This article is part of our Weekly Rankings series.
Week 1 Rankings
Thursday Game: Minnesota at New Orleans
Here are our rankings for the coming week at each position to help you decide your starting lineup. Our rankings are based on the following scoring system: three points for a passing touchdown; six points for a rushing/receiving touchdown; one point for every 20 passing yards; and one point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards.
A few notes about the rankings:
� The first edition of the Value Meter will appear on the site every Tuesday.
� These are my rankings. They don't necessarily correspond with the RotoWire cheatsheet, or our projections for the season. I use both as a rough guide for groupings, but then I factor in my own opinions into the mix as well. Please don't ask me to justify my ranking vis-�-vis the cheatsheet. This should also be a second opinion from the Lineup Chooser (http://www.rotowire.com/myrotowire/chooserspecs.htm?lst=). Again, my rankings are exactly that - my rankings. They will diverge from other such ranking devices on the site.
� Early in the season, the rankings are more likely to reflect my opinion on their overall value, rather than how the matchup affects them. Things change quickly in the NFL, so trying to use the schedule as a heavy weighting factor now seems perilous.
� UPDATES: I will do two updates, roughly Wednesday and Friday nights, in addition to trying reply to your comments. That said it's on you to stay abreast of breaking news on the site, especially
Week 1 Rankings
Thursday Game: Minnesota at New Orleans
Here are our rankings for the coming week at each position to help you decide your starting lineup. Our rankings are based on the following scoring system: three points for a passing touchdown; six points for a rushing/receiving touchdown; one point for every 20 passing yards; and one point for every 10 rushing/receiving yards.
A few notes about the rankings:
� The first edition of the Value Meter will appear on the site every Tuesday.
� These are my rankings. They don't necessarily correspond with the RotoWire cheatsheet, or our projections for the season. I use both as a rough guide for groupings, but then I factor in my own opinions into the mix as well. Please don't ask me to justify my ranking vis-�-vis the cheatsheet. This should also be a second opinion from the Lineup Chooser (http://www.rotowire.com/myrotowire/chooserspecs.htm?lst=). Again, my rankings are exactly that - my rankings. They will diverge from other such ranking devices on the site.
� Early in the season, the rankings are more likely to reflect my opinion on their overall value, rather than how the matchup affects them. Things change quickly in the NFL, so trying to use the schedule as a heavy weighting factor now seems perilous.
� UPDATES: I will do two updates, roughly Wednesday and Friday nights, in addition to trying reply to your comments. That said it's on you to stay abreast of breaking news on the site, especially over the weekend. We cover a lot, so if you don't want to read all of our notes, I'd highly recommend using our "MyRotoWire" (http://www.rotowire.com/myrotowire/) modules to help you sort through the notes.
Last updated September 12. * = check status (not necessarily injury status)
Quarterback
1. Drew Brees NO vs. MIN
2. Tom Brady NE vs. CIN
Update: Listed as probable (shoulder) following a car accident on his way to practice on Thursday.
3. Aaron Rodgers GB at PHI
4. Peyton Manning IND at HOU
5. Philip Rivers SD at KC
6. Jay Cutler CHI vs. DET
7. Matt Schaub HOU vs. IND
Note: Matt Leinart is now his backup following Monday's signing.
8. Eli Manning NYG vs. CAR
9. Carson Palmer CIN at NE
10. Tony Romo DAL at WAS
11. (prev 14) Kevin Kolb PHI vs. GB
12. *Brett Favre MIN at NO
Note: (Ankle) Was a full participant in Monday's practice after getting a lubricant injection for his ankle last week.
13. Alex Smith SF at SEA
14. *Donovan McNabb WAS vs. DAL
Note: Declared ready to go on Monday (ankle) after coach Mike Shanahan initially raised some doubt about his availability last week.
Update: Has practiced the last two days, but his ankle still isn't 100%. Listed as questionable despite the full practices.
15. Matthew Stafford DET at CHI
16. Matt Cassel KC vs. SD
17. Vince Young TEN vs. OAK
18. Matt Ryan ATL at PIT
19. *Derek Anderson AZ at STL
Note: Job security enhanced by the release of Matt Leinart. Currently backed up by two rookies, Max Hall and John Skelton. This is the ultimate "how much do we buy into the matchup?" question.
20. David Garrard JAC vs. DEN
21. Matt Moore CAR at NYG
22. Matt Hasselbeck SEA vs. SF
23. Mark Sanchez NYJ vs. BAL
24. *Dennis Dixon PIT vs. ATL
Note: Week 1 starter due to Ben Roethlisberger's suspension and Byron Leftwich's knee injury.
25. Chad Henne MIA at BUF
Note: Chad Pennington beat out Tyler Thigpen to be Henne's backup.
26. (prev 29) Joe Flacco BAL at NYJ
Note: Like the player, hate the matchup.
Update: Slight change of heart upgrade - a very modest one though.
27. Kyle Orton DEN at JAC
28. *Jason Campbell OAK at TEN
Note: Suffered a neck stinger in the third preseason game and probably will be on the injury list.
29. Trent Edwards BUF vs. MIA
30. Jake Delhomme CLE at TB
31. *Josh Freeman TB vs. CLE
Note: Missed the end of the preseason with a broken thumb, but practiced on Tuesday.
Update: Full practice participation on Wednesday and Thursday, not wearing a splint.
32. *Sam Bradford STL vs. AZ
Note: A.J. Feeley's thumb woes opened the door for Bradford to start right away.
Running Back
1. Chris Johnson TEN vs. OAK
2. Adrian Peterson MIN at NO
3. *Maurice Jones-Drew JAC vs. DEN
Note: (Knee) Practiced on Monday.
Update: Not on the original injury report.
4. Michael Turner ATL at PIT
5. Frank Gore SF at SEA
6. Ray Rice BAL at NYJ
7. Ryan Mathews SD at KC
8. Ronnie Brown MIA at BUF
9. DeAngelo Williams CAR at NYG
10. *Rashard Mendenhall PIT vs. ATL
Note: Fantasy Football players are notoriously a nervous bunch. The news that Isaac Redman might take away "short-yardage" situations away from Mendenhall doesn't help.
Update: Fortunately, Steelers OC Bruce Arians alleviated our concerns by saying that Mendenhall would get the goal line carries.
11. Matt Forte CHI vs. DET
12. Arian Foster HOU vs. IND
13. Steven Jackson STL vs. AZ
14. Joseph Addai IND at HOU
15. *Jerome Harrison CLE at TB
Note: Montario Hardesty's injury alleviates concerns about a time share.
16. Cedric Benson CIN at NE
17. Ryan Grant GB at PHI
18. Jamaal Charles KC vs. SD
19. Jahvid Best DET at CHI
20. C.J. Spiller BUF vs. MIA
Note: Already named the starter for Week 1.
21. Ahmad Bradshaw NYG vs. CAR
22. LeSean McCoy PHI vs. GB
23. (prev 36) Tim Hightower AZ at STL
Note: Watch Beanie Wells' status closely � this could be a pretty sweet spot.
Update: Wells didn't practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
24. Pierre Thomas NO vs. MIN
25. Marion Barber DAL at WAS
26. Shonn Greene NYJ vs. BAL
Note: This ranking is less of a concern about LT and more about the matchup.
27. Cadillac Williams TB vs. CLE
28. *Clinton Portis WAS vs. DAL
Note: (Ankle) Should be good to go for Week 1.
Update: Not on the original injury report.
29. (prev 31) *Knowshon Moreno DEN at JAC
Note: Sat out entire preseason with a hamstring injury, but expected to start in Week 1 against the Jags.
Update: Practiced on both Wednesday and Thursday and will probably be listed as probable.
30. Brandon Jacobs NYG vs. CAR
31. Reggie Bush NO vs. MIN
32. *Jonathan Stewart CAR at NYG
33. Justin Forsett SEA vs. SF
Note: Week 1 starter, but could share carries fairly equally with Leon Washington.
34. *Darren McFadden OAK at TEN
35. Thomas Jones KC vs. SD
36. Felix Jones DAL at WAS
37. *Ricky Williams MIA at BUF
38. Chester Taylor CHI vs. DET
39. *Correll Buckhalter DEN at JAC
40. LaDainian Tomlinson NYJ vs. BAL
41. Donald Brown IND at HOU
42. Darren Sproles SD at KC
43. *Fred Jackson BUF vs. MIA
Note: Coming back from a broken hand � backing up Spiller this week.
Update: Looked "very good" in Friday's practice.
44. (prev 58) *Steve Slaton HOU vs. IND
Note: Sat out the preseason finale with a toe injury.
Update: Full participant in practice so far.
45. Willis McGahee BAL at NYJ
46. *Leon Washington SEA vs. SF
Note: Not starting, but should play a fairly significant role.
47. Kareem Huggins TB vs. CLE
48. (prev 57.) *Fred Taylor NE vs. CIN
49. (prev 30.) *Chris Wells AZ at STL
Note: Suffered a knee injury in the final preseason game and is "not 100 percent."
Update: Did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday, and coach Ken Whisenhunt said that he'll take the cautious path with Wells so that this won't linger deep into the season. *** Didn't practice again on Friday - listed as doubtful. ***
50. Mike Bell PHI vs. GB
51. Jerious Norwood ATL at PIT
52. Jason Snelling ATL at PIT
53. Bernard Scott CIN at NE
54. *Rashad Jennings JAC vs. DEN
55. (prev 62.) Sammy Morris NE vs. CIN
56. Albert Young MIN at NO
57. (prev 44.) *Laurence Maroney NE vs. CIN
Note: Dealing with a groin injury.
Update: Limited practice reps - might not be active this week. *** SUNDAY UPDATE *** Inactive this week.
58. Anthony Dixon SF at SEA
59. *James Davis CLE at TB
60. Larry Johnson WAS vs. DAL
Note: Beat out Willie Parker and Ryan Torain for the backup job.
61. *Michael Bush OAK at TEN
Note: Broke his thumb in the third preseason game. Could practice this week, but playing time has to be considered sketchy at best.
Update: Might practice Friday and will be a game-time decision. *** SUNDAY INACTIVE ***
62. *Peyton Hillis CLE at TB
63. Julius Jones SEA vs. SF
Note: Took a pay cut just to save a roster spot.
64. *Brian Westbrook SF at SEA
65. *Kevin Smith DET at CHI
66. *Isaac Redman PIT vs. ATL
Note: How serious of a threat is Redman to Mendenhall on the goal line? It's possible that this could turn into a Brad Baxter / Zack Crockett situation, but I hope not.
Update: Steelers OC Bruce Arians said that Mendenhall will still get the goal line carries.
67. *Marshawn Lynch BUF vs. MIA
Note: Coming back from ankle injury, likely third on the depth chart behind Spiller and Jackson.
68. DeShawn Wynn NO vs. MIN
Note: Won the third RB job over Ladell Betts.
69. *Brandon Jackson GB at PHI
70. *Maurice Morris DET at CHI
71. Kevin Faulk NE vs. CIN
72. *Toby Gerhart MIN at NO
Note: (Knee) Limited in practice on Monday.
Update: Thursday inactive. Albert Young will be the backup.
Wide Receiver
1. Randy Moss NE vs. CIN
Update: (Illness) Full participant on Thursday.
2. Andre Johnson HOU vs. IND
3. Calvin Johnson DET at CHI
4. Miles Austin DAL at WAS
5. Greg Jennings GB at PHI
6. Reggie Wayne IND at HOU
7. Brandon Marshall MIA at BUF
Update: Added to injury list with an ankle, but full participant on Thursday. Also had a full practice on Friday.
8. Roddy White ATL at PIT
9. *Larry Fitzgerald AZ at STL
Note: On pace to start the opener after missing most of the preseason with a knee injury.
Update: Practiced all week, listed as probable.
10. Michael Crabtree SF at SEA
Note: Missed most of the preseason with a neck injury.
Update: Not listed on the initial injury report.
11. *Marques Colston NO vs. MIN
Note: Bruised kidney, though he expects to be fine for the opener.
Update: Officially active for the opener.
12. DeSean Jackson PHI vs. GB
13. *Steve Smith CAR at NYG
Note: Sat out the entire preseason recovering from his broken arm, though he did participate in pregame warm-ups and is on pace to start in Week 1.
14. Percy Harvin MIN at NO
15. Malcom Floyd SD at KC
16. Robert Meachem NO vs. MIN
Note: Played in preseason finale despite toe injury.
17. Steven Smith NYG vs. CAR
18. Anquan Boldin BAL at NYJ
Note: Darrelle Revis is back � how much do you downgrade Boldin as a result?
19. Mike Sims-Walker JAC vs. DEN
20. Hakeem Nicks NYG vs. CAR
21. Pierre Garcon IND at HOU
22. Chad Ochocinco CIN at NE
23. Dwayne Bowe KC vs. SD
24. Hines Ward PIT vs. ATL
25. Johnny Knox CHI vs. DET
26. Bernard Berrian MIN at NO
27. Terrell Owens CIN at NE
28. Braylon Edwards NYJ vs. BAL
29. Donald Driver GB at PHI
30. Jeremy Maclin PHI vs. GB
31. Lee Evans BUF vs. MIA
32. Santana Moss WAS vs. DAL
33. Devin Aromashodu CHI vs. DET
34. Jabar Gaffney DEN at JAC
35. Mike Williams TB vs. CLE
36. Mike Wallace PIT vs. ATL
37. Legedu Naanee SD at KC
38. Laurent Robinson STL vs. AZ
39. Louis Murphy OAK at TEN
40. Josh Cribbs CLE at TB
41. *Wes Welker NE vs. CIN
Note: Even Welker feels that he's a long way off from being his old self in recovering from his ACL injury.
Update: Not listed on the injury report, however. I don't own him anywhere, thinking that he was way overdrafted in most of my leagues.
42. Chris Chambers KC vs. SD
43. Devin Hester CHI vs. DET
44. Mohammed Massaquoi CLE at TB
45. Mike Williams SEA vs. SF
46. *Dez Bryant DAL at WAS
Update: (ankle) Moving at full speed in practice.
47. Nate Burleson DET at CHI
48. Kenny Britt TEN vs. OAK
49. Roy Williams DAL at WAS
50. Mike Thomas JAC vs. DEN
51. Derrick Mason BAL at NYJ
52. Jacoby Jones HOU vs. IND
53. Davone Bess MIA at BUF
54. Steve Breaston AZ at STL
55. Jerricho Cotchery NYJ vs. BAL
56. (Prev. 65.) Austin Collie IND at HOU
Update: Moving up because of Anthony Gonzalez's back injury.
57. Devery Henderson NO vs. MIN
58. Justin Gage TEN vs. OAK
59. Greg Camarillo MIN at NO
60. Darrius Heyward-Bey OAK at TEN
61. Kevin Walter HOU vs. IND
62. Eddie Royal DEN at JAC
63. (Prev. unlisted) Harry Douglas, ATL at PIT
Updated: Added to the rankings with Michael Jenkins out
64. Mario Manningham NYG vs. CAR
65. T.J. Houshmandzadeh BAL at NYJ
Note: Huge collapse in value from Draft Day.
66. Patrick Crayton SD at KC
Note: Don't expect much immediately after the trade. I think of him as the Chargers' third receiver at best.
67. Earl Bennett CHI vs. DET
68. (Prev. 56.) Anthony Gonzalez IND at HOU
Update: Limited participant on Thursday with a back injury. Limited again on Friday.
69. Ted Ginn SF at SEA
70. Josh Morgan SF at SEA
71. *Mark Clayton STL vs. AZ
Note: Not likely to make a big splash initially after the trade.
Update: Picking up offense quickly - could play some in Week 1.
72. Nate Washington TEN vs. OAK
73. (Prev. 57.) Devin Thomas WAS vs. DAL
Update: Role getting downgraded in practice - long-term upside there, but don't start this week.
73. *Demaryius Thomas DEN at JAC
Note: Questionable with a foot injury.
Update: Full participant on Wednesday and Thursday, but still listed as questionable. Late inactive.
74. *Julian Edelman NE vs. CIN
Note: Iffy with an ankle injury this week.
Inactive this week.
Update: Reclassified as a foot sprain, limited in Thursday's practice.
75. Vincent Jackson SD at KC
Note: Reminder of the three-game suspension plus the three games added on due to his holdout.
76. Santonio Holmes NYJ vs. BAL
Note: Reminder that he is suspended for the first four games.
Tight End
1. Antonio Gates SD at KC
2. Jermichael Finley GB at PHI
3. *Dallas Clark IND at HOU
Note: Nebulous left leg injury in the preseason.
Update: Full practice this week.
4. *Vernon Davis SF at SEA
Note: Right knee strain during the preseason.
5. Zach Miller OAK at TEN
Note: Could see extra looks early on with Chaz Schillens out. This is a recording.
6. Brent Celek PHI vs. GB
7. Tony Gonzalez ATL at PIT
8. Jason Witten DAL at WAS
9. Visanthe Shiancoe MIN at NO
10. John Carlson SEA vs. SF
11. Greg Olsen CHI vs. DET
Note: What's the bigger controlling factor � Cutler liking to throw to Olsen, or Martz's history not using tight ends thoroughly.
12. Chris Cooley WAS vs. DAL
13. Dustin Keller NYJ vs. BAL
14. Heath Miller PIT vs. ATL
15. *Kellen Winslow TB vs. CLE
Note: Sore knee in the preseason. Also dealing with Josh Freeman coming back from a broken thumb. Downgrade for this week, but I like him later this season.
Update: Not on the initial injury report.
16. Jeremy Shockey NO vs. MIN
17. Kevin Boss NYG vs. CAR
18. Jermaine Gresham CIN at NE
20. *Owen Daniels HOU vs. IND
Note: Coming back from ACL surgery. I'm dubious that he's effective early on.
Update: Only participated in the first half of Thursday's practice. The Texans announced that Daniels will start, but I still think he'll be limited this week.
19. Fred Davis WAS vs. DAL
Note: How will the two tight end set-up work?
21. Rob Gronkowski NE vs. CIN
Update: There's still a risk that Aaron Hernandez and/or Alge Crumpler take away too many reps to make him viable here. I'm admittedly giving him a boost because of his preseason work.
22. Tony Scheffler DET at CHI
23. Anthony Fasano MIA at BUF
24. *Todd Heap BAL at NYJ
25. Bo Scaife TEN vs. OAK
26. *Brandon Pettigrew DET at CHI
27. Marcedes Lewis JAC vs. DEN
28. Ben Watson CLE at TB
29. *Tony Moeaki KC vs. SD
30. Daniel Fells STL vs. AZ
Kicker
1. Garrett Hartley NO vs. MIN
2. Stephen Gostkowski NE vs. CIN
3. Nate Kaeding SD at KC
Note: Coming off of tough playoff misses.
4. Mason Crosby GB at PHI
5. Lawrence Tynes NYG vs. CAR
6. Ryan Longwell MIN at NO
7. David Akers PHI vs. GB
8. Jeff Reed PIT vs. ATL
9. Adam Vinatieri IND at HOU
10. Dan Carpenter MIA at BUF
11. Robbie Gould CHI vs. DET
12. Jay Feely AZ at STL
13. Rob Bironas TEN vs. OAK
14. David Buehler DAL at WAS
15. Neil Rackers HOU vs. IND
Note: Beat out Kris Brown for the job.
16. *Mike Nugent CIN at NE
Note: Beat out Dave Rayner to replace Shayne Graham.
17. Sebastian Janikowski OAK at TEN
18. Josh Scobee JAC vs. DEN
19. Joe Nedney SF at SEA
20. Matt Prater DEN at JAC
21. Rian Lindell BUF vs. MIA
22. Billy Cundiff BAL at NYJ
23. Nick Folk NYJ vs. BAL
Note: The NFL recycles kickers more than they do head coaches.
24. John Kasay CAR at NYG
25. Matt Bryant ATL at PIT
26. Ryan Succop KC vs. SD
27. Phil Dawson CLE at TB
28. Graham Gano WAS vs. DAL
29. *Olindo Mare SEA vs. SF
Note: Dealt with a calf injury this preseason.
30. Josh Brown STL vs. AZ
31. *Jason Hanson DET at CHI
Note: (Knee) Didn't kick all preseason.
32. Connor Barth TB vs. CLE.
Defense
1. New York Giants vs. Carolina
2. New York Jets vs. Baltimore
3. Tennessee vs. Oakland
4. Arizona at St. Louis
5. Baltimore at New York Jets
6. Pittsburgh vs. Atlanta
7. San Francisco at Seattle
8. San Diego at Kansas City
9. Cleveland at Tampa Bay
Note: Potentially sneaky source of sacks this week.
10. New England vs. Cincinnati
11. Dallas at Washington
12. New Orleans vs. Minnesota
13. Atlanta at Pittsburgh
14. Minnesota at New Orleans
15. Denver at Jacksonville
16. Indianapolis at Houston
17. Jacksonville vs. Denver
18. Washington vs. Dallas
19. Chicago vs. Detroit
20. Miami at Buffalo
21. Oakland at Tennessee
22. Tampa Bay vs. Cleveland
23. Buffalo vs. Miami
24. Houston vs. Indianapolis
25. Philadelphia vs. Green Bay
26. Cincinnati at New England
27. Detroit at Chicago
28. Carolina at New York Giants
29. Green Bay at Philadelphia
30. Seattle vs. San Francisco
31. Kansas City vs. San Diego
32. St. Louis vs. Arizona
Flex Position (RB/WR/TE)
Note: (Knee) Practiced on Monday.
Note: Fantasy Football players are notoriously a nervous bunch. The news that Isaac Redman might take away "short-yardage" situations away from Mendenhall doesn't help.
Note: Montario Hardesty's injury alleviates concerns about a time share.
Note: On pace to start the opener after missing most of the preseason with a knee injury.
Note: Missed most of the preseason with a neck injury.
Note: Bruised kidney, though he expects to be fine for the opener.
Note: Sat out the entire preseason recovering from his broken arm, though he did participate in pregame warm-ups and is on pace to start in Week 1.
Note: Already named the starter for Week 1.
Note: Played in preseason finale despite toe injury.
Note: Darrelle Revis is back � how much do you downgrade Boldin as a result?
Note: Nebulous left leg injury in the preseason.
Note: Right knee strain during the preseason.
Note: This ranking is less of a concern about LT and more about the matchup.
Note: Could see extra looks early on with Chaz Schillens out. This is a recording.
Note: (Ankle) Should be good to go for Week 1.
Note: Suffered a knee injury in the final preseason game and is "not 100 percent."
Note: Sat out entire preseason with a hamstring injury, but expected to start in Week 1 against the Jags.
Note: Week 1 starter, but could share carries fairly equally with Leon Washington.
Note: Watch Beanie Wells' status closely � this could be a pretty sweet spot.
Note: Even Welker feels that he's a long way off from being his old self in recovering from his ACL injury.
Note: Dealing with a groin injury.
Note: Coming back from a broken hand � backing up Spiller this week.
Note: Not starting, but should play a fairly significant role.
Note: What's the bigger controlling factor � Cutler liking to throw to Olsen, or Martz's history not using tight ends thoroughly.
Note: Sore knee in the preseason. Also dealing with Josh Freeman coming back from a broken thumb. Downgrade for this week, but I like him later this season.
