The First Official Fanrun Fantasy Power Rankings
By Tucker Harlin
The official Fanrun fantasy football draft took place Thursday night at the Fanrun HQ.
The committee has spoken, and this is its official rankings ahead of Week 1 of the fantasy football season.
1. RYAN BROWN
I promise this isn’t me sucking up to upper management, his team is the best looking on paper.
Christian McCaffrey basically guarantees you a spot in your league’s playoff semifinals, and Overtime Bill didn’t want CMC at the #1 spot so he slid to Ryan.
De’Von Achane is a spectacular pairing with CMC.
The combo of Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, and Davante Adams should be a strong one if their quarterbacks live up to the billing.
Jared Goff is a consistent quarterback and Ryan has options at tight end between Brock Bowers and Dalton Schultz.
2. BOB BASKERVILLE
I wasn’t really high on Bob’s team initially, but the more I look at it the stronger it looks.
Bob went with A.J. Brown with his top pick and drafted Marvin Harrison Jr and Rashee Rice as his next two receivers. Harrison and Rice are two that should be strong options, but I’m not totally sold yet.
Josh Jacobs and Javonte Williams are two running backs that should have big years but are being paired with new QBs.
Sam LaPorta is a great get at tight end and Joe Burrow and Caleb Williams could both have great years at quarterback.
Depth is what really draws me to Bob’s team. Zack Moss, Christian Watson, T.J. Hockenson, and Khalil Shakir are all good depth pieces when needed.
3. JACE BROWN
Despite the fact Jace was fulfilling butler duties during the draft, he actually did alright for himself Thursday night.
His second receiver is the only spot that you could call a weakness as he’ll be deciding between George Pickens and Tyler Lockett.
Jahmyr Gibbs and D’Andre Swift should be a consistent backfield duo.
He’s also got two of the most fun players to draft in Travis Kelce and Lamar Jackson.
The Raheem Mostert, Austin Ekeler, and Dallas Goedert picks are terrific for where Jace got them.
4. SAM BEARD
Even though Sam told me he doesn’t love his team, I think it’s actually going to turn out well for him.
His running backs could be iffy with Alvin Kamara and Tony Pollard, but he also scooped up Nick Chubb later on. If Chubb plays to his full potential when he returns from injury, Sam’s RB room could be dangerous.
The combination of Justin Jefferson, Mike Evans, and D.J. Moore at wide receiver could wreak havoc on the rest of the league.
I like Dalton Kincaid at tight end and Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback a lot.
5. RUSSELL SMITH
Balanced is the best word I can use to describe Russell’s team.
James Cook was a steal for me in another league at running back last season, and I’m wondering if a change of scenery was all Saquon Barkley needed to be productive.
Puka Nacua should be a great top receiver, and the combo of D.K. Metcalf and Zay Flowers will be productive as the second receiver and flex.
Trey McBride is projecting as one of the best fantasy tight ends this season, so Russell should be well equipped there.
The only question I have is the quarterback. Anthony Richardson is supposed to be Dubsy’s starter, but we haven’t gotten to see a lot out of him in his brief time in the NFL.
6. TUCKER HARLIN
The ESPN AIs are telling me that my team is the best in this league, but I observe cautious optimism in fantasy football.
I need to hope Breece Hall and Derrick Henry have strong years. I think Hall will be great but I’m hoping Lamar Jackson doesn’t take too many of Henry’s carries.
Michael Pittman Jr. and Stefon Diggs are my wideouts. Pittman’s far and away the Colts best receiver, and I’m hopeful Diggs can perform well in my new home.
Josh Allen at quarterback is the pick I’m happiest with.
As for my tight end, I just need to hope this is the year when Kyle Pitts finally strings together good performances on a weekly basis.
Aaron Jones, Chris Godwin, Jayden Reed, and Jonathon Brooks are all depth pieces I hope will work out.
7. MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES
The new kids on the block at Fanrun Radio did themselves alright in their inaugural draft.
They’ll be banking hard on Bijan Robinson to do well at running back because there’s a steep gap between Bijan, Najee Harris, and J.K. Dobbins.
The combo of Chris Olave, Nico Collins, and Tee Higgins at wideout should be able to make up for any shortcomings at running back and then some.
George Kittle and C.J. Stroud are very good for their positions in fantasy.
8. TIM HILL
On paper, I really like Peaches’ running backs.
That said, Jonathan Taylor is always injury prone and Kyren Williams being moved to punt returner is a scary thought.
Deebo and Tank Dell should be great at receiver, and Amari Cooper ended up as a hidden gem for one of my teams last year.
Obviously you can’t go wrong with Mahomes at quarterback, but Tyler Conklin as a top tight end is questionable.
9. CODY MCCLURE
Tyreek Hill, Travis Etienne, and Jalen Hurts are by far the best part of noted varsity athlete Cody McClure’s team.
I’m not high on either Malik Nabers at receiver or Rachaad White at running back, but maybe David Montgomery, Ladd McConkey, Calvin Ridley, or Jerry Jeudy can pick up the slack.
Jake Ferguson could be a nice option at tight end this season as the Dallas receiving group doesn’t have a lot not called CeeDee Lamb.
10. JON REED
I put the other half of TalkSports at #10 in my rankings because of running backs.
Jon told me he doesn’t care as much about running backs, so maybe he’ll be alright and he knows something I don’t.
Cooper Kupp, Brandon Aiyuk, and Garrett Wilson should be a potent trio at wideout, but I would be panicking a bit if Tyjae Spears was my top running back.
Mark Andrews is still one of the best tight ends in football and a healthy Kyler Murray is a great option at quarterback when healthy.
11. HOUSTON KRESS
The Vol Rumor Mill’s combo of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, and Devonta Smith at receiver is one of the best you’ll find in this league.
I’ve never been an Isiah Pacheco believer and I think Joe Mixon has lost a step compared to just a couple of years ago.
The biggest problem with Houston’s team is the tight end spot where he drafted Dawson Knox.
Listen, I grew up five minutes away from Knox’s neighborhood in Brentwood and I’m rooting for him as he’s a hometown product. The problem is he’s no longer the top tight end for the Bills and Houston didn’t know it.
Dak’s a strong fantasy quarterback so maybe that’ll make up for the issue at tight end.
12. WILLIAM PATTESON
There was no question about this placement in the rankings, and personally I’m looking forward to Overtime Bill’s angry tirade in the form of a tweet once this is publish.
CeeDee over CMC in the top spot is a bit of a questionable decision. I think CeeDee will have a great year, but it won’t cover up some of the flaws on this team.
Kenneth Walker III is a respectable RB1, but I hate Rhamondre Stevenson in the second spot.
William’s love for the Jacksonville Jaguars makes his team even more questionable.
Evan Engram is a stable tight end option, but I wouldn’t take Trevor Lawrence as my top quarterback or Christian Kirk as a flex option.
Drake London is his second receiver, an option I would never take at that spot.
