-2017 NFL Schedule -Strength of Schedule
MOCK DRAFT
Ask the Commish.Com 2017 Draft Kit
The Broncos drafted Paxton Lynch at No. 26 overall in the first round of the NFL Draft in 2016 out of Memphis, and we hope this is the year he turns into their quarterback of the future. He had a quiet rookie campaign as the No. 2 quarterback behind Trevor Siemian when he appeared in three games with two starts, and he completed 59 percent of his passes for 497 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. It will be an open competition between Lynch and Siemian in training camp, and as we expected Siemian won the job heading into Week 1 based on his experience. Lynch is banged up right now as well, but Lynch could easily take over as the starter at some point in the year, and he's worth monitoring in the majority of seasonal leagues as a possible waiver wire pickup.
Connor Cook is expected to be the No. 2 quarterback for the Raiders this season behind Derek Carr, but Cook has minimal Fantasy value coming into the season since Carr should be fine from last year's broken leg. As a rookie last year, Cook appeared in one game in the regular season and completed 14-of-21 passes for 150 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He also started the Wild Card loss to the Texans when Carr was out and completed 18-of-45 passes for 161 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions. Cook should not be drafted in the majority of leagues.
Dak Prescott had a tremendous rookie year in 2016, and now the Cowboys and Fantasy owners hope he can have a repeat performance this season. He was named the NFL Rookie of the Year in 2016 when he completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,667 yards, 23 touchdowns and four interceptions and ran for 282 yards and six touchdowns. He finished as the No. 9 Fantasy quarterback in standard leagues, and Prescott had at least 20 Fantasy points in 10 of 15 complete games (he barely played in a meaningless Week 17 outing). He also did well when Dez Bryant was healthy, and we hope Bryant is healthy for all 16 games this season. In Prescott's final nine games with Bryant (we'll throw out Week 17 again), he averaged 23.2 Fantasy points a game, including four games with at least 29 points in a standard league, which was an upgrade from his season average of 21.2 points. Prescott is a perfect quarterback to wait on with a mid- to late-round pick in all leagues, and he should have another quality campaign in 2017 as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy quarterback this year.
Carson Wentz should be considered a sleeper Fantasy quarterback coming into this season. The Eagles have significantly upgraded their receiving corps with the additions of Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, giving him a talented, diverse receiving corps with Zach Ertz, Jordan Matthews and Darren Sproles, Wentz now has plenty of weapons to succeed. As a rookie in 2016, Wentz got off to a good start with at least 21 Fantasy points in three of his first four starts. However, his offensive line struggled soon thereafter, and Wentz had few weapons he could rely on. As a result, he only had two more games with at least 20 Fantasy points in his final 12 outings. Wentz isn't worth drafting as a No. 1 Fantasy quarterback this season, but he should be considered a backup worth selecting with a late-round pick in all leagues. This could be a big year for last year's No. 2 overall pick.
Jared Goff had a forgettable rookie season in 2016, and he hopes the addition of new coach Sean McVay will help him improve this year. Goff didn't start his first NFL game until Week 11, and he finished the season by completing 54.6 percent of his passes for 1,089 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions, as well as just 16 rushing yards and a touchdown. In seven starts, Goff had one game with 25 Fantasy points in a standard league and six starts with 13 points or less. He'll have to do much better this season if Fantasy owners are going to trust him. The good news is McVay has a good track record with quarterbacks after his time as the offensive coordinator in Washington, as he helped Kirk Cousins put up tremendous stats. He also got an upgrade in receiving targets with Sammy Watkins, Robert Woods, and Cooper Kupp joining Tavon Austin, Mike Thomas and Tyler Higbee. It could be another long year for the Rams, but things are looking up, especially when it comes to Goff's Fantasy value, and he's only worth a late-round flier in two-quarterback leagues
Ready or not, Jake Rudock is expected to work as the Lions' backup quarterback this season. Detroit starter Matthew Stafford hasn't missed a game in six seasons, so beware. No one should target him for Fantasy purposes.
Cardale Jones is expected to compete for the No. 2 quarterback job for the Bills with rookie Nate Peterman and journeyman T.J. Yates to backup starter Tyrod Taylor. Even if Jones wins that spot he still has minimal Fantasy value in the majority of leagues. Most likely, Jones will be the odd man out in this quarterback battle. He is not worth drafting in any format this year.
After tossing six touchdowns over eight winless starts in 2016, Cody Kessler competed for the starting job in Cleveland this summer with rookie DeShone Kizer. The first-year player out of Notre Dame has been named the starter. As such, there's no real reason to trust him with a spot on your Fantasy roster.
Kevin Hogan will compete for a roster spot with the Browns in training camp this summer. Known more for his legs than his arm, Hogan might wind up as the third-string quarterback. He's not expected to help your Fantasy team crush it. Don't draft him.