never in doubt, but personal issues and poor environment add risk |
43 | Reggie Wayne | WR | IND | Bad per-play numbers, only produced due to volume. Player in a great spot, but on the decline |
44 | Jeremy Maclin | WR | PHI | Could get even better in Year 3, but D-Jax is the team's big primary play threat |
45 | Tom Brady | QB | NE | 36:4 TD:INT ratio is otherworldy; bump up five spots if NE gets him a big-time WR |
46 | Mark Ingram | RB | NO | Hard to know what his role will be, but huge upside in that offense if it's prominent |
47 | Fred Jackson | RB | BUF | Established as the team's go-to back; Spiller could see a bigger role, however |
48 | Knowshon Moreno | RB | DEN | Should start in Denver, but new coach and new management clouds role and environment |
49 | Percy Harvin | WR | MIN | Can produce no matter who's under center; rushing and return yards/TDs a bonus; migraines only risk |
50 | Marques Colston | WR | NO | Reliable receiver in Saints offense, but upside limited by its diversity |
51 | Jahvid Best | RB | DET | Look good early on when healthy; will split carries with Mikel Leshoure |
52 | Jonathan Stewart | RB | CAR | Bruising back will split carries with DeAngelo Williams |
53 | Jermichael Finley | TE | GB | Sky's the limit with his skills in that environment if he can ever stay healthy |
54 | Anquan Boldin | WR | BAL | Expect a bounce back in Year 2 in Baltimore if Boldin can stay healthy again |
55 | Vernon Davis | TE | SF | Best speed/size combo among tight ends; environment needs to improve |
56 | Chad Ochocinco | WR | NE | Huge upgrade as Tom Brady's presumed top downfield target |
57 | Dallas Clark | TE | IND | Heavily-targeted tight end in elite offense |
58 | Felix Jones | RB | DAL | Should get a chance in the feature role; needs to prove he can carry the load |
59 | Ryan Grant | RB | GB | In ideal environment, but must hold off James Starks and Alex Green |
60 | Mikel Leshoure | RB | DET | Bruising complement to smaller, quicker Jahvid Best |
61 | Santonio Holmes | WR | NYJ | Quick, explosive wideout with good hands; Jets' No. 1 this year |
62 | Braylon Edwards | WR | NYJ | Still a big-time downfield weapon; value depends on where he plays |
63 | Steve Johnson | WR | BUF | Surprise top target for Ryan Fitzpatrick; Bills should be forced to throw plenty in 2011 |
64 | Sidney Rice | WR | SEA | Athletic playmaker with good size |
65 | Steve Smith | WR | CAR | Dangerous downfield target; has he lost a step at age 32? |
66 | Jason Witten | TE | DAL | Reliable tight end, not used much by Tony Romo in the red zone |
67 | Joseph Addai | RB | IND | The job is presumably still his for now |
68 | Cedric Benson | RB | CIN | It's not pretty, but 300 carries will pay the bills |
69 | Kenny Britt | WR | TEN | Rising star needs to overcome off-field issues |
70 | Mario Manningham | WR | NYG | Downfield playmaker, could see more action if Steve Smith is slow to recover |
71 | Marshawn Lynch | RB | SEA | Epic carry in playoff game possibly buys Lynch a few starts, but 3.6 YPC last year |
72 | Ryan Williams | RB | ARI | Competing for AZ feature back job with Beanie Wells |
73 | Wes Welker | WR | NE | Played at less than 100 percent last year; healthy now |
74 | Mike Thomas | WR | JAC | Clear No. 1 receiver, has great speed, but lacks size |
75 | Chris Wells | RB | ARZ | Competing for feature back job with rookie Ryan Williams; healthy at press time |
76 | Austin Collie | WR | IND | But for his concussions and hand injury, he might have been a top-10 receiver |
77 | C.J. Spiller | RB | BUF | The Bills have to use him more in Year 2, don't they? |
78 | James Starks | RB | GB | Came on strong in the playoffs - should push Ryan Grant for carries |
79 | Jimmy Graham | TE | NO | 6-6 target should be a major weapon in the red zone |
80 | Marcedes Lewis | TE | JAC | 6-6 tight end is Jaguars primary red-zone threat |
81 | BenJarvus Green-Ellis | RB | NE | Competent back scored 13 TDs, but NE brought in a lot of competition |
82 | A.J. Green | WR | CIN | All-world prospect will fight for targets in Cincinnati |
83 | Roy Williams | WR | CHI | Could be the Bears' red-zone target this year |
84 | Earl Bennett | WR | CHI | Likely to be Jay Cutler's go-to possession receiver this year |
85 | Ben Roethlisberger | QB | PIT | Full season with game-breaker Mike Wallace bodes well |
86 | Matt Schaub | QB | HOU | Competent QB in good environment, but HOU usually runs near the goal line |
87 | Santana Moss | WR | WAS | Still productive at age 32 - value depends on where he lands |
88 | Brandon Jacobs | RB | NYG | Limited workload resulted in 5.6 YPC. Splits work at the goal line |
89 | Ryan Torain | RB | WAS | Atop the depth chart for now - played well when healthy |
90 | Eli Manning | QB | NYG | Competent QB with first-rate playmakers on the outside |
91 | Matt Ryan | QB | ATL | Still getting better, and addition of Julio Jones will only help |
92 | Pierre Thomas | RB | NO | Crowded backfield, injury history and fickle coach hurt his value, despite strong skills and offense |
93 | Josh Freeman | QB | TB | Huge improvement in Year 2; rushing ability provides major upside |
94 | Julio Jones | WR | ATL | Second-fiddle to Roddy White, but Falcons didn't mortgage the farm not to use him |
95 | Michael Bush | RB | OAK | Could be a top-25 property if McFadden went down; should see some goal-line work in any event |
96 | Shane Vereen | RB | NE | Versatile back in first-rate offense |
97 | Hines Ward | WR | PIT | Per-play averages still solid - should see targets bounce back with a full season of Roethlisberger |
98 | Pierre Garcon | WR | IND | Behind Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Austin Collie in the pecking order |
99 | Malcom Floyd | WR | FA | Looked like a legit No. 1 when Vincent Jackson was out; value depends where he lands |
100 | Michael Crabtree | WR | SF | Top prospect disappointed in Year 2; dealing with foot injury |
101 | DeMarco Murray | RB | DAL | Neither Felix Jones nor Tashard Choice has set the world on fire; Murray could get a chance |
102 | Kellen Winslow | TE | TB | When healthy, one of the league's more reliable pass-catching tight ends |
103 | Delone Carter | RB | IND | Joseph Addai and Donald Brown are surmountable obstacles |
104 | Robert Meachem | WR | NO | Has the physical tools to be a No. 1, but apparently viewed as a complementary part |
105 | Mike Tolbert | RB | SD | Bruising fullback could still be in the mix, especially near the goal line |
106 | Mike Williams | WR | SEA | Sidney Rice and Zach Miller signings hurt value |
107 | Lance Moore | WR | NO | Athletic possession type re-signs with the Saints |
108 | Mike Sims-Walker | WR | STL | Could emerge as Sam Bradford's No. 1 |
109 | Plaxico Burress | WR | NYJ | Michael Vick proved jail makes you better |
110 | Steven Smith | WR | NYG | Reliable possession receiver coming off microfracture surgery |
111 | Danario Alexander | WR | STL | Big, downfield burner who claims his knee is finally healthy |
112 | Deion Branch | WR | NE | Filled in admirably when Randy Moss left, but New England will probably find someone better |
113 | Ronnie Brown | RB | PHI | Goal-line role in top offense could be useful |
114 | Willis McGahee | RB | DEN | Should see goal-line work and could push unreliable Moreno for starting job |
115 | Davone Bess | WR | MIA | Possession receiver who relies on volume |
116 | Josh Morgan | WR | SF | Better on a per-play basis than Michael Crabtree |
117 | Chris Cooley | TE | WAS | 77 catches for 849 yards, but only three scores. Quarterback situation unclear |
118 | Zach Miller | TE | SEA | Crowded receiving corps hurts value |
119 | Aaron Hernandez | TE | NE | Dynamic pass-catching TE, but will yield goal-line targets to Rob Gronkowski |
120 | Rob Gronkowski | TE | NE | Touchdown machine will share targets with Aaron Hernandez |
121 | Montario Hardesty | RB | CLE | Coming back from injury, spells Peyton Hillis behind first-rate offensive line |
122 | Jordy Nelson | WR | GB | Super Bowl performance creates opportunity; James Jones' re-signing limits it |
123 | Steve Breaston | WR | KC | No. 2 option in Kansas City |
124 | Johnny Knox | WR | CHI | Chicago's big-play threat, but lack of size limits red-zone looks |
125 | Roy Helu, Jr. | RB | WAS | Could easily replace Ryan Torain - more upside due to speed |
126 | Tim Hightower | RB | WAS | RB job in WAS could go to anyone |
127 | Jacoby Ford | WR | OAK | Versatile playmaker adds rushing, receiving and return yards and scores |
128 | Jay Cutler | QB | CHI | Year 2 with Mike Martz and an offensive line expected to improve |
129 | Greg Little | WR | CLE | Big, strong receiver could easily emerge as Colt McCoy's top target |
130 | Joe Flacco | QB | BAL | 25 TDs on 489 attempts last year; hasn't peaked yet |
131 | Louis Murphy | WR | OAK | Could be Raiders top receiver this year |
132 | Brandon Pettigrew | TE | DET | Quietly caught 71 passes for 722 yards. If Stafford stays healthy, plenty of upside here |
133 | Tony Gonzalez | TE | ATL | A down year was 70 catches and six TDs |
134 | Sam Bradford | QB | STL | Donnie Avery and Danario Alexander are healthy, and the Rams drafted wideout depth |
135 | Ben Tate | RB | HOU | If anything happens to Adrian Foster, Tate's in a favorable spot |
136 | Jason Snelling | RB | FA | Tough runner, solid pass catcher |
137 | Justin Forsett | RB | SEA | For whatever reason, the Seahawks don't trust him to carry the load |
138 | Reggie Bush | RB | MIA | Landed in a good spot with only a rookie RB ahead of him |
139 | Owen Daniels | TE | HOU | Needs to stay healthy, and the Texans don't throw a lot in the red zone |
140 | Kendall Hunter | RB | SF | Likely backup to an injury-prone Frank Gore |
141 | Rashad Jennings | RB | JAC | Was solid as Maurice Jones-Drew's backup last year - except for the one week you counted on him |
142 | Alex Green | RB | GB | Third string for now, but whoever wins this battle has a ton of upside |
143 | Lee Evans | WR | BUF | Downfield playmaker, eclipsed by Steve Johnson |
144 | Kevin Kolb | QB | ARZ | Playing in a good climate with Larry Fitzgerald should ensure a good floor |
145 | Arrelious Benn | WR | TB | Healing well after ACL surgery - has the talent to make an impact in Year 2 |
146 | Nate Burleson | WR | DET | Should see a lot of single coverage |
147 | Bernard Berrian | WR | MIN | Deep threat should be the team's No. 2 receiver |
148 | Stevan Ridley | RB | NE | Big, bruising back could find himself in the mix |
149 | Jordan Shipley | WR | CIN | Showed promise as a rookie - Bengals' passing game unsettled |
150 | Matthew Stafford | QB | DET | If he ever stays healthy, he has the physical tools and the weapons to break out |