CBSSports.com Presents: Your QB Rankings

by riversmccown on Jul 18, 2010 11:00 AM CDT in News

With how the passing game has changed the past couple of years, a fantasy football quarterback is a much more important piece of a team than he was five or ten years ago. It used to be you'd start thinking of taking one in the fifth round, but now you're seeing most of the good ones snatched up before you can snag one in round five. With the players going higher than ever before, you'd better be sure you're picking the right ones. That's where we come in, right guys? So let's make us a list. I'll contribute mine after the jump.

The top three of Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and Peyton Manning seem to be in a different order depending on who you believe. I prefer them in the order listed, but nits are there to be picked. I think the only one of them in danger of letting you down is Rodgers, and that'd only be in the situation where his defense is so good that he winds up handing the ball off more than he throws it.

After that, the established second-tier is Matt Schaub, Tom Brady, Phillip Rivers, and Tony Romo. Each of these guys has a minor flaw: Rivers has the suspension of Vincent Jackson, Schaub has durability questions, Romo has a bad offensive line/good running game, and Brady didn't have the vintage Tom Brady season last year. I'm sure we'll all agree that Schaub is the best of this group, yes? I think Rivers is right behind him, then Romo. I'm not sold at all on Brady this year as a fantasy quarterback; the Patriots defense should be much better and his best receiving options are old and brittle.

After these guys, it's a real crapshoot. The upside of Matt Ryan? The consistency of Donovan McNabb? The elderly hopes of Brett Favre? The interception brigade of Jay Cutler? You'll definitely have your choice of boom versus bust down here. My two sleepers of choice are Chad Henne and Kevin Kolb (shock 'em!), who I both think could very well be better than anyone in this tier this year.

Honestly, I'd target one of the top three this year. As I said in our first post, I don't really care much for the running backs at the back of round one. The difference between these guys and tier two is pretty huge to me, and I'd be willing to take whichever one got to me if I was at the back of the first or onwards.

And hey, if you're big on consistency, you'll love CBSSports.com and their Fantasy Football Commissioner League! Completely customizable, terrific setup, the greatness of being under the same umbrella as Shannon Sharpe, what more could you want? Knock on the door and tell them your buddies from SB Nation sent you and you'll get 50% off! Fast real-time scoring updates, a terrific amount of keeper league options, what more could you want in a fantasy league?

If you are a member of BRB's wacky fun league, The Jonathan Wells Memorial League, please note that SBN has now slipped CBS the requisite dollars under the table to start this thing up. You will no longer be harassed for money, and you should be able to edit your team settings now. Apologies for the annoyance.

So how about you, BRB? Which QBs are you picking for your favorite squadron?

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This post is one of a series of sponsor-endorsed posts related to the CBSSports.com Fantasy Football Commissioner League.

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Comments

I always try to pick Schaub. And usually I have to pick a replacement for him. I would go with Rodgers in the top tier. Joe Flacco is a good Bye Week replacement.

by Troy J. on Jul 18, 2010 11:19 AM CDT reply actions

Schaub is an outstanding pick

Id be willing o take him over anyone, his passing will lead someone fantasy team to a championship

Rockets-Texans-Dynamo-Longhorn fan.. used to be Astros too, but not sure there a pro team anymore

by HB23 on Jul 18, 2010 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions

My top choice? Hmmm, I would probably pick Brees or Schaub. I’m leaning towards Brees cause I worry about the increase in the Houston running game that may cut into that pie.

My sleeper’s Joe Flacco. With real WRs, I have a feeling he could be a decent pick.

The “holy crap, I need a QB pick” is Cutler. Him and Martz will either be really good or nightmarishly bad.

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Jul 18, 2010 1:05 PM CDT reply actions

true

but the running game in NO is pretty good with Pierre & Co. also so its almost a toss up, cant go wrong either way..our running game will be LEGIT this yr so safe bet perhaps is Brees.. luv Boldin to Balt. hopefully that offense wont burn us in Dec… Cutler has that ‘’wtf was that’’ factor, he kills you with inexplicable picks.. my sleeper is Mark Sanchez, Holmes and Edwards are a tremendous 1-2 combo at WR, #1 recievers on alota teams

Rockets-Texans-Dynamo-Longhorn fan.. used to be Astros too, but not sure there a pro team anymore

by HB23 on Jul 18, 2010 2:17 PM CDT up reply actions

I actually don't like Flacco that much.

I mean I don’t think he’s a bad quarterback, but I just get this Jake Plummer vibe from him that makes me think he’ll never really accomplish much on his own.

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter

by riversmccown on Jul 19, 2010 7:18 AM CDT up reply actions

I want rodgers

I think the dude will blow up this year, helped by Finley being a top 5 TE in fantasy this year

For the jwml, I’m going for Sammy B!!!!

And maybe lynch at RB???

by AllenOU on Jul 18, 2010 1:24 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

I agree I think rogers could be great this year,

But from a fantasy POV the offense he is in suppresses his numbers. I think Cutler could be better this year, but I wouldn’t put a lot of money on it.

You can't fix Dumb or being a VYFB

by Texans-Brocos on Jul 18, 2010 1:31 PM CDT up reply actions

Try Forte for rb

Or one of the 100 backs in New England

by BrownCrayon on Jul 18, 2010 1:32 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

I'm in a keeper league

With AJ and Schaub. I love being a homer.

by BrownCrayon on Jul 18, 2010 1:34 PM CDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Rec'ed for homerness

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter

by riversmccown on Jul 19, 2010 7:18 AM CDT up reply actions

Tom Brady.. 1st tier

only way hes “2nd tier” is because of the lost of Welker to begin the yr, but hes a beast I see him improving and not regressing in his 2nd yr after knee surgery

Rockets-Texans-Dynamo-Longhorn fan.. used to be Astros too, but not sure there a pro team anymore

by HB23 on Jul 18, 2010 2:04 PM CDT reply actions

I'm just telling it how the fantasy rankings around the land are right now

He’s clearly in the second tier.

Really interesting fantasy player though, I could see the bounce back, could see everything fall apart. I have no idea what to do with him.

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter

by riversmccown on Jul 19, 2010 7:19 AM CDT up reply actions

Matthew Stafford

could be a nice value pick here. With a possible running game and the emergence of Brandon Petittgrew as a legitimate end zone threat. Oh and cant forget Megatron.

by Jordann on Jul 18, 2010 4:40 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

In the Jonathan Wells Memorial League?

I agree.

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter

by riversmccown on Jul 19, 2010 7:20 AM CDT up reply actions

Unrelated note

Petitte got hurt today. DL. Trade Roy o to the yanks es

by AllenOU on Jul 18, 2010 5:22 PM CDT via mobile reply actions

It's ok for me to hate Pettite right?

Because I really really do.

by DisplacedTexan on Jul 18, 2010 5:31 PM CDT up reply actions

I do too!

Bitch, he is

by AllenOU on Jul 18, 2010 5:56 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Me 3 - threw his dad under the bus over the HGH thing

and expected us to all believe he used it once; Puhhlease. Had Clemens known it would be that easy to get a pass he probably would have copped to taking one injection too. Pettite is in the right place, New York. Fox was promoting him for induction to Cooperstown during the All Star game broadcast. BS. He would never get my vote if I had one.

It took the Astros 44 years to get to the Series, the Oilers-Texans are due to get to the big dance...Go Texans!!!!!

by oiler-texan diehard on Jul 18, 2010 9:27 PM CDT up reply actions

Absolutely.

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter

by riversmccown on Jul 19, 2010 7:20 AM CDT up reply actions

BEST QB no one has picked

Vincent Youngus will be the best fantasy football player ever this year. All he does is win!

/ end sarcasm

Feeling the five stages of grief since 2002.

by NoSafetiesNeeded on Jul 18, 2010 5:27 PM CDT reply actions

I was gona say

ban this guy til i read the 2nd line ;)

Rockets-Texans-Dynamo-Longhorn fan.. used to be Astros too, but not sure there a pro team anymore

by HB23 on Jul 19, 2010 12:26 AM CDT up reply actions

He can't be a Texan fan

by AllenOU on Jul 19, 2010 12:55 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

He can't be a Texan fan

No safeties needed. Puh. Leeeeese

by AllenOU on Jul 19, 2010 12:56 AM CDT via mobile up reply actions

Same here

living the Texas dream

by Joe25 on Jul 19, 2010 1:13 AM CDT up reply actions

I actually think

I might draft Vince Young this year

Of course, it will be in Rivers’ “who is the crappiest starter” league, but still.

by killtacular on Jul 19, 2010 1:30 AM CDT up reply actions

I see what you did there

"Lord, beer me strength."

by TexansDC on Jul 19, 2010 1:49 AM CDT up reply actions

But could you really live with yourself having VY on the team?

Theres so many layers to the idea!

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter

by riversmccown on Jul 19, 2010 7:21 AM CDT up reply actions

If I ended up winning

a “crappiest player league” with VY as my starter, then yes, yes I think I could live myself then. I mean, isn’t that perfect?

by killtacular on Jul 20, 2010 3:20 AM CDT up reply actions

For guys in the BRB league

Hot Tip: You’re gonna want to grab Kyle Orton early. He’s going places!

by DisplacedTexan on Jul 18, 2010 5:35 PM CDT reply actions

Has this become the Put Your Name On It: Fantasy Power Rankings ala Tim?

I suppose if all of the stars, moons and planets align it could be possible, but what are the chances of that?

by Rip Jersey on Jul 18, 2010 6:21 PM CDT up reply actions

yea

to the bench in favor of Quin or Tebow

Rockets-Texans-Dynamo-Longhorn fan.. used to be Astros too, but not sure there a pro team anymore

by HB23 on Jul 19, 2010 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions

awesome

thanks for the tip! ;)

by killtacular on Jul 19, 2010 12:31 AM CDT up reply actions

You are not dissuading me from Josh Freeman one bit.

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter

by riversmccown on Jul 19, 2010 7:21 AM CDT up reply actions

Schaub injury

He would be a great pick i might even pick him as my very first pick but i have a terrible terrible feeling about him getting injured this season. i love him and am the biggest texan fan ever but i dont see him making it through two straight seasons without missing any games.

by houstonduckhunter on Jul 18, 2010 7:04 PM CDT reply actions

w/e

hes not getting injured dont bring those negative thoughts to the board

Rockets-Texans-Dynamo-Longhorn fan.. used to be Astros too, but not sure there a pro team anymore

by HB23 on Jul 19, 2010 12:24 AM CDT up reply actions

well

I still think you should draft Qbs late. In the BRB league last year I drafted Romo in the mid rounds, and Favre pretty late. And, of course, Favre turned out to be the 3rd best QB (at least according to ESPN standard scoring), while Romo was the 6th. Moreover, other than Rodgers (who fucking killed), there was not a huge drop-off between your “top three” and your second tier. What this means? Save you draft picks for stacking up on RBs (the fact that there are no clear awesome choices means you have to draft more of them, not less). Draft a mid-round QB, a late-round sleeper, and be super vigilant on the waiver wire for an undrafted guy who is doing good things, and you will be set at QB and can concentrate on RB/WR.

by killtacular on Jul 19, 2010 12:39 AM CDT reply actions

Boom or bust theory, IMO

Mainly because if you guess wrong, you are going to get slaughtered.

Not saying it can’t work, just sayin.

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter

by riversmccown on Jul 19, 2010 7:23 AM CDT up reply actions

ya, very true

If you can draft one of your top three early, that gives you a lot of safety room. But since even the sixth or the seventh QB isn’t that much better fantasy points wise than the others, I still think you should be targeting QBs in the 5-7th rounds, and going RB-WR pretty much constantly before that (of course, if no one has drafted, say, Rodgers when I’m drafting in the second round, I grab him, I’m just saying).

by killtacular on Jul 20, 2010 3:24 AM CDT up reply actions

Chad Henne as a sleeper?

I love it. I remember when the Fins played the Colts last year they could have beat them if only they had a Good WR if i remember correctly they had two dropped passes in the end zone that would have ended the game. Now they have ~~Diva~~ Pro bowl WR Brandon Marshall so things will/should be better.

living the Texas dream

by Joe25 on Jul 19, 2010 1:21 AM CDT reply actions

As a Colts fan

Stay away from Manning for a number 1 or 2 pick. Rodgers, Brees and Brady will put up much gaudier numbers. The Colts tend to let off the accelerator late in games when they’re up comfortably.

The Saints and the Pack will rarely be up comfortably and I have a feeling that Brady will find himself down a lot with that young/old no middle ground defense of his. Think Colts circa 2006. He’s going to have to throw the ball if they want to win.

I’m always iffy on Schaub every year. I still don’t trust him with injuries. I know a lot of them have been freak and no repetitive, but still the man seems cursed.

Blogging about my summer at a Chinese law firm.
NEW BLOG, as my original one is blocked by the Great Firewall.
http://ajinshanghai.wordpress.com/

by JustAJ on Jul 19, 2010 3:03 AM CDT reply actions

Certainly a lot of this depends on what you think of the teams involved.

You want to avoid QB’s who will get comfortable leads. I just happen to think the Colts defense is going to take enough of a down turn this year to keep it interesting. Although perhaps that is my hopeful Texans fan side popping out.

- Rivers McCown, From Mom's Basement | Twitter

by riversmccown on Jul 19, 2010 7:25 AM CDT up reply actions

I feel the opposite way

The Colts DB depth is suspect but as long as the injury bug doesn’t go two and three deep for extended portions of the season it should be fine. The rest of the defense is actually covered by some quality guys outside of the starting 11 for the first time in as long as I can remember. Good QBs will still pick them apart but it will be in the form of Brandon Marshall “sure you can have the 6 yard out 15 times but try that once you get inside the red zone”.

But that could just be my hopeful Colts fan side popping out. ;-)

Blogging about my summer at a Chinese law firm.
NEW BLOG, as my original one is blocked by the Great Firewall.
http://ajinshanghai.wordpress.com/

by JustAJ on Jul 19, 2010 7:51 AM CDT up reply actions