The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Plenty of risk-reward QB options available
There’s a long-standing theory in fantasy football to never draft a quarterback early.
That’s because there’s so much quality to choose from, especially because most leagues require starting just one QB. Still, it never fails. One owner pulls the trigger on the likes of Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady early, and that triggers a run on QBs. Don’t fall into that trap, especially when three QBs with injury issues can be had in the later rounds as potential backups early on in the season. The reward for late in the season from those three could be enormous.
A breakdown of the three:
Deshaun Watson, Texans
FANTASY LOWDOWN » Watson, the team’s No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, probably wasn’t drafted in your league last year, but lucky owners who grabbed him off the waiver wire rode that wave until he was lost for the season with a knee injury. In seven games as a rookie (six starts), Watson accounted for 21 TDs (19 passing, 2 rushing), including games of at least 400 and 300 yards. He accounted for five TDs in a game twice. WHAT TO LOOK FOR » Watson had his most extensive action of the preseason Aug. 18 vs. the 49ers, and appears ready to go for the regular season. PROJECTION » Watson had a five-game stretch that was ridiculous for fantasy, averaging more than 30 points per game. He’s also dangerous as a runner, but with the knee injury recovery, don’t expect Watson to be a huge factor in that capacity, at least early on. If he’s injury-free, expect 4,000 yards passing and close to 30 touchdown passes for Watson. He’s that good. Those who wait on Watson will likely be disappointed. FINAL VERDICT » It would be wise for those willing to go with Watson as their QB1 to have a capable backup as insurance.
Carson Wentz, Eagles
FANTASY LOWDOWN » Like Watson, Wentz went down with an injury during an incredible fantasy season. Unlike Watson (hurt in early November), the Eagles QB went down with his injury in the second week of December. That time frame makes his availability for Week 1 murky at best. Coach Doug Pederson said he won’t play Wentz in the preseason, and his backup Nick Foles was hurt during a preseason game. WHAT TO LOOK FOR » In 13 games, Wentz threw for 3,296 yards and 33 touchdowns, and made many fantasy owners happy in 2017 after he was likely drafted as a backup. That will probably be the case again this season, unless Pederson gives him the green light and he starts Week 1. PROJECTION » It’s impossible to predict without more clarity from his coach, but the guess here is Wentz misses the first few games as a precaution, and becomes the starter by the end of September. He was recently cleared for 11-on-11 drills. FINAL VERDICT » Wentz did plenty of damage in 13 games as a 2017 breakout star, but because of his uncertainty he’ll be the biggest wild-card pick on most draft days.
Andrew Luck, Colts
FANTASY LOWDOWN » There’s not much to report recently. Luck missed all of 2017 with a shoulder injury, but the outlook in the preseason has been promising. When healthy, the Stanford product has been fantasy gold. In his four healthy seasons (Luck missed half of the 2015 season) since 2012, he’s averaged 4,300 passing yards 29 TD passes. WHAT TO LOOK FOR » It’s easy: Can Luck simply stay healthy? He’s a polarizing fantasy option right now. Some owners will look at Luck as great value in later rounds. Others won’t have anything to do with him. PROJECTION » Luck took the field in Week 1 of the preseason and did well enough to provide encouragement. If Luck starts Week 1, it’s reasonable to believe he can regain his earlier form. FINAL VERDICT » Jacoby Brissett filled in for Luck the entire 2017 season and was OK (3,098 yards, 13 TDs), so at the least there won’t be panic for the coaching staff if Brissett starts the season. For Luck owners, though, that won’t be the case. Considering it’s a shoulder injury, targeting Luck as a fantasy starter might be the biggest buyer-beware option.
Contact Podolski at mpodolski@news-herald. com; On Twitter: @mpodo.