The game, as they say, is afoot.
If you read that with a Scottish Sean Connery type brogue, it sounds even better.
With our 100 percent free Fantasy Football game -- which includes free live scoring and auction draft capability and is fully customizable -- now open it seemed a good time to update my top 200 rankings again.
Some things to note:
I did this with an ESPN 10 team standard league in mind. That means one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, a tight end and a flex player (one running back, wide receiver or tight end). It's standard scoring, which means no points per reception and four points for a touchdown pass.
I have done this with my own personal biases in mind. At various points, I'll interject with reasons for why I have ranked certain players where. But in general ...
• I believe you only have one kicker and one defense on a team roster at all times. When it's a bye week, you drop them and pick up another. If you have a particularly good defense, you can drop someone else to grab a bye week defense, but certainly, when drafting you should only be drafting one kicker and one defense. As a result, I have ranked only ten of each.
• Every draft I ever do, my last two picks are defenses and kickers in that order. Read last year's draft manifesto or the update I'll do to it this upcoming year for more background, but the difference between defenses is statistically insignificant, even if you could predict which will be the most valuable in fantasy, which, by the way, you can't. Where'd last year's consensus No. 1, the Chargers, finish? Exactly. (With Merriman expected back, I did rank the Bolts in the top 10, however).
• So my bottom 20 consists of defenses and then kickers because that is how I would draft. If you've ever read me before, you know how I feel about kickers. If you don't, suffice to say I spent less than 60 seconds on my kicker rankings.
• I would draft two quarterbacks and two tight ends in a league this deep and otherwise fill up on running backs and wide receivers. And so I have ranked 20 each of quarterbacks and tight ends.
• There are no rookies ranked here because I am doing this before the NFL draft. Once the draft has happened, I will update once again, with the rookies and all the veterans that they've affected, once we have a better idea of playing time, system, etc.
And with that, here we go ...
Michael Turner, Falcons
Adrian Peterson, Vikings
Here's my thinking on Turner being number one. First, in ESPN standard scoring, Turner outscored Peterson by 32 points. So it not only can it happen, it has happened. Second, Chester Taylor started vulturing a lot of scores from Peterson, who once again faded down the stretch (not as badly as his rookie year, but 11 points or fewer in three of the six games from weeks 11 to 16) and the Vikings still don't have a competent quarterback to keep teams from stacking the line. In Turner's case, the development of Matt Ryan, the emergence of Michael Jenkins as a decent No. 2 to Roddy White means teams must respect the pass, allowing a much easier time to run. Plus, Turner's been in the league for five years, Peterson only two and yet ... Peterson already has 20 more touches over his career.
Matt Forte, Bears
Brian Westbrook, Eagles
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
Now that Fred is gone and they have an offseason to get the offensive line healthy? Sky's the limit.
Clinton Portis, Redskins
Chris Johnson, Titans
Steven Jackson, Rams
Brandon Jacobs, Giants
Marion Barber, Cowboys
I'm assuming he is healthy and will continue to be a workhorse who will get all the goal-line touches. Think Felix Jones and Tashard Choice help Barber here by keeping him fresh.
DeAngelo Williams, Panthers
The most debate this year will be all about where you rank him. I like him a lot but I just don't see him getting 20 touchdowns again this year, especially with a healthy Jonathan Stewart around (who I like a good amount, as you'll see below). The touchdowns, obviously, were a significant part of Williams' value. Keith Hawkins of ESPN Stats & Information notes that in the history of the NFL, there have been 24 running backs that have gotten at least 20 touchdowns. Only five of them have gotten 20 or more the following season. (Emmitt Smith, Priest Holmes, Shaun Alexander, LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshall Faulk in case you were wondering. And I don't feel DeAngelo is in that class.)
LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
Think they get a real fullback in there, that he gets healthy and they upgrade the offensive line. I'm not as worried about Darren Sproles -- LT's a prideful guy and he's got a long offseason to think about this past year. I also feel the Chargers' defense gets a lot better than they played last season, meaning games are closer. Which means less gunslinging by Philip Rivers and more rushing. San Diego's defense improved in the second half and LT's rushing touchdowns went up from four in the first half to seven in the second, a 75 percent increase.
Steve Slaton, Texans
Drew Brees, Saints
Thomas Jones, Jets
Frank Gore, 49ers
Randy Moss, Patriots
Calvin Johnson, Lions
Tom Brady, Patriots
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
A healthy Brady for Moss, plus the fact Anquan Boldin might not be in Arizona (thus making it easier to double-team Larry Fitzgerald) was enough to drop Fitzgerald to three among WR.
Andre Johnson, Texans
Ryan Grant, Packers
Kurt Warner, Cardinals
Steve Smith, Panthers
Roddy White, Falcons
Reggie Wayne, Colts
Terrell Owens, Bills
Owens is always good his first year with a new team, he's got something to prove and Trent Edwards throws a good short pass, which is where T.O. will earn his keep.
Joseph Addai, Colts
Pierre Thomas, Saints
Peyton Manning, Colts
Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Brett who?
Kevin Smith, Lions
A lot better last year than people realize. Same could be said for me.
Marques Colston, Saints
Anquan Boldin, Cardinals. For now.
Again, questions about where he ends up.
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks
A happy and paid wideout on a team with no defense that likes to pass the ball? That's what I'm talking about.
Tony Romo, Cowboys
Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
Greg Jennings, Packers
Brandon Marshall, Broncos
Wes Welker, Patriots
Philip Rivers, Chargers
See my note on Tomlinson for why I am a bit lower on Rivers than some of my counterparts.
Marshawn Lynch, Bills
Sure, he's gonna miss three games at least. But a chip on his shoulder and an actual legit passing game to help take the pressure of the run keeps him a solid option at this point.
Tony Gonzalez, Falcons
Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
Reggie Bush, Saints
Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers
Jason Witten, Cowboys
Vincent Jackson, Chargers
Look at his numbers before you scratch your head. Or worse.
Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs
Roy E. Williams, Cowboys
Now that you-know-who is gone, Roy gets to prove why he was traded for. And paid handsomely. And he plays fantasy football, which has nothing to do with anything, but a shout out for that.
Santonio Holmes, Steelers
Darren McFadden, Raiders
He is healthy and he is the future. The Raiders need to see what they have in McFadden and you don't sign a guy like Jeff Garcia if you're not on a youth movement. Um, hang on there ...
Donovan McNabb, Eagles
Matt Ryan, Falcons
Le'Ron McClain, Ravens
At least you know he's getting it at the goal line. The Baltimore running back I trust the most.
Derrick Ward, Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay running back I trust the most.
Plaxico Burress, free agent.
Innocent until proven guilty or at least free until not, I'm basing this ranking on the idea that wherever he lands, it will be as an impact wide receiver, that he will avoid jail time in 2009 and that he realizes this is a last chance.
Santana Moss, Redskins
Matt Cassel, Chiefs
Dallas Clark, Colts
Eddie Royal, Broncos
Correll Buckhalter, Broncos
From a backup to at least a partial starting gig with potential for more moves Buckhalter higher than he's ever been with a healthy Brian Westbrook in the league.
Jamal Lewis, Browns
Larry Johnson, Chiefs
Wherever he winds up, it won't be in a solo starting role. At best, it's a time share. Or if he stays in KC, it's blocking for Cassel.
DeSean Jackson, Eagles
Braylon Edwards, Browns (for now)
Surprised at how far he dropped? Get it? Dropped? Whatever. Some of these are for me.
Bernard Berrian, Vikings
Hines Ward, Steelers
Antonio Gates, Chargers
Kevin Walter, Texans
See note after Jackson, Vincent.
Donald Driver, Packers
Jay Cutler, Bears
It's a new offense, he takes a major step down in his wideout talent (though Forte is a stud and Hester and Olsen are better than folks think) but the biggest reason I have Cutler down this low is similar to the Rivers thinking. The Bears are a cold-weather, ball-control offense and have what should be an elite defense. Lower-scoring, closer games than what Cutler had in Denver last year, where he had to fling it every time since the Broncos couldn't run.
Laveranues Coles, Bengals
Fred Taylor, Patriots
Derrick Mason, Ravens
Cedric Benson, Bengals
I just got the heebie-jeebies writing that. Shudder.
Willie Parker, Steelers
Lance Moore, Saints
David Garrard, Jaguars
Better down the stretch than you think.
Matt Schaub, Texans
Ted Ginn Jr., Dolphins
Lee Evans, Bills
Owen Daniels, Texans
Jerricho Cotchery, Jets
Anthony Gonzalez, Colts
Steve Breaston, Cardinals
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants
Deion Branch, Seahawks
Chris Henry, Bengals
My way of saying I don't think we see Chad Ochocinco in Cincy this year.
Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks
Sammy Morris, Patriots
Edgerrin James, Cardinals
Joe Flacco, Ravens
Bobby Engram, Chiefs
Carson Palmer, Bengals
Willis McGahee, Ravens
Torry Holt, Jaguars
Nowhere to go but up. For Garrard, for Holt, for the Jaguars' offense.
Justin Gage, Titans
Kevin Curtis, Eagles
Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings
Chris Cooley, Redskins
Fred Jackson, Bills
Even with the signing of Dominic Rhodes, I like Jackson a lot considering his pass-catching skills, the Lynch suspension and knowing the offense.
LenDale White, Titans
The Big Fat Bartolo Colon of the NFL.
Chris Chambers, Chargers
Darren Sproles, Chargers
Eli Manning, Giants
Kyle Orton, Broncos
You gotta admit, he has some nice weapons and a pass-happy coach. Serious sleeper.
Johnnie Lee Higgins, Raiders
Sidney Rice, Vikings
Domenik Hixon, Giants
Tim Hightower, Cardinals
Earnest Graham, Buccaneers
Chester Taylor, Vikings
Antwaan Randle El, Redskins
Patrick Crayton, Cowboys
Justin Fargas, Raiders
Julius Jones, Seahawks
Felix Jones, Cowboys
John Carlson, Seahawks
Ricky Williams, Dolphins
Leon Washington, Jets
Jerious Norwood, Falcons
Tony Scheffler, Broncos
Josh Morgan, 49ers
Chad Ochocinco, Bengals
Donnie Avery, Rams
Dustin Keller, Jets
Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers
Tashard Choice, Cowboys
Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
Nate Washington, Titans
Michael Jenkins, Falcons
Davone Bess, Dolphins
Devery Henderson, Saints
Peyton Hillis, Broncos
Greg Camarillo, Dolphins
Dominic Rhodes, Bills
Mark Bradley, Chiefs
Trent Edwards, Bills
Isaac Bruce, 49ers
Sinorice Moss, Giants
Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
Ray Rice, Ravens
Michael Bush, Raiders
Greg Olsen, Bears
Zach Miller, Raiders
Malcolm Kelly, Redskins
Bit of a sleeper surprise here, considering he was injured as a rookie, but the Redskins absolutely loved him and at this point, you're just drafting upside. He's got a lot.
Dennis Northcutt, Jaguars
Laurence Maroney, Patriots
Chaz Schilens, Raiders
Mark Clayton, Ravens
James Jones, Packers
Maurice Morris, Lions
Anthony Fasano, Dolphins
LaMont Jordan, Broncos
Kevin Faulk, Patriots
Ladell Betts, Redskins
J.J. Arrington, Broncos
Kevin Boss, Giants
Donald Lee, Packers
Brandon Jones, 49ers
Brandon Jackson, Packers
Kolby Smith, Chiefs
Danny Ware, Giants
Heath Miller, Steelers
Bryant Johnson, Lions
T.J. Duckett, Seahawks
Bo Scaife, Titans
Brent Celek, Eagles
Miles Austin, Cowboys
Jerome Harrison, Browns
Earl Bennett, Bears
Mike Walker, Jaguars
Steve Smith, Giants
Joey Galloway, Patriots
Vernon Davis, 49ers
Malcolm Floyd, Chargers
Harry Douglas, Falcons
Titans D/ST,
Steelers D/ST
Ravens D/ST
Eagles D/ST
Buccaneers D/ST
Bears D/ST
Giants D/ST
Vikings D/ST
Chargers D/ST
Jets D/ST
Rob Bironas, Titans
Nate Kaeding, Chargers
Jason Elam, Falcons
David Akers, Eagles
Nick Folk, Cowboys
Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
Mason Crosby, Packers
Ryan Longwell, Packers
Josh Brown, Rams
Jeff Reed, Steelers
Matthew Berry -- The Talented Mr. Roto -- is now on Twitter as TheRealTMR. He may or may not be interesting on it. He is a five-time award winner from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, including a Writer of the Year award. He is also the creator of RotoPass.com, a Web site that combines a bunch of well-known fantasy sites, including ESPN Insider, for one low price. Use promo code ESPN for 10 percent off. Cyberstalk the TMR | Be his Cyberfriend