2012 Fantasy Football: Top 20 QB Rankings
I’ve seen a lot of lists ranking the top 10 fantasy rankings recently but this Rant Sports, we go big! Here is the top 20 Quarterbacks for the NFL fantasy season:
1. AARON RODGERS: Not shocking anyone with this, Rodgers is the top QB in fantasy football, possibly in real football. He’s in play for the top overall pick. Is he going to throw for 45 touchdowns against 6 interceptions this year? Not likely but numbers close to those are realistic with the Green Bay Packers lack of a running game.
2. TOM BRADY: Brady is always at or near the top of the rankings and I don’t see that changing anytime soon. The New England Patriots love to throw the ball and have the weapons to exploit any defense. He threw for 39 touchdowns last year and I expect he’ll be right around that number again.
3. DREW BREES: Its no secret the New Orleans Saints QB loves to throw the ball and he’s consistently around 35 scores every year. Last year he put up astronomical stats which will be hard to replicate but they have an expolosive offense. He may miss head coach Sean Payton but its probably not too big of a deal.
4. MATTHEW STAFFORD: We saw what Stafford can do when he stays healthy, and that was put up huge numbers. Of course the Detroit Lions subpar rushing game and stable of quality receivers always help the cause. The formula for Stafford is simple, if he stays healthy, he’ll put up big numbers.
5. CAM NEWTON: I’m not sure we can expect the same amount of rushing touchdowns because the Carolina Panthers would like to keep Cam healthy but I think the improvements that can be made in the passing game will make up for it. Defenses have had a season to break him down so a small step back will not be a shock but most likely a top 5 QB.
6. TONY ROMO: Not sure I understand why he is ranked lower by many but regardless of what you think of him in big games, 31 touchdowns against only 10 interceptions speak for themselves. With a healthy and improved Dez Bryant and with Miles Austin‘s hamstrings hopefully healed to go with his besty Jason Witten and Tony Romo will put up big numbers.
7. MICHAEL VICK: When I pick a fantasy team I tend to go on a lot of instinct at the draft. My research has been done already and now I’m ready to pick. I have several players I will pick purely on instinct this year and Vick is one of them. Yes he’s an injury risk, see last night against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he’s in an explosive offense that will put up big numbers.
8. PHILIP RIVERS: I expect a bounce back year from Rivers and the San Diego Chargers offense. Expecting over 30 touchdowns and less picks than last year and you can probably snatch him up a round or 2 later than some of the top guys.
9. ELI MANNING: The past few years the New York Giants ground game has slowed and Eli has picked up the slack in the passing game. He’ll be around 30 touchdowns and hope he limits his interceptions.
10. PEYTON MANNING: Could be a potential steal for someone who waits on a QB and gets Peyton, who is easily capable of throwing 30 touchdowns. There’s a risk because of the injury but that’s the life of a quarterback. No real reason to doubt Manning, if he plays, he’ll put up good numbers.
11. MATT RYAN: The Atlanta Falcons didn’t trade up to get Julio Jones two drafts ago to run the ball all the live long day. This is now a passing team and I expect the best numbers of Ryan’s career. Had 29 touchdowns last year, this year he’ll get to 30.
12. BEN ROETHLISBERGER: Another team with a suspect running game and a new offensive coordinator who loves to throw the ball in Todd Haley. He’s also got the receivers to make big plays. He’s going to throw over 25 touchdowns, which he’s only done twice in his career.
13. JAY CUTLER: He’s got his favorite reciver back and they re-signed their franchise running back who catches a ton of passes, this is going to be a great year for Jay Cutler.
14. JOSH FREEMAN: I’m not afraid to say it, Josh Freeman will be relevant in fantasy football again this season. And not for his interceptions. Word from Tampa is that Freeman worked his butt off this off-season and he’s going to bounce back.
15. MATT SCHAUB: He’s coming off a season which started out really well but got derailed by injury. The Houston Texans offense isn’t quite as potent as it used to be and the running game is the heart and soul of the offense now. Think of him as a really nice backup.
16. SAM BRADFORD: The guy was the top pick in the draft a few years ago so we know he has the skills. 2011 was a disaster but I like the St. Louis Rams offense to bounce back. Call it a hunch but I have optimism in Bradford.
17. ROBERT GRIFFIN III: The Washington Redskins, like the Panthers did with Cam Newton, have tailored the offense to Griffin’s skills. That means he’ll be on the move a lot and the short passing game will benefit RGIII because the ‘Skins have playmakers on the outside to make it work.
18. CARSON PALMER: Can be a major sleeper this season. When he came back for the Oakland Raiders last year he didn’t have the benefit of a training camp before playing so he was rusty but he did put up some decent stats. He excels at the deep ball and the Raiders have some real speed on the outside that compliment him well.
19. RYAN FITZPATRICK: Not a sexy name I know but he was on his way to a very nice season last year before a rib injury affected him for the second half of the season. The Buffalo Bills have a very nice offense and Chan Gailey has a very good offensive mind for the game. Clearly a backup but a solid one.
20. JOE FLACCO: Well he still hasn’t had that breakout season but he looked great in the playoffs and maybe that will propel him. The Baltimore Ravens run the ball too much for Flacco to put up starter fantasy numbers but he’s worth a roster spot as a backup.
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