2011 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings: Michael Vick or Aaron Rodgers?

When I am preparing for a fantasy football draft, I always like to check out the projected stats; I mean, who doesn’t? But just looking at one set of stats is a bad idea.

What if the rankings you decide to use are from a website that thinks Michael Vick is going to have the greatest fantasy year anyone has ever seen, and they neglect to factor in injuries, something Vick has always dealt with? You could have him as your No. 1 QB, while every other publication out there has him as the No. 2, well behind Aaron Rodgers.

I have compiled a complete set of projections from multiple websites: espn.com, si.com, yahoo.com, cbssportsline.com, as well as my own personal projections for every position that will help balance out different opinions for a more true projection.

For the total point category, I have used a scoring system of one point per 25 passing yards, four points for a passing touchdown, minus-one points for an interception, one point per 10 rushing yards, and six points per rushing touchdown.

From No. 30 to No. 1, here are the Quarterbacks.

30. Chad Henne

With the addition of Reggie Bush, Chad Henne adds a very important weapon, one that will always have to be accounted for, thus opening up the passing game.

2011 Projection: 2771 passing yards, 13 passing TD, 15 INT, 54 rushing yards, 0 rushing TD

Total Score: 153.24

29. Matt Hasselbeck

The move from Seattle to Tennessee should help Hasselbeck's fantasy value as he moves to a team with one of the best running backs in the league as well as a group of talented young receivers.

2011 Projections: 2639 passing yards, 14 passing TD, 14 INT, 66 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 160.14

28. Cam Newton

Cam Newton is a very hard guy to project. Carolina could decide to let him sit on the sideline and take a year to get acquainted with the NFL or they could let him start from day one and he could dominate just as he has done with every other team he has ever played for.

2011 Projection: 1950 passing yards, 9 passing TD, 13 INT, 366 rushing yards, 4 rushing TD

Total Score: 161.6

27. Alex Smith

Is this the year that everything clicks for Alex Smith? The 49ers have a great running back and a group of receivers that most quarterbacks would kill to have. It seems the only thing holding them back is the QB position.

2011 Projections: 2849 passing yards, 17 passing TD, 13 INT, 70 rushing yards, 0 rushing TD

Total Score: 175.97

26. Donovan McNabb

Lets just forget that his time in Washington ever happened; I am should he would like to. Donovan is no longer an elite at the position but he can still put up respectable fantasy numbers.

2011 Projections: 2803 passing yards, 16 passing TD, 13 INT, 175 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 186.61

25. Colt McCoy

After Peyton Hillis' breakout season, teams will be game-planning to stop the run game against Cleveland, thus opening up the passing lanes for Colt. The only question is, who will he throw it to?

2011 Projections: 2898 passing yards, 16 passing TD, 15 INT, 191 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD

Total Score: 196.02

24. Tavaris Jackson

Now in Seattle, Jackson brought along the best receiver from his former team in Sydney Rice. Seattle also signed Zack Miller and we all know a good tight end is a quarterback's best friend.

2011 Projections: 2965 passing yards, 16 passing TD, 17 INT, 246 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 196.21

23. Ryan Fitzpatrick

A very underrated quarterback who would be a top-15 QB if he played for just about any other team. Let us hope that another receiver emerges to go along with Steve Johnson.

2011 Projections: 2967 passing yards, 18 passing TD, 15 INT, 257 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 207.36

22. Jason Campbell

Campbell is an interesting fantasy option since going to Oakland. He has a slew of young, speedy receivers and a running back who is emerging as one of the league's best.

2011 Projections: 3150 passing yards, 17 passing TD, 13 INT, 212 rushing yds, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 208.19

21. Kyle Orton

There is absolutely no reason for the Denver Broncos to consider starting Tim Tebow over Kyle Orton. Yes, he MIGHT turn into a good NFL QB but you KNOW that Orton is. If there were no questions regarding the Broncos' plans, Orton would be much closer to the top 10 on this list.

2011 Projections: 3128 passing yards, 20 passing TD, 12 INT, 96 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 208.7

20. Matt Cassel

Did anyone actually watch the Pro Bowl last year? If so, you saw Matt Cassel throw a couple of touchdown passes. Now I know that being named to the Pro Bowl doesn't mean what it used to, but still, the man can play.

2011 Projections: 3223 passing yards, 20 passing TD, 12 INT, 110 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 213.91

19. Mark Sanchez

Mark Sanchez is a guy whose fantasy value does not fall in line exactly with his ability at the quarterback position. If I was ranking the QBs that I would want to lead my franchise, he would be ahead of several guys that have higher fantasy value.

2011 Projections: 3318 passing yards, 20 passing TD, 12 INT, 93 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD

Total Score: 222.02

18. Kevin Kolb

This is a make-or-break year for Kolb, as he is without a doubt the starter in Arizona. It is time to see if he can live up to the lofty expectations we have from his few starts with Philadelphia.

2011 Projections: 3211 passing yards, 22 passing TD, 17 INT, 171 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 222.55

17. David Garrard

Does he have one more good fantasy year left in him? If he struggles early, Jacksonville may go with rookie Blaine Gabbert, who they selected in the first round this year.

2011 Projections: 2974 passing yards, 19 passing TD, 13 INT, 361 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD

Total Score: 230.07

16. Matthew Stafford

If he can stay healthy, which is a big if, he has one of the top targets in the NFL in Calvin Johnson who can come away with great numbers even if he is double-teamed on a weekly basis. However, expect Stafford to play 12 or so games and have a good backup ready to go.

2011 Projections: 3526 passing yards, 21 passing TD, 16 INT, 112 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD

Total score: 232.22

15. Jay Cutler

Cutler is going to throw plenty of interceptions and luckily sacks do not count against you. But he also has the ability to throw for 350 yards and get you three touchdowns tds in a single game. It is just a question of which Cutler will show up...

2011 Projections: 3432 passing yards, 23 passing TD, 17 INT, 182 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 236.49

14. Sam Bradford

The Rams already have one of the biggest workhorses in the league in Steven Jackson, and with the addition of Mike Sims-Walker to go along with Donny Avery, the Rams offense should be much improved from last season.

2011 Projections: 3877 passing yards, 22 passing TD, 15 INT, 54 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 239.46

13. Joe Flacco

The addition of Anquan Boldin last season definitely increased Flacco's fantasy value and Ray Rice continues to be a force out of the back field, not only in the run game, but also in the short passing game. Look for another solid fantasy season from Flacco.

2011 Projections: 3712 passing yards, 27 passing TD, 13 INT, 37 rushing yards, 0 rushing TD

Total Score: 256.47

12. Matt Schaub

Schaub has the best receiver in all of football in Andre Johnson, and one of the best running backs in Arian Foster, who can not only run, but can catch the ball out of the backfield. Occasionally there were games in which, in terms of fantasy value, Schaub just did not show up. That is going to happen from time to time if the game dictates a heavy dose of Foster pounding the ball through the defense.

2011 Projections: 4458 passing yards, 23 passing TD, 13 INT, 37 rushing yards, 0 rushing TD

Total Score: 261.03

11. Eli Manning

Do not let Eli tell you otherwise—he is not in the same class as Tom Brady, as an NFL quarterback or as a fantasy football commodity. Still, Manning is a good fantasy option as they do have good receivers and a good running game to balance the defense.

2011 Projections: 4002 passing yards, 29 passing TD, 19 INT, 54 rushing yards, 0 rushing TD

Total Score: 262.46

10. Ben Roethlisberger

Did we actually just go an entire off season without a Big Ben controversy? It has been a while since he has had a quiet offseason, so let's just hope he brings the noise to the field.

2011 Projections: 4018 passing yards, 24 passing TD, 11 INT, 131 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD

Total Score: 270.83

9. Matt Ryan

Look for Matt Ryan to improve upon his career-best numbers in yards and touchdowns from a year ago. With the addition of Julio Jones, defenses cannot automatically double Roddy White, leaving him open more, and if they do, Jones is no slouch.

2011 Projections: 3898 passing yards, 28 passing TD, 11 INT, 82 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 271.1

8. Josh Freeman

Josh had a huge leap in production between his first two seasons as a pro and if he can just improve his numbers slightly from last year to this, he will easily end up being a top-10 fantasy quarterback.

2011 Projections: 3587 passing yards, 24 passing TD, 11 INT, 398 rushing yards, 2 rushing TD

Total Score: 280.28

7. Tony Romo

Not only did Romo's injury last season hurt the Cowboys, but it hurt plenty of fantasy owners' teams as well. A broken collarbone is a freak injury so look for a full, healthy season from Romo as he should return to near-elite QB status.

2011 Projections: 4258 passing yards, 28 passing TD, 14 INT, 100 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 284.3

6. Tom Brady

Tom Brady could easily be a fantasy steal as the sixth overall quarterback. He clearly has the ability to throw 40-plus touchdowns, and with Ochocinco looking to reestablish himself as an elite receiver in the NFL, it just may happen.

2011 Projections: 4096 passing yards, 33 passing TD, 10 INT, 26 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Total Score: 294.44

5. Philip Rivers

With a full season with Vincent Jackson and Malcolm Floyd manning the wideout spots as well as a healthy Antonio Gates, there is no reason to believe that Rivers will have anything short of another great fantasy season.

2011 Projections: 4556 passing yards, 31 passing TD, 13 INT, 44 rushing yards, 0 rushing TD

Total Score: 297.64

4. Peyton Manning

Will Manning recover from offseason neck surgery in time for the start of the season? And if he does, will he be in good enough football shape to preform at the levels we have grown accustomed to? If you believe the Colts, the answer to both of those questions is yes. If they are right, expect another great season from Manning, with only a slight drop in his numbers.

2011 Projections: 4615 passing yards, 33 passing TD, 14 INT, 4 rushing TD, 0 rushing TD

Total Score: 303

3. Drew Brees

Will the loss of Reggie Bush really hurt Brees' numbers? I don't think so. He's an elite NFL quarterback who can pick apart any defense. Expect the usual MVP type season from Brees.

2011 Projections: 4681 passing yards, 35 passing TD, 16 INT, 130 rushing yards, 0 rushing TD

Total Score: 312.54

2. Aaron Rodgers

Rodgers can beat you through the air or with his feet. With Greg Jennings, Jermichael Finley, Donald Driver, James Jones and Jordy Nelson to throw to, how can you not like his chances of having another stellar season?

2011 Projections: 4372 passing yards, 28 passing TD, 11 INT, 342 rushing yards, 3 rushing TD

Total Score: 328.07

1. Michael Vick

As most you may have guessed, it came down to Rodgers and Vick. If you want the sure thing, go with Rodgers but if you want a hell of a fantasy option who during any given game could pass for 300 yards and rush for 100, you have to go with Vick. If he can stay healthy for a full season, he will win plenty of fantasy leagues almost by himself.

2011 Projections: 3498 passing yards, 24 passing TD, 11 INT, 701 rushing yards, 7 rushing TD

Total Score: 337.02