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

2012 Fantasy Football Rankings Top 100

1. Arian Foster, RB, 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.

2. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Rice proved this year that he can score touchdowns, as well as rack up a ton of yards. Rice went from 6 touchdowns in 2010 to 15 TDs in 2011. He also tallied more than 2,000 total yards and never missed a game. Durability and production are why he's a top 5 fantasy pick. Also, the Ravens were 12-0 in 2010 when they ran the ball 20 or more times. That kind of success should mean more Rice in 2012.

3. Aaron Rodgers, QB, 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 you a top the fantasy rankings.

NFL Mock Draft 2012 (Version 2 // Final Version)

1. Indianapolis Colts -- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Colts are replacing one franchise QB with another.

2. Washington Redskins -- Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis)
The most exciting player in this year’s draft will be worth the price of admission as a rookie. Has a chance to be Washington’s next great football player.

3. Minnesota Vikings -- Matt Kalil, OT, USC
Talk of Morris Claiborne and Justin Blackmon at #3 is starting to feel like one big smoke screen. New GM Rick Spielman makes the safe pick here. That's Kalil.

NFL Mock Draft 2012

1. Indianapolis Colts -- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford
The Colts are replacing one franchise QB with another.

2. Washington Redskins -- Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor (via trade with St. Louis)
The most exciting player in this year’s draft will be worth the price of admission as a rookie. Has a chance to be Washington’s next great football player.

3. Minnesota Vikings -- Morris Claiborne, CB, LSU
After strongly considering USC OT Matt Kalil, the Vikings choose Claiborne. Six games a year against Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford Jay Cutler will drive their decision.

Top 5 Fantasy Football Running Backs in 2012 [Podcast]

Who are the top 5 fantasy football runnings back in 2012? How significant a role will Michael Bush play in Chicago? Plus, is Michael Turner's fantasy value dropping? All of these topics are discussed this week on  The Fantasy Football Source Podcast.

Host Matt Lechner breaks down why elite running backs are still the way to go at the top of fantasy drafts. However, Lechner explains why times are changing when it comes to drafting running backs after the first three or four picks in the first round.

Plus, why Matt Forte's fantasy value takes a big hit with arrival of Bush in the Bears backfield.

Click here to listen to The Fantasy Football Source Podcast and download on iTunes here.

Peyton Manning Era Begins in Denver

The Peyton Manning era is officially underway in Denver. According to NFL Network's Michelle Beisner, Manning was the first person to report to Broncos' headquarters this morning for the first day of voluntary workouts.

Did the NFL Lockout Help the 2011 Rookie QB Class?

Friday morning on ESPN’s Mike and Mike, NFL analyst and former quarterbacks Ron Jaworski made an intriguing comment as to why he believes the rookie quarterback class of 2011 had so much success.

He credited the lockout.

Top 5 Fantasy Football Quarterbacks in 2012 [Podcast]

Who would you draft first in fantasy football? Miles Austin or Dez Bryant. Does Robert Griffin III have value in fantasy football? Is DeMarco Murray a top 10 running back? It's never too soon to talk fantasy football and this week we answer all of those questions on The Fantasy Football Source Podcast.

In the first episode of the season, host Matt Lechner breaks down the top 5 fantasy football quarterbacks heading into the 2012 season.

Plus, David Watkins from the NBC-affiliate in Dallas, Texas also joins the show to talk about Cowboys receiver situation. Also, why he believes Murray is poised to have a solid sophomore season for the Cowboys.

Also, Griffin III's pro prospects as the Washington Redskins prepare to make him the number two overall pick in the NFL Draft on April 26, 2012.

Click here to listen to The Fantasy Football Source Podcast and download on iTunes here.

Fantasy Football Rankings 2012: Top 100

1. Arian Foster, RB, 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.

2. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens
Rice proved this year that he can score touchdowns, as well as rack up a ton of yards. Rice went from 6 touchdowns in 2010 to 15 TDs in 2011. He also tallied more than 2,000 total yards and never missed a game. Durability and production are why he's a top 5 fantasy pick. Also, the Ravens were 12-0 in 2010 when they ran the ball 20 or more times. That kind of success should mean more Rice in 2012.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Despite playing behind a rookie quarterback in 2011, Jones-Drew still managed to have a solid fantasy season. He finished with nearly 2,000 total yards and 11 touchdowns. The arrival of the offensive-minded Mike Mularkey as head coach will only improve Jones-Drew's stock in 2012.

4. Aaron Rodgers, QB, 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 you a top the fantasy rankings.

5. LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
All of those rushing touchdowns that Michael Vick was supposed to get this year went to McCoy. His 20 touchdowns led all running backs and solidified his spot in the top 5. McCoy is also someone who plays hurt, which fantasy owners always like to see from their players.

2012 NFL Draft: Pay attention to pre-draft workouts and visits

The 2012 NFL Draft is just over a month away and teams are beginning to schedule pre-draft visits and workouts with potential prospects.

While this is nothing new, the private meetings and workouts usually give us a good indication of which players teams will target come draft day, especially teams drafting in the top 15.

John Elway wins again with Peyton Manning signing

John Elway just pulled off what may be his greatest football accomplishment yet. And that's saying a lot.

Elway, a two-time Super Bowl champion and Hall of Famer, managed to rid theBroncos of Tim Tebow without turning a legion of rabid Tebow fans against him and the franchise. He did it by signing former Colts quarterback Peyton Manning to a five-year, $96 million contract.

Seattle Seahawks Sign Matt Flynn

Just like they did 11 years ago, the Seattle Seahawks looked to the Green Bay Packers for their next franchise quarterback. On Sunday, Seattle signed ex-Packer Matt Flynn to a 3-year, $26 million deal, which includes $10 million guaranteed, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

New England Patriots sign Brandon Lloyd

The New England Patriots added another offensive weapon by signing wide receiver Brandon Lloyd to a three-year, $12 million contract, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Lloyd started the season on the Denver Broncos, but was traded to the St. Louis Rams after Week 4. Lloyd finished the season with 70 receptions, 966 yards and five touchdowns.

Vikings Will Stay in Minnesota for the 2012 NFL Season

The Minnesota Vikings will play next season in Minneapolis, according to a report in the Star Tribune.

The Vikings were facing a Wednesday deadline to alert the NFL that they were moving to another city for the 2012 season. However, Vikings Vice President Lester Bagley told the paper on Tuesday that the team will not file relocation papers.

Predicting the 5 Biggest 2012 NFL Free-Agent Contracts

When free agency opens on March 13, some of the NFL's most prominent players, including a record-setting quarterback and a former No. 1 overall pick, will be courted by various teams.

It'll be up to those players' agents to create a market for their clients and get the most money possible. Some players will get the offers they want right away, others may have to wait a little longer.

Here are the five players who will land the biggest free-agent contracts this offseason.