Fantasy: Quarterback Primer

Fantasy Position Primers

Quarterbacks

Thanks to mock drafts and MFL10s, the fantasy football season is beginning earlier and earlier every year. However, the start of training camp still feels like fantasy football's unofficial kickoff as owners get serious about their research and start making clear decisions on players to target.

When it comes to your roster, no decision is as important as your quarterback and every fantasy owner needs a plan for how to approach finding their QB1 in the draft.

Not to spoil anything for you, but the quarterback position is one of the deepest in fantasy, so try not to get lost out there. If you're looking for something more definitive, you can view our complete quarterback rankings here.

Two of a Kind

Andrew Luck, Colts - After throwing 23 touchdown passes in each of his first two seasons, Luck joined the fantasy elite with 4,761 yards and 40 scores in 2014. Heading into his fourth year, Luck's potential is limitless, especially after the additions of veterans Andre Johnson and Frank Gore, as well as rookie wideout Phillip Dorsett. Luck should be the top quarterback off the board in drafts.

Aaron Rodgers, Packers - When he's not spending time in the background of girlfriend Olivia Munn's videos, Rodgers is crushing the souls of defenses around the league. In his last three full seasons, he's thrown for over 4,200 yards with 38 touchdowns or more. If not for Luck, Rodgers would sit alone at the top of the quarterback class.

Adrenaline Rush

Russell Wilson, Seahawks - Wilson's 3,475 passing yards and 20 touchdowns were pedestrian in 2014, but his 849 rushing yards and six scores on the ground catapulted him into the top three fantasy quarterbacks. Jimmy Graham's arrival should not only give Wilson the No. 1 receiving target he lacked, but could also give him more space to run, as defenses key on Graham and Marshawn Lynch.

Cam Newton, Panthers - Newton finished outside of the top 15 last season, but averaged 17 fantasy points per game and would have ended the year as a QB1 had he played a full 16-game schedule. Staying healthy will be the key for Newton's fantasy outlook in 2015, a task that will be challenging playing behind a suspect offensive line.

Acting Their Age

Peyton Manning, Broncos - A healthy Manning averaged 323 yards and three touchdowns per game through Week 11 last season, which had him on pace for over 5,100 yards and 48 touchdowns. Unfortunately, a late season decline, possibly due to injuries, cast doubts around the once infallible Manning. The 39-year-old will have to deal with a new system and changes on his offensive line, but he remains one of the best in the game.

Drew Brees, Saints - While he still has the ability to produce high-end QB1 numbers, Brees will need to do so with a fairly unproven cast. The Saints are also set up to run the ball more in 2015, thanks to a beefed up offensive line and a strong stable of backs. The 36-year-old is still a steady fantasy option, but he's not worth chasing in the fifth round at such a deep position.

Surrounded by Weapons

Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers - Big Ben did a significant portion of his work last year in a two-game stretch where he threw for an improbable 862 yards and 12 touchdowns. Though it's not likely to happen again, it's a sign of how potent the Steelers offense can be. Playing behind a solid offensive line, with an explosive crop of receivers, and arguably the most dangerous back in the NFL, Roethlisberger is oozing fantasy upside.

Ryan Tannehill, Dolphins - Tannehill received an influx of supporting talent on offense, including Jordan Cameron, Kenny Stills and rookie DeVante Parker. Playing in his second season under offensive coordinator Bill Lazor, the 27-year-old is poised to match and improve upon his top-10 finish in 2014.

Matthew Stafford, Lions - The Lions are a different offense when Calvin Johnson is 100 percent healthy. With Megatron and Golden Tate at full strength, sophomore Eric Ebron hopefully offering something from the tight end position, and rookie running back Ameer Abdullah providing a spark in the backfield, Stafford could have sneaky value this season.

Playing It Safe

Tony Romo, Cowboys - The Cowboys' rushing attack powered the offense last season, helping free up Romo, who threw 34 touchdowns, his highest total since 2007. The offensive line remains one of the best in the game, but the departure of DeMarco Murray may force the Cowboys to turn to the air more in 2015.

Matt Ryan, Falcons - Ryan has long been one of the most reliable fantasy quarterbacks, but he's never finished higher than seventh at his position. Julio Jones is an exceptional talent, but outside of a declining Roddy White there isn't much else to get excited about in the Falcons' receiving corps. Ryan is a high-floor, low-ceiling option in the mid-rounds.

Eli Manning, Giants - Odell Beckham Jr. provided the defibrillator jolt that brought Eli Manning's fantasy career back to life. If Beckham picks up where he left off and Victor Cruz is able to return to form after a season-ending injury, Manning could be one of the best values available on draft day.

Philip Rivers, Chargers - Much like Peyton Manning, Rivers was having an excellent fantasy season before injuries slowed him down. Antonio Gates will be sidelined for the first four weeks due to suspension, but the additions of veteran receiver Stevie Johnson and first-round running back Melvin Gordon should energize the offense and help Rivers stay in the low-end QB1 conversation.

Risk vs. Reward

Sam Bradford, Eagles - After being cleared for training camp, Bradford is expected to be under center for the Eagles' first preseason game, and will start in Week 1, barring a setback. The former No. 1 overall pick has all the tools to be successful in Chip Kelly's inexhaustible offense and his clean bill of health will surely be noticed by fantasy owners. For those who decide to wait on quarterback, Bradford is the kind of high-risk swing that could win a league.

Carson Palmer, Cardinals - The 35-year-old is making an impressive recovery from an ACL tear in November and is on track to start the season behind the Cardinals new and improved offensive line. Palmer was posting QB1 numbers before the injury, though it took place during one of the easier stretches of Arizona's schedule. Armed with a trio of quality receivers and a pair of above average pass-catching backs, Palmer is worth a gamble in the later rounds.

Tom Brady, Patriots - Brady's true value will be decided when the verdict comes down on his suspension appeal. If he misses time, fantasy owners will need to decide if it's worth carrying a second quarterback through the first few weeks of the season, when roster spots are better used on breakout waiver-wire stars.

Stuck in the Middle

Joe Flacco, Ravens - When Marc Trestman arrived in Baltimore, it seemed like he might be the catalyst to bump Flacco into the QB1 conversation. Unfortunately, Trestman doesn't plan on forcing his pass-heavy attack on the Ravens. Baltimore's offensive line is so talented that the team may not need to air it out in order to win games, which leaves Flacco as a middle-of-the-pack fantasy option once again.

Jay Cutler, Bears - It's normally not a great sign when your team attempts and fails to trade you in the offseason. That's the situation Cutler finds himself in, entering the year with an unstable hold on the starting job in Chicago. The Bears have the weapons to produce big-time numbers, but if Cutler's new coaching staff doesn't trust him, should fantasy owners?

Colin Kaepernick, 49ers - It wasn't long ago that Kaepernick was believed to be the next big thing at the quarterback position. However, he's been unable to take the next step and his stock has hit an all-time low heading into 2015. Torrey Smith and Reggie Bush will provide fresh blood to a 49ers offense that is in desperate need of rescue. Hopefully it's enough to reinvigorate Kaepernick's fantasy prospects.

Predicatable Behavior

Alex Smith, Chiefs - The Chiefs' wide receivers not catching a single touchdown in 2014 seems like a bad joke. Clearly the team's front office didn't find it funny, since they signed Jeremy Maclin in free agency. Maclin's presence, combined with the potential breakout of tight end Travis Kelce, makes Smith a more interesting QB2 than he's been in past years.

Andy Dalton, Bengals - Dalton is the epitome of fantasy frustration. One week, he'll throw three touchdown passes and lead your team to victory. The next, he'll toss three unexplainable interceptions and singlehandedly bury your roster. Dalton may not be the most physically gifted quarterback, but with A.J. Green, Marvin Jones and Tyler Eifert entering the season healthy, there will be no more excuses.

Second Time's the Charm

Teddy Bridgewater, Vikings - It's tough to tell exactly when the public fell in love with Bridgewater, but it may have happened late last season when he put up four multi-touchdown games in his last six outings, including two 300-yard efforts. Bridgewater's improved play coincided with Charles Johnson's emergence, and now more help is on the way as Mike Wallace, Kyle Rudolph and Adrian Peterson have joined the party in Minnesota. Fantasy owners should, too.

Derek Carr, Raiders - It's tough to determine whether Carr has the makings of a capable pro quarterback after an up-and-down first season. Amari Cooper gives the Raiders a legitimate top receiver, Michael Crabtree has been impressing early in camp, and the Raiders will surely spend time in comeback mode. It's still difficult to get excited about Carr as anything more than a streaming option.

Blake Bortles, Jaguars - What happened to the Blake Bortles from last year's preseason? The confident passer with good field vision was nowhere to be found when he got his chance during the regular season. To help Bortles' development, the Jaguars upgraded their the offensive line in free agency and the draft. Now they need their franchise quarterback to start playing like one.

The New Class

Jameis Winston, Buccaneers - Winston is doing all the right things since being drafted, and he is set up to succeed early on as a fantasy quarterback if that continues. Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson form one of the best receiving duos in the league and the Buccaneers' schedule is filled with matchups against vulnerable secondaries. If you're drafting a backup, Winston is an ideal late-round choice, with extremely high upside.

Marcus Mariota, Titans - Mariota's performance in practice so far has been nothing short of immaculate, according to almost every report coming out of camp. The second overall pick doesn't have as much talent around him as Winston, but he can make up for it with his rushing ability. If you are picking between the two rookies, Winston has more fantasy promise in 2015.

Forgotten, But Not Gone

Robert Griffin, Redskins - Someday we will look back and tell our grandchildren about RG3's magical rookie season. Hopefully that's not the only memory we have of his career. The odds of Jay Gruden and Griffin III both being in Washington next year will dwindle with each passing loss.

Geno Smith, Jets - In his third season, Smith has everything he needs to succeed and yet few people seem to have faith that he will come through. Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has built in a safety net by acquiring his old pal Ryan Fitzpatrick. There are no guarantees Smith finishes the year as the starter. (Update: Smith suffered a broken jaw and is expected to miss time early in the season.)

Nick Foles, Rams - The Rams' quarterback play during the 2014 season was about as bad as you will ever see in the NFL. Foles doesn't need to do much to top that in St. Louis and with Brian Quick and Kenny Britt on the outside, there's even a chance for the Rams' passing game to outperform expectations.