Fantasy Football Rankings 2012: Household-Name QBs Who Won't Live Up to Rep

Do whatever it takes to draft Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady.

In 2012 fantasy football, every other quarterback is attached to at least one major question mark. Here are three former statistical studs that won’t live up to their names this year.

3. Drew Brees

It’s difficult to go through as much drama as the New Orleans Saints did this offseason and produce. Having your teammates and head coach suspended isn’t the type of adversity that fires up a team to play harder, either. It’s a distraction.

Do I believe Brees absolutely busts this year? No.

But there’s not a chance in the world he approaches his 2011 totals. That was the only season of his career in which he threw for more than 34 touchdowns. And in only one other year did he surpass 5,000 passing yards.

Everything fell in to place last season. This year? Not so much.

2. Michael Vick

Vick isn’t the same quarterback who recorded a passer rating of 100.2 in 2010 and was even more dangerous on the ground.

When he was on the field last season, he turned the ball over 18 times (and he only suited up for 13 contests). Philly’s offensive line finished in the middle of the pack last year in QB hits allowed, but this season, Vick will be without all-world left tackle Jason Peters protecting him.

In his first preseason game of the season, Vick went 3-of-4 for seven yards and, despite minimal pass attempts, was sacked. He’s played an entire 16-game season just once in his career. I don’t trust the Eagles’ line or Vick's 32-year-old body to stay on the field and produce at a high level.

1. Peyton Manning

In Manning’s last nine regular season games, he threw 15 interceptions. And that was two years ago—when he had Reggie Wayne to throw to.

Combine an entire year off, multiple neck surgeries and a receiving corps that isn’t even on the same level as the one Manning had on the Indianapolis Colts, and it’d be a miracle if he’s a top fantasy producer this season.

In two preseason games this year, he has a passer rating of 48.7 Consider it a sign of things to come—not necessarily of comparable numbers, but of a Peyton people aren’t used to seeing.

He’s 36 years old. He’s not surrounded by much talent. Overall, Manning has been dealt a recipe for disaster.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels