Fantasy: First look at the 2015 rankings
Brad Penner / Reuters
theScore's Justin Boone finished third in FantasyPros' Most Accurate Expert Competition in 2014 and is the third-ranked pro over the last three seasons.
Here is the first look at his rankings for 2015, including analysis below.
Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | K
Quarterbacks
| Rank | Player | Bye Week |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrew Luck - IND | 10 |
| 2 | Aaron Rodgers - GB | 7 |
| 3 | Russell Wilson - SEA | 9 |
| 4 | Peyton Manning - DEN | 7 |
| 5 | Ben Roethlisberger - PIT | 11 |
| 6 | Drew Brees - NO | 11 |
| 7 | Matt Ryan - ATL | 10 |
| 8 | Ryan Tannehill - MIA | 5 |
| 9 | Tony Romo - DAL | 6 |
| 10 | Cam Newton - CAR | 5 |
| 11 | Eli Manning - NYG | 11 |
| 12 | Matthew Stafford - DET | 9 |
| 13 | Philip Rivers - SD | 10 |
| 14 | Tom Brady - NE | 4 |
| 15 | Teddy Bridgewater - MIN | 5 |
| 16 | Joe Flacco - BAL | 9 |
| 17 | Jay Cutler - CHI | 7 |
| 18 | Sam Bradford - PHI | 8 |
| 19 | Colin Kaepernick - SF | 10 |
| 20 | Alex Smith - KC | 9 |
| 21 | Andy Dalton - CIN | 7 |
| 22 | Carson Palmer - ARI | 9 |
| 23 | Robert Griffin - WAS | 8 |
| 24 | Jameis Winston - TB | 6 |
| 25 | Derek Carr - OAK | 6 |
| 26 | Marcus Mariota - TEN | 4 |
| 27 | Blake Bortles - JAC | 8 |
| 28 | Geno Smith - NYJ | 5 |
| 29 | Nick Foles - STL | 6 |
| 30 | Matt Cassel - BUF | 8 |
| 31 | Brian Hoyer - HOU | 9 |
| 32 | Josh McCown - CLE | 11 |
- Andrew Luck finished with the second-most fantasy points among quarterbacks in 2014, just behind Aaron Rodgers, but well ahead of the next closest passer. With a pair of very capable veterans in Andre Johnson and Frank Gore joining his arsenal, Luck tops this year's rankings.
- Playing in a run-heavy offense, Russell Wilson had the third-most fantasy points among quarterbacks last season and did so without a true No. 1 option in the receiving game. Enter Jimmy Graham. Consider Wilson a lock for the top five again this year.
- Wilson moves ahead of some aging stars like 39-year-old Peyton Manning and 36-year-old Drew Brees. Manning and Brees remain solid fantasy starters, but their clubs are leaning more on the run and their risk of injury or late-season decline is very real.
- The Steelers' offense is armed with more than enough talent to be an excellent source of fantasy production, but it's Pittsburgh's decaying defense that makes Ben Roethlisberger a great value this year.
- Ryan Tannehill is exactly the kind of player fantasy owners should be targeting at quarterback. Entering his fourth season, Tannehill has proven he can deliver as a fantasy starter (finished in the top eight last season), has upgraded personnel (DeVante Parker, Kenny Stills, Jordan Cameron) and is currently being drafted in the ninth or 10th round.
- Tom Brady's suspension will likely be reduced, but even a two-game ban will hurt those who draft the Patriots passer. Fantasy owners who select Brady will have to carry a second quarterback over the first couple weeks of the season, burning up a valuable roster spot that can be used on lottery ticket running backs or early-season waiver wire standouts..
- Players who may surprise this season: Teddy Bridgewater (if Adrian Peterson returns, the Vikings' offense could be potent), Joe Flacco (anywhere Marc Trestman goes, passing stats are sure to follow), Sam Bradford (the most talented quarterback Chip Kelly has had since arriving in Philly) and Alex Smith (finally has a couple legitimate pass-catchers in Jeremy Maclin and Travis Kelce).