Updated 2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks (QBs)

Although we are more than two months away from the start of NFL training camps, we have already updated our initial fantasy football rankings from April 5th.

Here are my updated Top 25 Fantasy QBs for 2010:

1. Drew Brees , Saints (previous 1): No QB has passed for more yards (9,457) or touchdowns (68) than Brees has over the past two seasons. In fact, his 4,388 passing yards was his worst performance over the past four seasons due to missing week 17 to rest for the playoffs. That said, most fantasy owners don't care about week 17 anyways.

2. Aaron Rodgers , Packers (previous 2): After back-to-back 4,000-yard seasons, it wouldn't surprise me if Rodgers finished 2010 as the top-ranked fantasy passer and made Packer fans (or, at least, fantasy owners) ask, "Brett who?"

3. Peyton Manning , Colts (previous 3): A student of the game? More like a coach on the field. 4,000+ yards and 25+ TDs should be a lock. Given the Colts' disregard for making history, the potential of locking up the division early and playing for one half in week 16 again is perhaps Peyton's biggest flaw as a fantasy quarterback.

4. Philip Rivers , Chargers (previous 4): He's one of four QBs that have passed for 4,000 yards in each of the past two seasons and only Brees has thrown more TDs during that stretch. Expect even more passing in the post-LT era.

5. Tom Brady , Patriots (previous 5): Although Wes Welker may not be ready for week one, he is "happy" about the progress of his rehab. With Randy Moss, Julian Edelman, Torry Holt, and a pair of pass-catching rookie tight ends (Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez), Brady should be in for a big year.

6. Tony Romo , Cowboys (previous 7): His impressive play down the stretch, along with the emergence of Miles Austin, provides plenty of momentum for 2010. The Cowboys drafted Dez Bryant, who cornerback Mike Jenkins said will be a "big-time receiver " someday, and Roy Williams claims that he and Romo are "connecting like Montana and Rice."

7. Matt Schaub , Texans (previous 6): Schaub led the NFL in passing yards despite being without his stud tight end (Owen Daniels) for half of the year.

8. Brett Favre , Vikings (previous 8): As expected, Favre took the first step in returning for another season by having ankle surgery on Friday . With the weapons in the Minnesota offense, 3,800+ yards and 25+ touchdowns seems reasonable for the 40-year-old.

9. Eli Manning , Giants (previous 11): With a core group of young receivers (Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham; just to name a few), Eli set career highs in yards (4,021) and TDs (27).

10. Donovan McNabb , Redskins (previous 10): McNabb's 16-game pace (he missed two) in 2009 was 4,060 yards and 25 TDs. Replicating that production over a full season in Washington will be difficult considering the downgrade in weapons in the passing game. (Also, Santana Moss could face a league suspension because of his alleged ties to the Anthony Galea-HGH scandal.)

11. Joe Flacco , Ravens (previous 13): First, the Ravens acquired Anquan Boldin and Donte' Stallworth. Then, they drafted two pass-catching tight ends (Ed Dickson and Dennis Pitta). Flacco should exceed his 2009 numbers of 3,613 yards and 21 touchdowns.

12. Jay Cutler , Bears (previous 12): Without Martz, Cutler passed for 3,666 yards and 27 TDs despite a career-high in interceptions (26). If Martz can reign in the gunslinger from throwing unnecessary drive-ending interceptions, he might take a big step forward.

13. Matt Ryan , Falcons (previous 14): Despite his sophomore slump, Ryan has weapons such as Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez at his disposal and should be poised for a bounce-back year. Although he only played in 14 games due to injury, he still threw 22 touchdowns.

14. Kevin Kolb , Eagles (previous 15): With weapons like DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin, and Brent Celek, it wouldn't surprise me to see Kolb finish in the 10-12 range of fantasy quarterbacks in 2010 with the Eagles' pass-first offense.

15. Carson Palmer , Bengals (previous 16): Palmer threw for only 1,262 yards, seven TDs, and six interceptions in the final eight games of 2010. That needs to be better. But the Bengals have added new receivers Antonio Bryant, Matt Jones, and rookies Jordan Shipley and Dezmon Briscoe in addition to significantly upgrading their tight end position by drafting Jermaine Gresham with their first-round pick .

16. Ben Roethlisberger , Steelers (previous 9): Only Brees and Schaub had more passing yards per game than Big Ben (288.5) in 2009.  However, you won't get their per-game production until he serves his six-game (possibly four-game) suspension. Plus the team's leading receiver from 2009 was traded to the New York Jets for a fifth-round pick.

17. David Garrard , Jaguars (previous 17): Garrard has quietly been a steady fantasy producer over the past two seasons. As a back-up QB on your fantasy team, hope that your starter has his bye when Garrard is at home (over 2,000 yards and 12 TDs at home last year).

18. Jason Campbell , Raiders (previous 24): Last year, Campbell posted career highs in passing yards (3,618) and TDs (20). It will be difficult to surpass those numbers in Oakland considering the lack of weapons in their passing game. However, that's not Campbell's fault.

19. Matthew Stafford , Lions (previous 22): The Lions added Nate Burleson, a huge upgrade at the WR2 position, in free agency to help last year's top pick. He and MegaTron have been working together four days a week since March to work on their chemistry. Last year, Stafford led the NFL in pass attempts per game (37.7) and considering the Lions are still a year away, it's likely that Stafford will be airing the ball out in 2010 as well.

20. Matt Cassel , Chiefs (previous unranked): With Charlie Weis calling the plays, Cassel will look to build upon his 2009 numbers (3,596 yards and 20 touchdowns). In addition, the Chiefs drafted Dexter McCluster, who is in the mold of Darren Sproles and should give the Chiefs another weapon in the passing game.

A potential drawback? Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones have more 2009 rushing yards than any RB tandem in the NFL, even though they compiled those yards on separate teams.

21. Vince Young , Titans (previous 18): It's been an interesting ride for Young, who once again appears to be the franchise's QB of the future. This is still a run-first team, but VY can make plays with his legs. During the Titans 7-1 run from weeks 8 to 15, Young threw 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions.

22. Alex Smith , 49ers (previous 20): Vernon Davis broke out. Michael Crabtree showed up. Smith got a second chance after agreeing to a pay cut. Will he take another step forward in 2010?

23. Chad Henne , Dolphins (previous unranked): Since our first quarterback ranking, the Dolphins acquired Brandon Marshall. Although Marshall had a third hip surgery and won't be able to practice until training camp, the significant upgrade in the Dolphins' receiving corps should help Henne make big strides in 2010.

24. Mark Sanchez , Jets (previous unranked): The addition of Santonio Holmes to the Jets' offense, which means the Jets will use three-receiver sets more frequently , is a boon to Sanchez. If he can limit (or, better yet, avoid) the three-plus-interception games (he had four last year), Sanchez will finish higher than the 23rd-ranked fantasy quarterback at the end of the season.

25. Matt Moore , Panthers (previous 23): With Jake Delhomme out of the picture (and the threat of Jimmy Clausen taking over), Moore will get an opportunity to build on his 2009 success (61.6% completion, 8 TDs, 2 INTs). That said, how long is his leash? (Vote on our poll: Who will the Panthers' starting QB in week 17 ?)

Also, check out our other 2010 Fantasy Football rankings: Top 40 RBs | Top 50 WRs | Top 20 TEs

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