It’s soon, but never too early to think about fantasy football prospects for the upcoming 2015 season. Here are five players from each position who currently warrant consideration for top fantasy draft picks at this time.
Quarterbacks
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
The 2014 offensive MVP tops the list as a solid QB1 fantasy draft pick for 2015. Finishing 2014 as the No. 1 ranked fantasy quarterback, Rodgers shows no signs of slowing in 2015. Where Peyton Manning, quarterback of the Denver Broncos was the overall No. 1 quarterback pick in 2014, Rodgers replaces him this season. With 4,381 passing yards, 38 touchdowns and only five interceptions in 2014, Rodgers makes a low-risk trustworthy quarterback to lead your 2015 fantasy team.
2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Brady’s stock takes a major upswing for 2015 after claiming the Super Bowl XLIX title. Drafted in later rounds last year, had those who selected Brady using him as their QB1 throughout most of the season. Like Rodgers, Brady kept his interceptions pretty low in 2014 with only nine which means less risk when it comes to deducting fantasy points for picks. There are certainly no signs to indicate that Brady will take a tumble in 2015 making him a great pick for your QB1.
3. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson still remains a strong fantasy quarterback pick for 2015 if you’re willing to rely on his rushing yards and touchdowns to boost your fantasy points. Finishing as the third overall-ranked fantasy quarterback in 2014 after passing for 3,475 yards and 20 touchdowns, along with 849 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns and only seven interceptions earns Wilson QB1 draft status for 2015.
4. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
Luck piles up a lot of fantasy points as shown by his 4,761 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns he accumulated in 2014. With these numbers, Luck was the No. 2 ranked fantasy quarterback for 2014. Had Luck not thrown 27 interceptions typically penalized at minus two points each, he would have far surpassed Rodgers as the No. 1 fantasy quarterback. He still makes a top QB1 option in 2015 with the hope that he’ll control those costly picks.
5. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Despite the Saints’ struggles to win games in 2014, Brees still put up a ton of passing yards. Finishing 2014 with 4,952 yards along with 33 touchdowns has Brees still commanding a top five fantasy quarterback slot for 2015. Even with 29 interceptions that we certainly don’t want to see again, Brees finished 2014 as the sixth-ranked fantasy quarterback. 2015 should bring Brees back a healthy Jimmy Graham, along with second-year wide receiver Brandin Cooks. This all leads to Brees having an efficient QB 1 fantasy season.
Running Backs
1. DeMarco Murray, Dallas Cowboys
It’s really difficult not to list Murray as a No. 1 running back to target in 2015 with the phenomenal number he just put up to the tune of 1845 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns. Whether or not he remains with the Dallas Cowboys this season is yet to be determined. However, wherever Murray plays in 2015, it would hard to imagine his level of production would suddenly drop off. If he stays healthy, Murray should be a solid RB1 pick once again in 2015.
2. Le’Veon Bell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Bell was the Steelers’ No. 1 workhorse in 2014 not only as a stud in rushing, but as the league’s top receiving running back. Putting up a total of 2,215 yards and 11 total touchdowns, Bell is a lock at a No. 1 draft pick for your 2015 team. With no other running back competition and as long as he stays healthy, Bell should continue to get nearly all the ground duty again in 2015.
3. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
Lynch had a fabulous regular season in 2014 finishing third among his fellow running backs in fantasy points. He ended the year with 1,306 rushing yards, 367 return yards and 17 total touchdowns. Working on a deal to remain with the Seahawks for 2015, there’s nothing to suggest Lynch’s production will take a dip anytime soon. And, if Lynch was to play for another team, it would surely be one that would continue to feature him as their No. 1 rusher. Draft him with confidence in 2015.
4. Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
Forte is really the staple of the Bears’ offense which makes him the primary fantasy football point earner of the team. The Bears definitely had their struggles in 2014, but one thing that remains solid is Forte will continue to get multiple touches and targets making him a reliable RB1 to target in 2015. Forte finished 2014 as the fourth-ranked fantasy running back tallying up nearly 2,000 total yards and scoring 10 touchdowns. With how much the Bears depend upon him to pound the ground and catch passes, he’ll be a valuable asset on any fantasy team.
5. C.J. Anderson, Denver Broncos
Going on a bit of a limb here is Anderson, who did a stellar job taking over as the Broncos’ lead back in Week 10 last season. With that said, he managed to become the 11th-overall ranked running back in fantasy points for 2014. What other lower-ranking running backs had all season to accomplish, Anderson surpassed with 849 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. He also had an impact in the receiving department totaling 324 yards with two receiving touchdowns. The Broncos are sure not to fix what isn’t broken when it comes to Anderson in 2015, making him a strong RB1 fantasy option.
Wide Receivers
1. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
Receiving the second most targets of all wide receivers with 181 in 2014 was Brown who ranked as the overall No. 1 wide receiver in fantasy points. He’s a slam-dunk WR1 option for 2015 with how heavily he is targeted by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Ending the season with 129 catches, 1,698 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, should be a fabulous indicator things to come in 2015.
2. Odell Beckham Jr., New York Giants
If you can manage to snare Beckham as your WR1 for your 2015 fantasy draft, he should do you no wrong. Ranking fifth among his fellow wide receivers after playing in just 12 of the 16 regular games had Beckham putting up traffic-stopping numbers. Beckham turned his 91 catches into 1,305 yards and 12 touchdowns. A favorite of quarterback Eli Manning’s, drawing 131 targets in 2014, expect Beckham to be trending hot again in 2015.
3. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
Nelson consistently puts up WR1 numbers and this should be the pattern in 2015 as well. Playing for the top-ranked NFL quarterback, Aaron Rodgers doesn’t hurt either. Last season Nelson ranked second-overall in fantasy points for wide receivers racking up 1,519 yards with 13 touchdowns. As long as Rodgers stays healthy, Nelson will be the beneficiary rewarding his owners plenty of fantasy points in 2015.
4. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
Bryant is coming off an awesome season and was the lead scoring receiver in touchdowns with 16 for 2014. He and quarterback Tony Romo share a fabulous chemistry that will just continue to build in 2015. Bryant had 88 catches that he turned into 1,320 yards averaging 15 yards per catch. Likely to find the end zone and score when targeted downfield, Bryant remains a true WR1 you can trust on your fantasy team.
5. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
Thomas warrants a spot in the top five providing quarterback Peyton Manning decides to play in 2015 and Thomas remains with the Broncos. If all remains status quo, Thomas should be a reliable WR1. As a pending free-agent, Thomas’ potential 2015 fantasy value takes a dip, however if he lands on a team with a less efficient quarterback. Think Eric Decker. Thomas finished 2014 with 11 touchdowns and 1,619 receiving yards which had him ranking third in fantasy points. Keep an eye on Thomas’ status as the free agency approaches.
Tight Ends
1. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
Some may have had their hesitations about drafting Gronkowski last year after his injury-laden 2013 season. However, he proved all the doubters wrong in a big way in 2014 finishing as the No. 1 ranked tight end. Racking up 1,124 receiving yards along with 12 touchdowns had those who trusted Gronk as their tight end very pleased. Healthy as can be and coming off of an exhilarating Super Bowl victory makes Gronk worth the high-round splurge you’ll have to spend to acquire him in 2015.
2. Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints
Graham had a bit of an off-year in 2014 causing him to slip in ranking to third among his fellow tight ends. Even playing with a shoulder injury, though, Graham put up respectable numbers with 889 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Targeted 125 times by quarterback Drew Brees in 2014 proves he’s Brees’ go-to guy down the field. 2015 should have Graham back to full health and Brees putting that ball into his hands tons making him a sound TE1 fantasy option.
3. Greg Olsen, Carolina Panthers
Olsen was a great bargain as a fantasy tight end drafted in later rounds in 2014. Finishing 2014 ranked fourth-overall, Olsen will surely command a higher draft pick in 2015. Cracking the 1,000-yard mark with 84 receptions and six touchdowns had Olsen completing his most productive fantasy season of his career. There’s no reason to think Olsen’s targets by quarterback Cam Newton will decrease in 2015 making him a TE1/2 to trust for your fantasy team.
4. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers
If you selected Gates as your fantasy tight end in 2014, boy did he pay off. Scoring 12 touchdowns which was the second-most of his NFL career along with 821 yards had him finishing with the second-most fantasy points for 2014. Entering into his 13th year with the Chargers, Gates seems to be playing as strong as ever. Ride him high while he’s healthy and look for the powerful Gates/Philip Rivers duo to earn you some decent fantasy points in 2015.
5. Martellus Bennett, Chicago Bears
Despite the Bears’ woes in 2014, one thing that did stand out was the connection that Bennett had with quarterback, Jay Cutler. With 128 targets, Bennett was the highest targeted tight end in 2014. He also totaled 916 receiving yards and scored six touchdowns along the way. If Bennett could put up these numbers while under Cutler, imagine what he could do if he ended up under a more productive quarterback? He’s a solid TE2 with upside moving into 2015.