Move over, Christmas morning, we’ve got the first week of fantasy football. If only we had a metric to measure the giddiness of fantasy team owners, I’d wager the data would support my claim that the first week of September surpasses even that of sleigh bells and jolly old Saint Nick. At least that's how I felt putting together my Week 1, Top 75 Fantasy Football Flex Rankings.
Alas, no such measuring stick exists. Yet, if you’re like me, you’d draft a new fantasy team for a new fantasy season every week of the year. Addicts, we are. So, let our addiction commence and endure for the next few months worth of Sundays. Though as addicted as we are to the game, the euphoria of a weekly win is irreplaceable, and it is to that purpose that I dedicate 2012’s first installation of the top-75.
Keep in mind, to establish this top-75 list I consider matchups, projections, and a host of other factors including my own gut feeling. And, as per last year, I will begin with:
MY MISSION STATEMENT
What frustrates me above all else are so-called fantasy advice columns that fit into one of two categories.
1) They refuse to stray from conventional wisdom, often until it’s weeks too late to save or help your season or
2) They only offer rankings commentary on the “big-name” guys that everyone knows to play anyway. Gee, Adrian Peterson will have a bounce back week and I shouldn’t bench him for Danny Woodhead? Thanks!
Each week I will examine what I consider to be the most pressing issues facing fantasy owners. I will try to focus only on issues that you may actually be concerned with, namely: marginal flex players, tough matchup decisions, and above all else, how to assimilate new information from the previous week. This is a column of the people, by the people, for the people. And as long as I’m offering oaths, I promise to always tackle the difficult questions as I see them, not be chained by conventional wisdom, and not allow traditional or draft-position bias to affect my weekly ranking.
You may also like: WR rankings - QB rankings - RB Rankings
Week 1 Top-75 Flex Plays
1. LeSean McCoy
2. Arian Foster
3. Ray Rice
4. Darren McFadden
5. Calvin Johnson
6. Matt Forte
7. Chris Johnson
8. Jamaal Charles
9. Steven Jackson
10. Jimmy Graham
11. Marshawn Lynch
12. Rob Gronkowski
13. Andre Johnson
14. DeMarco Murray
15. Wes Welker
The Big Boys
I see McCoy having a huge week, as will all of the top-3. Ride Run-DMC for as long as his train lasts, and the same can be said for Andre Johnson. I’m a believer in Jamaal Charles who produces in bushels when he is healthy. Forte has a nice matchup, and while there are questions about his touches now that the Bears have other viable weapons, I still think he is one of the safer starts this week and remains a very talented back. The Lions defense is better than you may think, but Steven Jackson should still be fine. I’ve fallen right back in line with 2011 form, it seems, and again find myself listing two tight ends in the top-15 overall. As for Murray? Word is we may see some interesting weather for the Dallas-NYG game, and even without that potentiality, the dude can play.
16. Julio Jones
17. Larry Fitzgerald
18. Doug Martin
19. Darren Sproles
20. Brandon Marshall
21. Fred Jackson
22. Roddy White
23. Trent Richardson
24. Percy Harvin
25. Victor Cruz
26. Hakeem Nicks
27. Jordy Nelson
28. Frank Gore
29. Michael Turner
30. AJ Green
Some Rookies and Some Ouchies
I like Doug Martin, a lot. And until I’m shown otherwise, I think he will produce as an RB-1 this season. I’m ranking Richardson as if he will play, and I am intentionally NOT ranking Adrian Peterson because everything I’ve heard or read suggests he won’t. I’m thinking Marshall is in for a huge season, as is Harvin. Nelson could be higher. The Michael Turner hate has gone too far. If Nicks doesn’t play, Cruz gets elevated significantly. Nicks played through dings a few times last season, and I expect the same in 2012.
31. Toby Gerhardt
32. Ahmad Bradshaw
33. Mike Wallace
34. Antonio Brown
35. Brandon Lloyd
36. Greg Jennings
37. Antonio Gates
38. Marques Colston
39. Demaryius Thomas
40. Rashad Jennings
41. Dez Bryant
42. Miles Austin
43. Steve Smith
44. Jeremy Maclin
45. DeSean Jackson
Cowboys and Eagles and Steelers, Oh My!
A lot of the receivers on the above three teams could be ranked a lot higher, but I just simply don’t know what to do with them. I’d like a 2012 usage sampling to work with before moving them higher, in particular both Cowboys. Don’t sleep on Miles Austin. 2012 was a rough year for him, but if he’s back to 100% health, he may have been a steal in your draft. I like Demaryius Thomas this year... a lot. I think Wallace plays and plays a lot and I think they look for him. I am also not ranking Maurice Jones-Drew. I think he gets up to full speed for week 2, and has limited touches this week at best. If we hear otherwise, I’d probably move him into the top-30.
46. Eric Decker
47. Ben-Jarvis Green-Ellis
48. Reggie Wayne
49. Cedric Benson
50. Willis McGahee
51. Dwayne Bowe
52. Vincent Jackson
53. Pierre Garcon
54. Aaron Hernandez
55. Nate Washington
56. Fred Davis
57. Reggie Bush
58. Torrey Smith
59. Anquan Boldin
60. Donald Brown
Some Surprises
In the long run, I like BJGE, just not this week. I think the Colts may put up more points than we’d all think against my beloved Bears, even if it is scoring from behind. This may be the only top-75 list you find Donald Brown on. Speaking of catching up, the Redskins receivers should see a lot of balls thrown their way... whether Pierre Garcon can hold onto them is another question... but with Cooley gone I like Fred Davis that much more. Torrey Smith is the upside play, but Anquan Boldin should be serviceable if nothing more. I’m curious to see how Reggie Bush will fare after arguably the best season of his career in 2011.
61. Malcom Floyd
62. Titus Young
63. Vernon Davis
64. Darrius Heyward-Bey
65. Peyton Hillis
66. Evan Royster
67. Michael Crabtree
68. Justin Blackmon
69. Isaac Redman
70. Brandon Pettigrew
71. Greg Little
72. Denarius Moore
73. Kendall Wright
74. Ryan Williams
75. Tony Gonzalez
Last Leg
Yikes, this just got ugly. You’ll notice I’m staying away from the Panthers backfield, all Jets, and all Seahawks not named Marshawn Lynch. I’m taking my stand in the Redskins backfield debate: for this week, at least, I think Royster is the way to go if you have to pick one. When the ‘Skins dropped Tim Hightower, Royster was moved to no. 1 on the redskins.com official depth chart . I think both Oakland receivers could have a nice week, and prefer Heyward-Bey slightly due to Moore’s injury status. I wanted to avoid the Pittsburgh and Arizona backfields entirely, too, but I think you could do worse than Redman, who will at least get some touches, and
Ryan Williams, who at least has some upside.
That’s it! Best of luck this week and next. As always you can tweet questions to or follow @petethegreekff on Twitter.
