It’s a sad time of year when your fantasy football league ends, but fear not. Here is the first big board for 2012, complete with three sleepers and three busts. This top 50 is for a 2012 fantasy draft, but takes into account 2011 performance. Obviously there will be movement and injury news, but here is a taste of what the landscape of 2012 fantasy football will look like.
Come next week, everyone will be deep into playoff fantasy football games. I’m not the only one looking ahead, as we’ve got many analysts working on 2012 fantasy football rankings.
| Players | Comment |
| LeSean McCoy | Pass catching back that has shown elite ability to find end zone |
| Ray Rice | Another duel threat back who improved ground numbers |
| Arian Foster | Back to back huge seasons make him a stud, not a one hit wonder |
| Aaron Rodgers | Doesn’t make mistakes, pass first offense is working and won’t change |
| Matt Forte | Had best season pre injury, if paid and happy, he’s elite |
| Drew Brees | Historic season was his sixth conesecutive of 4,300+ yards |
| Michael Turner | Lock for 1,200 and 10 scores. Heavy workload and balanced offense help |
| Darren McFadden | Career season before injury. Michael Bush scares me from DMC in round 1 |
| Jammal Charles | Injury stopped 2011 before it got started. Game breaking talent |
| Frank Gore | Expect a rebound in total yardage. Comfort in knowing what you’re getting |
| Maurice Jones-Drew | Three straight with at least 1,600 total yards, good bet for 10+ scores |
| Dez Bryant | Physical specimen can beat any coverage. Will lead WR’s in TD’s |
| Adrian Peterson | Devastating knee injury puts week 1 in question |
| DeMarco Murray | Emerged as great talent. Should eclipse 1,200 yards next season |
| Fred Jackson | Not sexy, but very productive. Pro bowler if healthy |
| Tom Brady | Typical Brady despite lack of supporting cast. Special connection with Gronk |
| Calvin Johnson | A bit inconsistent, but you can’t argue with final 2011 line |
| Rashard Mendenhall | Yards per carry down, but don’t let that stop you. He’s the key to this team |
| Chris Johnson | Far cry from CJ2K. Full off season will help him. Don’t write him off |
| Roddy White | Fifth straight with at least 83 grabs for 1,100 yards and 6 scores |
| Jimmy Graham | Athleticism superior, could emerge as Saints type pass catcher |
| Willis McGahee | As long as Tebow is starting, Broncos lead back will get 25 carries per |
| Rob Gronkowski | Unique size and speed. Presence of Hernandez a minor concern |
| Steven Jackson | Rams will be leagues surprise. Feed Jackson, and good things happen |
| Larry Fitzgerlad | If Kolb can learn to throw deep ball, Fitz could challenge top spot |
| Shonn Greene | Sanchize can’t win games without run game. LT getting old |
| Ryan Matthews | If Chargers ever figure out first half of season, he is a low end RB1 |
| Mike Wallace | Would be higher if I was told Ben would play 16 games |
| Andre Johnson | Injury plauged 2011 and the shift to run game hurts Andre 3k. Value pick |
| Wes Welker | Pass catching machine should deliever aanother 100+ in 2012 |
| Marshawn Lynch | Beast Mode can score with the best of them, focus of Seahawks |
| Greg Jennings | Many mouths to feed in GB, but Jennings tops the list |
| Marques Colston | Saints pass game is second to none, Graham could take Colston’s targets |
| Hakeem Nicks | Eli Manning break out season the real deal. Down season a fluke for Nicks |
| Mike Vick | Still has the playmaking ability of 2010. High risk, high reward |
| Ahmad Bradshaw | Great runner, but Jacobs takes endzone carries. Bradshaw could gain 1,300 |
| Vincent Jackson | Treat like any Charger, don’t sell him if he starts slow |
| Jeremy Maclin | Eagles top fantasy WR. Look for him to be labeled “elite” soon |
| Reggie Wayne | Should be undervalued next year. Situation can only improve |
| Tony Romo | Up and down, but he is among the top 5 at his position |
| Miles Austin | Yea, I like the Boys pass game next season |
| LeGarrette Blount | Runs hard, and the Bucs will improve |
| AJ Green | Rookie phenom, feels a lot like a young Megatron |
| Brandon Marshall | Older version of Green, still a great talent, but needs help |
| DeSean Jackson | Pain to own, but if motivated, is a top 10 guy |
| Eli Manning | The tourch has been passed, he is now the stronger Manning |
| Cedric Benson | Not a great player to watch, but his pounding style produces in long term |
| Steve Smith | Expect decline, but a nice bounce back season |
| Antonio Gates | When healthy he’s good for 1,000 and 10 |
| Matthew Stafford | Look for him to continue his growth |
| Sleepers | Justin Blackmon (will outproduce Julio Jones in 2012) |
| Joe Flacco (Ravens add a WR and Flacco is top 10 QB) | |
| Marion Barber (if Forte walks, Barber next in line) | |
| Busts | Stevie Johnson (feels a lot like Lee Evans to me) |
| Cam Newton (teams will begin to figure him out) | |
| Mark Ingram (Love the talent, but the situation caps his potential) |
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Tags: aaron rodgers, big board 2012, Dez Bryant, Fantasy Football, fantazzle, lesean mccoy, ray rice, tom brady
