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Fantasy Index Weekly

Super Bowl LIII Preview: Overall Rankings

Running backs, Edelman best bets

We've previewed both teams playing in the Super Bowl on Sunday, and now it's time to merge the rankings and see who the best prospects will be. The quarterbacks will score the most fantasy points, but the projections are similar enough that -- depending on scoring -- one of the lead running backs or perhaps Julian Edelman should be selected first.

A case can be made for Tom Brady with the top pick under the idea that you know what you're going to get. With Jared Goff, we're in uncharted territory: a young passer in the sport's biggest game on its biggest stage, facing Bill Belichick with two weeks to prepare. Meltdown potential can't be ruled out with Goff, which is unlikely with Brady. Sean McVay might also design a game plan which puts most of the work on the ground game, protecting his young passer.

But my guess is that both quarterbacks will wind up in about the same area: maybe the Patriots are able to do more with the ground game, as has been the case in both postseason games so far, or maybe Goff will manage some late production (as both of New England's opponents have so far). Whatever: if I were in a two-team draft, I'd either want to have Edelman, who should be the busiest wideout in this game, or perhaps my favorite lead back. Rankings say Todd Gurley, primarily because of his involvement as a receiver (and with the Patriots, you've got three different running backs and a fullback who are possibilities to score any touchdowns).

Rankings are below; feel free to tell me where you think I've gone wrong. I think Rob Gronkowski looks a little low, but it's tough to know what to put more stock in: his season, or his big AFC Championship Game. James White would be higher if not for the Rex Burkhead factor; he played a lot and was very productive at Kansas City, so I think he'll be involved.

SUPER BOWL LIII PLAYER RANKINGS
PosPlayerPassRecRunYardsTDFF(Std)FF(PPR)
QBTom Brady277012782.0822.422.4
QBJared Goff272072791.7721.421.4
RBTodd Gurley0396199.7514.418.4
RBSony Michel0680860.7313.013.7
WRJulian Edelman0812840.3710.617.6
WRBrandin Cooks0692710.389.313.9
WRRobert Woods0661670.328.613.3
RBJames White04510540.518.513.8
PKStephen Gostkowski00000.008.48.4
TERob Gronkowski0480480.326.710.3
PKGreg Zuerlein00000.006.56.5
D/STNew England00000.196.56.5
WRJosh Reynolds0430430.336.39.4
RBC.J. Anderson0340420.306.16.6
WRPhillip Dorsett0340340.446.09.4
RBRex Burkhead02219420.285.98.3
D/STLos Angeles00000.155.55.5
WRChris Hogan0310310.304.97.0
TETyler Higbee0280280.193.96.2
TEGerald Everett0250250.163.45.8
WRCordarrelle Patterson085130.152.22.9
RBJames Develin03140.181.51.9
TEDwayne Allen03030.020.40.7
WRKhaDarel Hodge03030.020.40.6
QBSean Mannion30030.000.20.2
WRJoJo Natson00000.030.20.2
TEJohnny Mundt01010.010.20.3
QBBrian Hoyer30030.000.20.2
RBJohn Kelly00000.000.10.1
WRMatthew Slater00000.000.00.1

--Andy Richardson

Fantasy Index