2012 Fantasy football projections: Top ten QBs

2012 Fantasy football projections: Top ten QBs

PROJECTED 2012 SEASON STATS
1. Aaron Rodgers, GB QB	Year	C/A	YDS	TD	INT	RUSH	YDS	TD
	2011 Statistics	343/502	4643	45	6	60	257	3
	2012 Projections	345/500	4640	42	10	57	253	2

2012 Outlook: Rodgers was the undisputed number one quarterback in fantasy circles last season. He put up career highs in touchdowns and yards and he threw only six interceptions the entire season. There is little reason to doubt he will touch the numbers he put up last year and should be the first quarterback taken in your draft.

2. Tom Brady, NE QB	Year	C/A	YDS	TD	INT	RUSH	YDS	TD
	2011 Statistics	401/611	5235	39	12	43	109	3
	2012 Projections	398/599	5040	40	15	35	157	2

2012 Outlook: The pure definition of a safe quarterback pick. He may be aging, but Brady shows no signs of slowing down. His dual tight end may lead the team in receiving, but the Michigan slinger will once again lead his owners to the fantasy promised land.

3. Drew Brees, NO QB	Year	C/A	YDS	TD	INT	RUSH	YDS	TD
	2011 Statistics	468/657	5476	46	14	21	86	1
	2012 Projections	435/620	5120	42	17	20	95	1

2012 Outlook: Brees may be minus his head coach for the entire 2012-13 season, but it won't change his fantasy outlook. With a bevy of weapons to choose from including second year tight end Jimmy Graham, Brees will be a top three fantasy producer at the quarterback position.

4. Cam Newton, CAR QB	Year	C/A	YDS	TD	INT	RUSH	YDS	TD
	2011 Statistics	310/517	4051	21	17	126	706	14
	2012 Projections	307/508	4150	23	19	132	742	9

2012 Outlook: Newton surprised many fantasy owners last season with his impressive ground numbers. While it is hard to imagine him repeating his 14 touchdown performance of last season, we still think he will get near double digits. His production through the air will increase in year two. We project him as the fourth best quarterback on the board and a late second round selection.

5. Matthew Stafford, DET QB	Year	C/A	YDS	TD	INT	RUSH	YDS	TD
	2011 Statistics	421/663	5038	41	16	22	78	0
	2012 Projections	397/624	4960	39	17	20	75	1

2012 Outlook: For the first time in his professional career, Matthew Stafford made it through an entire 16 game season and did he put up the numbers. He took the Lions from the basement of the NFC Central to playoff contender and in the process has become fantasy relevant to the tune of a top five quarterback. Playing with the best wide receiver in Calvin Johnson doesn't hurt either. His numbers may drop ever slightly, but Stafford is in for another big year.

6. Tony Romo, DAL QB	Year	C/A	YDS	TD	INT	RUSH	YDS	TD
	2011 Statistics	346/522	4184	31	10	22	46	1
	2012 Projections	342/527	4640	30	12	20	50	1

2012 Outlook: Romo rebounded nicely after an injury plagued 2010. His current ADP puts him in the fifth round of most mock drafts. Dez Bryant has a year under his belt and Romo has plenty of offensive targets to be a top 10 fantasy producer. He should reach 2011 numbers again in 2012.

7. Eli Manning, NYG QB	Year	C/A	YDS	TD	INT	RUSH	YDS	TD
	2011 Statistics	359/589	4933	29	16	35	15	1
	2012 Projections	352/578	4812	30	15	32	22	0

2012 Outlook: Fresh off a Super Bowl championship, the other Manning is quickly gaining ground on Peyton. With a pair of top five fantasy wide receivers, Eli will surpass last seasons numbers and will be a weekly staple in our rankings. Manning threw more passes for 20 yards or more than anyone in the league connecting on nine deep touchdowns. With Hakeem Nicks and Victor Cruz on the field, it will be bombs away for the Giants.

8. Peyton Manning, DEN QB	Year	C/A	YDS	TD	INT	RUSH	YDS	TD
	2011 Statistics	0/0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2012 Projections	375/570	4428	27	18	4	10	0

2012 Outlook: He makes his NFL return after a neck injury derailed his entire 2011 season. A new team, new surroundings will take a toll on the veteran and although he will put up solid yardage humbers, his touchdowns will likely take a bit of a slide from typical Manning seasons.

9. Philip Rivers, SD QB	Year	C/A	YDS	TD	INT	RUSH	YDS	TD
	2011 Statistics	366/582	4624	27	20	26	36	1
	2012 Projections	375/595	4598	28	18	22	33	0

2012 Outlook: Rivers came crashing back to earth last season after being one of the most reliable QB's in the game. Rivers threw for zero or one score in half of his games and had eight multiple-interception games to boot. Vincent Jackson has headed to Florida and owners of Rivers will have to hope his supporting cast can rise to the occasion.

10. Michael Vick, PHI QB	Year	C/A	YDS	TD	INT	RUSH	YDS	TD
	2011 Statistics	253/423	3303	18	14	76	589	1
	2012 Projections	247/418	3125	19	18	79	727	5

2012 Outlook: Depressed, upset, sad, disappointed. All adjectives used to describe Michael Vick owners last year. The man taken first at his position because of his versatility to run the ball scored only one touchdown last season. He will rebound a little this season, but it will be a matter of when he is injured for up to three games this season.