Screamo’s 2014 Fantasy Football Top 5 Position Rankings

It’s that time of the year again: fantasy football season. Fantasy football is a fun, exciting way for fans to feel as if they are a part of what actually happens on Sundays in the NFL. Fantasy football is actually quite simple and for some people can consume their lives for the few months that football is in season.

Anybody that plays can tell you that building a completely balanced team is the key to winning your league. That being said, here are the top 5 players at each position for fantasy with some breakdowns of players and what their upside and downside will be during this upcoming 2014 fantasy football season:

Adrian Peterson should be the #1 overall pick in every fantasy football league.
By Mike Morbeck, via Wikimedia Commons

Running Backs (RB):

1. Adrian Peterson: For the last few years since his return from injury, AP has just been filthy and he will again in 2014 be a monster. Peterson is basically the Vikings’ entire offense with the exception of wideout Cordarrelle Patterson. With his quarterback to either be Matt Cassel or rookie Teddy Bridgewater, Peterson is primed to have another great year as long as he stays healthy.
2. Matt Forte: Having Forte this high may come to a surprise of many but when healthy, Forte is an absolute beast. He can catch, he can run, he can do it all. The Bears look primed to have a very scary offense that centers around Forte especially if Cutler injuries himself yet again.
3. LeSean McCoy: Shady McCoy is coming off a breakout season with Chip Kelly and his offense. McCoy will have another stellar season but his production will fade, as teams defenses will figure out ways to slow down Kelly and his offense.
4. Jamaal Charles: Charles was everything for the Chiefs last season and so he put up some exceptional numbers. I just don’t see the Chiefs relying so heavily on Charles again in 2014 but that doesn’t mean he won’t put up numbers. Charles is still a main option in that offense and will continue to be.
5. Eddie Lacy: Not seeing Marshawn Lynch in the top 5 will make some people angry but I believe that Eddie Lacy has taken over the fifth spot. I am fearful that Lynch will get caught-up in the Super Bowl champion hype and it will affect his numbers slightly. Plus, Lacy has a lot to prove being so that he doesn’t endure a sophomore slump. 

Quarterback (QB):

1. Peyton Mannng: Despite the Super Bowl meltdown, need I even say more about this one?
2. Aaron Rodgers: I am looking for Rodgers to have a great season in 2014. He is healthy and wants to remind everyone just who the king of the QBs is. Watch out for Rodgers in 2014.
3. Drew Brees: Brees and the Saints were so close to beating Seattle in Seattle in the playoffs. The Saints always have an explosive offense, which makes Brees a top fantasy QB every year.
4. Matthew Stafford: Just having Calvin Johnson as your number 1 WR, you are going to make the top 5 despite all the turnovers. Stafford will look to cut down on the turnovers and if he does so, the Lions may have a chance at the playoffs this season.
5. Matt Ryan: I know this is a gamble putting him here but I believe with a healthy Julio Jones and Roddy White, the Falcons can have their scary offensive attack back. Plus the addition of speedster Devin Hester will help Ryan and the Falcons.

Wide Receiver (WR):

1. Calvin Johnson: Johnson scares anyone who goes up against him even in fantasy because he is that good. He will have another amazing season so fantasy owners be afraid if he isn’t in your lineup.
2. Dez Bryant: Whom else do the Cowboys have on offense? Their offense mainly consists of Tony Romo throwing deep to Bryant for the touchdown and after that it’s a mix of runs by Murray and some balls to Jason Witten. Bryant will have another breakout year.
3. AJ Green: Green has been one of the more consistent fantasy wide receivers in his first three seasons and more of the same in 2014. Andy Dalton and Green have a connection and Green will take advantage of that yet again. Green will have another pro bowl year in 2014.
4. Demaryius Thomas: Thomas would be higher than 4 if the Broncos didn’t have so many other weapons for Manning to throw to. Still Thomas is a deadly wide-out to go up against as he can explode for a few touchdowns in one game.
5. Julio Jones: When healthy, Jones is a top five wide receiver in the NFL. He is back and looks to be healthy and should be who we all know he is. Picking between him and Brandon Marshall was a difficult one but Jones gets the slight edge because of the Falcons weaker running back situation.

Tight Ends (TE):

1. Jimmy Graham: Graham is a touchdown machine because of his size and speed. Also having Drew Brees as his quarterback doesn’t hurt either. Graham looks to repeat his astounding 2013 season in 2014.
2. Rob Gronkowski: The key for Gronk is staying healthy. We all know what he can do when he’s actually on the field but his health has been an issue the last few seasons for the Patriots.
3. Julius Thomas: Thomas made a name for himself with the help of Peyton Manning in 2013, but much like his counterpart Demaryius Thomas, the Broncos have so many weapons where Thomas could be left out depending on the week.
4. Vernon Davis: When the 49ers throw the football, Davis is usually target number-one but they prefer to pound the ball and throw on third down. Davis will get his TDs and numbers but don’t expect him to exceed expectations.
5. Jordan Cameron: He had a hot start to the 2013 season only to cool down a bit towards the end. Yet with Josh Gordon likely to be indisposed, Cameron will and should be targeted more often. He is a great sleeper tight end option.

Defense/Special Teams (DST):

1. Seattle Seahawks: The NFL’s best defense in 2013 will again be dominant. You can’t go wrong with the Seahawks at all.
2. San Francisco 49ers: Like the Seahawks, you can’t go wrong with the 49ers. They are a physical and strong defense that will hit the opponent hard.
3. Carolina Panthers: I am actually scared to put this defense so high on here but I can’t overlook what they did last season. I am a big believer in showing what you can do in consecutive years so you prove that it wasn’t a one-year wonder. The Panthers will need to do that in order to maintain a top spot on here.
4. Cincinnati Bengals: Overlooked for some reason by the poor performance by Andy Dalton, the Bengals defense has quietly been one of the best every season for the last few years. They were a top-three defense without two of its best players last year so yeah, they deserve to be here.
5. Kansas City Chiefs: This defense has the most takeaways last season. That’s worth a lot.

Kicker (K):

1. Matt Prater: Prater is a benefactor of the Broncos explosive offense, but he is suspended for the first four games so beware if you have him on your roster until he comes back.
2. Justin Tucker: Tucker is a stud and you don’t usually hear that about a kicker. He makes just about everything and doesn’t crumble under pressure, which is exactly what you want in a kicker.
3. Stephen Gostkowski: Like the Broncos, the Patriots have a high-powered offense, which benefits Gostkowski. Nonetheless he is a good kicker and you can’t go wrong with selecting him.
4. Mason Crosby: Crosby is a consistent kicker who plays for a good offensive team. Like the others on this list, he is a quality selection.
5. Blair Walsh: Although Walsh plays for a bad team, he is a good pickup for a kicker in fantasy. Walsh can help any fantasy team get over the hump with his consistency.