Team QB rankings: Detroit's fifth
Michael Harmon / FOXSports.com
Posted: 5 days ago
Team rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
The quarterback position often takes a backseat in fantasy drafts to the running backs, and it should, given that many teams employ systems that use multiple players and specialists.
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Fantasy Football Draft Info
Mike Harmon offers draft expert advice to help you stay ahead of the competition. Check back during training camp and the season for weekly columns.
NFL draft analysis
# Winners, losers: Who benefits, loses
# Rookies: Offense | Defense
# Live at draft: 1st round | Rds 2-3
Player rankings
# Overall: Top 400 | IDP
# Offense: QB | RB | WR | TE | K
# Defense: Team | DL | LB | DB
# Sleepers: Offense | IDP
# NFL Draft: Top 15 prospects
Roger Rotter brings insight to help owners win their leagues. Check out his draft columns and spins on breaking news during the off-season.
Draft analysis
# QB: Arizona's Leinart rates first
# RB: Indy's Addai tops rookies
Off-season movement
# QB: Culpepper to rebound?
# RB: James to burn in Arizona?
# WR: Owens to star again
# K: Vinatieri's No. 1
# OL: Vikings nab Hutchinson
Sleepers
# Breakthrough stars, QB, RB and WR
Fantasy spins
# Brett Favre: Elevates RB, WR
# Ricky Williams: Helps Brown
# Drew Brees: Stats to drop
# Daunte Culpepper: Stock rises
# Terrell Owens: Jumps as a Cowboy
# Mike Martz: Improves Lions' offense
However, the quarterback position makes it all go, and generally, only 13-15 players actually take every snap for the respective teams. Peyton Manning and Brett Favre stand out as the iron men at the position. Fantasy owners can count on them to get under center and confidently pencil them into their starting lineups (struggles for Favre and the phenomenal Colts run of 2005 notwithstanding).
In this edition of my preseason tour, I'm putting the quarterback position under the microscope. Rather than focusing entirely on starters, I'm ranking quarterbacks by team. In subsequent columns, I'll apply the same scrutiny to the other skill positions.
I begin in Indianpolis, where the system and assembly of talent makes the quarterback a star, regardless of the number on his back.
1. Indianapolis Colts
History says that the Colts need worry about the backup position only for the purpose of practice and garbage time snaps. In eight years at the controls of the Colts attack, Peyton Manning has yet to miss a game because of injury.
Backup Jim Sorgi played well when handed the ball in 2005. In the two games after Indianapolis had secured home field advantage through the playoffs, Sorgi completed 69 percent of his pass attempts for 444 yards and three touchdowns.
2. New England Patriots
It's easy to see that Tom Brady has established himself as one of the marquee players on the NFL landscape. However, he's quietly become one of the best fantasy options at the quarterback position as well. Brady has averaged 26 touchdown passes and 3,797 yards over the past four seasons.
The retirement of Doug Flutie places second-year quarterback Matt Cassel in the backup role. He performed well in the season finale against the Dolphins, completing 11-of-20 for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Flutie believes that Cassel is ready for the role, but there remains a chance that the Patriots make a move to bring in a veteran ahead of camp.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars received efficient play from starter Byron Leftwich when he was healthy. Leftwich completed 58 percent of his passes for 2,123 yards and three touchdowns per interception but missed the final five games of the year.
Fortunately, backup David Garrard showed an ability to lead the team both by air and on the ground. He accounted for seven touchdowns against two turnovers in those five starts with three performances of 216 or more passing yards.
4. St. Louis Rams
The Rams return starter
Marc Bulger to direct new coach
Scott Linehan's offense. Bulger has started the season strong before an injury on an interception return effectively ended his year. He tossed at least one touchdown pass in each of his starts (14 overall) before succumbing to injury. Linehan brought backup Gus Frerotte with him from Miami as insurance for Bulger, who has missed time each of the last two seasons. Frerotte threw 18 touchdowns for the Dolphins last year.
Linehan proposes to utilize
Steven Jackson in much the way he worked the Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams combination in Miami last season. His love of the power running game indicates that even a healthy Bulger will see his numbers pulled back somewhat from his pinball-like numbers of the past.
5. Detroit Lions
The Lions traded former No. 1 pick Joey Harrington to the Dolphins this off-season after years of underachieving and reached out in free agency to acquire Josh McCown and Jon Kitna. Both enjoyed stretches of success in Arizona and Cincinnati, respectively, and will enjoy working in the wide open offense of Mike Martz with the Lions.
This quarterback situation figures to be one to watch this summer as training camp unfolds with the caliber of receivers and skill position players assembled in Detroit. Second-year quarterback Dan Orlovsky stands as the No. 3 option this season.
6. Minnesota Vikings
It was feast or famine for Brad Johnson's owners in 2005, and he'll keep the job for at least one more year in Minnesota. (Elsa / Getty Images)
The Vikings parted ways with Daunte Culpepper this off-season, leaving Brad Johnson as the starter entering 2006. Johnson was hit or miss after ascending to the role in 2005, tossing multiple touchdowns in five games and getting shut out in four others. He's immobile, will turn 38 early in the 2006 season and is just two years removed from a performance and injury-shortened season in Tampa.
Former Detroit starter and Eagles backup (under Childress) Mike McMahon was signed for the primary backup role this season. McMahon started seven games for the Eagles last year in Donovan McNabb's absence and completed a woeful 45.4 percent of his pass attempts with five touchdowns and eight interceptions. Frighteningly, that completion percentage is actually one percent higher than his career mark. J.T. O'Sullivan sits in the third spot for Minnesota, and he's yet to throw an NFL pass after four years.
7. Miami Dolphins
Miami made wholesale changes at the position for 2006. All three quarterbacks on the roster in 2005 changed locales this off-season. Daunte Culpepper assumes the starting job for Nick Saban after a miserable truncated season in Minnesota last year. The Dolphins also brought former Lions quarterback Joey Harrington in through a trade. Harrington will serve as Culpepper's backup and insurance for his injured knee.
The reliance on the strong running game with Brown takes some of the load off of the quarterback and allows them to operate more effectively in the system. After all, Frerotte narrowly missed the 3,000-yard mark last season.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles welcome back starter Donovan McNabb after his sports hernia injury of 2005. He'll come back to a wide receiving corps led by Reggie Brown and an efficient offensive system. Lest we forget, the Eagles and McNabb were quite effective in the days before Terrell Owens.
Philadelphia added veteran quarterback Jeff Garcia as his backup. Garcia joins his fourth team in four years, and though he has seen his productivity dip each season, he fits in nicely within this system. The motion and short passes that make up Philadelphia's attack are similar to the San Francisco offense he ran with such efficiency at the beginning of the decade.
Garcia slides ahead of Koy Detmer on the depth chart. Detmer hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since 2002.
9. Tennessee Titans
The Titans addressed the quarterback position for the future with the selection of Vince Young, but the position in 2006 remains a question mark. Steve McNair has one foot out the door, but his exit is not assured as of yet. Behind him on the depth chart stands Billy Volek, who shone brightly when called upon to replace an injured McNair in 2004.
Tennessee added David Givens from New England to complement Drew Bennett and a host of young and talented receivers. They also selected LenDale White in the draft to toughen up the backfield. These additions will make Tennessee more competitive immediately.
10. Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta fans and fantasy owners continue to wait for Michael Vick to piece together his ridiculous talent with on-field performance. Vick tossed 15 touchdown passes and rushed for an additional six touchdowns to post a respectable season total, but his overall production and decision-making falls short of expectations. Of chief concern is his tendency to tuck the ball and run instead of using his tremendous arm strength. Perhaps a full off-season of work with top options Roddy White and Michael Jenkins will rectify that situation.
Falcons backup Matt Schaub was one of the most heavily sought-after trade options this off-season. Schaub played well in his lone start in Week 5 against New England. He completed 18-of-34 attempts for 298 yards and three scores in that contest. Schaub is more a pure passer, which would send the value of Atlanta receivers higher should he be called upon for an extended stretch.
Atlanta drafted D.J. Shockley of Georgia in the final round. Shockley is a tremendous athlete whose stock dropped on account of his unorthodox throwing motion. The Falcons don't care how it gets there, just so long as it does. After all, there are no style points awarded in the NFL.
11. Washington Redskins
Mark Brunell turned back the clock in Joe Gibbs' offense, effectively utilizing speed receiver Santana Moss and distributing the ball to his tight ends. Brunell threw a career-high 23 touchdown passes in wresting the top job from Patrick Ramsey (now with the Jets). The Redskins added wide receivers Brandon Lloyd and Antwaan Randle El to offer more balance and depth.
Washington has a talented backup at the ready in 2005 first-round selection Jason Campbell. Some have argued that the former Auburn star deserves the opportunity to compete with Brunell for the starting role this year. Brunell's success in 2005 makes that unlikely to occur, but Campbell's strong arm and 6-foot-4 frame have them secure for the future. Career backup Todd Collins currently stands third on the depth chart.
12. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals, led by Josh McCown and Kurt Warner, finished first in the NFL at 295.6 passing yards per game in 2005. Steady backup McCown exited for Detroit this off-season, leaving rookie Matt Leinart as Warner's first backup. Given Warner's immobility and the continued questions about the Cardinals offensive line, Leinart may find himself under center for an extended stretch this year.
The addition of Edgerrin James will help take heat off of the quarterback and keep defenses honest, which will serve the Warner/Leinart combination well. Additionally, the Cardinals work the short and intermediate passing game prominently. Quarterbacks get the ball out fast and allow the receivers to do their magic after the catch. While the injury history of Warner is somewhat disconcerting, the combination of skill position players should allow Leinart to find some modicum of success.
13. Denver Broncos
The Broncos enter 2006 with the calm and collected Jake Plummer, who has learned to operate within the Denver system and cut down on his mistakes. Plummer has participated in every game for the Broncos in the past two years, throwing for 45 touchdowns and 7,455 yards.
Denver found their quarterback of the future by trading up this year to select Jay Cutler of Vanderbilt. Both Cutler and Bradlee Van Pelt impressed Denver coaches in the recently completed mini-camp. There appears to be a spirited competition on tap to decide the backup role.
14. Cincinnati Bengals
Carson Palmer had his coming out party last year to the tune of 32 touchdown passes, but saw his post-season run ended early with a serious knee injury in the Pittsburgh loss. Palmer expects to be ready for the season opener, but the Bengals will proceed with caution this summer.
The Bengals signed former Ravens quarterback Anthony Wright to be Palmer's backup and insurance if his knee isn't ready. He replaces former backup Jon Kitna, who signed with the Lions this off-season. Wright completed 61.7 percent of his passing attempts for Baltimore last season for 1,582 yard, six touchdowns and nine interceptions.
15. New York Giants
Eli Manning grew tremendously in his second NFL season, tossing 24 touchdown passes in his first full season as a starter. New York figures to be among the highest scoring offenses this year as Manning continues his maturation with Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey as his primary playmakers.
However, the quarterback role is still spotty behind Manning. Tim Hasselbeck returns as the backup with Jared Lorenzen in the third spot. To put the experience of this pair in perspective, Hasselbeck has not attempted a pass in the NFL since 2003, and Lorenzen has yet to take a snap. Pass protection will be huge in deciding the Giants' fate in 2006.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After Chris Simms came into Tampa Bay's lineup, he performed well enough to hold onto the starting spot for the rest of 2005. (Scott Halleran / Getty Images)
Chris Simms ascended to the top spot for the Buccaneers after starter Brian Griese was injured and lost for the year. Simms performed well in spots with three multiple touchdown games, but was also shut out of the end zone on four occasions. The Buccaneers have backups Luke McCown and former San Francisco ***** starter Tim Rattay on the roster should Simms struggle.
The Buccaneers will predicate its offense on the legs of second-year tailback Carnell Williams, who carried the ball 290 times in 14 games as a rookie.
17. Oakland Raiders
Oakland parted ways with inconsistent veteran quarterback Kerry Collins and replaced him with the equally enigmatic Aaron Brooks. There are certainly talent players lining the Oakland roster to give Brooks a chance to succeed, but he was also surrounded by talent in New Orleans.
The competition for the backup role includes second-year player Andrew Walter and Marques Tuiasosopo. Tuiasosopo looked strong in this past weekend's camp, throwing tight spirals and hitting the proper reads in coverage. Team officials are enamored with the big arm of Walter, and he will get an extended look for the backup role to Brooks. With the strong collection of receiving options on the Raiders roster, whoever is under center will have an opportunity to produce.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers don't ask Ben Roethlisberger to carry them, but he has the arm to do so if necessary. Roethlisberger accounted for multiple touchdowns in each of his first six games ahead of his knee injury. The running game still rules, but Roethlisberger figures to crack 20 touchdown passes for the first time this year.
Should Roethlisberger get hurt again, the Steelers offense will focus entirely on the running game. Batch played in three games last year and threw a total of 36 passes with one touchdown and one interception. The Steelers racked up 95 points in those games. Omar Jacobs was drafted from Bowling Green to compete for the backup role come 2007.
19. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens quarterback situation remains in a state of flux. For the moment, they carry only two quarterbacks on the roster, Kyle Boller and Brian St. Pierre. Former backup Wright signed with the Bengals this off-season as the primary backup to Palmer. There remains widespread speculation that Titans quarterback McNair will eventually ink a deal to join Baltimore in spite of the best efforts of Titans coach Jeff Fisher.
Boller came on strong late in the year with three three-touchdown games down the stretch in an effort to secure his job for 2006. The arbitrator is scheduled to rule in the next 2-3 weeks and will decide McNair's fate.
20. Chicago Bears
Chicago made the playoffs in spite of their quarterback play in 2005. Rookie Kyle Orton was efficient in leading the offense, but the team could not rely on him for the big completion. This season, the Bears will seek to find balance in the offense. Rex Grossman returns from another injury-shortened season to compete with off-season acquisition Brian Griese for the starting role.
Both players will offer top receiver Muhsin Muhammad more opportunities to make plays, and deep threats Bernard Berrian and Justin Gage will become factors in the Chicago offense. Chicago won't rank among the top producers at the position with the reliance on the running game, but they'll be much improved over 2005.
21. Seattle Seahawks
Matt Hasselbeck has clearly moved into the upper echelon of NFL quarterbacks with an average of 24 touchdown passes over the past three seasons. Hasselbeck was the model of efficiency a season ago, completing 65.5 percent of his passes for 3,459 yards.
The players currently behind Hasselbeck on the depth chart have little experience between them. Seneca Wallace has been with the team since 2003, but saw his first game action at quarterback last season. Even then, he threw only 25 passes over seven appearances (9-for-17 for 98 yards, one touchdown and one interception in his most extensive action in a season-ending loss). The Seahawks drafted David Greene out of Georgia in the third round of last season's draft.
22. New York Jets
The Jets bolstered their quarterback situation with the addition of Patrick Ramsey this off-season. Barring a series of injuries that claims Chad Pennington (again), as well as Ramsey and 2006 draft choice Kellen Clemens, Vinny Testaverde will remain on the couch.
Pennington is ahead of schedule on his recovery from shoulder surgery and contends that he can make all of the required throws. Coach Eric Mangini is insistent that the quarterback position is open for competition this spring. Laveranues Coles and Justin McCareins are hoping for some semblance of consistency to raise their production.
23. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs enter the season with 36-year-old quarterback Trent Green at the helm. Green saw his touchdown production drop markedly last year with a series of injuries on the offensive line and the emergence of tailback Larry Johnson. Since joining the Chiefs in 2001, Green has not missed a start and has topped 3,600 passing yards in five consecutive seasons.
The battle for the backup role in Kansas City comes down to Damon Huard, who hasn't taken a snap since 2003 in New England, or rookie Brodie Croyle, who performed well in this weekend's rookie camp. The Chiefs are impressed by Croyle's arm strength, which may give him a chance to supplant the veteran Huard for the top backup spot.
24. Dallas Cowboys
Drew Bledsoe will have no shortage of weapons when he takes the field with Dallas' offense in 2006. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
Bill Parcells turns to veteran quarterback Drew Bledsoe for a second season. Bledsoe threw 23 touchdown passes a season ago, and welcomes top-flight wide receiver Terrell Owens to the mix this year. The combination of Owens, Terry Glenn and tight end Jason Witten signals a big year ahead for the Cowboys offense.
The Cowboys continue to run with Parcells favorite Tony Romo as the backup for Bledsoe. Romo has never attempted an NFL pass in his four seasons with the Cowboys, and third-string quarterback Drew Henson hasn't seen the field since an abbreviated turn as the starter in 2004. The strong complement of skill position players in Dallas will take some of the pressure off the quarterback, but the values of all Cowboys players dip with an injury to the statuesque Bledsoe.
25. Carolina Panthers
Jake Delhomme of the Panthers has established himself as a bona fide fantasy starter in his last two seasons, averaging 3,654 yards and 26 touchdown passes. This year, he'll add Keyshawn Johnson and speedy Drew Carter to fantasy hero Steve Smith in the receiving corps. When he's on the field, the Panthers will rank among the league's top scoring units.
After Delhomme, the quality of quarterbacks drops off substantially. Chris Weinke hasn't seen extensive playing time since 2001 when he appeared in 15 games. He's thrown only 51 passes in the last four seasons. Weinke will battle second-year quarterback Stefan LeFors for the backup role.
26. Green Bay Packers
The Packers get to put off the quest to replace Brett Favre for (at least) one more season, as the future Hall of Famer returns to Green Bay. In an injury-decimated offense, Favre threw 20 touchdowns and 29 interceptions in 2005. With a full season of health and some consistency on the offensive line, Favre may be able to find some balance and improve on his stats.
In limited duty last season, Aaron Rodgers demonstrated that he'll need at least another full NFL cycle before he's ready to contribute at a high level. The Packers drafted Ingle Martin IV from Florida this April to round out the position.
27. New Orleans Saints
The Saints addressed their quarterback situation by turning to the efficient former leader of the Chargers, Drew Brees. Brees completed 65 percent of his pass attempts over the past two years and tossed 51 touchdown passes. At this stage of his rehabilitation, the Saints are confident that Brees will be ready for the season opener.
The Saints are shaky at quarterback behind Brees. Todd Bouman struggled in relief of Brooks last year, completing 55.7 percent of his passes and throwing two touchdowns and seven interceptions. Third on the depth chart is young Adrian McPherson, who has a world of talent, but is extremely raw. He'll need at least another year of learning before he's ready to contribute.
28. Buffalo Bills
The Bills enter the 2006 season with continued questions about the quarterback position. New coach Dick Jauron opted to go heavy with defense in the draft, leaving the trio of Kelly Holcomb, J.P. Losman and Craig Nall to compete for the starting role this season. Losman has the edge going in, but Holcomb's experience may win out with the conservative Jauron.
Buffalo returns speed receiver Lee Evans, who ascends to the No. 1 role with the loss of Eric Moulds, but the remaining Bills receivers have question marks attached to them. Andre' Davis has shown flashes of ability between injuries, and Peerless Price tries to reclaim his place in the game by returning to the scene of his biggest triumphs.
29. San Diego Chargers
Drew Brees left San Diego for a big contract in New Orleans, leaving third-year quarterback Philip Rivers at the control. Rivers will pin his success this year on the heavy use of running back LaDainian Tomlinson and tight end Antonio Gates, much like Drew Brees did the past two seasons. Rivers has worked hard this off-season to build better relationships with his teammates and to improve his timing with receivers Keenan McCardell and Eric Parker.
Behind first-year starter Rivers stand former Eagles and Dolphins backup A.J. Feeley and rookie Charlie Whitehurst. Whitehurst gained the early edge in the backup competition with a strong camp this weekend. Feeley struggled with his early throws, making several bad reads that resulted in interceptions. Regardless, this trio had limited experience on the field (just 554 pass attempts between them).
30. Houston Texans
Gary Kubiak is convinced that he can make a star out of David Carr. The Texans passed over the quarterbacks in this year's draft, declined to sign one of the higher-priced veterans on the free agent market and paid a huge roster bonus to their fifth-year quarterback. Houston added veteran receiver Eric Moulds to complement Andre Johnson and signed tight end Jeb Putzier.
Dave Ragone and Sage Rosenfels (from Miami) will compete for the backup role in Houston. Given the heavy sack total amassed by Carr over the past several seasons, there's always a chance that an injury may occur. Ragone hasn't seen the field since his rookie year in 2003, and Rosenfels played sparingly in Miami. The near future of the franchise rests squarely on Carr's right arm.
31. San Francisco *****
The ***** enter the season with second-year player Alex Smith as the starter. To say that Smith struggled in 2005 would be an understatement, as he tossed only one touchdown pass against 11 interceptions. To aid in his development, and to provide a veteran presence should Smith struggle again, the ***** dealt for Trent Dilfer this off-season. Dilfer contemplated retirement this off-season and is currently recovering from knee surgery. Though the ***** upgraded the receiving corps with the selection of tight end Vernon Davis and the signing of Antonio Bryant, it still figures to be another rebuilding season in San Francisco.
32. Cleveland Browns
The deal that sent Dilfer to the ***** solidifies Charlie Frye's claim to the starting quarterback position. Frye demonstrated solid ability as a rookie in several games last year by completing 60 percent of his passes for 1,002 yards, four touchdowns and five interceptions. The Browns figure to rely heavily on the legs of Reuben Droughns to aid Frye's development.
Ken Dorsey slides into the backup role upon his acquisition from San Francisco. Dorsey struggled in 12 appearances for the ***** over two seasons with eight touchdowns, 11 interceptions and a quarterback rating of 63.7.
I'll continue my tour through the offensive units tomorrow with a glimpse at the running back position. Who's got the goods to rise to the top? Chicago? New Orleans?
Let the debate begin.
