ESPN Eric Karabell Blog

[Editor's note: These rankings were slightly updated Friday, based on news and other factors.]

I realize my weekly mailbag is a Wednesday blog staple, but I received a few interesting e-mails about my Week 8 flex rankings blog last week, and, of course, there are no stupid questions.

Those e-mails revealed to me that I really shouldn't assume everyone understands what this blog is all about, so here are the e-mails, and a few thoughts from me. For those who want to skip right to the rankings, feel free! And good luck in Week 9!

Dan Friedrich (Southbridge, Mass.): "Eric, in what fantasy world do you live in where Adrian Peterson would be the No. 1 flex position player? This guy was most likely the first guy picked in all leagues across the board. In every league I've ever played in, the flex position is a guy either picked late or off the free-agent wire, not the best RB in the NFL. I mean, who in the entire fantasy football world is toiling over starting Peterson [in Week 8]? I would think most people who open your article are looking for that sleeper for the week to slip into their lineup and give them the edge. Why don't you stop stating the obvious and give owners some information that actually might help!"

DP (Raleigh, NC): "Hey Eric, what the heck is a flex spot? My league has a spot that is for either a running back or a wide receiver. Is that what your column is about? If so, then how can Adrian Peterson or Maurice Jones-Drew be in the flex spot? Should it not be about starting a third running back or wide receiver?"

Eric: I admit that sometimes I just assume everyone knows what I'm trying to say. On TV last week, I discussed Reggie Bush as a PPR option, and the anchor asked me what PPR meant, so I explained it. In terms of this weekly blog, maybe I should explain. The "flex" position is the active lineup spot in which most leagues allow you to play a running back or wide receiver. In some leagues you can use a tight end there, which is why that position is represented here as well. In most cases this flex player would not be a top-10 player.

Of course, in general one would dig a bit deeper to find someone to use in the flex spot, and not use Adrian Peterson, but I guess my question is, where would you draw the line? In my experience, we rank all the top running backs and wide receivers, not start at, say, No. 20. I'm sure there's someone out there who owns three or four of the top-10 running backs or wide receivers, so ranking all players would be relevant to them. Yes, it could look silly that Peterson or Jones-Drew are ranked here at all, but don't you have to? Who do I start with, Ahmad Bradshaw? What if you're in a really small league and he's not even owned? This way is just safer.

I think it's a fallacy that all flex options are late-round picks or free agents, though. In one of my drafts this season my first three picks were running backs, and we allow two running back slots and a flex. Hopefully with 100 players listed here, we've given you a few sleepers and some aid in your decision-making. Enjoy.

1. Maurice Jones-Drew, RB, Jaguars: Finally, someone else is No. 1! Peterson goes back to the top spot next week, though.
2. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans: Could make a case for him No. 1. If only the Titans had more of a passing game.
3. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers
4. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons: This touchdown machine reminds us he can rush for 150 yards on occasion, too.
5. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers
6. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens
7. Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals: He did just fine against the Ravens the last time he met them. Really, what more does he have to do to convince us he's a new player?
8. Ronnie Brown, RB, Dolphins
9. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots
10. Ryan Grant, RB, Packers: He seems to be projected by us for a big game every week. How often does he really deliver one? This week he should, though.
11. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts
12. Matt Forte, RB, Bears: An interesting case, one could say "buy low" or "sell high" on him. I wouldn't expect his Week 8 game to be a sign of things to come, but he should retain some value.
13. Joseph Addai, RB, Colts
14. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals
15. Pierre Thomas, RB, Saints
16. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans
17. Steve Slaton, RB, Texans: Well, I for one think he'll be just fine, but if you don't believe that, then you shouldn't use him. There obviously is some risk here, and he might not be able to overcome putting the ball on the ground.
18. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB, Chargers: Still think all is well?
19. Vincent Jackson, WR, Chargers: All is certainly well with this Charger.
20. Marion Barber, RB, Cowboys
21. Marques Colston, WR, Saints
22. Brandon Jacobs, RB, Giants: Has definitely played better the past few weeks.
23. Kevin Smith, RB, Lions: Needs two healthy shoulders to provide the production we need.
24. Roddy White, WR, Falcons
25. Brian Westbrook, RB, Eagles: Looking pretty obvious that he will play. It's a critical game for the Eagles.
26. Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys: He's starting to spoil us.
27. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles: Maybe he is, too.
28. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs: I originally thought this ranking was too generous, but it's not like there are many locks ranked after him, right? Check my Wednesday blog for more on this "little-known" Chiefs back.
29. Ricky Williams, RB, Dolphins
30. Donald Driver, WR, Packers: Starting to slow down a bit, but I think it's merely coincidence.
31. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers
32. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers
33. Clinton Portis, RB, Redskins
34. Dallas Clark, TE, Colts
35. Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants: Playing through the cracked foot, but let's just say I wouldn't be targeting him in trade.
36. Chad Ochocinco, WR, Bengals
37. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos
38. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions: I didn't originally rank him, but obviously if he doesn't play, then use someone else.
39. Wes Welker, WR, Patriots: Was playing really well before the bye week.
40. Nate Burleson, WR, Seahawks
41. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers
42. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers
43. Laurence Maroney, RB, Patriots: Still his starting job this week.
44. Dwayne Bowe, WR, Chiefs
45. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers: Getting tons of targets, which is a very good thing.

46. Julius Jones, RB, Seahawks: Nice matchup, but don't we have to be skeptical? I mean, look at his numbers.
47. Brandon Marshall, WR, Broncos
48. Mike Bell, RB, Saints: Will probably remain a factor all season.
49. Hines Ward, WR, Steelers
50. Steve Smith, WR, Giants: Not a coincidence that Eli Manning's foot problem and Smith's drop in production were nearly simultaneous.
51. T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR, Seahawks: Not all that great in PPR leagues either.
52. Felix Jones, RB, Cowboys
53. Beanie Wells, RB, Cardinals: I'm interested to see how many touches he gets.
54. Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons
55. Santana Moss, WR, Redskins
56. Mike Sims-Walker, WR, Jaguars: His quarterback might not, but Sims-Walker will bounce back.
57. Ryan Moats, RB, Texans: Really, do you think he can do that again even if he gets enough touches?
58. Reggie Bush, RB, Saints: Now he's scoring touchdowns, but not doing anything else.
59. Derrick Mason, WR, Ravens
60. Michael Crabtree, WR, 49ers: Looking like stardom is coming sooner than expected.
61. Cadillac Williams, RB, Buccaneers
62. Steve Breaston, WR, Cardinals: I took Anquan Boldin out of my rankings but didn't really move Breaston up as a result.
63. Tim Hightower, RB, Cardinals
64. Devin Hester, WR, Bears: Numbers are starting to become very interesting.
65. Austin Collie, WR, Colts
66. LeSean McCoy, RB, Eagles: Held his own with Westbrook gone.
67. Vernon Davis, TE, 49ers
68. Darren Sproles, RB, Chargers: Just give him one game with 75 percent of the touches, and I bet he'd do good things.
69. Torry Holt, WR, Jaguars
70. Correll Buckhalter, RB, Broncos
71. Antonio Bryant, WR, Buccaneers: Shame on you if you thought his 2008 could be repeated.
72. Hakeem Nicks, WR, Giants: Darkhorse to emerge, but Eli's gotta be healthy.
73. Kevin Walter, WR, Texans: With Owen Daniels out, Walter must get better.
74. Brent Celek, TE, Eagles
75. Maurice Morris, RB, Lions: Not sure why people all of a sudden like this guy.
76. Santonio Holmes, WR, Steelers
77. Willie Parker, RB, Steelers
78. Heath Miller, TE, Steelers
79. Johnny Knox, WR, Bears
80. Jeremy Maclin, WR, Eagles
81. Tashard Choice, RB, Cowboys
82. Pierre Garcon, WR, Colts
83. Malcom Floyd, WR, Chargers: Will probably get used in way too many leagues this week.
84. LenDale White, RB, Titans: Lost in the Chris Johnson explosion was White getting some burn.
85. Kenny Britt, WR, Titans
86. Earl Bennett, WR, Bears
87. Kevin Faulk, RB, Patriots
88. Devery Henderson, WR, Saints: Just too tough to tell when he gets targeted, and he's not the only Saint you can say that about.
89. Chris Brown, RB, Texans
90. Roy E. Williams, WR, Cowboys
91. Derrick Ward, RB, Buccaneers
92. Kellen Winslow, TE, Buccaneers
93. Mewelde Moore, RB, Steelers
94. Mark Clayton, WR, Ravens
95. Kolby Smith, RB, Chiefs: Don't forget about him in case Larry Johnson is gone and Jamaal Charles just can't handle things.
96. Lance Moore, WR, Saints
97. Willis McGahee, RB, Ravens: It's stunning how he went from valuable to totally ignored.
98. Mike Wallace, WR, Steelers
99. Justin Forsett, RB, Seahawks
100. Jeremy Shockey, TE, Saints