2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks
Although we are more than five months away from the start of the 2010 NFL season, it's never too early to start thinking about the upcoming fantasy football season.
This week, we will release our first edition of position rankings for 2010. These lists will exclude rookies, however, our post-draft update (late-April or early-May) will include the 2010 rookie class.
In addition to these rankings, we are towards the end of our 2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft. Visit our page on Blog Talk Radio to listen to the remaining rounds or archived editions of the first nine rounds.
Here are my Top 25 Fantasy QBs for 2010:
1. Drew Brees, Saints: No QB has passed for more yards (9,457) or touchdowns (68) than Brees over the past two seasons. In fact, his 4,388 passing yards was his worst performance over the past four seasons due to missing week 17 to rest for the playoffs. That said, most fantasy owners don't care about week 17 anyways.
2. Aaron Rodgers, Packers: After back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons, it wouldn't surprise me if Rodgers finished 2010 as the top-ranked fantasy passer and made Packer fans (or, at least, fantasy owners) ask, "Brett who?"
3. Peyton Manning, Colts: A student of the game? More like a coach on the field. 4,000+ yards and 25+ TDs should be a lock. Given the Colts' disregard for making history, the potential of locking up the division early and playing for one half in week 16 again is perhaps Peyton's biggest flaw as a fantasy quarterback.
4. Philip Rivers, Chargers: He's one of four QBs that have passed for 4,000 yards in each of the past two seasons and only Brees has thrown more TDs during that stretch. Expect even more passing in the post-LT era.
5. Tom Brady, Patriots: It remains to be seen whether he'll have Wes Welker to start the season. But at least he'll have Giselle.
6. Matt Schaub, Texans: Schaub led the NFL in passing yards despite being without his stud tight end (Owen Daniels) for half of the year.
7. Tony Romo, Cowboys: His impressive play down the stretch along with the emergence of Miles Austin provides plenty of momentum for 2010. Only if Romo could throw the ball "correctly" to Roy Williams like he does to the other receivers...
8. Brett Favre, Vikings: If Favre retires (again), expect an un-retirement to follow (again). The Vikes are stacked with weapons and fell just shy of the Super Bowl. While 4,202 yards, 33 touchdowns and seven interceptions shouldn't be expected for the 40-year-old, 3,800+ yards and 25+ touchdowns seems reasonable in that offense.
9. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Only Brees and Schaub had more passing yards per game than Big Ben (288.5) in 2009. Of course, his legal mess, which could lead to disciplinary action from the league, increases his riskiness. If he plays 16 games, however, he's a fantasy football bargain.
10. Donovan McNabb, Redskins: McNabb's 16-game pace (he missed two) in 2009 was 4,060 yards and 25 TDs. Replicating that production over a full season in Washington will be difficult considering the downgrade in weapons in the passing game.
11. Eli Manning, Giants: With a core group of young receivers (Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, etc.), Eli set career highs in yards (4,021) and TDs (27).
12. Jay Cutler, Bears: Without Martz, Cutler passed for 3,666 yards and 27 TDs despite a career-high in interceptions (26). It's only logical to assume a boost with Martz.
13. Joe Flacco, Ravens: After the trade for Anquan Boldin, re-signing Derrick Mason and the addition of Donte' Stallworth via free agency, the big-armed QB could make a nice jump in 2010. At a minimum, he should exceed his 2009 numbers of 3,613 yards and 21 touchdowns.
14. Matt Ryan, Falcons: Despite his sophomore slump, partly due to injury (most of three games), Ryan has weapons such as Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez at his disposal and should be poised for a bounce-back year. And in 14 games, he still threw 22 touchdowns.
15. Kevin Kolb, Eagles: With weapons like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and Brent Celek, it wouldn't surprise me to see Kolb finish in the 10-12 range of fantasy quarterbacks in 2010 with the Eagles' pass-first offense with McNabb being traded to Washington Sunday.
16. Carson Palmer, Bengals: Is the former #1 pick the third-best fantasy QB in the AFC North? While Ochocinco may say "Child, please," the answer is an obvious yes for the QB who threw for only 1,262 yards, seven TDs and six interceptions in the final eight games of 2010.
17. David Garrard, Jaguars: Garrard has quietly been a steady fantasy producer over the past two seasons. As a back-up QB on your fantasy team, hope that your starter has his bye when Garrard is at home (over 2,000 yards and 12 TDs at home last year).
18. Vince Young, Titans: It's been an interesting ride for Young, who once again appears to be the franchise's QB of the future. This is still a run-first team, but VY can make plays with his legs. During the Titans 7-1 run from weeks 8 to 15, Young threw 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions.
19. Matt Leinart, Cardinals: Fortunately for Leinart, he has weapons around him such as Larry Fitzgerald, Steve Breason and Early Doucet. Unfortunately for Leinart, he's no Kurt Warner. And now with Derek Anderson in the mix, he doesn't even have a lock on the starting job. D.A. might be a one-year wonder, but it's one more year of Pro Bowl production than Leinart has.
20. Alex Smith, 49ers: Vernon Davis broke out. Michael Crabtree showed up. Smith got a second chance (after agreeing to a paycut will on his honeymoon, mind you.). Will he take another step forward in 2010?
21. Kyle Orton, Broncos: Will Brandon Marshall be catching his passes in 2010? The Broncos only placed a first-round tender on Marshall, who could land in Seattle (or somewhere else). Plus, they traded for Brady Quinn, who is the back-up (at least, for now).
22. Matthew Stafford, Lions: The Lions added Nate Burleson, a huge upgrade at the WR2 position, in free agency to help last year's top pick. Plus, he'll have a healthy (knock on wood) MegaTron and tight end Brandon Pettigrew for the entire season.
23. Matt Moore, Panthers: With Jake Delhomme out of the picture, Moore will get an opportunity to build on his 2009 success (61.6% completion, 8 TDs, 2 INTs).
24. Jason Campbell, Redskins: It's another new coach and offense for Campbell in 2010. Last year, he posted career highs in passing yards (3,618) and TDs (20). For the time being, Campbell will serve as McNabb's back-up, but there's a good chance that Campbell will get traded to a team in need of an upgrade at quarterback.
25. Matt Hasselbeck, Seahawks: Losing Nate Burleson hurts. Adding Brandon Marshall would help (more). Can Hasslebeck stay healthy enough to take advantage of that if it happens?
Check back tomorrow for 2010 Fantasy Football Running Back rankings.
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