| 1. Aaron Rodgers (30) | 13. Joe Flacco (19) |
| 2. Michael Vick (2) | 14. Sam Bradford (15) |
| 3. Tom Brady (14) | 15. Matthew Stafford (32) |
| 4. Drew Brees (22) | 16. Kevin Kolb (8) |
| 5. Phillip Rivers (9) | 17. Mark Sanchez (7) |
| 6. Peyton Manning* (11) | 18. Kyle Orton (28) |
| 7. Tony Romo (4) | 19. Jay Cutler (25) |
| 8. Ben Roethlisberger (12) | 20. Matt Cassel (25) |
| 9. Matt Rayn (27) | 21. Donovan McNabb (31) |
| 10. Matt Schaub (28) | 22. Matt Hasselbeck (16) |
| 11. Josh Freeman (20) | 23. David Garrard (24) |
| 12. Eli Manning (3) | 24. Ryan Fitzpatrick (6) |
On the Cusp: Colt McCoy (17); Chad Henne (1); John Beck (5); Rex Grossman (5); Alex Smith (9); Tavaris Jackson (18); Bruce Gradkowski (13); Cam Newton (23); Andy Dalton (13)
Comments: The biggest change above is Peyton Manning has been upgraded as he was recently taken off the Physically Unable to Perform list. The Fantasy Greek is still hesitating ranking Manning in the top-five but if you disagree, go right ahead and move Manning up on your draft board. Also, if you feel Tony Romo should be ranked ahead of Manning, there would be nothing wrong with that as the Cowboys’ offense has looked particularly potent so far in the pre-season.
Otherwise, Aaron Rodgers is still ranked ahead of Michael Vick as Rodgers has been one of the most consistent top performing fantasy quarterbacks for some time now, and Vick has a propensity to get injured from time-to-time. Still, Vick has looked good in the preseason. If Vick did not miss four weeks of the 2010 regular season, he likely would have finished as the top fantasy QB, and it likely would not have been close. So, if you feel Vick should be ranked first, there would be nothing wrong with that. Rodgers is simply the more conservative fantasy draft pick between the two.
After Rodgers and Vick, the next five quarterbacks — Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, Peyton Manning, Tony Romo, and Ben Roethlisberger — should all be solid fantasy quarterbacks in 2011. Indeed, you could likely interchange Roethlisberger with Matt Ryan and Matt Schaub in terms of their rankings. The fact is, they should all do well in their respective offenses.
After that, The Fantasy Greek still likes Joe Flacco’s chances of having a career season now that WR Lee Evans is in the mix with Anquan Boldin and Ray Rice. As for Eli Manning, you either love him or hate him, given some inconsistency on his part, as he plays like an elite quarterback at times, and at other times, plays as if he cannot tell the difference between team colored jerseys. No question he is a good quarterback but he seems to be a quarterback where you have to be willing to accept some modicum of “taking the good with the bad.” Indeed, this preseason, Eli Manning has not looked particularly good. So, as alternatives to drafting Eli Manning, consider Josh Freeman or Joe Flacco if that makes you feel better, as both should do as well this season.
Other quarterbacks that could break through and have stellar seasons in 2011 include: Josh Freeman, Mark Sanchez, Sam Bradford, Matthew Stafford, Kevin Kolb, Kyle Orton, Matt Cassel, and Donovan McNabb. In fact, Kevin Kolb has become a solid QB2 since joining the Cardinals. He is playing with one of the best wide receivers in Larry Fitzgerald, has shown some chemistry with Fitzgerald, and is in a position to excel.
By the way, John Beck and Rex Grossman have both done well in the preseason. Indications are that the Week 1 starter will not be announced until the eve of their Week 1 game. As such, Redskins’ quarterbacks should be avoided until the situation resolves itself.