1. Peyton Manning, QB Indianapolis – It would be very difficult to pass on a player of Manning’s caliber, especially one who is so consistent. Manning, the 2009 NFL MVP, has WR Anthony Gonzalez coming back from injury which should help his numbers. If you are looking for a quarterback at the top of your draft you certainly know what you will get from Peyton Manning, and he is coming off a year in which he completed a career best 68.8% of his passes. He has the luxury of great pass protection (10 sacks in 09) which definitely help his consistency.
2010 Prediction: 65.5% completions, 4,200 yards, 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions
2. Aaron Rodgers, QB Green Bay – I feel that Green Bay is probably the most underrated team fantasy-wise. Aaron Rodgers threw for over 4,400 yards last year, with 30 touchdowns to just 7 interceptions…all in just his second year as a starter and he will likely get better this year. The only reasons he is behind Manning are his offensive line and the uncertainty…can he consistently perform at that level and improve? The answer is probably. He is surrounded by weapons such as Ryan Grant, Greg Jennings, Donald Driver and Jermichael Finley.
2010 Prediction: 65% completions, 4,600 yards, 31 touchdowns and 11 interceptions
3. Drew Brees, QB New Orleans – Super Bowl hangover for the Saints? All indications are that they are as motivated as ever and looking to repeat. Drew Brees is coming off a year featuring a ridiculous 70.6% completion percentage with 34 touchdowns to 11 interceptions. His offense features standouts such as Marques Colston, Robert Meachem, Pierre Thomas and Reggie Bush, all important factors in the passing game.
2010 Prediction: 67% completions, 4,400 yards, 33 touchdowns and 13 interceptions
4. Tom Brady, QB New England – Sure, Wes Welker is coming off knee and shoulder surgery and Moss is aging, but this is Tom Brady we’re talking about. He makes everyone around him better, and the addition of WR Torry Holt as a potential third WR could be big. Look for rookie TEs Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez to have a big impact in the passing game, with Aaron Hernandez both a draft sleeper and fantasy sleeper. The lack of a running game could again be an issue, but Brady and Bill Belichick have gotten around that before.
2010 Prediction: 64.5% completions, 4,300 yards, 32 touchdowns and 12 interceptions
5. Matt Schaub, QB Houston – In 2009 Schaub threw for 270 more yards than any other quarterback. Schaub could be higher on the list if he had more consistent playmakers surrounding him (obviously besides Andre Johnson). Schaub also attempted and completed the most passes in the NFL, a plus for fantasy owners. Schaub also has had injury problems in the past, has a bunch of potential for this season but needs his surrounding cast to play consistently. The weak rushing attack may also be an issue as teams will key on the pass.
2010 Prediction: 65% completions, 4,500 yards, 30 touchdowns and 16 interceptions (IF he plays in all 16 games)
6. Tony Romo, QB Dallas – I think Romo could have a big year with the addition of WR Dez Bryant, but Dez Bryant’s high ankle sprain worries me a bit. With the lack of production from “former #1” WR Roy Williams and uncertainty of whether Miles Austin isn’t just a one-hit wonder, Romo fell a bit in my book. The Cowboys have some question marks on the offensive line with the release of Flozell Adams and a few players returning from injury, but Jason Witten is always reliable.
2010 Prediction: 62.5% completions, 4,100 yards, 27 touchdowns and 10 interceptions
7. Philip Rivers, QB San Diego – This one is a wild card. Right now the Chargers are missing their star WR and LT, Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill, are holding out and may continue to hold out until week 10 (when they must play in order to accrue a season). The drafting of RB Ryan Matthews will help to balance the offense, but also may take some throws away from Rivers, and Malcom Floyd must show the ability to become a #1 WR in place of Vincent Jackson. If Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill end their holdouts Rivers will have a much better year. The Chargers are also tied for third for the easiest schedule in the league.
2010 Prediction: 63% completions, 3,900 yards, 27 touchdowns and 12 interceptions
8. Joe Flacco, QB Baltimore – Flacco improved his completion percentage, yards and touchdowns from year one while keeping his interceptions constant. Now add Anquan Boldin to the mix who had 84 catches and over 1,000 yards splitting catches with Larry Fitzgerald. Sure, Baltimore is a run first offense, but with Flacco having two years under his belt, the re-signing of Derrick Mason, the addition of Boldin and the pass catching ability of RB Ray Rice Flacco should have a career year.
2010 Prediction: 64% completions, 3,800 yards, 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions
9. Matt Ryan, QB Atlanta – Matt Ryan enjoyed a stellar rookie campaign followed by a more average sophomore season. However, the return of Michael Turner from injury will take a lot of pressure off of Ryan, and allow him to not feel like he has to make every play. He has some great targets to throw to including future hall of famer Tony Gonzalez and Roddy White. I expect his interceptions to drop from 14 and his completion percentage to increase considerably.
2010 Prediction: 62% completions, 3,600 yards, 26 touchdowns and 11 interceptions
10. Kevin Kolb, QB Philadelphia – This is a pick obviously made based solely on potential and the talent around him. LeSean McCoy is proving to be a stud RB, while DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin have incredible explosion, and can turn any ball into a touchdown in Andy Reid’s West Coast Offense. Kevin Kolb is built for success in a west coast system.
2010 Prediction: 64% completions, 3,600 yards, 25 touchdowns and 15 interceptions
The Best of the Rest:
11. Donovan McNabb, QB Washington
12. Carson Palmer, QB Cincinati
13. Jay Cutler, QB Chicago
14. Eli Manning, QB NY Giants
15. Chad Henne, QB Miami
16. Ben Roethlisberger, QB Pittsburgh
17. Matt Stafford, QB Detroit
18. Matt Hasselbeck, QB Seattle
19. Matt Leinart, QB Arizona
20. Matt Cassell, QB Kansas City
Safest Pick: Peyton Manning
Biggest Risk/Reward: Kevin Kolb
11. Donovan McNabb, QB Washington
12. Carson Palmer, QB Cincinati
13. Jay Cutler, QB Chicago
14. Eli Manning, QB NY Giants
15. Chad Henne, QB Miami
16. Ben Roethlisberger, QB Pittsburgh
17. Matt Stafford, QB Detroit
18. Matt Hasselbeck, QB Seattle
19. Matt Leinart, QB Arizona
20. Matt Cassell, QB Kansas City
Safest Pick: Peyton Manning
Biggest Risk/Reward: Kevin Kolb
Rookie Most Likely to Make an Impact: Sam Bradford, QB St. Louis
Biggest Potential for Improvement from 2009: Carson Palmer, QB Cincinnati
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