Tops at their positions

The top fantasy football players ranked by position with age, 2008 statistics, comments (Minnesota Vikings players ranked in the top 10 in bold):

• QUARTERBACKS: 1. Tom Brady, New England, age 32: 76 yards. Sure, he only threw 11 passes last year before a season-ending injury, but he's also the same guy who threw an NFL-record 50 touchdowns in 2007 and has even more weapons to work with.

• RUNNING BACKS: 1. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota, 24: 1,760 yards and 10 TDs rushing (4.8 yards per carry), 21 catches for 125 yards, 10 100-yard games, 2 multiple-TD games, 3 duds (defined as games under 80 yards and no scores). Everyone picking first in every draft in America is required to take him.

• WIDE RECEIVERS: 1. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona, 26: 96 catches for 1,431 yards and 12 touchdowns, 7 100-yard games, 3 multiple-TD games, 1 10-catch game, 2 duds (defined as any game under 80 yards with no TD). No reason to think he won't have similar numbers.

• TIGHT ENDS: 1. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta, 33: 96 catches for 1,058 yards and 10 TDs, 3 100-yard games, 1 multiple-TD game, 4 duds (defined as game under 60 yards with no TDs). Imagine how open he'll be on an offense with other weapons.

10. Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota, 29: 42 catches for 596 yards and 7 TDs, 1 100-yard game, 1 multiple-TD game, 9 duds. Favre's known to look for a big man in the end zone.

• DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS: 1. Pittsburgh, 20 INTs, 51 sacks, 1 safety, 9 fumble recoveries, 3 TDs.

2. Minnesota, 12 INTs, 3 safeties, 45 sacks, 13 fumble recoveries, 4 TDs.

• KICKERS: 1. Stephen Gostowski, New England, 148 points, 36 FGs.

7. Ryan Longwell, Minnesota, 127 points, 29 FGs.

- Associated Press