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Scott Engel lists his top 75 keepers, helping you make those difficult choices as you look towards the new season and the future.
Here is my listing of the Top 75 keepers for the 2008 season. All top players are listed, so you can also use this as a cheat sheet if you are drafting in a keeper league for the first time. That's why rookies are also listed. Ratings are based on standard performance scoring and roster sizes. Commentary included on first 50 recommended keepers. 1. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings: Even if he is not as consistent as LaDainian Tomlinson this season, he will soon be the unquestioned top player in fantasy football.
2. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: He is certainly going to help you get deep into your playoffs this season, and I expect him to continue to be outstanding over the next two seasons.
3. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots: Randy Moss is under contract for another three years, which means Brady should continue to post brilliant fantasy numbers well past this season.
4. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts: An ultra-safe pick, around whom you can simply build your team on an annual basis.
5. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: Versatile, and more importantly, he will be a high-yardage TD machine for years to come.
6. Joseph Addai, RB, Colts: He is going to be a prime performer in one of the league's best offenses for a long time. Obviously he is a great keeper.
7. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots: Working with Brady over the next three years means he will certainly remain among the elite players at his position. I'm banking on at least two more outstanding seasons from Moss.
8. Marshawn Lynch, RB, Bills: Buffalo's offense will progressively improve each year, and the all-around numbers will simply continue to rise.
9. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts: He is now the clear top target in a superb passing game. Some of the best years of his career are ahead.
10. Braylon Edwards, WR, Browns: He is going to be a fantasy superstar for a long time. The prime of his career is ahead.
11. Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles: He certainly will help you win this season, but I do wonder how much longer he can give such a great all-around effort without wearing down. Keep him for now, but next season may bring a different evaluation. You do want to win this season, so treat him like he is in a contract year, and then judge him again after the season ends.
12. Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots: This may seem a bit lofty now, but after he has a big breakthrough season in 2008, any lingering doubts will vanish.
13. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins: The Washington offense will also improve a lot over the next few years, and he'll give you very good numbers at least through 2009.
14. Marques Colston, WR, Saints: There are a lot of good years ahead, and I think he is actually underrated by some. He is a steal in more than just yearly redraft leagues.
15. Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders: I have little doubt he will be a longtime fantasy standout, even if his statistical production is inconsistent as a rookie.
16. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers: It may not happen right away, but Mike Martz will get the offense to achieve more all-around balance. Gore is a big part of that.
17. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans: While Matt Schaub starts to make a real name for himself, Johnson will enjoy some fine seasons as his main weapon.
18. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals: Earlier in his career, he drew comparisons to Cris Carter. Soon, he will truly show us why.
19. Drew Brees, QB, Saints: He is the unquestioned, confident, and quick-witted leader of one of the best and most diverse offenses in the league.
20. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys: Terrell Owens is starting to reach that point in his career where you have to be uncomfortable about how much longer Romo will be able to lean heavily on him. Another situation to evaluate on a year-by-year basis, but Romo is a fine keeper for now with no real major worries.
21. Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: Be patient with him early this year, as Aaron Rodgers endures some on-field trials early. Once the new QB starts keeping defenses honest, Grant will continue to perform at a high level...and he'll do it frequently.
22. Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens: The supporting cast is somewhat scary, but he is willingly a hard worker. Willis will make the best of it as the team tries to move towards more offensive consistency and stability.
23. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Bengals: A very safe choice. He will continue to be a prime target in a high-powered passing game for the next 2-3 seasons.
24. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars: Although I never see him becoming a full-timer, he's still very young and will make the most of every touch, continuing to produce healthy TD totals every season.
25. Marion Barber III, RB, Cowboys: Felix Jones will steal some touches, but Barber will still score a lot of TDs and have big games that will key many fantasy victories over the next few seasons.
26. Terrell Owens, WR, Cowboys: Again, take it year-to-year at this point of his career.
27. Plaxico Burress, WR, Giants: Assuming he gets what he wants, you gotta love Eli's top target.
28. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: Have patience, he will be consistently very good no later than 2009.
29. Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos: This could change a bit, obviously, but I still like him a lot in the long-term.
30. Torry Holt, WR, Rams: Still a pretty safe bet to continue producing for the next two years.
31. Chad Johnson, WR, Bengals: If you can handle the worries, go for it.
32. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions: I truly believe superstardom is right around the corner.
33. Anquan Boldin, WR, Cardinals: No matter what the QB situation is, good numbers will come.
34. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers: Even with his toe problem, Gates should still be fine for the long term.
35. Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins: Will take some time to regain pre-injury form, but he is worth the patience.
36. Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals: I still have a lot of confidence in him.
37. Derek Anderson, QB, Browns: List me among the "true believers", as Stan Lee would say.
38. Ben Roethlisberger, QB, Steelers: Another guy who I think is a bit underrated.
39. Eli Manning, QB, Giants: Go ahead, think I'm crazy. I'm not.
40. Jamal Lewis, RB, Browns: I'll certainly retain him to help me win this year.
41. Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers: I'm with the widespread believers here.
42. Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Seahawks: Steady veteran who will rarely let you down.
43. Roy Williams, WR, Lions: A reflection of his current QB? I want to see more consistency.
44. Matt Forte, RB, Bears: The path is obviously clear for him to succeed.
45. Kellen Winslow Jr., TE, Browns: If he didn't come with lingering health concerns, I'd rank him higher.
46. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs: He has quickly proved himself to be worthy of this ranking.
47. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers: He will fill the void for Carolina with nice TD totals.
48. Lee Evans, WR, Bills: He is going to live up to expectations as Buffalo's offense evolves.
49. Jay Cutler, QB, Broncos: Here's another guy to watch for a true breakthrough year.
50. Selvin Young, RB, Broncos: Not fully comfortable with any Denver RB, but Selvin's upside is apparent.
51. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers
52. Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys
53. Roddy White, WR, Falcons
54. Anthony Gonzalez, WR, Colts
55. Kevin Smith, RB, Lions
56. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers
57. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers
58. Earnest Graham, RB, Buccaneers
59. Dallas Clark, TE, Colts
60. Reggie Bush, RB, Saints
61. David Garrard, QB, Jaguars
62. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers
63. Chris Cooley, TE, Redskins
64. Larry Johnson, RB, Chiefs
65. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Chiefs
66. Donovan McNabb, QB, Eagles
67. Willie Parker, RB, Steelers
68. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants
69. Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks
70. Laveranues Coles, WR, Jets
71. Heath Miller, TE, Steelers
72. Matt Schaub, QB, Texans
73. LenDale White, RB, Titans
74. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers
75. Greg Olsen, TE, Bears What is Scott Engel keeping this year? His PS3, Xbox 360, his Wii, and his closet full of Seahawks gear. Except for maybe that old Rick Mirer jersey. Contact Scott at
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