Highest Ranking: #7 by Mark Wimer
One of the keys to winning your fantasy league is identifying players who are likely to be underrated in your league's draft. Kordell Stewart is one of the guys who will be a very valuable, and relatively low cost, addition for those owners who acquire him on draft day. Consider the following:

Kordell Stewart has head coach Bill Cowher's confidence again, and is in an offense that Mike Mularkey designed to accentuate his gifts. The Steelers added a QB coach in 2001 - Tom Clements (the team's first QB coach since '73) - who helped restore Stewart's confidence, and Clements will continue to guide Stewart in 2002. Stewart accepted the mantle as a team leader in 2001, and showed it with his handling of the Kris Brown situation. In short, Kordell Stewart has become a mature NFL starting quarterback.

He has young, gifted receivers who are developing nicely (Plaxico Burress, Hines Ward and company). Jerome Bettis is aging (and not in the best physical condition in the offseason, either), forcing the offense to rely more on Stewart and the passing game. Stewart has nowhere to go but up from his very respectable 2001 numbers (266 of 442 for 3109 yards, 14 td's and 11 interceptions - rushing 96 for 537 yards and 5 td's).

Lowest Ranking: #16 by Chris Annunziata
I've never been too keen on Slash. Its not a talent issue. It's a system issue. It's Cowher. He's another, like Belichick, who likes to win with defense and smash mouth As a former TE coach, Malarkey doesn't exactly strike me as the type of guy who wants to stretch the field vertically.

Last year, it was a tale of two seasons - and it hinged on Bettis. In weeks 1-12, when Bettis was healthy and in the game, Kordell averaged a measly 183 passing yards per game, 35 rushing yards per game, 6 Pass TD and 4 Rush TDs. I know, I know, Slash can get it done on the ground. He can run and in most leagues, those Rush Yards and extra points for Rush TDs can add up. But, that's 14.5 FPG or, in other terms, about what the 15th best QBs averaged over the last 6 seasons. Nothing to write home about.

With Bettis out in weeks 13-16, Stewart averaged 256 Pass Yards per game, had 8 Pass TDs and only one more rushing TD. So, with the ground threat all but gone, the passing game admittedly opened up a bit. In weeks 14-16, Stewart scored 78 FP or almost 30% of his season total. He averaged 26 FPG. Much better, but are you going to rank Stewart in the top 10 and make him a legitimate fantasy starter based on his performance in three games?

So, the question is, which Kordell Stewart shows up? Or better yet, which Bettis shows up? I am just not willing to move Stewart into the realm of the Top 10 QB based on what really amounts to three games from last season. He might have potential if the trend to open up the offense continues. Otherwise, he is a solid backup, which is why I have him ranked at #16.