Fantasy Football Quarterback Preseason Power Rankings

Quarterbacks are an essential part of a fantasy team. If you choose the wrong quarterback you could be in for a long season. Knowing which quarterbacks are worth a pick is good knowledge to have entering a draft.

This is the first week of the Fantasy Quarterback power rankings. The rankings are:

1. Peyton Manning, Colts

Payton Manning should be the first quarterback taken in any fantasy league and that is for good reason. Manning is the highest scoring quarterback year after year and he benefits from having great receivers (Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison) and playing half of his games in a dome.

2. Carson Palmer, Bengals

Carson Palmer had a down year last season but most of the blame for that was put on his substantial knee injury. They say it takes two years to fully heal from a torn ACL and this will be Palmer's second season since. He also has a talented offense around him.

3. Drew Brees, Saints

Drew Brees had a great season last year and that should continue into this year. Brees has a lot of talent surrounding him including breakout receiver Marques Colston and superstar Reggie Bush. Brees should have plenty of options for where to throw the ball.

4. Tom Brady, Patriots

Tom Brady has always been an efficient passer but he has never really had premier receivers to throw too. That will change this season since he has Randy Moss, Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker to throw to. Brady could be a fantasy steal.

5. Marc Bulger, Rams

Marc Bulger did not look great in the preseason but he is always the fourth or fifth best fantasy quarterback year after year. Bulger still has Issac Bruce, Tory Holt, Drew Bennett and Steven Jackson to throw to.

6. Donovan McNabb, Eagles

Donovan McNabb is looking to put his career back on track this season. The loss of Donte Stallworth will hurt McNabb but Reggie Brown and Hank Baskett should be fine. He can also throw to Brian Westbrook.

7. Jon Kitna, Lions

The Lions finally have some receivers and Jon Kitna should top 4,000 yards again. Calvin Johnson, Roy Williams and Mike Furrey should be nice targets.

8. Tony Romo, Cowboys

Tony Romo had a solid Pro-Bowl season last year and he will look to continue the trend this season. The scary part for Romo's owners is that no Dallas quarterback has had two successful seasons since Troy Aikman.

9. Matt Hasselback, Seahawks

One year removed from the Super Bowl, Matt Hasselback and the entire Seahawks team had a disappointing season. Hasselback will look to get back on track and if Shaun Alexander can do the same both might have nice fantasy seasons.

10. Vince Young, Titans

Vince Young is very promising this season. After coming in midway through last season and leading the Titans back to a 8-8 record many are high on him. Young does not have Drew Bennett, his favorite target from last season, anymore and this may hurt him. I expect Young to decline a little from the end of last year.

11. Matt Leinart, Cardinals

Matt Leinart has all of the weapons and this will be his second season at the helm. Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and company will be great targets and Leinart should feel more comfortable this season. Look for Leinart to have a breakout year.

12. Eli Manning, Giants

Eli Manning is a big question mark and that is what lands him in the middle of this list. Manning could be great, with some very good receivers, but he hasn't shown the ability to take his game to the next level. Maybe this is the year.

13. Philip Rivers, Chargers

Philip Rivers was a surprise last season, leading the Chargers to a 14-2 record. With his success he still wasn't a great fantasy quarterback, especially with Tomlinson taking a big share of the offense. Rivers could struggle this season.

14. Ben Rothlisberger, Steelers

Ben Rothlisberger looked like he was getting back on track in the preseason. After his motorcycle accident he never looked quite right last season, but his passes looked crisp and on target. He could be back to form, but his fantasy numbers were never that impressive.

15. Jay Cutler, Broncos

Jay Cutler looked good last year for the Broncos, but they have not had a reliable quarterback since John Elway. Cutler could be a good backup for your fantasy team.

16. Brett Favre, Packers

Brett Favre will be looking to break some records this season. Don't be surprised if he passes for more than 4,000 yards, a number needed for the all-time passing record, so that he doesn't have to come back for another season.

17. Matt Shaub, Texans

Matt Shaub is a wild card this season but he did look impressive in the preseason. Shaub shows a little more mobility than Carr, but the sacks are still a big worry. Shaub could be a decent backup.

18. Alex Smith, 49ers

Alex Smith should be comfortable after having a few years in San Francisco under his belt. The 49ers have surrounded him with some talent including tight end Vernon Davis. Smith's numbers should improve this season.

19. Trent Green, Dolphins

Trent Green will be better this year for the Dolphins than the Culpepper/Harrington combination did last season. Chambers and the other Dolphins receivers should benefit from him, but I don't think he is a good fantasy investment.

20. Rex Grossman, Bears

Rex Grossman can put up some good numbers one game and some terrible numbers the next. Save yourself the heart attack and just skip him all together.

21. JP Losman, Bills

Losman is still not a good fantasy bet this year. His accuracy has improved but the Bills offense has not.

22. Chad Pennington, Jets

Chad Pennington looks like he might be on his way out in New York and if the opportunity arises he will be replaced as the starter.

23. Jake Delhomme, Panthers

Jake Delhomme will be typical Delhomme but the offense around him is poorly constructed. Even with the Panthers signing David Carr he is no threat to steal the starting job from Delhomme.

24. Steve McNair, Ravens

McNair is getting older and his stats are declining. At least for Ravens and fantasy fans he is better than Kyle Boller.

25. David Gerrard, Jaguars

Gerrard was named the starter for Jacksonville but it is not known how good he will be. He looked impressive filling in for Leftwich so there may be some value with him.

26. Jason Campbell, Redskins

Jason Campbell looked better in the preseason than he did last year. He is grasping the offense in Washington and he will be the starter. He probably isn't worth a pick but keep an eye on him for the waiver wire as Santana Moss, Randle El and Brandon Lloyd are nice targets to throw to.

27. Jeff Garcia, Buccaneers

Jeff Garcia could be worth a bench spot as he will start for the Bucs. The problem is that the Bucs don't have any real receivers and he may not put up very nice numbers because of it.

28. Joey Harrington, Falcons

Joey Harrington is the starter by default in Atlanta. Harrington could put up some impressive numbers if Bobby Petrino lives up to his quarterback and offensive genius reputation. I still be the Falcons wish they kept Matt Shaub.

29. Daunte Culpepper, Raiders

Culpepper looked alright in the preseason but he may not have a job for long. With the Raiders likely headed towards a top-5 pick again this year they may start the JaMarcus Russell era sooner rather than later (if they can sign him that is).

30. Damon Huard, Chiefs

Damon Huard is starting for the Chiefs but don't expect that to last long. It looks like Herm Edwards will take any excuse to start Brodie Croyle before the end of the season.

31. Tavaris Jackson, Minnesota

The Vikings have faith in Jackson, but I don't. Jackson would be a huge risk to add to your fantasy team and he will probably have a long season.

32. Charlie Frye, Browns

Charlie Frye was named the starter for the Browns, which lands him on this list, but he does not have any real fantasy value, especially since he probably won't finish the season as the starter.

and the others...

these quarterbacks may find themselves as starters at some point this season:

33. Brady Quinn, Browns

34. Brodie Croyle, Chiefs

35. John Beck, Dolphins

36. JaMarcus Russell, Raiders