There are plenty of question marks surrounding Peyton Manning
When discussing elite fantasy QBs for 2015 there are really only two names to toss around: Aaron Rodgers and Andrew Luck. If drafting an elite QB is your strategy, those are the guys to target in the first two rounds. It’s shocking how quickly players who were considered elite at their position just one year ago (Peyton Manning, Drew Brees) have experienced solid blows to their value which will greatly affect where they are drafted come August. Here, we’ll take a look at some fantasy QBs who come with major question marks for the upcoming season.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
I know, I’m crazy for even thinking about putting Peyton Manning on this list, but before you start hating just hear me out. Manning was the first quarterback flying off of fantasy draft boards last year and in most cases owners could argue that he was worth a first round pick. The Sheriff began his 2014 campaign on absolute fire but when his owners needed him to post big numbers in the final quarter of the year, the veteran signal-caller fell off a statistical cliff, throwing for just four combined touchdowns in Weeks 13-16.
This year will likely be Manning’s farewell tour in the NFL, and there are question marks when it comes to his fantasy value. He’ll be without his go-to red zone target in TE Julius Thomas, which may affect his TD production. And can Manning physically endure another full NFL season at age 39 or has Father Time finally caught up to him? He’ll likely still be a solid option, but don’t be that guy selecting him in the first round and bragging about it to your league mates.
Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
It’s fair to wonder if we’re witnessing the beginning of the end of Drew Brees as an elite option at the QB position in fantasy. Last season was Brees’ first since 2010 that he didn’t finish among the top five among QBs in terms of total fantasy points. He threw 17 picks (tied for second most in the league) and broke his streak of three consecutive seasons with 5,000 or more passing yards.
The Saints lost their top pass-catcher and touchdown machine in TE Jimmy Graham in a trade with the Seahawks this offseason. The team also traded away wideout Kenny Stills who racked up nearly 1,000 receiving yards in 2014. So naturally, one of the biggest questions regarding Brees’ fantasy value heading into 2015 is who will pick up the slack on the receiving end of the ball? Second-year wideout Brandin Cooks could very well be that guy, but keep mind that in his rookie campaign Cooks totaled just 550 yards and three receiving TDs in 11 games.
Based on running back Mark Ingram’s success last season and the recent acquisition of C.J. Spiller, New Orleans could be shifting to a more run-based offense than they’ve been known for in the past. Like Manning, look for Brees to slip down draft boards in 2015 as he’s no longer a lock for elite fantasy numbers.
Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
You’d think Stafford would be nearing elite fantasy QB status with the weapons he has to target—Calvin Johnson on one side of the field and Golden Tate on the other. Both wideouts posted 1,000 yard seasons in 2014 while Stafford racked up over 4,200 passing yards. But Stafford only managed to throw 22 touchdown passes – just one more than Derek Carr.
For fantasy purposes Matthew Stafford’s inconsistency last season was so detrimental to his owners that he became nothing more than a matchup-based option down the stretch. That’s not something you’d expect from the fourth QB to come off draft boards last year. So the question remains—has Stafford plateaued as a middle-of-the-pack fantasy option or will he finally be able to break through to top-notch status in his seventh season in the NFL?
Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
According to Jim Tomsula, the new head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, Kaepernick had the best season of his career last year. But from a fantasy standpoint, Kap declined in 2014 and left fantasy owners who drafted him ahead of guys like Russell Wilson and Philip Rivers extremely frustrated (as did most of the 49ers fantasy-relevant players).
During this offseason San Francisco has revamped their offensive talent with the signings of wideout Torrey Smith and running back Reggie Bush to fill some of the void left by veteran runner Frank Gore. Much of Kaepernick’s fantasy production comes from his ability to run the ball as he racked up over 600 rush yards last year. However, there are still questions as to whether Kap can make a leap as a passer. The fifth-year quarterback will likely be drafted as a backup option in most fantasy leagues, and has the potential to surprise as a value pick in deeper formats.
Nick Foles, St. Louis Rams
Nick Foles averaged 20 fantasy points per game in 2013 and began last season with extremely high expectations as the seventh quarterback drafted in most leagues according to his 2014 ADP. Unfortunately his campaign was cut short due to a collar bone injury which forced him to miss the second half of the season. In the games that Foles did play, his numbers were down drastically from the season prior. His completion percentage was down to 59.9 percent from 2013’s 64.6 percent, and he threw 10 interceptions in his eight games started.
Now with the Rams, it’s fair to wonder just how much fantasy value Foles brings to the table in 2015. On almost every front, St. Louis’ offense was one of the worst in the league last season. The Rams didn’t have a single 1,000-yard wideout, and TE Lance Kendricks led the team in receiving TDs with just five. According to ProFootballFocus, St. Louis also ranked among the worst in the NFL in terms of pass-blocking which isn’t helping Foles’ cause much. Now on a team lacking talented pass-catchers, Foles has gone from a potential top-10 option to a high-risk play in fantasy.
