We’re a long ways from the 2018 fantasy football season, but if you want to be prepared for your draft, it's always smart to get started early. I will be updating these rankings throughout the offseason.
Quarterbacks:
1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Deshaun Watson
3. Carson Wentz
4. Russell Wilson
5. Cam Newton
6. Tom Brady
7. Jimmy Garropolo
8. Matthew Stafford
9. Drew Brees
10. Alex Smith
11. Philip Rivers
12. Marcus Mariota
Explanation: While Tom Brady is the best quarterback in the NFL and will remain so in the 2018 season, he is a borderline top five option in fantasy football. Assuming that Aaron Rodgers, Deshaun Watson, and Carson Wentz are all healthy and ready to go week one, I believe they will finish ahead of Tom. Brady trailed off at the end of 2017 with five games under 16 points in standard scoring. This is not a condemnation of him; it’s just reality that a 40+ year old quarterback would slow down in the second half of the season. Coming in at number 7 is Jimmy Garropolo, who had five wonderful games with the 49ers at the end of 2017 and went for 22 fantasy points against the vaunted Jaguars defense. With a full offseason to get ingrained in the system and potential additions to his receiving corps (Allen Robinson is a possibility), I see no reason why Jimmy G wouldn’t be a QB1 in 2018. Finally, despite his struggles in 2017, I have faith in Marcus Mariota returning to QB1 status. What was supposed to be his breakout season was put on hold by a slew of injuries both to himself and to his top target, Corey Davis. Mariota will perform in 2017. Stay tuned.
Running Backs:
1. Todd Gurley
2. David Johnson
3. Ezekiel Elliott
4. Le’Veon Bell
5. Kareem Hunt
6. Alvin Kamara
7. Leonard Fournette
8. Dalvin Cook
9. Melvin Gordon
10. Jordan Howard
11. Mark Ingram
12. Saquon Barkley
Explanation: The running back class is incredibly deep going into 2018. There are multiple players outside the top 12 that I would feel comfortable with at RB1. Among them are Carlos Hyde, Dion Lewis, and Devonta Freeman. Todd Gurley, the top scorer by far in 2017, will retain his position. In 2017, he recovered from a rough 2016, as the Rams improved their offensive line and gave him what he needed to succeed. David Johnson will return from injury and perform as he did in 2016. Dalvin Cook, if healthy, is capable of being a top five back, as he showed during his 2017 campaign. The Vikings love to run the ball and I see no reason why that would change, especially with the talented Cook back in action. The talented Penn State running back Saquon Barkley rounds out the top twelve. He has been compared to the likes of Ezekiel Elliott and David Johnson. If he’s drafted by the right team he will be a fantastic RB1 in 2018 and for years to come.
Wide Receivers:
1. DeAndre Hopkins
2. Antonio Brown
3. Odell Beckham Jr.
4. Keenan Allen
5. T.Y Hilton
6. Julio Jones
7. A.J Green
8. Mike Evans
9. Davante Adams
10. Josh Gordon
11. Michael Thomas
12. Alshon Jeffery
Explanation: Odell Beckham Jr. needs to stay healthy (and I have major concerns about his ability to do so), yet I still rank him in the top three. At the end of the day, you can’t pass on that kind of talent if you get him at the right time in the draft. Keenan Allen finished 2017 strong, and I see no reason why he shouldn’t shine again in 2018. With Philip Rivers at quarterback and a strong offense, he will perform yet again. Assuming that Andrew Luck is ready to go week one, T.Y Hilton will have a massive comeback season. In fact, I could absolutely see him finishing as the number one wide receiver. Josh Gordon is the biggest question mark in this group As I’ve said many times, the guy has Hall of Fame talent and could very well find himself in Canton one day. The Cleveland Browns have two top-five picks in the deepest quarterback draft in years. If they can’t find a quarterback this year, they never will. All Josh Gordon needs is a full offseason of preparation and a decent quarterback. I will likely regret this, but I trust that the Browns aren’t completely incompetent and can figure this out. If they can, Josh Gordon is your number one wide receiver in 2018.
Overall Thoughts:
Wide Receivers had a historically bad 2017 campaign, and while I do believe they will be better in 2018, I still think “RB first” is the way to go. There are around fifteen players that I’d be comfortable with leading my team as RB1. Wide receivers like A.J Green and Julio Jones will be drafted way too early and won’t deliver the kind of value that those picks demand. Don’t even think about drafting a wide receiver in the top end of the first round.
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