Fantasy football undervalued players: Quarterbacks

September 9, 2010 @ 10:11:04

By Cory J. Bonini and Tim Heaney
Edited by Bryce McRae

KFFL.com's analysis of fantasy football undervalued players for the 2010 season will be updated weekly throughout the offseason. We have separated our sleepers and undervalued players this year, so be sure not to confuse the two.

Sleepers are also undervalued players in some cases, but the latter usually comes in the way of a proven player that isn't being shown the appropriate amount of love in drafts. No one likes doing the dirty work, so let KFFL.com do it for you! Be sure to check for weekly updates.

Note: All average draft position (ADP) figures are based on 12-team, non-PPR leagues unless specified otherwise.

Quarterbacks

Donovan McNabb | Washington Redskins | ADP: 10th round

For a lot of fantasy owners, drafting McNabb has become a matter of settling. You can probably land him as your backup as others are counting on a bounce-back year for the Atlanta Falcons' Matt Ryan or another career year from the New York Giants' Eli Manning. McNabb's biggest enemy is the injury bug, not having to learn a new system. He'll have that down in no time.

Don't let the new colors fool you

New surroundings should do him wonders. He has a proven running backs to rely on in Clinton Portis and Larry Johnson. Head coach Mike Shanahan isn't afraid to take shots downfield - the vertical game is right up McNabb's alley. Still fast, Santana Moss could be his DeSean Jackson this year. More intriguing is potential breakout receiver Devin Thomas, who is entering his all-important third season, no less. McNabb has a few other tools to work with: developing third-year wideout Malcolm Kelly and his strong mitts, a healthy Chris Cooley at tight end and a sprinkle of last year's surprise star tight end Fred Davis. The Redskins' offensive line has improved, too.

Fantasy value: D-Mac won't post elite numbers, and injuries are always a concern, but he isn't going to hurt you with a lot of turnovers. We're not saying to draft McNabb any higher than his early 10th-round draft placement; do not feel like you've settled if you take him as your No. 1. If you choose someone like Ryan, the Philadelphia Eagles' Kevin Kolb or the Baltimore Ravens' Joe Flacco, McNabb should be your target as your No. 2.

David Garrard | Jacksonville Jaguars | ADP: 23rd round

The Jags' passer has remained healthy two years running, something that escaped him in previous seasons. Garrard has thrown for at least 3,597 yards each of the past two years, and he is a competent runner. Jacksonville has an emerging talent at wide receiver in Mike Sims-Walker.

The Jaguars feature Maurice Jones-Drew, a great receiver, as their primary running back. Even though the offense is of the power-running variety, Garrard has posted a few big games (323 yards, three TDs in Week 4 last year, for example). Offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter wants to open up the passing game a little more in 2010.

Fantasy value: You're not drafting anything flashy by choosing Garrard. When healthy, he has been consistent and stable. Fantasy owners with a marquee quarterback, look for Garrard as your No. 2 near the end of your draft. He is a great value by his ADP standards. Most people don't realize he has finished 13th and 14th, respectively, in standard fantasy points per game the past two years.

Matt Hasselbeck | Seattle Seahawks | ADP: 25th round

Despite the presence of Charlie Whitehurst, this is Hasselbeck's gig as long as he's healthy. Entering the final season of his Seattle contract, Hass, 35, went through rigorous offseason training and is reportedly healthier. He's only two seasons removed from a 3,966-yard, 28-touchdown campaign, and the vet performed near his career average in completion percentage.

Despite throwing a career-worst 17 picks last year, he wasn't as much of a deterrent in that category in recent years. He still compiled 3,029 aerial yards in 14 games last year - not a terrible total for someone battling back issues.

The offensive line remains shaky, but Jeremy Bates' offensive system doesn't stray much from what Hasselbeck is used to. Rookie Golden Tate could give this offense a persistent deep threat if he comes around quickly. Tight end John Carlson remains stable safety valve.

Fantasy value: Hasselbeck was risky as a low-end No. 1 or high-end No. 2 quarterback last year. He's now a potentially useful dirt-cheap No. 2, especially if you've picked a strong starter and can wait awhile for your second. If owning three quarterbacks in your league is not outlandish, Hass makes for a top-notch No. 3.

KFFLians are saying....

Comment

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1

Jack Douglas, at 08:52 on 06/24/10, says: Donovan McNabb should do well in Washington. He still plays at a high level and has two very good tight ends to throw to, plus an aging Santana Moss and some intriguing young talent at WR. I suspect that the Eagles' fans may eventually come to the conclusion that chasing him out of town was an unsound idea. It will be interesting to see this develop. If Kolb struggles for the Eagles, and McNabb does well for the Redskins, watch out. That is a real possibility here.

Report!

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2

RT Ward, at 11:04 on 09/10/10, says: Serious? why you postin draft articles? Season's begun!

Report!

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosts Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio each Wednesday evening from 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. ET.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Tim Heaney

Since Tim joined KFFL in 2006, his work has been featured by USA Today/Sports Weekly and Yahoo! Sports, among numerous publications.

Tim co-hosts KFFL's Big Lead Sports block every Thursday (10pm-1am ET) on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210 | XM 87) and competes in Tout Wars (2011) and LABR (2012).

Follow him on Twitter.

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