Talented Mr. Roto: Updated Top 200
Sometime between Susan Boyle becoming an Internet sensation and a bunch of unicorns becoming an Internet curiosity, the NFL held its annual draft. As you may have noticed (and I say "may have" because there's always the chance you live in a cave and are blind and deaf without modern technology) ESPN and ESPN.com went "almost hog" in their coverage of the festivities.
I say "almost hog" as opposed to the whole pig because, while Chris Berman, Mel Kiper, Todd McShay, Trey Wingo and the cast of thousands did their usual fantastic job, we didn't do any network fantasy coverage during the event. Christopher Harris did a terrific live blog during the first two rounds -- I highly recommend it -- but most of all, it ultimately meant I got the two days off. Sweet.
So I went to the draft as a spectator and had a blast. From a fan perspective, I was thrilled my Redskins took a great defensive lineman as opposed to trading up with picks we don't have for a quarterback we don't need. Give Jason Campbell an actual second year with the same offensive system and a healthy offensive line before we decide he's no good, OK? I actually like him a lot from a skill standpoint.
But as you can imagine, being at an event like the NFL draft with tons of ESPN folks around means I got recognized some.
Kid: Excuse me, I'm sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to tell you that you're my favorite ESPN columnist.
Me: Oh, thanks. That's really nice of you to say.
Kid: No, seriously, your favorite column of mine was the cha-cha-cha column.
Me: I didn't write that.
He thinks I'm Rick Reilly. As the kid realizes his mistake and rushes off, I can't decide if this is more insulting to Rick or to myself.
Later on, a woman approaches me.
Woman: Excuse me, I know this probably sounds weird, but my boyfriend is in the other room. He's a huge fan of yours and really shy. Would you mind if he came over and got a picture with you?
Me: Of course not. Bring him over. I'll be here for a bit.
Three minutes later she shows up with a guy.
Woman: (with big flourish) Here he is!
Guy comes up to me and whispers.
Guy: Sorry, man. She thought you were Bill Simmons.
As they walk away, I can't decide if this is more insulting to me or to Bill.
I come back home and open up my mailbag:
Brian (Centerville, Ohio): I've got a friend who is obsessed with you and was wondering if there were any Matthew Berry "products." Bobble Heads, T-Shirts or something like that? Thanks.
TMR: No. But if you buy "Now I Can Die in Peace" or "Shanks for Nothing," I'll autograph it for you.
My conversations -- along with seeing people at the draft and overhearing conversations ("There's Mort! Hey, Keyshawn! Is that Steve Young?") -- led me to realize, whether it is football players for your fantasy team or ESPN personalities or even what you buy for lunch (hot dogs lead hoagies two to one) ... we all rank things differently. And when something new is entered into the equation ("TMR, you're my absolute ... whoa, is that Erin Andrews? Gotta go.") it changes said rankings.
And so it is with this new top 200. We now know where rookies will play, and the ranks will constantly change as we learn more about playing time. Will Mark Sanchez start the year? Where does Edgerrin James land? What about Plaxico Burress? But as of right now, just three days after the draft, here is my latest ranking. I've adjusted some guys based on the draft, hearing my colleagues' thoughts on some players in our recent rankings meeting, recent moves (Matt Ryan moves up because of Tony Gonzalez, for example) and more research and analysis.
If you want answers as to why I've done certain things, like rank Turner above Peterson, made the bottom 20 all defenses and kickers, and why I am a bit down on Philip Rivers, read my previous ranks, done before the draft, by clicking here. If you want my specific feelings about the rookies, watch the video. As we get closer you'll see my feelings on guys in my "love/hate" and everything else we'll do in the preseason.
Without further ado, here is my top 200 as based on an ESPN 10-team standard league.
- Michael Turner, Falcons
- Adrian Peterson, Vikings
- Matt Forte, Bears
- Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars
- Brian Westbrook, Eagles
- Clinton Portis, Redskins
- Chris Johnson, Titans
- Steven Jackson, Rams
- Brandon Jacobs, Giants
- LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers
- Marion Barber, Cowboys
- DeAngelo Williams, Panthers
- Steve Slaton, Texans
- Drew Brees, Saints
- Thomas Jones, Jets
- Frank Gore, 49ers
- Randy Moss, Patriots
- Calvin Johnson, Lions
- Tom Brady, Patriots
- Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals
- Andre Johnson, Texans
- Ryan Grant, Packers
- Kurt Warner, Cardinals
- Steve Smith, Panthers
- Roddy White, Falcons
- Reggie Wayne, Colts
- Terrell Owens, Bills
- Joseph Addai, Colts
- Pierre Thomas, Saints
- Peyton Manning, Colts
- Tony Romo, Cowboys
- Kevin Smith, Lions
- Anquan Boldin, Cardinals
- Greg Jennings, Packers
- T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seahawks
- Marques Colston, Saints
- Aaron Rodgers, Packers
- Jonathan Stewart, Panthers
- Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs
- Brandon Marshall, Broncos
- Wes Welker, Patriots
- Philip Rivers, Chargers
- Marshawn Lynch, Bills
- Tony Gonzalez, Falcons
- Ronnie Brown, Dolphins
- Reggie Bush, Saints
- Darren McFadden, Raiders
- Antonio Bryant, Buccaneers
- Jason Witten, Cowboys
- Vincent Jackson, Chargers
Al Bello/Getty ImagesNo T.O. means more balls thrown Roy Williams' way in Dallas. - Roy E. Williams, Cowboys
- Santonio Holmes, Steelers
- Matt Ryan, Falcons
- Donovan McNabb, Eagles
- Le'Ron McClain, Ravens
- Derrick Ward, Buccaneers
- Santana Moss, Redskins
- Matt Cassel, Chiefs
- Dallas Clark, Colts
- Eddie Royal, Broncos
- Knowshon Moreno, Broncos
- Willie Parker, Steelers
- Jamal Lewis, Browns
- DeSean Jackson, Eagles
- Braylon Edwards, Browns
- Bernard Berrian, Vikings
- Chris Wells, Cardinals
- Larry Johnson, Chiefs
- Hines Ward, Steelers
- Antonio Gates, Chargers
- Kevin Walter, Texans
- Donald Driver, Packers
- Jay Cutler, Bears
- Laveranues Coles, Bengals
- Fred Taylor, Patriots
- Bobby Engram, Chiefs
- Derrick Mason, Ravens
- Cedric Benson, Bengals
- Lance Moore, Saints
- Matt Schaub, Texans
- David Garrard, Jaguars
- Ted Ginn Jr., Dolphins
- Lee Evans, Bills
- Owen Daniels, Texans
- Jerricho Cotchery, Jets
- Anthony Gonzalez, Colts
- Steve Breaston, Cardinals
- Kyle Orton, Broncos
- Torry Holt, Jaguars
- Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
- Ahmad Bradshaw, Giants
- Devin Hester, Bears
- Donnie Avery, Rams
- Michael Crabtree, 49ers
- Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks
- Donald Brown, Colts
- Plaxico Burress, Free Agent
- Sammy Morris, Patriots
- Joe Flacco, Ravens
- Carson Palmer, Bengals
- Willis McGahee, Ravens
- Kellen Winslow, Buccaneers
- Julius Jones, Seahawks
- Justin Gage, Titans
- Kevin Curtis, Eagles
- Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings
- Chris Cooley, Redskins
- Fred Jackson, Bills
- LenDale White, Titans
- Deion Branch, Seahawks
- Domenik Hixon, Giants
- Chad Ochocinco, Bengals
- Chris Chambers, Chargers
- Darren Sproles, Chargers
- Eli Manning, Giants
- Johnnie Lee Higgins, Raiders
- Sidney Rice, Vikings
- Tim Hightower, Cardinals
- Earnest Graham, Buccaneers
- Chester Taylor, Vikings
- Antwaan Randle El, Redskins
- Patrick Crayton, Cowboys
- Justin Fargas, Raiders
- Felix Jones, Cowboys
- John Carlson, Seahawks
- Ricky Williams, Dolphins
- Leon Washington, Jets
- Jerious Norwood, Falcons
- LeSean McCoy, Eagles
- Percy Harvin, Vikings
- Tony Scheffler, Broncos
- Josh Morgan, 49ers
- Dustin Keller, Jets
- Muhsin Muhammad, Panthers
- LaMont Jordan, Broncos
- Tashard Choice, Cowboys
- Jamaal Charles, Chiefs
- Nate Washington, Titans
- Michael Jenkins, Falcons
- Davone Bess, Dolphins
- Devery Henderson, Saints
- Correll Buckhalter, Broncos
- Greg Camarillo, Dolphins
- Dominic Rhodes, Bills
- Mark Bradley, Chiefs
- Trent Edwards, Bills
- Isaac Bruce, 49ers
- Rashard Mendenhall, Steelers
- Ray Rice, Ravens
- Michael Bush, Raiders
- Greg Olsen, Bears
- Zach Miller, Raiders
- Malcolm Kelly, Redskins
Scott Boehm/Getty ImagesForget Mark Sanchez, the rookie that will have the biggest fantasy impact in Jets green is Shonn Greene. - Shonn Greene, Jets
- Dennis Northcutt, Jaguars
- Laurence Maroney, Patriots
- Chaz Schilens, Raiders
- James Jones, Packers
- Anthony Fasano, Dolphins
- Ladell Betts, Redskins
- J.J. Arrington, Broncos
- Kevin Boss, Giants
- Donald Lee, Packers
- Brandon Jackson, Packers
- Kolby Smith, Chiefs
- Danny Ware, Giants
- Heath Miller, Steelers
- Jeremy Maclin, Eagles
- T.J. Duckett, Seahawks
- Bo Scaife, Titans
- Brent Celek, Eagles
- Miles Austin, Cowboys
- Jerome Harrison, Browns
- Darrius Heyward-Bey, Raiders
- Mike Walker, Jaguars
- Steve Smith, Giants
- Joey Galloway, Patriots
- Vernon Davis, 49ers
- Bryant Johnson, Lions
- Earl Bennett, Bears
- TEN D/ST, Titans
- PIT D/ST, Steelers
- BALT D/ST, Ravens
- PHI D/ST, Eagles
- TB D/ST, Buccaneers
- CHI D/ST, Bears
- NYG D/ST, Giants
- MIN D/ST, Vikings
- SD D/ST, Chargers
- NYJ D/ST, Jets
- Rob Bironas, Titans
- Nate Kaeding, Chargers
- Jason Elam, Falcons
- David Akers, Eagles
- Nick Folk, Cowboys
- Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots
- Mason Crosby, Packers
- Ryan Longwell, Vikings
- Josh Brown, Rams
- Jeff Reed, Steelers
- Rob Bironas, Titans
Matthew Berry -- The Talented Mr. Roto -- is now on Twitter as TheRealTMR. He may or may not be interesting on it. He is a five-time award winner from the Fantasy Sports Writers Association, including a Writer of the Year award. He is also the creator of RotoPass.com, a Web site that combines a bunch of well-known fantasy sites, including ESPN Insider, for one low price. Use promo code ESPN for 10 percent off. Cyberstalk the TMR | Be his Cyberfriend
