10 Reasons Michael Vick Should Be the No. 1 Overall Fantasy Football Pick

Michael Vick proved in 2010 that he can eventually lead the Philadelphia Eagles to greatness, but questions remain about his value as a fantasy football player.

Yes, he had the highest points per game average in standard scoring leagues.

Yes, he finished as the first overall quarterback in standard scoring leagues despite finishing only 11 games.

Still, there are questions surrounding him that make him risky as a first round pick, let alone no. 1 overall.

Let's take a look at 10 reasons you should take him first overall in your fantasy draft.

10. He's Fun to Have on Your Team

Simply put, Michael Vick may be the most exciting player to watch in the NFL.

If you are a diehard fantasy football owner, you are watching your players as often as possible.

Who wouldn't want to watch Vick?

If you have the No. 1 pick, you have to make the decision.

You can watch Vick all year or track a running back that's likely just a dime a dozen.

9. Andy Reid

Everyone has their own opinions on Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid, but the success he has on the field with his teams is undeniable.

This can only help Vick.

With the Atlanta Falcons, Vick was the only constant on a team that shuffled in different mixes of players and coaches.

Now, Vick has adapted to the much more structured system of Reid. It allows Vick to build relationships with players on and off the field.

Plus, Reid is simply good at helping quarterbacks overachieve.

Just look at Donovan McNabb's career.

8. He Has a Year Under His Belt

Whether you believe in his 2010 campaign or not, basic logic would tell you that Michael Vick knows more now than he did going into last season.

That is scary.

Vick has been out of prison for some time now. Yet, last year was the first time he returned to the spotlight as a player.

He was no longer getting news coverage for simply making it on the field.

Everything is back to normal for Vick when it comes to football.

That should allow him to excel again in 2011.

7. What He Did Last Year Was Historic

Michael Vick's 2010 campaign was historic in fantasy terms, although he didn't take the Philadelphia Eagles as far as he had hoped.

No, we cannot base our assessments for 2011 solely on 2010.

Yet, how can we not look at last season and wonder what will happen as he enters this season as the starter for the first time in Philadelphia?

Despite the fact that he is an injury risk, it is fun to project out the stats that he would have put up in an 16 game season last year.

What he did last year proves that he has the highest ceiling of any player in the draft.

6. The Schedule

Playing in the NFC East, some may think that the Philadelphia Eagles' schedule is reason to avoid Michael Vick with the first pick.

Yet, when you look at the schedule's fantasy points against at the quarterback position in 2010, Vick has the third easiest schedule from weeks 1-16.

Yes, some teams will have improved against the pass over the short offseason.

Nonetheless, Vick will be playing against teams that are susceptible to allowing massive amounts of fantasy points to quarterbacks, which is yet another reason to take Vick first. 

5. He Can Win You Your League

There are a lot of fantasy football players, like Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers, that can give you a slight advantage at a single position.

Michael Vick is the only player that can give you such a huge advantage that he can make up for weaknesses on your team single-handedly and win your league for you.

His explosive abilities via the ground and air allow him to put up eye-popping statistics that others simply cannot achieve.

The Washington Redskins game on Monday night last year is a prime example of this point.

Watch the tape of that game, then try to not take Vick first in your draft.

It will be harder than you think. 

4. Every Option Is Risky

The biggest argument against taking Michael Vick No. 1 overall in your fantasy draft is the level of risk that comes with him.

Well, I'd like to ask you this question: How is Arian Foster less risky than Vick?

Foster's track record dates back to, well, basically last year. He was a non-factor as a rookie.

Each of the top running backs has a similar argument.

Adrian Peterson has a terrible offensive line.

Chris Johnson will continue to be the sole focus of defenses, and he's holding out.

Jamaal Charles will likely have his workload tempered, possibly limiting his ceiling. Plus, he has a history of injuries.

Vick is a proven commodity in this league. We know that he has the talent to produce huge numbers each week.

Every player comes with his risk.

Vick's high risk should not be a reason to avoid him at No. 1.

3. He Can Provide a Huge Advantage at Quarterback

Michael Vick can provide you a huge advantage in fantasy football over any other quarterback in the NFL.

There is an elite group of quarterbacks in fantasy: Vick, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, and Peyton Manning.

The only player on that list that has a significantly higher ceiling than the rest of the group is Vick.

Many times, two teams that play and Brees and Rivers will cancel each other out with 23 and 25 point performances.

Well, the guy that has Vick gains a 25 point advantage over both of these guys when Vick goes off like he did against Washington.

He is the only quarterback that can do that, and this advantage makes him worthy of the No. 1 pick overall.

2. The Weapons Around Him

The weapons on the Philadelphia Eagles that surround Michael Vick, from DeSean Jackson to LeSean McCoy, are absolutely unreal.

Vick has a solid offensive line, although they have a couple of changes to adjust to this year.

McCoy is an absolute weapon in the rushing game, but his greatest value to Vick comes when he turns a five-yard dump pass into a 50-yard gain.

Jackson provides the deep threat that is suited to Vick's strong arm.

Jeremy Maclin helps Vick continuously rack up yards with medium-length routes.

Brent Celek is a solid red zone target and a good blocking tight end.

Vick is definitely in a situation that fosters success, which is another reason you should take him No. 1 in your fantasy draft.

1. His Talent

Michael Vick is clearly one of the most talented players in the NFL, but his skill set had never made him a consistently elite fantasy player.

So, that might scare some people away from him.

The fact is, he was a different man in Atlanta.

He still has the same talent and athletic ability, but the added work ethic is what's putting him over the top.

If you wanted to take the most talented and gifted athlete in your fantasy draft, Vick would be the man.

He looks genetically modified and built to play this game. 

That sounds like first pick material to me.