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Fantasy Football 2015: Quarterback Rankings

By Brad Howell

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We don’t normally push a lot of fantasy football content around here, but this summer is dragging on so it’s time to branch out. I play a lot of fantasy football and as part of my preparation I usually create positional rankings to use during my drafts. This year I’ve translated them for public consumption so everyone can get really angry that I didn’t rank player X above player Y. Over the next week or so I’ll post my rankings one position at a time.

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Before I get started, know that all of my rankings are based on what is considered standard non-PPR scoring. Also, every draft is different so I use my rankings more as a place to deviate from rather than implicitly. Finally, I’m only going to include a few lines of reasoning after each player so contact me in the comments or on twitter if you want to discuss further.

FYI, I’m only ranking the top 12 QB’s because I never draft a backup QB (I’d much rather draft an additional high-upside RB or WR).

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Luck. Last year’s number two overall fantasy scoring leader ascends to my number one spot. Yes, his O-Line and defense are still suspect but Luck finished 2nd, 4th, and 9th in fantasy points among QBs the past three years with those same issues. Ultimately, I think the Colts offense is both more efficient and explosive this year after picking up Andre Johnson and Phillip Dorsett at WR and replacing their backfield dumpster fire with Frank Gore.

  1. Aaron Rodgers. Top two among quarterbacks in fantasy scoring in six of the past seven years. Rodgers was last year’s number one scoring fantasy player but only by about 3 points. With all of his favorite offensive weapons returning for the 2015 season he could easily finish first again. I dropped him one spot because Rodgers tends to get nicked up during the season whereas Luck does not.
  1. Russell Wilson. No, this is not (just) because I’m a Seahawks fan. Going back the past three years, Wilson finished 3rd, 8th, and 10th in fantasy scoring among QBs. Last season’s jump to third was largely the result of Wilson’s increased rushing yardage and TD totals. I think those numbers will decline a little this season, but should be countered with an increase in passing stats with the addition of Jimmy Graham and Tyler Lockett.

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Ben Roethlisberger. These aren’t your father’s Steelers. The 2015 version of the Pittsburgh Steelers will only go as far as Big Ben and the offense can carry them. Antonio Brown may be the best wide receiver in the game, Martavis Bryant has serious breakout potential after catching 8 TDs on just 26 receptions last season, and Le’Veon Bell is one of the best young running backs in the league who also happened to catch 83 passes for 850 yards and 3 TDs last year.

  1. Cam Newton. Top 5 fantasy QB his first three seasons in the league before falling off last year largely due to nagging injuries. He’s healthy again this year and should return to the mix of rushing and passing that made him a top fantasy QB.

Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Matt Ryan. Top 10 fantasy QB in four of his five seasons. While Dan Quinn will likely look to emphasize the running game more than the Falcons have in previous seasons, it’s no secret the superior talent resides in their passing game. Matt Ryan benefits from a top 5 WR in Julio Jones (when healthy) and two solid complimentary receivers in Roddy White (when healthy) and Leonard Hankerson. Finally, both potential starting RB’s (Devonta Freeman and rookie Tevin Coleman) are excellent pass catchers out of the backfield, which could be critical given the state of Atlanta’s offensive line.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Mandatory Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill vaulted into the top 10 among fantasy QB’s last season after the offseason addition of offensive coordinator Bill Lazor. 2015 will be Tannehill’s second season with Lazor and he should continue to improve. The Dolphins retooled their WR corps with veteran Greg Jennings, rookie DeVonte Parker, and the sure handed Kenny Stills (seriously, Stills led the NFL in depth and passer-adjusted catch rate last season). Oh, and don’t forget about potential breakout star Jarvis Landry.

  1. Drew Brees. I’m concerned, but not too concerned about the loss of Jimmy Graham, Pierre Thomas, and Kenny Stills. Brees still has a tall security blanket in Marques Colston as well as the lightning quick Brandin Cooks. The Saints also added C.J. Spiller to fill the Sproles role left mostly vacant since after the 2013 season. Ultimately, Brees still has Sean Payton to correct the offensive inefficiencies that plagued the team last year.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Eli Manning. Like Tannehill, Eli Manning benefited from a new offensive scheme last season run by offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Assuming Victor Cruz returns healthy, Eli will again have a formidable crew of pass catchers to throw to. Oh, and he has that Odell Beckham Jr. guy.

  1. Tony Romo. A model of fantasy consistency, Tony Romo always seems to end the season right around the 10th best fantasy QB. Realistically, an injury is probably the only thing that will prevent him from doing the same again this season.
  1. Tom Brady. This guy. He actually hasn’t been that great of a fantasy QB the past two seasons and is almost completely reliant on the health of Gronk for fantasy relevance in the current Pats offense. As everyone in the universe has heard, he also may miss a few games to start the season…so I leave him just outside the top 10 for now. I’ll probably move him up around 8 or 9 if his suspension is overturned.

Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Peyton Manning. He may end up as high as 4th or as low as 20th in fantasy points by the end of the season. I just don’t know, and that’s why I probably won’t draft him at all. Peyton’s arm strength is concerning as his ability to remain healthy all season. He does have an impressive group of wide receivers but I think new head coach Gary Kubiak will emphasize the rushing game more than ever and that also devalues Peyton for me. Oh, and he has a noodle arm.

Stay tuned for my running back rankings.

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