The 2011 Fantasy Football season was a year of record breaking statistics at the quarterback position. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about verterans like Aaron Rodgers and Drew Brees, or those up and coming like Matthew Stafford, Tim Tebow, or Cam Newton. There were also disappointments like Peyton Manning, who was eventually placed in IR due to a neck injury. So, let’s review the top ten quarterbacks from this year. These rankings might vary depending on how your fantasy league scoring system was established. These rankings are based on NFL.com‘s fantasy leagues.

1. Aaron Rodgers, enough said. It’s a good bet if you had a average or above average team, with the combinaton of Aaron Rodgers, you went to the playoffs, or finished as league Champion. I did. Aaron Rodgers scored 397 points averaging 24 points per game. You can’t ask for more than that in a fantasy quarterback. His endurance factor proved invaluable too. After his week 8 bye, it would you should have felt comfortable releasing any backup on your roster to fill another need.

2. Drew Brees was phenomenal this year in fantasy leagues. He wasn’t quite the level Aaron Rodgers was from a fantasy standpoin, but he certainly was worth having. Averaging 22 fantasy points per game, with a total of 357 for the year, Drew lead his Saints to a 13-3 record. The Saints were so potent through the air, it would’nt have been a bad idea to fill a WR roster spot with Darren Sproles or one of the Saints’ receivers. Normally, I wouldn’t recommend playing with two players from the same team on one roster, but with the Saints, all bets are off.

3. Tom Brady is always a safe bet in any fantasy league. Despite the Patriots finishing first in the AFC, Tom Brady didn’t quite make the top spot in fantasy leagues. But, finishing the year wth an average of 21 points per game, and 342 overall, he takes the third spot. Of course, with help from TE Gronkowski and WR Welker, combined with Brady’s precicison it’s no surpise. The only reason Tom Brady finds himself at this position, is because Drew Brees and Aaron Rodgers threw for a combined 13 more touchdowns. However, Brady only trailed Brees in yardage by about just over 200yds. Additionally, only Aaron Rodgers threw for fewer interceptions.

4. Michael Vick. Surprising rank for Michael Vick at number four. He only played 13 games this year with several injuries from the wrist to concussion. He only totaled 211 fantasy points averaging 13 per game. Statistically, he only threw for 3,303yds., 18 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Again depending on your league’s scoring, with this touchdown to interception ratio, he may as well have only thrown 14 touchdowns from a fantasy scoring perspective. Additionally, he ranks second in the league with 7 fumbles. The reason Michael Vick makes up for these margins is in rushing, of course. He rushed for 589yds. and 1 touchdown. This was better than conventional running backs like Starks, Green-Ellis, and Felix Jones.

5. Phillip Rivers finished in the last of the top five fantasy quarterback spots from 2011. He finished with 232 points, averaging 14 per game. Rives couldn’t lead the chargers to a playoff birth this year, only finishing 8-8. He did throw for over 4,000 yards and 27 toucdowns. You could really rank he and Vick equally.

These are my top five quarterbacks for 2011. I wold claim it is a safe bet the top thre will be the same next year in some order. However, just barely missing out were players like Tony Romo, and Cam Newton.

Joshua Moses is a blog contributor for Gold Star Games, a leading tailgate gear supplier.