Below you will find our 2008 Top 50 Dynasty Rankings (with commentary). Now, we already have a year-round dynasty rankings feature (our 2008 Top 200 Dynasty Rankings List), but variety is everything in this industry and multiple takes from multiple angles just gives you that much more information to arm yourself with come draft day. This Top 50 keeper list was created by five staffers / contributors and is based on a standard scoring format (not PPR). These fantasy football rankings are constructed as if one would be competing in a league that plays 1QB, 2RB, 3WR, 1TE, 1K and 1DST. Keep in mind that this is not a mock draft, it’s a Consensus Expert Rankings List, so each staffer / contributor was not worried about building a well-rounded team with corresponding picks.
1. Adrian Peterson, RB, MIN - (Smitty)
2. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, SD - (Smitty)
3. Joseph Addai, RB, IND - (Tavaner)
4. Steven Jackson, RB, STL - (Tavaner)
5. Brian Westbrook, RB, PHI - (XYZ)
6. Willis McGahee, RB, BAL - (XYZ)
7. Frank Gore, RB, SF - (Ballgame)
8. Larry Johnson, RB, KC - (Ballgame)
9. Marshawn Lynch, RB, BUF - (Zach)
10. Darren McFadden, RB, OAK - (Zach)
I like the Darren McFadden ranking at No. 10 overall. It may seem early to some, but I like the bold stance. I think that Frank Gore (#7) and Larry Johnson (#8) both have some solid value in their current slots. Gore has some injury baggage, but he also has top three overall upside if healthy. As for L.J., he has started one less game than Steven Jackson on his career and has touched the ball just 16 times more than S-Jax. Johnson, 28, should be able to play two more seasons at a top 10 level.
It’s hard to call a guy ranked at #4 undervalued, but many mocks will have Steven Jackson at #2, so to see him placed #4 is a surprise to me.
11. Tom Brady, QB, NE - (Zach)
12. Randy Moss, WR, QB - (Zach)
13. Ronnie Brown, RB, MIA - (Ballgame)
14. Ryan Grant, RB, GB - (Ballgame)
15. Reggie Wayne, WR, IND - (XYZ)
16. Michael Turner, RB, ATL - (XYZ)
17. Marion Barber - (Tavaner)
18. Clinton Portis - (Tavaner)
19. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, PIT - (Smitty)
20. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, JAC - (Smitty)
I have to say, Portis never gets respect. I can’t blame someone for taking a Ryan Grant, Michael Turner or Randy Moss ahead of Portis, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Washington runner is always the last of the stud runners to get drafted when push comes to shove. This is great news for all you dynasty owners out there seeking out an elite-like runner at bargain value. Go after Portis in your league(s) if this is the kind of value attached to his name. I have to say I love the values of both Rashard Mendenhall and Maurice Jones-Drew… and of course I like Michael Turner anywhere near to the top 15-20, as I think the speed machine is capable of putting up top 8-10 fantasy running back numbers in 2008.
Clinton Portis seems to be the forgotten man in the top tier of RBs, getting placed at #18 is tremendous value. On the flip side, Ronnie Brown is ranked a bit high at #13; with the injury I’d be more comfortable with someone like Portis, Maurice Jones-Drew or Michael Turner.
21. Tony Romo, QB, DAL - (Smitty)
22. Braylon Edwards, WR, CLE - (Smitty)
23. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, AZ - (Tavaner)
24. Peyton Manning, QB, IND - (Tavaner)
25. Marques Colston, WR, NO - (XYZ)
26. Andre Johnson, WR, HOU - (XYZ)
27. Reggie Bush, RB, NO - (Ballgame)
28. Jonathan Stewart, RB, CAR - (Ballgame)
29. Earnest Graham, RB, TB - (Zach)
30. Carson Palmer, QB, CIN - (Zach)
Not a big believer in Earnest Graham for the long-term, as he turned 28 in January. Not many people know how old he is. Reggie Bush has fantastic value ranked #27 and I love that Tony Romo is falling into the 20-25 range in early mocks and rankings such as this. Romo is going to have a big season in 2008 and you can almost bet that Jerry Jones is going to go get him a WR like Roy Williams in 2009 — his future is more than bright!
Earnest Graham is a bit overvalued ranked #29, especially considering the uncertainty surrounding Caddy and the “one year wonder” potential.
31. Steve Smith, WR, CAR - (Zach)
32. Matt Forte, RB, CHI - (Zach)
33. Laurence Maroney, RB, NE - (Ballgame)
34. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, PIT - (Ballgame)
35. Drew Brees, QB, NO - (XYZ)
36. Chad Johnson, WR, CIN - (XYZ)
37. Terrell Owens, WR, DAL - (Tavaner)
38. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, CIN - (Tavaner)
39. Brandon Jacobs, RB, NYG - (Smitty)
40. Santonio Holmes, WR, PIT - (Smitty)
Like Portis, Steve Smith gets no love. Take advantage, even if via trade in existing dynasty leagues. I think Drew Brees is ranked a bit high at #35. It’s not that he couldn’t earn that type of value, but unless you’re drafting a Romo, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, you might as well wait on a QB in 2008. If we examined this set of rankings like a mock, I’d much rather pass on a Brees, given his value (#35), and take Derek Anderson a round or two later. This would allow me to focus on securing RBs and WRs inside the first three to four rounds, which is the best strategy in my opinion.
Matt Forte seems to be the consensus #4 behind the top 3 rooks, but I’m not convinced the Bears can produce a consistent runner, so #32 is high for me.
41. Kevin Smith, RB, DET - (Smitty)
42. Roy Williams, WR, DET - (Smitty)
43. Jason Witten, TE, DAL - (Tavaner)
44. Lee Evans, WR, BUF - (Tavaner)
45. Antonio Gates, TE, SD - (XYZ)
46. Willie Parker, RB, PIT - (XYZ)
47. Jamal Lewis, RB, CLE - (Ballgame)
48. Brandon Marshall, WR, DEN - (Ballgame)
49. Anquan Boldin, WR, AZ - (Zach)
50. Plaxico Burress - (Zach)
Willie Parker at #46 is a bargain. Granted I’m extremely high on Mendenhall, but FWP still has upside and that upside would be too hard to pass up around #46 overall.
The wide outs went pretty much as expected, but Roy Williams was the overvalued one in this mock since I don’t even think he’s the best WR on his own team. Loved the value of Terrell Owens at #37 and Anquan Boldin real late at #49 - both solid picks at their respective spots.
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