By John Sarianides
With the NFL season less than 100 days away, it is time to start thinking about fantasy football. Here my pre-season top 20 quarterbacks. This is my list so feel free to disagree and challenge my rankings.
1. Aaron Rodgers, Packers: When you combine passing yards, touchdowns, interceptions and the occasional rushing touchdown, Rodgers is still the best fantasy quarterback in the NFL. Projected Round: 1st or 2nd
2. Drew Brees, Saints: The addition of Adrian Peterson to go with Mark Ingram could actually help Brees because the Saints receivers and tight ends will get more one on one match-ups. Brees is a lock for 4,000 plus yards and 35-40 touchdowns every year. Projected Round: 2nd
3. Tom Brady, Patriots: The GOAT will go no later than round three in most drafts. Given all of the weapons Brady has around him and the system he plays in, he is a lock as a top three fantasy quarterback in 2017. Projected Round: 2nd
4. Matt Ryan, Falcons: Ryan won’t miss a beat with new offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian running the offense in Atlanta. You can expect 4,000 yards and 35 touchdown passes from Ryan in 2017. Ryan will once again be in the MVP conversation. Projected Round: 3rd
5. Andrew Luck, Colts: If you want to wait a little for a quarterback, you might be able to grab Luck in the fourth or fifth round in your draft. Luck is healthy and poised for a big season. He has been the forgotten man at the quarterback position the last two seasons but he has plenty of weapons to throw to and thanks to a mediocre running game, the Colts are now apass first team. Projected Round: 4th
6. Cam Newton, Panthers: Newton will have more pieces to work with offensively, especially in the passing game. I think he will throw for 4,500 yards plus and throw 30 touchdown passes. Couple that with 5 to 8 rushing touchdowns and that is what makes Newton a high end fantasy option. Projected Round: 5th
7. Matthew Stafford, Lions: Stafford has better talent around him than you think. With Jim Caldwell and OC Jim Bob Cooter running the show offensively in Detroit, the Lions will always be a pass first team. Stafford will throw for close to 5,000 yards once again and 35-40 touchdowns. Not bad considering Calvin Johnson is gone. Projected Round: 5th or 6th
8. Russell Wilson, Seahawks: Seattle is going to commit to running the ball more but that shouldn’t affect Wilson’s passing stats too much. The offense centers around him and don’t forget he is a dual threat quarterback so there is potential for him to score 4 to 5 rushing touchdowns. Projected Round: 6th or 7th
9. Jameis Winston, Bucs: Winston is another guy that I am targeting but I feel like people are going to over value him a bit and take him early. He has a lot of pieces around him so if Winston doesn’t throw for 4,500 yards and 35 touchdown passes, I will not be surprised. Head coach Dirk Koetter will finally take the reigns off and let this stallion run! Projected 7th
10. Kirk Cousins, Redskins: I know Cousins lost Pierre Garcon and DeSean Jackson this off-season but he still has plenty of quality targets to throw the ball to in tight end Jordan Reed, Terrelle Pryor, Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson. Cousins is a lock to throw for over 4,000 yards and 30 touchdown passes. Don’t forget. He is in a contract year and he wants to prove he is elite. Projected Round: 8th
11. Derek Carr, Raiders: Carr has recovered from the broken leg that ended his season prematurely in 2016. He is poised for a big season thanks to a talented skill group and the addition of Marshawn Lynch. If you want to wait a little on a quarterback, Carr would be a great option in the middle rounds. Projected Round: 8th
12.Marcus Mariota, Titans: Mariota is another dual threat quarterback who is primed to have a big season statistically. Head coach Mike Mularkey has to open up the offense more and trust Mariota. If he does, Mariota could be one of the best quarterbacks in the league statistically in 2017. Projected Round: 9th
13. Dak Prescott, Cowboys: Prescott has plenty of skill to work with. The question is, will he have a sophomore slump? Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan will give Prescott more freedom in the passing game so there could be an uptick in Prescott’s production . Ezekiel Elliot could hurt Prescott’s stock if the Cowboys once again lean on him like they did last season. Projected Round: 9
14. Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers: Roethlisberger has always been my fall back quarterback. If I decide to wait on a signal caller, I usually grab him late. Given the skill group he has to work with in Pittsburgh, Big Ben is a lock for 30 touchdown passes and 4,000 yards. Projected Round: 10
15. Phillip Rivers, Chargers: With the addition of rookie receiver Mike Williams and the return of Keenan Allen and Danny Woodhead, Rivers could once again be a top ten fantasy producer. Sure, he throws the occasional costly interception but he starts every game and is a guaranteed 10-25 point scorer per week depending on the scoring system. Projected Round:10-11
16. Carson Wentz, Eagles: I think Wentz will have a big sophomore season. He has more skill at his disposal with the additions of Alshon Jeffery, Torrey Smith and LeGarrette Blount. If Doug Petersen loosens up the reigns and let’s Wentz rip it, he could be a top ten fantasy quarterback by season’s end. Projected Round: 11-12
17. Eli Manning, Giants: Manning runs hot and cold but the additions of Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram mean the Giants plan to throw the ball even more than they did last season. If you are going to load up at other positions and wait on a quarterback, Manning might not be a bad later Round option. Projected Round: 12-13
18. Andy Dalton, Bengals: Dalton is another quarterback that you could wait on and get good production from. He puts up consistent fantasy numbers and the return of A.J Green along with the additions of John Ross and Joe Mixon should help Dalton’s fantasy value. I see real sleeper potential here from a production standpoint. Projected Round: 13-14
19. Blake Bortles, Jaguars: I haven’t given up on Bortles. He’s just too talented. Although his delivery still bothers me. Despite that, he has a talented skill group to work with and the addition of Leonard Fournette will take some of the pressure off of him. If you are running out of rounds and need a starting quarterback or you are looking for a match up quarterback to pair up with another match up quarterback, take a flier on Bortles. Projected Round: 14-15
20. Tyrod Taylor, Bills: I am not a big Taylor fan. He is way too inconsistent for my liking and he doesn’t have a lot of skill to work with. That being said, he is dual threat quarterback and he has proven to be a fantasy producer in the past. Projected Rounds: 15-16