Fantasy Football: 2012 Kicker Projections

My only recommendation for drafting your fantasy kicker is to wait until the last round of your draft. Predicting the success of a kicker during the preseason is close to impossible. Use your last pick on a kicker and if that guy doesn’t work out, drop him and pick up another one.       

The list below is projections based on standard scoring* fantasy leagues and risk and upside.

Free printable cheat sheets: Position rankings // Top 200 

1) David Akers, San Francisco 49ers Projected fantasy points: 130

Fantasy Football: 2012 D/ST Projections

One of the most difficult things about fantasy football is predicting which defense/special teams are going to produce the most fantasy points during the season. The best approach to drafting a defense/special teams is to use a late-round pick on one. And if that defense/special team doesn’t work out, drop it and pick up a new one.       

The list below is projections based on standard scoring* fantasy leagues and risk and upside.

Free printable cheat sheets: Position rankings // Top 200 

1) San Francisco 49ers Projected fantasy points: 135

Fantasy Football: 2012 Tight End Projections

This year’s tight end fantasy draft class includes two elite players who could easily serve as your team’s top fantasy receiver. The rest of the tight end class is filled with good, but not great talent.    

   

According to ESPN's average draft position (ADP) data, once the top two tight ends are off the board, owners are waiting three rounds before drafting the number three ranked tight end. That type of statistical disparity should tell you to wait on a tight end if you miss out on one of the top two guys.         

The list below is projections based on standard scoring* fantasy leagues and risk and upside.

Free printable cheat sheets: Position rankings // Top 200  

1) Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints

There were high hopes from Graham entering 2011. But nobody expected him to explode like he did. His 11 touchdowns and 1,310 receiving yards made him a fantasy superstar this season. When you're Drew Brees' top target, you get a spot in the top 20. Projected fantasy points: 196

Fantasy Football: 2012 Wide Receiver Projections

There is a lot depth this year at wide receiver. While the top tier players are immensely talented, fantasy owners will be able to find a lot of value in the middle rounds. 

According to ESPN's average draft position (ADP) data, most owners are holding off on drafting a wide receiver until they have at least one running back or elite quarterback. This is a smart strategy given the aforementioned glut of talent in the 30-70 pick range. 

The list below is projections based on standard scoring* fantasy leagues and risk and upside.

Free printable cheat sheets: Position rankings // Top 200  

1) Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions

He's the best wide receiver in football and he's the only getting better. Johnson solidify his spot a top the receiver list with a monster season in 2011. He finished with 96 catches for 1681 yards and 16 touchdowns. With a healthy Matthew Stafford throwing to him, Johnson is a threat to score on any play. Projected fantasy points: 235

Fantasy Football: 2012 Running Back Projections

Drafting an elite running back is essential in fantasy football, but the problem is there are so few of them anymore. A majority of teams have abandoned the featured back role and have moved to running back-by-committee approach.

While running backs are still first round targets for many fantasy owners, according to ESPN's average draft position (ADP) data, fewer running backs are being taken in the first round of fantasy drafts this year.  

The list below is projections based on standard scoring* fantasy leagues and risk and upside.

Free printable cheat sheets: Position rankings // Top 200  

1) Arian Foster, Houston Texans

Despite missing three games due to injury, Foster still managed to have a great fantasy season. He finished as the fourth highest scoring running back in standard scoring leagues and led all fantasy running backs with 18.3 points per week. Projected fantasy points: 333

Fantasy Football: 2012 Quarterback Projections

The days of waiting on your quarterback in fantasy football are over. In today's pass-first NFL, quarterbacks carry more value than ever before and drafting one in the first or second round of your fantasy draft has become a smart move.

According to ESPN's average draft position (ADP) data, five quarterbacks are being taken in the first 17 picks. These are the elite quarterbacks that will have success, regardless of their match-up. With more teams moving away from featured backs and a more open offensive attack, an elite quarterback is the new must have in fantasy football.

The list below is projections based on standard scoring* fantasy leagues and risk and upside.

Free printable cheat sheets: Position rankings // Top 200 

1) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

After years of debating which running back to select first overall, next year draft a quarterback. Rodgers finished this fantasy season as the top scorer in standard leagues, despite playing in just 15 games. He also was the most consistent fantasy player, averaging more than 25 points per week. His low scoring week was in Week 14 when tallied 17 points. That type of dominance and consistency lands Rodgers a top the QB fantasy rankings. Projected fantasy points: 393