2009 Fantasy Football Player Rankings

2009 is a strange year for fantasy football rankings.  The field is flatter (more parity) than I’ve ever seen before.  This phenomenon is especially apparent at RB, where I see about 20 guys that could all compete for a top five spot by the time the season is over.  While my rankings pages linked below will be updated regularly, I’m writing this initial static post in March. There is very little in the way of rankings available this early, but I feel comfortable claiming some things as “consensus,” such as DeAngelo Williams, Michael Turner, and Matt Forte coming out of nowhere to be first round picks. The days of LT at number one overall are finished, but where does he go now?  Without further ado, here are the links to my rankings pages:

2009 Fantasy Football Running Back Rankings
2009 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings
2009 Fantasy Football Wide Receivers Ranking
2009 Fantasy Football Tight Ends Ranking

As I mentioned earlier, this player rankings list was one of the toughest I’ve ever put together for fantasy football. Perennial Cellar Dwellers should be excited – you can throw out the Abacus that you usually use to count your score because there’s enough parity that anyone can lucksack into the playoffs. More skillful owners may need to prepare more than usual to maintain an edge over your league. Gone are the days of LT and Manning dominating their categories. Somebody is going to break out DeAngelo Williams style and be the difference maker. You just need to be savvy or lucky enough to nab them in your drafts.

My initial lists are pre-NFL Draft so they include no rookies, but I am excited to see where some of the beastly RBs end up. Forte and Chris Johnson performed at a fantasy first round level last season as rookies. If Knowshon Moreno or Chris Wells land in the right place we could easily see that happen again. One of them may debut in the top 20 of my 2009 RB Rankings list. Crabtree also has the tools to make an impact in his first year if his ankle holds. As for QB’s Matthew Stafford, Mark Sanchez, and Josh Freeman? I’m not touching them with a ten foot pole this year no matter where they end up. There are no Matt Ryans in this group.

Other fantasy football bloggers: Get your 2009 Fantasy Football Player Rankings lists up! I feel like I’m all alone out here.