25 Best Fantasy Football Players

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Published: July 13, 2006

With the 2006 NFL season fast approaching, it's time to project who the 25 best fantasy football players will be this season.

Larry Johnson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs

LJ wasn't even a starter until midseason and he finished with 1,750 yards on the ground and finished with 21 total touchdowns.

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If that doesn't tell you where he ranks among the best fantasy football players, I don't know what will.
Shaun Alexander, RB, Seattle Seahawks

One of the most consistent backs in football year in and year out, Alexander looks to continue running through defenses. After finding 1,880 yards of open space and 27 touchdowns, Alexander might finally get the respect he deserves as one of the best fantasy football players. On the downside, he will have to deal with the Madden curse, so we will see.
Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts

What happens when you lose your pro-bowl running back and you are the quarterback? You probably plan to throw more. The loss of Edgerrin James is good news for fantasy owners as Manning will be dropping back to pass more often this season without a stable running game. He will look to top his 3,747 yard, 28 touchdown performance from last year.
Steve Smith, WR, Carolina Panthers

When it comes to the best fantasy football players, size is no matter. The diminutive Smith was the NFL's best wideout in 2005 and will be even more dangerous with Keyshawn Johnson joining the Panthers. Smith caught 103 balls and scored 13 touchdowns.
Ladanian Tomlinson, RB, San Diego Chargers

The most dangerous offensive threat since Marshall Faulk was in his prime. Tomlinson is one of the best fantasy football players every year because not only is he a top-tier running back (1,464 yds, 18 TD in '05), he is also a premier pass catcher (53 rec, 2 TD in '05). With a ripe young Philip Rivers behind center, expect LT to touch the ball 30 to 35 times a game.
Torry Holt, WR, St. Louis Rams

The Greatest Show on Turf and Head Coach Mike Martz are gone, but Holt is still one of the best fantasy football players out there and his mixture of precise route-running, game-breaking speed, and soft hands make him a perennial pro-bowler. After catching 102 passes in 2005 and scoring 9 touchdowns, look for more of the same in 2006.
Antonio Gates, TE, San Diego Chargers

The best Tight End in the NFL and one of the best fantasy football players is back and will look to top his remarkable 2005 season. Gates led all Tight Ends with 89 catches and 10 touchdowns.
Tiki Barber, RB, New York Giants

Tiki Barber has had two maginificent seasons in a row and it's finally time to take notice of him as one of the best fantasy football players in the league. Eli Manning owes his success to his tireless tailback who ran for 1,860 yards and caught 54 passes while scoring 11 touchdowns.
Marvin Harrison, WR, Indianapolis Colts

In 2005, the Colts found success in the first half of the season by running the football and playing great defense. Lost in the mix was the aerial attack for which they were famous. However, in the 2^nd half when defenses were forced to defend the run, Marvin Harrison got his chances. With 82 catches and 12 touchdowns last season, look for Harrison's numbers to grow with the Colts unsure ground game.
Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seattle Seahawks

Even after a Super Bowl appearance, Hasselbeck is still underrated. Not only is he among the best fantasy players in the league, Hasselbeck is also a proven winner that makes everyone around him better. Hasselbeck should only continue to get better.
Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals

The most dangerous weapon on a new and improved Cardinals squad, Fitzgerald caught 103 passes and scored 10 touchdowns in 2005. As long as Fitzgerald stays healthy, expect another 100 catches and 10 touchdowns in 2006.
Chad Johnson, WR, Cincinnatti Bengals

He talks the talk, maybe too much, but you can't knock Chad Johnson for not walking the walk. Johnson makes defensive backs crazy with his mouth and even moreso his fantastic ability to catch a football. Johnson had 97 catches last year and hit paydirt 9 times to put him into discussion for the best fantasy football players.
Edgerrin James, RB, Arizona Cardinals

By joining the Arizona Cardinals, Edgerrin James has found himself to be in a great situation. With 2 pro-bowl receivers and a brand new stadium, James will look to offset the passing game with a solid running game that the Cardinals did not have in 2005. James ran for 1,506 yards last year and had 44 catches while scoring 14 touchdowns. Expect more yards but less catches.
Terrell Owens, WR, Dallas Cowboys

If he decides to cooperate, Owens is one of the best fantasy football players in the game, but that is a major if. Owens has more talent than any reciever in football but his selfish attitude sets him back. If Bill Parcells can tame him, look for Owens to catch at least 90 passes and score 10 touchdowns.
Tony Gonzalez, TE, Kansas City Chiefs

When you have the strongest running game in football, scoring is hard to come by, especially for tight ends. Gonzalez had a fine 2005, catching 78 passes but only 2 touchdowns. Look for the touchdown count to raise in 2006 as the Chiefs will look to pass the ball more.
Lamont Jordan, RB, Oakland Raiders

Jordan fits the Raider image. The bruising back grinded out 1,025 yards and scored 9 touchdowns but what makes him one of the best fantasy football players is uncanny ability to catch the ball out of the backfield, pulling in 70 passes in 2005 with 2 touchdowns. In 2006, Jordan will get more chances on the ground behind an improved offensive line, expect quality production.
Daunte Culpepper, QB, Miami Dolphins

After a tumultous final season in Minnesota, Culpepper returns home to Florida where he will strive. With a solid core of Ronnie Brown, Chris Chambers, and Randy McMichael around him, Culpepper will pass for 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2006 if he stays healthy.
Anquan Boldin, WR, Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are grinning sheepishly right now. When Boldin is third on the list of best fantasy football players on your team, life is not bad. Boldin caught 102 balls and scored 7 touchdowns in 2005. There is no reason to expect any different numbers in 2006 except maybe more touchdowns in the Cardinals new high-flying offense.
Reggie Bush, RB, New Orleans Saints

He has never played a down in the NFL and he is sharing time with Deuce McAllister, so how is Bush one of the best fantasy football players already? It is simple, if you saw Bush play at USC last season, you would know that he was not just NFL-ready, but he was a Pro-Bowler playing college football. Bush's talent is akin to Lebron James in the NBA, he can do everything. He will pick up 1,000 yards on the ground at least and he should catch at least 60 passes as well as return kicks. Bush will score 15 touchdowns this season, if not more.
Michael Vick, QB, Atlanta Falcons

If Vick had formidable receivers, he would be #1 on this list. He has the speed that running backs desire and the arm-strength that quarterbacks desire. He is the best dual threat in the NFL and that makes him on the league's best fantasy football players. His passing stats will be average but his running ability makes him valuable.
Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots

The reigning NFL leader in passing yards, Brady is the general of the potent New England offense. He spreads the ball out better than any quarterback since Joe Montana and his 3 rings make him a proven winner. He threw for 26 touchdowns last year and will do more of the same in 2006.
Chris Chambers, WR, Miami Dolphins

Daunte Culpepper is behind center, Ronnie Brown has a year under his belt, Randy McMichael is becoming a top-tier tight end, Marty Booker is skillful. All of these are reasons why Chambers is going to break out and become one of the best fantasy football players this year. Expect 90 catches and 10 touchdowns and this is only the tip of the iceberg. Chambers is ready to take his game to another level.
Vernon Davis, TE, San Francisco 49ers

Vernon Davis is an athletic freak. He has an unparalleled combination of size (6'6'', 250) and speed (4.45 40-yd-dash). He is the immediately the most dangerous receiver in the hapless 49ers offense and with Alex Smith likely to be scrambling for his life, look for Davis to bail him out. 80 catches and 10 touchdowns would be a surprise to no one.
Ronnie Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins

The chaos of his rookie campaign is history. While sharing time with the controversial Ricky Williams and playing under a rookie coach in Nick Saban, Brown still had a strong rookie season. He could easily develop into one of the best fantasy football players in the NFL if he improves steadily. He could find his way to 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns if all goes well.
Rudi Johnson, RB, Cincinnatti Bengals

A big reason why the Bengals made their first playoff appearance in 12 years, Johnson kept defenses off-balance while playing in a pass-happy offense to make him one of the best fantasy football players in the league. He is a safe bet for 1,300 yards and 10 touchdowns.