Philip Rivers: Time for your close-up

Quick: Who were the top 3 fantasy QBs in 2009?

You know Drew Brees was the Big Cheese. But you might be surprised to recall that Aaron Rodgers and Philip Rivers were two and three, respectively.

In fact, Rivers matched Brees passing TD for passing TD, at 34. And his 4,009 passing yards were 5th best in the league.

Yet while Brees is likely to be the first QB off the board in most fantasy drafts -- followed closely by Peyton and Brady -- Rivers will probably still be sitting there biding his time when the fourth or fifth rounds roll along.

In fact, in Sporting News' experts mock draft conducted in April, Rivers was picked #45 overall, the 7th QB off the board (following the aforementioned passers, plus Rodgers, Romo and Warner).

Where's the love for Rivers?

Hard to say, exactly. Though many of us reflexively dislike the guy because he's so freaking cocky, we also have to recognize that he has become an outstanding fantasy QB. And with excellent receiving weapons in LT, Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson, and a solid line protecting him, there is every reason to believe that Rivers could emerge as this year's most valuable fantasy QB.

I am determined to secure his services for at least one of my teams this season.