Eli Manning is currently ranked as the 12th best quarterback based on his ADP. He is being drafted behind the likes of Ryan Tannehill, Tom Brady, and Matt Ryan. Eli's draft position suggests he's just outside of most league's starting position but comes off the board as one of the first backup quarterbacks. Basically, Eli is the quarterback most fantasy managers get after all of the "better" options at QB are gone.

This may be the year waiting extra long to fill that starting QB spot will payoff greater than you could have hoped for. Eli is going into his second year with offensive coordinator Bob McAdoo and Madden cover star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. These two factors, along with a healthy offensive core, could see Manning end the 2015 fantasy football season a top five quarterback.

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While Eli over the years has been inconsistent and known to throw a lot of interceptions, his 2014 season was an unexpected revelation. Last year the younger Manning brother finished the season with 30 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. His touchdown total was the second highest of his career, while his interception total was tied for the second lowest of his career.

Eli put up some of his best stats ever while learning a new offense for the first time in his 10 years as an NFL quarterback. This despite the New York Giants suffering their second consecutive season of being one of the most injury plagued teams in the league. Specifically, skill players such as Victor Cruz, Rashad Jennings, and OBJ all missed significant time during the year. The loss of these players, coupled with an inconsistent offensive line, lead to a tumultuous 6-10 season. Despite these injuries, Eli was better able to understand McAdoo's new offensive scheme as the year progressed and attempted 601 passes, the most ever in Manning's career.

One of the major factors in Eli's offensive success last year was the ability of younger players to step up. The dominance of Odell Beckham Jr. has been well documented but the contributions of lesser known players such as Reuben Randle, Larry Donnell, and Andre Williams have to be highlighted.
Randle and Donnell each had career highs in receptions and yards, while Williams led the team in rushing his rookie season. Randle will come in as the established third receiving option, while Donnell seems to be battling Daniel Fells for the starting tight end spot. The mix of Shane Vereen, Jennings, and Williams in the backfield should be enough to relieve some of the pressure on Manning.

With a healthy Cruz and Beckham Jr. in training camp, the offensive squad will get a chance to gel together for a full off season for the first time. Expect McAdoo and Eli to continue pushing the limit on their short pass plays and fast tempo. The Giants offense uses these plays along with the running game to set up longer passing plays down the field to their star receivers. The team as a whole has all of the talent and potential to put up special offensive numbers this season.

It has been four years since the Giants last playoff appearance and Eli is playing out the final year of his contract with a high paying extension as his goal. Tom Coughlin got another one year extension this off season but it is obvious that his run with the New York franchise is coming to a close. Off field motivations could not be any higher for the veteran quarterback while on field conditions, so far, are as good as they have been in years. These factors along with the on-field talent the Giants have should lead Eli Manning to have his most productive year ever and potentially reach a top fantasy quarterback season.

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