For the last couple of months, fantasy football fans have had nothing but player news to keep them satisfied. Now that we are in full summer mode, however, fantasy fans are beginning to comb the internet for 2012 fantasy football rankings. We here at Fantasyknuckleheads.com are right there with you all!
Each author here will be giving there own Top 50 fantasy football rankings for 2012 with their own individual insight and flair. These rankings are obviously early, and are subject to change as the summer months progress, but to be honest, there's nothing better than getting an early start.
Let's take a look at what I have in store for you today in my 2012 fantasy football rankings, and be sure to check are other staff members rankings below.
Digliani: Early Top 75 IDP Fantasy Football Rankings
Clark: Early Top 50 Fantasy Football Rankings
Brosh: Early Top 50 Fantasy Football Rankings
| Rank | Player | Pos. | Team | Comment |
| 1. | Arian Foster | RB | HOU | Regressed a bit in 2011, but should bounce back nicely. |
| 2. | LeSean McCoy | RB | PHI | Should rival Foster for the overall No. 1 fantasy RB. |
| 3. | Calvin Johnson | WR | DET | Looks better than ever at camp…if that’s even possible. |
| 4. | Ray Rice | RB | BAL | Fantasy stud year in and year out. |
| 5. | Maurice Jones-Drew | RB | JAX | If MJD holds out because of his contract, fantasy owners will suffer greatly. |
| 6. | Aaron Rodgers | QB | GB | I don’t think I need to explain anything here. |
| 7. | Ryan Mathews | RB | SD | Staying healthy is an issue, but an expanded role should be a plus. |
| 8. | Tom Brady | QB | NE | The addition of Brandon Lloyd and Joseph Addai as a blocking back will be huge. |
| 9. | Chris Johnson | RB | TEN | A lot of fantasy fans I talk to seem to have been spooked by Chris Johnson’s pedestrian 2011 campaign in which he only garnered 1,047 yards and 4 TDs.A lot of that had to do with many teams loading 8 men in the box against him, and a sub-par O-Line.Well the O-Line gets a boost thanks to the addition of Hutchinson and with an improved receiving corp., Johnson is set up to rebound rather nicely in 2012. |
| 10. | Drew Brees | QB | NO | Distractions could hurt his overall output, but that still leaves him a 1st rounder. |
| 11. | Rob Gronkowski | TE | NE | He’s in for another big year. |
| 12. | Cam Newton | QB | CAR | A full year under his belt will only make him better. |
| 13. | Matt Forte | RB | CHI | One of the most undervalued fantasy players this season. |
| 14. | Jamaal Charles | RB | KC | If he can stay healthy, he’s in for a breakout season. |
| 15. | DeMarco Murray | RB | DAL | Ditto! |
| 16. | Trent Richardson | RB | CLEV | Certainly has the potential, but may wind up falling to a second rounder which might be more realistic. |
| 17. | Jimmy Graham | TE | NO | Should see more targets this season which will add to his value. |
| 18. | Larry Fitzgerald | WR | ARI | A blind halfwit could throw him the ball and he’d STILL put up solid numbers. |
| 19. | Dez Bryant | WR | DAL | Bryant won’t make it to the third round, so grab him fast and enjoy his breakout season. |
| 20. | Adrian Peterson | RB | MIN | AP is way ahead of recovery schedule (ACL, MCL, meniscus surgery) and should wind up being a solid 2nd round pick. |
| 21. | Matthew Stafford | QB | DET | Looking to have an even better season than last year. |
| 22. | Steven Jackson | RB | STL | Should carry the Rams again this season. |
| 23. | Andre Johnson | WR | HOU | After nine years in the league and 12 missed games over the past two years, Johnson’s durability is a concern to most. |
| 24. | A.J. Green | WR | CIN | Should tear things up this season; perhaps even breakout. |
| 25. | Roddy White | WR | ATL | Rumor is the Falcons are recommitting themselves to the passing game which bodes well for White owners. |
| 26. | Mike Wallace | WR | PITT | So long as his contract doesn’t get in the way, you’re good to go. |
| 27. | Wes Welker | WR | NE | Solid fantasy machine year in and year out. |
| 28. | Fred Jackson | RB | BUF | Jackson was on his way towards a breakout season last year before being shut down with an injury.Jackson should repeat that trend this season, especially since he is technically in a contract year, despite the “extension”.The Bills inked a very “team friendly” three-year extension for Jackson, and can easily release him after next season and only wind up owing about three million dollars.Jackson knows this, so he’ll surely be playing for his career’s sake—albeit in Buffalo or somewhere else.
Jackson is a solid 2nd round consideration and could, perhaps, be found early in the third. |
| 29. | Hakeem Nicks | WR | NYG | Should continue his upward trend this season. |
| 30. | Victor Cruz | WR | NYG | Should regress away from his breakout 2011 season (1,536 reception yards, 9 TDs), but that doesn't mean he won't be a stud. |
| 31. | Julio Jones | WR | ATL | White won’t be the only one to benefit from Atlanta’s recommitment toward the passing game. |
| 32. | Greg Jennings | WR | GB | Too many other mouths to feed in GB to rank him higher. |
| 33. | Brandon Marshall | WR | CHI | Had five 100+ yards games last season with Matt Moore at the helm—just imagine the possibilities with Cutler under center. |
| 34. | Ahmad Bradshaw | RB | NYG | His chronically injured foot is a concern; especially with the explosive David Wilson breathing down his neck. |
| 35. | Marques Colston | WR | NO | Ya can never really go wrong with Colston. |
| 36. | Jordy Nelson | WR | GB | Just cracks 2nd round material, but don’t be surprised if he winds up falling to the third round by August. |
| 37. | Steve Smith | WR | CAR | If he does wind up as an early third-round receiver, he could be the steal of the century. |
| 38. | Shonn Greene | RB | NYJ | If you thought Greene’s ridiculous 253 rushing attempts a year ago was the limit, think again.If you are worried that Tim Tebow’s presence will cut down Greene’s attempts thisseason, don’t be.The Jets are apparently committed to not only featuring Greene this season, but actually increasing his role according to the New York Times.If this winds up being the case, Greene will obviously be a huge third-round steal. |
| 39. | Darren McFadden | RB | OAK | One good year under his belt and a history of injuries will undoubtedly curb his ADP. I’m not buying into the philosophy of McFadden being a safe 1st round RB, which is why I have him ranked 39th. |
| 40. | Reggie Bush | RB | MIA | Could return to his old hybrid RB role this season, and may share time with Daniel Thomas. |
| 41. | Percy Harvin | WR | MIN | Let’s see if he can work out his current “issues” with the staff before elevating him. |
| 42. | Isaac Redman | RB | PITT | Should definitely carry the load for at least six games this season, perhaps even more. |
| 43. | Jeremy Maclin | WR | PHI | Multiple members of the Eagles organization feel Maclin is in for a “banner” year. I personally agree. |
| 44. | Roy Helu | RB | WSH | Should be a safe bet at RB 2. |
| 45. | Brandon Lloyd | WR | NE | Seems to be fitting right in with New England’s system which is very good news in June (hint, hint). |
| 46. | Demaryius Thomas | WR | DNV | Should explode this season if he plays a full 16. |
| 47. | Michael Turner | RB | ATL | Usually burns out by season’s end, and will play in a RBBC this season—not as much upside as usual for the veteran fantasy RB. |
| 48. | Marshawn Lynch | RB | SEA | I’m not sold on anyone who abruptly “breaks out” in a contract year. |
| 49. | Kenny Britt | WR | TEN | Health will be the key factor here. |
| 50. | Michael Vick | QB | PHI | Most are predicting Vick as a fourth-rounder, although I have seen him go as high as a middle range third-rounder in many mock drafts. |
