Top 10 Fantasy QBs for the 2019 NFL season

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I know the MLB season has just gotten underway, but watching the White Sox lack of desire to compete this season and seeing them blow another game against a weak team has got me thinking about the NFL.  With that in mind, I thought I put together my list of the top 10 NFL fantasy QBs.  I’m assuming Kyler Murray won’t make Patrick Mahomes like splash.  I’m also concerned about a number of the top QBs in the NFL showing their age this season.  And here we go.

10. Mitch Trubisky:  Okay, this may be a little bit of a hometown decision, but Trubisky has progressed nicely under the direction of head coach, Mike Nagy.  He also has a pass oriented offense to work with.  In addition, he has a good offensive line and a solid corps of receivers.  He’s a possible number one QB on some fantasy teams. In addition to his passing, he can also score a few fantasy points running.

9. Cam Newton:  I not particularly a fan of Newton, but as other big name QBs get older, Newton might be a better option than some.  Like Trubisky, Newton adds value with his legs.  Last season Newton ran for 482 yards and four TDs.  His passing stats were decent.  His passer rating was 94.3, with 24 TD passes which were somewhat counteracted by his 13 interceptions.  If Newton is my QB, I just hope I break even with the other team’s QB.

8. Philip Rivers:  Here’s the oldest guy on my list.  Philip is 37 and that scares me.  I’ve got him on this list over Tom Brady, in part because I like his surrounding cast better.  Drew Brees’ age also scared me off.  Brees is 39 and slowed down in the second half of the 2018 season.  Among the top three old QBs in the NFL, Rivers is my pick to have the best season in 2019.

7. Matt Ryan:  Matt will be 34 when the season starts, so he’s no spring chicken either.  Ryan had a passer rating of 108.1 last season.  It was driven, in large part, by throwing 35 TDs against only seven picks.  I’m not sure that rate is sustainable.  As a matter of fact, I’m pretty sure it isn’t.

6. Russell Wilson:  The big question with Wilson is how much the Seahawks will run the ball.  Last year the Seahawks ran the ball more than any other team in the NFL.  That was probably good for Wilson’s health, but bad for his fantasy stats.  The historically well paid Wilson is a good option for your starting QB on your fantasy football team.

5. Baker Mayfield:  I’m bullish on Mayfield.  Baker has a year of experience under his belt and Odell Beckham Jr. to throw to.  He’s also got plenty of other weapons at his disposal.  Baker Mayfield makes the Browns one if the most interesting teams in the NFL for the 2019 season.  I’m a little concerned about Mayfield’s interceptions and his 93.7 passer rating from last season wasn’t overwhelming, but I like his ceiling.

4. DeShaun Watson:  DeShaun was sacked 62 times last season, the most in the NFL.  He also had a healthy passer rating of 103.1.  Considering his youth and the likelihood of the Texans getting a better offensive line, Watson should probably get even better.  Watson also helps fantasy owners with his running ability.  He ran for 551 yards and five TDs last season.  Of course, some of that might be a function of running for his life behind the Texans weak offensive line.  Throwing to DeAndre Hopkins doesn’t hurt either.

3. Aaron Rodgers:  The Packers had a lot of turmoil last season resulting in the firing of head coach, Mike McCarthy.  Rodgers dealt with injuries and a lack of tools, but was still a dangerous guy.  I’ve got him ranked third on this list, but not without some reservations.  Aaron is 35 years old, so he’s not quite as old as some of the other premier QBs in the NFL, but he’s not that far behind either.  He’s also the most physically gifted QB in the senior division, or nearly senior division.

2. Andrew Luck:  I was surprised at Luck’s comeback last season.  In Colts have come to recognize the need to protect the organization’s most important asset.  I look for Luck to be even better this season.  An upgrade in Colts skill position players would be nice.

1.  Patrick Mahomes:  This was a real easy choice.  The only question is how high you would draft him.  I might go has high as late second round in my 14 team league.  Mahomes was a sleeper last year.  There is no element of surprise with him this season.