:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/1598718/GYI0062897643.jpg)
Michael Fabiano at NFL.com has released his very early 2011 fantasy football rankings, and despite strong fantasy performances from unlikely Buffalo Bills sources during the 2010 season, his rankings are not kind to most Bills players.
Stevie Johnson ranks as the best fantasy option, coming in as the No. 24 receiver - making him a borderline second receiver in a ten-team fantasy format. Fred Jackson follows as the next-best value; as the No. 29 running back, he'd be a nice third running back or perhaps flex option in most fantasy leagues. C.J. Spiller earns a little love based solely on his talent level (it certainly wasn't his production), coming in as one of the top runners in the reserve area at No. 39 overall.
From there, it gets dicey. Ryan Fitzpatrick cracks the QB list at No. 23, which would make him a fringe starter only in two-QB leagues. At best, he's viewed as a backup. Lee Evans, coming off of the worst single-season statistical performance of his career, is barely on the radar as the No. 61 receiver. Buffalo's defense is an afterthought at No. 30 overall, and the team didn't have a tight end or kicker place in the rankings.
Exactly none of this is surprising. The Bills finished 4-12, and the majority of these players are not viewed as top-level talents, aside from Spiller. So when you see mock drafters giving the Bills A.J. Green or a high-upside quarterback, you really shouldn't freak out - there's good reason to do so.