Welcome to Part One of a five-part series ranking the best NFL players from a fantasy football point of view. First, for the quarterbacks.
20. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
With just Willie Snead IV, Marquise Brown, and Seth Roberts as the only notable wide receivers in Baltimore, Lamar Jackson doesn’t have an endless supply of pass-catchers, but that’s okay. In case you couldn’t tell, Jackson does most of his work on the ground, using his speed and agility to rush through defenders when he doesn’t have an open receiver.
19. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions
Matthew Stafford got some extra help at the receiver position this offseason with the signing of Danny Amendola, who joins Marvin Jones, Jr. and Kenny Golladay as the notable wideouts in Detroit. With additional depth reinforcements behind those three, Stafford should be able to couple his experience with his skill and post some decent fantasy numbers this year.
18. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles
Carson Wentz is the highest-paid quarterback in the league but just the 18th best in fantasy football? Unfortunately for fantasy owners of Wentz, his value on the field does not exactly translate to fantasy points. A smart quarterback with experience and skill, Wentz did get an upgrade over the winter when Philly traded for speedy wideout DeSean Jackson, who will join Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor in the pass-catching department.
17. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
With injury a constant concern for Newton’s fantasy owners, one has to wonder if he’s even deserving of a draft selection. However, his proven skill and experience coupled with a strong wideout room that includes D.J. Moore, Curtis Samuel, Chris Hogan and Torrey Smith should make him at least draftable … but a lot of things are dependent on his health.
16. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
After an injury-riddled and disappointing season for Winston in 2018, he will need to bounce back in his contract year of 2019. Talented receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans, plus pass-catching tight end O.J. Howard, will force Winston to throw the ball … as will the Bucs’ lack of decent running backs. A lot could happen in Tampa Bay, and with a contract on the line, Winston should please fantasy owners.
15. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
The Browns exploded for a somewhat impressive 2018 after an 0-16 2017. Now, after adding Odell Beckham, Jr. and Kareem Hunt over the offseason, the Cleveland offense is bound to be even better in 2019. In addition to Beckham, Mayfield can lean on dominant receivers Jarvis Landry and David Njoku and the reliable duo of Rashard Higgins and Antonio Callaway.
14. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
While easily the greatest quarterback of all-time, Brady is like Wentz in that his value on the field does not translate to him being a fantasy football jackpot. While Brady is good at finding the open man to throw the ball at to ensure a completion, he is also good at spreading the ball out — which means he never shies away from using his running backs. I’ll never say no to Tom Brady, but be careful with him, as always.
13. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Despite losing Allen Hurns, Prescott still has Jason Witten, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, Tavon Austin, and Randall Cobb to catch passes — all proven veterans who complement each other nicely. In a year that will likely have a large impact on his next contract, count on Dak Prescott to do everything he can to post dominant stats … and thus, mouth-watering fantasy points.
12. Mitchell Trubisky, Chicago Bears
Many expect Chicago to have a quieter year both offensively and defensively, don’t forget that in addition to Trey Burton, Allen Robinson, and Taylor Gabriel, Trubisky has arguably the league’s greatest receiving back to throw passes to in speedster Tarik Cohen. While it may be a quieter year for Trubisky, it won’t be too quiet to take a chance on him as a top bench or weaker starter option.
11. Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers
In a major contract year for Rivers, a future Hall of Famer, the veteran quarterback is poised to have another dominant year. While a likely Melvin Gordon‘s absence could hurt the passing game, it will also have a poor effect on the running game, which would likely force Rivers to pass to talented receivers Hunter Henry, Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, Travis Benjamin, and even Austin Ekeler just that much more.
10. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
It was a rough 2018 for Cousins, but the addition of Irv Smith, Jr. at tight end to complement Kyle Rudolph is a sneaky-good, under-the-radar move that should help Cousins in 2019. While 2018 was an embarrassing season for Cousins, it’s impossible to not be tempted by a guy throwing to the league’s best wide receiver duo of Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
9. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
One of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time, Rodgers is facing one of his final seasons in the league as the clock ticks on his physical health and longevity. But despite all that, he has reliable targets such as Davante Adams, Geronimo Allison, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Jimmy Graham to make him a reliable fantasy football starter again in 2019.
8. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
Like Rodgers, Brees’ years in the league are numbered, but he continues to be one of the best fantasy point-getters out there. In an offense where anyone with cleats and a jersey is eligible to catch a touchdown pass, the receiver room is endless, with top targets being guys like Jared Cook, Michael Thomas, and Alvin Kamara — three guys from three different positions.
7. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams
When opposing quarterbacks hear about Goff’s offense, they salivate. The young pass-thrower is lucky enough to have guys like Todd Gurley, Robert Woods, Brandin Cooks, and Cooper Kupp who he can throw the ball to. While the Rams’ defense is arguably their secret weapon, Jared Cook and his offense are a close second. If Goff is there at the right time, don’t hesitate to take him.
6. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans
Often knocked on by others but defended by me, Deshaun Watson is one big season away from being named the league’s MVP. An elite player on the ground and in the air, Watson has a bunch of toys at his disposal, including one of the league’s best receivers, DeAndre Hopkins, as well as Keke Coutee and Will Fuller. Now, if only his offensive line could keep him upright.
5. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
Another underrated player just a few big plays away from being dubbed most valuable in the league, recently-extended quarterback Russell Wilson lost Doug Baldwin over the season but now finds himself having D.K. Metcalf to throw to, in addition to underrated receiver Tyler Lockett and a crowded wide receiver room full of endless talent and potential.
4. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roethlisberger lost his dominant wide receiver, Antonio Brown, this offseason, but surely able to fill in at the top slot is JuJu Smith-Schuster. Additionally, Roethlisberger will find guys like James Conner, Vance McDonald, Donte Moncrief, Ryan Switzer, and James Washington at his disposable. His age is increasing, but so is his fantasy value.
3. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
Consistently underrated by essentially everyone, Ryan does a good job at reminding the league what he is capable of. Whether it be a deep bomb to talented relievers Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu or Calvin Ridley, or a series of simple completions to pass-catching tight end Austin Hooper or running back Devonta Freeman, Ryan gets the job done from both a real-life and fantasy perspective.
2. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
It was a long road of recovery for Andrew Luck, but when he came back in 2018, he came back. After bouncing back from a poor start, Luck led his team to a remarkable streak en route to the playoffs. From Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle to T.Y. Hilton and Devin Funchess, you can count on Luck to hit his receivers and post yet another amazing fantasy season in 2019.
1. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Who else but the young phenom Patrick Mahomes should take the No. 1 spot in these rankings? The 2018 MVP will look to defend his award with pride in 2019. Not settling for anything small, Mahomes will continue to post jaw-dropping stats thanks to help from Travis Kelce, Tyreek Hill, Sammy Watkins … and his no-look passes.
