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Fantasy Football 2018 Debate: Dak Prescott or Philip Rivers

By Bill Pivetz

SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the start of an NFL preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - AUGUST 09: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up prior to the start of an NFL preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 9, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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Dak Prescott is being drafted a round or two ahead of Philip Rivers for Fantasy Football leagues. Is that the smart move to make or should you wait?

The quarterback position is very deep this fantasy football season. There are close to 20 quarterbacks that deserve to be starters in most league formats. However, not all of them are worth drafting at their current ADP. Based on their supporting cast and value, do you draft Dak Prescott or Philip Rivers?

Both quarterbacks put up good numbers last season. Despite missing running back Ezekiel Elliot, Prescott threw for 3,324 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Rivers continued his hot streak with 4,515 yards, 28 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys will be without two of their top offensive playmakers. Jason Witten decided to retire and the front office let Dez Bryant go. As a result, Cole Beasley, Terrance Williams and Allen Hurns are the three pass catchers. Geoff Swaim is listed as the starting tight end.

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This is far from a good receiving corps. I don’t trust any of them if I was a Prescott owner. With Zeke back for the full season, Prescott will likely see his pass attempts go down. He threw 490 passes last season. Expect that to drop to around the 450 mark. Prescott may see a closer gap between his touchdowns and interceptions.

Rivers and the Los Angeles Chargers also have a top running back in Melvin Gordon to compliment the passing game. Even with Gordon in the backfield, Rivers continues to 550-plus passes per season.

He has Keenan Allen, Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams and second-year receiver Mike Williams at wide receiver. Without Antonio Gates, Virgil Green becomes the starting tight end.

I like that receiver group more than what the Cowboys have. Rivers averages just under 4,500 yards, 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions over the last five seasons. Based on standard scoring, that equates to 272 fantasy points. It’s hard to find that kind of production late in the draft.

Looking at the divisions, both quarterbacks will face some soft defenses throughout the season. The Philadelphia Eagles are the highest-ranked defense of the six teams. The New York Giants are the worst at No. 26 with the Oakland Raiders just ahead of them at 25.

Fantasy Football Verdict: Philip Rivers

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Rivers has the longevity as a successful quarterback. He gets the volume to rack up the yards and touchdowns. Expect another 4,500-plus yard and 28-touchdown season. Rivers has the better group of pass catchers. And with his ADP two rounds later, you can stock your bench before drafting Rivers.

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