Fantasy Football: Top 10 Quarterbacks in 2011

The 2010 NFL season is over half way complete and the fantasy football season is about to hit playoffs. If you own a fantasy team, you have no doubt thought a little bit about 2011 draft. Assuming that there is a 2011 NFL season, the following is my top 10 list of 2011 Fantasy Football Quarterbacks.

10. Matthew Stafford

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 7: Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions warms up prior to the start of the game against the New York Jets at Ford Field on November 7, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Darn those shoulders! Matthew Stafford was solid (not great) in his few games in 2010; however, in the fantasy world, the man was a STUD. If you started Stafford in one of his three games, you saw him score over 25 points! Stafford has one of the leagues top receivers in Calvin Johnson and has a canon of an arm to get him the ball. 

9. Kyle Orton

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass during warm up before the start of the game against San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. Chargers defeated the bronco

There is no doubt about it, Kyle Orton to Brandon Lloyd is for real. If you started the season with Kyle Orton as your backup and he still is your backup, then you have a MEAN starter.  Orton has passed for more yards so far than Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers. Orton does not receive a lot of fantasy football recognition, but he is getting his due here. 

8. Matt Schaub

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 21: Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans looks to throw a pass against the New York Jets on November 21, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Wow, average does not quite say it for 2010. The injury woes of Andre Johnson and the emergence of Arian Foster have really hurt Schaub. In 2009 he was stud, in 2010, he has cracked the top ten in only one statistical category: Passing Yards. Schaub is number 8 on this list because I truly feel that this is an off year. In 2011, a 100% Andre Johnson and a consistent running game will help Schaub improve. Will he return to 2009 caliber, probably not, but he is still a solid number fantasy QB. 

7. Matt Ryan

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ST. LOUIS - NOVEMBER 21: Matt Ryan #2 of the Atlanta Falcons passes against the St. Louis Rams at the Edward Jones Dome on November 21, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Falcons beat the Rams 34-17. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

At this point in the season, people are talking MVP for Matt Ryan. Atlanta has a plethora of talent on offense and it will help Ryan to go number 7 of all QBs. He benefits from a solid running game and the NFL’s top fantasy wide receiver in Roddy White.  Matt Ryan is young and will only be better in 2011. 

6. Michael Vick

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

There is no denying it, Michael Vick is back! He looked stellar in almost every game so far in 2010 and has shown more maturity and patience in the pocket. Vick still runs the ball better than a number 2 fantasy back and has the arm to throw the deep ball to DeSean Jackson.  A running QB comes with some risk however since they are not built to take hits like running backs. 

5. Tom Brady

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DETROIT - NOVEMBER 25: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts after a Detroit Lions turnover during the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on November 25, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. New England defeated Detroit 45-24. (Photo by Leon

Tom Brady is having another stellar season in 2010. He has only thrown 4 picks so far while being 5^th with nearly 20 passing TDs. The loss of Moss did nothing to hurt Brady and Welker has not been his normal self this season. If Wes Welker returns to his 2009 form, Brady’s numbers will “improve.” 

4. Peyton Manning

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FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

Peyton is still a stud fantasy player and might once again be the top quarterback picked in drafts. Manning is top 5 in almost every statistic category and that is not going to change anytime soon. There is no doubt that Peyton Manning has peaked, but he is still a lock for over 20 fantasy points a game regardless of your format. 

3. Aaron Rodgers

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MINNEAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 21: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers #12 of the Green Bay Packers throws against the Minnesota Vikings at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on November 21, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Rodgers has some skills, but not as many weapons as Philip Rivers or Michael Vick. Greg Jennings is feast or famine and Donald Driver almost 36. The emergence of Jermichael Finley has impressed many, but how he will react to the 2010 ending injury is still up in the air. That aside, it doesn’t matter, if you had Aaron Rodgers on your fantasy team last year, you probably didn’t care about the Grant and Finley injuries, because Rodgers was a star anyway. 

2. Philip Rivers

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SAN DIEGO - NOVEMBER 22: Quarterback Philip Rivers #17 of the San Diego Chargers throws a pass against the Denver Broncos at Qualcomm Stadium on November 22, 2010 in San Diego, California. The Chargers won 35-14. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

In 2010, while all owners were scooping up Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees; Philip Rivers slipped to round 4 or 5. Rivers has never received attention as an elite quarterback, but his numbers have shown otherwise. He is young (28), has a truck full of weapons and a solid offensive line. Rivers will still likely not be picked before Peyton Manning, but there is no doubt his fantasy numbers will surpass Peyton’s. 

1. Drew Brees

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CHARLOTTE, NC - NOVEMBER 07: Drew Brees #9 of the New Orleans Saints against the Carolina Panthers during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 7, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

No surprise here, Brees once again showed his elite status in 2010. 15 fantasy points is considered a “bad” week for Brees. Marques Colston is the most talented wide receiver on the Saints offense, but Brees has elite chemistry and confidence in all of his receivers and losing a WR to injury will not hurt his numbers. Brees is consistent, does not get hurt or sacked often and plays in a pass-happy offense.  What else do you want in a fantasy quarterback?