Top 15 Fantasy Football Quarterbacks for 2017

For the first time since 2008, the NFL saw a decline in overall passing by a little over a 1% drop in total yards and average yards passing per game in 2016. In terms of fantasy football, that means there were not as many fantasy points to go around. In fact, there were only 10 quarterbacks who averaged more than 20 fantasy points per game, and played in at least seven games, last year compared to 18 in 2015. But there were nine QBs who averaged between 18.6 and 19.9 fantasy points. So, although the overall numbers were down, the drop-off was not as significant as it originally looked.

The biggest difference was passing touchdowns, which was down 6.7% from 2015. Since passing touchdowns accounts for around 39% of a quarterbacks overall fantasy points each season, it only takes a couple fewer scores to lose out on a significant amount of points.

If things are going to get better in 2017, it will start at the top, with the Quarterbacks who have proven to be the best in the league, year after year, when it comes to fantasy football. Those few quarterbacks are the elite tier of QBs; Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Aaron Rodgers. These three players have each thrown for more than 12,000 yards and 97 touchdowns on 63%, or higher, completion percentage over the last three seasons. They will, without question, give you 4,500 to 5,000 passing yards, 30 or more touchdowns, and an interception total around 10, assuming they stay healty. But if you can’t grab one of them, you have to go after the Quarterbacks who will still provide you some consistency, and have potential to give you much more.

Russell Wilson leads the next tier of QBs, which features the likes of Matt Ryan, Andrew Luck (when he is healthy), Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston, Ben Roethlisberger, Cam Newton, and Kirk Cousins. Derek Carr could get back into this mix if he can prove that he is fully recovered from that devastating leg injury in 2016.

The third group of QBs feature some future stars and young rookies who have already earned themselves a second look by fantasy experts. DeShaun Watson is not overrated, he is quite possibly the best option the Texans will have at QB this season and has already shown a little of what he can do in the preseason.

So let’s take a look at the top 15 quarterback rankings for the upcoming fantasy football season. Enjoy!

15) Deshaun Watson (R), Houston Texans

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 122
• Bye Week: 7
• Key Games
  • Home: Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 1), Arizona Cardinals (Week 11)
  • Away: New England Patriots (Week 3), Seattle Seahawks (Week 8), Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 15)
• Projections
  • Completions-Attempts: 312-525
  • Passing Yards: 3,365
  • Passing Touchdowns: 18
  • Interceptions: 15
  • Rushing Yards: 350
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 5
  • Fumbles Lost: 5

14) Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 87
• Bye Week: 10
• Key Games
  • Home: New York Giants (Week 3), Denver Broncos (Week 9)
  • Away: Los Angeles Chargers (Week 4), Seattle Seahawks (Week 13), New York Giants (Week 15)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 365-596
  • Passing Yards: 4,200
  • Passing Touchdowns: 24
  • Interceptions: 14
  • Rushing Yards: 175
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 2
  • Fumbles Lost: 5

13) Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 72
• Bye Week: 7
• Key Games
  • Home: Atlanta Falcons (Week 3), Minnesota Vikings (Week 12)
  • Away: New York Giants (Week 2), Minnesota Vikings (Week 4), Baltimore Ravens (Week 13)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 385-589
  • Passing Yards: 4,240
  • Passing Touchdowns: 25
  • Interceptions: 15
  • Rushing Yards: 155
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 2
  • Fumbles Lost: 4

12) Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 48
• Bye Week: 10
• Key Games
  • Home: New England Patriots (Week 11), Denver Broncos (Week 12), New York Giants (Week 13)
  • Away: Denver Broncos (Week 4), Kansas City Chiefs (Week 14)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 362-584
  • Passing Yards: 4,015
  • Passing Touchdowns: 30
  • Interceptions: 12
  • Rushing Yards: 90
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 2
  • Fumbles Lost: 3

11) Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 60
• Bye Week: 5
• Key Games
  • Home: New York Giants (Week 12), Denver Broncos (Week 16)
  • Away: Seattle Seahawks (Week 9), New York Giants (Week 17)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 384-586
  • Passing Yards: 4,450
  • Passing Touchdowns: 25
  • Interceptions: 11
  • Rushing Yards: 75
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 3
  • Fumbles Lost: 4

10) Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 56
• Bye Week: 11
• Key Games
  • Home: Atlanta Falcons (Week 9)
  • Away: New England Patriots (Week 4), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Week 8), Atlanta Falcons (Week 17)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 304-525
  • Passing Yards: 3,700
  • Passing Touchdowns: 25
  • Interceptions: 12
  • Rushing Yards: 350
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 5
  • Fumbles Lost: 4

9) Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 74
• Bye Week: 9
• Key Games
  • Home: Minnesota Vikings (Week 2), Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 5), Baltimore Ravens (Week 14), New England Patriots (Week 15)
  • Away: Kansas City Chiefs (Week 6)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 364-552
  • Passing Yards: 4,375
  • Passing Touchdowns: 32
  • Interceptions: 13
  • Rushing Yards: 45
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 1
  • Fumbles Lost: 3

8) Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Bucs

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 47
• Bye Week: 11
• Key Games
  • Home: New York Giants (Week 4), New England Patriots (Week 5), Atlanta Falcons (Week 15)
  • Away: Atlanta Falcons (Week 12)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 359-579
  • Passing Yards: 4,200
  • Passing Touchdowns: 31
  • Interceptions: 14
  • Rushing Yards: 200
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 2
  • Fumbles Lost: 4

7) Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 27
• Bye Week: 11
• Key Games
  • Home: Arizona Cardinals (Week 2), Denver Broncos (Week 15)
  • Away: Seattle Seahawks (Week 4), Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 13), Baltimore Ravens (Week 16)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 354-571
  • Passing Yards: 4,300
  • Passing Touchdowns: 30
  • Interceptions: 16
  • Rushing Yards: 325
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 2
  • Fumbles Lost: 6

6) Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 49
• Bye Week: 8
• Key Games
  • Home: Seattle Seahawks (Week 3), Baltimore Ravens (Week 9), Houston Texans (Week 13)
  • Away: Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 2), Houston Texans (Week 4)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 316-507
  • Passing Yards: 3,800
  • Passing Touchdowns: 28
  • Interceptions: 12
  • Rushing Yards: 400
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 5
  • Fumbles Lost: 4

5) Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 46
• Bye Week: 5
• Key Games
  • Home: Minnesota Vikings (Week 13)
  • Away: New England Patriots (Week 7), Seattle Seahawks (Week 11)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 371-548
  • Passing Yards: 4,600
  • Passing Touchdowns: 34
  • Interceptions: 11
  • Rushing Yards: 94
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 0
  • Fumbles Lost: 2

4) Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 41
• Bye Week: 6
• Key Games
  • Home: Atlanta Falcons (Week 11), Arizona Cardinals (Week 17)
  • Away: New York Giants (Week 7), Arizona Cardinals (Week 10), Jacksonville Jaguars (Week 14)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 341-529
  • Passing Yards: 4,250
  • Passing Touchdowns: 27
  • Interceptions: 12
  • Rushing Yards: 375
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 3
  • Fumbles Lost: 3

3) Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 36
• Bye Week: 5
• Key Games
  • Home: New England Patriots (Week 2), Atlanta Falcons (Week 16)
  • Away: Minnesota Vikings (Week 1), Green Bay Packers (Week 7), Atlanta Falcons (Week 14)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 443-647
  • Passing Yards: 5,150
  • Passing Touchdowns: 34
  • Interceptions: 13
  • Rushing Yards: 80
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 1
  • Fumbles Lost: 4

2) Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 14
• Bye Week: 8
• Key Games
  • Home: Seattle Seahawks (Week 1), Baltimore Ravens (Week 11)
  • Away: Atlanta Falcons (Week 2), Minnesota Vikings (Week 6), Pittsburgh Steelers (Week 12)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 390-596
  • Passing Yards: 4,375
  • Passing Touchdowns: 38
  • Interceptions: 9
  • Rushing Yards: 275
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 2
  • Fumbles Lost: 3

1) Tom Brady, New England Patriots

• Average Draft Position (ADP): 27
• Bye Week: 9
• Key Games
  • Home: Kansas City Chiefs (Week 1), Atlanta Falcons (Week 7), Los Angeles Chargers (Week 8)
  • Away: Denver Broncos (Week 10), Oakland Raiders (Week 11)
• Projections
  • Comp-Att: 395-598
  • Passing Yards: 4,850
  • Passing Touchdowns: 40
  • Interceptions: 9
  • Rushing Yards: 75
  • Rushing Touchdowns: 1
  • Fumbles Lost: 3