Fantasy Football Rankings: Top Quarterbacks to Start in Week 2

The quarterback position is the deepest of any in fantasy football this year, and we will once again see big point totals coming out of nearly every game this weekend. Here are the top four quarterbacks to start in Week 2.

Tony Romo (@Seattle)

Seattle’s defense, especially in the secondary, is respectable. However, Dallas’ offense looked about as good as one could expect from a team in its season opener.

Tony Romo has consistently shown the ability to get production out of relative unknowns at the receiver position. He developed Miles Austin in 2009 (1,320 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Laurent Robinson in 2011 (858 yards, 11 touchdowns). After his 114 yards in Week 1, Kevin Ogletree looks to be next.

Even if Ogletree averages a mere 50 yards/game for the rest of the season, Dallas’ passing game has the potential to be one of the best in the league, so long as Jason Witten, Miles Austin, Dez Bryant and DeMarco Murray remain healthy. That’s a big “if,” but they will all be ready to go in Week 2.

Seattle allowed an average of 14.7 rushing yards to quarterbacks in 2011. Only five teams gave up more. Look for Romo to have opportunities to scamper, especially when the defense is chasing Bryant, Austin and Ogletree deep down field.

Projection: 330 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, 1 interception, 20 rushing yards = 25 fantasy points

Aaron Rodgers (vs. Chicago)

For an extensive explanation of why Aaron Rodgers will return to his MVP form against the Bears, go here.

Sometimes the only thing that can stop Rodgers is Rodgers—250 first-half yards and a 21-0 lead really restrict his third and fourth quarter numbers. That shouldn’t happen in what figures to be one of the highest scoring games of Week 2.

If you need any more information to start Rodgers, I don’t want to know you.

Projections: 295 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception = 25 fantasy points  

Tom Brady (vs. Arizona)

Over the course of his career, Brady has shown a remarkable ability to begin each season in top form—a true testament to his offseason preparation. In his last four complete seasons (‘07, ‘09-‘11), Brady has produced staggering early numbers. His average performance in a game from weeks one to three is 320 yards and 2.7 touchdowns.

Brady is even more ruthless in home openers. Over the same span, he has dazzled the New England inaugural attendance with an average of 335 yards and 2.8 touchdowns.

This will likely be the biggest blowout of any Week 2 game.

Projection: 353 passing yards, 3 touchdowns = 26 fantasy points

Drew Brees (@Carolina)

New Orleans shocked a lot of people with its opening loss to Washington. In the fantasy world, however, the disappointing performance did little to disrupt Drew Brees’ final line. He went for 339 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions (the second pick came on a meaningless Hail Mary).

The matchup with Carolina, which may see over 65 combined points, will provide another opportunity for Brees to toss 50 balls. He should be able to complete more than 46 percent of them, which was all he could muster in Week 1.

Carolina gave up the 10th most fantasy points to quarterbacks in 2011, and Brees absolutely demolished the Panthers in their two meetings (748 yards, 7 touchdowns).

The absence of Jon Beason last season hurt Carolina’s ability to defend the tight end (62.3 yards/game allowed). His return will make getting the ball the Jimmy Graham a bit more challenging, but it will be a nightmare for the Carolina defense any time rookie Luke Kuechly steps into that role.

Projection: 365 passing yards, 4 touchdowns, 1 interception = 28 fantasy points