Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterback

This is the week for fantasy football drafts, so as I prepare for a few of my own I thought I would share my position rankings, beginning with quarterback.

In my mind, there are a number of things that need to be considered when ranking quarterbacks.

First, obviously, is that quarterback's ability to make plays. If the guy can't get it done, he's not worth the pick.

But overlooked sometimes are the play-makers around the quarterback, the changes to his weapons, and the coaching staff's mindset regarding running and passing.

I'm going to give you my top 15 quarterbacks for this coming season, as that should cover you in most 10-12 team leagues.

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans

Why? Because all they do is chuck in New Orleans.

With Deuce McAllister gone, the Saints now have Pierre Thomas as their primary back. He's okay, but not a guy they're going to give the ball to 35 times every Sunday.

Brees makes good decisions, has a strong arm, and capable weapons. He put up enormous numbers last year and should do the same in 2009.

2. Kurt Warner, Arizona

OK, I know the haters are going to say either "Super Bowl hangover" or "interceptions."

Fine.

But let me tell you something about weapons. Warner has the best receiver on the planet in Larry Fitzgerald, arguably a top-five receiver in Anquan Boldin, and an emerging stud in Steve Breaston.

Also, the Cardinals let Edgerrin James go (three years too late) and have only Tim Hightower and the oft-injured rookie Chris "Beanie" Wells for running backs. They're going to pass.

The other thing to consider here is that Warner is a guy with a lot of character who has offered to take a pay cut to keep Boldin around. He wants Boldin to get his, and Fitzgerald is going to put up huge numbers this year as well.

The only thing keeping Warner out of the top three fantasy quarterbacks is health, which wasn't an issue last year.

3. Tom Brady, New England

Take everything I said about Warner's weapons, and paste it here as well.

Randy Moss, Wes Welker, and Joey Galloway are all fantastic receivers who should be fantasy monsters with the Sexiest Quarterback Alive coming back from his knee injury.

My drawbacks on Brady, and the reason he "fell" to three, is A) the knee and B) how the coaches deal with his importance now that Matt Cassell's in Kansas City.

I think the obvious answer to both of those is the addition of Fred Taylor, a guy that should help Laurence Maroney's annual underachieving be less significant. While I don't think Brady will put up 2007 numbers, 30-35 touchdowns are not out of the question. I do think, though, that the Patriots will run the ball more this year than in the last couple seasons to take some hits off of Brady's legs.

4. Philip Rivers, San Diego

Rivers put up great fantasy numbers in 2008 and received entirely too little recognition for doing so. In fact, in many scoring systems, Rivers was the top-scoring quarterback last year.

Why? He doesn't make mistakes.

Rivers isn't going to lose points for throwing picks very often, and puts up some of the quietest 275-300 yard games in the league.

Obviously the health and commitment to LaDainian Tomlinson will go a long way in determining the amount of throwing Rivers does this year, but his performance with a busted wheel in the playoffs last year served notice that he's now the leader of the Chargers.

5. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis

I know there will probably be a few comments telling me I'm crazy for letting Peyton sink as far as five, but there are good reasons to think twice about him being a top pick this year.

I know Marvin Harrison wasn't the Harrison of old last year, but I haven't seen anything to make me believe Anthony Gonzalez is ready/able to be the Colts' No. 2 receiver this year.

What that means is that Reggie Wayne will be asked to put up Larry-Fitzgerald-type numbers (1,500 yds, 14 TDs) and Dallas Clark might be in double figures in touchdowns as well.

Also consider that the Colts drafted a running back in the first round this year. They have always fancied themselves a team that could run the ball, and with some turnover on their offensive line they might not be able to throw the ball 60 times a week anymore.

I don't think Peyton hitting 4,000 yards is an automatic. Sorry.

6. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay

Rodgers might be the guy in the NFL that's making people use Dick Vitale words the most this year. He's the rising young gun that has emerged from the messy shadow of that other guy that played quarterback in Green Bay to establish himself as something special.

Ryan Grant is a question mark, and he gets to play the Lions twice. With Greg Jennings working out with Larry Fitzgerald this past spring, there's no reason to think Rodgers shouldn't have a big-time fantasy 2009.

7. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati

Are there health concerns here? Yes.

Is TJ Houshmandzadeh in Seattle? Yes.

But indications are from preseason that Chad Ochocinco and Chris Henry both worked hard to step up their game. When Palmer's healthy and his receivers try, the Bengals' offense can be scary-good.

And with them leaning on Bears-castoff Cedric Benson to be their top running back this year, the likelihood that Palmer will be putting the ball up because of A) ineffective running or B) the Bengals are losing by 10+ means he could have a big year.

8. Matt Schaub, Houston

Just because he plays in Houston doesn't mean Schaub can't play. Somehow, guys on the Texans roster put up monster numbers and nobody hears about them. That should change this year.

Steve Slaton's a pretty good running back, which should take some pressure off Schaub.

But Houston has a couple of receivers very much in the Moss-Welker model in Andre Johnson and Kevin Walter. Both of these guys are good route runners and Johnson is as good as it gets with the ball in his hands.

If Schaub can stay healthy, he could push the 3,700-4,000 yard range this year.

9. Jay Cutler, Chicago

I know the knock on the Bears is that they don't enough legitimate weapons for Cutler to be an elite fantasy quarterback. Well hold your horses a little.

Greg Olsen could emerge as a top-tier fantasy tight end with Cutler under center, and Matt Forte is a really good receiving back. Between those two non-receiver options and some young players fighting to establish themselves, the Bears might not have one receiver at the top of the list but Cutler's numbers might end the season looking fairly good.

10. Tony Romo, Dallas

Romo's fantasy value is completely dependent on one person playing well this year: Roy Williams.

The Cowboys made a pretty big trade to get him out of Detroit last year, and have let Terrell Owens take his show to Buffalo with the hopes that they get the Williams that played at the University of Texas, not the one that pouted in Detroit.

If Williams plays well, that will open up the field for tight end Jason Witten, Romo's favorite target. But if Williams doesn't play well, a safety and linebacker will be able to pay much closer attention to Witten.

Now that he's no longer wasting time with either T.O. or Jessica Simpson, he can hopefully focus on football. How his weapons play around him, however, will determine his fantasy value.

11. Matt Ryan, Atlanta

First, the Big Positive: he now has Tony Gonzalez to throw to this year. That means Roddy White will have less attention paid to him and Ryan will be able to spread the ball around more effective.

The drawbacks? A potential sophomore slump after being the Offensive Rookie of the Year and the Falcons' overwhelming commitment to the running game.

Ryan showed last year he has the heart of a champion with the head and arm to back it up. He has solid weapons around him and should put up consistent numbers again.

12. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia

McNabb is now babysitting Michael Vick as he tries to rehab his image, but that's not a bad thing for Eagles fans. It takes some of the pressure of being McNabb off their quarterback.

DeSean Jackson had a nice rookie season in 2008, but the Eagles failed to land a big No. 1 receiver for McNabb. The Eagles will remain committed to running the ball, with Brian Westbrook now having a first round draft pick—LeSean McCoy—helping him in the backfield.

McNabb should put up solid numbers, as he usually does. Watch out for his stock to skyrocket if the Broncos put Brandon Marshall on the block at a lower cost...

13. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle

The latest out of Seattle is that they Seahawks are going to sign Edgerrin James and release bruiser TJ Duckett, which raises my eyebrows considering the condition of the Seattle offensive line.

Because their line is in bad shape, and because Julius Jones has never established himself as the premier running back they thought he could be when the Cowboys drafted him, it looks like a finally-healthy Hasselbeck will be called on to chuck the ball more often in the first post-Holmgren year in Seattle.

The money they spent on TJ Houshmandzadeh certainly indicates they're planning to throw the ball more, too.

14. David Garrard, Jacksonville

I was intrigued to say the least by the offseason in Jacksonville.

Long-time leader Fred Taylor is gone.

But Troy Williamson and Torry Holt are in.

While Maurice Jones-Drew is certainly a great running back, he has never truly carried the load by himself. How he holds up as the No. 1 back will be interesting to watch, especially with the financial commitment the team made to the receiver position this spring.

15. Brett Favre, Minnesota

Can he still throw?

Will his arm hold up?

Is he committed?

We'll find out... but the reality of the dome he'll be playing in and weapons to throw to like Bernard Berrian and Percy Harvin make him at least tempting.

When you consider he won't be asked to carry the load because of Adrian Peterson, he might not make as many mistakes this year as well.

The Rest

16. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh
17. Eli Manning, New York Giants
18. Kerry Collins, Tennessee
19. Matt Cassell, Kansas City
20. JaMarcus Russell, Oakland
21. Trent Edwards, Buffalo
22. Jake Delhomme, Carolina
23. Daunte Culpepper, Detroit
24. Chad Pennington, Miami
25. Brady Quinn, Cleveland
26. Marc Bulger, St. Louis
27. Joe Flacco, Baltimore
28. Jason Campbell, Washington
29. Mark Sanchez, New York Jets
30. ___________, Tampa Bay
31. Kyle Orton, Denver
32. Shaun Hill, San Francisco