Fantasy Football: QB Pre-Draft Rankings (1-32)
All though the NFL season ended a week ago, it is never too soon to get ready for Fantasy Football. With the draft coming up in over two months, I am going to give a pre-draft evaluation of all the quarterbacks available in fantasy football and evaluate them and their progress.
1.) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
When the Packers handed the reigns over to Rodgers after the Favre Era in Green Bay, they knew what they knew exactly what they had their hands on. Rodgers has reached the elite status in the NFL and has dominated fantasy football since that time. He was the number one ranked quarterback in fantasy football in Standard Format in 2011 while even missing the last game of the season against the Lions. Rodgers is the best quarterback in fantasy football hands down. It should be interesting to see what the Packers will do with their top free agent tight end Jermichael Finley after his below average season. He was still the Packers top tight end, but will he stay?
2.) Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
When it comes to elite status in the NFL, Brees put his name in that status in stone when he won the Super Bowl in 2010. He set the NFL record last season for most passing yards in a season wiping out Dan Marino’s single season record. It is hard to put Brees in second, but he is an unbelievable second. Only concern, two of his top targets are free agents. Will Robert Meacham and Marques Colston re-sign and help Brees out or will the Saints go shopping for another receiver in the offseason?
3.) Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Brady came up just short of earning his 4th Super Bowl Ring in 2012. It is hard to believe this but Brady’s stats in Yards, and Passing Touchdowns have gone up every season since his injury. Can Brady keep up his beyond hall of fame pace this season, and what are the Patriots going to do with Brady’s favorite receiver Wes Welker? Will he re-sign with the Patriots this season?
4.) Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
It is easy to say that nobody thought Newton would have a season like that. It will easily go down as one of the top rookie performances from a quarterback in the history of the NFL. He has the rookie record for most yards by a quarterback, most touchdowns, most yards in a game, and he made the pro bowl. All in his rookie season. The question is can he keep up with the pace he put up last season or will he enter a sophomore slump.
5.) Matt Stafford, Detroit Lions
Stafford was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 2011 after having dismal 2009 and 2010 seasons, both ended prematurely due to injury problems. Stafford showed his determination in 2011 throwing for career highs in every category including 41 touchdowns and throwing over 5,000 yards for the first time in his career. After finishing 2-14 in 2009, and 6-10 in 2010, Stafford carried the Lions to their first playoff game since 1999. The Lions are a team that only seem to be getting better, and Stafford looks to be improving more and more after every game. He has stated his case to become a bona fide star in the NFL for years to come.
6.) Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles
After another injury filled season Vick has truly shown his high risk – high reward caliber talents once again. He has missed 7 games in the last two seasons through numerous injuries. Last season he showed less of a threat running the ball and more of a threat passing the ball, while throwing a career high 14 interceptions. The major concern isn’t for Vick this offseason rather then where is Desean Jackson going to be heading? All signs point out the door. How will this effect Vick’s fantasy season in 2012?
7.) Eli Manning, New York Giants
Manning had the best statistical year of his career in 2011, finishing off the season with his 2nd Super Bowl ring in his career. Manning had the most passing yards in his career, and managed to have the most completions and attempts in his career. The Giants gave the reigns to Manning in 2011 and with the pressure of his brother Peyton’s injury he still managed to have the best season of his career. One of his top targets Mario Manningham is expected to be a free agent in 2012. It should be interesting to see if he stays with the Giants or if they re-sign him or not.
8.) Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Romo showed his heart in a game against the 49ers this season breaking a rib and puncturing a lung leaving the game and being ruled out. He returned in the late 3rd and carried the Cowboys back into the game before winning the game in overtime. Romo has showed his will to play despite a young core of inexperienced receivers around him. It should be interesting to see how the Cowboys management addresses the wide receiver issue during the draft and offseason.
9.) Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Rivers had a slightly below average season to his standards throwing for 4,600 yards and a career high 20 interceptions. He led the Chargers to another 8-8 season and had major inconsistencies during the season. It should be interesting to see how Rivers will play next season. All signs point that receiver Vincent Jackson not getting the franchise tag. Will Rivers’ top wide receiver get a new contract in 2012 or will Rivers have new targets to throw to?
10.) Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Ryan threw for career highs in yards with over 4,100 and touchdowns with 29 in 2011. He led the Falcons to their third playoff appearance since drafting him four seasons ago, but Ryan is yet to win a game in the playoffs in his career. He still has a young core of wide receivers to throw the ball to, so it should be interesting to see how Ryan’s young wide receivers play this season with Ryan heading into his 5th NFL season.
11.) Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
Schaub led the Texans to a 7-3 record through the first ten games, injuring his foot in that tenth game against the Buccaneers during a 37-9 win against them. Schaub was on pace for 4,000 yards before the injury. Schaub, Andre Johnson and Arian Foster have shown to be a major offensive threat in the AFC for years to come after this season and it should be interesting to see if the Texans can make back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in their team history.
12.) Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roethlisberger had another 4,000 yard 20+ touchdown season but it was another season Roethlisberger fought through injuries in the season. It is becoming hard to watch Roethlisberger play through all of his injuries however whatever he is doing seems to work as he has taken the Steelers to six times since taken over as quarterback. Although Hines Ward is expected to retire or be released in the offseason it should be interesting to see if the Steelers pick up anymore key pieces to their roster to make them an even bigger threat in the AFC.
13.) Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos
Whether you hate Tebow or not he is always going to be a threat in standard format fantasy football because of his legs. Whether you think he is a fullback or not, Tebow finished his first full season at quarterback throwing for 1,700 yards and only 6 interceptions while racking up a total of 23 touchdowns in the air and on the ground while taking the Broncos to the playoffs and winning the AFC West. The Broncos defense kept them around all season, it should be interesting to see what John Fox and the Broncos do to help improve their offense that seemed to be 100% built around Tebow.
14.) Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
All hopes of the Chicago Bears being taken to the playoffs once again was taken away when Cutler went down with an injury halfway through the season all but ending hope that the Bears could win one of the toughest divisions in football, the NFC North. With major injuries ending the seasons of Matt Forte, Johnny Knox and Cutler it should be interesting to see how this effects the Bears upcoming season. Can Cutler show us and the Bears that he can once again throw for 4,500 yards and 25+ touchdowns or is he going to become another quarterback that the Bears can call a bust.
15.) Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders
Palmer had an average season with the Raiders last season throwing for 2,700 in ten games (270 yards/game). He has plenty of talented players to throw the ball to on the Raiders but without the running game of McFadden it was hard for Palmer to get into a groove last year. He ended with 13 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in his first year with the Raiders. I don’t expect Palmer to throw as badly as he did last year with some practice and a full offseason with the Raiders receivers. I will even go as far as saying Palmer might be one of the sleepers in the draft this year.
16.) Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills
Fitzpatrick started off the season with a bang, blowing up every team he faced, including an upset victory over the Patriots. With that start the Bills prematurely gave Fitzpatrick a $59 million contract extension, as the Bills finished 2-8 after paying Fitzpatrick some serious money. The Bills have got some immediate issues that need fixed as Steve Johnson is a free agent and he has been the top receiver the past two seasons on the Bills.
17.) Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Dalton showed the hype following him was true as he led the Bengals to the playoffs in his first season in the NFL, also earning himself an AFC Pro Bowl bid in his first season. He threw for 3,300 yards and 20 touchdowns in his first season and you can only expect these numbers to get better with time. Him and A.J. Green should be a combination that the league should be afraid of for years to come in the league. One of his top receivers who is fighting problems in court Jerome Simpson is a free agent currently.
18.) Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams
While Bradford was off to an absolutely horrible start for the Rams he was still on pace to have well below his rookie seasons stats. He showed us but negativity in his sophomore season as he showed he wasn’t as precise with the ball, he had trouble holding on to the ball, and he showed that he is longevity was still questioned as he has been fighting injury problems since college. The Rams aren’t scared to take a chance with him as they drafted him number one overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. His leash is a little bit longer then other quarterbacks in the league for this reason. Can the Rams improve their horrible team though?
19.) Mark Sanchez, New York Jets
Sanchez once again improved his stats from the year before completing more passes, having a higher completion percentage, more yards, more touchdowns, less fumbles, but the Jets management still doesn’t seem happy to the fullest with Peyton Manning rumors looming through the town. Sanchez threw the ball for 3,400 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2011 but couldn’t lead the Jets to the playoffs. The only major concern is having Sanchez improve on his interceptions as he threw for 18 last season which is one of the only major statistical flaws that Sanchez has in the NFL.
20.) Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Freeman had a career high 3,500 passing yards last season but he threw 22 interceptions last season which ultimately hurt the Buccaneers badly. Freeman’s 20 total touchdowns to 27 turnover ratio definitely isn’t a good statistic to read on paper but Freeman can have a major upside when he is 100% healthy and playing good football. Freeman has a new coaching staff to work with in 2012 so it should be interesting to see how this will effect Freeman and his fantasy statistics.
21.) Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers
Smith had his best season of his career leading the 49ers to the NFC Championship game while throwing for 17 touchdowns and only 5 interceptions. He threw for 3,000 yards for the first time in his career (in his 6th season) and had the highest passing rating of his career at 90.5. It seems the 49ers are gave Smith more targets to throw to in 2012 and a coaching staff that was able to work well with him. It should be interesting to see how Smith capitalizes on the best season of his career.
22.) Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Flacco also was able to lead his team to the AFC Championship game before losing to the Patriots. He managed to throw for 3,600 yards for his third straight season showing that he can be consistent. While Flacco threw for 20 touchdowns again he turned the ball over a career high in 2011. It should be interesting to see if Flacco can reach the 3,600 20+ touchdown plateau again and lead the Ravens to the playoffs again.
23.) Christian Ponder, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings handed the reigns over to Ponder halfway through the season last year after quarterback Donovan McNabb had put up poor stats. Ponder threw for 13 touchdowns and 13 interceptions in the eleven games he played, throwing for 1,800 yards. It should be interesting to see how Ponder plays in his first full season as a starter for the Vikings in 2012. He is also a dark horse candidate for sleeper of the year candidate at the quarterback position.
24.) Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee Titans
Hasselbeck put up his best statistics in over four seasons in his first year as the starting quarterback with the Titans but it should be noted that Hasselbeck will be turning 37 in September when the season starts. He does not have a long leash left to his career. Jake Locker was drafted last year in the NFL Draft as a contender for the starting quarterback for the team until Hasselbeck showed up and played good football, leading them to a 9-7 record. How long of a leash does Hasselbeck have until he hands the reigns to the young Locker?
25.) Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs
Cassel was on pace for the worst season of his career before it was cut short due to an injury in 2011. He was on pace for 16 interceptions and below 200 yards a game. It should be noted that the Chiefs top running back Jamaal Charles went down with an injury in the second week of the season leaving the Chiefs without a huge running option. Cassel will be the starter for the Chiefs in 2012, hopefully he can improve upon last seasons statistics.
26.) Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals took a huge risk when they signed Kolb last season in the offseason. He fought through injuries but the injuries prevailed ending Kolb’s season. Kolb has shown nothing but to be a bust of a pick for the Cardinals as they had to use the combination of John Skelton and Max Hall to make up for the lack of Kolb in the lineup. With a healthy Kolb in the lineup he will always be a threat with Larry Fitzgerald on the team. Hopefully Kolb can have a turnaround year for the Cardinals.
27.) Matt Moore, Miami Dolphins
I should note that this should say Matt Moore-Chad Henne. But I think it is safe to say the Dolphins have no clue once again what they are going to do at the quarterback position in this offseason. For all we know J.P. Losman could be the starting quarterback by the start of next season. All you need to know is that if you are willing to draft a Dolphins quarterback in fantasy football you are drafting them at your own personal risk.
28.) Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns
All you need to know with McCoy is that his career 20 touchdowns to 20 interceptions ratio shows his risk to start with. He has shown nothing but inconsistency since he took over as starter for Cleveland. The Browns seem to have giving him some time to develop under their system. The Browns are giving Pat Shurmur another year to develop McCoy as a starter in the league. This will be his make it or break it chance with the Browns.
29.) Rex Grossman – John Beck, Washington Redskins
There is no other options in Washington. There have been rumors swirling that Peyton Manning could be traded or signed with Washington but its all rumors as of now. The Redskins have been through three quarterbacks since getting rid of Jason Campbell who signed with the Raiders. The Donovan McNabb project didn’t work in Washington either. So far nothing has worked and I don’t expect anything to work in Washington unless they give Beck a chance. Even that is a risk at this point. Void all Redskins quarterbacks in the draft until something is set in stone as far as a starter goes.
30.) Tavaris Jackson, Seattle Seahawks
Jackson began the season as the starting quarterback for the Seahawks. This was his first year being named the starter since 2007 in the league. The Seahawks finished 7-9 and Jackson’s stats were well below league averages. Jackson is a temporary fill until the Seahawks can figure out who their franchise star will be at quarterback. Don’t set your expectations too high on Jackson this season.
31.) Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville Jaguars
He can only put up better statistics from last season we hope.
32.) Curtis Painter, Indianapolis Colts
Null and Void.
You can follow Sterling Eby on Twitter @TheSterlo
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