2017 Fantasy Football Rankings NFC North: Quarterbacks
Heading into the 2017 fantasy football season, we take a look at each AFC South quarterback and build out our 2017 fantasy football rankings!
This is part four of an ongoing eight part Fantasy Football Rankings series for each division’s quarterback and their 2017 Fantasy Football outlook. Drafting a player in Fantasy Football can often feel like being in a relationship. Sometimes you pick a player and it’s nothing but sweet bliss for the next 17 weeks. Sometimes you pick a player and you date for a few weeks. That is until the day you realize it’s not you it’s them, and you cut bait and throw your hook back into the free agent market.
This division is certainly a mixed bag of QB talent. While it may boast two of the more dynamic and productive signal callers in the league, it also lays claim to two of the more unsettled situations as well. So without further ado, lets see who’s worth taking home to meet mom and who’s doing the walk of shame come Sunday morning.
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: He’s a Keeper
Aaron Rodgers
Love at first sight….Myth or Reality? When it comes to this guy, it is definitely a tangible thing. Honestly Is there even something to debate here? I mean I could just type his name and the argument is over right? However, I get paid by the word so lets discuss this a bit further shall we?
During his twelve years in the league, Rodgers has established himself as not only a sure-fire Hall of Famer but also as a bona fide Fantasy Football God. He is routinely picked at the top of most drafts and will rarely disappoint owners who pick him early.
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Last year saw Rodgers enjoy one of his best fantasy seasons ever as he threw for 4,428 yards 40 touchdowns and only 7 picks. Rodgers is worth drafting based on his passing stats alone, but throw in his rushing numbers and a case can be made that he should go number 1 overall.
Rodgers has always been regarded as one of the more athletic and creative quarterbacks in the league and he proved it again in 2016. His 369 rushing yards were a career high and his 4 touchdowns were like giving a powerball winner an extra check for 20 grand. Is it needed? No. Will you take it? Yes, thank you.
Rodgers already had a bevy of weapons at his disposal and the addition of TE Martellus Bennett is only going to create more headaches for fantasy owners who have to face Rodgers week in and week out. You can either be the one suffering from a migraine on Sunday or you can be the one who gets to sit back pain-free and enjoy watching a master create a weekly work of art on your behalf. Draft Rodgers in the first round as your QB1 and there is good chance you will be putting a ring on that finger.
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Steady and Safe
Matthew Stafford
Have you ever had one of those relationships where in the beginning it’s just non stop fireworks? Your mind reels at the possibilities of tomorrow? Then as time goes by the passion and excitement is replaced by the comfort of knowing you are in a safe place. That you can trust that person because you always know what you are going to get from them? That’s what it’s like having Stafford as your QB1.
Since the 2012 season Stafford has thrown for at least 4000 yards and 20 touchdowns. Providing consistent but not spectacular production for fantasy owners. Many thought the loss of Megatron would cause Stafford’s numbers to plummet. Instead he went on to post very similar stats to his 2015 season.
In some ways, the absence of Johnson helped Stafford, as he was forced to spread the ball around to a wide array of targets. Five different players had 50 catches or more for Detroit last season. In 2015 only three players achieved that mark.
Stafford has also thrived in the offense of Jim Bob Cooter. I didn’t necessarily need to mention his name but it’s just so much darn fun to type. Cooter’s short/intermediate passing game and innovative play calling and formations, seems to have reinvigorated Stafford. This has made him a very dependable if not sexy fantasy option.
Stafford is not going to single-handedly get you to the playoffs like Rodgers. However, if you are able to put other solid pieces around him, you will be sitting pretty come November. Stafford will also provide great value in that he can be had much later in drafts. Feel comfortable filling out your roster with blue-chippers early and going steady with Stafford as your QB1. Remember, in any relationship the sparks will always begin to fade and some predictability can be a welcome sight.
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Time to Put on Those Beer Goggles
Sam Bradford
Look we’ve all been there. You’ve had a few too many, it’s getting late, all the better options are off the table and you gotta make a move right? No judgments here pal.
Bradford has been quite the enigma throughout his career. He has never thrown for 4,000 yards in a season, never passed for more than 21 touchdowns in a year and he’s been as injury prone as any starter in the league. But somehow this guy keeps getting opportunities and huge contracts to go with them.
To be fair, Bradford was thrown into a pretty tough spot last year, taking over for an injured Teddy Bridgewater one week before the season opener and he performed admirably. He posted a career high in yards with 3,877 and 20 touchdowns against only 5 interceptions. However, the days of being considered a starting fantasy QB1 with huge upside are over. Even if Bradford were able to post the type of numbers many had predicted for him, there is still the always looming specter of injury.
Bradford could sprain an ACL just by having his feelings hurt. The guy is that fragile. At this point in his career Sam is nothing more than a QB2 and possible bye week starter. So on draft night, if the lights are starting to get low and all the pretty ones have left with your buddies, it’s ok to take Sammy home with ya. It’s just not something you should brag about to your friends if you do.
2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Sometimes It’s Ok To Be Alone
Mike Glennon and Mitchell Trubisky
Look there are times in life when it’s healthy to be by yourself, take some time for some introspection. This type of insight will help you know when the time is right to commit and help you avoid train wrecks like the Chicago Bears and their QB situation.
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Poor Mike Glennon, or as I like to call him Blonde Osweiler. Poor guy signs a huge contract and finally gets the chance to show the world how mediocre he is, then the Chicago brass pulls the rug out from under him and drafts Trubisky at number 2 overall. Talk about commitment issues. Glennon really offers very little as a Fantasy option, honestly I’d take a flyer on a rookie with some upside over Glennon.
Which brings us to Trubisky. While I certainly wouldn’t recommend picking him up early or even at all in standard league formats, he might be worth a late pick up in a Dynasty league. Keep an eye on his performance in pre-season and act accordingly.
The Truth is Unless Trubisky comes into camp and blows everyone away, this has all the makings of a situation where each guy is going to get about half the starts. Glennon will most likely start the season under center but as the losses mount, the calls for Mitch are only going to get louder. Just like with most love triangles, you always want the one you don’t have.
Next: Fantasy Football QB Rankings AFC South
Stay tuned to Fantasy CPR as we head towards the start of the NFL season for all your fantasy football draft needs and prep!