Top 25 Fantasy Football Picks for 2010

I've been rolling out top 10 positional lists for the upcoming 2010 fantasy football draft season. So far, I've covered top 10 running backs and top 10 quarterbacks.

I'll add top 10 lists for wide receivers and tight ends soon, as well as more-comprehensive looks at each position.

In the meantime, here's the top 25 on my board, if the fantasy football draft began today:

1. Chris Johnson, RB, Tennessee Titans: Superstar back says he's chasing 2,500 yards in 2010.

2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings: Rushed for a league-high 18 touchdowns in 2009.

3. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars: Speedy ballcarrier talled 15 TDs in '09.

4. Ray Rice, RB, Baltimore Ravens: Double-threat in 2009 with 1,339 rushing yards and 702 receiving.

5. Frank Gore, RB, San Francisco 49ers: Improved O-Line can only help Gore in 2010.

6. Steven Jackson, RB, St. Louis Rams: Remains the lone star on a perennially bad team.

7. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints: Too high to pick a QB, you say? I'll take Brees' consistency here any day.

8. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans: 216 receptions and 17 TDs over the past two seasons.

9. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Carolina Panthers: Gets plenty of yards and TDs despite committee with Jonathan Stewart.

10. Ryan Mathews, RB, San Diego Chargers: The rookie is a big hit in San Diego, where he'll take over as the top back.

11. Michael Turner, RB, Atlanta Falcons: He'll have to prove the ankle injury woes are in the past to justify this high pick, but I like his chances.

12. Randy Moss, WR, New England Patriots: No. 2 WR in most fantasy formats in 2009 with 1,264 yards and 13 TDs.

13. Peyton Manning, QB, Indianapolis Colts: A virtual lock to net you 4,000-plus yards and 25-plus touchdowns.

14. Shonn Greene, RB, New York Jets: With Thomas Jones and Leon Washington gone, Greene takes over as the lead back in a run-first offense.

15. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers: Has improved and impressed in two seasons as starter, with 8,472 yards and 58 TDs.

16. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts: Jinx alert - Batman hasn't missed a regular-season game since 2001.

17. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: After 1,108 yards and seven TDs in 2009, he should get more of the load in 2010 while Big Ben's out.

18. Tony Romo, QB, Dallas Cowboys: Gotta love Romo's supporting cast, and the 4,483 yards and 26 TDs he tallied in 2009.

19. Calvin Johnson, WR, Detroit Lions: Put up 984 yards in 2009 despite QB Stafford missing six games. Should improve on those five TDs.

20. Jahvid Best, RB, Detroit Lions: Rookie from Cal will get a chance to shine while Kevin Smith recovers from knee surgery.

21. Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons: Has topped 1,100 yards each of the past three seasons, with 11 TDs in 2009.

22. Cedric Benson, RB, Cincinnati Bengals: Ran for 1,251 yards and six TDs in 2009; addition of T.O. should help keep defensive attention elsewhere.

23. Pierre Thomas, RB, New Orleans Saints: This guy has a ton of upside, and it helps he plays in a high-powered offense.

24. Brandon Marshall, WR, Miami Dolphins: Change of scenery could be a good thing, but even after a contentious offseason in '09, he put up 1,120 yards and 10 TDs.

25. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals: I'd pick Fitz quite a bit higher if I knew what to expect from Matt Leinart.