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Silva's May Top 150

evan silva
Arian Foster is still on the market. Jesse Pantuosco checks out a few potential landing spots for him in this week's Bump and Run

Much will change as camp battles are sorted out, injuries occur, and hype trains gain steam over the next few months. But these are my initial fantasy rankings for the 2013 season. After an in-depth examination of the positions, I've found quarterback to be extremely deep. Running back is much deeper than last year. Wide receiver seems deep on the surface, but is actually more top heavy with only a handful of clear WR1s and a large cluster of potential breakout candidates, most of whom won't pan out. Tight end is easily the thinnest fantasy position. These rankings -- concocted primarily for standard scoring but with plenty of PPR references -- are adjusted accordingly.

As you may have noticed from seasons past, I don't believe in drafting quarterbacks in the first two rounds. And this year, that is the case to a greater extent than ever.

On a separate but related note, the 2013 Rotoworld Fantasy Preview is complete and will hit newsstands in about two weeks. Here is a link to the cover. We're publishing two magazines this year, the first a fantasy preview and the second a draft guide.

My May Top 150:

First Round

1. Adrian Peterson -- The shoo-in No. 1 fantasy pick. Dominant player.
2. Doug Martin -- No. 2 fantasy runner gets both of his guards back.
3. Marshawn Lynch -- Ferocious back. Seattle will remain run heavy.
4. C.J. Spiller – He’ll be the centerpiece of Doug Marrone's offense.
5. Trent Richardson -- Top-ten RB as rookie despite multiple injuries.
6. LeSean McCoy -- Chip Kelly brings a run-first approach to Philly.
7. Arian Foster -- Starting to flash signs of decline due to overusage.
8. Alfred Morris -- Doesn't catch passes; breaks tackles and scores.
9. Calvin Johnson -- In a tier by himself among fantasy wide receivers.
10. Jamaal Charles -- Under Andy Reid, carries down but catches up.
11. Rob Gronkowski -- He'll get bumped down if he needs fifth surgery.
12. Jimmy Graham -- Right there with Gronk at fantasy's thinnest spot.

Second Round

13. Ray Rice -- Jim Caldwell's usage of Bernard Pierce is a concern.
14. Steven Jackson -- Can be high-scoring workhorse in great offense.
15. Chris Johnson -- The guard additions help, but it's still up to him.
16. Stevan Ridley -- Shane Vereen is likely to cut into Ridley's carries.
17. Matt Forte -- Receptions will heat up in Marc Trestman's scheme.
18. Brandon Marshall -- Atop the tier-two receivers behind Megatron.
19. Dez Bryant -- Nipping at Marshall's heels after dominant 2012 run.
20. Julio Jones -- Only 24. Should continue his separation from White.
21. A.J. Green -- Only behind Dez and Julio because his QB is worse.
22. Percy Harvin -- Expect Seahawks to funnel offense through Harvin.
23. Demaryius Thomas -- Was the No. 5 fantasy receiver at age 24.
24. Larry Fitzgerald -- Palmer acquisition should rejuvenate Fitzgerald.

Third Round

25. Frank Gore -- Aging but consistent. Best run-blocking line in NFL.
26. Drew Brees -- Sean Payton returns. More consistent than Rodgers.
27. Aaron Rodgers -- QB is crazy deep. New RBs may hurt him slightly.
28. Cam Newton -- No. 1 QB if he plays like he's capable for 16 games.
29. Tom Brady -- Wait on QBs this year. Brady offers value in round three.
30. Reggie Bush -- Could be legit RB1 in points-per-reception leagues.
31. Vincent Jackson -- Ideal fit with big-armed if inconsistent Freeman.
32. David Wilson -- Breakout candidate could lose TDs to Andre Brown.
33. Andre Johnson -- Top-10 fantasy wideout in four of last five seasons.
34. Michael Crabtree -- Exploded when Kaepernick replaced Alex Smith.
35. Chris Ivory -- Violent tackle breaker behind underrated Jets O-Line.
36. Darren McFadden -- Great talent averages five missed games a year.

Fourth Round

37. DeMarco Murray -- Straight-linish, high-cut running style invites injuries.
38. Reggie Wayne -- Targets could take a hit in more balanced offense.

39. Roddy White -- Showing few signs of decline despite going on age 32.
40. Victor Cruz -- Contract situation not a worry yet. Annual 80+ catch guy.
41. Marques Colston -- Top-13 fantasy receiver in three of past four years.
42. Randall Cobb -- Full-time player now. Should lead Packers in catches.
43. Aaron Hernandez -- Gets a bump if Gronk's arm remains problematic.
44. Dwayne Bowe -- Smith is the best quarterback Bowe has ever had.
45. Matthew Stafford -- Best bounce-back bet at QB. Read why here.
46. Russell Wilson -- 29 all-purpose TDs over final 13 games last season.
47. Peyton Manning -- He's 37 now. Showed some signs of fade late in '12.
48. Colin Kaepernick -- Scored 19 all-purpose TDs across ten 2012 starts.


Fifth Round

49. Matt Ryan -- High floor. Top-8 QB three straight years.
50. Robert Griffin III -- Will rise if knee health cooperates.
51. Montee Ball -- Drafted to be Broncos' bellcow back.
52. Pierre Garcon -- Toe a concern, but RG3's go-to guy.

53. Maurice Jones-Drew -- Tons of wear on tires and coming off major injury.
54. Eddie Lacy -- Injury and workload concerns. But big-time TD upside.
55. Lamar Miller -- Explosive breakout candidate with just 51 career carries.
56. Le'Veon Bell -- Not explosive, but could lead all rookie RBs in touches.
57. Giovani Bernard -- Talented but finesse RB will start out as committee back.
58. Tony Gonzalez -- The ageless one has high floor in great Atlanta offense.
59. Jordy Nelson -- Bounce-back target is Green Bay's big-play receiver.
60. Steve Smith -- He's 34 years old now. Looks like a limited-ceiling WR2.

Sixth Round

61. Antonio Brown -- Sneaky threat for 100+ catches as clear-cut No. 1.
62. Danny Amendola -- Could be borderline WR1 as long as he's on field.
63. Hakeem Nicks -- Knee still a concern. Could not separate last year.
64. Eric Decker -- Won't score 13 TDs again; Welker signing doesn’t help.
65. Wes Welker -- Has less big-play ability than Thomas and Decker.
66. Jason Witten -- Going strong at 31, but never much of a TD scorer.
67. Vick Ballard -- Sub-average talent, but volume should buoy his value.
68. Darren Sproles -- Move Sproles up a round or two in PPR leagues.
69. Ryan Mathews -- Bad offensive line and won't play on passing downs.
70. Jonathan Stewart -- Strong flex target; not so much a confident RB2.
71. Torrey Smith -- Can take another leap forward as Ravens' clear No. 1.
72. T.Y. Hilton -- Maybe biggest breakout WR if Wayne takes step back.

Seventh Round

73. DeSean Jackson -- Expect D-Jax to be Chip Kelly's featured receiver.
74. Greg Jennings -- Big QB downgrade; could be sneaky target monster.
75. Vernon Davis -- 12/254/21.2/1 stat line in three postseason contests.
76. Dennis Pitta -- Not sexy, but savvy pick. Benefits from Boldin's exit.
77. Josh Gordon -- Vertical receiver fits coach Chudzinski's vertical offense.
78. James Jones -- No more Jennings. He's Rodgers' top red-zone receiver.
79. Tavon Austin -- Many mouths to feed, but should pace Rams in targets.
80. Mike Wallace -- Questionable scheme fit in Fins' West Coast offense.
81. Tony Romo -- Reminder of the depth at QB. Last year's No. 8 scorer.
82. Andrew Luck -- Counting stats will take a hit with Bruce Arians gone.
83. Shane Vereen -- Bigger threat to Ridley's carries than people think.
84. Isaiah Pead -- Top talent in Rams backfield despite silent rookie year.

Eighth Round

85. Bryce Brown -- Some standalone flex appeal in new run-based offense.
86. Mark Ingram -- Sean Payton promises to kickstart Saints run game.
87. Zac Stacy -- Could be anywhere from Week 1 starter to third string.
88. Danario Alexander -- His big 2012 finish is not necessarily predictive.
89. Kenny Britt -- Huge breakout candidate if he had better quarterback.
90. Daryl Richardson -- Least likely of Rams RBs to be feature runner.
91. Rashard Mendenhall -- Projected starter in crowded Cards backfield.
92. Ben Roethlisberger -- Quietly a top-5 fantasy QB before 2012 injuries.
93. Ben Tate -- Likely every-week RB1 if overworked Foster breaks down.
94. Martellus Bennett -- Love this value if you miss on the "elite" TE1s.
95. Kyle Rudolph -- Great red-zone target, but averaging 9.4 career YPR.
96. Greg Olsen -- Panthers still lack viable No. 2 wideout, helping Olsen.

Ninth Round

97. Jermichael Finley -- Often used as decoy; chronic fantasy underachiever.
98. Lance Moore -- Clear No. 2 wideout with Meachem and Henderson gone.
99. Cecil Shorts -- Really good young receiver. QB situation holds him back.
100. Mike Williams -- TD-dependent player hurts you when he doesn't score.
101. Sidney Rice -- Would do well to provide WR3 value with Harvin there.
102. Miles Austin -- Fading player. Clearly surpassed by Bryant as the No. 1.
103. Stevie Johnson -- No guarantees with Gailey gone. Arrow pointing down.
104. Jeremy Maclin -- Annual disappointment. Eagles will throw less in 2012.
105. Alshon Jeffery -- Should be primary vertical threat in Trestman's attack.
106. Denarius Moore -- Love his talent, but Flynn isn't a downfield passer.
107. Justin Blackmon -- Four-game suspension. Can be WR2/3 upon return.
108. Emmanuel Sanders -- Markus Wheaton could push him for starting job.


Tenth Round

109. DeAndre Hopkins -- Shaky WR3 in run-first attack.
110. Cordarrelle Patterson -- Insane talent, but raw.
111. Kendall Wright -- Bad QB and crowded WR corps.
112. Jordan Cameron -- Top TE breakout candidate.
113. Owen Daniels -- DeAndre Hopkins pick will hurt Daniels' production.
114. Jared Cook -- Will never be high-volume receiver, but makes big plays.
115. Andre Brown -- Possible goal-line vulture, but Wilson is the guy now.
116. Bernard Pierce -- Could be every-week RB2 if Rice suffered injury.
117. BenJarvus Green-Ellis -- Downhill plodder. Bernard is much better.
118. Johnathan Franklin -- (Slightly) less talented lightning to Lacy's thunder.
119. Mike Goodson -- Jets' third-down back until Chris Ivory's next injury.
120. Ryan Williams -- Finally healthy. Wish backfield wasn't so crowded.

Eleventh Round

121. Jacquizz Rodgers -- Just a change-of-pace back. Needs S-Jax injury.
122. Jay Cutler -- Sneaky breakout QB under pass-heavy coach Trestman.
123. Eli Manning -- Question marks throughout his pass-catching corps.
124. Joe Flacco -- He took off when Jim Caldwell replaced Cam Cameron.
125. Ryan Broyles -- Two-time ACL patient. Great player if he overcomes.
126. Anquan Boldin -- Overrated after playoff run. Doesn't separate or score.
127. Aaron Dobson -- Big upside if he can handle Patriots' route concepts.
128. Brian Quick -- Value pick. Sleeper to lead Rams in touchdown catches.
129. Josh Freeman -- 2012 stats were fluky. Likely candidate for step back.
130. Michael Vick -- Shaky job security, but certainly high-upside QB2 target.
131. Brandon Myers -- Efficient, but possession guy. Could catch 70 balls.
132. Brandon Pettigrew -- You're at a weekly disadvantage if he's your starter.

Twelfth Round

133. Antonio Gates -- He can still play, but Chargers offense is a nightmare.
134. Rob Housler -- Palmer peppered Brandon Myers with targets last year.
135. Michael Bush -- Start-ability is wholly dependent on Forte going down.
136. Christine Michael -- Better than Turbin. Possible RB1 if Lynch gets hurt.
137. Willis McGahee -- 32 in October. Coming off knee surgery and broken leg.
138. DeAngelo Williams -- Might be more interesting if Panthers released him.
139. Knowshon Moreno -- Figure he'll be Ball's primary competition in camp.
140. Brandon LaFell -- Just not great talent. Could lose job to Domenik Hixon.
141. Santonio Holmes -- Injured. When healthy, plays when he wants to play.
142. Brian Hartline -- Wallace signing hurts and he's never scored touchdowns.
143. Mohamed Sanu -- Flashed red-zone chops as rookie. Limited upside.
144. Andre Roberts -- Could be Arians' new version of Hilton/Antonio Brown.

Thirteenth Round

145. Michael Floyd -- May continue to struggle to overtake Andre Roberts.
146. Pierre Thomas -- Passable RB2/flex if Sproles or Ingram goes down.
147. Robert Turbin -- Christine Michael could beat him out behind Lynch.
148. Fred Jackson -- 32 years old. Didn't look like the same back in 2012.
149. Denard Robinson -- Has playmaking ability. Flex starter if MJD gets hurt.
150. Mikel Leshoure -- Still on the radar, but needs Bush injury to matter.

In the Hunt: Sam Bradford, Carson Palmer, Ryan Tannehill, Brandon Weeden, Andy Dalton, Alex Smith, Jake Locker, E.J. Manuel, Kirk Cousins, Christian Ponder, Mike Tolbert, Chris Givens, Joique Bell, Marcel Reece, Danny Woodhead, Roy Helu, Nate Washington, Greg Little, Jacoby Jones, Vincent Brown, Dustin Keller, Fred Davis, Dwayne Allen, James Casey, Travis Kelce, Tyler Eifert, Kerwynn Williams, Rod Streater, Dexter McCluster, Jeremy Kerley, Rueben Randle, A.J. Jenkins, LaVon Brazill, Joe Morgan, Rex Burkhead, Jermaine Gresham, Coby Fleener.