With the start of training camps inching closer, we have a pretty clear picture of player values for 2010. That means it's the perfect time for another one-man, three-round mock draft. Each numbered position represents an individual team, so no more than one quarterback, two running backs or two wide receivers will be selected for each roster. The draft is based on rewarding one point for 25 passing yards, 10 rushing and receiving yards, four points for passing touchdowns and six points for rushing and receiving scores.
ROUND 1
1. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: Johnson is coming off a season where he led the league in fantasy points, broke the NFL record for scrimmage yards and found the end zone 16 times. Can he do it again in 2010? Time will tell, but his talent and immense statistical potential will be almost impossible to pass on with the top pick, barring a training camp holdout.
2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: Peterson is coming off his best fantasy season, posting better than 1,800 scrimmage yards and a solid 18 rushing touchdowns. He also had a career-best 43 receptions, and the absence of Chester Taylor (Bears) means even more work in the passing game in 2010. Peterson will be either the first or second overall pick in most fantasy drafts.
3. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars: Jones-Drew had his most productive fantasy season in 2009, posting close to 1,400 yards on the ground and 16 total touchdowns. The little man nicknamed "Pocket Hercules" also put up 53 receptions for 374 yards as the true focal point of the Jaguars' offensive attack. He's a surefire top-five selection in standard and PPR drafts.
4. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: A 2009 preseason sleeper pick on NFL.com, Rice exceeded even our expectations with 78 receptions, 2,000-plus scrimmage yards and eight total touchdowns. He will lose some goal-line work to Willis McGahee, but Rice is so versatile that he'll continue to put up big numbers for his fantasy owners. He has added value in PPR leagues as well.
5. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers: Gore showed flashes of his impressive 2006 form last season, but injuries limited him to 14 games. Overall, he still finished in the top 10 in fantasy points among running backs and rushed for a career-best 10 touchdowns (13 total). With a very favorable schedule and an improved line in front of him, Gore is a solid first-round pick.
6. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers: The NFL has become a passing league, and Rodgers has been at the forefront of this evolution. He put up his second consecutive monster season in 2009 and has established himself as the top fantasy option at his position. Rodgers, who had 35 total scores last season, is well worth a high first-round draft selection on draft day.
7. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: The "Curse of 370" struck once again, as Turner missed five games in 2009 due to an injured ankle and saw his numbers fall across the board. That might be a good thing for 2010, though, as Turner rushed the football a mere 178 times and will be 100 percent and well rested. He's a No. 1 fantasy runner with double-digit touchdown potential.
8. Drew Brees, QB, Saints: Brees is coming off another monster season for fantasy owners, throwing for an impressive 4,388 yards and 34 touchdowns. He was third in fantasy points (280) overall and has scored a combined 643 points since 2008. Brees is consistent, reliable and will remain one of the most coveted signal-callers in drafts. Let's just hope he avoids the Madden curse.
9. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: Johnson, who should now be selected ahead of Larry Fitzgerald in all fantasy drafts, is coming off another huge season with 101 receptions, 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns. He's a younger version of Terrell Owens and an absolute nightmare for opposing defensive backs, so his statistical success should continue. He has emerged as fantasy's clear-cut top wideout.
10. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts: Manning is coming off another solid season, throwing for 4,500 yards with 33 touchdown passes. He once again started all 16 games, though he was limited in the final two weeks with the Colts locked into the top AFC postseason spot. Manning is a virtual guarantee for great numbers and is well worth a late first-round pick in drafts.
11. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers: Mendenhall was one of last season's best draft values, emerging past Willie Parker and finishing with career bests across the board. Now cemented into the top spot on the depth chart in a Steelers offense that will run more without Ben Roethlisberger to start the season, Mendenhall is worth a first-round pick as a mid-level No. 1 runner.
12. Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers: The unquestioned top rookie in fantasy football, Mathews is in position to find immediate statistical success. Not only will he start right out of the gate, but Mathews is a virtual lock to see 280-300 touches under coach Norv Turner. He also have a very favorable schedule. Some might disagree, but I see him as being well worth a late first-round pick.
ROUND 2
13. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: Despite having no other legitimate offensive complements, Jackson still rushed for 1,424 yards last season. His touchdown total (4) left much to be desired, however, and the fact that he had offseason back surgery is cause for concern. While he is a rare featured back with a favorable schedule in 2010, Jackson is a risk-reward pick.
14. Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals: It took five NFL seasons, but Benson finally recorded the numbers everyone expected from him coming out of Texas. In what developed into a run-based Bengals offense, Benson rushed for 1,251 yards and six touchdowns despite missing three games due to injury. The veteran could push for a rushing title this season and is worth a second-round pick.
15. Shonn Greene, RB, Jets: The new No. 1 running back for coach Rex Ryan, Greene has a chance to be one of this season's top breakout player. A physical, explosive runner, he'll see more than his share of carries in a run-based offense that fields one of the league's best offensive lines. Even with LaDainian Tomlinson in the mix, Greene still has major fantasy potential.
16. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs: Charles was one of the best runners in fantasy football down the stretch last season, finishing 12th in points at his position despite starting just 10 games. He'll benefit from the presence of new coordinator Charlie Weis, and should post strong numbers even with Thomas Jones in the backfield mix. Consider him a very solid No. 2 back.
17. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers: Williams was on pace to finish the 2009 campaign with close to 1,750 scrimmage yards and nine total touchdowns, but an injured ankle ended his season after 13 games. The late-season emergence of backfield mate Jonathan Stewart is cause for some concern, but there should be enough carries for both backs to put up attractive fantasy totals.
18. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals: One of the top wide receivers in fantasy football, Fitzgerald is almost certain to come off the board in the second round on draft day. He's been ultra-consistent, productive and even avoided the dreaded Madden curse in 2009. Fitzgerald will lose a bit of his luster with Matt Leinart under center, but he's still hard to pass up.
19. Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: Grant is coming off his best fantasy season at the NFL level, rushing for career bests in yards and touchdowns in the Packers' explosive offense. While the team will remain a pass-laden one with Rodgers under center, Grant still sees more than enough opportunities to score points for fantasy owners. He's a borderline No. 1 or 2 back.
20. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots: Moss certainly wasn't as consistent as fantasy owners would have liked in 2009, but he still finished with the second-most points at his position on NFL.com. A touchdown machine, Moss should still have one more good fantasy campaign in the tank even as he closes in on his 13th NFL season. He remains a solid No. 1 fantasy wide receiver.
21. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts: Wayne finished sixth in fantasy points among wide receivers on NFL.com last season, continuing his run of elite production. While he did have his share of down weeks, the veteran still posted 1,264 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Colts will have a glut of wide receivers in their pass attack in 2010, but Wayne will remain Manning's first choice.
22. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: Brady failed to re-capture his 2007 form, but he still threw for close to 4,400 yards and recorded 28 touchdown passes in 2009. With a full season under his belt since reconstructive knee surgery, Brady is a virtual lock to find statistical success in the quarterback-friendly NFL. He's well worth a second-round pick across the board in drafts.
23. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions: There wasn't a bigger disappointment at wide receiver than Johnson, who cost fantasy owners an early-round pick but finished out of the top 20 in points at his position. Still, "Megatron" is too talented not to rebound and have a big season in 2010. Look for his rapport with Matt Stafford - and his level of fantasy production - to increase.
24. Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys: If I had told you that Austin would put up more fantasy points than Fitzgerald and Calvin Johnson back in the preseason, well, I would have been looked at like a madman. But it did happen, and Austin has now become a very valuable asset in fantasy land. With a favorable schedule ahead, look for his success to continue in 2010.
ROUND 3
25. Roddy White, WR, Falcons: While he did have his share of down weeks from a statistical perspective, White still finished the 2009 season with 85 receptions, 1,153 yards and a career-best 11 touchdown catches. He'll remain the top option in the pass attack for emerging quarterback Matt Ryan and is an attractive No. 1 fantasy receiver in all scoring formats.
26. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles: In just his second season, Jackson has already become one of the elite playmakers in the NFL. While he loses some luster in PPR leagues, Jackson is the top threat in the Eagles' prolific pass attack and has added value in leagues that reward players for return yards and touchdowns. He's quickly moved up among the top fantasy wideouts.
27. Brandon Marshall, WR, Dolphins: Despite the fact that he started just 13 games, Marshall still put up his third consecutive season with 100-plus receptions and 1,100-plus yards in 2009. He also scored a career-best 10 touchdowns. Barring a setback from hip surgery, Marshall should continue to see a ton of targets in a Dolphins offense that will throw the ball more than in recent seasons.
28. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos: Moreno showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, finishing 53 rushing yards shy of the 1,000-yard mark. Despite the fact that he'll lose carries to veteran Correll Buckhalter in the backfield, Moreno should still produce improved numbers. He also has a very favorable schedule this season, not to mention a pile of upside.
29. Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings: Like so many wideouts before him, Rice broke out in his third NFL season with career bests in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He thrived with veteran gunslinger Brett Favre under center, becoming a stable fantasy starter in all formats. If Favre decides to retire rather than return, though, Rice's stock will fall across the board.
30. Marques Colston, WR, Saints: Colston, the ultimate fantasy sleeper in his rookie season, put up very good numbers across the board in 2009. If it weren't for the improving cast of offensive weapons around him, not to mention Brees' tendency to spread the ball around, Colston would be listed even higher in this mock draft. He's a low-end No. 1 fantasy wideout.
31. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers: Jennings failed to meet heightened expectations last season, finishing with a mediocre 68 receptions and just four touchdowns. Still, he's a talented wideout in an explosive offense and should put up much-improved totals in 2010. In fact, Jennings has the potential to post No. 1 fantasy wideout numbers with Rodgers at the helm of the offense.
32. Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals: Wells showed amazing upside at the end of his rookie season, and there's no doubt he's destined for more carries in 2010. Even if Tim Hightower remains the starter, Wells should see more carries over the course of the season and is a tremendous sleeper/breakout candidate. He's well worth taking in the late third round in all fantasy drafts.
33. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys: With the suspension (and potential holdout) of Vincent Jackson, Romo has moved ahead of Philip Rivers among the top fantasy quarterbacks on NFL.com. He has an absolute plethora of talent around him in the Cowboys offense, so Romo has a chance to be extremely productive for owners in 2010. He's well worth a third- or fourth-round selection.
34. Jahvid Best, RB, Lions: Mathews will be the top rookie in fantasy land, but Jahvid should be the second Best. A talented and versatile runner, he'll open the 2010 season atop the Lions depth chart and will have every chance to produce nice totals. In fact, few non-established running backs will have a better statistical upside than the California product.
35. Steve Smith, WR, Giants: Smith, a veteran out of Southern California, put up a career season in 2009 with a Giants record 107 receptions, 1,220 yards and seven touchdowns. Now the top option in the pass attack for Eli Manning, Smith should build on last season's success and is now a legitimate early-round pick. He'll have added value in PPR fantasy leagues.
36. Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens: Boldin is now the top wide receiver on his new team, the Ravens, and will no doubt become a prominent option in the offense for Joe Flacco. While he is considered one of the toughest players in the league, Boldin has had problems with injuries that hurt his fantasy appeal a bit. Still, he's a threat to catch 90-plus passes and is a surefire early-round pick.
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on NFL.com. Have a burning question for Michael on anything fantasy football related? Leave it in our comments section or send it to **AskFabiano@nfl.com**!
