Quarterback Carousel

             With the start of the free agency period, players began to move from team to team, but unlike other years in the NFL. Many quarterbacks moved as teams looked to the upcoming draft and couldn’t help but notice the lack of talent at quarterback in the upcoming class. Although that sounds kind of harsh to the new rookies, but if you can recall to last year’s class it is kind of hard to compare. That being said any time there are movements in the NFL it’s going to affect your fantasy game, which we all know is more important than the actual game.

Jason Campbell-Cleveland

              

               I already know what you’re thinking, “in what world are you starting Jason Campbell as your fantasy quarterback?!!!” Well I only put him on the list because with how awful Brandon Weeden played last year it’s quite possible that Campbell starts. (Weeden had a QBR of 26.6, the only other player to have a lower QBR was Mark Sanchez. Also Weeden scored 154 fantasy points last season, compare that to the 337 fantasy points that Drew Brees had. Plain and simple Weeden is awful.)

               

              In the seasons that Jason Campbell has started he hasn’t been horrible, but at the same time he hasn’t been great. Best case scenario for you, if you HAVE to own Jason Campbell is he doesn’t do anything to hurt your team.

Ryan Fitzpatrick-Tennessee

               

                Ryan Fitzpatrick played phenomenal in 2011……until he signed a contract extension with the Buffalo Bills. After that his play tanked. He continued to play awful in the 2012 campaign. Fitzpatrick has never thrown 25 touchdowns or more in a single season and he’s never had a season where he has thrown less than 10 interceptions.

               

                 That being said Fitzpatrick won’t see the playing field as long as Jake Locker stays healthy and plays well enough. Playing the older Fitzpatrick wouldn’t make any sense for the Titans. If Fitzpatrick does see the field, at best he’s a bye week fill in, but in all circumstances avoid Fitzpatrick at all costs.  

Kevin Kolb-Buffalo

              

             Kevin Kolb was traded to Buffalo after only two seasons in Arizona. In those two seasons Kolb played in only 15 games.  Injuries have plagued Kolb throughout his career. Kolb has never played in more than 9 games in a single season. After signing Kolb the Bills drafted E.J. Manuel in the 1^st round, so even if Kolb can stay healthy it doesn’t look like he’ll be starting in Buffalo this season.

                Kolb fantasy value is very limited and like Fitzpatrick I wouldn’t draft this guy in any format in any league. E.J. Manuel will be starting in Buffalo this year and if he can play decent Kolb won’t see the field.  

Carson Palmer-Arizona

               

                Larry Fitzgerald was the happiest guy in the whole NFL when Arizona signed Carson Palmer. Palmer has proven himself as a competent quarterback with a big arm. Last year, playing for Oakland, Palmer threw for 4,018 yards, 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He did this without an elite receiver and with Darren McFadden in and out of the starting lineup. My point is this Palmer will be effective in Arizona.

Matt Flynn-Oakland

               

               After just one season as Seattle’s backup quarterback Flynn is on to bigger and better things…..oh wait he’s going to Oakland where quarterbacks haven’t played extremely well despite Carson Palmer having a decent year last year. We all remember how high the expectations were with Jemarcus Russell and look how that turned out for Oakland. Stability and consistency is what is needed for Oakland at the quarterback position and they believe that’s what Flynn brings to the table.

                 

                Determining Flynn’s fantasy value is extremely difficult for me because I’m an avid Packers fan and really like Flynn. That being said I’ve probably watch more of his games than anyone else and what I’ve seen is a high ceiling. Everyone remembers what he did to Lions in week 17 in 2011. He completed 31 of his 44 passes for 480 yards, 6 touchdowns and 1 interception. However he did lose the starting job in Seattle to Russell Wilson.

                Flynn will be worth a late round draft pick in your fantasy drafts.

EJ Manuel-Buffalo

                

                Now to the rookies, E.J. Manuel had the honor of being the first quarterback off the board in the 2013 draft. Whether you agree or disagree with Buffalo’s pick you have to think that the starting job in Buffalo is Manuel’s to lose.

              

               Manuel had pretty impressive numbers in college but as we know that doesn’t always translate to the pro game. My advice when you think about drafting Manuel is to proceed with caution. Rookies are always worth a flyer in the finishing rounds of drafts. Sometimes they work out and sometimes they don’t.

Geno Smith-New York Jets

               

                 Geno Smith must look like Aaron Rodgers to Jets fans after the season they had with Mark Sanchez at the helm. Well not to burst your bubble Jets fans but he’s not.  There is a reason why he lasted all the way to the second round and that reason is he didn’t impress enough NFL teams to take a chance on him. However he will most likely win the starting job in New York and will have his chances to play well.

               

                 My rule still applies here; rookies are always worth a pick in the later rounds of fantasy drafts as long as your other positions are set.