Only a few franchise-tagged players were able to work out long-term contracts prior to Monday's 4 p.m. Eastern deadline, but one of the biggest names in fantasy football was a member of that thin crowd.
Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice avoided playing with the tag by agreeing to a five-year deal worth about $40 million. He will make $17 million in 2012 alone.
Rice, 25, is coming off the best season of his career. He led the league with 2,068 yards from scrimmage and tallied 16 touchdowns -- one passing. He has topped 2,000 total yards in two of the past three years, and has rushed for more than 1,200 yards in three consecutive seasons.

Fantasy Analysis:

There's no reason to think that Rice will drop off now that he's been paid. It's full-speed ahead for the likely No. 2 overall pick in many upcoming fantasy drafts. Simply, he can do it all, and he's durable.