Big Board Rankings 2008: The Quarterbacks
I’m knee deep in it now. These are my big board QB rankings that I work on for my personal leagues. My first draft in next Saturday so I’ll be getting all the rankings up for these within the next couple of days.
I take a lot of things into account when I process these. I know my descriptions are a little blunt but there is lots to do. Here’s how to read my lines: #Player bye week stretch run grade avg pos drfted.
The average position drafted is where these players are being drafted amongst all the free drafts at NFL.com so far. It’s not perfect and might not work for your draft, but it’s a great ballpark indicator to see where your favorite players are going. The number indicates the avg round they are going in and the number in parenthesis is the pick in that round they are going in. The Stretch run schedule grade I calculate using the last 4 teams the players team players from weeks 13-16 (16 being the usual Super Bowl week for Fantasy Players). For instance: Brady’s last 4 games are against Pittsburgh (home), Seattle (away), Oakland (away) and Arizona (home). I gave his schedule grade an A- because of his team’s passing success against those opponents last year. It’s subjective but it’s helped me in past drafts. Don’t think I wouldn’t have ranked Bulger quite a bit lower if not for his easy stretch drive schedule. My descriptions are short and to the point (and a bit boring). Please forgive typos/grammer etc.
Lastly, I didn’t get as deep as I could have with the QB pool because I have no intentions of getting any QB past 22 on the depth chart regardless of my depth.
2008 Big Board Quarterbacks
1.Brady NE 4 A- 1 (3rd)
Dream matchups in weeks 15 and 16. The only question mark is if he can do this without cheating. Won’t match 2007 but who could? Brady was 98 pts better than ROMO last year and 125 better than Manning.
2. Manning IND 4 A 1 (7th)
Awesome stretch schedule except for SB week at JAX. Slight injury, mobility concerns. He was a little more up and down in 2007 than I would have liked if I had to find 1 fault with the guy.
3. Romo DAL 10 C- 2 (14th)
I didn’t want to initially take him this high but there are factors to Romo I can’t ignore. He’s a bit streaky but he outpointed Manning last year by 27. TO seems content,
Witten is there and so is the O-line. The stretch run seems tough but the last 2 weeks have him at home. He throws a bunch of INTs but I see him as a pretty safe pick.
4. Brees NO 9 B 2 (20th)
Great stretch drive schedule. Horrible start to 2007 grew into great numbers. Great supporting cast. A really tough call between Brees and Roeth. I’ll put Brees here because of Roeth’s tough schedule.
5. Roethlisberger PIT 6 C- 3 (2nd)
Underrated for the 3rd year in a row but climbing. Great, steady numbers in 2007. Brutal stretch schedule but a great SB matchup (TEN). If PIT looks to get back to smash-mouth, it will diminish Ben’s TD totals. Doesn’t throw for a ton of yards. Very durable. That may be an advantage over Brees.
6. Hasselbeck SEA 4 C+ 6 (9th)
Am I really overrating him? He had a career 2007 and is in a weak division. Reliable and steady. Doesn’t throw for a ton of yards but gets the job done. Don’t count on flashy numbers.
7. Palmer CIN 8 B- 3 (4th)
Potential for flashy numbers but he really struggled the 2nd half of 2007. If the ships righted drama-wise, there’s real potential but that remains to be seen. High risk/high reward.
8.Anderson CLE 5 B- 4 (3rd)
Pretty consistent numbers last year even after he fell to earth late in 2007. I love his upside (especially when compared to McNabb). He may be vastly overrated in the draft but a good risk if you go far without taking a QB.
9. Bulger STL 5 A 6 (10th)
Awesome schedule! If the line is great, if he doesn’t get injured, if they can play like 2006… A lot of ifs but his upside could be huge.
10. Schaub HOU 8 C+ 11 (7th)
Underrated? Very unproven and he plays against tough pass Ds. Great passing game building in
Houston but is this the year it comes together. Could easily be the biggest bargain in the QB draft. Taking him this high proves I’m not very comfortable at QB beyond Tier 1.
11. Cutler DEN 8 B+ 8 (2nd)
Very streaky. His team is getting worse or I’d rank him higher. He’s got upside.
12. Favre NYJ 5 B 11 (8th)
In a pretty good offense for him to succeed in. He has never fared well against the AFC East (he was basted by the Patriots last year). I think he’ll have a positive impact on Cotchery and Coles’ numbers this year. After all of this drama, this is pretty much where I had him ranked last year. That avg draft position will likely skyrocket.
13. McNabb PHI 7 B- 5 (11th)
Huge injury risk and something doesn’t feel right in Philly. Great weapons but too much dysfunction to pick without worry. Relatively consistent when healthy. Check camp for drama.
14. Garrard JAX 7 B 9 (4th)
Solidly consistent stretch last year. Very dependable and doesn’t make mistakes. It would be a reach to expect 20 points a week based on the offensive scheme.
15. Kitna DET 4 C- 12 (12th)
The Lions are preaching run but they’ll have to throw a lot if behind and I love Williams/Johnson. A high reward #2 at the very least.
16. Manning NYG 4 C 8 (8th)
Could use last year as a spring board to greatness with excellent talent around him. I’m not counting on it. Expect the same. Side note: I’m surprised he’s not overrated in the draft averages.
17. Rivers SD 9 A- 10 (3rd)
Huge injury risk, consistency and a run first offense. ‘Nuff said.
18. Rodgers GB 8 D+ 10 (11th)
Some upside with great talent around him. Watch camp.
19. Young TEN 6 B+ 12 (3rd)
Way too streaky but improving.
20. Delhomme CAR 9 C 9 (6th)
Injuries and offensive scheme inconsistency but if he’s healthy he’ll be a great #2 option.
21. A. Smith SF 9 B 15 (2nd)
Martz is the reason for optimism. Watch preseason. If he has a great campaign, he’s a great opportunity.
22.Campbell WAS 10 D 13 (8th)
Slow offense. Capable of 15 pts a week but not much more.
23. Garcia TB 10 C- 14 (2nd)
Others to slightly ponder: JaMarcus Russell, Leinhart vs Warner. Warner could shoot to 15 on this list if he’s named starter where Leinhart would go 19.