The NFL's Top 10 Passers of 2009

1 of 12

CHARLOTTE, NC - JANUARY 10: Quarterback Jake Delhomme #17 of the Carolina Panthers passes the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 10, 2009 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo b

You might think, "Well, it is draft time and I should be talking about that," but I thought it would be more fitting to do this. The NFL, as we know, is a pass-happy league nowadays, and that's how it is, so it got me thinking of QB performances. So I compiled a list of who I think will lead in passing this year.

None of the players listed are rookies because I don't see a breakout year for rookie QBs like we saw last year. And the man shown above, Jake Delhomme, just got kicked out of my top 10, so anyways, on with the show.

(Note: I originally intended to publish this before the draft, but I waited a a little bit to put it together because I've been busy.)

No. 10: Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals (3,558 Yards, 20 TDs)

CINCINNATI - SEPTEMBER 14: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals throws the ball against the Tennessee Titans during the first quarter of their NFL game September 14, 2008 at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Ima

Palmer is destined to have a comeback season this year. You know he is looking to lead his team to some type of success. Although the troubles of Ocho Cinco are in his face, I'm still expecting him to do well this year.

No. 9: Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons (3,609 Yards, 21 TDs)

GLENDALE, AZ - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons drops back to pass in the NFC Wild Card Game against the Arizona Cardinals on January 3, 2009 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated the Fal

You thought he was good last year. Expect more. With a returning team that they had last year, and a new weapon in Tony Gonzalez, I am expecting Atlanta to return to the playoffs with an even stronger surge. I expect them to win the NFC South, although you can never predict that division. Anyways, expect more from this kid than what he did last year.

No. 8: Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals (3,771 Yards, 23 TDs)

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Quarterback Kurt Warner #13 of the Arizona Cardinals looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Steelers won 27-23. (Photo by Chris Grayth

He got his new contract, and now he's looking to get back to the Super Bowl. I just don't expect him to have more yards than last year though. He's aging, and with how the seven above him look, I wouldn't expect too much. Plus throw in the factor that he's probably going to lose one of his weapons in Anquan Boldin, and I don't expect as much as last year. I still predict many yards because he will still have Larry Fitzgerald to throw to.

No. 7: Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears (3,850 Yards, 23 TDs)

LAKE FOREST, IL - APRIL 3: Chicago Bears general manager Jerry Angelo, quarterback Jay Cutler and head coach Lovie Smith are all smiles after introducing Cutler as their new quarterback during a press conference on April 3, 2009 at Halas Hall in Lake For

Now I have my mixed thoughts about Cutler. In my opinion, I think he's a stubborn crybaby who got what he wanted just because he almost got traded and his Butt-Buddy Mike Shanahan was fired. But that doesn't mean he won't bring up some numbers this year. I expect his totals to go down from last year because he needs some weapons other than Devin Hester.

No. 6: Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs (3,930 Yards, 23 TDs)

ORCHARD PARK, NY - DECEMBER 28: Matt Cassel #16 of the New England Patriots looks for a receiver during the game against the Buffalo Bills on December 28, 2008 at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

I'm expecting Cassel to be as good as he was last year. He may not have receivers as talented as he had in New England, but he still has Dwayne Bowe, the newly acquired Bobby Engram, and others in a well put-together group of receivers that could help Kansas City bounce back.

No. 5: Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers (4,012 Yards, 25 TDs)

TAMPA, FL - FEBRUARY 01: Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass against the Arizona Cardinals during Super Bowl XLIII on February 1, 2009 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Steelers won 27-23. (Photo by Chris

Although he has never thrown for over 4,000 yards in a season, this is very possible this year. Although he likes to scramble more and they're more of a run the ball team, I don't think "Big Ben" will be running as much—especially after that scare they had with him in week 17 vs. Cleveland last year. He also has the receivers to try to make another Super Bowl run. I'm expecting Ben to try to get even better.

No. 4: Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers (4,120 Yards, 28 TDs)

PITTSBURGH - JANUARY 11: Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers looks to pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during their AFC Divisional Playoff Game on January 11, 2009 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Im

With a huge passing year last season, I'm expecting Rivers to be even better this year. He is looking to get some redemption and a better record than 8-8, and he's not getting any younger. Neither is LT and some of the other veterans on the Chargers squad. If they're gonna make a run, it has to be soon—and if Rivers passes this well, that may just be the answer.

No. 3: Tom Brady, New England Patriots (4,193 Yards, 28 TDs)

FOXBORO, MA - SEPTEMBER 7: Quarterback Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots passes the ball up the middle during their NFL game against the Kansas City Chiefs on September 7, 2008 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts. The Patriots defeated

Barring that he's no good after all the surgery (which I highly doubt), Brady is going to look to make a huge bounce-back year and get back right where he left off in 2007. With Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and now Joey Galloway, you can expect big things from Brady (which kinda puts your spirits down if you're a Buffalo fan like me).

No. 2: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts (4,320 Yards, 29 TDs)

SAN DIEGO - JANUARY 03: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts drops back to pass during the AFC Wild Card Game against the San Diego Chargers on January 3, 2009 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty I

Now I know you're thinking, "Peyton doesn't ever throw that many yards and looks more at the short passing game, and he's getting much older." Well, those numbers eventually add up and pan out very well for Peyton. Now of course I'm not expecting him to be the 2004 Peyton with 4,557 yards and 49 TDs, but I'm expecting him to get high numbers with Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez, and Dallas Clark. Plus, they are trying to prove themselves after last year's OT defeat to San Diego.

No. 1: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints (4,773 Yards, 35 TDs)

NEW ORLEANS - DECEMBER 28: Quarterback Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints drops back to pass during the game against the Carolina Panthers on December 28, 2008 at the Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

I'm not expecting him to get that close to Dan Marino like he did last year, but I am expecting him to once again turn up the heat on the Saints offense, which could lead them to a division title. But like I said about Matt Ryan and the Falcons, you never know who's going to win that division.

Begin Slideshow