Bruno Boys Fantasy Football

It’s early, February 14 to be exact, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start compiling 2010 fantasy football rankings and 2010 fantasy football cheat sheets for the upcoming NFL season. Like anything, preparation is the first step to perfection and if you are spending the time reading this article odds are you have an vested interest in fantasy football.

When taking a look at my Fantasy Football Top 25 for 2010 remember we are seven months away from the start of the NFL season and this list is not set in stone. Heck, free agency hasn’t even started yet and there is no guarantee that the 25 players on this list will enter the season on the same team. However, this list should provide you with a good idea of who I’d be targeting if we started drafting for our fantasy football leagues today.

Top 25 based on the following format: 4 points per passing TD, 6 points for rushing / receiving TD, 1 point for every 25 yards passing, 1 point for every 10 yards rushing / receiving, -2 points for interception thrown, -2 points for fumble lost

1. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans — How can you not take Johnson No.1 overall. He totaled 2,509 yards and 16 touchdowns in just his second NFL season. His 329 fantasy football points in 2009 were a league high and the Titans will once again run their offense through him in 2010.

2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings — If you aren’t fortunate enough to grab the top overall pick don’t be disappointed with your consolation prize. Peterson had 1,819 total yards and a league high 18 touchdowns in 2009. In my opinion he is 1.B to Chris Johnson’s 1.A.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars — Despite his yardage totals disappearing at times in 2009 Jones-Drew was 1,763 total yards on a career high 365 touches. His ability to find the end zone at a consistent rate (54 TDs in 63 career games) is what gives him the slight edge over Ray Rice.

4. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens — No player emerged onto the scene more than Rice did in 2009. He went from being a late round fantasy football draft pick to trailing only Chris Johnson in total yards with 2,041. His 78 receptions were second to none among running backs and he is a perfect fit for the Baltimore Ravens offense. If touchdown vulture Willis McGahee leaves town you can make a strong case for taking Rice ahead of MJD. 

5. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers — In years past you would never see a quarterback in my top-10, but Rodgers is the exception this year. His 327 fantasy points in ‘09 were 47 more Drew Brees, who finished second at the position, and his five rushing touchdowns led to 54 fantasy points from running the football. You might consider other options at No. 5 but none will rival Rodgers’ consistency of scoring loads of fantasy points week in and week out.

6. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons - Don’t be fooled by Turner’s down year in 2009. He missed fives games with an ankle injury, left two games early, but still managed to find pay-dirt 10 times and finished 22nd with 141 fantasy points. If Turner can stay healthy in 2010 he should once again find himself as a top five fantasy football running back.

7. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers — After a lackluster performance in 2008 Gore bounced back with 13 touchdowns and 214 fantasy points in 14 games played. His 15 point per game average trailed only three running backs. The San Francisco 49ers offense showed signs of turning the corner at the end of last season and I truly believe Gore hasn’t reached his ceiling in terms of production.

8. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans — It’s official, Johnson has surpassed Larry Fitzgerald as the No.1 wide receiver in fantasy football. Johnson led the NFL in targets, receiving yards and fantasy points while ranking tied for seventh with nine total touchdowns. Entering his eighth season Johnson is in his prime and in line for another big season.

9. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams — If you owned Jackson in ‘09 you weren’t excited by his four total touchdowns but you grew to appreciate his grit and determination. He played injured and on a bad team yet still produced solid fantasy football stats on a weekly basis. The Rams aren’t expected to make a vast improvement on offense next year but I like Jackson’s chances of increasing his touchdown totals while continuing to play at a high level.

10. Ryan Grant, RB, Green Bay Packers — Quietly Grant put together a great 2009 season. He only ran for 100+ yards three times but used 11 games of double-digit fantasy points to finish tied for seventh among running backs. I’m a firm believer of drafting consistency with your first pick and Grant should once again provide that in a Green Bay offense that ranked third in the NFL in scoring.

11. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts — Manning has thrown for at least 3,700 yards and 26 touchdown passes in 12 straight seasons and it will take an injury to slow him down in 2010. Indianapolis will return all of it’s play-makers next season and Manning should have no problem making it five straight years with 4,000+ passing yards. I considered Drew Brees here, but Manning’s track record is too good to pass on.

12. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints — Brees has rivaled Peyton Manning and Tom Brady as the top quarterback over the last four years and he will do so again in 2010. His 68 touchdown passes since 2008 rank No.1 in the NFL and he has the weapons to make it three straight years with 30 or more touchdown passes. Deciding between Brees and Manning will ultimately come down to preference.