Top 20 Fantasy QB for 2009

It has been some time since we updated our QB Rankings, so with drafting season in full gear, let’s see how things currently pan out (you can view our original Top 10 by clicking here):

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 firepower.

Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez offer very good targets on the outside, as does Dallas Clark from the TE position.

That’s not to mention the pair of RB in Joseph Addai and Donald Brown, who can provide some help out of the backfield. Needless to say, they are one explosive offensive team.

3. Tom Brady—New England Patriots

There were concerns about Brady entering the preseason and rightfully so.

After missing the majority of the 2008 season, you just didn’t know exactly what you were going to get out of one of the premier QBs in the league.

He’s responded by going 14-23 for 157 yards and 2 TD (and 1 interception) over the first two preseason games. There’s still a risk, but it’s a good enough performance to convince me he belongs in the top three.

4. Philip Rivers—San Diego Chargers

He threw for over 4,000 yards and 34 TD without an elite wide receiver at his disposal in 2008.

They didn’t address the position much via free agency or the draft, but a fully healthy LaDainian Tomlinson will certainly help.

5. Kurt Warner—Arizona Cardinals

The rumors of Anquan Boldin’s departure proved unfounded as he will return to Arizona along with Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breston to form one of, if not the best, receiving triumvirate in the game.

They proved how explosive they could be last season and I’d expect more of the same in 2009.

6. 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 in 2008, he quickly proved that the team made the right decision in moving on from Brett Favre. He’s not going to sneak up on anyone this season, that’s for sure.

7. Tony Romo—Dallas Cowboys

He’s been spectacular in the preseason, throwing for 192 yards in the second game.

Still, while some believe the absence of Terrell Owens will allow him to spread the ball around more and grow as a QB, that’s an awfully big leap of faith for fantasy owners to make.

Time will tell, but we all know he can perform and should be a solid QB in all formats.

8. 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 McNabb healthy and the addition of Michael Vick gives the offense another wrinkle.

Put it all together and 2009 could be a big season for him. McNabb could be a stud this year.

9. 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.

10. Matt Schaub—Houston Texans

He took a huge step forward last season, throwing for over 3,000 yards in a season for the first time in his career despite only playing in 11 games.

With Andre Johnson, one of the top two WR in the game, at his disposal, there’s no reason to think he can’t continue to perform as long as he stays healthy.

11. Jay Cutler—Chicago Bears

He’s proven how good he could be, but he trades in some tremendous wide receivers to go to a place where it is tough to throw come December.

Talk is that he’s already developed a rapport with TE Greg Olsen, which certainly should help, but he’s not likely to be able to produce like he did with the receivers he currently has.

12. 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 WRs in Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes.

13. Carson Palmer—Cincinnati Bengals

Will he be able to perform like he did prior to getting injured? Who knows, honestly, but that concern makes him a major risk.

Throw in the fact that he’s hurting again this preseason and may not again take the field until the regular season and he is much better suited for a backup role.

14. Eli Manning—New York Giants

Concerned about the WR situation in NY? While they don’t have a blow away option, they have significant depth and there’s no reason to think Manning won’t be able to be a useful option and the perfect bye week replacement.

15. Brett Favre—Minnesota Vikings

For those who want to believe that he’s washed up and can’t handle the rigors of the NFL, how quickly we forget that he actually led the Jets to an 8-3 start in 2008.

The guy can clearly still play and is worth using as a backup.

16. Trent Edwards—Buffalo Bills

I’ve already spoken about him as a potential breakout candidate (click here for the article) and I still stand by that.

Of course, he may need Terrell Owens to take the field in order to get there, but word is T.O. should be fine soon enough.

17. Matt Hasselbeck—Seattle Seahawks

Injury limited him in 2008, but we all know what he’s capable of and the addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh will certainly help. As a backup, he’s certainly usable.

18. Matt Cassel—Kansas City Chiefs

Was he a product of the Patriots' system or is he really as good as he showed last season?

We’ll find out soon enough, but with Dwayne Bowe & Larry Johnson helping him lead the offense, he should have a solid season.

19. David Garrard—Jacksonville Jaguars

He’s going to be playing with the best WR he has ever had in Tory Holt, but who knows exactly what he has left in the tank.

20. Kyle Orton—Denver Broncos

He was nothing special in Chicago, but he replaces Jay Cutler in an offense that has its share of firepower.

He’s been great in the spring, going 27-42 with 271 yards and 1 TD.

Of course, the four interceptions do not make owners very happy and keep him as nothing more than a low-end backup. 

What do you think of these rankings? Who is too high? Too low? Who got left off completely?

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