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Early 2016 Fantasy Football Draft Rankings

January 11, 2016 by Kurt Turner

Did the injury bug hit your fantasy team during the 2015 season? Some of those guys will carry a lot of teams in 2016 so skim over these rankings and don't forget, never let pain go to waste.
Did the injury bug hit your fantasy team during the 2015 season? Some of those guys will carry a lot of teams in 2016 so skim over these rankings and don't forget, never let pain go to waste.

Did you draft Jordy Nelson in 2015? How about Kelvin Benjamin or one of the 30 other fantasy starters that failed us due to injury? That's right, 30 key fantasy starters (projected) went down in 2015! That's the most injuries to key players we've seen in over 4 straight seasons. I was once told to "never let pain go to waste" and I think that applies here perfectly. I lost a couple leagues due to some pretty high profile draft picks catching the injury bug. There's a way to learn and grow from this and draft a stronger team in 2016. I'll do this by rankings all the positions as if I'am drafting today for the 2016 fantasy football season. I'll pay special attention to where some of the injured players were ranking pre-draft 2015 to get an idea of where they might be ranked for 2016. But let's be honest here, with all the coaching changes / 2016 NFL draft / free agent moves, these rankings are really just an exercise to ensure we remember the wounded and have some sort of indication of value going forward.

I'll highlight some of the players ranked below that were injured for the majority of the 2015 season.

Quarterback

Rank Name Team
1 Cam Newton Panthers
2 Ben Roethlisberger Steelers
3 Andrew Luck Colts
4 Aaron Rodgers Packers
5 Drew Brees Saints
6 Tom Brady Patriots
7 Tony Romo Cowboys
8 Russell Wilson Seahawks
9 Carson Palmer Cardinals
10 Blake Bortles Jaguars
11 Ryan Fitzpatrick Jets
12 Matt Ryan Falcons
13 Jameis Winston Buccaneers
14 Eli Manning Giants
15 Ryan Tannehill Dolphins
16 Philip Rivers Chargers
17 Derek Carr Raiders
18 Andy Dalton Bengals
19 Marcus Mariota Titans
20 Matthew Stafford Lions
21 Jay Cutler Bears
22 Tyrod Taylor Bills
23 Joe Flacco Ravens
24 Teddy Bridgewater Vikings
25 Kirk Cousins Redskins

 

Running Back

Rank Name Team
1 Le'Veon Bell Steelers
2 Todd Gurley Rams
3 LeSean McCoy Bills
4 David Johnson Cardinals
5 Devonta Freeman Falcons
6 Doug Martin Buccaneers
7 DeMarco Murray Eagles
8 T.J. Yeldon Jaguars
9 Jamaal Charles Chiefs
10 Adrian Peterson Vikings
11 Lamar Miller Dolphins
12 Mark Ingram Saints
13 Eddie Lacy Packers
14 Darren McFadden Cowboys
15 Marshawn Lynch Seahawks
16 Melvin Gordon Chargers
17 Matt Forte Bears
18 Jonathan Stewart Panthers
19 Matt Jones Redskins
20 Ameer Abdullah Lions
21 C.J. Anderson Broncos
22 Carlos Hyde 49ers
23 Jeremy Langford Bears
24 Arian Foster Texans
25 Dion Lewis Patriots
26 Latavius Murray Raiders

 

Wide Receiver

Rank Name Team
1 Antonio Brown Steelers
2 Julio Jones Falcons
3 Odell Beckham Jr. Giants
4 Dez Bryant Cowboys
5 A.J. Green Bengals
6 Jordy Nelson Packers
7 Kelvin Benjamin Panthers
8 DeAndre Hopkins Texans
9 Allen Robinson Jaguars
10 Amari Cooper Raiders
11 Brandon Marshall Jets
12 Keenan Allen Chargers
13 Demaryius Thomas Broncos
14 Brandin Cooks Saints
15 Julian Edelman Patriots
16 Alshon Jeffery Bears
17 Donte Moncrief Colts
18 Calvin Johnson Lions
19 Sammy Watkins Bills
20 Mike Evans Buccaneers
21 Jarvis Landry Dolphins
22 Randall Cobb Packers
32 Michael Floyd Cardinals
24 Eric Decker Jets
25 Emmanuel Sanders Broncos
26 Jordan Matthews Eagles
27 Martavis Bryant Steelers
28 Josh Gordon Browns
29 Jeremy Maclin Chiefs
30 DeVante Parker Dolphins
31 T.Y. Hilton Colts
34 John Brown Cardinals
33 Doug Baldwin Seahawks
23 Larry Fitzgerald Cardinals
35 Kevin White Bears
36 Breshad Perriman Ravens
37 Allen Hurns Jaguars
38 Golden Tate Lions

Tight End

Rank Name Team
1 Rob Gronkowski Patriots
2 Jordan Reed Redskins
3 Travis Kelce Chiefs
4 Tyler Eifert Bengals
5 Greg Olsen Panthers
6 Delanie Walker Titans
7 Jimmy Graham Seahawks
8 Austin Seferian-Jenkins Buccaneers
9 Zach Ertz Eagles
10 Julius Thomas Jaguars
11 Kyle Rudolph Vikings
12 Martellus Bennett Bears
13 Jason Witten Cowboys
14 Ladarious Green Chargers
15 Jordan Cameron Dolphins
16 Gary Barnidge Browns
17 Antonio Gates Chargers
18 Eric Ebron Lions
19 Maxx Williams Ravens
20 Charles Clay Bills
21 Richard Rodgers Packers
22 Dwayne Allen Colts
23 Benjamin Watson Saints
24 Heath Miller Steelers
25 Vance McDonald 49ers
26 Zach Miller Bears
Category - Fantasy Football Draft - Early 2016 Fantasy Football Draft Rankings

About Kurt Turner

Kurt's fantasy advice is featured on USA Today Sports, Bleacher Reports, SiriusXM and Fox Sports.

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