In the preseason we don’t get to see much of the starting quarterback in the NFL as fans, coaches and anyone that cares have nightmares of them going down in a meaningless game. Last week however we saw most of the starters go for three quarters giving us a snapshot of what we can expect from them in the season coming up. These are a couple signal callers that made noise (good and bad) this preseason so far.
Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
Newton is coming off a pretty good season last year as the Panthers rode their talented defense to the playoffs. Unfortunately the Panthers lost and Newton needed off season surgery on his foot. Fast forward to the pre season Newton was getting used to an entirely new receiving core and trying to regain confidence in his damaged ankle. Off his athleticism alone Newton would be very attractive in fantasy, add in his stelar arm and young weapons he would be one of the top picks if healthy.
Unfortunately Cam did not stay healthy as he suffered a stress fracture in his rib in the last game against the Patriots. This is a big blow for Newton and the Panthers as he has shown some rust in the past two games. Now it looks like he’ll miss at least a week of practice and the final preseason game against Pittsburgh. He hopes to start the first game in Tampa so hopefully for Carolina and fantasy owners he can get on track against the Buccaneers and Lions before facing the Steelers. I have faith in Newton especially since Detroit and Tampa aren't the best defenses in the league.
Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
Manning looks good completing nearly 80% of his passes for over 400 yards and three touchdowns. Manning should be one of the top fantasy quarterbacks yet again with all the weapons he has around him in Denver. Demaryius Thomas is still one of the top receivers in the league and Wes Welker is the best slot receiver in the league.
Only issue here is that Welker suffered yet another concussion this preseason. I know from experience that doctors have no problem shutting you down for the year if you’ve had more than three concussions in a year. The right call should be to have him sit for at the least half of the season if not the entire year. Not sure if that’s going to happen, but we also don’t know how this will affect Manning and this offense when one of its key pieces is out with injury.
Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
Griffin has a bad sophomore year last season coming off a pretty gruesome knee injury he suffered in the playoffs. If Griffin is at 100% he can be one of the top fantasy players in the league. Especially with the weapons around him, guys like DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jordan Reed, the list goes on. A lot of theses guys can score from anywhere on the field making guys miss. Add in Griffin’s ability to run and throw on the move opposing defenses have a reason to be a little nervous.
The issue is that Griffin hasn’t looked so hot in the teams first three preseason games. He hasn’t thrown a touchdown and has two ugly interceptions under his belt. It doesn’t help that backup Kirk Cousins has looked pretty good in his preseason action. Griffin is the man in Washington and he will be the starter when the team faces the Texans in week one. He can still be a top fantasy quarterback if he can get in a rhythm here soon.
Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns
Well Manziel has been one of the top story lines in the preseason, well of the past two years. Browns fans would love to see their top draft pick be the starter week one, but that just won’t happen. He hasn’t necessarily played well this preseason and his antics in the game against Washington definitely didn’t help his cause.
You’ll probably see him sometime during the season, but in all seriousness Brian Hoyer is the best quarterback for this team right now. With Josh Gordon lost for the season and young players stepping into key roles you need a veteran to control that huddle. I’m not saying Hoyer is taking them to the playoffs but Manziel needs time to mature and the Browns offense needs a leader at quarterback.
Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bortles is the rookie quarterback that has been making the right kind of noise on the field. The Jaguars have come out and said he won’t start in the first year with the team. But with his play so far this preseason many are looking at Bortles a little differently. He has looked so comfortable so far and has put on a show in Jacksonville of all places.
Now Chad Henne is still the starter for now but I would keep an eye on Bortles as the season progresses. There’s a lot of young talent on that roster and they have played well together so far. Bortles may come in and make some noise if given the opportunity this season.
In the end the best quarterbacks in fantasy other than Manning remain Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, and Matthew Stafford. Brees has struggled with an oblique strain and hasn’t seen really seen preseason action. But he has pretty of weapons around him and they have been putting on a show. Brandin Cooks has stood out as a playmaker that can take a five yard screen pass to 70 and a touchdown.
Rodgers may possibly be the best quarterback in the league right now and he gets one of his favorite targets Randall Cobb back at 100% after his leg injury last year. He’s always a threat to put up big numbers in Green Bay where they finally have a running game behind him. Finally Stafford is, well throwing to Calvin Johnson, not much else I need to say about that.