Todd Gurley, Tavon Austin Make Matthew Berry’s Very Early 2016 Fantasy Football Rankings

ESPN’s fantasy football expert Matthew Berry released his very early 2016 fantasy football rankings yesterday, and there are a pair of notable Los Angeles Rams’ players that made his list[s].

Using 10-team standard format scoring [no PPR], Berry put together at list of the Top 25 quarterbacks, Top 50 Running Backs, Top 50 Wide Receivers, and Top 25 Tight Ends.  His list did not include Defense/ST’s units.  Bummer.

As you’re well aware, there are 32 starting QB’s in the NFL.  Berry lists the Top 25, and you won’t find Case Keenum, Nick Foles, or Sean Mannion on the list.  Shocker!

You also won’t find Jared Cook on the list of Top 25 tight ends...or wide receivers, which is the position he truly/only plays.

At running back, however, you will find Offensive Rookie of the Year Todd Gurley ranked 3rd overall, just behind Le’Veon Bell and Adrian Peterson.  That’s some good company.  The two spots behind Gurley are held by Jamaal Charles and another standout rookie from 2015, David Johnson.

At wide receiver, Tavon Austin creeps into Berry’s Top 50, holding the 42nd spot, just behind Dorial Green-Beckham and just ahead of Minnesota’s Stefon Diggs.

Gurley finished last season with 1,106 yards in what was essentially 12 games.  He found the end zone ten times on the ground.  Austin finished third on the team with 473 receiving yards, but lead all receivers with five touchdowns.  Not all that impressive for a receiver.  But he also added 434 yards on the ground and another four scores.  Austin had 6 rushes of 20+ yards last season, which was tied for 10th in the league.

These two making the list comes as no surprise, as they’re really the only true threats the Rams have on offense.  A lot will change between now and the time you’re ready to knock out your league’s draft, but one thing’s for certain.  Todd Gurley looks to be a Top 5 pick in the majority of drafts.

And that’s good sign for fantasy football-ers and Rams’ fans alike.

Berry’s Top 5 At Each Position

Quarterback

1.  Cam Newton, CAR
2.  Tom Brady, NE
3.  Aaron Rodgers, GB
4.  Russell Wilson, SEA
5.  Andrew Luck, IND

Running Back

1.  Le’Veon Bell, PIT
2.  Adrian Peterson, MIN
3.  Todd Gurley, LA
4.  Jamaal Charles, KC
5.  David Johnson, ARI

Wide Receiver

1.  Antonio Brown, PIT
2.  Odell Beckham Jr., NYG
3.  Julio Jones, ATL
4.  Dez Bryant, DAL
5.  DeAndre Hopkins, HOU

Tight End

1.  Rob Gronkowski, NE
2.  Greg Olsen, CAR
3.  Jordan Reed, WAS
4.  Tyler Eifert, CIN
5.  Delanie Walker, TEN