Chris Johnson.

BY ROB SHAW
sportsnet.ca

Goodbye Brian Westbrook and LaDainian Tomlinson and hello Chris Johnson and Adrian Peterson.

We are in a new era of fantasy football with few holdovers from the early 2000s.

Here’s a look at the first four rounds of the Sportsnet.ca Fantasy Football Mock Draft.

ROUND 1

1. Chris Johnson, RB, Titans

There is some risk with this guy after racking up a league-leading 358 carries last season, but his speed is mesmerizing, and he will have every shot at once again being the top tailback in the NFL.

2. Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings

The addition of a solid Vikings passing attack last season limited Peterson’s role in the offense, but that should be a good thing, as it keeps him fresh and poised for a big season once again.

3. Ray Rice, RB, Ravens

His ability to make plays off of the pass reminds fantasy managers of a healthy Brian Westbrook. With Anquan Boldin joining the Ravens, there should be more red-zone opportunities, which should translate into more touchdowns for Rice.

4. Maurice-Jones Drew, RB, Jaguars

A touchdown machine, the only concern here is that Maurice Jones-Drew never before had 300-plus carries. There’s always a chance of a breakdown, but one of MoJo’s strengths has been his durability.

5. Michael Turner, RB, Falcons

After dealing with injuries last season, Turner returns poised for another big season. You have to love that the Falcons coaching staff claims that Turner is in the best shape of his life.

6. Andre Johnson, WR, Texans

With Randy Moss getting up there in age, Johnson is far and away the best wideout in the NFL. Hence, he’s worth sacrificing a first round pick to help your cause.

7. Drew Brees, QB, Saints

Mr. Super Bowl hero himself, Drew Brees has elevated his game since joining the "Who Dat?" nation. Brees has tossed 34 touchdowns in back-to-back seasons and is a sure bet for another 4000+ yards of passing.

8. Frank Gore, RB, 49ers

With four straight seasons of 1000+ rushing yards, Frank Gore is the wily ol’ veteran of the elite running backs. He also happens to be injury-prone, having failed to play all 16 games in each of the past three seasons.

9. Steven Jackson, RB, Rams

After carrying the Rams on his back for the past few seasons, there is some real concern that Steven Jackson will break down. Another issue is the team’s lack of scoring opportunities, which explains how Jackson could have rushed for 1,416 yards last season, yet only score four touchdowns. With a rookie quarterback at the helm, it could be another ugly season in St. Louis.

10. Rashard Mendenhall, RB, Steelers

Last season the Steelers said hello Mendenhall and goodbye Parker. The result was 1,108 rushing yards and eight total touchdowns from Mendenhall. This year, the Steelers backfield is all his, plus the loss of Big Ben for four weeks to suspension and the move of Santonio Holmes to the Jets will force the Steelers to return to its roots as a rush-dominated offense.

ROUND 2

1. Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers

You will see him going later in most mock drafts, but people, we are talking about a talented quarterback who put up Drew Brees-like numbers last season and should continue to improve in only his third season as a starter.

2. DeAngelo Williams, RB, Panthers

Though injuries limited his carries last season, his brilliance shined through with 5.2 yards per carry, keeping him at the top of the Panthers rushing attack.

3. Ryan Matthews, RB, Chargers

Even though this rookie is unproven, he is the running back for a great offense and with LaDainian Tomlinson now in New York, the Chargers likely won’t hesitate getting him the ball.

4. Randy Moss, WR, Patriots

The fact that this is a contract year should be a big deal for Randy Moss. He typically plays his best when he has the most to prove. That’s why 1,400+ receiving yards would not shock us this season.

5. Peyton Manning, QB, Colts

Once the king of passing statistics, Peyton Manning has turned into Mr. Reliable. Boring as it may be, it’s nice to know you’ll get 250 yards and a couple of touchdowns each week from Manning.

6. Cedric Benson, RB, Bengals

You’ll see him going later in most mock drafts, which is a mistake. The Bengals offense should be much-improved and Benson will once again be pushed hard on the ground, but this time with more goal-line opportunities.

7. Calvin Johnson, WR, Lions

This former first overall pick has all the tools and is as physically talented as any other NFL wideout. The only question is whether second-year quarterback Matthew Stafford will get him the ball. Considering Stafford was also a first overall pick, I like the Lions chances of taking a major step forward.

8. Jonathan Stewart, RB, Panthers

Sure, he may not start the game at running back for the Panthers, but he does get his opportunities. He rushed for more than 200 yards against the Giants in Week 16, and he has yet to miss a game in his NFL career. He’ll be fresh once again in a split backfield.

9. Reggie Wayne, WR, Colts

You’d have to go back seven years to find the last season that Reggie Wayne did not receive at least 1,000 yards of passes. He is also extra valuable in leagues that count points-per-receptions, as Wayne has accumulated 100 or more grabs in two of the past three seasons.

10. Shonn Greene, RB, Jets

Shonn Greene is a popular pick in many fantasy leagues, but there are some concerns with his fantasy value. First, he is unproven, with just 108 rushes in the 2009 regular season. Next, the Jets also brought in a touchdown vulture in the form of the legendary LaDainian Tomlinson.

ROUND 3

1. Miles Austin, WR, Cowboys

Before drafting Austin based on his 1,320 receiving yards last season, consider that he barely even played until the fifth game of the season. That’s when he racked up 250 yards and two touchdowns, igniting one of the most impressive hot streaks of the 2009 season.

2. Knowshon Moreno, RB, Broncos

A recent hamstring injury may push down his value quite a bit, but on the other hand, if he’s able to miss just the pre-season, he’ll be even fresher for the regular season.

3. Roddy White, WR, Falcons

Ever since Michael Vick left Atlanta, the Falcons have passed the ball more and Roddy White is usually the wideout that is targeted.

4. Ryan Grant, RB, Packers

Though he is not one of the flashier running backs in the league, Grant has been effective, racking up 1,200+ yards in back-to-back seasons, and most recently scoring a career-high 11 rushing touchdowns.

5. Brandon Marshall, WR, Dolphins

With 100-plus receptions in three consecutive seasons, Brandon Marshall was the lead target for the Broncos. Considering his big numbers last season came with Kyle Orton at quarterback, he should not fade much now that Chad Henne is under center in Miami.

6. Larry Fitzgerald, WR, Cardinals

Most mock drafts will have Fitzgerald pegged higher, but we’re relying on an unproven quarterback to get him the ball, and Anquan Boldin is no longer diverting the defence’s attention.

7. Matt Schaub, QB, Texans

One of the more underrated passers in the NFL, Matt Schaub should only build on his statistics this season now that he enters his prime at 29-years-old.

8. Tom Brady, QB, Patriots

Far from the 2007 record-shattering performance, Tom Brady returned to his steady, but unspectacular self last season, and should do so again unless Randy Moss goes off for an MVP-calibre season.

9. DeSean Jackson, WR, Eagles

Though we are banking on an unproven quarterback to get him the ball, another year of steady progress should bring in about 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns from Jackson.

10. Sidney Rice, WR, Vikings

The biggest surprise for the Vikings last season, Sidney Rice provided the deep threat option that Brett Favre was begging for. He should only build on that performance this season, now that he knows what it takes to shine bright on Sundays.

ROUND 4

1. Jamaal Charles, RB, Chiefs

This guy rushed for close to 1,000 yards in the second half of last season, and yet I’m still concerned that he may be overrated. The reason is simple, unlike LaDainian Tomlinson, who the Jets brought in to backup Shonn Greene, Thomas Jones is still a very effective running back who deserves to start in the NFL. Based on his pay from the Chiefs, I see Jones consuming more than a part-time role, limiting Charles to split duties in the backfield.

2. Marques Colston, WR, Saints

He is not as consistent as most lead receivers in the NFL, but if healthy, he has as much potential as anyone. I’d bet on 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns from Colston this season.

3. Tony Romo, QB, Cowboys

He has failed to reach the 30-touchdown mark in back-to-back seasons, but Tony Romo racks up the yards, plus the addition of Dez Bryant should only help.

4. Greg Jennings, WR, Packers

Yes, his four touchdowns were a major letdown last season, but Jennings still does accumulate plenty of receptions and yardage, and those measly four touchdowns may just be a freak slip in production.

5. Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers

There is some concern without a proven running game and the potential of Vincent Jackson changing teams, but Philip Rivers is a feisty quarterback who has established career highs in passing yards in back-to-back seasons.

6. Dallas Clark, TE, Colts

The Colts lack the playmakers in the receiving corps that they once had, forcing tight end Dallas Clark to become the top target for Peyton Manning. He was a star in every category last season with 100 catches, 1,106 yards, and 10 touchdowns.

7. Anquan Boldin, WR, Ravens

The former Cardinals standout left the desert just in time. While the unproven Matt Leinart takes the helm for the Cardinals, Boldin will be at the receiving end of bombs from Joe Flacco. The Ravens offense looks like it could be special and Boldin will play a large role as the team’s top target.

8. Steve Smith, WR, Giants

In many ways, Steve Smith is the Giants new version of Amani Toomer. He does not possess remarkable quickness or athletic ability, but he is always in the right place at the right time and his statistics are impressive.

9. Antonio Gates, TE, Chargers

Though the top spot for tight ends has been taken over by Dallas Clark, Antonio Gates is still a fantasy legend and should once again surpass 1,000 yards with at least a half dozen touchdowns.

10. Steve Smith, WR, Panthers

There is always the chance that Smith surprises us with 1,300 yards receiving, but our expectations are lower after last season’s disappointment.