Top 5 Quarterbacks

Picking the right quarterback in your fantasy draft can make all the difference in how successful you are throughout the season. Within the first three rounds, make sure you draft at least one quarterback because your quarterback in the weekly fantasy match up usually determines whether you win or lose. Quarterbacks touch the ball probably more than any other player (running backs are second). So, it is vitally important to find a quarterback with impressive leadership skills, a strong arm to throw down field, powerful legs for running and scrambling out of the pocket, and who usually plays at the end of the season. I might consider passing on Peyton Manning because the Colts usually clinch a division title or a home-field advantage spot well before the last game of the season. Also, try to avoid quarterbacks who tend to get injured consistently year after year like Donovan McNabb and Matt Hasselbeck. I am not saying that these type of players are not wise choices. It is just nice to have a guy who you can rely on throughout the entire season. Thus, to help you out, I will share with you my picks for the top five quarterbacks you should consider having on your roster.

1. The best available quarterback entering into this year's fantasy draft is Aaron Rodgers for the Green Bay Packers. Expect him to be taken in the first round or at the very latest in the early second round. Aaron Rodgers has a plethora of receivers to throw the ball to including veteran Donald Driver, safe-hands Greg Jennings, and young James Jones. Plus, Green Bay has an excellent running back in Ryan Grant who can run, block, and catch. The running game for the Packers usually sets up the long, accurate throws from Rodgers. Last year, Rodgers was sacked an awful lot, but expect him to throw more this year and get rid of the ball in a quicker fashion. The Packers are fully relying on this young quarterback's arm to get them to the playoffs. With Rodgers as quarterback, and if he remains healthy, the Packers have high hopes that they can make a deep playoff run this year.

2. The New Orleans Saints are coming off a magical season that led them to a Super Bowl win over the Colts. The Saints are looking to repeat their success, but the road is going to be more challenging. With Drew Brees behind center, the Saints will be one of the top contenders in the NFC Conference, and they are the front-runners to win the NFC South. Brees has one of the strongest arms in the game. Like Rodgers, Drew has a dominant receiving core in the NFL with players like Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Robert Meachum, Jeremy Shockey, and Reggie Bush in the backfield. Do not shy away from Drew Brees in the draft just because it is very difficult for a team to have a repeat performance from the previous year. In most leagues, Brees could be drafted in the late first round, but no later than the second round. He knows how to win, and he will be a deep value to you and your fantasy roster.

3. With this next quarterback, I could have mentioned him in my "big sleeper picks" post, but he has much more value than what people think. Philip Rivers, if healthy, is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the entire league. Last year, his San Diego Chargers got knocked out of the playoffs early by the New York Jets, so Rivers has extra motivation to lead his team. He is a very outspoken and energetic leader. He is not afraid to get fired up, but he also knows how to handle pressure and make accurate throws for touchdowns. Philip Rivers has one of the best tight ends in the league to throw the ball to in Antonio Gates. I expect Rivers to go no later than the fifth round in most fantasy leagues and to go as early as the second round. Rivers led my fantasy team to the championship three years ago, and he is my pick to lead the San Diego Chargers to the Super Bowl this year.

4. The next best quarterback available is Tom Brady. Since Brady's season-ending knee injury in week one a couple of years ago, his fantasy status and value has diminished. However, remember that Tom Brady knows how to win. He has already won three Super Bowl Championships. Arguably, he has the best wide receiver in the NFL with Randy Moss. Brady's knee has fully recovered, and he expects to have his favorite target, Wes Welker, back ready for week one this year. Right now, Brady and the Patriots organization are disputing on a long-term contract, but that issue should be resolved before the end of preseason. Tom Brady is a very difficult player to predict in most fantasy leagues. He could turn out to be a sleeper pick because of the Patriots' lack of success as of late. Also, he may be one of the top quarterbacks drafted because of his experience, leadership, accuracy, and poise.

5. There are so many good play makers out there that it is hard to pick just five top quarterbacks. So, I have Tony Romo(Dallas Cowboys) and Matt Schaub (Houston Texans) tied for the fifth best quarterbacks available for this year. Tony Romo is in a very competitive NFC east division facing teams like the Giants, Eagles, and newly improved Redskins. Schaub has no walk in the park either as he and the Texans try to derail the tough Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South. Both Romo and Schaub have a wide variety of receiver to hand the ball off to. Romo has young Miles Austin, veteran Roy Williams, Jason Witten at tight end, and the newly signed rookie Dez Bryant. Plus, Romo and the Cowboys have more motivation to win and make a deep playoff win because the next Super Bowl is in their home stadium in front of their home crowd. The negative side of Romo is that he is the cause of many turnovers with his fumbling problems. He is also a risky throwing quarterback, a trait which can help and hinder his fantasy value. Matt Schaub, like Romo, has options at the receiver position with Andre Johnson and sleeper Kevin Walter. I would expect Schaub to throw for over 4,000 yards and close to 30 touchdowns. I am making a bold prediction: the Houston Texans are winning the AFC South Division over Manning and the Colts.