Adrian Peterson is the obvious top choice in keeper leagues, but what about after him?

July 21, 2009, 5:45 PM

Keeper League Rankings

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By Eric Karabell
ESPN.com
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No reason to make this keeper business any more complicated than it is. Protect running backs; the younger, the better. If you don't have good running backs, protect a quarterback or a wide receiver. Again, the younger the better. If you don't have good running backs, quarterbacks or wide receivers, bummer. Guess you'll have to protect a tight end. To make your decisions easier, here are my Top 70 keepers, along with my thoughts on some of the more compelling names.

Karabell's Top 70 Keepers

Rank	Player	Pos	Team
1	Adrian Peterson	RB	MIN
EK's take: Fantasy's third-best running back from 2008 could easily be a top-3 guy for the next five years. Only 24, my No. 1 in any format and still can set records.
2	Matt Forte	RB	CHI
3	Maurice Jones-Drew	RB	JAX
4	Chris Johnson	RB	TEN
5	Michael Turner	RB	ATL
6	Steven Jackson	RB	STL
7	Frank Gore	RB	SF
8	Larry Fitzgerald	WR	ARI
9	DeAngelo Williams	RB	CAR
10	Andre Johnson	WR	HOU
11	Brandon Jacobs	RB	NYG
12	Calvin Johnson	WR	DET
13	Steve Slaton	RB	HOU
14	Marion Barber III	RB	DAL
15	Clinton Portis	RB	WAS
16	Brian Westbrook	RB	PHI
17	LaDainian Tomlinson	RB	SD
EK's take: His best days are behind him, but while he may lose carries to Darren Sproles in 2009, he'll still be scoring double-digit touchdowns for a few more years, making him a near top-10 guy.
18	Steve Smith	WR	CAR
19	Kevin Smith	RB	DET
20	Drew Brees	QB	NO
21	Darren McFadden	RB	OAK
EK's take: The Raiders' top pick in 2008 had some dynamite moments running and catching as a rookie but never got a full chance stuck behind Justin Fargas. McFadden might not be a star in 2009, but his future still looks terrific, so bump him up a few spots over his regular ranking, then thank your lucky stars for 2010.
22	Peyton Manning	QB	IND
23	Marshawn Lynch	RB	BUF
24	Greg Jennings	WR	GB
25	Reggie Wayne	WR	IND
26	Aaron Rodgers	QB	GB
EK's take: Only Drew Brees bested him in fantasy points, and Rodgers was essentially a rookie. Surrounded by great receivers in a well-oiled system, he's a terrific option in 2009 and also long-term. He could be Peyton-lite for a decade.
27	Jonathan Stewart	RB	CAR
EK's take: My DeAngelo Williams ranking is an indication I think he can recreate his fantasy MVP campaign, but Stewart also moves up the ranks for keeper formats. One injury, and he gets all the touches.
28	Randy Moss	WR	NE
EK's take: A bit risky in the top 30 considering he's 32 and his success is tied to that of a 32-year-old quarterback who missed most of 2008. In one-year leagues, Moss is worth more.
29	Ronnie Brown	RB	MIA
30	Roddy White	WR	ATL
31	Anquan Boldin	WR	ARI
32	Knowshon Moreno	RB	DEN
33	Dwayne Bowe	WR	KC
34	Ryan Grant	RB	GB
35	Tom Brady	QB	NE
36	Derrick Ward	RB	TB
37	Brandon Marshall	WR	DEN
38	Marques Colston	WR	NO
39	Terrell Owens	WR	BUF
40	Philip Rivers	QB	SD
41	Darren Sproles	RB	SD
42	Wes Welker	WR	NE
43	Tony Romo	QB	DAL
44	Braylon Edwards	WR	CLE
45	Pierre Thomas	RB	NO
46	Roy E. Williams	WR	DAL
47	Joseph Addai	RB	IND
EK's take: Only 26 and entering his fourth season, Addai's short-term value might actually be better than long term. Durability remains an issue, and the Colts will limit his work. Let someone else think he's a keeper.
48	Larry Johnson	RB	KC
49	Matt Schaub	QB	HOU
50	Steve Breaston	WR	ARI
51	Beanie Wells	RB	ARI
52	Willie Parker	RB	PIT
53	Vincent Jackson	WR	SD
54	Felix Jones	RB	DAL
EK's take: While Marion Barber will go early, the enticing Jones deserves attention, especially in keeper formats. He averaged 8.9 yards per carry as a rookie, and with his big-play ability, he could force a timeshare this season.
55	Antonio Gates	TE	SD
56	Michael Crabtree	WR	SF
57	Thomas Jones	RB	NYJ
58	Matt Ryan	QB	ATL
EK's take: Don't expect his passing touchdowns to be trumped by a running back again, not with Tony Gonzalez in town. Ryan excelled as a rookie and should be an annual 25-touchdown guy starting this season.
59	Reggie Bush	RB	NO
60	Eddie Royal	WR	DEN
61	LenDale White	RB	TEN
62	Cedric Benson	RB	CIN
63	Matt Cassel	QB	KC
64	DeSean Jackson	WR	PHI
65	Santonio Holmes	WR	PIT
66	Jay Cutler	QB	CHI
67	Kevin Walter	WR	HOU
68	Kurt Warner	QB	ARI
69	Jason Witten	TE	DAL
70	T.J. Houshmandzadeh	WR	SEA

Eric Karabell is a senior writer for ESPN.com who covers fantasy baseball, football and basketball. Check out his daily Baseball Today podcast at ESPN Podcenter. He has twice been honored as fantasy sports writer of the year by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. His book, "The Best Philadelphia Sports Arguments," was published by Source Books and is available in bookstores. Contact Eric by e-mailing him here.