By: Nate Leer
Below is my list of the top 25 fantasy football players for 2016. This is a generic list for various scoring formats as players’ particulars are subject to change based on the draft and/or training camp developments, i.e. Ezekiel Elliott’s landing spot effecting number of catches versus total yards for, say, Miami receivers.
- Rob Gronkowski – TE – NE
- LeVeon Bell – RB – Pit
- Todd Gurley – RB – LA
- Adrian Peterson – RB – Min [The top 4 are a level above the following players with limited upside or track record. Gronk has such significant position dominance at TE that he is the most valuable player in this draft.]
- Devonte Freeman – RB – Atl
- David Johnson – RB – Ari
- Thomas Rawls – RB – Sea
- Cam Newton – QB – Car
- D Martin – RB – TB
- Odell Beckham, Jr – WR – NYG
- Antonio Brown – WR – Pit
- Jamal Charles – RB – KC
- Lamar Miller – RB – Hou
- Russell Wilson – QB – Sea [5-14 represent high upside RBs, stud WRs or the top multi-talented QBs.]
- Deandre Hopkins – WR – Hou
- Julio Jones – WR – Atl
- CJ Anderson – RB – Den
- Dez Bryant – WR – Dal
- Allen Robinson – WR – Jac
- James Stewart – RB – Car
- Aaron Rodgers – QB – GB
- Ezekiel Elliot – RB – ?
- AJ Green – WR – Cin
- Ryan Matthews – RB – Phi
- Eddie Lacy – RB – GB [The last half of this list represents mostly high-risk/high-reward RBs and high-upside WRs.]
I will update this list after the draft with specific adjustments explained. With most drafts over 4 months away, this list just provides a basis for change to come.