First things first: Depending on how many keepers you have, I really don't recommend holding onto your quarterback. I could see keeping one of the top guys if you don't have good running back or receiving options, but there are going to be plenty of quality options available in the redraft. I'll explain more after the rankings, because I'll be able to better illustrate my point with the crop of quality quarterbacks who don't make the top 10. You'll see what I mean ...
1. Drew Brees - He's not going anywhere just yet.
2. Philip Rivers - The Chargers are becoming a passing team right before our eyes, and Rivers is legit. He was fourth in quarterback points in standard Fleaflicker leagues this past season, and the offense is still shifting its niche. With the emergence of Vincent Jackson and an increased use of Darren Sproles as a receiver out of the backfield, things will only get better.
3. Aaron Rodgers - Finished behind only Brees and Cutler in quarterback points this season, and it was only his first at the helm. Just like the person before him -- though not nearly as long or as durable, in all likelihood -- he's gonna be taking snaps here for a long time. He'll produce big-time numbers while he's at it. It doesn't hurt that the pass defense in his division is embarrassing.
4. Jay Cutler - I probably would have had him second, but with coaching changes comes the unknown. We fear the unknown in the world of fantasy. But hey, we aren't going overboard here. We're looking at a young quarterback with two young, very studly receivers. The sky's the limit when it comes to Denver's passing game.
5. Peyton Manning - Old reliable. He's only below the three young gunners because he puts up comparable stats to them, and they will be around longer.
6. Tom Brady - The toughest thing to do on this list for me was figure out where to put Brady and Matt Cassel. The Pats are likely to franchise Cassel for next season, so it's conceivable to believe Cassel will start at the beginning of the season with Brady taking over later. But what if the Pats are rolling people under Cassel, and they don't want to switch? Also, what if Brady never really recovers, and he becomes Carson Palmer? By this ranking, you can tell I don't buy into that for various reasons, but I'm cautious enough to slot him outside the top five.
7. Matt Ryan - The proverbial surface has barely been scratched in Atlanta. The offense is only going to get better as Ryan grows into a franchise quarterback. He could be your fantasy quarterback for the next decade.
8. Tony Romo - One thing you'll notice about all the quarterbacks on this list is they have a definite go-to receiver. Romo does, too, in Terrell Owens. The thing is, we can never be sure what's going to happen with T.O. There is talk the Cowboys could cut him. Also, we've seen enough ups and downs from Romo to be scared that his early success may not have been indicative of his overall talent. That being said, he puts up points and presently has the weapons. You could do much worse.
9. Matt Schaub - The Texans passing attack was among the best in football when Schaub and Andre Johnson were on the field together. Questions of Schaub's durability are sure to arise, to which I'd respond that Jared Allen's cheap shots low hits are what put Schaub out this season. Those low blows would have hurt Peyton Manning. I'm not willing to call him injury-prone based upon an accident like that.
10. Kurt Warner - I'll put a huge caveat on this one. If you are loving your chances to win the league next year -- meaning you have a stable with Larry Fitzgerald, Adrian Peterson, and Michael Turner already in place -- then you need to keep Kurt. I'll likely be ranking him second for next season -- assuming he comes back as the Cardinals signal-caller. It just depends on your plan, when deciding whether or not to keep him. If you have decent keepers for next season who could develop into beasts for the future -- like Darren McFadden and DeSean Jackson -- I'd stick with someone who will be playing much longer. We don't know Warner's future. Hell, the Cardinals may win it all this year, in which case Warner may elect to hang it up for good.
So, um, let's see. Who wasn't listed, but is likely to be a serviceable fantasy quarterback moving forward? A large handful of quarterbacks like Joe Flacco, Eli Manning, Donovan McNabb, Tyler Thigpen, Matt Cassel, Ben Roethlisberger, and David Garrard.
As I said in the intro, I'd just let others keep quarterbacks, while you draft a couple from the group I just listed. There's no way you should feel inferior with Big Ben and Flacco as your quarterbacks -- especially considering you probably kept solid receiving and running options instead of quarterbacks.
As always, you can ask specific questions regarding whom to keep in the comments section and we'll answer each and every one of them.
