2011 Fantasy Football Keeper League Rankings

Posted by Igor Derysh on 08/03/2011 | 0 Comments

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Keeper and Dynasty leagues are seeing ever growing popularity as more people want a more long term game with more intricacies. Here at Fantasy Alarm we have broken down the top available players and ranked them based on their production, consistency, trends, potential, and age. Remember, always lean towards consistent players in the first half of their career and avoid players with a string of injuries, up-and-down and unpredictable production, and those one the decline.

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Quarterbacks

1. Aaron Rodgers (GB): The 27-year-old Rodgers has even less miles on him than most players his age after sitting for the first three years of his career. His ~4,000 yards, ~30 touchdowns, and ~11 interceptions in each of his first three years as a starter is as good and consistent as it gets.
2. Philip Rivers (SD): Same numbers, if not better, than Rodgers over the past three years for the 29-year-old. 4,000+ yards, ~30 touchdowns, and ~11 interceptions in each of the last three seasons should mean more of the same on the pass-first Chargers.
3. Peyton Manning (IND): No one does it better or more consistently than Manning but at 35-years-old you have to start wondering how much he has left. He has 4,000+ yards in all but two seasons in his career and 26+ touchdowns every year. The interceptions have begun to pick up, however.
4. Tom Brady (NE): 3,500+ yards in every year since the 34-year-old became a starter with 24+ touchdowns a year to boost. The addition of Chad Ochocinco to an already stacked offense should only help more.
5. Drew Brees (NO): At just 32-years-old, Brees has shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon. He has had 4,400+ yards in every year since coming to New Orleans and 33+ touchdowns in each of his last three seasons.
6. Michael Vick (PHI): The two year prison layover may actually do Vick some good in helping his longevity. With 3,000 yards, 21 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions in his first year back as a starter (not to mention another 676 yards and 9 TDs on the ground) the 31-year-old showed that he has matured into an MVP caliber passer.
7. Josh Freeman (TB): Freeman shook off his rookie year jitters with a 3,450 yard, 25 touchdown, and just 6 interception sophomore campaign. The 23-year-old is going to need more targets to pass to but the talent is absolutely there.
8. Sam Bradford (STL): He passed for 3,500 yards and 18 touchdowns as a rookie, nearly leading his team to a playoff berth, as a rookie. The sky is the limit for Bradford who is one of the best natural passers in the league and is only entering his second season.
9. Ben Roethlisberger (PIT): Big Ben is inconsistent with the touchdowns but has put up 3,200 yards every year since 2006 and has just 44 interceptions over the last four seasons.
10. Matt Schaub (HOU): 4,350+ yards in each of his last two seasons to go with 53 combined touchdowns. If Houston can add targets around Andre Johnson he can get even better.
11. Tony Romo (DAL): He is coming off a long injury layoff but the 30-year-old has not shown to be injury prone. He has however shown that he can put up 4,000 yards and 26+ touchdowns while throwing single digit interceptions.
12. Matt Ryan (ATL): He is a 3,500+ yard passer who is still getting better. His 28 touchdowns and 9 interceptions last year were pretty much with Roddy White as his only receiver.
13. Joe Flacco (BAL): This 26-year-old is a very consistent 3,600 yard passer with 20+ touchdowns and very few interceptions and is in Baltimore to stay.
14. Mark Sanchez (NYJ): Has grown massively since throwing a ton of interceptions in the first half of his rookie year. He improved to 3,300 yards and 17 touchdowns with just 13 picks and will continue to grow on the Jets to meet his top-5 draft pick potential.
15. Matt Stafford (DET): When Stafford has played he has done well but with three serious shoulder injuries in his first two years you start to doubt if he can avoid becoming the NFL's version of Mark Prior.
16. Jay Cutler (CHI): Cutler has thrown for 3,300 yards and 23+ touchdowns in each of his four years as a starter. The interceptions are a bit worrisome but its unlikely he will throw another 26 like he did in 2009.
17. Matt Cassel (KC): He is a 3,000+ yard passer who fits in perfectly in Kansas City. In 2010, the 29-year-old passed for 27 touchdowns and threw just seven interceptions.
18. Eli Manning (NYG): It really helps that most leagues don't count fumbles. The 29-year-old has passed for over 4,000 yards in the last two seasons with 58 combined touchdowns. Unfortunately the mental mistakes hurt him a lot and his interceptions ballooned from 14 in 2009 to 25 last year.
19. Kyle Orton (DEN?): It is unknown where he will wind up, likely Miami, but Orton has proven to have some serious arm with 3,600 yards and 20 touchdowns with just 9 picks on an offensively challenged team. He is only 28-years-old so there is a lot to like.
20. Kevin Kolb (ARI): Now that he is out of Philly, Kolb is going to get the chance to be the Pro Bowl caliber quarterback we've all heard he was supposed to be. Until then, we simply have not seen enough of a sample size.

Running Backs

1. Adrian Peterson (MIN): Frankly, any one of the top four backs could have had this spot but no one has the body of work that Peterson has in just four years. With his fumbling problems seemingly worked out (just one in 2010), his ~1,300+ yards a season and 12+ touchdowns per season is as good and as consistent production you can get out of a 26-year-old running back. Or any running back.
2. Arian Foster (HOU): The 24-year-old has had just one year in the league but it was sure an impressive one. Foster rushed a league leading 1,616 yards and scored a league leading 16 touchdowns and also led with a total 2,220 yards from scrimmage.
3. Chris Johnson (TEN): An down year for Johnson was one in which he rushed for 1,364 yards and 11 touchdowns, what does that say about the 25-year-old with 4,600 yards and 34 touchdowns in his first three seasons?
4. Jamaal Charles (KC): The 25-year-old broke through in 2009 with a 1,120 yards and 7 touchdowns on just 190 rushes. He followed that up in 2010 by rushing for 1,467 yards and 5 TDs on just 230 carries and added 468 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air.
5. Ray Rice (BAL): Nearly 4,000 yards from scrimmage and 14 total touchdowns for Rice in the past two years and with Willis McGahee gone, the 24-year-old will likely see even more opportunities.
6. Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX): 1,320+ yards per season and 20 combined touchdowns in the last two seasons (32 in his last three). Jones-Drew will be carrying this team on his shoulders yet again this year but that does not necessarily mean good things for his touchdown numbers (just 5 in 2010) if his team can't move the ball.
7. LeSean McCoy (PHI): Followed up impressive rookie year with 1,672 yards from scrimmage and 9 total touchdowns while playing alongside the run-happy Michael Vick. Don't worry about him, Vick won't be cutting into his numbers.
8. Darren McFadden (OAK): Finally broke out with 1,664 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns in 2010. Should see even more action this year if he stays healthy, especially if the Raiders can't replace Michael Bush.
9. Rashard Mendenhall (PIT): The 24-year-old definitely solidified himself as an elite rusher in 2010 with nearly 1,300 yards and 13 touchdowns but not much of a receiver in the Steelers' system.
10. Frank Gore (SF): He has made it a habit to hold out for more money despite having a tough time staying healthy but he has also made a habit of putting up very nice years for a pretty bad team. Had 1,300 yards from scrimmage in 2010 despite missing five games and usually puts up ~1,500 yards and 8 touchdowns.
11. Steven Jackson (STL): He is as consistent as they get with 1,000+ yards in each of his last six seasons but the 27-year-old has a lot of miles on him with 654 rushes and nearly 100 receptions in the last two seasons.
12. Jonathan Stewart (CAR): The 24-year-old's success will depend on where he winds up but with 1,900 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in the last two years while splitting time with DeAngelo Williams he has proven that he has the ability to be an elite starting back.
13. Michael Turner (ATL): When he's healthy he puts up 1,350+ yards but as the only back in Atlanta he gets a ton of carries. He missed 5 games in 2009 but rushed the ball 376 times in 2008 and 334 times in 2010. He doesn't have a lot of miles on him before he got to Atlanta but definitely an injury and fatigue risk.
14. DeAngelo Williams (CAR): A great running back who put up 3,000 total yards from scrimmage and 27 touchdowns in between 2008-09. He did, however, miss 10 games last year and three games in 2009. Makes you wonder if the Panthers made the right choice going with him over Stewart.
15. Peyton Hillis (CLE): The 25-year-old former 7th round pick really came onto the scene with 1,654 total yards and 13 total touchdowns in 2010 but tired out toward the end of the season and will be splitting time with Montario Hardesty for the foreseeable future.
16. Ahmad Bradshaw (NYG): Broke out as a starter in 2010 with 1,550 yards from scrimmage and 8 total touchdowns but will have to split more time with Brandon Jacobs this year.
17. Matt Forte (CHI): He is only this low because of the vast amount of talent around the league, really there is not a whole lot of difference between him and someone like LeSean McCoy. Forte had 1,600 total yards and 9 total touchdowns in 2010 and at least 1400 total yards in each of his first four years but has not scored too many touchdowns on the ground or through the air.
18. Ryan Mathews (SD): The Chargers eased Mathews in as he ran 158 times for 678 yards and 7 touchdowns while splitting time with Mike Tolbert. This year his workload will undoubtedly increase but his production depends on which Ryan Mathews we get.
19. Shonn Greene (NYJ): Improved upon a solid rookie campaign with 766 yards and 2 touchdowns while splitting time with LaDanian Tomlinson. Greene has done nothing but improve and should see a 1,000 yards coming his way very soon.
20. Knowshon Moreno (DEN): Moreno will be splitting time with at least Willis McGahee for the foreseeable future but Moreno has shown to be a reliable back for a pass-first team now entering the John Fox era.

Wide Receivers


1. Andre Johnson (HOU): 1,550+ yards in 2008 and 2009 followed by 1,200 yards in 13 games in 2010. The 30-year-old receiver has consistently put up 8 touchdowns a season and plays with a very consistent quarterback. Injuries could become a growing concern.
2. Hakeem Nicks (NYG): Followed up a 790 yard and 6 touchdown campaign with 1,050 yards and 11 touchdowns while playing on a stacked receiving corp. He is only 23-years-old and plays on one of the most high powered pass offenses in the league.
3. Roddy White (ATL): 1,150+ yards in each of the last four seasons with nearly 1,400 yards last year. He has 21 touchdowns over the last two years but has had to largely do it alone. The Falcons hope that the addition of Julio Jones will take pressure off White so he doesn't have to catch 115 passes again.
4. Calvin Johnson (DET): 4,200 yards over his first four seasons in the league while playing with more than four different quarterbacks. Johnson put up 1,120 yards and 12 touchdowns last year and the 6'5” 25-year-old receiver is still getting better.
5. Greg Jennings (GB): Despite playing in a stacked receiving corp, Jennings has proven to be the top guy on the Packers with 4,600 yards and 37 touchdowns over the last four seasons while playing with arguably the best quarterback in the league.
6. Larry Fitzgerald (ARI): With Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston gone, Fitz is going to need some help but the highest paid receiver in the league has put up 1,100+ yards in all but one of the last six seasons.
7. Reggie Wayne (IND): Despite being seventh, Wayne could just as easily be first. Peyton Manning's favorite target has caught for over 1,050 yards in each of his last seven seasons with 41 touchdowns over the last five seasons.
8. DeSean Jackson (PHI): With 3,135 yards and 17 touchdowns over his first three seasons, Jackson meshed very well with Michael Vick and is going to be a top-10 receiver for a while.
9. Miles Austin (DAL): 2,360 yards and 18 touchdowns over his last two seasons and with Tony Romo back he should only be even better. At just 27-years-old, there is a lot to like.

10. Vincent Jackson (SD): Missed most of last season but had ~1,100 yards per season and 16 touchdowns in 2008-09. He has re-upped with the Chargers and should be Philip Rivers favorite wideout yet again.

11. Marques Colston (NO): Over 1,000 yards in every full year that he has had with 16 touchdowns over the last two seasons. If he stays with Drew Brees he should have no problem matching that but needs to stay healthier.

12. Wes Welker (NE): Chad Ochocinco and the rest of Tom Brady's many targets may cut into his 110+ receptions a year but he will always be Brady's favorite receiver. At 30-years-old, he had put up 1,150+ yards per season before missing some time last year.
13. Mike Wallace (PIT): Wallace improved on a 750 yard rookie season with 1,250 yards while replacing Santonio Holmes. At just 25 years old, he plays on one of the most consistent offenses in the league.
14. Dwayne Bowe (KC): Bowe has really hit it off with Matt Cassel with 1,162 yards and 15 touchdowns and at 27-years-old should only improve. Especially with Steve Breaston now on the other side to help out.
15. Brandon Marshall (MIA): Marshall did not quite match his Denver success (1,100+ yards per season) with his move to Miami (1,014 yards with 3 touchdowns) but if the Dolphins can improve their quarterback situation (maybe even with former teammate Kyle Orton) Marshall should be back to his old self.
16. Steve Johnson (BUF): Johnson broke out with 1,073 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first year as a starter and is the beneficiary of playing on a weak offense. Tough to gauge what the Bills will do but the 24-year-old Johnson has shown some serious ability.
17. Santonio Holmes (Jets): Holmes has only had one 1,000+ yard season but would have done it again if he had played all season in 2010. With Braylon Edwards likely gone, Santonio should see Mark Sanchez target him a lot.
18. Percy Harvin (MIN): The 23-year-old put up 790 yards in 2009 and 868 yards in 2010 and with Sidney Rice gone he should be new quarterback Donovan McNabb's top target.
19. Anquan Boldin (BAL): Boldin saw a tough transition to Baltimore in 2010 and caught for 837 yards and 7 touchdowns. Otherwise, he has never had a full season where he didn't catch for 1,000+ yards. If he can get it figured out, Joe Flacco will find him a lot more. Especially with Derrick Mason and Todd Heap gone.
20. Jeremy Maclin (PHI): Maclin improved on a good rookie year with 964 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2010. Maclin caught more passes than DeSean Jackson last year and looked like a real good fit for Michael Vick.

Tight Ends

1. Antonio Gates (SD): Gates has consistently a top tight end in the NFL and has consitently put up 750+ yards and 8-10 touchdowns. At 30-years-old, he is showing no signs of slowing down.
2. Vernon Davis (SF): Davis is always underrated fantasy-wise but the 49ers' top receiver has caught for 900+ yards and a combined 20 touchdowns in the past two seasons. Jim Harbaugh's west coast offense will only help increase Davis' role.
3. Dallas Clark (IND): Clark is now 32 and missed most of last season but he has consistently been one of Peyton's favorite targets since 2007 and caught for a combined 1,954 yards and 16 touchdowns from 2008-2009.
4. Jason Witten (DAL): With 4,129 yards and 22 touchdowns over the last four seasons, Witten is a very reliable option on a good offense. At just 29-years-old, Witten still has plenty in him.
5. Zach Miller (SEA): The crop really drops off after the first four, Miller is a solid option though with an average of 756 yards and three touchdowns per year over the last three seasons.
6. JerMichael Finley (GB): Finley could be the games most skilled TE but hasn't proven that he can stay healthy or perform over a full season just yet.  Still, at just 24 years of age there is alot of football left for Finley and with Aaron Rodgers as his QB, the sky is the limit. 
7. Marcedes Lewis (JAX): Lewis scored 10 touchdowns last year, three more than he had his entire career. He is a solid, ever improving receiver who has averaged 568 yards a year over the last three years but plays on a pretty lousy offense – that may hurt or help him (see 10 touchdowns).
8. Jimmy Graham (NO): Graham did not do a whole lot last year, 356 yards and 5 touchdowns in just 5 starts, but as Jeremy Shockey's replacement he inherits the biggest yard-producing quarterback in the league. Plus, he's from the U.
9. Chris Cooley (WAS): Missed half the season in 2009 but has otherwise averaged around ~800 yards a year his entire career. Has not been much of a touchdown threat the last few years but that could change if the Redskins figure out a solution to their offense (probably not.).
10. Owen Daniels (HOU): Daniels jumped on the scene with ~800 yards per year from 2007-2008 but has been hampered by injuries the last two years. If he can come back healthy Matt Schaub will have no problem finding the 6'3” tight end.
11. Jermaine Gresham (CIN): Gresham caught 52 passes for 471 yards and 4 touchdowns in his rookie season. With the Bengals going through a shake up, Cincinatti's first-round pick in 2010 and Oklahoma standout will only see a greater role in the offense. Could rise on the keeper board in the next year or two.
12. Kellen Winslow (TB): Winslow has done well since coming to Tampa with ~800 yards in his first two years. The 28-year-old has also caught 5 touchdowns in each of the last two seasons.
13. Dustin Keller (NYJ): Improved from ~530 yards in his first two seasons to nearly 700 yards and 5 touchdowns in 2010. He continues to get better and will only see more success as Mark Sanchez gets better too.
14. Brandon Pettigrew (DET): Pettigrew caught 71 passes for 722 yards and 4 touchdowns last season and if Detroit can match or best last year's production he should have no problem improving on that.
15. Brent Celek (PHI): Caught for 511 yards and 4 touchdowns after catching for 971 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2009. If he can mesh better with Michael Vick he can be an elite tight end.
16. Tony Gonzalez (ATL): Falling from 1,058 yards his last year in Kansas City to 867 in 2009 and 656 in 2010, it is unknown how much Gonzalez has left at 34-years-old but hopefully he will find his way in the Falcons' upgraded passing game.
17. Greg Olsen (CAR): Olsen failed to improve with the Bears, dropping to 404 yards last year after putting up ~600 yards the past two years. Now that he is in Carolina, he may not be in the best situation to improve on a team with no obvious starting quarterback.
18. Heath Miller (PIT): Outside of a 789 yard season in 2009, Miller averages around 525 yards a year and 2-6 touchdowns. At 28 and on a good offense, he should continue to do about the same.
19. Aaron Hernandez (NE): Gronkowski stole the show with 10 touchdowns but Hernandez was no slouch, catching for 563 yards and 6 touchdowns himself. We'll have to wait and see how having two top 20 quarterbacks works out.
20. Visanthe Shiancoe (MIN): Consistently put up ~560 yards per season since 2008 but touchdowns drastically dropped last year. We will have to wait and see how he meshes with McNabb.

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