Top players by position
by Gerrit Ritt, FOXSports.com
Quarterbacks
1. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati
Season take: The top fantasy quarterback of 2005 had 32 touchdowns and 13 games with more than 200 yards passing.
2006 outlook: You have to consider Palmer either the No. 2 or 3 quarterback next year behind Peyton Manning and perhaps Tom Brady.
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
Season take: Peyton couldn't possibly match his 2004 numbers, but he was still ranked second in touchdowns (28) and first in QB rating (104.1).
2006 outlook: He'll be the top quarterback drafted for the next 7-10 years, most likely. Would you bet against him?
3. Tom Brady, New England
Season take: Terrific season from someone who most people thought was not fantasy worthy coming into the year. Brady was taken in the fifth round in Fox's MOCdraft before the season, but put up second-round numbers: 4,110 yards and 26 touchdowns.
2006 outlook: Corey Dillon was hurt most of the year, so anything higher than the third quarterback taken would be a stretch, especially with Donovan McNabb and Daunte Culpepper returning.
4. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle
Season take: Hasselbeck was yet another terrific surprise, throwing for 24 touchdowns (fourth in the league) against only nine interceptions (only Jake Plummer threw less, with seven).
2006 outlook: With Shaun Alexander on the team, Hasselbeck's numbers will never get any better than this year's. He also played against terrible competition. Hasselbeck was drafted in Fox's sixth round and should go no higher next year.
5. Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants
Season take: Eli had a breakout season in 2005, throwing for 3,762 yards (fifth in NFL) and 24 touchdowns (fourth). Only Tiki Barber's dominance kept him from doing even more.
2006 outlook: He'll be in the top 6-8 quarterbacks taken, but probably no higher quite yet. Give him one more big year and that'll jump significantly.
6. Drew Brees, San Diego
Season take: Many owners were more than pleased with the production Brees gave them this season. His 24 touchdowns and 3,576 yards were both amongst the league's top 10.
2006 outlook: His shoulder injury in the final game of the season could come back to haunt him in fantasy drafts next year. Be afraid. Think about Chad Pennington.
7. Drew Bledsoe, New England
Season take: Bledsoe was a nice surprise amongst several nice surprises in the quarterback ranks in 2005. He was eighth in the league in both yards (3,639) and touchdowns (23) and came within one win of getting the Cowboys in the playoffs.
2006 outlook: Will Bledsoe even be the quarterback in Dallas next year? He probably will, but there will be somebody threatening to take his job. You can be sure of that.
7. Kerry Collins, Oakland
Season take: Collins had the perfect setup this season to have a huge year, but instead he struggled. He had the second-most pass attempts in the league, yet was only fifth in yardage (3,759) and threw just 20 touchdown passes.
2006 outlook: Another possible candidate to be replaced. The Raiders are changing coaches and a change at quarterback could follow. Whoever does start for Oakland will have plenty of weapons, though.
7. Jake Plummer, Denver
Season take: It was easily Plummer's best season as a professional, being only the fourth time in nine seasons he's had more touchdown passes (18) than interceptions (7). His numbers weren't as high as last season's, but they probably won't ever be.
2006 outlook: Plummer is not a guy most owners would ever bank their team's fortunes on. He's serviceable but will be a backup even in 12-team leagues next season.
10. Jake Delhomme, Carolina
Season take: Delhomme is a leader first and a numbers guy second. He had only one 300-yard game in 2005 and just two three-touchdown performances, but his 24 scoring passes did rank fourth in the league. Get him more weapons than Steve Smith, and you may have something here.
2006 outlook: Amazing that Jake could make a Pro Bowl with only one receiver on the team going for more than 450 yards. He gets a second weapon next year, and his numbers go up automatically.
Running Backs
1. Shaun Alexander, Seattle
Season take: Staggering. Simply staggering. What else can you say about 28 touchdowns in 16 games? It's the ultimate fantasy owner's dream. His 1,880 yards weren't bad, either.
2006 outlook: Gotta think he'll be the No. 1 pick in most drafts next year, even with Larry Johnson's dynamic finish to the season.
2. Larry Johnson, Kansas City
Season take: The man had a nine-game stretch that bettered any other player in NFL history. You put those numbers into a 16-game season and L.J. would've amassed 2,400 yards and 30 touchdowns this season! Are you freaking kidding me?!
2006 outlook: He still might go as low as third in next year's draft. That's right. Do you put him ahead of Alexander or LaDainian Tomlinson yet? Tough call. He'll be running for another coach next season. Hmmm ...
3. LaDainian Tomlinson, San Diego
Season take: What a great start L.T. had to the year. In his first 11 games, Tomlinson had 1,086 yards and had accounted for 22 touchdowns. After his rib injury, his last five games saw only 376 yards and one score.
2006 outlook: Still has to be considered one of the top three players in any draft, along with Alexander and Johnson. I, personally, take him second, after Shaun and before L.J.
4. Tiki Barber, N.Y. Giants
Season take: Tiki was indeed incredible this season, ending the year as the second-leading rusher (1,860 yards) and second to only Tatum Bell in average yards per carry (5.2).
2006 outlook: Tiki will lose a little bit of production next year with the emergence of both Eli Manning and backup running back Brandon Jacobs. Look for him to be about the sixth or seventh back taken, which is unfortunate.
5. Edgerrin James, Indianapolis
Season take: Can't deny the impact the Edge has on his team. But you have to wonder whether he'll be back in Indy or not next season. His 1,506 yards and 14 touchdowns will be tough to replace if he departs.
2006 outlook: Up in the air, pending a change in the offseason. But, even if he does leave, he's still a top-five running back. No question.
6. Clinton Portis, Denver
Season take: Portis came on stronger as the season wore on, which says a lot about his conditioning. He had only nine more carries than last year, yet ran for 201 more yards (1,516) and six more scores (11). Finally finding his place with his new team after two seasons.
2006 outlook: Portis is looking better and better for next year's draft. Have to put him either fifth or sixth amongst running backs, likely leapfrogging Tiki Barber.
7. Rudi Johnson, Cincinnati
Season take: Rudi had the most underrated season of anyone who's ever rushed for 1,458 yards and 12 touchdowns. Passing is the name of the game in Cincy, but Rudi is the heart and soul of the offense.
2006 outlook: Chris Perry will challenge for carries the longer he's with the team, so Rudi's production will inevitably go down if the two of them are both still in Cincinnati next year.
7. LaMont Jordan, Oakland
Season take: Jordan stepped up in his first year as a No. 1 running back, running for 1,025 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns in only 14 games in 2005. Throw in 563 receiving yards and you have a stellar season.
2006 outlook: Jordan will be the No. 1 guy for the foreseeable future in Oakland. How will the new coach there use Jordan? If he's smart, he'll use him all day long. He'll remain a top-10 back and an early second round pick in drafts in '06.
9. Thomas Jones, Chicago
Season take: What a great year Jones turned in, especially for someone who people wrote off before the season. Jones was in the NFL's top 10 in both rushing (1,335) and touchdowns (9) this year, despite most believing Cedric Benson was going to be the starter.
2006 outlook: Although he did have a terrific 2005, he will undoubtedly give up carries next year to Benson, who is being paid too much money to be a backup. Jones likely falls out of the top 10, possibly as low as 15th.
10. Mike Anderson, Denver
Season take: Anderson was impressive given the number of injuries he endured this year, and the amount of carries he got with Tatum Bell in the same backfield. He ended the year with 1,015 yards and 12 touchdowns, despite getting more than 20 carries in a game just six times.
2006 outlook: The league's best 1-2 combo will continue to hurt both back's production if they remain together. Bell is obviously the future, however, meaning Anderson's numbers will go down far before Bell's do.
Wide Receivers
1. Steve Smith, Carolina
Season take: Quite simply the most dominating receiver of the year in the NFL. Smith led all receivers in receptions (103), yards (1,563) and touchdowns (12). He ran for a touchdown, he returned punts – there's almost nothing he didn't do for his team in 2005. He also led the league (along with Anquan Boldin) with eight 100-yard games.
2006 outlook: No reason to believe he won't be a top five receiver again next year. He and Delhomme have a terrific chemistry, and he's the No. 1 option on the Panthers offense.
2. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona
Season take: Fitzgerald took the first big step in becoming an elite receiver in the league this year, making his first Pro Bowl after catching 103 passes, going for 1,409 yards and scoring 10 touchdowns.
2006 outlook: You know he and Boldin will continue putting up obscene numbers as long as Dennis Green is the coach in Arizona and the team focuses on the passing game first. The Fitz will be a top-three receiver pick in next year's draft and would be even higher if not for having a second elite receiver on his team with him.
3. Santana Moss, Washington
Season take: If you can believe it, this guy was picked up off the waiver wire in my league after Week 2's unbelievable performance against the Cowboys. The guy who picked him up went on to win eight straight games, thanks to Moss' 1,483 yards and nine touchdowns. It was a career year for Santana, who had 1,105 yards two years ago with the Jets.
2006 outlook: The quarterback situation isn't great in Washington, and Moss had too many below-average games during the season to be considered a top-five receiver next season. He'll still be the No. 1 option in D.C. but shouldn't be drafted any higher than the sixth or seventh wideout.
4. Chad Johnson, Cincinnati
Season take: I'll say one thing for Chad Johnson … he backs up the smack talk like nobody else. His 1,432 yards ranked third in the league. His eight games of 90-plus yards ranked near the leaders and his nine touchdowns ranked ninth.
2006 outlook: Johnson was a top-five wideout this year and will be a high pick in next year's draft as well. With Carson Palmer emerging, there's no reason Johnson can't be a top-five guy for the next several years.
5. Joey Galloway, Tampa Bay
Season take: Yet another great surprise this season. Galloway set all kinds of personal records in 2005, catching 83 balls and going for 1,287 yards. His 10 touchdowns were his second-best total in his career and ranked him fifth in the league in that category.
2006 outlook: He's just now beginning to click with quarterback Chris Simms and the two could be a lethal combination over the next couple seasons. It took a bad sophomore year by Michael Clayton for Joey to post these numbers, though, and his worth should drop slightly. Still a top-10 receiver, but not much higher than that.
5. Torry Holt, St. Louis
Season take: Holt was the only receiver on the Rams that excelled with all three different quarterbacks the team threw out this season. He puts up numbers no matter what, and ended the year third in the NFL in receptions (102), sixth in yards (1,331) and ninth in touchdowns (9) despite missing two games to injury.
2006 outlook: He's a top 3-4 receiver, without question. Give him Marc Bulger for an entire year and Holt leads the league in all receiver categories this season. Next year, even with a coaching change, Holt will be amongst the top receivers chosen.
7. Anquan Boldin, Arizona
Season take: Given the number of games he missed to injury, Boldin's season was simply incredible. In essence, Anquan missed the majority of three games in 2005, yet still pulled in 102 balls, ranked fifth in the league with 1,402 yards and caught seven touchdowns passes. He still should have made the Pro Bowl, despite sitting out those games.
2006 outlook: What Boldin and Fitzgerald did this season was a statistical phenomenon. Two receivers each had more than 100 receptions and finished with 1,402 and 1,403 yards, respectively. Boldin will only drop in fantasy drafts because of his injury history, but is still a top 7-8 selection in 2006.
8. Marvin Harrison, Indianapolis
Season take: Harrison may not have had the yards this season (1,146) he's had in the past, but the idea is to get into the end zone. Harrison tied with Steve Smith for the league lead with 12 scores in a year the Colts relied on the run a lot more than Peyton Manning's arm.
2006 outlook: No matter what happens with any other receiver, taking Harrison any lower than the third receiver would be preposterous. If he was the first receiver taken next season, nobody should be shocked at that, either.
9. Chris Chambers, Miami
Season take: You have to admire the job Chambers did this season with Gus Frerotte and Sage Rosenfels throwing him the ball. Neither of them will be the guy throwing it to him next season, but Chambers was still able to catch 11 touchdowns passes and go for 1,118 yards on 82 receptions.
2006 outlook: Their offense will go through some changes in the offseason, but Chambers will remain the constant No. 1 guy. Even with him being underrated the past couple years, it'll be tough to consider him a top-10 receiver going into next season. Both Terrell Owens and Randy Moss will be back at full strength, moving Chambers out of the top 10 guys. He's a steal in that range, however.
10. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh
Season take: Unless you're a Browns or Bengals fan, how can you not love Hines Ward? This guy has fun playing the game and continues to make plays despite the Steelers being a running team first. Ward only had 975 yards receiving this season, but ranked third in the league with 11 touchdown catches, mainly because the Steelers have no other wide receivers worth a damn.
2006 outlook: There's nobody else to challenge Ward for catches in Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger will be back for an entire season next year, and Ward will be the senior member of the team once Jerome Bettis leaves. He's the heart and soul of their team, and their fortunes will be determined by how Ward leads them. He'll go for 1,200-plus yards in 2006.
Tight Ends
1. Antonio Gates, San Diego
Season take: One of the most dominant tight ends to ever play the game is just finishing up his third year in the league. Gates had his second straight 1,000-yard season, going for 1,101 yards and a league-high 10 touchdowns for his position. That's with him being suspended for one game.
2006 outlook: He's be the most obvious top pick at his position in the league. You can almost justify drafting Gates as high as the thirtd round, since his double-digit touchdown numbers are as good as any receiver's.
2. Jeremy Shockey, N.Y. Giants
Season take: You think Shockey and Eli Manning have a good thing going? Just wait. They're young yet. Jeremy had a tremendous season for the Giants, catching 65 balls for 891 yards and seven touchdowns. New York also had Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer catching seven touchdowns a piece as well. This trio was the most productive of any in the NFL all year.
2006 outlook: If Gates is the easiest No. 1 pick at his position in the league, then Shockey is the easiest No. 2 pick. As soon as Gates is drafted, Shockey will come shortly afterwards. There are some decent tight ends out there, but those two are easily the elite.
3. Todd Heap, Baltimore
Season take: Heap helped his cause with a five-game stretch near the end of the season where he caught 27 balls for 343 yards and five scores. Thanks to that string of games, he ended the season with 855 yards and seven scores, ranking near the top for tight ends in 2005.
2006 outlook: Heap was not considered a top-flight fantasy option last year, but he was not a poor choice, either. Can't see him being a top-five tight end next season, but he's banging on the door.
4. Alge Crumpler, Atlanta
Season take: Alge had a strong, consistent season. He only had one big game, however, and didn't show off the dominating skills we all know he has. He managed to rank in the top 30 in the league with 877 yards on the year, but his 65 receptions and five touchdowns were a disappointment.
2006 outlook: Vick has to get better at getting Crumpler the ball. The team has Roddy White now as a legitimate deep threat, but Alge is the horse and needs to see more touches. He remains a top-five tight end, but barely.
5. Chris Cooley, Washington
Season take: Cooley started to show us at the end of the season his potential. He had five touchdown catches in his last five games and will go into the playoffs as the hottest tight end in the business. The sevens were wild for Cooley this year, as he ended 2005 with 71 receptions, 774 yards and seven touchdowns.
2006 outlook: Cooley will be drafted extremely high next season when it comes to the tight end position. Look for him to go as high as third, behind Gates and Shockey.
6. Jason Witten, Dallas
Season take: Witten never had any monster games but was steady throughout the year. Despite no 100-yard games all season, Jason still put up 757 yards and six touchdowns for a team with a lot of offensive options.
2006 outlook: Witten remains a top 5-6 tight end and will drafted as such next season, whether Drew Bledsoe is still the quarterback in Dallas or not.
7. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City
Season take: Gonzo really started off slow this season, taking seven weeks to finally go for more than 70 yards in a game. His touchdown total was his worst ever (2), but he came on late to go for more than 900 yards for the year (905), which ranked him second at his position, behind only Gates.
2006 outlook: With the emergence of Larry Johnson as the offensive force in K.C., Gonzalez's numbers will obviously take a hit. He's sure to score more in 2006, but the yardage could drop off. He's a solid play, but not the elite tight end option he was as recent as last year.
8. Randy McMichael, Miami
Season take: McMichael's season started off on fire, with him catching a touchdown in each of his first four games. After that, however, he caught only one the rest of the season and was being dropped in leagues all over the place. He ended the season with just 582 yards and only two games of more than 60 yards.
2006 outlook: McMichael was never a factor in Nick Saban's offense, catching five or more passes in just five games all year. It would be tough to justify him being in the top-10 tight ends next season.
9. Jerramy Stevens, Seattle
Season take: Stevens has long been an intriguing player with the Seahawks, and had his best season in 2005, with 554 yards and five touchdowns, scoring in each of his last three games.
2006 outlook: With Shaun Alexander around scoring touchdowns, it's tough to put anyone else on that team up high in your draft. But Stevens was really proving himself worthy at the end of the season. He's a borderline top-10 tight end, but will again lose some numbers when the injured receivers on the team all come back healthy.
10. L.J. Smith, Philadelphia
Season take: Probably the biggest tight end disappointment of the year. Smith should have been the team's No. 1 option once Terrell Owens and Brian Westbrook became unavailable, but he didn't step up at all. Smith had just three touchdown receptions in 2005, just three games over 70 yards, and went for just 682 yards total.
2006 outlook: I still really think Smith can be a top tight end and will draft him if he's still available late in the draft. I see him as about the seventh or eighth tight end in 2006.
Kickers
1. Neil Rackers, Arizona
Season take: Rackers had the best year of any kicker in the history in the NFL, setting a record with 40 field goals in 2005.
2006 outlook: The Cardinals move the ball. No question about that. But they have problems putting it in the end zone, because their running game is last in the league. Unless J.J. Arrington drastically improves in 2006, Rackers should have just as many field goal opportunities as he had this year.
2. Jay Feely, N.Y. Giants
Season take: Feely led all kickers with 148 points this season, actually eight points higher than Rackers, despite Racker's NFL-record 40 field goals. His total ranked second, behind only Shaun Alexander, in the league.
2006 outlook: Feely has been a serviceable kicker most of his career, but this was a special season. The Giants score a lot, and will score even more next year, meaning less field goal opportunities and more extra points.
3. Shayne Graham, Cincinnati
Season take: Love this guy, but he was the only kicker in the top five without a field goal of 50-plus yards this season.
2006 outlook: The Bengals find the end zone a lot, so he sees a lot of extra points. But his 32 field goals was also the lowest total amongst the top five kickers.
4. Jeff Wilkins, St. Louis
Season take: Playing on the turf in St. Louis is a perfect situation for any kicker and Wilkins plays the part well, kicking four field goals of 50-plus yards this season, which ranked second in the league behind Rackers' six.
2006 outlook: Never a bad idea to choose Wilkins high in your draft, given the dynamic offense the Rams have had in the past 7-8 years.
5. John Kasay, Carolina
Season take: Despite being 36 , Kasay has one of the strongest legs in the league. This year was a disappointment, however, as he made only 9-of-17 kicks 40 yards or longer. But his 43 extra points were eight more than he's ever kicked in his 15 years in the league.
2006 outlook: He'll be the kicker in Carolina as long as he can continually boot in from 55 yards out, which he is more than capable of still doing. And the Panthers score a lot of points.
5. Lawrence Tynes, Kansas City
Season take: Tynes had his ups and downs, but was extremely consistent, ranking fourth in the league amongst kickers with 125 points.
2006 outlook: The Chiefs always score points, and Tynes will continue to capitalize on that.
7. Mike Vanderjagt, Indianapolis
Season take: With the Colts scoring touchdown after touchdown, Vanderjagt ranked second in the league in extra points (52), but didn't even have an attempt of 50 yards or more all season long.
2006 outlook: Vanderjagt's one of the most accurate kickers of all time. With Indy's offense, he's a lock to go in the top-five kickers every year.
8. Jason Elam, Denver
Season take: Elam's 24 field goals ranked only 15th in the league this season and missed eight of them, the most since his rookie season.
2006 outlook: No reason to think Elam won't respond in 2006. He's one of the best big-game kickers in the league.
9. Rian Lindell, Buffalo
Season take: Lindell ranked fourth in the league with 29 field goals this year, thanks to the struggles of the Bills offense most of the way.
2006 outlook: The Bills have to score more points next season. They just have to. That means Lindell's worth might go down, with more extra points and less field goals.
10. Josh Brown, Seattle
Season take: Brown led all kickers with 56 extra points this year, but his 18 field goals ranked dead last in the league.
2006 outlook: Seattle and Shaun Alexander score touchdowns. That's what they do. And that's no good for Brown owners. Him ranking 10th this year is a miracle in itself. His worth will go up tremendously next season, since there's no way the team can duplicate that many trips to the end zone.
Defenses
1. Chicago
Season take: Quite simply the most dominant defense the league has seen since the Ravens unit in 2000. Before that, only the 1985 Bears can compete with allowing just 12.6 points a game, 24 interceptions, 41 sacks and six defensive touchdowns.
2006 outlook: They'll be No. 1 again. Easy.
2. Carolina
Season take: The Panthers ranked second in the league with 42 takeaways, third in total defense (282.6 yards) and fifth in scoring defense (16.2 points).
2006 outlook: The Panthers did most of their damage with a relatively underachieving Julius Peppers, an injured Dan Morgan and their No. 1 draft pick, Thomas Davis, just coming into his own in the season's last four games.
3. Indianapolis
Season take: The Colts started the season so well, it was almost ridiculous. They couldn't possibly keep up the pace of allowing less than six points per game after the season's first five games. They ended the year ranked second in that category, giving up only 15.4 points.
2006 outlook: Can the Colts do it two years in a row after not doing it for so long? They definitely have the players in place, so you'd have to think another top-five performance is well within their capabilities.
4. Pittsburgh
Season take: The Steelers ranked third in the league in points allowed (16.1) and had 30 takeaways in 2005.
2006 outlook: The Steelers foundation is defense, and they continually produce one of the top units in the game. That's what a Bill Cowher team does first, and they should be drafted accordingly every year.
4. Denver
Season take: The run defense improved dramatically (second overall) with the additions of the two former Brown defensive linemen: Courtney Brown and Gerard Warren. The defense also ranked fourth in the league in takeaways (36) and third in points allowed (16.1).
2006 outlook: The Broncos are one of the top franchises in the game and are now solid on the defensive line as well as their linebacking corps, to go along with All Pro cornerback Champ Bailey.
6. New York Giants
Season take: The Giants defense excelled, thanks to their special teams play (two scores) and takeaway prowess (third in the league with 37).
2006 outlook: Those type numbers usually don't carry over into the next season, and the Giants are getting a little old on that side of the ball. They'll need to improve in the off-season.
6. Seattle
Season take: They ranked this high as the result of their run defense. But that was also because Arizona and San Francisco were two of the worst running teams in the league, and the Seahawks played them four times. They also led the league with 50 sacks on the year.
2006 outlook: They're a great play, only because of the competition they face week in and week out.
8. Jacksonville
Season take: Always bet on Jacksonville to have a strong defense, especially with former All-Pro linebacker Jack Del Rio as their head coach. Their 47 sacks ranked third in the NFL.
2006 outlook: They play struggling offenses in Houston and Baltimore four times a year, which helps. But their success comes from having one of the top-three defensive lines in the game.
9. Tampa Bay
Season take: Surprised they are this low, to be honest. Their team defense ranked No. 1 in the league, giving up a league-low 277.8 yards a game. However, the Bucs' 36 sacks isn't as high as usual, and their 30 takeaways ranked only 13th in the league.
2006 outlook: The NFC South is a strong offensive division, but the Buccaneers are still a strong play every season. Look for their sack and turnover totals to go way up next year.
9. Washington
Season take: The Redskins rank in the top half of the league in takeaways, points allowed and total yards, but nowhere near the top in either of them. That's means the unit was pretty much average this year, which is appropriate.
2006 outlook: Should be a lot of the same next season, with no true playmakers on the defensive side of the ball until Sean Taylor starts playing like he should.
Gerrit Ritt currently covers fantasy sports for FoxSports.com. He's previously worked as a national sports talk show producer for FOX Sports Radio in Los Angeles, and has also covered sports for WFNZ Radio, WCNC-TV and The Charlotte Observer in Charlotte, N.C.
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