Big Natural’s Initial 2017 Fantasy Football Rankings: Quarterbacks

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We’re halfway through July, so that can mean only one thing: it’s time to start prepping for the upcoming fantasy football season. Well, some of you may already be in the mock draft lobby as I type this. But, for the most part, us regular dudes are just picking up our first fantasy magazine of the season.

I’m kicking off my initial rankings before training camp this year, and will adjust them as news unfolds, injuries inevitably take place, and the preseason gets underway.

Quarterback is a position you can typically wait on and get a decent value late. I very rarely use one of my first four picks on a quarterback. Last season, I waited all the way until Round 10 before snagging Derek Carr. I hedged my bet with Philip Rivers at one of my last couple of picks, stockpiled wide receivers, and had a decent season.

Regardless, every person has his/her own strategy to drafting. Maybe you like grabbing an elite signal-caller early! In any event, your boy Big Natural has you covered.

The Top 20 Fantasy Quarterbacks Heading into 2017

1. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers – You’d be a fool to not have Rodgers at the top of your quarterback lists this year. He’s perhaps the most dynamic facilitator and scoring threat at the quarterback position. That Packers offense is going to score like crazy.

2. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons – I realize he hasn’t consistently proven himself as an elite fantasy quarterback. But, that Falcons offense should pick up right where it left off. He has a lot of weapons to distribute the ball to, so I expect a top-five season at least.

3. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks – The Seahawks offense shifted more towards the passing game in 2016, but Wilson remains an elite dual-threat scorer.

4. Tom Brady, New England Patriots – If he was any younger, he’d be higher. But, the pessimist in me is still waiting for Father Time to catch up with Tom Terrific.

5. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders – Another year with a Raiders offense that is on the ascent. I’m extremely high on Carr this year.

6. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints – Brees would be in the top three, but the additions of Adrian Peterson and Alvin Kamara to a backfield that already has Mark Ingram makes me a little cautious. The loss of deep threat Brandin Cooks doesn’t help.

7. Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans – If Mariota can stay healthy, he’ll be a top-five fantasy quarterback. Regardless, shooters shoot, so take Mariota as a QB1. Roll the dice – he’s shown consistent improvement season over season anyway.

8. Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers – I’m still not ready to give up on Newton as a viable fantasy option, but am willing to concede his days as a top-five fantasy quarterback are likely behind him. Still, you can probably get him as a good QB1 value in the middle rounds.

9. Kirk Cousins, Washington Redskins – I’m afraid of Cousins, honestly. But, damn – what does he keep doing to the doubters? Proving ’em wrong. So, yeah – why not take a chance?

10. Matthew Stafford, Detroit Lions – No Calvin Johnson? No problem. Stafford was in the mix for the NFL MVP honors last season. But, Stafford gonna Stafford. In a 10-12 team league, though, the Lions quarterback is a sturdy option if you want to wait on quarterback.

11. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts – A lot of people think Luck is going to bounce back this season, but I am not one of ’em. I need to see it before I believe it. I’m taking a hard pass on Luck unless I get stranded waiting too long for a quarterback.

12. Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys – Prescott is an enigma because of the ol’ sophomore slump, but I still think he’s one of the best young quarterbacks in the game.

13. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Winston is on the ascent, and a beefed up receiving corps that features Mike Evans, DeSean Jackson, and O.J. Howard will help his numbers.

14. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers – Ol’ reliable! Roethlisberger is a Hall of Fame quarterback, but his prime is behind him. Thankfully, Antonio Brown still plays football.

15. Philip Rivers, Los Angeles Chargers – Expect Rivers to continue throwing for dear life as a Charger. The addition of Mike Williams gives him a new weapon to throw to.

16. Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles – Alshon Jeffery could give Wentz the legitimate weapon he was missing last season. Maybe he peaked too soon, but I believe in the Wentz Wagon nonetheless.

17. Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars – I know, I know. Bortles was absolutely atrocious last season. But, look at all those garbage time points he racked up!

18. Andy Dalton, Cincinnati Bengals – I dig the new dynamic that Bengals offense has with John Ross. At this point, you know what you’re getting with Dalton: a quality fantasy backup.

19. Eli Manning, New York Giants – As much as I want to believe adding Brandon Marshall and Evan Engram will make Eli a better fantasy option, I still don’t have faith in that Giants offensive line.

20. Tyrod Taylor, Buffalo Bills – Taylor’s dual-threat game makes him an intriguing option, but I wouldn’t draft him as anything more than a high-potential backup.

Dark Horse: Ryan Tannehill still hasn’t put together a knockout season, but he seems to be just on the cusp of one. The Miami Dolphins are a run-first team, but with Jarvis Landry and Davante Parker catching passes, Tannehill could surprise.

Deep, Deep Sleeper: This is a come-deep sleeper, but I believe Cody Kessler is the best quarterback on the Browns roster. With Corey Coleman, Kenny Britt, and David Njoku among his weapons, who knows what could happen? I’m rooting for the guy.

Rookie to Watch: I don’t like this rookie class at all for 2017. But, if you’re going to put a gun to my head, Deshaun Watson is the guy to draft. He should be in line to start sooner than any of the other options and has the best team around him. If you draft Mitchell Trubisky, you deserve to finish last….every year.

Check in next week for the tight end rankings.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. A strong advocate of GSD (get shit done) and #BeBetter, he’s down to talk Tennessee Titans and Alabama Crimson Tide football over a beer any day. Check him out covering the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley@WrestlingNewsCo

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