It’s the day before the NFL Draft and instead of spending time with my family before shutting them off for three straight days I figured I would update my fantasy quarterback rankings instead. I’m going to expand my rankings after the draft but at quarterback why wait? We know where Andrew Luck and Robert Griffin are going, so I expanded my rankings to the Top 35 and included the two rookies.
2012 Fantasy Quarterback Rankings
(Last updated on April, 25)
1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers
2. Drew Brees, Saints
3. Tom Brady, Patriots
4. Cam Newton, Panthers
5. Matthew Stafford, Lions
6. Philip Rivers, Chargers
7. Eli Manning, Giants
8. Michael Vick, Eagles
9. Jay Cutler, Bears
10. Tony Romo, Cowboys
11. Peyton Manning, Broncos
12. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers
13. Matt Ryan, Falcons
14. Andy Dalton, Bengals
15. Carson Palmer, Raiders
16. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Bills
17. Joe Flacco, Ravens
18. Robert Griffin, Redskins
19. Matt Schaub, Texans
20. Josh Freeman, Bucs
21. Sam Bradford, Rams
22. Jake Locker, Titans
23. Andrew Luck, Colts
24. Alex Smith, 49ers
25. Christian Ponder, Vikings
26. Matt Cassel, Chiefs
27. Matt Flynn, Seahawks
28. Kevin Kolb, Cardinals
29. Mark Sanchez, Jets
30. Matt Moore, Dolphins
31. Colt McCoy, Browns
32. Tim Tebow, Jets
33. Blaine Gabbert, Jaguars
34. Matt Hasselbeck, Titans
35. Tarvaris Jackson, Seahawks
Going Up
Cutler – I thought Cutler was playing excellent when he got hurt last year. Now with Brandon Marshall in the mix, I expect Cutler to be an elite fantasy QB in 2012.
Dalton – I was dead wrong about Dalton coming out of college. He has it all and Dalton should only continue to get better in his second year with A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham giving him two young, talented targets.
Griffin – The NFL today is a lot different than it was 10-15 years ago. Now smart, athletic quarterbacks can come right in and produce. Griffin won’t put up Cam Newton-kind of numbers but I expect him to be a solid fantasy contributor as a rookie.
Locker – Locker and Matt Hasselbeck will battle for the starting job in camp. Hasselbeck is the safe pick but I think if Locker looks good he’ll begin the year as the starter. If that’s the case, Locker sets up to be a nice fantasy sleeper this season.
Coming Down
Ryan – If you get extra points when your quarterback checks down to his running backs then Ryan is your man. No one does it better.
Schaub – Once on the cusp of being an elite fantasy QB, Schaub is now a guy coming off a major injury and playing in a run-oriented offense. I’ll pass.
Cassel – The Chiefs are about as excited to have Cassel as their starting quarterback as I am Jerry Jones making football decisions in Dallas. Unfortunately the Chiefs have no other options at the moment. Kansas City is likely to draft a QB early. Don’t be surprised if that guy is starting for the Chiefs by Halloween.
Rankings are based on standard scoring systems but account for 1 point per reception because that’s the method I prefer.
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I love me some Andy Dalton right now as a late pick. With AJ Green (aka the next coming of Randy Mawss aka the Truth aka the People’s Champ), I think we are going to see Dalton UNLEASH THE DRAGON and start throwing it deep on the reg. Green is a monster and can go up and really get the football. So if Cutler goes earlier than you like, I think Dalton will be an excellent fall back guy.
I agree on Dalton. As I’ve said many times I was dead wrong about the guy coming out of TCU. I always believe a quarterback’s second year is big. That’s when NFL defensive coaches have studied him and made adjustments. Plus, I don’t think the importance of having Jordan Shipley back is being talked about enough. I mean we all know he’s another Wes Welker, right? But seriously to have a security blanket like Shipley working the middle of the field is really going to help Dalton I think. Throw in Gresham and add another young receiver in the draft and I’m on board big-time.
I’m going to find it hard to go Qb early this year just because I have love for some of the later QB that can be drafted. For instance Dalton, Fitzpatrick, and Ryan. Is it worth it to wait on qb? I had a feeling on stafford last year and that paid off. Dont know if lighting will strike twice this year.
Like I always say Josh I think both methods can work. Some people waited last year and got Stafford or Eli. Some waited and got Bradford. I think it depends how you have players ranked. Last year I took Tom Brady at the end of round 2 because he was my No. 1 QB and we had a big run on receivers. I wasn’t loving any of the running back options still on the board, so I took my top rated QB. I had planned on taking a receiver but the draft went differently than I projected. I think as long as people don’t get stuck on one draft strategy, either way can work out. If you are getting guys you really like at other positions than it makes sense to wait on a QB. However, if in Round 3 a lot of backs and receivers have been picked over and Cam Newton is still sitting there, it may be smart to go that route as well. That’s what makes fantasy drafts so much fun. You never know how things will shake out once you start drafting.
Well in my league qbs tend to go earlier. I would say that the top 5 Rodgers, Brady, Brees, Stafford, Cam are all gone before the end of the second round in my league. (12 man league, 6pt qb tds & bonus points for tds over 50 yards.) If i don’t pull the trigger on one of those (i pick 9 and 16) then I think I’m going to just wait it out. Just trying to decide if the qb guessing game is worth it… I feel its a deep position this year more than ever with the league turning into a passing league. Thinking about grabbing two rbs but they are all so iffy, i.e. dmc matthews murray peterson lynch and others
In your league I would let everyone else grab quarterbacks then and you get studs at other positions. I mean you may be able to get a guy like Rivers in Round 4 if you want to go that route or even a Romo or Cutler a couple of round later. Christ, you can even “settle” for Big Ben or Peyton. If the draft shakes out like you said, I would probably go after running backs and receivers early personally.
As I mentioned in a previous post, history says that someone ranked preseason in the #15 (Palmer) - #30 (Moore) range is going to end up being a top 5 QB at the end of the year and another one’s going to be top 10. My money right now is on Jake Locker being that top 5 guy and Palmer top 10.
Totally agree with what you’re saying on the flow of the draft. If there’s a run on RB and WR and all the guys in your rd 1 or 2 tier are gone, then you need to strongly consider QB. I’d love to get Cutler as my starting QB in rd 7 or 8 but if I’m sitting there at the beginning of rd 2 and having to decide over Roddy or Jennings at WR or Forte as my 2nd RB, then I’m going to have to strongly consider Brady at QB (assuming Rodgers and Brees are already off the board).
I would be more than happy to have Cutler as my starting quarterback. That’s the guy I will be targeting if I don’t select a QB early. Then come back with someone with upside like you said with Locker or an RG3 a little later. If that was my fantasy quarterback situation this year I would be fine with it.