When glancing at this year’s
quarterbacks heading into fantasy football drafts, there are a ton of
question marks.
A big reason for the uncertainty is
many teams have different season-opening quarterbacks starting for them.
A whopping 12 teams likely will have different players under center to
start the season (13 if Brady Quinn miraculously becomes Cleveland’s
starter after holding out).
Some – like Vince Young, Matt
Leinart and Tony Romo – saw significant action last season with their
current team and are heading into a season as the starter for the first
time.
Others – like Trent Green, Matt
Schaub and Jeff Garcia – are with new teams.
Let’s take a look at how these
quarterbacks should be treated in fantasy drafts in 12-team leagues that
start one quarterback: starter-worthy (play them weekly), benchwarmer
(draft as a backup) and Ryan Leaf-potential (don’t draft).
STARTER-WORTHY
Tony Romo, Dallas:
He averaged 264 yards and threw 16 touchdowns in his 10 starts last
season. Over an entire season, that projects to be 4,224 yards and 26
touchdowns. With weapons like Terrell Owens, Terry Glenn and Jason
Witten to throw to, look for the fifth-year pro to be a top-10 fantasy
quarterback.
Others:
Vince Young, Tennessee; Matt Leinart, Arizona.
BENCHWARMER
Jay Cutler, Denver:
The second-year pro threw nine touchdowns in five starts
last season. But it was just five starts. The 24-year-old will have his
great games, but he also will go through rookie-like bumps and bruises.
Treat him as a solid No. 2 quarterback.
Others:
Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay; Matt Schaub, Houston; Jason Campbell,
Washington; Trent Green, Miami.
RYAN LEAF-POTENTIAL
Tarvaris Jackson, Minnesota:
The Viking was dreadful in his four games last season, he doesn’t have
much talent to throw to, and Minnesota likely will lean heavily on its
running back combination of rookie Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor.
Others:
Damon Huard and Brodie Croyle, Kansas City; Daunte Culpepper, Oakland
(or whoever the Raiders’ starter is); Joey Harrington, Atlanta.
BREAKTHROUGH PLAYER
Philip Rivers, San Diego:
In his first season as a starter, Rivers threw for 3,387 yards and 22
touchdowns with just nine interceptions. With quarterback guru Norv
Turner as the Chargers’ new head coach, those numbers should improve. He
also benefits from being in San Diego’s high-powered offense that makes
numerous trips to the red zone.
OVERRATED
Vince Young, Tennessee:
Until Young proves he can be a consistent passer, the
second-year pro will be an inconsistent fantasy player and not a near
top-five fantasy quarterback in which many have him ranked. He faces the
fourth-toughest schedule against the pass with one of the weakest
receiving corps in the NFL. Young will have more pressure on him after
the team lost running back Travis Henry and wide receiver Drew Bennett.
UNDERRATED
Jon Kitna, Detroit:
Kitna threw for 4,208 yards last season, fourth best in
the league. His 596 pass attempts were second. The addition of running
back Tatum Bell will keep defenses more honest. Oh yeah, the Lions
drafted Calvin Johnson -- perhaps the best receiving prospect in the
last 10 years -- to play opposite Roy Williams, giving Detroit one of
the most dangerous receiving duos in the league.
SLEEPER
J.P. Losman, Buffalo:
In 2007, his first full season as a starter, things started to click for
Losman. In the last seven games, he averaged 222 passing yards with 12
touchdowns. He also should be aided by first-round pick Marshawn Lynch,
who has solid pass-catching skills out of the backfield.
RANKINGS
-
Peyton Manning
-
Carson Palmer
-
Drew Brees
-
Tom Brady
-
Marc Bulger
-
Donovan McNabb
-
Jon Kitna
-
Tony Romo
-
Matt Hasselbeck
-
Philip Rivers
-
Eli Manning
-
Matt Leinart
-
Vince Young
-
Jay Cutler
-
Ben Roethlisberger
-
Brett Favre
-
J.P. Losman
-
Matt Schaub
-
Alex Smith
-
Chad Pennington
-
Jeff Garcia
-
Steve McNair
-
Rex Grossman
-
Jason Campbell
-
Jake Delhomme
