It’s that time of year again when eyes are glued to computer screens. Stats and projections become as important as food and water. But have no fear, the Buffone Fantasy Guide will help relieve some of the stress you’re most likely feeling. Here are quarterbacks 1-5.
Rodgers is easily the best fantasy option at QB in 2012.
#1 Aaron Rodgers
Age: 28
Height: 6-2
Weight: 223
Bye Week: 10
Keeper Status: Great
2011 Stats:
Passing Yards: 4,643 Rushing Yards: 257
Passing TDs: 45 INTs : 6 Rushing TDs: 3
2012 Projected Stats:
Passing Yards: 4,360 Rushing Yards: 325
Passing TDs: 40 INTs: 7 Rushing TDs: 3
Positive: Rodgers is the model of efficiency at the quarterback position and with a lack of a running game, expect him to continue to air it out in 2012. Working against a schedule laden with bad pass defenses, Rodgers should be the first QB off your board.
Negative: He’s so good that he might not make it to you in the first round.
Despite the absence of Sean Payton, Brees will continue to put up big numbers.
#2 Drew Brees
Age: 32
Height: 6-0
Weight: 210
Bye Week: 6
Keeper Status: Great
2011 Stats:
Passing Yards: 5,476 Rushing Yards: 86
Passing TDs: 46 INTs : 14 Rushing TDs: 1
2012 Projected Stats:
Passing Yards: 5,123 Rushing Yards: 45
Passing TDs: 42 INTs : 18 Rushing TDs: 1
Positive: Brees will mostly likely attempt the most passes and throw for the most touchdowns among all NFL QB’s in 2012. With the amount of times the Saints will air it out, expect huge numbers from 32-year-old. If you can’t nab Rodgers, don’t fret about grabbing Brees.
Negative: Bress won’t have his offensive guru Sean Payton around to help in 2012. His absence and Brees’ contract dispute in the offseason are the only things keeping him from reaching the no. 1 spot on our list. You can probably expect a few more INTs from him as well.
Brady is as reliable as they come in fantasy football.
#3 Tom Brady
Age: 35
Height: 6-4
Weight: 225
Bye Week: 9
Keeper Status: Great
2011 Stats:
Passing Yards: 5,235 Rushing Yards: 109
Passing TDs: 39 INTs : 12 Rushing TDs: 3
2012 Projected Stats:
Passing Yards: 4,505 Rushing Yards: 54
Passing TDs: 34 INTs : 5 Rushing TDs: 2
Positive: Old Reliable. Brady is a stud of a fantasy QB that often gets overshadowed by the top two guys on this list. Going on 35-years-old, one has to think that Brady will slow down at some point but 2012 doesn’t figure to be that season. Adding weapons like Brandon Lloyd and Donte Stallworth to an already elite wide receiver and tight end core and Brady will once again be in the MVP race at the end of the season.
Negative: At some point, Bill Belichick will want to incorporate the two running backs he drafted in 2011 (Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley), which could mean less attempts for Brady. This shouldn’t be enough to sway you from Brady though.
Stafford is on track to join the group of elite fantasy QBs.
#4 Matthew Stafford
Age: 24
Height: 6-2
Weight: 225
Bye Week: 5
Keeper Status: Good
2011 Stats:
Passing Yards: 5,038 Rushing Yards: 78
Passing TDs: 41 INTs : 16 Rushing TDs: 0
2012 Projected Stats:
Passing Yards: 4803 Rushing Yards: 61
Passing TDs: 36 INTs : 17 Rushing TDs: 1
Positive: At only 24, Stafford has the capability of being an elite fantasy option for the next decade. With the a questionable running game and the best receiver in the league at his disposal, Stafford will continue to rack up big-time numbers.
Negative: Stafford is great…when he plays. The young gun seemed to shake the injury bug last year but if he’s going to be dropping back as many times as expected, he could take some big hits throughout the season.
Don't look for a sophomore slump for Newton.
#5 Cam Newton
Age: 23
Height: 6-5
Weight: 248
Bye Week: 6
Keeper Status: Great
2011 Stats:
Passing Yards: 4,051 Rushing Yards: 596
Passing TDs: 21 INTs : 17 Rushing TDs: 8
2012 Projected Stats:
Passing Yards: 3758 Rushing Yards: 65
Passing TDs: 24 INTs : 16 Rushing TDs: 7
Positive: Reports coming out of Carolina are claiming that Newton is improving at a spectacular rate, which is ultra-encouraging to owners who have their eye on the second-year star. Along with his ever-improving arm, Newton can and will bust out a big TD run at anytime to make him a triple threat. His huge frame makes him less of an injury risk than other scramblers like Michael Vick.
Negative: Don’t predict a sophomore slump for Newton but expect defenses to key in on him a little better than they did last year. Also, as nice as it was to see the resurrection of Steve Smith in 2011, Newton’s main deep threat recently turned 33 and has a lot of miles on him.
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Written by John Buffone
John was born in Rural Valley, Pennsylvania. He attended Clarion University and received a degree in Mass Media Arts and Journalism. He currently hosts "The Sports Zone with John Buffone" on AM 1380 WTYM in Kittanning, PA. John is also a sports columnist for the Kittanning Paper and a contributor to Examiner.com, and CatholicSportsJournal.com.
Steve Massey Sep 3 201211:43 am
John, great analysis. Your top five seem to be the consensus (I picked the same with a couple of slots flipped), but I see changes coming next year. Look for Matty Ice to move way up the board.
Thanks for sharing.
Got any sleepers you want to throw my way?