Ranking Every Starting NFL QB's Fantasy Value

Usually, quarterbacks like Philip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger can provide a lot of value for your fantasy team. Right now, however, their value is skewed.

Value changes every week in fantasy football. 

Cam Newton's, for example, sky-rocketed after Weeks 1 and 2 but plummeted in Week 3.

Let's rank every quarterback's fantasy value.

32. Kerry Collins, Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts have had one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in the NFL for over a decade, but Kerry Collins has ended that streak this year.

He has been putrid, and the lack of time with the offense is proving to be part of his downfall.

Don't even think about picking up Collins this season.

31. Blaine Gabbert, Jacksonville Jaguars

Blaine Gabbert made his debut for the Jacksonville Jaguars under tough conditions, but that doesn't mean he will show out as the season wears on.

Gabbert is a rookie with a lot to learn.

He also has a great running back in Maurice Jones-Drew that can shoulder the load while he learns the tricks of the trade in the NFL.

Stay away from Gabbert this season.

30. Donovan McNabb, Minnesota Vikings

Donovan McNabb has not made the hoped-for impact with the Minnesota Vikings.

In fact, the Star Tribune's Jim Souhan has said it's already time to start rookie Christian Ponder.

I wouldn't go that far, but McNabb is not a valid fantasy option.

29. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers

Alex Smith has been given every chance to succeed as part of the San Francisco 49ers, but he should not be given that chance by your fantasy squad.

He has been a terrible fantasy quarterback for some time now—in fact, it shocks me that he is still starting for San Francisco.

28. Andy Dalton, Cincinnai Bengals

After a promising Week 2 performance, Andy Dalton of the Cincinnati Bengals showed that he has some work to do in his Week 3 game against the San Francisco 49ers.

Usually, rookie quarterbacks struggle through their first season anyway.

Dalton is not a viable fantasy option just yet.

27. Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs

Matt Cassel and the Kansas City Chiefs have fallen simultaneously from one of the more efficient offenses to a fantasy nightmare.

Cassel's coaches are losing trust in him, and he no longer has Jamaal Charles to soften up defenses for him.

If Cassel holds a spot on your team, you might consider dropping him.

26. Tarvaris Jackson, Seattle Seahawks

Tarvaris Jackson is an underrated fantasy player for the Seattle Seahawks; however, that should not cause you to rush to add him to your team.

He is wildly inconsistent and not worth your time given the level of quarterback play this year.

25. Kyle Orton, Denver Broncos

When given complete job security, Kyle Orton of the Denver Broncos can be a nice fantasy option.

This year, however, he doesn't have that luxury.

Plus, his production has been down this year. Given his small upside, he isn't worth your time unless you're part of a fairly large league (14 teams).

24. Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams

Sam Bradford—and the St. Louis Rams as a team—have been a disappointment in fantasy terms this year.

The team has failed to record a win, and Bradford has struggled to produce even mediocre fantasy numbers.

At this point, give him one more week; if he doesn't improve, cut him.

23. Colt McCoy, Cleveland Browns

Colt McCoy has shown potential as Cleveland's starting quarterback.

He has shown enough to deserve a roster spot in 12-team leagues.

Unfortunately, that is about the extent of his value this year.

22. Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins

Chad Henne was the beneficiary of a great week in the Monday Night Football opener against the New England Patriots.

Since then, however, he has been average at best.

Still, he will have sneaky value as the season wears on, so keep him on your roster.

21. Jason Campbell, Oakland Raiders

Jason Campbell boasts a big part of the Oakland Raiders' success in 2011.

Although Darren McFadden has been the horse of the offense, Campbell has found ways to be relevant in fantasy football.

He is a solid bye-week fill in.

20. Rex Grossman, Washington Redskins

Surprisingly, Rex Grossman has played pretty well after being named Washington's starter.

He hasn't done anything spectacular, but he is definitely a solid bye-week fill in.

19. Mark Sanchez, New York Jets

As the New York Jets have gotten away from their usual strategy, Mark Sanchez has benefited.

The opportunity to throw the ball more has boosted Sanchez into the group of solid backup fantasy quarterbacks.

18. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears

The Bears' Jay Cutler is still the same Jay Cutler...but he remains a decent fantasy option.

When given time to throw, he has the arm to make every throw in the book—the problem is, he usually doesn't have the time to do so.

Nonetheless, Cutler can blow up for big numbers every once in awhile. 

If you have him, you better hope he does that on your starter's bye week.

17. Kevin Kolb, Arizona Cardinals

After being traded to the Arizona Cardinals, mixed opinions surrounded Kevin Kolb entering the 2011 season.

He has been good and bad in his short stint as the man in Arizona.

His value remains around the same level it was entering the season.

16. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

Matt Ryan has been over-hyped since entering the NFL, but that doesn't mean he is a worthless fantasy option.

While Ryan has struggled so far this year, he could very well improve.

Still, he is not know to be an elite-level fantasy quarterback. He is more prone to winning real games than helping your fantasy team win.

15. Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee Titans

Matt Hasselbeck is showing everyone that he still has the ability to help your fantasy team as the new lead man of the Tennessee Titans.

Meanwhile, his running back Chris Johnson has failed to help him.

Once Johnson gets going, things will open up even more for Hasselbeck.

He is a nice injury fill-in and high-end backup quarterback.

14. Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Josh Freeman, among a number of Tampa Bay Buccaneers, was a popular pick in fantasy drafts this year.

He has struggled up to this point, but look for him to get back on track against the Indianapolis Colts.

Freeman remains a borderline starter in larger leagues.

13. Eli Manning, New York Giants

Eli Manning of the New York Giants is stuck—once again—just outside the weekly starting quarterbacks.

He is still a solid starting quarterback when facing easier opponents.

If you don't have better options, you can do worse than Manning.

Still, don't expect him to win your league for you.

12. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

Although I'm still not sold on the Carolina Panthers' franchise player Cam Newton, he has shown he has the potential to be a dominant fantasy football force.

Two weeks into the season, he was among the point leaders in standard scoring leagues.

Don't expect that trend to continue, but expect him to have the occasional outburst.

He is one of those quarterbacks that finds ways to salvage a decent week with his legs.

Then again, he's still a rookie.

11. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

Ben Roethlisberger has been hit-or-miss over the past few years for the Pittsburgh Steelers and fantasy teams alike.

The problem is, he tends to place consistently over seasons, rather than changing his play week by week.

Based on his start, his value could plummet very soon.

10. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo Bills

Yes, Ryan Fitzpatrick has led the Buffalo Bills to a 3-0 start and your fantasy team to victory.

The Bills offense is legitimate, and Fitzpatrick does a nice job of spreading the ball around.

He can be used as a starter going forward or a trading chip for those smart enough to pick him up as a backup. 

9. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens

At times, Joe Flacco looks like the quarterback that will take the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl title.

At other times, he hands the ball off over and over as the Ravens pursue a "grind-it-out" strategy behind the defense.

It's hard to trust Flacco, but I like what I've seen so far in 2011. 

8. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers

The San Diego Chargers have stumbled to a 2-1 record, and a big reason for their inconsistent play is Phillip Rivers.

Rivers has been terrible, throwing two interceptions in each of the first three games of the 2011 season.

Now, he will likely turn it on and finish in the top five or six in fantasy points.

Still, right now his value has dropped as others have emerged.

7. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo, no matter what you think of his toughness or clutch ability, is a great fantasy quarterback—when healthy.

His rib injury may turn out to be a problem down the road, so make sure you plan for that if you own him.

Still, expect big numbers from a healthy Romo.

6. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick doesn't get the protection he needs from the Philadelphia Eagles' offensive line, and it's finally taking a toll on his fantasy impact.

Vick is officially to big of a risk to be looked at as a top three option.

He will have huge weeks, but don't expect consistency from Vick at any point this year.

5. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans

Matt Schaub finally found his touch in Week 3 against the New Orleans Saints.

The Texans looked like their old selves, losing a shootout.

He has too many weapons not to succeed, and Schaub looks primed to be a top five quarterback going forward.

4. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints are lucky to have Drew Brees, and I'm sure fantasy owners feel the same way.

Brees is consistently one of the top fantasy quarterbacks in the NFL, and 2011 is no different.

He usually ends up in the top four but fails to lead in fantasy points.

Nonetheless, owners are fine with what he brings to the table.

3. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

We have finally learned that—when healthy—Matthew Stafford makes the Detroit Lions a great team.

He also makes fantasy owners that drafted him in the eighth round look very smart.

If Stafford stays on the field, expect his value to remain at this level all year.

2. Tom Brady, New England Patriots

Tom Brady is in for yet another explosive year running the New England Patriots offense.

That brings all kinds of fantasy value to your team.

Still, there will be matchups with very difficult teams, and his lack of weapons puts him just behind the steady Aaron Rodgers.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Aaron Rodgers has completely lived up to 2011 fantasy preseason predictions.

He has taken the role as the extremely consistent face of fantasy football quarterbacks, and his plethora of weapons help his cause as well.

Right now, I would pay the most to get Rodgers on my team.