I can’t believe football season is almost here already. I can’t wait! Leagues are already forming, and we’ve got all the positional rankings you’ll need to make great decisions in your draft. This list covers the top 30 QB’s going into 2008. Complete with last year’s numbers. Stay tuned for rankings for RB, WR and TE. Here is the list…

Elite Options

1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
   398-578 4,807 yards, 50 TDs, 8 INT, eight 300 yard games, 2 Rushing TDs
   Brady had a season for the ages last year, as he broke the single season touchdown record as he threw 50 on the season. The only player to really depart the machine that was the New England offense was Donte Stallworth, and he wasn’t really used all that much anyway. The Pats still have Randy Moss, they still have Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney started coming on at the end of the year, and second year player Chad Jackson could be a sleeper in 2008. With all of those weapons many teams forget about Kevin Faulk, but Brady never does. He has an embarrassment of riches on the offensive side of the ball, and although you definitely shouldn’t expect a repeat of last year’s numbers, He still should be the number one quarterback on draft day, but I wouldn’t take him before near the end of the first round.
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
   337-515 4,040 yards, 31 TDs, 14 INT, three 300 yard games, 3 Rushing TDs
   Even without the services of Marvin Harrison for much of the season, Manning had another vintage Peyton season. I was expecting a bit of a step back after it seemed that he spent every second of the offseason filming commercials, but you just can’t go wrong when you have the talent and preparation that Manning puts into the game. Figuring that Harrison is healthy, and that pesky gun incident goes away, Peyton has three quality receivers with Marvin, Reggie “now an elite receiver” Wayne, and soon to be much more popular in fantasy Anthony Gonzalez. Just like Brady, Peyton is either a late first round, or early second round selection.
3. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
   335-520 4,211 yards, 36 TDs, 19 INT, seven 300 yard games, 2 Rushing TDs
   Anyone who drafts Romo will undoubtedly hope that Jessica Simpson stays away from Cowboy games in 2008. Even though he has had serious troubles in the playoffs the past two seasons, fantasy football doesn’t go into the NFL playoffs, so you don’t have to worry about that. Romo took a big step forward from his first full season to his second, and you can expect him to at least come pretty close to repeating his numbers from last year. There will always be drama in Big D with T.O., but he also has an emerging Patrick Crayton and one of the best tight ends in Jason Witten. Romo is a late second, but more likely at least a third round selection.
4. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals
   373-575 4,131 yards, 26 TDs, 20 INT, five 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs
   Put the mess with Chad Johnson behind, he will be there when the season starts. At the beginning of 2007, Palmer was the darling of fantasy football and many owners drafted him early expecting big things after a solid 2006. After a season full of turmoil in Cincinnati, Palmer seems to have fallen down the rankings of a lot of experts. If you really take a look at the numbers, outside of the rise in interceptions, the rest of the numbers are strikingly similar. With the departure of Chris Henry due to disciplinary reasons, the Bengals will be looking to have a good third receiver after Ocho Cinco and T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Don’t let him fall too far down your rankings, I expect a big comeback season for Carson. He is probably a third to fourth round selection.
5. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
   443-655 4,428 yards, 28 TDs, 18 INT, five 300 yard games, 1 Rushing TD
   Considering the fact that through the first five games Brees had just one touchdown, his final stats are pretty impressive. His abililties are a perfect fit in New Orleans, as his strong arm is able to get the ball out to the speedy receivers of Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, and second year guy Robert Meachem. David Patten is a nice possession type receiver to compliment the game breakers. The Saints style is a very vertical passing game, so it really lends itself to some gaudy statistics more so than winning games. And let’s be honest, if you have Brees on your fantasy teams, you could really care less how many games the Saints win. He should be taken around the same time frame as Palmer.

Solid Starters

6. Matt Hasslebeck, Seattle Seahawks
   352-562 3,966 yards, 28 TDs, 12 INT, 3 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs
   After an injury shortened disappointing season in 2006, Hasslebeck had a nice turnaround last season when he approached 4,000 yards and 30 TDs. Former MVP Shaun Alexander is no longer in town, but with Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, and Nate Burleson Hasslebeck has a very underrated receiving corps. If he can remain healthy again in 2008 you can expect Hasslebeck to have another successful season. Two games against the defensively challenged 49ers, Rams, and Cardinals definitely help his cause.
7. Marc Bulger, St. Louis Rams
   221-378 2,392 yards, 11 TDs, 15 INT, three 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs
   Bulger had a nightmare season in 2007, with broken ribs and concussion problems that took him out for multiple games and made him ineffective in many more. Not only was Bulger injured, but so was RB Stephen Jackson, WRs Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, as well as most of the offensive line at various times during the year. Bruce has left for the rival 49ers, but he was getting close to the end of his productive years anyway. Holt is starting to age, but he still has some good years left in him, and Drew Bennett should be a very effective second receiver. He has been injured for much of two of the past three seasons, but if he can remain healthy (along with those around him), Bulger could be back to a top 5 quarterback.
8. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
   264-404 3,154 yards, 32 TDs, 11 INT, zero 300 yard games, 2 Rushing TDs
   Big Ben was an absolute disaster in after some off field incidents made it seem like his career might have fallen off track. But Big Ben refocused himself, and in 2007 we saw what he is capable of. With Hines Ward as the ultimate possession receiver, and Santonio Holmes stretching the field, Roethlisberger has a bunch of different options. I think that last year was perhaps the career year for the Steelers QB, and you should hope that Ben throws 25 TDs or so, as the Steelers have always been known as a run-first team.
9. Derek Anderson, Cleveland Browns
   298-527 3,787 yards, 29 TDs, 19 INT, three 300 yard games, 3 Rushing TDs
   Is anyone buying that he will repeat his 2007 season? I don’t think I am. He does have a few good options,with Braylon Edwards really breaking out last year, Joe Jurevicious, and they signed the Pats’ Donte Stallworth. Kellen Winslow Jr. has turned himself into one of the top options at tight end. The Browns offense line should keep Anderson upright, but with the presence of Brady Quinn on the bench, I worry about how long a leash that Anderson is on. If he starts out the season like Drew Brees did last season, will he be replaced? Can’t say for sure at this juncture, but I would have just a little bit of trepidation if he was my every week starter without a quality backup.
10. Eli Manning, New York Giants
    297-529 3,336 yards, 23 TDs, 20 INT, two 300 yard games, 1 Rushing TDs
    The Super Bowl MVP is looking to take that next step in his career to be an elite quarterback. The first thing he needs to do is cut down on the interceptions, especially in crucial situations. I still have the opinion that if Eli’s last name was anything other than Manning, we would be giving him much more credit for his success. With Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer, and emerging Steve Smith, Manning has a good number of options to throw the ball to. Not sure what will end up happening with Jeremy Shockey, but many people are of the opinion that the Giants will be better off without him. Not sure I agree with that, but he has been a distraction in the past. I expect Manning will get closer to 30 touchdowns than he will be to 20, and his interceptions will be under 15.

Better as Backups

11. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles
    291-473 3,324 yards, 19 TDs, 7 INT, three 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs
    Can he stay healthy? Can he ever get back to what he once was? He will top off at 22 TDs.
12. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
    277-460 3,152 yards, 21 TDs, 15 INT, two 300 yard games, 1 Rushing TD
    A horrible knee injury at the end of the season brings up some question marks, very talented.
13. Jay Cutler, Denver Broncos
    297-467 3, 497 yards, 20 TDs, 14 INT, two 300 yard games, 1 Rushing TD
    A young Brett Favre? Cutler has incredible arm, but questionable decision making
14. Jon Kitna, Detroit Lions
    355-561 4,068 yards, 18 TDs, 20 INT, three 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs
    Underappreciated fantasy QB usually puts up good stats, with great options at WR
15. David Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars
    208-325 2,509 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INT, zero 300 yard games, 1 Rushing TD
    Overrated in my opion, Jags brought in Porter and Williamson to give him more options. Oooooh! (catch the sarcasm)
16. Matt Leinart, Arizona Cardinals
    60-112 647 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INT, one 300 yard game, 0 Rushing TDs (5 games)
    Does he party too much? Possibly, but with Boldin and Fitzgerald, he has maybe the best WRs.

Don’t Put Too Much Faith In

17. JaMarcus Russell, Oakland Raiders
    36-66 373 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INT, zero 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs (4 games)
    Last season’s #1 pick gets the job from the start in ‘08, but questionable offensive weapons
18. Matt Schaub, Houston Texans
    192-289 2,241 yards 9 TDs, 9 INT, one 300 yard game, 0 Rushing TDs (11 games)
    Not impressive fantasy numbers, but injuries played a part. WR Andre Johnson is one of the best.
19. Aaron Rogers, Green Bay Packers
    20-28 218 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT, zero 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs (2 games)
    Obviously falls off the rankings if Favre comes back (and I expect that, Favre would be top 15).
20. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans
    238-383 2,546 yards, 9 TDs, 17 INT, one 300 yard game, 3 Rushing TDs
    More dangerous with his legs than arm. Questionable supporting staff.
21. Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers
    55-86 624 yards, 8 TDs, 1 INT, one 300 yard game, 0 Rushing TDs (3 games)
    is he a bounce back candidate? Has a top 5 receiver, but I don’t see it happening.

Desperation Time

22. Jason Campbell, Washington Redskins
    250-417 2,700 yards, 12 TDs, 11 INT, two 300 yard games, 1 Rushing TD
    Hasn’t shown anything yet, and after S. Moss and Randle El, where does he go with the ball?
23. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
    209-327 2,440 yards, 13 TDs, 4 INT, one 300 yard game, 1 Rushing TD
    Gritty as hell, but injury prone and weapons on the outside are more than questionable.
24. Trent Edwards, Buffalo Bills
    151-269 1,630 yards, 7 TDs, 8 INT, zero 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs
    Bills have a few tools for Edwards to work with, but still very rough around the edges.
25. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
    (in college)
    Rookie QB in the NFL, what more do I need to say? He will take his lumps but evenually great.
26. Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears
    122-225 1,411 yards, 4 TDs, 7 INT, zero 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs (8 games)
    Sometimes it looks like a blind guy could be more accurate, no dynamic options either.
27. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers
    94-193 914 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INT, zero 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs (7 games)
    Awful. Isaac Bruce won’t help, needs to stop turning the ball over and stay healthy.
28. Chad Pennington, New York Jets
    179-260 1,765 yards, 10 TDs, 9 INT, zero 300 yard games, 1 Rushing TD (9 games)
    Total noodle arm. Is more valuable in real football over fantasy football. Never going to air it out.
29. Kyle Boller, Baltimore Ravens
    168-275 1,7443 yards, 9 TDs, 10 INT, zero 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs (12 gms)
    You are in trouble if you are playing him. Terrible QB, terrible options at WR, terrible fantasy option.
30. Brodie Croyle, Kansas City Chiefs
    127-224 1,227 yards, 6 TDs, 6 INT, zero 300 yard games, 0 Rushing TDs (9 games)
    Couple decent guys to throw to, needs way more consistency before even getting a sniff at fantasy.
31. Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota Vikings
    171-294 1,911 yards, 9 TDs, 12 INT, zero 300 yard games, 3 Rushing TDs (12 games)
    Should be great…..at handing the ball to Adrian Peterson.

What do you think?

Who did we miss? Who did we get wrong? As always, your questions (draft questions, adds, drops, trades) and comments are welcome at fightingchancefantasy@gmail.com. I guarantee a response within 18 hours.

Tags: Aaron Rogers, Alex Smith, Ben Roethlisberger, Brodie Croyle, Carson Palmer, Chad Pennington, David Garrard, Derek Anderson, Donovan McNabb, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Jake Delhomme, Jamarcus Russell, Jason Campbell, Jay Cutler, Jeff Garcia, Jon Kitna, Kyle Boller, Marc Bulger, Matt Hasslebeck, Matt Leinart, Matt Ryan, Matt Schaub, Peyton Manning, Phillip Rivers, Rex Grossman, Tavaris Jackson, Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Trent Edwards, Vince Young

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