2010 QB Keeper Rankings are based on a three year outlook for the 2010, 2011, and 2012 fantasy football seasons. Players age for the 2010 season is listed after their name.
2010 QB Keeper Rankings are established for a standard fantasy football scoring system, with scoring categories and points including:
Passing Yards: 1 point / 20 passing yards
Rushing Yards: 1 point / 10 rushing yards
Receiving Yards: 1 point / 10 receiving yards
Passing Touchdown: 4 points
Rushing/Receiving Touchdown: 6 points
Interceptions: -2 points
Fumbles Lost: -2 points
Rankings Updated: January 13, 2010
1. Aaron Rodgers – GB (26)
Forcing his way up to #1, Aaron Rodgers is by far the youngest QB on this top 10 list, and yet he is tied with Drew Brees as the #1 overall fantasy football QB for the 2009 season through week 14. Surrounded by young offensive talents in Green Bay with the likes of Greg Jennings, Ryan Grant, and Jermichael Finley, as well as the veteran Donald Driver and other young and talented WRs, there is really no reason to doubt that Rodgers will decline much, if at all, for the 2010 season. And while it may seem hard to expect him to play even better in 2010, the reality is that Rodgers could very easily put up even better stats, especially if the Green Bay offensive line can protect him. I mean seriously, if Rodgers can put up outstanding stats this season with an absolutely terrible offensive line that really cannot get much worse next season, then the bottom line is that Aaron Rodgers offers just too much proven talent and potential to be ranked anywhere but #1 on QB keeper lists heading into the 2010 season.
2. Drew Brees – NO (31)
Many may argue that Drew Brees is the #1 QB they would want in 2010 keeper leagues, but I’m not buying. Don’t get me wrong though, Brees is no doubt the ‘safer’ and more proven fantasy QB than Rodgers, but these rankings are about the future and who offers the most potential over the next three years. Overall, even if you do not agree with Brees at this #2 ranking, then I hope you would at least agree that Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers are easily the top 2 QBs for fantasy football keeper leagues heading into the 2010 season.
3. Peyton Manning – Ind (34)
Yes Peyton Manning will be 34 when the 2010 season rolls around, but much like Brett Favre, I feel that Manning could easily play at his outstanding level at least over the next 4 years. And if any QB seemingly has the best opportunity to match Brett Favre and play into his 40s, Peyton Manning seems like that guy.
4. Philip Rivers – SD (28)
Entering the prime of his career, Philip Rivers is by far the leader of the Chargers offense. At just age 28 for the 2010 season, and surrounded by outstanding receiving targets in Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson, Rivers should be tallying close to 30 touchdowns or more per year over the next several seasons. In terms of overall potential over the next three seasons, I like Rivers over Tom Brady at the #4 ranking and extremely close to overtaking Peyton Manning for the #3 spot.
5. Tom Brady – NE (33)
Coming back from his knee injury this year, Tom Brady just has not been as good as we have become accustomed to over the past several years. A year younger than Peyton Manning, Brady actually seems like he is aging faster. And clearly evident this season, is the fact that the Patriots just don’t seem to have that youth that they had during their Championship runs. Randy Moss is getting up there in age, the offensive line isn’t great, and the Patriots don’t have much of a running game and clearly no elite talented RB waiting in the wings to take over and help out Brady. Still, Tom Brady is Tom Brady, and as long as Randy Moss is on the team, Brady is a very solid fantasy football QB option.
6. Matt Schaub – Hou (29)
If injuries wouldn’t have derailed his first two seasons in Houston, Schaub would easily be in the running for a top 5 spot among fantasy football keeper league QBs. Now finally putting together an injury free season this year and playing in every game so far through week 14, Schaub is a no doubt top 10 keeper league QB heading into the 2010 season. Scoring just 1 point less than Tom Brady in several standard scoring fantasy football leagues through week 14, Schaub could easily overtake Tom Brady in the top 5 after the 2010 season.
7. Tony Romo – Dal (30)
Realistically, this ranking is a toss up between Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger. Both have the same type of stat potential, however I give Romo the slight advantage because the Cowboys seemingly have a greater passing offense than the Steelers who are traditionally a run first team, and with Rashard Mendenhall in the picture I do not anticipate that to change anytime soon.
8. Ben Roethlisberger – Pit (28)
Ranking just behind Tony Romo, Roethlisberger is a clear cut above both Eli Manning and Carson Palmer for the #8 spot among keeper league QBs heading into the 2010 season.
9. Eli Manning – NYG (29)
Since entering the NFL back in 2004, Eli Manning has been a better real life quarterback than fantasy football quarterback. While Peyton Manning oozes with big time passing stats, Eli tends to be a game manager who does just enough to win games. Entering the 2009 season, Eli has never thrown more than 24 touchdown passes in a season over his first 5 years. He currently has 23 touchdown passes through 13 games in 2009. Solid yes, but nothing great out of your fantasy football QB.
10. Carson Palmer – Cin (30)
After posting a 32 touchdown pass season in just his third year in the NFL, Carson Palmer has been on an odd path of decline ever since then. However if Cedric Benson sticks with the Bengals and he can continue to play at a high level, defenses may actually give up some passing plays to Palmer in 2010 as they are forced to honor the Bengals running game.
11. Jay Cutler – Chi
12. Joe Flacco – Bal
13. Matt Ryan – Atl
14. Donovan McNabb – Phi
15. Kurt Warner – Ari
16. Matthew Stafford – Det
17. Mark Sanchez – NYJ
18. Alex Smith – SF
19. Brett Favre – Min
20. Vince Young – Ten
21. Matt Hasselbeck – Sea
22. Matt Cassel – KC
23. David Garrard – Jac
24. Kyle Orton – Den
25. Jason Campbell – Was
26. Brady Quinn – Cle
27. Josh Freeman – TB
28. Chad Henne – Mia
29. Matt Moore – Car
30. JaMarcus Russell – Oak
31. Trent Edwards – Buf
32. Kevin Kolb – Phi
33. Matt Leinart – Ari
34. Jake Delhomme – Car
35. Derek Anderson – Cle
36. Ryan Fitzpatrick – Buf
37. Pat White – Mia
38. Marc Bulger – StL
39. Bruce Gradkowski – Oak
40. Tarvaris Jackson – Min
41. Seneca Wallace – Sea
42. Michael Vick – Phi
43. Brian Brohm – Buf
44. Keith Null – StL
45. Charlie Frye – Oak
46. Daunte Culpepper – Det
47. Mike Teal – Sea
48. Kyle Boller – StL
49. Chris Simms – Den
50. Brett Ratliff – Cle
51. David Carr – NYG
52. Brodie Croyle – KC
53. Byron Leftwich – TB
54. Shaun Hill – SF
55. Kerry Collins – Ten
56. Kellen Clemens – NYJ
57. Josh McCown – Car
58. Josh Johnson – TB
59. Nate Davis – SF
60. JT O’Sullivan – Cin
61. Chad Pennington – Mia
Written by Hawk Michaels
Writer & Owner of Hawk Fantasy Sports Blog
