Sleepers & Busters: 2008 QB Edition

Out of nowhere, suddenly the quarterback position has become the new running back. Last season three quarterbacks finished with more fantasy points than the first running back (Tom Brady, Tony Romo, and Peyton Manning). Then after LT, three more QBs (Drew Brees, Derek Anderson, and Brett Favre) placed ahead of the #2 scoring RB (Brian Westbrook). Then, take into account that there were 10 QBs in the top 15 fantasy scorers last season, and you’ve got yourself a revolution!

So, now that you’ve got to select a QB earlier than ever, it’s time to go over some names for folks stuck between drafting Derek Anderson or Joseph Addai (please don’t take Anderson over Addai, regardless of what the points tell you to do.) Because this season, you’re going to see a rush on quarterbacks during the draft. If you’ve got an early selection in the first round, by the time it comes back around to you at the end of the 2nd, it’s all too likely that you’re gonna see Matt Hasselbeck sitting atop the list of remaining QBs. Should you go ahead and grab him to make sure, or should you take Larry Johnson or Braylon Edwards? Well, if you’re thinking like I’m thinking, you should keep reading because here’s some QBs to target later on.

Sleepers

Jake Delhomme – Carolina Panthers – (ADP: 118.89) Yes, he’s getting older. Yes, he’s an injury risk. But, if he can stay healthy, he’s got a MUCH improved receiver corps with Steve Smith, D.J. Hackett, and Muhsin Muhammad. He’s got a badass young running game to take the pressure off of him, and his o-line finds itself in MUCH better condition with the addition of Jeff Otah. What’s even better, he’s currently averaging around a 10th round selection.

Jason Campbell – Washington Redskins – (ADP: 142.33) He’s a butter fingers, no doubt about it. Last year he threw 11 picks and lost 8 fumbles. But, I see Devin Thomas as 2006’s Santonio Holmes. That adds depth to an already solid receiving corps. Add to that a very good receiving RB in Clinton Portis, and this season’s golden boy TE, Chris Cooley and I’m starting to smell a sleeper pick.

Jay Cutler – Denver Broncos – (ADP: 90.71) Okay, this hurts. I don’t like this guy, and in my heart I don’t think he’s very good. But, damn, if there was ever a scenario for a QB to succeed, it’s one mile in the air in Denver. Four VERY serviceable receivers (Brandon Marshall, Keary Colbert, Darrell Jackson, and Brandon Stokely) and two very good TEs (Daniel Graham and Tony Scheffler) make it where he can just lob the ball in the air and SOMEone is going to catch it.

Busters

Tony Romo – Dallas Cowboys – (ADP: 22.25) After a while, all this folding in the clutch has got to wear on a guy. When this specific guy seems to be more worried with being Hollywood than being the Cowboys’ quarterback, it should be a snap to break him completely. Take into account that T.O. is 35 this year and that his #2 receiver is Patrick Crayton (Career 34.3 Yards Per Game, 46.5 in 2007) and I’m officially starting the Romo Meltdown Clock…NOW!

Derek Anderson – Cleveland Browns – (ADP: 52.16) Is anyone else thinking we’ve seen the second coming of Kelly Holcomb with Derek Anderson here? I don’t know why, but I can feel it. The guy throws WAY too many INTs to be ranked so high (1.3 per game during his career, 19 last season). Add to the mix, the supremely overrated Donte Stallworth, and I’m really just not feeling the #7 overall rated QB this year.

Marc Bulger – St. Louis Rams – (ADP: 84.87) I’ve always said, “Never trust a Marc with a ‘C’.” Nothing good can come from someone who ends their name with a ‘C’. In this case, our Marc is in disguise as a formidable QB. But, he’s only played 16 games once in 6 seasons. His QB Rating is on a steady decline and INTs are up. He’s got some solid targets, including a RB who had the worst season of his short career and then demands more money. But, that’s another episode of Sleepers & Busters. I wouldn’t be afraid to draft Bulger as a backup just in case, but if he’s your starter, you’ll live in fear all season long. That’s not what I would hope for in the #10 overall rated QB.

Bold Predictions

1. Depending on the situation, either Aaron Rodgers will look MUCH better than anyone expected OR Brett Favre will return and look like 2005 Favre. Regardless of the situation, media outlets will begin touting how they knew this would happen all along.

2. The big name rookie QB to emerge from the pack this season will not be Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco, but someone who we all forgot even got drafted this year. Although, I also think Joe Flacco will be the better QB between he and Matt Ryan.

3. Vince Young falls completely out of favor with the Titans this season, and they begin looking for a new QB in the draft. We will also see his name fall out of the Top 25 quarterbacks next season.

Related posts:

1. Sleepers & Busters: 2008 RB Edition
2. Sleepers & Busters: 2008 Shortstop Edition
3. Sleepers & Busters: 2008 Third Basemen Edition
4. Sleepers & Busters: 2008 First Basemen Edition
5. Sleepers & Busters: 2008 Catchers Edition