That's right. If I joined a mid-season start-up league right now -- which would be really weird -- and was awarded with the top pick, I'd take Clinton Portis. In the overwhelming majority of leagues, you are required to play two running backs and only one quarterback. The list of reliable running backs who have the job all to themselves is a bit shorter than that of wide receivers who put up studly numbers, and much shorter than the number of quality quarterbacks. Thus, I'm taking a running back first overall.
Why Portis? Well, since a Week 1 that I've decided to just write off, he's been incredibly consistent. He's always going to get over 20 carries, and he's always going to get the goal line touches. The Redskins' passing attack has sputtered in each of the past two weeks, but Portis has picked up the slack, coming through with his two biggest games of the season.
With some patsies upcoming (vs. CLE, @ DET, @ SEA, to just name a few) on the schedule, I do not expect him to slow down.
Some others to consider first-rounders, in this fictional situation:
Marion Barber -- Especially now with Tony Romo and Felix Jones hurt, the Cowboys will lean heavily upon this beast. He's up to the task.
Frank Gore -- He's the focal point of the Mike Martz offense. The only problem is that the team can't always guarantee him quality touches.
Adrian Peterson -- He's just too good to forget about, even after his past two weeks.
Reggie Bush -- In a PPR league, I'd seriously consider him No. 1 over Portis. As many passes as he catches, and as explosive as he is, he's liable to put up 30 points every week in that format.
Ronnie Brown -- Throw out the first two weeks. He wasn't healthy yet. Since then, he's put on the most dominant fantasy performance of the year and two quality ones. The Dolphins are a sneaky-good team at this point, and he's the main component of their offense.
Matt Forte -- The rookie runner has been as consistent as anyone, and he's got some terrible run defenses ahead on the docket.
Marshawn Lynch -- Started with a bang, but fell back a little in his last two outings. He'll be refreshed after the bye week with the return of Trent Edwards at QB.
Drew Brees -- He's getting Marques Colston and probably Jeremy Shockey back this week ... and he barely suffered without them. This passing attack is obscene.
Michael Turner -- He destroys sub-par run defenses. Unfortunately, good run defenses destroy him. I wouldn't take him, but I'm sure he'd go this high.
LaDanian Tomlinson -- I'm not sure if it's his age, his toe, or what ... but he just doesn't seem the same. Still, it's freaking LdT!
Brian Westbrook -- I'm scared about him staying on the field, but when he plays... there is no one like him.
Other Tops Per Position:
QBs (somewhat) close to Brees -- Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Jay Cutler, Kurt Warner ... and you can never forget about Peyton Manning ... or Tony Romo after his return from the dinged pinky.
RBs that just missed the above list -- Steven Jackson, Brandon Jacobs, Chris Johnson, Thomas Jones, Steve Slaton
Top WRs in the order I'd take them -- Larry Fitzgerald, Andre Johnson, Marques Colston, Reggie Wayne, Greg Jennings
Top TEs in the order I'd take them -- Jason Witten, Antonio Gates, and Jeremy Shockey.
Top D/STs in the order I'd take them -- Titans, Bears, Bucs, Eagles, Steelers
Top Ks -- Matt Prater, Jason Elam
