Fantasy Football is such a crap shoot most of the time. You can spend hours researching and making informed decisions, only to be bested in your league by your best friend’s wife who chose players based on their good looks.
I’ve seen it happen, and it’s not a pretty sight.
Anyways, in case you were wondering about my credentials in fantasy football, I’ve been playing the Yahoo! Sports game since 2004, and have finished in the top four of my four leagues each year the past two years. I know that sounded confusing, but I join four leagues each year, and the past two years, I’ve finished fourth or better, winning five of them (5/8)
This list is the first of many in which I will rank the top 12 guys at each position. 12 because it’s an easy number, and because most people do 12 team leagues.
So essentially, these 12 quarterbacks are the guys who I think should be starters.
1. Aaron Rodgers - Can’t go wrong here, the guy is a freaking machine and good to get you plenty of points every week. Oh, and he’s getting Jermichael Finley back.
2. Michael Vick – The leader in fantasy points among QBs from last season will still be at the top of the list, but his injury concerns keep him from being No. 1 for me. It’s crazy to think he missed four games and still finished with the most points.
3. Philip Rivers – Rivers tossed 4700 yards and 30 touchdowns, without his No. 1 receiver for most of the year. Vincent Jackson returns, and the high flying San Diego offense gets even better. Eight home games in San Diego doesn’t hurt either, but make sure you get a backup—the Chargers have Baltimore in the fantasy playoff schedule.
4. Tom Brady – The Patriots got Tom Brady a true No. 1 again with Chad OchoCinco, but can he duplicate his insane 2010 season? My guess is no, but he won’t be far off. If you’re doing a league where interceptions dock points, Brady is No. 1.
5. Drew Brees – Brees had a bit of the Madden curse in him with his 22 interceptions, but I wouldn’t doubt this guy. They got him Mark Ingram to take some of the pressure off the passing game, so they should be able to cut down on his attempts and turnovers.
6. Peyton Manning – Manning will start week 1, I can pretty much guarantee that, but will he be the same guy? Dallas Clark coming back healthy only mean Peyton will improve on his 2010 season. He started out insanely hot, but cooled down after Austin Collie and Clark went down.
7. Matt Ryan – I can’t figure out why Matt Ryan isn’t rated higher in most formats. They gave him another reliable weapon, and he plays in a dome eight times a year at the least.
8. Matt Schaub – Schaub is underrated every season, but every year the guy who drafts him is happy with the production. A healthy Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels means better numbers for Schaub.
9. Tony Romo – Romo coming off an injured season shouldn’t dissuade you from taking him, he still has a ton of weapons in a pass happy offense. Just better hope his re-shuffled offensive line can protect him.
10. Matthew Stafford – I’m high on Stafford, but be weary of his injury problems. He looked good last year before he got hurt, but there is always that injury problem lingering.
11. Ben Roethlisberger – I’m a bit down on Big Ben mostly because of how much Pittsburgh runs the ball, but he’s still a good fantasy option. He only threw five interceptions in 12 games last season, but his 17 touchdowns are cause for concern. Still, with Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown emerging as legit weapons, Big Ben is solid.
12. Eli Manning – Every year people let Eli Manning fall, and every year he proves to be a good option for fantasy. If your league docks for INTs, I might try to stay away from him. Although most of the interceptions last season were tipped balls, they still count the same in fantasy football. However, he was one of only four QBs to toss 4000 yards and 30 touchdowns, so don’t sleep on younger brother.
