Only one game remains in the 2015 NFL season, so we’re turning that sad reality into our way too early look at the 2016 fantasy football draft.
In this edition of looking ahead to 2016, we’re looking at the quarterbacks who finished 16th to 20th this past season, and will judge how well they’ll finish next year compared to their stats this past season.
16. Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo, 270.60 points
Hype train: All Aboard
If he remains healthy, Taylor can give fantasy football owners enough points to justify drafting him as a starter.
He finished 16th in points this season and missed two games. He’s not going to air out the ball enough to rank high in passing yards, but he does enough on the ground to gather points in total yardage.
He also takes care of the football, as he tallied a 20-to-6 touchdown to interception ratio. That’s good news going forward for fantasy owners.
He will have to face tough defenses in the future, with the likes of New England and the New York Jets in his division, but he wasn’t bad against good defenses in 2015. He tallied more than 17 points against the Jets, Chiefs, Texans and Titans, all teams with top-10 pass defenses.
That shows he can offer stability, regardless of the matchup for fantasy owners.
17. Ryan Tannehill, Miami, 257.40
Hype train: Hop off
We’re finished with Tannehill. This was supposed to be a season where he shined through and he did little to impress. He’s still the dink and dunk guy that will total plenty of yards, but he fails to protect the football (at least 12 interceptions in each of his four seasons), and he doesn’t do much in the touchdown department (24 or fewer touchdowns passes in three of four seasons).
The Dolphins are a train wreck and it starts on the offensive side of the ball. Lamar Miller is their most talented player, but the Dolphins generally refuse to look at him on a regular basis. That puts the ball in Tannehill’s possession, but his completion percentage has been less than 62 percent in three of four seasons, so that doesn’t help move the chains for the Dolphins.
He was a hot commodity this past season since many believed he would take the next step. He’s no more than a backup in fantasy leagues, so don’t buy the hype.
18. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati, 244.20
Hype train: All Aboard
When Andy Dalton wasn’t hurt, he was about as good as any quarterback in the NFL. It might not be because Dalton is very good, but the Bengals have serious offensive weapons and that won’t change next season.
He finished with 18 or more points in 10 of his 12 full games that he played. That’s a great return on a guy ranked 21st in the preseason. The general public was so down on Dalton, that his average draft position was 191, 58 spots lower than his overall ranking of 133.
He will likely be ranked higher next season, but we’re not sure if the general public will hop aboard Dalton’s higher ranking. He’s a start in fantasy football based on the players around him. Dalton is one of the main reasons why waiting on drafting a quarterback can pay major dividends.
19. Matt Ryan, Atlanta, 233.94
Hype train: Just right
This is where it gets tricky. Ryan has consistently been a solid fantasy quarterback. That was shown with his preseason ranking of eighth as a quarterback.
Usually, that’s about right for Ryan. This season, though, he just wasn’t right. It’s not that Atlanta doesn’t have weapons. Devonta Freeman was one of the best fantasy running backs and Julio Jones is a beast at the wide receiver position.
Ryan’s main issue was a lack of touchdowns and not caring for the football. He mustered 16 interceptions, compared to just 21 touchdowns. He usually will put up some interceptions (12 or more interceptions in six of eight seasons).
Usually, though, he throws touchdowns (26 or more TDS in five of eight seasons).
We’re chalking this season to a rough transition of a new coach. His ranking will go down next season, giving him the right amount of value for fantasy owners.
20. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh, 228.12
Hype train: All Aboard
If Roethlisberger is ranked sixth again this coming year, as he was last season, we’re taking him.
When healthy, Big Ben was a monster for fantasy owners. He played in 11 full games, and he tallied more than 20 points in seven games.
Much like Dalton, Roethlisberger has a bevy of weapons at his disposal and the Steelers aren’t afraid to use them.
The defense isn’t great, allowing Roethlisberger to have several opportunities at attaining fantasy points.
He’s a solid option for fantasy owners who don’t want to risk a first, second or third round choice on a quarterback.
