Fantasy Football Rankings 2011: Top 20 Quarterbacks

In the world of fantasy football, quarterbacks can make the difference between being the laughing stock of your league and walking away with the championship trophy.

As the NFL becomes more and more of a passing league, your fantasy football team must follow suit. There are only a handful of players worth drafting before a top quarterback and every year that list gets smaller and smaller.

I've analyzed the top fantasy football rankings, including ESPN.com, Yahoo! Sports, NFL.com and CBS Sports to come up with this list.

So, here are the top 20 fantasy quarterbacks for the 2011 NFL season.

20. Colt McCoy

Average On-line Rank: 27

I really feel that people are underestimating Colt McCoy this year. His value as a fantasy quarterback really came alive after his first preseason game against the Green Bay Packers.

McCoy had worked out with Brett Favre in the offseason, which will either be very good or extremely bad. If it's good, McCoy could be poised for a breakout season.

He has some nice weapons around him and even though the Cleveland Browns failed to land a top receiver, he should be able to grow with Greg Little, Joshua Cribbs and Mohamed Massaquoi.

If you need a quality second starter at quarterback, you could do much worse than McCoy. Heck, he might even turn out to be better than half the quarterbacks on this list by the end of the year.

19. Kyle Orton

Average On-line Rank: 21

Before the start of preseason, it was still up in the air if Kyle Orton would actually be the starter for the Denver Broncos. However, after a strong showing and training camp and struggles by Tim Tebow, his job as a starter seems safe for now.

Orton has always gotten the short end of the stick, even though he has proved to be a consistent winner. Last year was the first year that he put up quality statistics, when he threw for over 3,600 yards and 20 touchdowns before being benched.

If he is putting up numbers like that again this year, I can't see John Fox pulling him from the line-up in favor of Tebow. Even if the Broncos are having a horrendous year, which is possible, Orton should remain the starter and give you plenty of fantasy points week after week.

18. Kevin Kolb

Average On-line Rank: 17

When you think about it, Kevin Kolb is entering his first year as a starter in the NFL. He also has to live up to the expectations placed upon him when the Arizona Cardinals traded Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and a second-round draft pick for him.

One thing that Kolb has going for him is he gets to throw the ball to Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald is an absolute animal that makes an average quarterback look good. Kolb is better than average, or so Cardinals' fans hope, so he should be just fine.

If some younger wide receivers, such and Andre Roberts and Early Doucet, start developing quickly, Kolb could have a huge year.

17. Matt Cassel

Average On-line Rank: 18

Last year, Matt Cassel was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the NFL. Only Tom Brady had a greater difference between touchdown passes and interceptions.

The problem with Cassel is that he plays on a team that prefers to run the ball. With Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones it is understandable that the Kansas City Chiefs like to run. Unfortunately, that means that Cassel is the third offensive option on the team.

One thing that he has going for him is some talent at wide receiver. Dwayne Bowe led the NFL in touchdown receptions last year and Steve Breaston, Jonathan Baldwin, Tony Moeaki and Dexter McCluster are all talented.

As long as the Chiefs have Charles and Jones, Cassel will continue to only be a pretty good fantasy quarterback.

16. Matthew Stafford

Average On-line Rank: 14

Matthew Stafford's ranking all depends on how confident you are that he will stay healthy. If you think he will stay healthy, like I do, he definitely has all the tools to be a very good quarterback in the NFL.

The Detroit Lions are a team on the rise and Stafford could finally be the quarterback to lead them back into the playoffs. He has the ability to make any throw on the field and is blessed with an elite receiver in Calvin Johnson. Though the two haven't had much game time together, I believe that once they get on the field for an extended period of time, the bond made will be potent for fantasy owners.

Since Stafford is such a young quarterback, you can expect him to continue to rise up the rankings for years to come.

15. Sam Bradford

Average On-line Rank: 15

Most "experts" rank Sam Bradford behind Matthew Stafford, but that just doesn't seem right to me. Bradford is coming off an excellent rookie season that saw him throwing the ball to players like Danny Amendola and Brandon Gibson.

It's true that Bradford didn't pick up any elite targets through the draft or free agency, but he still got some quality additions to his arsenal. Players like Mike Sims-Walker, Austin Pettis, Lance Kendricks and Greg Salas should be able to contribute instantly.

Bradford might be the top young quarterback in the NFL by the end of this season. If you are given the chance to draft him, I certainly wouldn't pass him up.

14. Jay Cutler

Average On-line Rank: 14

This ranking all depends on which Jay Cutler we will see this season. If we see the Jay Cutler from last year, this ranking seems perfect. However, if the Cutler from two years ago, when he threw 26 interceptions, comes to play, fantasy owners will be kicking themselves for drafting him.

There are plenty of reasons to like Cutler as a fantasy quarterback. He has a great running back who is a fantastic receiver in Matt Forte. He also has Roy Williams, Johnny Knox, Earl Bennett and Devin Hester which provide plenty of options at wide receiver. Had the Chicago Bears not traded Greg Olsen, Cutler could have climbed into the top 10 as a fantasy quarterback.

The biggest area of concern will be the offensive line being able to keep Cutler off his back. If his offensive line can hold up for an entire season, Cutler will put up some nice fantasy numbers.

13. Eli Manning

Average On-line Rank: 13

At first glance, I really wanted to rank Eli Manning much lower than thirteenth. I've always felt that he was more of a game manager than an elite quarterback.

However, when looking at the New York Giants roster, Manning should have a huge year. Last year, Hakeem Nicks became one of the top receivers in the league. With Mario Manningham and Travis Beckum also at his disposal, Eli has plenty of options to throw the ball too.

Even though he has all these weapons, his best weapon is an extremely talented run game. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs form a great one-two punch and should take plenty of pressure off Manning.

If the Giants can consistently move the ball on the ground, that should open up play action for Manning and he should have an excellent fantasy season.

12. Joe Flacco

Average Online Rank: 12

Joe Flacco is entering fourth season as the starter for the Baltimore Ravens. He has improved his statistics each season and this year will be no different.

Flacco is a big quarterback who has a cannon for an arm. When the Ravens picked up Anquan Boldin last year, everyone expected Flacco and Boldin to have an instant connection. Unfortunately, that didn't happen, but with a year under their belts, they should get into a nice comfort zone this year.

When you factor in Ray Rice and newly acquired Lee Evans, Flacco has the potential to be an absolute fantasy stud this year.

11. Matt Ryan

Average On-line Rank: 9

Even with the addition of Julio Jones, I still don't see Matt Ryan breaking into the upper echelon of fantasy quarterbacks.

The main reason is that the Atlanta Falcons are going to continue to pound the ball on the ground. Michael Turner only has a few more years and Atlanta will run Turner until he can't run anymore. Even with the addition of Julio Jones, I just can't see the Falcons moving away from a run-first offense.

In a few years, Ryan may become one of the top five fantasy quarterbacks in the league, but unfortunately, this won't be the year.

10. Ben Roethlisberger

Average On-line Rank: 10

I'm not expecting Ben Roethlisberger to miss the first four games of this season, so his fantasy production won't take a hit in that aspect.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have always preferred to run first and with the emergence of Rashard Mendenhall last year, that isn't likely to change. Big Ben does have great targets in Mike Wallace, Hines Ward, Heath Miller and Emmanuel Sanders.

He could have a huge year, but in an offense that likes to run more than pass it will be difficult.

9. Josh Freeman

Average On-line Rank: 12

People want to rail on Josh Freeman for beating only two playoff teams last year, but the truth is that this kid can flat out play.

All he did last year was prove that he is a winner who has only begun to tap into his full potential. He created an instant connection with Mike Williams who is another player that will only get better. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the best young teams in the league and Freeman is the unquestioned leader.

Freeman may not have as few interceptions as he did last year, but he will easily make up for it by throwing for more yards and touchdown passes. Watch out for Freeman in the fantasy world this year.

8. Tony Romo

Average On-line Rank: 7

Tony Romo is coming back from an injury that severely shortened last season for him. He probably could have made a comeback late last year, but with the Dallas Cowboys struggling, there was really no point.

He is back now though and should get back to putting up great statistics for fantasy owners. Yes, he lost Roy Williams, but if Dez Bryant develops like everyone excepts, Romo won't even notice that Williams is gone. When you toss in Miles Austin and the ever consistent Jason Witten, Romo has plenty of options to throw to.

The Cowboys should make a run at the playoffs this year and Romo will be the one to lead them there.

7. Matt Schaub

Average On-line Rank: 9

I'll never understand why Schaub is always ranked so low by so many so-called experts. All the guy does is put up huge numbers year after year.

The Houston Texans may still be a year away from truly contending for the playoffs because of their defense, but that poor defense should actually be a blessing for Matt Schaub's fantasy statistics. If the Texans are always participating in high scoring shootouts, Schaub will be the beneficiary as he will be given the opportunity to throw more.

Even if the Texans' defense suddenly becomes average, Schaub still has the privilege of throwing the ball to Andre Johnson. That fact alone should put Schaub this high on everyone's list.

6. Peyton Manning

Average On-line Rank: 5

The truth is that Peyton Manning is starting to get up there in age and his lengthy recovery from neck surgery isn't instilling any confidence in people that he still heals like a young man.

However, the greater truth is that he is freakin' Peyton Manning. The man will be one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL until the day he retires. He is still surrounded by a great cast of receivers and playmakers.

My biggest concern is his offensive line. If he starts getting hit often by opposing defenses, how long will he be able to go without injury?

Should he stay healthy, which his streak of consecutive starts suggests he will, Manning will once again be a fantastic option as a fantasy quarterback.

5. Drew Brees

Average On-line Rank: 4

This may seem rather low for one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but hear me out before you start throwing pitchforks at your computer screen in protest.

The New Orleans Saints spent a first-round draft pick on Mark Ingram for a reason. That reason most likely being that they plan on running the ball more than they have in recent years. If that is the case, Drew Brees could see a slight dip in his numbers. Even with an insane amount of talented players to throw to, the Saints will probably look to have a more balanced offense.

A slight drop in numbers shouldn't deter you from drafting Brees if he is still available available, but that is why he only lands as the fifth best option as a fantasy quarterback.

4. Michael Vick

Average On-line Rank: 2

Having Michael Vick as the fourth best fantasy quarterback probably sent some jaws to the floor in disbelief. However, there are two reasons that I put him behind the next three quarterbacks.

First, Vick is only a one-hit wonder right now. He never put up the kind of ridiculous stats that he put up last year while he was playing for the Atlanta Falcons. I'm just not convinced that last year was the norm and not a fluke.

Secondly, no player is more susceptible to injury that Vick. It is the way he plays the game that makes him a constant threat to get injured. I absolutely don't think he should change the way he plays, I'm just stating that he is more likely to get an injury.

These two reasons are why Vick is only the fourth best option at fantasy quarterback and not second or first like most people believe.

3. Philip Rivers

Average On-line Rank: 6

Coming out of North Carolina State, I don't think anyone expected Philip Rivers to be as efficient of a passer as he's become. He is generally near the league leaders in quarterback rating and passing yards every year. 

This year will be no different and Rivers might actually have a career year in 2011. Antonio Gates is back and healthy. Vincent Jackson isn't going to miss the majority of the season due to contract disputes. The San Diego Chargers also retained Malcom Floyd, who was one of Rivers' favorite options last year.

Don't be surprised if Philip Rivers finishes near the top in every statistical category this year and is in some discussions for MVP.

2. Tom Brady

Average On-line Rank: 3

Arguably the greatest quarterback in the league is only the second best fantasy quarterback. Tom Brady is probably the safest option due to how consistent of a player he has been.

He has been the focal point of the New England Patriots offense the past eight or nine years and that certainly won't change this year. He will throw touchdowns in bunches and accrue plenty of yards.

His biggest fantasy asset might be his unbelievable ability to not throw interceptions. Brady only threw four interceptions last year and although that low of a number is unlikely, you shouldn't expect any more than 10 this year.

Brady will once again be the leader of a Super Bowl favorite team and he could be the key to a fantasy championship.

1. Aaron Rodgers

Average On-line Rank: 1

The media believes Aaron Rodgers is the best fantasy quarterback and I certainly don't disagree. After last season's impressive performance, I don't think there are many people who doubt Rodgers' abilities anymore.

Not only is he surrounded with a bevy offensive weapons, but he knows how to use each one to their fullest ability. With Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, Jordy Nelson and Jermichael Finley all at his beckoning call, Rodgers is poised to put up fantasy points in boatloads.

We also can't forget his competitive drive to continue to put his doubters to rest. He basically single-handedly led the Green Bay Packers offense to a Super Bowl victory last year.

Rodgers should be a favorite to win the MVP this year while leading his team back into the playoffs. If you want the best fantasy quarterback, you need to look no further than Mr. Rodgers himself.