By Andrew Banks

Quarterbacks are the most important piece of a team in real football. In fantasy, they are just part of the bigger picture. Outside of the top three guys, production out of the QB spot can fluctuate from week to week. I always like to wait to draft a QB and load up on quality running backs and wide receivers. This is why you have to look at quarterbacks AND their situations when trying to determine who you want to take in your draft. Take into account the offensive line, weapons around him, coaching changes and even defensive changes.

Take Carson Wentz for example. The Eagles added Mike Wallace to an offensive unit that remains intact from last years Super Bowl. Jay Ajayi has a full off-season to work with the offense so he should be better. Wentz looked like an elite QB last year and on the surface, he looks like he can pick up where he left off. Looking a little deeper though you can point to some things that could raise questions. How will Wentz look without QB coach John DeFilippo? What if the run defense is not the same without defensive end Vinny Curry, and Wentz gets fewer possessions than he did last year? Not to mention he’s coming off an ACL injury. These are all questions that you need to answer by watching preseason games and making evaluations for yourself.

The QB group has 3 elite guys at the top in Rodgers, Brady, and Wilson. Watson could be in that group by the end of the year but I still want to see how he responds after his rookie season. His numbers may not be sustainable but he should still be a stud this year. After them, you have a group of QBs that quite frankly are similar as far as the production level between them. This is why I always try to wait on drafting quarterbacks til later in my draft. You can wait till round 8 or later and miss out on a guy like Aaron Rodgers but still pick up Kirk Cousins or Drew Brees. I tend to load up running backs and receivers since they prove to be more consistent over the length of the season. So here are my top 30 quarterbacks this season. Tune in next week when I break down the running backs. And as always pay attention to preseason!

(PPR scoring)

1. Aaron Rodgers
2. Russell Wilson
3. Tom Brady
4. Deshaun Watson
5. Cam Newton
6. Drew Brees
7. Kirk Cousins
8. Carson Wentz
9. Matt Stafford
10. Marcus Mariota
11. Phillip Rivers
12. Jimmy Garoppolo
13. Jared Goff
14. Ben Rothlisberger
15. Matt Ryan
16. Eli Manning
17. Derek Carr
18. Andrew Luck
19. Pat Mahomes
20. Alex Smith
21. Tyrod Taylor
22. Mitch Tribusky
23. Dak Prescott
24. Jameis Winston
25. Andy Dalton
26. Case Keenum
27. Blake Bortles
28. Sam Bradford
29. Ryan Tannehill
30. Joe Flacco

SLEEPERS

Marcus Mariota– Mariota definitely disappointed last season but there was a reason for that. He broke his foot late in 2016 and it lingered into 2017. He also dealt with hamstring and knee issues. The numbers are bad. Just 13 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He’s now fully healthy, and the Titans now have Matt LaFleur as their OC who worked under Kyle Shanahan in ’16 and Sean McVay in ’17. He should be able to get the most out of Mariota. Now that he’s back to being healthy his rushing ability adds another dimension to his upside. At 24, he still has potential to be one of the better QB’s in the league.

Tyrod Taylor– For the first time in sports history, being traded to the Browns actually was a career upgrade for someone. Taylor had very little to work with in Buffalo. Charles Clay was his best receiver and that should tell you all you need to know. Now he has a multitude of weapons at his disposal. Jarvis Landry is someone who I think Taylor will really look for on those crucial third downs. Taylor really leaned on the tight end when he was with Buffalo so David Njoku seems to be a good fit for him. Add in a great rotation of backs and sprinkle in Josh Gordon and you could have a late round steal. He could creep into the top 15 QB rankings by the end of the season. He also has Hue Jackson as his coach and Baker Mayfield as his backup so who really knows how this season will turn out. The Browns are definitely going to be a team to keep your eye on.

Matt Ryan– When he was the league MVP in ’16 he threw for 4,944 yards and 38 touchdowns. He came back down to earth last season with 4,095 yards and 20 touchdowns. You can blame it on Kyle Shanahan leaving after ’16 and you would have a valid point. But he has to be better than last year right? He won’t put up his MVP numbers but I think he will fall somewhere in the middle of his ’16 and ’17 campaigns. Atlanta added rookie Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones finally got the contract he has been waiting for. Jones only had three touchdown catches last season but that number will more than likely improve drastically. In the second year of OC Steve Sarkisian’s system, I think the whole Falcons offense will take a step forward. Ryan will be available at a discounted price but can provide great upside.

Eli Manning– Now you really think I don’t know what I’m talking about. Just hear me out. Last season the Giants running attack was nonexistent most weeks. This year add in a healthy Saquon Barkley should do wonders for Manning’s production. Barkley should keep the offense on the field longer, thus giving Manning more opportunities for numbers. Getting Odell Beckham back from injury ain’t too shabby either. Granted, we have no idea when Beckham will be back from injury and the Giants have been trying to work out a contract extension. The outcome of the Odell Beckham story has everything to do with Manning being a sleeper or someone who should ride your fantasy bench. If Beckham is ready to go for the regular season, Eli could earn some spot starts during a bye week of your starter depending on the matchup. He had 4,027 yards and 26 TD’s when he had Beckham for a full 16 games.

Patrick Mahomes– Mahomes has some of the best weapons in the league at his disposal. Kareem Hunt led the league in rushing. Tyreek Hill was basically made for Mahomes. The combination of Mahomes arm strength and Hill’s speed is salivating. Sammy Watkins gives him a reliable option on “money downs” and a big target in the red zone. Travis Kelce is the best tight end in football; sorry not sorry Gronk. Alex Smith was able to put up 4,042 yards and 26 touchdowns with this offense. I think Mahomes can come close to those numbers and maybe even match or surpass them if the offense gels early. His upside is ridiculous. Go ahead and grab him in the late rounds and you could have this years Deshaun Watson. Beware: He will throw his fair share of interceptions.