Week 1 Quarterback Value Rankings
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Here are theScore's quarterback value rankings for Week 1 (Thursday night game excluded):
Value Rankings
QB | RB | WR | TE
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Derek Carr (OAK) | at NO | 9 |
| Dak Prescott (DAL) | vs. NYG | 9 |
| Drew Brees (NO) | vs. OAK | 9 |
| Andrew Luck (IND) | vs. DET | 8 |
| Aaron Rodgers (GB) | at JAX | 8 |
| Robert Griffin III (CLE) | at PHI | 8 |
The Saints had the second-worst pass defense in the league last season and all signs point to another season of Brees and the offense bailing out the defense. Carr and Brees could find themselves in a Week 1 shootout, with the slightly cheaper Carr and high-end receiving threat Amari Cooper offering a little more room for value than the steady but expensive Brees.
Owing to his minimum salary, Prescott needs just 20 points to return tournament-level value, whereas the most expensive option on the slate, Rodgers, would need a fantasy point total in the mid-30s. Though the latter outcome is certainly possible and Rodgers is clearly the safer play for cash games, Prescott offers more potential relative to his salary.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Stafford (DET) | at IND | 7 |
| Ben Roethlisberger (PIT) | at WAS | 7 |
| Jameis Winston (TB) | at ATL | 7 |
| Eli Manning (NYG) | at DAL | 7 |
| Tyrod Taylor (BUF) | at BAL | 7 |
| Kirk Cousins (WAS) | vs. PIT | 6 |
| Marcus Mariota (TEN) | vs. MIN | 6 |
| Russell Wilson (SEA) | vs. MIA | 6 |
| Carson Palmer (ARI) | vs. NE | 6 |
| Matt Ryan (ATL) | vs. TB | 5 |
| Joe Flacco (BAL) | vs. BUF | 5 |
| Brock Osweiler (HOU) | vs. CHI | 5 |
| Case Keenum (LA) | at SF | 5 |
On an opening week slate where prices appear to be inflated across the board, finding a diamond out of middle tier is the clearest path to taking down a tournament.
Winston, Taylor and Mariota each showed flashes of dynamic potential as both traditional passers and scramblers. The potential to add yardage and rushing TDs gives this trio an edge. Winston has the best receiving options around him of the three.
Palmer had a late career resurgence last season but his season might get off to a slow start; if the Jimmy Garoppolo-led Patriots struggle against a strong Cardinals defense, Palmer will be able to lean on his running backs and transition into game management mode.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Blake Bortles (JAX) | vs. GB | 4 |
| Jimmy Garoppolo (NE) | at ARI | 4 |
| Ryan Fitzpatrick (NYJ) | vs. CIN | 4 |
| Shaun Hill (MIN) | at TEN | 4 |
| Blaine Gabbert (SF) | vs. LA | 3 |
| Ryan Tannehill (MIA) | at SEA | 3 |
| Alex Smith (KC) | vs. SD | 3 |
| Andy Dalton (CIN) | at NYJ | 3 |
| Jay Cutler (CHI) | at HOU | 2 |
| Philip Rivers (SD) | at KC | 2 |
Having led the league in interceptions last season, Bortles will have to be careful around a tough Packers defense. Maybe Bortles takes the next step forward as a QB this season but until he proves himself on the field, an offseason has done nothing to diminish the skepticism surrounding last season's fantasy production.