X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

Scott Engel's Early Rankings and Analysis - Quarterbacks

Scott Engel's quarterback rankings for the 2019 fantasy football season. Scott highlights key QBs through his analysis, and discusses his early draft targets.

I am proud to say that RotoBaller is the new home for my 2019 Fantasy Football Rankings. Thanks for finding me here, as I am entering my 23rd season of providing professional Fantasy Football rankings and analysis.

Last season I played in 10 leagues, made the playoffs in seven, the Super Bowl in five and won four championships, including back-to-back titles in my big money leagues. Yet it’s even more important to me when you, the reader, wins a championship. I could not be here for a 23rd season without you, and I am humbly grateful to every one of you who asks for or takes my advice.

This year’s early rankings analysis start with a look at the quarterback position. Right at the outset, you are in for a surprise. I do not rank Pat Mahomes No. 1 overall. Yes, last year, he had outscored the closest competitor by 63 fantasy points. But that was last year. I’m looking ahead. That’s where I see Mahomes as second overall without Tyreek Hill this season, due to impending discipline. Sammy Watkins will be his new No. 1 WR, and we all know he cannot stay healthy. Rookie Mecole Hardman cannot be expected to play a major role in his first season. Suddenly, Mahomes’ receiving crew looks very thin, and that will bring him back to the pack this season.

Editor's Note: Access RotoBaller’s trusted fantasy football rankings for PPR, Standard, Dynasty, Super Flex, and Best Ball formats. Get tiered cheat sheets, expert analysis, and player outlooks to dominate your draft from every angle.

 

Early Redraft Quarterback Rankings - May

Rank Player Name Pos
1 Andrew Luck QB
2 Patrick Mahomes QB
3 Aaron Rodgers QB
4 Matt Ryan QB
5 Ben Roethlisberger QB
6 Deshaun Watson QB
7 Russell Wilson QB
8 Jared Goff QB
9 Drew Brees QB
10 Carson Wentz QB
11 Philip Rivers QB
12 Jimmy Garoppolo QB
13 Kyler Murray QB
14 Baker Mayfield QB
15 Kirk Cousins QB
16 Tom Brady QB
17 Josh Allen QB
18 Derek Carr QB
19 Lamar Jackson QB
20 Cam Newton QB
21 Jameis Winston QB
22 Mitch Trubisky QB
23 Dak Prescott QB
24 Andy Dalton QB
25 Sam Darnold QB
26 Nick Foles QB
27 Marcus Mariota QB
28 Matthew Stafford QB
29 Drew Lock QB
30 Josh Rosen QB
31 Dwayne Haskins QB
32 Daniel Jones QB
33 Eli Manning QB
34 Joe Flacco QB
35 Case Keenum QB
36 Ryan Fitzpatrick QB
37 Nick Mullens QB
38 Ryan Tannehill QB
39 Blake Bortles QB
40 Taysom Hill QB
41 Tyrod Taylor QB
42 Teddy Bridgewater QB
43 C.J. Beathard QB

 

QB Rankings Analysis - Top Tiers

My No. 1 QB for this year will be Andrew Luck. After a major comeback season, the outlook will only get better for him, as the Colts have the best combination of a top QB and a deep receiving crew. Not only does Luck have a superstar WR returning (T.Y. Hilton), he has two productive TEs, a new big target that he was missing before (Devin Funchess) and a dynamic rookie (Parris Campbell), plus a RB who should be more effective as a receiving threat in his second year (Nyheim Hines). You may believe Funchess is mediocre, but we will effectively fill a role as he gets a QB upgrade. The Colts’ receiving crew, including the TEs, is the most diverse and well-rounded in the league and that will be reflected in Luck leading his Fantasy position in 2017.

I generally do not recommend drafting a QB early, and usually do not take mine until at least the sixth round. So I will likely miss out on Mahomes and maybe Luck in many of my drafts. But if Luck does slip to the sixth round, he will be mine. Aaron Rodgers is ranked fourth, 10 spots behind Mahomes overall. I can honestly tell you he is not a firm third. The Packers offense could shift to have more offensive balance in 2019. But if they lean more on the running game that can only ease some of the workload and pressure on Rodgers and he could be less of an injury risk.

I have Matt Ryan ranked fourth, and he should finish in the Top 5 again as Calvin Ridley will become even more a force at WR for him in Year Two. Ben Roethlisberger rounds out the Top 5, and he would have ranked higher if he did not lose Antonio Brown in the offseason. After 16 weeks last season, Roethlisberger was the No. 2 QB in Fantasy Football behind Mahomes. But he will feel the effect of losing arguably the best WR in the game this year, even if the drop-off is not major.

Deshaun Watson ranks sixth for me, but if anyone wants to take him ahead of Roethlisberger, I will not vehemently debate with them. If Will Fuller stays healthy for most of the year and Keke Coutee continues to progress, Watson could have his best season so far.

Russell Wilson is coming off his most efficient season ever, with his most TD passes in his second-fewest amount of attempts. After Seattle lost in the Wild Card game at Dallas by putting too much of an emphasis on the running game, Wilson may throw more in 2019. But losing Doug Baldwin could also mean less consistency at times.

Jared Goff did not finish the season strong, and some of his owners will remember that before they pick him in 2019. He had six TD passes and six interceptions in December. But overall, he threw for 4,688 yards, 32 TDs and 12 INTs. He started fast last year, and if he is more steady  from start to finish, he could be a Top 5 Fantasy QB.

Even though Drew Brees threw 32 TD passes with just five INTs, but he did not finish the season strong either. He had three TD passes and three INTs in his final four games. There is a concern that the Saints could continue to rely more heavily on the run game overall this year, but Brees should still throw often enough to remain in the Top 10.

A healthy Carson Wentz should regain Fantasy starting form in 2019, but I don’t think his receiving crew is solid enough outside of Zach Ertz to warrant ranking him anywhere near the Top 5. Philip Rivers is annually the safest pick no one seemingly wants to make when drafting starting Fantasy QBs. In each of the last six seasons, he has thrown for over 4,250 yards with at least 28 TD passes in each campaign.

Jimmy Garropolo should resume his rise to prominence as he enters the new season healthy. Kyler Murray is supposed to be the next Russell Wilson, and remembering that Wilson was inside the Top 10 as a Fantasy QB in his rookie year, and with the receiving group that has been assembled for him, Murray has the promise to finish inside the Top 10. Baker Mayfield is just outside the Top 12 cut, as the addition of Odell Beckham Jr. almost makes him a 13A to Murray’s 13, but I see Murray as more of a natural dual threat, of course.

 

QB Rankings Analysis - Lower Tiers

Kirk Cousins finished as Fantasy QB13 last year, and because of the depth of the position, he Is outside the Top 12 even with two standout WRs. But considering he threw for a career high 30 TD passes last year and nearly finished with 4,300 yards, he is obviously a viable starter.

Tom Brady being ranked halfway through the field again illustrates how deep the position is, but he is coming off a disappointing season in which he finished as QB14. His receiving contingent also looks much less impressive heading into 2019, especially without Rob Gronkowski.

Derek Carr may be a significant value play in 2019. Having added Antonio Brown and Tyrell Williams, plus additional support from very promising rookie Josh Jacobs, Carr has his best supporting cast ever. His ceiling is surprising everyone as a Fantasy QB1.

Lamar Jackson can be a streamer because of his rushing abilities, but inexperience and mediocrity combine at the pass-catching spots in Baltimore, and Jackson is still very raw as a passer. This could be the very last chance for Jameis Winston to show he can be a respectable QB. Mitch Trubisky has the weaponry, but has yet to show he can take advantage of it. Andy Dalton is good enough to lose with, in real life and Fantasy Football.

Sam Darnold has been supplied with a diverse crew of playmakers that could help him improve this season. Nick Foles has yet to figure out who his favored WRs will be.

We’ll be checking back on this position again soon. Preseason news and information makes the ranks always subject to change. For now, once you get to the depths of Darnold/Foles you may have waited too long to take a second QB if you wanted one. But in many leagues, I have found drafting a backup QB is not always necessary. That’s an upcoming strategic view to tackle very soon.

More Fantasy Football Analysis


Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Micah Parsons

Plans to be Present for Start of Training Camp
Derrick Lewis

Set To Headline UFC Nashville
Ikem Ekwonu

Next Up for Extension in Carolina?
Jalen Thompson

Heading into Last Year With Cardinals?
Gabriel Bonfim

Looks For His Third UFC Win
Najee Harris

Suffers Eye Injury in Fireworks Mishap
Stephen Thompson

Returns At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Calvin Kattar

In Dire Need Of Victory
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere A Favorite At UFC Nashville
Nate Landwehr

Aims To Bounce Back
MMA

Austen Lane Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Vitor Petrino

Set For His Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Set To Open Up UFC Nashville Main Card
Junior Tafa

Set For Light-Heavyweight Bout
Alex Bregman

Will Return to Red Sox This Weekend
Chris Sale

Braves Won't Consider Trading Chris Sale
Clarke Schmidt

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery on Friday
Nick Nash

Unlikely to Make Falcons Active Roster
Lane Johnson

in No Rush To Retire
Jalen Williams

Signs Contract Extension With Thunder
Blake Corum

has "Gotten His Speed Back"
Jarquez Hunter

Picking Up Rams Offense Quickly
Alijah Martin

Agrees to Two-Way Deal With Raptors
Tristan Vukcevic

Set to Return to Washington
Kirk Cousins

Feels Misled by Falcons
Bijan Robinson

Says Falcons Have "Outlandish Goals" for the Running Game
Luther Burden III

Bears Expect Luther Burden III to be Ready for Training Camp
Cole Kmet

an Unlikely Trade Piece
Tony Pollard

Titans Hope to Balance Rushing Attack With Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears
Byron Buxton

Sitting Thursday
Quentin Johnston

Not Assured of Starting Role
Cordarrelle Patterson

on the Roster Bubble in Pittsburgh?
Shedeur Sanders

Not Assured of Roster Spot in Cleveland?
Wan'Dale Robinson

Hoping For More Downfield Opportunities
Anfernee Simons

Celtics Are "Actively Trying to Trade" Anfernee Simons
NBA

Alex Ducas Heading to Australia
Dominick Barlow

Inks Two-Way Deal With 76ers
Jordan McLaughlin

Spurs Re-Sign Jordan McLaughlin to One-Year Deal
Dylan Harper

Out Thursday, Expected to Play Saturday
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Homers Twice on Wednesday
Mike Trout

Homers Twice in Win Over Rangers
Jazz Chisholm Jr.

Leads Yankees to Victory
Salvador Perez

Crushes Two Homers in Win
Cleveland Browns

Greg Newsome on the Trade Block?
VJ Edgecombe

Diagnosed with a Sprained Thumb
Zach Tom

An Extension Candidate in Green Bay
Devin Booker

Agrees to Extension with Phoenix
Trevor Williams

to Undergo Season-Ending Elbow Surgery
Kyren Williams

Rams Not Willing to Pay Kyren Williams Top-Market Money?
Byron Buxton

Exits After Hit-by-Pitch, X-Rays Negative
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Playing on Wednesday
Alex Bregman

has "Really Good Chance" to Return Before All-Star Break
Christian Kirk

the No. 2 WR in Houston?
Teoscar Hernández

Teoscar Hernandez Expected to Return on Friday
Walter Clayton Jr.

Leads Jazz to Summer League Win
Carter Bryant

Struggles in Summer League Loss
Kyle Filipowski

Drops a Double-Double in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Oklahoma City Thunder

Malevy Leons Logs Impressive Summer League Outing on Tuesday
Dalton Knecht

Collects 25 Points in Lakers Summer League Win
Los Angeles Lakers

Darius Bazley Drops 27 Points in Summer League on Tuesday
Gary Woodland

Looking to Find Rhythm at Scottish Open
Aaron Rai

Brings Consistent Play to Scottish Open
Maverick McNealy

a Solid Value Play at Scottish Open
Aldrich Potgieter

Making Scottish Open Debut
Tom Kim

Looks to Rebound at Scottish Open
Brian Harman

a Safe Option at Scottish Open
Luke Clanton

a Sneaky Value Play at Scottish Open
Sam Burns

Looking to Stay Hot at Scottish Open
Chet Holmgren

Agrees to Rookie Max Extension
Alex Bregman

Not Returning Wednesday
Jhoan Duran

Unavailable Due to Illness
Shane McClanahan

Tosses Clean Frame in First Rehab Appearance
Jacob Wilson

Day-to-Day After HBP
Nicolai Hojgaard

May Feel More at Home in Europe
Harry Hall

Showing Fine Form Heading to Scotland
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. to be Reassessed Wednesday
Ryan Fox

Playing Well Since Early Spring Struggles
Malaki Branham

Traded to Washington
Max Greyserman

has Solid History at the Genesis Scottish Open
Blake Wesley

Moves to Washington
Harris English

Aims High for Scotland Next
Corey Conners

Primed for the Genesis Scottish Open
Kelly Olynyk

on the Move Again
Daniel Brown

Attempts the Scottish Swing Again
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery
Jacob Bridgeman

Needs Putter to Work at Genesis Scottish Open
Cal Raleigh

Continues Historic Homer Pace Tuesday
Jacob Wilson

Exits Early On Tuesday With Left Hand Contusion
Scottie Scheffler

Headlines Field at Genesis Scottish Open
Rory McIlroy

a Smart Play for Scottish Open
Adam Scott

Looking to Build on History at The Renaissance Club
NASCAR

Sepp Straka Not Likely to Find Momentum at Scottish Open
Justin Rose

Hopes Month Hiatus Helps Him Bounce Back at Scottish Open
Luis Garcia

Fans Four in Rehab Outing
NHL

Tyler Johnson Retires After 13 NHL Seasons
Jack McBain

Inks New Five-Year Deal with Mammoth
Cam York

Re-Signs with Flyers for Five Years
Jake Knapp

Fits the Mold for Success at The Renaissance Club
Ty Gibbs

Finishes Second at Chicago and Advances in In-Season Challenge
Alex Bowman

Defeats Bubba Wallace in In-Season Challenge, but Not Without Controversy
Alex Bowman

Bubba Wallace Wrecked by Alex Bowman Again, Putting Playoffs in Doubt
Michael McDowell

Throttle Failure Ends Michael McDowell's Chances to Win at Chicago
Austin Hill

Earns First NASCAR Cup Series Top Ten at Chicago
Tyler Reddick

Scores a Strong Third-Place Run at Chicago
Kyle Busch

Matches his Best Career Finish At Chicago on Sunday
Denny Hamlin

Fights his Way to a Top-5 Finish at Chicago
William Byron

has his Worst Weekend of the Season at Chicago
Sonny Milano

on Track to Be Ready for Training Camp
Jakub Dobes

Signs Two-Year Deal with Canadiens
NHL

Hendrix Lapierre Signs One-Year Deal with Capitals
Carson Hocevar

Should DFS Players Consider Carson Hocevar for Chicago Lineups?
Tye Kartye

Kraken Re-Sign Tye Kartye for Two Years
Ross Chastain

May be A Decent DFS Option for Chicago Lineups
Dmitri Voronkov

Signs Two-Year, $8.35 Million Extension with Blue Jackets
Ryan Preece

Should DFS Players Roster Ryan Preece at Chicago?
Austin Dillon

Is Too Great of A Risk to Add to Chicago Lineups
Zane Smith

Is A Value Play Worth Rostering At Chicago
Austin Hill

is A Favorable Value Option for Chicago DFS Lineups
Ty Dillon

Is Ty Dillon A Decent Driver to Add For NASCAR DFS At Chicago?
William Byron

Qualifying Crash Makes William Byron a Likely DFS Must-Have
Alex Bowman

Should Finish Well, but Probably Costs Too Much for Serious DFS Consideration
Joey Logano

Has Been Relatively Mediocre on Road Courses Lately
Ryan Blaney

Doesn't Really Fit Neatly into Optimal DFS Lineups
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF