These are as preliminary as it gets, but after three months of the offseason, we are beginning to get a general idea of player values. An update will be required after the draft, but for many, their 2016 outlook is coming into focus.
Top 50 Running Backs
1. Le’Veon Bell — LaDainian Tomlinson waiting to happen if knees cooperate.
2. Todd Gurley — 10 TDs on 229 rookie carries behind awful line.
3. David Johnson — Right skills in the right offense at the right time.
4. Adrian Peterson — Purple Jesus still has lots of time on earth before ascending into football heaven.
5. Doug Martin — “Good Doug” should get Chapter 3 in “A Tale of Two Dougs.”
6. Lamar Miller — Durable and consistent. Was aggressively pursued by sophisticated rushing team.
7. C.J. Anderson — Posted 5.42 YPC over final 159 carries. Broncos went to great pains to keep.
8. Eddie Lacy — Hammerhead runner has shed a sack of hammers from his waistline.
9. Carlos Hyde — Dark horse for RB1 overall status in fast-paced offense.
10. Mark Ingram — Was quietly eighth in running back receptions last season.
11. Devonta Freeman — Averaged 3.07 yards on 113 carries after Week 9.
12. Jeremy Langford — Rate stats didn’t match usage, but offseason has been one long vote of confidence.
13. LeSean McCoy — Durability an increasing issue, Karlos Williams an increasing threat.
14. Thomas Rawls — Sky-high upside, but legitimate downside coming off severe injury.
15. Jamaal Charles — An epochal fantasy back, but probably headed for a committee.
16. DeMarco Murray — Breaking down, but Titans probably won’t restrict his workload.
17. Jeremy Hill — Sophomore year was a nightmare — and Hue Jackson is gone — but still only 23.
18. Matt Forte — Coming off career-worst year and headed toward committee.
19. Jay Ajayi — Has RB1 potential if Dolphins keep striking out in quest for “upgrade.”
20. Jonathan Stewart — Unlikely to match dream 2015 usage.
21. Melvin Gordon — Admitted he was terrible as a rookie, but still has mouthwatering role.
22. Matt Jones — Thoroughly mediocre as a rookie, but Redskins remain intriguingly psyched.
23. Giovani Bernard — Being a playmaker only gets you so far on 175-200 touches.
24. Ryan Mathews — Pre-draft status as uncertain as one of his hamstring injuries.
25. Ameer Abdullah — Home run hitter needs to figure out how to mix in some doubles.
26. Latavius Murray — Raiders have talked like they’re trying to trade Murray in Dynasty leagues.
27. Alfred Morris — Could be clear-cut RB2 by the time fantasy draft season gets here.
28. Chris Ivory — Touchdown scorer, but unpredictable committee awaits.
29. Dion Lewis — A Sprolesian talent, but had durability issues even before torn ACL.
30. Duke Johnson — 61 receptions were fourth amongst RBs. Could be Hue’s new Gio.
31. Karlos Williams — A backup who will become RB1 with injury to Shady.
32. Buck Allen — Smooth pass catcher who posted disappointing 3.75 YPC as rookie.
33. Theo Riddick — Tied for 18th in the NFL in catches last season.
34. T.J. Yeldon — Couldn’t score as a rookie, and won’t do so as sophomore if Ivory stays healthy.
35. Spencer Ware — Could be the thunder to Jamaal Charles’ lightning.
36. Danny Woodhead — Well established floor, but uncompelling standard league ceiling.
37. Frank Gore — Beginning to fade. Could end up cut before Week 1.
38. Shane Vereen — Too many cooks in G-Men’s RB kitchen, and Vereen is making salad.
39. Justin Forsett — Aging in a backfield crowded with young competition.
40. Charles Sims — Will be tough to maintain value behind a paid Doug Martin and ascending Jameis Winston.
41. Bilal Powell — One of the least interesting pure pass-catching backs.
42. Tevin Coleman — A bigger threat to Devonta Freeman than realized.
43. LeGarrette Blount — Could end up “big back” or cut between now and September.
44. Darren McFadden — Currently ahead of Alfred Morris, but that should change.
45. Isaiah Crowell — Needs to impress Hue Jackson in camp/preseason.
46. Rashad Jennings — Jack of all trades, but only master of being RB4.
47. Cameron Artis-Payne — Unimpressive rookie year, but young back behind old starter.
48. DeAngelo Williams — Pure handcuff who’s another year older after shocking 2015.
49. Andre Ellington — Could be useful 3-4 times in PPR leagues.
50. Ronnie Hillman — Always with the Hillman.
Top 75 Wide Receivers
1. Antonio Brown — Will catch 126 passes for 1,677 yards if he meets three-year averages.
2. Odell Beckham — 23 years old with 25 touchdowns in 27 career games.
3. Julio Jones — 136 catches and 1,871 yards last season were both second most in NFL history.
4. DeAndre Hopkins — A modest improvement in yards after the catch could make him the WR1.
5. A.J. Green — League’s most underrated dominator has cleared 10 scores in past three healthy seasons.
6. Alshon Jeffery — Ingredients there for top-five season if he avoids soft-tissue injuries.
7. Dez Bryant — Plays legendarily hard, but is it leading to a physical breakdown?
8. Allen Robinson — Hurns and Julius will make it difficult to match last year’s 14 scores.
9. Mike Evans — Improved hands would make Evans dark horse for WR1 overall status.
10. Brandon Marshall — Ridiculously consistent, but 32 in a land of 27 year olds.
11. T.Y. Hilton — Everything went wrong in ‘15 and Hilton still caught 69 passes for 1,124 yards.
12. Jordy Nelson — Was the WR2 overall when last we saw him in 2014.
13. Demaryius Thomas — Will have hard time bouncing back to 10 scores without Peyton.
14. Brandin Cooks — Quietly the WR12 as a 22-year-old sophomore last season.
15. Sammy Watkins — Watkins will be a WR1 if he plays all 16 games.
16. Amari Cooper —Sophomore growing pains possible after quiet second half.
17. Keenan Allen — Massive target potential, but averaging Edelman-esque 10.5 YPC since rookie year.
18. John Brown — An unholy amalgamation of Antonio Brown and Brandin Cooks with limitless upside.
19. Jeremy Maclin — Still somehow only 28 years old in May.
20. Golden Tate — Averaged 95 catches past two seasons. Now Mega is retired.
21. Doug Baldwin — Last year’s WR7 could be massive bargain even with major TD regression.
22. Jarvis Landry — A deluxe Julian Edelman.
23. Emmanuel Sanders — Most underrated player in NFL past two seasons, but no Peyton is no Peyton.
24. Michael Floyd — Consistency has eluded him, but there’s a WR1 season somewhere in Floyd’s body.
25. Randall Cobb — Obvious bounce-back potential, but arguably 2015’s most disappointing player.
26. Julian Edelman — Increasingly injury prone, Edelman owns 10.5 career YPC.
27. Allen Hurns — Quietest 10-touchdown season this side of Doug Baldwin. Posted 16.1 YPC.
28. Eric Decker — Has at least 11 scores in 3-of-4 seasons. Big-time bargain potential.
29. Donte Moncrief — Last year’s WR38 could go wild as Indy’s clear-cut No. 2 receiver.
30. DeVante Parker — Caught 13 passes for 286 yards (22.0 YPC) in Weeks 15-17.
31. Jordan Matthews — More realistic expectations should lead to more satisfying 2016.
32. Kelvin Benjamin — Drop-prone 25-year-old junior coming off torn ACL. TD dependent.
33. Larry Fitzgerald — Last year’s WR9, but production took nosedive with Floyd healthy.
34. Dorial Green-Beckham — Still exceptionally raw, but was year-long improver as rookie.
35. Tavon Austin — Four rushing scores helped make Austin the WR21 in 2015.
36. Travis Benjamin — Sliding into one of the most utilized deep-threat roles in football.
37. Torrey Smith — Chip Kelly coaxed monster year from similar one-trick pony D-Jax in 2013.
38. Tyler Lockett — Spread-the-wealth offense dampens sky-high upside.
39. DeSean Jackson — Has only 10 touchdowns over past 25 games.
40. Willie Snead — You probably won’t want to draft Snead, but could easily repeat WR3 2015.
41. Marvin Jones — Has five touchdowns in 27 games if you eliminate 2013 outburst.
42. Markus Wheaton — Like Snead, you won’t want him. Like Snead, could really contribute.
43. Vincent Jackson — Will be a WR3 if he can stay healthy. Big if.
44. Stefon Diggs — A genuine playmaker, but hard to exceed WR3 numbers in run-first offense.
45. Kevin White — Post-hype sleeper whose discount will fade as season approaches.
46. Jeff Janis — Could make everyone forget about James Jones in a hurry.
47. Breshad Perriman — Freakish size/speed prospect with major injury concerns.
48. Michael Crabtree — Cleared 55 yards once after Week 9, averaging 8.71 yards per catch.
49. Mohamed Sanu — Could end up plug-and-play WR3 in offense desperate for targets.
50. Mike Wallace — Finally in offense that caters to his skills. WR3 status not out of the question.
51. Steve Smith Sr. — Should be more of a role player after surprising 2014-15 target totals.
52. Nelson Agholor — Getting clean slate — and improved depth chart standing — on nightmare ‘15.
53. Ted Ginn — You won’t draft him, but might end up using him.
54. Brandon LaFell — Better health and more defined role could make for bounce-back year.
55. Rishard Matthews — Was 17th in yards per route run last season, but questionable landing spot.
56. Kendall Wright — Annual underachiever in increasingly crowded receiver corps.
57. Stevie Johnson — Compiler with advancing age and increased competition.
58. Phillip Dorsett — Zero fantasy expectations + prodigious raw skill = potential diamond in the rough.
59. Chris Hogan — Undistinguished, but noteworthy when Brady/Belichick take a shine.
60. Rueben Randle — Giants were all too happy to move on, but TD scorer still shockingly young.
61. Davante Adams — Exposed as a JAG in 2015, Adams owns anemic career 10.6 YPC.
62. Jermaine Kearse — Start him with three players on bye and pray for a touchdown.
63. Sammie Coates — Had lost rookie year, but path to WR4 value is there.
64. Brian Quick — Couldn’t escape L.A., but still has theoretical upside.
65. Pierre Garcon — Being phased out for the cool kids.
66. Anquan Boldin — Averaged five catches per game for awful offense last season.
67. Kenny Britt — Coming off best year since 2010. Still only 27.
68. Devin Funchess — Funchess’ development figures to remain methodical.
69. Kenny Stills — Promising player, but Miami doesn’t suit Stills’ skills.
70. Jaelen Strong — Strong is a knucklehead, but could be Houston’s No. 2 receiver.
71. Josh Gordon — Gordon’s tenuous status won’t be made official until August.
72. Brian Hartline — WR4 volume will be there if Gordon’s ban remains.
73. Seth Roberts — Five TDs and 15.0 YPC last season.
74. Charles Johnson — Still lots of upside after injury-ruined 2015.
75. DeAndre Smelter — Downfield threat who redshirted as a rookie.
Top 32 Quarterbacks
1. Aaron Rodgers — Rodgers remains in his prime, and has much improved weapons.
2. Cam Newton — Likely won’t match historic 2015, but is still only 27.
3. Russell Wilson — Ridiculously durable, Wilson’s most consistent quality is improvement.
4. Andrew Luck — 2014’s No. 1 overall player will rebound on injury-ruined ‘15.
5. Ben Roethlisberger — Even without Martavis Bryant, Ben’s weapons are envy of the NFL.
6. Drew Brees — Ludicrously productive with a makeshift supporting cast last season that should be more polished.
7. Eli Manning — In Year 3 of tailor-made system with league’s top playmaking wideout.
8. Tom Brady — Still angry and in unreasonably good shape, but currently suspended.
9. Blake Bortles — Can’t match last year’s TD rate, but has imposing trio of red-zone threats.
10. Carson Palmer — Injury threat looms, but weekly candidate for QB1 overall finishes.
11. Derek Carr — Not a finished product, but boomed more than busted in 2015.
12. Philip Rivers — Faded badly each of the past two second halves.
13. Andy Dalton — Still has A.J. and Eifert, but no Hue, Marvin or Mohamed hurts.
14. Ryan Tannehill — Lots of weapons and elite play-caller in Adam Gase.
15. Jameis Winston — Will have top-three weeks fueled by Mike Evans.
16. Matt Ryan — Mohamed Sanu isn’t how you summit a plateau.
17. Tony Romo — As good as ever, but also as fragile as ever.
18. Kirk Cousins — Stars aligning again will require trip through asteroid belt.
19. Marcus Mariota — Needs to run more. Needs fewer MCL injuries.
20. Joe Flacco — Could have best supporting cast of his career if health obliges.
21. Tyrod Taylor — Peaks, valleys and frequent exposure to massive hits.
22. Matthew Stafford — Had trouble enough as it is with Calvin Johnson.
23. Jay Cutler — Smokin’ Jay headed for a post-Gase hangover.
24. Alex Smith — Dual, yes. Threat? Not so much.
25. Ryan Fitzpatrick — Career year still featured 59.6 completion percentage, 6.95 YPA.
26. Teddy Bridgewater — Has only 28 touchdowns through 29 NFL games.
27. Brock Osweiler — Osweiler’s last act in 2015 was getting benched.
28. Sam Bradford — No one ever said it was easy being Sam Bradford.
29. Colin Kaepernick — Upside would be enormous with Chip Kelly, alas.
30. Robert Griffin III — Needs to be rebuilt from the ground up.
31. Blaine Gabbert — No.
32. Mark Sanchez — This really needs not to happen.
Top 32 Tight Ends
1. Rob Gronkowski — Has missed only two games over the past two seasons.
2. Greg Olsen — Coming off back-to-back career years.
3. Gary Barnidge — De facto No. 1 receiver for coach who features tight ends.
4. Jordan Reed — Durability issues only reason he’s not ahead of Barnidge.
5. Travis Kelce — Zeus’ rise has been methodical, but mountaintop approaching.
6. Tyler Eifert — Rich man’s Kyle Rudolph who’s had trouble staying healthy.
7. Coby Fleener — Has 75-catch floor in offense that peppers TEs with targets.
8. Zach Ertz — 35/450/1 over final four games. Got $20M guaranteed in January.
9. Delanie Walker — Has been a warrior, but target competition getting more fierce.
10. Ladarius Green — Averaged 14.1 YPC for his career. Now getting biggest opportunity.
11. Eric Ebron — Frustratingly incremental, but took steps forward in 2015. Desperately needed.
12. Antonio Gates — 16 games seem extremely unlikely.
13. Dwayne Allen — Disappointing career thus far, but needed in the red zone.
14. Martellus Bennett — Merciful middle ground between Hernandez and Chandler. Concerning 8.3 YPC in ‘15.
15. Clive Walford — Headed for increased role, but lots of mouths to feed.
16. Julius Thomas — Has only 944 yards over his past 25 games.
17. Jimmy Graham — Strong candidate for reserve/PUP list.
18. Jordan Cameron — Pathetic 2015, but playing for a coach who utilizes tight ends.
19. Austin Seferian-Jenkins — Still more questions than answers at this point in his career.
20. Charles Clay — Most overpaid player in football?
21. Kyle Rudolph — Crazily, Rudolph’s sleeve didn’t make him a better player.
22. Jason Witten — Even with a healthy Romo, Witten’s upside is vanishing.
23. Zach Miller — Huge surprise last year, but is 31 with insane injury history.
24. Will Tye — Could take big step forward considering lack of targets behind OBJ.
25. Jared Cook — Finally has a good quarterback, but 16 TDs in 107 games.
26. Richard Rodgers — Cook’s addition makes Rodgers the NFL’s new Scott Chandler.
27. Jace Amaro — Missed all of 2015, but Jets haven’t added competition.
28. Ben Watson — Storybook 2015 unlikely to have a sequel.
29. Crockett Gillmore — Recovering from shoulder surgery. Too much competition.
30. Jacob Tamme — Will hopefully have more competition for targets this season.
31. Luke Willson — Will be low-end TE2 until Jimmy Graham returns.
32. Ryan Griffin — The Texans need to draft a tight end.