Allen’s Top 10 Quarterback Rankings

By Guest Writer Allen Yates:

Arguably the first or second most important position in fantasy football is the quarter back. The position has evolved into this hybrid style of quarterback. A dual threat in most cases capable of throwing balls thru tires and breaking 40 times in a matter of strides. I bring to you the best of both worlds. The 10 best fantasy football quarter backs that are sure to take your team to the next level and bring home bragging rights or cash.

Courtesy of ICON SMI

10. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions – Bye Week: 9

There are few bright spots in Detroit these days, but Stafford is one of them. He has led the NFL in pass attempts the past two seasons. With that being said, you know Stafford will be throwing the ball an awful lot again this season for the Lions. Stafford has the luxury of passing to the best wide receiver in the league, Calvin “Megatron” Johnson. Calvin has the means to catch any and every deep ball Stafford throws so the big play is always a possibility for Stafford. With the addition of Reggie Bush in the backfield, who is a threat out of the backfield to catch the ball, expect even more dynamic plays.

9. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins – Bye Week: 5

RG3 clocks into the countdown at number 9. If he wasn’t coming off of a torn ACL he would be much higher in the rankings. Nonetheless, RG3 produced a great rookie fantasy campaign complete with big plays, and even bigger fantasy numbers. Griffin registered the fifth-most yards rushing in league history as a quarterback with a whopping 815. He scored 7 rushing touchdowns and had more than 60 yards rushing 7 times this past season. He is arguably the fastest quarterback to ever touch a NFL field. Griffin is also a threat in the passing game. Very accurate in the short game and has a nice touch on his deep ball. If he gets back to his rookie form after his injury, expect him to be top 5 as the season comes to a close.

8. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks – Bye Week: 12

Wilson is one of those dual threat quarterbacks. He has the ability to extend plays to pass it or to run. Wilson was the third best rushing QB in the NFL last year, with a total of 489 yards. Although he didn’t pass for a lot of yards, he made plays with his legs that garner him a top 10 spot. With the addition of Percy Harvin, Wilson now has a legit core of WRs to pass to. Add Harvin with Sidney Rice and Golden Tate, and Wilson now has options all over the field along with his legs. Wilson seems primed to have a great season barring any injury.

7. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers – Bye Week: 9

Kaepernick burst onto the scene last year and didn’t look back. The read option was a perplexing thing to defenses. Kaepernick was nothing short of unstoppable when he took snaps. This gifted young player possess great accuracy, along with blazing speed and the ability to break tackles for big gains on any play. He is another one of the dual threat QBs on the list. If coach Jim Harbaugh lets Kaep loose, he will have an amazing season. One draw back is that the 49ers are going into the season without Michael Crabtree due to injury, heir top receiver last year. A key addition for Kaep is Anquan Boldin, Super Bowl Champion Anquan Boldin.

6.  Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons – Bye Week: 6

Matty Ice made a great leap last year in the passing game. Although he threw almost the same number of passes the past 2 seasons, much credit goes to the scheme. Dirk Koetter, offensive coordinator, called more screen passes to the many targets that the dirty birds have. With a star studded receiving core headlined by Julio Jones and Roddy White, and the welcoming news of Tony Gonzalez returning, the Falcons come into the new season with a dangerous offense. Throw in the addition of one of the best dual threat running backs, Steven Jackson, Matty Ice and his production should be on the up and up.

5. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers – Bye Week: 4

Starting off the top 5 is Cam Newton. The ultimate dual threat QB is making progress in his throwing game. However, your not drafting him just off of his arm. The running yards and touchdowns he brings to the game coupled with his arm propels him into top 5 status. He was more effective and productive towards the second half of the season last year. Cam has something the other dual threats do not have. His size allows him to run around and not get hurt as much as other dual threat runners. From week 9 on Cam averaged 7.7 fantasy points just from running the ball.

4. Tom Brady, New England Patriots – Bye week: 10

Tom Terrific comes in at number 4. He could have easily been a top 3 quarterback again but things haven’t been in his favor recently. Sure we know Tom has maybe the fastest release in the NFL. Sure his production inside the numbers were mind-blowing. Tom produces like very few, you know what your going to get from the golden boy. However, with the state of the offense, little is to be desired. Tom lost Gronk to surgery, Wes Welker to Denver, and Aaron Hernandez to a legal matter. However, Tom being Tom will find a way to make another productive season look like a walk in the park.

3. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos – Bye Week: 9

Manning proved he is one of the greatest the game has seen. Coming off multiple neck surgeries, Manning threw for 4,659 yards and 37 TDs, his second best season of his career. Manning is a professional master mind behind center, deciphering defensive schemes with ease. With the newest addition of Wes Welker to an already serviceable core of WRs of Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker, Manning has another weapon to kill the defense with. However, Manning’s arm strength deteriorated as the season went on. In his last four games, Mannings completion percentage plummeted to
27 percent on attempts longer than 20 yards. His percentage prior was 45. All in all, Manning is a top 3 off most every board, although there is some risk.

2.  Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints – Bye Week: 7

Brees is a passing machine. The first QB in league history to have back-to-back 5000+ passing yard seasons. Also leading the league in throwing TDs in four of the last five seasons. The only hitch Drew has had lately is his interceptions. He has been averaging a league leading 16.6 picks a year. Drew did all this with his co-play caller and head coach Sean Payton suspended. With Payton back, Brees is primed to have another ultra-productive season due to the Saints aggressive pass happy offense

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers – Bye Week: 4 

Coming in at #1 is Aaron Rodgers. He had a subpar season based off of Aaron Rodgers standards. Two seasons ago Rodgers gave us a season for the ages posting a 122.5 QB rating. Last season Rodgers only (insert sarcastic voice) threw for 4,295 yards 39 TDs and 8 INTs. One factor that could hinder Rodgers from having another amazingly productive is his O-line. Rodgers was under constant pressure, being sacked an NFL high 51 times. Even with the loss of Greg Jennings, Rodgers will be able to prosper either way simply because he is AARON RODGERS. In every league imaginable, Rodgers should be the first play-caller taken off the board.