Fantasy Football: Top Quarterbacks

By Craig Arnold  |   Monday, July 24, 2006  |  Comments( 5 )

Fantasy Football
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Here are the top 10 fantasy football quarterbacks for the 2006 Season:

1. PEYTON MANNING
Manning's numbers stayed strong last year, but expecting the 30-year-old to live up to his totals from '04 was unrealistic, since he tossed 49 touchdown passes, an all-time single-season record. Manning ended up throwing 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last year, while passing for over 3,700 yards. The loss of running back Edgerrin James will most likely put a tad more pressure on Manning and the passing game this season, but the Colts' offensive line should continue to hold up well. The receiving corps stayed together in the offseason, as No. 2 man Reggie Wayne was re-signed to a hefty contract. Slot wideout Brandon Stokley will go back to his old ways and prove to be another strong weapon for Manning, whose numbers should go up in 2006.

Draft Round Estimate: 1st-2nd Round

2. CARSON PALMER
Palmer's coming off a fantastic season, but he's also on the mend from a terrible knee injury, which is worrying plenty of fantasy players. Palmer's numbers in 2005 were outstanding, as he threw 33 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions, and exceeded the 3,800-yard mark. Palmer has a phenomenal receiving corps, led by Pro Bowler Chad Johnson, who had nine touchdowns and over 1,400 yards receiving last year. Investing a pick on Palmer would ultimately be a good investment for you, even if he can't make the first few starts of the season because of his injury. A key downside of picking Palmer is the Bengals' schedule. The team's first six games include matchups with Kansas City, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, New England, Tampa Bay and Carolina. Of course, all of those teams have defenses that could be anywhere from above-average to elite in '06. Still, if Palmer goes 16 games this year, I foresee him matching his numbers from last season, or experiencing a slight drop off.

Draft Round Estimate: 2nd-3rd Round

3. TOM BRADY
The reliable Brady tossed 27 touchdowns, 14 interceptions and surpassed the 4,100-yard mark in 2005. The loss of David Givens will hurt Brady a bit, since the receiver was quite dependable for the Patriots' offense over the past couple of years. The addition of Reche Caldwell in the offseason shouldn't help Brady too much, since he's been an average to below-average target for San Diego in his first four seasons; however, the addition of Chad Jackson from Florida will aid the passing game. Jackson is a big, quick target that can add speed and depth for Brady's Patriots. You can always depend on the tight ends to be a factor in the passing game, too. Daniel Graham and Ben Watson will serve Brady well this upcoming year. New England's running game, led by Corey Dillon and Laurence Maroney, should also keep opposing defenses honest, which will help Brady. Obviously, a solid ground game can open the field up for Brady and his receivers, especially the play-action game.

Draft Round Estimate: 2nd-3rd Round

4. MARC BULGER
Coming off a disappointing 2005 venture, Bulger returns with a new head coach and a healthy, strong shoulder. Despite missing half of last season, Bulger racked up 14 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and over 2,200 yards. His most dependable receivers, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce, battled injuries during the year, which negatively affected the former Pro Bowl passer. The Rams' former head coach, Mike Martz, played an "air it out" style of offense, while new head coach Scott Linehan has stated he wants more of a balanced attack. This does bring Bulger's fantasy value down just a bit, as does Bruce's current skill declination. However, Holt is one of the elite receivers in the game today, and Kevin Curtis could out-duel Bruce this summer and win the No. 2 job. Depth targets like Dane Looker and Shaun McDonald shouldn't be overlooked, either. If Bulger can stay healthy and Steven Jackson can continue developing as a solid running back, expect the Bulger of old to reappear. Bulger should be aided by the Rams' early season schedule, which includes showdowns with San Francisco, Arizona, Detroit and Green Bay.

Draft Round Estimate: 4th-5th Round

5. JAKE DELHOMME
The addition of Keyshawn Johnson this offseason will open up Delhomme's passing game tremendously. Steve Smith has emerged as one of the deadliest wideouts in the game today. The biggest downside to Delhomme is his interception problem, as he threw 16 passes to the Panthers' opposition last season. Third-year man Keary Colbert experienced a sophomore slump in '05, but the Panthers are hoping he can return to the form of his rookie season, when he finished with 47 receptions. The Panthers' ground game, led by DeAngelo Williams and DeShaun Foster, will only help Delhomme this year. The aspect that will be different this year in Carolina is their goal-line assaults. With bruising runner Eric Shelton in the backfield, defenses may stack the line, leaving the 6-4, 211-pound Johnson one-on-one with small cornerbacks for fade routes in the back of the end zone, ultimately helping Delhomme's numbers. Now that he has weapons beside Steve Smith, expect Delhomme's numbers to improve this season.

Draft Round Estimate: 4th-5th Round

6. MATT HASSELBECK
With the MVP of the league (Shaun Alexander) behind you, it's very easy to be overlooked. Over the past several seasons, Hasselbeck has become a strong fantasy quarterback. The 30-year-old threw 25 touchdowns and nine interceptions in the Seahawks' NFC title season, while passing for over 3,400 yards. While No. 1 wideout Darrell Jackson was injured for most of 2005, Joe Jurevicius became Hasselbeck's main target. However, Jurevicius bolted to Cleveland in free agency, but a healthy Jackson, reliable Bobby Engram and newly-acquired Nate Burleson should get the job done for the Seahawks' passing attack. Hasselbeck can scorch secondaries with short and long throws, and is only improving as the years go on.

Draft Round Estimate: 4th-5th Round

7. DAUNTE CULPEPPER
Still an outstanding quarterback, Culpepper had a down year in '05. The injury that the 6-4, 264-pound gunslinger suffered kept him out of action for about half of the year, crippling any chance he had to put up solid numbers. Though his knee injury may keep him out several weeks of the 2006 season, Culpepper's numbers should return to form. The Dolphins' main targets, Chris Chambers, Marty Booker, Randy McMichael, Ronnie Brown and the speedy Wes Welker, will all help Culpepper excel in Miami. The offensive line improved in the offseason, which will also aid in his career rebound. The ex-Minnesota Viking will slip in drafts because of injury concerns, but he's more than worth a selection, since he'll likely play most (if not all) of the season.

Draft Round Estimate:9th-10th Round

8. DONOVAN MCNABB
With receiver Terrell Owens completely out of the Eagles' picture, McNabb should climb to his old form. Todd Pinkston, Reggie Brown, Jabar Gaffney, Greg Lewis, running back Brian Westbrook and tight end L.J. Smith will be the quarterback's primary targets. No big-name stars appear in the receiving corps, but they have a chance to be adequate. The biggest target McNabb will go to is the 6-3, 258-pound Smith, who caught a career-best 61 passes last season. While coach Andy Reid has stated he does want to run more this season with Westbrook and Ryan Moats, I'll take a wait and see approach. McNabb will do well in 2006, but will not have an outstanding year.

Draft Round Estimate: 7th-8th Round

9. DREW BLEDSOE
Bledsoe is getting up there in age, but that's no reason not to take him. In his second season with the Cowboys, expect a huge year from the nine-year veteran. The offensive line has been upgraded, and the receiving corps of Terrell Owens, Jason Witten, Terry Glenn and Patrick Crayton is deadly. The addition of Owens will have a huge impact on Bledsoe's numbers, since he's a deep threat with good hands. With such great talent around him, Bledsoe seems like a late-round fantasy steal.

Draft Round Estimatee: 8th-9th

10. KURT WARNER
Injuries have hurt Warner over the past several seasons, but if he can stay healthy, the Cardinals' signalcaller should have an outstanding season. With weapons like Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and No. 3 receiver Bryant Johnson, expect Warner to do some damage this year. The addition of Edgerrin James will both hurt and help Warner's numbers. The passing game won't get the same attention, but that's okay. With James in the backfield, defenses will have to prepare for him, no matter what, and that will serve as a tool for Warner and the passing game. Again, if Warner can go 16 games with a revamped Arizona offense, he could accumulate big numbers in the upcoming season.

Draft Round Estimate: 8th-9th

SLEEPER PICKS:

1. DAVID CARR
A new head coach, new front office and new players bring in a new era for Houston. Carr will finally be able step into the limelight this season, thanks to an improved offensive line. The additions of receivers Eric Moulds and Kevin Walter, as well as tight end Jed Putzier will improve Carr's numbers. There is a risk with taking Carr, even as a late-round, No. 2 quarterback. Ultimately, the weapons seem to be in place this year for Carr and the Texans, making the selection of the former No. 1 overall pick a calculated gamble.

2. AARON BROOKS
Kerry Collins, the former Raiders' quarterback, is being succeeded by the fleet of foot Brooks, a completely different player. Brooks has a very strong arm and can make tough passes long or short. Randy Moss, Jerry Porter, Doug Gabriel, tight end Courtney Anderson, and solid running back/receiver LaMont Jordan could help Brooks in a career renaissance. In the end, Brooks will be a solid backup quarterback for a fantasy team this season.

3. BILLY VOLEK
Volek should do well in Tennessee this season, if the Titans give him the starting job throughout the year, rather than throw rookie Vince Young to the wolves. In 2004, Volek proved he could be a dependable quarterback, as he started in eight games, throwing for over 2,400 yards, accompanying 18 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The addition of receiver David Givens will aid in Volek's cause, as will a healthy Drew Bennett. Volek's a fairly large risk, but his payoff has the potential to be vast.

- Get more Fantasy Football insight at Realfootball365.com
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