[Jay’s Note: The Official 2015 Razzball Fantasy Football Rankings will come out in several months, but Michael has been awesome enough to give you guys a taste of how things stand right now. Way too early? Sure. Way too hot? Yes! Early AND hot folks… just like my love life.]
2014 was an interesting fantasy football year, wasn’t it? Â It was the year of the rookie receiver, as Odell Beckham, Jr., Kelvin Benjamin, Mike Evans, Sammy Watkins and more took the league by storm. Â There were studs being studs, as well as studs being duds. Â The zero-running back strategy was implemented, and well, didn’t work out that well for most people.
2015 is going to be even more of an interesting year, as draft strategies are sure to change for people. Â While it’s way too early in the fantasy offseason to rank players, we figured what the heck, we may as well have some fun with it.
That being said, I did rank certain players whose futures are unsure (Adrian Peterson, Marshawn Lynch) just because as of now, there is no news about what will happen.
Don’t worry, that’ll change with updated rankings in the upcoming months…
1. Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
2. Le’Veon Bell, Steelers
3. Rob Gronkowski, Patriots
4. Matt Forte, Bears
5. Eddie Lacy, Packers
6. LeSean McCoy, Eagles
7. DeMarco Murray, FA
8. Antonio Brown, Steelers
9. Adrian Peterson, FA
10. Demaryius Thomas, Broncos
11. Calvin Johnson, Lions
12. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
Notes: There’s no real surprises here, aside from Gronk slotting in at No. 3 in the overall rankings. Â It’s about difference makers, people. Â Gronk and running backs who catch the ball are exactly that.
13. Marshawn Lynch, Seahawks
14. Dez Bryant, Cowboys
15. Jordy Nelson, Packers
16. C.J. Anderson, Broncos
17. Jimmy Graham, Saints
18. Carlos Hyde, 49ers
19. Arian Foster, Texans
20. Jeremy Hill, Bengals
21. A.J. Green, Bengals
22. Emmanuel Sanders, Broncos
23. Julio Jones, Falcons
24. Alshon Jeffery, Bears
Note: I fully expect Lynch to retire, but I had to put him here for now. Â Carlos Hyde and C.J. Anderson were two of the hardest players to rank this early. Â So much can change with both of them.
25. Odell Beckham, Jr., Giants
26. Randall Cobb, Packers
27. Andrew Luck, Colts
28. T.Y. Hilton, Colts
29. Julius Thomas, Broncos
30. Peyton Manning, Broncos
31. Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
32. Lamar Miller, Dolphins
33. Justin Forsett, Ravens
34. Brandon Marshall, Bears
35. Joique Bell, Lions
36. Andre Ellington, Cardinals
Note: Yup, I’m not getting ODB next year. Â I’ve already accepted it. Â He’s an incredible talent, but I don’t trust Eli Manning to support two fantasy relevant wide receivers. Â Beckham’s talent is out of this world, but Victor Cruz will be back getting targets. Â Plus, let’s see how coordinators adjust to him next year. Â He’ll be fine, but I can’t draft him in the top two rounds.
37. Rashad Jennings, Giants
38. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
39. Mark Ingram, FA
40. Mike Evans, Bucs
41. Drew Brees, Saints
42. Russell Wilson, Seahawks
43. Roddy White, Falcons
44. Golden Tate, Lions
45. Tre Mason, Rams
46. Sammy Watkins, Bills
47. DeAndre Hopkins, Texans
48. Greg Olsen, Panthers
Note: The first three picks of this round are all gambles with Stewart, Jennings and Ingram. Â They all have factors that could impact their ranking, whether it be health, which team they are on or re-signing of a teammate (I’m looking at you, DeAngelo).
49. DeSean Jackson, Washington
50. Kelvin Benjamin, Panthers
51. Alfred Morris, Washington
52. Torrey Smith, Ravens
53. Josh Gordon, Browns
54. Julian Edelman, Patriots
55. Eric Decker, Jets
56. Latavius Murray, Raiders
57. Branden Oliver, Chargers
58. Brandin Cooks, Saints
59. Tony Romo, Cowboys
60. Keenan Allen, Chargers
Note: Ryan Mathews is done in San Diego, leaving a three-headed monster, led by Oliver. Â I hope whoever ends up in Oakland decides to commit to Latavius Murray. Â The talent is there.
61. Gio Bernard, Bengals
62. Stevan Ridley, FA
63. Chris Ivory, Jets
64. C.J. Spiller, FA
65. Denard Robinson, Jaguars
66. Isaiah Crowell, Browns
67. Fred Jackson, Bills
68. Bryce Brown, Bills
69. Vincent Jackson, Bucs
70. Tom Brady, Patriots
71. Charles Johnson, Vikings
72. Martellus Bennett, Bears
Note: This round has the potential to be loaded with value at running back. Â Let’s see how the chips fall.
73. Jarvis Landry, Dolphins
74. Percy Harvin, Jets
75. Donte Moncrief, Colts
76. Andre Johnson, Texans
77. Cam Newton, Panthers
78. Jay Cutler, Bears
79. Travis Kelce, Chiefs
80. Matt Ryan, Falcons
81. Matthew Stafford, Lions
82. Kenny Stills, Saints
83. Michael Floyd, Cardinals
84. Ahmad Bradshaw, Colts
Note: And the quarterbacks begin to come off the board. Â Please, people, if you’ve learned anything this year, wait on quarterbacks in 2015. Â The position is loaded again.
85. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
86. Steve Smith, Ravens
87. Allen Robinson, Jaguars
88. Philip Rivers, Chargers
89. Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins
90. Antonio Gates, Chargers
91. Martavis Bryant, Steelers
92. Larry Fitzgerald, FA
93. Jordan Matthews, Eagles
94. Victor Cruz, Giants
95. Andre Williams, Giants
96. Jerick McKinnon, Vikings
Note: I can’t wait for Allen Robinson in 2015, man. Â He was so good prior to his injury. Â All of the other receivers showed flash, but Robinson will add to the studded sophomore group next year.
97. Mike Wallace, Dolphins
98. Eric Ebron, Lions
99. Davante Adams, Packers
100. Cody Latimer, Broncos
Note: Ebron will show the Jimmy Graham potential next year. Â Adams, Latimer will see their roles grow, too.