2009 Fantasy Football Player Profile-Eli Manning

QB Eli Manning, New York Giants

2008 Stats: 3238 passing yards, 22 total TDs, 10 INTs
Projected 2009 Stats: 3676 passing yards, 24 total TDs, 14 INTs
Projected Fantasy Round: 6th Round
Quarterbacks to be picked ahead of Eli Manning: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Drew Brees

Fantasy Outlook:

Why you should draft Eli Manning: Over the last four seasons, Manning has averaged 3395 passing yards and nearly 24 total touchdowns.  He also has not missed a single game in that span.  Last season, Manning finished nine games without being picked off and threw for multiple score on five different occasions.

Why you may want to stay away from drafting Eli Manning: In 2008, Manning was held under 200 yards passing ten times, including in each of the last four games.  It is also worth noting that Manning will now be without his go-to receiver in Plaxico Burress, which could result in a dip in his numbers in 2009.

Bottom Line: Eli is still not the Manning that fantasy owners highly covet, but is equally as reliable and durable.  Without Burress, Manning might be passed by a few quarterbacks, but he still should be viewed as a No. 1 fantasy signal caller.