Todd Lokken reviews recent history of top fantasy football stars.

Todd Lokken from Strategic Fantasy Football says that from 1992-1995, Emmitt Smith was King of the Fantasy Football world. 1500 yards rushing and 15-20 touchdowns were not out of the question for any given season, and for whatever lucky soul nabbed the #1 pick in league drafts. However, in 1996, Smith suddenly tailed off, and was replaced by Terrell Davis of the Denver Broncos, who kept the top spot until a serious injury derailed his career in 1999.

However, an able replacement was ready to go, as the “Greatest Show on Turf” stole the NFL spotlight, and Marshall Faulk became the consensus top player in Fantasy Football. Faulk’s ability to run and catch made him a two-pronged weapon in the great St. Louis Rams' offense, and he was a touchdown machine. Like Davis and Smith, Faulk also had a short run at the top spot, and by 2002, his reign at the top was over. Faulk was replaced by Priest Holmes of the Kansas City Chiefs, who scored an amazing 21 touchdowns in 2002, and followed up with 27 in 2003. In 2004, Holmes looked to easily once again be the top performer for the year, but a late season injury cost him the title. In fact, it may have ended his time at number one.

Holmes’ injury allowed Ladanian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers to grab the top spot, and he may hold that distinction for some time. “The fact that he is still very young and is already a tremendous talent gives him a chance to be at the top for 4-5 years”, says Todd Lokken, President of Strategic Fantasy Football.

Staying on top for 4 years is difficult enough, as no one has had a run that long since Smith’s ended in 1995. Davis had 3 years, Faulk 3, and Holmes 2. Tomlinson has one, and despite a slow start this year, should still be on top for at least 2 more years. After Tomlinson, there is no clear-cut choice to replace him. The next top performer will probably come from a current rookie or second year player, and will be a surprise to most NFL observers, as Davis, Faulk, and Holmes were.

Strategic Fantasy Football provides fantasy football analysis and strategy for players of fantasy football. For more information, contact Todd Lokken at 847.985.8566.