Fantasy Football 2017: Aaron Rodgers tops 2017 fantasy football QB rankings

Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Quarterback is slowly becoming one of the deepest positions in fantasy football, here are our top 25 gunslingers heading into your 2017 fantasy football draft.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers leads this crew. New England Patriots star Tom Brady, New Orleans Saints stud Drew Brees and 2016 NFL MVP Matt Ryan are our favorite players at the position this year. But there are plenty of capable passers available in the middle to later rounds.

That is why, at UPI, we have ranked our top 25 quarterbacks, in standard format, for your 2017 fantasy football draft kit. You can also view our favorite players in fantasy football this season before you draft, by checking out UPI's top 150 players.

SCROLL DOWN FOR TOP 50

For clarity, here are some of the best quarterbacks to look out for in five separate tiers, as well as some unheralded sleepers.

HALL OF FAME

1. Aaron Rodgers, 2. Tom Brady

This might not shock you, but Aaron Rodgers and Tom Brady are two of the best quarterbacks the world has ever seen. This year, Rodgers and Brady are typically off the board in the second round. If you are the type to wait on a quarterback, this information might be irrelevant to you.

Rodgers led the NFL with 40 touchdown passes in 2016. The two-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler faces four defenses who ranked in the bottom five for fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks last season. Brady faces three such defenses and now has Brandin Cooks. Both of these gunslingers should be on the verge of 40 touchdowns this season and have limited mistakes, making them a great centerpiece for your squad.

ALL-PRO

4. Matt Ryan, 6. Cam Newton, 7. Russell Wilson

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan had a career-year least season. He threw for nearly 5,000 yards and passed for 38 touchdowns against a career-low seven interceptions. Despite changing offensive coordinators, the Falcons are maintaining Kyle Shanahan's playbook, meaning Ryan shouldn't see a huge slip in production.

Ryan is capable of putting up similar numbers to Rodgers and Brady but can be had later in your draft. He'll likely begin the quarterback run in your league, so if you want him, stay on the trigger after Brady falls off of the board. Ryan also has an edge over the other two quarterbacks in this section: Julio Jones.

Cam Newton was the MVP just a season ago, but looked dreadful in 2016. He completed a career-low 52.9 percent of his passes for just 19 scores and 14 interceptions. But the good thing about Newton this year is his lower average draft position. Newton is gettable in the late rounds and still provides that "win your week singlehandedly" ability with his running talent and eye for the big play.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was not himself last year. He was banged up and became more of a pocket passer, limiting his big play ability. But Wilson went hard in his offseason workout program and appears ready to have a big year.

Eddie Lacy is also in great shape and could be part of a dynamic rushing combination for this squad. I'm looking for Wilson to throw for at least 25 scores this season and be back around 500 rushing yards.

SCROLL DOWN FOR TOP 50

PRO-BOWL

8. Derek Carr, 9. Kirk Cousins, 11. Carson Palmer

The Oakland Raiders paid Derek Carr this offseason following his breakout 2016 season. This year he gets all of his weapons back, in addition to tight end Jared Cook and Marshawn "Beast Mode" Lynch. This offense will provide weekly fireworks and Carr could make his case to be a Top-5 quarterback selection at this time next season. I'm looking for at least 30 passing scores and a run at the NFL MVP Award for Carr. He is a great option around the fifth or sixth round in your fantasy football draft.

While losing two 1,000-yard wide receivers isn't great, Kirk Cousins will still be a passing machine in Jay Gruden's offense. He also has a new weapon in Terrelle Pryor. He's also playing for a very hefty new contract. Don't expect Cousins' interception numbers to decline, but he should again pass for at least 4,500 yards and throw 25 scores. He's a low-end QB1 in 10-team leagues.

JUST NAPPING [EARLY TO MID-ROUND SLEEPERS]

13. Matthew Stafford, 14. Marcus Mariota, 16. Jameis Winston

Matthew Stafford always benefits from Detroit's lack of a running game. He also hasn't missed a start since 2010. He isn't as consistent as you would like from the position, but he still has the ability to go off on any given week. Stafford is still a starter in 14-team leagues but is a matchup play in more shallow formats.

I'm expecting big things from Marcus Mariota this year. The third-year Tennessee Titans quarterback has his best receiving cast year with the additions of Eric Decker and No. 5 overall pick Corey Davis. He should pass for at least 30 scores this year in this balanced attack.

DRIFTING OFF [MID TO LATE-ROUND SLEEPERS]

17. Andy Dalton, 18. Eli Manning, 19. Jay Cutler