Fantasy Football Rankings 2008: Quarterbacks

1.) Peyton Manning, Colts

This will shock some people, particularly because Tom Brady is ranked No. 1 on almost all fantasy QB lists. (See: 2.) Tom Brady.)

Peyton is at this spot because he will have a healthy Marvin Harrison back, as well as 2007's first-round pick WR Anthony Gonzalez. The receiving corps is intact (Harrison, Wayne, and Gonzalez), the offensive line has had a season to gel, and the running game looks stronger than ever with Addai and Dominic Rhodes.

Peyton should be back at the top, head and shoulders above all other quarterbacks, along with Tom Brady.

2.) Tom Brady, Patriots

Brady will still put up fantastic numbers, it’s just...Peyton’s will be better. It’s no secret what the formula is for beating the Patriots—a dime package and a pass rush at all times. Not to say teams will be able to do it, but unless the Pats start running the ball, they are, for now, one-dimensional.

The Pats also lost WR Donte Stallworth to the Browns, and could possibly have offensive-line concerns after the Giants exposed their weaknesses, combined with Nick Kaczur’s off-field antics.

Randy Moss was held in check for the duration of the playoffs and will probably see the same type of coverages heading into this season. Look for Brady to still put up numbers, just not like he did last year.

3.) Tony Romo, Cowboys

The Cowboys probably won’t have WR Terry Glenn factoring in much this season...but, they didn’t last year, either. The 'Boys return WRs Terrell Owens, Patrick Crayton, and TE Jason Witten to their passing game, along with new RB Felix Jones, who will add a new dimension coming out of the backfield.

In the real world of football, Romo can be screwy at times, his fantasy numbers should be there once again.

4.) Drew Brees, Saints

Brees will hopefully have something this season that he didn’t last year—a running game. The Deuce returns (with questions) to team-up with Reggie Bush again, so the Saints won’t be so one-dimensional and predictable on offense this year. Also, Brees could have an added bonus at his arsenal—WR Robert Meachem.

5.) Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

I think Ben could really surprise us with his fantasy numbers this year. Under Tomlin, last year, they really started to open up the offense with Ben, and they added a significant red-zone threat and third receiver in Limas Sweed this offseason. With a good combination of Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall, the Steelers' offense should be among the league leaders this year.

Sleepers

Ah yes, the section every fantasy football owner yearns to read—the sleeper section. Here are some quarterbacks to draft as your backups, who could potentially pay out big dividends.

Marc Bulger, Rams

It’s hard to imagine Bulger as a sleeper, but this year, with a healthy Steven Jackson, along with the addition of explosive WR Donnie Avery, Bulger should return to form of a few years ago. Randy McMichael figures to factor into the offensive in a major role this year, and that could be huge for Bulger. Snatch him up.

Jon Kitna, Lions

Yes, yes. Jon Kitna. He was one of the better fantasy quarterbacks for the first half of last year, before the Lions faced some injuries and their season turned for the worse.

The Lions don’t really have a true RB this year, and I look for Kitna to be carrying the offense. With a healthy Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams, I expect Kitna to potentially put up big numbers.

Jake Delhomme, Panthers

Delhomme was forever plagued with injuries during the course of last year, but all I hear out of Carolina this year is how well Delhomme has bounced back and is throwing the ball. The Panthers really beefed up their offensive line in the offseason with the additions of Jeff Otah, Toniu Fonoti, Milford Brown, and Keydrick Vincent.

They've also added WRs D.J. Hackett and Muhsin Muhammad, and strengthened their running game with the addition of RB Jonathan Stewart. If WR Dwayne Jarrett can contribute ANYTHING to the offense this year, that would be the icing on the cake.

Eli Manning, Giants

Although Eli turned the corner last year, he was never really a great fantasy option. One thing that could potentially change that this year? The Giants' defense.

The Giants have some major holes on defense this year, losing S Gibril Wilson, LBs Kawika Mitchell and Reggie Torbor, and team leader, DE Michael Strahan (to retirement).

What does that mean for Eli Manning?

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