Fantasy football 2017: PPR tiers for RB, WR, QB and TE

We are in the midst of the peak time for fantasy drafts, and there’s all sorts of advice out there about how to go about them. One of the oldest, simplest strategies is still arguably the most effective: divide players into tiers.

The beauty of this approach is that it lets you make quick, easy decisions when deciding between players at different positions. If there are still several players left in RB X’s tier, whereas WR Y is the last guy in his, then you might want to go with the latter.

It’s not an exact science, of course, but nothing is. In reality, there’s no better strategy than staying as informed as possible, doing plenty of mock drafts and creating your own ranks and tiers. Hopefully, though, the ones here can help a bit.

I’m using my PPR rankings, as The Post defaults to that setting, with a general assumption of 12-team leagues. The tiers will comprise my top-50 RBs and WRs, and my top-30 QBs and TEs.

Tier 1
This pair should go 1-2, in some order, at the top of almost every draft. I had Bell at No. 1 earlier in the offseason, but with a razor-thin margin between him and Johnson, I demoted the Steeler because of his lengthy holdout, which adds to existing injury concerns.

1. David Johnson, ARI
2. Le’Veon Bell, PIT

Tier 2
These RBs are a cut above the rest as first-round values, because they have fewer question marks.

3. LeSean McCoy, BUF
4. Devonta Freeman, ATL
5. Jay Ajayi, MIA

Tier 3
The last of the consensus RB1s, with Elliott the obvious name that pops out. There’s still a possibility his six-game suspension will be reduced, voided or pushed back to next season, making him all the more enticing.

6. DeMarco Murray, TEN
7. Melvin Gordon, LAC
8. Jordan Howard, CHI
9. Ezekiel Elliott, DAL

Tier 4
These guys appear set to receive a steady diet of touches, or at least, in McCaffrey’s case, receptions. It would not be a surprise to see any of them finish in the top five at their position.

10. Todd Gurley, LAR
11. Kareem Hunt, KC
12. Leonard Fournette, JAC
13. Isaiah Crowell, CLE
14. Christian McCaffrey, CAR

Tier 5
More competition for work than the owners of most of these players would like, but all start off in great positions to succeed. I’m not thrilled about putting five rookies in my top 20, but I calls ’em like I sees ’em.

15. Lamar Miller, HOU
16. Marshawn Lynch, OAK
17. Dalvin Cook, MIN
18. Carlos Hyde, SF
19. Joe Mixon, CIN
20. Mark Ingram, NO

Tier 6
Martin would be higher if a) this was pegged to standard scoring and b) he were not suspended for the first three games (duh). Abdullah, in particular, seems to have a wide range of possible outcomes.

21. Ty Montgomery, GB
22. Danny Woodhead, BAL
23. Doug Martin, TB
24. Bilal Powell, NYJ
25. Tevin Coleman, ATL
26. Ameer Abdullah, DET
27. C.J. Anderson, DEN
28. Mike Gillislee, NE
29. Terrance West, BAL
30. Adrian Peterson, NO

Tier 7
Several pass-catching specialists here. McFadden should be of interest to even non-Elliott owners, as anyone could use a player slated to be the Cowboys’ feature back for their first six games.

31. Frank Gore, IND
32. Paul Perkins, NYG
33. Theo Riddick, DET
34. Duke Johnson, CLE
35. Darren Sproles, PHI
36. Jonathan Stewart, CAR
37. Darren McFadden, DAL
38. James White, NE

Tier 8
Henry was the most expensive handcuff before news of Elliott’s suspension. As you can see, I don’t have much of a definitive stance on how the Seahawks’ backfield will shake out, but I’ll give Prosise the edge in PPR. Who knows, maybe Chris Carson will top them all.

39. Derrick Henry, TEN
40. Rex Burkhead, NE
41. C.J. Prosise, SEA
42. Robert Kelley, WAS
43. Thomas Rawls, SEA
44. Giovani Bernard, CIN
45. Eddie Lacy, SEA
46. Alvin Kamara, NO
47. Shane Vereen, NYG
48. LeGarrette Blount, PHI
49. Jacquizz Rodgers, TB
50. Jamaal Williams, GB

Tier 1
Fantasy drafters can take these stars with a high degree of confidence that they’ll get steady, elite production.

1. Antonio Brown, PIT
2. Julio Jones, ATL
3. A.J. Green, CIN
4. Odell Beckham Jr., NYG

Tier 2
These WRs have the talent and/or situation to challenge for the top spot, if things break right (or nothing on their bodies breaks at all).

5. Mike Evans, TB
6. Jordy Nelson, GB
7. Dez Bryant, DAL

Tier 3
Not quite the apparent ceilings of the players in the two tiers above, but an awful lot to love.

8. Michael Thomas, NO
9. Amari Cooper, OAK
10. Doug Baldwin, SEA

Tier 4
Hilton would be higher if Andrew Luck’s readiness wasn’t such a mystery, but he belongs with the many other risk/reward types here. Thomas and Crabtree thus stand out as invitingly safe plays.

11. T.Y. Hilton, IND
12. Demaryius Thomas, DEN
13. Brandin Cooks, NE
14. DeAndre Hopkins, HOU
15. Terrelle Pryor, WAS
16. Keenan Allen, LAC
17. Alshon Jeffery, PHI
18. Michael Crabtree, OAK

Tier 5
The previous blurb could easily apply here, as well, with Sanders and Fitzgerald playing the “safe” roles. Hill is another player who seems to have a wider range of plausible outcomes than most.

19. Sammy Watkins, LA
20. Allen Robinson, JAC
21. Emmanuel Sanders, DEN
22. Davante Adams, GB
23. Stefon Diggs, MIN
24. Martavis Bryant, PIT
25. Larry Fitzgerald, ARI
26. Tyreek Hill, KC
27. Kelvin Benjamin, CAR

Tier 6
Lots of WRs in this group who should see high volume, which always works well in PPR, while Jackson and Parker offer the promise of that one huge play.

28. Golden Tate, DET
29. Pierre Garcon, SF
30. Devante Parker, MIA
31. Jamison Crowder, WAS
32. Jeremy Maclin, BAL
33. Jarvis Landry, MIA
34. Brandon Marshall, NYG
35. DeSean Jackson, TB

Tier 7
Health concerns keep Moncrief (Luck) and Brown (lingering effects of sickle-call trait) down here. Hogan is likely the biggest beneficiary of Julian Edelman’s season-ending injury, while Williams finished as the WR18 last season but figures to have more of a battle for targets this year.

36. Jordan Matthews, BUF
37. Randall Cobb, GB
38. Donte Moncrief, IND
39. John Brown, ARI
40. Chris Hogan, NE
41. Kenny Britt, CLE
42. Eric Decker, TEN
43. Tyrell Williams, LAC

Tier 8
Ginn rose in the wake of Willie Snead’s three-game suspension, and Thielen climbed a few notches after taking over the Vikings’ slot role. Anderson will test the proposition that even the Jets should be able to produce a somewhat useful WR.

44. Ted Ginn, NO
45. Marvin Jones, DET
46. Mike Wallace, BAL
47. Corey Coleman, CLE
48. Robby Anderson, NYJ
49. Corey Davis, TEN
50. Adam Thielen, MIN

Tier 1
Brady can probably live with coming in second here, given how things have gone for him in the world of “real” football.

1. Aaron Rodgers, GB
2. Tom Brady, NE

Tier 2
Brees might not be leading quite as pass-happy an offense as in the past, but he can’t be placed any lower until we actually see that happen. Wilson has looked fantastic in the preseason.

3. Drew Brees, NO
4. Matt Ryan, ATL
5. Russell Wilson, SEA
6. Cam Newton, CAR

Tier 3
With his greatest supporting cast ever, Big Ben should have his biggest season ever, and no, I’m not freaked out by his home/road splits.

7. Ben Roethlisberger, PIT
8. Jameis Winston, TB
9. Marcus Mariota, TEN
10. Kirk Cousins, WAS

Tier 4
Here’s where it’s worth rolling the dice on Luck, given the information currently available (or lack thereof). Prescott had such a remarkably efficient rookie season that he may not have much room, if any, for a second-year leap.

11. Andrew Luck, IND
12. Derek Carr, OAK
13. Philip Rivers, LAC
14. Dak Prescott, DAL
15. Andy Dalton, CIN

Tier 5
The Giants’ offensive line does not inspire much confidence in Manning, but his receiving corps and pass-first offense should make up for that. Taylor appears set up to fail, but his running ability gives him a very nice weekly floor.

16. Eli Manning, NYG
17. Matthew Stafford, DET
18. Carson Palmer, ARI
19. Carson Wentz, PHI
20. Sam Bradford, MIN
21. Tyrod Taylor, BUF

Tier 6
Cutler may turn out to be a better fit in Miami than Ryan Tannehill ever was, and Kizer showed tantalizing talent, although rookie mistakes are to be expected.

22. Alex Smith, KC
23. Joe Flacco, BAL
24. Jay Cutler, MIA
25. DeShone Kizer, CLE
26. Brian Hoyer, SF

Tier 7
Paxton Lynch looks more like a first-round bust than a threat to Siemian’s job security, but Glennon and Bortles will start the season on short leashes.

27. Jared Goff, LAR
28. Trevor Siemian, DEN
29. Mike Glennon, CHI
30. Blake Bortles, JAC

Tier 1
Just please stay healthy.

1. Rob Gronkowski, NE

Tier 2
After starting off with a nice platter of RBs and WRs, these TEs will look pretty tasty in the fourth round.

2. Travis Kelce, KC
3. Jordan Reed, WAS
4. Greg Olsen, CAR
5. Jimmy Graham, SEA

Tier 3
The last of the solid TE1s. Eifert has been Gronk-like in both end-zone and injury-list appearances.

6. Kyle Rudolph, MIN
7. Tyler Eifert, CIN
8. Delanie Walker, TEN
9. Zach Ertz, PHI

Tier 4
The last of the TEs who have realistic shots at finishing in the top five. Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but Doyle owners will be rooting for Luck’s shoulder to quickly return to working order.

10. Martellus Bennett, GB
11. Hunter Henry, LAC
12. Jack Doyle, IND
13. Eric Ebron, DET

Tier 5
The hype train may have gotten a bit out of control with Hooper, but compared to what’s around him at this point, he’s worth the hope that it all comes together. To paraphrase Charlton Heston, Witten’s PPR value will have to be pried from his cold, dead hands.

14. Jason Witten, DAL
15. Austin Hooper, ATL
16. Coby Fleener, NO
17. Cameron Brate, TB
18. C.J. Fiedorowicz, HOU
19. Antonio Gates, LAC
20. Julius Thomas, MIA

Tier 6
So how deep, exactly, is that league you’re playing in? Clay could be a very sneaky top-12 guy, Howard is getting ridiculously over-drafted and McDonald just got a little more interesting after being traded to the Steelers.

21. Jared Cook, OAK
22. Charles Clay, BUF
23. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, NYJ
24. Benjamin Watson, BAL
25. O.J. Howard, TB
26. Dwayne Allen, NE
27. Evan Engram, NYG
28. David Njoku, CLE
29. Vance McDonald, PIT
30. Jermaine Gresham, ARI

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Fantasy football 2017: PPR tiers for RB, WR, QB and TE