Top 10 Fantasy QB's for 2009

With the football season looming, I've decided to put out my own rankings on the 3 main positions for fantasy football (QB, RB and WR). I'll start today with who I believe will be the 10 best QB's of the 2009 season in terms of fantasy football.



1. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints

• This one is easy. He was the top QB a year ago, and without any big subtractions from his offense, and a healthy Marques Colston and Reggie Bush expect Brees to put up similar numbers. Without a truly dominate running game the Saints will continue to be a pass-first offense, though it is yet to be seen how the departure of Offensive Coordinator (new head coach at Syracuse) will do to the playcalling.
• Stat prediction: 4700 yds, 33 tds, 13 ints

2. Tom Brady- New England Patriots

• Risky pick, but if he's atleast 90% healthy for week 1 this guy may push Brees for top QB honors this year with weapons like Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Not to mention the Pats have bolstered the RB position with the addition of Fred Taylor to complement Laurence Maroney. Joey Galloway also adds to a talented WR core. I do expect him to push himself a bit too far in the early parts of the year causing a few extra interceptions, but the end of year product should pay off for anyone who drafts him.
• Stat prediction: 4200 yds, 35 tds, 16 ints

3. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers

• I know what you're saying...'What in the world is this guy thinking?!?!?' Let me exlpain. A first year starter Rodgers threw for 4000 yards and had 28 tds compared to only 13 ints. This on top of playing more than a few games with a banged up shoulder and having only the 17th ranked rushing attack behind him. Pretty impressive, right? Add in a full year of experience and more time to gel with his great group of WR's and I think Rodgers is destined for an even better year. Manning may be the safe pick here but you dont win your league by playing it safe.
• Stat prediction: 4200 yds, 31 tds, 15 ints

4. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts

• Finally Manning makes the list. Believe me I have nothing against Manning, he is this far down based strictly on the Colts off-season moves. I have full faith in Reggie Wayne as a top wideout, and I think Anthony Gonzalez is a solid #2. However, the Colts failed to deliver on getting that #3 WR that Manning has made so dangerous throughout his entire career. Add in the 1st round pick of Donald Brown (a RB who I think the world of), I expect the Colts to run the ball a considerable amount more than in the past. While I fully believe Manning to be the best QB in the league, I think his fantasy value takes a small hit this year.
• Stat prediction: 4100 yds, 29 tds, 11 ints

5. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers

• He put up some amazing numbers last year, but I expect LaDanian Tomlinson to make a nice comeback this year, and they will still need to find a way to get Sproles some touches, so Rivers' chances should go down a bit this year. Still, I think he is one of the better QB's in the league, and if he can mature a bit he may surprise many and make his case as the top QB. I don't see it happening this year.
• Stat prediction: 3800 yds, 32 tds, 13 ints

6. Donovan McNabb - Philadelphia Eagles

• A personal favorite of mine finally has weapons all around him with the addition of Jeremy Maclin, LeSean 'Shady' McCoy and TE Cornelius Ingram. Add to that a healthy Kevin Curtis and a more experienced and (supposedly) mature DeSean Jackson and I think McNabb is primed for a RE-breakout year. If he can put last years painful defeat in the playoffs behind him I can see him finishing anywhere between 3 and 7 on the QB points list.
• Stat prediction: 3700 yds, 30 tds, 11 ints

7. Kurt Warner - Arizona Cardinals

• The ageless wonder. I expect a bit of a drop-off from the dream season of 2008. Also, the addition of Chris 'Beanie' Wells should give the Cardinals a running game to rely on a bit more. Still, with weapons like Fitzgerald, Boldin and Breaston, Warner is a lock to put up some good numbers.
• Stat prediction: 4000 yds, 28 tds, 14 ints

8. Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons

• Matty Ice will look to build on his VERY impressive rookie season. Michael Jenkins and Roddy White give him a powerful and speedy duo to target down the field, and the addition of the legendary Tony Gonzalez will give him a powerful red-zone presence. Unfortunately for Ryan, Michael Turner will still steal many TD's away from him with his powerful running
• Stat prediction: 3600 yds, 27 tds, 12 ints

9. Jay Cutler - Chicago Bears

• Gone are stud Brandon Marshall and rookie phenom Eddie Royal and in are the smashmouth Chicago Bears who look to center around Matt Forte. Cutler will be asked to manage the game for Chicago. I'm not so sure he will be able to do that. Though he has a dazzling arm, he is also prone to the interception. And the Bears dont exaclty have an All-Pro WR. Numbers should be down.
• Stat prediction: 3500 yds, 25 tds, 13 int

10. Tony Romo - Dallas Cowboys

• The loss of Terrell Owens, though great for the team, will hurt Romo's numbers more than some expect. Yeah, he still has Jason Witten. And sure, Roy Williams is a nice threat down the field. But the fact remains that Tony Romo can be erratic at times, and until Williams or another Dallas WR commands that they be constantly double teamed and sometimes tripled, he will struggle to find open WRs. With a healthy Felix Jones, the running game should be the main focus in Dallas this year.
• Stat prediction: 3500 yds, 26 tds, 17 ints

Left off the list:

• Eli Manning - No more Plaxico to bail him out. Giants will still be good though
• Matt Cassel - Kansas City isn't exaclty New England.
• Matt Schaub - Hard to leave off. Could break out if Slaton can handle the running game.
• Carson Palmer - Can he get back to top form? Too hard to tell.
• Ben Roethlisberger - Not fantasy relevant. Great game manager though.

Stay tuned for the top RBs coming soon. And feel free to leave some predictions of your own.