Fbkid's 2010 Draft Rankings: Quarterback

Last year’s draft class at quarterback didn’t have much depth, but the three who were selected in the first round all showed promise. Matthew Stafford like any first overall pick had a rookie year filled with up’s and downs and ended the year on injured reserve. He should only get better from here with a year under his belt. Mark Sanchez reached the playoffs in his first year as a starter and should start putting up big numbers with an improved supporting cast. Josh Freeman also showed glimpses of his potential for the Buccaneers but doesn’t have many weapons to throw to.

This year’s class doesn’t have much depth but it is filled with highly acclaimed college players coming from big colleges. It should be interesting to see their progression from big man on campus to life in the NFL.

1. Sam Bradford Oklahoma: Bradford is a very accurate passer who also has a quick release. Even though he has bulked up in the months leading up to the draft, durability is a major question mark along with the fact that he played in a spread offense. Bradford has the intangibles that teams look for in a quarterback and could turn into a very good pro if his body can absorb the pounding he will take the first few years of his career.

2. Jimmy Clausen Notre Dame: Playing in a pro- style offense under Charlie Weis, Clausen is the most “pro ready” quarterback in this draft class. Many question his leadership and maturity but he showed a willingness to play through injury this past year and led Notre Dame to many last minute wins. Like any other prospect, Clausen has his negatives. He has a Byron Leftwich-esque windup on his deep ball and his receiving corps will most likely be a downgrade to what he had at his disposal in college. There is a chance Clausen could free fall in the draft where he could be an absolute steal for a team that isn’t settled at the quarterback position.

3. Tim Tebow Florida: Tebow has gone from arguably the best player in college football history to the most controversial draft prospect ever. While his mechanics and eventual position were heavily debated early on in the process, it seems a consensus has finally been reached. Tebow is a developmental project for the next two to the three years that will do anything to get better. While this doesn’t sound like the makings of a first round pick, everyone who has met with him comes away very impressed and all it takes is one coach who loves his makeup to give him a chance.

4. Colt McCoy Texas: McCoy is a four year starter with good accuracy and solid intangibles. He is also a proven winner leaving Texas as the winningest quarterback in NCAA history. McCoy also has the ability to escape the rush when the pocket collapses on him. He doesn’t have great size and there are questions about his arm strength. While he may never be a star in the league, McCoy could have a solid career similar to Jeff Garcia.

5. Tony Pike Cincinnati: There is a lot to like about Pike as a quarterback. He makes good decisions, has adequate arm strength and can read the field well. However, durability will be a major concern as he is very skinny. Pike has some of the tools team’s look for in a quarterback so he could be a very good developmental project with the ability to be a starter after two or three years in an NFL training program.

6. John Skelton Fordham: With great size, arm strength and a small school background it isn’t surprising that many view Skelton as the next Joe Flacco. He could be a very good pick in the later rounds as he adjusts to the speed of the game from the Patriot League and fine tunes his footwork and mechanics.

7. Daryll Clark Penn State: Clark has a strong arm to go with mobility and a muscular build. He can throw the ball on the run but needs to work on finding his second and third reads. Clark could use these traits to develop into a quarterback who goes on to have a career such as David Garrard and as somebody who has watched all of his starts the past three years the similarities are scary.

8. Jevan Snead Mississippi: Snead follows Curtis Painter as the second ever winner of the annual “Brian Brohm Award” given to the quarterback who goes from top ten pick to late round pick. Snead has size and arm strength but his mechanics are very sloppy and made many poor decisions with the ball. He has all the talent teams look for so he could develop into a solid player if he works under the right quarterbacks coach

9. Jarrett Brown West Virginia: Sitting behind Pat White at West Virginia, Brown only started one year and is very raw as a prospect. He looks the part and is mobile but he will need to work on his mechanics and wasn’t asked to make many NFL like reads at West Virginia. Brown could turn into a solid starter down the road but would most likely used right away in a “wildcat” formation for a team.

10. Dan LeFevour Central Michigan: At Central Michigan, LeFevour was “Tim Tebow light” as he put up huge college numbers both running and throwing the football. He has lots of experience as a four year starter but doesn’t have great arm strength and will need to work on his mechanics.

2010 class grade: C-

Fbkid's Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Quarterbacks

With football season quickly approaching, it's time to get ready for fantasy football drafts. Here are the quarterbacks I recommend you target in your draft. The number next to their name is the players bye week so you can have a reliable backup when your starter isn't playing.



1. Tom Brady Patriots 4
2. Peyton Manning Colts 4
3. Drew Brees Saints 9
4. Tony Romo Cowboys 10
5. Ben Roethlisberger Steelers 6
6. Matt Hasselbeck Seahawks 4
7. Carson Palmer Bengals 8
8. Derek Anderson Browns 5
9. Jay Cutler Broncos 8
10. Donovan McNabb Eagles 7
11. Marc Bulger Rams 5
12. David Garrard Jaguars 7
13. Philip Rivers Chargers 9
14. Eli Manning Giants 4
15. Brett Favre Jets 5
16. Matt Schaub Texans 8
17. Jake Delhomme Panthers 9
18. Aaron Rodgers Packers 8
19. Matt Leinart Cardinals 7
20. Jon Kitna Lions 4
21. Vince Young Titans 6
22. Tarvaris Jackson Vikings 8
23. Jason Campbell Redskins 10
24. Trent Edwards Bills 6
25. JaMarcus Russell Raiders 5
26. Jeff Garcia Buccaneers 10
27. Chad Pennington Dolphins 4
28. Chris Redman Falcons 7
29. Troy Smith Ravens 10
30. Matt Ryan Falcons 7

Fbkid's fantasy football top ten quarterbacks

As the NFL becomes more pass oriented, good quarterback play is even more important in fantasy football. If you wait too late to get one during the draft, your team could be in trouble when the season starts as you wouldn't have a consistent player at a position that should get you at least 150 yards and a touchdown a week. Then you would be stuck playing the waiver wire deciding if Brodie Croyle against the Chargers is a better play then Rex Grossman against the Packers. The ten players on this list should all be taken within the first six rounds of the draft and if you don't try and get one of them, your team will be at a big disadvantage by the time the season starts.



1. Tom Brady Patriots: Brady had the best season for a quarterback ever last year as he threw for 50 touchdowns. This year, Brady has all of his weapons returning and should put up very good numbers. But don't get to excited, this year the Patriots will try and find more balance in the running game and teams will be focusing on stopping Brady. If you draft him expecting a repeat performance of last year, you will be disappointed. Expect around 4500 yards and 35 touchdowns.


2. Peyton Manning Colts: If you don't get Brady in your draft, don't be upset if you end up with Manning. Manning is consistent and will always get you 4000 plus yards with 30 touchdowns. Since Manning isn't a first round pick, you can grab a top tier running back in the first round and then Manning in the second. Brady may have the better stats this year, but Manning is sure to make fantasy owners happy considering how tough the AFC South is, he might need to play full games in weeks 16 and 17 which is huge come playoff time. Expect around 4300 yards and 32 touchdowns.


3. Tony Romo Cowboys: Romo showed in his first full season as a starter that he is one of the elite fantasy quarterbacks. He threw 36 touchdowns last year and now with a full year of learning Jason Garrett's offense, Romo should see even more success. The only thing that is concerning is the interception totals as he had 19 last year. But if Romo throws for 4000 yards and 30 touchdowns, fantasy owners won't mind. Expect around 4100 yards and 29 touchdowns.


4. Drew Brees Saints: Brees struggled in the beginning of the year but found his stride in the end as he ended up throwing for 4423 yards and 28 touchdowns. Some are concerned about the 18 interceptions he threw last year. But those kinds of numbers occur when you attempt 652 passes. Brees is one of the most consistent quarterbacks in fantasy football and is a great value in the 3rd or 4th round. Expect around 4300 yards and 27 touchdowns.


5. Ben Roethlisberger Steelers: It's hard to have a better year coming off a season with a career high 32 touchdowns, but Roethlisberger could do just that. Big Ben now has a full year of learning Mike Tomlin's pass oriented offense and with the addition of the 6'4 Limas Sweed, Roethlisberger could throw for even more touchdowns. The only problem is that with the poor offensive line, Big Ben could take a pounding over the course of the year and his stats could start declining in the later part of the season. Expect around 3700 yards and 31 touchdowns.


6. Matt Hasselbeck Seahawks: Hasselbeck is the perfect quarterback for the West Coast offense and should have another great year under Mike Holmgren. Hasselbeck is one of the best values in fantasy football as he always gets you 25 touchdowns and isn't usually picked until the 7th or 8th round. Expect around 3700 yards and 26 touchdowns.


7. Carson Palmer Bengals: With Palmer's abilities and his weapons around him, he is usually a top 5 fantasy quarterback, but when your two main targets want more money that could be trouble. Both Chad Johnson and T.J Houshmandzadeh are both in contract disputes and if they sit out training camp, it could hurt their great chemistry with Palmer. Both Johnson and Houshmandazadeh should be playing week one for the Bengals. But things could get really ugly in Cincy quickly and Palmer's fantasy owners won't be too happy. Expect around 4000 yards and 25 touchdowns.


8. Derek Anderson Browns: Anderson has all the weapons around him to succeed in his first full year as a starter. It will be hard for him to have as good a season as last year, but it can be done. If Anderson cuts down on the interceptions and has as good a season as everyone expects, he should be a top 5 fantasy quarterback next year. Expect around 3900 yards and 27 touchdowns.


9. Jay Cutler Broncos: Cutler has loads of potential and only showed glimpses of it last year as he threw 20 touchdowns. He should breakout in his 2nd year as a starter and he and Brandon Marshall should make fantasy owners happy for years to come. Cutler could be a great value this year as he should be picked around the 8th or 9th round but is one of the top options for a keeper league as he is just starting to show what he can do and he is only 25 years old. Expect around 3600 yards and 24 touchdowns.


10. Marc Bulger Rams: Bulger had a rough year last year but part of that was due to the fact that the Rams offensive line was in shambles. Now the Rams have brought in Al Saunders as offensive coordinator and he made Trent Green one of the best fantasy quarterbacks a few years back. Don't be surprised with the addition of a healthy Steven Jackson, if Saunders can do it with Bulger. Expect around 3400 yards and 22 touchdowns.