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Posted: Friday September 2, 2011 12:46PM ; Updated: Friday September 2, 2011 2:25PM
Eric Mack
Eric Mack>INSIDE FANTASY FOOTBALL

Final Fantasy Football Rankings

Story Highlights

Adrian Peterson, Chris Johnson and Arian Foster are the top three fantasy players

Tom Brady is the top-ranked quarterback, but not as valuable as a top-tier RB

Andre Johnson is the top-ranked WR, followed by Roddy White and Calvin Johnson

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Adrian Peterson, who gained 1,298 rushing yards and scored 13 total touchdowns last season, is the top-ranked fantasy player.
Adrian Peterson, who gained 1,298 rushing yards and scored 13 total touchdowns last season, is the top-ranked fantasy player.
AP

You can write brilliant prose and put in column after column, hour after hour and day after day of labor for fantasy owners, but in the end they seek one simple thing: A draft day road map.

They really just want one printable page we so aptly have come to know as the cheatsheet. Most fantasy football drafters don't need anything else.

We will submit you should have a copy of your league rules -- you never know what strange quirks might lay there -- a blank sheet to write your picks on and a printout of a reliable fantasy website's average draft positions.

The last of those items in the fantasy drafter's tool belt might be even more important than updated rankings. Not only does it give you a pretty close representation of what one man's rankings might look like, but also the wisdom of the crowd laid out for you on how your draft might go.

Don't take one writer's word for it, take everyone's.

In case you still want one set of instructions to guide you, here are this writer's final preseason fantasy football rankings for 2011:

EMACK'S 2011 TOP 200

Rank Player Position Team
1 Adrian Peterson RB MIN
2 Chris Johnson RB TEN
3 Arian Foster RB HOU
4 Ray Rice RB BAL
5 Jamaal Charles RB KC
6 LeSean McCoy RB PHI
7 Rashard Mendenhall RB PIT
8 Tom Brady QB NE
9 Aaron Rodgers QB GB
10 Darren McFadden RB OAK
11 Maurice Jones-Drew RB JAC
12 Andre Johnson WR HOU
13 Roddy White WR ATL
14 Calvin Johnson WR DET
15 Drew Brees QB NO
16 Michael Vick QB PHI
17 Frank Gore RB SF
18 Steven Jackson RB STL
19 Michael Turner RB ATL
20 Larry Fitzgerald WR ARI
21 Greg Jennings WR GB
22 Reggie Wayne WR IND
23 Matt Forte RB CHI
24 Peyton Hillis RB CLE
25 Hakeem Nicks WR NYG
26 Dwayne Bowe WR KC
27 DeSean Jackson WR PHI
28 Austin Miles WR DAL
29 Philip Rivers QB SD
30 Mike Wallace WR PIT
31 Peyton Manning QB IND
32 Vincent Jackson WR SD
33 Ahmad Bradshaw RB NYG
34 Shonn Green RB NYJ
35 Jeremy Maclin WR PHI
36 BenJarvus Green-Ellis RB NE
37 Ryan Mathews RB SD
38 Antonio Gates TE SD
39 LeGarrette Blount RB TB
40 Matt Ryan QB ATL
41 Jason Witten TE DAL
42 DeAngelo Williams RB CAR
43 Felix Jones RB DAL
44 Jahvid Best RB DET
45 Knowshon Moreno RB DEN
46 Jonathan Stewart RB CAR
47 Ryan Grant RB GB
48 Matt Schaub QB HOU
49 Brandon Marshall WR MIA
50 Mike Williams WR TB
51 Wes Welker WR NE
52 Dez Bryant WR DAL
53 Marques Colston WR NO
54 Dallas Clark TE IND
55 Joseph Addai RB IND
56 Brandon Lloyd WR DEN
57 Chad Ochocinco WR NE
58 Beanie Wells RB ARI
59 Santonio Holmes WR NYJ
60 Jermichael Finley TE GB
61 Vernon Davis TE SF
62 Cedric Benson RB CIN
63 Steve Johnson WR BUF
64 Anquan Boldin WR BAL
65 Percy Harvin WR MIN
66 Mario Manningham WR NYG
67 Tony Romo QB DAL
68 Ben Roethlisberger QB PIT
69 Reggie Bush RB MIA
70 Mark Ingram RB NO
71 Joe Flacco QB BAL
72 Marshawn Lynch RB SEA
73 Sidney Rice WR SEA
74 Marcedes Lewis TE JAC
75 Rob Gronkowski TE NE
76 Kenny Britt WR TEN
77 Eli Manning QB NYG
78 Jay Cutler QB CHI
79 Jets DST NYJ
80 Fred Jackson RB BUF
81 Pierre Garcon WR IND
82 Steelers DST PIT
83 Tim Hightower RB WAS
84 Packers DST GB
85 Santana Moss WR WAS
86 Austin Collie WR IND
87 Kellen Winslow TE TB
88 Tony Gonzalez TE ATL
89 Owen Daniels TE HOU
90 Josh Freeman QB TB
91 Michael Crabtree WR SF
92 Matt Cassel QB KC
93 Kevin Kolb QB ARI
94 Daniel Thomas RB MIA
95 Brandon Jacobs RB NYG
96 Johnny Knox WR CHI
97 Matthew Stafford QB DET
98 Sam Bradford QB STL
99 Pierre Thomas RB NO
100 LaDainian Tomlinson RB NYJ
101 Deion Branch WR NE
102 Steve Smith WR CAR
103 Ronnie Brown RB PHI
104 James Starks RB GB
105 Mike Tolbert RB SD
106 A.J. Green WR CIN
107 Mike Sims-Walker WR STL
108 Eagles DST PHI
109 Ravens DST BAL
110 Thomas Jones RB KC
111 Braylon Edwards WR SF
112 Bears DST CHI
113 Julio Jones WR ATL
114 Mike Thomas WR JAC
115 Ben Tate RB HOU
116 Roy Helu RB WAS
117 Cadillac Williams RB STL
118 Danny Woodhead RB NE
119 Willis McGahee RB DEN
120 C.J. Spiller RB BUF
121 Javon Ringer RB TEN
122 Hines Ward WR PIT
123 Lance Moore WR NO
124 Davone Bess WR MIA
125 James Jones WR GB
126 Steve Breaston WR KC
127 Mark Sanchez QB NYJ
128 Patriots DST NE
129 Giants DST NYG
130 Mike Williams WR SEA
131 Derrick Mason WR NYJ
132 Donald Driver WR GB
133 Chris Cooley TE WAS
134 Dustin Keller TE NYJ
135 Jimmy Graham TE NO
136 Ricky Williams RB BAL
137 Kyle Orton QB DEN
138 Donovan McNabb QB MIN
139 Plaxico Burress WR NYJ
140 Lee Evans WR BAL
141 Michael Bush RB OAK
142 Montario Hardesty RB CLE
143 Darren Sproles RB NO
144 Demarco Murray RB DAL
145 Delone Carter RB IND
146 Bernard Scott RB CIN
147 Aaron Hernandez TE NE
148 Brandon Pettigrew TE DET
149 Zach Miller TE SEA
150 Jordy Nelson WR GB
151 Chargers DST SD
152 Falcons DST ATL
153 Cowboys DST DAL
154 Rashad Jennings RB JAC
155 Ryan Torain RB WAS
156 Donald Brown RB IND
157 Justin Forsett RB SEA
158 Vikings DST MIN
159 Roy Williams WR CHI
160 Danny Amendola WR STL
161 Robert Meachem WR NO
162 Tashard Choice RB DAL
163 Marion Barber RB CHI
164 Toby Gerhart RB MIN
165 Malcom Floyd WR SD
166 Devin Hester WR CHI
167 Stephen Gostkowski K NE
168 Mason Crosby K GB
169 Nate Kaeding K SD
170 Brian Robiskie WR CLE
171 Steve Smith WR PHI
172 Anthony Armstrong WR WAS
173 Sebastian Janikowski K OAK
174 Matt Bryant K ATL
175 Adam Vinatieri K IND
176 Nick Folk K NYJ
177 Neil Rackers K HOU
178 Donnie Avery WR STL
179 Eddie Royal WR DEN
180 David Akers K SF
181 Josh Brown K STL
182 Dan Carpenter K MIA
183 Alex Henery K PHI
184 Robbie Gould K CHI
185 Brent Celek TE PHI
186 Ryan Fitzpatrick QB BUF
187 Saints DST NO
188 Lions DST DET
189 Chiefs DST KC
190 Tony Moeaki TE KC
191 Dolphins DST MIA
192 Cardinals DST ARI
193 Rams DST STL
194 Joe McKnight RB NYJ
195 Brandon Jackson RB CLE
196 Jerome Simpson WR CIN
197 Jalen Parmele RB BAL
198 Shane Vereen RB NE
199 Jacquizz Rodgers RB ATL
200 John Kasay K NO

QUARTERBACK RANKINGS, TIERS

Rank Quarterbacks Team Tier
1 Tom Brady NE 1
2 Aaron Rodgers GB 1
3 Drew Brees NO 1
4 Michael Vick PHI 1
5 Philip Rivers SD 2
6 Peyton Manning IND 2
7 Matt Ryan ATL 2
8 Matt Schaub HOU 2
9 Tony Romo DAL 3
10 Ben Roethlisberger PIT 3
11 Joe Flacco BAL 3
12 Eli Manning NYG 3
13 Jay Cutler CHI 3
14 Josh Freeman TB 4
15 Matt Cassel KC 4
16 Kevin Kolb ARI 4
17 Matthew Stafford DET 5
18 Sam Bradford STL 5
19 Mark Sanchez NYJ 5
20 Kyle Orton DEN 6
21 Donovan McNabb MIN 6
22 Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF 6
23 Chad Henne MIA 6
24 Colt McCoy CLE 6
25 David Garrard JAC 6
26 Matt Hasselbeck TEN 6
27 Alex Smith SF 6
28 Tim Tebow DEN 7
29 Tarvaris Jackson SEA 7
30 Cam Newton CAR 7
31 Jason Campbell OAK 7
32 John Beck WAS 7
33 Andy Dalton CIN 7
34 Vince Young PHI 7
35 Rex Grossman WAS 8
36 Blaine Gabbert JAC 8
37 Jake Locker TEN 8
38 Christian Ponder MIN 8
39 Carson Palmer CIN 8
40 Charlie Whitehurst SEA 8

RUNNING BACK RANKINGS, TIERS

Rank Running Back Team Tier
1 Adrian Peterson MIN 1
2 Chris Johnson TEN 1
3 Arian Foster HOU 1
4 Ray Rice BAL 2
5 Jamaal Charles KC 2
6 LeSean McCoy PHI 2
7 Rashard Mendenhall PIT 2
8 Darren McFadden OAK 2
9 Maurice Jones-Drew JAC 3
10 Frank Gore SF 3
11 Steven Jackson STL 3
12 Michael Turner ATL 3
13 Matt Forte CHI 3
14 Peyton Hillis CLE 3
15 Ahmad Bradshaw NYG 4
16 Shonn Green NYJ 4
17 BenJarvus Green-Ellis NE 4
18 Ryan Mathews SD 4
19 LeGarrette Blount TB 4
20 DeAngelo Williams CAR 4
21 Felix Jones DAL 4
22 Jahvid Best DET 4
23 Knowshon Moreno DEN 4
24 Jonathan Stewart CAR 4
25 Ryan Grant GB 4
26 Joseph Addai IND 4
27 Beanie Wells ARI 4
28 Cedric Benson CIN 4
29 Reggie Bush MIA 5
30 Mark Ingram NO 5
31 Marshawn Lynch SEA 5
32 Fred Jackson BUF 5
33 Tim Hightower WAS 5
34 Daniel Thomas MIA 5
35 Brandon Jacobs NYG 6
36 Pierre Thomas NO 6
37 LaDainian Tomlinson NYJ 6
38 Ronnie Brown PHI 6
39 James Starks GB 6
40 Mike Tolbert SD 6
41 Thomas Jones KC 7
42 Ben Tate HOU 7
43 Roy Helu WAS 7
44 Cadillac Williams STL 7
45 Danny Woodhead NE 7
46 Willis McGahee DEN 7
47 C.J. Spiller BUF 7
48 Javon Ringer TEN 7
49 Ricky Williams BAL 7
50 Michael Bush OAK 7
51 Montario Hardesty CLE 7
52 Darren Sproles NO 7
53 Demarco Murray DAL 7
54 Delone Carter IND 7
55 Bernard Scott CIN 7
56 Rashad Jennings JAC 7
57 Ryan Torain WAS 7
58 Donald Brown IND 7
59 Justin Forsett SEA 7
60 Tashard Choice DAL 7
61 Marion Barber CHI 7
62 Toby Gerhart MIN 7
63 Joe McKnight NYJ 7
64 Brandon Jackson CLE 7
65 Jalen Parmele BAL 7
66 Shane Vereen NE 7
67 Jacquizz Rodgers ATL 8
68 Mike Goodson CAR 8
69 Kendall Hunter SF 8
70 Anthony Dixon SF 8
71 Jason Snelling ATL 8
72 Taiwan Jones OAK 8
73 Isaac Redman PIT 8
74 Jordan Todman SD 8
75 Jamie Harper TEN 8
76 Stevan Ridley NE 8
77 Dion Lewis PHI 8
78 Maurice Morris DET 8
79 Keiland Williams WAS 8
80 La'Rod Stephens-Howling ARI 8

WIDE RECEIVER RANKINGS, TIERS

Rank Wide Receiver Team Tier
1 Andre Johnson HOU 1
2 Roddy White ATL 1
3 Calvin Johnson DET 1
4 Larry Fitzgerald ARI 2
5 Greg Jennings GB 2
6 Reggie Wayne IND 2
7 Hakeem Nicks NYG 2
8 Dwayne Bowe KC 2
9 DeSean Jackson PHI 2
10 Austin Miles DAL 3
11 Mike Wallace PIT 3
12 Vincent Jackson SD 3
13 Jeremy Maclin PHI 3
14 Brandon Marshall MIA 4
15 Mike Williams TB 4
16 Wes Welker NE 4
17 Dez Bryant DAL 4
18 Marques Colston NO 4
19 Brandon Lloyd DEN 4
20 Chad Ochocinco NE 4
21 Santonio Holmes NYJ 4
22 Steve Johnson BUF 4
23 Anquan Boldin BAL 4
24 Percy Harvin MIN 4
25 Mario Manningham NYG 4
26 Sidney Rice SEA 5
27 Kenny Britt TEN 5
28 Pierre Garcon IND 5
29 Santana Moss WAS 5
30 Austin Collie IND 5
31 Michael Crabtree SF 5
32 Johnny Knox CHI 5
33 Deion Branch NE 5
34 Steve Smith CAR 5
35 A.J. Green CIN 5
36 Mike Sims-Walker STL 6
37 Braylon Edwards SF 6
38 Julio Jones ATL 6
39 Mike Thomas JAC 6
40 Hines Ward PIT 6
41 Lance Moore NO 6
42 Davone Bess MIA 6
43 James Jones GB 6
44 Steve Breaston KC 6
45 Mike Williams SEA 6
46 Derrick Mason NYJ 6
47 Donald Driver GB 6
48 Plaxico Burress NYJ 6
49 Lee Evans BAL 6
50 Jordy Nelson GB 6
51 Roy Williams CHI 7
52 Danny Amendola STL 7
53 Robert Meachem NO 7
54 Malcom Floyd SD 7
55 Devin Hester CHI 7
56 Brian Robiskie CLE 7
57 Steve Smith PHI 7
58 Anthony Armstrong WAS 7
59 Donnie Avery STL 7
60 Eddie Royal DEN 7
61 Jerome Simpson CIN 7
62 Jacoby Ford OAK 8
63 Danario Alexander STL 8
64 Nate Burleson DET 8
65 Jacoby Jones HOU 8
66 Arrelious Benn TB 8
67 Earl Bennett CHI 8
68 Nate Washington TEN 8
69 Kevin Walter HOU 8
70 Emmanuel Sanders PIT 8
71 Jonathan Baldwin KC 8
72 Leonard Hankerson WAS 8
73 Mohamed Massaquoi CLE 8
74 Golden Tate SEA 8
75 Jerricho Cotchery PIT 8
76 Jordan Shipley CIN 8
77 Andre Roberts ARI 8
78 Brandon Gibson STL 8
79 Dexter McCluster KC 8
80 Terrell Owens FA 8

TIGHT END RANKINGS/TIERS

Rank Tight End Team Tier
1 Antonio Gates SD 1
2 Jason Witten DAL 1
3 Dallas Clark IND 1
4 Jermichael Finley GB 2
5 Vernon Davis SF 2
6 Marcedes Lewis JAC 3
7 Rob Gronkowski NE 3
8 Kellen Winslow TB 3
9 Tony Gonzalez ATL 3
10 Owen Daniels HOU 4
11 Chris Cooley WAS 4
12 Dustin Keller NYJ 4
13 Jimmy Graham NO 4
14 Aaron Hernandez NE 5
15 Brandon Pettigrew DET 5
16 Zach Miller SEA 5
17 Brent Celek PHI 6
18 Tony Moeaki KC 6
19 Heath Miller PIT 6
20 Visanthe Shiancoe MIN 6
21 Todd Heap ARI 6
22 Kevin Boss OAK 6
23 Greg Olsen CAR 6
24 Ben Watson CLE 6
25 Jacob Tamme IND 7
26 Jared Cook TEN 7
27 Jermaine Gresham CIN 7
28 Lance Kendricks STL 7
29 Jeremy Shockey CAR 7
30 Anthony Fasano MIA 7
31 Michael Hoomanawanui STL 7
32 Fred Davis WAS 7
33 Rob Housler ARI 8
34 Kyle Rudolph MIN 8
35 Daniel Fells STL 8
36 Joel Dreessen HOU 8
37 Tony Scheffler DET 8
38 Bo Scaife CIN 8
39 Donald Lee PHI 8
40 Andrew Quarless GB 8

DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS RANKINGS, TIERS

Rank D/ST Team Tier
1 Jets NYJ 1
2 Steelers PIT 1
3 Packers GB 1
4 Eagles PHI 2
5 Ravens BAL 2
6 Bears CHI 2
7 Patriots NE 2
8 Giants NYG 2
9 Chargers SD 3
10 Falcons ATL 3
11 Cowboys DAL 3
12 Vikings MIN 3
13 Saints NO 4
14 Lions DET 4
15 Chiefs KC 4
16 Dolphins MIA 5
17 Cardinals ARI 5
18 Rams STL 5
19 Colts IND 5
20 Raiders OAK 6
21 Buccaneers TB 6
22 Seahawks SEA 6
23 Browns CLE 6
24 49ers SF 6
25 Titans TEN 7
26 Bengals CIN 7
27 Redskins WAS 7
28 Bills BUF 7
29 Panthers CAR 8
30 Jaguars JAC 8
31 Broncos DEN 8
32 Texans HOU 8

KICKER RANKINGS, TIERS

Rank Kicker Team Tier
1 Stephen Gostkowski NE 1
2 Mason Crosby GB 1
3 Nate Kaeding SD 1
4 Sebastian Janikowski OAK 2
5 Matt Bryant ATL 2
6 Adam Vinatieri IND 2
7 Nick Folk NYJ 3
8 Neil Rackers HOU 3
9 David Akers SF 3
10 Josh Brown STL 3
11 Dan Carpenter MIA 4
12 Alex Henery PHI 4
13 Robbie Gould CHI 4
14 John Kasay NO 4
15 Rob Bironas TEN 4
16 Billy Cundiff BAL 4
17 David Buehler DAL 4
18 Ryan Succop KC 4
19 Shaun Suisham PIT 4
20 Lawrence Tynes NYG 4
21 Jason Hansen DET 5
22 Josh Scobee JAC 5
23 Olindo Mare SEA 5
24 Connor Barth TB 5

Eric Mack writes fantasy for SI.com and will outline all the news and nuggets game-by-game every week of the NFL season in his Fantasy Football Fast Forward. You can mock him, rip him and (doubtful) praise him before asking him for fantasy advice on Twitter @EricMackFantasy.

ON SALE: Sports Illustrated's Fantasy Football 2011 issue tells you where all the free agents landed and what their fantasy impact will be, along with the critical draft strategy and stats analysis you need to win your league. Order one now.

 
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