2012's Top Fantasy Football Players
#15 Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)
Will he start or will he sit? This was the main question leading into Week 1 on the NFL season and although he was eight months removed from a left knee reconstruction, Peterson produced at a rare level in the fantasy world with two touchdowns in his first week. He will be carrying a lighter load (15-20 carries) for the Vikings until he's fully healed but his ability to finish in the red zone should not be overlooked.
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15:
Adrian Peterson (Minnesota Vikings)
Will he start or will he sit? This was the main question leading into Week 1 on the NFL season and although he was eight months removed from a left knee reconstruction, Peterson produced at a rare level in the fantasy world with two touchdowns in his first week. He will be carrying a lighter load (15-20 carries) for the Vikings until he's fully healed but his ability to finish in the red zone should not be overlooked.
14:
Demaryius Thomas (Denver Broncos)
While teammate Eric Decker was claimed to be Peyton Manning's top target in Denver, Broncos wideout Demaryius Thomas has stolen the spotlight with 13 receptions to go with two touchdowns. It may only be the start of the season, but the 6'3 receiver has the tools to dominate defenses like a certain Calvin Johnson Jr.
13:
Victor Cruz (New York Giants)
Perhaps the most dominant NFL receiver today, the 25-year-old exploded into the league last season and has kept his talents at their peak. His total yards receiving are at an above-average mark of 237 but his 17 receptions put forward a pace of 136 which mathematically equals a high number of end zone scores.
12:
Michael Vick (Philadelphia Eagles)
A role model for hybrid quarterbacks that can pass and run the ball, Vick has found himself in elite company in terms of fantasy football despite his inconsistencies. He's atop the league with 688 passing yards and three touchdowns but has also given up six interceptions and three fumbles which can be costly depending on your league's format.
11:
Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers)
The former Auburn star was off to a slow start running the ball as a part of Carolina's backfield in the team's first game, but Newton has shown that for a 23-year-old quarterback, he isn't afraid to take control of a game. Against the Saints, Newton became only the second QB in NFL history to pass for 250+ yards, rush for at least 70 yards with a touchdown and claim a 125+ rating.
10:
Tony Romo (Dallas Cowboys)
The question mark on Tony Romo every season is if his shoulders are rigid enough to carry the Cowboys to another Super Bowl championship. Though Dallas is 1-1 so far, the quarterback has the chance to take over next week and increase his solid 558 yards/4 touchdown passing performance this season.
9:
Frank Gore (San Francisco 49ers)
The dark cloud surrounding Gore this offseason was his age and how it affects his slash-and-bump style but his ground game has pushed the 49ers to a 2-0 start to the season. His 16-game projections? 1,608 yards rushing with 16 touchdowns.
8:
Ray Rice (Baltimore Ravens)
The appeal of rushing for a dominant team that keeps getting older by the season isn't that great, but for 25-year-old Ray Rice, it's a non-factor. For the Ravens, the running back has been dynamic on the ground (two touchdowns) and in the air (nine receptions) where he's more comfortable and productive than other halfbacks in the league.
7:
Drew Brees (New Orleans Saints)
Brees hasn't looked extremely comfortable in the pocket for the Saints who are 0-2 and without coach Sean Payton, but he's shown to still be a valuable commodity. To start the season, the veteran has a line of 664 yards/4 TDs/4 INTs which has him placed seventh overall in fantasy scoring in most leagues.
6:
Eli Manning (New York Giants)
Can you guess which Manning threw for over 500 yards last week? We'll give you a hint: it wasn't Peyton. The younger Manning brother has exploded this season and though he's battling the Giants inconsistencies as well as a few of his own (three INTs), his passing yards total for the season is 723 and on pace for 5,700+.
5:
Arian Foster (Houston Texans)
A proven fantasy commodity that's worth his first-round value, Foster has already reached the endzone three times in two games while grabbing seven receptions. The Texans have always been a run-first team and given their start to the season, the 26-year-old is worth latching onto for his consistency in the red zone.
4:
Reggie Bush (Miami Dolphins)
During the filming for HBO's series "Hard Knocks", Reggie Bush stated during Miami Dolphins training camp that he wanted to lead the league in rushing this year. After his breakout in Week 2, his 241 yards rushing (along with nine receptions) have him on pace for just under 2,000 yards on the season.
3:
Matt Ryan (Atlanta Falcons)
Since his rookie year, Ryan has been Mr. Consistency in fantasy football and his strong start has him pushing for MVP honors over the likes of Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. In two games, the Falcons' quarterback has thrown for 518 yards and five touchdowns without giving up a single interception or fumble.
2:
Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins)
From Day One, the college superstar orchestrated Mike Shannahan's offense to become a deadly weapon. Mimicking Newton and Vick, Griffin III has thrown for 526 yards and three touchdowns while also splitting the carries among running backs for 124 yards and two TDs on the ground.
1:
C.J. Spiller (Buffalo Bills)
Subbing in for an injured Fred Jackson, the Bills running back has been nearly unstoppable this season racking in 292 yards rushing along with three touchdowns. His X-factor however is ability catching the ball as Spiller has also added versatility with five receptions for 72 yards.
