Last year, I implemented a then new strategy (for me at least) where I treated a highly touted quarterback, such as Tom Brady, like he was a running back.
You could tell from the prior year (2007), that it was worth a second or even first-round pick after Brady and the Patriots went 16-0 and he passed for 50 touchdowns. That kind of production, although undervalued in some leagues with 1 to 2 points less per score, still outperforms the majority of NFL running backs. And this year is no different, with the best scoring back topping out at 20 touchdowns combined (DeAngelo Williams).
Here’s my list of top 15 quarterbacks for your fantasy teams:
He outranks Tom Brady because he's absolutely amazing. Oh, and Brady was hurt last season.
- Drew Brees — Last season was an amazing one for Brees, tossing eight 300-yard games, 34 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He’s got the weapons at wideout (Marques Colston) and out of the backfield (Reggie Bush). And he’s the definition of gun slinger in my book, outranking the next guy only because he’s not coming off of an injury. Last season: 34 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, 5,069 yards, two 400-yard games and eight 300-yard games.
- Tom Brady — He only threw 11 passes last season before a season-ending injury, but I’m assured that he’s bounced back and is in top form (50 touchdowns in 2007) by the looks of his girlish smile. Plus, he has the No. 1 receiver on his team. He’s already doing pretty good.
- Peyton Manning — I think his nickname should forever be “The Audibler.” It’s just so fitting to his style. And when he’s in control, and on top of his game, he’s the best in the NFL. Last season wasn’t so good for him because his go-to guy, Marvin Harrison, was injured for the majority of the year. Now with Harrison out of the mix as a free agent, he can spend more time looking at Reggie Wayne streaking and Dallas Clark in the seams. Last season: 28 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 4,002 yards and four 300-yard games.
- Phillip Rivers — What’s to say Rivers isn’t going to improve. He’s one of the few quarterbacks I admire simply because of his mechanics and form. He’s got Antonio Gates to pass to in a crunch — or just whenever — and he’s got LaDainian Tomlinson in the backfield to take of the pressure. Like Allstate, you’re in good hands with this QB. Last season: 34 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 4,009 yards and five 300-yard games.
- Kurt Warner — This is Warner’s “other” year, so you are now being formally warned. He is interception and fumble prone, but when an organization that is so bungled like the Cardinals are, it’s easy to forget these things and let him run wild. That’s when Warner is his best. Two seasons of amazingness in a row is a lot to ask from this guy though. It’s likely he’ll produce 20 interceptions (14 last year) and 15 fumbles (11 last year). Otherwise, he’s got Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin to play with and an improving running game and offensive line to anchor the team. Last season: 30 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 4,583 yards, six 300-yard games and one 400-yard game.
- Aaron Rodgers — Brett Favre’s clone he is not. He is Aaron Rodgers, and one thing we learned from last year is he can gracefully swat away a reporter’s “Brett” question with the best of them. Sucks being him some days, but then he goes out and throws 4,038 yards and 32 touchdowns and you think he can escape Favre mania. Legacy Fail. This season, expect him to improve his connection with Greg Jennings. At 25, the sky’s the limit. Last season: 32 touchdowns, 13 interception, 4,038 yards four 300-yard games.
- Tony Romo — His ranking has weakened from a year before (I think I picked him in the second round and called him the No. 3 QB) because of the loss of Terrell Owens. But he still has Roy Williams to toss a couple of duckets and the awesomeness that is Jason Witten at tight end cannot be denied. I suspect with the breakup of Romo and TO (and Romo and Jessica), he’ll be more focused on football. And, hopefully, holding onto the ball. Last season: 26 touchdowns, 14 interceptions, 3,448 yards and six 300-yard games.
- Donovan McNabb — Played all 16 games for the first time since 2003. No lie. It helped for his fantasy value too, where he threw almost 4,000 yards. McNabb has always been incredibly efficient, so he’s a safe pick as long as he’s healthy. Can we expect that? I doubt it. Last season: 25 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 3,916 yards and three 300-yard games.
- Matt Schaub — Shaub is the winner of last season’s “pleasant surprise from team I don’t a give crap about” award. With Andre Johnson going crazy on secondaries, he managed to outhustle half the league’s quarterbacks with steady production and minimize mistakes (14 turnovers). The worry is that he’s injury prone. Don’t fret, this has got to be his year. Take him as your No. 1 and be proud. Last season: 17 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 3,043 yards, three 300-yard games and one 400-yard game.
- Matt Ryan — The upside could be tremendous for Ryan, who outdid all of my expectations last season, including keeping his interceptions down (only 11) and played and started all 16 games in his rookie season. That’s just amazing. Even Peyton Manning threw 28 interceptions in his rookie season. Plus, he has Roddie White to play catch with. Last season: 17 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 3,440 yards and two 300-yard games.
- David Garrard — He doesn’t make many mistakes but he isn’t fantastic either. With the addition of Torry Holt to his receiving corps, he should see a spike in numbers but that may not mean nothing to the Jaguars. But in Fantasy, who cares? Last season: 17 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 3,620 yards and two 300-yard games.
- Carson Palmer — He missed 12 games due to injury, decimating the Bengals as if they had a chance at the playoffs. Plus, Chad Ochocinco was unhappy, putting this team in a very stinky toilet with its stars in the dumps. I can’t see this season being worse with Chad happy and Palmer healthy. He’s lost T.J. Houshmandzadeh but he’s gained Laveranues Coles, the speedster. And Chris Henry is still hanging around. The weapons are there for the talented Mr. Palmer. Last season: 3 touchdowns, 4 interceptions and 731 yards.
- Eli Manning — With a run-first mentality in New York, Eli’s possible fantasy numbers suffered. But that doesn’t mean he wasn’t amazing. Expect Coughlin to give the kid more a chance. The worry is that without Plaxico Burress, he won’t have much to throw to. Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon are the expected starters. Amani Toomer just signed with Kansas City. This could be doozy of a year. Last season: 22 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 3,238 yards and one 300-yard game.
- Ben Roethlisberger — All love is not lost for the alleged rapist. Although I put him on my “Dead to Me” list three or four years ago after his subpar return from his first Super Bowl (rookie season), he’s bounced back nicely. It helps that he has guys like Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes to play catch with. And with another Super Bowl in his back pocket, I can see his confidence growing. I still won’t draft him though after he tanked my fantasy team three years ago. But you should. Last season: 19 touchdowns, 15 interceptions and three 300-yard games.
- Jay Cutler — He’s the only quarterback with a new team that I trust. Cutler was totally disregarded by the Broncos, in the stupidest series of events I’ve seen since the first Brett Favre retirement. And he was one of the most talented quarterbacks in the league, which makes this even crazier. Will he have a Drew Brees like resurrection with his new Bears colors? Does he have sufficient weapons to get the job done on your fantasy team? I don’t know. But he needs to be on this list. Last season: 27 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 4,526 yards and seven 300-yard games.
Kurt Warner is fumble and interception prone. But he's a helluva slinger.
Ben Roethlisberger is now an alleged rapist until further notice. How concerned should you be as fantasy player?
Like the list? Love the list? Let me know below.
Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon? I wouldn’t be excited about that. Looks like a typical Eagles starting lineup. Speaking of which, McNabb might be great now that they’re finally giving him receivers. I still feel like Carson Palmer could be elite if he could stay healthy.