2020 Fantasy Sleepers: QB
You can knock me all you want for what I've written below, but we won't actually know how on or far off I was with my predictions until after the season ends. I'm keeping the intro short and sweet so you can get to the important stuff, enjoy.
Top: Baker Mayfield (Cleveland)
Analysis: You’re going to see Mayfield’s name mentioned a lot this preseason and with it there will be comments about how the pressure is off. The pressure isn’t off, as a starting Quarterback in the NFL the pressure will never be off. My thoughts on Mayfield are that he has the confidence, arm talent and intelligence to play the position well as a pro. He gets sleeper value because last year he was terrible, but this year the Browns drastically improved his blocking situation and I have high hopes for Kevin Stefanski. If you’re like me, and you like to wait until the 9th-12th round range to take your starting Quarterback, then Baker should be high on your radar. Higher than guys like Ryan Tannehill and Tom Brady who you will probably also see taken in that range.
ROOKIE: Joe Burrow (Cincinnati)
Analysis: Who knows when the Dolphins will feel comfortable getting their future franchise signal-caller on the field seeing as how he’s coming off a significant hip injury. Who knows when the somewhat conservative Chargers will put Herbert on the field behind a questionable O-Line. Meanwhile, we can all feel pretty confident that Burrow will see the field from week 1, barring some unforeseen circumstance. Here are the pluses that not everyone has been talking about with the Bengals this offseason: Jonah Williams will be back in the fold for their O-Line, the Bengals drafted Tee Higgins at Receiver, and A.J. Green is presumable healthy after getting plenty of rest. This Bengals offense has all the signs of a unit that could far outplay expectations. Here’s the negative side to things: The Ravens defense got significantly better and the Steelers still wield a top 10 (possibly top 5) defense. That’s a rough 4 games Burrow will have to deal with as a rookie. Not to mention he has games against the Chargers and Eagles early. If a rookie QB doesn’t get their season started off on the right-foot it can be difficult to recover as the season wears on.
Others:
Drew Lock (Denver)
Analysis: Lock has plenty of arm talent to light up the league and he started displaying it last year. Denver is my surprise pick for a team who could unexpectedly win their division (watch out KC). The weapons Denver put around Lock this offseason are a big reason why. He excelled when he got things clicking with Sutton last year, that connection should grow, and the additions of Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler are going to help boost Lock up another level. Lock should be one of the first QBs you look toward when you start targeting your QB2, but don’t feel like you’re going crazy if you’re considering taking him as your starting Quarterback, just make sure you’re not reaching to grab him.
Philip Rivers (Indianapolis)
Analysis: Rivers had a bad season in 2019, by his standards. But I’m chocking that up to what the Chargers had blocking for him. This year he’ll be standing behind arguably the best Offensive Line he’s played behind in his professional career. His passing options may not be as talented as what he had in LA, but they’re not slouches either. Jack Doyle is a solid target over the middle of the field, TY Hilton is a really good Receiver when he’s healthy and Parris Campbell and Michael Pittman are two young Receivers with the skills to develop into consistent weapons. This Colts team should be right in the thick of things come playoff time, and Rivers should be a fantasy stud once again.
Teddy Bridgewater (Carolina)
Analysis: There are a lot of unknowns with Teddy and the Panthers this year, so if you want to ignore me, I’ll understand. The reason why I’m listing Bridgewater is partially because of Carolina's defense. There are plenty of high-powered offenses that the Panthers are going to have to deal with and their defense isn’t in a position to shut those offenses down, which means Teddy may have to throw a lot. He’s got a solid young core of pass catchers around him, and a brilliant offensive mind calling the shots in Joe Brady. Just remember, garbage time points still count in fantasy football.
Deep Sleeper: Gardner Minshew (Jacksonville)
Analysis: The Jags and Minshew are both getting a lot of flack already in the football media. Analysts are predicting they’ll finish with the worst record and that they’ll use whatever high pick they get on a Quarterback next year. I guess they’ve decided to completely ignore what Minshew did last season. Besides starting Minshew mania and finally giving the Jags fan base something to be excited about, he also led the Jags to all 6 of their wins and finished the year with 3,271 passing yards, 21 touchdowns and just 6 interceptions. He has the confidence and leadership you look for at the position and I’m excited to see what he does in year 2. Also, like the Panthers, the Jags will probably be playing plenty of games from behind because of their defense.
