Both Andy Dalton and Matt Schaub provided owners with solid value last season. While neither is a top-tier fantasy quarterback, they can both help round-out a quality fantasy roster. As I have mentioned numerous times, fantasy football is all about maximizing the value of your selections, so if you can, avoid selecting either of these quarterbacks before round six. If you do have the option of choosing between the two, what can you realistically expect, and who should be ranked above the other?

Andy Dalton, Quarterback, Cincinnati Bengals:

Coming into his third year in the league, Dalton has a great opportunity to lead the Bengals to an AFC North division title. Cincinnati made sure there would be no lack of offensive weapons for him either, by selecting tight end, Tyler Eifert, from Notre Dame in the first round of this year’s draft. Eifert, who will apparently be used all over the field, should prove to be quite an asset to Dalton. Along with the likes of Jermaine Gresham and A.J. Green, the Bengals should have one of the top offenses in the AFC North this season. One key to Dalton’s success in fantasy this coming year will be if Cincinnati can find a good balance between the run game and passing game. If they are able to establish themselves on the ground this season with rookie running back (whom I predict will win the starting job), Giovanni Bernard, then Dalton should post great numbers.

2013 Stat Projection: 3,700 yards passing, 28 touchdowns, 15 Interceptions

Matt Schaub, Quarterback, Houston Texans:

Despite playing for one of the top teams in the AFC, I find it hard to value Schaub as much more than a backup fantasy quarterback. When the Texans are at their best is when they run their offense through Arian Foster, and I expect it to be no different this season. While adding rookie receiver DeAndre Hopkins, I just do not see Schaub reaching that next level in production. I believe what we have seen from Schaub throughout his career thus far is on average with what fantasy owners should expect; not a great fantasy quarterback, but not a bad one either. In my opinion, if you want to maximize Schaub’s value, look to draft him in the tenth round or later, and plan to use him only if he proves me wrong early in the season, or if you need a bye-week filler.

2013 Stat Projection: 3,850 yards passing, 19 touchdowns, 14 Interceptions

In Comparison

If looking for a starting quarterback out of the two, I think it is a no-brainer to go with Dalton. He has much more upside and potential than Schaub. Either one could prove to be solid pieces on a championship caliber fantasy football roster; however, if you are relying solely on either one to take you to the Promised Land this coming season, you may be in some trouble. Advice on both is to let them slip until round eight for Dalton, and round 10 for Schaub, before you seriously consider drafting one of these two.