Top 25 Quarterbacks
1. Aaron Rodgers – I place him atop the rankings for so many
reasons. First, he has a plethora of receiving weapons around him. Second, the
Packers don’t run it much. Third, he doesn’t have any risk attached to him
making him a safe choice and a guaranteed top 3 QB. Fourth, he has something to
prove after they blew it in the playoffs last season. Five and most importantly, he is the most
complete quarterback in football right now.
2. Tom Brady –The Patriots love to throw and they added
another top WR for Brady to utilize. There is so much around him that its
impossible not to achieve greatness. I like the fact that he doesn’t turn it
over very much. He also has something to prove after they lost in the Super
Bowl last season. I predict NE has the best record in the league this year too.
3. Drew Brees – In all honesty, Brees could easily be the
top QB this season… but it comes with some questions. He currently doesn’t have
a contract worked out with the team and isn’t currently working with the team.
Coach Payton, who also is the play-caller, will be gone all season. These
concerns push him below Brady and Rodgers, although he could also replicate his
record-breaking season from 2011.
4. Cam Newton – Will he have a sophomore slump? I doubt it.
Although I don’t think it’s possible to rush as well as last season. His upside
through the air and on the ground is hard to pass on however. He’s the best
duel threat QB we’ve seen since Michael Vick (who we will discuss next).
5. Michael Vick – Just like Cam, Vick’s value is much higher
due to his running skills. Due to this, his upside is sky high. In fact, he has
the ability to put up video game type numbers on a weekly basis. Philly is
loaded with weapons and everyone around him is healthy and happy, unlike last
year. The downside is his own injury history. With all that running, can he play a
full season?
6. Matt Stafford – Last year was a breakout year for
Stafford…finally. He was healthy and realized his potential. It helps when you
have Calvin Johnson J.
Who knows if he will repeat his 41 TD season like last year, but he will have
the opportunity. Like Vick though, his past is riddled in injury. Factor that
in on draft day.
7. Peyton Manning – To continue with the risky theme,
Manning is as risky as they come. He missed the entire year last year and his
career was in jeopardy. Reports are saying he is fully healthy but its tough to
believe that. What you can believe though is that if he does play, there isn’t
many better. His fantasy production has been steady for his entire career, so in
that you can trust.
8. Philip Rivers – He had an off year in 2011, which is
making people worry about his fantasy value. Look at the facts
though: 4600 yards and 27 TD’s was a bad year. If he regains his confidence and
form, he could become elite once more. The Chargers have quietly added some
nice receivers for him despite losing V-Jax.
9. Tony Romo – Is he ready to make that jump to elite? I
think so, and I expect big things from the Cowboys this year. He has two great
weapons in Miles and Dez, plus his security blanket in Witten. He showed
toughness last season playing through injury and he could be better this season
now that he’s healthy once more.
10. Eli Manning – Despite winning his second ring last year,
I just can’t get hyped about his fantasy potential. Other sites have him ranked around 6-7, and ahead of his brother... but I don’t buy it. Last year was really the first year of
his career that he was a fantasy stud. And even with that he only threw 29
TD’s.
11. Ben Roethlisberger – There is a big drop-off after the
top 10 in these rankings. Big Ben has been fairly solid though the last few
fantasy seasons. His receiving corps is the best he has ever had, and I think
the Steelers have continued to open up their offense. Mendenhall’s injury means
they may throw it even more this season.
12. Jay Cutler –Jay has great potential in 2012. He was
injured the second half of last season but there is upside here. The Bears
added his favorite receiver in the league in Marshall (who he dominated with in
Denver). They drafted a very good WR too (Jeffrey). Forte (assuming he gets a deal done)
is one of the best pass-catching RB’s in football, and the offensive line should
be better in the new system.
13. Matt Schaub – This could be a real sleeper. Like many
others, his injury last year is worrisome. But if he comes back strong this
year, he will once again put up big numbers. His has arguably the best receiver
in the NFL in Andre Johnson, and teams will be playing the run with Arian
Foster back there.
14. Robert Griffin III – It was very tough to rank RGIII.
His potential is equivalent to Cam Newton, but he is only a rookie. We do know
that he’ll play from day one and will be a threat running and throwing. We
don’t know if he can handle a NFL offense and read NFL defenses.
15. Matt Ryan – Similar to Eli, I’m ranking Matt lower than
most because he just isn’t a sexy pick. He has the skill players around him,
experience, confidence, etc. I just want him to put it all together and show me
he can be great. Until he does that, I will pick and proceed with caution.
16. Carson Palmer – He may have been rusty last year when he
returned, but he should be up to speed from the first snap this season. An
offseason with his receivers and studying the offense should be extremely
helpful to him.
17. Ryan Fitzpatrick – Fitz”magic” was great for half the
year in 2011. He died out though in the latter portion. I like his prospects in
2012 to take that next step. Stevie Johnson is a big reason why.
18. Andy Dalton – The youthful Bengals should get better
offensively this season. They grew together last year and will become grown in
2012. He should have a better feel for defenses and he’ll have a more explosive
run game to help him too.
19. Josh Freeman – The Bucs made all the right moves to help
him in the offseason. Vincent Jackson, Dallas Clark, and Doug Martin highlight
the additions to the offense. These players should all help Freeman improve as
a real QB and fantasy QB.
20. Alex Smith – Just like Freeman, the organization did a
lot to add pieces to this offense. Along with Crabtree and Davis, they now have
Manningham and Moss. We saw his improvement he made in 2011 and who’s to say he
can’t get better again in 2012?
21. Andrew Luck – Luck was the overall pick for a reason… he
can be special! He is a rookie and therefore, an unknown quantity. But he has
some receivers he can trust and he does play in a dome. The Colts will also be
playing from behind which means they might throw a lot. In a keeper league,
he’s great value late too!
22. Joe Flacco – Unlike Luck, Flacco has been around a while
but doesn’t have near the upside. He doesn’t have tons of great weapons either
outside of Ray Rice. He is consistent though in what he does. Could be a safe
backup in most leagues.
23. Sam Bradford – He wowed us as a rookie in 2010, but left us
wanted more a year ago. I don’t like the pieces around him but still think he
can be productive.
24. Matt Flynn – Assuming he wins the starting job in
Seattle, he could be worth a late pick. We saw in week 17 last year that he can
light it up. He also has some nice pieces around him. I like the upside.
25. Kevin Kolb – When you see the word upside you have to
think about Kolb. For years we have been wondering when he will emerge. Could
it be this year with Fitzgerald and Floyd now at his disposal? Will he even
start? If so, watch out.
The next five: Mark Sanchez, Jake Locker, Matt Cassel,
Christian Ponder, Tim Tebow
Next fantasy article: Top 40 RB's
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