Fantasy 101: Top 32 Quarterbacks
With the NFL season coming very soon, two things that are bound to happen. One Brett Farve coming out of retirement yet again, and two Fantasy Football. Me personally I love fantasy football, it is easy if you know what you doing, and it is not that time consuming. So I am here to help you to win your league by getting that to notch quarterback. Note, these rankings are based on having two starting quarterbacks in your league (but theystill work for a one quarterback leagues just don't draft the quarterbacks as early). Playing two quarterbacks is highly recommended as it adds extra value to the quarterback position and skill to the league. Also, like points per reception for receivers it makes the positions equal in value and importance. Anyone can find one good quarterback but it takes a better fantasy player to find two.
These rankings are based on the following scoring system. 1 point for every 25 yards, -1 for a fumble, -2 for a fumble lost and interceptions, and 6 points for touchdowns. With that being said, here are the top 32 quarterbacks in fantasy football.
1. Drew Brees (Saints): Drew Brees led the NFL in yards last season and since 2007 Brees has racked up almost 14,000 yards and 88 touchdowns. Brees is the best and safest QB on the board and should be taken very early.
2. Peyton Manning (Colts): Automatic Peyton Manning has one of the top QB's taken every single season since he broke into the NFL. Manning will be healthy coming into this season unlike last year, expect huge numbers again this year.
3. Tom Brady (Patriots): Worried about Brady coming off ACL surgury? Don't worry to much, with weapons all over the field, a good offense of line and adding Fred Taylor, Brady will have the best numbers of any quarterback in the league. The only affect of the injury is it makes him the 3rd ranked QB instead of the 1st.
4. Philip Rivers (Chargers): Rivers had his best season by far last year. With Vincent Jackson coming into his own, and Antonio Gates still getting it done, and LaDainian Tomlinson and the ground game starting to age, Rivers will continue to carry more of the burden for the offense.
5. Kurt Warner (Cardinals): In a pass happy offense, Warner will continue to put up great numbers. Fitzgerald, Breaston, and Boldin all had over 1,000 yards receiving and with a questionable running game. It is a recipe for a ton of yards. Be aware that the drafting of Chris Wells could cause the offense to focus more on the ground game. Of course, it could also make the offense even more potent.
6. Aaron Rodgers (Packers): Rodgers had a solid season last year replacing Farve. Rodgers has weapons all over the field led by WR Greg Jennings, but the offensive line is a bit of question mark which could cause up and down stats and injury concerns.
7. Donavon McNabb (Eagles): McNabb threw for a career high 23 touchdowns last season and expect them to go up in a huge way. With a rebuilt offensive line, and an up and coming receivering unit including veterans Kevin Curtis, second year man DeSean Jackson, and electric rookie Jeremy Maclin. Also, an aging Brian Westbrook could cause the Eagles to rely more on the pass than in the past.
8. Tony Romo (Cowboys): If any quarterback I would stay away from in the top ten, Romo would be it. With an aging offensive of line, and the departure of Terrell Owens and Roy Williams as there new number one receiver Romo's numbers are anything but a certainty. I expect his numbers to go down.
9. Jay Cutler (Bears): If Cutler was still in Denver, he would be in the top five. However Chicago is a running team, meaning Cutler's chances of throwing the football goes down. Plus Cutler is throwing the ball to Devin Hester and Earl Bennett, not Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal.
10. Carson Palmer (Bengals): Palmer missed most of last season with an arm injury making him an injury risk. The offensive line is also issue, as is whether Chad Ochocinco will perform this season. The talent is here but the risk is as well.
11. Matt Ryan (Falcons): Ryan surpassed all expectations by winning Rookie of the Year and leading the falcons to the playoffs. With Roddy White, Michael Jenkins, and the addition of Tony Gonzalez, Ryan should improve in his second season and have a very solid year. But Ryan up in keeper leagues.
12. Matt Schuab (Texans): Schuab leads an emerging offense and has all weapons including Steve Slaton at running back and one of the best receivers in the game in Andre Johnson, the only question with Schuab is his health. If you take Schuab, take his backup (Dan Orlovsky) later on in the draft.
13. Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers): Ben can be a solid fantasy play for a Steelers team that throws more than it has in the past. The offensive line remains shaky and his he has only thrown more than 20 TDs once in the past three years (of course that was 32 in 2007). Big Ben is a better NFL QB than a fantasy one but ranks as one of the best #2 fantasy QBs.
14. Matt Cassel (Chiefs): High Risk/High Reward. Cassel made his name in New England after Tom Brady got injuried and in a pass happy offense Cassel put up great numbers. Now in Kansas City he has Dwayne Bowe to throw and new head Todd Haley bringing in a pass happy offense. Cassel has the potential for excellent numbers but aside from Bowe the receiving talent not to mention the offensive line could hold him back. On the plus side, he should be playing a lot of catchup and plays the Broncos poor defense twice.
15. Eli Manning (Giants): Manning is a decent play fantasy wise. He puts up solid numbers, including 3000+ yards and 20+ TDs. The Giants are a running team, and without Plaxico he struggled last season. He took care of the ball better last season but remains an INT risk.
16. Matt Hasselbeck (Seahawks): Turns 34 in this coming season, and coming off injury, be careful with Hasselbeck. He is not the top 5 QB of years past but without much of a ground game he could still put up solid numbers if he stays healthy. Adding T.J Houshmandzadeh will help. If you draft Hasselbeck, draft Seneca Wallace as well.
17. David Garrard (Jaguars): Still has no one to throw to and his interceptions went up markedly. Maurice Jones-Drew will be the focal point of the offense with means attempts could go down. Not a terrible backup or QB2 but the upside is limited.
18. Trent Edwards (Bills): Health was an issue for Edwards last season, however now with Terrell Owens as a part of the offense, Edwards numbers could improve if healthy.
19.Kyle Orton (Broncos): Came from Chicago with no good receivers, to having some of the best in Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal. With Denver's defense on paper being awful the Broncos could be throwing the ball a lot. Not a great talent but he will be playing in a QB friendly system that should be throwing a lot.
20.Jake Delhomme (Panthers): Make or break year for Delhomme. Carolina has solid offensive line, a great running game and Steve Smith. You would think he would put up better numbers. Low upside and little more than a #2 QB. On the plus side, could step up a year after Tommy John
21.Joe Flacco (Ravens): In his first year, he was decent and avoided costly mistakes. Has a great arm but no one to throw to now that Derrick Mason retired. He also plays Pittsburgh twice so keep that in mind. Consider Flacco a backup with upside. Plays in a run heavy offense but should be allowed to take more chances downfield in his 2nd season. A riskier play if you are in a two QB league and have to play him each week.
22.Jason Campbell (Redskins): Don't look for a lot of yards because Washington does not have a vertical threat, on the plus side Campbell does protect the ball.
23.Chad Pennington (Dophins): Pennington is very accurate, but the receivers are very average with hurts Pennington's fantasy value. A dink and dunker who will get you consistent points each week but is not a threat to have many multi-TD games or big plays.
24.Brett Farve (Free Agent): Looks like a comeback to Minnesota. Farve will be back in the west coast offense which he played with in Green Bay, and handing the ball off to Adrian Peterson helps. Could be great but he will be in a manage the game type situation playing with AP and his play has fallen off markedly during the 2nd half of the past 2 years.
25. Kerry Collins (Titans): The Titans are a great running team which mean fantasy value goes down. Draft Vince Young to protect yourself if Collins struggles. The targets a better but the team is not likely to open it up any more. An emergency backup whose best value is as a #3 QB in two QB leagues.
26. Matt Bulger (Rams): Health is a big concern, and the loss of Torry Holt does not help. These are not the Mike Martz Rams anymore.
27. Brady Quinn (Browns): No one knows who the QB will be in Cleveland as Quinn has hardly played thus far. If you are relying on Quinn to play first pray and then be sure to get Derek Anderson to protect yourself(I can't believe i just wrote that) Quarterback by committee in Cleveland is a possibility.
28. Shaun Hill (49ers): Has a new weapon in Micheal Crabtree to throw to which will help but it is a run first team now that Martz is gone. Could surprise but not likely.
29. Mark Sanchez (Jets): In a competition with Kellen Clemens, so handcuff the Quarterbacks. A solid keeper play but don't use draft him to use him if in a 2 QB league.
30. JaMarcus Russell (Raiders): Draft Jeff Garcia to protect yourself, but quiet frankly avoid if at all possible.
31. Mathew Stafford (Lions) If you are in a keeper league, solid play. Remember he is throwing to Calvin Johnson. If you draft him, keep on your bench.
32. Jeff Garcia (Raiders): He could be the starter by the time the year is out so he may be worth a flyer in deep league but I would still avoid because he is just not very good (esp. in fantasy terms)
Good luck picking who will be the Buccaneers QB. We had three different QBs receive votes none better than 30th overall.
