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It has been some time since we updated our QB Rankings, so with drafting season in full gear let’s see how things currently pan out (you can view our original Top 10 by clicking here):

1. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints - After throwing for 5,069 yards (leading the league by nearly 500 yards) and 34 TD last season (tied for league lead), do I really need to say more?
2. Peyton Manning – Indianapolis Colts - While the departure of an aging Marvin Harrison could have an effect on his performance, the Colts are still loaded with plenty of firepower.  Reggie Wayne and Anthony Gonzalez offer very good targets on the outside, as does Dallas Clark from the TE position.  That’s not to mention the pair of RB in Joseph Addai & Donald Brown who can provide some help out of the backfield.  Needless to say, they are one explosive offensive team.
3. Tom Brady - New England Patriots – There were concerns entering the preseason and rightfully so.  After missing the majority of the 2008 season you just didn’t know exactly what you were going to get out of one of the premier QBs in the league.  He’s responded by going 14-23 for 157 yards and 2 TD (an 1 interception) over the first two preseason games.  There’s still a risk, but it’s a good enough performance to convince me he belongs in the Top 3.
4. Philip Rivers – San Diego Chargers - He threw for over 4,000 yards and 34 TD without an elite wide receiver at his disposal.  They didn’t address the position much via free agency or the draft, but a fully healthy LaDanian Tomlinson will certainly help.
5. Kurt Warner – Arizona Cardinals - The rumors of Anquan Boldin’s departure proved unfounded as he will return to Arizona along with Larry Fitzgerald & Steve Breston to form one of, if not the best receiving triumvirate in the game.  They proved how explosive they could be last season and I’d expect more of the same in 2009.
6. Aaron Rodgers - Green Bay Packers – If the Packers could keep him off his back the sky is the limit.  With over 4,300 yards and 23 TD he quickly proved that the team made the right decision in moving on from Brett Favre.  He’s not going to sneak up on anyone this season, that’s for sure.
7. Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys - He’s been spectacular in the preseason, throwing for 192 yards in the second game.  Still, while some believe the absence of Terrell Owens will allow him to spread the ball around more and grow as a QB, that’s an awfully big leap of faith for fantasy owners to make.  Time will tell, but we all know he can perform and should be a solid QB in all formats.
8. Donovan McNabb – Philadelphia Eagles - The addition at left tackle is going to help him immediately, as is first round draft pick Jeremy Maclin.  A solid back up to Brian Westbrook may help to keep him healthy and the addition of Michael Vick gives the offense another wrinkle.  Put it all together and 2009 could be a big season for him.  McNabb could be a stud this season.
9. Matt Ryan – Atlanta Falcons - He was tremendous in his rookie season and adding the best tight end in history just gives him that much more to work with.  While I wouldn’t draft him over the other quarterbacks on this list, he easily could outperform the majority of them by year’s end.
10. Matt Schaub - Houston Texans – He took a huge step forward last season throwing for over 3,000 yards in a season for the first time in his career, despite only playing in 11 games.  With Andre Johnson, one of the top two WR in the game, at his disposal, there’s no reason to think he can’t continue as long as he stays healthy.
11. Jay Cutler - Chicago Bears – He’s proven how good he could be, but he trades in some tremendous wide receivers to go to a place where it is tough to throw come December.  Talk is that he’s already developed a rapport with TE Greg Olsen, which certainly should help, but he’s not likely to be able to produce like he did with the receivers he currently has.
12. Ben Roethlisberger – Pittsburgh Steelers - He’s at a disadvantage, given the team’s propensity to grind it out instead of take to the air.  Still, when healthy, he’s a solid option in all formats with a pair of solid WR in Hines Ward and Santonio Holmes to work with.
13. Carson Palmer - Cincinnati Bengals – Will he be able to perform like he did prior to getting injured?  Who knows, honestly, but that concern makes him a major risk.  Throw in the fact that he’s hurting again this preseason and may not again take the field until the regular season and he is much better suited for a backup role.
14. Eli Manning – New York Giants - Concerned about the WR situation in NY?  While they don’t have a blow away option, they have significant depth and there’s no reason to think he won’t be able to be a useful option and the perfect bye week replacement.
15. Brett Favre – Minnesota Vikings - For those who want to believe that he’s washed up and can’t handle the rigors of the NFL, how quickly we forget that he actually led the Jets to an 8-3 start in 2008.  The guy can clearly still play and is worth using as a backup.
16. Trent Edwards – Buffalo Bills - I’ve already spoken about him as a potential breakout candidate (click here for the article) and I still stand by that.  Of course, he may need Terrell Owens to take the field in order to get there, but word is he should be fine soon enough.
17. Matt Hasselbeck – Seattle Seahawks - Injury limited him in 2008, but we all know what he’s capable of and the addition of T.J. Houshmanzadeh will certainly help.  As a backup, he’s certainly usable.
18. Matt Cassel – Kansas City Chiefs - Was he a product of the Patriots system or is he really as good as he showed last season?  We’ll find out soon enough, but with Dwayne Bowe & Larry Johnson helping him lead the offense he should have a solid season.
19. David Garrard – Jacksonville Jaguars - He’s going to be playing with the best WR he has in Tory Holt, but who knows exactly what he has left in the tank. 
20. Kyle Orton – Denver Broncos - He was nothing special in Chicago, but he replaces Jay Cutler in an offense that has its share of firepower.  He’s been great in the spring, going 27-42 with 271 yards and 1 TD.  Of course, the 4 interceptions do not make owners very happy and keep him as nothing more than a low-end back-up. 

What do you think of these rankings?  Who is too high?  Too low?  Who got left off completely?

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Tony Scheffler is a decent TE option as Kyle Orton has a tendency to throw to Tight Ends. He is, however, playing in an offense that typically doesn’t utilize TEs with great frequency. That said, as long as he’s healthy the Broncos will look for ways to get him the ball.  I wouldn’t look to draft Scheffler until the 15th round or so. I’m expecting 35 catches for 500 yards and 4 TDs.

 

Kevin Boss has the ability to be a solid fantasy TE, it’s just a matter of opportunity.  It appears as if Travis Beckum will take away some of Boss’ chances.  Still, Boss is a big, athletic target who Eli will utilize in the red zone.  Don’t expect a major step forward for Boss.  I’m expecting him to catch 35 passes for 450 yards and 5 TDs.

 

Jeremy Shockey could just as easily be one of the top ten fantasy this year as he could be a bust.  If he doesn’t let his big mouth and massive ego get in the way, he will be a bargain, going somewhere in the 12th round or so in fantasy drafts.  He also needs to stay healthy something that isn’t a given either.  I’m expecting 60 catches for 700 yards and 3 TDs. Though I expect more from him, his risk factor has him lower in my rankings.

Brent Celek was a force in the Eagles’ playoff run last year catching 19 passes for 151 yards and 3 TDs.  He finished with 27 catches for 318 yards and 1 TD in the regular season, but it’s the postseason heroics that have fantasy owners grabbing Celek as their TE2.  The Eagles have a ton of weapons, but Celek should continue to progress.  Most of the Eagle WRs are smallish, so Celek should be a go-to-guy in the red zone.  He’s going around the 13th round of fantasy drafts.  I’m expecting 40 catches for 480 yards and 5 TDs.

 

Will Vernon Davis ever live up to the hype?  I’m afraid it’s now or never for Davis.  I just don’t know if he will ever have the discipline it requires to be a reliable TE.  Obviously Mike Singletary has had some issues with Davis, and if the team struggles like it’s projected to, there could be more issues.  Davis may have one of the best physiques, but it takes much more than that.  He’ll probably go anywhere between 13th and 15th round in fantasy drafts, but I’d let someone else have that headache.  I’m putting him at 38 catches for 420 yards and 3 TDs.

Anthony Fasano was very up and down last year with just four games with 40+ yards, but he delivered the goods with 7 TDs.  I wouldn’t expect him to come near that number, but he should be an adequate TE2.  He’s been going around the 13th round in fantasy drafts, but I would wait a couple rounds more provided there were comparable TEs still available.  I’m predicting 35 catches for 395 yards and 4 TDs.

 

Brandon Pettigrew has been slowed by a thigh injury this camp and his fantasy value is fading fast.  The more time he misses, the harder it will be for Pettigrew to catch up.  I wouldn’t even bother drafting him unless you are in a deep dynasty league.  Just keep an eye on him and watch how he progresses during the year.  If he shows signs of catching on, feel free to snatch him up.  At this point my expectations are very low.  20 catches for 320 yards and 2 TDs.

 

Bo Scaife had a great year with 58 catches for 561 yards and 2 TDs, but I expect him to take a major step back with the emergence of Rookie Jared Cook.  The Titans also brought in Nate Washington and Kenny Britt so look for them to rely on Scaife much.  He’s worth a roster spot until he proves otherwise, but I would wait until the very end of the draft to grab him.  I’m predicting 30 catches for 380 yards and 2 TDs.

 

Marcedes Lewis had a decent 2008 season with 41 catches for 489 yards and 2 TDs.  His 2007 numbers were fairly similar with 37-391-2.  He dropped a ton of passes last year though, and if that trend continues he could find himself on the bench.  He’s a decent bye week replacement.  I probably wouldn’t draft him, but would consider him when my starter went on bye.  My prediction is 38 catches for 420 yards and 2 TDs.

Todd Heap is no longer the player he once was.  Plus, the Ravens brought in TE L.J. Smith, which will cut down on Heap’s looks.  You can use him as a bye week replacement, but I wouldn’t do so against a team with a good pass rush.  Heap will be in blocking mode during those weeks.  I’m expecting 30 catches for 325 yards and 2 TDs.

Donald Lee regressed last year from 48-575-6 in 2007 to 39-303-5 last year.  The emergence of Jermichael Finley should continue to take a toll on Lee’s production.  Lee could be utilized more as a blocker with Finley getting the looks in passing situations.  It’s certainly something to monitor before you draft Lee.  I’d probably hold off on a backup until my bye week rather than roll with Lee.  I’m expecting 25 catches for 285 yard and 4 TDs.

Chase Coffman will eventually be an asset in the passing game for the Bengals, but he will have to make an adjustment to playing Tight End at the pro level.  That means learning how to block, something he wasn’t asked to do a lot of at Missouri.  Once he catches on, look for Coffman to be a decent TE2 option.  Again, I wouldn’t draft him unless you are in a deep dynasty league.  My prediction is 20 catches for 280 yards and 3 TDs.

Dustin Keller had a nice Rookie year with 48 catches for 535 yards and 3 TDs.  He was really beginning to pick up steam in Weeks 10-13 averaging 6.75 catches for 78.25 yards before the wings fell off the Jets and Brett Favre’s arm went limp.  With limited options to catch the ball and a green QB in Kellen Clemens or Mark Sanchez, look for Keller to see plenty of targets as their check down option.  I’m afraid the TDs are going to be few and far between, but he should be a solid, low end TE1 making him a solid value as he’s going around the 12th Round in fantasy drafts.  His value increases in PPR leagues.  I’m expecting 70 catches for 800 yards and 3 TDs.

Visanthe Shiancoe has to be pleased with the addition of Brett Favre as Favre has traditionally liked going to Tight Ends in the red zone (Mark Chmura, Bubba Franks, Donald Lee). He probably won’t see an increase in looks with the addition of Percy Harvin, who should get plenty of work in the slot, but he could keep his TD total high to maintain his fantasy value.  He’s going around the 12th Round of fantasy drafts and is a borderline TE1 and a solid TE2.  Personally I would TE earlier so I wouldn’t have to rely on Shiancoe as my #1.  With Adrian Peterson, Chestery Taylor, Bernard Berrian, Sidney Rice, and Harvin, there are a lot of mouths to feed on the Vikings.  Consistency will be an issue.  I think he’ll finish with 45 catches for 575 yards and 5 TDs.

Heath Miller has been a fairly consistent TE2 the past four years.  He has averaged 42 catches for 483 yards and 5.25 TDs.  He’s very athletic, but is often used heavily in pass protection that his numbers are what they could be if he played in another offense.  That said, he still is a nice backup Tight End and spot starter. He’s going around the 13th Round of fantasy drafts, although I would wait a bit longer for a TE2 had I already picked a TE1.  I see him having similar production as his aforementioned career numbers.  40 receptions for 480 yards and 5 TDs.