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Christian McCaffrey, elite RBs lead 2021 Top 200 fantasy football rankings

Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (R) is my top fantasy football player for 2021, based on his ability to make plays as a runner and a pass catcher. File Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI
1 of 5 | Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey (R) is my top fantasy football player for 2021, based on his ability to make plays as a runner and a pass catcher. File Photo by Kyle Rivas/UPI | License Photo

Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Running backs dominate the start of my Top 200 overall player rankings for the 2021 fantasy football season. Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers, Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings and Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints are the top players on my draft board.

The players I deem worthy of first-round selections in a 14 team league include 11 running backs and three wide receivers. Davante Adams of the Green Bay Packers is my top wide receiver and No. 8 overall player for 2021. Travis Kelce of the Kansas City Chiefs is my top tight end and No. 16 player.

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Kelce's teammate, Patrick Mahomes, is my top quarterback and is No. 44 in my rankings.

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You also can check out my top positional rankings for running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks and tight ends. Those rankings will be updated over the final two weeks of the preseason based on injuries and depth chart changes.

The following Top 200 list also will be updated through training camp and up to the first game of the 2021 NFL season on Sept. 9. My rankings are based on talent, strength of schedule, workload and injury history, among other factors.

Top 200 fantasy football player rankings for 2021

1. Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers, Bye Week 13

2. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings, Bye Week 7

3. Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6

4. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans, Bye Week 13

5. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants, Bye Week 10

6. Nick Chubb, RB, Cleveland Browns, Bye Week 13

7. Aaron Jones, RB, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 13

8. Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 13

9. Austin Ekeler, RB, Los Angeles Chargers, Bye Week 7

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10. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 7

11. DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 12

12. Tyreek Hill, RB, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 12

13. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 14

14. Joe Mixon, RB, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 10

15. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 12

16. Travis Kelce, TE, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 12

17. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 7

18. DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 9

19. Stefon Diggs, WR, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 7

20. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Football Team, Bye Week 9

21. Josh Jacobs, RB, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 8

22. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7

23. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 9

24. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 6

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25. Miles Sanders, RB, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 14

26. George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 6

27. Mike Davis, RB, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 6

28. David Montgomery, RB, Chicago Bears, Bye Week 10

29. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 9

30. Keenan Allen, WR, Los Angeles Chargers, Bye Week 7

31. Raheem Mostert, RB, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 6

32. Darrell Henderson, RB, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 11

33. D'Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 9

34. Adam Thielen, WR, Minnesota Vikings, Bye Week 7

35. Gus Edwards, RB, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8

36. Kareem Hunt, RB, Cleveland Browns, Bye Week 13

37. A.J. Brown, WR, Tennessee Titans, Bye Week 13

38. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings, Bye Week 7

39. Darren Waller, TE, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 8

40. Damien Harris, RB, New England Patriots, Bye Week 14

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41. Javonte Williams, RB, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 11

42. Chase Edmonds, RB, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 12

43. Myles Gaskin, RB, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 14

44. Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 12

45. Allen Robinson, WR, Chicago Bears, Bye Week 10

46. Robert Woods, WR, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 11

47. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 9

48. CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 7

49. Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Football Team, Bye Week 9

50. Sony Michel, RB, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 11

51. Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Cleveland Browns, Bye Week 13

52. D.J. Moore, WR, Carolina Panthers, Bye Week 13

53. Amari Cooper, WR, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 7

54. Chris Godwin, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 9

55. Michael Carter, RB, New York Jets, Bye Week 6

56. Melvin Gordon, RB, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 11

57. Brandin Cooks, WR, Houston Texans, Bye Week 10

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58. Courtland Sutton, WR, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 11

59. Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8

60. Julio Jones, WR, Tennessee Titans, Bye Week 13

61. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 11

62. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 7

63. Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8

64. Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 7

65. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 10

66. Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 7

67. T.J. Hockenson, TE, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 9

68. Mike Williams, WR, Los Angeles Chargers, Bye Week 7

69. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 11

70. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 6

71. Tyler Boyd, WR, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 10

72. Mike Gesicki, TE, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 14

73. Juju Smith-Schuster, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 7

74. Will Fuller, WR, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 14

75. Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 7

76. Zack Moss, RB, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 7

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77. Trey Sermon, RB, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 6

78. James Conner, RB, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 12

79. Latavius Murray, RB, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6

80. Ronald Jones, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 9

81. Kenyan Drake, RB, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 8

82. Kenny Golladay, WR, New York Giants, Bye Week 10

83. Mecole Hardman, WR, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 12

84. D.J. Chark, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7

85. Antonio Brown, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 9

86. A.J. Dillon, RB, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 13

87. Phillip Lindsay, RB, Houston Texans, Bye Week 10

88. Devin Singletary, RB, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 7

89. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 6

90. Logan Thomas, TE, Washington Football Team, Bye Week 9

91. Jonnu Smith, TE, New England Patriots, Bye Week 14

92. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 13

93. Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 12

94. Matthew Stafford, QB, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 5

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95. Leonard Fournette, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 9

96. David Johnson, RB, Houston Texans, Bye Week 10

97. Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 7

98. Robby Anderson, WR, Carolina Panthers, Bye Week 13

99. Corey Davis, WR, New York Jets, Bye Week 6

100. Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Football Team, Bye Week 9

101. Giovani Bernard, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 9

102. Rashaad Penny, RB, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 9

103. Xavier Jones, RB, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 11

104. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 10

105. Marquise Brown, WR, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8

106. Michael Thomas, WR, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6

107. Jarvis Landry, WR, Cleveland Browns, Bye Week 13

108. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 14

109. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 8

110. Nyheim Hines, RB, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 14

111. James White, RB, New England Patriots, Bye Week 14

112. Tarik Cohen, RB, Chicago Bears, Bye Week 10

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113. Marvin Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7

114. Russell Wilson, QB, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 9

115. Tom Brady, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 9

116. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers, Bye Week 7

117. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 14

118. Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 14

119. Laviska Shenault Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 7

120. Devante Parker, WR, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 14

121. Jalen Reagor, WR, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 14

122. Deebo Samuel, WR, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 6

123. Marquez Callaway, WR, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6

124. Nelson Agholor, WR, New England Patriots, Bye Week 14

125. Jakobi Meyers, WR, New England Patriots, Bye Week 14

126. Sterling Shepard, WR, New York Giants , Bye Week 10

127. Elijah Moore, WR, New York Jets, Bye Week 6

128. Cole Beasley, WR, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 7

129. Russell Gage, WR, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 6

130. Jamison Crowder, WR, New York Jets, Bye Week 6

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131. Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears, Bye Week 10

132. Darius Slayton, WR, New York Giants, Bye Week 10

133. Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants, Bye Week 10

134. Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 14

135. Ryan Tannehill, TE, Tennessee Titans, Bye Week 13

136. Kirk Cousins, QB, Minnesota Vikings, Bye Week 7

137. Noah Fant, TE, Denver Broncos, Bye Week 11

138. Eric Ebron, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 7

139. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Bye Week 9

140. Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams, Bye Week 11

141. Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals, Bye Week 11

142. Robert Tonyan, TE, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 13

143. Parris Campbell, WR, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 14

144. Christian Kirk, WR, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 12

145. Rondale Moore, WR, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 12

146. Gabriel Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills, Bye Week 7

147. Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 13

148. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers, Bye Week 7

149. Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, Carolina Panthers, Bye Week 13

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150. Tyrell Williams, WR, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 9

151. Gerald Everett, TE, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 9

152. Austin Hooper, TE, Cleveland Browns, Bye Week 13

153. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 14

154. Hunter Henry, TE, New England Patriots, Bye Week 14

155. J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington Football Team, Bye Week 9

156. Tevin Coleman, RB, New York Jets, Bye Week 6

157. Alexander Mattison, RB, Minnesota Vikings, Bye Week 7

158. Devontae Booker, RB, New York Giants, Bye Week 10

159. Matt Ryan, QB, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 7

160. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 14

161. Jameis Winston, QB, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 7

162. Boston Scott, RB, Philadelphia Eagles, Bye Week 14

163. Malcolm Brown, RB, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 14

164. Jamaal Williams, RB, Detroit Lions, Bye Week 9

165. Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers, Bye Week 13

166. Jared Cook, TE, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 7

167. Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB, Washington Football Team, Bye Week 9

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168. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars, Bye Week 10

169. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 14

170. Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers, Bye Week 7

171. Darrynton Evans, RB, Tennessee Titans, Bye Week 13

172. Darrel Williams, RB, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 12

173. Mark Ingram, RB, Houston Texans, Bye Week 10

174. A.J. Green, WR, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 12

175. Randall Cobb, WR, Green Bay Packers, Bye Week 13

176. Tre'Quan Smith, WR, New Orleans Saints, Bye Week 6

177. Ty Johnson, RB, New York Jets, Bye Week 6

178. Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, New England Patriots, Bye Week 14

179. Pittsburgh Steelers, DST, Bye Week 7

180. San Francisco 49ers, DST, Bye Week 6

181. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, DST, Bye Week 9

182. Washington Football Team, DST, Bye Week 9

183. Buffalo Bills, DST, Bye Week 7

184. Los Angeles Rams, DST, Bye Week 11

185. Cleveland Browns, DST, Bye Week 13

186. Miami Dolphins, DST, Bye Week 14

187. Baltimore Ravens, DST, Bye Week 8

188. Indianapolis Colts, DST, Bye Week 14

189. Derek Carr, QB, Las Vegas Raiders, Bye Week 8

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190. Harrison Butker, K, Kansas City Chiefs, Bye Week 12

191. Jason Myers, K, Seattle Seahawks, Bye Week 9

192. Jason Sanders, K, Miami Dolphins, Bye Week 14

193. Greg Zuerlein, K, Dallas Cowboys, Bye Week 7

194. Marlon Mack, RB, Indianapolis Colts, Bye Week 14

195. Denver Broncos, DST, Bye Week 11

196. Minnesota Vikings, DST, Bye Week 7

197. New Orleans Saints, DST, Bye Week 6

198. Matt Prater, K, Arizona Cardinals, Bye Week 12

199. Justin Tucker, K, Baltimore Ravens, Bye Week 8

200, Younghoe Koo, K, Atlanta Falcons, Bye Week 6

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