Fantasy Football Preview: Quarter Backs
Today is the second installment of my Fantasy Football Preview Feature. A few days ago, I took an in-depth look at running back, the most important fantasy position. If you missed it or need a refresher, read it here.
From there, I’m moving onto QBs. When should you draft a QB? It depends. If you’re going for Aaron Rodgers, Mike Vick, or someone like that, they’ll go in the first round. You can probably wait until the second round for Phillip Rivers, Peyton Manning, and Tom Brady (I got Brady in the 2nd round). If you have one of the first 4 of 5 picks overall, I would go RB every single time. If you have a later first round pick and one of the elite QBs is up there but there aren’t many elite RBs on the board, go for the QB.
Top 5 Fantasy Football Quarter Backs:
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Projections: 311 points, 4200 yards, 28 TD, 10 INT
Last Season: 4000 yards, 28 TD, 11 INT
Bye Week: 8
There’s a reason this guy won a Super Bowl last season. He is one of the best, if not the absolute best, QB in the league right now. He’s very accurate, has great Roethlisberger-like presence both in and out of the pocket and throws a lot of TDs and not a lot of interceptions. He will be a great fantasy (and real) QB this season.
2. Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles
Projections: 282 points, 3300 yards, 20 TD, 12 INT
Last Season: 3000 yards, 21 TD, 6 INT
Bye Week: 7
The projections I have above are for passing yards and TDs ONLY. Add that to his projected rushing yardage: 700 yards and 7 TD, he’ll score major points for your team. He was the best waiver wire acquisition last season and racked up 30-some points in that Monday Night game against the Redskins. At the end of the season, it looked like defenses had started to figure him out but he will still be one of the best point-earners this season.
3. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
Projections: 280 points, 4100 yards, 32 TD, 10 INT
Last Season: 3900 yards, 36 TD, 4 INT
Bye Week: 7
This guy got teams to the playoffs in their leagues by himself. 36 TDs and and only 4 interceptions is insane. Expect him to do the same this season. You can probably get him in the 2nd round as long as it’s early.
4. Phillip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
Projections: 274 points, 4700 yards, 29 TD, 14 INT
Last Season: 4700 yards, 30 TD, 13 INT
Bye Week: 6
He’s an amazing fantasy QB. You can get him in the 2nd round because people undervalue him, at least that’s what I’ve noticed. He racks up the yards, TDs, and points every game. Also, the Chargers uniforms are awesome.
5. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Projections: 281 points, 4500 yards, 34 TD, 15 INT
Last Season: 4600 yards, 33 TD, 22 INT
Bye Week: 11
I put Brees after Rivers because of how many interceptions he had last season. He was still a good fantasy QB but his interceptions lost him, and owners, a lot of points. You may think I’m crazy as you don’t see Peyton Manning in the top 5. He’s a close 6th, but there’s too many worries for me with his neck surgery and he hasn’t even practiced once this season. Take the risk if you want with Manning, but I’d steer clear.
Top 3 Quarter Backs to Avoid:
1. Matt Hasselbeck, Tennessee Titans
Projections: 122 points, 2500 yards, 10 TD, 13 INT
Last Season: 3000 yards, 12 TD, 17 INT
Bye Week: 6
To start things off, he probably won’t be Tennessee’s starter all season. Jake Locker, who they drafted this season and who the Titans believe is their QB of the future, may end up starting later this season. Besides that, he throws more interceptions than TDs and isn’t worth a pick, even as a back-up.
2.Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins
Projections: 132 points, 2800 yards, 12 TD, 16 INT
Last Season: 3300 yards, 15 TD, 19 INT
Bye Week: 5
He threw for decent yardage last season but threw more interceptions than TDs, which is always bad. Henne is probably not the Dolphins franchise QB even though they didn’t draft a QB this year. Maybe Terrelle Pryor will be a Dolphin after tomorrow’s supplemental draft?
3. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Projections: 108 points, 1800 yards, 11 TD, 14 INT
Last Season: N/A: Rookie
Bye Week: 9
He will definitely be the starter for the Panthers this season but the Panthers will remain as the worst team in the league. He’s a rookie who has to take this whole team on his back and is expected to deliver as the number one overall pick. Besides all that pressure, I don’t think he’ll translate into the NFL that well. He’s a great athlete but he has a lot to prove when it comes to his abilities.
Sleeper Quarter Backs:
1. Donovan McNabb, Minnesota Vikings
Projections: 172 points, 3000 yards, 18 TD, 17 INT
Last Season: 3400 yards, 13 TD, 14 INT
Bye Week: 7
Last season was a mess in Washington, including the McNabb issue with him getting benched at the end of the season for Rex Grossman. However, I think he’s going to come back and have a really good season this year. I actually think the Vikings will be competing for a playoff spot. With a dominant running game, which McNabb never really had in Philly, he’ll take off and succeed on the field.
2. Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams
Projections: 214 points, 3900 yards, 21 TD, 14 INT
Last Season: 3500 yards, 18 TD, 15 INT
Bye Week: 5
He had a good season last year that got cut short by the surprising Seahawks beating them in the last regular season game. Bradford will have a better season and my guess is the Rams win the weak NFC West this season with a winning record.
3. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Projections: 195 points, 3500 yards, 18 TD, 14 INT
Last Season: 535 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT
Bye Week: 9
Last season, he only played in 3 games due to a 3-QB season for the Lions. However, it looks that he may be their franchise QB with a strong showing in those 3 games. Mark my words, the Lions will have at least a .500 record, if not a winning season, this year and will also make a run for the playoffs. To bad they play in the same division as the Packers and Bears. However, Stafford will put up some decent numbers this season and you can probably get him in the 3rd or 4th round or even later.
Those are my thoughts on quarter backs for fantasy football this season. The next installment will feature the top 5, top 3 to avoid, and sleeper Wide Receivers for this season.