Fantasy owners everywhere struggled with similar questions on draft day. Do I take Larry Johnson, LaDainian Tomlinson or Shaun Alexander with the first overall pick? Steven Jackson or LaMont Jordan with the sixth overall pick? Ronnie Brown or Cadillac Williams late in the first round? Torry Holt or Chad Johnson in the third round?
All were legitimate issues before the season. Now, those decisions look genius for some and foolish for others. L.J. and L.T. have dominated, while Alexander hasnât played since Week 3. Jackson has become a fantasy dynamo, while Jordan can be found on some waiver wires. Brown has been decent, though somewhat disappointing. Williams has been a nightmare. Holt leads all fantasy WRs. Chad scored his first TD since Week 2 last week.
With the midway point of the season now upon us, letâs evaluate the top fantasy producers so far. Here are the midseason All-Fantasy teams.
First Team
QB â Donovan McNabb (Eagles): Including last weekâs poor outing vs. the Jaguars, McNabb has exactly one (1) bad fantasy game thus far. Heâs dipped below the 20-point mark in basic scoring leagues only the one time, and this with his new No. 1 target, Donte Stallworth, missing the better part of five games.
RB1 â LaDainian Tomlinson (Chargers): We give the nod to L.T. over L.J. because of his one extra rushing TD and his one passing TD. But their stats are remarkably similar. Of note, Tomlinson has 9 â nine â combined TDs in the last three games (six rushing, two receiving, one passing).
RB2 â Larry Johnson (Chiefs): Some are complaining because he isnât amassing TDs at the impossible rate he was to close last season. But remember, Herm Edwards is now his coach. No worries, he still gets plenty of touches â possibly too many, hopefully he doesnât run out of steam near the end of the year.
WR1 â Torry Holt (Rams): Seven TDs and nearly 600 yards, who says the Greatest Show on Turf is dead?
WR2 â Reggie Wayne (Colts): Marvin Harrison may be Peyton Manningâs favorite target, but Reggie is getting all the fantasy love.
TE â Todd Heap (Ravens): Tough pick. We took Heap over Alge Crumpler because Heap has been more consistent. Aside from one colossal three-TD day, Crumpler has been fairly average. Of note: We do not consider Saints rookie Marques Colston a tight end, even though Yahoo! does.
PK â Robbie Gould (Bears): Not even close. Leads the league with nine FGs of 40-49 yards, tied for lead with seven between 30-39.
DEF â Chicago Bears: Monster outing vs. the Cardinals certainly skewed their weekly average. But they are capable of that type of defensive/special teams explosion any week.
Second Team
QB â Peyton Manning (Colts): Has enjoyed three monster fantasy weeks of 30-plus points (in basic scoring systems). Typical Peyton.
RB1 â Brian Westbrook (Eagles): Maybe heâs not your typical every-down back, but if he can stay healthy, he has proven he can be an every-week fantasy starter. His role the passing game makes up for mediocre rushing numbers.
RB2 â Steven Jackson (Rams): Has hit double digits every week (basic scoring). Howâs that for consistency. Only troubling issue is his lightweight TD total (3).
WR1 â Andre Johnson (Texans): Leads the league in yards (669) and his four TDs are double his total for all of last season. Has been consistent from week to week. Now just imagine if QB David Carr actually had time to throw.
WR2 â Darrell Jackson (Seahawks) â 587 yards and six TDs, and seems to be a favorite target of backup QB Seneca Wallace, who is subbing for the injured Matt Hasselbeck.
TE â Alge Crumpler (Falcons): He is still QB Michael Vickâs favorite target.
PK â Jeff Wilkins (Rams): Has hit seven FGs from 40-49 yards.
DEF â Baltimore Raven: Like Chicago, their stats are twisted by a huge week vs. the Saints, but thatâs what good defenses/special teams do.
Third Team
QB â Marc Bulger (Rams): 12 TDs vs. only one INT. His 1,946 yards are nothing to scoff at, either. Four straight weeks above 20 points.
RB1 â Tiki Barber (Giants): Itâs hard putting a guy who hasnât scored a TD on an All-Fantasy team, but his yardage totals are outstanding â leads league in rushing (715) and ranks seventh among RBs in receiving yards (242).
RB2 â Kevin Jones (Lions): Hardest pick yet. Fairly consistent â three bad games, but one was vs. the Bears. Accumulating some TDs (5 total) and is involved in the passing game.
WR1 â Marques Colston (Saints): Flashback for a moment to the beginning of the year. You are told a Saints rookie is in line for offensive Rookie of the Year. How many would have answer someone other than RB Reggie Bush. Both of you, put your hands down. We know youâre lying.
WR2 â Reggie Brown (Eagles): Flashback for a moment to Week 3. Which Eagles WR would you expect to see here? In the first two weeks with a healthy Donte Stallworth opposite him, Brown had exactly three catches (albeit, two were for TDs). He has had at least three in every game since (and four TDs) before last weekâs debacle vs. the Jags.
TE â Antonio Gates (Chargers): Slow start (one TD in first three games), but has scored three times in past four contests. As QB Philip Rivers continues to get comfortable, and the coaches get more comfortable with Rivers airing it out, expect Gates’ numbers to rise.
PK â Nate Kaeding (Chargers): Offense gives him plenty of opportunities. He converts the vast majority.
DEF â Minnesota Vikings: Big surprise. Have five defensive/special team TDs and rank seventh in points allowed.
Stay tuned
Up next, the All-Bust team.


