The Fantasy Fix: Top 10 Quarterbacks
The 2013 NFL quarterback position is as deep with talent as it has ever been. That means in leagues where you start only one quarterback, you can now wait until the seventh, eighth round or even a little later to pick your quarterback and still come away with a good player.
Think of it this way: Quarterback A scored 370 fantasy points last season. Quarterback B scored 300. Not that big a difference. In fact it’s just 4.3 points a game. The problem is that QB A, Aaron Rodgers, is currently being drafted in the first round. Quarterback B, Tony Romo, is being drafted in the 11th round.
Conversely, the difference between a round one running back last season like Arian Foster, and a round 11 running back like Daryl Richardson, was 12.5 points per game. And there is less of them to go around.
You can wait on quarterbacks. If you don’t get a top tier guy, don’t sweat it. There’s plenty of points to be scored.
With that said, let’s run down the Top 10 Quarterbacks for the 2013 Fantasy Football Season.
Projections based on passing yards, passing touchdowns, interceptions, rushing yards, rushing touchdowns in Standard Scoring leagues.
1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers: Rodgers is the Heineken of the quarterback class. Does that make Mark Sanchez Natural Light? Sure does and I’m not drinking either of them. The discount double checking Rodgers will put up his numbers, just make sure he’s doing it on someone else’s fantasy team (unless he falls into your lap in the third round). 2013 Projections: 4440/38/ 9/260/2
2. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints: Brees could very well lead the fantasy world in scoring this year. Especially with head coach Sean Payton back calling the plays. Brees’ being taken in the first round and I’ve seen him taken over Adrian Peterson at number one overall. The person that did that won’t win their league, but they probably wear a Brees jersey and Mardi Gras beads while watching the game on their front porch screaming, "Who dat?" 2013 Projections: 4800/40/18/20/1
3. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos: Last season I ranked Peyton outside the top 10 and he finished as the number three QB in the league. This year I will rank him third and hope for the reverse lock. Peyton does have the weapons, especially with Wes Walker now in orange, but age, health and over exposure will one day catch up to him. 2013 Projections: 4600/35/12/23/0
4. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers: There’s a lot of value in those newfangled mobile QB’s and Newton may be the best of the bunch. If only he had better weapons around him. Oh well, run for your life Cam and score us some fantasy points. 2013 Projections: 3600/23/12/700/6
5. Tom Brady, New England Patriots: Here he is Patriots Lifer’s, your beloved Tommy B. Brady is still one of the elite, but as Gisele said, “He can’t throw it and catch it, too!” No Gronk (PUP), no Welker (DEN) and no Hernandez (DOC) will make it tougher than most years for Terrific Tom. But if anyone can surprise us it’s Brady. He’ll make one of those receivers a Pro Bowler. Yes, we are looking at you Amendola. 2013 Projections: 4500/34/9/35/2
6. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons: Matty Ice could easily be a top three QB this year. Ryan is poised to be the next fantasy star, especially with the weapons he has around him. Give Brady those receivers and he’d throw 220 touchdowns this year. 2013 Projections: 4700/31/14/100/1
7. Mathew Stafford, Detroit Lions: Last season Stafford tossed 20 TD’s. The year before he had 40. The talent lies somewhere in the middle and that is fantasy value. Stafford is currently being drafted in the early sixth round and that’s right where you should draft him. 2013 Projections: 4900/29/16/100/2
8. Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins: The knee remains a question mark or RGIII would be higher in these rankings. If he stays healthy and if Alfred Morris runs like last season and if head coach Mike Shanahan doesn’t send him out there on one leg and if…never mind. Learn to slide Mr. III. 2013 Projections: 3600/25/9/550/7
9. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers: It’s hard to remember that the NFC Champion QB has only played in 16 games in his career. Personally, I need to see more before anointting him the quarterback of the future. One good hit while ‘ol Col Kap is on the run and he’ll be holding a clipboard and a drool cup for half your season. 2013 Fantasy Projections: 3500/23/7/700/5
10. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts: Luck is another one of the young guns and he had a solid rookie season. Will there be a sophomore slump? No. Should you draft him with your third pick? No. Haven’t you been reading what I’m writing here? But if you can snag him in the seventh or eighth round feel free to high five your Nana. 2013 Fantasy Projections: 3900/25/11/230/2
Check out The Guru's Top 101 Fantasy Football Players for 2013. Have a fantasy question for The Guru? Find him on Twitter @TheGuruGS
