Fantasy Football – Early Season QB Rankings

May 13, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; General view of a NFL football at organized team activities at Chargers Park. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a full 3 months till Fantasy Football draft season is in full effect. I like to refer to the period between the end of the NFL Draft through the first Pre Season game as the “Dark Ages”. I spend this time trying to make training camp and OTA’s keep me sane. But, this is also the time I start prepping for one of my favorite days of the year. Draft Day!

So, to spread it out, I’ll take each position and give my personal take on where I think they belong. Keep in mind, with Training Camp, injuries and Pre Season these will change by the time the regular season starts. Last year I drafted a QB in the first round in 3 of 4 leagues (Brady, Brady & Brees). I was in the final in all 3 leagues. Of the league I didn’t (Ryan) I finished 3rd. It’s backwards thinking n terms of “traditional” fantasy drafting, but I’ve always felt that in both fantasy and reality, you build your team around your QB.

1. Peyton Manning– One of the best to ever play the game only got better with the addition of Welker & Ball.

2. Aaron Rodgers– They added the best RBs in the draft to open up the passing lanes.

3. Drew Brees– Their biggest problem was their Defense. The return of Sean Payton & addition of Rob Ryan will help.

4. Cam Newton– He was one of the best fantasy QBs in the second half of last season. This’ll carry over.

5. Tom Brady– Because he’s Tom Brady. Only slipped due to the departure of Welker.

6. Collin Kaepernick– He fooled me on so many plays last year……as I was watching him on TV. Oh, and adding Boldin will only help.

7. Robert Griffin III– Can he be next year’s AP? I think so, as long as he can stay healthy.

8. Russell Wilson– He doesn’t have a chip on his shoulder. He has a whole bag. Cool Ranch I think. Plays like a man on fire.

9. Matt Ryan– This is the year Manning, Brees, Rodgers & Brady let him sit at their table. Retaining Gonzalez and adding Steven Jackson. Topped with two of the league’s best WRs. Any?’s

10. Andrew Luck- Learning a new offense might stump a lesser QB. He’ll be like a snow ball building momentum throughout the season.

11. Matthew Stafford– Reggie Bush will help, but C. Johnson can’t do it all on his own.

12. Michael Vick– Have you seen a Chip Kelly offense? Lightning fast! Plus they’ve beefed up their O line to keep Vick healthy.

13. Eli Manning– The loss of Bennett will hurt. Plus they need to get Cruz under wraps.

14. Jay Cutler– Brandon Marshall didn’t have over 1,500 yards last year for nothing. Plus he now has a TE (see 13)

15. Andy Dalton– Green, Gresham and now Eifert. This is the year he steps up big.

I’m sure you’re wondering why Blaine Gabbert isn’t on this list. And for good reason. I’m a Jaguars fan first, but I’m also a realist. The best cast scenario, no matter how far fetched it may seem, would be to have Denard Robinson start the year as a RB, then have the Jags try him at QB. He’d have the very uncommon QB/RB label that can be plugged in as either (remember Joe Webb  QB/WR a couple of years ago?). Hey, it could happen. Unlikely, but a possibility. Feel free to comment back or if you’d like to better understand my rationalization.

-Jason Abarca