Fantasy Quarterback Rankings

It's about that time again... FANTASY FOOTBALL SEASON!!! Over the course of the next month, we'll get you prepared for the best fantasy sport of them all. We'll provide drafting advice, rankings, analysis, etc. Here we go:

Today, I'll cover the quarterback position. Quarterbacks lead a team on the field, but that's not always the case on the virtual field. In fact, this position is incredibly deep this year, and most experts (including me), would advise you to wait longer than normal before drafting your fantasy QB. Personally, I wouldn't draft one before the third round, and I likely won't draft one until at least the fifth round. The drop-off isn't that much compared to the other key positions (RB and WR), so I'll load up there before going with a QB. Here's who I like:

Top 25 2013 Fantasy Quarterbacks

1. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints

In a "down" year last season, Brees still threw for nearly 5,200 yards and had 43 TD's. That was without Sean Payton coaching and with a beat up supporting cast (namely Jimmy Graham). With a healthy team again and Payton back on the sidelines, he's a safe bet to score the most points in fantasy football this year.

2. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers

This is another extremely safe pick. The Packers will continue to chuck it often, especially since Rodgers is in his prime. Rodgers will be easily over 4,000 yards again, likely over 4,500, and he will throw around 40 TD's. Unlike Brees, he'll also add a couple hundred yards on the ground and add a couple scores there.

3. Peyton Manning - Denver Broncos

Coming off an injury, Peyton had one of the greatest seasons he's ever had statistically. Rumors are that he's even stronger this season which means it could be more of the same. They added Wes Welker to their receiving core and brought in another impact running back, so Manning will likely dominate once again.

4. Cam Newton - Carolina Panthers

Last year, Newton proved that his first year wasn't a fluke. Granted, he didn't score quite as many touchdowns, but his other numbers were very similar. And if you owned him last year, he likely carried you to a championship as he was dominant in the second half. I think that momentum continues and he's in store for another massive year throwing it and on the ground.

5. Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons

I'm a big believer in Ryan, even though many others may not rank him this high. He's gotten better each and every year and plays in a pass heavy offense. With a better ground game this season, Ryan will have even more space in the defense to work with. His weapons are some of the best in the NFL.

6. Tom Brady - New England Patriots

With the uncertainty surrounding their tight ends and new WR's, many have been dropping Brady dramatically down the rankings. Sixth is a bit lower than normal, but there is no way he should drop to 10th or something, which is where I've seen him on other sites. He's still one of the best QB's in the game and he makes his players better, not the other way around. I also think his cast is still decent barring further injuries: Amendola, Gronk, Dobson, Vereen, Edelman, etc.

7. Matthew Stafford - Detroit Lions

Last year, he was taken as one of the top QB's in fantasy drafts, but this year he's been dropping back (like Brady) in the rankings. I still value him tons though. He threw it more than any other quarterback last season and has thrown for around 5,000 yards in each of his last two seasons. I know his TD's were down last year (41 in 2011 to 20 in 2012), but that was more a fluke than anything else. The addition of Reggie Bush will help out too.

8. Robert Griffin III - Washington Redskins

The next three I list are all close, both I trust RG3 the most. I believe he bounces back from injury just fine (just like Adrian Peterson and Jamaal Charles did), and he'll be ready in week 1. I think he'll throw it more and run it less, which will cancel out in the longterm in terms of fantasy numbers. Expect his throwing TD's to go up.

9. Colin Kaepernick - San Francisco 49ers

Did you watch him late in the year and in the playoffs? Wow. His ceiling in fantasy football is enormous and you won't be able to wait this long to grab him. But he's also a little risky. He only started late in the year so this will be his first full season. Plus teams may have a better game plan this year now that they've seen him.

10. Russell Wilson - Seattle Seahawks

What I said about Kaep applies here too. He ended the year on a tear and was a Top 3 quarterback in the second half (in terms of fantasy average per game). Seattle added Percy Harvin so that should help out a ton. But again, teams will have spent the entire offseason working on stopping the read option, similar to what they did when the Wildcat took off. That makes me think a little...

11. Tony Romo - Dallas Cowboys

Romo is coming off his best season ever and is seriously underrated in fantasy circles this season. He threw for nearly 5,000 yards and 30 TD's. With an emerging star in Dez, Miles back healthy, and with a better offensive line, he should be in for more of the same.

12. Andrew Luck - Indianapolis Colts

Speaking of underrated, Luck fits the phrase also. He put up historic numbers as a rookie last year and has a better supporting cast this year overall. The Colts love to throw it a ton, so Luck can't do any worse. In fact, he wasn't accurate at last year, so if that improves, he could become elite.

13. Eli Manning - New York Giants

It was a down year last year for Eli, in large part because of a beat up WR core. If Nicks is healthy, it could help him a lot. If not, he may struggle once again. He lost his TE and WR3, so there are question marks. But he is still one of the leagues best, so I would still trust him.

14. Andy Dalton - Cincinnati Bengals

This guy surprised many over the last two seasons but it's time to believe. He's got a great group of weapons around him (namely AJ Green), so I expect him to be ever better than last year. That means he'll throw for around 4,000 yards and around 30 TD's. Not bad for #14.

15. Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers

He's a veteran that has been consistent through the years. He's nothing fancy, but he's a solid QB2 in leagues where you start two QB's, and a great backup if not.

16. Jay Cutler - Chicago Bears

Cutler has the physical gifts that enable him to make all the NFL throws, but he hasn't really ever put it together. But with a new coach (QB guru), much improved offensive line, and decent weapons (added Martellius Bennett this year), Cutler will perform better than ever. He's in a contract year too, which is always great motivation.

17. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers

Last year, well, he sucked. But for a former Top 5 QB, don't count him out for long. He's bound to improve, by a lot.

18. Josh Freeman - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Even though they will run it a lot with Doug Martin, Freeman could be in for his best year yet. He's finally accustomed to this league, and he's got a great group of receivers to throw to. His defense also got better so he'll have the ball in his hands much more often.

19. Joe Flacco - Baltimore Ravens

Apparently, I don't respect the Super Bowl MVP much. But the Ravens still love to run the football, which limits his ability to star. They also lost Boldin, so I'm afraid of who will be their WR2.

20. Sam Bradford - St. Louis Rams

This pick is a great example of why QB is a deep position this year. Bradford finally has wide receivers that can make plays (and a new tight end), and their o-line improved dramatically. Since he is now fully healthy, he's a very nice sleeper this season.

21. Michael Vick - Philadelphia Eagles

This is another sleeper in the making. First, he has to beat out Nick Foles in training camp. Then, he has to learn a new offense under Chip Kelly. But if he does those, he can dominate. Remember just a couple seasons ago he single-handedly won game after game for owners in fantasy. He's a backup QB to own, due to his enormous upside.

22. Ryan Tannehill - Miami Dolphins

This is another second year player that could take a big step forward. Rumors out of Miami are that Tannehill is much more confident and throwing it much better this year. The team added Mike Wallace which will help out a lot too.

23. Carson Palmer - Arizona Cardinals

Quietly, Palmer put up great numbers on a bad Raiders team a year ago. Now on the pass friendly Cardinals (with new coach Bruce Arians), he could put up even greater numbers. Of course, it helps when he has Larry Fitzgerald now at his disposal.

24. Matt Schaub - Houston Texans

Schaub is consistently underrated in fantasy football also. And I'm falling in line and doing it also. All he did last year was throw for over 4,000 yards and had 22 TD's. Houston drafted a WR in the first round, which could give him better receivers to throw to, particularly in the Redzone.

25. Jake Locker - Tennessee Titans

If he stays healthy, and Kenny Britt stays healthy, Locker may be able to live up to his first round pick status. If not, this could be his last chance.

By: The Sports Guys