How worried should fantasy owners be about Andrew Luck’s health?
As the 2016 NFL season slowly approaches, it is never too early to start discussing who some of the top players may be. The quarterback position is becoming more devalued in all fantasy leagues and formats.
With so many quarterbacks putting up fantastic numbers in 2015, it should be interesting to see which players could repeat their epic performances. Here are the early top 10 fantasy quarterback rankings for the 2016 NFL season.
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Russell Wilson (SEA)
With Marshawn Lynch gone, it’s time for the Seattle Seahawks’ offense to start relying a little more on Wilson’s talents. Despite critics claiming Wilson is just the product of a balanced Seahawks’ team, his impressive numbers say otherwise.
Wilson almost had a 70 percent completion rating and single-digit interceptions. What more could you ask for in a fantasy quarterback?
Cam Newton (CAR)
Newton finally brought his team to the promised land but came up short when he faced a very physical Denver Broncos’ defense. Newton has finally solidified himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
As defenses know all too well, Newton is a threat both on the ground and through the air. That is not going to change in 2016.
Newton is healthy, and injury shouldn’t be a concern for his future owners. Newton should rebound nicely from his Super Bowl loss after gaining Kelvin Benjamin back in his arsenal.
Aaron Rodgers (GB)
Rodgers is probably the best pocket passer and overall quarterback in the NFL. The Green Bay Packers are always contenders and have proven they have one of the most well-rounded teams in the league.
Rodgers should continue his greatness in 2016. He has a plethora of receivers including Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, Ty Montgomery and Jared Cook. With a receiving core like that, it would be no shock if Rodgers threw for 40 touchdowns.
Ben Roethlisberger (PIT)
Roethlisberger is probably one of the most consistent fantasy quarterback options that there is. He always finds a way to produce, unless it’s against a division rival of course. The Steelers somehow find a way to botch their clear favoritism and make it a close contest.
With the addition of Ladarius Green to replace Heath Miller, Roethlisberger’s fantasy value can only increase. As long as Antonio Brown remains on the team, there is no reason not to draft Roethlisberger. Sammie Coates has the potential to be a sleeper and pick up some slack for the suspended Martavis Bryant.
Tom Brady (NE)
Not even the most heinous of scandals could hurt Brady’s fantasy value. Despite his possible suspension being upheld, no fantasy player should shy away from drafting Brady. Brady had a fantastic year without his No. 1 wide receiver, Julian Edelman.
It seems to be that Brady is only getting better with age, and as long as Bill Belichick sticks around, the Patriots will also be contenders. This season Brady will have Edelman, Rob Gronkowski, Martellus Bennett and Danny Amendola. Not too shabby for someone who could be the greatest quarterback ever.
Carson Palmer (ARI)
If it wasn’t for the streaks of bad luck that the Arizona Cardinals have been having, Palmer might have been a Super Bowl champion already. After a few rough years, Palmer managed to find himself again once he signed with the Cardinals and took over Bruce Arians’ offense.
Palmer not only gave his own career a breath of fresh air but also brought Larry Fitzgerald’s career back to life as well. Fitzgerald and Palmer are now one of the biggest wide receiver, quarterback threats in the league.
Eli Manning (NYG)
Say it isn’t so, Manning ranks among the top 10 fantasy quarterbacks in 2016, and there is a completely valid reason for it. Eli Manning has consistently put up top 10 fantasy quarterback numbers for the past two years.
Manning now has Odell Beckham, Victor Cruz, and the highly touted Sterling Shepard all at his disposal. His numbers can only increase as the New York Giants’ offense line gets healthier and gives Manning some time to spread the ball around.
Tony Romo (DAL)
Coming back from another injury riddled season, Romo should have no problem getting back in the groove of things. The Dallas Cowboys’ offense line is probably the scariest in the league and will go Romo a fighting chance not to get injured again.
Ezekiel Elliott will bring the Cowboys’ offense back to 2014 when DeMarco Murray was in town. In that balanced offense, Romo thrived because he could throw or run the ball at will. Romo should recapture that season no problem with Elliott running through the trenches.
Drew Brees (NO)
Brees and the New Orleans Saints haven’t fared too well in recent years. Not much of expected of them in 2016 either.
Brees is too good to turn down in any fantasy football format. In 2015, he almost recorded 5,000 passing yards and threw for 32 touchdowns.
Brees arguably has the strongest arm in the NFL. He has one of the rare capabilities to make a Hail Mary kind of play with ease. The only concern is his supporting cast, who have been increasingly inconsistent.
Andrew Luck (IND)
Luck hasn’t been the luckiest of the quarterbacks in the league. According to multiple reports, his shoulder never healed right.
His long-term health is a concern among the Indianapolis Colts’ coaching staff. His injuries kept him out of nine games last season.
Injuries aside, if Luck can find a way to be healthy there is no reason why he wouldn’t produce. The Colts have the makings of a contender; however their window is quickly closing because the AFC South is steadily improving. For his potential fantasy owners, it may be better to be safe than sorry.
Please be sure to check out our other top 10 rankings articles:
Anthony Sciarratta is a correspondent at FantasyPros. To read more from Anthony follow him on Twitter @ant_sciarratta.
