When it comes to your fantasy football, the quarterback is the toughest position to guage. Not in terms of value per player, but simply the fact of where you are going to settle on your talent. Before the time of Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees it was simple. Sit back and wait for your quarterback. The position was a pretty easy way to piggyback the other talent positions throughout the year.

That was until Tom Brady threw for 50 touchdowns , Drew Brees gathered nearly 300 fantasy points, and Peyton Manning has become one of the most consistent fantasy players in the game. What makes the quarterback position, is that after these three names are off the board, it’s a brand new ballgame.

Sure, Kurt Warner is serviceable. Aaron Rodgers might be someone that busts out in 2009. The Difference between the top three and the next echelon is small. But those 50+ fantasy points could make a difference. In a time where 10 of the top 20 fantasy points getters in 2009 were quarterbacks, it is imperative that you draft the position right. It can make or break your fantasy season and keep you in contention all season long. If you lost Tom Brady before the 2008 season, you can attest to how hard it is to find a replacement of that caliber.  If you drafted Vince Young, you can also attest to how important it is to find someone that is more than just a sleeper.

Here is a look at the top ten quarterbacks, going into 2009.

1.) Tom Brady, New England- Your probably wondering already how I can make a quarterback who wasn’t a factor in 2008 the number one quarterback. It’s simple. Tom Brady is the best “pound for pound” quarterback in this league.  His ACL and MCL injuries were serious, but when the Patriots traded Matt Cassell, it became clear that Brady is healthy. There is no way that Drew Brees will better his 295 fantasy point performance in 2009. Brady though could quickly find his way back and accumulate 280+ points.  Let’s go back to 2007. Brady averaged over 300 yards a game. He threw for 50 touchdowns, and completed his passes at a solid 69% rate. There are some questions with Brady (what player doesn’t have questions). It seems that he is healthy, but watch for hints in the upcoming training camp. You will have to take a chance on Brady, because we really won’t know the answer until he takes the field on game number one. That chance is very well worth it.

2.) Drew Brees, New Orleans- Brees has really become a fixture in the Sean Payton offense. The man went insane last year, reaching 5,000 yards and 34 touchdowns.  Interceptions could be a factor in 2009, especially with the improvement of defense in the NFC South. Many rank Brees as the number one quarterback, but there are just too many questions going into the season. Is Lance Moore going to be the number one receiver? Can Marques Colston continue to be a solid option in the passing game? Is Reggie Bush a solid go to option out of the backfield? Only time will tell. Will Brees have the type of season he did last year? Most likely not. But he will be one of the best fantasy options in the game in 2009.

3. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis- We all know what Peyton Manning can do and will do in the upcoming season. Manning is one of the best at staying away from negative plays and that is what makes him so valuable. He may not toss 35 touchdowns, or throw over 4,500 yards, but we should expect very good numbers from the man in blue. Twenty Five touchdowns isn’t out of the question. A look at his past, despite a rough start to last year, shows that he can bounce back. Manning is projected at 277 fantasy points, with 31 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.

4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay- Who would of thought that A-Rodge would of replaced Brett Favre so quickly! (Fantasy Wise ladies and gentleman) Going into 2008, many had a feeling that Rodgers could do well, considering the offensive peices around him. But really? 28 touchdowns? One of the best yards per toss in the game? Aaron Rodgers is here, and here to stay for good. Many of his options are young as well, and though the Packers continue the rumor that the full west coast offense is on the way, Aaron Rodgers could be the dark horse in the top five, that could fall later than all of the elite quarterbacks. In of the latest mock drafts out there, Rodgers fell to the sixth round. That is tremendous value for a guy that accumulated more than 270 fantasy points last year.

5.) Phillip Rivers, San Diego- Rivers doesn’t have the best targets in the world, but in 2008, he had the best yards per attempt in the league. After that ACL injury, many thought Rivers wouldn’t be able to bounce back. Last year though, he put together over 4,000 yards passing. When the rushing offense fell apart, Rivers was there. He threw 32 touchdowns compared to only 11 interceptions. When Rivers on the board, you will have to make a decision between him and others such as Kurt Warner and Jay Cutler. Rivers has the best all-around game, and it seems that things will get only better in 2009.  Antonio Gates gives Rivers that true go-to-guy.

6.) Kurt Warner, Arizona- Does the fountain of youth ever run out? Possibly not for Kurt Warner, but in 2009, I think we will start seeing that fountain leak in the upcoming season. What creates value for Warner though, is despite the leaking, his offense features a decent offensive line and three receivers that went over 1,000 yards in 2009. If Warner’s arm remains threaded underneath that jersey than the Jack ‘Cap’ Rooney of the NFL will be undoubtedly valuable. What a story… From the grocery bag, to the fantasy football gridiron. Oh man, you got to love it!

7. Tony Romo, Dallas- Is there any other quarterback in the league that gets so much negative attention (Brett Favre aside). I guess that is what you get when you become the quarterback of America’s team. Romo is a guy that finds a way to make plays and that finds it’s way to the fantasy football scorebooks.  Despite missing three games to injury, Romo finished in the top ten in touchdown passes, yards per game, yards per attempt, attempts per game and passer rating. What is most impressive is the passer rating. For a guy that wheels and deals, Romo can be pretty accurate. He would be higher on the rankings if he had a true Team Obilitorator to throw to. But unfortunately he doesn’t. Jason Witten and Roy Williams give him nice targets, but a slip in fantasy numbers wouldn’t be surprising.

8. Donovan McNabb, Philedelphia- 2008 was a year full of health for McNabb, which has been rare in his career so far. Expect more of the same in 2009. He wasn’t consistent in 2008, and if your looking to take a quarterback a bit later in your draft, this might be the one. I’ve seen McNabb taken in the 7th round, which is a tremendous spot to land someone with the same fantasy value in 2008 as Matt Cassel. Cassel has gone just a bit later in the draft. There is no reason to think that McNabb won’t remain healthy, and grab you 20-25 Touchdowns and keeping his interception rates in the low to mid teens. Expect a season much like his 2001 performance.

9. Matt Cassel, Kansas City- After being thrown into a starting situation when Tom Brady fell in game number one, Matt Cassel was rewarded by a trade to Kansas City, a renewal with offensive guru Todd Haley, and a PHAT contract.  What will the pay off be? In all honestly, I think we are looking at the next big fantasy weapon that is still hidden. For any that say that Cassel got paid, so he will back down talent wise, take another look. Cassel still wants to prove himself in this league. It hurts that Cassel will lose Randy Moss and company, but throw in a healthy Dwayne Bowe, and the fact that he will be able to let his legs loose just a bit more in Kansas City, and I think you will find a very capable starter. Expect 3,500 yards from Cassel, with just over twenty touchdowns.

10.  Carson Palmer, Cincinatti- Of everyone in our top ten, Palmer brings the most risk to the table. What would fantasy football be without risk though? Palmer loses his favorite go to guy in T.J. Howsaspellit (Houshmandzadeh) and Chad Ocho Cino is a combination of crazy and talented. You never know what to expect. What I like about Carson though, is that he is coming back healthy, he has a decent running game behind him, and the Bengals went and got him a good reciever in Laveranues Coles. If you take Palmer, do it in or around the tenth round. Simply put, he is a risk. Draft a capable backup. I do feel though that he has some tremendous upside in the 2009 season.