Miselis Edition Fantasy Style, Pt.1: Ranking The Top Five Quarterbacks

Leading up to the season, I will rank the each position in fantasy .Hope you enjoy.

As the 2009 NFL season inches upon us, the month of August is claimed as the beginning of fantasy season. From espn, to cbssports, millions of fantasy players put their intelligence to the test against competitive and diehard fans of the game.

Are you the greatest fantasy player within your family, heck even your friends and co-workers? Everyone comes up with their top lists heading into draft nights. Luckily, in my experience as the praised fantasy guru, I have found success in some of my leagues.

This is my 3rd season of playing fantasy sports.  I have played in eight total leagues, made playoffs in all of them every season thus far. Thankfully I have been able to take home at least one championship.

As then rankings begin, we are going to take a look at the Miselis Edition: Top Five Quarterbacks on Your Fantasy List. Who shall take the top spot? Which quarterback will reign supreme as the best quarterback available heading into draft night?

5. Matt Ryan- Coming off his rookie season, Matt Ryan has been greatly hyped heading into 2009. He led his team to the playoffs, won Rookie of the Year, and was pretty efficient with the ball as the season went along. He may not be a top five quarterback within the NFL, yet he is a solid selection in fantasy this season.

Overall, his offense was solid. The line gave him good production, while his receivers led by Roddy White, were affective in the passing game. Some could be asking: Yes, these are good stats, but how can be Ryan be considered as a top quarterback taken in fantasy leagues? Two words: Tony Gonzalez. I have stressed this as far as possible, but the addition of Gonzalez to the Falcons is huge.

However, Ryan's fantasy value should rise by adding another Pro-Bowl target to the offense. Gonzalez was statistically the best tight end last season in the NFL. It could take some adjusting at first as to whether who gets the majority of Matt Ryan's passes: White or Gonzalez. What can be guaranteed though, is more passing yards this season, more touchdown passes, leading to a good quarterback who can be a leading contributor to any fantasy team.

4. Aaron Rodgers- In his first season as starting quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, Aaron Rodgers is the new Brett Favre, and being pronounced by the fans as the new savior. You must admit, his stats were solid in his first season as the starter, and there should be no reason why he does not improve in 2009.

In '08, Rodgers passed for 4,038 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions, which led to a 93.8 passer rating. Great numbers for all the Rodgers owners out there.

Whoever took a supposed gamble on Rodgers paid off last season, especially in a keeper league, as Rodgers is going to be a top quarterback taking in most drafts.

According to many sites, Rodgers on average is usually selected at some point in the third round. Certainly it is a great selection. Rodgers is going to improve in certain categories no doubt. He should still be top five in passing yards for 2009, as look for nearly another 4000+ season out of him. The key on Aaron Rodgers this season is the touchdowns.

The schedule for the Packers could get interesting, especially for Rodgers. He has to face the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens, two top defenses. He also has to face Minnesota twice, who has a good defense. You also can't sleep on the Bears defense this season.

Luckily, in the schedule, he faces the Lions twice, the aging Tampa Bay defense, along with the Cleveland Browns. Overall, Rodgers will put up good numbers, and should be on your top list heading into your drafts.

Prediction: 3750 passing yards, 34 TD, 15 INT

3. Peyton Manning- As usual, Peyton Manning is on most top list at the quarterback position. Though Manning was considered highly for MVP, his fantasy stats were not as dominating from past seasons. Partially a reason had to be the loss of Marvin Harrison, and the inability to adjust the playbook without him.

Heading into 2009, under a new coach and adjusted playbook, Manning should continue to be a top quarterback in the fantasy world. Receiver Reggie Wayne is the top target in Indy, which should be a more productive year out of him as well.

Most likely Wayne is going to catch more than six TD passes, which should give you some extra points for Manning owners. Dallas Clark still continues to be one of the more underrated tight ends in football, and is simply a gem in fantasy.

Anthony Gonzalez should be a nice target to Manning at the number two spot, along with running back Donald Brown who could be potent in the passing game.

Look for Manning to have 3400+ yards, 32+ Touchdowns, which brings him at the third spot.

2. Tom Brady- Shouldn't be much of a surprise at number two with Brady. Even with the injury, Brady is going to put up good fantasy numbers because of the great talent around him. Randy Moss is going to be much better than last season, where he should have more touchdown passes in '09. Wes Welker is potent all around the field, as he will get Brady a lot of points from the extra yards, and a few touchdowns grabs.

Joey Galloway was brought in from Tampa Bay as a third option. He will see some nice action coming his way in Foxboro.

Will he be the same as he was two seasons ago? You can't hope for it. Yet, what you can be sure of is the offense Brady is in, there is no reason why Brady won't get you top fantasy points at the quarterback position in 2009.

1. Drew Brees- Here is a question for you: Tell me the last person to throw for 5,000+ yards in a season before Drew Brees hit the mark in 2008: Dan Marino in 1984. Wow, that is all I needed to see out of Drew Brees! Brees is the best quarterback to take in the world of fantasy for stats like he put up last season. Brees does great in the system he is in New Orleans.

Heading into 2009, nothing has changed for Brees sake. Every contributor to his success returns, mostly at full health. Is it possible he can repeat the same season again? I wouldn't rule it out. Reggie Bush and Jeremy Shockey, two targets for Brees, were un-affective in '08 because of injury.

If either one can manage their health problems, both can be solid receivers in the offense, giving Drew more options for another passing spree.

The only possible obstacle that stands in his way from another Pro-Bowl season is the schedule. The Saints do face the AFC East and NFC North, both stacked divisions that do have challenging defenses. Nonetheless, Brees shall still lead all quarterbacks in fantasy points.

Brees will lead the league in passing, while he will have around the same about of touchdowns as he did last season. The prediction for Brees: 4600 yards, 34 TD, 14 INT.

Hope you enjoyed the quarterback ranking. Stay tuned for the next edition, where the rest of the quarterbacks in the world of fantasy is discussed.

Matt Miselis is a writer for BleacherReport.com. He will also begin to write a weekly column this fall as a Baltimore Ravens writer for FanHuddle.com. Be sure to follow him on twitter @ twitter.com/MattMiselis . Be also sure to check out his profile on LinkedIn.com