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Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Fantasy football season is officially here, with millions of people around the world conducting their drafts this weekend. I have been ranking and updating those rankings for hundreds of NFL stars ahead of your fantasy football draft. Here you can access each of those positional rankings, overall rankings, cheat sheets and information on potential sleepers, such as New England Patriots running back Sony Michel.
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With the uncertain statuses of Ezekiel Elliott and Melvin Gordon due to contract disputes, I have Christian McCaffrey ranked as my top overall player ahead of the 2019 fantasy football season. New Orleans Saints star Michael Thomas is my top wide receiver. Philadelphia Eagles pass-catcher Zach Ertz is my top tight end. Reigning NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes is my top quarterback option for 2019.
I also have the Jacksonville Jaguars as my top defense/special teams unit and the Saints' Will Lutz as my top kicker.
You can print my top 200 overall player rankings below and take them to your draft for reference.
Fantasy football running back rankings 2.0: McCaffrey, Barkley new leaders
Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey leads my top 100 fantasy football running back rankings for the 2019 season.
McCaffrey moves ahead of my previous top running back -- 2018 NFL rushing champion Ezekiel Elliott -- as the Dallas Cowboys star has yet to join the team while waiting for a new contract.
McCaffrey is poised to have another huge season, especially in point-per-reception fantasy football formats. The Panthers star set the record for most catches by a running back last season, hauling in 107 receptions for 867 yards and six scores in 16 starts. He also had 1,098 yards and seven scores on the ground.
Fantasy football wide receiver rankings 2.0: Hill and Boyd rise, Green falls
Michael Thomas is Drew Brees' most trusted target in the New Orleans Saints passing attack. That typically equates to stellar fantasy football statistics.
The 2018 first-team All-Pro is my No. 1 wide receiver for the 2019 fantasy football season, topping my rankings of the 100 best players at the position.
Houston Texans star DeAndre Hopkins is my No. 2 overall wide receiver. The Cleveland Browns' Odell Beckham Jr., Green Bay Packers target Davante Adams and Atlanta Falcons veteran Julio Jones also are in my top five for the position.
Fantasy football quarterback rankings: Mahomes, Mayfield lead top 25
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tops my 2019 season fantasy football quarterback rankings.
I previously had former Indianapolis Colts gunslinger Andrew Luck as my favorite to win the league's MVP award, while also topping my fantasy football quarterback rankings, before he decided to retire. Mahomes is now back in the top spot and should have a very solid year in 2019 while throwing passes to superstars Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce and others in Andy Reid's prolific offensive attack.
I have Cleveland Browns star Baker Mayfield one spot behind Mahomes in my rankings, followed by Green Bay Packers star Aaron Rogers and Houston Texans star Deshaun Watson.
Fantasy football tight end rankings: Zach Ertiz, Travis Kelce lead top 25
Philadelphia Eagles star Zach Ertz is my top fantasy football tight end for the 2019 season.
Kansas City Chiefs pass-catcher Travis Kelce is No. 2 on my list of the top 25 tight ends entering this campaign. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, New York Giants tight end Evan Engram and Los Angeles Chargers pass-catcher Hunter Henry round out my top five at the position.
Ertz was the most-targeted tight end in the NFL last season, drawing 156 looks in 2018. The two-time Pro Bowl selection enters the 2019 season healthy, and the Eagles have added more offensive playmakers for quarterback Carson Wentz. I expect an improved running game and more speed at the wide receiver position to help Ertz underneath. This could be his first All-Pro campaign.
Fantasy football 2019: Defense and kicker rankings
The Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams are my top fantasy football defense/special teams units entering the 2019 season.
The Saints' Wil Lutz, Rams' Greg Zuerlein, Kansas City Chiefs' Harrison Butker, New England Patriots' Stephen Gostkowski and Baltimore Ravens' Justin Tucker are my top fantasy football kickers.
Top 200 players overall
(Bye) - Denotes bye week; % - Denotes percentage of career player played 12 games or less in a season due to injury or suspension; $ - Denotes games vs. worst 5 defenses in fantasy points allowed vs. position in 2018; X - Denotes games vs. top 5 defenses in points allowed vs. position in 2018
Rank/Name/Position/Team/Bye/%/$/X
1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers (7), 0% -- $$$/XXXX
2. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants (11), 0% -- $$$/X
3. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints (9), 0% -- $$$/XXX
4. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints (9), 0% -- $$$/XX
5. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Houston Texans (10), 0% -- $$/XXXXX
6. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys (8), 33% -- $/XX
7. Le'Veon Bell, RB, New York Jets (4), 50% -- $$$/X
8. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns (7), 60% -- $$/X
9. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers (11), 0% -- $/XXX
10. Todd Gurley, RB, Los Angeles Rams (9), 0% -- $$$$/XXX
11. James Conner, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (7), 0% -- $$$$/XX
12. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (9), 0% -- $$/XX
13. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons (9), 12% -- $$$/XXX
14. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7), 0% -- $$$$$/XX
15. Tyreek Hill, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (12), 0% -- $/XXXXX
16. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns (7), 0% -- $$$$/XXX
17. David Johnson, RB, Arizona Cardinals (12), 25% -- $$/XX
18. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (12), 33% -- $/XXX
19. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (10), 0% -- XX
20. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings (12), 0% -- $$$/X
21. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs (12), 16% -- $$$$/X
22. Kerryon Johnson, RB, Detroit Lions (5), 100% -- $$$/XX
23. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings (12), 100% -- $/XX
24. Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (10), 50% -- $$$/XXXXX
25. Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys (8), 0% -- $$$/XX
26. JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (7), 0 % -- $$/XXX
27. Brandin Cooks, WR, Los Angeles Rams (9), 20% -- $$$$
28. Melvin Gordon, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (12), 25% -- $$$/XXX
29. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers (11), 100% -- $/XX
30. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Denver Broncos (11), 0% -- $$/XXX
31. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks (11), 50% -- $$$$/XX
32. Stefon Diggs, WR, Minnesota Vikings (12), 0% -- $$$/X
33. Antonio Brown, WR, Oakland Raiders (6), 11% -- $$/XXXXX
34. Sony Michel, RB, New England Patriots (10), 0% -- $$$$/XX
35. Mark Ingram, RB, Baltimore Ravens (8), 50% -- $$$$$/X
36. Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts (6), 50% -- $$$/XXXXX
37. Alshon Jeffery, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (10), 42% -- $$$/XX
38. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers (4), 0% -- $/XX
39. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks (11), 0% -- $$$$/X
40. Josh Jacobs, RB, Oakland Raiders (6), 0% -- $$$/XXX
41. Devonta Freeman, RB, Atlanta Falcons (9), 20% -- $$$/XXXX
42. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers (7), 0% -- $$$$$$/XX
43. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons (9), 0% -- $$$/XXX
44. Julian Edelman, WR, New England Patriots (10), 44% -- $$/XX
45. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans (11), 0% -- $$
46. Damien Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (12), 20% -- XXXX
47. Kenyan Drake, RB, Miami Dolphins (5), 0% -- $/X
48. David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears (6), 0% -- $/X
49. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams (9), 50% -- $$$$
50. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (9), 33% -- $$/XX
51. Robert Woods, WR, Los Angeles Rams (9), 16% -- $$$$
52. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7), 0% -- $$$$$/XX
53. Kenny Golladay, WR, Detroit Lions (5), 50% -- $$/XXX
54. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs (12), 0% -- XXX
55. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts (6), 0% -- $$/XX
56. James White, RB, New England Patriots (10), 20% -- $$$$/XX
57. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears (6), 40% -- $$$/XXX
58. Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns (7), 0% -- $$/XXXX
59. Tevin Coleman, RB, San Francisco 49ers (4), 25% -- $$$$/XX
60. Jordan Howard, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (10), 0% -- $/X
61. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers, (12), 3% -- $/XXX
62. Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants (11), 33% -- $$/XX
63. Sammy Watkins, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (12), 40% -- $/XXXXX
64. Corey Davis, WR, Tennessee Titans (11), 50% -- $$/XXXXXX
65. A.J. Green, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (9), 12.5% -- $$/XX
66. LeSean McCoy, RB, Buffalo Bills (6), 20% -- $$$/XX
67. Ronald Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7), 0% -- $/XXXX
68. Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears (6), 0% -- $/X
69. Will Fuller, WR, Houston Texans (10), 66% -- $$/XXXXX
70. Robby Anderson, WR, New York Jets (4), 0% -- XXX
71. Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks (11), 0% -- $$$$/XX
72. Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns (7), 0% -- $$/X
73. Josh Gordon, WR, New England Patriots (10), 71% -- $$/XX
74. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers (11), 18% -- $/XXXX
75. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (12), 0% -- $$$/XXX
76. Latavius Murray, RB, New Orleans Saints (9), 0% -- $$$/XXX
77. Derrius Guice, RB, Washington Redskins (10), 100% -- $/X
78. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos (10), 0% -- $/XXXXXX
79. Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans (10), 50% -- $$$$/X
80. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Arizona Cardinals (12), 0% -- $$$$
81. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons (9), 0% -- $$$$/XX
82. Darrell Henderson, RB, Los Angeles Rams (9), 0% -- $$$$/XXX
83. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints (9), 5% -- $$$$/XX
84. Royce Freeman, RB, Denver Broncos (11), 0%, $$/XXX
85. Kalen Ballage, RB, Miami Dolphins (5), 100% -- $/X
86. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers (7), 0% -- $$$$$$/X
87. Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (10), 0% -- $/X
88. Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants (11), 50% -- XXXXX
89. Hunter Henry, TE, Los Angeles Chargers (12), 33% -- $$$$$$/X
90. David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns (7), 0% -- $$/XXXX
91. Jared Cook, TE, New Orleans Saints (9), 10% -- $$/XX
92. O.J. Howard, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7), 50% -- $$/XX
93. Marvin Jones, WR, Detroit Lions (5), 42% -- $$/XXX
94. Kenny Stills, WR, Miami Dolphins (5), 0% -- $$/XXXX
95. Carlos Hyde, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (12), 20% -- XXXX
96. Dion Lewis, RB, Tennessee Titans (11), 50% -- $$
97. Dante Pettis, WR, San Francisco 49ers (4), 100% -- $$$
98. Geronimo Allison, WR, Green Bay Packers (11), 66% -- $/XXX
99. DeSean Jackson, WR, Philadelphia Eagles (10), 27% -- $$$/XX
100. Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals (12), 100% -- $$$$
101. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Denver Broncos (10), 44% -- $/XXXXXX
102. Carson Wentz, QB, Philadelphia Eagles (10), 33% -- $/XXX
103. Dede Westbrook, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars (10), 50% -- $$$/XXX
104. Curtis Samuel, WR, Carolina Panthers (7), 0% -- $$$$$$/XX
105. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks (11), 0% -- $$$$/XXXX
106. Justin Jackson, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (12), 0% -- $$$/XXX
107. Jameis Winston, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7), 25% -- $$$$/X
108. Tom Brady, QB, New England Patriots (10), 11% -- $$/XXX
109. Trey Burton, TE, Chicago Bears (6), 0% -- $/XX
110. Anthony Miller, WR, Chicago Bears (6), 0% -- $$$/XXX
111. John Brown, WR, Buffalo Bills (6), 20% -- $$
112. Vance McDonald, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers (7), 50% -- $$$/XXX
113. Delanie Walker, TE, Tennessee Titans (11), 15% -- $$$$$$/X
114. Jaylen Samuels, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (7), 0% -- $$$$/XX
115. Jared Goff, QB, Los Angeles Rams (9), 0% -- $$$$/XXXX
116. Philip Rivers, QB, Los Angeles Chargers (12), 0% -- $$/XX
117. James Washington, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (7), 0% -- $$/XXX
118. Tyrell Williams, WR, Oakland Raiders (6), 25% -- $$/XXXXX
119. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Green Bay Packers (11), 0% -- $/XXX
120. D.K. Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks (11), 0% -- $$$$/X
121. Darwin Thompson, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (12), 0% -- XXXX
122. Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings (12), 0% -- $$/XX
123. Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys (8), 0% -- $/XX
124. Chris Thompson, RB, Washington Redskins (10), 66% -- $/X
125. Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys (8), 0% -- $$$/XX
126. Devin Singletary, RB, Buffalo Bills (6), 0% -- $$$/XX
127. Donte Moncrief, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (7), 40% -- $$/XXX
128. Eric Ebron, TE, Indianapolis Colts (6), 0% -- $$$$/XX
129. Marquise Goodwin, WR, San Francisco 49ers (4), 66% -- $$$
130. Golden Tate, WR, New York Giants (11), 11% -- $$/XX
131. Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets (4), 25% -- XXX
132. Nick Foles, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (10), 28% -- $$$$$
133. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers (7), 20% -- $$/XXXX
134. Matt Breida, RB, San Francisco 49ers (4), 0% -- $$$$/XX
135. Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts (6), 0% -- $$$/XXXXX
136. Jerick McKinnon, RB, San Francisco 49ers (4), 25% -- $$$$/XX
137. Adrian Peterson, RB, Washington Redskins (10), 33% -- $/X
138. Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns (7), 50% -- $$$$/XXX
139. Jimmy Graham, TE, Green Bay Packers (11), 11% -- $$/X
140. Devin Funchess, WR, Indianapolis Colts (6), 0% -- $$/XX
141. Mohamed Sanu, WR, Atlanta Falcons (9), 14% -- $$$/XXX
142. Peyton Barber, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7), 0% -- $/XXXX
143. Jamaal Williams, RB, Green Bay Packers (11), 0% -- $/XX
144. Jalen Richard, RB, Oakland Raiders (6), 0% -- $$$/XXX
145. Giovani Bernard, RB, Cincinnati Bengals (9), 33% -- $$/XX
146. Frank Gore, RB, Buffalo Bills (6), 7% -- $$$/XX
147. Duke Johnson, RB, Houston Texans (10), 0% -- $$/XXXX
148. Albert Wilson, WR, Miami Dolphins (5), 40% -- $$/XXXX
149. Keke Coutee, Houston Texans (10), 100% -- $$/XXXXX
150. Damien Harris, RB, New England Patriots (10), 20% -- $$$$/XX
151. Ito Smith, RB, Atlanta Falcons (9), 0% -- $$$/XXXX
152. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys (8), 0% -- $/XXX
153. Mitch Trubisky, QB, Chicago Bears (6), 0% -- $$/XX
154. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens (8), 100% -- $$$$$/X
155. Tre'Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints (9), 0% -- $$$/XX
156. Austin Hooper, TE, Atlanta Falcons (9), 0% -- $$/XXX
157. Kyle Rudolph, TE, Minnesota Vikings (12), 25% -- $$/X
158. Jack Doyle, TE, Indianapolis Colts (6), 16% -- $$$$/XX
159 Adam Humphries, WR, Tennessee Titans (11), 0% -- $$/XXXXXX
160. Malcolm Brown, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (12), 66% -- $$$/XXX
161. Rex Burkhead, RB, New England Patriots (10), 20% -- $$$$/XX
162. DaeSean Hamilton, WR, Denver Broncos (10), 0% -- $/XXXXXX
163. Marquise Brown, WR, Baltimore Ravens (8), 0% -- $$/X
164. John Ross, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (9), 50% -- $$/XX
165. Josh Doctson, WR, Washington Redskins (10), 33% -- $$$/XX
166. Quincy Enunwa, WR, New York Jets (4), 75% -- XXX
167. Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs (12), 0% -- $/XXXXX
168. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco 49ers (4), 40% -- $$$$/XXX
169. Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals (9), 12% -- XXXX
170. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens (8), 0% -- $$$/XX
171. Jordan Reed, TE, Washington Redskins (10), 66% -- XXXX
172. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens (8), 0% -- $$$$/XXX
173. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions (5), 0% -- $$/XX
174. Danny Amendola, WR, Detroit Lions (5), 40% -- $$/XXX
175. Greg Olsen, TE, Carolina Panthers (7), 16% -- $$/XX
176. Jacksonville Jaguars, D/ST (10)
177. Chicago Bears, D/ST (6)
178. New Orleans Saints, D/ST (9)
179. Los Angeles Chargers, D/ST (12)
180. Los Angeles Rams, D/ST (9)
181. Buffalo Bills, D/ST (6)
182. Minnesota Vikings, D/ST (12)
183. Denver Broncos, D/ST (10)
184. Tennessee Titans, D/ST (11)
185. Dallas Cowboys, D/ST (8)
186. New England Patriots, D/ST (10)
187. Kansas City Chiefs, D/ST (12)
188. Detroit Lions, D/ST (5)
189. Baltimore Ravens, D/ST (8)
190. Wil Lutz, K, New Orleans Saints (9)
191. Greg Zuerlein, K, Los Angeles Rams (9)
192. Harrison Butker, K, Kansas City Chiefs (12)
193. Stephen Gostkowski, K, New England Patriots (10)
194. Justin Tucker, K, Baltimore Ravens (8)
195. Robbie Gould, K, San Francisco 49ers (4)
196. Brett Maher, K, Dallas Cowboys (8)
197. Matt Prater, K, Detroit Lions (5)
198. Ka'imi Fairbairn, K, Houston Texans (10)
199. Jake Elliott, K, Philadelphia Eagles (10)
200. Adam Vinatieri, K, Indianapolis Colts (6)
