Down and Dynasty

Quarterback Dynasty Rankings

Ranking season is upon us. You might be preparing for your dynasty start up draft, getting ready for the big charity drafts or even getting the jump on your re-draft league mates. This is a column to help you do just that. These are my Top 16 dynasty quarterbacks.

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers — The best quarterback in the NFL. Rodgers is able to improvise when a play breaks down, has a rocket arm with excellent accuracy. Rodgers has full control of the Packers offense and can produce elite fantasy numbers. He is also an underrated runner.

2. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks have evolved from a run-first team in Wilson’s first years to a pass-first team on his arm and creativity, despite challenges on the offensive line. The Seahawks invested a first round pick in a running back in an effort to re-balance the attack, which should help Wilson keep defenses off balance.

3. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles — Really came into his own last year before a knee injury knocked him out late in the season. A natural leader who has the confidence of his coach and his receivers, once Wentz gets fully back from his ACL injury he should pick up where he left off.

4. Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings — Cousins is a study in NFL perseverance. Drafted by the Washington Redskins three rounds after they took Robert Griffin III, he not only outlasted Griffin, but has proven himself to be both a real life and fantasy star. Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen, Dalvin Cook and Kyle Rudolf are the most talented supporting cast Cousins has had in his career.

5. Deshaun Watson, Houston Texans — Watson burst onto the scene in 2017 with 19 touchdowns in six starts during his rookie year. Prior to the knee injury he had excellent mobility and coming back from the injury will be key to keeping his floor high.

6. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions — Stafford is a quarterback in the middle of his prime. He has not yet taken the step to elite fantasy scorer despite his gunslinger reputation. Stafford is a very consistent high scorer though and still has many years ahead of him.

7. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers — Newton has established himself as high floor quarterback due to his rushing prowess, having rushed for at least 585 yards in five of his seven seasons. At 29 years old, he is still in his prime but his style of play will cause his play to decline faster than Stafford.

8. Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans — Still just 25 years old, Mariota has started 15 of 16 games the last two years. With a 62 percent completion rate, great mobility and a budding star at wide receiver, Mariota seems destined to fulfill he promise.

9. Jimmy Garappolo, San Francisco 49ers — Jimmy GQ is another quarterback with a short resume, but he flashed great decision-making and ball placement skills in Kyle Shanahan’s offense. After spending three years behind Tom Brady he has seen close up what it takes to win and produce.

10. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts — Luck came out of college as an elite pro prospect and was living up to the hype. The past year he has been recovering from a shoulder injury and surgery. The expectation is that he will be back on the job in 2018, but until I see him take some hits and throw the ball I just can’t rank him any higher than 10.

11. Jared Goff, Los Angeles Rams — Oh what a difference a coach can make. In the span of a year Goff went from a bust to a budding star. After a change in head coaches Goff rediscovered the accuracy he showed in college. In a balanced offense with dynamic weapons the future looks great for the youngster.

12. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs — Mahomes started just one game in 2018, but showed enough in his one season backing up Alex Smith that the Chiefs traded incumbent Smith and handed over the reins to the young guy with the big arm and powerful weapons in Tyreek Hill, Travis Kelce, Sammy Watkins and Kareem Hunt.

13. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Winston has been a polarizing player in his three years in the league as his points have declined each year of his career. Winston will be suspended for the three games of 2018 and needs to improve his decision-making if he is to take the next step to the top 10.

14. Tom Brady, New England Patriots — There is no disputing that Brady is the GOAT, but at 40 years old there is not a lot of time left in the hourglass. You will need start planning on who is going to be the successor, but if you are thoughtful you can have one of the best for a couple more years.

15. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys — Prescott’s production took a hit with the decline of Dez Bryant and Zeke Elliott being suspended for six games. Good mobility gives Prescott a good floor, and with Elliott back I would not be surprised to see him bounce back.

16. Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns — The first rookie in my ranking. Mayfield has shown the heart of a lion after walking on and winning the starting job at two major colleges before being the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft. I expect Mayfield to win the job and start for the Browns this year.

That is my current dynasty top 16 quarterbacks. Across my eight dynasty leagues I have shares of Rodgers, Wilson, Wentz, Stafford and Luck. I would have loved to get some shares of Mayfield, but it was not in the cards for me. What do you think? Am I crazy or do you agree. Tell me who you think is too high and who is too low.

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