Fantasy Football Rankings 2008: Quarterbacks

The Giants won’t be able to get ahead, run the ball, and suffocate opposing offenses like they did last year. With these losses on defense, the Giants could be behind a lot more this year, causing Eli and the Giants to pass more.

WR Steve Smith looks real good so far in camp this year, and Burress and Shockey are always safe bets. I look for Eli’s numbers to increase this year.

Trent Edwards, Bills

Trent, Lee Evans, and Marshawn Lynch return on offense this year, this time with another WR and significant red-zone threat in WR James Hardy. The Bills moved the ball pretty well last year, but just couldn’t punch it in when they got in the red zone.

Hardy should help significantly, while creating a size mismatch with virtually every cornerback he faces. Just having him out there takes some of the attention away from Lee Evans and Marshawn Lynch. Look for Edwards to have an increase in TDs this year.

Misconceptions/Warning

Here are some players that are either being hyped up too much or are poised to have a down year.

Carson Palmer, Bengals

“Oh my gosh, did he really put Carson Palmer on this list?” I know that’s what you’re thinking, but relax and take a deep breath.  Chad Johnson is a huge wild card this season. Will he not care? Will he be out there to not get fined, or will he play up to his level?

Personally, I think he will play and have a great season, but there are a few other concerns about the Bengals’ offense this year.

Chad aside, the Bengals lost receivers Chris Henry and Tab Perry, and replaced them with rookies Andre Caldwell and project Jerome Simpson. Coming out of Coastal Carolina, Simpson will need time to adjust to the NFL, and I don’t expect much out of him this year.

The Bengals also have concerns at RB. Supposedly Chris Perry and Kenny Irons are healthy...whatever that means. Will Rudi Johnson return to his old form? Will Chad be in Cincinnati, and will he actually play?

These are too many concerns to draft Carson high in fantasy leagues as your No. 1 option. If you can draft him lower, go for it, but he’s too much of a risk to take while passing on other premier players. 

Donovan McNabb, Eagles

I would not feel comfortable with Donovan as my No. 1 QB going into the fantasy year. He has so many injury concerns. What will it be this year? Not to mention that they STILL don’t have a No. 1 WR and no one to give RB Brian Westbrook a break.

DeSean Jackson will help the return game, and should give SOMETHING to the receiving corps, but I see all of their receivers (Reggie Brown, Kevin Curtis, and Jackson) as average. I’d stay away from McNabb. 

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