With fantasy leagues now wrapped up, it's never too early to look ahead to who might be some of next year's top picks.
Fantasy 2012 may be the year of the quarterback. The top 5 scoring players this year were QB's.
With that said, here are my projected top 5 fantasy draft picks for 2012.
5. Tom Brady
Tom Brady is as automatic as any player in the NFL. He gets it done every single year and even stepped up his game this season. The Patriots running game struggled occasionally, which forced him to throw the ball even more than usual.
Whether the Patriots find a productive starting running back will be a key. But still look for Brady to connect with Welker and Gronkowski plenty of times next season.
4. Arian Foster
Arian Foster proved that he wasn't a one-year wonder. He has the 11th most fantasy points this season, despite missing virtually the first three games with an ailing hamstring.
He would be the top fantasy player if he didn't miss any games this year. Nobody was as dominant or as frequently used as Foster. He had 9 100-yard games this year, whether that be on the ground or out of the backfield.
That versatility will make him the first running back taken in fantasy next season.
3. Drew Brees
The Saints better re-sign this guy before one of football's best players walks away to another team (Albert Pujols anyone?).
It's hard to picture Brees playing anywhere else, and assuming he returns to New Orleans, he'll have a talented supporting cast back just like Rodgers.
On his way to the NFL's passing record, Brees threw for over 400 yards twice, and had less than 300 yards only twice all year!
He will be considered a top pick in some leagues.
2. Aaron Rodgers
The supporting cast will be back. Jennings, Driver, Nelson, Jones and Finley. I won't name the 18 different players A-Rod threw a touchdown to this season, but clearly the Packers offense will score plenty of points with #12 at center.
It will be hard to match the kind of accuracy and touchdown-to-interception ratio (45 to 6) that Rodgers had this year. The superb fantasy numbers will still be there.
1. Cam Newton
This guy had perhaps the greatest season for a rookie quarterback in NFL history. He broke a QB record with 14 rushing touchdowns this season; it's like having an extra running back on your fantasy roster.
He combined for 34 total touchdowns and there's no doubt he will only mature and be better next season. He would have been the top fantasy scorer in 2011 if not for his 16 interceptions. That problem will go away as he matures and grows as a quarterback.
Amazing to think he could have outscored Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees this season if not for those picks.
Cam should clearly be the number one overall fantasy pick next year.
For the first time in 4 years, Adrian Peterson won't be a top-tier fantasy pick. Serious questions surround his knee surgery and when he'll come back. Toby Gerhart did a solid job in his absence this year.
It has been another exciting year of fantasy football, good luck to everyone next year.
P.S. If you have a different choice for next year's top pick or a very different top 5, I would like to hear who you would pick. Please leave your comments below.
More to come.
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