Sep. 3, 2006

Draft Preview: Top 200

By Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer

Follow Dave
Follow CBS Fantasy Football

You asked for it, you got it -- our top 200 Fantasy players, updated daily leading up to the start of the regular season. Unlike our positional rankings, which lists players based on a standard-scoring system, this list is strictly based on player talent and overall value to any Fantasy team. You may find some discrepancies between the two lists.

Green and red arrows signify an increase or decrease in value since the previous rankings release, assuming the player moved significantly.

Last updated September 3, 2006.

CBS SportsLine's Top 200
Rank	Player
1	Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City
2	LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego
3	Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle
4	Tiki Barber, RB, N.Y. Giants
5	Edgerrin James, RB, Arizona
6	Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis
7	Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis
8	LaMont Jordan, RB, Oakland
9	Rudi Johnson, RB, Cincinnati
10	Clinton Portis, RB, Washington
11	Cadillac Williams, RB, Tampa Bay
12	Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami
13	Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnati
14	Steve Smith, WR, Carolina
15	Carson Palmer, QB, Cincinnati
16	Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona
17	Willis McGahee, RB, Buffalo
18	Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis
19	Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis
20	Brian Westbrook, RB, Philadelphia
21	Anquan Boldin, WR, Arizona
22	Julius Jones, RB, Dallas
23	Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas
24	Tom Brady, QB, New England
25	Randy Moss, WR, Oakland
26	Willie Parker, RB, Pittsburgh
27	Warrick Dunn, RB, Atlanta
28	Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco
29	Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis
30	Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans
31	Kevin Jones, RB, Detroit
32	Jamal Lewis, RB, Baltimore
33	Chris Chambers, WR, Miami
34	Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego
35	Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh
36	Roy Williams, WR, Detroit
37	Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle
38	Corey Dillon, RB, New England
39	Eli Manning, QB, N.Y. Giants
40	Donovan McNabb, QB, Philadelphia
41	Chester Taylor, RB, Minnesota
42	Santana Moss, WR, Washington
43	Darrell Jackson, WR, Seattle
44	DeShaun Foster, RB, Carolina
45	Marc Bulger, QB, St. Louis
46	Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona
47	Reuben Droughns, RB, Cleveland
48	Daunte Culpepper, QB, Miami
49	Jake Delhomme, QB, Carolina
50	Donald Driver, WR, Green Bay
51	Andre Johnson, WR, Houston
52	Plaxico Burress, WR, N.Y. Giants
53	Mike Bell, RB, Denver
54	Drew Bledsoe, QB, Dallas
55	Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans
56	Thomas Jones, RB, Chicago
57	Joey Galloway, WR, Tampa Bay
58	Jeremy Shockey, TE, N.Y. Giants
59	Javon Walker, WR, Denver
60	Wali Lundy, RB, Houston
61	Derrick Mason, WR, Baltimore
62	Fred Taylor, RB, Jacksonville
63	Michael Vick, QB, Atlanta
64	Tony Gonzalez, TE, Kansas City
65	Joe Horn, WR, New Orleans
66	T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Cincinnati
67	Dominic Rhodes, RB, Indianapolis
68	Todd Heap, TE, Baltimore
69	Ahman Green, RB, Green Bay
70	Joseph Addai, RB, Indianapolis
71	Deuce McAllister, RB, New Orleans
72	Trent Green, QB, Kansas City
73	Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh
74	Jake Plummer, QB, Denver
75	Lee Evans, WR, Buffalo
76	Travis Henry, RB, Tennessee
77	Tatum Bell, RB, Denver
78	Donte Stallworth, WR, Philadelphia
79	Laveranues Coles, WR, N.Y. Jets
80	Terry Glenn, WR, Dallas
81	Rod Smith, WR, Denver
82	Eddie Kennison, WR, Kansas City
83	Steve McNair, QB, Baltimore
84	Alge Crumpler, TE, Atlanta
85	Cedric Benson, RB, Chicago
86	Jason Witten, TE, Dallas
87	Nate Burleson, WR, Seattle
88	Keenan McCardell, WR, San Diego
89	DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina
90	Brett Favre, QB, Green Bay
91	Roddy White, WR, Atlanta
92	Chris Cooley, TE, Washington
93	David Givens, WR, Tennessee
94	Deion Branch, WR, New England
95	Matt Jones, WR, Jacksonville
96	Aaron Brooks, QB, Oakland
97	Keyshawn Johnson, WR, Carolina
98	Kevan Barlow, RB, N.Y. Jets
99	Mark Clayton, WR, Baltimore
100	Laurence Maroney, RB, New England
101	Antonio Bryant, WR, San Francisco
102	Eric Moulds, WR, Houston
103	Randy McMichael, TE, Miami
104	T.J. Duckett, RB, Washington
105	Byron Leftwich, QB, Jacksonville
106	Bears DST
107	Reggie Brown, WR, Philadelphia
108	Philip Rivers, QB, San Diego
109	Jerious Norwood, RB, Atlanta
110	Isaac Bruce, WR, St. Louis
111	Muhsin Muhammad, WR, Chicago
112	Ernest Wilford, WR, Jacksonville
113	Marion Barber, RB, Dallas
114	Chris Simms, QB, Tampa Bay
115	Ben Watson, TE, New England
116	Jon Kitna, QB, Detroit
117	Drew Bennett, WR, Tennessee
118	Brad Johnson, QB, Minnesota
119	L.J. Smith, TE, Philadelphia
120	David Carr, QB, Houston
121	Panthers DST
122	Steelers DST
123	Vernand Morency, RB, Houston
124	Chris Brown, RB, Tennessee
125	Derrick Blaylock, RB, N.Y. Jets
126	Ashley Lelie, WR, Atlanta
127	Neil Rackers, PK, Arizona
128	Heath Miller, TE, Pittsburgh
129	Brandon Jacobs, RB, N.Y. Giants
130	Michael Jenkins, WR, Atlanta
131	Braylon Edwards, WR, Cleveland
132	Mark Brunell, QB, Washington
133	Ben Troupe, TE, Tennessee
134	Brandon Lloyd, WR, Washington
135	Michael Clayton, WR, Tampa Bay
136	Mike Anderson, RB, Baltimore
137	Giants DST
138	Buccaneers DST
139	Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco
140	Shayne Graham, PK, Cincinnati
141	Adam Vinatieri, PK, Indianapolis
142	Colts DST
143	Chad Pennington, QB, N.Y. Jets
144	Amani Toomer, WR, N.Y. Giants
145	Kevin Curtis, WR, St. Louis
146	Redskins DST
147	Cedrick Wilson, WR, Pittsburgh
148	Jaguars DST
149	Jason Elam, PK, Denver
150	Michael Pittman, RB, Tampa Bay
151	Troy Williamson, WR, Minnesota
152	Justin McCareins, WR, N.Y. Jets
153	Dallas Clark, TE, Indianapolis
154	Joe Jurevicius, WR, Cleveland
155	Doug Gabriel, WR, New England
156	J.P. Losman, QB, Buffalo
157	Ravens DST
158	Peerless Price, WR, Buffalo
159	Kellen Winslow, TE, Cleveland
160	Jay Feely, PK, N.Y. Giants
161	Jermaine Wiggins, TE, Minnesota
162	Bobby Engram, WR, Seattle
163	Marty Booker, WR, Miami
164	Michael Turner, RB, San Diego
165	Eric Parker, WR, San Diego
166	Jerome Harrison, RB, Cleveland
167	Jerry Porter, WR, Oakland
168	Verron Haynes, RB, Pittsburgh
169	John Kasay, PK, Carolina
170	Devery Henderson, WR, New Orleans
171	Antwaan Randle El, WR, Washington
172	Samie Parker, WR, Kansas City
173	Arnaz Battle, WR, San Francisco
174	Jeff Wilkins, PK, St. Louis
175	Mike Vanderjagt, PK, Dallas
176	LenDale White, RB, Tennessee
177	Jerramy Stevens, TE, Seattle
178	Broncos DST
179	Charlie Frye, QB, Cleveland
180	Alex Smith, QB, San Francisco
181	Ronald Curry, WR, Oakland
182	Brandon Stokley, WR, Indianapolis
183	Cowboys DST
184	Correll Buckhalter, RB, Philadelphia
185	Lawrence Tynes, PK, Kansas City
186	Cedric Houston, RB, N.Y. Jets
187	LaBrandon Toefield, RB, Jacksonville
188	Corey Bradford, WR, Detroit
189	Rex Grossman, QB, Chicago
190	Kerry Collins, QB, Tennessee
191	Bryant Johnson, WR, Arizona
192	Chargers DST
193	Maurice Hicks, RB, San Francisco
194	David Akers, PK, Philadelphia
195	Matt Schaub, QB, Atlanta
196	Samkon Gado, RB, Green Bay
197	Michael Bennett, RB, Kansas City
198	Ciatrick Fason, RB, Minnesota
199	Reche Caldwell, WR, New England
200	Marcus Robinson, WR, Minnesota

Schaub doing well in rehab
Matt Schaub, QB, HOU
1:03 PM

News: The Houston Chronicle reports Tuesday that Texans QB Matt Schaub, who finished the season on injured reserve following foot surgery, is doing well and his rehab is ahead of schedule. The report says Schaub works out almost every day.

Analysis: This is great news, and we expect Schaub to return at 100 percent in 2012. Continue to monitor what happens with Schaub, but he should be considered a low-end No. 1/high-end No. 2 Fantasy QB heading into the season. He is worth a mid-round pick in all leagues on Draft Day.

Flacco, Ravens to work on deal
Ravens, TQB BAL,
12:47 PM

News: The NFL Network reports that the Ravens are set to open contract extension talks with QB Joe Flacco's agent at the NFL Combine next week. The report says both sides aim for a long-term deal. Flacco is entering a contract year in 2012, and Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti recently said Flacco would be the team's starting quarterback for years to come.

Analysis: Flacco's won a lot of games for the Ravens but hasn't taken the next step statistically, even when the team added Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith. Flacco has had between 3,610 and 3,622 passing yards and between 20 and 25 touchdowns in each of his last three seasons. But this year his completion percentage and yards per attempt dropped like a rock while his pass attempts hit a career high (542, breaking the previous mark of 499). Flacco fits the bill as a great No. 2 Fantasy QB; though he's finally outfitted with a quality receiving corps, he simply doesn't invoke much confidence as a starting option. Look for him late in drafts.

Best 'on pace' for offseason work
Jahvid Best, RB, DET
12:43 PM

News: The Detroit Free-Press reports that Lions RB Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems even though team president Tom Lewand is optimistic. Lewand said Best is "on pace" to be ready for offseason workouts, and he is looking forward to seeing Best and Mikel Leshoure play together. "Jahvid is a special player and he'll be even more dynamic when he can ... share the load with a guy like Mikel in the backfield."

Analysis: We hope Best can return at 100 percent, but he will likely be used as a change of pace rusher and a third-down back. Continue to monitor what happens with Best, but he should only be drafted with a late-round pick in standard leagues and a mid-round selection in PPR formats since he will likely be used in tandem with Leshoure and possibly Kevin Smith if he returns as a free agent.

Leshoure's recovery going well
Mikel Leshoure, RB, DET
12:40 PM

News: The Detroit Free-Press reports that Lions RB Mikel Leshoure, who tore his left Achilles tendon in the second week of training camp last year, is close to making a full recovery. At the Lions’ request, Leshoure just moved the final stages of his rehab back to Detroit from Arizona. He’s doing resistance work and light running and is expected to join OTA workouts at some point this offseason. Leshoure looked like he was going to be a key part of the Lions offense when injury struck last August, and the team is anxious to get a read on him this spring. RB Jahvid Best’s status remains uncertain because of concussion problems, and even if Best returns it’s clear he’s not an every-down back.

Analysis: Leshoure should be considered a great sleeper heading into 2012, and he is worth drafting as a No. 3 Fantasy RB as long as he's healthy. He has tremendous upside, and he could be a great weapon for the Lions, especially with Best struggling as an every-down back. Continue to monitor what happens with Leshoure, but he is worth drafting as early as Round 6 in 2012.

Steelers want to lock up Wallace
Mike Wallace, WR, PIT
12:17 PM

News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Monday the team wants to keep WR Mike Wallace "here for the long run." Wallace, their leading receiver last season, will become a restricted free agent March 13.

Analysis: Wallace played well in 2011 with 72 catches for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns on 114 targets. He will remain in Pittsburgh in 2012, and hopefully he can sign a long-term deal. We consider Wallace a Top 10 Fantasy WR on Draft Day, and he should be selected in all leagues in Round 3.

GM says no decision on Ward yet
Hines Ward, WR, PIT
12:13 PM

News: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Steelers GM Kevin Colbert said Monday that no decision has been made on whether WR Hines Ward will be back with the Steelers in 2012. "To this current point, no final decisions have been made," Colbert said. "We've had several discussions internally. We're right in the midst of our free agent evaluations of other teams' free agents. We'll meet on those [on the Steelers roster] starting Thursday and carry through Monday." A recent report on NFL Network said that Ward won't be back with the Steelers in 2012 but a source close to Ward refuted the report.

Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Ward and where he ends up in 2012. No matter where Ward plays, however, he would have minimal Fantasy value, and he is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues.

Pats could go after Lloyd
Brandon Lloyd, WR, STL
12:08 PM

News: The Boston Herald reports that the Patriots will be in the market for a WR this year, and one obvious possibility is Brandon Lloyd, who is an impending free agent, because of his ties to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. The fact that Lloyd said “I’m tied to McDaniels” makes him a likely free agent target. Lloyd had 51 catches for 683 yards and five TDs last year in 11 games in St. Louis when McDaniels was the offensive coordinator makes him look pretty good after he amassed 77 catches for 1,448 yards and 11 scores with Denver when McDaniels was the coach.

Analysis: One holdup for Lloyd and the Patriots could be Lloyd's agent, Tom Condon, who has a rocky relationship with the Patriots. We'll see what plays out this offseason, but if Lloyd signs in New England he would be considered a low-end No. 2 Fantasy WR. He could still return to the Rams, where he would be a strong No. 3 option. Or he could shop himself around the league. Stay tuned, but either way Lloyd is worth a mid-round pick in all leagues.

Fitzpatrick finished season hurt
Bills, TQB BUF,
11:53 AM

News: The Sports Xchange reports that Bills QB Ryan Fitzpatrick's second-half swoon in 2011 was mystifying to fans and media who concluded the front office badly miscalculated in handing the career journeyman a 10-year, $60 million contract extension. But now it appears Fitzpatrick played the final nine games last season with cracked ribs. "A lot of people don't know, but Fitz, during the Washington game, actually cracked a couple of ribs," WR David Nelson said. "So after that he was playing hurt." It showed. In Fitzpatrick's first seven games of the year, he threw for 1,739 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. After the injury, he had 2,093 yards, 10 touchdowns and 16 picks. He finished the year with a league-high 23 interceptions. "It's hard to find the silver lining but as we evaluate the season and what went right and what went wrong I'm sure we'll find a lot of positives and a lot of things that we can carry into next year hopefully and continue to get better at it," Fitzpatrick said.

Analysis: Fitzpatrick obviously has 4,000-yard, 25-touchdown potential, but issues involving the personnel around him along with his own issues (accuracy, for one) make him risky for weekly use in Fantasy. Figure that he's worth a late-round pick as a good No. 2 Fantasy QB with potential to be a low-end starter. It should only help him if the Bills not only re-sign Steve Johnson this offseason, but also add talent at wide receiver.

Jags want Scobee back
Josh Scobee, K, JAC
11:47 AM

News: The Sports Xchange reports that Jacksonville has most of its top offensive players locked into contracts for the coming season with one notable exception - kicker Josh Scobee, who is an eight-year veteran. Scobee has been one of the league's most accurate kickers in his eight seasons with the Jaguars, converting better than 75 percent of his field-goal attempts in all but one season. Scobee led the team in scoring last year with 92 points, including 23 of 25 (92 percent) field-goal attempts, the second time in his career he's finished over 90 percent with his kicks. It isn't likely the Jaguars would use the franchise tag on him and probably won't have to. They'll make every attempt to sign him. For a team that was among the league's lowest scoring clubs, the Jaguars can ill afford to lose a player with Scobee's talents.

Analysis: Keep an eye on what happens with Scobee. He is not worth drafting in the majority of leagues, but he could be used as a bye-week replacement as long as he remains with the Jaguars.

Coaches excited about Bradford
Rams, TQB STL,
11:44 AM

News: The Sports Xchange reports that new Rams coach Jeff Fisher and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer are excited to be working with QB Sam Bradford. Fisher has said on several occasions that Bradford's presence was a major factor that made the Rams' job attractive. "Sam was a big part of the decision," Fisher said. "We think he has a chance to be great. A lot of people around the league believe that. We are going to everything possible to make that happen." As Schottenheimer began watching tape of Bradford, he liked what he saw. "Obviously, he's extremely gifted, extremely talented," Schottenheimer said. "As I'm watching the film, getting the sense of how accurate he is with the football and how well he actually moves around and has made plays. That was one of the things that jumped off the film at me. It will be a fun process going through and looking at all the games and just getting a sense of where he's at. Obviously, I've been around a lot of young quarterbacks, but I think this guy's got a chance to be real special."

Analysis: We have high expectations for Bradford heading into 2012, but he still remains just a No. 2 Fantasy QB in the majority of leagues. The Rams need to give Bradford some weapons, but he is someone to draft with a late-round pick with the hope he can develop into a potential starting option in all formats.

More Updates

1	Aaron Rodgers, GB, QB
2	Drew Brees, NO, QB
3	Tom Brady, NE, QB
4	Cam Newton, CAR, QB
5	Matthew Stafford, DET, QB
6	Philip Rivers, SD, QB
7	Eli Manning, NYG, QB
8	Tony Romo, DAL, QB
9	Michael Vick, PHI, QB
10	Peyton Manning, IND, QB
All Rankings

1	Arian Foster, HOU, RB
2	LeSean McCoy, PHI, RB
3	Ray Rice, BAL, RB
4	Maurice Jones-Drew, JAC, RB
5	Matt Forte, CHI, RB
6	Marshawn Lynch, SEA, RB
7	Ryan Mathews, SD, RB
8	Chris Johnson, TEN, RB
9	Adrian Peterson, MIN, RB
10	Steven Jackson, STL, RB
All Rankings

1	Calvin Johnson, DET, WR
2	Wes Welker, NE, WR
3	Roddy White, ATL, WR
4	Larry Fitzgerald, ARI, WR
5	Hakeem Nicks, NYG, WR
6	Greg Jennings, GB, WR
7	Victor Cruz, NYG, WR
8	A.J. Green, CIN, WR
9	Mike Wallace, PIT, WR
10	Miles Austin, DAL, WR
All Rankings

1	Rob Gronkowski, NE, TE
2	Jimmy Graham, NO, TE
3	Aaron Hernandez, NE, TE
4	Antonio Gates, SD, TE
5	Jason Witten, DAL, TE
6	Tony Gonzalez, ATL, TE
7	Vernon Davis, SF, TE
8	Jermichael Finley, GB, TE
9	Brent Celek, PHI, TE
10	Fred Davis, WAS, TE
All Rankings

1	Stephen Gostkowski, NE, K
2	Mason Crosby, GB, K
3	Sebastian Janikowski, OAK, K
4	David Akers, SF, K
5	Garrett Hartley, NO, K
6	Dan Bailey, DAL, K
7	Jason Hanson, DET, K
8	Neil Rackers, HOU, K
9	Alex Henery, PHI, K
10	Nate Kaeding, SD, K
All Rankings

1	49ers, DST
2	Texans, DST
3	Ravens, DST
4	Giants, DST
5	Steelers, DST
6	Seahawks, DST
7	Eagles, DST
8	Packers, DST
9	Jets, DST
10	Patriots, DST
All Rankings