NFL Fantasy Football: Ranking the Top 10 Quarterbacks in 2006
Ranking the Top 10 Quarterbacks of the NFL
The quarterback is an important position to your fantasy football league team. However, regardless of the skills your favorite QB possesses, he still may not be a good fit for your team. When choosing a quarterback, there are some things that you should know about the team that he plays on. You should find out what kind of scheme does the offense run. Is the offense a run-oriented offense or a pass-oriented offense? In fantasy football leagues, you receive points for passing yards and passing touchdowns that your signal caller makes. How good is the team around the quarterback? The offensive line could be suspect; not allowing the QB enough time to throw the ball. The receivers may be incompetent and unable to make the clutch catches. Look at the stats of all the quarterbacks from previous years to see how productive they have been. Also, you should research on any injuries that a quarterback may have had from the previous season.
Here is my list of the top quarterbacks in the NFL heading into 2006 that will be high in the pre-draft rankings for your fantasy football league.
10. Kurt Warner – Arizona Cardinals
Now that Edgerrin James is the running back for the Arizona Cardinals, Kurt Warner is once again a good choice for your fantasy football team. A running game in Arizona gives Kurt options in the passing game. His receivers (Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald) are studs and their ability to make plays will help out Kurt Warner’s production. However, Kurt Warner isn’t the same quarterback from a few years ago. It’s a possibility that rookie Matt Leinart could be the starter towards the end of the season.
9. Eli Manning – New York Giants
Peyton Manning’s kid brother is really coming along. Last year, Eli threw for 3,762 passing yards for the Giants. He was hot in the beginning of the 2005 season but slowed down towards the end. Eli Manning still can get you points for your fantasy football team, but pay close attention to him as the season progresses.
8. Drew Bledsode – Dallas Cowboys
Bledsode has thrown 43 touchdowns in the last two years. His TD total should definitely go up in 2006 now that he has wide receiver Terrell Owens to throw the ball to. The only concern is the offensive line of the Dallas Cowboys. If Drew Bledsode is unable to get the blocking that he needs, it’s possible that he can hurt your fantasy football team as far as points. Also keep in mind that Bledsode was sacked 50 times. Fantasy football points are deducted for sacks, interceptions, and lost fumbles. Drew is still a good choice for your fantasy football team.
7. Jake Delhomme – Carolina Panthers
With a solid offensive line in front of him, Jake Delhomme can do some major damage (in a good way) for your team. He has solid receivers like Steve Smith to throw too as well. Since arriving to Carolina, Delhomme has thrown 72 touchdowns and more than 10,000 yards in passing. Those numbers equal to lots of points in Fantasy Football.
6. Daunte Culpepper – Miami Dolphins
I expect Culpepper to bounce back completely from his injury and the abysmal performance from last season. He has the arm and the ability to make a play with his legs if a play breaks down. Drafting a QB with a great arm and great running ability can produce lots of points for your team.
5. Donovan McNabb – Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles signal caller should bounce back nicely from an injury riddled 2005 season. McNabb’s receiving group is not top notch at all, but he has been able to make big plays with the talent he has. Like Dante Culpepper, Donovan McNabb has superb running ability which makes him a huge asset on any fantasy football team.
4. Carson Palmer – Cincinnati Bengals
In 2005, Carson Palmer threw for 32 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions in the regular season, one of the most productive QB’s last year. He would’ve been ranked higher if it wasn’t for the leg injury that occurred in the playoffs. Palmer has the right players around him to be productive for the Bengals and your fantasy football team. Pay close attention to his progression in training camp before you rank him.
3. Matt Hasselback – Seattle Seahawks
Hasselback has really come along and has established himself as an elite NFL quarterback. He threw for 24 touchdowns and 9 interceptions in 2005. This year with the addition of Nate Burleson to the wide receiving group, Hasselback has more options in the passing game.
2. Tom Brady – New England Patriots
The guy makes plays. Brady is not as athletic or even as talented as some of the quarterbacks on this list, but his leadership skills and the respect he gets from his teammates is the reason he is so high on list. Tom Brady threw for 4000 yards and 26 touchdowns in 2005. That is a lot of points that your fantasy football team can accumulate with Brady as your starting quarterback.
1. Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts
Peyton has accumulated over 8,000 yards and 77 touchdowns the past two years. He is the best fantasy football quarterback out there right now. The numbers just don’t lie. Manning has help from Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark. Look for his numbers to be much better than his 2005 campaign where he only threw for 28 touchdowns.
Other Quarterbacks to Consider
Jake Plummer – Denver Broncos
Mark Brunell – Washington Redskins
Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers
Marc Bulger – St. Louis Rams
Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints
