1. Drew Brees
Brees comes off a Super Bowl season in which he threw for over 4,000 yards and 34 TDs and finished as the 2nd rated fantasy QB in 2009. An improved defense and fewer shootouts were the reason for the drop off from No. 1.
The Saints should find the going tougher this year but expect Brees to once again light up the tote board.
2. Aaron Rodgers
Last year’s No. 1 finisher, Aaron Rodgers, finished with 327 fantasy points and over 4,400 yards and 30 TDs. He was money the entire season expect for the fantasy championship game, where Green Bay blew out the Seahawks but five of the TDs came on the ground.
He’ll have a healthier O-Line in ’10, the same stellar receiving threats, and should enjoy similar success as in ’09. His name is coming off the fantasy draft board before Peyton and Brady’s this year.
3. Peyton Manning
Mr. Consistency is right back at the top of the draft board and might be even more dangerous this year than last. The loss of Anthony Gonzalez saw the emergence of Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon, who both became complementary threats to Wayne and Clark.
The offense should be even more potent this year and we expect Manning to match his 4,500 yards and 33 TDs from a year ago.
4. Phillip Rivers
The Chargers, now incorporating a new rookie RB (Ryan Mathews) into the mix, will rely just as heavily on the pass in ’10 as in ’09. However, with weapons like WR Vincent Jackson, TE Antonio Gates, WR Malcolm Floyd and RB Darren Sproles to throw to, expect Rivers to once again shine and be a dangerous scorer week in and week out.
5. Tom Brady
Brady struggled to come back from his torn ACL suffered in 2008, yet still managed to throw for 4,300 yards and 28 TDs. While it won’t get an easier this season, with Randy Moss a year older, Wes Welker coming off a torn ACL and the division rival Jets and Dolphins both on the rise, expect Brady to still find plenty of success in the air and finish the season with over 4,000 yards and 30 TDs.
6. Tony Romo
The best part about fantasy football for Tony Romo is most of its played before mid-December. He was able to shake his December woes in 2009 after finding a new No. 1 in Miles Austin early in the season. Overall, he tossed a shade below 4,500 yards and 26 TDs.
This year, to go with Austin and TE Jason Witten, he has a new weapon to throw to, in 1st round selection, Dez Bryant, and the potential for big things looks very promising.
7. Matt Schaub
Schaub exploded onto the scene in ’09 and finally stayed healthy for an entire season. His final numbers were 4700 yards and 29 TDs and he finished with 269 fantasy points.
Similar production can be expected this year as his skill players are back, including the great WR Andre Johnson, and their 8-8 record sets up an easy schedule.
*8. Brett Favre
Favre will be a top 10 fantasy football QB if he does indeed return to the Vikings, which, appears to be a good bet. He was simply brilliant in 2009 and spread the wealth to his skill players en route to a career year. The pieces are in place for another great season if grandfather time decides to return.
9. Carson Palmer
Palmer’s numbers fell off dramatically after the loss of WR Chris Henry midway through the season. The Bengals addressed those issues through Free Agency and the Draft and Palmer should put up solid numbers in what will once again become a potent offense.
10. Eli Manning
The passing game, which was supposed to be the weak link of the team, actually proved to be its strength. The youth movement at the receiver position (Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham) all led to career numbers for Eli – both regular and in fantasy. He finished with over 4,000 yards and 27 TDs and could improve on those numbers in 2010.
Pro Football 101 » 2010 Fantasy Football QBs Rankings: 11-20
June 2nd, 2010 at 14:19
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[...] This is probably a good spot for Roethlisberger who’s suspended for the first six weeks due to off-field issues. However, once he’s back, he could become instrumental to your playoff run since there’s a lot of talent at the skill positions in Pittsburgh and he’s one of the best at slinging it. Without the six-game suspension, he’d be in the top 10. [...]
» 2010 Fantasy Football TE Sleepers
July 19th, 2010 at 12:40
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[...] the Bengals solid on the outside (WR Chad Ochocinco, WR Antonio Bryant), look for Carson Palmer to exploit the middle of the field and for Gresham to create mismatches against the LB’ers [...]
Pro Football 101» Football Futures Betting: An Early Look at the 2010 NFC North
August 5th, 2010 at 14:04
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[...] football draft board. The unit put up points in droves a year ago and should be a force once again. Aaron Rodgers is an elite QB and the team addressed – and upgraded – one of the few areas of weakness in 2009, the [...]
Pro Football 101» 2010 Fantasy Football TEs: Risers and Fallers
August 15th, 2010 at 14:51
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[...] Lee, and second, the Packers offense will put up points in droves. Finley’s also one of Aaron Rodgers‘ favorite targets. Expect him to finish as a top 5 fantasy football TE in [...]