Top 10 Fantasy QBs

The month is May; rookie camps have just started and some of the teams have a little bit of a QB controversy. Sure you have the usual suspects, Browns and Seahawks for example. But then you also have teams like the Cardinals and the Dolphins who think they may finally have an answer for the next 5-6 years in Kevin Kolb and Ryan Tannehill respectively. But what does this all mean? It means we are getting closer to putting together Fantasy Football teams.

Each year I have played Fantasy Football I have enjoyed it more and more. This year doesn't look to be any different. And we are going to get a head start on learning who we need to take this year in our drafts by having a post every few days on who we need to take. Lets start with the QBs:

It is very rare that you want to take a QB in the first round. Only in instances such as Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees and maybe (a strong maybe) Michael Vick do you want to take a QB in the first round. Because come the 2nd or 3rd round, you can still get reliable QBs such as Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Tony Romo. So with this in mind here we go:

Top 10 Fantasy Quarterbacks

(Tony Romo (left) and Aaron Rodgers (right) are two QB that are normally very solid for Fantasy Owners, both put up alot of yards and points for owners last year. Photo Courtesy of www.NFL.com)

1. Aaron Rodgers- As I said in the introduction, Aaron Rodgers is one of the few quarterbacks that you can take in the first round and not regret it later. Last year was arguably Rodgers' best year because the Packers went 15-1 and he had 4643 passing years and 45 TD. He is a sure thing every year for 4000 passing yards and 25+ passing TD. His mobility insures that every couple weeks he could easily get a rushing TD as a treat to fantasy owners.

2. Drew Brees- Let's just assume that Drew Brees and the Saints get his contract situation settled, because let's face it, losing Drew Brees would be a huge blunder on the Saints so he is going to get a deal. Back to fantasy talk, Drew Brees just like Aaron Rodgers has been one of the most reliable fantasy QBs in the last 3-4 years. Last year was no different, breaking Dan Marino's passing record and have 46 passing TDs, Drew Brees was the 2nd highest point producing QB. He is the only other 1st-rd worthy QB in my honest opinion. 

3. Matthew Stafford- Taking a chance here by saying Stafford is a very worthy 2nd-rd pick at QB. Last year he stayed healthy and he and Calvin Johnson Jr. (Megatron) formed a tandem the was the caliber of a Troy Aikman and Michael Irvin. Matthew Stafford threw for a 3rd-best 5038 yards in the league and added 41 TD on top of that. He was a sure thing for 300 yards a week. As long as Megatron don't suffer the Madden curse, and Matthew Stafford stays healthy, your looking at another Drew Brees or Aaron Rodgers. 

4. Tom Brady- The Patriots are going to be loaded at WR next season. They added Brandon Lloyd (who had his best year under returning Offensive Coordinator Josh McDaniels in Denver) and brought back Jabar Gaffney and Dante Stallworth. These players added already with Chad Ochocinco, Wes Welker, and Deon Branch, Brady will have a #1 WR with his 2nd and 3rd looks. Tom Brady could easily repeat his 5000+ season from just a year ago.

5. Cam Newton- Cam Newton in his rookie season broke most of Peyton Manning's record from his rookie season. So what is a sophomore slump going to look like? Cam threw for 4000+ yards last year and ran for another 700. He is basically an accurate Tim Tebow, fantasy owners can expect the average yardage of 250ish and 2 TD with at least 50ish yard and a TD on the ground. Barring any setbacks Cam Newton should be a very reliable 2nd-rd worthy QB. 

6. Tony Romo- Oh Tony Romo; what a roller coaster year he had last year. He would have games of simple brilliance, such as the games against the 49ers, Bills, and Rams. But then he had his most boneheaded games in his career against the Lions and Jets. But lucky for fantasy owners, INTs are only worth -2 points in most leagues whereas in real life it can cost you the game. Tony Romo is primed to be a very great fantasy commodity and could be a late 2nd-rd early 3rd-rd QB steal. The Cowboys have a relatively soft schedule this season so he could easily have an above average season. Even on a bad year Romo was the 4th best passer by passer rating and had 4100+ yards and 31 TD.

7. Peyton Manning- Peyton Manning ranked #7? I believe most fantasy owners are going to be hesitant to take Peyton simply because of all the rust he is going to have. But remember a couple years ago when he missed training camp and the Colts started 3-4 and finished 12-4. They would lose but Peyton had an "average" year. The only risk taking Peyton in the 3rd-rd is the gasp of air fantasy owners will take the first time he gets hit. Peyton Manning will have Brandon Stokely to team up with Eric Decker. Demaryius Thomas made Tim Tebow look good a couple time last season and will also be a great target if he stays healthy. There will be rust, but an average Peyton Manning is a Top 10 QB for sure.

8. Eli Manning- Every QB goes through a Super Bowl hang over the year after winning it. Eli Manning will do the same which is why I have him in the 3rd-rd. But one thing that can be said about Eli, he really did carry the team last year through their rough times, which is why they were the Super Bowl champions. But this season they have the toughest schedule in the league and could easily fall from grace. Not to mention they lost Brandon Jacobs and Mario Manningham, two targets for Eli. Still, Eli was just fine after losing Plaxico in the 2008 season, and this time he kept his number one target, Victor Cruz.

9. Matt Ryan- All fantasy owners are waiting for Matt Ryan just to breakout and become a Tom Bradyesque player. I am not saying he will, because nobody can be Tom Brady. But Matt Ryan was very solid last year as he had 4000+ yards and 29 TD. He has Julio Jones and Roddy White still, as well as Tony Gonzales and Michael Turner. Matt Ryan is learning a new system but should still be able to get the ball to Roddy White for at least 250 yards a game and 2 TD. 

10. Michael Vick- I would really love to put Mike Vick in the 1st round, and that's where he was last year. But he also spent half the year hurt and had periods of bad play. Michael Vick's style of play, much like Tim Tebow, makes fantasy owners very concerned about how long he can stay healthy and how consistent he can be. But he is also good for rushing and passing yards and TD. If he can stay healthy, Michael Vick could easily make himself a 1st-rd caliber QB.

"Sleeper" Andy Dalton- Andy Dalton will be in his 2nd year at QB for the Bengals. He had a very solid first year and barring any set backs, should be better. He will have a returning A.J. Green and a rookie WR in Mohamed Sanu. 

"Beware" Joe Flacco- In the AFC championship game, Flacco was a dropped pass away from the Super Bowl. While we saw moments of brilliance from him last year, he still remained inconsistent and showed he can not totally carry the team. It will be a risk to the one who takes him.