Pro Football 101: Top 10 Fantasy Quarterbacks in 2009

1. Drew Brees

Duplicating 2008's numbers won't be easy, over 5,000 yards and 34 TDs, but Brees is playing the best ball of his career and the offensive system, and skill players (Colston, Moore, Bush, Shockey), perfectly suit his style.

 

2. Tom Brady

If Brady's knee is fully healed, then he's your top fantasy football quarterback. With an explosive set of skill players (Moss, Welker, Galloway, etc.) at his disposal, only an injury and the bitter late-season cold will be able to slow him down.

 

3. Peyton Manning

The loss of Marvin Harrison, who was already on his last legs as is, shouldn't hurt Manning's fantasy value. He still has Wayne, Gonzalez, and Clark, and factor in two running backs with solid hands out of the backfield and you've got a lot of points on the board.

 

4. Donovan McNabb

McNabb supplants Romo as the top NFC East QB and has a lot of weapons in his arsenal. DeSean Jackson looks poised to take a step forward in year two, the other receivers are steady and a wild card could be Jeremy Maclin, the Eagles top selection in 2009. Factor in Reid's pass-happy system and Brian Westbrook and there's a lot to like out of McNabb.

 

5. Kurt Warner

When you've got Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin on the outside, and then you throw in Steve Breaston in the slot, what you have is an explosive passing game. The Cards will most likely incorporate the run into the offense more often this season but Warner will still end up with top tier fantasy numbers.

 

6. Carson Palmer

Provided Palmer is healthy, he's ready for a huge comeback in 2009. Chad Ochocinco finally has his head on straight, Chris Henry seems to have his life in order, free agent Laveranues Coles is still dangerous and Palmer is one of the most accurate, strong-armed QBs in the game. Great fantasy sleeper value as he sure to be overlooked come draft time.

 

7. Tony Romo

Romo's got the talent to end up a top three fantasy QB, but the loss of T.O., both in terms of production and the offensive scheme, is a blow. And there are a lot of question marks as to whether Roy Williams can step-up and be the number one guy. If he can, Romo does well; if not, he'll still end up a quality starter but not the scorer he was two years ago.

 

8.  Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers showed in year one of the post Favre era that there would be no drop off in production at the QB position in Green Bay.

In fact, he posted a 4,000 yard season with 28 TDs. With an array of options to throw to including Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Jordy Nelson, look for another big season.

 

9. Phillip Rivers

The run first, pass second days are a thing of the past in San Diego and the Chargers now use the pass to set-up the run. And they do this well.

With fast rising receiver Vincent Jackson on the outside, Gates at TE, and Tomlinson and Sproles out of the backfield, Rivers, who eclipsed 4,000 yards and threw 34 TDs should post another solid fantasy season.

 

10. Ben Roethlisberger

Roethlisberger will never be a top-tier fantasy QB due to the style of offense Pittsburgh employs, and the late-season weather, but he still finds himself in the top 10. With a plethora of weapons to target (Holmes, Ward, Sweed, and Miller),  look for Big Ben to toss 25 TDs in 2009.