Without a doubt, Robert Griffin III and Colin Kaepernick are two of the brightest stars in the National Football League. Griffin is coming off of one of the best rookie campaigns in NFL history, leading his Washington Redskins to the playoffs before tearing his ACL and LCL against the Seattle Seahawks.
While Griffin’s season declined in the playoffs, Kaepernick’s season took off, leading his San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl. Although the 49ers eventually lost in the Super Bowl, Kaepernick did enough to convince head coach Jim Harbaugh that he deserves to be the starting quarterback, since San Francisco traded Alex Smith to the Kansas City Chiefs. Kaepernick took over as starter after filling in for Smith when he went down with a concussion.
Both of these young quarterbacks have tremendous upside, and can both throw the ball and take off on the ground, making a choice between the two incredibly difficult.
Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
In just one season, Griffin went from rookie quarterback out of Baylor to franchise quarterback to savior of Washington, DC by just playing 16 football games. Media hype aside, Griffin had a great season, completing 65 percent of his passes for 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns. That’s not even including his 120 rushing attempts for 815 yards and seven touchdowns. In terms of fantasy football, Griffin is the complete package. He could possibly be a top 20 pick in drafts this year would it not be for that pesky injury bug.
Griffin re-injured the same leg he had problems with in college, but is setting the world on fire once again by his quick rehab from ACL/LCL injury. However, that doesn’t mean he is going to play in all 16 games this season. Redskins offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan has already denied that he will be changing the offense this season, the same offense that got Griffin beat up last season. It doesn’t fall all on Shanahan to keep Griffin safe, though, as Griffin needs to learn how to slide when on the run and throw the ball away to avoid taking a big hit in the backfield.
If there can be some give and take on both sides, Griffin can become a drop-back passer that is also liable to take off, but knows how to slide when necessary. If Griffin and Shanahan can work out that balance, RGIII should be just fine, and will be a top fantasy quarterback in 2013, since it looks like he’ll be ready to go in Week 1.
Projected stats (16 games): 270 completions, 3,400 yards, 20 touchdowns, six interceptions, 90 rushing attempts, 650 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns
Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
Kaepernick has a very similar set of skills to Griffin, given that he can run and pass. While RGIII got the majority of the spotlight during the season, Kaepernick was able to take his team farther, leading the 49ers to the Super Bowl before losing to the Baltimore Ravens. This will be Kaepernick’s first full season as a starter, after he took over midway through the season and replaced Alex Smith.
The 25-year-old did almost every virtually right in 7 games as a starter, completing 62 percent of his passes for 1,814 yards and 10 touchdowns. Kaepernick also picked up 415 yards and five touchdowns on the ground on 63 attempts. He also rarely lost fantasy owners points, only throwing three interceptions and losing two fumbles. Heading into 2013, Kaepernick will be without one of his favorite targets, Michael Crabtree who will miss the entire season with a torn Achilles. But Kaepernick has shown he has the raw skills to lead a football team, and he can get it done both through the air and on the ground.
Projected stats (16 games): 260 completions, 3,200 yards, 22 touchdowns, six interceptions, 100 rushing attempts, 900 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns
The Verdict
Although Griffin is the bigger name, Kaepernick is surrounded by a better team. The Redskins are at risk of taking a step back this season with an injured and aging receiving corps, and it doesn’t help that RGIII’s health is a major concern. If you want to go with upside, take Griffin but if you want the safer pick go with Kaeprnick. Kaepernick will be without Crabtree, but the 49ers have a better defense than the Redskins and can get him the ball back quicker. Both of these guys are no-question fantasy starters but Kaepernick gets the edge.