Fantasy Football Rankings 2011: 5 QBs You Must Avoid This Season

Quarterback is the most important position in the NFL, but not so much in fantasy football. That doesn't mean they are worthless though, because a top quarterback can help you win your league. 

Just because a guy is one of the best in the NFL however, it does not mean he will be successful in the fantasy football realm. 

Here are five quarterbacks you must avoid when drafting this year.

5. Matthew Stafford

Matthew Stafford may have been drafted No. 1 overall, but thanks to injuries he has yet to make a name for himself in the NFL. 

Stay away from him in your draft because the chances of him getting hurt again are very likely. The Lions offensive line isn't great, and Stafford has never had great durability.

Stafford has to play against the Vikings, Bears and Packers twice, and he also has to play the tough defenses of the NFC South. So even if he does make it the whole year, he isn't going to be spectacular.  

Despite his recent hype, you do not want to draft Stafford in 2011. 

4. Kyle Orton

Josh McDaniels is gone, and John Fox takes over as head coach for the Denver Broncos. That means the offense is going to drastically change. 

Orton isn't going to air it out a ton like he did a year ago because Fox loves to run the ball. Plus, his No. 2 receiver from a year ago, Jabar Gaffney, is no longer on the team. 

Then there is the whole Tim Tebow ordeal. He may be moving down the depth chart, but he isn't going to go away. The quarterback situation is a mess in Denver, and you should just completely avoid it.  

3. Donovan McNabb

Donovan McNabb is on a new team and appears to be happy. Don't let that fool you though because he is washed up. 

Sure, he has more talent on the Vikings than he did on the Redskins, but with Percy Harvin as his only true threat out wide, it's not going to go well in the fantasy world.  

The 34-year-old quarterback hasn't played a full season since 2008, and against the solid defenses in the NFC North he will struggle.

Ignore the hype around McNabb and his new team because he's not going to blow your opponents away.  

2. Eli Manning

Eli Manning may have thrown for a career 31 touchdowns in 2010, but he also threw a career high 25 interceptions. With the departure of wide receiver Steve Smith and tight end Kevin Boss, Manning will decline in 2011.

Yes, Smith didn't play a full season, but he was still affective when he was healthy. Not having him at all this year will hurt Manning, but not as much as losing Boss will. He was a safety net for Boss, and for some crazy reason the Giants let him walk.  

In addition to paying the Cowboys and Eagles twice, Manning also has to face the New England Patriots, New York Jets and Green Bay Packers. He's going to fall flat on his face in 2011, and you don't want to be apart of that by having him as your starting quarterback. 

1. Michael Vick

Before you call me crazy, think about how many times Michael Vick will have to scramble this season. Think about all those hits his small frame is going to take from massive defense, and then think about how much you're going to cry if you draft him and he gets hurt.  

Vick is subject to injury more than any other quarterback in the NFL, and you don't want to draft the one guy most likely to get injured this season. The way he runs around for his life at times puts fear in Eagles's fans, coaches and fantasy owners. Why put yourself through all that?

Sure, Vick is going to have some big games this year, but he is going to get hurt. Vick has only played a full 16 games once in his career. 

It took them a bit, but defensive coordinators have figured out how to stop this dual threat quarterback. He hasn't changed his ways of wanting to run first, nor has he fully figured out how to read a defense. 

Defenses will pressure him and force him to make errant throws. So don't buy too much into his hype, because he will let you down when he gets hurt.