FF Keeper Guide '07: Top 25
| 10
|
by user Bobbyjim45
Let's get started with the top 25 keepers headed into the 2007 season. This list is mostly based on a player's projected performance in '07, but the extended future is also taken into account (basically this means you won't find Brett Favre, Jeff Garcia or Brad Johnson in any of these lists). These guys are the cream of the crop and are all worth keeper spots if your team keeps two or more guys. Beware that these rankings are still subject to change based on transactions to come and other factors, all of which can be found in the FF Keeper Guide '07: 5 Easy Rules.
- LaDanian Tomlinson - Dear LT, please forgive me for calling you the third best running back last offseason. I'm sorry and it will never happen again, sir.
- Larry Johnson - Unquestioned number two right now. It could be said that there are three tiers of players going into 2007: LT, LJ, and everybody else.
- Steven Jackson - Getting away from the fun-and-gun style of a Mike Martz offense was the best thing that could've happened to Jackson. He's finally getting primetime carries and he's backing it up with primetime performance.
- Frank Gore - Gore broke out last year, with a stunning 5.4 ypc in 300+ attempts, but don't be surprised if there's a slight drop off. He's no longer a secret weapon and if Alex Smith can't deliver, teams will be lining up just to stop Gore.
- Shaun Alexander - Alexander was hampered by his injury in 2006, but proved he was still the same player when he came back. Still top five material.
- Willie Parker - Willie had a great season, but make sure to get a backup who has good matchups when the Steelers go against Baltimore. Parker was totally shut down in both meetings between the teams.
- Brian Westbrook - Many will chalk up Westbrook's success as a product of the brief Garcia regime in Philly, but the numbers were there all season long. Don't worry about the return of McNabb.
- Peyton Manning - Now he's a Super Bowl champion, what else does he have to play for? More endorsements and gaudy numbers, that's what.
- Rudi Johnson - There's a bit of a talent drop off here after Manning, but Rudi would still do you well as a number one back. He's going to give you consistent numbers every week and that's always a plus.
- Joseph Addai - Dominic Rhodes is a free agent so it looks like Addai will get the carries for the defending champs. We know he can get it done in big situations, but can he handle the every day load? It's worth a late first round pick, or a top keeper spot to find out.
- Maurice Jones-Drew - It would be nice for MJD owners to see Fred Taylor totally out of the picture, but it's pretty clear the little guy will get most of the carries.
- Ronnie Brown - If Culpepper can come back healthy, this could finally be Brown's year. He showed flashes last season before getting hit with the injury bug and with some team stability, Brown could put something together.
- Steve Smith - Smith keeps the top WR spot based on his potential to put up huge numbers any week, against any team. He was hampered by injuries much of last season, keeping him (and his team) inconsistent most of the year. Look for him to come back healthy and prove his worth in 2007.
- Reggie Wayne - Wayne and Harrison are going to put up unbelievable numbers. Even though Indy won't need to rely as much on the passing game with such an improved defense, Manning is too good to let the best receiving duo in the NFL waste away.
- Marvin Harrison - Read: Wayne, Reggie
- Reggie Bush - More than likely, Deuce will get more carries again this year, but Bush gets the nod here because of his youth and his threat to pick up points through the air.
- Deuce McAllister - Even though he's sharing carries with a potential superstar, Coach Payton manages to get him enough touches to spend a keeper spot on Deuce.
- Clinton Portis - It will be interesting to see how Portis can overcome the nagging injuries he suffered with in 2006. It seemed like he was coming into his own in Washington in '05, so hopefully he picks up where he left off two years ago.
- Carson Palmer - Still the second best fantasy QB out there. He was able to overcome the devastating knee injury and build on his '05 campaign. Look for him to keep building in '07. I'm predicting we'll be calling Palmer 1B to Peyton's 1A next offseason.
- Drew Brees - There are really only 3-4 QBs worth keeping (Manning, Palmer, Brees, maybe Brady). If you have Brees leading your squad, you'll have no problems at QB next season.
- Chad Johnson - If you look at Johnson's season totals from '06, look at his track record, and the team he's playing for, you wonder why he's not the number one WR. However, take a look at his game-by-game stats and you'll see he was wildly inconsistent. He had only four 100 yard receiving games, all coming in a five-week span, and only four games in which he scored a TD. He's probably still worth a spot, but be careful of the inconsistencies.
- Chester Taylor - For the first time in years, Minnesota turned into a conservative offense, focused on running the football and Taylor reaped the benefits. Ride him again in '07.
- Torry Holt - Year in and year out this guy delivers and makes his fantasy owners happy. He may be on the wrong side of 30, but there's no reason to believe he'll slow down now.
- Larry Fitzgerald - He struggled a bit with injuries last year, but Fitzgerald clearly established himself as the number one target over Anquan Boldin for Matt Leinart. He's definitely worth a spot on your team.
- Mike Bell - The trade of Tatum Bell to the Lions opened the door for Bell to be the guy in Denver, and, if history is any guide, that means (Mike) Bell will put up big numbers. He's not a mortal lock for a keeper, as he's still relatively unproven, but he's worth hanging on to unless you have other obvious choices.
