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The importance of the quarterback position is becoming more and more relevant each year in fantasy football.  With quarterbacks often out scoring every other position, owners are starting to take notice and build their teams around the quarterback position.  We have moved away from the two back draft philosophy and have seen first hand how effective and lethal an elite quarterback can be.  Come draft day I know I’m walking away with at least two above average QB’s.  The thought was that in a 10,12 or 14 team draft you could sit and wait for your QB.  In theory it works, your basic economy lesson of supply and demand.  You only start one quarterback and there are 32 NFL teams.  So at the very least you could have two QB’s  from subpar teams.  You then focus all your attention on stock piling running backs and wideouts, only to have your teams chances crushed week in and week out from poor quarterback play.   I see it every year (Rob).  Fantasy football becomes easier when you plug in your starting lineup and you don’t  have to worry about the quarterback position.  Trust me on this one.  Plan your draft strategy accordingly and make sure you walk out of the first five rounds with a solid signal caller.  These rankings represent what we at Fantasy Football Brothers feel is how you should rank your quarterbacks come draft day.

*We will constantly update our ranking and player writeups  as the summer moves on.  The Vikings, Lions, Jets and Buccaneers will be updated when someone  emerges as the clear cut starter for each team.

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1) Tom Brady – NEP – QB

Brady is back! Brady was the consensus #1 quarterback heading into fantasy drafts last year. A year removed from an NFL record 50 touchdown passes owners expected brilliance. What they got was a season ending knee injury in the first quarter of the first game. His injury crushed owners hopes of a fantasy title. Brady returns in ’09 ahead of schedule and is poised to lead a very talented Patriots team to the top of the NFL. The Patriots have elite options at WR with Randy Moss and Wes Welker.  Both could battle for the the top receiver spot this year. Although his knee is a concern I would have no problem drafting Brady in the early second round. The guy is just too good. With newly signed RB Fred Taylor along with holdovers RB Sammy Morris, RB Kevin Faulk and super bust RB Laurence Maroney this group should provide an above average ground game. Call me crazy but I think Brady could throw 40 touchdowns this year. It could be a stretch but I wouldn’t bet against it. Brady remains an elite option this year.

2) Drew Brees – NOR – QB

Brees was an absolute stud last year. With both WR Marques Colston and RB Reggie Bush missing significant time Brees still managed to throw for a league high 5069 yards and 34 touchdowns. That’s just ridiculous. The Saints have a soft schedule and the probable emergence of RB Pierre Thomas should open things up even more. Brees should pick up were he left off last year and guide the high powered Saints offense to the top of the fantasy ladder. Brees should lead the league in pass attempts, completions and yards. He is an elite QB1 that should come off the board in the late first or early second round regardless of your leagues scoring system.

3) Peyton Manning – IND – QB

Call him Mr. Consistent. Last years NFL MVP did what he always does. He won owners who were smart enough to draft him a championship. Despite playing one of the most difficult schedules in football on a surgically repaired knee with no running game and a declining Marvin Harrison, Peyton produced. He always does. The Colts should again have one of the best offenses in football. With elite options to throw to WR Reggie Wayne, TE Dallas Clark along with fantasy brothers sleeper WR Anthony Gonzalez, Peyton will have no shortage of weapons. The Colts drafted RB Donald Brown in the first round of Aprils draft in hopes to sure up the ground game. With Peyton you can always bank on 4000 yards and 30 touchdowns. He is special and should be drafted in the neighborhood of Brady and Brees.

4) Kurt Warner – ARI – QB

Warner found the fountain of youth and produced like he did in his prime with the Rams. The Superbowl runner up earned a two year contract to remain with the Cards. Warner comes into ’09 with the best WR trio in football with WR Larry Fitzgerald, WR Anquan Boldin and WR Steve Breaston. If that’s not enough the Cards used a first round pick on ultra talented RB Chris Wells. The only thing that scares me about Warner is his age. Can he hold up to the NFL grind at 38? Warner has only played in 16 games twice in the past six years. If he does hold up, and we think he will, Warner could produce better numbers then anyone on this list. He has thrown 53 touchdowns in his last 27 starts. Warner could be an elite QB1 again this year.

5) Aaron Rodgers – GRE – QB

Rodgers emerged as a top weekly option last year. He should be even better this year with more experience under his belt. Rodgers can make all the throws and is very good at creating plays with his feet. He had 4 rushing touchdowns last year. The Pack should have a balanced offense that will keep opposing defenses honest. Led by WR Greg Jennings and WR Donald Driver along with breakout candidates WR James Jones and WR Jordy Nelson the passing game will have every chance to thrive. RB Ryan Grant provides solid ground support and TE Donald Lee is a decent check down option as is TE Jermichael Finley. The pieces are in place and the sky is the limit, Rodgers has the chance to emerge as a top end QB1 in 2009.

6) Philip Rivers – SDC – QB

At 27, Rivers looks to be coming into his own. With RB LaDainian Tomlinson banged up for most of the year the team was forced to lean on him and the passing game. He handled the increased responsibility and produced consistently week in and week out. Rivers tied Brees with 34 touchdown passes last year and a repeat is definitely possible although unlikely. Some feel that with a healthy LDT, Phillip Rivers will be forced to manage the games and not take as many chances downfield. I think that a healthy running game will open up the passing attack. Rivers has above average weapons with TE Antonio Gates and WR Vincent Jackson. The Chargers also do a great job of using the running backs out of the backfield as check down options. LDT led the league in targets last year for running backs with 77. RB Darren Sproles is a dynamic change of pace back who coach Norv Turner is going to create plays for to get him into space. All this adds up to what could be a potent offense that should thrive under Rivers. Rivers is a solid QB1 with upside.

7) Tony Romo – DAL – QB

To say the Cowboys and Romo struggled last year would be an understatement. Dallas was the home of constant media attention and negative publicity. Led by the all mouth WR Terrell Owens, the Boys were never able to just play ball. A top 3 QB heading into last year Romo was never able to meet his lofty preseason ranking. He missed three games because of a broken pinkie and was never able to rise above the negativity surrounding the team. Owens is a great talent and will be missed, but it’s worth noting that half of Romo’s picks came on balls he forced to T.O. With him moving to Buffalo in the offseason Romo and the Cowboys are ready for life after T.O. Early reports are that Dallas will focus on a ball controlled ground game and Romo will have less pressure to force the ball downfield. The hope is that a solid running game will open up the passing game. Romo has weapons at his disposal and he is going to use them. A bounce back into elite status is possible but unlikely. Romo will make a solid QB1 this year.

8) Matt Schaub – HOU – QB

Every year I pick a breakout quarterback. In 2007 it was QB Tony Romo, in 2008 it was QB Jay Cutler, and in 2009 it will be Matt Schaub. If he can stay healthy, and that is a big IF, then Schaub should take the next step into QB1 status. The Texans have arguably the best wideout in football in WR Andre Johnson and TE Owen Daniels is a top 10 TE. Schaub should look for both early and often. The Texans also struck gold in the draft last year with RB Steve Slaton. Slaton will provide a consistent ground game and is a great option out of the backfield. WR Kevin Walter is poised for a breakout year and should see plenty of targets with Johnson being double teamed. If Schaub can improve his red zone passing and toss a few more TD’s then he could be a star. He is worth the gamble on draft day as a QB1. Just make sure you draft a solid backup as insurance as he is not exactly a pillar of health.

9) Donovan McNabb – PHI – QB

McNabb is streaky at times but when he’s on he’s borderline elite. The Eagles loaded up on the offensive side of the ball in the draft and equipped McNabb with several new weapons (WR Jeremy Macklin and RB LeSean McCoy). McNabb has a checkered injury history and that is a concern. However, the front office put together what is arguably the best o-line in the league and McNabb should have plenty of time to pick apart opposing secondaries. With second year wideout DeSean Jackson poised for a breakout season and holdovers Kevin Curtis, Reggie Brown, Jason Avant and Hank Baskett, McNabb will have no shortage of options. If we factor in a healthy Westbrook and emerging TE Brent Celek, this offense should be flat out awesome. I’m betting this is the year McNabb put’s it all together and finishes near the top of the heap. McNabb is a strong QB1 option.

10) Matt Ryan – ATL – QB

Ryan has “IT.” Call it poise, moxy, whatever you want, the fact is the kid can play. The Boston College product exceeded all expectations that were placed on him last year and led the Falcons to an 11-5 mark and a playoff berth. Ryan’s transition was made easier by having arguably the most effective running game in football thanks to RB Michael Turner. Ryan should avoid the sophomore slump and be able to take the next step in his progression. Atlanta went out and traded a second round pick to acquire TE Tony Gonzalez to open up the middle of the field. The Falcons face a difficult schedule this year so Ryan should be asked to do more. With WR Roddy White, TE Tony Gonzalez and WR Michael Jenkins at his disposal the passing game should thrive under Matty Ice. I think Ryan steps up his game and becomes a weekly fantasy option.

11) Jay Cutler – CHI – QB

Cutler took the leap into fantasy relevance last year. With a poor defense and running backs dropping like flies, Cutler was forced to throw early and often. He was able to produce 4,526 and 25TD’s with 18int’s (only Favre had more). Cutler left a potent Denver offense for a Bears team that lacks a true #1 wideout. Cutler will be fine but don’t count on him slinging the ball around the way he did in Denver. The Bears will almost certainly run a ball controlled style of play and his numbers will certainly drop. If WR Devin Hester takes the next step in his progression and someone can emerge as a decent #2, then Cutler could exceed expectations. RB Matt Forte is a rock and TE Greg Olson is poised for a big year. Cutler will be a serviceable QB1.

12) Ben Roethlisberger – PIT – QB

Everything Big Ben does is ugly. He will never wow us with his grace and he certainly isn’t going to win any beauty contests. What he does do is win football games and championships. Does that formula translate into fantasy success? Roethlisberger and the Steelers faced the most difficult schedule in football and it showed from the lack of weekly fantasy contributors on the Steelers. This year most of the Steelers will be undervalued on draft day. Roethlisberger has an ADP of around the 8th round. Great value for a QB who probably won’t kill your fantasy team. But with only one season of more than 20 touchdown passes we are starting to wonder. Is Big Ben an overrated fantasy option? As an 8th round pick I say no. He has good value and could provide consistent play week in and week out at a bargain basement rate. The Super Bowl Champs return with almost the same team as last year and Big Ben could have a solid season and be fantasy viable. Roethlisberger is a low end QB1.

13) Carson Palmer – CIN – QB

The once elite Palmer comes into the season with questions surrounding his health. He opted not to have surgery on his elbow and we won’t know what kind of arm strength he has lost until the season starts. We ranked him this high because we feel he can return to full strength. Palmer is a classic drop back passer who at 29 years old should be entering the prime of his career. Instead he finds himself at a crossroads. If healthy, Palmer can provide QB1 numbers for a reasonably cheap price. His ADP suggests that you can draft him in the late 8th or early 9th round. That could be a steal. The Bengals do have weapons on offense, they resigned RB Cedric Benson and brought in WR Laveranues Coles to fill in the possession role of WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh who will be missed but WR Chad Ochocinco and WR Chris Henry should fill the void. If the rebuilt O-line can keep Palmer upright he could produce QB1 numbers.

14) Matt Cassel – KAN – QB

Cassel emerged out of nowhere to lead a talented Patriots team to an 11-5 mark after QB Tom Brady was lost for the year. He was traded in the offseason to a Kansas City team that well…is not the 2008 Patriots. Cassel will be in Todd Haley’s pass first system but will not have the weapons he had in New England. A quarterback in a new system with a first year coach screams stay away. I think I will. Don’t get me wrong, Cassel is a great story, I’m just not willing to bet my fantasy hopes on him. He is a great athlete who will make plays with his feet. My biggest concern is that he holds onto the ball way too long. He takes too many sacks and forces too many bad throws. That all happened in a system that Cassel was familiar with. The Chiefs should be exciting to watch and could produce several fantasy relevant players. WR Dwayne Bowe is a stud and RB Larry Johnson is poised for a comeback year. If the O-line can gel and Cassel picks up the system then he could become a borderline weekly option.

15) Eli Manning – NYG – QB

Eli is streaky and a bit scary at times. He never looks comfortable and often looks like he just puked. Besides his magical playoff run from two years ago Eli has been every bit as ordinary as there is in the NFL. Now with WR Plaxico Burress gone Eli loses his best and most consistent deep threat. The Giants need one or more of the young bucks at receiver to emerge for Eli to be considered starting material. The Giants have arguably the best O-line in football and a talented group of running backs. Eli is going to be asked to not lose football games. I think he is a good QB2 and bye week fill in.

16) Matt Hasselbeck – SEA – QB

Hasselbeck comes into 2009 with major questions surrounding his durability. If he can stay healthy he should be able to guide the Hawks to the top of the NFC West and put up respectable numbers along the way. Hasselbeck has several weapons in the passing game along with newcomer WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The receiving corps was decimated by injuries all of last year. If the Seahawks can muster up a ground game then the offense could be very a pleasant surprise. Hasselbeck could be a steal this year.

17) Kyle Orton – DEN – QB

Orton is a decent sleeper pick for this year. He was very good last year for a Bears team that focused on ball control and defense. He has a high football IQ and Josh McDaniels could mold him into a solid QB. If Denver can sort out the issues surrounding WR Brandon Marshall then Orton should be alright. However, Denver has a brutal schedule and McDaniels has made an absolute mess of his team up to this point. It could be a long year in Denver, though Orton makes a good bye week fill in and solid QB2 with a ton of potential to be more

18) David Garrard – JAC – QB

SLEEPER ALERT: Garrard got pounded last year. With the Jags focusing on getting the O-line healthy again Garrard has a chance to be a hybrid of his 2007 and 2008 self. In 2007 he tossed 18td’s against only 3 picks for 2500 yards in 12 starts. With a healthy o-line 3500 yards and 22-25 td’s is possible. Garrard makes all the correct reads and is very good at creating plays with his feet. The Jags have never had a true #1 WR and they hope they found one in veteran WR Tory Holt. If not Holt and the other receivers don’t step up Garrard will have an impossible path to QB1 status. In ’07 Garrard found a way to produce despite having a poor WR group.  Having RB Maurice Jones-Drew, WR Tory Holt and super sleeper WR Mike Walker should make Garrard’s life a lot easier. I like Garrard as a low end QB1 and solid QB2, another QB with a ton of potential.

19) Trent Edwards – BUF – QB

SLEEPER ALERT! I had Edwards as a deep sleeper last year. Edwards is great at nothing but good at everything. He can make all the throws and is very good at getting rid of the ball. If he can stay healthy and the O-line can keep him on his feet, then Edwards could be in for a good year. With crazy WR Terrell Owens coming into town the Bills have arguably one of the best WR tandems in football. WR Lee Evans is a career underachiever who could finally break out with someone opposite him to take away the constant double coverage Evan’s has faced for years. The running game is solid and the defense should be improved. Edwards hope lies in the big guys up front. Can they keep him healthy?

20) Chad Pennington – MIA – QB

He finished second in the NFL MVP voting and has the NFL record for completion percentage. Pennington will benefit from teams spending time planning to defend the wildcat. He is very consistent, has a great o-line and decent weapons surrounding him. I like Pennington this year as a borderline QB1 in a deeper league. The guy gets no respect. Who cares if he can’t throw the ball 30 yards? He simply gets the job done. Pennington is one of the best game managers in the business. He dinks and dunks his way through every game and it frustrates opposing defenses and fantasy owners alike. But at the end of the day the numbers are there. Like I said he makes a borderline QB1.

21) Jake Delhomme – CAR – QB

Delhomme scares me. He fell off at the end of last year and had a meltdown of epic proportions in the playoffs. He should be asked to do very little but hand the ball off and toss one deep to WR Steve Smith every now and then. Although faced with a very difficult schedule we feel that Carolina will stick to what works. They should not ask to much of Delhomme, and rely on their amazing ground game. He makes a good #2 and bye week fill in.

22) Jason Campbell – WAS – QB

Is this the year Campbell puts it all together? I think it is. Campbell has played in more offensive systems in the past four years than any other QB in football. Now in his second year in Jim Zorn’s system, Campbell could be ready to breakout. He struggles at times with the deep ball but is relatively consistent getting it to his receivers in space. Campbell survived a nightmarish last 8 games, and a tumultuos offseason in which the Skins attempted to trade up in the draft to select QB Mark Sanchez.  Campbell is a solid QB2 with upside that needs to repeat his first 8 games of ’08 and forget the rest of the year afterwards.

23) Shaun Hill – SFO – QB

Shaun Hill is worth watching. He has super sleeper potential on what could be a good team. I said could be. Hill is a good athlete who was able to step in and produce when given the opportunity. The 49ers have greatly improved their receiver corps,and will ask whomever wins the starting job to manage games instead of throwing to win. If he wins the starting job then he could be a solid match up and bye week fill in.

24) Joe Flacco – BAL – QB

Uni brow and all, Flacco is a stud. He is a great athlete who can make every throw on the field. We would have ranked him higher if he had consistent weapons in Baltimore. The apparent retirement of WR Derrick Mason is going to hurt more than people think. Flacco could and probably will take the next step into fantasy relevance. However, that might not be good enough to slot him into your starting lineup. Especially with the lack of talent at reciever

25) Marc Bulger – STL – QB

Bulger has been one of the most inconsistent fantasy quarterbacks over the last two years. With a new regime coming to town and a run first philosophy, Bulger might actually become relevant again. His biggest problem has been staying on his feet. The Rams rebuilt the O-line and have also installed a new short and quick passing offense. With several young speedy wideouts and an elite RB there is a glimpse of hope for the once prominent QB.

26) Kerry Collins – TEN – QB

Kerry Collins is almost the same age as Kurt Warner. He has been around the block and back. He will not be asked to throw it 30 times a game but he will be leading a young and exciting offense. Collins is a game manager that should be a worthy bye week fill in and matchup play. Look for more throws to the wideouts this year to spread the field out.

27) Brady Quinn – CLE – QB

The Browns need Quinn to emerge as the starter and be a consistent threat week in and week out. Quinn is a great athlete who hasaccurate short passes but struggles with some of the deeper, more difficult throws. It doesn’t help matters that Derek Anderson is still around fighting for his old job. If Quinn wins the job then he could be worth a late round pick in deeper leagues. The Browns will be bad, very bad.

28) JaMarcus Russell – OAK – QB

Russell has not progressed as hoped. He has a big arm but doesn’t know what to do with it. When I think of JaMarcus the word project quickly comes to mind, and that is a term fantasy owners could care less about. He should never be your starting QB and not even be on your radar. The Raiders are determined to live and die with Russell, so the chance of QB Jeff Garcia stealing the job are slim and none. Keep an eye on TE Zach Miller

29) Mark Sanchez – NYJ – QB

When he does win the job he’ll be asked to do very little. Not this year for Mr. Sanchez. Sanchez offers more value in keeper/dynasty leagues. The Jets have a strong run game they will rely on and some of the focus will be to get RB Leon Washington in space out of the backfield. The cupboard is bare at receiver with the exception of WR Jerricho Cotchery, and TE Dustin Keller. Sanchez could surprise if either WR Chansi Stuckey, or speedster WR David Clowney step up their game and can take some pressure off of Cotchery.

30) Matthew Stafford – DET – QB

Detroit has a good core of exciting young players. Stafford makes a solid keeper/dynasty pick, and offers more long term value than Sanchez. Rookie QB’s rarely offer value in their first year, add in the fact that QB Daunte Culpepper appears to be rejuvenated in O.C. Scott Linehans offense. If Detroit struggles early though, the masses will be calling for the number one overall pick sooner rather than later.

31) Byron Leftwich – TAM – QB

News out of Tampa is that the job is his to lose. If he does win the job he makes a good #2 and bye week fill in. The problem is Leftwich does have some competition in QB Luke McCown and rookie QB Josh Freeman.

32) Sage Rosenfels – MIN – QB

With Farve calling it quits Sage will have every opportunity to lock down the starting gig.  The Vikings have a very solid nucleas of young skill players now they just need someone to get them the ball.  Sage has the arm and ability to turn this offense into a fantasy force.  If all goes acording to plan he has the chance to emerge as a potential low end QB1.

33) Luke McCown – TAM – QB

Could be a solid late round pick or waiver wire pickup. That is of course if he wins the starting job.

34) Daunte Culpepper – DET – QB

Reports out of Detroit are that Culpepper showed up to camp in great shape and with a bounce in his step.  We think he will win the starting job if only to keep the seat warm during Stafford’s learning curve.  He could be a good bye week fill in and matchup play, especially being reunited with his old O.C. Scott Linehan from his Minnesota days. There is decent offensive talent in Detroit, but will ownership do the right thing and let Stafford learn slowly or give in to the cries of the fan base and throw him to the wolves.

35) Derek Anderson – CLE – QB

Could be a decent pick if he wins the job. I think he loses out to Brady Quinn and gets dangled as trade bait.

36) Jeff Garcia – OAK – QB

All this guy does is win starting jobs and plays smart football. If Garcia happens to win the job then bump his status to fringe starter material. There is not much talent in the wideout department in Oakland, but TE Zach Miller could put up big numbers for either QB.

37) Kellen Clemens – NYJ – QB

If he wins the job it will only be a matter of time before Mark Sanchez takes it from him. He is not worth a pick.

38) Alex Smith – SFO – QB

Alex Smith came into the league with a ton of hype, but his days in the league are becoming numbered if he can’t put together a decent season this year. Smith is embattled with QB Shaun Hill for the starting job, and H.C. Mike Singletary has already stated that he will not pick a starter until the 3rd preseason game. Stay Tuned…………

2009 Draft projections, Aaron Rodgers, Alex Smith, Ben Roethlisberger, Brady Quinn, Byron Leftwich, Carson Palmer, Chad Pennington, Daunte Culpepper, David Garrard, Deep Sleeper, Derek Anderson, Donovan McNabb, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Free Draft Kit, Free Draft Projections, Jake Delhomme, JaMarcus Russell, Jason Campbell, Jay Cutler, Jeff Garcia, Joe Flacco, Kellen Clemens, Kerry Collins, Kurt Warner, Kyle Orton, Luke McCown, Marc Bulger, Mark Sanchez, Matt Cassel, Matt Hasselbeck, Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Matthew Stafford, Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers, Sage Rosenfels, Shaun Hill, Super Sleeper, Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Trent Edwards

One Response to “2009 QB Draft Kit Projections/Rankings”

1. Mark says:

   August 4, 2009 at 5:09 pm

   Where is JP Losman on this list?I hear he is being targeted by the Pats as Brady’s replacement. The knee is still infected and Belicheat is in love with Losman’s arm strength and football smarts. this couldbe the sleeper pick of the decade