Sometime between Susan Boyle becoming an Internet sensation and a bunch of unicorns becoming an Internet curiosity, the NFL held its annual draft. As you may have noticed (and I say "may have" because there's always the chance you live in a cave and are blind and deaf without modern technology) ESPN and ESPN.com went "almost hog" in their coverage of the festivities.
I say "almost hog" as opposed to the whole pig because, while Chris Berman, Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Trey Wingo and the cast of thousands did their usual fantastic job, we didn't do any network fantasy coverage during the event. Christopher Harris did a terrific live blog during the first two rounds -- I highly recommend it -- but most of all, it ultimately meant I got the two days off. Sweet.
So I went to the draft as a spectator and had a blast. From a fan perspective, I was thrilled my Redskins took a great defensive lineman as opposed to trading up with picks we don't have for a quarterback we don't need. Give Jason Campbell an actual second year with the same offensive system and a healthy offensive line before we decide he's no good, OK? I actually like him a lot from a skill standpoint.
But as you can imagine, being at an event like the NFL draft with tons of ESPN folks around means I got recognized some.
Kid: Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to tell you that you're my favorite ESPN columnist.
Me: Oh, thanks. That's really nice of you to say.
Kid: No, seriously, your favorite column of mine was the cha-cha-cha column.
Me: I didn't write that.
He thinks I'm Rick Reilly. As the kid realizes his mistake and rushes off, I can't decide if this is more insulting to Rick or to myself.
Later on, a woman approaches me.
Woman: Excuse me, I know this probably sounds weird, but my boyfriend is in the other room. He's a huge fan of yours and really shy. Would you mind if he came over and got a picture with you?
Me: Of course not. Bring him over. I'll be here for a bit.
Three minutes later she shows up with a guy.
Woman: (with big flourish) Here he is!
Guy comes up to me and whispers.
Guy: Sorry, man. She thought you were Bill Simmons.
As they walk away, I can't decide if this is more insulting to me or to Bill.
I come back home and open up my mailbag:
Brian (Centerville, Ohio): I've got a friend who is obsessed with you and was wondering if there were any Matthew Berry "products." Bobble Heads, T-Shirts or something like that? Thanks.
TMR: No. But if you buy "Now I Can Die in Peace" or "Shanks for Nothing," I'll autograph it for you.
My conversations -- along with seeing people at the draft and overhearing conversations ("There's Mort! Hey, Keyshawn! Is that Steve Young?") -- led me to realize, whether it is football players for your fantasy team or ESPN personalities or even what you buy for lunch (hot dogs lead hoagies two to one) ... we all rank things differently. And when something new is entered into the equation ("TMR, you're my absolute ... whoa, is that Erin Andrews? Gotta go.") it changes said rankings.
And so it is with this new top 200. We now know where rookies will play, and the ranks will constantly change as we learn more about playing time. Will Mark Sanchez start the year? Where does Edgerrin James land? What about Plaxico Burress? But as of right now, just three days after the draft, here is my latest ranking. I've adjusted some guys based on the draft, hearing my colleagues' thoughts on some players in our recent rankings meeting, recent moves (Matt Ryan moves up because of Tony Gonzalez, for example) and more research and analysis.
If you want answers as to why I've done certain things, like rank Turner above Peterson, made the bottom 20 all defenses and kickers, and why I am a bit down on Philip Rivers, read my previous ranks, done before the draft, by clicking here. If you want my specific feelings about the rookies, watch the video. As we get closer you'll see my feelings on guys in my "love/hate" and everything else we'll do in the preseason.
Without further ado, here is my top 200 as based on an ESPN 10-team standard league.
Michael Turner, Falcons
Adrian Peterson, Vikings
Matt Forte, Bears
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
Brian Westbrook, Eagles
Clinton Portis, Redskins
Chris Johnson, Titans
Steven Jackson, Rams
Brandon Jacobs, Giants
LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
Marion Barber, Cowboys
DeAngelo Williams, Panthers
Steve Slaton, Texans
Drew Brees, Saints
Thomas Jones, Jets
Frank Gore, 49ers
Randy Moss, Patriots
Calvin Johnson, Lions
Tom Brady, Patriots
Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
Andre Johnson, Texans
Ryan Grant, Packers
Kurt Warner, Cardinals
Steve Smith, Panthers
Roddy White, Falcons
Reggie Wayne, Colts
Terrell Owens, Bills
Joseph Addai, Colts
Pierre Thomas, Saints
Peyton Manning, Colts
Tony Romo, Cowboys
Kevin Smith, Lions
Anquan Boldin, Cardinals
Greg Jennings, Packers
T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks
Marques Colston, Saints
Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs
Brandon Marshall, Broncos
Wes Welker, Patriots
Philip Rivers, Chargers
Marshawn Lynch, Bills
Tony Gonzalez, Falcons
Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
Reggie Bush, Saints
Darren McFadden, Raiders
Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers
Jason Witten, Cowboys
Vincent Jackson, Chargers
Roy E. Williams, Cowboys
Santonio Holmes, Steelers
Matt Ryan, Falcons
Donovan McNabb, Eagles
Le'Ron McClain, Ravens
Derrick Ward, Buccaneers
Santana Moss, Redskins
Matt Cassel, Chiefs
Dallas Clark, Colts
Eddie Royal, Broncos
Knowshon Moreno, Broncos
Willie Parker, Steelers
Jamal Lewis, Browns
DeSean Jackson, Eagles
Braylon Edwards, Browns
Bernard Berrian, Vikings
Chris Wells, Cardinals
Larry Johnson, Chiefs
Hines Ward, Steelers
Antonio Gates, Chargers
Kevin Walter, Texans
Donald Driver, Packers
Jay Cutler, Bears
Laveranues Coles, Bengals
Fred Taylor, Patriots
Bobby Engram, Chiefs
Derrick Mason, Ravens
Cedric Benson, Bengals
Lance Moore, Saints
Matt Schaub, Texans
David Garrard, Jaguars
Ted Ginn Jr., Dolphins
Lee Evans, Bills
Owen Daniels, Texans
Jerricho Cotchery, Jets
Anthony Gonzalez, Colts
Steve Breaston, Cardinals
Kyle Orton, Broncos
Torry Holt, Jaguars
Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants
Devin Hester, Bears
Donnie Avery, Rams
Michael Crabtree, 49ers
Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks
Donald Brown, Colts
Plaxico Burress, Free Agent
Sammy Morris, Patriots
Joe Flacco, Ravens
Carson Palmer, Bengals
Willis McGahee, Ravens
Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers
Julius Jones, Seahawks
Justin Gage, Titans
Kevin Curtis, Eagles
Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings
Chris Cooley, Redskins
Fred Jackson, Bills
LenDale White, Titans
Deion Branch, Seahawks
Domenik Hixon, Giants
Chad Ochocinco, Bengals
Chris Chambers, Chargers
Darren Sproles, Chargers
Eli Manning, Giants
Johnnie Lee Higgins, Raiders
Sidney Rice, Vikings
Tim Hightower, Cardinals
Earnest Graham, Buccaneers
Chester Taylor, Vikings
Antwaan Randle El, Redskins
Patrick Crayton, Cowboys
Justin Fargas, Raiders
Felix Jones, Cowboys
John Carlson, Seahawks
Ricky Williams, Dolphins
Leon Washington, Jets
Jerious Norwood, Falcons
LeSean McCoy, Eagles
Percy Harvin, Vikings
Tony Scheffler, Broncos
Josh Morgan, 49ers
Dustin Keller, Jets
Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers
LaMont Jordan, Broncos
Tashard Choice, Cowboys
Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
Nate Washington, Titans
Michael Jenkins, Falcons
Davone Bess, Dolphins
Devery Henderson, Saints
Correll Buckhalter, Broncos
Greg Camarillo, Dolphins
Dominic Rhodes, Bills
Mark Bradley, Chiefs
Trent Edwards, Bills
Isaac Bruce, 49ers
Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
Ray Rice, Ravens
Michael Bush, Raiders
Greg Olsen, Bears
Zach Miller, Raiders
Malcolm Kelly, Redskins
Shonn Greene, Jets
Dennis Northcutt, Jaguars
Laurence Maroney, Patriots
Chaz Schilens, Raiders
James Jones, Packers
Anthony Fasano, Dolphins
Ladell Betts, Redskins
J.J. Arrington, Broncos
Kevin Boss, Giants
Donald Lee, Packers
Brandon Jackson, Packers
Kolby Smith, Chiefs
Danny Ware, Giants
Heath Miller, Steelers
Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
T.J. Duckett, Seahawks
Bo Scaife, Titans
Brent Celek, Eagles
Miles Austin, Cowboys
Jerome Harrison, Browns
Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders
Mike Walker, Jaguars
Steve Smith, Giants
Joey Galloway, Patriots
Vernon Davis, 49ers
Bryant Johnson, Lions
Earl Bennett, Bears
TEN D/ST, Titans
PIT D/ST, Steelers
BALT D/ST, Ravens
PHI D/ST, Eagles
TB D/ST, Buccaneers
CHI D/ST, Bears
NYG D/ST, Giants
MIN D/ST, Vikings
SD D/ST, Chargers
NYJ D/ST, Jets
Rob Bironas, Titans
Nate Kaeding, Chargers
Jason Elam, Falcons
David Akers, Eagles
Nick Folk, Cowboys
Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
Mason Crosby, Packers
Ryan Longwell, Vikings
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