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If you thought QB was deep going into drafts last year, this year is going to make a 12-team league seem like a six-man. In an already loaded crop, tons of quarterbacks broke out and the majority of them figure to stay around. Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III, Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck all provided big enough jolts to fantasy roster to help tons of owners win titles. One of the big question marks moving to next season is how defenses will adjust to the pistol. If the blueprint is out, then that could spell trouble for three of those four QBs mentioned. Owners really shouldn't overreact to this prospect of defense catching up and there's no reason to bump down players that run the ball more.
As far as draft strategy goes, it's really the same as it's been. Most owners in competitive leagues probably won't really have the luxury to take a QB in the first two rounds. Running back remains thin and getting your hands on an elite receiver can go a long way -- especially in PPR leagues.
Quarterback | Comments | |
1 | Aaron Rodgers | Had a 'down' year, but still led QBs in passer rating last season |
2 | Cam Newton | Outstanding second half: 17 TDs, 394 rushing yards and a 94.2 passer rating |
3 | Drew Brees | Sean Payton is back. Brees' completion percentage dropped from 71.2 in 2011 to 63.0 last year |
4 | Tom Brady | A lot to love about Danny Amendola, but no Wes Welker will hurt |
5 | Matthew Stafford | Megatron and an NFL record 727 attempts. Has to cut down on TOs, though |
6 | Russell Wilson | A YPA monster. His 9.44 in December is just ridiculous. Oh and Percy Harvin helps |
7 | Colin Kaepernick | He was the focal point of offense and he has tons of weapons this year |
8 | Robert Griffin III | As long as you get a solid backup, RG3 is worth the risk in the middle rounds |
9 | Peyton Manning | Terrific last year, but easy to be gun shy about drafting a 37-year-old QB |
10 | Matt Ryan | He was great in September and December, but just average in between |
11 | Andrew Luck | Had 10 TDs in December, but losing Bruce Arians could limit him early |
12 | Tony Romo | Romo got paid and he has a ton of weapons. Safe, lower-upside QB1 |
13 | Eli Manning | It all comes down to Hakeem Nicks staying healthy, which isn't good |
14 | Michael Vick | Everyone will be watching Chip Kelly's offense and Vick seems to fit with big upside |
15 | Ben Roethlisberger | No more Mike Wallace, but still going to be a pass-first offense |
16 | Joe Flacco | He and Jim Caldwell hit it off and they shouldn't miss Anquan Boldin much |
17 | Jay Cutler | The Cutler-Marshall connection isn't going to slow |
18 | Philip Rivers | He's a disaster and didn't even come on strong in December like he usually does |
19 | Ryan Tannehill | Only one INT in December was big for the rookie; Mike Wallace helps, too |
20 | Carson Palmer | Larry Fitzgerald can make an average QB a bit above average |
21 | Jake Locker | He can make plays, but a 56.4 completion percentage is unacceptable considering a lack of a vertical passing game |
22 | Matt Schaub | He and Andre Johnson were number two on first down completions; it's still a run-first O |
23 | Josh Freeman | Even though he made strides last year, TB's improved D could mean less shootouts |
24 | Sam Bradford | Tavon Austin should inject some new life into their O and no more S-Jax |
25 | Andy Dalton | A.J. Green is a weapon and the Bengals still don't have a solid run game |
26 | Alex Smith | The game manager could be used more in Reid system |
27 | Geno Smith | Hey, why not? |
28 | Brandon Weeden | Led the NFL in turnovers and the Browns didn't add any real receiving threats |
29 | Christian Ponder | He fell apart with no Percy Harvin down the stretch and it's AD's show |
30 | E.J. Manuel | There will be too many growing pains to take a chance on him in his rookie year |
31 | Matt Flynn | If he has success, that would suggest Denarius Moore would be a monster |
32 | Blaine Gabbert | Can't throw under pressure at all, which is kind of a problem in the NFL |