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Fantasy Football Primer, pt. 2

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By LUKE EASTERLING

The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 13, 2008

With fantasy drafts in full force during the next few weeks, everyone needs a cheat sheet for players at each position.

Especially after the first round, it's important to know which top receiver's value outweighs the others, or who provides the best value as a No. 2 running back.

For standard scoring leagues, here's one take on how the fantasy value shakes out at each position.

QUARTERBACKS

1. Tom Brady, Patriots

2. Peyton Manning, Colts

3. Drew Brees, Saints

4. Tony Romo, Cowboys

5. Carson Palmer, Bengals

6. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks

7. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

8. Derek Anderson, Browns

9. Jay Cutler, Broncos

10. Donovan McNabb, Eagles

RUNNING BACKS

1. LaDainian Tomlinson, Chargers

2. Brian Westbrook, Eagles

3. Adrian Peterson, Vikings

4. Joseph Addai, Colts

5. Steven Jackson, Rams

6. Clinton Portis, Redskins

7. Frank Gore, 49ers

8. Marion Barber, Cowboys

9. Marshawn Lynch, Bills

10. Ryan Grant, Packers

11. Larry Johnson, Chiefs

12. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars

13. Laurence Maroney, Patriots

14. Jamal Lewis, Browns

15. Ronnie Brown, Dolphins

16. Reggie Bush, Saints

17. Thomas Jones, Jets

18. Michael Turner, Falcons

19. Jonathan Stewart, Panthers

20. Willie Parker, Steelers

WIDE RECEIVERS

1. Randy Moss, Patriots

2. Terrell Owens, Cowboys

3. Reggie Wayne, Colts

4. Marques Colston, Saints

5. Braylon Edwards, Browns

6. Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals

7. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Bengals

8. Steve Smith, Panthers

9. Chad Johnson, Bengals

10. Torry Holt, Rams

11. Wes Welker, Patriots

12. Plaxico Burress, Giants

13. Brandon Marshall, Broncos

14. Santonio Holmes, Steelers

15. Roy Williams, Lions

16. Anquan Boldin, Cardinals

17. Marvin Harrison, Colts

18. Dwayne Bowe, Chiefs

19. Greg Jennings, Packers

20. Roddy White, Falcons

TIGHT ENDS

1. Jason Witten, Cowboys

2. Kellen Winslow, Browns

3. Antonio Gates, Chargers

4. Tony Gonzalez, Chiefs

5. Dallas Clark, Colts

6. Chris Cooley, Redskins

7. Jeremy Shockey, Saints

8. Vernon Davis, 49ers

9. Heath Miller, Steelers

10. Todd Heap, Ravens

DEFENSE

1. Vikings

2. Chargers

3. Patriots

4. Steelers

5. Bears

6. Cowboys

7. Ravens

8. Packers

9. Seahawks

10. Bucs

KICKERS

Now, for you fans of those whose position puts the "foot" in football, you may be wondering, "Where on earth are the rankings for our beloved kickers?" They are nowhere to be found, as should be the case for you on draft day, until the final round. Too often have fantasy players winced while watching owners spend a 10th-round pick on Nick Folk or Shayne Graham, while viable offensive backups are still on the board.

Kickers should never be taken before the final round - period.

In basic Yahoo public leagues last year, the difference between the top-scoring kicker and the 10th was a mere 24 points. Now, would you rather have a top kicker who barely outscores the 10th-best guy, or snag a possible diamond-in-the-rough on offense such as last year's Brandon Marshall or Ryan Grant?

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