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Fantasy Football 2016: Top 100 flex rankings

By Alex Butler
St. Louis Rams' Todd Gurley runs the football in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis on December 6, 2015. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
1 of 5 | St. Louis Rams' Todd Gurley runs the football in the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis on December 6, 2015. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

When you play in a fantasy football league with a flex position, it is important to find consistent production, even from a cast of players.

More and more fantasy team owners are using a wide receiver in their flex [running back or wide receiver] slots, due to the pass-happy nature of the NFL. While this is a good idea, it is also nice to grab a dynamic running back, who you can also plug into the running back slot should you face an injury. For the safest bet, don't just consider one player as a lock for your flex, draft a series of guys who range from safe and steady to others with high ceilings and high risk. Sometimes the late to middle rounds are the best times to find your flex core.

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At UPI, we have ranked our top 100 players for your flex spot, in standard format, for your 2016 fantasy football draft kit

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For clarity, here are some of the best running backs and wide receivers to look out for in five separate tiers, as well as some unheralded sleepers. See the links below for separate positional rankings.

HALL OF FAME

1. Odell Beckham Jr., 2. Antonio Brown, 4. Adrian Peterson, 5. Todd Gurley

As noted in UPI's top 150 fantasy football player rankings, Beckham Jr. should be a lock for another monster season. He is a touchdown threat on every route, turning short slants into sprints for six or ending up behind safeties and on the end of bombs from Eli Manning.

Beckham Jr. and Brown also have some money match-ups this season. Beckham Jr.'s Giants play seven games against team's that ranked in the bottom five in terms fantasy points surrendered to opposing wide receivers last season. Brown has six such match-ups.

Adrian 'All-Day' Peterson eats 1,200 yard, double-digit touchdown seasons for breakfast. There might not be a safer pick, regardless of position, in your fantasy football draft. At age 30, Peterson rushed for 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2015. Minnesota made additions to its passing game this offseason, and Teddy Bridgewater was locked and loaded to improve on his 2015 campaign, before his preseason injury. But it is was no secret who drives the NFC North Champions. Peterson is the combination of consistency, explosion, and durability that you look for in a first round selection. With Bridgewater going down, expect only more work for Peterson.

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Todd Gurley absolutely erupted into the NFL last season. The 22-year-old scored 10 touchdowns and rushed for 1,106 yards in 13 games for the then-St. Louis Rams. The Pro-Bowl selection ranked No. 3 in rushing yards last season. Bluntly put, the Rams don't have better options than Gurley in fantasy or in real life. If he can hold up for an entire season, Gurley should be the 2016 NFL rushing champion.

ALL-PRO

7. A.J. Green, 9. Le'Veon Bell, 10. Ezekiel Elliott, 11. David Johnson

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green had a decent season last year, but could be in for Julio-Jones-like-looks in 2016. With Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu leaving as free agents this offseason, he was already primed for more targets. Now his team could be without another of Andy Dalton's favorite targets in tight end Tyler Eifert for several games to begin its 2016 campaign. Cincinnati is expected to lean on running backs Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard, but Dalton has no choice but to rely on his favorite set of hands, who wears the No. 18. Green has eight of those money match-ups against the most porous defenses against wide receivers last season.

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Bell brings unparalleled dynamic talent to the Pittsburgh Steelers and your fantasy team. Without a three-game ban to start the season, many see him as the best running back in fantasy football. I would not recommend drafting Bell early in larger leagues, because it will hurt your team at the beginning of the season to not have a contributing first-round pick. In smaller leagues [8-12 teams], an early selection of Bell might not be so volatile because you have space to afford other skilled running backs.

Elliott is a rare breed in fantasy football. The rookie steps into a fantastic offensive situation in Dallas behind a behemoth offensive line. While many forecast Elliott to step in and produce right away, you might want to slightly temper those exceptions. Overall, Elliott should have a stellar rookie season if he remains healthy, but don't expect him to immediately turn into 2014 DeMarco Murray.

David Johnson enters 2016 with a similarly opportunist situation, like Elliott. Johnson is part of one of the league's most explosive offenses and is surrounded by talent. The Arizona Cardinals could be fantasy football's best offense by the end of the season. The 24-year-old started just five games last season, but cemented himself as the starting running back for Bruce Arians' squad. Johnson rushed for 581 yards and eight touchdowns and had 457 receiving yards and four receiving touchdowns last season. He also scored on a 108-yard kick return. The only downfall for Johnson could be his crowded backfield. With Chris Johnson and Andre Ellington at his side, Johnson will need to be as dynamic as possible to give you a good return on his first round draft price. Johnson was on pace to rush for 1,000 yards last season before going down late in the season to injury.

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PRO-BOWL

12. Jordy Nelson, 14. Eddie Lacy, 15. Thomas Rawls, 20. Brandon Marshall

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers really missed Nelson last season. With his No. 1 target back and a slightly-slimmer Eddie Lacy running the rock, Rodgers and Nelson should reignite their explosive relationship for double-digit scores once again.

Eddie Lacy is due. Lacy was one of the biggest busts in recent memory last season for fantasy football owners who drafted him in top 10. The 26-year-old was out of shape last season and it showed. After rushing for more than 1,100 yards and scoring double digit touchdowns in consecutive seasons, Lacy tallied just 758 rushing yards and three rushing scores in 2015. With Jordy Nelson returning, look for the Green Bay Packers to return to its proper standing as an elite NFL offense. Lacy should reap the benefits of space created by the Packers' passing attack and be able to show off his slimmer frame this season.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll continues to say that Thomas Rawls will start the team's week one matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Rawls showed enough last season in seven starts to justify his draft spot this season. In 13 games, Rawls rushed for 830 yards and four touchdowns. Although he isn't literally "Beast Mode." Rawls does offer the grit and versatilely you want in a lead running back for your fantasy team. If his ankle can hold up, Rawls could end up being a steal at his current average draft position.

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Marshall is a huge target, enjoying success under quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick with the New York Jets. Fitzpatrick passed for a Jets-record 31 touchdowns in 2015. With one year under his belt, with Marshall and Eric Decker out wide, and the addition of Matt Forte, look for Fitzpatrick to best his 2015 touchdown numbers.

JUST NAPPING [EARLY TO MID-ROUND SLEEPERS]

28. Matt Forte, 32. Jarvis Landry, 36. Jeremy HIll

Matt Forte is in a situation where he is trying to get healthy, while also fending off a loaded backfield. The New York Jets, however, could be even better this season. After finally signing Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Jets should be able to improve on its historic passing numbers last season. With Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker outside, Forte should have plenty of space to do what he does best: catch the football out of the backfield. Forte is expected to suit up for his first preseason game with the Jets on Saturday against the New York Giants.

Landry has undeniable talent and will see an insane amount of targets this season from Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Beckham Jr.'s LSU roommate out-produced him when both suited up for the Tigers in 2013. Landry is a safe option too. In two seasons he has 278 targets and 194 grabs. Although his catches have only produced nine receiving scores, the addition of offensive-minded head coach Adam Gase should send shockwaves through the Dolphins offensive repertoire, leaving room for a few more of Landry's end zone dances.

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Jeremy Hill disappointed fantasy owners who spent high draft picks on him in 2015, but he is an integral part of one of the most explosive offenses in the league. Hill is a great guy to look at in the mid rounds of your draft. Hill has 21 touchdowns in his first two seasons in the league. In 2014, Hill averaged 5.1 yards per attempt, in route to 1,124 yards and nine rushing scores. Last season, he averaged 3.6 yards per carry, but scored 12 touchdowns. Hill is boom-or-bust, but should be leaned on more this season in Cincinnati, providing safety and consistency.

DRIFTING OFF [MID TO LATE-ROUND SLEEPERS]

42. Michael Floyd, 49. DeMarco Murray, 53. Donte Moncrief, 59. Giovani Bernard, 60. Melvin Gordon, 62. Frank Gore, 63. Ameer Abdullah, 65. Rashad Jennings, 70. Kevin White, 71. Tyler Boyd, 78. Arian Foster, 82. Chris Ivory

RANK NAME TEAM BYE POSITION
1  Odell Beckham Jr. New York Giants 8 WR
2  Antonio Brown Pittsburgh Steelers 8 WR
3 Julio Jones Atlanta Falcons 11 WR
4 Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings 6 RB
5 Toddy Gurley Los Angeles Rams 8 RB
6 Dez Bryant Dallas Cowboys 7 WR
7 A.J. Green Cincinnati Bengals 9 WR
8 DeAndre Hopkins Houston Texans 9 WR
9 Le'Veon Bell Pittsburgh Steelers 8 RB
10 Ezekiel Elliott Dallas Cowboys 7 RB
11 David Johnson Arizona Cardinals 9 RB
12 Jordy Nelson Green Bay Packers 4 WR
13 Mark Ingram New Orleans Saints 5 RB
14 Eddie Lacy Green Bay Packers 4 RB
15 Thomas Rawls Seattle Seahawks 5 RB
16 LeSean McCoy Buffalo Bills 10 RB
17 Lamar Miller Houston Texans 9 RB
18 Jamaal Charles Kansas City Chiefs 5 RB
19 Alshon Jeffery Chicago Bears 9 WR
20 Brandon Marshall New York Jets 11 WR
21 Sammy Watkins Buffalo Bills 10 WR
22 DeVonta Freeman Atlanta Falcons 11 RB
23 Doug Martin Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6 RB
24 Allen Robinson Jacksonville Jaguars 5 WR
25 Mike Evans Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6 WR
26 Amari Cooper Oakland Raiders 10 WR
27 Doug Baldwin Seattle Seahawks 5 WR
28 Matt Forte New York Jets 11 RB
29 Demaryius Thomas Denver Broncos 11 WR
30 Keenan Allen San Diego Chargers 11 WR
31 Carlos Hyde San Francisco 49ers 8 RB
32 Jarvis Landry Miami Dolphins 8 WR
33 T.Y. Hilton Indianapolis Colts 10 WR
34 Kelvin Benjamin Carolina Panthers 7 WR
35 Brandin Cooks New Orleans Saints 5 WR
36 Jeremy Hill Cincinnati Bengals 9 RB
37 C.J. Anderson Denver Broncos 11 RB
38 Julian Edelman New England Patriots 9 WR
39 Randall Cobb Green Bay Packers 4 WR
40 Golden Tate Detroit Lions 10 WR
41 Eric Decker New York Jets 11 WR
42 Michael Floyd Arizona Cardinals 9 WR
43 Josh Gordon Cleveland Browns 13 WR
44 Jeremy Maclin Kansas City Chiefs 5 WR
45 Emmanuel Sanders Denver Broncos 11 WR
46 Jeremy Langford Chicago Bears 9 RB
47 Latavius Murray Oakland Raiders 10 RB
48 John Brown Arizona Cardinals 9 WR
49 DeMarco Murray Tennessee Titans 13 RB
50 Jordan Matthews Philadelphia Eagles 4 WR
51 Larry Fitzgerald Arizona Cardinals 9 WR
52 DeSean Jackson Washington Redskins 9 WR
53 Donte Moncrief Indianapolis Colts 10 WR
54 Ryan Mathews Philadelphia Eagles 4 RB
55 Matt Jones Washington Redskins 9 RB
56 T.J. Yeldon Jacksonville Jaguars 5 RB
57 Duke Johnson Jr. Cleveland Browns 13 RB
58 Justin Forsett Baltimore Ravens 8 RB
59 Giovani Bernard Cincinnati Bengals 9 RB
60 Melvin Gordon San Diego Chargers 11 RB
61 DeAngelo Williams Pittsburgh Steelers 8 RB
62 Frank Gore Indianapolis Colts 10 RB
63 Ameer Abdullah Detroit Lions 10 RB
64 Danny Woodhead San Diego Chargers 11 RB
65 Rashad Jennings New York Giants 8 RB
66 Marvin Jones Detroit Lions 10 WR
67 Michael Crabtree Oakland Raiders 10 WR
68 Allen Hurns Jacksonville Jaguars 5 WR
69 Tyler Lockett Seattle Seahawks 5 WR
70 Kevin White Chicago Bears 9 WR
71 Tyler Boyd Cincinnati Bengals 9 WR
72 DeVante Parker Miami Dolphins 8 WR
73 Sterling Shepard New York Giants 8 WR
74 Torrey Smith San Francisco 49ers 8 WR
75 Vincent Jackson Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6 WR
76 Laquon Treadwell Minnesota Vikings 6 WR
77 Jay Ajayi Miami Dolphins 8 RB
78 Arian Foster Miami Dolphins 8 RB
79 Steve Smith Sr. Baltimore Ravens 8 WR
80 Tavon Austin Los Angeles Rams 8 WR
81 Corey Coleman Cleveland Browns 13 WR
82 Chris Ivory Jacksonville Jaguars 5 RB
83 Derrick Henry Tennessee Titans 13 RB
84 LeGarrette Blount New England Patriots 9 RB
85 Theo Riddick Detroit Lions 10 RB
86 Will Fuller Houston Texans 9 WR
87 Mike Wallace Baltimore Ravens 8 WR
88 Stefon Diggs Minnesota Vikings 6 WR
89 Kamar Aiken Baltimore Ravens 8 WR
90 Tevin Coleman Atlanta Falcons 11 RB
91 Kenneth Dixon Baltimore Ravens 8 RB
92 Charles Sims Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6 RB
93 Michael Thomas New Orleans Saints 5 WR
94 Markus Wheaton Pittsburgh Steelers 8 WR
95 Phillip Dorsett Indianapolis Colts 10 WR
96 Devin Funchess Carolina Panthers 7 WR
97 Chris Hogan New England Patriots 9 WR
98 Josh Doctson Washington Redskins 9 WR
99 Mohamed Sanu Atlanta Falcons 11 WR
100 Dorial Green-Beckham Philadelphia Eagles 4 WR
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