This summer, after watching games and breaking down film, Scouts Inc. and myself evaluated and graded more than 2,500 NFL players heading into the 2012 season. The rankings (listed in the box on the right) were broken down into an overall top 200 and then by position.

With the NFL season now at its midpoint, we thought it was a good time to re-rank the NFL's top 50 players. Keep in mind that while the most weight for the ranking change is off of performance this season (including projected value for the second half of the season), it also heavily incorporates what a player has done over the course of his career. That way some injury issues don't completely detract from what we know of a player (see Terrell Suggs and Darrelle Revis).

That said, here is my Midseason Top 50 Rankings:

1Aaron RodgersAGE: 28DOB: 12/2/83HT: 6-2WT: 225POS: QB
Att 327Comp 219Yds 2,383TD 25Int 5QBR 73.1Player Analysis
By Rodgers' standards, this has been a bad season overall. By just about anyone else's standards, it might be a career year. And now Rodgers is beginning to heat up, even though his top receivers have battled injuries.

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2Tom BradyAGE: 35DOB: 8/3/77HT: 6-4WT: 225POS: QB
Att 320Comp 209Yds 2,408TD 16Int 3QBR 79.2Player Analysis
The 2012 version of the Patriots' offense is really exciting to watch and it is so impressive that this group reinvents itself on a regular basis. Brady remains elite in running it.

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3Drew BreesAGE: 33DOB: 1/15/79HT: 6-0WT: 209POS: QB
Att 342Comp 209Yds 2,549TD 22Int 8QBR 67.5Player Analysis
Despite a very difficult offseason and now without Sean Payton, Brees is still playing at a high level.

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4Adrian PetersonAGE: 27DOB: 3/21/85HT: 6-1WT: 217POS: RB
Att 168Yds 957Avg 5.7Long 74TD 6Fum 2Player Analysis
Peterson most likely is not all the way recovered from his knee injury, but he is still running unbelievably well. He had an amazing game at Seattle in Week 9.

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5J.J. WattAGE: 23DOB: 3/22/89HT: 6-5WT: 288POS: DE
Tkl 39Solo 31Sack 10.5FF 0Player Analysis
Watt is running away with the Defensive Player of the Year award. He is great against the run, but Watt's ability to swat down passes and to rush the quarterback from any technique on the defensive line is uncanny.

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6Calvin JohnsonAGE: 27DOB: 9/29/85HT: 6-5WT: 236POS: WR
Rec 48Yds 767Avg 16.0Long 51TD 1Player Analysis
This has been a down year by Johnson's immense standards, but by no means should his greatness be questioned.

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7Von MillerAGE: 23DOB: 3/26/89HT: 6-3WT: 237POS: LB
Tkl 33Solo 27Sack 9.0Int 0FF 1TD 0Player Analysis
Miller was terrific as a rookie and has been even better this year. If it wasn't for Watt, Miller would be the leading candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.

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8Clay MatthewsAGE: 26DOB: 5/14/86HT: 6-3WT: 255POS: LB
Tkl 31Solo 21Sack 9.0Int 0FF 1TD 0Player Analysis
Matthews is having another amazing season for the Packers with 9.0 sacks.

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9Eli ManningAGE: 31DOB: 1/3/81HT: 6-4WT: 218POS: QB
Att 318Comp 194Yds 2,426TD 12INT 9QBR 69.6Player Analysis
The reigning Super Bowl champion quarterback is having another fantastic season as the leader of the Giants. He has his ups and downs, but his ups come at the best time -- and that isn't a coincidence.

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10Ben RoethlisbergerAGE: 30DOB: 3/2/82HT: 6-5WT: 241POS: QB
Att 298Comp 200Yds 2,203TD 16Int 4QBR 72.4Player Analysis
Somewhat quietly, Roethlisberger is playing just about as well as any quarterback in the league right now in Todd Haley's new system in Pittsburgh.

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11Peyton ManningAGE: 36DOB: 3/24/76HT: 6-5WT: 230POS: QB
Att 292Comp 203Yds 2,404TD 20INT 6QBR 85.4Player Analysis
Manning is back. And in a way, he has reinvented himself in a new uniform, with less arm strength, but still with one of the sharpest minds for the game that football has ever known.

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12Darrelle RevisAGE: 27DOB: 7/14/85HT: 5-11WT: 198POS: CB
Tkl 11Solo 8Sack 0Int 1FF 1TD 0Player Analysis
Revis was one of the tougher players to rank on this list. When we last saw him, he was a dominant shutdown cornerback and a top-10 player overall.

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13DeMarcus WareAGE: 30DOB: 7/31/82HT: 6-4WT: 254POS: LB
Tkl 37Solo 22Sack 9.0Int 0FF 1TD 0Player Analysis
Ware's career pass-rushing productivity and pace is unbelievable. He is an all-time great and an easy Hall of Famer.

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14Rob GronkowskiAGE: 23DOB: 5/14/89HT: 6-6WT: 265POS: TE
Rec 43Yds 580Avg 13.5Long 41TD 7Player Analysis
Gronkowski is on pace to be the best tight end that has ever lived. With all due respect to Tony Gonzalez, Gronkowski is bigger, more powerful, a better blocker and even better in the red zone.

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15Larry FitzgeraldAGE: 29DOB: 8/31/83HT: 6-3WT: 218POS: WR
Rec 51Yds 585Avg 11.5Long 37TD 4Player Analysis
I was fortunate enough to help recruit Fitzgerald to Pitt and watch every practice and game of his college career. He is a remarkable player and human being.

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16Jimmy GrahamAGE: 25DOB: 11/24/1986HT: 6-7WT: 265POS: TE
Rec 38Yds 387Avg 10.2Long 24TD 5Player Analysis
Graham has battled injuries this year and hasn't gotten deep as much as a season ago, but when healthy, he can't be covered. After watching him in 2011, I felt that Graham was still in the early stages in terms of knowing the ins and outs of the position.

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17A.J. GreenAGE: 24DOB: 7/31/88HT: 6-4WT: 207POS: WR
Rec 51Yds 735Avg 14.4Long 73TD 8Player Analysis
It won't be long before NFL experts are talking about Green as the best wide receiver in football. Calvin Johnson might have something to say about that for quite some time, but Green is very special.

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18Jason Pierre-PaulAGE: 23DOB: 1/1/89HT: 6-5WT: 278POS: DE
Tackles 38Solo 25Sack 6.5Int 1FF 1TD 1Player Analysis
Pierre-Paul might be the most talented player at any position in the entire league. And he plays up to his out-of-this-world ability.

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19Justin SmithAGE: 33DOB: 9/30/79HT: 6-4WT: 285POS: DT
Tkl 35Solo 28Sack 0Int 0FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
Smith was the gold standard at the 3-4 defensive end position, but that distinction may very well belong to Watt now. Smith might have taken a baby step backwards from 2011 to now, but the level at which he has been playing before this year was truly remarkable.

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20Patrick WillisAGE: 27DOB: 1/25/85HT: 6-1WT: 240POS: LB
Tkl 65Solo 48Sack 0Int 1FF 1TD 0Player Analysis
As noted on this list, there is an excellent wave of younger second-level defenders that have come on strong in the NFL recently.

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21Percy HarvinAGE: 24DOB: 5/28/88HT: 5-11WT: 184POS: WR
Rec 62Yds 677Avg 10.9Long 45TD 3Player Analysis
Harvin can do it all and has terrific speed. If he focused just on playing running back, he could be exceptional in that role. If he focused just on playing the slot, he might be the best in the league. He is already a premier return man and overall, Harvin has taken his game to a new level this season.

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22Troy PolamaluAGE: 31DOB: 4/19/81HT: 5-10WT: 207POS: S
Tkl 7Solo 7Sack 0Int 0FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
Much like Revis, ranking Polamalu is very difficult, since he has done next to nothing this season due to injury. But unlike Revis, injuries are all too common for Polamalu, which diminishes his overall value.

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23Terrell SuggsAGE: 30DOB: 10/11/82HT: 6-3WT: 260POS: LB
Tkl 8Solo 5Sack 1.0Int 0FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
Suggs is another guy on this list that is difficult to rank right now. It is remarkable that last year's Defensive Player of the Year is playing now considering the significance of his injury, but where is he exactly as a player?

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24Matt RyanAGE: 27DOB: 5/17/85HT: 6-4WT: 217POS: QB
Att 299Comp 206Yds 2,360TD 17Int 6QBR 78.2Player Analysis
Ryan is making a serious case for being ranked up with the elite players at the most important position on the field.

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25Cameron WakeAGE: 30DOB: 1/30/82HT: 6-3WT: 258POS: LB
Tkl 27Solo 21Sack 8.5Int 0FF 1TD 0Player Analysis
Wake was a successful 3-4 outside linebacker before this season, but Miami moved to a predominantly 4-3 scheme this year. It hasn't negatively affected Wake at all.

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26Geno AtkinsAGE: 24DOB: 3/28/88HT: 6-1WT: 300POS: DT
Tkl 27Solo 20Sack 7.0Int 0FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
Not a household name to some, Atkins is probably the best interior pass-rusher in the game today.

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27Ray RiceAGE: 25DOB: 1/22/87HT: 5-8WT: 212POS: RB
Att 131Yds 622Avg 4.7Long 43TD 6Fum 0Player Analysis
Baltimore has changed its offense this season, incorporating more no-huddle and putting more on Joe Flacco's plate. For the most part, Flacco seems up for the added responsibility, but Rice should remain the key to this entire offense.

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28Arian FosterAGE: 26DOB: 8/24/86HT: 6-1WT: 228POS: RB
Att 192Yds 770Avg 4.0Long 46TD 10Fum 0Player Analysis
Foster might have taken a small step back from a year ago, but it's more likely because his blocking hasn't been quite as strong. However, Foster's overall production is simply amazing.

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29Haloti NgataAGE: 28DOB: 1/21/84HT: 6-4WT: 340POS: DT
Tkl 32Solo 24Sack 3.0Int 0FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
This hasn't been Ngata's best season due mostly to injury and teams being able to key on him with Terrell Suggs out of the lineup.

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30LeSean McCoyAGE: 24DOB: 7/12/88HT: 5-11WT: 208POS: RB
Att 146Yds 623Avg 4.3Long 34TD 2Fum 3Player Analysis
For some reason, the Eagles don't use McCoy nearly as much as they should -- particularly with the troubles they are having in protection and at the quarterback position.

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31Duane BrownAGE: 27DOB: 8/30/85HT: 6-4WT: 320POS: T
GP 8GS 8Player Analysis
In a league that is presently light on stud offensive linemen, Brown has emerged as the best of the pack. He doesn't have the usual long build of prototypical left tackles, but he moves exceptionally well and continues to get better year after year.

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32Jared AllenAGE: 30DOB: 4/3/82HT: 6-6WT: 270POS: DE
Tkl 29Solo 20Sack 7.5Int 0FF 1TD 0Player Analysis
The sack numbers are there for Allen, but there has been a slight slip in his play this year.

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33Joe HadenAGE: 23DOB: 4/14/89HT: 5-11WT: 190POS: CB
Tkl 27Solo 21Sack 0Int 2FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
As we saw earlier this year when Haden was suspended, the Browns' defense just isn't the same with him out. His aggressive style of play is extremely impressive to go along with great quickness.

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34Sean LeeAGE: 26DOB: 7/22/86HT: 6-2WT: 245POS: LB
Tkl 58Solo 36Sack 0Int 1FF 1TD 0Player Analysis
Unfortunately, Lee is out for the season. While Dallas' defense is quite good in other spots, expect that loss to be felt immensely.

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35NaVorro BowmanAGE: 24DOB: 5/28/88HT: 6-0WT: 242POS: LB
Tkl 68Solo 42Sack 2.0Int 1FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
An argument can be made that Bowman is superior to Willis, but Willis' body of work right now is more impressive.

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36Darnell DockettAGE: 31DOB: 5/27/81HT: 6-4WT: 290POS: DT
Tkl 22Solo 16Sack 1.5Int 0FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
Somewhat miscast as a 3-4 defensive end, I would love to see Dockett in a defense like Chicago's where he could do his best Warren Sapp impersonation and constantly attack upfield as a prototype 3-technique defensive tackle.

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37Matt ForteAGE: 26DOB: 12/10/85HT: 6-2WT: 218POS: RB
Att 107Yds 539Avg 5.0Long 46TD 3Fum 0Player Analysis
Forte doesn't have one asset that leaps off the screen when you watch him. But he really does everything well and is the total package at the position.

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38Vince WilforkAGE: 31DOB: 11/4/81HT: 6-2WT: 325POS: DT
Tkl 22Solo 14Sack 0Int 0FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
Wilfork is getting up in age -- and weight -- but he is still a true anchor in the middle of New England's defense.

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39Eric WeddleAGE: 27DOB: 1/4/85HT: 5-11WT: 200POS: S
Tkl 46Solo 39Sack 1.0FF 2Int 2Player Analysis
Weddle is the type of player that quarterbacks must account for on every snap. He can do it all.

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40Joe ThomasAGE: 27DOB: 12/4/84HT: 6-6WT: 312POS: T
GP 8GS 8Player Analysis
The NFL doesn't have left tackles in the Orlando Pace or Walter Jones mold any more, but over the past several years, Thomas has been the class of this position.

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41Calais CampbellAGE: 26DOB: 9/1/86HT: 6-8WT: 300POS: DE
Tkl 38Solo 30Sack 3.5Int 0FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
Campbell just keeps getting better and better. Despite his long build, Campbell plays with excellent leverage in the running game. Also, Campbell is one of the best pass-rushing 3-4 defensive ends in the league.

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42Julius PeppersAGE: 32DOB: 1/18/80HT: 6-7WT: 287POS: DE
Tkl 14Solo 10Sack 5.0Int 0FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
Peppers is the best player on the best defensive line in football. Surrounded by fantastic talent, Peppers is still the one that derives the most attention from opponents, which helps to free others along the D-line.

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43Daryl WashingtonAGE: 26DOB: 10/9/86HT: 6-2WT: 230POS: LB
Tkl 75Solo 64Sack 8.0Int 0FF 2TD 0Player Analysis
Washington is fantastic and can do it all. His range is among the best in the league and everything he does, he does with explosion and vigor.

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44Johnathan JosephAGE: 28DOB: 4/16/84HT: 5-11WT: 189POS: CB
Tkl 38Solo 34Sack 0Int 2FF 0TD 0Player Analysis
This has been a bit of a rough season for Joseph due to a hip injury, which clearly slowed him down. But based off tape when he is healthy and the amazing work he did in 2011, Joseph is still an elite corner.

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45Marshawn LynchAGE: 26DOB: 4/22/86HT: 5-11WT: 215POS: RB
Att 185Yds 881Avg 4.8Long 77TD 4Fum 1Player Analysis
There isn't a back in the league that runs harder or with more determination than Lynch.

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46Marshal YandaAGE: 27DOB: 9/15/84HT: 6-3WT: 315POS: G
GP 7GS 7Player Analysis
This could be a name that many might be shocked to see on such a prestigious list, but Yanda is a fantastic football player.
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47Roddy WhiteAGE: 31DOB: 11/2/81HT: 6-0WT: 211POS: WR
Rec 47Yds 709Avg 15.1Long 59TD 4Player Analysis
With Julio Jones emerging and the ageless Tony Gonzalez still playing at a high level, there are weeks when the box score isn't overwhelming for White.

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48Wes WelkerAGE: 31DOB: 5/1/81HT: 5-9WT: 185POS: WR
Rec 60Yds 763Avg 12.3Long 59TD 2Player Analysis
Comparing Welker to other top wideouts isn't easy. He has a symbiotic relationship with Tom Brady and New England's system like no other receiver in today's game.

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49Vernon DavisAGE: 28DOB: 1/31/84HT: 6-3WT: 250POS: TE
Rec 25Yds 374Avg 15.0Long 53TD 3Player Analysis
Defending San Francisco's offense is a difficult task, but defenses are starting to do everything possible to take Davis out of the equation and force Alex Smith to throw to the perimeter to his wide receivers.

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50Earl ThomasAGE: 23DOB: 5/7/89HT: 5-10WT: 202POS: S
Tkl 36Solo 25Sack 0Int 2FF1TD 0Player Analysis
Thomas has the ability to play center field and also be a downhill missile in the run game with explosive take-on skills.

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Honorable mention (alphabetical): Jairus Byrd, Chris Clemons, Trent Cole, Victor Cruz, Cortland Finnegan, Frank Gore, Chad Greenway, Aaron Hernandez, Mike Iupati, Greg Jennings, Andre Johnson, Chris Long, Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall, Gerald McCoy, Brandon Mebane, Carl Nicks, Hakeem Nicks, Ed Reed, Richard Sherman, Aldon Smith, Demaryius Thomas, Charles Tillman, Sean Weatherspoon, Antoine Winfield

Mid-Season All Rookie Team


Unlike my midseason top 50 list, this is a year-to-date honor. In the top 50, I judged where every player is overall -- not just how well he has played in 2012.

For this list, it is an honor based on who have been the best rookies at each respective position up until the midway point and not what I necessarily think of them as a prospect overall.

Also, although this class overall is getting better as the season progresses, it still doesn't approach the rookie crop from a year ago.

Quarterback
Andrew Luck, Indianapolis

Honorable mention: Robert Griffin III, Washington; Ryan Tannehill, Miami; Russell Wilson, Seattle; Brandon Weeden, Cleveland

Analysis: All five of these rookies needed to be mentioned. Collectively, what they are doing is really tremendous and each of these players is making strides on almost a weekly basis. Griffin edges out Luck for the top honors, but I will say that more has been put on Luck's plate up until this point. Tannehill would be third, Wilson fourth and Weeden fifth, but if I were the Browns in next year's draft, I would look to address another position rather than quarterback.

[+] Enlarge
Kim Klement/US Presswire
Alfred Morris (4.8 yards per carry) has stablized the running back position for the Redskins.
Running back
Doug Martin, Tampa Bay; Trent Richardson, Cleveland

Honorable Mention: Alfred Morris, Washington

Analysis: Choosing between Richardson and Martin was really splitting hairs, but I let the fact that I think Richardson will soon rival Adrian Peterson as the best running back in the NFL sway me just a bit. And although Morris has been tremendous and extremely productive, I would clearly take Richardson or Martin over him if I were starting a team. That isn't to take anything away from Morris, though, as he is having the best rookie year of any running back.

Wide receiver
Josh Gordon, Cleveland; Kendall Wright, Tennessee

Honorable mention: Chris Givens, St. Louis

Analysis: This is a bad group. All three of the players mentioned have serious deep-ball ability, though, especially Gordon and Givens, but there is also a real hit-or-miss quality to their games. Gordon has been the most pleasant surprise and has the look of a possible No. 1 wideout for Weeden.

Tight end
Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis

Honorable mention: Coby Fleener, Indianapolis

Analysis: Tight end is another weak group overall from this rookie class, but the Colts look to be pretty well set at the position for years to come -- although I don't see true star potential in either Allen or Fleener. But in Indianapolis' base double-tight end offense, Allen's two-way skills complement Fleener's receiver-first skill set.

Offensive line
Cordy Glenn, Buffalo; Matt Kalil, Minnesota; Jonathan Martin, Miami; Mitchell Schwartz, Cleveland; Kevin Zeitler, Cincinnati

Honorable mention: Kelechi Osemele, Baltimore

Analysis: There isn't a rookie center to speak of and outside of Zeitler, who has been terrific, the guard spot in this class is very weak. In turn, we just had to pick five offensive linemen instead of choosing specific positions on the front five. Glenn has probably played the best of this group, but he has been injured for much of the season.

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Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images
Greg Zuerlein made a name for himself in Week 4, when he kicked field goals of 58 and 60 yards against Seattle.
Special-teamer
Greg Zuerlein, St. Louis

Honorable mention: Bryan Anger, Jacksonville; Justin Tucker, Baltimore; Blair Walsh, Minnesota

Analysis: This is a pretty amazing class of rookie kicking specialists. You can be very critical of Jacksonville using such a high pick on a punter, but Anger does have the look of a high-end NFL punter who could be a fixture for the Jaguars for many years. Picking between Zuerlein, Tucker and Walsh was a very close race, but Zuerlein's flair for the dramatic with long field goals gave him the nod.

Defensive tackle
Akiem Hicks, New Orleans; Mike Martin, Tennessee

Honorable mention: Michael Brockers, St. Louis; Fletcher Cox, Philadelphia; Billy Winn, Cleveland

Analysis: Like with offensive linemen, this is a really light group. It is a poor rookie class for big men. Martin has been the best producer at this position, but he has tailed off a little after a very strong start. Brockers has been impressive, but missed a lot of time with injury. Hicks doesn't even start on a terrible Saints defense, but this raw monster really shows up when he is on the field.

Defensive end
Bruce Irvin, Seattle; Chandler Jones, New England

Honorable mention: Olivier Vernon, Miami; Derek Wolfe, Denver

Analysis: Jones has been far and away the best defensive rookie this season. It won't be long before this two-way stud will be listed among the best 4-3 defensive ends in the league. Irvin is only a designated edge pass-rusher, but he has really flashed at times in this role. Vernon has come on of late and Wolfe's best assets are his versatility and skills as an interior pass-rusher on passing downs.

Linebacker
Lavonte David, Tampa Bay; Melvin Ingram, San Diego; Luke Kuechly, Carolina; Bobby Wagner, Seattle

Honorable mention: Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati; Miles Burris, Oakland; Mychal Kendricks, Philadelphia

Analysis: Although I have been very impressed with Ingram, he doesn't see enough snaps and received this honor only after narrowly edging out the others, namely Burfict, who is hitting it big after not even being drafted. David, Kuechly and Wagner are taking on larger roles week after week -- and are thriving doing so.

Safety
Mark Barron, Tampa Bay; Harrison Smith, Minnesota

Honorable mention: Jerron McMillian, Green Bay

Analysis: Both strong safety types, Smith has outplayed Barron thus far, but that isn't a knock on Barron, who is already a very solid starter for the Bucs. It is easy now to forget just how awful Minnesota's secondary was in 2011 -- it might have been the worst positional group in the entire league. But Smith has done a great deal to firm up this now-young secondary.

Cornerback
Morris Claiborne, Dallas; Casey Hayward, Green Bay

Honorable mention: Janoris Jenkins, St. Louis

Analysis: Jenkins started the season playing great, but his play has noticeably tailed off of late. Still, he has the look of being an excellent man-to-man cover man for the Rams. Hayward has made a ton of plays -- often in Green Bay's sub packages to begin the season. Overall, I feel he has slightly outplayed Claiborne, but more has been asked of Claiborne, who often is left alone in man coverage against excellent NFL wide receivers.

Every week during the season, Will Harris will check with the computers (using Insider's PickCenter) and wiseguys to evaluate the upset possibilities in college football's most compelling games and give his picks for which team will come out on top.

There wasn't much change at the top of the rankings after Week 10 hit the books, but that doesn't mean there weren't several teams that moved up and down in our esteem. Upset Watch is always concerned with performances across the entire FBS, and Week 10 left us impressed with LSU, Texas A&M, USC's incredible skill players, Arkansas' effort, Middle Tennessee State, Army's resolve and San Diego State's special teams. Week 10 disappointments include Mississippi State, the Connecticut offense, Michigan's rush defense and Nick Saban's ill-fated blitz-happy game plan.

A 6-4 week leaves Upset Watch at 60-39 against the number this year. We'll look to improve on that against a difficult Week 11 slate that's short on live 'dogs but does provide us with a few good spots.

Texas A&M Aggies at Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is favored by 13.5 points
TeamRankings win odds for Texas A&M: 20 percent

The Aggies caught one of Mississippi State's worst efforts of the Dan Mullen era, but hanging 36 first downs and nearly 700 yards on the Bulldogs was nonetheless an impressive reinforcement of the great first impression the entire program has made on the SEC.


Saban called Alabama's defensive effort against LSU by far the worst of the season, which even if true can't discredit the fact for the second straight November the Tigers outprepared, outplayed and -- despite an over-aggressive call or two -- outcoached the Crimson Tide.

Like most good teams, Alabama is pretty solid off a subpar performance, and this is not a great spot for a Texas A&M squad making its third straight road trip. The Aggies are a much better team now than a month ago, but Alabama can still gain from the blueprint provided by LSU and Florida. The Tide also have the perimeter athletes to contain Johnny Manziel, the coverage skills to stay on receivers when plays break down and the tackling to deny the yards after catch that A&M thrives on.

Don't expect Alabama to put on a scoring clinic against a very good Texas A&M defense, but LSU's 17 points was the first time since 2010 that an FBS team dropped more than two touchdowns on the Tide. We'd need a little more weight to back the Aggies in a game where the number looks like it's in the ballpark.

The pick: Alabama 34, Texas A&M 17

West Virginia Mountaineers at Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State is favored by 7.5 points
TeamRankings win odds for West Virginia: 27 percent

Oklahoma State is a capable, well-coached outfit that's outgaining its foes by about 200 yards per game despite an obvious rebuilding job on offense that's included injuries to the top two quarterbacks. Don't let Wes Lunt's injury keep you away from this game, though. This team has ample confidence in Clint Chelf, who looks to us like the new permanent starter. Joseph Randle will find plenty of room anyway, and his offense will be backed by superior special teams and a strong back seven that matches up well here.

The Mountaineers were crushed in Lubbock and humiliated at home by Kansas State before an open date to circle the wagons yielded the best effort of the season against TCU in what was a must-win game for any hope at relevance. After the way West Virginia lost that game it would take Hall of Fame coaching to get this team out of the tank. And it should be obvious that West Virginia doesn't exactly have that.

There is no single factor more important to a program's success than the skill set of the head coach, so we're constantly evaluating them. When criticizing coaches, though, it's important to remember that most of the guys we're piling on for their failure to be one of the 50 best football coaches in the world are still likely one of the 300 best football coaches in the world. For that reason we don't like to be too specific or too harsh in our criticism of coaches, especially rookie ones.

But that said, this bunch at West Virginia is just flat never going to get our money, let alone in a spot like this. Dana Holgorsen's squad has covered just once in the past seven games. We've been patient and maybe a little too wary of Geno Smith in only attacking the Mountaineers a few times this season, but at this point we've seen all we need to see to confirm what we suspected last year: that the incineration of Clemson in the Orange Bowl will stand as far and away the high point of West Virginia football for at least the next five years. Your plan here should be to fire away pretty much every week.

The pick: Oklahoma State 44, West Virginia 24

Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Cardinal
Stanford is favored by 4.5 points
TeamRankings win odds for OSU: 39 percent

The stakes are high here as the winner retains control of the Pac-12 North along with an Oregon team yet to appear on the schedule. Both sides have made quarterback changes, in Stanford's case to a player who adds a dangerous and unfamiliar option element.

With two stout run defenses squaring off, though, this game will be decided in the air. The advantage there goes to the Corvallis invaders, who boast one of the nation's top wideout duos in Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks. Stanford can't counter that skill with vertical playmakers of its own, and the Cardinal secondary -- while opportunistic and backed by a killer pass rush -- still gives up too many third-and-long type plays.

Stanford has thrived on takeaways this year, but Oregon State won't be as compliant as the Cardinal's past victims. Notre Dame is Stanford's only previous opponent that ranks in the upper half of the FBS in turnovers, and five of them rank in the 100s. The teams seem to have similar résumés against their common foes, with each earning a narrow victory over Arizona and an uninspired one against Washington State while suffering a close road loss at Washington. A closer look, though, shows Oregon State with a plus-345 yardage margin in those games, compared with Stanford's minus-207. The points are significant in what shapes up as a competitive game where neither side is going to rack up sustained drives, but we like the Beavers to protect the football and make enough plays in the passing game to take this one outright.

The pick: Oregon State 24, Stanford 20

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Boston College Eagles
Notre Dame is favored by 18.5 points
TeamRankings win odds for Boston College: 13 percent

Brian Kelly's Notre Dame team should win big in Week 11.
Last week's results cost Boston College any shot it had at an upset. The Eagles needed to come into this tilt with the confidence of a two-game winning streak, not fresh off a four-turnover, 14-point outing against Wake Forest.

The Irish, for their part, just learned a valuable lesson about what can happen when the heavy favorite doesn't bring its A-game to the practice field, film room and stadium. Also driven home was the idea that the fragile line between victory and defeat can hinge on the game's smallest details. This is a mature and well-coached outfit that will do everything better this week than it did leading up to and during the Pitt game.

That's bad news for the downtrodden Eagles, who will be rendered completely one-dimensional by the Notre Dame defense, probably to the point of having negative net rushing yards. The Eagles' defensive front seven has been shoved around all year, and the disadvantage in both trenches would be fatal enough even without the coaching and ball security mismatches.

The pick: Notre Dame 41, Boston College 7

Rutgers Scarlet Knights versus Army Black Knights
Rutgers is favored by 17 points
TeamRankings win odds for Army: 14 percent

Rutgers is an outstanding defensive team with an inefficient offense that makes us think twice before laying double digits. This week, though, the homestanding Knights have all the edges against an undersized Army defense that doesn't tackle well and generally ranks among the worst in the FBS.

The Scarlet Knights' open date conferred more than the usual freshening benefits, allowing this team to put the distractions of Sandy behind it, regroup from a tough loss to Kent State and spend some extra time prepping for Army's uncommon schemes, which is as important in the case of the Cadets' double-eagle flex defense as it is regarding the option offense.

Rutgers is rested and ready to face an Army team coming off the biggest win of the Rich Ellerson era. The Knights have already fallen out of bowl contention, and won't face another opponent that inspires any extra verve until the season-ender at Navy. Losing to Rutgers is familiar and forgivable as the Black Knights have played their Scarlet counterparts in each of the past five years, threatening upset only once. Army has kept the deficit to 17 or fewer points the past three meetings, but this year's sad-sack defense is well below previous seasons' standards.

The pick: Rutgers 38, Army 10

Quick hitters
Cincinnati Bearcats (-10.5) at Temple Owls: We were doubters when Steve Addazio first took over for Al Golden, but we're believers now. Addazio inherited a loaded team last season and knew exactly what to do with it. And he's really shined this year with a roster that lost a greater percentage of its talent, experience and production than any in the nation. Temple is a tough outfit that despite several natural disadvantages will be a factor in the Big East in the coming years.

We like the makings of this young Cincinnati team, but the Bearcats are a year away and have no business laying double digits on the road to an improving team that gives great effort, especially not while sporting a quarterback controversy heading into the worst sandwich spot on the schedule.
Cincinnati 27, Temple 24

LSU Tigers (-14.5) versus Mississippi State Bulldogs: Mississippi State is a lot better than the heartless charade it put on Saturday, and two touchdowns seems a bit rich here. Still, we're not convinced that LSU will go into the tank after what appeared to be a gut-wrenching loss. After Zach Mettenberger's breakout performance the Tigers have to feel they've found a passing game, and therefore some much-needed team-wide confidence in the only part of this team not carrying its weight.

The Bulldogs match up better this week and are practically guaranteed to give better effort, but Les Miles is an elite preparer of teams, and we like the Tigers' attitude this week. We'd rather take two touchdowns than give it, but will hold off on endorsing State too heartily until a much better spot next week at home against Arkansas.
LSU 24, Mississippi State 13

North Carolina Tar Heels (-9) versus Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Carolina has enjoyed an open date and Larry Fedora's defensive staff did see Navy last season, but Georgia Tech is the hungrier team here and has shown major improvement on both sides of the ball as well as in attitude since the Sunday after the BYU loss. Paul Johnson's Jackets are starting to come around, and this is too much weight for a North Carolina team with no postseason future to lay coming off such a fulfilling win. Tech can play as an equal here, and if the Jackets can't win this one outright it will probably be because their special teams failed them.
North Carolina 30, Georgia Tech 27

Minnesota Golden Gophers (-3) at Illinois Fighting Illini: The Gophers are still banged up, but this team has good mojo and has found its quarterback. This Minnesota program is on the come, and we think the Gophers will be a perennial bowl team under Jerry Kill. Whether that starts this year or not could depend on this critical game at Illinois. Minnesota doesn't seem a likely team to back as a road favorite, but the 5-4 Gophers are better than Illinois in every department and are unlikely to show up with less than a premium effort in their last shot to lock up a postseason berth without help from an upset.
Minnesota 28, Illinois 14

Oregon Ducks (-28) versus California Golden Bears: One of the key signs of a good double-digit underdog is a team likely to find some incentive to play hard after the game is decided. Teams that have a win-or-bust basket frequently become demoralized when they lose belief that they can come back and win, allowing the favorite to front door a large number in a game that was competitive for a time.

California might seize its last chance at relevance with a better showing this week -- and the Bears are clearly catching Oregon in a likely flat spot -- but Cal has nothing to gain by covering. This team is exactly the kind of last-stand underdog primed to start well but lay down once the favorite starts to pull away. And when that happens, no matter how well the Bears held up in the first half, you'll wish you were holding more than four touchdowns when the quick-strike Ducks finally break their spirit.
Oregon 48, California 14

Will Harris writes about college football for ESPN Insider, including his Man vs. Machine Upset Picks column, which appears every Thursday. He has covered the sport for more than two decades and has been an analyst for ESPN.com since 2007.

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http://insider.espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8606830/making-picks-texas-alabama-rest-week-11-biggest-games-ncf

There wasn't much change at the top of the rankings after Week 10 hit the books, but that doesn't mean there weren't several teams that moved up and down in our esteem. Upset Watch is always concerned with performances across the entire FBS, and Week 10 left us impressed with LSU, Texas A&M, USC's incredible skill players, Arkansas' effort, Middle Tennessee State, Army's resolve and San Diego State's special teams. Week 10 disappointments include Mississippi State, the Connecticut offense, Michigan's rush defense and Nick Saban's ill-fated blitz-happy game plan.

A 6-4 week leaves Upset Watch at 60-39 against the number this year. We'll look to improve on that against a difficult Week 11 slate that's short on live 'dogs but does provide us with a few good spots.

Texas A&M Aggies at Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama is favored by 13.5 points
TeamRankings win odds for Texas A&M: 20 percent

The Aggies caught one of Mississippi State's worst efforts of the Dan Mullen era, but hanging 36 first downs and nearly 700 yards on the Bulldogs was nonetheless an impressive reinforcement of the great first impression the entire program has made on the SEC.


Saban called Alabama's defensive effort against LSU by far the worst of the season, which even if true can't discredit the fact for the second straight November the Tigers outprepared, outplayed and -- despite an over-aggressive call or two -- outcoached the Crimson Tide.

Like most good teams, Alabama is pretty solid off a subpar performance, and this is not a great spot for a Texas A&M squad making its third straight road trip. The Aggies are a much better team now than a month ago, but Alabama can still gain from the blueprint provided by LSU and Florida. The Tide also have the perimeter athletes to contain Johnny Manziel, the coverage skills to stay on receivers when plays break down and the tackling to deny the yards after catch that A&M thrives on.

Don't expect Alabama to put on a scoring clinic against a very good Texas A&M defense, but LSU's 17 points was the first time since 2010 that an FBS team dropped more than two touchdowns on the Tide. We'd need a little more weight to back the Aggies in a game where the number looks like it's in the ballpark.

The pick: Alabama 34, Texas A&M 17

West Virginia Mountaineers at Oklahoma State Cowboys
Oklahoma State is favored by 7.5 points
TeamRankings win odds for West Virginia: 27 percent

Oklahoma State is a capable, well-coached outfit that's outgaining its foes by about 200 yards per game despite an obvious rebuilding job on offense that's included injuries to the top two quarterbacks. Don't let Wes Lunt's injury keep you away from this game, though. This team has ample confidence in Clint Chelf, who looks to us like the new permanent starter. Joseph Randle will find plenty of room anyway, and his offense will be backed by superior special teams and a strong back seven that matches up well here.

Insider PickCenter
Wondering which side to take? Check out PickCenter and do your research before making that critical decision. PickCenter

The Mountaineers were crushed in Lubbock and humiliated at home by Kansas State before an open date to circle the wagons yielded the best effort of the season against TCU in what was a must-win game for any hope at relevance. After the way West Virginia lost that game it would take Hall of Fame coaching to get this team out of the tank. And it should be obvious that West Virginia doesn't exactly have that.

There is no single factor more important to a program's success than the skill set of the head coach, so we're constantly evaluating them. When criticizing coaches, though, it's important to remember that most of the guys we're piling on for their failure to be one of the 50 best football coaches in the world are still likely one of the 300 best football coaches in the world. For that reason we don't like to be too specific or too harsh in our criticism of coaches, especially rookie ones.

But that said, this bunch at West Virginia is just flat never going to get our money, let alone in a spot like this. Dana Holgorsen's squad has covered just once in the past seven games. We've been patient and maybe a little too wary of Geno Smith in only attacking the Mountaineers a few times this season, but at this point we've seen all we need to see to confirm what we suspected last year: that the incineration of Clemson in the Orange Bowl will stand as far and away the high point of West Virginia football for at least the next five years. Your plan here should be to fire away pretty much every week.

The pick: Oklahoma State 44, West Virginia 24

Oregon State Beavers at Stanford Cardinal
Stanford is favored by 4.5 points
TeamRankings win odds for OSU: 39 percent

The stakes are high here as the winner retains control of the Pac-12 North along with an Oregon team yet to appear on the schedule. Both sides have made quarterback changes, in Stanford's case to a player who adds a dangerous and unfamiliar option element.

With two stout run defenses squaring off, though, this game will be decided in the air. The advantage there goes to the Corvallis invaders, who boast one of the nation's top wideout duos in Markus Wheaton and Brandin Cooks. Stanford can't counter that skill with vertical playmakers of its own, and the Cardinal secondary -- while opportunistic and backed by a killer pass rush -- still gives up too many third-and-long type plays.

Stanford has thrived on takeaways this year, but Oregon State won't be as compliant as the Cardinal's past victims. Notre Dame is Stanford's only previous opponent that ranks in the upper half of the FBS in turnovers, and five of them rank in the 100s. The teams seem to have similar résumés against their common foes, with each earning a narrow victory over Arizona and an uninspired one against Washington State while suffering a close road loss at Washington. A closer look, though, shows Oregon State with a plus-345 yardage margin in those games, compared with Stanford's minus-207. The points are significant in what shapes up as a competitive game where neither side is going to rack up sustained drives, but we like the Beavers to protect the football and make enough plays in the passing game to take this one outright.

The pick: Oregon State 24, Stanford 20

Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Boston College Eagles
Notre Dame is favored by 18.5 points
TeamRankings win odds for Boston College: 13 percent

[+] Enlarge
Mike Carter/US Presswire
Brian Kelly's Notre Dame team should win big in Week 11.
Last week's results cost Boston College any shot it had at an upset. The Eagles needed to come into this tilt with the confidence of a two-game winning streak, not fresh off a four-turnover, 14-point outing against Wake Forest.

The Irish, for their part, just learned a valuable lesson about what can happen when the heavy favorite doesn't bring its A-game to the practice field, film room and stadium. Also driven home was the idea that the fragile line between victory and defeat can hinge on the game's smallest details. This is a mature and well-coached outfit that will do everything better this week than it did leading up to and during the Pitt game.

That's bad news for the downtrodden Eagles, who will be rendered completely one-dimensional by the Notre Dame defense, probably to the point of having negative net rushing yards. The Eagles' defensive front seven has been shoved around all year, and the disadvantage in both trenches would be fatal enough even without the coaching and ball security mismatches.

The pick: Notre Dame 41, Boston College 7

Rutgers Scarlet Knights versus Army Black Knights
Rutgers is favored by 17 points
TeamRankings win odds for Army: 14 percent

Rutgers is an outstanding defensive team with an inefficient offense that makes us think twice before laying double digits. This week, though, the homestanding Knights have all the edges against an undersized Army defense that doesn't tackle well and generally ranks among the worst in the FBS.

The Scarlet Knights' open date conferred more than the usual freshening benefits, allowing this team to put the distractions of Sandy behind it, regroup from a tough loss to Kent State and spend some extra time prepping for Army's uncommon schemes, which is as important in the case of the Cadets' double-eagle flex defense as it is regarding the option offense.

Rutgers is rested and ready to face an Army team coming off the biggest win of the Rich Ellerson era. The Knights have already fallen out of bowl contention, and won't face another opponent that inspires any extra verve until the season-ender at Navy. Losing to Rutgers is familiar and forgivable as the Black Knights have played their Scarlet counterparts in each of the past five years, threatening upset only once. Army has kept the deficit to 17 or fewer points the past three meetings, but this year's sad-sack defense is well below previous seasons' standards.

The pick: Rutgers 38, Army 10

Quick hitters
Cincinnati Bearcats (-10.5) at Temple Owls: We were doubters when Steve Addazio first took over for Al Golden, but we're believers now. Addazio inherited a loaded team last season and knew exactly what to do with it. And he's really shined this year with a roster that lost a greater percentage of its talent, experience and production than any in the nation. Temple is a tough outfit that despite several natural disadvantages will be a factor in the Big East in the coming years.

We like the makings of this young Cincinnati team, but the Bearcats are a year away and have no business laying double digits on the road to an improving team that gives great effort, especially not while sporting a quarterback controversy heading into the worst sandwich spot on the schedule.
Cincinnati 27, Temple 24

LSU Tigers (-14.5) versus Mississippi State Bulldogs: Mississippi State is a lot better than the heartless charade it put on Saturday, and two touchdowns seems a bit rich here. Still, we're not convinced that LSU will go into the tank after what appeared to be a gut-wrenching loss. After Zach Mettenberger's breakout performance the Tigers have to feel they've found a passing game, and therefore some much-needed team-wide confidence in the only part of this team not carrying its weight.

The Bulldogs match up better this week and are practically guaranteed to give better effort, but Les Miles is an elite preparer of teams, and we like the Tigers' attitude this week. We'd rather take two touchdowns than give it, but will hold off on endorsing State too heartily until a much better spot next week at home against Arkansas.
LSU 24, Mississippi State 13

North Carolina Tar Heels (-9) versus Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets: Carolina has enjoyed an open date and Larry Fedora's defensive staff did see Navy last season, but Georgia Tech is the hungrier team here and has shown major improvement on both sides of the ball as well as in attitude since the Sunday after the BYU loss. Paul Johnson's Jackets are starting to come around, and this is too much weight for a North Carolina team with no postseason future to lay coming off such a fulfilling win. Tech can play as an equal here, and if the Jackets can't win this one outright it will probably be because their special teams failed them.
North Carolina 30, Georgia Tech 27

Minnesota Golden Gophers (-3) at Illinois Fighting Illini: The Gophers are still banged up, but this team has good mojo and has found its quarterback. This Minnesota program is on the come, and we think the Gophers will be a perennial bowl team under Jerry Kill. Whether that starts this year or not could depend on this critical game at Illinois. Minnesota doesn't seem a likely team to back as a road favorite, but the 5-4 Gophers are better than Illinois in every department and are unlikely to show up with less than a premium effort in their last shot to lock up a postseason berth without help from an upset.
Minnesota 28, Illinois 14

Oregon Ducks (-28) versus California Golden Bears: One of the key signs of a good double-digit underdog is a team likely to find some incentive to play hard after the game is decided. Teams that have a win-or-bust basket frequently become demoralized when they lose belief that they can come back and win, allowing the favorite to front door a large number in a game that was competitive for a time.

California might seize its last chance at relevance with a better showing this week -- and the Bears are clearly catching Oregon in a likely flat spot -- but Cal has nothing to gain by covering. This team is exactly the kind of last-stand underdog primed to start well but lay down once the favorite starts to pull away. And when that happens, no matter how well the Bears held up in the first half, you'll wish you were holding more than four touchdowns when the quick-strike Ducks finally break their spirit.
Oregon 48, California 14

Tampa Bay all over that all pro team. Does anyone really disagree?

It's flex rankings time again, that glorious time of the week when the top running backs, wide receivers and tight ends are combined into one tidy package. This is the final week with bye weeks, and even with four teams off, there are plenty of viable candidates to fill active roster spots. Next week, when we in the States are giving thanks, there will be even more. But for Week 11, do the best you can with what you got, and I hope this top-100 list is helpful.

For more advice, check out the Week 11 staff rankings, and perhaps your question was answered either in my Wednesday chat or will be by my colleagues today or tomorrow. You can also find me on Twitter @karabellespn.

Good luck in Week 11 and beyond, and remember the Dolphins and Bills play Thursday night.

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Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images
C.J. Spiller ranks seventh in standard fantasy scoring among running backs this season.
1. Arian Foster, RB, Texans: As great as Adrian Peterson (who is on his bye week) has been, Foster still gets my top vote unless he has a tough matchup, such as the Bears last week. This week's matchup (Jaguars) definitely isn't tough.
2. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens: His owners seem concerned, but if you have him, in what scenario would you not start him?
3. Doug Martin, RB, Buccaneers: Let's not get so jaded that we call an 11-point performance like Week 10 disappointing. One-third of this fellow's season points did come in one game.
4. C.J. Spiller, RB, Bills: With no Fred Jackson, there's no reason Spiller shouldn't go off.
5. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs: Charles can run on any team when he gets opportunities. When he doesn't, well, blame the Chiefs.
6. Stevan Ridley, RB, Patriots
7. A.J. Green, WR, Bengals
8. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions: Just when you're ready to dismiss him, he's elite again. He's an amazing athlete.
9. Alfred Morris, RB, Redskins: Averaged just six fantasy points his past two games, but a matchup with the Eagles defense should shake him from his slump.
10. LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles: Likewise, the Redskins aren't exactly strong defensively. McCoy isn't a top-three running back anymore, not given the team's mess on offense, but he's still really good.
11. Demaryius Thomas, WR, Broncos
12. Trent Richardson, RB, Browns: On my buy list for the rest of the season. He has enticing matchups during the fantasy playoffs.
13. Roddy White, WR, Falcons
14. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts
15. Willis McGahee, RB, Broncos
16. Denarius Moore, WR, Raiders: Has become adept at scoring touchdowns, and this week he faces an opponent not adept at stopping them.
17. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers
18. Marques Colston, WR, Saints
19. Julio Jones, WR, Falcons: He's not brittle, but certainly he's not on the field as much as teammate Roddy White is.
20. Reggie Bush, RB, Dolphins: Perhaps it goes against conventional wisdom, but I think he's angry he was benched, and ready to have a big game against a terrible opponent.
21. Vincent Jackson, WR, Buccaneers
22. Matt Forte, RB, Bears: Don't be so hard on him; he wasn't a great option against the Texans anyway. Now he faces a similarly tough foe in the 49ers.
23. Brandon Marshall, WR, Bears: Gets downgraded some if Jason Campbell replaces Jay Cutler this week, but Cutler wasn't exactly Drew Brees either. Top receivers still get theirs.
24. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots
25. Jimmy Graham, TE, Saints
26. Jordy Nelson, WR, Packers: Rumor is he's healthy and ready to go, and since Aaron Rodgers always is, it's buy, buy, buy.
27. Rob Gronkowski, TE, Patriots
28. Ryan Mathews, RB, Chargers: The Chargers seem like the Philly situation, to some degree (outgoing coaches). McCoy and Mathews just can't get much done.
29. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams: Nice effort in Week 10. Now he faces an average Jets defense this week.
30. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
31. Mikel Leshoure, RB, Lions
32. Dez Bryant, WR, Cowboys
33. Marcel Reece, RB, Raiders: Love the touches he'll get and the opponent he'll face. No, I don't think this is too generous. This offense moves the ball.
34. Eric Decker, WR, Broncos
35. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals: I doubt Marshall would fall this far with a backup quarterback, but it's a decent comparison. Is Campbell really worse than John Skelton?
36. Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys
37. Randall Cobb, WR, Packers
38. Jason Witten, TE, Cowboys: Gets so many targets that one must wonder what Bryant and Austin could do if Witten wasn't here.
39. Shonn Greene, RB, Jets: Like all Jets, he is probably just better off keeping his mouth shut and playing football. That said, Greene is an appealing flex choice this week.
40. BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB, Bengals
41. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons: If he retired after this season, it would be a shame. He clearly has a lot left in the tank.
42. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: Nice matchup and should be mighty motivated to play well.
43. Torrey Smith, WR, Ravens
44. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: Turner owners, you know as soon as you sit Turner, he'll respond with a 20-point fantasy game.
45. Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers: Still worth using even with Byron Leftwich slingin' it.
46. Danny Amendola, WR, Rams: Bump him up to WR2 status in PPR formats.
47. James Jones, WR, Packers
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John Grieshop/Getty Images
Donald Brown finished with the most carries in the Colts' backfield last week.
48. Donald Brown, RB, Colts: Would be nice if he was durable. He has talent, but he always seems to be hurt.
49. Darren Sproles, RB, Saints: Wouldn't be shocking if he suited up this week. If so, expect good things, or at least good enough.
50. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs
51. Steve Johnson, WR, Bills
52. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
53. Rashad Jennings, RB, Jaguars
54. Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys: Still think DeMarco Murray is coming back soon? I don't. Doesn't mean I want Jones, though. He's merely average.
55. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles
56. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles: Let's see if Nick Foles can find Maclin a few times and not just when he's wide open in the end zone.
57. Chris Ivory, RB, Saints: Perhaps this rank is too generous, but the guy can certainly play. How could the Saints make him inactive if Sproles returns?
58. Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers
59. Jonathan Dwyer, RB, Steelers: Good luck figuring out the Steelers' RB situation. I'd go Dwyer over his colleagues, but I can't say I feel confident about it.
60. Mike Williams, WR, Buccaneers
61. Owen Daniels, TE, Texans
62. Daniel Thomas, RB, Dolphins: Someone will run all over the Bills. I think it'll be Bush, but Thomas certainly has the potential to as well.
63. Darrius Heyward-Bey, WR, Raiders
64. Cecil Shorts, WR, Jaguars: Putting up decent numbers every week.
65. Brandon Lloyd, WR, Patriots: Has put up decent numbers in pretty much one week.
66. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers: Hasn't put up decent numbers at all.
67. Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens
68. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers
69. LaRod Stephens-Howling, RB, Cardinals
70. Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers
71. Lance Moore, WR, Saints
72. Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints: So much for him getting an opportunity with Sproles out. You gotta think maybe he's not 100 percent healthy.
73. Brian Hartline, WR, Dolphins: Amendola lite, but very lite.
74. Heath Miller, TE, Steelers
75. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers
76. Vick Ballard, RB, Colts: If we knew Donald Brown was out, I'd move Ballard up 20 spots.
77. Titus Young, WR, Lions
78. Mark Ingram, RB, Saints: Sorry, but he just doesn't look like he's very good, especially compared to the other running back options the Saints have.
79. Aaron Hernandez, TE, Patriots: Might not be 100 percent healthy the rest of the year.
80. Jeremy Kerley, WR, Jets: Hey, someone has to swat away the bounce passes from Mark Sanchez!
81. Jacquizz Rodgers, RB, Falcons: If he was a better player, he would have already made Turner irrelevant. And we can all see Turner is not irrelevant.
82. Andre Roberts, WR, Cardinals: Believe it or not, he has outscored Fitzgerald this season.
83. Michael Bush, RB, Bears
84. Santana Moss, WR, Redskins
85. James Starks, RB, Packers: Will see more touches, but expectations should not be high.
86. Brandon Pettigrew, TE, Lions
87. Isaac Redman, RB, Steelers
88. Brandon LaFell, WR, Panthers
89. Danario Alexander, WR, Chargers: Made an 80-yard play early last week, but you have to think opposing defenses will pay more attention to him now.
90. Donnie Avery, WR, Colts
91. Danny Woodhead, RB, Patriots: When in doubt, sit the guys who don't get many touches.
92. Laurent Robinson, WR, Jaguars: Would like to see if he gets a lot of targets again, because it's not too late for Robinson to help fantasy owners.
93. Brandon Stokley, WR, Broncos: Nice sneaky flex choice this week.
94. Emmanuel Sanders, WR, Steelers
95. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers: Well, it's not looking good for his production anymore. This is not likely the week it will come back.
96. Ben Tate, RB, Texans
97. Leonard Hankerson, WR, Redskins
98. T.Y. Hilton, WR, Colts
99. Shane Vereen, RB, Patriots
100. Davone Bess, WR, Dolphins
Others: Donald Jones, WR, Bills; Jermaine Gresham, TE, Bengals; Daryl Richardson, RB, Rams; Cedric Peerman, RB, Bengals; Scott Chandler, TE, Bills; Greg Olsen, TE, Panthers; Alex Green, RB, Packers; Peyton Hillis, RB, Chiefs; Kendall Hunter, RB, 49ers; Joique Bell, RB, Lions; Ronnie Brown, RB, Chargers; Ronnie Hillman, RB, Broncos; Tashard Choice, RB, Bills.

thx rita