Editor's note: espnW aims to speak to all women who love sports, from the deeply engaged to the casual fan. For the already knowledgeable, serious fantasy football player -- female or male -- ESPN's extensive fantasy football coverage offers everything they might need.
Given that, we were struck by the unique voices of the women at Her Fantasy. Far from being a patronizing effort, we saw the sisters' voices as an entertaining layer to supplement ESPN's existing coverage. For fantasy rookies, they offer an alternative, tongue-in-cheek approach that we enjoyed and think readers who are new to the game might, too. In this particular post, one of several already on espnW.com, they were deliberately playful with relationship tropes and categories -- all in the spirit of having fun with the game and having a good laugh. Understanding that the lighthearted approach here was misunderstood as perpetuating the very stereotypes we intended to have fun with, we will not use the relationship category conceit moving forward. We look forward to working with the Her Fantasy team this season to develop their voices with espnW.
Fantasy football is all about relationships. Sure, the stats and matchups matter. But most of us play because it keeps us connected with friends and family.
And here at Her Fantasy Football, that is sooooooo true. We -- Ashley, Brandon and Courtney, otherwise known as the Sisters Williams -- came to the game because of our relationship with our parents. And now, as adults, we use fantasy football as key aspects of our relationships, both with our parents and our spouses. Hell, Brandon and Courtney MARRIED two people from their fantasy football league!
With that in mind, allow us to introduce you, the first-time fantasy player, to our style of evaluating players. We have the nuts-and-bolts rankings. But we also break players down into categories. Elite stars are considered "Marriage Material," in our books. That next crop of guys is "Boyfriend Potential." Then "It's Complicated," "Friends With Benefits," "Flirts" and our version of the waiver-wire pickups -- "One-Night Stands."
And yes, you'll notice that we cheated a bit on our little cheat sheet. We took kickers and defenses out of our rankings because, hey, you're not going to win or lose your league based on how well you drafted kickers or defenses. Get the best one you can, at the end of your draft. You never know, you may find the perfect match!
MARRIAGE MATERIAL
(ELITE PLAYER, WORTH KEEPING FOR THE LONG HAUL)
1. Eagles RB LeSean McCoy
What's not to love? Last year McCoy rushed for 1,607 yards and nine touchdowns. Tack onto that his 52 receptions for 539 yards and another two touchdowns. All of that happened during his first year in the "Chip Kelly Offense" so expect big things now in Year Two.
2. Chiefs RB Jamaal Charles
There's some nervousness about Charles. Can he have another enormous year behind an overhauled offensive line? Charles doesn't seem worried about it, though he did suffer the old dorm-room box-moving foot injury this preseason. But if he's not worried, neither are we. What makes Charles so special is that he is a true double threat as a runner and receiver. He is the real deal and worth a top-three overall draft pick.
3. Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
He might be a 29-year-old running back who just hit the dreaded 2,000-carry threshold. But Peterson is a freak athlete that will deliver for your fantasy team. With Norv Turner as his new offensive coordinator, Peterson should only improve this year. If you have the third pick and Peterson is still there, take him.
4. Bears RB Matt Forte
Mr. Dependable. After six years in the NFL, Forte has still never missed 900-plus rushing yards or 300-plus receiving yards. At his worst, he was the 20th highest scoring fantasy back in 2013. He's one of the safest picks you can make.
5. Lions WR Calvin Johnson
Megatron is HUGE (6'5", 236 pounds) with solid hands and an offense that should throw as much as any team in the NFL. Draft him as the first wide receiver off the board.
6. Packers RB Eddie Lacy
We probably should have a "fiancé" category, because Lacy is only in his second year, and a large portion of his rookie year was without his stud quarterback, Aaron Rodgers. We're confident he can match his rushing numbers from last year (1,178 yards, 11 touchdowns). With a legitimate passing game in place with Rodgers, look out for Lacy.
7. Broncos WR Demaryius Thomas
Thomas is a big, strong, physical receiver that can jump over any cornerback in the league, and he's playing alongside Peyton Manning. He finished as the No. 2 fantasy receiver last year, and that's where we think he'll land in 2014.
8. Saints TE Jimmy Graham
Graham is a no brainer, so far above the competition that it's embarrassing. He's the Ryan Gossling of fantasy football, if you will. Graham scored 211 fantasy points last year; the No. 2 tight end, Vernon Davis of the 49ers, scored 156, and the No. 10 tight end, Martellus Bennett, had 96 fantasy points last season. Of all the positions, Graham is the most clear-cut No. 1 player.
9. Cowboys WR Dez Bryant
Over the past two seasons, Bryant has caught 25 touchdowns, most in the NFL in that time. And, believe it or not, we consider the Cowboys' terrible defense as a fantasy asset. Because when the Cowboys are down 28-10 every week in the third quarter, where do you think all of those deep balls from QB Tony Romo are going to be aimed?
10. Broncos RB Montee Ball
With Knowshon Moreno taking his talents to South Beach, Ball is now the man in Denver. An appendectomy kept the second-year star out much of the preseason, but Ball looked fantastic in the third preseason game. He's a great starting running back in any league, with lots of upside, too.
11. Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch
Want to win your league? Start dating this guy once a week. The Seahawks proved their run-first mentality can win the Super Bowl, so don't expect any sort of philosophical shift this year. Lynch leads the NFL in carries since 2011, with more than 300 per year. The point is, he'll get the ball.
12. Cowboys RB DeMarco Murray
The best part about Murray is that he is not just a handoff running back. He may hit 60 catches this year, and Murray's another Cowboys player who could benefit from the terrible Dallas defense. If Dallas loses 45-51 every week, that's only good news for Cowboys fantasy owners. Actual Cowboys fans? Not so much.
13. Bengals WR A.J. Green
Green has produced at least 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three NFL seasons. What's scary is, he seems to be getting better. New offensive coordinator Hue Jackson recently said that Green and Andy Dalton are the best quarterback-wide receiver duo in the league. What are the chances that Jackson doesn't go out and try to prove that? Take Green and enjoy the ride.
14. Falcons WR Julio Jones
Forget last year's stats. Jones was banged-up most of the year, so his numbers were ugly. Much like Demaryius Thomas, he is a very strong, physical wide receiver. His speed and strength make him a top-10 wide receiver this year as the central focus of the Falcons' offense. This kid is legit and absolutely worth reaching for. Take him early.
15. Bears WR Brandon Marshall
Marshall hasn't missed a game since 2011 -- that's no small thing. Jay Cutler loves him -- that's no small thing, either. You'll love him, too, if you can get him.
BOYFRIEND POTENTIAL
(SHOWS FLASHES OF BEING ELITE, BUT NO RING YET)
16. Bengals RB Giovani Bernard
Bernard put up solid numbers last year, with 1,209 total yards and eight touchdowns. He may be pushed for carries by rookie Jeremy Hill and veteran BenJarvus Green-Ellis. The late-second/early-third round price tag is a little steep, but if Bernard can improve on last year's totals, then he is probably worth it.
17. Steelers WR Antonio Brown
Most of Brown's numbers were phenomenal: 110 receptions, 165 targets (that's an underrated aspect -- it matters that QB Ben Roethlisberger looked his way that many times), 1,499 yards and eight touchdowns. That last one, though, is the trickiest. If Brown caught a few more balls in the end zone, he'd be a top-three receiver. Draft him and love him ... just hope he gets a few more targets near the goal posts.
18. Packers WR Jordy Nelson
We LOVE Jordy Nelson. He has 3,322 receiving yards in the past three seasons, including two 1,000-yard seasons. Last season, he managed career-best numbers (85 catches, 1,314 yards) despite QB Aaron Rodgers missing seven games. Those two could put up some gaudy stats together again in 2014.
19. Redskins RB Alfred Morris
For being on a team that was on the verge of a complete and utter breakdown all season long, Morris put up decent numbers: 1,275 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Not bad. If RG3 is back to his 2012 self, look out, the Redskins offense could be scary. That makes Morris a solid selection.
20. Rams RB Zac Stacy
Stacy had an interesting season last year as a rookie. He came out of nowhere to run for 973 yards and seven touchdowns. The Rams now know what they have in Stacy and will certainly develop a large part of the offense around him, especially now that QB Sam Bradford is done for the year. Even with rookie Tre Mason in the mix, look for Stacy to put up similar or better stats this year.
21. Texans RB Arian Foster
Foster has been a top-10 back since he entered the league, and he's a solo back -- you don't have to worry much about a vulture backup coming in and stealing touchdowns away from him. Foster is coming off a back injury from last season and didn't play in the first three games of the preseason. As long as you see him suiting up soon, though, draft him with confidence.
22. Broncos QB Peyton Manning
Despite being about, oh, 108 in NFL years, Peyton Manning had the best regular season in NFL history in 2013 (5,477 yards, 55 TDs, 10 INTs). Manning's a lock to be a top-five QB and will be a top fantasy scorer among all players. He is scary good, people.
23. Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell
Don't be deceived by his ho-hum stats (860 rushing yards, eight TDs). Bell played only 13 games, and he was a rookie. The Steelers have always given love to the run game, and you should grab Bell if you can get him. It's important to note that his preseason arrest for marijuana possession could cost him some playing time. Still, Bell has the potential to have a huge year.
24. Bears WR Alshon Jeffery
QB Jay Cutler and WR Brandon Marshall may be together forever, but don't sleep on Jeffery. He snagged 89 catches for 1,421 yards and seven touchdowns during his breakout 2013 season. You may feel some trepidation because almost half of Jeffery's receptions were thrown by Cutler's backup, Josh McCown. But relax, the Bears' offense is going to throw enough to keep both Marshall and Jeffery owners satisfied.
25. Bucs RB Doug Martin
Martin verges on being "It's Complicated," but right now let's put him as "Boyfriend Material." With that said, keep your eye out for shady complicated behavior. He had an amazing rookie year in 2012 (1,454 yards, 11 TDs), but had a really slow start to his sophomore year, then got hurt and missed serious PT the rest of the season. So far, so good this preseason, and everyone loves a good redemption story.
26. Cardinals RB Andre Ellington
When Cardinals coaches said this preseason that Ellington could be a workhorse, they weren't kidding. In his second NFL preseason, Ellington has been used in all situations, including catching balls out of the backfield. Look for 25-30 touches per game out of him. He appears to be going around No. 30 in most drafts. Don't be afraid to reach a few spots higher, because we think he'll end up there.
27. Saints QB Drew Brees
You've heard the never-ending debate: What is an elite quarterback? Well, one answer is any QB who throws for 5,000 yards three years in a row. You know, like Drew Brees ... and exactly zero other players in NFL history.
28. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers
In 2012, Rodgers was the clear-cut No. 1 fantasy quarterback. Last year, Rodgers was in the conversation again until he broke his left collarbone. Don't worry about Rodgers, though. He's totally healthy, totally dependable and, uh, he's not so hard on the eyes, either. He'll look good in your fantasy team colors.
29. Broncos TE Julius Thomas
Seven tight ends had more receiving yardage than Orange Julius in 2013. But his 788 yards were still terrific, and he dominated in the end zone, with 12 touchdowns. He was a safety valve for QB Peyton Manning, and there is no reason to believe 2014 will be any different. He is one of the most consistent scoring tight ends in the league, so draft him with confidence.
30. Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski
Gronkowski is one of the best tight ends in the league, without question. When healthy, Gronk is a touchdown factory. In the first 50 games of his career, Gronk had 42 touchdowns, an absurd number for a tight end. And in the last full season he played, he produced 1,327 yards and 17 touchdowns. The problem is, that was 2011. Can Gronk stay healthy? He has missed 15 games in the past two years. He is the definition of a high-risk, high-reward player.
31. Texans WR Andre Johnson
Johnson had monster seasons in targets (175), catches (109) and yards (1,407) ... yet finished No. 12 among receivers with 161 fantasy points. Blame Houston's lame QB situation for not getting Johnson more scores. Incoming starter Ryan Fitzpatrick is very smart and consistent, so Johnson ought to be good for similar -- or slightly better -- numbers in 2014.
32. Packers WR Randall Cobb
The poor guy broke his leg last year and played in only six games all season. Still, in those games he made an impact and averaged 11.8 fantasy points per start. We like guys who score double-digit points each week, so we're fans.
33. Bucs WR Vincent Jackson
Between Tampa Bay and Miami, it's hard to tell which Florida team had more drama. Despite his team's mess, Jackson was still able to have 78 receptions, 1,224 yards and seven touchdowns. With a new quarterback this year in Josh McCown, and a coach who isn't despised (yet, anyway) in Lovie Smith, all things point to a top-10 kind of year from Jackson.
34. Giants RB Rashad Jennings
Jennings has had a fantastic preseason, with 32 rushes for 192 yards and a touchdown. We're thinking that ditching Oakland for New York is going to be the best move of Jennings' career. Drafting Jennings as your first or second running back in the third round is a very healthy start to your season.
35. Jaguars RB Toby Gerhart
After spending four years behind Adrian Peterson, Gerhart is ready for his close up. He's back and healthy after hurting his hip in camp, so you don't need to worry about that. The Jags are ecstatic about Gerhart and look like they could hand him the ball 20-plus times per game. Anybody who's getting 20 carries a game is worth a good spot on your fantasy roster.
36. Redskins WR Pierre Garcon
Garcon is a PPR dream. He is slightly less dreamy in a standard-scoring league, but still reaaalllyyy good. He was second in the league with 176 targets, along with career-bests in receptions (113) and yardage (1,346). One downside to Garcon: He has only 25 touchdowns in six years in the NFL, and he has never gotten to the end zone more than six times in a season. But even with a new coach (Jay Gruden), new star receiver (DeSean Jackson) and very few touchdowns, don't feel bad about drafting Garcon as a solid No. 2 receiver.
37. Cardinals WR Larry Fitzgerald
No one doubts Fitzgerald's ability. He is as talented as anyone in the league not named Calvin Johnson. It has always been nagging injuries and the other players around him that have affected his numbers. In Year Two with QB Carson Palmer, expect Fitzgerald to get 130-plus targets again.
38. Chargers WR Keenan Allen
As a rookie, Allen was a breakout star, with 71 catches for 1,046 yards and eight touchdowns. Unless Philip Rivers' arm falls off, you want Allen on your team.
39. Chargers RB Ryan Mathews
Mathews had a dream season in 2013, with 10 or more fantasy points in 11 games. You'd think that would help ease our fears. And for the most part, we feel fine drafting and starting Mathews. But his high-ankle sprain at the end of 2013 reminded us of why we're hesitant: injury city. If he's healthy, he's a must start. But that's a big if.
40. Bills RB C.J. Spiller
What does last year mean for Spiller in 2014? He had a nagging ankle injury all season, so it's possible he just had an injury-plagued year. If Spiller can get back to 2012 numbers (1,244 rushing yards, 459 receiving yards, eight total TDs), then he will make a fantasy lady happy. If not, well, let's not go there.
41. 49ers RB Frank Gore
Gore sat out the majority of the preseason, but that's fine -- he's the starting back on a run-first offense in San Francisco. Sure, he's 31 years old, but Gore hasn't missed a game since 2010. For security, pick up his handcuff, Carlos Hyde. But in the fourth or fifth round, Gore brings value.
42. 49ers WR Michael Crabtree
Crabtree's numbers were trending in the right direction: 625 yards in 2009, 741 in 2010, 874 in 2011 and 1,105 in 2012. Then he had to sit out the majority of 2013 with a torn left Achilles. If he can get back on track, he's a top talent. He has been nursing a hamstring injury all camp, so double-check his status before you call his name at your draft.
43. Vikings WR Cordarrelle Patterson
Patterson has fantasy superstar potential. Reports out of training camp say that the Vikings are expecting Patterson to play a huge role in the offense going forward. Over the final four weeks last season, Patterson scored a whopping 61 fantasy points. He is a monster kick returner, too, and many places have Patterson sneaking up their average draft rankings. He's in the ballpark with Percy Harvin, DeSean Jackson, Julian Edelman and T.Y. Hilton. But he may have the biggest upside (and downside!) out of that tier of receivers.
44. Lions RB Reggie Bush
Bush's football life is about as complicated as his personal life used to be back when he was dating Kim Kardashian. (A little Her Fantasy Football rule of thumb: Players who date reality stars never play well while they date them.) Bush will lose touches to Joique Bell, but still managed 1,006 rushing yards, four touchdowns, 54 receptions, 506 receiving yards and three receiving TDs last season. You should also factor in that he's a bit of a turnover problem (32 career fumbles), and most leagues subtract points for fumbles.
45. Cardinals WR Michael Floyd
Due to a groin injury, we didn't see Floyd until the Cardinals' third preseason game. He had only one reception for four yards, but QB Carson Palmer was trying to get him the ball. Probably perfect in the fourth/fifth-round range.
46. Falcons WR Roddy White
White is having a quiet but encouraging preseason after a year of being dogged by injuries. Draft him as a high-end No. 2 wide receiver in a 10-team league, or top wideout in a deep league.
47. Redskins WR DeSean Jackson
Jackson is one of the flashiest players in the league. Incredible speed, great route-running and dynamic special teams ability (keep this in mind if your league allows the receiver to get points for punt returns). He has landed with a team in which he might fit in a little better, and along side Pierre Garcon, you could make the case that this is the best wide receiver duo in the league.
48. Giants WR Victor Cruz
Cruz is such a great wide receiver, it's a shame that he plays for the Giants. The team's offensive line is terrible, and if QB Eli Manning is under pressure, forget it. He won't have time to find Cruz, Cruz won't have time to get open, and you'll be frustrated. Low-end No. 2 wide receiver.
49. Colts QB Andrew Luck
From a pure fantasy perspective, his numbers tailed off a bit last year from his 2012 rookie season. But he also lost his top receiver, Reggie Wayne, to an ACL injury, and his interceptions dropped from 18 to 9 in Year Two. With Wayne back and free agent Hakeem Nicks in the fold, make no mistake: Luck is the next great NFL QB.
50. Lions QB Matthew Stafford
If you had Stafford last year, you will remember his epic meltdown in most games that took place after that crazy snowstorm game against the Eagles. He had six fantasy points that day, and 25 points in the final three games of the year. Ouch. Stafford had had two 26-point games earlier in the season. Yet he was still the No. 8 scoring fantasy player last year. He's certainly worth a roster spot in any league.
IT'S COMPLICATED
(BURNS HOT AND COLD)
51. Browns RB Ben Tate
Tate finally has a chance to shine now that he's out of Arian Foster's shadow in Houston. Tate is a talented runner who has the ability to score fantasy points. However, his injury history is downright scary -- in Houston, he missed 24 games and appeared on the injury report 80 percent of the time. Look to draft his handcuff, rookie Terrance West. Draft with caution, but feel optimistic if you get him.
52. Lions RB Joique Bell
Bell is a situational player, which is just about the dictionary definition of "It's Complicated," isn't it? He'll put up solid numbers -- last year seemed about right, when he had 650 rushing yards, eight touchdowns and 547 receiving yards. And, interestingly, he ended up scoring only 23 fewer fantasy points than the Lions' starter, Reggie Bush. Bell can't quite be called a handcuff, because he's used in so many different situations in the Detroit offense. Draft him in a mid-round and keep him on the side or as a flex.
53. Titans RB Bishop Sankey
He may not provide big value early on, but by midseason, watch out for the Tennessee rookie. He had some ball-handling woes this preseason, fumbling in every game he played. And he's currently third in line in the depth chart behind Shonn Greene and Dexter McCluster, but he's still expected to share the reps. We like his potential.
54. Jets RB Chris Johnson
In a supposed "down year," Johnson still tied for eighth among running backs, with 189 fantasy points. Now entering his seventh year, he has yet to not hit 1,000 rushing yards, and he has always caught at least 36 passes in a season. And surprise, he's only 28. All of this talk about him being done seems overblown. The Jets run a ton, and even though Johnson isn't a sexy pick, he's a fabulous flex option that just may end up being your No. 2 running back.
55. Patriots RB Shane Vereen
Vereen is great for PPR, with 47 catches in eight games. He has played a ton with the first-team offense this preseason, and that increase in PT seems like it might carry over into the season. Vereen could end up being the featured back in a strong offense.
56. Ravens RB Ray Rice
Forget just fantasy football, everybody has an opinion on Ray Rice. And ours is this: He's perhaps the No. 56 best fantasy player, but none of us will be drafting him. If you want to overlook his offseason behavior, or the fact that Roger Goodell suspended him for only two games, fine. No thanks.
57. Browns TE Jordan Cameron
In QB Brian Hoyer's two full games as the starting quarterback last year, Cameron averaged more than 78 yards per game, with four total touchdowns. Ah, the good ol' days. Otherwise, he was up-and-down, with a very disappointing second-half (just 31 catches and one score in the final eight games). He's draftable, for sure, but you're relying on a more stable quarterback situation than last year. And didn't the Browns draft a quarterback who might make the QB situation, um, not so stable?
58. Patriots WR Julian Edelman
Last season, Julian Edelman proved that when given the opportunity he could produce. Edelman had 1,056 yards and six touchdowns. When chronically injured Danny Amendola and Rob Gronkowski both went down, Tom Brady learned to rely on Edelman. It's not crazy to assume that a similar situation could occur again this year. If it does, Edelman will be a valuable player on your roster.
59. Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders
New year, new team, new optimism. Forget Sanders' stats from the Steelers last year (67 catches, 740 yards, six TDs); a better example would be the guy he's replacing in Denver, Eric Decker, who had 87 grabs for 1,288 yards and 11 scores. Based on preseason play, Sanders is on track to put up similar numbers.
60. Seahawks WR Percy Harvin
It's hard to draft a guy who caught one pass for 17 yards in 2013. Harvin was injured for most of 2013, but supposedly he's healthy now. Keep in mind that Harvin has a lengthy injury history and has played in a total of 10 games the past two seasons. He has never topped 1,000 receiving yards. The Seahawks are a run-first team, so maybe they'll utilize his fabulous running skills. The good news is, the Seattle offense has been on fire this preseason. Geez, there is so much push and pull with Harvin.
61. Ravens WR Torrey Smith
Smith looked great during the past two preseason games, with 60 yards and a touchdown. In new offensive coordinator Gary Kubiack's offense, Smith should be utilized more this year, and worth an even higher pick in PPR leagues. Snag him in the fifth or sixth and be happy about it.
62. Jets WR Eric Decker
Decker left the incredible Broncos offense to join what looks to be an improving Jets O. He's a tremendous value in this spot, considering he's hit 1,000 yards receiving with double-digit touchdowns two years in a row. He may not have Peyton Manning throwing him the ball any more, but he's also not competing with four or five other elite targets.
63. Eagles QB Nick Foles
We have a small sample size of only 10 games as a starter, but Foles averaged more than 25 fantasy points per game last year. And yes, he will throw more than two interceptions this year. Still, he's running a Chip Kelly offense. He lost DeSean Jackson, but he gained Darren Sproles, Jeremy Maclin is back, and the Eagles' pass catching tight end, Zach Ertz, no longer has the rookie deer-in-headlights look. Solid pickup.
64. Patriots QB Tom Brady
Brady's not "Marriage Material" any more (though, seriously, we all want him to be our real-life husband), but we think he is going to have a comeback year. With TE Rob Gronkowski and WR Danny Amendola healthy, Brady will have more consistent targets to throw to. A hunch: Brady isn't done being a rock star yet.
65. Falcons QB Matt Ryan
Talk about an ugly year! This poor guy had his two best wide receivers out for the majority of the season and his offensive line let him get sacked 44 times, tied for the worst in the NFC. Despite all that, he managed 239 fantasy points. Now Ryan has all his weapons back and the team could have a big turn-around in 2014. So could Ryan. With only two missed starts in six seasons, you at least know Ryan will be in the lineup every week.
66. Panthers QB Cam Newton
Newton is a bit of an unknown this year. He's already questionable for Week 1 with a rib injury, and he'll be without several key players from last year, including WR Steve Smith. Offseason ankle surgery doesn't help matters, either, especially considering that almost 40 percent of his fantasy points come from running with the ball. All that said, Newton has been a fantasy stalwart since he entered the league. And if his receivers are as iffy as expected, then he might just run more, which would be a good thing for fantasy owners.
67. Saints WR Marques Colston
Colston is the top receiver in a Drew Brees offense and you can get him in the seventh round. Does that sound a little crazy to you? You can do worse than Colston as a third or fourth receiver, that's for sure.
68. Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin
We love Maclin, but his injury history makes him risky. In the Eagles' third preseason game, he went down (untouched) grabbing his newly repaired knee. Thankfully, he walked off on his own power and even returned to the game. Last time Maclin played an entire season, he caught 70 passes for 964 yards and 10 TDs, which would make him a great value in this spot.
69. Broncos WR Wes Welker
Welker is soooooooo complicated. He's on a team with the No. 2 fantasy tight end, No. 2 fantasy receiver and a running back on the rise in Montee Ball. So how many touches will he get? Throw in three concussions over the last year or so, and Welker is hard to figure. He's a terrific No. 3, but don't roll the dice on more than that from Welker.
70. Colts WR T.Y. Hilton
Hilton is boom or bust. He had 56 fantasy points last year in two games against the Seahawks and the Texans. But those were his only two games with 15-plus fantasy points. This year, he'll have Reggie Wayne back, along with new addition Hakeem Nicks. There are two ways to look at this change. One, he'll have more opportunities to get open because defenses will have to respect Wayne and Nicks. Or two, Wayne and Nicks will take away from his production. Consider Hilton a perfect flex/ handcuff candidate.
71. Titans WR Kendall Wright
Make sure you think of Wright in the proper context: He's a solid No. 3 receiver, coming off a year where he had 94 catches (140 targets) for 1,079 yards and only two touchdowns. Even if Wright gets a few more throws in the end zone, the emergence of Justin Hunter could eat into his overall production.
72. Dolphins WR Mike Wallace
In terms of raw talent and athletic ability, Wallace jumps off the charts. Unfortunately, we also need to consider actual catches and his quarterback situation. He grabbed only five touchdowns last year, and he played all 16 games. That's frustrating, but Wallace is so talented that he's worth a flier. If you can get him in the seventh round or later, do it.
73. 49ers TE Vernon Davis
If you're a little nervous about Vernon Davis, we get it. Even though he caught 52 passes for 850 yards and 13 touchdowns last year, you might still have 2012 on your mind. That's when he put up only 548 yards and five scores. We think he'll be somewhere in between those numbers, which still makes him a top-10 tight end.
74. Bills RB Fred Jackson
Every fall we hear the same thing: "This is the year that the Bills will phase out Fred Jackson." But in the first preseason game this year, C.J. Spiller started, and Jackson got the third-down and goal-line carries. Jackson looks great, he's running well, and you don't have to reach for him in a draft. He's the perfect flex or bye-week fill-in guy.
75. Colts RB Trent Richardson
He is really bad, right? He's averaging 2.6 yards per carry this preseason, which is even worse than last season's 2.9 ypc mark. Could this be a repeat year for Richardson? "It's Complicated" is an understatement.
76. Dolphins RB Knowshon Moreno
A classic "It's Complicated" kind of guy, bordering on "Friends with Benefits," because you just can't count on him. He finished fifth in RB scoring (220 points) last year, ahead of Eddie Lacy and Adrian Peterson. No question, he had an amazing year. But keep in mind, he had a career year for one of the best offenses in NFL history, and he didn't fumble all year. Now he's with the Dolphins ... enough said. Throw in Lamar Miller jockeying for carries, and you shouldn't be expecting anything more than "It's Complicated" from Moreno. But if you have to pick one of them, definitely pick Moreno over Miller.
77. Patriots RB Stevan Ridley
The rumors out of New England are not good; Ridley may be on the bubble of making the 53-man roster. So buyer beware, he may not even be with the Patriots (though he'd probably end up somewhere else, which might be good for him at this point). Ridley had 773 yards and seven touchdowns in 2013, which isn't bad. It's those pesky fumbles; four of 'em last year. He coughed up the ball ball again in the second preseason game, and that might have sealed his fate.
78. Colts WR Reggie Wayne
Yes, he's 35 years old, played only seven games, and is trying to come back from a torn ACL. But Wayne is a machine. Don't let last year's injury scare you off too much -- he played in every game the 11 years prior to 2013. We like him, but don't recommend reaching for him.
79. Lions WR Golden Tate
Call it an educated hunch, but we think Tate is primed for a fabulous year. He's clearly the No. 2 receiver behind Calvin Johnson, which translates as lots of single coverage for Tate -- and probably a Golden fantasy year.
80. Cowboys WR Terrance Williams
No. 2 receiver, on an offense with Dez Bryant, DeMarco Murray and Tony Romo? Sounds good to us. Good value player in the seventh or eighth round.
81. Giants WR Rueben Randle
Reports out of Giants' camp are that Randle looks awesome. At this place in the draft, Randle comes at a very nice price. You will look smart when he breaks out.
82. Cowboys TE Jason Witten
From 2003-13, Witten missed only one game, which is unbelievable for a tight end. You can draft Witten and know that you have a solid weekly start, with 900-1,000 yards penciled in.
83. Panthers TE Greg Olsen
The Panthers lost basically everybody who could catch a pass this offseason, except for Olsen. That means that QB Cam Newton will be looking Olsen's way even more than usual. The past two seasons, Olsen produced at least 800 yards and five touchdowns. With even a few more targets every week, those numbers could jump to 1,000 and eight. Yes, please.
84. Bears QB Jay Cutler
You can't question the talent around Cutler at this point. Coach Marc Trestman is as good as advertised when it comes to calling an offense. Receivers Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery are terrific, and Matt Forte is a boss. The only problem with Cutler? He's Jay Cutler. He hasn't played a full season since 2009, and he's an interception machine.
85. Chargers QB Philip Rivers
SLEEPER OF THE YEAR! If you are in the camp that wants to wait to draft a quarterback, then you should target Rivers. Last year he was the No. 6-scoring fantasy quarterback, and the No. 7 scorer overall. He's not a sexy pick. Most of the people in your league will take Colin Kaepernick or Russell Wilson before Rivers, and that's fine. Let them. You know better.
86. Seahawks QB Russell Wilson
The Seahawks do not lean on Wilson's arm to win, but he's looked amazing this preseason. It's difficult to love and trust a fantasy quarterback who has yet to pass for more than 3,500 yards in a season. However, only Cam Newton and Terrelle Pryor had more rushing yards than Wilson last year. If he can get more than the one rushing touchdown he scored in 2013 and beef up those passing stats even by a little bit, he may end up turning into an every-week starter.
87. Vikings TE Kyle Rudolph
There is a lot of hype around Rudolph, and we are on that train. New offensive coordinator Norv Turner loves to use his tight ends, so it won't matter who starts at quarterback for the Vikings. Rudolph should have a very productive year, no matter what. Choo choo!
88. Ravens TE Dennis Pitta
Pitta is what he is: probably good for 60 catches, 650 yards, maybe five touchdowns. The smart play is to wait until late in the draft to see if he is still available.
89. Bills WR Sammy Watkins
Watkins has a dazzling skill set, and has produced a few jaw-dropping moments from camp. But he's also a rookie, playing in Buffalo. He could be amazing. Or he could have 500 yards and three touchdowns.
90. Chiefs WR Dwayne Bowe
OK, this is more than a little complicated. Bowe is supposedly the No. 1 receiver in K.C., so he'll get targeted. But he's suspended for Week 1 (violation of the NFL's substance abuse policy), and mustered just 57 passes for 673 yards and five scores. Not good enough.
FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS
(FREQUENT CONTRIBUTOR, NOT A TON OF UPSIDE)
91. Bucs WR Mike Evans
We don't want to go over the top with rookie preseason love, but Evans is a legit sleeper. Evans is huge (6-5, 231 pounds) and will be a matchup headache alongside fellow big receiver Vincent Jackson. He should at least be fun to have on your fantasy team.
92. Falcons RB Steven Jackson
Jackson missed serious time in camp with a hamstring injury. He's still the Falcons' starter, so the fact that you can get him in the ninth round seems a little crazy. He came on strong at the end of last season with nine-plus fantasy points from Weeks 12-17, though how do you avoid feeling queasy about him getting banged up again? If you take Jackson, you should probably grab his handcuff, Davonta Freeman, too.
93. Saints RB Pierre Thomas
If you've ever listened to a Her Fantasy Football Podcast, then you know that we do not endorse taking any Saints running backs. They will split time between three players (Thomas, Mark Ingram and Khiry Robinson). But if you play in a PPR league, Thomas is worth a look. He snagged a league-high 77 catches in 2013, and in the preseason, Thomas had more receptions than carries.
94. Raiders RB Maurice Jones-Drew
What started off as a running back competition between Jones-Drew and Raiders veteran McFadden is now over. Jones-Drew is the clear starter and appears close to his old self. Great value in the seventh to ninth rounds.
95. Jaguars WR Cecil Shorts III
Injuries, injuries, injuries. Since entering the league in 2011 Shorts has never played in more than 14 games. In his best year, 2012, Shorts caught 55 passes for 979 yards and seven touchdowns. He's consistently mentioned as a sleeper candidate. But man, Shorts is a big risk.
96. Saints WR Brandin Cooks
We like Cooks, but really? We have him going in the ninth round, but his ADP is trending toward a few rounds earlier. If he's available in the ninth round, by all means, grab him. If he's gone already, just let him go. We're not sure he's even going to be starter-worthy by midseason.
97. Ravens RB Bernard Pierce
With Ray Rice suspended for the first two games of the season, that hands most of the carries to Pierce. Just don't get too exuberant and reach higher than you should for him. The eighth round is about as high as we'd advise reaching for Pierce.
98. Titans WR Justin Hunter
Through three preseason games, here's Hunter's stat line: eight catches, 10 targets, 164 receiving yards, two touchdowns. He's red hot! Possible breakout star.
99. Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins
Look for Hopkins to take a step forward. How big will that step be? Hard to tell. Andre Johnson is still around, and the Texans QB situation is kind of ... eh. At No. 99, it's probably worth rolling the dice on Hopkins.
100. Bengals QB Andy Dalton
This might be our favorite pick of the draft. Dalton was the No. 5 quarterback, and No. 6 overall. And you can probably get him with the No. 100 pick? Sorry, we think he's a stud.
101. Cowboys QB Tony Romo
102. Redskins QB Robert Griffin III
103. 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick
104. Redskins TE Jordan Reed
105. Rams WR Tavon Austin
106. 49ers WR Anquan Boldin
107. Eagles WR Riley Cooper
108. Dolphins WR Brian Hartline
109. Panthers WR Kelvin Benjamin
110. Chargers RB Danny Woodhead
111. Bengals RB Jeremy Hill
112. Panthers RB DeAngelo Williams
113. Eagles TE Zach Ertz
114. Eagles RB Darren Sproles
115. Browns RB Terrance West
116. Dolphins RB Lamar Miller
117. Saints RB Mark Ingram
118. 49ers RB Carlos Hyde
119. Raiders RB Darren McFadden
120. Giants RB Andre Williams
121. Jets RB Chris Ivory
122. Falcons RB Devonta Freeman
123. Raiders WR James Jones
124. Colts WR Hakeem Nicks
125. Saints WR Kenny Stills
FLIRTS
(LOTS TO LOVE, PROBABLY WILL BREAK YOUR HEART AT SOME POINT)
126. Bills WR Robert Woods
127. Vikings WR Greg Jennings
128. Seahawks WR Doug Baldwin
129. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger
130. Bears TE Martellus Bennett
131. Dolphins TE Charles Clay
132. Titans TE Delanie Walker
133. Ravens WR Steve Smith
134. Steelers WR Markus Wheaton
135. Eagles WR Jordan Matthews
136. Patriots WR Danny Amendola
137. Packers WR Jarrett Boykin
138. Patriots WR Aaron Dobson
139. Browns WR Andrew Hawkins
140. Bills WR Mike Williams
141. Bengals WR Marvin Jones
142. Jaguars WR Marqise Lee
143. Falcons WR Harry Douglas
144. Chargers WR Malcom Floyd
145. Saints RB Khiry Robinson
146. Colts RB Ahmad Bradshaw
147. Steelers RB LeGarrette Blount
148. Titans RB Shonn Greene
149. Seahawks RB Christine Michael
150. Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart
151. Cowboys RB Lance Dunbar
152. Cardinals QB Carson Palmer
153. Chiefs QB Alex Smith
154. Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill
155. Colts TE Dwayne Allen
156. Bengals TE Tyler Eifert
157. Chiefs TE Travis Kelce
158. Panthers WR Jerricho Cotchery
159. Patriots WR Brandon LaFell
160. 49ers WR Stevie Johnson
161. Titans QB Jake Locker
162. Bucs QB Josh McCown
163. Chiefs RB Knile Davis
164. Patriots RB James White
165. Broncos RB Ronnie Hillman
166. Chargers RB Donald Brown
167. Packers RB James Starks
168. Texans RB Jonathan Grimes
169. Rams RB Tre Mason
170. Rams WR Kenny Britt
ONE-NIGHT STANDS
(JUST WAITING FOR A BETTER GUY TO COME ALONG...)
171. Broncos WR Andre Caldwell
172. Giants WR Odell Beckham Jr.
173. Patriots WR Kenbrell Thompkins
174. Raiders WR Rod Streater
175. Browns WR Miles Austin
176. Jets QB Geno Smith
177. Bills QB EJ Manuel
178. Ravens QB Joe Flacco
179. Chargers TE Antonio Gates
180. Chargers TE Ladarius Green
181. Steelers TE Heath Miller
182. Panthers RB Mike Tolbert
183. Raiders RB Latavius Murray
184. Cardinals RB Stepfan Taylor
185. Bengals RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
186. Titans RB Dexter McCluster
187. Falcons RB Jacquizz Rodgers
188. Rams RB Benny Cunningham
189. Seahawks RB Robert Turbin
190. Texans RB Alfred Blue
191. Texans RB Andre Brown
192. Redskins RB Roy Helu
193. Jaguars RB Storm Johnson
194. Bills RB Bryce Brown
195. Bucs RB Bobby Rainey
196. Broncos RB C.J. Anderson
197. Patriots TE Tim Wright
198. Lions TE Eric Ebron
199. Texans TE Garrett Graham
200. Broncos WR Cody Latimer
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
10. Buffalo Bills
12. Cleveland Browns
13. Baltimore Ravens
14. Houston Texas
KICKERS
1. Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
2. Justin Tucker, Ravens
3. Steven Hauschka, Seahawks
4. Phil Dawson, 49ers
5. Dan Bailey, Cowboys
6. Mason Crosby, Packers
7. Matt Bryant, Falcons
8. Blair Walsh, Vikings
9. Nick Novak, Chargers
10. Adam Vinatieri, Colts