2010 Fantasy Football Draft Guide - Quarterbacks

From Peyton Manning to Mark Sanchez and All Those in Between

JM Van Horn
Just like in the NFL, your fantasy football team can rise to greatness with the selection of the right quarterback. While we all can not have Peyton Manning or Drew Brees, you can still find a quality quarterback in the middle rounds that will help your team to a championship.

These are the top twenty quarterbacks in the NFL and what they can bring to your 2010 Fantasy Football team.

Peyton Manning Indianapolis Colts
For those who are worried that Manning is past his peak, take a look at his 2009 numbers where he completed 68.8% of his passes for 4,500 yards with 33 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. The only other season where he posted better numbers was his magical 2004 season where he could do no wrong; 67.6 % completion for 4,557 yards with 49 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. If you have the chance to nab Manning for your 2010 Fantasy Football team, by all means do so.

2010 Projected Stats - 68% completion rate, 4,350 passing yds, 34 touchdowns, 15 interceptions

Drew Brees New Orleans Saints
Since arriving in New Orleans, Drew Brees has continued to show why he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Last year he completed 70.6% of his passes for 4,388 yards with 34 touchdowns and only 11 interceptions. Aside from the slight drop off in yards, Brees improved in every facet of the game with the end result being a Super Bowl victory. There is no reason we should expect anything less from Brees if you elect him for your 2010 Fantasy Football team.

2010 Projected Stats - 70% completion rate, 4,200 passing yds, 33 touchdowns, 12 interceptions

Aaron Rodgers Green Bay Packers
Even though Brett Favre was on the cusp of leading the Minnesota Vikings to the Super Bow, Packer fans should still be beyond happy with the progress Rodgers has made since taking over the starting position. In 2009, Rodgers completed 64.7% of his passes for 4,434 yards with 30 touchdowns and a NFL low 7 interceptions. If the Packers are able to offer Rodgers more protection and reduce the sacks allowed, he should be the stud of your 2010 Fantasy Football team.

2010 Projected Stats - 66% completion rate, 4,300 passing yds, 32 touchdowns, 8 interceptions

Phillip Rivers San Diego Chargers
With the departure of LaDainian Tomlinson, the Chargers are officially Rivers' team and the offense rests on his capable arm. Last year, Rivers completed 65.2% of his passes for 4,254 yards with 28 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. As he continues to develop into one of the top quarterbacks in his game, so should the success of your 2010 Fantasy Football team.

2010 Projected Stats - 65% completion rate, 4,200 passing yds, 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions

Matt Schaub Houston Texans
In case you missed it, Schaub played in all sixteen games in 2009 and as a result, he led the NFL with 4,770 passing yards. He was able to complete 67.9% of his passes while tossing 29 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Fans of Houston have high hopes for Schaub's continual development and so should your 2010 Fantasy Football team.

2010 Projected Stats - 67% completion rate, 4,600 passing yds, 30 touchdowns, 13 interceptions

Tom Brady New England Patriots
When you look at the injury Brady suffered in 2008, you have to be impressed with the way he rebounded last year. He completed 65.7% of his passes for 4,398 yards with 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. With Randy Moss in the last year of his contract and a healthy Wes Welker, your 2010 Fantasy Football team should expect big things from Brady this year.

2010 Projected Stats - 68% completion rate, 4,500 passing yds, 39 touchdowns, 12 interceptions

Tony Romo Dallas Cowboys
In 2009, Romo got the monkey off his back by helping the Cowboys earn a playoff win over their division rival. Now he can continue to focus on improving his productivity. Last year, Romo completed 63.1% of his passes for 4,483 yards with 26 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. With the Cowboys making the effort to improve their wide receiver group, your 2010 Fantasy Football team should reap the benefits if you draft him.

2010 Projected Stats - 65% completion rate 4,500 passing yds, 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions

Brett Favre Minnesota Vikings
Some people may have thought Favre was going to find success in 2009, no one expected him to play like he was 28 years old again. His 68.4% completion rate, 4,202 passing yards, with 33 touchdowns and 7 interceptions put his name in the running for the MVP award. The question is can the 40 year old quarterback compete at the same level for your 2010 Fantasy Football team. The odds are stacked against him but that did not stop him before.

2010 Projected Stats - 66% completion rate, 3,900 passing yds, 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions

Eli Manning New York Giants
While the Giants were stumbling to a .500 record, Manning quietly put together the best season of his young career. He completed 62.3% of his passes for 4,021 yards with 27 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. If you select Manning for your 2010 Fantasy Football team, you can be assured your team is in capable hands, especially if the Giants find a hard time running the ball.

2010 Projected Stats - 63% completion rate, 3,900 passing yds, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions

Joe Flacco Baltimore Ravens
Last year on a running oriented team, Flacco completed 63.1% of his passes for 3,613 yards with 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. Now he has a new weapon in Anquan Boldin. While there is some who say Boldin can not be a number one wide receiver for the Ravens, there will be no denying his impact for Flacco who should continue to grow for your 2010 Fantasy Football team.

2010 Projected Stats - 64% completion rate, 3,750 passing yds, 24 touchdowns, 13 interceptions

Matt Ryan Atlanta Falcons
Ryan experienced the sophomore slump in 2009 when he saw some of his production dip when he completed only 58.3% of his passes for 2,916 yards with 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Ryan should bounce back nicely if you draft him for your 2010 Fantasy Football team as he keeps pace with the emerging Flacco.

2010 Projected Stats - 61% completion rate, 3,300 passing yds, 25 touchdowns, 12 interceptions

Jay Cutler Chicago Bears
Maybe the Broncos had the right idea in mind when they traded Cutler to the Bears for a handful of draft picks. Even though Cutler threw more touchdown passes in 2009, he dropped in every other category. He completed only 60.5% of his passes for 3,666 yards with 27 touchdowns and a staggering 26 interceptions. With the Bears doing little to address the wide receiver position for Cutler, there would be no shame in passing on him when you draft your 2010 Fantasy Football team.

2010 Projected Stats - 61% completion rte, 3,400 passing yds, 26 touchdowns, 20 interceptions

Carson Palmer Cincinnati Bengals
Though Palmer did not return to his 2007 form, Palmer still had a solid season at the helm of the Bengals. He completed 60.5% of his passes for 3,094 yards with 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. The Bengals actually spend some time in addressing their needs at the position, which bodes well for Palmer and your 2010 Fantasy Football team if you select him.

2010 Projected Stats - 63% completion rate, 3,200 passing yds, 24 touchdowns, 14 interceptions

Donovan McNabb Washington Redskins
Philadelphia's biggest mistake is going to be the Redskins biggest gain. In 2009, McNabb completed 60.3% of his passes for 3,553 yards with 22 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The only thing that can hurt McNabb and your 2010 Fantasy Football team this year is if wide receiver Santana Moss misses a significant amount of games.

2010 Projected Stats - 63% completion rate, 3,200 yards, 26 touchdowns, 12 interceptions

Chad Henne Miami Dolphins
When Henne took over for the injured Chad Pennington in 2009, it took him a little bit to get things rolling, but once he reached week 12, Henne looked like a real NFL quarterback. He completed 60.8% of his passes for 2,878 yards with 12 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. The addition of wide receiver Brandon Marshall is going to help take Henne to the next level.

2010 Projected Stats - 62% completion rate, 3,100 passing yds, 22 touchdowns, 14 interceptions

Ben Roethlisberger Pittsburgh Steelers
Normally near the top of this list, Roethlisberger took a drop for two reasons; the six game suspension at the start of the season and how he will handle the criticism he faces on the road and in his home town. If you draft Roethlisberger for your 2010 Fantasy Football team, do not expect him to reach the numbers he put up in 2009, where he completed 66% of his passes for 4,328 yards with 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

2010 Projected Stats - 64% completion rate, 2,750 passing yds, 18 touchdowns, 12 interceptions

Alex Smith San Francisco 49ers
This is a make or break season for Smith if he wants to remain the starting quarterback with the 49ers. In 2009, he completed 60.5% of his passes for 2,350 yards with 18 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. If you draft Smith for your 2010 Fantasy Football team expect to see continued improved since he actually gets to play with the same offensive coordinator two years in a row.

2010 Projected Stats - 62% completion rate, 2,600 passing yds, 21 touchdowns, 12 interceptions

Matt Cassell Kansas City Chiefs
While Cassel did not light the world on fire during his first season with the Chiefs, there was some reason for optimism. In 2009 he completed 55.5% of his passes for 2,924 yards with 16 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. The addition of running back Thomas Jones will help the evolution of the passing game and will result in better dividends as a solid backup on your 2010 Fantasy Football team.

2010 Projected Stats - 61% completion rate, 2,900 passing yds, 19 touchdowns, 16 interceptions

Mark Sanchez New York Jets
While the Jets run to the Super Bowl may not have been a result of Sanchez's performance on the field, he did show something during his rookie season. Sanchez completed 63% of his passes for 2,444 yards with 12 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. If the Jets can keep their running game at peak performance, it will help Sanchez in 2010 to avoid a sophomore slump and be an adequate quarterback for your 2010 Fantasy Football team.

2010 Projected Stats - 63% completion rate, 2,500 passing yds, 16 touchdowns, 16 interceptions

Matt Leinart Arizona Cardinals
The retirement of Kurt Warner means one thing in Arizona, the time has come for Leinart to shine. Hopefully Leinart has been spending the last few years learning from one of the more underrated passers in the game. While it would be insane to select Leinart to be the starter for your 2010 Fantasy Football team, his performance could make him viable trade bait for the rest of your league.

2010 Projected Stats - 64% completion rate, 2,500 yards, 18 touchdowns, 16 interceptions

Resources

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Published by JM Van Horn

I have spent the last several years writing for various outlets, from newspaper print to online sports sites. Though I may not be right all the time, I enjoy sharing my thoughts on a variety of subjects for...  View profile

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  • JM Van Horn6/20/2010

    Same here Randy. I was impressed to see what he could do when he is healthy and has his weapons like Johnson and the rest.

  • Randy Inman6/20/2010

    Nice list, I am really starting to like Schaub this year.

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