Fantasy Football Top Quarterbacks

Fantasy Football Hero brings you the first installment of the top fantasy players series. The pilots of the offense are the first to be ranked for many reasons unnecessary to discuss here.

Top 10 Quarterbacks for 2009

1. Tom Brady - New England Patriots

Too bold to give him the top spot after missing 2008? Ask Carson Palmer, Donovan McNabb, and Philip Rivers who all rebounded strongly after having the same ACL surgery. His 2007 performance just forces his position here. Adding Joey Galloway to the receiver core can only help.

2. Drew Brees - New Orleans Saints

Even though he topped the league last year in fantasy points, Brees was actually pretty inconsistant. In eight road games, he threw only 11 touchdowns with 12 interceptions. Having him on your roster can almost be a liability when he's away from the Dome.

3. Peyton Manning - Indianapolis Colts

The commercial superstar could very well end up in the top spot at the end of the season. However, with age catching up and changes to the offense, there could be a dropoff in Peyton's numbers this season. Realistically, I think he'll be a top 5 fantasy QB until the day he retires.

4. Philip Rivers - San Diego Chargers

This is one guy to watch out for. Leading the league in QB rating, 2008 was the best season in his career. There's no reason to think Rivers isn't on the rise. For three years now, he hasn't missed a game.

5. Donovan McNabb - Philadelphia Eagles

McNabb is pretty solid, if not spectacular, when he's on the field. The problem lies with his injuries. Only four times in his 10-year career has he played all 16 games. The biggest worry though sits in the last five years as McNabb has only completed a full season once. If he does repeat last year's health, Donovan should be in for a big year. The offensive line was improved and a couple of new weapons were drafted in Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy.

6. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers

Rodgers is a quarterback with an uncalculated ceiling. He could be set up for a letdown year after he burst onto the scene in 2008, especially playing behind a suspect offensive line. However, with the emerging Greg Jennings, still reliable Donald Driver, and solid Ryan Grant; Rodgers has the weapons needed to bring the playoffs back to the Tundra.

7. Matt Ryan - Atlanta Falcons

A second year player surely carries a risk. Or does he? How can you factor in how big a role Tony Gonzalez will play in the Falcons offense. Just ask Trent Green and Tyler Thigpen, two guys who put up great numbers just because of the greatest tight end of all time, Gonzalez. What can Matt Ryan do with this amazing addition to Roddy White and Michael Turner? The sky is the limit.

8. Matt Schaub - Houston Texans

As long as he stays on the field, this should be Schaub's year to breakout. Armed with a strong arsenal constisting of Andre Johnson, Kevin Walter, Owen Daniels and Steve Slaton, Schaub has the weapons to lead this time into the playoffs. If you miss out on some of the studs, this is a good sleeper pick that could surprise.

9. Matt Hasselbeck - Seattle Seahawks

Hasselbeck threw more than 20 touchdown passes four out of five years before his injury last season. The only year he missed the mark in that stretch was in 2006 when he only played 12 games. There are worries that he could be on the down slope of his career, but I think the addition of T.J. Houshmandzadeh is just what Matt and the Seahawks needed.

10. Tony Romo - Dallas Cowboys

This could be a surprise, but the only reason Romo was a top pick last year was because of his 2007 breakout 36 touchdown season. OK, he was decent last season, but losing Terrell Owens is not going to help his cause.

Just missed the Top 10:

• Kurt Warner - Missed games every year from 2002-2007. We think he'll find his way back onto the bench.
• Jay Cutler - Just isn't in a favorable quarterback situation in Chicago.
• Ben Roethlisberger - Solid QB, but we expect a Super Bowl dropoff.
• Carson Palmer - Could be top 10 or bottom 10. He needs to reprove himself.
  
• Trent Edwards - T.O. makes him a sleeper at this spot.