Week 10 fantasy football rankings: Bank on Brees

Photo via: Saints/Facebook

These are my very early ranks, so keep in mind I post these on Thursday. Make sure you check the injury report on Sunday for players that have missed practice. If it doesn't look like a player will play this week, I typically won't rank him. Keep in mind, these are PPR rankings, and don't forget to set your lineup for Thursday Night Football.

If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up on Twitter. Be sure to check out my show MoneyLine with Jerry Bo on ESPN 97.5FM. We're on every Sunday morning from 10-noon, and we'll talk a lot of fantasy football and NFL gambling getting you ready for kickoff every Sunday.

@JoshJordan975

@Moneyline975

@JerryBoKnowz

QB

Rodgers should bounce back after a tough loss against the Chargers. Photo by Andy Lyons/GettyImages

1 Lamar Jackson

2 Drew Brees

3 Patrick Mahomes

4 Russell Wilson

5 Aaron Rodgers

6 Philip Rivers

7 Kyler Murray

8 Dak Prescott

9 Jimmy Garoppolo

10 Jameis Winston

11 Josh Allen

12 Matt Ryan

13 Jared Goff

14 Matthew Stafford

15 Derek Carr

RB

Feed Zeke...Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images

1 Christian McCaffrey

2 Saquon Barkley

3 Ezekiel Elliott

4 Dalvin Cook

5 Aaron Jones

6 Alvin Kamara

7 Josh Jacobs

8 Mark Ingram

9 Derrick Henry

10 Marlon Mack

11 Melvin Gordon

12 Le'Veon Bell

13 Nick Chubb

14 Jaylen Samuels

15 Chris Carson

16 Austin Ekeler

17 Tevin Coleman

18 David Johnson

19 Todd Gurley

20 David Montgomery

21 Damien Williams

22 Devin Singletary

23 Devonta Freeman

24 Ronald Jones

25 Latavius Murray

26 Jamaal Williams

27 Matt Breida

28 J.D. McKissic

29 Joe Mixon

30 Tarik Cohen

WR

Thomas comes in at No.1 this week. Photo by New Orleans Saints/Facebook

1 Michael Thomas

2 Chris Godwin

3 Amari Cooper

4 Julio Jones

5 Cooper Kupp

6 Tyreek Hill

7 Mike Evans

8 Tyler Lockett

9 Keenan Allen

10 Davante Adams

11 Stefon Diggs

12 Kenny Golladay

13 Emmanuel Sanders

14 Allen Robinson

15 D.J. Moore

16 John Brown

17 Mike Williams

18 Golden Tate

19 Calvin Ridley

20 Christian Kirk

21 Michael Gallup

22 Odell Beckham Jr

23 Marvin Jones

24 Zach Pascall

25 Sammy Watkins

26 Jamison Crowder

27 Devante Parker

28 Robert Woods

29 Marquise Brown

30 JuJu Smith-Schuster

31 Tyler Boyd

32 Larry Fitzgerald

33 D.K. Metcalf

34 Tyrell Williams

35 Danny Amendola

36 Jarvis Landry

TE

It's hard not to like Henry against the Raiders. Photo via:Chargers/Facebook

1 George Kittle

2 Travis Kelce

3 Hunter Henry

4 Austin Hooper

5 Darren Waller

6 Mark Andrews

7 Greg Olsen

8 Gerald Everett

9 Jared Cook

10 Jonnu Smith

11 Jack Doyle

12 Jason Witten

13 T.J. Hockenson

14 Mike Gesicki

15 Vance McDonald

DEF

1 Ravens

2 Colts

3 Bills

4 Saints

5 Bears

6 Cowboys

7 Rams

8 Giants

9 Chargers

10 49ers

11 Steelers

12 Vikings

13 Packers

14 Lions

15 Browns

KICKER

1 Justin Tucker

2 Wil Lutz

3 Robbie Gould

4 Harrison Butker

5 Brett Maher

6 Zane Gonzalez

7 Michael Badgley

8 Greg Zuerlein

9 Matt Gay

10 Mason Crosby

11 Matt Prater

12 Adam Vinatieri

13 Joey Slye

14 Dan Bailey

15 Steven Hauschka

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The Texans could go a number of different ways at No. 12 overall. Composite image by Jack Brame.

The scouting combine is done. Pro days are upon us. Soon, in person visits will be taking place. Free agency has seen a flurry of signings. The NFL offseason is in full swing right now, with about a month before the draft is to take place. Teams are flipping cap space like pancakes. Vets are being cut now or have post-June 1 designations to be cut. Franchise tags have been placed with some guys getting new deals, but others left waiting.

The Texans have taken another conservative approach to free agency this offseason; much to the chagrin of some fans in the fan base. With the draft ahead and the team owning the number two and 12 overall picks in the first round, speculation is running rampant. For the most part, number two is considered to be the top quarterback left on the board after the Panthers pick first overall. They're a quarterback-starved team who made a splash deal to get the top pick.

Who Carolina takes first isn't of much consequence to me. The Texans need a franchise quarterback to build around. C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young are widely considered the top two at that position. Drafting the one the Panthers don't still leaves the Texans in a good spot. At number 12 overall is where things get really interesting. More intriguing than number two in my opinion.

The main reason I say 12 is more interesting than two is stated above. I wholeheartedly believe quarterback at two is where they're going. The team hasn't traded for or signed a guy who could be deemed a future franchise guy or even a bridge at quarterback. Case Keenum fans and Davis Mills truthers can all have several seats. Neither of those guys can sniff being a franchise guy, and neither are bridge quality quarterbacks. They're both backups. Drafting Stroud or Young gives this team what they desperately need most to get on the road to competing for the division and playoffs. It's the most important position, the most glaring need, and therefore the least exciting pick. Everyone knows what they're most likely going to draft.

Another reason I feel 12 is more exciting than two are the other needs of the roster. Despite the excitement around some of the young talent on this roster, there are still some holes to fill. The trade of Brandin Cooks leaves a bigger void at receiver. Pass rush has been abysmal. There's a need for playmakers on both sides of the ball. Imagine what Derek Stingley Jr would look like if he had another top flight corner on the opposite side? What if he had a beast of a pass rusher getting after quarterbacks? How much easier would life be for the rookie quarterback if he has a big time receiver, and fellow rookie, to throw to? Imagine those guys growing together? What if DeMeco Ryans identifies a guy he can mold into a centerpiece for his defense? What if they see a guy like Bijan Robinson as the centerpiece for this offense? 12 is a sweet spot to get a guy that'll contribute from day one, especially if one falls from a projected top five slot.

The final reason I feel 12 is more exciting than two is the trade option. Whether it's trading up for a guy they feel is a must-have, or trading back to acquire more picks, trading that pick is a million times more likely than trading two. Let's say Jalen Carter or Tyree Wilson falls to the Falcons at eight, and the Texans want to get to one of them before the Bears do at nine. Or how about a team in the 15-22 range sees a guy they're willing to pony up the price to move up to 12 to draft? Do you turn down a golden goose package for that pick? I think the Texans would entertain the offer at minimum. I also think they'd use some draft capital to move up and get a game changer if the price is right. Another interesting thought I had about 12: what if there's a player that wants a new contract/fed up with his current team and this regime feels he's worth that pick, or being a piece in a trade back scenario?

There are so many options and scenarios at 12 that are way more exciting than what'll happen at two. I'm truly looking forward to that pick and what surrounds it more than two. It's as if you know what you're getting for your pre-Christmas December birthday, but are more looking forward to your Christmas gift. My fellow December babies will get this. I'm so excited about this pick, it made me think of one of the funniest scenes from Step Brothers. “With the twelfth pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Houston Texans…”

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