Fantasy team ranks top 200 players

Published Jul. 4, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

Ryan Fowler

Editor's Note: This list was compiled in early July, well before the NFL free agency period began. For a better sense of who is going where, be sure to check out our Mock Draft 2.0.

Because four heads are always better than one (we think), each member of FOXSports.com’s fantasy department created their own 2011 Top 200 Fantasy Football Rankings. The four individual player rankings were added together, divided and produced overall composite scores.

The rankings are geared towards owners competing in 10-12 team, head-to-head leagues and use FOXSports.com’s Fantasy Football default scoring system. (Note: kickers are not listed with the assumption they would be drafted in the final round and thus would not crack the Top 200.)

Before we get to it, each fantasy contributor was allotted a couple hundred words to defend, justify and explain their rankings.

Fowler –

Dear Michael Vick,

Stay healthy, please!

If Philadelphia’s quarterback can remain upright for 16 games this season, I will sleep well at night knowing I ranked him fifth overall. With Vick’s ability to run and pass, the chances he accounts for two to three touchdowns a game (12-18 fantasy points) is nearly a lock in my mind. This is obviously in addition to the points he earns owners via passing and rushing yards.

I chose to upgrade dual-threat running backs this season. Thus, guys like LeSean McCoy and Ray Rice rank higher than Maurice Jones-Drew and Michael Turner.

With most of the fantasy attention on Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Vick at quarterback, I chose to boost Philip Rivers up to my 12th pick overall. He’s averaged 270 passing yards per game, 31 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions over the last three seasons.

This is the first year I bumped Roddy White over Andre Johnson as my top wide receiver. Atlanta’s decision to draft Julio Jones means Matt Ryan is about to air it out on a regular basis in 2011. White could be lucky enough to see softer coverage with Jones keeping defensive backs and safeties honest. Also, I’d be remised if I didn’t mention that no matter your feelings towards the man, think about drafting Derrick Mason.

Now we play the waiting game.

Beall -

In regards to the top selection, one can’t go wrong with the quartet of Chris Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Arian Foster and Jamaal Charles. I have Johnson slightly above Peterson, despite Johnson’s contract dispute, as the Tennessee running back is more prominent in the passing game.

At quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady and Phillip Rivers are in an echelon above the rest. Peyton Manning and Drew Brees still have the ability to be fantasy cornerstones, but Manning’s neck surgery and Brees’ interception total from 2010 are causes for concern. For sleepers, Buffalo’s Ryan Fitzpatrick and Denver’s Tim Tebow are players that can score in the air and on the ground.

Andre Johnson, Roddy White and Calvin Johnson are the only wideouts in the top 20, and with good reason. In my experience, you can obtain a reliable receiver in the middle of the draft, whereas solid signal-callers and running backs vanish in the opening rounds. Need evidence? Brandon Lloyd, Dwayne Bowe, Santana Moss, Steve Johnson, Hakeem Nicks and Tampa’s Mike Williams were all elite contributors in 2010, yet none were highly sought during the preseason.

One final note: the majority of rookies were downgraded at their respective positions. Freshmen don’t tend to correlate to fantasy fruition, as anyone who owned Ryan Mathews last season will attest. Mark Ingram and Daniel Thomas may post phenomenal campaigns; however, don’t waste a relatively high pick on a rookie. More times than not, the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.

Harmon -

The first iteration of the overall ranking sheet is always a daunting task. I’ve stared at individual player histories and schedules and I have completed numerous side-by-side comparisons. The overall list is a different animal, and the dexterous hands working a keyboard give way to a monstrous white board.

My 2011 list began as these lists do every year. Running backs dominated the top of the sheet, with 11 of the first 13 players carrying the “RB” designation. Simply put, the backfield workhorses rose to the top of the heap in this vast expanse of committee situations. A total of sixty running backs appear in my top 200 (25 in the top 50).

I should note that top wide receivers and quarterbacks occupied nine of the first 25 slots, a marked change from years past. I have already logged a few asterisks next to potential movers as I revisit this list through the preseason. My hope is that changes are not caused by a rash of injuries to hamstrings, knee and ankles as the exhibition seasons continues.

Halpin -

Michael Turner ran for 1,699 yards and scored 17 touchdowns in 2008. Chris Johnson racked up 2,509 yards from scrimmage and 16 TDs in 2009. Arian Foster had a huge breakout in 2010, with 2,220 yards from scrimmage and 18 scores. That’s a terrific trio of backs, but I’ll still take Adrian Peterson, who averaged 1,781 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns over those three seasons. Peterson is money in the bank, and without Brett Favre around throwing all the time, he should get the ball 350 times in 2011. Purple Jesus is a fantasy superstar, as well as a low-risk top overall pick.

My first round doesn’t look very different from a lot of others’, but if you want some favorites, I’m really intrigued by Shonn Greene at No. 18, and Jonathan Stewart at No. 29. Both could break out in their new feature roles.

Does anyone scare me? Yes – Michael Vick at No. 17, and not just because I own a dog. Vick’s style of play is electrifying, and almost begs for some time off due to injury. He’s a first-rounder on many boards, but I’d hate to put all my eggs in his basket.

FANTASY RANKINGS, 1-10

Rank	Name	Pos	Fowler	Beall	Halpin	Harmon	Composite
1	Adrian Peterson	RB 1	1	2	1	1	1.25
2	Chris Johnson	RB 2	2	1	2	3	2.00
3	Arian Foster	RB 3	4	3	3	2	3.00
4	Jamaal Charles	RB 4	3	4	4	4	3.75
5	Maurice Jones-Drew	RB 5	13	5	5	5	7.00
6	LeSean McCoy	RB 6	6	7	9	9	7.75
7	Aaron Rodgers	QB 1	7	11	7	8	8.25
8	Ray Rice	RB 7	9	6	6	13	8.50
9	Rashard Mendenhall	RB 8	10	13	12	10	11.25
10	Michael Turner	RB 9	17	8	15	7	11.75

Surprise! Nine running backs and one quarterback crack the top ten list. LeSean McCoy is the intriguing back of the bunch. Will Michael Vick’s ability to run decrease the running back’s value or will his pass-catching skills increase it?

FANTASY RANKINGS, 11-20

Rank	Name	Pos	Fowler	Beall	Halpin	Harmon	Composite
11	Andre Johnson	WR 1	23	9	8	15	13.75
12	Darren McFadden	RB 10	8	16	19	12	13.75
13	Roddy White	WR 2	19	15	10	11	13.75
14	Frank Gore	RB 11	18	21	11	6	14.00
15	Michael Vick	QB 2	5	17	17	21	15.00
16	Steven Jackson	RB 12	21	12	13	17	15.75
17	Drew Brees	QB 3	16	22	14	14	16.50
18	Peyton Manning	QB 4	11	20	22	18	17.75
19	Matt Forte	RB 13	20	10	23	19	18.00
20	Calvin Johnson	WR 3	22	19	16	16	18.25

San Francisco’s Frank Gore falls out of the top ten after fracturing his hip in 2010. Three wide receivers (A. Johnson, White and C. Johnson) and quarterbacks (Vick, Brees and Manning (neck?) remain top tier options for owners.

FANTASY RANKINGS, 21-30

Rank	Name	Pos	Fowler	Beall	Halpin	Harmon	Composite
21	Tom Brady	QB 5	15	14	28	20	19.25
22	Philip Rivers	QB 6	12	18	25	34	22.25
23	Peyton Hillis	RB 14	14	23	30	24	22.75
24	Hakeem Nicks	WR 4	30	25	21	22	24.50
25	Ryan Matthews	RB 15	33	24	20	27	26.00
26	LeGarrette Blount	RB 16	24	28	26	28	26.50
27	Knowshon Moreno	RB 17	28	30	24	25	26.75
28	Greg Jennings	WR 5	26	27	27	29	27.25
29	Reggie Wayne	WR 6	29	26	33	26	28.50
30	Jonathan Stewart	RB 18	39	33	29	31	33.00

Breakthrough running backs Peyton Hillis, Ryan Matthews and LeGarrette Blount jump up the rankings in 2011. Down in Carolina, Jonathan Stewart leaps DeAngelo Williams and Mike Goodson as the Panthers’ number one option for Jimmy Clausen and/or Cam Netwon.

FANTASY RANKINGS, 31-40

Rank	Name	Pos	Fowler	Beall	Halpin	Harmon	Composite
31	Shonn Greene	RB 19	34	50	18	33	33.75
32	Dwyane Bowe	WR 7	25	35	37	39	34.00
33	Mike Wallace	WR 8	37	31	32	36	34.00
34	Miles Austin	WR 9	36	41	34	30	35.25
35	Larry Fitzgerald	WR 10	50	32	31	32	36.25
36	Antonio Gates	TE 1	35	42	35	35	36.75
37	Ahmad Bradshaw	RB 20	40	40	44	23	36.75
38	DeSean Jackson	WR 11	32	29	38	49	37.00
39	Jeremy Maclin	WR 12	27	47	43	43	40.00
40	Cedric Benson	RB 21	41	34	52	38	41.25

Six wide receivers dominate this ranking tier. Owners gave up on Dwyane Bowe after his slow start in 2010. Will they make the same mistake in 2011? Jeremy Maclin is right on the heels of DeSean Jackson as the top wide-out for the Eagles. Vick has shown he will throw it deep to DJ, but more often to Maclin.

FANTASY RANKINGS, 41-50

Rank	Name	Pos	Fowler	Beall	Halpin	Harmon	Composite
41	Tony Romo	QB 7	48	45	39	37	42.25
42	Vincent Jackson	WR 13	31	43	42	55	42.75
43	Mike Williams (TB)	WR 14	46	58	41	42	46.75
44	Dallas Clark	TE 2	38	53	45	52	47.00
45	Marques Colston	WR 15	51	51	49	45	49.00
46	Matt Schaub	QB 8	43	38	62	56	49.75
47	Stevie Johnson	WR 16	49	52	48	53	50.50
48	Jason Witten	TE 3	56	39	50	57	50.50
49	Matt Ryan	QB 9	42	65	59	40	51.50
50	Wes Welker	WR 17	44	44	57	63	52.00

Despite returning from injury, the fantasy department has faith Tony Romo can pick up where he left off, ranking him as the seventh best quarterback. Tampa Bay’s Mike Williams will be fun to watch as he tries to build on a successful rookie campaign where he hauled in 11 touchdowns.

FANTASY RANKINGS, 51-100

Rank	Name	Pos	Fowler	Beall	Halpin	Harmon	Composite
51	Ryan Grant	RB 22	53	49	58	50	52.50
52	Santonio Holmes	WR 18	45	56	51	62	53.50
53	Daniel Thomas	RB 23	52	62	64	41	54.75
54	Ben Roethlisberger	QB 10	47	54	71	48	55.00
55	DeAngelo Williams	RB 24	66	76	36	44	55.50
56	BenJarvus Green-Ellis	RB 25	55	60	40	68	55.75
57	Felix Jones	RB 26	57	54	57	58	55.75
58	Fred Jackson	RB 27	57	75	46	46	56.00
59	Jahvid Best	RB 28	65	78	47	51	60.25
60	Vernon Davis	TE 4	61	48	82	59	62.50
61	Dez Bryant	WR 19	63	69	56	65	63.25
62	Brandon Lloyd	WR 20	90	46	63	60	64.75
63	Josh Freeman	QB 11	72	36	88	72	67.00
64	Joseph Addai	RB 29	68	71	53	78	67.50
65	Jermichael Finley	TE 5	84	70	55	64	68.25
66	Anquan Boldin	WR 21	62	59	83	69	68.25
67	Marshawn Lynch	RB 30	67	64	70	75	69.00
68	Percy Harvin	WR 22	58	66	72	81	69.25
69	Joe Flacco	QB 12	59	86	78	54	69.25
70	Eli Manning	QB 13	60	84	77	61	70.50
71	Sidney Rice	WR 23	69	77	67	70	70.75
72	Santana Moss	WR 24	70	73	69	79	72.75
73	Mark Ingram	RB 31	91	67	76	66	75.00
74	Jay Cutler	QB 14	73	79	91	73	79.00
75	Matthew Stafford	QB 15	89	90	85	67	82.75
76	Ryan Torain	RB 32	74	89	100	71	83.50
77	Johnny Knox	WR 25	82	76	75	101	83.50
78	Sam Bradford	QB 16	71	68	98	99	84.00
79	Mike Tolbert	RB 33	64	101	79	95	84.75
80	Steve Smith (PHI)	WR 26	97	80	66	104	86.75
81	Mike Williams (SEA)	WR 27	74	72	96	106	87.00
82	Brandon Marshall	WR 28	199	37	65	47	87.00
83	Steve Smith (CAR)	WR 29	88	97	74	94	88.25
84	Brandon Jacobs	RB 34	76	92	104	83	88.75
85	Malcom Floyd	WR 30	79	100	61	115	88.75
86	Mario Manningham	WR 31	81	110	80	90	90.25
87	Chris Cooley	TE 6	86	83	93	100	90.50
88	Pierre Thomas	RB 35	77	107	95	92	92.75
89	Ronnie Brown	RB 36	78	99	113	82	93.00
90	James Starks	RB 37	106	82	89	98	93.75
91	Matt Cassel	QB 17	89	96	105	86	94.00
92	Zach Miller	TE 7	87	116	87	93	95.75
93	Brandon Pettigrew	TE 8	94	105	112	80	97.75
94	Braylon Edwards	WR 32	83	91	102	126	100.50
95	Tony Gonzalez	TE 9	108	129	90	76	100.75
96	Marcedes Lewis	TE 10	125	88	109	84	101.50
97	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB 38	104	111	121	74	102.50
98	Mikel Leshoure (will miss 2011)	RB 39	105	120	101	85	102.75
99	C.J. Spiller	RB 40	107	108	97	103	103.75
100	Michael Bush	RB 41	99	114	107	97	104.25

The sexy rookie pick is Miami’s Daniel Thomas. We will have to wait and see if Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are part of the Dolphins’ puzzle, but all signs point to the former Kansas State stud contributing immediately. Fantasy pundits are high on Matthew Stafford’s return following a season where he missed all but three games with a separated shoulder. He ranks out as the 15th best quarterback available.

FANTASY RANKINGS, 101-150

Rank	Name	Pos	Fowler	Beall	Halpin	Harmon	Composite
101	Chris Wells	RB 42	93	123	117	87	105.00
102	Kenny Britt	WR 33	201	74	68	77	105.00
103	A.J. Green	WR 34	121	87	103	122	108.25
104	Owen Daniels	TE 11	111	85	120	120	109.00
105	Kellen Winslow	TE 12	110	93	125	117	111.25
106	Mike Thomas	WR 35	112	103	92	140	111.75
107	Mark Clayton	WR 36	113	115	73	148	112.25
108	Jermaine Gresham	TE 13	95	125	127	107	113.50
109	Jordy Nelson	WR 37	98	130	94	113	113.75
110	Danny Woodhead	RB 43	119	133	106	105	115.75
111	Austin Collie	WR 38	200	95	60	109	116.00
112	Thomas Jones	RB 44	116	119	119	110	116.00
113	Jerome Simpson	WR 39	114	98	118	135	116.25
114	Mark Sanchez	QB 18	101	117	153	96	116.75
115	Roy Helu	RB 45	122	113	108	130	118.25
116	Ryan Williams	RB 46	134	94	124	129	120.25
117	Dustin Keller	TE 14	138	112	143	88	120.25
118	Hines Ward	WR 40	103	128	114	139	121.00
119	Tim Tebow	QB 19	100	132	133	128	123.25
120	Pittsburgh Steelers	DEF 1	118	149	126	102	123.75
121	Lance Moore	WR 41	102	122	86	190	125.00
122	Derrick Mason	WR 42	82	127	110	182	125.25
123	Jimmy Graham	TE 15	109	102	140	150	125.25
124	Julio Jones	WR 43	120	142	128	113	125.75
125	Green Bay Packers	DEF 2	133	139	136	108	129.00
126	Donald Brown	RB 47	132	124	154	118	132.00
127	Donovan McNabb	QB 20	123	147	122	138	132.25
128	DeMarco Murray	RB 48	141	121	157	112	132.75
129	David Garrard	QB 21	124	126	174	111	133.75
130	Rob Gronkowski	TE 16	115	121	148	152	134.00
131	Montario Hardesty	RB 49	117	165	131	123	134.00
132	Tim Hightower	RB 50	130	153	99	155	134.25
133	Aaron Hernandez	TE 17	126	109	183	124	135.50
134	New York Jets	DEF 3	144	145	142	119	137.50
135	Willis McGahee	RB 51	131	163	123	143	140.00
136	Ryan Fitzpatrick	QB 22	205	106	129	121	140.25
137	Chad Ochocinco	WR 44	128	118	182	136	141.00
138	Brent Celek	TE 18	137	144	141	142	141.00
139	Reggie Bush	RB 52	135	104	196	134	142.25
140	James Jones	WR 45	96	146	146	183	142.75
141	Steve Breaston	WR 46	148	131	134	168	145.25
142	Chicago Bears	DEF 4	144	156	151	132	145.75
143	Davone Bess	WR 47	140	140	139	166	146.25
144	Lee Evans	WR 48	149	169	115	159	148.00
145	Mike Sims-Walker	WR 49	129	134	155	180	149.50
146	Robert Meachem	WR 50	146	173	132	151	150.50
147	Ben Tate	RB 53	150	137	186	131	151.00
148	Randy Moss - RET.	WR 51	156	198	135	116	151.25
149	Jacoby Ford	WR 52	141	136	159	171	151.75
150	Nate Burleson	WR 53	161	161	111	174	151.75

Consider this group “Fantasy Football Impact Players: The New Class.” Guys like Cincinnati’s A.J. Green, Green Bay’s Jordy Nelson, Washington’s Roy Helu, and New Orleans’ Jimmy Graham are names to keep in the back of your mind when drafting. They may not win you a championship, but could sure bolster your roster.

FANTASY RANKINGS, 151-200

Rank	Name	Pos	Fowler	Beall	Halpin	Harmon	Composite
151	Baltimore Ravens	DEF 5	154	157	162	137	152.50
152	Mike Goodson	RB 54	151	155	145	161	153.00
153	Danny Amendola	WR 54	147	166	130	169	153.00
154	Kyle Orton	QB 23	127	205	195	91	154.50
155	Jason Campbell	QB 24	138	167	150	167	155.50
156	Anthony Armstrong	WR 55	156	135	188	157	159.00
157	Tony Moeaki	TE 19	158	158	163	160	159.75
158	New York Giants	DEF 6	169	180	167	125	160.25
159	Ben Watson	TE 20	152	177	156	162	161.75
160	Kevin Kolb	QB 25	205	152	205	89	162.75
161	Philadelphia Eagles	DEF 7	179	162	172	144	164.25
162	Justin Forsett	RB 55	165	174	138	184	165.25
163	Bernard Scott	RB 56	205	172	158	127	165.50
164	Donald Driver	WR 56	155	170	160	185	167.50
165	Rashard Jennings	RB 57	136	205	152	179	168.00
166	New England Patriots	DEF 8	173	160	189	153	168.75
167	Jason Snelling	RB 58	153	171	161	205	172.50
168	Emmanuel Sanders	WR 57	172	182	147	193	173.50
169	Tashard Choice	RB 59	143	205	170	177	173.75
170	Terrell Owens	WR 58	199	154	205	141	174.75
171	Louis Murphy	WR 59	162	179	171	188	175.00
172	Arrelious Benn	WR 60	197	164	168	176	176.25
173	Devin Hester	WR 61	181	159	180	186	176.50
174	San Diego Chargers	DEF 9	194	176	192	146	177.00
175	Cadillac Williams	RB 60	164	205	137	205	177.75
176	Greg Olsen	TE 20	205	143	205	164	179.25
177	Heath Miller	TE 21	174	186	200	158	179.50
178	David Gettis	WR 62	177	185	190	172	181.00
179	Alex Smith	QB 26	189	168	181	187	181.25
180	Danario Alexander	WR 63	166	183	191	195	183.75
181	Plaxico Burress	WR 64	184	205	205	147	185.25
182	Chad Henne	QB 27	187	178	205	173	185.75
183	Jordan Shipley	WR65	163	175	205	200	185.75
184	Dallas Cowboys	DEF 10	178	196	205	165	186.00
185	Matt Hasselbeck	QB 28	193	205	205	154	189.25
186	Carson Palmer	QB 29	198	205	205	149	189.25
187	Chester Taylor	RB 61	191	189	184	194	189.50
188	Atlanta Falcons	DEF 11	205	205	193	156	189.75
189	Cam Newton	QB 30	205	184	185	189	190.75
190	Nate Washington	WR 66	160	194	205	205	191.00
191	Christopher Ivory	RB 62	182	205	173	205	191.25
192	Josh Morgan	WR 67	180	187	205	196	192.00
193	Detroit Lions	DEF 12	205	205	198	163	192.75
194	Jacoby Jones	WR 68	176	193	205	198	193.00
195	Jeremy Shockey	TE 22	192	205	205	170	193.00
196	Kevin Walter	WR 69	164	200	205	205	193.00
197	Roy Williams	WR 70	171	205	194	205	193.75
198	Brandon Tate	WR 71	175	205	205	192	194.25
199	Legedu Naanee	WR 72	185	205	197	205	198.00
200	Jabar Gaffney	WR 73	196	205	205	197	200.75

Harmon and Fowler believe if Plaxico Burress can find a team, he’s worth taking a flier on late in your draft. Three of the four fantasy team members agree Cam Newton is worth a look late, too. Jabar Gaffney, with or without Kyle Orton as his quarterback, snags the grand distinction of Mr. Irrelevant in these fantasy football rankings. Can Tim Tebow be his savior?