Fantasy Player Projections 6-15

6. Michael Turner- I expect a full rebound from Turner who sat out five games last season with an ankle injury. Prior to his injury mid season, Turner was hitting his stride, posting in his final three games an average of 142.6 yards. Along with his health, Turner is blessed with a talented surrounding cast. Matt Ryan, a future star in his own right, as well Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez serve as diversions from teams stacking up in the box to stop the power running game of the Falcons. I expect numbers close to 1,300 and 12 TD as a possible number for Turner, only with potential scores stolen by his teammates and a lackluster Flacons line.

7. Aaron Rodgers- The once overlooked prospect from Cal, written off as a system QB, showed last year the talent he posses for the game. Playing at an elite level and surrounded by talented receivers in Greg Jennings and Donald Driver along with Ryan Grant in the backfield, the Packers are poised for a deep playoff run. Rodgers is in his prime (26), and has posted back to back 4,000 yard years with the 09’ campaign witnessing 30 TD against 7 INT. With an easy schedule, especially in the first 6 games (PHI,BUF,CHI,DET,WASH,MIA) Rodgers and the Packer offense should post impressive stats.

8. Andre Johnson- Watching Johnson last year was an exciting thing. Every snap as Matt Schaub dropped back into the pocket you knew it was going to AJ, the other team knew it was going to AJ and wouldn’t you know AJ caught it and went in for a score. That happened 9 times last year, and with an absent run game and a healthy QB in Schaub, Johnson should be the main focus of a relatively productive offense. Numbers resembling 1,400 yards and 13 TD should be within reach for a guy who can catch anything thrown at him.

9. Drew Brees- The Super Bowl winning QB should see a regression in the career year he posted in 2009, yet the drop off shouldn’t be as drastic as the dreaded Super Bowl hangover often inflicts on teams. The Saints have made only minor adjustments to a team that looked prime for a breakup after their victory. With Bush still in the backfield it adds a dimension (decoy) to the offensive that is effective yet built around the success of the QB. I expect healthy numbers from Brees 4,120 yards and 30 TD should be realistic numbers.

10. Frank Gore- Gore enters the 2010 campaign as the machine of the 49ers hopes for a playoff berth. There is talent on the offensive line and developing receiving threat Michael Crabtree should look to improve on his limited rookie season. This should give Gore the much needed break in attention he needs if he is to stay productive or even healthy by week 17. Gore’s track record doesn’t offer much hope for huge numbers, and a drop off could happen with the slightest injury to either one of his surgically repaired knees. Gore does posses the ability to catch the ball which gives him the nod over similar backs such as Rashard Mendenhall and Cedric Benson. Wishful numbers for Gore resemble 1,100 yards and 8 TD with 300 yards/rec and 2 TD.

11. Larry Fitzgerald- Putting Larry at this spot is the vote of confidence I have in Matt Leinhart or Derek Anderson to do a decent job on a still well oiled Cardinals attack. Though the departures of Kurt Warner and Anquan Boldin are hurtful, Steve Breaston is a capable replacement along with Early Doucet. Furthermore, this could be a breakout year for RB Beanie Wells as Arizona looks to a conservative approach on offense. For Fitzgerald though in the early going will be the target and numbers such as 1,200 yards and 10 TD should be an achievable number.

12. Rashard Mendenhall- Mendenhall is one of those players who on paper should be producing huge numbers considering his situation. The recent lost of Willie Colon to an already feeble line makes that situation less desirable, but with a good team around him this should be the year he begins to produce like a top back in the league. Last years numbers were spotty, with only 3 games of over 100 yards. Yet with the exit of Santonio Holmes and the ageing of Hines Ward, Mendenhall is the feature of the Steelers offense. I expect a rise in yards and scores, numbers resembling 1,250 yards and 10 scores should be within reach.

13. DeAngelo Williams- The Panthers two pronged attack of Williams and Stewart is the leagues best. The need for two backs is evident since usually one or the other is injured. However for Williams prospects in 2010, there should be plenty of reasons to be excited. The departure of Jake Delhomme leaves a more desirable QB situation for the turnover weary Panthers. Matt Moore (should be opening day starter) and others battling for the QB spot should provide a more capable signal caller, and under the tutelage of the conservative Fox and Davidson the run game will be the backbone of the Panthers offense. The offensive line given health should rank as one of the best in the league with Jordan Gross, Jeff Otah, and the emergence of Ryan Khalil. Given the numbers Stewart should take away, Williams should look for 1,200 yards and 9 TD as goals.

14. Cedric Benson- His recent legal problems don’t effect this ranking (he plays for the Bengals). So when Cedric does get back onto the field, I see him producing at a level he did in 09’. Cincinnati has a staunch defense which will provide the ability to grind out games on the legs of Cedric. Along with that the maturation of Andre Smith on the O-line should only add to the Bengals attack. The new addition of former Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham should steal some read-zone scores from Benson. In all 1,300 and 5 TD seem fair considering it is Cincinnati.

15. Shonn Greene- The former Hawkeye star looks to become one in the pros this year as he takes the lead in the Jet backfield. The vacancy left by Thomas Jones was patched in with Ladainian Tomlinson in the off season, yet it is Greene who should get the lions share of the carries for the trendy pick to win it all in 2010. The Jets posses the best offensive line in football with Nick Mangold playing like a future Hall of Famer. The Jets are a run heavy, run first team, blending well with Greene’s bruising style shows potential for a big breakout year. Projected numbers are 1,150 yards and 8 TD.

Top 5 Fantasy Players 2010 (More to Come)

1. Chris Johnson- It is hard to imagine CJ pulling off another season like he had last year. One would have to think there would be a slip in rushing yards, considering most teams are scheming to key in on Johnson, the Titans only legitimate weapon on either side of the ball. Though with a stout offensive line featuring Dave Stewart and Michael Roos, the slide won’t be that noticeable. The importance of the other surrounding cast members plays little into the effect of Johnson’s game. A healthy and competent Vince Young would be of benefit, but his success lies with CJ’s ability to add defenders into the box. In all Johnsons abilities are rare enough to carry this team to .500 record on his own.

2. Ray Rice- No Adrian Peterson at this spot, instead the short and stout pinball out of Rutgers resides ahead of more accomplished backs. Rice’s performance in stretches during the 09’ season were the best in the league, and the upcoming season should see those rise with the digression of Willis McGahee. Further bolstering Rice’s potential is the addition of Anquan Boldin, a dangerous deep threat and one who can block downfield. In all Rice’s ability to post robust stats in both the rushing and receiving game earns this spot.

3. Adrian Peterson- Few in the league warrant the attention Peterson draws when game-planning each week. The workhorse of the Vikings attack looks for another successful campaign, hopefully with Brett Favre under center. Peterson has potential to finish the season as the top back and even player in fantasy if the aforementioned Favre returns and AP learns to control the rock (6 fumbles 09’). The Vikings offensive line is aging and durability may be a concern towards the end of the season. However will the sheer will and power of Petersons running style, 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns are a given.

4. Maurice Jones-Drew- Similar in the style of Rice, Jones-Drew does it all, run, catch, and he is one heck of a blocker (ask Shawne Marriman). MJD looks to improve on an even better season in 2010 with a more matured offensive line. The key to Jacksonville in all resides in the ability for the line to give Garrard time in the pocket, a feat it failed miserably at last season. Tackles Eben Britton and Eugene Monroe are keys to the potential of Jacksonville’s offense. Their maturation this season could propel the Jaguars into playoff contention. If a successful passing game can be established, MJD should have the lanes to produce Top 5 stats.

5. Steven Jackson- All this guy did last season was to eat up yards. He finished 2nd behind in Johnson for rushing yards yet only managed to muster 4 touchdowns for his efforts. This season looks to be a similar situation for the Rams with an inexperienced QB and question marks at receiver. The line should prove capable of duplicating similar rushing totals with the likes of Jason Brown and former #2 overall pick Jason Smith. Expect to see a rise in touchdowns and a slip in overall yards.