Updated 2013 Fantasy Football Rankings

Back in December, I sat down and drew up an early look at what your 2013 draft board might look like. Today, I went ahead and updated that list based on what we saw in the playoffs and, of course, a few roster moves.

I ranked 45 quarterbacks, 60 running backs, 70 wide receivers, and 35 tight ends. I assumed basic, non-PPR scoring.

Obviously, the draft and additional offseason player movement will cause changes (some major, many minor) to the board, but most of the names you see near the top will be there come July and August.

Before my posting my rankings, I wanted offer some advice to commissioners by first pointing out the growing depth at ALL positions. Pre-Flex, most leagues start 12 quarterbacks/tight ends, 24 running backs, and 36 wide receivers. Take a look at a few of the players who just missed the cut at each of those positions in my rankings. Ben Roethlisberger, Eli Manning, Michael Vick, Lance Moore, Jeremy Maclin, Mike Williams, Anquan Boldin, Mikel Leshoure, Jermichael Finley, and Brandon Pettigrew are a few of the names you'll see.

Running backs always fly off the shelves early because of the lack of reliability and depth at the position. That seems to be changing a tiny bit as we head to 2013. There are 12 pretty solid RB1 options, and the upper-tier of No. 2 backs isn't as ugly as usual. Stevan Ridley, Matt Forte, Ryan Mathews, Alfred Morris, and Darren McFadden each have top-five upside, but are outside my top-12. Check out a few names in the RB3/Flex area. Bilal Powell, Jacquizz Rodgers, and Ryan Williams each could be lead backs on their current team next season. They're obviously risky picks if you're drafting today, but think about the upside if they scoop up lead back duties. Steven Jackson, Fred Jackson, DeAngelo Williams, Shonn Greene, Michael Turner, Rashard Mendenhall, and Cedric Benson are among the formerly-fantasy relevant tailbacks who could be playing elsewhere in 2013. A few of them figure to land somewhere that will leave them squarely on the RB2 radar.

Starting a new league in 2013? Think about expanding on the conventional fantasy football starting lineup model. Make quarterbacks eligible for the flex. Go with an additional RB/WR/TE spot, too. Maybe go all out and roll with a third running back, fifth wide receiver, and second tight end slot. The biggest complaint of Fantasy Football owners is the amount of luck that comes with the game. A quick look at my early rankings (which, by the way, are minus incoming rookies) shows that the talent is there to rid of some of that luck simply by expanding the starting lineup. These days, a few strong early picks can carry Joe Autodrafter to the league championship game. By expanding starting lineups, missing on mid/late-round picks and failing to work the waiver wire will leave Joe on the sidelines come December.

My bet would be that larger starting lineups is the future of fantasy football, so I recommend getting a leg up now.

Okay, enough with the rambling. Here's the rankings:

*Team shown is the incumbent. ‘Contract' refers to the year of expiration on each player's contract.

Quarterbacks

Running Back

Wide Receiver

Tight End

Follow Mike Clay on Twitter at @MikeClayNFL