Having an elite signal caller under center can mark the difference between a good team and a great team in the NFL. That said, having a quarterback on your roster who averages 20+ points a week can prove to be the difference between an uneasy fantasy owner and a supremely confident owner. As draft day approaches, every owner must to take a look at their QB wishlist and prepare a plan. In this Featured Pros edition, our experts share their QB predictions with us.
Featured Pros:
Jeff Brubach – The Fake Football
Q1: Every year, there are QBs that break through and exceed expectations (see: Cam Newton & Matthew Stafford last season). Which QB has the best chance to break out in 2012?
I think the one QB that will break through in 2012 is Robert Griffin III. RGIII brings that style of sexyness we all love in our fantasy football QB, the ability to get the ball down field as well as tuck and run when he needs too. He’ll be in a tough division, but I actually have him finishing ahead of Ben Roethlisberger.
Jeff Brubach – The Fake Football
The Julio Jones hype train is blazing ahead at full speed, and Matt Ryan will ascend in the fantasy world right alongside his young wide out. Only five quarterbacks threw more touchdowns that Ryan in 2011, and it isn’t too hard to believe that he will continue to improve with a still studly Roddy White, Julio Jones, and the always dependable Tony Gonzalez at his side. That batch of weapons, in addition to news of the Falcons reducing the workload of Michael Turner and opening up the offense, means Matty Ice will play just as cool as his nickname.
Q2: On the flip side, there are bound to be touted players that disappoint fantasy owners. Which QB will fail to live up to expectations in 2012?
Not sure how much he’ll disappoint fantasy owners, but I don’t like the schedule for Peyton Manning this year. Over his career he has not had great success playing outdoors. This season, if he plays in all 16 games, he’ll play 15 of those outside. I’m hoping he does well because I’m a fan, but my expectations aren’t as high as some of the other experts I’ve heard talk about him.
Jeff Brubach – The Fake Football
Expectations for Robert Griffin III might not be too high, but his ADP is, and that will disappoint fantasy owners in 2012. Last year, Cam Newton was an afterthought in drafts and had an amazing rookie year. This year, fantasy owners are expecting the same from RGIII, as he is being drafted as a top 12 quarterback. Take a second and ponder (not Christian) where RGIII would be drafted had Cam’s 2011 never happened. Don’t let last season’s incredible rookie influence your draft…RGIII is not worth his top 12 ADP.
Q3: There are several QBs facing plenty of scrutiny this season. From the list below, who will bounce back the best?
Michael Vick
Peyton Manning
Philip Rivers
Tony Romo
I think Michael Vick will be the QB that bounces back and as the better season. I’ll take 14 games out of Vick, than 16 from the others statistics wise. You just need to know as an owner you may have to select a backup QB a little earlier than you normal would because of the risk of injury. He should reach 30 total TD and with a dedicated DeSean Jackson ready to show he’s worth the money, I see big things for Vick in 2012.
Jeff Brubach – The Fake Football
Despite the criticism he receives due to the circus-like nature of the Dallas Cowboys, I am a big fan of Tony Romo as a fantasy quarterback. Romo has a fantastic set of weapons surrounding him in 2012, with Austin’s hammies healed up and Dez poised to display his red zone dominance. In addition, a solid tight end, and not one, but two pass catching running backs means Romo is on the verge of cracking the top five in fantasy quarterback rankings this season. Plus you’ll get to watch him rake in fantasy points while you stuff your face with yams on Thanksgiving, which is always a bonus.
No opinion on the highly touted Andrew Luck, but two very polarizing views of Redskins rookie RG3. Special thanks to this edition’s experts as we wish you good luck in your QB selection process.
