Fantasy Rankings Part 1: QBs

Today's the 4th of July, and today, I'd like to talk about something that's become a new American tradition: fantasy football. Full disclosure: I'm not a fantasy football player myself. So, you may wonder, why is Alex doing this? I'll tell you why. I know this is a major interest of many of my readers, so I'm doing this as a service for them. Since we're being honest, do you really believe the "experts" at ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and NFL.com really know more than you or I? They know about as much as we do. That being said, I'm going to give you breakdowns on the top 10 players at each position, plus the top sleepers as best as I can, starting with the QBs.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers

2011 stats: 343-502 (68.3 comp. %), 4643 yds, 45 TD, 6 Int, 60 Rush, 257 Yds, 3 Rush TD

2012 projections: 345-500 (69 comp. %), 4521 yds, 44 TD, 8 Int, 52 Rush, 217 Yds, 3 Rush TD

Upside: Excellent passing numbers, throws very few INTs, underrated rusher, strong arm

Downside: Very few, except for the occasional interception

2. Tom Brady, Patriots

2011 stats: 401-611 (65.6 comp. %), 5235 yds, 39 TD, 12 Int, 43 Rush, 109 Yds, 3 TD

2012 projections: 392-601 (65.2 comp. %), 4958 yds, 39 TD, 13 Int, 33 Rush, 142 Yds, 3 TD

Upside: Remarkably consistent, accurate, solid, safe bet

Downside: Getting older, passing numbers probably down slightly from last year

3. Drew Brees, Saints

2011 stats: 468-657 (71.2 comp. %), 5476 yds, 46 TD, 14 Int, 21 Rush, 86 Yds, 1 TD

2012 projections: 430-620 (69.4 comp. %), 4951 yds, 42 TD, 14 Int, 19 Rush, 57 Yds, 1 TD

Upside: Plays in an explosive offense, pass-happy offense, highly accurate

Downside: Lost top offensive lineman, Bountygate repercussions, won't repeat historic season last year

4. Matt Stafford, Lions

2011 stats: 421-663 (63.5 comp. %), 5038 yds, 41 TD, 16 Int, 22 Rush, 78 Yds, 0 TD

2012 projections: 395-628 (62.9 comp. %), 5009 yds, 41 TD, 17 Int, 20 Rush, 63 Yds, 1 TD

Upside: Pass-happy offense, explosive, puts up big numbers

Downside: Teams game planning for him more, throws high number of INTs, history of serious injuries

5. Cam Newton, Panthers

2011 stats: 310-517 (60 comp. %), 4051 yds, 21 TD, 17 Int, 126 Rush, 706 Yds, 14 TD

2012 projections: 305-509 (59.9 comp. %), 3994 yds, 22 TD, 17 Int, 121 Rush, 712 Yds, 9 TD

Upside: Incredibly athletic, versatile, can both throw and run, dynamic, gamebreaker

Downside: Teams game planning for him more, potential sophmore slump, high number of INTs

6. Eli Manning, Giants

2011 stats: 359-589 (61 comp. %), 4933 yds, 29 TD, 16 Int, 35 Rush, 15 Yds, 1 TD

2012 projections: 370-596 (62.1 comp. %), 4762 yds, 30 TD, 17 Int, 32 Rush, 23 Yds, 1 TD

Upside: Excellent in 4th quarters, clutch in big games, can throw for deep for a lot of yards

Downside: High number of INTs and turnovers, does not throw for as many TDs

7. Michael Vick, Eagles

2011 stats: 253-423 (59.8 comp. %), 3303 yds, 18 TD, 14 Int, 76 Rush, 589 Yds, 1 TD

2012 projection: 242-402 (60.2 comp. %), 3342 yds, 21 TD, 10 Int, 80 Rush, 632 Yds, 6 TD

Upside: Dynamic, athletic, can run and throw, gamebreaker

Downside: Probably will miss 2-4 games, history of injuries, high risk-high reward style of play

8. Philip Rivers, Chargers

2011 stats: 366-582 (62.9 comp. %), 4624 yds, 27 TD, 20 Int, 26 Rush, 36 Yds, 1 TD

2012 projection: 360-567 (63.5 comp. %), 4707 yds, 28 TD, 15 Int, 26 Rush, 33 Yds, 1 TD

Upside: Pass-friendly offense, will improve a bit after last year's disaster

Downside: Chargers will emphasize running more, lost top receiver, prone to throwing INTs

9. Tony Romo, Cowboys

2011 stats: 346-522 (66.3 comp. %), 4184 yds, 31 TD, 10 Int, 22 Rush, 46 Yds, 1 TD

2012 projection: 330-515 (64.1 comp. %), 4081 yds, 30 TD, 11 Int, 20 Rush, 53 Yds, 1 TD

Upside: Solid completion percentage, capable of 4000 yards, produces fantasy points

Downside: Has struggled in big games with a lot on the line, has had injuries in the past

10. Peyton Manning, Broncos

2011 stats: Missed season due to injury

2012 projection: 370-571 (64.8 completon %), 4509 yds, 32 TD, 16 Int, 19 Rush, 15 Yds, 0 TD

Upside: Chip on his shoulder, motivated, fairly consistent

Downside: New offense, off major surgery, one big hit can end it

Sleeper: Jay Cutler, Bears

2011 stats: 182-314 (58 completion %), 2319 yds, 13 TD, 7 Int, 18 Rush, 55 Yds, 1 TD

2012 projection: 259-435 (59.5 completion %), 3257 yds, 21 TD, 11 Int, 25 Int, 102 Yds, 1 TD

Upside: Reunited with Brandon Marshall, Mike Martz is gone, strong arm

Downside: Major holes on O-line, high risk of injury due to protection issues

Sleeper: Matt Schaub, Texans

2011 stats: 178-292 (61 completion %), 2479 yds, 15 TD, 6 Int, 15 Rush, 9 Yds, 2 TD

2012 projection: 258-409 (63.1 completion %), 3350 yds, 24 TD, 8 Int, 18 Rush, 21 Yds, 2 TD

Upside: Fully healthy (for now), good protection, solid receivers

Downside: Strong running game (takes away from him), unsure about how he'll hold up