Brett Favre Retires: Power Ranking the Top 20 Remaining Fantasy QBs
With the news of Brett Favre retiring, it is time to look at how the top of the Fantasy Football quarterback rankings has changed.
Even with Brett losing a step (or three) over the past few seasons, Favre could have flirted with being a top 10 Fantasy Football quarterback by the end of the season.
Without further delay, let's look at how the top 20 Fantasy Football quarterbacks might finish by the end of the 2010 season now that Favre has retired.
No. 20 Matt Leinart: Arizona Cardinals
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Matt Leinart will get a chance to show what he has in 2010 after the retirement of Kurt Warner this offseason.
Leinart has the luxury of playing with one of the NFL's top wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, but the departure of Anquan Boldin will hurt the Cardinals offense.
Leinart could put up 2800 YDs passing with 17 TDs and 15 INTs.
No. 19 Chad Henne: Miami Dolphins
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The Dolphins' offseason addition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall has a lot to do with Chad Henne's ranking at No. 19.
With Henne entering his second season as the starting quarterback for Miami and having a top receiver in Marshall, he should improve his TD numbers while making fewer mistakes.
Henne could see 3300 yards with 17 TDs and 12 INTs.
No. 18 Vince Young: Tennessee Titans
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Even with Vince Young's off-field incidents this summer, he could make a big improvement in 2010.
"I believe we have surrounded (Young) with the best skill players that he has been on the field with to date," said coach Jeff Fisher. "That will help in his improvement." I'm going to trust the coach on this one.
I could see Vince Young throwing for 2500 YDs with 17 TDs and 13 INTs. He's also capable of rushing for another four to five TDs and 300 YDs more, adding value as a backup QB.
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No. 17 Matthew Stafford: Detroit Lions
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While the Lions aren't going to be winning the Super Bowl this season, they have put together good back-to-back draft classes and have a young nucleus of players on offense headlined by quarterback Matthew Stafford and wide receiver Calvin Johnson.
Matthew Stafford had a typical rookie season full of ups and even more downs.
"He put in a lot of time to learn our entire offense so he really has the whole offense down," Johnson recently said, commenting on the hard work Stafford has put in during the offseason.
I think Stafford can reach 3000 YDs with 18 TDs and 16 INTs.
No. 16 Mark Sanchez: New York Jets
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Mark Sanchez's rookie season started with a bang in 2009. However, like most rookie quarterbacks, there were some very low points throughout the season.
With another offseason of learning the plays and getting on the same page as his receivers, an improved season should be right around the corner for Sanchez.
Sanchez could reach 3100 YDs and 18 TDs with 15 INTs.
No. 15 Alex Smith: San Francisco 49ers
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You might say this is a little high, or even a homer pick, but I do feel Alex Smith is ready to have a breakout season in 2010.
With the talented Vernon Davis at tight end and Michael Crabtree's continued improvement as he comes into his sophomore season, Alex Smith should be a reliable backup in most fantasy leagues.
Alex could reach numbers close to 3100 YDs passing, 20 TDs and 14 INTs.
No. 14 Donovan McNabb: Washington Redskins
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After a trade from the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason, Donovan McNabb is surrounded by less offensive talent on the Redskins and still has to face the same tough defenses of the NFC East. But the Redskins have gained a proven winner and multiple Pro Bowler.
I see his production dropping slightly, but he will still have a good season. 3300 YDs, 19 TD's and 14 INTs are not out of the question for McNabb in 2010.
No. 13 Jay Cutler: Chicago Bears
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Jay Cutler had a very up and down season in 2009—even though he had a career high of 27 TD passes he also tossed 26 INTs.
With the addition of Mike Martz as the Bears' offensive coordinator, Jay Cutler should have an easier time making his reads, resulting in fewer costly turnovers and more touchdowns.
For his second year with the Bears fantasy owners can look for Cutler to put up around 3900 YDS, 22 TDs and 17 INTs in 2010.
No. 12 Matt Ryan: Atlanta Falcons
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Matt Ryan is entering his third year and should be looking at his most successful pro season to date.
Expect a very potent Falcons offense this season with Ryan developing further chemistry with key wide receiver Roddy White and tight end Tony Gonzalez.
Matt Ryan should have his breakout season in 2010 with 3500 YDs, 24 TDs and 16 INTs.
No. 11 Kevin Kolb: Philadelphia Eagles
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Surrounded by a great group of receivers, Kevin Kolb should find immediate success in his first full year as a starter for the Eagles.
Kolb is confident in his ability as a starting quarterback, saying "I've been thrown into situations throughout my career, and I've always just leaned back on playing football, and that's what I'm gonna do here."
There will be games he struggles, but 3500 YDS, 22 TDs and 17 INTs is not out of the question for Kolb.
#10 Eli Manning: New York Giants
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Eli will look to have another good season and lead the Giants back to playoffs in 2010. With Steve Smith, Kevin Boss, Mario Manningham, and Hakeem Nix to throw to, Eli will have plenty of weapons on offense.
Expect the whole offense to improve in 2010, with all the weapons reaching maturity this season.
Eli will reach 3900 YDS, 25 TDs and 16 INTs in 2010 providing an injury-free season.
No. 9 Carson Palmer: Cincinnati Bengals
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Easily the toughest quarterback to judge on this list. Looking at the talent the Bengals have at wide receiver, it is easy to see how they could become a top offense in 2010.
But looking at the names Chad Ochocinco, Terrell Owens and Antonio Bryant also bring fear of meltdowns, trash-talking and team headaches.
I think Palmer will have a great season and will spread the ball around enough to keep defenses off balance and the wide receivers happy. A healthy Jermaine Gresham at tight end could also bring a much needed threat for the Bengals.
Look for 4000 YDS, 28 TDs and 15 INTs in 2010.
No. 8 Joe Flacco: Baltimore Ravens
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Joe Flacco looks to be the breakout quarterback in 2010. With the offseason acquisition of Anquan Boldin and Donte Stallworth at wide receiver, Flacco has a strong receiving core.
"I see a guy with a lot of potential. He has the ability to take over a game. For me, I'm excited to have the opportunity to grow with him," said Anquan Boldin of his new quarterback.
I see Joe Flacco getting 4200 YDs, 28 TDs with only 15 INTs. The next great young quarterback may emerge this season.
No. 7 Philip Rivers: San Diego Chargers
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Philip Rivers is the riskiest pick on the list. He's currently in contract disputes with the team, and star wide receiver Vincent Jackson is sitting out training camp so far.
I see things being resolved and Philip reaching 4100 YDS, 27 TDs with 14 INTs.
No. 6 Matt Schaub: Houston Texans
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With the Texans offense as dangerous as ever, Matt Schaub looks to lead to the team to playoffs.
Head coach Gary Kubiak praised Shaub's skills this offseason by saying "He's in total command of the offense. Matt is a sponge."
With top wide receiver Andre Johnson and elite tight end Owen Daniels, Schaub will have an equal or slightly better season than his 4700, 29 TDs, 14 INTs 2009 season.
No. 5 Tony Romo: Dallas Cowboys
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Tony Romo is lucky to have a top emerging wide receiver in Miles Austin and to be coming off one of tight end Jason Witten's best seasons.
Dez Bryant is the X-factor here. He has all the makings to be a star NFL wide receiver, and it will be interesting to see how quickly he can make an impact on offense.
Tony Romo should match his top years in the NFL with 4400 yards, 29 TDs and 12 INTs.
#4 Aaron Rodgers: Green Bay Packers
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Aaron Rodgers and the Packers have high expectations heading into the 2010 season. Rodgers is surrounded by talented wide receivers, tight ends and running backs that add up to a very balanced offense.
Greg Jennings and Donald Driver both had over 1000 YDs receiving, while Ryan Grant rushed for 1200+ YDs.
If Rodgers can improve his decision-making, 4200 YDs, 30 TDs and three to five rushing TDs with 14 INTs could be reachable.
No. 3 Tom Brady: New England Patriots
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The next three QBs, in my opinion, all have a shot at being the No. 1 quarterback in fantasy football for 2010.
Tom Brady is No. 3 on the list because of aging/ injured receivers. It is still questionable whether Wes Welker will be back at full speed, and Randy Moss is starting to show his age.
However, if the receivers can keep up their production, Tom Brady can push the next two quarterbacks for top honors.
4500 YDs, 33 TDs and 13 INTs seems realistic for Brady's 2010 season.
No. 2 Peyton Manning: Indianapolis Colts
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Peyton Manning looks to continue be one of the top quarterbacks in 2010.
With a top tandem of receivers in the NFL, Pierre Garcon and Reggie Wayne, Peyton has an abundance of options to throw to. And don't forget about tight end Dallas Clark or a comeback season from wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez.
I project Peyton Manning to have around 4700 YDs, 33 TDs and 12 INTs this upcoming season.
No. 1 Drew Brees: New Orleans Saints
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Coming off a Super Bowl win, I am giving Drew Brees the nod over Brady and Manning.
Drew is motivated to win another Super Bowl saying, "It's time. This is our window of opportunity, and I'd be very disappointed if we didn't take advantage of it because you just never know when opportunities like this will ever come again."
Having Marques Colston and Devery Henderson at wide receiver, there are plenty of options to make plays.
I project Brees to have around 4800 YDs, 35 TDs and 15 INTs.
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