The Fantasy Man’s Top 26 Players of 2006 (Redux)
At the conclusion of the 2005 fantasy football campaign, I – The Fantasy Man – looked into the future to predict which players would rule the roost next season. (Click here to see the original totem: http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/article_47.shtml) In honor of baseball’s All-Star break – a time, too, for us to take a break from the national pastime’s marathon fantasy campaign – we will now look a couple months into the future to see who is now where on the all-important Top 26 list. Get those draft cheat sheets out: school is in session.
Top 26 of 2006 (Redux)
(Note: Previous Rankings in Parenthesis)
- LaDanian Tomlinson (1): The greatest fantasy football player of his generation.
- Larry Johnson (3): Stronger, quicker, and more talented than Priest in his prime.
- Shaun Alexander (2): Less TDs with revamped O-Line and D. Jackson’s return.
- Peyton Manning (5): The next Dan Marino? Not with a Super Bowl XLI title.
- Tiki Barber (6): Talented, unselfish, humble – Barber is a perfect running back.
- Edgerrin James (4): Ultimate legacy will be defined by tenure in Arizona.
- Dominick Davis (7): No Reggie Bush in same backfield saves, elevates career.
- Steve Smith (8): Über-exciting in the open field; should be first wideout chosen.
- Marvin Harrison (9): No Edge means more catches, yards, and TDs for Marvin.
- Brian Westbrook (12): Offensive’s focal point once again augurs crazy touches.
- Brett Favre (11): Thinking this year is his swan song underestimate #4’s drive.
- Clinton Portis (16): More room to run in wide-open offense shoots him up list.
- Antonio Gates (14): Has skills, moxie, and wherewithal to be best TE ever.
- Stephen Jackson (25): Eleven rungs higher confirm Jackson is an elite back.
- Reggie Wayne (24): Has great chance of being part of best ever WR combo.
- Javon Walker (10): Will find out quickly how good he had it with Brett Favre.
- Terrell Owens (21): Great season will be cut short by all-out war with The Tuna.
- Tom Brady (15): Quietly emerging as a bona fide fantasy superstar.
- Torry Holt (13): A healthy Bulger is imperative for maximizing this elite talent.
- Chad Johnson (17): Too many questions with Palmer’s knee to rank him higher.
- Anquan Boldin (18): Edgerrin James’ presence will lead to more big plays . . .
- Donald Driver (NR): In reception leagues, could be the sleeper of the year.
- Larry Fitzgerald (22): . . . but also less catches, yards, and TDs for the duo.
- Darrell Jackson (19): A valuable gem yet to unearthed by many fantasy owners.
- Donovan McNabb (26): 60.8% completion, 4,024 yards, 29 TDs sans T.O in ‘06.
- Reggie Bush (NR): How could a freakish athlete like him not make this list?
Dropped Out: Rudi Johnson (20) and Deuce McAllister (23)
FANTASY TIP OF THE WEEK: Real trades will reshape your fantasy landscape.
Next Week: More Sage Advice from The Fantasy Man
Disagree with the TFM? Believe his advice not so sage? Think you could easily dominate him in a round-robin fantasy tournament? Email him – fantasy_man@atomicsportsmedia.com – to talk smack or set the record straight.
