Tier 1

1. Peyton Manning(Colts) bye week: 6 age: 31

-The consensus top choice at QB, Manning once more was nothing short of brilliant in 2006 throwing 31 touchdown passes while logging 4,397 passing yards. Still in his prime and a lock to play 16 games, Eli’s big brother may be the surest of bet when it comes to the QB position. Whether you intend to be the guy to draft a QB in round 1 while everyone else snags a RB may be the only decision you will need to make with regards to this machine. Nothing lacking a top pick will suffice in the event that you desire to grab him.

2. Carson Palmer(Bengals) bye week: 5 age: 27

-2006 was a season of redemption for Carson Palmer for the reason that he put all doubts to rest regarding how he’d fare in his return from reconstructive knee surgery. All he did was go out and throw for 28 td’s along with 4035 passing yards. Blessed with a howitzer for an arm, Palmer is poised to possibly overtake Peyton Manning this year as the best fantasy QB in football. With Chad Johnson and TJ Houshmanzadeh as his two main weapons, Palmer may challenge the 40 TD mark. Advice: wait on Manning and grab he in round 2 in case you are among those who take a QB early.

Tier 2

3. Drew Brees(Saints) bye week: 4 age: 28

-Don’t let the dislocated elbow Brees suffered in the Pro Bowl impact the way you view this crafty veteran going into the growing season. All reports indicate Drew is directly on schedule to be fully ready to go from day 1 of training camp and that means another season of big numbers from the Saints’ leader. Don’t expect Brees to put up another 4,500 yard season but something such as 4,000 with 25 TD’s sounds about right. Surrounded by outstanding weapons in RB’s Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, alongside last year’s sensation WR Marques Colston, Brees will end up being a smart buy for individuals who wait several rounds to take their QB. A third round pick may be the latest however he will last.

4. Tom Brady(Patriots) bye week: 10 age: 30

-New England’s favorite son disappointed fantasy owners this past year who dealt with Brady’s inconsistent performances over summer and winter. Despite throwing for a good 24 TD’s, Brady’s passing yardage was down considerably from the year before. However one must only consider the weapons earned by leading office to note that Tom is poised for a large year. Alongside prized recruit Randy Moss, NE signed long-range bomber Donte Stallworth, possession receiver Wes Welker, and solid reserve Kelly Washington. All this results in possibly a 30 TD season along with Brady’s second 4,000 yard season in 3 years. Also like Manning, you won’t ever have to be worried about whether Brady will suit up as he owns the fourth longest streak of consecutive starts. Third to fourth round draft choice.

5. Marc Bulger(Rams) bye week 9 age: 30

-At press time there have been rumblings that Bulger may be considering holding out in the hopes of landing a large contract. However don’t allow this deter you from drafting this incredibly solid performer. Despite not having the very best arm, Bulger excels with what he has which is incredible accuracy, solid field smarts, and the ability to opt for the hot reads. In his second year in coach Scott Linehan’s system, Bulger should exceed the Pro Bowl numbers he amassed last season. EASILY were a betting man, I say Bulger leads the NFL in passing yardage. Grab him in round 3 with 5 being the latest if you’re lucky.

6. Donovan McNabb(Eagles) bye week: 5 age: 30

-No QB in fantasy football may cause more consternation in terms of drafting him than the Eagles’ leader. On his way to an MVP-type season last year, McNabb suffered a season-ending knee injury which now brings him to 19 missed games over the last two years. The tools are still there like the nimble feet and cannon arm. However Philly didn’t draft Kevin Kolb because they wanted him to check pretty on the sidelines. There’s some doubt concerning whether Donovan could possibly be the player he was previously. I say he is able to be and the motivation to prove his nay-sayers wrong will result in a comeback season for McNabb. A potential championship pick because of the fact you may be in a position to snag him as late because the seventh round as a result of questions surrounding his status.

Tier 3

7. Matt Hasselbeck(Seahawks) bye week: 8 age: 31

-poised to join the top five fantasy QB’s entering last season, instead Matt Hasselbeck struggled throughout the year with injuries and inconsistency. With only 18 TD’s and 2,442 yards to show for it, Hasselbeck was nothing but a disappointment for his owners. Despite this past year however, I really believe Hasselbeck will rebound and post his usual 22-25 TD’s along with 3.500 yards. Having RB Shaun Alexander healthy is huge plus a better offensive line in front of him. Snag him in the fifth round roughly.

8. Philip Rivers(Chargers) bye week: 7 age: 25

-After needing to sit and wait two years while predecessor Drew Brees garnered back-to-back Pro Bowl bids, this past year Philip Rivers showed everyone he was worth the wait. Joining Brees in Honolulu, Rivers displayed great poise and decision-making in his first year at the helm of the league’s top club. Now with a year under his belt, search for Rivers to exceed the 24 TD’s he amassed last season. Draft confidently in round 5-6.

9. Matt Leinart(Cardinals) bye week 8 age 24

-you may be surprised by how high I’ve him ranked but when you consider the whole picture, this second year wonder will probably ascend to the top tier of fantasy quarterbacks this year. Coming from an NFL-caliber offense where he did only win at USC, Leinart steps into a potentially explosive offense with Pro Bowl caliber receivers Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald, along with RB Edgerrin James in what could become just about the most efficient passing games in the league. Though he does not have a cannon for an arm, Leinart is arguably the most intelligent QB’s in the league who has great accuracy. Choose a big step forward in his second year under center. You could be in a position to nab him as late as round 9.

10. Vince Young(Titans) bye week: 4 age: 24

-after taking the league by storm as a rookie last season, this second-year wonder is poised to do even better things for Tennessee. Combining great quickness plus a strong arm, Young proved his naysayer’s wrong by sparking the Titans to a good season under his guidance. One negative may be the proven fact that the Tennessee front office didn’t find offensive help for their franchise QB and actually weakened the offense by letting WR Drew Bennett leave as a free agent. Expect some growing pains because of this still raw Titans team that could negatively impact Young’s numbers. However when you look at rushing yardage from a QB together with his passing ability, Young has now surpassed the troubled Mike Vick in this ranking. Draft him in round 6-8.

Tier 4

11. Tony Romo(Cowboys) bye week: 8 age: 27

-With Drew Bledsoe struggling early last season, coach Bill Parcells made the move many expected when he inserted pre-season’s perennial star Tony Romo. Once handed the work, Romo proceeded to put up an expert Bowl season with 23 TD’s and 3,600 yards in 10 starts. Look for Romo to put up similar numbers now that he has the advantage of knowing he’ll be starting from day one. When After all similar, After all around 23 TD’s for the whole season rather than 10 games. Some regression to the mean is expected with him this year. Draftable in round 7-9.

12. Eli Manning(Giants) bye week 9 age: 26

-Peyton’s little brother continued to operate a vehicle fantasy owner’s nuts due to his inconsistency but 24 TD’s is not bad at all. The problem with Eli may be the insufficient accuracy and the breakdown in his mechanics when things commence to go wrong. With time to throw and little pressure in his face, Eli would rival his brother as fantasy football’s top QB. However the G-Men’s O-line is weak and Manning will once again have to deal with opposing players in his face so more struggles are sure to follow him around most of the year. In the event that you draft him expect one week of 300 yards with 4 TD’s alongside another of 180 yards and 4 INT’s.

13. prediksipas.com (Panthers) bye week: 7 age: 32

-Delhomme struggled over summer and winter last season because of injuries and poor protection. An injured thumb was the primary culprit as Jake was only in a position to muster 17 Td’s. Expect a rebound this year though as favorite target Steve Smith is fully healthy himself this season and the fact that Delhomme will be extra focused due to the presence of newly signed David Carr. If he struggles however, avoid being surprised if Carr gets the call in short order. Risky pick here but good upside to gamble on.

14. Jay Cutler(Broncos) bye week: 6 age: 24

-one of the NFL’s rising stars at the position, Cutler got his feet wet towards the end of last season as he showed great poise in throwing 9 TD’s against 5 INT’s. With Jake Plummer now in retirement, the work is the cannon-armed second year man’s to himself. Already people are whispering that he could be the second coming of John Elway and with the nice speed, great arm combo, who are we to argue? Fantasies aside, Cutler is a rising gem and may be a top 7 guy by the finish of the year. If you’re going to reach for one player on offense this season, this guy may be the one. Strongly suggested sleeper.

The Rest (OUGHT TO BE Drafted as Backups in 12 Team Leagues)

15. Brett Favre(Packers) bye week: 7 age: 37

-still has some juice left in that arm of his and despite his age, Favre could still put up more than decent numbers this season. With star WR Donald Driver there to catch his bullets, Lambeau’s favorite son should be a good but not great option. Works best as a bye week starter or injury replacement. Two things you could always count on with Favre: he will start (he never misses a casino game) and he will throw interceptions. Take the good with the bad.

16. Michael Vick(Falcons) bye week: 8 age: 27

-at press time, Vick was being indicted on felony charges of financing a dog fighting ring. For this reason development, Vick is dropped completely down to this mediocre ranking. Stands a good potential for being suspended, with the possibility of being put into jail. Don’t count on him because of this season. Pass.

17. Jon Kitna(Lions) bye week: 6 age: 34

-was on many sleeper lists heading into last season and regardless of the over-the-top hype, Kitna’s season had not been terrible. He passed for over 4,000 yards and 21 TD’s which alone would be terrific. But when you element in the 22 INT’s he threw, the light dims on the shine of his season. With tremendous weapons at his disposal in WR’s Roy Williams and rookie Calvin Johnson, Kitna could have his big games. However his turnover-prone ways will always be lurking to hurt your team at every corner. Ride him while he is hot but dump him as soon as the inevitable slump hits.