FantasyPros has its consensus rankings from the experts for fantasy football. In a standard 12-team league, you’re generally going to carry two quarterbacks, meaning 24 should be available.
Since there could be some debate among those top 24, I’ll break down the top 30 quarterbacks in fantasy football, and decide whether they could make the grade, or disappoint.
Here’s the fantasy football quarterbacks ranked from 13 to 18.
18. Eli Manning, New York Giants
If Manning’s not a fantasy football starter this year, then he won’t ever return to that group.
Odell Beckham and Brandon Marshall give him two legitimate No. 1 options on the outside. Sterling Shepard should be better this season and Shane Vereen is a nice receiving running back out of the backfield. So there’s no excuse for what we’ve seen in recent years out of Manning. He was supposed to be a solid weapon last year, but regressed, going for only 26 touchdowns compared to 16 interceptions. In the previous two seasons, though, he was a fantasy starter for the most part, going for at least 30 touchdowns in both seasons.
So which Manning will we see? I’m expecting a better version than last year. The volume is always there for Manning with the absence of much of a running game. That should be the case again this season, and I’m expecting big things out of the Giants. Trust Manning to be much better than a backup. — Verdict: Low-end starter
17. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals
Maybe it’s Manning’s age, but I can’t believe Dalton is actually ranked higher than Manning. When it comes to weapons, it’s not even close. Dalton’s offensive line may get him killed this season. If that doesn’t happen, you better hope for touchdowns to Tyler Eifert to make up for the lack of weapons other than A.J. Green.
Dalton had moments last year, but most of those came early. Toward the end of the season, he was average at best. I’m not trusting Dalton as my weekly starter. He’s a backup. — Verdict: Dependable backup
16. Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills
At times last season, Taylor was one of the best options in the NFL. He finished eighth overall among fantasy quarterbacks in 2016 in scoring, but something about him scares me to death. He rarely throws for 300 yards and he only threw 17 passing touchdowns, while also rushing for six touchdowns in 2016.
Taylor’s experience makes me pause at what his abilities can actually be this season. There’s a new coach, so we don’t know how he will adjust to the new approach. The Bills will likely run again for the most part, but it may not be the same as last year. Can Taylor take it to the next level? If his average draft position is near this level, he may be a decent pick based on potential.
If you’re counting on him as a regular starter, he may disappoint, because he’s not going to throw for major yardage and his volume won’t be anywhere close to other quarterbacks in the league. He’s a conundrum, but he has upside at this level. — Verdict: High-upside backup
15. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Stafford is going to throw for a ton of yards. That’s a given. Can he match that production with touchdowns?
When he’s at his best, which has been in 2013 and 2015, he’s been right around the 30-touchdown mark or above. When he’s been non-existent as a fantasy player, he’s been absent in the touchdown department. So which Stafford will we get this season?
My anticipation is the touchdown-heavy Stafford will make an appearance. The Lions are going to be much worse than experts believe. That will help Stafford play catch-up, which should accelerate his ability to throw touchdowns. When Detroit is solid, like last year, Stafford doesn’t have many opportunities to find the endzone. With Detroit likely trailing for the most part this season, expect Stafford to rack up the garbage touchdowns. — Mid-tier starter
14. Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers
I’m forcing myself to stay away from Rivers this season. It’s not that he’s bad. It’s just that when Rivers is bad, he’s so atrocious that he almost goes in the negative. He’s going to put up big-time numbers in games this season. That’s a guarantee. But he’s also going to put up some putrid numbers. And by season’s end, he will likely be toward the bottom-tier starter level to high-end backup.
Better health for his weapons should help him sneak into that bottom-tier of starting quarterbacks. Keenan Allen will help overshadow deficiencies on the offensive line, and a new coach, may actually attempt to fill the gaps on the offensive line. If the Chargers can stay healthy and have an offensive line that keeps Rivers off his back, he will be closer to that back-end starter than the high-end backup. — Low-end starter
13. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
As far as weapons go, there’s maybe no one better equipped than Roethlisberger. Antonio Brown is the most consistent receiver in the NFL. Le’Veon Bell is a top-three option in fantasy football, and Martavis Bryant is back, so that gives Roethlisberger a big body in the red zone.
But even with those weapons, is Roethlisberger a top-end starter? At this point in his career, I doubt it. First, you have to worry about injuries with Roethlisberger. Since 2012, he’s played in 16 games only twice. He’s had big-time players in the last few years, and he still hasn’t been a top-five fantasy option. Some may think this ranking is too low, but not me. He’s not a dependable starter, so I would be very cautious about having him as a top-tier starter. — Low-end starter
Best of the Bunch
Matthew Stafford — He’s not the best quarterback in this group and definitely won’t quarterback the best team. But his game situations will allow him to put up solid fantasy numbers. Watch for the Lions to fall behind big, allowing Stafford to put up the best numbers of this crew.
Sleeper
Tyrod Taylor — For the most part, we know what we’re getting with these quarterbacks. Taylor offers the most unknown and likely the biggest upside.
Worst of the Bunch
Andy Dalton — It’s close, but Dalton just doesn’t jump off paper for me. I’m not drafting him as a potential starter as opposed to several of these other quarterbacks.
