Fantasy Football 2009: Quarterbacks

1. Drew Brees - After throwing for 5,069 yards last year, Brees has finally claimed the top spot in my the Fantasy Factor QB rankings.  The Saints think that since they play in a dome that they have to play like an arena football league team and pass 99% of the time.  Even though he didn't have his big target, Marques Colston for half the year and Jeremy Shockey was fighting off injuries for most of it, he still out passed the entire league by almost 500 yards.  With those guys healthy again, Brees should have no problem repeating as the league's top passer. 

(Photo by Reuters Pictures)

2. Peyton Manning - Despite losing his main man Starvin Marvin Harrison this past off season, Manning looks to have another strong season under center for the Colts.  They still have a great running game, offensive line, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark.  Plus, the schedule for the Colts looks to be very favorable this year, for a change.  The Jacksonville and Tennessee defenses don't look nearly as ferocious as they once were and the Colts will be playing the NFC West. Even with a tough schedule though, you can never go wrong with this guy on your team.

3. Kurt Warner - Its like 2002 all over again with the two of the top three QB's being Manning and Warner.  When you play in the NFC West and have the best wide receiver in the game to throw the ball to, you would have to try NOT to be successful.  Mix in the fact that the Cards have improved their running game and it should be that much easier for the former league MVP.  Their is always the concern that he'll get injured, but he played all of last season injury free and if you draft based on who might get injured, you'll never draft anyone.

4. Tom Brady - I can't believe I'm going to say this about a guy that threw 50 TD passes a couple year ago, but this is a little bit of a gamble pick here.  Having missed the entire 2008 season, its a lot to expect him to return to his 2007 form right off the bat or at all.  The offensive line is older, the running game is still lousy and the Pats have the third toughest schedule in the league this year.  Having said all that, Brady is still an elite QB until he doesn't play like one and he still has Randy Moss and Wes Welker which is more than what most QB's have to work with and because of their lack of running game, I expect Brady to go to the air a lot which should give his numbers a boost.

5. Philip Rivers - I predicted a breakout season for Rivers last summer and he delivered with 34 TDs, 4,009 yards passing and only 11 INTs.  Rivers developed great chemistry with his receivers, especially Vincent Jackson who went over the 1000 yard mark.  With Jackson, Gates and Chambers along with LT and Darren Sproles coming out of the back field, Rivers should enjoy another big season in San Diego. 

6. Matt Hasselbeck - Here's someone I really like coming into this season.  After having his 2008 season derailed with injuries, Matt is back and looking very strong this off-season.  With TJ Houshmandzadeh added to his talented group of receivers, he finally has a number one target to throw to.  Add in Nate Burleson and Deion Branch, this will be a career year for the Seahawks QB. 

7. Matt Schaub - Things have been looking up for the Texans and that also includes their quarterback.  Schaub, the native Pittsburgher, has some very lethal weapons at his disposal and knows how to use all of them.  The nice thing about the Texans is that they always seem to be playing from behind, which leads to a lot of passing.  Assuming he stays injury free, Schaub will have a career year and post Pro Bowl caliber numbers.

8. Donovan McNabb - With all the tough defenses in the NFC East, its tough to pick any QB in the division, but out of all of them, the best is McNabb.  Over the last three years, McNabb has posted very good numbers and has done so without the help of an elite receiver.  This year, his group of receivers look to be the best he's ever had and of course, his partner in crime, Brian Westbrook, will help slow down any pass rush.  If he can stay healthy, and that's a big if, he will be one of the best QB's in the NFC. 

9. Tony Romo - Ohhh how the mighty have fallen.  At this time last year, he had people predicting Super Bowl, Terrell Owens, and Jessica Simpson.  Now he has people saying he's overrated, no TO and... well at least he won't have to worry about the jersey jinxing Jessica anymore.  Fortunately, he still has a great offensive line, three good running backs, Jason Witten and Roy Williams.  He doesn't have it as good as he used to, but I think Matt Cassell would trade places with him in a second.

10. Jay Cutler - Okay, okay, just relax.  Its alright, Chicago.  I know having a quarterback that does something other than hand off or throw the ball to the other team doesn't seem right, but trust me, its perfectly normal.  Watching Cutler throw passes to guys wearing the same color jersey as him will be a lot different than what you're used to, but it'll help you win more ball games, I swear!  Seriously though, Cutler won't have the weapons he had in Denver and it will hurt his fantasy value, but not enough to drop him out of the top ten.  The Bears have the easiest schedule in the league and with or without good targets, Cutler should post some pretty good numbers.

11. Aaron Rodgers - The guy Brett Favre jerked around The heir to Brett Favre's thrown in Green Bay got his shot last year and showed just how much he learned from the future Hall of Famer.  Rodgers came on strong in the second half with 15 TD's and 9 INT in the last nine games.  Not spectacular numbers, but numbers that will only improve over time with the talented set of receivers he has at his disposal.  The Packers, coming into the season, have the 3rd easiest schedule which should help prevent any sophomore slumps.

12. Matt Ryan - After having a successful first season as the Falcons starting QB, its time to take the training wheels off and let him loose.  Ryan's numbers dipped near the end, but that's typical of any rookie who isn't used to the 16 game schedule.  Ryan has one of the best backs in football to hand off to, Roddy White has emerged as one of the NFL's elite receivers and they acquired another big target in Tony Gonzalez.  The Falcons have already said they won't hand off to Turner as much as they did last year, which leaves the door open for Ryan to take the next step.