2012 QB Ranks

This is part 1 of a 4 part series where our fantasy expert, Mike Ferraro, will be releasing his official position rankings for the upcoming season.  Check back tomorrow for his RB rankings.

Quarterbacks

1) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: There is no surprise here; Rodgers was an absolute fantasy machine last season and this season should be no different. He is expected to have around 4500 yards passing with at least 40 touchdowns and under 10 interceptions on the season. Rodgers is able to scramble and run the ball effectively so 5 rushing touchdowns would also be a reasonable number.

2) Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: It’s hard to put the man that broke the single season passing yards as the second ranked quarterback, but Rodgers is more mobile than Brees and Brady.  I expect Brees to throw 4500-5000 yards and have anywhere from 40-45 touchdowns with 10-15 interceptions.

3) Tom Brady, New England Patriots: Barring a season ending injury, Brady will have another All-Pro season, he is money in bank; New England is not a rushing team so Brady could easily reach 5000 yards passing this season. With the addition of Brandon Lloyd and the departure of BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Brady will not lose many touchdowns to the running backs.

4) Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions: The third 5000 yard passer of 2011, Stafford should have another monster season with Calvin Johnson but I don’t expect him to hit 5000 yards again. Stafford is on a younger team than Rodgers, Brees or Brady and thus I suspect he will be more prone to interceptions but Stafford is clearly a top five-fantasy quarterback.

5) Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: While Newton will not have as many passing yards and touchdowns he will certainly make it up for in his rushing attack. He should have close to 400 yards passing with mid-low 20’s passing touchdowns. He will have close to 1:1 touchdown to interception ratio. Newton will rush for at least 700 yards and with around 7 rushing touchdowns, not bad for a sophomore year.

Click the link find the rest of his QB rankings after the jump!

6) Eli Manning, New York Giants: This season Eli will show that he is just as good as his older brother Peyton, as he will try throw for at least 4500 yards and have close to 30 touchdowns. Manning is prone to having at least one or two games in a season where he will throw three interceptions.

7) Michael Vick. Philadelphia Eagles: You can probably get Vick at lower price this season especially since he missed three games with a rib injury. He will account for around 20 passing touchdowns and 500-600 rushing with five or so rushing touchdowns. He will have around 3000-3500 yards passing, the only downside is that Vick has been injury prone in his career but he has great fantasy value.

8) Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys: After a career year in passing yards, I expect Romo to have around 4000 yards with 30 touchdowns and around 10 interceptions. The main question with Dallas is if their offensive line can hold up this year? If so, except another career year from Romo.  Vick is slightly higher due to his rushing and Romo is more likely to scramble to find an open receiver.

9) Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers: Rivers had 20 interceptions last season, which is relatively high for an elite quarterback but with 4500 passing yards it is hard to bet against him. Rivers should have close to 30 touchdowns with 15 or so interceptions and the Chargers offense will open up as along as Ryan Mathews and Antonio Gates remain healthy.

10) Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos: Usually a quarterback coming back from near career ending neck surgery wouldn’t be so highly rated but Peyton Manning isn’t a normal quarterback. Manning hasn’t played in over a year and is with a new team but Manning should have close to 4500 yards and 30 passing touchdowns. I suspect Manning will be the Comeback Player of the Year this season.

11) Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: The Steelers are traditionally a run first offense but that hasn’t been the case in recent years with deep threats of Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. Big Ben should have close to 4000 yards passing with close to 25 touchdowns, a very solid and reliable quarterback.

12) Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons:  Ryan threw for over 4100 yards and had 29 touchdowns, and I believe his numbers should be similar this season. Ryan has great upside even with numbers that were impressive and in most leagues you should be able to get him in rounds four or five. With a new offensive coordinator Ryan should be looking down field with Julio Jones and Roddy White.

13) Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears: Cutler and the Bears got a great addition in Brandon Marshall, Cutler will have a reliable deep threat that catches everything in his site. His numbers last season were not stellar but he was more of a game manager. Marshall and Hester should make a solid one-two punch for Cutler. He should easily get to 3000 yards and 20-plus touchdowns. Cutler has had a history of being a bit wild but I suspect with addition of Marshall they shouldn’t collapse like last season.

14) Matt Schaub, Houston Texans: If Schaub can remain healthy, which has been a problem as he missed six games last season in the best season the Houston Texans have ever had in their short history. Schaub should easily pass for 3000 yards and 20 plus touchdowns as long as he is healthy.

15) Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins: RG3 is poised to be this season’s Cam Newton. While I don’t except his numbers to be has high as Newton’s last season, he will still get 3000 plus yards and will have close to 20 touchdowns with just as many interceptions. He will have close to 500 yards rushing with at least five rushing touchdowns. He is definitely a quarterback for the future and sure-fire keeper for years to come.

16) Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers: He brought the 49ers to the NFC Championship and was very efficient in game management last season. He will have close to 20 touchdowns and with the addition of Randy Moss and Mario Manningham, the 49ers will have a solid receiving core.

17) Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: His season can’t be worse than it was last season, so I only see upside in Freeman. The Bucs are young team but with the addition of Vincent Jackson, Freeman will have a great No.1 receiver and he should reach 20 touchdowns and have 3000-3500 yards passing.

18) Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens: Flacco is solid and dependable and should produce 3500 yards passing with 20 touchdowns. But Flacco is in a run first offense so don’t expect many 400 yard passing games.

19) Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals: A.J. Green will be Andy Dalton’s main target this season. It is almost given that a good starting quarterback will have at least 3000 yards and close to 20 touchdowns.

20) Carson Palmer, Oakland Raiders: It's Carson Palmer's first full season with the Oakland Raiders but I think he will have around 20 touchdowns and same amount of interceptions despite being pretty average last season.

By: Michael Ferraro