2017 fantasy football rankings: Overall rankings, pre-NFL draft

Nobody touched the ball more in 2016 than Arizona Cardinals running back David Johnson. No one gained more total yards from scrimmage than Johnson. And no one found the end zone more than Johnson.

No surprise then, that no one is more desirable to start 2017 Fantasy Football drafts than Mr. David Johnson.

Johnson is the top overall pick in SB Nation’s consensus preseason rankings, released ahead of the NFL draft on April 27. These rankings will be updated in May once the draft is complete and impact rookies are added into the mix.

But for now, it is the veterans that make up the top 150 on our list. And after gaining 2,118 total yards on 373 touches and 20 touchdowns, it’s hard to argue against Johnson as the most valuable player in season-long fantasy leagues. Even though Johnson averaged just 77 yards per game for a Cardinals team that unexpectedly struggled in 2016, his ability as a pass catcher put him over the top, and his touchdown total proved invaluable.

But if there is one player worthy of challenging Johnson for the top spot, especially in PPR leagues, it would be Pittsburgh running back Le’Veon Bell. The Steelers’ main engine was right at the top of all relevant fantasy stats, despite missing three games to start the season because of a suspension.

He still finished third with 1,884 yards from scrimmage — better than 200 yards better than the No. 4 man on the list — and just 230 yards shy of Johnson, who played all 16 games. Bell had just five fewer receptions than Johnson, despite Johnson out-targeting Bell 120-96.

Bell ranked fourth in total touches (336), just 37 behind DJ. Bell was one of just two running backs to average over 100 yards rushing per game.

The league leader in rushing average was Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliott, who ranked second in yards from scrimmage and third in touchdowns. Johnson, Bell and Elliott are far and away the top running backs on our list, as the next five positions in our top 10 are all wide receivers.

Antonio Brown remains the top pass-catching option as our No. 4 overall selection, with Julio Jones just behind at No. 5. But perhaps the two most interesting picks on our list reside at 6 and 7, based on two of the more interesting free agent moves of the offseason.

Odell Beckham Jr., who ranked third in receptions (101) and yards (1,367) to go along with 10 touchdowns will have the best No. 2 receiver of his career alongside him in 2017, with the Giants’ acquisition of former Jet Brandon Marshall.

Perhaps even more significant for 2017 was the free-agent signing in Tampa Bay of DeSean Jackson, who should free up emerging superstar Mike Evans more single-man coverage. Evans caught 96 balls for 1,321 yards and 12 touchdowns last season despite being essentially the only option for Jameis Winston. With Winston a year older and Jackson demanding attention, Evans could be in for a monster season.

Rounding out our top 10 were Bengals wide receivier A.J. Green, Buffalo running back LeSean McCoy and receiver Jordy Nelson of the Packers.

Our first non-RB/WR appears at No. 23 with tight end (and wrestling star) Rob Gronkowski, who will look to bounce back (off the ropes?) from an injury-plagued 2016. Our first quarterback appears at No. 29 with Aaron Rodgers, as the quarterback position remains one that can be deferred until later in drafts.

(SK: Scott Kaliska, JG: Jeff Goldberg, DG: Derek Gordon, JM: Jason Marcum)