These 2011 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings will be updated often throughout the summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out my other 2011 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2011 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2011 Fantasy Football Rankings - Quarterbacks (Sept. 5):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-35
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Mark Sanchez, QB, Jets. Bye: 8.
Mark Sanchez had just one passing touchdown in his final four regular-season starts. He made up for it with five scores against the Steelers and the Patriots in the playoffs, but the fact remains that Sanchez isn’t much more than a solid backup in fantasy football, although I expect his stats to increase a bit in 2011.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 3,450 passing yards. 19 passing TDs. 13 INTs. 30 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 209.
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Jason Campbell, QB, Raiders. Bye: 8.
AUG. 3 UPDATE: Jason Campbell was a low-end QB2 fantasy player to begin with, but he may not even qualify for that right now. He lost his most reliable target, Zach Miller, to the Seahawks.
Jason Campbell had 2,387 yards and 13 touchdowns in 11 full games last year. His attempts will rise in 2011; his defense won’t be nearly as good without Nnamdi Asomugha, meaning the Raiders will be trailing more often. Having said that, Campbell will never be anything more than a mediocre fantasy quarterback. He has never thrown more than 20 touchdowns in his career, and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 3,250 passing yards. 18 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 250 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 205.
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Matt Hasselbeck, QB, Titans. Bye: 6.
In two playoff games, Matt Hasselbeck threw for 530 yards, seven touchdowns and an interception. This really came out of nowhere; Hasselbeck had just 12 scores compared to 17 picks during the regular season.
Hasselbeck’s back is a concern, but if he stays healthy, he should have a solid year with better weapons around him in Tennessee.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 3,500 passing yards. 19 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 75 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 201.
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Cam Newton, QB, Panthers. Bye: 9.
Cam Newton will struggle, as most rookie quarterbacks do. He does have some value in fantasy, however, because of his ability to put up decent rushing numbers.
In his rookie year, Vince young threw for just 2,199 yards and 12 touchdowns, but made up for it with 552 rushing yards and seven scores on the ground. I feel like that’s a good barometer for Newton’s 2011 campaign.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 2,275 passing yards. 13 passing TDs. 15 INTs. 510 rushing yards. 6 rushing TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 200.
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Donovan McNabb, QB, Vikings. Bye: 9.
I wouldn’t draft Donovan McNabb in a 12-team league, but his situation in Minnesota is much more favorable than it was in Washington.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 3,500 passing yards. 17 passing TDs. 17 INTs. 160 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 196.
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Matt Cassel, QB, Chiefs. Bye: 6. 
SEPT. 5 UPDATE: Todd Haley got exactly what he asked for. He played Matt Cassel deep into the second quarter of the preseason finale, and now Cassel could miss a few games with cracked ribs.
AUG. 27 UPDATE: Matt Cassel went 6-of-13 for 59 yards against the Rams, as the first-team offense was booed by the home crowd on several occasions. The poor numbers weren’t really Cassel’s fault – he was under pressure quite often – but it’s a reminder that Kansas City’s scoring attack will struggle mightily without Charlie Weis. People on ESPN and NFL.com cite Cassel as a solid QB2, but that’s hardly the case. Cassel shouldn’t be owned in any normal 12-team leagues.
AUG. 20 UPDATE: As if it weren’t completely obvious, Matt Cassel is going to be a very different quarterback without Charlie Weis. Cassel wasn’t terrible in the preseason loss to Baltimore, but he struggled quite a bit, going 6-of-14 for 73 yards. He should have been picked in the first quarter; a slant pass of his intended for Jerheme Urban sailed right into the hands of Ravens defensive back Cary Williams, who couldn’t come up with the interception. Cassel is being way overdrafted in most fantasy leagues because on what he did last year. Don’t bother with him; with Weis gone, Cassel is a very, very low-end QB2 at best.
Fantasy owners in your league will overdraft Matt Cassel because of his 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 2010. The Chiefs had an unbelievably easy schedule last year. When Cassel was finally confronted with a tough opponent, he predictably struggled, going 9-of-18 for 70 yards and three interceptions against the Ravens.
Charlie Weis is gone, which is a huge blow for Cassel. He’s really going to regress in 2011.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 3,100 passing yards. 17 passing TDs. 16 INTs. 125 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 178.
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Rex Grossman, QB, Redskins. Bye: 5.
Rex Grossman is the current favorite to start for the Redskins. This could change tomorrow.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 3,000 passing yards. 17 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 100 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 176.
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Alex Smith, QB, 49ers. Bye: 9.
AUG. 28 UPDATE: Alex Smith barely played against Houston, finishing 2-of-6 for 17 yards and an interception (he was hit as he threw the pick). Jim Harbaugh rotated Smith and Colin Kaepernick (6-16, 52 yds, 1 INT) in the first half, and neither had much of a chance behind shoddy protection, marking the second time in three games that the 49ers haven’t had an answer for the opposing team’s pass rush. As one of the guys in San Francisco’s broadcast said, “The 49ers have no chance on offense right now.”
AUG. 5 UPDATE: Alex Smith gets an up arrow because of the Braylon Edwards signing. For the first time in his career, Smith has a legitimate, albeit low-end No. 1 wide receiver to work with.
Jim Harbaugh says he wants to work with Alex Smith. I believe him. Smith has never even come close to living up to expectations as the No. 1 pick in the 2005 NFL Draft, but if anyone can get something out of him, it’s Harbaugh.
It may sound crazy, but Smith has some fantasy potential. He had four multi-touchdown games last year. On six occasions, he eclipsed 230 passing yards. He’s a decent backup with some upside. Maybe Harabugh can work some of his magic.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 3,200 passing yards. 18 passing TDs. 17 INTs. 80 rushing yards. 0 rushing TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 174.
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Chad Henne, QB, Dolphins. Bye: 5.
I have a whole rant ready for Chad Henne, but I’ll save that for my Miami Dolphins 2011 NFL Season Preview. I won’t waste much space here.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 3,100 passing yards. 16 passing TDs. 20 INTs. 20 rushing yards. 0 rushing TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 150.
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Tarvaris Jackson, QB, Seahawks. Bye: 6.
Tarvaris Jackson should be able to beat out Charlie Whitehurst in Seattle, but does that even matter?
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 2.200 passing yards. 12 passing TDs. 18 INTs. 300 rushing yards. 3 rushing TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 148.
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Andy Dalton, QB, Bengals. Bye: 7.
Andy Dalton is the favorite to start in Cincinnati despite the acquisition of Bruce Gradkowski.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 2,600 passing yards. 13 passing TDs. 18 INTs. 150 rushing yards. 2 rushing TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 147.
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Luke McCown, QB, Jaguars. Bye: 9.
David Garrard was inexplicably cut Tuesday afternoon – just five days before the team’s season opener. Umm… what?
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 2,000 passing yards. 13 passing TDs. 15 INTs. 100 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 118.
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Tim Tebow, QB, Broncos. Bye: 6. 
AUG. 4 UPDATE: A potential top-10 fantasy quarterback bites the dust as the Broncos have foolishly and myopically named Kyle Orton their starting quarterback. Tim Tebow figures to take over for Orton late in the year, so keep him in mind as a potential late-season waiver-wire addition.
Tim Tebow is a very interesting fantasy quarterback. He’s not going to consistently post great passing stats or anything – though he did throw for 308 yards and a score against Houston in Week 16 – but he’s going to generate a TON of rushing touchdowns. He ran in for a score in each of his three starts late in the year.
Tebow really intrigues me because he’ll post running back-type numbers from the quarterback position. On the down side, Tebow’s style of play makes him very prone to injury. I’ll be shocked if he starts all 16 games, and I’ve adjusted my projected stats accordingly.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Stats: 900 passing yards. 5 passing TDs. 4 INTs. 180 rushing yards. 3 rushing TDs.
Projected 2011 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 84.
MISSING
More 2010 Fantasy Football Articles:
2010 Fantasy Football: Home
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2010 Fantasy Football Playoff Rankings - 1/5 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Week 17 Fantasy Rankings - 1/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 8/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 6/6 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running Backs - 7/3 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 7/14 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 8/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 7/20 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/10 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/11 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 9/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Linemen - 8/3 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Linebackers - 8/7 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: IDP Defensive Backs - 8/14 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Team-by-Team - 6/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Dynasty Rookie Rankings - 4/30 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Rookie Rankings - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets:
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Traditional - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 PPR - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Top 150 Touchdown League - 9/6 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Rankings: Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: WF.com Free League - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real Traditional Draft - 9/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real PPR Draft - 8/26 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real PPR Draft - 8/18 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Real Experts PPR Draft - 8/12 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Experts Mock Draft - 8/12 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Draft: Pros vs. Joes - 7/28 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR Draft with AKA - 7/20 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Mocking ESPN's Fantasy Mock Draft - 7/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: The Four-Man PPR Fantasy Draft - 7/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Articles:
2010 Fantasy Football Injury Reports: Week 17 - 1/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Start Em, Sit Em - 12/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Add/Drop - 12/20 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Stock Index - Week 8 - 10/29 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football Buffet: Week 8 - 10/28 (Steve)
2010 Fantasy Football Stock - 9/7 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 9/3 (Walt)
2010 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 9/3 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: High-Upside Late-Round Sleepers - 8/25 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Top 12 Players to Avoid - 8/25 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Undervalued Players - 8/13 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Buy Low - 8/6 (Walt)
ESPN's 2010 Fantasy Football Magazine Errors - 8/3 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Defense Strategy - 8/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: My Round-by-Round Strategy - 7/27 (Walt)
Lack of 2010 Fantasy Depth: Blame the 2008 NFL Draft Class - 7/26 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Why You Should Pass on Chris Johnson - 7/14 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Draft Strategies - 7/13 (John)
2010 Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver Scarcity - 6/30 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Late-Round) - 6/2 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Sleepers (Mid-Round) - 6/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Busts - 5/31 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football Mailbag - 5/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Quarterbacks with New Receivers - 5/1 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: 2010 NFL Draft Stock Up - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: 2010 NFL Draft Stock Down - 4/29 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Free Agency Stock Up - 4/15 (Walt)
2010 Fantasy Football: Free Agency Stock Down - 4/12 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 4/10 (Walt)
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NFL Picks - Dec. 11
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
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Potential sleeper
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Rank higher in touchdown leagues
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Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
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