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Fantasy Rankings: NFC West Quarterbacks in 2009
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The NFC West features one of the top fantasy QBs in the game, two others trying to atone for a poor 2008, and an excellent potential sleeper.
1. Kurt Warner
Warner had a tremendous season in 2008. Playing with a wealth of talent at the receiver position, and on a team which abandoned the run, the 37-year old vet threw for more than 4,500 yards and 30 TDs, much to fantasy owners’ delight.
A repeat of those numbers in 2009 will be hard to duplicate however. First, there’s always the Super Bowl hangover, and second, there have been some key losses to personnel. The selection of RB Beanie Wells in the first round also suggests that the team will be more committed to the run, so look for between 3,600-3,900 yards and 25-28 TDs.
Hasselback suffered through a miserable 2008 season and missed a lot of time battling a lingering injury. He finished with just 1,200 yards and five TDs in seven games.
This year, he should be healthy once again, so now it’s a matter of getting back in sync with his receivers and quickly developing a rapport with T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
Blessed with an extremely easy schedule, look for another 3,000-yard season and 20 TDs.
3. Marc Bulger
Bulger suffered through a miserable 2008 campaign as well, at one point being benched by then head coach, Scott Linehan. He finished with a little more than 2,700 yards and 11 TDs.
And this year, a familiar face will no longer be there: Torry Holt, who was a salary cap casualty.
While second-year receiver Donnie Avery does provide promise, look for the Rams to rely heavily on the running game and for Bulger’s numbers to remain middle of the pack: 3,000 yards and 15-18 TDs.
4. Shaun Hill
In 2008, once the J.T. O’sullivan experiment came to an end, which also coincided with the firing of Mike Nolan, Hill came on and finished with more than 2,000 yards and 13 TDs in just eight games.
This year, he has even more firepower at the skill positions. The Niners used the 10th overall pick on Michael Crabtree. Second-year receiver Josh Morgan is raring to go, and there’s hope that Singletary will finally help Vernon Davis begin to realize his potential.
Look for Hill to throw for more than 2,750 yards and 18 TDs.
Draft Tip
Warner could be the fourth overall QB drafted, and gone by Round Four. Hasselbeck and Bulger are no longer considered quality fantasy starters and will fall past Round Eight. Hill, who could be a decent fantasy sleeper, will probably be around at the end, or as a waiver wire pick-up.
