 |
||||
|
|
||||
| ||||
Fantasy Football Draft GuideQuarterback fantasy football draft analysis
By Herija C. Green Are you ready for the 2008 fantasy football season? KFFL is and we are here to help you dominate your fantasy football draft on the way to bringing home a fantasy league football championship this season. Knowing the latest surrounding each fantasy football pick is essential in having a strong fantasy football draft. The following is KFFL's breakdown of draft-worthy quarterback options. Be sure to check back often, as KFFL's free fantasy football coverage is updated weekly until the start of the 2008 fantasy league football season. For your fantasy football rankings and fantasy football cheat sheets, look no further. You can access those through KFFL's free fantasy football draft guide! Editor's note: All average draft position figures are based on 12-team leagues. Tier 11) Tom Brady | New England Patriots | 6-foot-4, 225 pounds | 9th Year
PROS: Coming off arguably any quarterback's finest statistical season in NFL history, Brady has established himself in the minds of some as the greatest quarterback of all time. Brady is an expert at taking what the defense gives him and not forcing the ball - a primary reason he threw just eight interceptions in 578 passes last year. Receiver Randy Moss returns to lead a talent-rich group offensively and gives Brady a dangerous deep threat on every down. Head coach Bill Belichick rarely reined in his offense last season, which allowed Brady to pad his stats when others may have simply run the clock. Turning 31 this August, Brady is still in his prime. CONS: Last year's output may prove to be a one-time thing as Belichick and Brady played with a chip on their shoulder all season long. Considering the end result was a Super Bowl defeat, the team could approach the regular season differently in 2008. Also, keep in mind that before last season Brady had never thrown for more than 28 touchdowns in a season and had passed for better than 4,000 yards just once. Last year's 50 touchdown passes tied the amount of the previous two seasons combined. FANTASY TIP: Almost a mortal lock to overtake Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning as the first non-running back selected in fantasy drafts, owners should not enter 2008 expecting a repeat of 2007. The last quarterback to have a monstrous season like that was Manning, and he followed it up with 3,747 yards and 28 touchdowns - good numbers, but nothing like the 4,557-49 line from the year before. His best value is found in the middle of the second round. Brady could still return first-round value, but don't count on him to carry your team this year. Tier 22) Tony Romo | Dallas Cowboys | 6-foot-2, 224 pounds | 6th Year
PROS: Were it not for the historic season of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, Romo's first full year under center would've likely received more fanfare. The young signal caller carved up opposing defenses, throwing for multiple touchdowns in 12 of his first 13 games. He finished second in the NFL in touchdown passes (36) and third in passing yardage (4,211). While not fast, Romo has proven capable of making plays with his feet - running for 129 yards and two touchdowns in 2007. He has just 26 career NFL starts and should be improving in an offense that features playmakers at every position. CONS: For the second time in as many seasons, Romo faded down the stretch. In 2006, he threw eight interceptions against six touchdowns during the team's final five games. Last season, Romo completed only 51.1 percent of his passes for 557 yards, one touchdown and five interceptions in the team's last three games (though he only played sparingly in a meaningless Week 17 affair). His decision making can be suspect at times; he was intercepted at least once in 13 games. A gunslinger mentality can lead to huge turnover games. FANTASY TIP: The Cowboys have one of the league's most potent offenses, and that begins with Romo leading the passing game. He has a ton of weapons to work with, most notably receiver Terrell Owens and tight end Jason Witten, capable of lighting up the scoreboard week after week. His late-season struggles are a concern since they coincide with fantasy playoff time, but with only a two-year sample size it's too early to bypass him for that reason. He deserves to be the second or third quarterback taken. 3) Peyton Manning | Indianapolis Colts | 6-foot-5, 230 pounds | 11th Year
PROS: Maybe Manning (knee) wasn't as sharp in 2007 as he had been in previous years, but the former No. 1 pick still threw for better than 4,000 yards for the eighth time in his last nine campaigns. He also amassed more than 30 touchdown passes for the second straight year and hasn't thrown fewer than 26 in a season in his career. Injuries deprived him of receiver Marvin Harrison (knee) for much of 2007, but he should return in 2008, and wideout Anthony Gonzalez now has a year of seasoning under his belt. If Manning has those two weapons for a full season he could be in line for his best year since 2004. CONS: The removal of an infected bursa sac will cost Manning four to six weeks of time, which is basically the remainder of the offseason. Manning was sacked more often (21 times) and threw more interceptions (14) last year than he had since the 2002 season. Trying to make do with replacement players was certainly part of the issue, but Manning also made some uncharacteristic mistakes. At 32 years old, entering his 11th season in the league, he could be inching toward the end of his prime. FANTASY TIP: It took many years but Manning is unlikely to be the first quarterback selected in 2008. However, he should still return similar value to those selected ahead of him. Manning is an every-week starter and almost certainly the steadiest option at the position. Consider that in the last two years he has thrown touchdowns in 29 of 32 games. Manning is an iron man at the position by having not missed a game during his first 10 years in the NFL.We can't really argue if you choose Manning as the first quarterback off the board, especially given the significant drop-off that should be expected from New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. Tier 34) Drew Brees | New Orleans Saints | 6-foot, 209 pounds | 8th Year
PROS: Nobody put the ball in the air more often in 2007 than Brees, whose 652 attempts were 74 more than the runner-up. Considering his high number of throws, Brees' accuracy was staggering as he completed 67.5 percent of his passes for 4,423 yards and 28 touchdowns - allowing him to finish in the top five in all major passing categories except touchdowns, where he came in sixth. He boasts a deep cache of weapons both split wide and coming out of the backfield. Brees shook off a rough start to throw two or more touchdowns in 10 of his final 12 games. The offense also calls for a lot of quick releases, which helps keep Brees healthy (fewer than 20 sacks allowed each of the past two seasons). CONS: About that rough start.... try one touchdown and nine interceptions over the season's first four games, which likely cost fantasy owners some early victories. The loss of running back Deuce McAllister (knee), and the defense's inability to get off the field, led to an unbalanced offensive approach last season, which caused Brees to throw 98 more passes than he did in 2006. While the Saints have a lot of depth at the receiver position, only wideout Marques Colston has proven himself to be a difference maker. FANTASY TIP: Brees could find himself overlooked a bit this season due to his slow start in 2007 and the Saints taking a significant step back as a team. However, the focus should be more on his strong finish and back-to-back seasons with more than 4,400 yards passing in New Orleans. He's a solid choice once the first three quarterbacks are off the board. Brees, as the peak of the second tier of fantasy passers, still offers reasonable upside at 29 years old, but you don't want to reach for him if the top quarterbacks come off the board in rapid succession. 5) Carson Palmer | Cincinnati Bengals | 6-foot-5, 230 pounds | 6th Year
PROS: For the third consecutive season, Palmer exceeded his passing attempts and yardage from the year before. He has posted back-to-back seasons with more than 4,000 yards and has thrown at least 26 touchdowns in three straight, as well. He has one of the best receiving tandems in the NFL at his disposal in wideouts Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh, as well as a defense that allows a lot of points, which forces Palmer to keep putting the ball in the air. The sixth-year veteran won't turn 29 until December and has room to improve. CONS: The winds of change are blowing in Cincinnati: Receiver Chris Henry has been released, Johnson (shoulder) was threatening a holdout and Houshmandzadeh has one foot out the door if he doesn't get a large extension. It all hinges on Johnson, though, as if he's not with the team Houshmandzadeh will be facing the double teams, leaving players like rookie wideouts Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell to shoulder the load. Palmer threw a career-high 20 interceptions last year, which could be an issue again this season with a young group of receivers. His touchdown passes came in bunches last year with Palmer having nine games with zero or one touchdown, which makes consistency a concern. The Bengals' running game is loaded with question marks entering the '08 season, so opponents could key in more on stopping the pass. FANTASY TIP: There is some uncertainty surrounding this situation because of the stalemate between Houshmandzadeh and the team, as well as the tenuous situation with Johnson. With all his weapons in place, Palmer is among the league's best quarterbacks, but it remains to be seen what he can do with less explosive talent. His average draft placement is in the middle of the fourth round. He should still be selected as a No. 1 quarterback, but make sure you acknowledge there is some risk involved by pair him with a quality No. 2 option. 6) Donovan McNabb | Philadelphia Eagles | 6-foot-2, 240 pounds | 10th Year
PROS: McNabb passed for better than 3,000 yards for the first time since 2004 last season despite coming off a torn ACL in November 2006. He is careful with the football, never throwing more than 13 interceptions in a season and tossing single-digits six times. Another year with receivers Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown, along with a healthy tight end L.J. Smith, should benefit McNabb - as should the selection of wideout DeSean Jackson. He's one of the best athletes playing the position and has upside if healthy. CONS: Durability is a huge concern with McNabb. The 31-year-old was sacked 44 times last year and has played in only 33 of 48 regular season games over the past three seasons. He showed the willingness to run more as the season wore on but still finished without a rushing touchdown for the first time since his rookie campaign. He has thrown for 20 or more touchdowns just once in the last six seasons. Of course, the team has never provided McNabb with an elite receiving option since wideout Terrell Owens (Dallas Cowboys) left town, and consequently his numbers haven't approached their 2004 level. While we don't believe it is a legitimate negative, nor has it much of a chance to come to fruition, one has to make note of quarterback Kevin Kolb waiting in the wings for McNabb to struggle. FANTASY TIP: McNabb will be nearly two years removed from knee surgery at the start of the 2008 season, which makes this a possible make-or-break campaign for the former first-round pick. He is capable of posting some big individual games but has only had one elite season, statistically speaking. Nonetheless, in a somewhat depressed quarterback market, McNabb ranks as a midrange No. 1 option. Just make sure your backup is a viable fantasy starter, as well. McNabb's average draft placement is in the middle of the sixth round. Tier 47) Matt Hasselbeck | Seattle Seahawks | 6-foot-4, 225 pounds | 10th Year
PROS: The demise of halfback Shaun Alexander, and the running game, led to a shift in strategy from head coach Mike Holmgren, which resulted in career highs across the board for Hasselbeck. The 10th-year veteran completed 352 passes for 3,966 yards and 28 touchdowns against just 12 picks. He threw for at least one touchdown 15 times last season, including 10 with two or more. Holmgren figures to pull out all the stops this year in an effort to reach another Super Bowl in what will likely be his final season before retiring, and that could mean more passing records for Hasselbeck. CONS: Seattle revamped their running game during the offseason and would almost certainly prefer a more balanced attack. They also lost receiver D.J. Hackett (Carolina Panthers) in free agency, and wideout Deion Branch (knee) is coming off a torn ACL, which leaves them with less experienced options in the passing game. With a fair amount of turnover offensively it could take some time for the offense to hit its stride, and the defections may lead to the team fielding a less talented overall group. An unsettled running game could lead to opposing defenses cheating against he pass, and having a rookie as the expected starting tight end doesn't bode well, especially in a West Coast offense. FANTASY TIP: Holmgren threw caution to the wind last season; then he threw again and again. When the dust settled Hasselbeck had thrown 562 passes (fourth in the NFL), which seems unlikely to be matched this year after his previous high was 513. The smart thing to do with Hasselbeck is to draft him with an eye on his 2003-05 production and view his upside to be the neighborhood of last year's performance. He is still a reasonable No. 1 option, though, and a moderately durable one at that. Hasselbeck is drafted, on average, in the late fifth or early sixth rounds. 8) Marc Bulger | St. Louis Rams | 6-foot-3, 212 pounds | 8th Year
PROS: Bulger is just one season removed from a 4,301-yard, 24-touchdown campaign in 2006. He has very good accuracy (63.5 completion percentage during his career) and is smart with the football. He is a proven commodity at the NFL level, having thrown for more than 20 touchdowns and 3,800-plus yards in three of the last five seasons. His receiving corps isn't what it once was, but running backs Steven Jackson and Brian Leonard are very good catching the ball out of the backfield. Plus, wideout Torry Holt is still among the NFL's elite and gives Bulger a reliable No. 1 target. Offensive coordinator Al Saunders' system could lead to tight end Randy McMichael resurfacing as a viable target, too. CONS: The 31-year-old has taken a pounding in his career and has played in all 16 games only once in five seasons as a full-time starter. He missed four games last season and eight in 2005. His accuracy fell dramatically last year (58.5 percent) while his interceptions rose (15 in 378 attempts). The departure of receiver Isaac Bruce (San Francisco 49ers) moves disappointing wideout Drew Bennett out of the slot and into the starting lineup. Bulger is a complete non-factor running with the football, accounting for zero touchdowns and just 86 combined rushing yards over the last three years. FANTASY TIP: Make no mistake, the "Greatest Show on Turf" is no more. However, that doesn't mean that Bulger can't still be an effective fantasy quarterback. His ability to stay healthy is the key as in the three years he has made at least 14 starts he has averaged 4,037 yards passing and 22.3 touchdowns per season. Select him as a solid No. 1 option with health risks. His average draft placement suggests he is a solid value in the late seventh or early eighth rounds. 9) Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh Steelers | 6-foot-5, 241 pounds | 5th Year
PROS: With head coach Mike Tomlin taking over for a retiring Bill Cowher, the Steelers dramatically changed their offensive philosophy in the red zone and Roethlisberger was the main beneficiary. In three seasons under Cowher, he threw 52 touchdowns while the team ran for 53. Last year, Pittsburgh ran for just nine scores against Roethlisberger's 32 touchdown passes. The 26-year-old threw for three or more scores five times in 15 games. His accuracy was good (65.3 percent), and he cut his interception total (11) more than in half after throwing 23 picks in 2006. Despite not considered a scrambler, Roethlisberger actually finished fifth among quarterbacks in rushing last season with a career-high 204 yards. His footwork in the pocket allows him to buy time, but he is good for at least two rushing scores per year, if past averages mean anything. CONS: While Roethlisberger's huge leap in touchdowns was encouraging, his decrease in yardage (from 3,513 in '06 to 3,154) was not. He finished the year just 14th in the league in passing yards and never recorded a 300-yard game, which means his fantasy value is largely dependent on his touchdowns. The first-round selection of powerful halfback Rashard Mendenhall could lead to the club leaning more heavily on the running game inside the 20s after tailback Willie Parker managed just two touchdowns in 321 carries last season. FANTASY TIP: Playing for one of the NFL's most popular franchises and coming off a season where he finished third in touchdown passes, Roethlisberger is a pretty safe bet to come off the board too early. He is not a lock as an every-week No. 1 starter, but he should return lower-end No. 1 value this season. Expect the lopsided running-passing touchdown split from 2007 to even out a bit with Mendenhall in the backfield. On average, Big Ben is selected in the late fourth round or early fifth round. 10) Brett Favre | New York Jets | 6-foot-2, 222 pounds | 18th Year
PROS: Favre is coming off a tremendous year in which he threw for 4,155 yards, 28 touchdowns and 15 interceptions with the Green Bay Packers. The long-time Packer joins the Jets this season and has solid receivers to work with. Additionally, Favre has a respectable running game in place and a strong offensive line. Favre has thrown for at least 3,800 yards in each of the past three seasons and could find himself throwing the rock a lot this season if the Jets' offseason additions to the defense don't shore up the unit. Favre is a rock-solid quarterback in terms of durability. CONS: The consummate gunslinger, Favre is a turnover waiting to happen. He now has to learn a new offense in New York, one unlike he has ever played in during his time in the NFL. At 39 years old in October, one has to wonder if he will begin to show his age this year. The chemistry he had with the wideouts in Green Bay is something that will take considerable time to acquire in New York. The AFC is a tougher conference than the NFC, so the defense he faces could prove to be more challenging. FANTASY TIP: Favre is a risky No. 1 quarterback but is better viewed as a strong No. 2 option. He is likely to experience a rough start to the year until he becomes more familiar with the offense. Consider him around the late seventh or early eighth round. Tier 511) Derek Anderson | Cleveland Browns | 6-foot-6, 230 pounds | 4th Year
PROS: After going undrafted in probably 99.9 percent of fantasy leagues last season, Anderson figures to be drafted as a starter this time around. He took over for quarterback Charlie Frye (Seattle Seahawks) in the second half of Week 1 and put himself on the map with a five-touchdown performance against the Cincinnati Bengals the following week. He went on to finish with 3,787 yards (ninth in the NFL) and 29 touchdowns (fifth), earning himself a multi-year contract with the club. He has a ton of offensive talent to work with, including wideouts Braylon Edwards and Donte' Stallworth. In addition to the two, tight end Kellen Winslow could be even better with a year under his belt. CONS: A complete unknown before last season, Anderson (concussion) is inherently a risky proposition because he has almost no track record in the NFL and is coming off a mild concussion. Were he to struggle badly out of the gate the team could consider pulling him and turning the offense over to first-round quarterback Brady Quinn. He didn't play particularly well during the season's final four weeks - completing 53.7 percent of his passes for 725 yards, five touchdowns and six interceptions. That could be a sign teams found an effective approach to defending him. FANTASY TIP: It's hard not to like Anderson after such a strong 2007 season and given the weapons he has at his disposal. His late-season difficulties could, at least partially, be attributed to inclement weather, and he has more experience than some of the quarterbacks that will be drafted around him. He is drafted, on average, in the fifth round, which seems a little premature with regard to his inexperience. Consider him a weak No. 1 fantasy signal caller, and don't wait too long before securing a veteran backup. 12) Jay Cutler | Denver Broncos | 6-foot-3, 233 pounds | 3rd Year
PROS: All things considered, Cutler put together a solid campaign in his first season as a full-time starter. He started slowly - four touchdowns, six interceptions in Weeks 1-5 - but picked it up after the Week 6 Bye, throwing 16 scores and eight picks over the final 11 games. He showed good mobility, rushing for 205 yards, and strong accuracy (63.6 percent completions) despite working at times with a patchwork group of receivers. The team overhauled that unit during the offseason, but breakout receiver Brandon Marshall returns to give Cutler a viable No. 1 option, while tight end Tony Scheffler has built a rapport with the third-year quarterback. CONS: While Marshall is returning, it won't be until Week 3, at the earliest. He is suspended for two to three games, depending upon his involvement in receiving treatment. Despite a lot of tinkering, Denver's receiving corps may not be appreciably better. The club released talented but injury-prone wideout Javon Walker (Oakland Raiders); they brought in receivers Darrell Jackson, Keary Colbert and Samie Parker. There is also the issue of Marshall's potential for suspension after three legal incidents within a year. For Cutler, his week-to-week consistency needs improvement after he posted 11 games last season with one or no touchdown passes. Denver's offense hasn't been a boon for fantasy production at the quarterback position under head coach Mike Shanahan. FANTASY TIP: Cutler's ability to make a leap in terms of fantasy value may hinge on how successful Denver's offseason retooling of the receiver group ends up being. Walker provided very little in 2007 because of injuries, so any contribution from the likes of Jackson or Colbert should be an upgrade. Don't view Cutler as more than a strong No. 2, but he has some upside to emerge as a reliable weekly starter. He is drafted, on average, in the early eighth round, which is owners overvaluing him. 13) Aaron Rodgers | Green Bay Packers | 6-foot-2, 223 pounds | 4th Year
PROS: Given three years to develop as the backup to quarterback Brett Favre, the keys to the offense have finally been given to Rodgers following Favre's retirement, unretirement and subsequent trade to the New York Jets. He steps into an ideal situation with a quality running game, strong offensive line and excellent receivers. Rodgers will likely throw a lot of short passes and timing routes to get the ball out quickly, which should limit the number of hits he takes. Rodgers looked good in his only extended action last season, passing for 201 yards and a touchdown in relief of Favre in Week 13. CONS: Outside of his Week 13 appearance, Rodgers is an unknown commodity in the NFL. He has thrown just 59 career passes while taking nine sacks in very limited snaps. Despite minimal playing time he has struggled to stay healthy, going on Injured Reserve in 2006 with a broken foot and being unavailable over the final month last season due to a hamstring injury. Part of what made Green Bay's offense so explosive was Favre's ability to go deep, and it remains to be seen if Rodgers has the arm to stretch the field. FANTASY TIP: Rodgers figures to be among the most scrutinized players in the NFL this year and that should carry over to fantasy, as well, should he win the starting gig. Taking over at the helm of a top-flight NFL offense makes him a popular breakout candidate, but no one should expect Rodgers to match Favre's 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns from a season ago. He is arguably the most intriguing risk/reward pick at the position, but to be on the safe side he should be paired as a No. 2 with another solid quarterbacking option. On average, Rodgers is being drafted in the 10th round. 14) Kurt Warner | Arizona Cardinals | 6-foot-2, 218 pounds | 11th Year
PROS: Warner is coming off a bounce-back season in which he tossed for 27 touchdowns. Warner passed for more than 250 yards seven times in 14 games played last season. In 10 games, he threw for at least two touchdowns, and five of those games he threw at least three scoring strikes. During the month of December last season, Warner led the league in touchdown passes (14) and recorded the second-most yardage of all quarterbacks (1,408). He has two excellent receivers in Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin at his disposal. CONS: Injury prone, Warner is a fragile quarterback. Despite throwing 27 touchdown passes, he turned the ball over 23 times (17 picks, six fumbles lost). Having not played a full season since 2001, Warner is a softie. He doesn't respond well to being hit, and at 37 years old one has to wonder how many more licks can his body withstand. Arizona's offensive line is shaky at times, and they don't have a strong running game. FANTASY TIP: Warner hasn't yet sewn up the No. 1 job, but all signs point to him replacing quarterback Matt Leinart as Arizona's starter. Should Warner indeed be named the starter, fantasy owners have a respectable option available to be selected in the middle rounds. Draft Warner as a No. 2 option, but he could wind up being your starter as the season goes along. Be sure to have depth at the position if you choose Warner as your No. 1 option. Tier 615) Vince Young | Tennessee Titans | 6-foot-5, 233 pounds | 3rd Year
PROS: Arguably the best athlete at the position today, Young led all NFL quarterbacks with 395 rushing yards in 2007. His accuracy improved dramatically, as well, climbing from a 51.5 completion percentage as a rookie to 62.3 percent last year. The switch to offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger, who helped develop former Titans quarterback Steve McNair, should help Young make significant strides in 2008. CONS: By any statistical measure, Young's sophomore season was a bust. Despite 10 more rushing attempts he gained 157 fewer yards and scored four less touchdowns. His already modest 12:13 touchdown-to-interception ratio as a rookie was replaced with a downright ugly 9:17 mark in 2007. He failed to throw for a score in nine of the 15 games in which he appeared last season. FANTASY TIP: Potential can be an ugly word in fantasy terms, and owners will likely be wary of Young after he burned them last season. He definitely isn't someone you want to bank your season on, but he can certainly be selected as a backup with significant upside in the early stages of the late roundss. On average, Young is drafted in Round 12. He is a bit undervalued this offseaon. As a rookie, he was the 10th-best fantasy quarterback in standard scoring formats by posting numbers that would hardly out of reach for him in 2008. Tier 716) Eli Manning | New York Giants | 6-foot-4, 225 pounds | 5th Year
PROS: While he may never be confused for his older brother, Manning bookended a rather non-descript regular season with four-touchdown performances in Weeks 1 and 17. He upped his game during the playoffs, and the confidence he gained from the team's Super Bowl run could be invaluable. He has thrown for better than 3,200 yards and 22 touchdowns in each of the last three seasons. CONS: His postseason run notwithstanding, Manning has been a relatively inaccurate passer and makes crucial mistakes. He sports a 54.7 career completion percentage and has thrown 55 interceptions in the past three years. The club also features a powerful ground game that is more suited to head coach Tom Coughlin's philosophy. FANTASY TIP: Coming off a magical postseason run, Manning, a suspect game manager, has "overvalued" written all over him by owners looking for a sign that he has finally turned the corner. We're not saying there won't be some improvement during his fifth year in the league, but he should be viewed as a solid No. 2 fantasy option until he proves otherwise. On average, fantasy owners are burning a seventh-round pick on him - don't be that owner. 17) Jake Delhomme | Carolina Panthers | 6-foot-2, 215 pounds | 11th Year
PROS: Prior to his injury-shortened 2007 campaign, Delhomme had averaged 3,333 yards passing, 22.3 touchdowns and 14.5 interceptions per season since arriving in Carolina in 2003. He was off to a great start in 2007 before the injury, throwing eight touchdown passes in three games. The club overhauled its offense during the offseason, which gives Delhomme more weapons than just receiver Steve Smith. CONS: With Delhomme coming off Tommy John surgery, the condition of his reconstructed elbow is a tremendous concern. Retired quarterbacks Rob Johnson and Craig Erickson are the only other signal callers to have undergone the procedure. The selection of halfback Jonathan Stewart suggests the team is looking to get back to their roots as a power-running team, which could hamper Delhomme's numbers. Delhomme's favorite target, Smith, is suspended for the first two games of the season. FANTASY TIP: Heading into the 2008 season with more question marks than a Matthew Lesko suit, Delhomme is one of the most intriguing risk/reward picks out there. He has sleeper potential and, if he returns successfully, it could be as a No. 1 fantasy quarterback, but he could also be a complete bust. 18) Matt Schaub | Houston Texans | 6-foot-5, 237 pounds | 5th Year
PROS: Schaub looked like an emerging force over the first six games last season, throwing for more than 220 yards in each of them - a total he'd end up surpassing in eight of 11 starts; he was knocked out of the other three. Receiver Andre Johnson is already among the game's best, and tight end Owen Daniels is an emerging talent, which gives Schaub some high-end weapons offensively. CONS: Health is a major concern for Schaub after he missed five full games and parts of three others in his first year as a starter. Despite throwing for a lot of yards, Schaub managed just nine touchdown passes, compared to 15 for backup quarterback Sage Rosenfels in 49 fewer attempts. Houston appears committed to Schaub as their starter, but the emergence of Rosenfels last season gives them an option were Schaub to struggle. FANTASY TIP: If he stays healthy and improves his touchdown total, Schaub could emerge as a decent No. 1 quarterback. For now, select him as a backup with both risk and upside in the early stages of the late rounds of your draft. Schaub's average draft placement is 10th round. He has considerable upside carries equal injury risk. 19) Philip Rivers | San Diego Chargers | 6-foot-5, 228 pounds | 5th Year
PROS: Rivers (knee) earned himself some respect in the locker room by playing the AFC Championship Game with a torn anterior cruciate ligament. How much tangible effect that has on his statistics remains to be seen, but the continued development of receivers Vincent Jackson and Craig Davis - along with a full year of wideout Chris Chambers - should help boost his numbers. He has a lot of talent surrounding him, and head coach Norv Turner has an excellent track record with quarterbacks. CONS: While the knee injury doesn't figure to be a concern, Rivers' statistical regression is one for fantasy owners. Despite throwing an identical number of passes (460), his completions, yards and touchdowns all went down while his interceptions went up. Plus, the offense is still built around halfback LaDainian Tomlinson and the running game. The Chargers' offensive line woes start at the center position with an injured Nick Hardwick (foot), and it's questionable if the winner of the right tackle job will ever be better than average. FANTASY TIP: After being a fairly popular breakout candidate last year, Rivers will likely slip back down draft boards for 2008. He is being drafted, on average, in the early ninth round. Rivers is a quality reserve and could have value as a No. 1 if his receivers develop. Don't count on it this year, and it is reasonable to expect him to be slightly rusty during the early stages of the season. Tier 820) David Garrard | Jacksonville Jaguars | 6-foot-1, 245 pounds | 7th Year
PROS: Making the smart play and avoiding mistakes was the name of the game for Garrard, who didn't throw an interception until Week 12 and finished the season with just three against 18 touchdowns. He can be a capable runner when he chooses to scramble. Garrard completed 64 percent of his passes and with just 30 career starts under his belt has room to grow. The addition of receiver Jerry Porter gives him another solid option in the passing game. CONS: It's hard to tell if Garrard is much more than a glorified game manager for fantasy purposes. He likely would've thrown for 3,000-plus yards had he stayed healthy all year, but the fact is he has never reached 3,000 passing yards or 20 touchdowns in a season. Jacksonville is a running team first and a passing team second. Garrard, who is injury-prone himself, may have issues with his wideouts staying healthy: Reggie Williams (knee) and Jerry Porter (hamstring) are both recovering from injury. FANTASY TIP: Drafting Garrard to be your fantasy starter is fantasy suicide, but he is the kind of steady reserve option that would be reasonable to pair with an unproven young quarterback. Look to him in the transition between the middle and late rounds. His average draft placement is the early ninth round, which is way too high for our tastes. 21) J.T. O'Sullivan | San Francisco 49ers | 6-foot-2, 227 pounds | 6th Year
PROS: A Mike Martiz-orchestrated offense can produce big-time fantasy production from the quarterback position. O'Sullivan clearly separated himself from the pack of quarterbacks in San Francisco, connecting on 60.6 percent of his preseason passes. O'Sullivan has thrown two touchdowns in 33 attempts. He has some experience in Martz's offense from their time together with the Detroit Lions in 2007. CONS: A quarterback in this offense is often subjected to a lot of sacks, and this position generally creates more turnovers than a bakery. With almost no experience under his belt, O'Sullivan hasn't shown fantasy owners a diverse portfolio of his abilities, making him a relative unknown. San Fran's offense doesn't exactly boast a wealth of weapons for him to work with. FANTASY TIP: View O'Sullivan as a No. 3 fantasy quarterback with upside. Don't count on him by any stretch of the imagination, but he is a worthwhile flier pick as your draft is winding down. 22) Jason Campbell | Washington Redskins | 6-foot-5, 233 pounds | 4th Year
PROS: Campbell is coming off a solid season in which he threw for 2,700 yards and a dozen touchdowns before missing the final three-plus weeks due to injury. He looked to be developing before getting hurt, throwing for better than 200 yards with six total touchdowns in his last four full games. The team selected two receivers and a tight end in the second round of this year's draft, which should help improve the passing game. CONS: While Campbell looked better as the season wore on, he was still careless with the ball (19 turnovers) and had difficulty finding the end zone through the air. He logged more games with zero touchdown passes (five) than he did with multiple ones (three) last season. A new coach means another new offensive system, his fourth in four years. FANTASY TIP: The hiring of head coach Jim Zorn might create some buzz for Campbell, but it's asking a lot of the young quarterback to assimilate yet another offense. Campbell has experience from his days at Auburn University in a form of a West Coast offense, so the transition may not be as harsh as expected. Draft him as no more than a decent backup option in the early stages of the late rounds. His average draft placement is Round 15. 23) Jeff Garcia | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-foot-1, 205 pounds | 10th Year
PROS: The consummate game manager at this stage of his career, Garcia is tough in the pocket and willing to take hits to make plays. He is very careful with the football (six interceptions in his last 515 passing attempts) and will take what the defense gives him. Even at 38 years old, Garcia is still a good athlete at the position and can make plays with his feet when the situation calls for it. CONS: It has been six years (and four teams) since the last time Garcia posted No. 1 fantasy quarterback numbers. He threw just 13 touchdown passes in 13 games a year ago and failed to crack 200 yards passing in eight of those contests. His willingness to take hits combined with a small frame and advancing age makes him anything but durable. There is speculation that he could hold out if he doesn't receive the contract he desires, but a calf injury is currently holding him out instead. Garcia remains one of the biggest liabilities at the position in terms of injury risk. FANTASY TIP: Garcia has the look of a very weak No. 2 quarterback this year. He would make a moderate secondary option behind a young upside selection. Be careful that you don't wind up pairing him with another injury-prone passer. Garcia should be a late-round option if you are the type that holds off on drafting a backup quarterback, but keep in mind that he provides no upside at this stage of his career and the restrictions of the offense. 24) Chad Pennington | Miami Dolphins | 6-foot-3, 225 pounds | 8th Year
PROS: A veteran with experience, Pennington figures to start for the Dolphins in 2008 after being released by the New York Jets following the acquisition of quarterback Brett Favre. Pennington is coming off a season in which he was amazingly accurate by finishing with a 68.8 percent completion rate. He is a 65.6 percent passer for his career. Savvy and intelligent, Pennington shouldn't have a tremendous amount of trouble picking up the offense in Miami. The team has a run-first mentality, so Pennington won't be the sole focus of opposing defenses. CONS: Pennington has started all 16 games just once in his career (2006), which has been mired with injuries. He has to build chemistry with his new teammates and learn a new offense. The supporting cast in Miami, specifically the receiving corps, is suspect. The Dolphins have two young quarterbacks in John Beck and Chad Henne behind Pennington. It is conceivable that if Pennington struggles and the team is out of playoff contention they could turn to one of the young quarterbacks. FANTASY TIP: At best, Pennington should be considered a weak No. 2 fantasy quarterback. You are better off to avoid him completely in your draft, but he could wind up being a worthy spot start on the rare occasion. 25) Trent Edwards | Buffalo Bills | 6-foot-3, 231 pounds | 2nd Year
PROS: After splitting time with quarterback J.P. Losman in 2007, Edwards enters 2008 as the expected starter. He flashed good accuracy early in the season, completing better than 70 percent of his passes in his first two starts. The Bills boast a quality running game to help keep pressure off the young signal caller, and the addition of receiver James Hardy gives him a big target in the red zone. He should be improved with a year under his belt. CONS: Statistically speaking, Edwards was downright brutal for fantasy purposes as a rookie. He failed to account for a touchdown in six of his nine starts and only threw for 200-plus yards twice. His accuracy was completely absent over the season's final four weeks, completing more than half of his passes just once. Unless wideout Lee Evans rediscovers his 2006 form, the Bills don't boast a legitimate No. 1 receiver. FANTASY TIP: If Edwards starts all 16 games and Hardy's size elevates a suspect receiving corps, he could surprise as a solid reserve. Don't bank on it, however, and draft Edwards as a No. 3 if you choose to. 26) Jon Kitna | Detroit Lions | 6-foot-2, 220 pounds | 12th Year
PROS: For the second time in as many seasons in Detroit, Kitna threw for more than 4,000 yards. He hasn't missed a start since signing in the Motor City, and he has a ton of experience relative to many of the other starters around the league. Kitna also has a quality group of receivers at his disposal, headlined by wideouts Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams. CONS: Former offensive coordinator Mike Martz loved to throw the ball. Head coach Rod Marinelli? Not so much. The change at the helm figures to have a serious trickledown effect on Kitna, who seems unlikely to come close to matching the 579 passing attempts per season he averaged under Martz. He is too careless with the ball (57 turnovers in 2006-07) and will turn 36 during the first month of the season. FANTASY TIP: A weak No. 1 option the past two seasons, Kitna is definitely trending downward following the dismissal of Martz. Draft him only as a marginal No. 2 and expect dramatically reduced production in 2008. Tier 927) Tarvaris Jackson | Minnesota Vikings | 6-foot-2, 232 pounds | 3rd Year
FANTASY TIP: An exceptional athlete, Jackson (knee) showed flashes of being a capable NFL (and fantasy) quarterback in 2007. He improved during the season, accounting for eight of his 12 total touchdowns over the final five weeks, and the addition of receiver Bernard Berrian is another step in the right direction. Jackson is dealing with a sprained medial collateral ligament but should be ready for Week 1. He still has a ways to go in terms of his on-field improvement, and Minnesota is an offense built around the run. Draft him as a No. 3 quarterback with upside. 28) Matt Ryan | Atlanta Falcons | 6-foot-4, 220 pounds | Rookie
FANTASY TIP: Ryan has been named the Week 1 starter for the Falcons after a respectable showing during the first three weeks of the preseason. He has a huge contract, which all but ensures he will be on the field all season for Atlanta. The offense has a few playmakers, but the suspect offensive line could lead to a lot of bumps and bruises for Ryan. Rookie quarterbacks are rarely worth fantasy consideration, and there is little reason to view Ryan in any other light. 29) Kyle Orton | Chicago Bears | 6-foot-4, 217 pounds | 4th Year
FANTASY TIP: Orton has won the quarterback battle against Rex Grossman, but becoming Chicago's starter is kind of like your father handing you the keys to his 1992 Toyota Tercel - it's a car, but it isn't much of one. We might be giving the Bears offense credit by comparing it to the "powerful" engine of a Tercel. All kidding aside, Orton's fantasy track record isn't endearing, and we advise to stay away from him in all formats. Tier 1030) JaMarcus Russell | Oakland Raiders | 6-foot-6, 255 pounds | 2nd Year
FANTASY TIP: Last season's top pick didn't take a snap until Week 13 and didn't start until the finale. He looked decent in that appearance - 224 yards, one touchdown - and has all the physical tools to be a beast. Still, it's hard to gauge what he can do at the NFL level without more playing time. Expect him to experience significant growing pains in 2008, leaving him with minimal value in non-keeper leagues. 31) Brodie Croyle | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-foot-2, 206 pounds | 3rd Year
FANTASY TIP: Croyle started six of Kansas City's last seven games in 2007, but he didn't produce much - completing 56.4 percent of his passes for 154.5 yards and 0.8 touchdowns per game. He has weapons in tight end Tony Gonzalez and receiver Dwayne Bowe, which should help his development. That being said, the Chiefs' passing game should play second fiddle to the run again in 2008. He is a last-round flier, at best. Tier 1132) Joe Flacco | Baltimore Ravens | 6-foot-6, 236 pounds | Rookie
FANTASY TIP: Regardless of the amount of playing time Flacco earns this season, he isn't worth drafting in single-year formats. Rookie quarterbacks rarely post respectable, let alone fantasy-worthy, numbers. Don't buy into the hype and waste a draft pick on him in standard formats. If you are in a full-retention keeper format, view Flacco as a potential building block for your team's future. 33) Kyle Boller | Baltimore Ravens | 6-foot-3, 220 pounds | 6th Year
FANTASY TIP: The retirement of quarterback Steve McNair opens up a starting spot for Boller, who should have the inside track on quarterbacks Joe Flacco and Troy Smith, who also has a legitimate chance of starting. Boller made eight starts in 2007 and performed well, at times, though he seemed to make critical mistakes. His accuracy is better than many give him credit for, and a healthy tight end Todd Heap (hamstring) is a welcome boost. However, Boller would be keeping the spot warm for Flacco and has no real fantasy value. Tier 1234) Sage Rosenfels | Houston Texans | 6-foot-2, 224 | 8th Year
FANTASY TIP: Coming off the bench to replace an injured Matt Schaub (shoulder) as Houston's starting quarterback, Rosenfels offered a glimmer of hope and respectability by throwing at least one touchdown pass in each of his nine games played. Should Schaub suffer a significant injury in 2008, Rosenfels could be worthy of a waiver wire addition. 35) Matt Leinart | Arizona Cardinals | 6-foot-5, 232 pounds | 3rd Year
FANTASY TIP: Leinart appears to have lost his starting job to veteran quarterback Kurt Warner. Leinart is coming off a miserable preseason showing in which he tossed three picks in the first half. At best, he has slight value in full-retention keeper leagues or as a handcuff to Warner due to Warner's fragility. It appears as though Leinart is no longer worthy of fantasy consideration in single-year formats. 36) Brian Griese | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-foot-3, 214 pounds | 11th Year
FANTASY TIP: Backing up a 38-year-old quarterback with injury concerns points to the notion of Griese starting a few games this year. Even if he does, Tampa Bay's offense isn't set up to be conducive to huge fantasy production for quarterbacks, so there isn't much to see here. View Griese as a capable spot-start should he wind up as the long-term starter at any point during the season. 37) J.P. Losman | Buffalo Bills | 6-foot-2, 212 pounds | 5th Year
FANTASY TIP: Resigned to the fact that he is quarterback Trent Edwards' backup, Losman requested a trade. The team denied him of his request, and with that went the chance of Losman opening the year as the starter. Without an injury, Losman isn't expected to see the field this year. Fantasy owners should banish him to the scrapheap of afterthought. Tier 1338) Alex D. Smith | San Francisco 49ers | 6-foot-4, 210 pounds | 4th Year
FANTASY TIP: The former No. 1 overall pick has taken his lumps during his first three seasons, enduring a season-ending shoulder injury and well-publicized spat with head coach Mike Nolan as part of a disappointing 2007 campaign. Smith has lost his job to quarterback J.T. O'Sullivan, which maks Smith essentially useless to fantasy owners. Don't consider him in any format. 39) Troy Smith | Baltimore Ravens | 6-foot, 215 pounds | 2nd Year
FANTASY TIP: Smith comes into training camp battling quarterbacks Kyle Boller and rookie first-round pick Joe Flacco for the starting job. Smith showed flashes of ability last season in limited play, but fantasy owners can't count on that. If he wins the job, Smith could be a viable waiver wire option down the stretch. 40) Tyler Thigpen | Kansas City Chiefs | 6-foot-1, 224 pounds | 2nd Year
FANTASY TIP: Thigpen, the second-year product of Coastal Carolina University, has surpassed veteran quarterback Damon Huard on the depth chart to be the backup to starter Brodie Croyle. We envision Thigpen starting a few games this year, but that is purely speculation based on Croyle's fragility. Nonetheless, avoid him in all formats. 41) Gus Frerotte | Minnesota Vikings | 6-foot-3, 233 pounds | 15th Year
FANTASY TIP: Frerotte was brought in to offer the Vikings a little bit of veteran insurance should shaky, young quarterback Tarvaris Jackson continue to be, well, a skaky, young quarterback. The Vikes may have to switch to Frerotte at some point this year, but that doesn't mean you should. He threw just seven touchdowns to 12 interceptions last season with the St. Louis Rams. Stay away from him in all formats. 42) Rex Grossman | Chicago Bears | 6-foot-1, 217 pounds | 6th Year
FANTASY TIP: A year after playing all 16 games and helping the Bears reach the Super Bowl, Grossman was back to his underperforming, injury-riddled self in 2007. He was benched after just three games and later missed three more with a knee injury. His decision-making remains suspect, and Chicago now features arguably the NFL's worst group of receivers. After a training camp battle that seemed doomed from the get-go, quarterback Kyle Orton has been named the starter over Grossman. Tier 1443) Billy Volek | San Diego Chargers | 6-foot-2, 214 pounds | 9th Year
FANTASY TIP: Starting quarterback Philip Rivers (knee) is coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but since he isn't a mobile passer there isn't a lot of fear. However, Volek has looked respectable in limited work during his time with the Chargers, so if something were to happen to Rivers, there is reasonable value in Volek on the waiver wire. We don't believe in handcuffing quarterbacks, but if you choose to do so, make sure you are in the deepest of leagues. 44) Chris Redman | Atlanta Falcons | 6-foot-3, 223 pounds | 6th Year
FANTASY TIP: Redman was expected to win the starting job in training camp and enter the season as the team's No. 1 quarterback. However, with a third overall pick, some $72 million committed to quarterback Matt Ryan and Ryan's strong preseason play, Redman has lost out on his opportunity to start. Fantasy owners have no reason to consider Redman in any format. Tier 1545) Cleo Lemon | Jacksonville Jaguars | 6-foot-2, 215 pounds | 5th Year
FANTASY TIP: Lemon is expected to back up starting quarterback David Garrard after spending a year of mixed performances with the Miami Dolphins. Garrard has trouble staying healthy, so there's a good chance that we could see Lemon start a game or two. Either way, stay away from him on draft day in all formats. 46) Brady Quinn | Cleveland Browns | 6-foot-2, 235 pounds | 2nd Year
FANTASY TIP: The only way we can envision Quinn playing considerably is if starting quarterback Derek Anderson either falls flat on his face, leaving the team out of playoff contention, or if Anderson is injured. Quinn is worth selecting in leagues with full roster retention, but single-year owners need to avoid him. 47) Trent Green | St. Louis Rams | 6-foot-3, 217 pounds | 15th Year
FANTASY TIP: Green returns to St. Louis in 2008. This time around he will back up starting quarterback Marc Bulger and serve as an insurance policy should the somewhat fragile Bulger go down. We don't expect to see much, if any, of Green this year. Don't bother wasting a pick on him in any format. Editor's note: KFFL's positional analysis will be updated regularly throughout the offseason.
Rate this articleAverage score: 8.4  |
Author Bio
Herija C. Green Herija is a graduate from California State University - San Marcos. He was a contributing writer and editor with KFFL.com Featured LinksTalk Sports 24/7! Recent articles:
One Day FREE Fantasy Contest - $350 in cash prizes (05/25)
Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: John Danks placed on DL (05/24) Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: The substandard Roy Halladay (05/24) Fantasy Baseball Player Prospecting: Danny Hultzen, Roger Kieschnick, more (05/24) Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Austin Jackson headed to DL (05/24) Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Addison Reed, J.J. Putz, Ernesto Frieri, more (05/24) Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Brian Roberts seeing the light at the end of the rehab tunnel (05/24) I am not afraid of Hakeem Nicks' foot injury (05/24) Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - AL (05/24) Fantasy baseball closer depth charts - NL (05/24) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Fantasy football: News · Articles · Blog · Rankings · Draft Guide · Stats · NFL Draft · Free Agents Fantasy baseball: News · Articles · Blog · Rankings · Draft Guide Fantasy NASCAR: News · Articles · Blog · Rankings · Race Preview Fantasy basketball: News · Blog · HoopsWorld.com · HoopsHype.com KFFL.com: Contact · RSS · Blog · Forum · Twitter · Facebook · Wireless · Resources · Awards · Positions |