Fantasy Football Projections: NFC North

Fantasy football week is upon us once again. Each FanHouse NFL division writer used their keen insight to predict the top four fantasy football scorers at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end.

---

---

Michael David Smith covers the NFC North.


QUARTERBACKS:

1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers: 4,300 yards, 42 touchdowns.

Rodgers has been ridiculously good in the preseason, putting up video-game numbers. He's taking his place among the league's elite quarterbacks.

2. Brett Favre, Vikings: 4,000 yards, 30 touchdowns.

It's not realistic to expect the old man to have the kind of season in 2010 that he did in 2009, but he'll still be among the better quarterbacks in the NFL.

3. Jay Cutler, Bears: 4,000 yards, 27 touchdowns.

The presence of new offensive coordinator Mike Martz should improve Cutler's numbers. Frankly, he couldn't possibly be any worse than he was last year if your league heavily subtracts for interceptions.

4. Matthew Stafford, Lions: 3,400 yards, 22 touchdowns.

Stafford showed as a rookie that he has toughness and competitiveness and leadership and work ethic and all those other intangible things you like in a quarterback. What he hasn't showed is that he actually has the kind of skills as a passer that an NFL quarterback needs.


RUNNING BACKS:

1. Adrian Peterson, Vikings: 1,800 yards, 20 touchdowns.

The Vikings will rely even more on Peterson this year than they have in years past. He'll have a monster season -- but he needs to learn to hang onto the ball.

2. Ryan Grant, Packers: 1,300 yards, 12 touchdowns.

Grant had 1,203 rushing yards in 2008 and 1,253 yards in 2009. Look for Grant to have about that level of running production again this year, but also to get more involved in the passing game.

3.Matt Forte, Bears: 1,200 yards, 9 touchdowns.

Mike Martz loves versatile running backs, and that's what Forte is -- he's no Marshall Faulk, but he'll have a solid season both running and receiving.

4. Jahvid Best, Lions: 1,100, 8 touchdowns.

Lions fans were already excited about what the rookie can do. His play in the preseason has done nothing but ramp up expectations.


WIDE RECEIVERS:

1. Calvin Johnson, Lions: 1,300 yards, 11 touchdowns.

Johnson is the single most talented wide receiver in the NFL. It's a shame he's stuck on such a bad team.

2. Greg Jennings, Packers: 1,100 yards, 10 touchdowns.

Aaron Rodgers' favorite receiver will have a huge season.

3. Percy Harvin, Vikings: 1,000 yards, 7 touchdowns.

After missing almost all of training camp with migraines, Harvin has to get healthy, and he has to get healthy now. The Vikings are counting on him to emerge as their No. 1 receiver.

4. Johnny Knox, Bears: 900 yards, 6 touchdowns.

The Bears really don't have a No. 1 receiver, but the talented Knox is the closest thing to it.


TIGHT ENDS:

1. Jermichael Finley, Packers: 900 yards, 9 touchdowns.

Last season Finley had 55 catches for 676 yards and five touchdowns. I expect him to improve in all three categories.

2. Visanthe Shiancoe, Vikings: 700 yards, 10 touchdowns.

Favre will rely on Shiancoe even more this year than he did last year, when Shiancoe had 56 catches for 566 yards and 11 touchdowns.

3. Greg Olsen, Bears: 800 yards, 5 touchdowns.

Olsen isn't really a very good fit for what Martz likes his tight ends to do -- namely, block -- but he's a talented receiver, and Martz always finds ways to utilize his talent.

4. Tony Scheffler, Lions: 600 yards, 4 touchdowns.

I loved the Lions' acquisition of Scheffler and think he'll be a good target for Stafford.