Some Very Preliminary Rankings

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:08 am

I've finished up the first drafts for all of the profiles that will be in our first football issue. There's still a lot of tweaking and analyzing left to do but at least the basics are in place. So I thought I'd post some very early rankings to get some discussion going. Again, these rankings are VERY early so a lot could and very likely will change before the issue goes to press. But this should be fun for discussion.

Note - the rookies are not ranked since we don't know where the heck any of them are going yet.

Quarterbacks
BYE
1. Tom Brady N.E. 4
2. Peyton Manning Ind. 4
3. Tony Romo Dal. 10
4. Drew Brees N.O. 9
5. Derek Anderson Cle. 5
6. Matt Hasselbeck Sea. 4
7. Ben Roethlisberger Pit. 6
8. Carson Palmer Cin. 8
9. Eli Manning NYG 4
10. Marc Bulger St.L 5

Running Backs
BYE
1. LaDainian Tomlinson S.D. 9
2. Brian Westbrook Phi. 7
3. Steven Jackson St.L 5
4. Joseph Addai Ind. 4
5. Adrian Peterson Min. 8
6. Larry Johnson K.C. 6
7. Frank Gore S.F. 9
8. Marion Barber Dal. 10
9. Clinton Portis Wash. 10
10. Marshawn Lynch Buf. 6

Wide Receivers
BYE
1. Randy Moss N.E. 4
2. Terrell Owens Dal. 10
3. Braylon Edwards Cle. 5
4. Reggie Wayne Ind. 4
5. Steve Smith Car. 9
6. Larry Fitzgerald Ari. 7
7. Andre Johnson Hou. 8
8. Brandon Marshall Den. 8
9. T.J. Housmandzadeh Cin. 8
10. Marques Colston N.O. 9

Tight Ends
BYE
1. Jason Witten Dal. 10
2. Antonio Gates S.D. 9
3. Kellen Winslow Cle. 5
4. Tony Gonzalez K.C. 6
5. Chris Cooley Wash. 10
6. Todd Heap Bal. 10
7. Dallas Clark Ind. 4
8. Jeremy Shockey NYG 4
9. Owen Daniels Hou. 8
10. Tony Scheffler Den. 8

Kickers
BYE
1. Nick Folk Dal. 10
2. Stephen Gostkowski N.E. 4
3. Josh Brown St.L 5
4. Shayne Graham Cin. 8
5. Josh Scobee Jax. 7
6. Adam Vinatieri Ind. 4
7. Mason Crosby G.B. 8
8. Rob Bironas Ten. 6
9. Nate Kaeding S.D. 9
10. Phil Dawson Cle. 5

KOTRAX · Post by **KOTRAX** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:13 am

THIS LIST SEEMS PRETTY MUCH ON THE MONEY. I LIKE IT.

PALMER MIGHT BE A LITTLE LOW BUT WITH THE CHAD JOHNSON SITUATION AND TERMOIL IT HAS ITS MERRITS.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:15 am

I can't see ranking Palmer any higher right now and if the QB talent wasn't so putrid this year he arguably should be ranked lower. If he loses Johnson on top of losing Chris Henry (who is a gigantic tool but is also a major talent) that will be a huge blow to their passing game. Combine that with major questions at RB and this once-potent offense has serious issues right now.

KOTRAX · Post by **KOTRAX** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:21 am

YEAH I CAN AGREE WITH THAT TOM. I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THEY GET FOR JOHNSON IN RETURN.

IF THEY CAN GET A DECENT TARGET AND A GOOD DRAFT PICK IN RETURN I THINK PALMER WILL HAVE TO PUT IT UP A TON IN ORDER TO WIN GAMES SINCE THE RB SITUATION IS BAD.

ALSO THE MAJOR QUESTION IS WES WELKER GOING TO BE THE NEXT MIKE FURREY?

WITH THE YEAR HE HAD LAST YEAR HE SHOULD CRACK THE TOP TEN.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:27 am

Not with Tom Brady at QB. I expect Welker's production to decline to a degree but the Patriots will still put up plenty of numbers. Brady's terrific obviously and they have a sweet schedule.One could argue I currently have Welker ranked too low (I have him 19th right now).

KOTRAX · Post by **KOTRAX** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:31 am

FUNNY YOU SAY THAT TOM BECAUSE I FEEL THAT STEVE SMITH NUMBERS ARE GOING TO DECLINE SOMEWHAT.

WITH MOOSE BACK AND THE SIGNING OF HACKETT I THINK THE PANTHERS REALIZE THEY MUST SPREAD THE BALL AROUND TO WIN.

NOW HACKETT COULD BE THE NEXT DREW CARTER OR KEARY COLBERT IN CAROLINA BUT IF HE IS NOT SMITH NUMBERS WILL DEFINTELY DIP.

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:32 am

Jake Delhomme LOVES Steve Smith. Adding better talent around him is huge but at the end of the day as long as Delhomme can stay healthy, Smith's potential to put up monster numbers is very high in my opinion.

KOTRAX · Post by **KOTRAX** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:38 am

YES HE LOVES SMITH BUT I REMEMBER IN AN INTERVIEW ON NFL NETWORK HE BASICALY SAID HE THROW HIM THE BALL ALOT BECUASE MY OTHER RECEIVERS STINK.

NOT THAT BLUNTLY BUT HE MAY AS WELL SAID THAT. NOW I KNOW THE YEARS THE MOOSE WAS THERE WITH SMITH, HIS NUMBERS WERE REALLY GOOD BUT NOT EXPLOSIVE.

IN MY OPINION WITH MOOSE BACK AND HACKETT'S POTENTIAL THAT SMITH PASS TARGETS WILL GO DOWN BUT ON THE FLIP SIDE I THINK THIS TEAM WILL PASS MORE THAN THEY WILL RUN.

[ April 17, 2008, 09:39 AM: Message edited by: KOTRAX ]

Tom Kessenich · Post by **Tom Kessenich** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:42 am

We'll see what happens but no matter how much other talent is on the field, Smith is still by far the team's best playmaker. They'd be fools not to get him the ball frequently, and with Delhomme healthy again they have a QB who can and will throw him the ball. There's some risk there but I think the chances of Smith disappointing with a healthy Delhomme are very small.

pizzatyme · Post by **pizzatyme** » Thu Apr 17, 2008 3:46 am

Tom 1 that stands out to me is LJ. He is on a terrible offense that seems to only be getting older with a giant question mark at QB. I love his ability as much as the next, but no way I could put him that high.

[ April 17, 2008, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: ultimatefantasyfootballcheatsheets ]