As we inch closer to the beginning of the 2015 NFL Regular Season, here's how I rank the top 20 quarterbacks you should draft for your fantasy football team:
T-20. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
Carr showed a lot of promise in his rookie season, throwing for over 3,200 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Raiders were able to give Carr a gift on draft day, adding Amari Cooper to their receiving corps with their first round pick. Cooper is thought by many to be the best rookie receiver of the 2015 Draft Class, and Raiders' fans can only hope that he'll supplement Carr's stats going into his second year as a the starter in Oakland.
T-20. Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bortles was another rookie, like Carr, who had a promising rookie year in 2014. Bortles threw for just shy of 3,000 yards in 2014 and was sacked more than any other quarterback in the NFL. The Jaguars' offense showed promise with their rushing attack with Denard Robinson in 2014 and added even more depth to their backfield with second-round pick T.J. Yeldon. Bortles will be a viable streaming option for fantasy owners this season, especially against weaker defenses.
19. Nick Foles, St. Louis Rams
Foles enters 2015 in a Rams' uniform after an offseason deal made between St. Louis and Philadelphia. He should fit the Rams' offensive scheme well, and finally give them a quarterback that's a legitimate starter. Foles has plenty of weapons to throw to in Jared Cook, Kenny Britt, Brian Quick, Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin. The Rams added more talent to their backfield by drafting Georgia Star Todd Gurley, which will supplement second-year running back Tre Mason and third-year player Benjamin Cunningham.
18. Sam Bradford, Philadelphia Eagles
Chip Kelly has made some interesting offseason personnel moves, and the trade that led to the acquisition of Bradford was just that: interesting. Bradford's talent is undisputed, as he's a Heisman Trophy winner. Bradford's health is his obvious concern, and fantasy owners should have a backup plan if they draft him. I see Bradford as boom or bust fantasy option, and owners should draft him with caution.
17. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Dalton's numbers were down last season, as the Bengals were without their best wide receiver A.J. Green for three games in 2014. Along with missing Green, Dalton also had limited options with tight end Tyler Eifert and wide receiver Marvin Jones combining for just one game last season. The Bengals have also strengthened their running game, acquiring Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard through the past few drafts. My recommendation for Dalton is this: avoid using him as your every week starter, but he should an adequate play against weaker defenses if your QB1 is on a bye-week.
16. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Rivers threw for over 4,200 yards along with 31 touchdowns in 2014, but he tied Chicago Bears' QB Jay Cutler for most interceptions in the NFL last season with 18. Rivers has been a consistent play over the years, throwing for at least 3,000 yards and 20 touchdowns in each of the last nine seasons. He'll have a healthy Keenan Allen to throw to at wide receiver, but the Chargers lose veteran tight end Antonio Gates for the first four games of 2015 in lieu of a PED suspension. Rivers is a solid QB2 pickup for fantasy owners, but his susceptibility to throwing interceptions along with his age makes him a stretch as a QB1.
15. Eli Manning, New York Giants
The Giants went through a tough 2014 regular season, finishing with a 6-10 record. Manning, however, saw an increase statistically throwing the ball under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo's system. Although 2014 wasn't the greatest year for the Giants, Manning still threw for over 4,000 yards with 30 touchdowns. Many experts claim that the younger Manning brother throws too many interceptions, when he actually threw one less than older brother Peyton. If Eli is on the board for your QB2,or if you're trying to find a low-cost QB1, take him. He also has an elite weapon in Odell Beckham to throw to, and the ODB definitely makes Manning more valuable.
14. Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings
Bridgewater posted a 6-6 record for the Vikings when he was the starting quarterback last season, and he showed a lot of potential and promise for 2015 in those 12 starts. This year Adrian Peterson returns to the Vikings backfield, taking a lot of pressure off of Bridgewater. Meanwhile, the Vikings acquired a solid, vertical threat from the Miami Dolphins in Mike Wallace. To boot, Minnesota has a solid tight end in Kyle Rudolph, making their offense very versatile and dangerous. Bridgewater threw for just under 3,000 yards and 14 touchdowns in his first 12 starts as an NFL QB, but interceptions are a concern with young Bridgewater, as he threw for 12 in 2014. My opinion on Bridgewater is similar to Eli Manning: he's a solid QB2 option with the upside of a QB1. So if he's on the board late and a quarterback is needed, then take a shot on him.
13. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Newton led the Panthers to the divisional round of the NFC playoff bracket last season, throwing for over 3,000 yards with 18 passing touchdowns. He's the first quarterback on this list that's considered a dual-threat quarterback out of the pocket, adding 103 rushing attempts for 539 yards on the ground with five touchdowns. Newton will have to find a new "go-to" receiver with Kelvin Benjamin going down in this year's pre-season camp. The Panthers will have to rely on their running game, which Newton is an essential piece, and young receivers stepping up for the Panthers' offense.
12. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
Flacco threw for just shy of 4,000 yards in 2014 and loses one of his primary targets in Torrey Smith going into 2015. Smith was acquired by the San Francisco 49ers in this year's offseason. This leaves Flacco with veteran receiver Steve Smith and rookie draft-pick Breshad Perriman from Central Florida. Flacco throws one of the best deep balls in the NFL, and both of those receivers are vertical threat. Mix that with a steady rushing attack from running back Justin Forsett, and Flacco could be one of the top passers in the NFL in 2015.
11. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
Tannehill has started in every game for the Dolphins for the past three seasons, and he's improved in each of those three seasons. In 2014, Tannehill threw for over 4,000 yards with 27 touchdowns, and he'll try to the lead the Dolphins to the playoffs for the first time in his NFL career. The Dolphins dealt away their best vertical threat from last season with Mike Wallace going to the Vikings and expect Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills to be reliable targets. The Dolphins also upgraded at tight end, adding Jordan Cameron from the Cleveland Browns. If his targets can stay healthy, Tannehill is on track for another improving season.
10. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Wilson, like Cam Newton, makes Seattle's offensive scheme very versatile. He's been very successful in his first two years, already making two Super Bowl appearances. Wilson tallied 849 yards on the ground and threw for over 3,400. He's the best dual-threat quarterback in the NFL right now, and what makes him so great is his ability to feel pressure in the pocket and scramble intelligently. He avoids unnecessary hits and makes smart throws. Wilson only threw for seven interceptions last season, while throwing 20 touchdowns, and he makes a very secure pick for a QB1.
9. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Stafford threw for over 4,200 yards and 22 touchdowns in 2014, and the Lions made their first playoff appearance since 2011. He's the all-time passing yardage leader for Detroit and has two of the best targets any quarterback in the NFL could have in Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate. The Lions will also try to improve their running game with Joique Bell and draft pick Ameer Abdullah, which will in turn take some of the pressure off of Stafford's arm.
8. Tom Brady, New England
Okay, so one day we will know if he's going to be suspended or not. Until then, treat Brady like he's going to open the season on four-week bye. In all seriousness though, Brady was one of 11 quarterbacks that threw for 4,000-plus yards in 2014. Though we may never know who he will throw them to, besides Rob Gronkowski, Brady will find a way to get his numbers. If you can find somebody to fill the void of your QB1 spot for however long he's suspended (if he's suspended at all), then Brady is definitely worth drafting.
7. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
Romo's bright spots shined brighter than his failures last season, and the Dallas Cowboys found a nice identity and flow on the offensive side of the ball. What impressed me the most about Romo is that he only threw nine interceptions in 435 attempts, and the Cowboys were 12-3 in games that he started at quarterback. The obvious questions about his health still exist, but if there's a nice QB2 on board, he's a guy you've got to consider picking up.
6. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Brees lost most of his posse that he's spread the wealth to over the years and even won a Super Bowl with in the 2009 season. He loses the one of the top tight ends in Jimmy Graham, and a deep threat in Kenny Stills. Still, Brees remains in my top 10 easily because he's still got weapons. The Saints were successful with Mark Ingram in 2014 and picked up speedster C.J. Spiller in the offseason. Brees still has some old friends like Marques Colston that can still play. Plus, he has one of the most electric second-year receivers in Brandin Cooks, who's going to certainly shine in 2015. Brees is definitely still a QB1.
5. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Speaking of weapons on offense, Ryan is one quarterback who could never complain about the targets that the Falcons have provided him with. He's got some elite receivers in Julio Jones and Roddy White that allowed him to throw for almost 4,700 yards in 2014. That's right, almost 4,700 yards in a year that the Falcons went 6-10 with Ryan starting at quarterback. Fantasy football is about scoring more points than your opponent, not whether the Falcons win or not. The numbers will be there for Ryan again this season.
4. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
I never appreciate Roethlisberger's numbers until I see them on the final stat sheet at the end of the season. Would you me if I told you that Big Ben has only had one losing season since 2005 when he was a rookie? How about if I told you that he's thrown for over 4,000 yards in three of the last four seasons? Last year Roethlisberger threw 32 touchdowns with just nine interceptions. He tied Drew Brees for most passing yardage in the NFL in 2014 at 4,952 yards. When you have an elite running back and one of the NFL's best receivers, you got to use them. Roethlisberger does a great job doing that and leading the Steelers to victory. Sneaky QB1 pick that could put you on top of the standings in your league.
3. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
I've got Peyton here out of respect, as he's one of the most prolific quarterbacks to ever play the game. His arm strength raises a lot of questions about how much he's got left in the tank, but Denver provides him a solid offense to take on the field week-in and week-out. If Manning stays healthy throughout 2015, he's going to produce solid numbers, but you have to wonder: how much longer does he have playing football?
2. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
This guy is good. I mean really, really good. Luck was the only quarterback to reach the 40 touchdown mark in 2014 and added a 4,761 yard season on top of that. This team is built to meet the New England Patriots deep in the playoffs, and Indianapolis has added a couple huge pieces on offense with Frank Gore and Andre Johnson. Add that with a pair of good tight ends in Colby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, and you get the best offense in the AFC.
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
I was very disappointed to hear that the Packers lost star wide receiver Jordy Nelson to a leg-injury this weekend, and I thought about changing how I rank the top two quarterbacks in my rankings. I just couldn't do it because of Rodgers' ability to spread the ball around to his receivers and the Packers' ability to move the ball every Sunday. Even with his favorite target gone, the Packers have a lot of depth in their receiving corps going into 2015. Rodgers will have another top five season if he stays healthy.
As always, thanks for reading! Be sure to follow me on Twitter @griffaldo.
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