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Over the last five years fantasy owners have become much more cognitive in drafting for depth. Not just ordinary depth but quality depth. A key strong draft gives you the leverage to assist your team properly. Whether you need it all season long puts you in position for key injuries or upgrading via a trade for a disappointing starter.

Injuries occurring to a fantasy team is inevitable. What also is inevitable are a handful of games that non top ten ranked players will put up a disappointing week. Daring fantasy football owners aren’t afraid to take proper risks of benching a player on occasion. Utilizing your team 100 percent is how you win a fantasy football league title.

Bragging rights in the offseason to your buddies is mixed amongst each other. One will say they led the league in points, another that you eked out a lot of close wins, etc. It’s no different than professional sports when it comes to a win or loss. A win is a win.

Protecting yourself at quarterback is a position that can’t be understated. I’ve seen too many people rely on one main quarterback and think that they are all set. Sure, you’d hope that your Pro Bowl quarterback would compete like one every week, but that just doesn’t happen. There are few players that you can unquestionably start.

One quarterback that should be on many fantasy football players radar is Ryan Fitzpatrick. He is a veteran quarterback that doesn’t necessarily have the brightest track record. One thing he has done well though is perform well in stretches. Being that you should have a solid number one quarterback, Fitzpatrick is that spot stretch starter that can be of use.

More than likely you shouldn’t have to start your backup quarterback more than four to five times. Once for the bye week of course, possible minor injuries, and a better matchup. For the first time in his career Fitzpatrick will actually have a roster of receivers with high fantasy value. You could not say that certainly in Buffalo or last year in Tennessee. His best was spot starts in Cincinnati.

On top of a solid group of receivers, Fitzpatrick will have the benefit of Arian Foster. That should open up things for Fitzpatrick to hit targets and utilize his legs on occasion.

From a future bet standpoint, many are likely going to still discount the Texans after what happened a year ago. Not too many people are high on Fitzpatrick due to the amount of teams he has bounced around from. But this could be the perfect stop gap for Fitzpatrick for another two to three years. With the team healthy this could be a solid bet on the over. Remember the bulk of their losses was a result of Matt Schaub’s horrendous play that dismantled the team.

For a spot starting fantasy quarterback keep your eyes on Fitzpatrick. He’ll be worth the handful of starts.

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In Denver, John Elway still resonates as the king of history for the city. He is considered one of the best quarterbacks of all time. As a general manager for the Broncos he has quietly positioned himself to rewrite the ending he had to his career for Peyton Manning.

His first proper move was the perfect handling of Tim Tebow. Many people do not talk about how the Broncos handled moving him out of the picture. Tebow did win games but he showed a Vince Young type of uncanniness that was unsettling too watch. The NFL catches on quickly, and it was only a matter of time before Tebow’s magic ran out. And it did in disaster situations in New York and New England.

Elway being the former quarterback great that he was, knew to move on. His eyes were squarely on Peyton Manning. The Broncos landed Manning and you can say that the first two years were right there. Denver squandered a late lead on a hail mary Joe Flacco bomb, and ran into a defense they just weren’t prepared to counter.

In between those rough ending seasons, the Broncos went out and signed Wes Welker and discovered a gem of a tight end in Julius Thomas. Manning can still be Manning with his high IQ, but it’s apparent the Broncos plan on utilizing a strong running game. Towards the end of John Elway’s career the Broncos did the same thing with Terrell Davis.

The platoon the Broncos used last year worked out well, and should continue to gain with Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman, and CJ Anderson. The dollars both Eric Decker, Champ Bailey, and Knowshown Moreno wanted were spent more wisely on Aquib Talib, DeMarcus Ware, Emmanuel Sanders, and roster fillers.

The entire staff and team knows that this is the season to finally finish things off with a Super Bowl title. This team has endured being one of the best regular season teams only to fall short in the playoffs. The NFL is similar to college basketball in my opinion. Once the post season begins the best team may not always be crowned. It’s a sport where one play can be the deciding factor of it all.

Denver’s 2012 season was ended because of their defensive struggles, which allowed a deep bomb to Baltimore’s Jacoby Jones. Last year the offense’s inability to move the football and early turnovers cost them a chance to win against Seattle.

Both sides of the football and the front office led by John Elway are ready to finish things off.

Look for Peyton Manning and the Broncos to get right back to the Super Bowl. They may not be the best team in football but may get help from the NFC. The right matchup does wonders, and I’m not sure the Seahawks can return to the promise land.

Either way look for this Broncos team to have the San Antonio Spurs mentality exhibited this year and in the playoffs. The mental fortitude to shake off a hard title loss and use it as motivation to get the job completed.

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1. Jamaal Charles- In Philadelphia, Andy Reid was able to develop the Mr. do it all running backs. That certainly has occurred in Kansas City. Charles was already a top five back before Reid, and now is cemented as the top back heading into 2014.

2. Matt Forte- I have Forte ranked a bit higher than most as he just plays at the steady level. You can count on him to have a balanced game each time he steps out onto the field. Other backs don’t make up their fantasy points if they suffer a lackluster rushing week like Forte does. He consistently gets you a solid amount out of the backfield.

3. Adrian Peterson- Teams truly attacked to shut down a hopeless passing game from the Vikings. Even the unworldly Peterson couldn’t shed the defenders they had in the box. The bright side is the Vikings cut ways with Josh Freeman and have directed Christian Ponder to the bench. The job will be in the hands of Matt Cassel and Teddy Bridgewater. Peterson’s season should be somewhere in between two years ago and this past season, which would please fantasy owners.

4. Le’Veon Bell- I loved the workmanlike demeanor Bell displayed last season. He was a gem for fantasy owners off the waiver wire. Typically backs that catapult from a great waiver wire pickup, tend to skyrocket the next season. Pittsburgh has been one of those teams that’s been supplanted and dormant. If Bell becomes the proper focus, Pittsburgh could contend as the division winner once again.

5. LeSean McCoy- McCoy could truly be ranked higher, but I have him slightly lower because Chip Kelly will utilize the depth of the Eagles more than the Chiefs, Steelers, Vikings, and Bears. There is no question that McCoy has Jamaal Charles type of capability on any given week.

6. Eddie Lacy
7. Gio Bernard
8. Arian Foster
9. Marshawn Lynch
10. Montee Ball
11. DeMarco Murray
12. Reggie Bush
13. Alfred Morris
14. Andre Ellington
15. Doug Martin
16. Zac Stacy
17. Knowshown Moreno
18. Toby Gerhart
19. Ryan Matthews
20. Rashad Jennings
21. CJ Spiller
22. Ben Tate
23. Chris Johnson
24. Bishop Sankey
25. Shane Vereen
26. Ray Rice
27. Joique Bell
28. Trent Richardson
29. Frank Gore
30. Darren Sproles
31. Steven Jackson
32. MJD
33. Fred Jackson
34. Darren McFadden
35. Lamar Miller
36. Pierre Thomas
37. Danny Woodhead
38. Terrance West
39. Chris Ivory
40. Tre Mason
41. Bernard Pierce
42. Stevan Ridley
43. DeAngelo Williams
44. Mark Ingram
45. Donald Brown
46. Ahmad Bradshaw
47. Bobby Rainey
48. Latavius Murray
49. James Starks
50. LeGarratte Blount

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Cunningham’s effortless 98′ season, quickly vanished in 1999

On this father’s day I thought what better day to release my first installment of fantasy quarterback rankings. The same veteran quarterbacks are expected to lead the way in 2014. Much like in 1999, another year dominated by expected veteran quarterbacks, is there a steep decline coming?

In that year prolific quarterbacks suddenly became too old in a span of weeks. Quarterbacks like Steve Young, Randall Cunningham, Troy Aikman, Dan Marino, and a few others saw the door on their careers suddenly come to a screeching halt. Marino’s was by age, but Aikman, Young, and Cunningham had injuries that ravaged their old bodies.

Keep in mind Randall Cunningham was coming off a career year in 1998 with an aerial assault weekly with Randy Moss and Cris Carter. It’s still truly one of the most free flowing seasons a quarterback has had in the last 25 years. Each game Cunningham seemed to be connected.

It was a tough time in the NFL watching the old quarterbacks exit and a new breed of quarterbacks enter. Many failed, Akili Smith, Tim Couch, Cade McNown, and a long list of others.

Keep that in mind when drafting the top veteran quarterbacks with high picks. None are invincible. Here is my first rankings of quarterbacks for the 2014 season.

1. Colin Kaepernick
I fully expect Kaepernick to be outrank current prognostications with this forth coming season. People and fantasy owners expected too much out of the young quarterback last year. Now with a full year under his belt, Kaepernick is going to demonstrate why the 49ers are poised to take that next step. His blazing speed is not going anywhere. The true surge of his fantasy value will come via his improvement of studying the 49ers playbook and working with his wide receivers.

2. Aaron Rodgers
From a handicapping standpoint I profiled that Rogers and the Packers could be in trouble this season. Many are high on them, but I believe they will fall short again. From a fantasy football standpoint there is no doubt that Rodgers will continue to excel; barring any injuries.

3. Andrew Luck
This should be the season that Luck supplants the veteran trio that has been dominating the top five of fantasy football (Brees, Brady, Manning). I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Colts unveil more designated rollouts and quarterback keepers. He has the legs to cause havoc in proper open space. The ceiling still hasn’t been met from Luck, and likely won’t for a few more seasons.

4. Peyton Manning
I have my doubts with Manning this season. He has now completed two seasons as a Bronco after a full year off from surgery. People have quickly forgotten how much rehab Manning had to endure to get back on the field. In fact he had a return stretch where it looked like his arm may never get back to full strength (3 INT’s vs Falcons, etc.) But he shook that rust off and hasn’t looked back. He still has the mental fortitude to shape wins for the Broncos, but has the script been written by the Seahawks? They took away the quick check downs and that was it for Denver. More and more teams may start being more aggressive with an aging Manning.

5. Drew Brees
Will the Saints keep marching in? I was impressed with Brees last season more than any other top performing quarterback. The reason for that was because the Saints had an unusual unreliable offensive system. Whether it was at running back or even receiver, Drew Brees really did not have that main weapon besides Jimmy Graham. Graham truly made the difference in his season. Expect Brees to hold steady as a middle of the pack top ten fantasy quarterback.

6. Nick Foles
Chip Kelly made one of the more gutsy moves last year by pulling the plug on Mike Vick. Many coaches would have let a quarterback controversy roll over into the next season. Instead Vick was allowed to sign as a free agent elsewhere, and the Eagles didn’t have to fork out a heavy amount of money on a quarterback. They know who their starter is in Foles. Many want to label Foles as a system quarterback—so be it. He’ll keep getting the job done.

7. Tom Brady
Brady has kept himself in outstanding shape to further prolong his career the proper way. Some keep themselves in shape to just get by, but Brady believes he is in the best shape of his career. Judging by his body weight he looks to be telling the truth. Something Donovan McNabb could not accomplish in his mid 30’s. Brady is no longer that weekly dominating fantasy quarterback. He’ll have a few duds of low yardage or low touchdown numbers. He keeps his top ten ranking with his steadiness of reliability.

8. Cam Newton
Newton somehow dodged a fantasy bust label with a strong finish to the season. Through the first half of the year though he was looking like a nightmare in Charlotte. Rumors were swirling that the Panthers could be looking for the next option at quarterback along with axing Ron Rivera. They turned things around as a team and did so with a very basic offense. It’ll be interesting to see if they keep things going in that direction. Newton is a borderline top twelve to fourteen quarterback with his arm, but his legs catapult his worth as a top ten quarterback.

9. RG3
The Redskins ran a gauntlet attack last season. Their wide open offense did not produce wins, but kept fantasy owners happy. RG3 has been away from the spotlight this offseason, unlike last year. Hopefully his focus has not deviated. He has the talent to rise above his critics and respond similar to the way Lebron James did in Miami. The Redskins decision to rest RG3 the last two games could prove to be one of the best moves not getting constant media attention.

10. Matt Ryan
Ryan had one of those inevitable seasons that all quarterbacks have happen. Atlanta had been side stepping issues at running back for too long. The addition of Steven Jackson just was not enough. The year was further compounded by endless injuries to the Falcons receivers. A bounce back season should be in-store in the toughest division in football for Matty ice. DeVaunte Smith could end up being a welcome addition for Matt.

Others
11. Russ Wilson
12. Philip Rivers
13. Tony Romo
14. Ryan Tannehill
15. Matt Stafford
16. Jay Cutler
17. Ben Roethlisberger
18. Johnny Manziel
19. Andy Dalton
20. Sam Bradford
21. Alex Smith
22. Joe Flacco
23. Eli Manning
24. Carson Palmer
25. EJ Manuel
26. Jake Locker
27. Ryan Fitzpatrick
28. Josh McCown
29. Mike Vick
30. Matt Schaub
31. Matt Cassel
32. Chad Henne
32.

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The names ring a bell but do the have any fantasy football value? Surely if the opportunity presents itself they might end up being a starter. In some situations they are already in position to win the job or improve upon their season from a year ago. Kurt Warner set the stage for veteran success on multiple occasions.

Look around the NFL and there are several elite quarterbacks still performing at a high level past the age of 35.

Here are some quarterbacks that likely won’t get drafted but may end up on fantasy football rosters sooner than later.

Kyle Orton
It’s hard to believe that Orton is just 31 years old. He’ll have to beat out Brandon Weeden to retain the backup duties in Dallas. Without question, the Cowboys have the offensive tools to make either an adequate fantasy fill-in if Tony Romo were to go down. Based on Romo’s injury history, chances are high that Orton could see the field once again.

Carson Palmer
Palmer gets to his second season under center in Arizona this fall. You could say the same patterns of problems with Carson that were issues in Oakland and Cincinnati plagued him in 2013. Unless he cuts back on his ill-advised interceptions, it could be a short lived second season as a Cardinal. Arizona has Drew Stanton as a backup and drafted Logan Thomas as another prospect.

Thad Lewis
Buffalo is hoping that they can count on EJ Manuel to remain healthy this season. If not, Lewis, will be called on once again to handle duties. Lewis won a key game at Miami and exhibited fair capabilities for a backup quarterback.

Jason Campbell
Out of all the backups in the league, I’m still not sure I know why Campbell never got a true chance to be a starter beyond Washington. His days in Oakland don’t count. As a starter for the Redskins he seemed to be a poised quarterback capable of being a yearly starter. Obviously the rest of the NFL did not see it that way, and Campbell is now settled in as a journeyman backup. With the talent that the Bengals have and the high tension from fans and the media on Andy Dalton, Campbell could see the field as a Bengal.

Brian Hoyer
Hoyer had the most detrimental injury of all quarterbacks last season. He was playing so well in a couple of games as a starter, and winning games on top of it. Who knows how much different May’s draft would have been if the Browns had won more games with Hoyer under center. The future is obviously Johnny Manziel. The question will be if Hoyer can hold off Manziel in camp. Also, if Johnny wins the job if he can remain healthy an entire season.

Ryan Fitzpatrick
It’s not often a career journeyman quarterback gets the starting job so often. Fitzpatrick’s needs to pay his agent just a smidge more after his latest job in Houston. From the Rams, Bengals, Bills, Titans, and now Texans, Fitzpatrick has seen it all in his ten year career. For everyone of those teams he has been a starter. Three of those cases were due to injury (Titans, Rams, Bengals). One thing Fitzpatrick does do, is he goes out and lays it on the line each time he is on the field. Houston needs that desperately after what occurred last season.

Mike Vick
Does anyone besides the Jets PR writer, believe that the Jets truly expect Geno Smith to be their starting quarterback all season? The second Mike Vick was signed a kindergartner could put two and two together of what the future lies for the Jets. It’ll be Mike Vick likely before the preseason ends as the starter. Smith just does not have the accuracy or savvy to be a starting quarterback. This high draft pick mistake the Jets can admit their wrongdoing and move on accordingly. Unlike what they did with Mark Sanchez. Vick has been waiting for a true chance to push forth. He had it momentarily in Philadelphia, but got caught in his injury woes and Andy Reid’s last stand as an Eagles head coach.

If there is any veteran quarterback that can climb himself back into legitimate fantasy worthiness it’s Vick.

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It’s mid-June, which means optimism for fantasy football drafts is right around the corner. Commissioners are already loading your inbox’s and sending you text messages about joining their league. Do yourself a favor and commit to the three leagues now, and tune out the bombardment of invitations that will come all summer.

Be sure to also ask a question on the scoring system of your possible league. If your not a fan of inflated points than be selective when giving the ok to join a league.

For PPR leagues that are out there you need to be dialed in for guys that are going to catch the football. It can make the world of difference in your week to week score, and ending up with a crushing defeat.

Here is an early look at backs that should end the season as a top ten PPR running back.

Darren Sproles
Sproles was already a dynamic force as the Saints cog out of the backfield. He has aged a bit and is on his third team in as many years. But Sproles still has the wheels to capitalize in the Eagles fast and furious offense. This is an Oregon blended Chip Kelly move. Sproles will torcher opposing fantasy football PPR leagues, while remaining as a likely third or fourth back in standard leagues.

Matt Forte
Forte is that back nearing that questionable phase of his career. He has hit bumps before in his career but somehow has maintained solid fantasy status. One of the main reasons he has been able to do so is because of the new system he is in. The Bears have a more open attack which is allowing for Forte to get out in open space. You have to wonder if the end is coming for him in a Bears uniform though. But for 2014 he is one of the few backs you can count on for duel credit as a rusher and pass catcher.

Le’Veon Bell
Bell was a back that drove some owners to the postseason and drove others nuts. He is a young back though that will be propelled to an even higher status this season as a Steeler. He still needs to find his balance statistically on a weekly basis before being rendered as a high value standard fantasy back. For PPR leagues though he is cemented as a worthy starter.

Others:

Jamaal Charles
His quarterback is one of the highest check down passers in the game in Alex Smith.

Reggie Bush
Bush remains on a team that will continue to utilize his unique skillset.

Danny Woodhead
Expect regression from last year’s out of nowhere performance from Woodhead. He’ll still have solid value though.

Chris Johnson
His new situation should refuel some fantasy value to Johnson.

Ray Rice
The Ravens won a Super Bowl based on Rice’s ability to create out of the backfield. Two years later and there are some big time questions lurking on his fantasy football projections.

Giovanni Bernard
Bernard is the new head honcho set to take the throne over older speed backs listed above.

Pierre Thomas
Thomas no longer has the high value he once held as a standard fantasy back. The value he does hold is strictly in PPR leagues.