These 2013 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings will be updated often throughout the spring and summer, so make sure you check back from time to time. Also, be sure to check out my other 2013 Fantasy Football articles, which will include sleepers, busts, tons of 2013 Fantasy Football mock drafts and other material. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - Quarterbacks (Sept. 1):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-35
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Aaron Rodgers, QB, Packers. Bye: 4.
AUG. 11 UPDATE: Aaron Rodgers was razor-sharp in his preseason debut despite not having Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb at his disposal. He went 3-of-5 for 62 yards on just one drive, with his best completion being a 50-yard bomb to James Jones. One of his incompletions was a dropped touchdown by Jermichael Finley, while the other was a poor throw to an open James Jones in the end zone.
AUG. 6 UPDATE: The Packers lost left tackle Bryan Bulaga for the season. This means that Marshall Newhouse will take over at the position, while fourth-round rookie David Bakhtiari will be thrust into the starting lineup. Rodgers is still the No. 1 fantasy quarterback, but this downgraded blocking will hurt him a bit.
Aaron Rodgers, now the highest-paid player in the NFL, should be the consensus No. 1 quarterback. He posts top passing numbers like the other elite signal-callers, but unlike Tom Brady and Drew Brees, Rodgers picks up a good chunk of rushing yardage, which gives him the edge at this position. He has 18 rushing touchdowns in the past five seasons. Rodgers is also preferred over the scrambling signal-callers like Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson because he’s way more proven. He also doesn’t run as much as them, so he’s not as prone to getting injured.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 4,450 passing yards. 38 passing TDs. 9 INTs. 280 rushing yards. 2 rushing TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 352.
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Drew Brees, QB, Saints. Bye: 7.
Drew Brees could be a bit undervalued based on what happened last year. Brees compiled 5,177 passing yards, but tossed 19 picks. That can be blamed on not having Sean Payton on the sidelines. With Payton back, Brees’ touchdown-to-interception ratio will be under control. Unlike Tom Brady, he has a healthy supporting cast.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 4,900 passing yards. 41 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 10 rushing yards. 1 rushing TD.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 339.
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Tom Brady, QB, Patriots. Bye: 10.
AUG. 17 UPDATE: Tom Brady finished 11-of-12 for 108 yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneers. He was unstoppable. He went 7-of-8 for 65 yards and a score in the preseason opener, so he’s now 18-of-20 for 173 yards and a pair of touchdowns through two games. It’s almost as if he hasn’t lost anyone this offseason. Brady looks like he’s on a mission. Don’t have any reservations about drafting him in Rounds 3-4.
AUG. 10 UPDATE: Tom Brady was on the field for only two drives at Philadelphia, so he obviously passed on just one possession. He was very sharp despite not having Wes Welker or his two tight ends, going 7-of-8 for 65 yards and a touchdown to Shane Vereen. Brady is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and a fantasy stud, so it’s pretty insane that he’s lasting until Round 5 in fantasy drafts.
JUNE 20 UPDATE: Aaron Hernandez is likely to be arrested. Rob Gronkowski could be out for a while. Danny Amendola is sure to miss time. Tom Brady’s fantasy prospects are looking quite dubious.
Tom Brady lost Wes Welker and may not have Rob Gronkowski for the early stages of the season (he may need a fifth operation on his arm) but he’s still a fantasy stud. Brady will have Aaron Hernandez again, and he’ll undoubtedly gel quickly with the newly signed Danny Amendola.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 4,580 passing yards. 35 passing TDs. 13 INTs. 20 rushing yards. 3 rushing TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 317.
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Peyton Manning, QB, Broncos. Bye: 9.
So much for his neck injuries. Peyton Manning was fantastic in his first season with the Broncos last year, compiling 4,659 yards, 37 touchdowns and just 11 interceptions. He could easily be even better in 2013, given the addition of Wes Welker. Manning’s neck will always be a concern, but he’ll probably be a fantasy stud yet again.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 4,650 passing yards. 37 passing TDs. 12 INTs. 0 rushing yards. 0 rushing TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 310.
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Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers. Bye: 9.
MAY 22 UPDATE: Colin Kaepernick’s fantasy stock has to go down in the wake of losing Michael Crabtree to a torn Achilles. He’s still a solid QB1, but I’d move a couple of quarterbacks ahead of him now.
What Colin Kaepernick did against the Packers in the divisional round of the playoffs could prompt many fantasy owners to take him in the first round. He passed for 263 yards and two touchdowns, but also added 183 rushing yards and two more scores on the ground. Kaepernick is still unproven, but he has the potential to be the No. 1 fantasy quarterback.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 3,500 passing yards. 23 passing TDs. 13 INTs. 600 rushing yards. 7 rushing TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 308.
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Robert Griffin, QB, Redskins. Bye: 5. 
AUG. 29 UPDATE: Adam Schefter reported that Robert Griffin will start against the Eagles in the season opener. This was expected, but it’s just confirmation that you can safely draft Griffin in Rounds 4-6. Griffin still presents the greatest injury risk among the 12 starting-caliber fantasy quarterbacks this year, but he also has the most upside. If you select him, make sure you have a capable backup.
AUG. 20 UPDATE: The most prominent story coming out of this second preseason game was Robert Griffin’s warmup. Griffin worked out for about an hour prior to kickoff and looked great by all accounts. Even Dr. James Andrews said “wow” while watching him sprint. Griffin, now expected to be cleared for Week 1, is worth drafting in the Round 5-6 range.
Robert Griffin’s status is still up in the air, but it’s looking promising because Vegas has listed the Redskins as a six-point favorite over the Eagles. They wouldn’t have done that if Griffin were likely to miss the opener. However, there is still major potential for Griffin to suffer an injury. He’s the least desirable of the top-12 fantasy quarterbacks for that reason.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 3,380 passing yards. 22 passing TDs. 13 INTs. 680 rushing yards. 7 rushing TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 308.
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Andrew Luck, QB, Colts. Bye: 8.
AUG. 25 UPDATE: Andrew Luck went 16-of-25 for 164 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in his third preseason outing. The pick wasn’t his fault; he hit Stanley Havili in the red zone, but Havili bobbled the ball and tipped it into the air, allowing Tashaun Gipson to come up with the turnover. Luck was better than those numbers indicate, as he was extremely sharp all evening. He was hurt by two drops (Havili’s miscue included), and he also rushed for 20 yards on four scrambles. Luck has a very good chance to finish as a top-six fantasy quarterback.
Andrew Luck was the first pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, but he’s just the third-best fantasy quarterback entering his second season (if Robert Griffin can stay healthy). Luck should be a solid QB1 though, thanks in part to his rushing ability, but there’s some concern because offensive coordinator Bruce Arians defected for Arizona.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 4,450 passing yards. 27 passing TDs. 14 INTs. 240 rushing yards. 4 rushing TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 306.
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Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions. Bye: 9.
Remember when everyone was concerned that Matthew Stafford wouldn’t be able to make it through a whole season? He’s played in all 32 games the past two years, but there’s still some injury risk because his offensive line is awful. However, he’ll definitely bounce back from his 20-touchdown campaign, as that low number was a product of bad luck.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 4,740 passing yards. 32 passing TDs. 15 INTs. 80 rushing yards. 2 rushing TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 305.
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Cam Newton, QB, Panthers. Bye: 4.
AUG. 23 UPDATE: Cam Newton had a pretty unspectacular third preseason performance. His first pass was way behind Brandon LaFell. He also threw at LaFell’s feet on another occasion. He took a hit to the leg and was limping around, but it was just a knee to the thigh. Newton finished 10-of-19 for just 99 yards, though he did scramble twice for 20 rushing yards. Newton has been very disappointing this August, and I’m definitely worried about him, given that he’s being coached by a new offensive coordinator. He could struggle early on.
AUG. 16 UPDATE: Cam Newton missed open receivers and nearly threw an interception to go along with his mediocre stat line against the Eagles: 8-of-17, 112 yards. It’s been two weeks now, and Newton just hasn’t looked very good. Perhaps this will change once the games actually mean something, but it’s a reminder that Newton is learning under a new offensive coordinator this year. He’ll still get his rushing touchdowns, but I’d try to avoid him in fantasy leagues.
Cam Newton was awesome down the stretch following a slow start, scoring 18 total touchdowns and throwing just three interceptions from Week 10 to 16. There is some concern here though because offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski has left. The Chud was instrumental in Newton’s late-season success, so it’ll be interesting to see if the third-year quarterback regresses at all with someone else calling the plays.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 3,750 passing yards. 20 passing TDs. 17 INTs. 630 rushing yards. 7 rushing TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 301.
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Russell Wilson, QB, Seahawks. Bye: 12.
JULY 26 UPDATE: Jason La Canfora tweeted that Percy Harvin could be out for the season if a second opinion on his hip labrum tear says that it requires surgery. That’s why I’m dropping Russell Wilson for the second time this week.
JULY 25 UPDATE: I loved Russell Wilson going into this season, but he received some bad news Thursday when Pete Carroll told the media that Percy Harvin may need surgery to repair a torn hip labrum.
Russell Wilson transformed from a game-manager asked not to make any mistakes at the beginning of the year to a dynamic play-maker at the end of the season. In his final contest, a loss to Atlanta in the divisional round of the playoffs, he generated 385 passing yards, 60 rushing yards and three touchdowns (2 pass, 1 rush). Like Colin Kaepernick, Wilson has the potential to finish as the top fantasy quarterback.
Follow @walterfootball for updates.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Stats: 3,420 passing yards. 26 passing TDs. 13 INTs. 550 rushing yards. 5 rushing TDs.
Projected 2013 Fantasy Points (ESPN Scoring): 299.
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings - Quarterbacks (Sept. 1):
Top 10 | 11-20 | 21-35
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More 2013 Fantasy Football Articles:
2013 Fantasy Football: Home
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings:
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks - 9/1 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: RUNNING BACKS - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Wide Receivers - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Tight Ends - 9/2 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Defenses - 6/3 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rankings: Kickers - 6/3 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Auction Values - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings - 5/5 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Rookie Rankings: Dynasty - 8/28 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Season Features:
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings - 12/26 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Rankings: PPR - 12/26 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Injury Reports - 12/26 (Walt)
Week 17 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/26 (Walt)
Fantasy Football Add/Drop: Week 15 - 12/9 (Walt)
Week 14 Fantasy Football Start Em, Sit Em - 12/8 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Fan Duel Picks - 11/22 (Walt)
FanDuel FanDuel $15,000 Contest - 11/22
FanDuel Exclusive Offer to WalterFootball.com Readers - 8/24
FanDuel Week 1 $500 Freeroll - 8/24
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheets (Printable Option):
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Traditional Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: PPR Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: Touchdown Scoring - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet: 2-QB Format - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Downloadable Spreadsheets - 9/2 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Drafts:
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, 3-WR, Flex - 9/2 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, PPR - 8/29 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, Standard - 8/22 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 12-team, Dynasty - 8/15 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 14-team, PPR - 8/8 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 3-WR - 8/1 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 2-QB - 7/26 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: 14-teamer - 7/19 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: PPR - 7/11 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Standard - 6/29 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Four-Man Mock - 6/13 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Articles:
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Training Camp - 9/4 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Preseason Stock - 8/30 (Walt)
2013 NFL Preseason Recap, Fantasy Football Notes - 8/30 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Quarterback Targets - 8/30 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Sleepers - 8/28 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Busts - 8/28 (Walt)
2013 ESPN Fantasy Football Magazine: 10 Reasons Not to Buy It - 8/21 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football IDP Tips - 8/17 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Round-by-Round Strategy - 8/16 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Draft Boards for Sale - 6/13
2013 Fantasy Football All-Value Team - 6/9 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Hot Finishers - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Quarterbacks - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Running Backs - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football Stock Report: Wide Receivers - 4/24 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football: Overdrafted Players - 2/17 (Walt)
2013 Fantasy Football: First-Round Bust History - 2/17 (Walt)
Running Backs with Most Carries - 2/17 (Walt)
NFL Picks - Nov. 22
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 20
NFL Power Rankings - Nov. 19
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
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Injured/injury risk
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Potential bust
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Potential sleeper
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Rank higher in touchdown leagues
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Rank lower in touchdown leagues
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Rank higher in PPR (points per reception) leagues
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Rank lower in PPR leagues
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