2012 Dynasty and Keeper League Rankings

The season ended as a downer, but Rodgers carried fantasy teams during the regular season and is poised for more of the same. Offense would benefit from a RB upgrade, though that could takeaway some of the TD passes Rodgers threw inside the 5-yard line. No matter, Rodgers will still post strong numbers.

The Patriots dual tight end threat breathed new life into the offense and Brady took full advantage by continually hitting Gronkowski and Hernandez running down the seams. Just think what damage the Golden Boy and this unit could do with a stable running game and a legitimate downfield burner. Brandon Lloyd figures to answer the second part of that thought. Joseph Addai, not as much.

Ugh, where to begin...Since the initial rankings back in January, I dropped Brees down one spot, which is more about the uncertainty over his contract than coach Sean Payton's suspension. If not resolved by camp, he drops further. Amazing the production Brees generates despite having an overhyped wide receiver corps. Having Jimmy Graham and Darren Sproles clearly helps. The slightly overrated Marques Colston stayed put in free agency, but the other wide receiver options are even more blah than before.

The Lions young gunslinger stayed healthy (finally!!!) and produced massive numbers accordingly, taking full advantage of the player with the best receiver in football. Also did so without a running game for second half of the year. Return a healthy Jahvid Best (iffy at best), get Titus Young back for year two and get OT Riley Reiff on the field and Stafford is in line for bigger numbers.

Now that's what your call a debut season. Only fantasy worry going forward surrounds the rushing scores, as its hard to imagine Newton scores as many. Sure, the sophomore slump is possible, but ultimately Newton's varied skill set means the talented playmaker has many ways to produce for giddy owners. As a pure dynasty play, only Rodgers stands above.

Hard to realize this now following the Super Bowl run, but Eli's fantasy value was underrated throughout the season. Now, it's possible his 2012 value actually jumps the shark, though having Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz makes it possible Manning matches or exceeds an expectations.

Probably should not be stunned the injury-prone Vick failed to live up to top QB hype last season. The fact that he still produced like a legit QB1 most weeks despite a largely MIA campaign from DeSean Jackson also says something. Upside remains, but if you land Vick adding a high-end backup is a must.

Obviously the weapons are potent and Romo has posted major numbers in the past. Hampered by having two injury-prone running backs and Dez Bryant yet to match talent with production.

Even though he somewhat righted the statistical ship late in the season, arguably no fantasy QB let down owners more than Rivers. That could lead to soft market for his services next season, but there are plenty of questions about his potential weapons with Antonio Gates getting closer to hitting the wall and the unsteady Robert Meachem replacing Vincent Jackson at receiver.

Ryan as a top-10 fantasy option is based largely on the two playmakers on the outside. Injuries aside Julio Jones' rookie season rocked and Roddy White continued his stellar statistical roll. If the Falcons develop a receiving threat out of the backfield, Ryan's numbers could improve.

The issues with Big Ben are largely about his own health, though a change at offensive coordinator adds another wrinkle. The offensive line is always a concern, though Pittsburgh went guard-tackle with its first two draft picks. If the Steelers can shore up that area, make sure Mike Wallace is happy and find a contingency RB plan until Rashard Mendenhall returns, Roethlisberger rules.

The Texans were probably a Schaub injury away from getting to the AFC Championship game and then some. Houston lost right tackle Eric Winston in free agency and has yet to add a proven receiver opposite Andre Johnson. Still, this offensive produces and remain a player or two away from being truly devastating.

Finally, Jay Cutler has a viable big play wide receiver. It just turns out that said receiver - Brandon Marshall - is also extremely volatile. Still, we know the Cutler-Marshall connection worked before. Cutler was on his way to his best quarterbacking campaign before missing time with injury. It will be easier to trust him as QB1 now, but that offensive line remains a work in progress.

This spot is situated below all the players I'm willing to use as a QB1 (well, except maybe Cutler) and ahead of all those who are purely rotational options. I mean, we still don't really know what to make of Peyton in 2012, though he does have a team. Don't forget he is in many ways a system QB, having played his entire career in the same one. That's not a knock on Manning's past, just a note about another obstacle he will have to overcome. Total wildcard

The Ravens QB's personal rep ended on an up note despite the AFC Championship game loss, but Baltimore's passing game is not charming enough to vault Flacco into QB1 status.

The Redskins made a franchise-altering move when they jumped up to snag the Heisman winner. Now coach Mike Shanahan ends the speculation, by announcing RGIII will be the starter. Big question now is whether there are proper pieces in place – especially along the offensive line - to ensure a smooth transition into the pro ranks. There is no questioning the mobile and strong-armed QB's immense upside.

Luck's overall potential is considered above RGIII's but the Colts lack of current options keeps his keeper ranking below his fellow first-round picks. Keeping Reggie Wayne was a nice surprise and drafting Luck's favorite college target (TE Coby Fleener) should help the transition to the NFL, but the offensive line is a mess. Potential, huge, but more for the long haul than in 2012.

Many Tim Tebow or Alex Smith apologists will note the lack of receiving options at their disposal. I'm pretty sure Sam Bradford wishes he had a Demaryius Thomas/Eric Decker combo or a Vernon Davis-esque tight end. Never bought Slinging Sam as the next great thing, but let's see if new coach Jeff Fisher can get this moving the right way. Adding second-round WR Brian Quick was a start.

Not sure any offense lost more bloom of its rose than the Bucs. In terms of fantasy quarterbacks, same could be said of Freeman, who has the tools, but regressed last season. The Bucs added Vincent Jackson plus a runner in the first round so perhaps those additions plus a strong training camp helps Freeman regain some fantasy love.

Not much went right for Cassel or the Chiefs offense last season and it could get uglier in 2012 if Dwayne Bowe contract situation gets ugly. Assuming the Chiefs top target returns, free agent Peyton Hillis and a health Jamaal Charles headline the backfield and the offensive line's upgrade is legitimate, Cassel has enough help to surprise, but is still hardly exciting.

The Raiders made a brutal decision shipping two first-round picks for the former stud QB. Good news for owners is that when Palmer has his full complement of speedsters at the ready, he can still post solid fantasy numbers with 2-3 picks mixed in. Bad news, you will be relying on Carson Palmer.

Need to see more, but Locker's athleticism puts him on a Tebow path of fantasy production with a better likelihood of completing passes. His legs will give him a steady baseline of points each week. Plus, between CJ, a healthy Kenny Britt, the emerging Jared Cook and the addition of first-round receiver Kendall Wright, Locker has game breakers to work with - if he beats out Matt Hasselbeck.

A.J Green's acrobatics helped his fellow rookie post solid numbers early, but Dalton's play tailed off as the season moved along, to the point where he looked rather pedestrian by the end. The Bengals have a history of following up one good season with a clunker, so let's gauge their progress during training camp before moving Dalton any higher.

Obviously much of the Jets off-season turmoil as centered on Sanchez's progress, or lack thereof . For the first half of the season Sanchez was actually a sneaky good fantasy QB, but overall he rarely proves to be anything more than a pedestrian option. Now that Tebow guy is backing him up. Eh, let someone get Sanchez.

Could go with a lot of names here - heck, Kolb might not even beat out John Skelton in Arizona - but the addition of rookie WR Michael Floyd gives him the nod over Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Flynn, Ryan Tannehill and others. Combined with Larry Fitzgerald, the Cardinal QB has two dynamic receiving options and I still think Arizona could be a sneaky NFC West team.