1. Aaron Rodgers GB – Prolific 2011 season will be followed up by another top 2-3 effort in 2012.
2. Tom Brady NE – The addition of a true deep threat in Brandon Lloyd will make the passing game virtually unstoppable. Only questions on offense pertain to O-Line.
3. Drew Brees NO – Even without Sean Payton calling plays, Brees will top 4500 yards and 35 TDs.
4. Matt Stafford Det – He stayed healthy and showed him promise a year ago. Look for a repeat effort this year with over 4500 yards and 35 TDs.
5. Tony Romo Dal - Statistically he had a very good year in 2011. Weapons return making him dangerous right back.
6. Michael Vick Phi – While Philly wants him to be a pocket QB, fantasy owners will need to see him run. That’s the only way he’ll warrant such a high ranking in 2012.
7. Cam Newton Car – Buyer beware. His upside is as high as his downside is low. Needs to replicate his big running numbers plus TDs to be a top 7 fantasy QB.
8. Eli Manning NYG – He’ll be breaking in some new O-Lineman and a new TE and 3rd WR, but he took another step forward in 2011 and has two game breaking receivers on the outside. Look for another 4,000 yard season with 30+ TDs.
9. Payton Manning Den – This is a wild card and ultimately depends on his health. He won’t have the weapons in Denver that he had in Indy, but that shouldn’t stop him from topping 4,000 yards and 25-30 TDs. Denver might be more run oriented than Peyton is used to due to John Fox’s style.
10. Matt Ryan Atl – The expected jump by Julio Jones to complement Roddy White make Ryan a No. 1 fantasy football QB in 2012.
11. Ben Roethlisberger Pit – If/when Wallace reports, he’ll give Ben a dynamic duo on the outside. The Steelers lack of a running game (Mendenhall ACL injury) could have Pittsburgh taking to the air more this year.
12. Philip Rivers SD – The loss of Vincent Jackson hurts, but Gates is healthy and the Chargers have enough in the skill player department for Rivers to enjoy a 3,500-4,000 yard season with 25-28 TDs.
13. Jay Cutler Chi - The Bears upgraded its WR Corps with the Marshall addition, and Forte is one of the best backs in the business out of the backfield. Cutler could end up a top 10 fantasy QB.
14. Josh Freeman TB – The Bucs reloaded at the skill positions and brought in a true No. 1 in Vincent Jackson to give Freeman a deep threat. Expect a big rebound in 2012 and he’s a nice fantasy sleeper.
15. Matt Schaub Hou – With Schaub, the concern is always whether he can remain healthy. If so, he’s a solid No. 2 option with the ability to be a low No. 1.
16. Joe Flacco Bal - You know what you get with Flacco; a solid, but less than spectacular QB – in both fantasy and the NFL.
17. Alex Smith SF – The 49ers have upgraded their receiving corps over a year ago and look for Harbaugh to take the training wheels off of Smith in 2012. Decent No. 2 option.
18. Andy Dalton Cin - Tough to project year two, and AJ Green is a very nice receiving option, but Dalton is no more than a one week fill in for your starter.
19. Sam Bradford Stl - Last season was a wash due to a plethora of injuries. Look for Bradford to take a big step forward in Fisher’s system.
20. Matt Flynn Sea – The job is his to win, and the Seahawks have decent weapons for him to surprise.
21. Jake Locker Ten – He’s a wild card and could end up being a nice fantasy sleeper. Can hurt teams on the ground and through the air.
22. Carson Palmer Oak – A full off season with the Raiders and a lot of young talent at the skill positions makes Palmer a solid No. 2 option and solid spot fill in.
23. Robert Griffin Was - Draft him late and pray he becomes Cam Newton II? The Skins face very tough defenses in the NFC East and Washington’s skill players and upfront blocking aren’t exactly overwhelming.
24. Matt Cassel KC - Make or break year for Cassel, but he has some serious weapons to work with. No. 2 fantasy QB at best.
25. Ryan Fitzpatrick Buf - At least you know he’ll be good from Week’s 1-6. No. 2 option that can fill in nicely for a No. 1 when the opponent is weak.
