2008 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks, August Update!

Derek Lofland, Chad Samuels & Antonio Buccellato from Fantasy Football Maniaxs contributed to this article.

Now that almost every battle in camp has been won or lost, we have updated our 2008 Fantasy Football QBs rankings. You will notice some major changes at the top and middle tiers.

Note: These are SEASONAL rankings, not keeper or dynasty.

The Brett Favre signing and the Kurt Warner promotion propelled them to shoot up to the top.

Injures to receivers like Kevin Curtis and Bobby Engram caused Donovan McNabb and Matt Hasselbeck to slip down a little.

Also, suspensions to Steve Smith (Carolina) and Brandon Marshall were factors in lowering Jake Delhomme and Jay Cutler's fantasy stocks.

Lastly, Peyton Manning's knee concerns saw Tony Romo supplant him at the position's No. 2.

1. Tom Brady

The No. 1 consensus QB pick in 2008, after a career season in which he passed for 4,806 yards and was responsible for an astonishing 50 TDs. He lost Stallworth (who didn’t have a good year anyhow—697 yards, three TDs), but Gaffney is ready to replace him.

Randy Moss and Wes Welker are still there to receive his passes and solidify his top-rank. Even a 75 percent repetition of last year's numbers will warrant him the top pick at the position.

Be mindful of the foot injury that has kept him out of the preseason. "The Hood" has a history of playing games with the injury reports in the regular season, but it is still a concern. 

2. Tony Romo

Last year’s sleeper, who went from posting 2,903 yards and 19 TDs in 2006 to accumulate 4,211 yards and 36 TDs in 2007, is now ready to be a top-five selection, as long as Terrell Owens (34-years old) and Witten continue to shine. 

He ranks ahead of Manning because of the higher quality of the skill-position players and the injury concerns with Manning’s knee.

3. Peyton Manning

His good, but diminished, production of 4,040 yards (second-lowest of his career) and 31 scores in 2007 was shadowed only by Tom Brady’s (and a few others) exceptional season.

He may fall to the second round of drafts this year, and Tony Romo might even be taken ahead of him in some of them.

Peyton is still a first-tier QB by all means. His fantasy numbers may suffer because of the Colts' "cruise control" mode they adopted last year, of controlling the clock via the running game and use the aerial attack only if needed.

Missing favorite target Marvin Harrison for a handful of games contributed to his "dipping" numbers. His knee is the only major concern, and we expect him to start the opener. Pick up Kurt Warner, as he plays the 49ers and Dolphins to open the season. 

4. Drew Brees

After a slow ’07 seasons start, he regrouped and produced as advertised. It was too late though, and fantasy owners will be scared of another ’08 slow start. Take advantage of that and fly with him. After all, he managed to produce career-highs in yards (4,428), TDs (28), YPG (276.8), and completed 67.6 percent of his passes.

The fact that his main target, Marques Colston, will be a “magical” third-year WR this season will only increase his upside. The addition of Jeremy Shockey is also a welcome addition to an offense that lacked a dominant tight end.

5. Ben Roethlisberger

While “Big Ben” had a quiet and normal statistical 2007 season in yards (3,154), YPG (210.3), and zero 300-yard games, he did manage to limit his picks to a career-low 11, while throwing for a career-high 32 TDs.

Since touchdowns scored are every fantasy owner’s dream to rapidly accumulate points, the only red flag I see with Roethlisberger is the fact that 13 of those 32 scores came in three games, all against teams with weak pass defenses, such as the Browns (four), Broncos (four), and the Ravens (five).

However, he passed for scores in every game played (15), except in that “muddy” game vs. the Dolphins on Nov. 26.

Having already developed some chemistry with “magical” third-year wideout Santonio Holmes last year, a healthier Hines Ward and the new coaches’ commitment to a balanced attack (more passing) will warrant him a top-5 ranking for the first time in his five-year career.

6. Carson Palmer

He would be ahead of Big Ben if it weren’t for some factors beyond his control. He endured an up-and-down ’07 season, causing his stock to fall a little. His final 2007 stats showed him throw for career-highs 4,131 yards, 575 pass attempted, 373 completed, 258.2 YPG, and five 300-yard games, but also saw him toss 20 interceptions, another career-high.

A lot of that had to do with a dinged up line and a declining running game. The Bengals are starting the season injured. Chad Johnson has a bum shoulder and T.J. Houshmandzadeh has a bad hamstring. Caldwell hasn’t been playing with a bad foot and Maxwell tore a muscle. 

Things are so bad that the Bengals decided to sign Chris Henry back, even though he was cut earlier this year for “poor behavior” and is suspended for the first four games of the season.

Palmer has too much talent too slip out of the top 10, but his team faces several questions entering the season.

7. Brett Favre

He finally cuts his ties with Green Bay and goes to the Jets. He will be helping the AFC East shorten the gap the formidable Patriots have created and will be challenging Tom Brady for the division's best QB title.

Favre is going to find it difficult to duplicate the success he had last season. Those skill-position players were custom made for his talents. He is going to have to learn new teammates and a new system. He is a year older and reported into camp late. He has looked solid in his first two preseason games. 

I would expect him to be a top-10 fantasy quarterback. I am expecting 3,600 to 3,900 yards, 22-25 touchdown passes, and 14-16 interceptions. He plays the Dolphins twice, Bengals, Chiefs, 49ers, and Rams this season, so there will be plenty of chances for him to put up numbers.

His weapons? Everlasting Laveranues Coles and young stud Jerricho Cotchery will reel in the future Hall of Famer's passes in 2008. The only concern is that the Jets' defense is not as good as the Packers' and won't be afforded the luxury of having extra time in the pocket, as their pass-rush defense is not among the best in the league either. However, Favre should post respectable numbers fantasy wise.

8. Derek Anderson

From unranked and undrafted last fantasy season after appearing only in five games in 2006, into a top-tier selection this year after a monster ’07 season, in which he threw for 3,787 yards and 29 TDs.

The addition of Stallworth should shed some coverage off star receiver Braylon Edwards and TE Kellen Winslow and could even catapult him up to No. 3 overall by the end of the season. 

He did suffer a concussion against the NY Giants, but should be ready for the season opener. Fantasy owners need to hope that the Browns will play better in the regular season than they have this preseason.

9. Matt Hasselbeck

Now that Seattle is a pass-first team, and until they find a good alternative for Alexander (Julius Jones doesn’t seem a good one), Matt is going to be a good fantasy option. Similar to Palmer, the concern with him is the health of those wide receivers. 

If they were healthy, he might be a few slots higher. Both Deion Branch and Bobby Engram will miss the start of the season. Playing in a weak NFC West division will help grow his numbers, too.

Hasselbeck and his owners enjoyed a great 2007 season as he passed for a career-high 3,966 yards and 28 TDs.

His Peyton-like 248 YPG was also a career-high. New QB coach Bill Lazor, who helped Jason Campbell’s development while in Washington last year, could only help Hasselbeck maintain this high rank.

D.J. Hackett is no longer a Seahawk, but he hardly played enough to be sorely missed from their system this season. Ben Obomanu could turn out to be a potential breakout candidate in the WR department next year.

10. Eli Manning

While Eli enjoyed a decent 2007 season, in which he threw for 3,336 yards (not his career-high) and 23 TDs, the downfall to that is his 20 INTs. What makes these numbers look worse for him is the fact that he scored eight of his 23 TDs in two weeks (four each in Weeks One and 17) and threw at least one interception in 12 games.

In the four games when he didn’t throw a pick, he only passed for one TD or less. All of that equals to inconsistency. For fantasy purposes, consistency is key! A huge factor that plays in Eli’s favor is that he hasn’t missed a single game since taking over the starting role in 2004.

Plaxico Burress still scares defenses, Amani Toomer, Steve Smith, and Kevin Boss give him options in the passing game, and Hixon has been a stud in the preseason that could emerge in the regular season. 

A strong running game to keep defenses honest will also play in his favor. I expect him to continue to build on his strong postseason run by cutting down on the picks while playing more consistently.

11. Kurt Warner

Warner has been named the starter, which greatly increases his fantasy value. He has all the weapons necessary to succeed and had a great second half of the season a year ago. Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin are an excellent one-two receiving punch.

Hopefully Boldin will not allow his contract woes to get in the way of a great season. Leonard Pope has shown flashes of being able to emerge as a go-to tight end. James still has production left in the tank, although I do believe he is on the downhill slide.

You may want to handcuff Warner with Matt Leinart, as Warner does have injury concerns, and Leinart may emerge in the second half of the season.

12. Marc Bulger

The injuries sustained on the OL, along with his own, (ribs, concussion) played a huge part in his sub-par 2007 campaign. In 12 games played last year, Bulger produced career-lows in YPG (199.3), 300-yard games (three), 58.5 completion percentage, Y/A (6.3), and, mostly important, TDs (11).

Long-time target Isaac Bruce will be now rendering his services in San Francisco, leaving aging Torry Holt, often-injured ex-Titans Drew Bennett, and TE Randy McMichael, who was often utilized as a blocker more than a receiver last year, as his main pass catchers.

If the Rams can field a healthy offense in 2008, including having a healthy Steven Jackson for the entire season, there is no reason not to believe we can see a repeat of the career-like campaign Marc had the previous year (2006) when he threw for 4,301 yards, 24 TDs, eight 300-yard games, and only eight INTs.

Health is the major concern here; otherwise, he would have cracked the top 10.

13. Donovan McNabb

Some people were scared by his susceptibility to injuries last preseason, but he played most of the games relatively healthy and took some teams to the fantasy championship, including mine.

That was thanks to some strong outings in the final weeks of the season where he only threw one INT (in meaningless fantasy Week 17) versus six TDs. 

Westbrook is a great weapon for McNabb. A major concern is that Kevin Curtis is expected to miss four weeks. DeShaun Jackson has looked good in preseason, but the learning curve for rookie receivers is steep.  

14. Matt Schaub

Last year, it was Schaub's first year as a starter, and the great expectations that came along were just brushed away from an injury-laden season, where he missed five games and played sparingly in three others.

Schaub played at full speed in only eight games in 2007 and posted 2,107 passing yards (263.3 per game).

If we project those yards into a full 16 games, we have him throwing an elite-like 4,214. Missing leading wideout Andre Johnson for most of the season didn't help matters for the ex-Falcon.

We feel confident about a redemption season for Schaub because of the fact that he threw 80 percent of his TD passes in the four games played together with Johnson. We give him a vote of confidence by ranking him in the top half of the league, in light of his potential, and providing he and Johnson can enjoy a full healthy season.

15. Jon Kitna

Mike Martz has left the Motor City, taking his pass-happy play calling to the West Coast (S. Francisco), and that could be a blessing in disguise for the nine-year veteran. Opposing corners will not salivate as much at the chance of picking his passes in 2008, but the lack of a respectable running game after the release of often-injured Kevin Jones and goal-line backup T.J. Duckett will force the Lions to throw the ball downfield quite often again.

Kitna (two consecutive 4,000-plus-yard seasons) is a double-edged sword for fantasy purposes. The reason for that is that he has the personnel to reel in his throws with star wideout Roy Williams and potential Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, but at the same time, this 35-year-old signal caller has had only one season (2003 as a Bengal) where he threw more TDs (26) than interceptions (15).

16. Philip Rivers

Rivers has enjoyed two consecutive seasons of over 3,000 yards and has thrown more TDs than INTs during that span. That is a positive in fantasy football. Last year, his breakout season suffered a halt due to the nagging injury to his main target, TE Antonio Gates, and the inexperience of third-year wideout Vincent Jackson to produce as a WR1.

This year, having a healthier Gates, a veteran in Chris Chambers from Week One, and Jackson going back to his normal WR2 role, will help Rivers produce consistently. Let's not forget that Tomlinson can still catch out of the backfield and turn short screen passes into long-yardage gains.

There are some injury concerns here as well, so keep in mind that you will need to draft a backup with Rivers.

17. Jay Cutler

Cutler had a pretty nice statistical year in his second season: 297 completions in 467 attempts for 3,497 yards, 20 TDs and 14 interceptions are not bad in a second year campaign, which is usually labeled as a “Sophomore Jinx” season.

He had a solid 88.1 QB rating to complement his other statistics. If he didn’t jump into superstar status in 2007, it was because he threw too many inopportune picks and the team struggled to win games.

Brandon Marshall and Cutler are a dangerous duo, and if they can find a consistent running game as soon as next season, the Broncos’ offense is poised to explode.

However, due to the three-game suspension inflicted to his main target Marshall, Cutler could struggle to start the season.

I would not be surprised to see Cutler throw for 3,200-3,300 yards and 20-plus touchdowns to establish himself as the premier QB in that draft's class, now that the Broncos have gotten him a bodyguard in OT Ryan Clady in the draft's first round.

18. David Garrard

Everyone talks about the Jags and their running game. People overlook their passing game. Yes, Garrard hasn’t thrown a career 300-yard game yet, but at the end of the 2007 season, he was trusted to throw the ball for scores. He netted 10 TDs and 1,179 yards in the last five games played.

The addition of Ex-Raider Jerry Porter as a receiving target should prove a winner for Garrard’s development. It is disappointing that Porter and Williams have been hurt this preseason. 

After the elite QBs will have been drafted this summer, look at Garrard to provide some solid points on your fantasy roster. The good thing is that Garrard doesn’t throw many picks, which is a plus given his lower numbers compared to the top 10 QBs.

19. A-Rod

No, not Alex Rodriguez from the baseball Yankees, Aaron Rodgers from the football Packers. Yes, he does not have a single official NFL start under his belt, but he does inherit a very potent offense that includes third-year wideout Greg Jennings and RB Ryan Grant.

He played well when he took over for an injured Favre versus Dallas in Week 13 last season, throwing for 201 yards, one score and no INTs. The Packers’ solid OL should make Rodgers a solid No. 2 QB with the potential to grow into more as the season progresses.

Rodgers looked solid against the Bengals, horrendous against the 49ers, and excellent against the Broncos. 

Expect that inconsistency in the regular season, as he enjoys the NFL's learning curve.  His skill-position players should help him put up some good numbers and make him a decent No. 2 fantasy QB.

20. Jeff Garcia

Joey Galloway is getting old, by WR standards, but he keeps posting decent numbers every year. However, he cannot do that forever, and the Bucs need major help at the position. Ike Hilliard has scored a total of four TDs in the last four years in the league, and he has missed only one game. Definitely not your dream WR2.

The signing of free agent wideout Antonio Bryant, who last played for the Cleveland Browns in 2006, will help Garcia's numbers next season, but too many question marks abound in the Bucs' camp at the position.

Despite Coach Gruden's smokescreen that predicted fifth-year often-injured Michael Clayton would have "One heck of an offseason"; he still has to shake off the injury bug off his shoulders.

Third-year receiver Maurice Stovall also needs to break into Tampa's lineup soon. The positives for Garcia are the dependability from RB Earnest Graham in the passing game and the above-mentioned reliability of Galloway.

Another key factor that makes Garcia a good fantasy option is low INT numbers, especially when you consider he has only thrown six of them in 21 starts versus 23 TDs during that same time frame.

21. Jake Delhomme

The Panthers have gotten him some help in the targets department, with the acquisitions of Ex-Seattle receiver D.J. Hackett and former Panther Muhsin Muhammad. Hackett has had a young career hampered by injures and figures to be a great complement to Steve Smith, the team's stud.

The problem is that the stud is suspended for the first two games of the season, so Hackett is questionable when it comes to his ability to capitalize on the opportunity for additional touches. He is hurt again, with a bad toe and knee.

Muhammad returns to Carolina on the downside of his career after posting career numbers in his last season there in 2004, when he had 1,405 receiving yards, seven 300-yard games, and scored 16 TDs, and he can also be dependable as WR3.

Second-year WR Dwayne Jarrett could be developed—rush free—with the added ammunition and can eventually serve his raw skills to Delhomme as soon as this season coming up. He, too, benefits from Smith's suspension short-term.

One major concern with Jake is that he has been hurt in each of the past two seasons, where he missed three and 13 games respectively. If he can stay healthy this year, look for solid numbers. He can become a nice sleeper for fantasy owners in 2008.

A few quick thoughts on the rest of the quarterbacks

22. Vince Young

He helps the Titans win, but won’t be of much use to your fantasy team. He does not have many weapons in his stable to be consistent fantasy wise. It seems like the team keeps drafting RBs every offseason.

23. Jason Campbell

He did get some help, on paper, in the WR department, but in 2007, we had to wait 10 weeks to see a Washington receiver score a TD, and that was by James Thrash, of all people. If history repeats itself, it may be too late for fantasy owners to make the playoffs.

24. Matt Ryan

It will be Ryan’s job to start the season, but Roddy White alone won’t be sufficient to warrant a steady production. We like Ryan better than Russell, because White is a much-superior wide receiver than any receiver Oakland has on its roster. Frankly, we believe that the Falcons will run their offense primarily through Michael Turner (Atlanta’s new toy) in 2008. 

Peyton Manning was the gold standard for rookie quarterbacks, and while his 3,739 yards and 26 touchdowns were nice, his 28 interceptions were not. Ryan may be worth a look in the second half of the season, as he becomes accustomed to the speed of the NFL game.

25. Chad Pennington

This veteran QB goes from a training camp battle to being an immediate starter. However, he has virtually no one to throw his passes to and will be required to be a ball-control QB.

Miami is busy building the franchise, elevating their defense’s play, and solidifying their running game. He may help the Dolphins win games, but don’t expect much on the fantasy front.

26. Tarvaris Jackson

Bernard Berrian should be an improvement from what they had last year, but the Vikings’ offense is too Peterson-dependent for him to have an outstanding year. Sidney Rice is a potential breakout candidate.

Jackson has an injury, so even if you are a Viking fan dying to have your quarterback on your roster, it isn’t worth the risk right now.

27. J.T. O'Sullivan

Mike Martz came to town and took Sullivan from Detroit with him. However, he's inexperienced, and Martz can do no miracles with the receiving personnel currently in place. There are too many guys with question marks.

28. JaMarcus Russell

He finally gets the starting gig and some new receivers, but it will still be his first year in the fire. If McFadden steals the show in Oakland, as suspected, he is nothing more than a waiver-wire player.

29. Trent Edwards/ J.P. Losman

Edwards is listed No. 1 on the depth chart, but he has an injured quadriceps. He is currently not healthy. Losman has not shown he can handle the job. Edwards may become viable later in the year, once he has proven he can stay healthy.

Even with rookie James Hardy in the mix at wideout, Lee Evans will not be consistent enough to help either QB put up big numbers. Best bet is to pass on both.

30. Kyle Orton

His two best receivers from 2007, Berrian and Muhammad, are no longer in Chicago. He beat out Rex Grossman for the starting job, but Chicago is a running team that lacks receiving treats. Not a good fantasy player.

31. Brodie Croyle

Dwayne Bowe, aging Tony Gonzalez, and the uncertainty that every position battle brings are not good factors for the two competing Chiefs QBs. The Chiefs want to hand the job to Croyle on a platter, and he can’t seize the moment. He appears to be the starter for the Chiefs, but you don’t want any part of the Chiefs quarterbacks on your fantasy roster.

32. Troy Smith

We all know that the most of the Ravens scoring comes from their defensive players and kicker Matt Stover. We kid you not!

Below is the original rankings table:

RANK	PLAYER
1	Tom Brady
2	Peyton Manning
3	Tony Romo
4	Drew Brees
5	Carson Palmer
6	Derek Anderson
7	Ben Roethlisberger
8	Brett Favre
9	Matt Hasselbeck
10	Marc Bulger
11	Donovan McNabb
12	Eli Manning
13	Matt Schaub
14	Jon Kitna
15	Matt Leinart/K.Warner
16	Philip Rivers
17	Jay Cutler
18	David Garrard
19	Jeff Garcia
20	Jake Delhomme
21	Aaron Rodgers
22	Vince Young
23	Jason Campbell
24	Tarvaris Jackson
25	A.Smith/S.Hill
26	JaMarcus Russell
27	Edwards/Losman
28	Chad Pennington
29	Chris Redman/Matt Ryan
30	K.Orton
31	Croyle/Huard
32	Kyle Boller

Agree, disagree? Questions, comments? Post your thoughts below. Let the controversy begin.