Fantasy Football: An Early 2015 First Round Peek

It’s that time already folks! The time where us fantasy football nerds start crafting our first rounds in an attempt to generate a spark for next season already. Although this will probably not be the same by the time that the season rolls around, it’s still fun to turn our mind in that direction and get us to already focus on that. Remember, so many things can happen from now to then so do not hold me to these rankings. A few things that you will notice is that there are no quarterbacks or tight ends in the first round of my mock, and that is simply because I don’t believe that any of them should be selected in the first round. Obviously, you will wonder why there is no Rob Gronkowski or Andrew Luck or Aaron Rodgers and that’s fine. I’ll address all of that in a piece later this offseason, but for right now, quarterback is too deep and tight ends just seem really inconsistent at this point. Let’s jump into the first round:

There is no other pick that makes any sense to me with the number one pick. Le’Veon Bell is not only the most patient runner in the NFL, but he has also shown us his commitment to get better each season with his offseason weight loss that he showed last summer. Not only is Le’Veon Bell only going to be 23-years old next season, he also is the definition of a perfect running back in today’s NFL. Bell does it all for the Steelers, with his pass protection, his ability to catch passes out of the backfield and his ability to wait for the blocks to develop before he hits a hole. Only thing that potentially could move him down my board is if his DUI arrest is going to result in a two game suspension.

Next: Who To Go With At Number 2

Dec 21, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch (24) runs for a 79 yard touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Seahawks defeated the Cardinals 35-6. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Remember when everyone was a little worried about the 400 touches that he received last season and how he would react to that workload this season? Well, I’d say that his 16 total touchdowns would say that he did fine with that workload. I’m done doubting him. If I lose because Marshawn Lynch goes down, then I won’t be upset. If I got to invest in one of these top flight running backs, why not go with the most consistent? Lynch has four straight seasons with double-digit touchdowns, along with four straight seasons with 1,200 rushing yards. The Seahawks won’t be getting rid of him, especially after the way he’s played this season, that is simply just not possible.

Next: Who Is Number Three?

Dec 4, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Brandon Dunn (98) tries to pull the ball from Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray (29) during the second half at Soldier Field. Dallas won 41-28. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

I’m a little worried about DeMarco Murray heading into next season, and that is not because of the workload. I don’t like Murray because I don’t like the laundry list of his injury history and the fact that I believe that he will be playing for a new team next season. I’ve looked at the Cowboys’ cap, and unless DeMarco Murray wants to take a big time pay cut, he won’t be a Cowboy next season.

Next: A Surprise At Number 4

Aug 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) talks along the sidelines during the game with the Oakland Raiders at TCF Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Adrian Peterson isn’t in the first round of most mocks I’ve seen, but why not? Do you really believe that with a year off that Adrian Peterson isn’t taking care of his body or has forgotten how to play football? No. Adrian Peterson has gotten a year off, and although I don’t think he’s in Minnesota next year, his talent will win out and make him worthy of this selection. Despite this year, Adrian Peterson has had double digit touchdowns in every single one of his pro seasons.

Next: Just Because He Plays For A Bad Team Doesn't Mean He Is A Bad Player

Dec 21, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte (22) catches an 11 yard touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Forte is also a running back that does it all for the Bears, but is somewhat limited by his coaching staff. If I knew that the Bears were just going feed Forte like the Cowboys feed DeMarco Murray, obviously he would be higher and safer. But with Forte’s ability to catch over 100 passes at the running back position, and add double digit touchdowns, he is certainly worth a top-5 selection next season. Right now, we don’t know who will be coaching and we don’t know what the system will be.

Next: This Player Had A Down Year, But Still Put Up Good Numbers

Dec 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy (27) celebrates as the Packers beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-13 at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Eddie Lacy got off to a really slow start this season, just like I predicted facing all top-10 rushing defenses in the first three weeks. Now, he comes in as the number six running back this season, as he got more and more involved in the receiving game. Although, he’s only managed to catch 39 passes this season, the 400-yards with four touchdowns in the receiving game has helped him boost his fantasy points significantly. Plus, Lacy mentioned to Aaron Rodgers that he’d like to lose around 15-pounds this offseason to help himself become more shifty in the receiving game.

Next: Good Player, But Is The Scheme Right?

Dec 14, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy before the start of the game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

I’m not going to be afraid of what I saw this season and back away from LeSean McCoy because he had a subpar year. LeSean McCoy should be back with a better quarterback and a better offensive line. Chip Kelly is an offensive genius, and he is going to spend all offseason finding ways to creatively get McCoy the ball. I think the Eagles realized that if they want to make the playoffs and go deep into the playoffs, that they must ride McCoy.

Next: Not What He Used To Be, But Still A First Rounder

Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) rushes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Last year was clearly Jamaal Charles’ peak, and that’s okay. Just because it’s someone’s peak doesn’t mean that everything else will be a valley. For instance, although Jamaal Charles is not having the season that some thought he may, he still is currently 8th amongst running backs this season in fantasy points. With Jamaal Charles turning 28 soon, he will still be headed into double digit touchdowns for the second straight season. I do expect the Chiefs to involve him more in the receiving game next year, with him currently sitting 32 receptions behind his career high performance last season.

Next: Who Is My Number One WR?

Dec 7, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) runs a route in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

DeMaryius Thomas should be the number one picked receiver, that is of course if Peyton Manning is playing next season. Right now, from what I’ve seen, I would expect Peyton Manning to retire at the end of the season. However, there is a chance that he does come back next season, and if he does, then DeMaryius is going to be in a sticky situation with his contract. As a soon to be free agent, he certainly is going to want to win, and he isn’t going to want to have a subpar quarterback throwing him passes. He could possibly be done in Denver, but that’s just me speculating.

Next: He Could Be My Number One WR By Fall

Dec 21, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown (84) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs during the third quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 20-12. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

If Manning retires, then Antonio Brown will quickly become my number one wide receiver. Brown cannot be covered by any corner in the NFL and it’s because of what he can do at the point of the snap and about what he can do after the catch. I don’t think I’ve seen a receiver that takes the art of route running so seriously in today’s game. Brown is so quick, and with his precision route running, he quickly becomes a nightmare for opposing defenders around the league. That doesn’t even get into the nightmare he becomes because of his quickness to tackle after the catch.

Next: He Has The Best QB, So Why Is He Not The Best WR?

Nov 30, 2014; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) during the game against the New England Patriots at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Jordy Nelson is an amazing wide receiver, and I’m not sure why he is so underrated. However, Jordy Nelson signed a four year extension last offseason, so we know that he is going to be around Rodgers for four more seasons. That is definitely exciting, and puts Jordy instantly into my top-12 for years to come. Plus, Rodgers may be without Randall Cobb next season, which is going to mean Rodgers is going to be looking for Jordy even more often.

Next: A Surprise At The End Of Round One

Dec 14, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) walks off the field after the game in which the Broncos beat the San Diego Chargers 22-10 at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

There will be a few hesitant ownders because of what happened with Montee Ball this season and where he went in drafts this season. Of course, if you don’t want Anderson, then don’t take him. However, I want him and it’s because even if Peyton retires, this team is going to become a run first team next season. If Peyton comes back, they will rely more heavily on the run game than they have ever done before, and if he doesn’t John Fox is a defensive head coach, and they will want to not put huge expectations on their new starting quarterback. I like Anderson next year.

Next: Should We Have Seen The Regression Of Cordarrelle Patterson Coming?

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