The Ultimate Fantasy Football Guide; Part 2; Quarterbacks

It’s the beginning of July but it’s never too early to start preparing for fantasy football.  To assist in pre-ranking your players or in preparation for your live draft, we’re putting together the top 5 player ratings for the fantasy football “money” positions: Running Back, Quarterback, and Wide Receiver. 

In Part 2 of this series, Quarterback ratings are based on our stats projections from the coming season.  Have at it and good luck in your fantasy leagues!

Top 5 Quarterbacks

5. Donovan McNabb - Philadelphia Eagles

2006 stats: 2,647 passing yards, 18 TDs, 6 INTs

Last Year’s Ranking: Not Ranked              Stock: é

It seems Donovan’s struggles with staying healthy have made many experts forget how great of a player he is when he’s on the field.  In 2006, even with health issues limiting McNabb to 9 games, he managed to throw for 18 touchdowns, more than QBs such as Jake Delhomme, Chad Pennington, and Steve McNair and just as many as Matt Hasselbeck, Ben Roethlisberger, and Brett Farve.  McNabb has proven that when he is healthy and surrounded with decent talent, he is an MVP caliber QB.  Concerns with regards to whether McNabb can avoid another bite from the injury bug and the Eagles proposed new run first mentality cast a shadow on his fantasy value.

Projected Stats:   3,500 yards, 24 TDs, 8 INTs

4. Tom Brady – New England Patriots

2006 Stats: 3,529 passing yards, 24 TDs, 12 INTs

Last Years Ranking: Not Ranked              Stock: é

Too bad traditional fantasy football seasons end in the regular season as Brady truly shines in the postseason. For that reason, traditionally, while Brady is a steady Fantasy QB, he is usually not elite.  That could change this year as the Patriots have surrounded him with more talent at the receiver position then he has had his entire tenure in New England.  In fact, if you let Brady pick the best receivers he’s played with since 2001 and put them all on this year’s team, they would pale in comparison to his 2007 receiving core.  I expect a great season from Brady with this high powered offense, although the balance usually present in the Pats offense will probably prevent Brady from putting up Peyton-esque statistics.

Projected Stats:  3,800 passing yards, 28 TDs, 12 INTs.

3. Carson Palmer – Cincinnati Bengals

2006 Stats:  4,035 passing yards, 28 TDs, 13 INTs

Last Years Ranking: 5^th                       Stock: çè

Carson Palmer has quickly developed into one of the best QBs in the league in an extremely short time span.  Going into only his 4^th year, Palmer has thrown for 10,768 yards and 78 TDs, completing 63.8% of his passes equaling a career passer rating of 91.5.  Considering that Palmer put up remarkable numbers after coming back from the gruesome injury suffered in the 2004-2005 playoffs, a healthy Palmer may spell big trouble for the rest of the league.  Expect a huge season from this fantasy stud.

Projected Stats: 4,000 passing yards, 31 TDs, 12 INTs

2. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints

2006 Stats: 4418 passing yards, 26 TDs, 11 INTs.

Last Years Ranking: 2^nd                   Stock: çè

Drew Brees continued his brilliance last year and was a key cog in turning the Aint’s back into New Orleans’ finest.  Expect even more from Brees this year as not only are Reggie Bush and Marques Colston a year older, but the Saints drafted a new toy for Brees in the first round: Robert Meacham.  Meacham will add a deep threat to the Saints already loaded offensive arsenal opening the middle up even more than it was last year for Colston.  Brees must be grinning like a child on Christmas morning.  Whoever drafts Brees will feel the same way.                       

Projected Stats: 4,300 passing yards, 30 TDs, 12 INTs

1. Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts

2006 Stats: 4,397 passing yards, 31 TDs, 9 INTs

Last Years Rating: 1st                     Stock: çè

Peyton Manning is back and he’s lost about 30 pounds.  (That “can’t win the big one” monkey is finally off his back)  Peyton is relaxed, confident, and he’s got a new weapon in Anthony Gonzalez in the slot.  Gonzalez is a solid receiver with excellent hands and superior route running ability.  With Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, and the ageless one, Marvin Harrison, the Colts offense is as strong as ever.  Don’t be surprised if Peyton’s season rivals his 2004 Madden video game-like season in which he tossed 49 TDs.

Projected Stats: 4,400 passing yards, 39 TDs, 10 INTs

Honorable Mentions:

Mike Vick (only because he’s really a running back)

Jon Kitna (see Calvin Johnson)

Phillip Rivers, Tony Romo, Vince Young, Ben Roethlisberger, Steve McNair, J. P. Losman, Alex Smith, Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Delhomme, Jay Cutler, Matt Leinart, Matt Schaub

Steer clear of:

Chad Pennington

Not only are the chances of him staying healthy approaching nil, but even if he remains healthy, I am not a fan of their receivers.

Rex Grossman

Unless your aim is to finish .500 in your fantasy league stay away from Trouble T-Rex.  Rex was world renowned last year for winning and losing fantasy league games by himself.  If the Bears follow the path of recent Super Bowl losers T-Rex might get “Griesed.”

Brett Farve

Farve is due to show his age and fall completely off the meat wagon at some point.  This year is as good as any.  I’ll keep this exact same language to use in every other year’s column until it actually comes true.

Eli Manning

The pressure to be like Big Brother may prevent Eli from realizing his potential.  Or maybe its time to admit that Eli’s ceiling is not in the same zip code as Peyton’s. 

Trent Green

He’s old, he’s coming off a serious head injury, and the Dolphins offense really isn’t that good.  Chris Chambers is good for a catch of the year candidate every year though.

Potential Diamonds in the Rough:

Jon Kitna

Kitna predicted the Lions would win at least 10 games this year.  I don’t necessarily agree with him, but I would be making similar ramblings if I had Roy Williams and Calvin Johnson to throw to.  If Calvin Johnson is half the man he is on NCAA College Football 2006, the Lions could be championship contenders.  (I could write an entire article about the greatness that is Calvin Johnson on this game.  Probably the second best sports video game character ever, behind Bo Jackson on Tecmo Bowl and its damn close)   However, since he can’t possibly be that good and the Lions still can’t run the ball, .500 is more realistic.  Kitna will throw for more TDs than last year and his INTs will drop simply because Johnson and Williams will bail him out.

Alex Smith, Jay Cutler, Matt Schaub, D.J. Shockley (Ok that’s a terrible joke.  NCAA College Football is still on my mind)

Stay tuned for Part 3.