With fantasy football drafts approaching for the 2013 season, below are the top five quarterbacks available in the draft.
1. Drew Brees (NO)
21.1 fantasy points per game* — 5,177 yards, 43 TDs
Brees consistently rakes in points, week-to-week, year-to-year. He had incredible stats, as always, last season — even with the turmoil of bounty gate and the absence of coach Sean Payton.
Marques Colston, Lance Moore and a presumably healthy Jimmy Graham comprise Brees' top options. Without a significant running game, Brees will once again carry the offense with his arm.
The return of Payton and a healthy Graham will only make Brees better.
2. Aaron Rodgers (GB)
20.6 fantasy points per game — 4,295 yards, 39 TDs.
Losing Greg Jennings won't hurt Rodger's stats. Rodgers still managed to post big numbers last season with Jennings appearing in only eight games (36 catches on 62 targets for 366 yards).
Green Bay still has one of the best receiving corps in the league, which includes Jordy Nelson (49 receptions, 745 yards, 7 TDs), James Jones (64 receptions, 784 yards, 14 TDs) and Randall Cobb (80 receptions, 954 yards, 8 TDs).
The three receivers accounted for almost half of Rodger's targets last year and, with a negligible running game, there's no reason to think Rodgers won't continue to rack up passing yards this season. Rodger's receiving corps pushes him No. 1 on this list.
3. Peyton Manning (DEN)
19.0 fantasy points per game - 4,659 yards, 37 TDs
Manning narrowly missed the No. 2 spot. Last season was one of firsts — his first season back from neck surgery and his first season with Denver. Now almost two years removed from his last neck surgery and a full season under his belt in Denver, Manning should be even better.
The addition of Wes Welker is also a huge boon for Manning's numbers. The shifty route runner caught 118 passes last season for 1,354 yards and six touchdowns. With the exception of 2010, he's recorded over 1,000 yards every season since 2007.
Transitioning from Brady to Manning should be seamless, and Welker gives his new quarterback an option across the middle to complement Eric Decker and Demaryius Thomas on the outside. The Broncos could have the best receiving corps this season, and any concerns about Manning's arm strength affecting his numbers should be alleviated by the addition of Welker.
4. Tom Brady (NE)
20.6 fantasy points per game - 4,827 yards, 34 TDs
Tom Brady is going to be Tom Brady. Even without Wes Welker, the loss of Aaron Hernandez and the uncertainty of Rob Gronkowski's health, Brady is going to get numbers. New England's running game improved last season, but it's no reason to think Brady isn't going to make due with whomever he has on the field and keep passing.
5. Robert Griffin III (WAS)
19.0 fantasy points per game - 3200 yards, 20 TDs; 826 rushing yards, 7 TDs
Griffin is a risky pick at No. 5, but the upside is huge. Although he's coming off ACL surgery, all reports indicate he's having an Adrian Peterson-like recovery. Assuming Griffin returns to full health, the rushing numbers might decrease but the passing stats should go up. A healthy Pierre Garcon is also a big boost to Griffin's fantasy value.
Picking Griffin this early could be a bust if he misses any games, but one has to believe coach Mike Shanahan is going to play it safer with his franchise quarterback.
*Fantasy points per game based on ESPN standard league scoring.
