Early Top 10 Quarterbacks for 2009

We are still months away from fantasy drafts starting up, but it is never too early to start preparing. Let’s take a look at an early list for the Top 10 Quarterbacks in the league. Of course, there is plenty of time for things to change, so we’ll be updating and expanding this list as things move closer.

1. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints - After throwing for 5,069 yards (leading the league by nearly 500 yards) and 34 TD last season (tied for league lead), do I really need to say more?
2. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts - While the departure of an aging Marvin Harrison could have an effect on his performance, the Colts are still loaded with plenty of fire power.  Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez offer very good targets on the outside, as does Dallas Clark from the TE position.
3. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers - He threw for over 4,000 yards and 34 TD without an elite wide receiver at his disposal.  They didn’t address the position much via free agency or the draft, but a fully healthy LaDanian Tomlinson will certainly help.
4. Tom Brady - New England Patriots - It’s tough to rank him, as we really just don’t know what we are going to get from him after he missed the majority of 2008 due to injury.  If healthy, he’s clearly among the game’s elite.  Prepare yourself to hear Brady to Moss repeatedly once again.
5. Tony Romo - Dallas Cowboys - Could the loss of Terrell Owns actually help him relax and distribute the ball more?  Time will tell.
6. Kurt Warner - Arizona Cardinals - Even if Anquan Boldin were to be traded, the Cardinals are full of weapons.  He was second in the NFL with 4,583 yards and in this offense there is no reason to expect a regression.
7. Donovan McNabb - Philadelphia Eagles - The addition at left tackle is going to help him immediately, as is first-round draft pick Jeremy Maclin. A solid backup to Brian Westbrook may help to keep him healthy, completely opening up the field for McNabb to work for the entire season. Put it all together and 2009 could be a big season for him.
8. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers - If the Packers could keep him off his back the sky is the limit.  With over 4,300 yards and 23 TD he quickly proved that the team made the write decision in moving on from Brett Favre.
9. Ben Roethlisberger - Pittsburgh Steelers - He’s at a disadvantage, given the team’s propensity to grind it out instead of take to the air.  Still, when healthy, he’s a solid option in all formats with a pair of solid WR in Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes to work with.
10. Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons - He was tremendous in his rookie season and adding the best tight end in history just gives him that much more to work with. While I wouldn’t draft him over the other quarterbacks on this list, he easily could outperform the majority of them by year’s end.

Additional Notes

• Jay Cutler - Chicago Bears - The weapons in Chicago takes away from the potential upside he has.
• Carson Palmer - Cincinnati Bengals - There are just too many question marks surrounding his health to rank him in the Top 10.  By year’s end, it shouldn’t be surprising if he ends up there, however.
• Matt Cassel - Kansas City Chiefs - Is he the product of the Patriots system or does he really have that much talent?  We’ll find out soon enough.
• Matt Schaub - Houston Texans - With one of the league’s best wide receivers lining up on the outside, he has tremendous potential.
• Eli Manning - New York Giants - If they find a suitable replacement for Plaxico Burress he could emerge as a Top 10 option.  To date, however, that huge void still remains.

What do you think?  Who got left out of the Top 10 that you feel should be included?  Who should be removed from the list?

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