The 2009 NFL season is arriving quickly, bringing a JOCK-full season of fantasy football along with it. JOCKlife.com contributor William Queen ranks the top five players for each position to help guide your way through a new season of fantasy football.

Quarterback:

1. Drew Brees - In 2008, Brees led the nations #1 offense under his own command, firing for more than 5,000 yards and 35 touchdowns, leaving this Saint has a very promising season in 2009.

2. Tom Brady – Coming off a season-ending injury last year, Brady has lots to prove when he takes the field opening day. I think he’ll once again prove to be the game changing quarterback that we all remember.

3. Peyton Manning – Though the Colts have been in a franchise downfall over the last couple of years, we haven’t seen the last of Peyton Manning. Throwing for more than 4,000 yards in 2008, Manning still has gas left in the tank.

4. Matt Ryan – Entering only his second season, Ryan is among the most elite quarterbacks in the NFL. Ryan’s rookie success, added with his future potential, equals a mind-blowing future; you just can’t pass him up.

5. Phillip Rivers – With defense-threatening backs LaDainian Tomlinson and Darren Sproles lining up in the backfield, Rivers will receive plenty of help on the play-action pass; enough to increase his 34 passing touchdowns to perhaps, 40?

Sleeper – Brady Quinn – Though the Browns had a disappointing year in 2008, Quinn is still a multi-talented quarterback that can very well hurt a defense. With weapons such as Braylon Edwards, Quinn has more than enough tools on the Browns offense to rack up wins for your fantasy squad.

Running Back:

1. Michael Turner – Exploding as a premiere back in the NFL, Turner’s ego is just shouting “TACKLE ME!! TACKLE ME!!” but no one seems to bring him down. He has explosive speed and unbelievable drive that can help your fantasy team out tremendously.

Explanation – I feel that I need to explain why Peterson falls short of the #1 spot. Michael Turner ran for only 61 yards less than Peterson, yet, he rushed for seven more touchdowns and fumbled six fewer times.

2. Adrian Peterson – Entering his 3rd season in the NFL, Peterson has perhaps a hall-of-fame career ahead of him. Rushing for 1,760 yards in 2008 is just the beginning of what he can really do. Should be a top five pick in any draft.

3. Matt Forte – A standout rookie back in 2008, Forte has risen up as a force to reckon with. Being a dual-threat, rushing and receiving, Forte provides a wave of opportunities for anyone who picks him up.

4. Maurice Jones-Drew – While he was inconsistent in the beginning of 2008, this Jaguar has a rare combination of size and explosion. He always backs up his ego with even better play and has never disappointed me when called upon in fantasy football.

5. DeAngelo Williams –Though he’s sharing time with Jonathan Stewart, Williams should be able to keep up the tempo that he established in 2008 and secure yet another consistent season with the Panthers.

Sleeper – Kevin Smith – The Lions. That’s all I have to say in order to make you stop reading. But Kevin Smith has the mind and build for a successful running back and, despite being on the Lions, has maintained a decent showing throughout his short career.

Wide Receiver:

1. Andre Johnson – Very few top receivers go as unnoticed as Andre Johnson does. Week in and week out, Johnson produces better numbers than any other receiver in the NFL. And since numbers is all that matters in fantasy football, he should be the first receiver taken in any draft.

2. Steve Smith – Probably one of the most competitive players in the NFL, Steve Smith is just plain talented as a receiver. And when he’s on a role, practically no one can cover him, racking up fantasy points faster than most any other receiver in the league today.

3. Calvin Johnson – He hasn’t gone through his career as a recognized receiver, yet, he’s making more progress than any other receiver in the NFL. Last year Johnson caught 12 touchdown passes; 66 percent of the Lions total. Just imagine what he can do when a quarterback can take a snap without running out of the back of the end zone.

4. Larry Fitzgerald – An outstanding Super Bowl performance is most likely the reason that Fitzgerald is ranked atop the receivers in most fantasy rankings. But I know better than that. Larry didn’t produce deserving numbers throughout the regular season and I’m not convinced he’ll do so in 2009.

5. Randy Moss – Statistically sets himself 5th among receivers, leaving little room for error. And although Tom Brady is coming back this year, Moss is aging into his 30’s, meaning that the prime of his career is close to being completely gone.

Sleeper – Marques Colston – He was on the injury reserve half of last year due to injuries, but as 2009 rolls around, he looks to be in full swing once again. You can look forward to 90 receptions, 1,100 yards, and 10 touchdowns at the least in 2009. And that’s convincing enough itself.

Tight End:

1. Jason Witten – With Terrell Owens off to Buffalo, Witten is certain to have more touchdown catches than in 2008. You heard the “Witten gets passes more than I do” drama from TO; just imagine how many touches he gets with no other go-to-guy.

2. Tony Gonzalez – Being traded to the Falcons is heartbreaking news to Chief fans, yet, the Falcons couldn’t be happier. Young quarterback Matt Ryan hasn’t yet established a primary target in the passing game and 6-foot-5 Gonzalez would be a perfect fit.

3. Antonio Gates – Quarterback Phillip Rivers has a habit of throwing to tight ends, especially ones that are healthy. Gates has always seemed to be out with injuries, leaving his top-end ego behind. But look for him to be back in the mix of things in 2009.

4. Owen Daniels – If Matt Schuab stays healthy, then Owen Daniels points go up. If he gets hurt, then don’t count on many points. The fact is that Daniels has potential to be the most elite tight end in the league, but other problems may keep him from doing so.

5. Dallas Clark – Marvin Harrison is certainly doing him a favor by retiring and leaving all the more passes to Dallas Clark. Reggie Wayne is still around, but Clark should be on his way to his best season yet.

Sleeper – Chris Cooley – He may not be an end-zone threat, only catching one touchdown all of 2008, but he knows how to rack up catches like no other. He’s the key to the Redskins red-zone offense and would help out any fantasy team.

Defense/Special Teams:

1. Steelers – Simply the most overriding defense in the league, as a fantasy owner, you should never hesitate to draft the Steelers. It’s never too early to take a defense such as this and talents such as Troy Polamalu won’t let you down.

2. Giants – Osi Omenyiora, possibly one of the best pass rushers in the game, is returning yet again. That alone puts New York on the map. But also, the Giants defense is younger, faster, and meaner than almost any other defense in the NFL. I would take the Giants in an instant.

3. Ravens – They’ve been near the top of the league in defense all this decade and don’t expect to see them fail this year. Defensive stars such as Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are starting to get old, yet, they still have a couple of years left in them. Linebacker Terrell Suggs will also terrorize opposing quarterbacks week in and week out.

4. Redskins – Finishing 4th overall in defense last year, the Redskins have momentum coming into 2009. Brian Orakpo and Albert Haynesworth are both expected to be forces on the line and if they play well, then your fantasy team is having a good day.

5. Chargers – With physical force Shawne Merriman returning, corners Antonio Cromartie and Quentin Jammer locking down the outside, and a dominant pass rushing core returning one again, the Chargers will be near the top of the league in 2009.

Sleeper – Packers – Having one of the best drafts this past year, the Packers have great potential as a defense. Being able to scare offenses with youthful forces such as B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews is very essential to their success. If the five defenses above were already taken, then the Packers would not be a bad choice.

Kicker:

1. Stephen Gostkoski – Led all kickers in fantasy points in 2008 and also made a career-best 90 percent of his attempted field goals. Undoubtedly the best kicker in the league today.

2. Rob Bironas - Has an 89 percent field goal percentage over the last 2twoyears. One of the best legs in the NFL and still improving.

3. Jason Elam – 93.5 percent field goal percentage in 2008, only missing two all year. Atlanta’s offense has been renewed, giving Elam more kicking opportunities.

4. Mason Crosby – Led the NFL in points in 2007 as a rookie. A very young kicker that will bring consistent play to the kicker position of your fantasy team.

5. Ryan Longwell – With only an 85.3 percent field goal percentage, Longwell still managed 148 fantasy points in 2008. If he can improve his consistency, he has potential to help your fantasy team tremendously.

Sleeper - David Akers – Made a career-high 33 field goals in 2008, yet, only had an 83.5 percent field goal percentage. The sub-par percentage means that he could easily improve an impress in 2009.