2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Top 150


There will be many more 2012 Fantasy Football Rankings and features in the late spring and summer, including tons of 2012 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts, Player Rankings, Sleepers and Busts. I’ll also have an extensive 2012 NFL Fantasy Football Preseason Stock Report.



2012 Fantasy Football Rankings – Top 150 (May 10):

2012 Fantasy Football Rankings – Top 150 Update (May 10): Many changes for the 2012 NFL Draft. Check out the stock report section of my 2012 Fantasy Football Rankings for details.

Follow me @walterfootball for updates.


  1. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens
  2. LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles
  3. Arian Foster, RB, Texans
  4. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers
  5. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans
  6. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
  7. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions (Prev: 5)
  8. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars
  9. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
  10. Drew Brees, QB, Saints (Prev: 7)

    3/8: Arian Foster moves down two spots in this update. There’s a good chance that Ben Tate will eat into Foster’s workload next year. Tate is a very talented runner, arguably more so than Foster, so Gary Kubiak will have trouble keeping him off the field.

    I think it’s pretty irresponsible to slot quarterbacks Nos. 1 and 2 in any sort of 2012 Fantasy Football Rankings, unless you’re in a 2-QB league. I’m not against spending a first-round pick on a quarterback, but a blue-chip fantasy running back is so much more valuable than a blue-chip fantasy quarterback. Besides, the running back position is thinner than ever this year.

    I have Tom Brady over Drew Brees. While the former has a new, pass-friendly offensive coordinator (Josh McDaniels) and a new top wideout (Brandon Lloyd), Brees will probably be losing his coach for the year.



  11. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
  12. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
  13. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers
  14. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants
  15. Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions (Prev: 12)
  16. Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints
  17. Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers
  18. Fred Jackson, RB, Bills (Prev: 15)
  19. Trent Richardson, RB, Browns (Prev: 56)
  20. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Seahawks

    Andre Johnson is really undervalued on Matthew Berry’s list. Considering that he was a consensus mid-first-round pick last summer, slotting him at No. 19 seems pretty knee-jerky after just one season.

    I’m listing Hakeem Nicks over Victor Cruz because of Nicks’ touchdown potential, but it’s so close that I had trouble deciding between the two. Remember, Mario Manningham won’t be back next year.

    Trent Richardson is no ordinary rookie; he’s the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson. I have no problem ranking him this high.

    3/8: Marshawn Lynch drops because of his new contract. With lots of guaranteed money, Lynch can now go back to what he did best in Buffalo – slacking off. I don’t trust him.

    I’ll be pretty surprised if Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller split carries. Jackson was an MVP candidate in the first two months of the 2011 season, and the Bills are planning to give him extension. You don’t give a RBBC guy a lucrative extension.

  21. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders (Prev: 34)
  22. Victor Cruz, WR, Giants
  23. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
  24. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants
  25. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons
  26. Roddy White, WR, Falcons
  27. A.J. Green, WR, Bengals
  28. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots
  29. Brandon Marshall, WR, Bears
  30. Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers

    I’d be careful with Cam Newton. There could be a sophomore slump, and it’s highly doubtful he’ll run as much as he did last year in an attempt to preserve his longevity.

    Berry has Julio Jones ranked No. 47. I can’t disagree with him more about that. Check out Jones’ numbers in his final six games: 31 catches, 525 yards and six touchdowns. That’s 1,400 yards and 16 scores over a full season. I don’t think Jones will reach those stats in 2012, but there’s no denying that he’s a monster. He’s going to have a huge year.

    There’s some talk that the Raiders might be thinking about trading Darren McFadden. That, along with his extensive injury history, is the reason I have him in the 20s. It surprised me to see Berry rank him even lower, but I think there’s some buy-low potential here.

    I’m slightly down on Wes Welker. He turns 31 in May, he had just three touchdowns after Week 6 last season, and Tom Brady will have other receivers to throw to next year.



  31. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs
  32. Matt Forte, RB, Bears
  33. Percy Harvin, WR, Vikings
  34. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys
  35. Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys
  36. DeMarco Murray, RB, Cowboys
  37. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs
  38. Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers
  39. Antonio Brown, WR, Steelers
  40. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers

    Dez Bryant finished as the No. 15 fantasy receiver last year – and he didn’t even know all of the routes. He has ridiculous upside.

    Dwayne Bowe is pretty undervalued (No. 51 in Berry’s rankings). Despite truly awful quarterbacking for half the season, he caught 81 balls for 1,159 yards and five touchdowns in 2011.

    Antonio Brown will be undervalued this summer because he caught only two touchdowns in 2011. I have to believe that was an aberration.

  41. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos (Prev: 26)
  42. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers (Prev: 38)
  43. Brandon Lloyd, WR, Patriots
  44. Marques Colston, WR, Saints
  45. Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys
  46. Eli Manning, QB, Giants
  47. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams
  48. Roy Helu, RB, Redskins
  49. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings (Prev: 59)
  50. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers

    Philip Rivers is a great buy-low, bounce-back candidate. He was hurt all last season, so he’ll rebound in 2012.

    Steven Jackson is over the dreaded 2,150-carry mark in his career. I’m not going near him.

    Steve Smith turns 33 in May and could begin declining.

  51. Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers
  52. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles
  53. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles
  54. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
  55. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons
  56. Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers
  57. Reggie Bush, RB, Dolphins
  58. Jahvid Best, RB, Lions
  59. Kenny Britt, WR, Titans
  60. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers

    3/8: I had Adrian Peterson too high in my previous update.

    Antonio Gates is breaking down. I don’t trust him.

    Don’t draft Michael Turner. He was running on fumes at the end of last season, averaging 3.6 YPC or worse in six of his final seven games. It’s likely that he be splitting carries with someone in 2012.

    I’m selling high on Reggie Bush. He’s so injury-prone, so it would be unreasonable to expect him to stay healthy for most of next season.

    Your guess is as good as mine with Jahvid Best. He’s expected to be ready for the 2012 season, but he’s an injury waiting to happen.



  61. Chris Wells, RB, Cardinals
  62. James Starks, RB, Packers (Prev: 68)
  63. Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys
  64. Steve Johnson, WR, Bills
  65. Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers (Prev: NR)
  66. Shonn Greene, RB, Jets
  67. Isaac Redman, RB, Steelers (Prev: 70)
  68. Darren Sproles, RB, Saints
  69. Robert Griffin, QB, Redskins
  70. QB Dog Killer, QB, Eagles

    Kenny Britt was one of my top fantasy sleepers last year, and I was happy to own him in almost every league – until he tore his ACL in Week 3. He could be a nice buy-low candidate in the middle rounds.

    I don’t understand how Vernon Davis isn’t on Berry’s list. Didn’t he see what Davis did during the stretch? Once Davis learned Jim Harbaugh’s offense, he became an animal. That will carry into 2012, and Davis will have a monstrous campaign.

    Steve Johnson could be undervalued a bit. Ryan Fitzpatrick played the second half of the year with numerous injuries.

    Rashard Mendenhall isn’t expected to play in 2012. The Pittsburgh coaching staff is already talking up Isaac Redman.

  71. Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos (Prev: 31)
  72. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers
  73. Eric Decker, WR, Broncos (Prev: 93)
  74. Pierre Garcon, WR, Redskins
  75. Matt Schaub, QB, Texans
  76. Denarius Moore, WR, Raiders
  77. Aaron Hernandez, TE, Patriots
  78. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Raiders (Prev: NR)
  79. Jay Cutler, QB, Bears (Prev: 90)
  80. Andrew Luck, QB, Colts (Prev: 85)

    I’m surprised that Berry didn’t list James Starks in his top 100. Ryan Grant is a free agent, so Starks will probably handle most of the workload in 2012. He is injury-prone though, so that’s obviously a concern.

    Robert Griffin is going to rush for a bunch of yards as a rookie.

    Denarius Moore is really talented. I expect him to really step up in Year 2.

    Jonathan Stewart is the best running back in Carolina. I have confidence that Ron Rivera will eventually realize this.

    Mark Ingram had a truly awful rookie campaign, but the Saints didn’t spend two early picks on him to use him as a backup. He’s a great buy-low candidate.



  81. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts
  82. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Bengals
  83. Jermichael Finley, TE, Packers
  84. Matt Ryan, QB, Falcons
  85. Mark Ingram, RB, Saints (Prev: 77)
  86. Ben Tate, RB, Texans
  87. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers
  88. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers
  89. Willis McGahee, RB, Broncos
  90. Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots (Prev: 69)

    3/8: Ben Tate moves up for reasons specified earlier.

    I’m down on Ben Roethlisberger. The Steelers fired Bruce Arians and hired Todd Haley because they want to run the ball more.

  91. C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills
  92. Joseph Addai, RB, Patriots (Prev: NR)
  93. Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints (Prev: NR)
  94. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Bills
  95. Michael Bush, RB, Bears
  96. Jacob Tamme, TE, Broncos
  97. Robert Meachem, WR, Chargers
  98. Sidney Rice, WR, Seahawks
  99. Ronnie Hillman, RB, Broncos (Prev: NR)
  100. Peyton Hillis, RB, Chiefs

    Tony Gonzalez was done in 2010. He somehow bounced back in 2011, but it’s highly unlikely he’ll be able to maintain that level of play two years in a row.

    Ryan Fitzpatrick was a really good fantasy quarterback until he fractured his ribs in the middle of the season. He’s a buy-low candidate.

  101. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons
  102. Brent Celek, TE, Eagles
  103. Ryan Williams, RB, Cardinals
  104. Carson Palmer, QB, Raiders
  105. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Falcons
  106. Jake Locker, QB, Titans
  107. Santana Moss, WR, Redskins
  108. Donald Brown, RB, Colts
  109. Titus Young, WR, Lions
  110. Santonio Holmes, WR, Jets
  111. Fred Davis, TE, Redskins
  112. Toby Gerhart, RB, Vikings
  113. Tim Tebow, QB, Jets
  114. 49ers Defense
  115. LeGarrette Blount, RB, Buccaneers (Prev: 80)
  116. Kevin Smith, RB, Lions
  117. Alex Green, RB, Packers
  118. Shane Vereen, RB, Patriots
  119. Kendall Hunter, RB, 49ers
  120. Daniel Thomas, RB, Dolphins
  121. Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers
  122. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions
  123. Greg Little, WR, Browns
  124. Brian Hartline, WR, Dolphins
  125. Eagles Defense
  126. Packers Defense
  127. Isaiah Pead, RB, Rams
  128. David Wilson, RB, Giants
  129. Coby Fleener, TE, Colts
  130. Mike Goodson, RB, Raiders
  131. Vick Ballard, RB, Colts
  132. Delone Carter, RB, Colts
  133. Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys
  134. Michael Floyd, WR, Cardinals
  135. Justin Blackmon, WR, Jaguars (Prev: 86)
  136. Leonard Hankerson, WR, Redskins
  137. Curtis Brinkley, RB, Chargers
  138. Jermaine Gresham, TE, Bengals
  139. Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers
  140. Bills Defense
  141. Lions Defense
  142. Giants Defense
  143. Bears Defense
  144. Joe Flacco, QB, Ravens
  145. Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens
  146. James Jones, WR, Packers
  147. Mario Manningham, WR, 49ers
  148. Nate Washington, WR, Titans
  149. Danny Amendola, WR, Rams
  150. Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals
  151. Martellus Bennett, TE, Giants
  152. Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens
  153. Jabar Gaffney, WR, Patriots
  154. Jonathan Baldwin, WR, Chiefs
  155. Steelers Defense
  156. Austin Collie, WR, Colts
  157. Kendall Wright, WR, Titans
  158. Dan Herron, RB, Bengals






More 2012 Fantasy Football Articles:
2012 Fantasy Football: Home

2012 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 7/28 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Re-Draft) - 5/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings (Dynasty) - 5/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings - 1/2 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Injury Reports - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/27 (Walt)
Week 16 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/20 (Walt)
WalterFootball.com $1,000 Contest on FanDuel.com - 11/4

2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format PRINTABLE - 9/4 (Walt)

2012 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2012 Fantasy Football PPR Mock Draft - 8/23 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Mock Draft - 8/16 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum 2-QB PPR Mock Draft - 8/9 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Auction Mock Draft - 8/2 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 7/27 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum 2-QB Mock Draft - 7/17 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Standard 14-Team Mock Draft - 7/12 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 7/6 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Touchdown-Format Mock Draft - 7/4 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Standard Mock Draft - 7/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum PPR Mock Draft - 6/22 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Forum Mock Draft - 6/14 (Walt)
The Four-Man PPR Fantasy Mock Draft - 5/18 (Walt)

2012 Fantasy Football Articles:
2012 Fantasy Football Stock: Training Camp, OTAs - 9/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: Quarterback Targets - 8/31 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: 20 Sleepers - 8/28 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: Round-by-Round Strategy - 8/21 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Busts - 6/5 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Early-Middle Rounds) - 6/5 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football All-Value Team - 5/26 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 5/8 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks, Tight Ends - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 4/3 (Walt)
2012 Fantasy Football: First-Round Bust History - 2/17 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 2/17 (Walt)




NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


2024 NFL Mock Draft - Feb. 21


Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


NFL Picks - Feb. 12