Dynasty Football Fan

This year there is no obvious #1 choice and I would argue that after the top 3 there is a second tier that can be boom or bust all the way through #10.  With that being said, here is my top 10 and the rational behind each pick.  If you have an opinion on it leave a comment.

1. Mark Ingram – Might not have been #1 here if he didn’t fall into a superb situation in New Orleans.  Sean Payton will utilize Ingram as a battering ram while keeping Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas for 3rd down and pass catching rolls.
2. A.J. Green – Only goes down to #2 here because he landed in Cincinnati.  He’ll be the #1 guy but he won’t be very prolific in the first 2 years or so.  for PPR leagues, I would take him #1.
3. Julio Jones – Will be the #2 (maybe #3 if Tony Gonzalez sticks around) option for a few years but lands with a great QB and as much as Atlanta paid for him they will undoubtedly use him.
4. Mikel LeShoure – Some feel LeShoure did not land in a great situation, I would disagree.  He’s got a good young QB (although oft injured), a very good WR core around him even though he will split time with Jahvid Best, he is the bigger back that is more punishment ready.  I see the split going 60%/40% to LeShoure and that’s enough to make him a quality #2 right off the bat if he stays healthy.
5. Daniel Thomas – Some would put Ryan Williams in this slot, but something tells my Daniel Thomas fell into the absolutely perfect situation in Miami.  It’s possible that neither Ronnie Brown nor Ricky Williams stays with the team, certainly one will be going.  Thomas is a Ronnie Brown clone without the high cost and with a better arm.  Thomas will be utilized as the go to back in this offense and as the Wildcat QB with plenty of experience at Kansas State with Wildcat formations.  Thomas was a former QB so his ability to throw the ball will help resurrect the Wildcat in Miami that became far too one dimensional last year.
6. Ryan Williams – There are two main reasons I would take LeShoure and Thomas in front of Williams in this draft.  First is the age and quality of the other backs on the roster.  Conventional wisdom is that Beanie Wells or Tim Hightower are in trouble here but my belief is that it’s Ryan Williams who needs to prove himself before one of these backs is let go.  Second, Ryan was injury prone and was not terribly productive save for his freshman year which was 3 seasons ago now.  He has ability but he’s going to have to earn his stripes first.  If he does, he can be a great back.  If not, he’ll be sharing the load with Wells, Hightower and LaRon Stephens-Howling.  Yuck!
7. Jonathan Baldwin – Baldwin will not be the #1 guy in KC, but that alone does not tell the whole story.  Matt Cassell is maturing into a decent QB and Dwayne Bowe has been terribly inconsistent.  With a great running game having been established with Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles, the passing game is ripe for an upgrade and that is where Baldwin falls into a good situation.  He will have a lot of single coverage with Bowe on the other side and Baldwin can take advantage of his size to be a great red zone target.
8. Delone Carter – A sneaky pick here, Indy’s running game was dreadful last year and despite having some decent backs on the team, neither Donald Brown nor Mike Hart have really met expectations to this point.  In steps Carter, a bowling ball of a back who can provide  the tough yards that Peyton Manning needs to move the chains in his fast break offense.  Carter may not begin his rookie year as the starter, but he may finish in that spot.
9. Gregg Little – There were other WRs chosen before him but I’m putting Little in my top 10 due to the situation he falls into.  Cleveland has very little talent in it’s receiving corp and Little adds size, speed and strength to the team.  He’s another one, much like Delone Carter that may not be the #1 guy to start the season but may well be in that position at the end.  He missed his senior year, which is a big red flag, but that can be overcome with a season under his belt.
10. Randall Cobb/Leonard Hankerson – Ok, it’s a cop-out I know, but these two guys are talented enough and in such positive situations to merit both being in the top 10, so here they are.  Cobb will develop into a quality receiver in Green Bay’s prolific offense and Hankerson has the chance to be the #1 guy right off the bat in Washington.  Take either in this spot and you will not be disappointed.

So there you have it, dynasty rookie draft top 10 list.  What do you think?