2011 Fantasy Football: Top Ten Selections

While this first selection is important for your fantasy football team, it won't make you a champion, it is not for the reason you suspect. Especially when you consider Arian Foster was taken in the later rounds last year and was the primary reason why so many fantasy football owners won their league. The first selection is key because it will set the tone for your entire fantasy football draft. With that being said, here are the top ten players you should consider when drafting in a standard scoring 10 man fantasy football league for 2011.

1. Adrian Peterson (RB) Minnesota Vikings

In the past running backs top the list and there is a good reason why. The same could be said for 2010. But why should a fantasy football owner consider Peterson with the top overall pick when his numbers have been declining over the past two years? The key is the absence of Brett Favre.

With him retired, the Vikings will return to focus on their strength, running the ball early and often. It will be hard for Peterson to reach his career highs of 1,760 yards or 18 touchdowns, but there is no reason to expect any less than 1,600 yards and 14 touchdowns from Peterson in 2011.

2. Jamal Charles (RB) Kansas City Chiefs

Normally it is hard to list a running back this high who shares his rushing attempts with another back, like Thomas Jones. But did you pay attention to what Charles did in 2010? Over the regular season, he ran for 1,467 yards with scoring 5 touchdowns. On top of that, he averaged 6.4 yards every time he touched the ball.

Charles added some bonus point with his 45 receptions for 468 yards and 3 touchdowns. Do not worry about Charles scoring single rushing touchdowns in 2011 because the Kansas City Chiefs passing game will take a step back.

3. Arian Foster (RB) Houston Texans

The surprise story of the 2010 season was the emergence of Foster into the stud of the Houston Texans as he bull dozed his way to 1,616 yards on the ground and scored 16 touchdowns. He showed he was valuable catching the ball out of the backfield by hauling in 66 receptions for 604 yards and 2 scores. The big question is he capable of similar numbers in 2011?

Most will agree that he is, but history is not on his side. In recent years, the leading running back always seems to take a dip in the preceding year to help recover from the wear and tear. Perhaps the lockout will help keep him rested, but be warned if you decided to go with him first overall.

4. Ray Rice (RB) Baltimore Ravens

There were high hopes for Rice in 2011, but things went South when the Ravens turned to their passing game. Even with the change, Rice was able to churn out 1,220 yards on the ground and another 556 yards through the air. This along with his 6 touchdowns scored made him a viable asset on any team.

The Ravens have shown their commitment to bringing the running game back by bringing in one of the best blocking full backs, Vonta Leach, in. There is a very good chance that Rice is at the top of the charts when the season is over.

5. Phillip Rivers (QB) San Diego Chargers

Over the years, Rivers has continued to grow as one of the elite quarterbacks in the league. 2010 was no exception when he completed 66% of his passes for 4,710 yards with 30 touchdowns and only 13 interceptions. He was able to accomplish this while working with an injury riddled receiving group.

This year will be the banner year for Rivers, who will not only lead the Chargers to the Super Bowl, but will help bring home a fantasy football championship to the owner who drafts him.

6. Aaron Rodgers (QB) Green Bay Packers

The growing number of teams using two running back sets means fantasy football owners need to watch when the first quarterback is off the table. If you are not able to land Rivers, then you next best choice to lead your team is Rodgers.

In 2010, he completed 65.7% of his passes for 3,922 yards with 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. While these were not career highs, they were impressive considering the injuries the Packers dealt with. Rodgers will return to his 2009 form and be healthy enough to be back at the top.

7. Calvin Johnson (WR) Detroit Lions

The one thing fantasy football owners need to do is to ignore the media when it comes to those typical top five best at any position. Like the one where Cris Carter felt Johnson is not one of the top five wide receivers in the game. You need to consider what Johnson's production in 2010 where he hauled in 77 receptions for 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He did this with three different quarterbacks. Just imagine what he is going to be capable of when he is able to have consistency at the quarterback position. A healthy Matt Stafford means Johnson is going to have a career year in terms of statistics.

8. Matt Forte (RB) Chicago Bears

Running backs seem to be a dime a dozen sometimes and are often not set in the right offensive scheme. That can't be said about Forte. While his numbers may not blow you away on the surface, 1,069 yards on the ground and 547 yards through the air, you need to look at the larger picture.

Interesting fact, Forte is one of six running backs who have rushed for more than 100 yards five times in a season for the last three years. And as a bonus, he has not missed any games during that time. Forte quietly goes about his business as one of the top five backs in the game, even higher if you are in a Points Per Reception League.

9. Michael Vick (QB) Philadelphia Eagles

Yes, Vick exploded onto the scene last year when he took over the starting role in Philadelphia. At the end of the season he had completed 62.6% of his passes for 3,018 yards with 21 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions. On top of that, he ran for 676 yards and 9 scores.

As a result he earned a second place finish in the MVP voting and gave some the belief that he should be drafted first overall in the 2011 fantasy football draft. Steer clear of Vick until the later part of the first round.

10. Roddy White (WR) Atlanta Falcons)

When it comes to unassuming players, White was at the top of the list until he exploded and had his breakout season in 2010. He ended the regular season with 115 receptions for 1,389 yards and 10 touchdowns on a very potent Falcons offensive unit.

Some fantasy owners became squeamish when the Falcons drafted Julio Jones with their first round selection, but it takes time for a wide receiver to learn the ropes at the NFL level. You should select him with confidence in the first round knowing that he will be right there at the top in the key receiving categories.