TAP FOR 6 MONTHS OF PREMIUM FREE 💰
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
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Three Quarterbacks Who Will Bounce Back to Top Tier Status in 2016

Everyone has been there at some point in a fantasy draft. You take the plunge and draft a quarterback a little early, thinking you've locked up the position for the entire season. Then you come to find out that you got the 2014 version of Cam Newton or 2015 Andrew Luck.

In this article we are going to take a look at three quarterbacks who underperformed in 2015, but are due for a bounce back campaign in 2016.

Editor's Note: Purchase a full season NFL Premium Pass (including Draft Kit + DFS Premium), and also get MLB Premium + DFS for free through October. Premium DFS lineup picks, expert lineups, tools and more - seven days a week. You can see screenshots of our NFL Premium and MLB Premium and DFS tools. What are you waiting for?

Featured Promo: Looking for some more fantasy football action? Adopt a dynasty orphan team over at FFPC. Sign up today and get $25 off any FFPC league. Sign Up Now!

 

Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts

Luck was one of the biggest fantasy disappointments last season. The young signal caller was unanimously the first quarterback off the board in 2015 and had an ADP in the late first round. Part of Luck's issues in 2015 stems from him playing in just seven games before succumbing to shoulder and kidney injuries which held him out for the remainder of the season. Even before the injuries, Luck had been struggling to show the 2014 form which allowed him to become the top-scoring fantasy quarterback. Luck threw for 15 touchdowns in his seven games in 2015, but also did not take care of the ball, throwing 12 interceptions.

With all of this being said, there's reason to be excited about Luck's chances to return to greatness this season. He has a full complement of excellent weapons at his disposal. This includes T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett, and Dwayne Allen. Hilton is always a threat to go the distance any time he touches the ball and should be happy to see Luck back behind center this season. Moncrief was well on his way to a breakout last season before Luck went down and is a darkhorse candidate to put up WR1 numbers this season and outperform Hilton.

Dorsett, the team's first-round pick in 2015, is expected to see the field more as the Colts are going to run more three-receiver sets. Allen will finally get a chance to take on a full workload at tight end after Coby Fleener left for New Orleans in the offseason. All in all, if you were someone who took Luck in the first or second round last year, you should be thrilled to get him at a discount this season as he's generally going in the fourth round of drafts. There's no reason that Luck can't post the season this year that everyone expected in 2015 and in the process return to being an elite fantasy quarterback.

 

Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers

Rodgers has been one of fantasy's most consistent producers at the quarterback position since taking over the job full-time in 2008. Last year, the veteran was the second quarterback off the board and his owner likely spent a second-round pick to acquire his services. Rodgers went on to finish seventh in fantasy points among quarterbacks last season. Not terrible numbers, but a far cry from what fantasy players expect they are going to get from Mr. Discount Doublecheck.

Rodgers' 31 passing touchdowns last year was his least since the 2009 season (outside of 2013 when he played in only nine games). Many of Green Bay's struggles can be traced back to the loss of field-stretcher and All-Pro wide receiver Jordy Nelson in the preseason. The Packers offense looked markedly different without Nelson, with Randall Cobb struggling as the team's number one receiver and Davante Adams failing to capitalize on the potential that made him a second-round draft pick in 2014. Perhaps overshadowed by the loss of Nelson, however, was the mountain of injuries suffered along the team's offensive line. The team entered the playoffs with just one of five starters active and healthy.

With Nelson and the offensive line fully healthy, things are looking up for Rodgers in 2016. Nelson being back should allow the offense to return to the elite production we have gotten used to seeing over the years. The team also added tight end Jared Cook, who has teased fantasy owners with his potential without ever putting it all together in past years. While it is hard to bank on Cook being productive this season, he is playing with the best quarterback of his NFL career. Rodgers is currently coming off the board as QB2 in the third round of fantasy drafts and has a legitimate shot at reclaiming his crown as the top fantasy quarterback this season.

 

Robert Griffin III, Cleveland Browns

Griffin has nowhere to go but up as he spent the entire 2015 season on Washington's bench, watching his former backup Kirk Cousins run the show out there. In Cleveland, RGIII has a second chance to prove that his amazing 2012 rookie season wasn't a fluke. In 2012, Griffin racked up 3,200 passing yards and 20 passing touchdowns while adding 815 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

While those rushing numbers are likely to be unattainable for Griffin to repeat, he does have an outside chance to finish the year as a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2. It's reasonable to believe that Griffin will be able to improve on the passing numbers he posted in his rookie year as he will be playing with much better weapons than he had surrounding him in 2012. Once Josh Gordon comes off his suspension in Week 5, the Browns will have Gordon, Corey Coleman, and Terrelle Pryor as their top three receivers. All three are capable of creating mismatches all over the field.

Add in a dominant red zone force such as Gary Barnidge and elusive pass-catching back Duke Johnson, and Griffin could put up big numbers this season. One final factor that is cause for optimism for Griffin is new Browns head coach Hue Jackson. Jackson has enjoyed a good deal of success coaching offense in the NFL and can expected to put Griffin in the best possible situation to succeed. With Griffin coming off the board around the 14th round in fantasy drafts, he's worth targeting if you like to wait on quarterbacks.

 


Check out RotoBaller's famous fantasy football draft sleepers and waiver wire pickups list, updated regularly!




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Egor Demin

Won't Play Versus Denver
Cam Thomas

Resting on Thursday Night
Aaron Judge

Appears to be Past his Elbow Issues
Bo Nix

Expected to Resume Training in 4-6 Weeks
Dan Vladar

Returns to Flyers Crease
Denton Mateychuk

Back in Action Wednesday
Stephen Halliday

Unavailable Versus Avalanche
Ross Colton

Won't Play Wednesday
Devon Toews

Still Out Wednesday
Simon Holmstrom

Expected to Return Wednesday
Ryan Pulock

a Game-Time Call Wednesday
Michael Penix Jr.

Thinks he'll be Ready by April
Evan Carter

Establishes a Goal to Steal 30 Bases
Edouard Julien

Traded to the Rockies
Cleveland Browns

Browns Hiring Todd Monken as Next Head Coach
Jack St. Ivany

to Miss Up to Eight Weeks After Surgery
Cody Glass

Exits Early Tuesday Night
Anton Lundell

Expected to Be Available Thursday
Jordan Kyrou

Jake Neighbours Knocked Out of the Lineup Tuesday
Elias Lindholm

Hurt in Tuesday's Win
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Exits With Injury Tuesday
Ondrej Palat

Devils Send Ondrej Palat to the Islanders
Collin Murray-Boyles

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday's Game
Jock Landale

Available for Wednesday's Tilt
Kel'el Ware

in Danger of Missing Another Game
Sahith Theegala

Off to Much Better 2026 Start
Davion Mitchell

Iffy for Wednesday
Gary Woodland

an Intriguing Option at Torrey Pines This Week
Norman Powell

Questionable Wednesday
Tyler Herro

Remains Out Wednesday
CJ Abrams

Giants Offer "Aggressive Pitch" for CJ Abrams
Andrew Putnam

Hopes to Keep Momentum Rolling This Week
Nikola Jokić

Nikola Jokic to Be Re-Evaluated in One Week
Matthieu Pavon

Seeks to Return to 2024 Form at Torrey Pines
Luke List

Still Looking For Birdies at Torrey Pines
Jake Knapp

Faces Stiff Challenge at Farmers Insurance Open
Rasmus Hojgaard

Needs to Play Better at Torrey Pines
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Could Struggle at Farmers Insurance Open
J.J. Spaun

A Steady Option At Farmers Insurance Open
Andrew Novak

Looking For More Success At Torrey Pines
Denny McCarthy

A Wild Card At Farmers Insurance Open
Max Homa

Looks To Keep Resurgence Going At Torrey Pines
Joe Highsmith

Struggling Heading Into Torrey Pines
Wyndham Clark

Looks To Carry Momentum Into Farmers Insurance Open
Tony Finau

Aims To Turn Things Around At Torrey Pines
Darius Garland

Won't Be Available Wednesday
Akshay Bhatia

Looks to Bounce Back at Torrey Pines
Franz Wagner

Won't Play Wednesday
Draymond Green

Expected to Return Wednesday
Kawhi Leonard

Available Against Jazz
Jordan Goodwin

Starts Against Nets
Peyton Watson

Back for Nuggets Tuesday
Paul Goldschmidt

Yankees Expressing Interest in Re-Signing Paul Goldschmidt
Jonas Valančiūnas

Jonas Valanciunas Ready to Rock Tuesday Night
Jamal Murray

Active Versus Pistons
Bo Bichette

Won't Play in World Baseball Classic
Aaron Wiggins

Moves to Starting Lineup Tuesday
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Bobby Portis Replaces Giannis Antetokounmpo in Starting Unit
Joel Embiid

Ready to Take on Bucks
Paul George

Returns to Action Tuesday
NFL

Bill Belichick Won't be First-Ballot Hall of Famer
Leo Carlsson

to Miss Olympics
Alex Turcotte

Unavailable Tuesday
Carlos Correa

Won't Play for Puerto Rico in World Baseball Classic
Dylan Holloway

Remains Out Tuesday
Marco Rossi

to Return After Olympics
Thatcher Demko

Won't Return This Season
Sam Malinski

Inks Four-Year Extension With Avalanche
Bryan Rust

Slapped With Three-Game Suspension
Si Woo Kim

Looks to Continue Incredible Run at Torrey Pines
Jason Day

has a Good Chance to Keep Momentum This Weekend
Keegan Bradley

has Good Course History at Torrey Pines
Billy Horschel

Isn't a Great DFS Option at Torrey Pines
Aaron Rodgers

Mike McCarthy Says he Wants Aaron Rodgers to Return
Will Zalatoris

Has a Shot to Challenge at the Farmers Insurance Open
Drake Maye

Expected to be Fine for Super Bowl
Tennessee Titans

Titans Set to Hire Brian Daboll as New Offensive Coordinator
Buffalo Bills

Bills Promote Joe Brady to Head Coach
CFB

Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi Signs with Michigan
CFB

Darian Mensah Reaches Settlement with Duke, Expected to Land at Miami
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Not Drawing Interest on Open Market?
Shedeur Sanders

Named as Pro Bowl Replacement
Framber Valdez

Among Many High-End Pitchers on Free-Agent Market
Jose Altuve

Won't Participate in World Baseball Classic
Harrison Bader

Agrees With Giants on Two-Year Deal
Paddy Pimblett

Drops Decision
Justin Gaethje

Becomes the New Interim-Lightweight Champion
Song Yadong

Suffers Unanimous Decision Loss
MMA

Sean O'Malley Gets Back In The Win Column
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Extends His Win Streak
Derrick Lewis

Suffers Second-Round TKO Loss
Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers Officially Hire Mike McDaniel as Offensive Coordinator
Nathan Eovaldi

Doesn't Expect Any Limitations in Spring Training
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Dominates in NFC Championship Game Win
Matthew Stafford

Plans to Return in 2026
CFB

Arthur Smith to Become Ohio State's Offensive Coordinator
Bo Nix

Sidelined for 12 Weeks With Broken Ankle
Jose Altuve

to Mainly Play Second Base
Yu Darvish

Considering Retirement
Pittsburgh Steelers

Steelers Finalizing Deal to Make Mike McCarthy Their Head Coach
José Ramírez

Jose Ramirez Signs Seven-Year Extension With Guardians
Gunnar Henderson

is Fully Healthy Heading into Spring Training
Tyreek Hill

Dolphins Expected to Release Tyreek Hill
Paddy Pimblett

Set For Interim Lightweight Title Fight
Justin Gaethje

An Underdog At UFC 324
Song Yadong

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Sean O'Malley Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Derrick Lewis

Returns At UFC 324
Waldo Cortes-Acosta

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
Philip Rivers

Interviewing for Bills Head-Coaching Job
NFL

Fernando Mendoza Officially Declares for NFL Draft
CFB

Arch Manning Undergoes Foot Surgery
Dalton Kincaid

Played Through Torn PCL
CFB

College Football Playoff Expected to Remain a 12-Team Field in 2026

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP