Fantasy Football: Playa Rankin'

Written by The Fool on September 07, 2005

The Fantasy Fool had two drafts last weekend and still found time to write a long wide receiver column for the home base and rank the top five at every position. So if you haven't already drafted a team, (a) you're running way late and (b) maybe this will help.

Quarterbacks
1. Peyton Manning, Colts
2. Daunte Culpepper, Vikings
3. Donovan McNabb, Eagles
4. Kerry Collins, Raiders
5. Trent Green, Chiefs
Sleeper: Carson Palmer, Bengals -- Another year of maturity and improving weapons on up-and-coming team.

Running backs
1. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
2. Shaun Alexander, Seahawks
3. Priest Holmes, Chiefs
4. Jamal Lewis, Ravens
5. Willis McGahee, Bills
Sleeper: Kevin Jones, Lions -- Some scouts already are referring to the former Hokie as the best back in football.

Wide receivers
1. Marvin Harrison, Colts
2. Randy Moss, Raiders
3. Terrell Owens, Eagles
4. Chad Johnson, Bengals
5. Torry Holt, Rams
Sleeper: Nate Burleson, Vikings -- He's Randy Moss's replacement in Minnesota, so he should have a lot of balls thrown his way.

Tight ends
1. Antonio Gates, Chargers
2. Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs
3. Jeremy Shockey, Giants
4. Jason Witten, Cowboys
5. Alge Crumpler, Falcons
Sleeper: Chris Cooley, Redskins -- The second-year H-back has a healthy rapport with Patrick Ramsey, and you may have noticed the Redskins favor short passes.

Kickers
1. David Akers, Eagles
2. Adam Vinatieri, Patriots
3. Mike Vanderjagt, Colts
4. Jason Elam, Broncos
5. Matt Stover, Ravens
Sleeper: Paul Edinger, Vikings -- Ignore that funky motion and look at the accuracy (75.3 percent on field goals) and the surroundings (great offense, dome).

Defense
1. Baltimore Ravens
2. Buffalo Bills
3. Washington Redskins
4. Philadelphia Eagles
5. New England
Sleeper: Indianapolis Colts [-] Tony Dungy knows defense, has speedy pass rushers and a new defensive line anchor in recently signed Corey Simon.

-- Written by The Fool on September 07, 2005