There will be many more 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings and features in the late spring and summer, including tons of 2010 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts, Player Rankings, Sleepers and Busts. I’ll also have an extensive 2010 NFL Fantasy Football Preseason Stock Report.
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings – Top 81-90 (May 21):
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Matt Forte, RB, Bears
Every single fantasy football publication out there had Matt Forte ranked between No. 2 and 4 overall last year. Unfortunately, he was a bust; he was out of shape and his offensive line stunk, which is why he rushed for only 929 yards and four touchdowns.
The Bears signed Chester Taylor, who will take the third-down duties away from Forte. Chicago’s offensive line hasn’t improved either. However, Forte is an intriguing PPR back because of Mike Martz. Jay Cutler will be throwing a lot, which means Forte’s reception totals will remain high despite the addition of Taylor.
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Braylon Edwards, WR, Jets
The Jets didn’t trade for Santonio Holmes to just run the ball non-stop. Mark Sanchez will be airing it out more often, which means more targets for his No. 1 receiver, Braylon Edwards. Edwards may not break 1,000 yards, but his large frame could allow him to score at least seven touchdowns this season.
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Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys
Dez Bryant’s overblown character concerns dropped him all the way to No. 24 in the 2010 NFL Draft, where the Cowboys happily scooped him up. This was probably better for Bryant, as he’ll be in a highly productive offense with talented targets like Miles Austin and Jason Witten, who will draw attention from him.
Having said that, I normally don’t like drafting rookie receivers, and Bryant’s name could cause him to be overdrafted in most leagues. I think he’ll be good for about 800-900 yards and 6-7 touchdowns in his first season.
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Cadillac Williams, RB, Buccaneers
Cadillac Williams is always a huge injury risk, but he does have upside this fantasy season. Cadillac rushed for 836 yards and four touchdowns on a 3.9 average last year despite playing with abysmal quarterbacks. Now that Josh Freeman is in his second year and has talented receivers (Arrelious Benn, Mike Williams) to work with, defenses won’t be able to focus entirely on Cadillac. Tampa’s expected improved offense will also give Cadillac more goal-line opportunities. The only question is if he can stay healthy.
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Montario Hardesty, RB, Browns
It really frustrates me that the Browns spent a second-round pick on Montario Hardesty. Jerome Harrison was looking like such a great fantasy option this season after his three-game 561-yard outburst at the end of the 2009 campaign. But considering that the Mangina was so reluctant to use Harrison until the final few weeks, I have to believe that Hardesty is the favorite to start. At the very least, Hardesty will get all the goal-line work.
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Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants
Ahmad Bradshaw totaled nearly 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns last season. The good news is that 11 of Bradshaw’s 21 receptions came in the final four weeks of the year. The bad news is that Bradshaw’s total yardage and scores will drop if Brandon Jacobs is healthy, which appears to be the case – for now. Still, Bradshaw’s a decent mid-round option at running back considering Jacobs’ fragility.
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Eli Manning, QB, Giants
And now we know what happens when Eli Manning doesn’t have a good defense and is forced to throw more often than he’s used to. Manning tallied 4,021 yards, 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions despite playing on a bum toe in the middle of the season. The defense hasn’t improved, so Manning should still be a low-end QB1 – especially when you consider the rapport he’s undoubtedly developing with Hakeem Nicks.
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Lee Evans, WR, Bills
No. 2 receivers on miserable offenses just don’t produce. Lee Evans had 44 catches for 612 yards and seven touchdowns last year, as Terrell Owens was the only fantasy receiver of relevance. However, Owens is gone, which means Evans will receive more targets again. In the three years prior to 2009, Evans tallied 1,290, 849 and 1,017 yards, so this is a nice buy-low situation. Don’t expect too many touchdowns though.
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Johnny Knox, WR, Bears
I like Johnny Knox as a mid-round fantasy sleeper. Knox had 45 receptions for 527 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie last season. Now, his stats have the potential to soar with Mike Martz as his offensive coordinator. Jay Cutler will be throwing early and often, and it seems as though he and Knox developed a rapport in their brief time together.
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Larry Johnson, RB, Redskins
Here’s my take on Washington’s backfield: I doubt Willie Parker makes the team. He’s terrible, as he has lost his best attribute (speed). Clinton Portis is intriguing because he worked with Mike Shanahan in Denver, but he isn’t even close to the same running back who once lined up in the Broncos’ backfield. Portis has more than 2,100 career carries, and despite being just 28, he’s done.
That leaves Larry Johnson. Herm Edwards ruined Johnson’s career by giving him 416 carries in 2006, but it’s possible that the former Chief could bounce back. Johnson is fresh, as he has carried the ball just 520 times in the past three years. He didn’t look that bad in Cincinnati either, averaging 4.4 yards per carry.
If Johnson is finally OK after that 2006 disaster, he could have a big year in Shanahan’s zone-blocking scheme. Then again, it also wouldn’t shock me if Johnson failed to make the team, so don’t get too excited. This is all risk-reward.
MISSING
More 2010 Fantasy Football Articles:
2010 Fantasy Football: Home
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2010 Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings - 1/5 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Week 17 Fantasy Rankings - 1/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 6/6 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 7/3 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 7/14 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 8/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 7/20 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/10 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/11 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 9/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Linemen - 8/3 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Linebackers - 8/7 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Backs - 8/14 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Team-by-Team - 6/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Dynasty Rookie Rankings - 4/30 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Rookie Rankings - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Traditional - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 PPR - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Touchdown League - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: WF.com Free League - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real Traditional Draft - 9/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real PPR Draft - 8/26 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real PPR Draft - 8/18 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real Experts PPR Draft - 8/12 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Experts Mock Draft - 8/12 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Pros vs. Joes - 7/28 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR Draft with AKA - 7/20 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Mocking ESPN's Fantasy Mock Draft - 7/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: The Four-Man PPR Fantasy Draft - 7/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Articles:
2010 Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Week 17 - 1/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Start Em, Sit Em - 12/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Add/Drop - 12/20 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Stock Index - Week 8 - 10/29 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football Buffet: Week 8 - 10/28 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Stock - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/3 (Walt)
2010 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/3 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: High-Upside Late-Round Sleepers - 8/25 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Top 12 Players to Avoid - 8/25 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Undervalued Players - 8/13 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Buy Low - 8/6 (Walt)
ESPN's 2010 Fantasy Football Magazine Errors - 8/3 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Defense Strategy - 8/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: My Round-by-Round Strategy - 7/27 (Walt)
Lack of 2010 Fantasy Depth: Blame the 2008 NFL Draft Class - 7/26 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Why You Should Pass on Chris Johnson - 7/14 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Draft Strategies - 7/13 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Scarcity - 6/30 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Late-Round) - 6/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Mid-Round) - 6/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Busts - 5/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 5/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Quarterbacks with New Receivers - 5/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: 2010 NFL Draft Stock Up - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: 2010 NFL Draft Stock Down - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Free Agency Stock Up - 4/15 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Free Agency Stock Down - 4/12 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 4/10 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Nov. 22
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
