Fantasy Football 2013 Preview: Quarterbacks

Fantasy Football 2013

It’s Fantasy Football prep time.  I’m going to help get the ball rolling, starting with the quarterbacks.  I look at everything, what the player has done for me lately, additions and subtractions with both rosters and coaches, strength of schedule and injuries.  This is going to be a four part series, starting with the quarterbacks.  Second part will be running backs, the third are your receivers/tight-ends and I’ll finish it with defenses/special teams and kickers.

Top 12 Quarterbacks

(Scoring settings- 1 point for every 25 yards passing, 6 points for a passing or rushing td, -2 for interception, 1 point for every 10 yards rushing.)

1.  Aaron Rodgers– “Man-Crush,” he can do damage with running the ball as well, and he gets the slight nod with the #1 spot.

2.  Drew Brees- His coach is back, Graham should be fully healthy, and Lance Moore showed he can be a true threat as the slot.  Saints throw the ball, “a lot!”  He could easily be taken as the 1^st QB in your draft.

3. Peyton Manning-If adding another off-season to build chemistry with his already proven receivers of Decker and Thomas weren’t enough, he has the best slot guy to throw to for the 2013 season.  Last year the doubters feared that his surgically repaired neck, age and year out of football would weaken his skill-set.  Manning is still a top five FF quarterback, and for 2013, he is my 3^rd overall.

4. Tom Brady– He lost his main man to the Broncos.   One tight-end is recovering from surgery and the other is being questioned by the law.  This is Tom Brady; he just finds a way to get it done with whoever are his passing targets.

5. Cam Newton-Dual threat.  After an unbelievable rookie season where he ballooned up to first round selection status on many 2012 FF drafts, he disappointed last season.  His last six games however for those who had not traded Newton, were happy to see him look much like his rookie campaign.  Out of the five quarterbacks who are true running threats, his physical statue keeps owners from fearing he is one hit away from a stint to the IR list.  Not the greatest cast of receivers after an aging Steve Smith and average tight-end in Olsen, but his legs will equate for 800+ yards and 8+ touchdowns.

6. Matt Ryan– He has arguably the second best set trio with his receiving crew behind Peyton’s crew and just ahead of Rodgers.  I expect his numbers to take a bit of a dive from last year with Steven Jackson stealing a few touchdowns, but Ryan gets the job done, and is in a division that has struggled against the pass for the last few seasons.

7. Russell Wilson-Once Seattle allowed Wilson to air the ball out, he showed he can make the big time throws, plus collect ample yardage on the ground when defenses position themselves to tackle the physical style that Lynch brings.  Percy Harvin has joined the squad, re-uniting with his teammate and good friend Sidney Rice. The Seahawks are still going to pound the rock, but Wilson is going to be steady for FF owners.

8. Matthew Stafford– The big arm from the University of Georgia was a disappointment last year; threw for a bunch of yards, but also collected too many interceptions with mediocre touchdown production.  Megatron is still there, decent tight-ends.  Injuries to his other receivers last year translated into many forced throws.  The addition with Reggie Bush and some healthy second and third receiving threats should push Stafford back into more than just a decent starting option.

9.  RG3– I won’t make the same mistake that I did with waiting for another owner to draft Adrian Peterson last year coming off a big surgery.  RG3 will not be asked to run like he did last year, but that does not translate to a pocket style quarterback.  RG3 is a playmaker; I would however suggest that you don’t wait until the end of the draft to select your backup quarterback.

10. Collin Kaepernick-(I’d have him ranked two spots higher if not for the loss of Crabtree).  When not throwing to Crabtree last season, Kaepernick’s statistics were nothing to smile about.  The coach of the 49ers will not make excuses for his offense due to injury.  I expect 2012 first rounder Jenkins to be utilized in a slot role, and Boldin as a possession receiver.  Vernon Davis will be used more in motion, with the 49ers spending a second round pick on tight-end Vance McDonald.  Expect Kaepernick to do even more with his legs this year; as the display he showed off versus the Packers in the playoffs was not a fluke by any means.

11.  Tony Romo– When your offensive line is bad and your running backs can’t stay healthy, throw, throw, throw.  That is what Romo does, and although he throws the ball often to the other team, he puts up pretty consistent fantasy stats.  If you can swallow the fact that you have to show more interest in the Dallas Cowboys then you normally would; fill in your skill position depth in the early rounds and wait for your quarterback.

12. Andrew Luck- He has nice receivers, two above average tight-ends, and with the acquisition of Bradshaw, some receiving threat potential out of the backfield.  I think the play-call selection will scale back some of the deep balls Luck lets loose, but he has tremendous big play speed with sophomore T.Y. Hilton and former first rounder Heyward-Bey.

Next in Line

(13-18) Eli Manning, Andy Dalton, Jay Cutler, Carson Palmer, Matt Shaub

Sleeper- Phillip Rivers- Not too long ago he was a top eight quarterback, then his supporting cast left San Diego for other teams. (Sproles, Tomilson, Vincent Jackson).  Rivers was awful last season, I had him and I had multiple weeks with better point production from my kicker.  Under a new coach who did a very well with his quarterbacks during his tenure with Denver, Rivers has a great chance to reclaim the confidence to finish the 2013 FF season as a top 12 QB.

Bust-Michael Vick- Do a favor to your FF mindset and let 2010 serve as the past.  Vick will not return to form.  The clock is ticking before he gets hurt.  And this is only if Chip Kelly elects him to the starter.

Rookie/Second Year Player with huge upside– Andrew Luck.  The offensive play-calling will be more west-coast, but Luck will take a big leap in his sophomore season.