Quarterbacks 51-75

Brian McDonald
Senior Editor
June 25, 2008
Because I deemed quarterbacks 26-50 nothing more than spot starters, clearly there isn't a great deal of every week fantasy worthy quarterbacking talent in this group. But this doesn't mean that owners, specifically owners in keeper leagues, should simply gloss over quarterbacks 51-75. The majority of these guys will be around for the 2009 campaign, and if roster space exists, there are some definite draft and stash dudes here. Looking for signal callers I see as solid keeper prospects? Then we're looking at guys like Nesbitt, Hampton and Costa. 51) Josh Nesbitt, So, Georgia Tech Taylor Bennett has moved on to Louisiana Tech, and now Nesbitt will battle Calvin Booker for the right to lead Paul Johnson's attack. If Nesbitt emerges and truly graps the offense then we may be looking at a very undervalued signal caller. Nesbitt wasn't very impressive in Tech's spring game, but he's still the favorite to emerge as #1. He's going to take his hits this season, and this will make Nesbitt no better than a backup quarterback on your fantasy squad. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 52 rush attempts, 343 yds rush, 0 rush TDs, 12 pass att, 5 pass comp, 93 pass yds, 1 pass TDs, 28.16 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 205 rush attempts, 870 yds rush, 12 rush TDs, 200 pass att, 125 pass comp, 1200 pass yds, 12 pass TDs, 230.00 fantasy pts Shop Now52) Curtis Pulley, Jr, Kentucky We expect Pulley to outlast Mike Hartline and emerge as the replacement to Andre' Woodson. Pulley will not have the benefit of such an experienced receiving group as Dicky Lyons is the only prominent returnee. While he may have the occasional big game when matchups are right, Pulley is one to look past on draft day. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: rush attempts, yds rush, rush TDs, pass att, pass comp, pass yds, pass TDs, fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 50 rush attempts, -100 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 450 pass att, 270 pass comp, 3150 pass yds, 24 pass TDs, 232.33 fantasy pts 53) Stephen McGee, Sr, Texas A&M The senior's skill set should be utilized well as the Aggies change their offense (yes, another west coast scheme) but this season may end up as Mike Goodson's coming out party. McGee will put up some huge (maybe not Joe Ganz huge) games against inferior opponents, and this is when McGee's owners can get some mileage from young Stephen. For the majority of the season owners will be disappointed as defenses shut down this outdated scheme. He's a spot starter at best. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 181 rush attempts, 899 yds rush, 5 rush TDs, 364 pass att, 211 pass comp, 2311 pass yds, 12 pass TDs, 222.96 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 150 rush attempts, 500 yds rush, 5 rush TDs, 380 pass att, 230 pass comp, 2600 pass yds, 16 pass TDs, 222.00 fantasy pts 54) Thaddeus Lewis, Jr, Duke David Cutcliffe is good, but he's not a miracle worker. Thaddeus Lewis is solid, but he's still a Duke Blue Devil. We can only recommend drafting Thaddeus Lewis if you play in a league that only allows players from schools in North Carolina. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 96 rush attempts, -148 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 360 pass att, 199 pass comp, 2430 pass yds, 21 pass TDs, 189.13 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 100 rush attempts, 0 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 425 pass att, 260 pass comp, 2750 pass yds, 23 pass TDs, 219.66 fantasy pts 55) John Parker Wilson, Sr, Alabama Wilson is the best quarterback with three names in 2008, and he'll have some more weapons at his disposal as Coach Saban has brought in some serious talent to go get the ball. Still, this receiver talent is very young, and Wilson will never be granted carte blanche to toss the pigskin. We have him ranked in our top 75, but there are plenty more quarterbacks with a higher fantasy ceiling. Wilson will be best for teams with inconsistent or injury prone talent above him on the roster, as one pretty much knows what he'll get with the Alabama quarterback: 200 yards passing and about two scores per game. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 81 rush attempts, 104 yds rush, 5 rush TDs, 462 pass att, 255 pass comp, 2846 pass yds, 18 pass TDs, 215.80 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 70 rush attempts, 100 yds rush, 4 rush TDs, 440 pass att, 255 pass comp, 2780 pass yds, 20 pass TDs, 219.33 fantasy pts 56) Matthew Stafford, Jr, Georgia Stafford is a very good quarterback on what may be the best team in the country. This doesn't mean you want him as your fantasy quarterback. Comparable to Troy Aikman during the early 90's, Stafford can make the throws, lead his team and win a lot of games, but he'll never put up big fantasy numbers. Someone in your league will take him, and watch him "manage" games exceptionally well. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 39 rush attempts, -18 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 348 pass att, 194 pass comp, 2523 pass yds, 19 pass TDs, 188.90 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 50 rush attempts, 0 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 365 pass att, 220 pass comp, 2740 pass yds, 23 pass TDs, 219.33 fantasy pts 57) Corey Leonard, Jr, Arkansas St. Two Arkansas State players in our Top 100. We're going to be honest, none of us have ever seen Arkansas State play and unless they secure a mid-week date in the near future we don't plan to. But in the world of statistics, Leonard makes it in our Top 100 college fantasy quarterbacks. If you pick him, don't plan on seeing him anywhere except the box score. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 171 rush attempts, 547 yds rush, 5 rush TDs, 349 pass att, 182 pass comp, 2235 pass yds, 16 pass TDs, 206.96 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 175 rush attempts, 550 yds rush, 5 rush TDs, 350 pass att, 190 pass comp, 2300 pass yds, 17 pass TDs, 217.33 fantasy pts 58) Josh Freeman, Jr, Kansas St. He had his moments in 2007 and he was solid down the stretch, but the departures of Jordy Nelson and others make Josh Freeman a very risky selection. Kansas State appears a program on the verge of an implosion, and while Ron Prince has decided to go the Bill Snyder route with JUCO recruits, it's hard to imagine a smooth replacement for those lost on the offensive side of the ball. Freeman should be a third quarterback or one chosen solely with a particular week in mind due to scheduling challenges of your team's other quarterbacks. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 53 rush attempts, -40 yds rush, 4 rush TDs, 499 pass att, 316 pass comp, 3353 pass yds, 18 pass TDs, 219.10 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 50 rush attempts, -50 yds rush, 4 rush TDs, 500 pass att, 325 pass comp, 3300 pass yds, 18 pass TDs, 216.66 fantasy pts 59) Aaron Opelt, Jr, Toledo Slowed by injuries, Opelt didn't put up the numbers you'd expect from a Toledo quarterback. But there are signs that Opelt could be ready to emerge on the fantasy scheme: five TDs and 300+ yards against Northern Illinois and three TDs and 300+ yards against Central Michigan. Opelt can also add some bonus points on the ground. With another year under his belt, he should only get better. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 46 rush attempts, 156 yds rush, 4 rush TDs, 249 pass att, 144 pass comp, 1756 pass yds, 12 pass TDs, 158.33 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 70 rush attempts, 225 yds rush, 5 rush TDs, 400 pass att, 245 pass comp, 2800 pass yds, 17 pass TDs, 216.33 fantasy pts 60) Tommy Beecher, Jr, South Carolina I can't imagine that a couple of years ago Steve Spurrier thought his starting quarterback heading into 2008 would be Tommy Beecher. Sure, there's still a chance that Beecher wil not be the Gamecocks' starter come September, but he was listed as #1 (ahead of Chris Smelley and problem child Stephen Garcia) so we must assume he's the favorite to lead the offense. Beecher's ranking is probably more of us longing for the days of the Spurrier offensive juggernauts of the mid 1990's than anything else. A solid quarterback, the junior shouldn't be expected to lead a prolific passing attack. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 7 rush attempts, 10 yds rush, 0 rush TDs, 23 pass att, 14 pass comp, 175 pass yds, 1 pass TDs, 10.50 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 50 rush attempts, 0 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 400 pass att, 235 pass comp, 2980 pass yds, 22 pass TDs, 215.33 fantasy pts 61) Jamie Hampton, So, Troy Hampton has the difficult task of replacing Omar Haugabook who accounted for 30 total touchdowns in 2007. Hampton seems poised to led Troy through the air, throwing for 327 yards and four scores in the spring game. Like his predecessor, Hampton can also move in the pocket and beat you with his legs. Hampton is certainly a leap of faith selection. One that could pay huge dividends. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 26 rush attempts, 161 yds rush, 0 rush TDs, 11 pass att, 6 pass comp, 45 pass yds, 1 pass TDs, 17.36 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 125 rush attempts, 450 yds rush, 5 rush TDs, 400 pass att, 250 pass comp, 2490 pass yds, 16 pass TDs, 215.00 fantasy pts 62) Tim Hiller, Jr, Western Mich. A solid quarterback for the Broncos. Unfortunately solid doesn't cut it anymore in fantasy football. 3000 yard hurlers are a dime a dozen as are 22 touchdown seasons. Hiller deserves his ranking in the Top 100 quarterbacks based on statistics, but his ceiling may have been reached. Taking a chance on someone down the line with better upside potential is probably a better option. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 50 rush attempts, -69 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 421 pass att, 267 pass comp, 3021 pass yds, 20 pass TDs, 198.10 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 50 rush attempts, -50 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 425 pass att, 275 pass comp, 3000 pass yds, 22 pass TDs, 212.66 fantasy pts 63) Julian Edelman, Sr, Kent St. Hurt for the better part of last year, Edelman should return as the Kent State starting signal caller. The positive on Edelman is he can burn you on the ground. Teamed up with running back Eugene Jarvis, they could be a deadly combo on the ground. If your league administers bonus points for rushing touchdowns, Edelman is someone to consider Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 118 rush attempts, 455 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 189 pass att, 98 pass comp, 1318 pass yds, 7 pass TDs, 110.26 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 180 rush attempts, 660 yds rush, 6 rush TDs, 320 pass att, 180 pass comp, 2280 pass yds, 14 pass TDs, 212.00 fantasy pts 64) Daryll Clark, Sr, Penn St. The similarities between Michael Robinson and Daryll Clark are noticable. Both are mobile quarterbacks that had to wait until their senior year to grab hold of the starting job. Clark is still in a dog fight with highly touted Pat Devlin, but the offense looks to be gearing itself more towards Clark's skill set this off-season. Clark is going to be a pure wildcard. One to grab in Big Ten only leagues and one to take a wait and see approach on in BCS-only leagues. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 12 rush attempts, 78 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 9 pass att, 6 pass comp, 31 pass yds, 0 pass TDs, 18.23 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 150 rush attempts, 650 yds rush, 6 rush TDs, 280 pass att, 170 pass comp, 2000 pass yds, 14 pass TDs, 210.00 fantasy pts 65) Todd Boeckman, Sr, Ohio St. Boeckman is the clear #1 starter entering fall camp, and following a 25-touchdown junior season Boeckman isn't just keeping Terrelle Pryor's seat warm. However following a subpar performance in the title game, Boeckman should be feeling a little heat, especially if an early season trip to USC turns out poorly. For a guy expected to not lose games Boeckman had a great 2007, and while we think he'll begin and end the season as OSU's number one, we're not absolutely sold. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 56 rush attempts, 63 yds rush, 0 rush TDs, 298 pass att, 190 pass comp, 2372 pass yds, 25 pass TDs, 204.40 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 50 rush attempts, 50 yds rush, 1 rush TDs, 300 pass att, 200 pass comp, 2400 pass yds, 24 pass TDs, 207.33 fantasy pts 66) Tom Brandstater, Sr, Fresno St. The starting quarterback for the Fresno State Bulldogs will spend a lot more time turning and handing off to Ryan Matthews and Lonyae Miller than dropping back to pass. Brandstater is another quarterback that has the stats to be in our Top 100, but he probably has a limited upside. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 48 rush attempts, 118 yds rush, 3 rush TDs, 337 pass att, 211 pass comp, 2654 pass yds, 15 pass TDs, 194.33 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 50 rush attempts, 100 yds rush, 3 rush TDs, 340 pass att, 220 pass comp, 2820 pass yds, 17 pass TDs, 206.66 fantasy pts 67) Jimmy Clausen, So, Notre Dame Clausen, his offensive line, and the genius calling the plays cannot be as bad as last year. Still we saw enough red flags to make us think that young James was either injured, or a tad overrated coming into his freshman campaign. Arm strength is a definite concern, as is another schedule that only lets up on the back end. Some green receivers need to develop in a hurry, and Notre Dame will need to come out of the gate strong in order for Clausen to put up any semblance of decent numbers. Let someone else grab him. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 62 rush attempts, -187 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 245 pass att, 138 pass comp, 1254 pass yds, 7 pass TDs, 71.33 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 60 rush attempts, -100 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 400 pass att, 250 pass comp, 2870 pass yds, 21 pass TDs, 205.00 fantasy pts 68) Brian Hoyer, Sr, Michigan St. Hoyer showed great improvement as last season wore on, and despite a horrible showing in the bowl loss to Boston College, we expect further growth out of the senior signal caller. Still in an offense that will look to establish Javon Ringer first Hoyer will remain, at absolute best, only a number two or three option nationally, and a middle tier signal caller in the Big Ten. When Hoyer does put up scores they're often of the big-play variety, yet he'll have to find a new guy to look to with Devin Thomas' decision to enter the NFL. We have MSU's ranked near the likes of Michigan's uproven Steven Threet, and OSU's Todd Boeckman, but Hoyer may outproduce them both. Still as someone who likes to hit the homerun with backup selections, I'd take a flyer on someone like Threet first as there's clearly a lower fantasy ceiling for Hoyer. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 47 rush attempts, -105 yds rush, 1 rush TDs, 376 pass att, 223 pass comp, 2725 pass yds, 20 pass TDs, 187.83 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 60 rush attempts, -100 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 380 pass att, 240 pass comp, 2810 pass yds, 20 pass TDs, 201.00 fantasy pts 69) Allan Evridge, Jr, Wisconsin Evridge, a senior, is the favorite to emerge as Wisconsin's starting quarterback this fall. The K-State transfer only threw 12 balls last season as backup to Tyler Donovan, however he did throw for nearly 1400 yards as a redshirt freshman in Manhattan. Even if Evridge wins the job (he should outplay Dustin Sherer and hold off incoming freshman Curt Phillips) and plays every down of every game, he'll likely not put up fantasy numbers worthy of playing time. This is still Wisconsin, where running the ball provides a nice change of pace from running the ball. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 2 rush attempts, -3 yds rush, 0 rush TDs, 12 pass att, 5 pass comp, 66 pass yds, 0 pass TDs, 2.00 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 175 rush attempts, 220 yds rush, 4 rush TDs, 350 pass att, 215 pass comp, 2430 pass yds, 17 pass TDs, 197.66 fantasy pts 70) Nate Costa, So, Oregon Costa will battle Justin Roper for the right to lead the Ducks' offense. We like what Roper did against South Florida in the Sun Bowl, but coaches seem to favor the more mobile Costa. Costa was limited this spring while recovering from knee surgery. He will certainly be given every opportunity to win the job once camp opens up again this summer. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: rush attempts, yds rush, rush TDs, pass att, pass comp, pass yds, pass TDs, fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 75 rush attempts, 50 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 375 pass att, 225 pass comp, 2600 pass yds, 20 pass TDs, 198.00 fantasy pts 71) Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, Sr, Navy The Navy quarterback (do you blame me for not spelling out his name?) is a solid back up option at quarterback. However Navy will spread the ball around enough to keep the Navy quarterback from posting big fantasy numbers. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 180 rush attempts, 834 yds rush, 12 rush TDs, 98 pass att, 55 pass comp, 952 pass yds, 8 pass TDs, 197.33 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 180 rush attempts, 850 yds rush, 12 rush TDs, 100 pass att, 60 pass comp, 1000 pass yds, 8 pass TDs, 200.00 fantasy pts 72) Andrew Hatch, Jr, LSU With Ryan Perrilloux's LSU career over, Andrew Hatch has gone from fantasy nobody to fantasy afterthought. Here's what we know about Hatch: he's surrounded by a whole bunch of talent, and he plays for a coach and offensive coordinator who aren't afraid to wing the ball. Everything else in an unknown, especially how Hatch will perform in the pressure cooker that is Baton Rouge, where successful seasons are defined by championships of the conference and national variety. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 4 rush attempts, 27 yds rush, 0 rush TDs, 2 pass att, 1 pass comp, 9 pass yds, 0 pass TDs, 2.10 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 100 rush attempts, 100 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 390 pass att, 225 pass comp, 2500 pass yds, 20 pass TDs, 200.00 fantasy pts 73) Austin Davis, r-Fr, Southern Miss. A new offense for the Eagles will have the ball going in the air more than some might expect, thus giving the redshirt freshman, who was named the starter this spring, the opportunity to put up some points. Still this is Damion Fletcher's team and we'll take a wait and see approach on Davis for now. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: rush attempts, yds rush, rush TDs, pass att, pass comp, pass yds, pass TDs, fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 50 rush attempts, 0 yds rush, 1 rush TDs, 420 pass att, 250 pass comp, 2600 pass yds, 22 pass TDs, 198.66 fantasy pts 74) T.J. Yates, So, North Carolina Yates didn't participate in spring drills while he recovered from shoulder surgery. This gave Mike Paulus a chance to show what he can do, but this job will clearly be Yates' when he returns to full health for fall camp. North Carolina is going to get there, and they're not too far away. Still we don't expect the Tar Heels to posess a passing offense worthy of serious fantasy consideration. Check back with us in 2009. For now, expect about 22 scores from Yates. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: 73 rush attempts, -123 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 365 pass att, 218 pass comp, 2655 pass yds, 14 pass TDs, 140.30 fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 75 rush attempts, -100 yds rush, 2 rush TDs, 390 pass att, 235 pass comp, 2930 pass yds, 20 pass TDs, 193.00 fantasy pts 75) Steven Threet, r-Fr, Michigan Normally when a quarterback leaves spring ball as the number one quarterback he can breathe a little easier. Steven Threet isn't afforded this luxury. While he may end up as the number one guy in Ann Arbor, he's going to have to hold off a challenge from whomever Coach Rodriguez thinks can run his offense, and this may include a true freshman or running back. Threet appears most capable of leading Michigan to wins this season, but there will be times when it isn't pretty. Tier: QB4 2007 Stats: rush attempts, yds rush, rush TDs, pass att, pass comp, pass yds, pass TDs, fantasy pts 2008 Projections: 75 rush attempts, 135 yds rush, 3 rush TDs, 350 pass att, 225 pass comp, 2500 pass yds, 16 pass TDs, 190.33 fantasy pts

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