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NFL Fantasy Rankings: Week One

by Whatifsports

created September 07, 2008, last edited February 10, 2009

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2008 Week 1 Fantasy Rankings

BtB presents position-by-position cheat sheets By Paul Bessire, WhatIfSports.com September 2nd, 2008

We present our updated, weekly fantasy football projections. This thorough analysis and statistical evaluation of every player and team in the NFL is part of a broader endeavor with FOXSports.com's Fantasy Football. Each regular season game is simulated 201 times, with the sum of the averages of those games being our final predicted outcome. This allows us to account for every player and statistical interaction in an NFL game. Rosters and depth charts are up-to-date and as accurate as possible as of Tuesday morning for each week. Information on scoring and injury analysis appears at the very bottom of this article.

To view a pop-up with positional rankings, please click on one of the links below. Good luck this season!

Overall rankings

| 1. | Tom Brady | QB | Patriots | Chiefs | 23.7 |

| 2. | Kurt Warner | QB | Cardinals | 49ers | 23.4 |

| 3. | Peyton Manning | QB | Colts | Bears | 23.4 |

| 4. | Brian Westbrook | RB | Eagles | Rams | 22.1 |

| 5. | Tony Romo | QB | Cowboys | Browns | 22.0 |

| 6. | Laurence Maroney | RB | Patriots | Chiefs | 21.1 |

| 7. | Carson Palmer | QB | Bengals | Ravens | 20.9 |

| 8. | Drew Brees | QB | Saints | Buccaneers | 20.4 |

| 9. | Derek Anderson | QB | Browns | Cowboys | 20.3 |

| 10. | Brett Favre | QB | Jets | Dolphins | 20.1 |

| 11. | Joe Flacco | QB | Ravens | Bengals | 19.7 |

| 12. | Joseph Addai | RB | Colts | Bears | 19.1 |

| 13. | Jason Campbell | QB | Redskins | Giants | 18.8 |

| 14. | Steven Jackson | RB | Rams | Eagles | 18.7 |

| 15. | Frank Gore | RB | 49ers | Cardinals | 18.7 |

| 16. | Marion Barber | RB | Cowboys | Browns | 18.6 |

| 17. | Adrian Peterson | RB | Vikings | Packers | 18.6 |

| 18. | Donovan McNabb | QB | Eagles | Rams | 18.4 |

| 19. | Chad Pennington | QB | Dolphins | Jets | 17.6 |

| 20. | LaDainian Tomlinson | RB | Chargers | Panthers | 17.5 |

| 21. | Jeff Garcia | QB | Buccaneers | Saints | 17.5 |

| 22. | Reggie Bush | RB | Saints | Buccaneers | 17.4 |

| 23. | Ben Roethlisberger | QB | Steelers | Texans | 16.9 |

| 24. | JaMarcus Russell | QB | Raiders | Broncos | 16.7 |

| 25. | Jon Kitna | QB | Lions | Falcons | 16.7 |

| 26. | J.T. O'Sullivan | QB | 49ers | Cardinals | 16.6 |

| 27. | Philip Rivers | QB | Chargers | Panthers | 16.5 |

| 28. | Clinton Portis | RB | Redskins | Giants | 16.3 |

| 29. | Eli Manning | QB | Giants | Redskins | 16.0 |

| 30. | Michael Turner | RB | Falcons | Lions | 15.9 |

| 31. | Jay Cutler | QB | Broncos | Raiders | 15.4 |

| 32. | Earnest Graham | RB | Buccaneers | Saints | 15.4 |

| 33. | Matt Schaub | QB | Texans | Steelers | 15.4 |

| 34. | Selvin Young | RB | Broncos | Raiders | 15.2 |

| 35. | Maurice Morris | RB | Seahawks | Bills | 15.2 |

| 36. | Jerious Norwood | RB | Falcons | Lions | 15.1 |

| 37. | Justin Fargas | RB | Raiders | Broncos | 15.0 |

| 38. | Aaron Rodgers | QB | Packers | Vikings | 14.7 |

| 39. | Matt Hasselbeck | QB | Seahawks | Bills | 14.7 |

| 40. | Kevin Smith | RB | Lions | Falcons | 14.5 |

| 41. | Willie Parker | RB | Steelers | Texans | 14.4 |

| 42. | Marc Bulger | QB | Rams | Eagles | 14.3 |

| 43. | Jamal Lewis | RB | Browns | Cowboys | 14.3 |

| 44. | Willis McGahee | RB | Ravens | Bengals | 14.3 |

| 45. | DeAngelo Williams | RB | Panthers | Chargers | 14.0 |

| 46. | Ricky Williams | RB | Dolphins | Jets | 14.0 |

| 47. | Thomas Jones | RB | Jets | Dolphins | 13.9 |

| 48. | Brandon Jacobs | RB | Giants | Redskins | 13.8 |

| 49. | Andre Hall | RB | Broncos | Raiders | 13.3 |

| 50. | Vince Young | QB | Titans | Jaguars | 13.2 |

| 51. | Larry Fitzgerald | WR | Cardinals | 49ers | 13.2 |

| 52. | Tarvaris Jackson | QB | Vikings | Packers | 13.1 |

| 53. | Jonathan Stewart | RB | Panthers | Chargers | 13.1 |

| 54. | Randy Moss | WR | Patriots | Chiefs | 13.1 |

| 55. | Edgerrin James | RB | Cardinals | 49ers | 13.1 |

| 56. | Braylon Edwards | WR | Browns | Cowboys | 13.0 |

| 57. | Fred Taylor | RB | Jaguars | Titans | 12.9 |

| 58. | Jake Delhomme | QB | Panthers | Chargers | 12.8 |

| 59. | Kyle Orton | QB | Bears | Colts | 12.6 |

| 60. | Marshawn Lynch | RB | Bills | Seahawks | 12.5 |

| 61. | Ryan Grant | RB | Packers | Vikings | 12.2 |

| 62. | Terrell Owens | WR | Cowboys | Browns | 12.1 |

| 63. | Darren McFadden | RB | Raiders | Broncos | 12.1 |

| 64. | David Garrard | QB | Jaguars | Titans | 12.1 |

| 65. | Reggie Wayne | WR | Colts | Bears | 12.0 |

| 66. | Leon Washington | RB | Jets | Dolphins | 11.9 |

| 67. | Marques Colston | WR | Saints | Buccaneers | 11.7 |

| 68. | LenDale White | RB | Titans | Jaguars | 11.6 |

| 69. | Larry Johnson | RB | Chiefs | Patriots | 11.6 |

| 70. | Trent Edwards | QB | Bills | Seahawks | 11.5 |

| 71. | Chris Perry | RB | Bengals | Ravens | 11.5 |

| 72. | Anquan Boldin | WR | Cardinals | 49ers | 11.5 |

| 73. | Plaxico Burress | WR | Giants | Redskins | 11.4 |

| 74. | Sammy Morris | RB | Patriots | Chiefs | 11.2 |

| 75. | T.J. Houshmandzadeh | WR | Bengals | Ravens | 10.8 |

| 76. | Wes Welker | WR | Patriots | Chiefs | 10.7 |

| 77. | Andre Johnson | WR | Texans | Steelers | 10.6 |

| 78. | Chester Taylor | RB | Vikings | Packers | 10.5 |

| 79. | Chris Johnson | RB | Titans | Jaguars | 10.5 |

| 80. | Adam Vinatieri | K | Colts | Bears | 10.4 |

| 81. | Brodie Croyle | QB | Chiefs | Patriots | 10.2 |

| 82. | Calvin Johnson | WR | Lions | Falcons | 10.1 |

| 83. | Ahmad Bradshaw | RB | Giants | Redskins | 10.1 |

| 84. | Rashard Mendenhall | RB | Steelers | Texans | 10.1 |

| 85. | Torry Holt | WR | Rams | Eagles | 10.0 |

| 86. | Santonio Holmes | WR | Steelers | Texans | 10.0 |

| 87. | Matt Forte | RB | Bears | Colts | 10.0 |

| 88. | Jason Witten | TE | Cowboys | Browns | 9.9 |

| 89. | Patriots | DEF | | Chiefs | 9.8 |

| 90. | Mason Crosby | K | Packers | Vikings | 9.8 |

| 91. | Kenny Watson | RB | Bengals | Ravens | 9.8 |

| 92. | Greg Jennings | WR | Packers | Vikings | 9.7 |

| 93. | Ronnie Brown | RB | Dolphins | Jets | 9.5 |

| 94. | Kellen Winslow | TE | Browns | Cowboys | 9.5 |

| 95. | Chad Johnson | WR | Bengals | Ravens | 9.4 |

| 96. | Rob Bironas | K | Titans | Jaguars | 9.3 |

| 97. | Robbie Gould | K | Bears | Colts | 9.2 |

| 98. | Mike Nugent | K | Jets | Dolphins | 9.1 |

| 99. | Ahman Green | RB | Texans | Steelers | 9.1 |

| 100. | Nick Folk | K | Cowboys | Browns | 9.1 |

| 101. | John Kasay | K | Panthers | Chargers | 9.1 |

| 102. | Roy Williams | WR | Lions | Falcons | 9.1 |

| 103. | Steve Slaton | RB | Texans | Steelers | 9.1 |

| 104. | Laveranues Coles | WR | Jets | Dolphins | 8.9 |

| 105. | Maurice Jones-Drew | RB | Jaguars | Titans | 8.8 |

| 106. | Javon Walker | WR | Raiders | Broncos | 8.8 |

| 107. | David Akers | K | Eagles | Rams | 8.8 |

| 108. | Josh Scobee | K | Jaguars | Titans | 8.8 |

| 109. | Nate Kaeding | K | Chargers | Panthers | 8.7 |

| 110. | Jerricho Cotchery | WR | Jets | Dolphins | 8.6 |

| 111. | Lee Evans | WR | Bills | Seahawks | 8.5 |

| 112. | Phil Dawson | K | Browns | Cowboys | 8.5 |

| 113. | Jason Hanson | K | Lions | Falcons | 8.5 |

| 114. | Marvin Harrison | WR | Colts | Bears | 8.5 |

| 115. | Joey Galloway | WR | Buccaneers | Saints | 8.4 |

| 116. | Darren Sproles | RB | Chargers | Panthers | 8.4 |

| 117. | Matt Ryan | QB | Falcons | Lions | 8.3 |

| 118. | Stephen Gostkowski | K | Patriots | Chiefs | 8.3 |

| 119. | Ted Ginn Jr. | WR | Dolphins | Jets | 8.2 |

| 120. | Reggie Brown | WR | Eagles | Rams | 8.2 |

| 121. | Derrick Mason | WR | Ravens | Bengals | 8.2 |

| 122. | John Carney | K | Giants | Redskins | 8.2 |

| 123. | Matt Prater | K | Broncos | Raiders | 8.2 |

| 124. | Martin Gramatica | K | Saints | Buccaneers | 8.1 |

| 125. | Dwayne Bowe | WR | Chiefs | Patriots | 8.1 |

| 126. | Shayne Graham | K | Bengals | Ravens | 8.0 |

| 127. | Bernard Berrian | WR | Vikings | Packers | 8.0 |

| 128. | Eagles | DEF | | Rams | 7.8 |

| 129. | Eddie Royal | WR | Broncos | Raiders | 7.7 |

| 130. | Neil Rackers | K | Cardinals | 49ers | 7.7 |

| 131. | Antonio Gates | TE | Chargers | Panthers | 7.7 |

| 132. | Tim Hightower | RB | Cardinals | 49ers | 7.6 |

| 133. | Ryan Longwell | K | Vikings | Packers | 7.6 |

| 134. | Josh Brown | K | Rams | Eagles | 7.6 |

| 135. | Matt Stover | K | Ravens | Bengals | 7.5 |

| 136. | Rian Lindell | K | Bills | Seahawks | 7.5 |

| 137. | Mark Clayton | WR | Ravens | Bengals | 7.5 |

| 138. | Sebastian Janikowski | K | Raiders | Broncos | 7.5 |

| 139. | Kris Brown | K | Texans | Steelers | 7.4 |

| 140. | Chris Chambers | WR | Chargers | Panthers | 7.4 |

| 141. | Donald Driver | WR | Packers | Vikings | 7.4 |

| 142. | Santana Moss | WR | Redskins | Giants | 7.4 |

| 143. | Anthony Gonzalez | WR | Colts | Bears | 7.3 |

| 144. | Patrick Crayton | WR | Cowboys | Browns | 7.3 |

| 145. | Chris Cooley | TE | Redskins | Giants | 7.3 |

| 146. | Todd Heap | TE | Ravens | Bengals | 7.2 |

| 147. | Dan Carpenter | K | Dolphins | Jets | 7.1 |

| 148. | Nate Burleson | WR | Seahawks | Bills | 7.1 |

| 149. | Jason Elam | K | Falcons | Lions | 7.0 |

| 150. | Muhsin Muhammad | WR | Panthers | Chargers | 6.9 |

| 151. | Shaun Suisham | K | Redskins | Giants | 6.9 |

| 152. | Isaac Bruce | WR | 49ers | Cardinals | 6.9 |

| 153. | Warrick Dunn | RB | Buccaneers | Saints | 6.8 |

| 154. | Roddy White | WR | Falcons | Lions | 6.7 |

| 155. | Kevin Jones | RB | Bears | Colts | 6.7 |

| 156. | Matt Bryant | K | Buccaneers | Saints | 6.6 |

| 157. | Sidney Rice | WR | Vikings | Packers | 6.5 |

| 158. | Joe Nedney | K | 49ers | Cardinals | 6.5 |

| 159. | D.J. Hackett | WR | Panthers | Chargers | 6.5 |

| 160. | Brandon Coutu | K | Seahawks | Bills | 6.5 |

| 161. | Jeff Reed | K | Steelers | Texans | 6.4 |

| 162. | Courtney Taylor | WR | Seahawks | Bills | 6.4 |

| 163. | Dominic Rhodes | RB | Colts | Bears | 6.4 |

| 164. | Julius Jones | RB | Seahawks | Bills | 6.4 |

| 165. | Drew Bennett | WR | Rams | Eagles | 6.3 |

| 166. | Reggie Williams | WR | Jaguars | Titans | 6.3 |

| 167. | Donte' Stallworth | WR | Browns | Cowboys | 6.2 |

| 168. | Colts | DEF | | Bears | 6.1 |

| 169. | Seahawks | DEF | | Bills | 6.1 |

| 170. | Hines Ward | WR | Steelers | Texans | 6.1 |

| 171. | Jeremy Shockey | TE | Saints | Buccaneers | 6.1 |

| 172. | Chargers | DEF | | Panthers | 6.0 |

| 173. | Derek Hagan | WR | Dolphins | Jets | 6.0 |

| 174. | Cowboys | DEF | | Browns | 6.0 |

| 175. | Devin Hester | WR | Bears | Colts | 5.9 |

| 176. | Rudi Johnson | RB | Lions | Falcons | 5.9 |

| 177. | Zach Miller | TE | Raiders | Broncos | 5.9 |

| 178. | Steve Breaston | WR | Cardinals | 49ers | 5.9 |

| 179. | Felix Jones | RB | Cowboys | Browns | 5.8 |

| 180. | Jerome Simpson | WR | Bengals | Ravens | 5.8 |

| 181. | Deuce McAllister | RB | Saints | Buccaneers | 5.8 |

| 182. | Michael Pittman | RB | Broncos | Raiders | 5.7 |

| 183. | Josh Morgan | WR | 49ers | Cardinals | 5.7 |

| 184. | Amani Toomer | WR | Giants | Redskins | 5.7 |

| 185. | Jaguars | DEF | | Titans | 5.6 |

| 186. | Tony Gonzalez | TE | Chiefs | Patriots | 5.6 |

| 187. | Vincent Jackson | WR | Chargers | Panthers | 5.5 |

| 188. | Fred Jackson | RB | Bills | Seahawks | 5.5 |

| 189. | Dallas Clark | TE | Colts | Bears | 5.5 |

| 190. | Buccaneers | DEF | | Saints | 5.4 |

| 191. | David Patten | WR | Saints | Buccaneers | 5.3 |

| 192. | Giants | DEF | | Redskins | 5.3 |

| 193. | L.J. Smith | TE | Eagles | Rams | 5.3 |

| 194. | Kevin Walter | WR | Texans | Steelers | 5.2 |

| 195. | Bryant Johnson | WR | 49ers | Cardinals | 5.2 |

| 196. | Bills | DEF | | Seahawks | 5.2 |

| 197. | Browns | DEF | | Cowboys | 5.2 |

| 198. | Dustin Keller | TE | Jets | Dolphins | 5.2 |

| 199. | Antwaan Randle El | WR | Redskins | Giants | 5.2 |

| 200. | Jets | DEF | | Dolphins | 5.2 |

The individual players and defensive teams below are ranked based entirely on

projected full-season fantasy points using the FOX Fantasy Football Default Scoring where for QBs, RBs, WRs and TE, all TDs are 6 points, each 25 yards passing are 1 point, interceptions are -2 points, fumbles lost are -2 points, each ten yards receiving are 1 point and two-point conversions are 2 points. For kickers, all extra points are 1 point and all field goals are at least 3 points with an extra bonus point for field goals made over 40 yards and another bonus point for field goals made over 50 yards. Individual defensive players (linked to below, but not inlcuded in overall rankings) earn 1 point for each solo tackle, 1 point for each sack, 2 points for each interception and six points for each touchdown. Team defenses include special teams and are treated similarly for sacks, interceptions and touchdown returns, while a more complex system, based on the outcome of each individual game, is utilized for points allowed per game.

Please note: These overall fantasy rankings are strictly based on total points earned for the season. They do not account for position scarcity, number of owners drafting and their drafting styles, roster restrictions, custom league scoring rules or other items that should be considered while drafting. Injuries are accounted for based on a player's past history and the likelihood of missing games due to injury. This is reflected in his games played (GP) value. However, unless the injury is already known and takes place at the beginning of the season, the players are arbitrarily injured throughout the season (as opposed to just at the end or beginning of the year). Players with less than 16 GP will likely vary the most from their projected numbers because they are injury-prone or have depth chart and playing time concerns.

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