The Green Bay Packers lost starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers yesterday for the season with a broken collarbone. The injury won’t just impact the Packers in reality, it will also impact millions of fantasy football players out there. The good news, fantasy football players can overcome Rodgers loss. The Packers might not be able to.
Here are ten quarterbacks you can grab off the waiver wire to help you overcome the loss of the best quarterback in the league.
1. Carson Palmer, Arizona Cardinals: Palmer is available in 40% of ten team leagues out there. He went 18/22 for 283 yards and 3 touchdown passes yesterday. He has put up big numbers in the past and with Adrian Peterson adding balance to the Cardinals offense, Palmer could put up more consistent numbers moving forward.
2. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers: Roethlisberger is also available in roughly 40% of ten team leagues as well. Big Ben has struggled thus far this season but he is an established performer with arguably the best skill group in the NFL at his disposal. I still think Roethlisberger will be a top ten quarterback statistically by the end of the season.
3. Eli Manning, New York Giants: Manning has no one to throw to but he is an established veteran who you can get by with in a ten team league. He only went 11/19 for 128 yards and a touchdown pass last night but if the rest of your roster is capable of carrying the load point wise, you can survive with Manning as your quarterback.
4. Josh McCown, New York Jets: Don’t laugh. The 38 year old McCown has had a nice season thus far and provided he stays healthy the rest of the season, could put up good numbers throwing to reliable targets like wide receiver Jermaine Kearse, tight end Austin Sefarian Jenkins and running back Bilal Powell.
5. Trevor Siemien, Denver Broncos: Siemien did not play well last night but the Broncos as a whole did not play well. That being said, Siemien will be a solid point producer most weeks because he has a good running game and defense supporting him.
6. Jay Cutler, Miami Dolphins: Cutler played relatively well yesterday in the Dolphins 20-17 win over the Falcons and might be turning the corner in Miami. It appears the Dolphins are starting to figure things out offensively. Handing off to Jay Ajayi takes the pressure off of Cutler and enables him to make big plays down the field in the play-action passing game. Beggers can’t be choosy in 12 team leagues. Cutler might be the best option available.
7. Case Keenam, Minnesota Vikings: Keenam will be the starter in Minnesota as long as Sam Bradford is out. Keenam isn’t the ideal pick up but in a 12 team league, he offers good value because he plays in an offense that pushes the ball vertically down the field and emphasizes big plays. Keenam is worth taking a chance on if your options are limited.
8. Jacoby Brissett, Indianapolis Colts: Brissett is worthy of consideration in a 10 or 12 team league. He has played well for the Colts. Andrew Luck could be coming back in the next two weeks so only pick up Brissett as a short term solution. There are better options out there long term.
9. Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears: Trubisky won his first game as a starter yesterday in the Bears 27-24 OT win over the Ravens. Trubisky’s stats have been rather unappealing thus far through two games. He was 8/16 for 118 yards and a touchdown pass. The good news is, Trubisky has a solid running game to support him and offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is willing to run him a little which also enhances Trubisky’s value.
10. C.J Beathard, San Francisco 49ers: The rookie relieved Brian Hoyer yesterday and played well for the Niners in a 26-24 loss to the Redskins. He completed 19/36 passes for 245 yards and a touchdown pass. Beathard did throw a costly interception in over time but the rookie impressed enough that he could start the rest of the season. If you are looking for a deep sleeper with some value, Beathard might be your guy.